(After the explosion from her attack, Kate walks over to the large crater and notices Mikael isn't there. As some of the smoke fades, Kate looks up to see Mikael floating high above her. She then meets him in the air. While she gets a closer look at Mikael, blood starts to pour from his arm as his sleeve was burned while fending off Kate's attack.)
Kate: Still think I am without my original strength?
Mikael: (Scoffs) I do. Judging from your last attack, I'd say you used about 10% of your true strength. So far you've shown me nothing worth fearing.
Kate: Well if its fear you're looking for, then fear you shall have.
Mikael: You seem like a person who doesn't like to hold their punches. Why don't you just hit me with everything you got and I'll do the same?
Kate: Very well then, but I'm afraid you won't like the view from where you'll be standing.
Mikael: Pardon me?
(Kate suddenly sends Mikael crashing towards the ground with her telekinesis.)
Kate: You have my apologies for my blindside attack. I do however think you'll love this one.
(Kate opens her hands and in between is a small red ball of magic. As she raises her hand, the ball of magic suddenly grows the size of a moon.)
Mikael: Is that all you got?
Kate: Oh? Are you not satisfied with its current size?
Mikael: Don't speak as if you can alter it much further. Try as you might, but you cannot fool me. This entire time you've been speaking as if you're just as powerful as the Scarlet Sorceress. Everyone in Ataria already knows that when you cemented your position as Queen, she died. The only person you're trying to convince here is yourself.
Kate: Answer me this. Do you believe that?
Mikael: Yes I do.
Kate: Then it would seem the reason you peaked as in Archmage is because of your lack of judgment. (As she says this, her Scarlet Moon grows twice its size.) You see, years ago I did spell. One, I couldn't do alone. It was a spell put in place to limit my pull of magic. What you Mikael, fail to realize is that I am a firstborn witch of my generation. Do you know what that makes me?
(Mikael, who is still stunned from the sudden growth in magnitude of Kate's attack, struggles to find the words. Elsewhere in the kingdom, as Stephen and Azura continue to battle, throwing various combinations of kicks and punches. Stephen blocks a punch that pushes him back, but he maintains his balance. In this short moment, Stephen looks to the sky and lays his eyes upon a vast red sphere in the sky.)
Stephen: What are on Earth?
(Far over in the X-Empire, in a court on the palace grounds, King Luther and Prince Kaiba have a private talk over tea.)
King Luther: As you see, things are starting to get out of hand in the Lockheart Kingdom.
Kaiba: Indeed so, father.
King Luther: I have a very important question to ask you, my son. If and when the battle concludes in the Lockheart Kingdom and the Lockheart's do manage to survive if we were to break the peace treaty and take over their land, would you rule it?
Kaiba: For a long time now, the Lockheart's have kept many secrets to themselves. Things that all four Kingdoms should know. Their capture and detainment of the Bloody Crow was the last straw. If you wish to strike at an already weakened foe, then I will follow in your stead, and do what must be done.
King Luther: Excellent. That was exactly what I wanted to hear.
Kaiba: Well we march once the battle has ended?
King Luther: No. I have a plan and it will need some time to fester.
Kaiba: Will we involve the other Kingdoms?
King Luther: Not at this very moment. I believe the other two Kings are very much at peace with what has already transpired. I will need time to find what I need to turn them against the Lockheart's.
Kaiba: I understand.
King Luther: Be honest, Kaiba. Do you hold any hard feelings towards what I've said so far? I mean, you have fought alongside Prince Stephen. Surely he has become a friend in recent years, no?
Kaiba: I will admit that we have gotten close, but nothing more than that. My personal reason for wanting this is because their family is the cause of everything that has happened this year. The attack in New Dawn City, the destruction of Nanbu District. Let's not forget the recent attacks on the Grand Cities as well. Everything that has taken place, somewhere between the lines, the Lockheart's have their fingerprints on it. No more. I say no more, father.
King Luther: Then say no more. I will send scouts out to the area to give reports. I will keep you informed on the matter. I do hope you do not catch cold feet.
Kaiba: You don't have to worry about me. The time when we rule over this region is coming and soon. I'll await the news in my chambers.
(As Kaiba says this, he leaves. Back in the Lockheart Kingdom, Mason evades the ongoing assaults from Ragnarock as Owen and Tana are all constantly moving around attacking, hoping to find an opening. Mori and Athena are still at each others throat, as they continue to trade blows. Rei throws three kicks at Ken that he blocks. He then follows up with two punches, one connects and the other is evaded. In the center of the kingdom, Galan stands atop a broken roof so he can get a better view of the kingdom. It's here that Galan sees the crystal tower and the tower holding Dante.)
Galan: Now I wonder what they are keeping there.
(As Galan says this, he sees Alexia, Kate's assistant, running through the rubble as she takes to make her way to the palace. Galan then appears before her, grabs her by the throat, and jumps back up on the roof as he proceeds to dangle her over some debris.)
Galan: You'll excuse my poor behavior, but I'm afraid that I have a question. You see that tower over there? I want to know what's being kept there.
Alexia: I don't know! I'm just a regular citizen!
Galan: Oh? But the royal crest on your sleeve says otherwise. I'll give you one more chance. What is in the tower?
Alexia: The Bloody Crow. He's being kept on the top floor within a magic cube created by his mother.
Galan: So he isn't dead like Mikael says?
Alexia: No. The Queen healed him.
Galan: I see. Thank you for this information.
(As Galan says this, he drops Alexia as he makes his way towards the tower. Back by Kate, Mikael finally finds his words.)
Kate: I'll give you a moment, go, and collect your words.
Mikael: It means your a Heretic. Think of me as you will, but I am not a jester. I've longed heard stories about the magical power, let alone magical essence that runs through every strain of your being. I knew what I was getting myself into. And the reason as to why I'm so calm is because nothing has changed. The outcome hasn't changed. So if that is all the power that your old body can muster up, then may I suggest that you throw it already.
Kate: One last gift. Scarlet's Moon.
(As she says this, her attack grows even more enormous then releases it. As her attack looms over Mikael, he smiles for a moment right before getting serious.)
Mikael: Well I must say that you've impressed me, but your time is nearing its end. Absolute Counter.
(As Mikael says this, he releases a force wave that pushes the enormous ball of magic back towards Kate with tremendous speed. Back in the Royal City, Stephen lands a breathtaking blow to Azura in which buys him some time to breathe. While doing this, he sees Kate being pushed higher into the sky by her own spell.)
Stephen: I need to finish this quickly, but at this rate, it looks like Azura is still only just getting warmed up. Man.....She truly is something else. I can tell that with each blow she lands, even if I block it, she's gets even stronger. If my father does not do something, then I'll have to elude Azura in hopes to help mother.
Azura: What's this? You plan on running, from little ole me? How disrespectful can you be as a Prince?
Stephen: Make no mistake, I do intend on finishing this battle.
Azura: Good. That's what I want to hear.
(As Azura says this, she charges towards Stephen as they being to trade shots. Early on, Azura has control, but Stephen cunningly sweeps her foot, jumps into the air, and soars back down with a ball of Crimson energy in hand and smashes it into Azura causing a huge explosion. After this, Stephen makes a run towards Kate as Azura seems to be down for a moment. As this is happening, Galan arrives at the tower. With no guards around, Galan simply walks in and quickly makes his way up the stairs to the top. It's there where Galan comes across Dante's cell where he is still locked within Kate's cube in deep meditation.)
Galan: So I guess that settles it. He is very much still alive. I believe I should inform Mikael of this discovery.
(As Galan says this, he teleports away.)