Before Taking the Stage
Last updated 2026-02-03
Before Taking the Stage is the tenth episode of Season 1 - Epilogue: Bury Your Tears With the Past (A) in Phaethon's Story.
Parts
- Interruption
- Only Phaethon Can Do It
- Divide and Conquer
- Perfect Partners
- Forced Cooperation
- Confidential Instruction
- Former Partner
- A Foreshadowing
- The Truth
Steps
- Meet up with everyone and enter the Hollow
Gameplay Notes
- During step 1:
- The squad is limited to a trial
Von Lycaon and
Soldier 0 - Anby.
Vivian Banshee will assist during battle.- The active character will be limited to
Wise or
Belle when not in combat.
- The squad is limited to a trial
Trial Mode
| Inter-Knot Rank:
Elite Proxy |
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Agent & W-Engine |
Skills & Equipment | Stats |
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2 |
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| Inter-Knot Rank:
Legendary Proxy |
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| Team Position |
Agent & W-Engine |
Skills & Equipment | Stats |
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1 |
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2 |
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Dialogue
- (Approach Vivian)
- Vivian: Looks like we're all here. Hugo, you're late again...
- Hugo: Do forgive me~ Someone was pestering me and wasting my precious time...
- Lycaon: ...
- (Talk to Vivian)
- Vivian: Oh right. Other than familiar faces, we also have a new friend joining us for this operation.
- Hugo: Seems that Miss Anby is the reinforcements recommended by the manager.
- Hugo: A pleasure to meet you. I'm Hugo.
- Anby: Hello. The Proxy has already updated me on the necessary information. Rest assured, I will keep it confidential.
- Hugo: So, before entering the Hollow, let's confirm the mission's objective once again.
- Hugo: We'll be heading to one of the coordinates marked in Bringer's notebook and searching the area.
- Hugo: Based on relevant information, these coordinates may contain secrets related to the Exaltists... These could be treasures, or something awful.
- Hugo: We'll have to explore and find out.
- Hugo: If there are no further questions, let's begin now.
- (Enter combat)
- Lycaon: ...I didn't expect the coordinates in Bringer's notes to lead here.
- Hugo: Oh? Are you familiar with this place?
- Lycaon: More familiar than you, it seems.
- Vivian: ...Proxy, if they're being too noisy, can I take action?
- (Approach the marked area)
- Hugo: I don't enjoy obstacles in my path... Can we not bust the door open?
- Lycaon: You can try.
- Lycaon: Master Proxy, we need to find a power source to activate the door.
- Lycaon: The generator room should be nearby.
- Lycaon: Over here.
- Hugo: Wow, you really know this place like the back of your paw.
Interruption
- Lycaon: Master Proxy, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there's something wrong with the circuit. It seems to be blocked.
- Hugo: Don't tell me Victoria Housekeeping's high and mighty attendants can't even fix a simple circuit.
- Lycaon: ...I can fix it, but I'll need a circuit diagram before I can do anything.
- Lycaon: I've seen diagrams for this type of circuit before. It's a pity that we're unable to connect to the outside world from inside the Hollow...
Just leave that problem to me!- (ProtagonistProtagonist): Just leave that problem to me!
- (SiblingSibling): (Wise, I just sent an image of a circuit diagram to you. Have a look!Wise, I just sent an image of a circuit diagram to you. Have a look! /
Belle, I just sent an image of a circuit diagram to your phone. Check if you received it.Belle, I just sent an image of a circuit diagram to your phone. Check if you received it.) - Lycaon: Thank you very much, Master Proxy. Now then, let's start repairing this circuit.
- Lycaon: Master Proxy, I've organized the circuit-related modules.
- Lycaon: You just need to connect them the same way as you've done before.
- (Enter Circuit Reset)
Only Phaethon Can Do It
- Lycaon: The circuit is fixed. We should now be able to open that door.
- Vivian: Wait up! Wait a second... Something just doesn't add up...
- Vivian: Ah, it's all coming together now... Communicating with the outside world from within a Hollow, and getting that circuit diagram... In theory, there's only one person who could ever do that!
- Vivian: Could it be... you're Lord Phaethon?!
- Vivian: Impossible... There's no way... but then again... Only Phaethon could have done that...
- Vivian: I mean... you're an incredible Proxy, sure. And you're a good person... but c—could you really be Lord Phaethon?!
That's me. I'm Phaethon.
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): That's me. I'm Phaethon. Sorry, I just never had the (opportunityopportunity /
chancechance) to tell you...
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): That's me. I'm Phaethon. Sorry, I just never had the (opportunityopportunity /
Nope, you've got the wrong person.
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): (Sorry, no... Uh,Sorry, no... Uh, /
Nope, uh...Nope, uh...) you've got the wrong person... - Vivian: Really? But... But my instincts are telling me that you have to be Phaethon!
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): (Sorry, no... Uh,Sorry, no... Uh, /
- Vivian: Unbelievable...
- Vivian: Lord Phaethon! Um, I... I've been your biggest fan for years now!
- Vivian: Goodness me. Lord Phaethon was right in front of me all along, and I had no idea... This is like a dream!
- Vivian: Could you... I mean, if you're willing... Could you please give me an autograph? And a group photo! And...
Sure, no problem.
Let's wait until we're out of the Hollow first...- (ProtagonistProtagonist): Anything you want — (but let's get out of the Hollow first, alright?but let's get out of the Hollow first, alright? /
we just gotta get out of the Hollow first.we just gotta get out of the Hollow first.) - Vivian: O—Okay! Sorry. Guess I got a little too excited...
- Hugo: Anyone would be enraptured meeting someone they admire that much.
- Anby: Yeah, if I ever met my favorite movie director, I'd be the same.
- Hugo: We should keep moving. This isn't the best place for idle chit-chat.
- Anby: The door's finally open.
- (Approach the marked location)
- Vivian: The Proxy is Phaethon... Phaethon is the Proxy...
- Vivian: If this is a dream, I never want to wake up...
- (Defeat the enemies)
- Hugo: The fissure over there should lead to our destination.
- (After traveling through the fissure)
- Vivian: There are more Ethereals around...
- Vivian: Please be careful, Lord Phaethon!
- (Approach the marked location)
- Hugo: Lycaon, your fighting style wasn't so reserved in the past.
- Lycaon: I've matured.
- Hugo: You call this "mature"? You're just being pretentious!
- (Approach the marked location)
- Lycaon: A difficult foe, that one...
- Lycaon: Let us leave this place at once! Ensuring Master Proxy's safety is our highest priority!
- Vivian: I won't let anything happen to you, Lord Phaethon!
- (After defeating the enemies)
- Vivian: Lord Phaethon, how are you feeling?
- Vivian: Are you tired? Do you need a break? Some food? Water?
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): Umm... Thank you for your concern. I'm fine.
- (Interact with Console)
Divide and Conquer
- You're blocked off by a complicated mechanism...
- Fairy: Master, a complex mechanism has been detected ahead. To pass through, you need to activate all three smaller mechanisms.
- Fairy: Suggestion: Split up and handle them simultaneously to save time.
So we gotta cover three different places...- (ProtagonistProtagonist): So we have to head to three different places to crack this thing...
- Vivian: Huh? We're spliting into three groups? Um... In that case, I'll protect you, Master Proxy!
- Anby: I can take care of one myself.
- Lycaon: That leaves the last one to me, then...
- Anby: You should go with Hugo.
- Hugo: ...What's that supposed to mean? We get along just fine, don't we, Miss Cunning Hare?
- Anby: I don't know what's going on with you two, but you've been bickering the whole time. It's annoying.
- Anby: This is a good chance for you guys to build some rapport.
- Vivian: Anby's got a point! Hugo, just go with Lycaon.
- Hugo: ...You just want to be alone with your "Lord Phaethon," don't you, Vivian?
- Vivian: Huh? That's not it!
Okay, it's all decided then.
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): Alright, (sounds like a plan.sounds like a plan. /
alright, sounds like a plan.alright, sounds like a plan.) It's all decided then. - Hugo: If Master Proxy says so, then... Sure. But...
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): Alright, (sounds like a plan.sounds like a plan. /
Should we talk it over again?
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): Maybe we should go over it all again? You know, just in case anyone's not fully on board...
- Lycaon: There's no need, Master Proxy. Our top priority right now is to crack the mechanisms as soon as possible.
- Hugo: It's just a simple mechanism. I can handle it solo.
- Hugo: Lycaon, you'd better not slow me down.
- Anby: ...I really want to recommend you two some movies for a crash course on teamwork.
- Lycaon: So, if there are no objections, let's proceed with the assigned squads.
- Hugo: You really enjoy posing as the leader, don't you?
- Lycaon: ...I believe everyone is well aware that within the Hollow, Master Proxy is the only leader.
- Anby: Do you enjoy arguing like this? Does it make you happy?
- Hugo: Clearly it doesn't, Miss Anby.
- Vivian: Lord Phaethon, are you tired? Would you like to rest for a moment?
I'm fine...
Let's keep moving...- Hugo: As the Proxy said — let's make it quick, friends.
- Vivian: Lord Phaethon, there are too many Ethereals here.
- Vivian: We have to find a way to close that door and stop the Ethereals from flooding in!
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): (Leave it to me! I feel incredibly strong right now.Leave it to me! I feel incredibly strong right now. /
I've got this! There's no stopping me now!I've got this! There's no stopping me now!)
- (Interact with Console)
- Vivian: Lord Phaethon, I'll leave the door to you.
- Vivian: Don't worry, I will take care of these Ethereals!
- Vivian: I will not let these Ethereals touch Lord Phaethon—
- (Enter Data Relink)
- (Enter the side room)
- Vivian: Lord Phaethon, seems like we both need to press down on these mechanisms at the same time.
Perfect Partners
- Vivian: Sure enough, Lord Phaethon and I share a deeper connection!
- Vivian: Ah, sorry! I hope I'm not being too forward...
- Vivian: Goodness me, somehow I'm fighting alongside Lord Phaethon... It's like all my dreams are coming true!
- Vivian: I'm going to wake up any second now, aren't I?
No way!
I'm real.- (ProtagonistProtagonist): No, this isn't a dream. I'm real. See? You can even hold my (hand.hand. /
hand!hand!) - Vivian: Ohh, not only is Lord Phaethon incredible, but super kind...
- Vivian: That's it. I pledge to be a diehard Lord Phaethon fan until my very last breath!
I'm happy to hear that.
Why do you like Phaethon?- (ProtagonistProtagonist): Uh, I'm happy to hear that, don't get me wrong... But why do you like Phaethon so much, Vivian?
- Vivian: Lord Phaethon... is my light.
- Vivian: The one who saved me in my darkest and most desperate times... Like a deity who rescued me.
- Vivian: You probably don't remember, but... you really did save me that day.
- Vivian: Wow, it's so embarrassing to say all this in front of you...
- Vivian: Sorry! I—I hope I'm not bothering you too much...
Not a bother at all!
Thank you for your support.- (ProtagonistProtagonist): (No, you're not a bother at all!No, you're not a bother at all! /
Of course not!Of course not!) Thank you for your loyal support. - Vivian: I... I should be the one thanking you! Just being able to see Lord Phaethon makes me the luckiest person in the whole world...
- Vivian: Sorry to keep babbling like this... Uh, I wonder how the others are doing.
- Vivian: I'm sure Anby will be able to manage, she's great at this kind of stuff.
- Vivian: But as for Hugo and Lycaon... Let's just hope they don't get into a fight with each other...
- Anby: There are too many Ethereals here. Though... it's not a huge problem.
- (Interact with the Console)
- Anby: The final step... is to operate this console.
- Anby: Just like in the movies, bringing down the lever with a decisive pull—
- Anby: Great. No monsters.
- Anby: Let's go meet up with the others now.
- Meanwhile, on Lycaon and Hugo's side...
Forced Cooperation
- Lycaon: ...So, we have to cooperate to solve this problem.
- Hugo: Mm... That's a real shame.
- Lycaon: I have no intention of arguing with you right now. Master Proxy and Miss Vivian are elsewhere and we must rendezvous with them post-haste.
- Hugo: What a coincidence, that's exactly what I was thinking.
- Hugo: Just this once, we should trust each other... for the Proxy.
- Lycaon: I have no objections.
- Hugo: Very well. Then you better keep your word.
- Hugo: I know you've never fully trusted me, Lycaon.
- Hugo: Even before it all fell apart.
- Lycaon: ...
Confidential Instruction
- Lycaon is silent for quite a while, seeming to be caught in some memories from long ago...

- Lycaon (Young): You wanted to speak to me... alone?
- Jack: ...
- Jack: I know you and Hugo are as thick as thieves and don't hide anything from one another. But you can't tell him what I'm about to tell you.
- Lycaon (Young): Did... something happen with him?
- Jack: Hugo is an intelligent and gifted child. He learns everything I teach with ease.
- Jack: In time, he'll grow beyond me. Reach a place where people will marvel and look up to him as a beacon.
- Lycaon (Young): Yeah! As much as I hate to admit it, he always picks things up just a teeny bit quicker than me... But none of that matters, because I can overpower him, easy!
- Jack: ...I don't think being gifted is a good thing for him.
- Lycaon (Young): What do you mean?
- Jack: He bears a dark and painful past. What he was taught, the hatred he was faced with, everything he picked up... It's all become an integral, inseparable part of him.
- Jack: I believe that beautiful flowers can blossom even in the darkest abyss; but the roots of that flower would draw from evil instead of good; hatred instead of love.
- Jack: It's a curse that flows through his lineage — a curse that fate branded him with.
- Jack: ...I've seen far too many people like that throughout this long life of mine.
- Jack: They struggle with this curse their whole lives. But they all end up failing in the end.
- Jack: The path of light is narrow and fleeting, and the darkness is filled with such temptation that dropping your guard for even just a moment can send you spiralling straight into the abyss.
- Lycaon (Young): Do you mean... Hugo's going to be a bad guy?
- Jack: I don't know. I hope he'll always stay true to his heart, that he won't give in to hatred and ambition — that he won't become the dragon that must be slain.
- Jack: But he has inherited the seed of evil... You cannot let it take root.
- Jack: I'm afraid I won't be there to help you... There's not much life left in this old body of mine.
- Jack: So then, Lycaon — promise me, now.
- Jack: You must hold his chain tight, to restrain him, to stop him.
- Jack: And, when necessary... to choke him.
Former Partner
- Back to the present.
After a bout of not-so-happy cooperation, Lycaon and Hugo finally managed to deal with the mechanism... 
- Hugo: You've become slow.
- Hugo: Or maybe, you've been on guard against me this whole time, and that's what's slowing you down?
- Lycaon: ...
- Hugo: Looks like I was right.
- Hugo: Lycaon, I hope you're aware that the one who betrayed Mockingbird and went to work for the Mayflowers was you... not me.
- Hugo: I would never betray my companion.
- Lycaon: I don't wish to repeat myself, but you should not break our oath.
- Hugo: That's the path I've chosen, and I'm going to stick to it.
- Lycaon: But you know that path will lead you the wrong way.
- Hugo: Who are you to lecture me about right and wrong?
- Lycaon: ...I believe any path that makes you feel pain must be the wrong one.
- Hugo: ...
- Hugo: Your disgusting sympathies make me sick, Lycaon.
- Hugo: There's only ever been one person who can kill me or save me... And that is me.
- Vivian: Great, it worked!
- (Talk to Lycaon)
- After a while, the teams have completed their respective tasks.
Everyone gathers again... - Hugo: I can't believe we're the last squad to arrive...
- Hugo: Clearly, this is thanks to a certain somebody.
- Lycaon: ...
- Anby: You wouldn't have come in last place if you weren't so busy arguing.
- Vivian: For perfectly coordinated partners such as Lord Phaethon and I, coming in first place is to be expected~
Vivian is right.
- Vivian: Hehe, Lord Phaethon agrees that we're perfect partners! Hehe...
- Hugo: ...Vivian, the smile on your face is a bit concerning.
- Vivian: Is not! Vivian only smiles happily when thinking about Lord Phaethon!
Shouldn't last place treat everyone else?
- Hugo: Alright, fair enough.
- Hugo: Once we complete the mission, I'll treat the Proxy to a meal.
- Lycaon: ...Since when did we agree to a race?
- Hugo: Everyone, the location marked in Bringer's notebook is not far from here.
- Hugo: Let's move out.
A Foreshadowing
- You hear strange noises coming from ahead.
- Hugo: That was loud... What's happening up ahead?
- Lycaon: Hold on, everyone. I'll go check it out.
- Anby: It's probably multiple Ethereals attacking. Just in case, I'll go with you.
- Hugo: Vivian, you should go with them too.
- Hugo: Keep an eye on Lycaon, will you? I'm worried he might sell us out to the mayor when he gets the chance.
- Lycaon: ...I'd never do that. But if Miss Vivian wishes to join us, she's more than welcome.
- Vivian: Okay... Then I'll go with you...
Why do you look so nervous?- (ProtagonistProtagonist): Why do you look so nervous?
- Vivian: I... I've spent so much time by your side already...
- Vivian: I need to get away from Lord Phaethon for a little bit, or I might die from this overwhelming happiness.
- Lycaon: ...If that's the case, Miss Vivian, feel free to come along with me.
- Vivian: Okay... alright...
- Vivian stumbles off with Lycaon as if in a daze...
- Hugo: So, how does it feel to be worshipped, Lord Phaethon?
You had that figured out a while ago, didn't you?- (ProtagonistProtagonist): You had that figured out a while ago, didn't you?
- Hugo: Haha, sharp as always... but of course, I couldn't spoil it for her.
- Hugo: She has to figure it out on her own. That's what makes it special.
You asked Lycaon and Vivian to leave for a reason...- (ProtagonistProtagonist): Not only that, you asked Lycaon and Vivian to leave for (somesome /
aa) reason... Is there something you'd like to say to me? - Hugo: I can't keep anything from you, can I?
The Truth

- Hugo: I've always treated Vivian like my own little sister. Maybe it's just a coincidence, but she looks a lot like Serena.
- Hugo: I think I mentioned it before, Serena was my half-sister... She passed away a long time ago.
- Hugo: Vivian (really likesreally likes /
adoresadores) you, whether you're Phaethon or just (WiseWise / BelleBelle). - Hugo: Of course, I also have a lot of respect for someone like you: strong, fair, and genuinely kind.
- Hugo: So I hope... I beg you, please keep her safe.
Wait...
What's that supposed to mean?- (ProtagonistProtagonist): Hang on... What's that supposed to mean?
- Hugo: ...Think of it as the last bit of conscience I have left. A kid as pure as her... She should stay alongside someone who walks in the light, like you.
- Hugo: Not even Vivian can agree with all my beliefs. One day, we'll go our separate ways.
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): Your beliefs? What do you mean exactly?
- Hugo: You probably heard from Lycaon. We swore an oath when we started Mockingbird.
- Hugo: We swore to use our own hands to right the wrongs in this world — but never, under any circumstances, would we take another human life.
- Hugo: I stayed true to my words... until...
- Hugo: My father — the man I hated — stood right before me. I could've ended his life easily.
- Hugo: But I hesitated. I remembered that damned oath, and their repeated attempts to convince me.
- Hugo: I didn't do it. Because of that, innocent people died... all because of him.
- Hugo: If I'd killed him first, then none of those tragedies would have happened. People like him don't deserve to live.
- Hugo: After that, I realized... sometimes, taking one life really can save countless others.
I understand where you're coming from.
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): I understand where you're coming from.
- Hugo: ...I knew you'd understand.
I can't agree with that.
- (ProtagonistProtagonist): I can't agree with that.
- Hugo: ...Is that so. I see you have your own beliefs.
- Hugo: Vivian has a good heart. I don't want her to get her hands dirty.
- Hugo: But you know how it is, in this world, someone has to be "the bad guy."
- Hugo: So... I want to apologize to you.
?
Why apologize all of a sudden?- (ProtagonistProtagonist): Why apologize all of a sudden?
- Hugo: You're incredibly strong, kind, capable... and really, really lucky.
- Hugo: The world needs more people like you.
- Hugo: Remember that revenge movie I told you about? "Children of Devils." I still haven't found it, but I came across another videotape with the same name.
- Hugo: Turns out, in that story, the children of devils are actually the children of gods.
- Hugo: Ah, sorry for rambling. Hope you don't mind.
- Hugo: They should be back soon. Please, look after Vivian for me.
Other Languages
| Language | Official Name |
|---|---|
| English | Before Taking the Stage |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 登台之前 |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 登台之前 |
| Japanese | 舞台に上がる前 |
| Korean | 무대에 오르기 전 Mudaee Oreugi Jeon |
| Spanish | Antes de subir al escenario |
| French | Avant d'entrer en scène |
| Russian | Перед выходом на сцену Pered vykhodom na stsenu |
| Thai | ก่อนขึ้นเวที |
| Vietnamese | Trước Khi Lên Sân Khấu |
| German | Vor dem Auftritt |
| Indonesian | Sebelum Naik Panggung |
| Portuguese | Antes de Subir no Palco |
Change History
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