(With the sky absolutely pitch black, Stephen wakes up in the alleyway. Daze and confused walks out of the alley and to his surprise the entire Kingdom is quiet as if no one is there.)
Stephen: Just what is going on? Never in my years have I heard the entire kingdom this quiet. Is anyone even here? And why is the sky so dark? I can't even see the moon. Something's up. This has to be an illusion, a trap by those people in that house.
(As Stephen says this, he continues to walk through the empty kingdom. With each step he takes, flame torches hung in front of the homes start to light up. Once he reaches the Royal City, he begins to see a symbol drawn on every house he comes across.)
Stephen: What is sigil I'm seeing everywhere?
(Just Stephen gets closer to get a better look at the symbol, suddenly all of the houses and buildings that bear that mark burst into flames. As all of this is happening, Stephen looks towards the sky and suddenly two eyes open up staring at Stephen. The sky's mere gaze knocks Stephen unconscious, which in turn wakes Stephen up for real. As he stands up, he finds himself in a dead-end. Realizing this, he goes to the nearest citizen and asks them where the abandoned house has gone to in which they reply by saying "What abandoned house, Prince Stephen? That has always been a dead end." After hearing this, Stephen makes his way back to the palace. Not far the palace, in the tower, Kate continues her talk with Dante until Katherine Uesugi, mother of Kol and Willow runs up.)
Katherine: My apologies for the sudden intrusion, but I need your help, Kate.
(As Katherine says this, she looks in the cell and sees a grown-up Dante, whom she has seen since his execution years ago.)
Dante: Well hello to you too, Ms. Katherine. Shocked to see me?
Kate: Nevermind him. What is it that you need?
Katherine: Kol just sent me an ice hawk, signaling that he needs immediate help. I need you to create a portal to the Uesugi Village so that we can aid my family and clan before it's too late.
Kate: Very well then. Let us go now.
(As Kate says this, Stephen arrives just as Kate creates the portal.)
Kate: Stephen. You're right on time. Come, you will joining us in aiding Katherine and family.
(As Kate says this, Stephen looks at Dante.)
Dante: Didn't you hear mother? You have somewhere to be, brother.
Kate: Come on Stephen. We need to get a move on.
Stephen: Right.
(As they go through the portal, back over in the Uesugi Village, Willow creates a dome of ice over the village and then turn it into water in effort of putting out the fires. As this is happening, the portal opens up and out comes Katherine, Kate & Stephen. )
Katherine: Willow!
(Upon hearing her name being called, she turns around and runs towards Katherine and gives her a hug.)
Willow: You got his messager bird.
Katherine: I did. Where is Kol?
Willow: He's looking for father.
Stephen: What happened here, Willow?
(As Stephen says this, Kol walks up.)
Kol: The village was attacked while we were on our way back from the town down the road. Several fireballs lit up the sky and crashed down upon the village. So far I haven't found any survivors...Not even father.
Katherine: No...He can't be.....
Kol: I haven't been able to find his body. I searched all over. (Kol balls up his fist in anger.) We've should've been here to protect everyone.
Kate: It isn't your fault, Kol.
Kol: Not only did those two destroy the village, wiped out our entire clan, they also stole the medallion.
Stephen: Wait, you're saying two people did this?
Kol: Yes. They were very strong. I managed to hold one of them off, but after the another one obtained the medallion they retreated.
Stephen: Do you think there's a chance that may be in league with the guy who laid out Dante?
Kate: I'm not sure, but there is definitely a chance that they are connected.
Kol: What did you say? What does Dante have to do with this? He wasn't one behind this attack, was he?!?
Kate: No. Dante is locked in a cell back in the kingdom. I was in the middle of a conversation with him about a possible new threat in the region. And the more I think about it, I do in fact think the attack on Dante and what happened here are indeed connected. I just need Dante to tell me what he knows.
Katherine: Let us go back to the kingdom. We will return tomorrow to give our people a proper burial that they deserve.
Kol: Okay. Let's go.
(As they return back to the kingdom through Kate's portal, elsewhere Kai and Rai returns to Galan's base.)
Galan: Well if it isn't my two favorite destroyers! Tell me, did you get the medallion?
Rai: You know us better than anyone, Galan. You know that we wouldn't have returned unless we completed our task.
Kai: And with that being said, may I present you with the sacred Uesugi Medallion.
(Galan takes the medallion and holds it up.)
Galan: Excellent! And what of the Uesugi Clan?
Kai: Wiped from existence.
Rai: Although, we left two alive to bury their dead.
Galan: Mikael will be extremely pleased. Good job you two. And now for your rewards.
(Galan walks over to a cage holding some prisoners.)
Galan: Torture them to heart's desire and if they die on you before you're done, there are more in the back for you to play with. Do enjoy yourself.
Rai: Oh we will.
(Back in the kingdom, Kate returns to the tower to get answers from Dante. Stephen joins her as they walk up to the top of the tower to Dante's cell. Once there, Dante has his hands behind his back as he looks out the window of his cell.)
Dante: Back so soon? I'm guessing you took care of the threat at the Uesugi Village?
Kate: The Uesugi Village was destroyed.
Dante: And let me guess...You think that they might be connected to the one who nearly took me out?
Kate: It's time you told me who he is.
Dante: Very well then. His name is Mikael and has acquired the aid of Ragnarock.
Stephen: Ragnarock is involved in this too?
Kate: What else is there?
Dante: Before we squared off, I was fortunate enough to hear his plans. He told Ragnarock to attack the five Grand Cities in search for their secret artifacts hidden within each treasury. And that once they complete this task, that they will come to the Lockheart Kingdom to collect the final piece.
Stephen: What?!? You mean to tell me that they are making their way here?
Dante: And assuming that what happened in the Uesugi Village was indeed connected to Mikael and his plan, he, along with his allies will be here much sooner rather than later.
Kate: Excuse me. I have some preparations to get done.
(As Kate says this, she leaves. While this happens, Dante looks at the shocked face of Stephen's face and suddenly begins to laugh.)
Stephen: I don't get it. What's so funny, Dante?
Dante: You mean to tell me you don't know yet? Fine, I'll fill you in on the joke. You see, with Mikael and his forces on the way, you all will have a very tough and grueling battle ahead.
Stephen: I think you seem to forget that you're here as well.
Dante: Oh, on the contrary, Stephen. What's so funny about all of this, is that while yes I'm in captivity here in the Lockheart Kingdom. I am also the most protect man within these walls. Mother's magic is most potent. No one on this earth could break her magic cube that she encased me in. And do not get me wrong, I would love nothing more than to help you all fend off the coming threat, but it's like what mother said earlier, she doesn't trust me enough to set me free. And who can blame her? For all she knows, I could disappear the moment she frees me. So you see it just like I said, here within these walls, within this cube, I am untouchable. Haha...Hahahaha! Haha Haha! I do wish you all the best of luck! You all are going to need it.
(As Dante says this, he continues to laugh as Stephen, who's heard enough, leaves and heads back to the palace. After this, a Crow lands on Dante's window seal.)
Dante: I take it that you've taken care of things like I asked?
(The crow caws.)
Dante: Good. Now go on, continue with your surveillance. The information you're acquiring will be of good use in the near future.
(As Dante says this, the crow leaves.)
Dante: Now then...Time to play the waiting game. Let's see just how long it'll take for you to get here.
(As Dante says this, he sits down with his legs crossed and begins to meditate as the moon light fills his room and as the night continues on.)