A few moments ago within Dante's mind...
(As Dante sits within his cell meditating, he then finds himself walking through the streets of an old village at night. As he walks throughout the village, he begins to hear the voice of a woman calling out to him. Curious about the voice, he follows it to a dead end.)
Dante: Hmm...A dead end. Maybe I drifted away too far.
(As he says this, his Shuketsugan suddenly activates. After this, Dante begins to see ripples effects on the wall in front of him.)
Dante: Perhaps I spoke too soon. This wall...It appears to be an illusion.
"Yes...You're learning, Dante. Follow my voice."
Dante: Very well then. I'll do as you ask.
(As Dante says this, he walks through the wall. On the other side though he is suddenly greeted by a group of masked men, who then proceeds to attack him.)
"You are new to your eyes abilities. Make them stop in their tracks."
Dante: Okay.
(As Dante says this, the group of masked men closes in on him.)
Dante: Stop where you stand.
(They then stop their advances, unable to move.)
"Good. If you are able to accomplish this, then your Shuketsugan is much stronger than I anticipated. Continue to follow my voice until you reach me, Oriha."
Dante: You said "Oriha". I assume that you know just who I am, don't you?
"In time I'll tell you everything. First, you must reach me before I answer your questions."
Dante: Tch! Must everything be a scavenger hunt? Very well, I do as you instruct me whoever you are.
(As Dante continues on, he takes a look at the village as he passes by each home, store, and building. He then comes across a sign that says "Welcome to the Oriha Village!", which causes him to stop.)
Dante: What's this? Is this my father's village?
(As Dante says this, he then finds himself standing in front of a door with a glowing light beaming from underneath the door. As he goes to open it, the light burst through as he enters. After this, he wakes up to Alexia freeing him from his cell.)
Present Time.....
Galan: You see Mason if you would've combated me at full strength maybe you could've won this battle and we wouldn't be having this conversation. A simple, but genius plan to goat you into my plan. Now not only do you fall to my plan but so does all of your comrades.
(As Galan says this, he takes out a short blade and glides it alongside Mason's face.)
Galan: Don't worry Mason. I'll make sure your suffering lasts as long as the sun.
(Galan then stabs Mason in the stomach. Galan also cuts an "X" across Mason's chest.)
Galan: Mmm...Tell me, Mason, can you still feel? Or has your body already gone numb?
(As Mason says nothing, Galan laughs.)
Galan: I guess it would seem that not only have you lost feeling, but also your ability to speak, maybe even your ability to hear as well. Hahahaha! Excellent.
(As Galan says this, he then jumps on top of the Watch Tower to gain a better view of everything happening within the kingdom. Not too far ahead of him he sees Ken and Mori stuck in place. Towards the center of the Royal City, Lunafreya is also frozen in place. As for Stephen, he continues to fight Azura, but his body is slowly losing access to its five senses.)
Stephen: Tch! Just what is happening to me? This loud ringing in my ears, in my head, won't stop!
(As Stephen says this, Azura fires a blast. Stephen tries to block it, but then loses complete control of his body and is hit by the blast which sends him crashing through the entire Royal City and onto the steps of the palace where Mason is still frozen still.)
Stephen: Father??? Just...Just what is happening to me?
(In the Uesugi Sector, Rai beats on a defenseless Kol as he stands over him punching and stomping on him repeatedly. At the front, Kate and Mikael remain unaffected by Galan's worker's subsonic frequency wave. After this, Galan hops down, then roof jumps until he's back in front of the palace.)
Galan: Well isn't this a treat to have both King and Prince fall before me. Seeing as this is the pivotal moment, I'll quickly dispatch of you and your father.
(As Galan says this, he goes and removes the blade from Mason's gut and moves over to Stephen.)
Galan: There comes a day where even the mighty must fall. Enjoy hell, Crimson Blood.
(As Galan goes for the killing blow, a gust of wind suddenly comes which stops him. Galan then turns around only to see his worker's heads have been severed.)
Galan: What the?!? How is this possible!?!
(As Galan says this, he is then impaled through the heart with a sword.)
Dante: And that's the end of you and your slaves.
Stephen: (While rubbing his eyes) Dante?!? Is that you? How did you get free?
(As Stephen says this, Dante offers a hand to Stephen, pulling him up. Stephen then loses balance, but Dante catches him.)
Dante: I guess your body needs some time to recover from that sound attack.
Mason: Tch! Just how are you walking freely?!?
(As Mason says this, Dante activates his Shuketsugan.)
Dante: Silence.
(Mason then is unable to speak.)
Dante: Get on your knees.
Stephen: Dante what are you doing?
(As Stephen says this, Dante proceeds to hit Mason in the nose with a hard knee strike, breaking his nose.)
Stephen: Dante!
Dante: Shut up Stephen! He deserves much more than a broken nose.
(As Dante says this, he summons his sword as he prepares to kill Mason, but Stephen takes the sword.)
Dante: Give it back, Stephen.
Stephen: No. Regardless if he deserves it or not, we need him for this battle! Don't you agree?
Dante: No, I don't. I won't ask again. Give me my blade.
Stephen: If you cannot see how having him aids us greatly then I will not return your sword.
Dante: Very well then.
(As Dante opens his hand, his sword starts to shake within Stephen's hand as it tries to return to Dante.)
Dante: Let go of the sword, Stephen. It'll take your arm if you continue to persist.
(As Dante and Stephen have a standoff, an explosion goes off behind them. Out of the smoke is Azura, alongside Ragnarock with Owen, Rei, and Vincent carrying Ken, Lunafreya, and Mori's unconscious bodies on their shoulders.)
Azura: So the Bloody Crow finally decides to make an appearance? Hopefully, you'll prove more of a challenge compared to your brother.
Dante: I think that goes without saying. Stephen here was never adept in fighting as I am.
Stephen: Look. They have our friends. We must save them, Dante.
Dante: I'm sorry, but they are of no concern to me, Stephen.
Stephen: Are you sure about that? If I recall correctly, you nearly lost your life protecting Lunafreya in New Dawn City. So spare me the notion of you not caring, brother.
Dante: I guess you make a valid point. Drop them.
(Upon Dante's command, Rei, Owen, and Vincent release Lunafreya, Ken and Mori.)
Tana: How did he do that?
Dante: Knock yourselves out.
Azura: No. Don't listen to him!
(Trying their best to resist the urge, every member minus Azura knocks themselves unconscious. After this, Azura takes notice of Dante's eyes.)
Azura: Your eyes. I never knew that the Shuketsugan could possess the ability of compulsion, but it would also seem like it doesn't affect me in the slightest. Must be the perks of having the same ability. Nevertheless, I will defeat you both. My strength is slowly reaching uncharted territory meaning even I won't know what I could achieve. This will not be easy for the both of you.
Dante: Well I guess we'll have to see about that now won't we?
Stephen: No Dante. Go and help mother. I'll deal with Azura.
Dante: Are you sure you can take her on your own?
Stephen: I can.
(After hearing this, Dante turns around facing Azura.)
Dante: My apologies Azura, but if you get at me, you're going to have to get through Stephen. You know big brothers? They always protect their younger siblings.
(As Dante says this, he walks over to Mason and places his hand on his shoulder only to then burst into Crow feathers as they teleport away to the front entrance of the Kingdom where Kate and Mikael are at a standstill.)
Dante: Well well. Longtime no see, Mikael.
Mikael: What's this?!? I killed you!
Dante: No, you only prolonged my suffering. But now I am healed and my mind finally clear. So, are you ready for round two?
Mikael: I'll make sure that I get the job done this time around!
Dante: You're free to move now.
(As Dante releases his compulsion on Mason, Kate runs over to him and begins to heal his wounds.)