Glass shards lay neglected throughout the floors, the shimmering windows now dead before his feet. Dust covered the corners, the silky, gossamer cobwebs disrupted by the plentiful ornaments of insects adorned upon the floor. The curtains hung tattered and torn, leaving behind rags that once captured that elegant, sophisticated playfulness the velvet shadows so happily entwined within it. The instruments had gone away, replaced by dust and rusted metal that could only stare back up at him helplessly, despair wrapping around the music it so vibrantly sought to create. Ivory piano keys hardened the abandoned atmosphere, scattered around the vicinity for which both he and C.C used to perform in, the harp strings entwined with the violins, creating a plethora of emotionless echoes that vibrated through the nostalgic air. The chandelier had broken, the crystals scattered everywhere, the golden mirror he came to admire shattered from the middle of the room.

But what he took care to see were the grey skies from above, the hints of crimson slowly claiming the immeasurable, hellish heaven that reflected back upon the land both its cruelties, as well as mercies. The ominous clouds struck the ballroom forebodingly, with a lonely breeze resounding from the walls. There was another storm was coming, one that would destroy the tiny, vulnerable shelter completely, a testament to the chaos that Lelouch allowed to get out of hand. The desolate beauty had come to an end, and rather than dancing to some shy, timid lullaby, silence dominated the cold, callous mood, the emptiness alone ruining the jubilance the fools somehow managed to create.

He walked toward the chandelier quietly. He reached out and toyed with the edges for a bit, the surface caressing the warmth he offered it, stealing it in a blink of an eye. Shadowy processions came circling forth around, their footsteps lightly moving to his own will, relaying memories that were only beginning to return.

Emptily, he smirked.

The moment Lelouch disappeared, Arthur had already declared war. Cries and pleas alone were enough for the immortal to settle his confusion, the very aspect of Arthur's unstable nature unraveling at the seams. Should anything ever happen to the ballroom, the pure, untainted refuge succumbing to decadence and scarlet, it meant C.C would fight alongside Arthur, not as the king's accomplice, but as his slave. If anything, she was probably the one who managed to track Lelouch down. He could already see the armies standing before the crowds of aristocrats, crying out desperately for a victory that was already assured, the enemy Knightmares growing stronger with each encounter made between defenseless and demons.

His hand dropped to his side, a few droplets of blood drawn away from the glass. Nunnally and Zero would personally be leading the armies, gathering the nations together to fight back at yet another common enemy. Cornelia backed the measure, along with the Chinese Federation and the UFN, all of whom poured the remainder of their funds to finishing off whatever humanitarian projects they had left, as well as fortifying the underdeveloped countries in the event Alfheimr tries to overtake those valuable, scarce resources. Armies were erected, citizens were evacuated, and now, all that's left was to sit back and wait, wait for the heroes to return, for the celebrations to begin. The entire world was there, cheering on soldiers who might as well have been killed in battle, leaders who have already crumbled underneath Arthur's pressure, volunteers who are already at the mercy of the enemy.

Euphie was probably with Suzaku, considering how confident Zero seemed up on the screen. More than likely she was the one who orchestrated the war, though of course, much of the fault lay with Arthur. She was guarding the Stonehenge and Kamine Island, but knowing her, she might've convinced Suzaku to station other troops across other former areas, preparing for yet another inevitable ambush. After all, she should've learned where the seemingly random attacks would be carried out, as well as the types of kamikazes being deployed. Still, since the Black Knights were being stationed in Tokyo, she might as well have already announced her presence.

You know how fucking vulnerable you are in this stupid, miserable world?

C.C was going to fight with Arthur. But judging from the ballroom alone, she was already unstable. Just a few more massacres and that'd be it. The heartbreak was seeping through her chest, her own, capable resistance slowly coming undone.

And he froze at the thought, the apprehension gripping his lungs with brutal anxiety.

Just a few months ago, you couldn't even walk and now you're gonna pull some fuck-ass stunt like this?!

The Zero Requiem worked, but only to such an extent. In the end, they were all still going through this. A lot of lives were going to be lost because of the Courts, all because of his own failure, because of Euphie's secrets, because of C.C's curiosity, because of Suzaku's unwilling stubbornness on leaving the past behind. They were all going to pay for it. He could practically see everyone now, scrambling for cover, doing whatever they could to wake themselves up from a nightmare that was barreling down at them. There was Rivalz, and Shirley, and Ms. Kozuki, even Kallen, all of whom stared out at that same, deathly grave.

Who the hell do you think you are anyways?!

No one.

He clenched his fists. Nunnally was fighting. In a million years he never would've imagined his cute little sister fighting on the front lines, carrying the same, progressive rage Lelouch had before her. She was calm, poised, everything an Empress of Britannia should be, even if in the end, the world will ultimately judge her for it. Even if those pits of despair were staring back up at her, somehow, she was still going to struggle, no matter how hopeless the situation seemed, no matter how tightly Death embraced her. She was fighting, not for her sake, but for everyone else's. The fact that she could see, the fact that she could walk was a testament to her will. She'd grown up. She's left him behind.

She didn't need him anymore.

And he was proud of that.

Off in the distance, Lelouch could hear the distant sounds of a bell tolling. They were familiar, those rings, the rings the people all dreaded to hear, rings that signaled yet another rebellion was going to be put down. He heard the people scrambling out of the way of the upcoming Knightmares, the animals cowering in fear at the thought of getting shot, the fairies all walking towards those executioners with an empty hope that somehow, the soldiers would all take pity on them and shoot. Towns were decimated, cities destroyed, the very centers of refuge now torn asunder by Arthur's own selfishness.

He closed his eyes. "Arthur," he asked quietly, "are you that eager to die?"

No answer.

"Do you honestly think that would make everyone happy?"

Come on Naoko!

He stared off into the empty space, gripping the Guren key tightly in his hand. The skies were changing. He could practically hear the screams, the cries, piercing through the air, the soldiers already beginning their pleasant torments.

They were already invading.

Say something!

He needed to meet up with Suzaku and Euphie. Rendezvous with them in Tokyo, then take out the Knightmares there. The Chinese Federation was fortified, and Britannia shouldn't have any trouble at all if Cornelia is there. The EU was going to be a bit of a problem however, and at that point, even with the Guren he wouldn't be able to make it there in time. Nunnally might have to prepare a countermeasure there, though it's possible she was already preparing for the sights.

As for Kallen, she'll probably have to hijack another Knightmare. Yes, she'll still be fighting but in the end, she won't have anything to do with this. Neither she, or her mother.

He couldn't help but laugh then, as he turned his gaze upwards.

"Euphemia," he called. "What're you going to do after this?"

He woke up, with a quiet, resonating determination setting from within his eyes. The first thing he heard was a barrage of bullets attacking the Guren.