"But they whose guilt within their bosoms lie Imagine every eye beholds their blame."
William Shakespeare
"Guilt is anger directed at ourselves -- at what we did or did not do. Resentment is anger directed at others -- at what they did or did not do."
Peter McWilliams
"Guilt is the most painful companion of death."
Coco Chanel
Prologue
The girl lying before me stood. She stared at me; her eyes conveyed a sense of surprise. We stood there for several minutes just watching each other. Eventually she spoke, "You remind me of an old friend," she said.
"Who," I replied, "and how?" I found it difficult to speak. Her presence was overwhelming. There was something about her, majestic, otherworldly, and dangerous.
"Lelouch. You have the same eyes. Always plotting, planning. Never stopping for fear that something horrible will happen to those you love if you do. You hold a great weight on your shoulders and you're afraid you'll drop it, and shatter your world."
"What's your point?" I asked finding it a little easier to speak since she wasn't focused on me. She continued to stare at me, I waited for her to speak again. When it was obvious she wasn't going to I asked, "When you say Lelouch…"
"Yes I mean Lelouch Vi Britannia."
"You we're an acquaintance of his?"
"Many would have called us friends."
"I doubt that. Everyone is taught that he was a ruthless madman who viewed people only as tools."
"In the beginning that was true. And at the end he appeared that way, but he was actually a kind person, who really did care about the people." She walked towards me. Now barley a foot from me, I could see her eyes were now curious. But then her face turned hard. "How about we make a deal. If you promise to help me achieve my goal, I will give you the power to protect those you love under any circumstance."
I listened to this in astonishment. Then I asked, "Are you mentally unstable?"
"No," she replied with a smirk alighting on her face, "I am not."
"And you can really give me this power?"
"Yes."
"Alright. What do I have to do?"
The girl smiled this time, "Thank you." She raised her hand and placed its palm on my forehead.
I felt what seemed to be a jolt of electricity run through my body. I staggered backwards and fell to the ground. The girl keeps in constant contact with my head, when I fell; she fell with me until she was kneeling over my prone form. Images flash before my eyes and her voice says; "If you decide to enter into this contract, you live as a human, but also as one completely different. Different rules, Different time, a different life. This power will make you lonely. If you are prepared for all of that, then…" another voice wafted in, "Then the legend will begin again!"
I'm prepared," I responded through the pangs. I felt another large shock, and then, black.