(As Mason stands across Dante and Stephen, Mason quickly uses his Time abilities to rescue Mikael from Dante's clutches. He then heals his wound in his chest to Stephen's surprise.)
Stephen: Just what is the meaning of this, father? Why are you helping the enemy?
Dante: It's like I said earlier. Betrayal is the theme of the day.
(As Dante says this, Mason helps up Mikael back to his feet and then takes out a box containing all of the pieces that Mikael has collected. Elsewhere, Vincent and Azura continue to battle each other as Vincent's power and speed continue to rise. Vincent manages to land a significant blow to Azura that knocks her back. This then allows Vincent to fire a huge blast towards Azura. While this happens, Mori temporarily freezes Tana in time.)
Mori: It seems things are starting to come out. I'd best take this opportunity to get rid of Azura. Besides Dante and Stephen, she's the biggest threat here.
(Just as Mori says this, he teleports behind Azura.)
Mori: I'm sorry, but I have to break our deal...No hard feelings, Azura.
Azura: Why you backstabber!
(As Azura says this, Mori temporarily freezes her in time and vanishes away as Vincent's blast connects causing a huge explosion. Meanwhile, back over to Mikael as he begins to gloat.)
Mikael: Nothing you say matters now. I've suffered enough of your presence. Wiping you from the face of this earth is the next step. Lucky for you Prince Stephen, your father has spared your life. With this, I can now assemble the Astral Cube.
Stephen: It looks like you're missing a piece.
Mikael: No need to worry your little head. I was gifted the piece you acquired early this morning. It was that in which solidified our deal, Stephen.
Stephen: I don't understand...Just why is this happening?!? Why are you betraying us?!?
Dante: Enough! I've waited years for this...I'm killing you today.
(As Dante says this, he charges towards Mason with his sword, but as he gets close Mori reappears behind Stephen with a short blade pointed at his neck.)
Mori: Take another step and I kill your brother.
(As Mori says this, Dante turns around to face him.)
Mori: Do not think you are slick, Dante. One move and I shatter his spine, crippling him from the neck down.
Stephen: You're in on this as well, Mori?!? But why? I thought you to be a friend.
Mori: My apologies, Stephen but this isn't personal. It's strictly business.
Stephen: The hell that it isn't personal! You've destroyed my home! And now you alongside my father are trying to upset the balance of nature trying to utilize a relic that isn't meant for us to use!
Mikael: Don't be so naive...Things like the Astral Cube was put here for the people with ambition! It isn't nobodies else's fault that you lack not only ambition but purpose.
Stephen: I just don't understand...Why? You were a King?
Mason: My time of being King is over...Out there right now is land. Land that stretches out as far as the eye can see and it is not unified. I want to be the one who does it. I will achieve the one thing no one has ever done in unifying the land.
Dante: So you want all of the region to yourself? Is that it?
Mason: Your perception of things was always so small. I mean everything. The Para Continent of Vera and the Land of Magic, Ataria. Everything and everyone will listen to one man's words and they will be mine. And Mikael being here is per our agreement. I offered him a job. I needed some assistance getting rid of an incessant passerine thinking he could do anything. Thinking that he was a free man, that he could roam these lands and kill and destroy as he sees fit! I sent Mori way to Ataria to an outcast society of Mages.
Stephen: No...Just how deep does your conniving schemes go, father?!? I must admit, I feel like a complete fool. This...This version of you was always there...I just didn't want to believe it.
Mason: So tell me...What made you finally see the truth?
Stephen: Your recent argument with mother. From that point on things changed.
Mikael: While I do enjoy watching your family crumble into bits, I believe there are more important matters at hand, Mason.
Mason: You're right. Do forgive me, friend.
(As Mason says this, offers the last piece of the Astral Cube to which Mikael uses a simple spell to bring the piece flying into his grasp. As Mikael connects the final piece as he starts to float as he chants a spell in preparation.)
Stephen: You're out of your mind if you think we'll just stand here and let you do this!
Mason: You'd dare stand against your father? I never raised you to be so disrespectful, Stephen. Perhaps I should've found a way to get rid of you like I did your bastard brother. Nevertheless, you're currently in no position to do anything.
Stephen: Do you really think that?
(As Stephen says this, he suddenly burst with power, blowing Mori back.)
Stephen: So it's true. I think I finally see what you see now, Dante. He's not even human anymore...Just evil incarnate.
Mason: Well I was beginning to wonder if you had anything left in the tank, boy. Yes, it's true. Everything you saw in that memory Dante showed was true. Dante being related to that monster Dawn and have the level of genius and prowess that has always shown made for reasonable doubt that he would inevitably become a threat. It became impossible to move forward with my plans with Dante alive. I knew if I allowed him to grow and harness his power, he'd be too powerful if I waited too long. So I had your mother seal his powers, but even with his powers gone, you still found a way to shine through. Suddenly, I knew what I had to do to be rid of you.
Dante: You set me up.
Mason: I did.
(As Mason says this, Dante's eyes suddenly glow red as he activates his Shuketsugan.)
Mason: Ah. There they are. Don't think you can take hold of me again, boy.
Dante: I'm not a fool. I caught you off guard when your focus wasn't on me.
Mason: You've told me many times of how you wanted to kill me. And I'll be honest, I've been wanting a second chance at taking your life ever since it was revealed that you survived. Are you ready to get your ass handed to you boy?
Dante: That's a lot of talk for a simple figurehead who's never held true power in his own Kingdom. You wanna know how the other Kings speak of you behind your back? They laugh at you. They don't even recognize you as a king. You're a man who married into his wealth and status, and this is how you choose to respond? You're nothing more than trash. You're scum beneath my boot.
Mason: Tch!
(Just as tensions rises to higher heights, suddenly in the sky a small ripple appears.)
Mikael: Good...Now it just needs one final push!
(As Mikael says this, he moves his hands apart as he rips opens a passageway to transfer the preternatural essence of the Astral Realm. As this happens a light blue glow then beams through as the otherworldly power begins to flows within the cube.)
Mikael: Yes...Yes!!! More!! More power!!! Mason! I need you and Mori to hold them off until extract enough power. I have a strong barrier put up, a combined attack from those two won't break it, but Azura most likely can.
(Just Mikael says this, the ground begins to shake as Azura suddenly arises and erupts reaching her absolute peak in power. Distracted by this, Mason knocks back both Dante and Stephen as Azura shreds through the ground as she charges towards Mason. He tries to slow down time around Azura, but her raw speed catches Mason off guard as she sends him soaring through several buildings. Immediately after this, she charges towards Mason again, but this time Dante steps in her way.)
Dante: Hey! Hey! Azura! I know you can recognize my voice. He's mine.
(As Dante says this, Azura completely disregards him as she continues on towards Mason, but Dante stops yet again.)
Dante: I don't want to go against our deal. Mason is mine.
Azura: You don't control me, Crow!
(As she says this, she fires a quick but powerful blast. Dante manages to take out his sword and uses it to block against as the mere force of the blast drags his feet through the ground.)
Dante: Tch! She really unhinged....This is not good...Not good at all.
(As Dante tries his best to deflect Azura's blast, Vincent and Tana both returned and appears in Azura's way. They then fire a combination blast that she at first keeps at bay, but eventually as Vincent puts all his power into the blast it knocks Azura back, close to Mikael's barrier. While this is happening, Mikael finally gathers enough Astral essence to properly function the Astral Cube. Also, as this takes place Dante finally deflects Azura's blast into the sky.)
Dante: Tch! That was much harder than expected.
Mikael: Well if that was difficult then you most certainly won't stand a chance against me now. Behold! The power of the Astral Plane! You, Dante, has the pleasure of being my first kill with it. Tell me, are you ready to die for a second time?
Dante: As if you possessing that means you can kill me.
Mikael: Don't believe in its power, do you? Then allow me to give you a demonstration of the power I currently wield!