Akio reveals himself as Utena's prince, the "End of the World", and the orchestrator of the pain and suffering of the duels. He tries to woo Utena into giving him her soul's sword; when she rejects him rather than abandoning Anthy, he shows her the harsh reality behind the duels. Even when confronted with how she has compromised her own nobility, Utena chooses to fight, and she and Akio engage in the final and most dangerous duel. Utena seems to gain the upper hand, but Anthy sides with her brother and literally stabs Utena in the back, unable to accept her as a prince.