(As Kate finishes healing Mason, she helps him up to his feet. As they begin to talk, Dante and Mikael begin to combat one another.)
Mason: I should thank you, Kate. I now realize just how much of a burden I've been to you as of late.
Kate: While I appreciate your sentiment, now isn't the time. Believe me, when this is done you can continue to grovel at my feet, Mason.
Mason: Has he proven to be a threat this Mikael?
Kate: He is no slouch. Mikael has definitely had some excellent training in Ataria. I can tell that he has experience on the battlefield.
Mason: What are his chances against the both of us?
Kate: He will hold his own.
Mason: And with him?
(Mason looks at Dante.)
Kate: Dante is the key. He will be the one who gives us a chance.
Mason: Surely you're joking? I know you have more power at your disposal.
Kate: Its true what I said earlier. Mikael is serious. Do not let your ego go to your head, Mason. If he catches you lacking off, he will seize the opportunity. Not to mention that he knows a high-level spell, Absolute Counter. He pushed back a very powerful attack of mine. It took me way into the earth's atmosphere until I was able to stop it. Doing that took a lot of my strength. So trust me when I say, Dante being here is a good thing for us.
Mason: Just what spell has he put on you that makes you believe in him so much?
Kate: You mean besides the fact that he's my son? Well, I don't know Mason. You have heard all of the same stories, rumors, and feats that his name has been attached to. And if being trained under Lenneth isn't enough proof of his skill, then I do not know what else to tell you.
Mason: Very well then.
(Mason takes a few steps forwards.)
Mason: Listen here, Dante. Since you were a little boy all the way up to now, all I have ever heard about you is your skill. I think it's time you show us what you can really do...That is if the rumors had any real truth to them.
Dante: Why don't you just still to the sidelines, Mason. Your assistance won't be needed.
(As Dante says this, he then proceeds to clash with Mikael as they both fight for control, but are at a standstill as they continue to match one another blow for blow.)
Mason: Doesn't Mikael hail from Ataria? Just what is his rank?
Kate: He's an Archmage. A very powerful one at that.
Mason: An Archmage who knows Absolute Counter? That's highly unusual. Has he divulged any information as to why he seeks the Perfect Cube?
Kate: No not entirely. And it's not the Perfect Cube he's after, it's the Astral Cube. If I had to guess I'd say he's after knowledge or something within the Astral Plane.
Mason: Whatever it is, Dante is our only hope of extracting that information from him.
Kate: Did I just hear you correctly? Does this mean you'll work together alongside him?
Mason: Trust me. I do not like having to depend on him because he is still very much unpredictable, but he is just as capable as Stephen if not more.
Kate: What are you talking about?
Mason: Just earlier, I saw him use mere words to dispatch of Ragnarock. Hell, he even turned his sights onto me and made me get on my knees. That's when he broke my nose. I believe Azura called it compulsion and that he utilizes his eyes to use it.
Kate: Yes. Compulsion is a very powerful technique, but just how is he able to use it?
Mason: His eyes...To be more specific, his Shuketsugan.
Kate: The Shuketsugan?
Mason: You mean to tell me that you are unfamiliar? I would assume that with your relations with the Oriha Clan that you would about their wicked eyes.
(As Mason says this, Mikael fires several orbs at Dante, but he easily dodges them.)
Mikael: My my...You sure do live up to your name, Dante. However, I must say that your mother proved to be much more of a threat.
Dante: Is that right?
Mikael: In truth, you aren't as fearful as I heard. When traveling, I have heard people talk of the Bloody Crow, but seeing you here today I find it laughable that anyone found you to be terrifying. You know, it is said that "A man without his powers is a man without power."
Dante: And I take it I'm that man?
Mikael: You are. Here, I'll give an example of just how useless you are. If you can stop this attack before it reaches the gates of your former home, then perhaps I'll take you a little more seriously.
Dante: Is that it? A challenge?
Mikael: Do you accept?
Dante: Yes, but I'll do you one more. Not only will I stop your attack, but I'll also do it with one hand behind my back.
Kate: Dante no! This isn't the time for games!
Mason: Do you understand now?!? He's too unpredictable!
Mikael: Challenge accepted.
(Mikael quickly fires an orb of magic towards Dante and as it touches his hand, Dante is immediately pushed back as tries to stop it. After this, Mikael turns his attention back towards Kate and Mason.)
Mikael: Hope your son doesn't die because I'm far from finished with him.
Mason: If anyone can look after themselves, it's that bastard. But since he is currently indisposed, you'll be dealing with the both of us.
Mikael: I sent Galan over to deal with you. Where is he now?
Mason: He's dead.
Mikael: You killed him? No...That would be impossible. I heard the sonic wave from his slavers.
Mason: It is true that I did not kill him. That's because Dante did. He not only killed Galan and his slaves, but he also made due of Ragnarock for the moment. The only one from your faction on their feet is Azura. She's currently still locked in battle with Prince Stephen.
Kate: Do you understand now, Mikael? Your chances of victory are getting smaller and smaller by the second.
Mikael: Oh, on the contrary, your highness. Victory is still in my grasp.
Mason: You can cut the crap. You stand no chance.
Mikael: Oh Mason, allow me to show you just how wrong you are.
(As Mikael says he immediately teleports into Mason and Kate faces and blasts them back with his magic. He then dashes towards Mason as he tries to regain his balance, creates another magic orb, jumps up, and kicks it towards Mason which causes a huge explosion.)
Mikael: Hmpt...I would've expected a bit more from a King!
(As Mikael says this, a ball of magic just misses him as it passes just inches from his face. This causes Mikael to look towards Kate.)
Mikael: I was just thinking that it is about time I just ended this.
Kate: No.
Mikael: You disagree?
Kate: I don't believe you. You speak as if you must make haste, but your tactics, your action says you're stalling for time. I want to know why.
(As Kate says this, back by the palace, Stephen and Azura continue to trade shots as they both land powerful strikes on one another. Stephen fires a blast, but shockingly Azura goes through it, bursts out of the blast, and strikes Stephen with so much force that she sends him to the Uesugi Sector. The sudden shattering of a wall not only causes Rai to stop his attack on Kol but also wakes up Willow and Kai. Once Stephen is on his feet, he looks over and sees Willow regaining consciousness and Rai throwing kunai knives at him. This prompts Stephen to fire a blast which causes Rai to change his position, giving Stephen enough time to help both Kol and Willow.)
Willow: Prince Stephen?!?! You're alive?!
Stephen: I'm afraid that I don't have the time to catch up. Can you fight Willow?
Willow: I can.
Stephen: Good. I'm gonna need your help protecting Kol. Do you think you can do that?
Kol: Don't speak as if I'm a liability or something. All I need is a moment and I'm back in the fight.
Stephen: Okay.
Willow: Where's Lunafreya? Is she okay?
Stephen: She's okay, just unconscious. Mori, Ken, and Lunafreya will be rejoining the fight soon enough.
Kol: Good. That's good. Help me up to my feet.
(Stephen takes Kol's hand as he pulls him up back his feet. Just as this happens though, Azura arrives.)
Azura: You cannot escape me nor my wrath, Stephen.
Stephen: Heh! You give me too much credit, Azura. It's not by my own feet that I come to be here, but your heavy fists.
Kol: She hits that hard, Stephen?
Azura: I do.
Kol: How frightening. However, I'd rather it'd be you than me if I'm to speak the truth.
Azura: You aren't the first to cower in fear of my strength nor will you be the last.
(As Azura says this, Rai puts his hand in the way of Azura just as she began to walk towards Stephen, Kol, and Willow.)
Rai: Sorry to break it to you, both those two are ours. You will not lay a hand on them.
Azura: Excuse me, but I kill whoever I want. Tell me what to do again and I'll turn my attention towards you and your brother.
Kai: Do not be foolish, Azura. Not in your dreams could you hope to defeat us.
Azura: What did you say?
Rai: Now now brother...We're supposed to be allies with Azura and Ragnarock. Let's not go and do something reckless.
Kai: Oh brother! You forget people do not call us the Brothers of Havoc for no reason. I don't mind being the man who killed the leader of Ragnarock!
(As Kai says this, he fires a wave of fire at Azura, but she splits it in half just by standing there as her aura shields her. After this, she immediately leaps towards both Rai and Kai as she proceeds to combat them. Stephen then seizes the moment to sneak Kol and Willow out of the vicinity and back towards the palace. It's here when Willow awakes the others and ties up the remaining members of Ragnarock. As all of this is happening, back the entrance of the Kingdom, Dante's back is being pushed into the gate as he tries to stop Mikael's attack.)
Dante: Tch! This....Will not....Get the best of me!
(It's here that Dante sends the ball of magic into the air where it explodes.)
Dante: Now that that's over, let's put an end to this.
(As Dante says this, he then rejoins his mother Kate as she and Mason combat Mikael. While Mikael is blocking and dodging attacks, Dante comes out of nowhere as he lands a kick square in the jaw which is followed up by a dual attack from Mason and Kate that sends Mikael crashing through the Kingdoms walls towards the center of the Kingdom. Back over by the Palace, Stephen catches everyone up to speed about what's happening. It's also here that Kol shares what he has learned from Rai.)
Willow: Is what you say true, Kol?
Kol: Yes. As a kid, I've heard of that very siege. It was said that the elder of that tribe intended to betray father so he along with a few of his most trusted made the decision and that decision is the reason behind their attack on us.
Stephen: Not to be rude to your situation Kol, but we must use this time to defeat our remaining enemies.
Mori: I think I have something.
Stephen: Well speak fast, Mori.
Mori: Well first things, we're going to need to draw all three of them here.
Ken: Why?
Mori: This technique takes a lot of me, so it would be most beneficial if I were able to get the entirety of Ragnarock, and Rai & Kai all together.
Lunafreya: What do you plan to do?
Mori: My goal is to freeze them all in time. Now for as long as it will hold for, I do not know, but I do know that this is the best option if we wish to not only survive but be able to help the King and Queen in defeating Mikael.
Stephen: Sounds good. Kol, you're with me on this. First, we disrupt their fight and then trick them here. From there, Lunafreya, Ken, and Willow will aid us in keeping them in place. Hopefully, that will give Mori enough time to muster up his Time manipulating powers.
Mori: That is an excellent plan, Stephen.
Stephen: Then let's get to work then.