As Michael begins preparing for the clash with the Black Fang Order, Olivia comes behind him and locks the door.
Michael sees her but doesn't know what to say.
Olivia asks,
"When are you going to stop pretending that nothing happened here?"
Michael replies,
"I hate it. I hate every bit of it, and I don't want to talk about it."
(He breaks down.)
"I thought I would finally be happy, but whatever I do always turns out wrong for me... and now I have successfully ruined your life, Olive."
As Michael calls her "Olive" instead of "Olivia," she starts crying.
"Why is it only us?"
Michael walks toward her.
"Don't worry, Olive. I won't let anything happen to you."
(He looks at the ring on his hand.)
In his mind:
"Whatever happened was terrible, I know... but that doesn't mean I don't love her. I need to think about this more because whenever I think alone, I usually find the right answer. But do I even have the time? What do I do? Solve my relationship with Olivia... or go save the town? The walls are going to break very soon. I know what I have to do, and my decision might not be correct, but it is what it is. I can't be right every time."
Michael opens the door, picks up Regicide, puts on his coat, and rings the alarm bell.
As the alarm bell echoes throughout the town, all the troops prepare for battle.
All the civilians rush inside the bunkers.
The archers take their positions on the towers.
The cannons are loaded.
The magic casters raise a massive barrier around the town.
This is going to be the biggest war anyone has seen in the past few years.
The Black Fang Order has only one objective:
Make the town surrender.
On the other hand, Crimson Oath must stand on its feet and defend everything it has left.
Thorne Valric looks at the defensive wall being cast around the town.
This moment is extremely important to him.
After his fight against Salim, he was humiliated by Dom, and that humiliation still burns inside him.
If he wants to regain his honor...
He has to win here.
ONE WEEK UNTIL THE BLACK MEETING
ARMY OFFICE
"Our troops number one thousand, and to have the greatest chance of winning, we need a clear strategy. What do you think, Mike?"
Michael answers immediately.
"Split the one thousand troops into ten sectors, giving one hundred soldiers to each sector."
"Deploy those one hundred troops at every sector."
"Ask every civilian who is capable of fighting to join the defense, and deploy them in Sectors Eight through Ten since they are the last line of defense."
"I'll head to Sector One and fight the enemy commander."
"I have already contacted the N.I.Y.U.E., and they are going to respond to the situation."
"That should force the Black Fang Order to retreat."
"But until they arrive..."
"We have to hold the line."
As Michael tightens his grip on Regicide, he suddenly feels himself being pulled into his own mind.
"Where... am I?"
A voice answers.
Regicide's Soul:
"You are inside your own mind, where all your powers exist."
"What?"
"Regicide... how are you talking?"
"Fool."
"I am the soul of Regicide."
"And inside your mind..."
"We can speak freely."
"Why did you bring me here?"
"To talk to you about something."
"Listen carefully."
"I understand you're going through a difficult time."
"You don't understand who you are anymore."
"You don't know what you're supposed to do."
"I have watched every moment of your life."
"And I want to tell you something."
"I am proud of you."
"You are a strong boy, Michael."
"Everything you did came from your heart."
"The situation you're in is cruel..."
"But you will overcome it."
"Because I know you will."
Michael lowers his head.
"The main reason I called you here..."
"...is because I want you to merge the Purple Emperor's power with me."
"Once you do that..."
"You will be able to use those abilities freely."
"How?"
"Place some of the Purple Emperor's energy into my hand."
"...Yes."
"Just like that."
Michael transfers the Purple Emperor's energy into Regicide.
IN A SINGLE INSTANT...
The purple energy surges through Michael's entire body.
The sky itself begins turning purple from the overwhelming power flowing inside him.
Regicide shines with a brilliant purple aura.
Michael grips the sword tightly.
The Regicide has evolved.
Michael is now the true Purple Emperor.