"Your Majesty, Prince Schniezel and Princess Cornelia have come to report." Bismark reporting, kneeling before his soveriegn as Charles zi Britannia sat on his throne menacingly.
"Send them in."
The great doors opened as the two royal siblings walked in as the throne room was empty save for the Knight of One and the Emperor himself. The two knelt before the steps of the throne and then spoke. "Hail Your Majesty, our target Zero has once again escaped from all of our current surveilances that we had in our possession." the Second Prince spoke first, curtious and solemn.
"What of the beast Zero has tamed?" The Emperor inquired as the Second Princess was the one to report. "The creature under codename Behemoth has been seen sleeping dormant in Mount St. Helens after Zero defeated it. We dare not attempt any assaults on it in risk of angering it and the volcano erupting again."
"Quarintine and isolate that volcano from the public and keep both a surveilance team and group of scientists to observe it for any unnatural behaviors. If that thing wakes again, Britannia might not survive its rampage." the Emperor ordered with a more serious expression that actually surprised the two children of the Emperor. After all, for him to become more focused on the situation must have a significant meaning since he withdrew from most things in life. This turn of events spelt an omen for Britannia and the two young royals didn't know if it was good or bad.
Especially what happened nearly a month ago on that day.
*Three weeks ago-Arena*
The roar of thunder and blinding light deafened and started all in attendance as they were thrown in a daze. Charles himself shook his head in an attempt to clear the ringing in his ears before looking up to see Zero descend before him with grace. Bismark was before him with sword drawn as Zero's metallic hand crackled electricity. "Enough, let him through." Charles ordered as he stood and straightened himself.
The Knight of One relunctantly stood to the side, sword still in hand as the lightning in Zero's hand dissipated before walking towards the Emperor. Cornelia and Schniezel were caught off guard by this as they could not see him for their father's back blocked their view. But the shadows did reveal something: Zero removing his mask as Bismark looked like he saw a ghost while the Emperor knelt down to him. They heard Charles say something but could not hear it; the ringing in their ears temporarily deafened them as Zero nodded his head and placed his helm on and proceeded to make his way past them, not even sparing a glance.
*Fourteen Days after Luciano's death-Cypher Side*
"Keep an eye out for Zero! He's guilty of killing a member of the Round!" a Police Chief Officer ordered as the blockades littered the entire town. They were all alert and carrying armor piercing rounds for every gun they could carry, including a grenade launcher of all things as they were looking left and right, above buildings and below in the sewer systems in search of Zero.
Inside the hotel room the two Cyphers were staying in, Leon whistled as he looked out the window. "Damn, quarintine by a rumor Zero was sighted here. Heh, you got them scared kid." the Rouge mused as Lelouch rested on his own bed, washed and wearing clean new clothes.
"We were able to at least make it look like Zero was an older person so they won't look twice at a kid." he replied boredly as Leon had to snigger at that one. Manipulating information was one of Leon's best gigs he takes joy in doing so he can sell his blackmarket goods without getting caught. The man continued to chuckle to himself as he began assembling a new gun.
They were lucky that they didn't had to use their makeshift guns when they got into this town and were able to purchase several pistols and revolvers as the man began dismantling and refurbishing them with whatever parts the man made.
This made Lelouch watch the man work his 'magic' on the mundane weapons. With scraps Leon had collected, the man altered it and melded them together. Leon explained that this was advanced alchemy and something called alteration as he had done in order to change things into what he desired as long as the elements were compatible. He took the frame of a revolver and inserted the newly crafted chamber within it as he examined the barrel of the orignal gun before frowning.
The barrel melted into liquid steel as Leon began to alter it into a new form, a newer sleeker barrel whist adding his own handmade laser pointer at the bottom of the barrel. He assembled it while adding a peculiar designed hammer to the revolver, the form of a bird with talons spread. It was a simple change, yet the design was sleek and precise and Leon held the gun to his ears as he turned the cylinder to hear clicking. He nodded his head and tossed it to Lelouch who caught it with his prosthetic hand.
"What kind of revolver is this?" Lelouch inquired with some form of curiosity. This gun used gunpowder, standard for civilian use so police can track owners easily in case of crime compared to military grade ones that use motors to fire bullets.
"It's a kit-bashed revolver meant to fire nasty bullets with your electrokinesis so they'd be in for a shock of their life." Leon explained as Lelouch looked it over. He noticed the chamber for it was altered to not fire with gunpowder, but with the similarities to the sakuradite electromagnetic grinding rail in military standard weaponry.
"Where'd you learn this?" he had to ask with interest. "From an otaku with the skills of transmutation things by the name of Hijime Nagumo on one of my travels. Seeing similarities with you and him when using electricity gave me the idea to make that gun for you."
Lelouch examined the gun again and was impressed, sometimes traveling to other worlds is a boon for Cyphers. Who knows what tricks you can cook up once you discover something in a different world?
/Cypher Worlds/
Cypher Nunnally was worried by a sight she saw in her vision that she didn't expect when her Geass showed her it. One of the Four Beasts awakening in a fiery rage that scorched a majority of Britannia in soot and fire, and there he stood against it like a hero of old. Alone he would die, but she will not allow it to pass. She will not allow him to die while she still breathes, this she vowed.
"Nunnally," Cypher Marrybell called out, snapping the girl out of her thoughts as she looked at her half-sibling and noticed the concern on her face. "The Beast of Terra will awaken with Mount St. Helens being the epicenter of it. Onii-sama will fight it...and die." the girl swallowed her saliva as she relayed the vision.
Marrybell gave her sister a knowing look when she saw the expression Cypher Nunnally made and sighed. "Very well, we'll have to be subtle though. This is his journey after all." That made the sweet little girl that was worried for her brother ease up at the notion of lendnig a hand.
"By the way...what kind of creature will the Beast of Terra be this time?" she had to ask.
"...Let's just say my brother is pulling a Gilgamesh re-enactment."
/Lord of Rebellion/
It sensed him, the one destined to command it as it slumbered in the dark depths of the earth with contempt. Many a mortal that sought to study or control it were punished for their transgressions in a sea of fire and brimstone, as the city of Gehenna was a testament of retribution of human arrogance.
It was sluggish now, the years of dormancy in this world would make it an inconvinience but it will do in testing the new 'king' and see his worth. The earth shook and the beast's eyes opened with a yellow glow.
Outside, known as Mount St. Helens was a very well-known dormant volcano. Correction, slumbering volcano that was now considered active as the entire area shook from violent earthquakes that could be felt miles anywhere before the eruption bursted forth, louder than thunder as much of Britannia itself heard the volcano's roar as it was renewed with life.
From the crater lava spewed forth as slowly, something big was rising from the depths, molten earth dripping from its hide as the creature bellowed a challenge heard across the world, people trying their best to shield their ears from the cry as it threatened to deafen them by sound alone.
Two people...no two Cyphers heard the call and felt the presence and it alarmed both of them.
"What in the world...?" Lelouch began only for Leon to bolt upright and look out the window in shock and horror. "A Beast...HERE?!" he freaked out as he began pacing back and forth before turning to Lelouch.
"That was a Beast, one of the Four Elemental Beasts. They are rare, powerful, and can single-handedly destroy this planet if left uncheck."
Lelouch stood straight as he suddenly became serious, if what Leon said was true, then it didn't even matter if Nunnally was in Japan, that thing will destroy it sooner or later in its rampage. "We have to do something Leon, is there a reason why it's showing up now?" he demanded as Leon began wracking his brain in an attempt to recall what lore about these creatures symbolize.
"Let's see here, when the four Heavenly Kings are finally gathered there is a fifth king that is born to maintain balance and order with those four and are symbolized by four beast to represent the elements and..." Leon muttered before pausing in realization and turning to Lelouch whom was confused by the look.
"Lelouch...it's here for you." He told him and began walking up to the prince. "What do you mean by that exactly?" Lelouch asked as he eyed the man in caution.
"You are the fifth Heavenly King of the Cyphers, the Demon King of the Void whose purpose is to bring balance and order and has four beast that serve as his familiars. That thing out there...it wants to test your worth and if you win against it, you control one of the mightiest creatures that can lay nations to ruin or give rise to one." the Rouge explained.
Lelouch swallowed his saliva as he realized this was a trial for him alone to confront it but steeled himself. He was Lelouch vi Britannia, son of Marianne vi Britannia the Flash, Slayer of the Vampire of Britannia and a Cypher of his own merit. He knew there would be consequences of accepting the contract as a Cypher and he was going to face this trial and come out stronger because of it. Clenching his hands into fists, the boy accepted the challenge.
This was unexpected for Charles zi Britannia, when he heard the volcano from all the way in Pendragon and then the roar he ordered a swift investigation and was beheld a live video feed of what he was seeing. It was a creature of some sort, a twisted mockery of life itself that escaped from the pits of hell themselves to destroy them all.
Big thick limbs that caused earthquakes with each step, a nigh-impenetribal hide that not even their strongest artillery weaponry could ever pierce, the head and horns of a rhino with tusks of a mighty mammoth with the devastating ramming might of divine bulls.
He was never a man of false gods like the one from the Bible, or those ridiculus pagans but right there made him believe there was something higher up the food-chain than even the gods of C's World to create such an abomination that defied all things in the natural order just by existing.
It was making its way through everything Britannia could throw at it, aerial assaults, heavy bombardments from tanks and even Knightmares were of no effect. It retaliated and the squadrons sent to intercept the beast were all destroyed with a single shockwave produced by its roar alone.
Then the sky darkened and lightning rumbled overhead, giving the beast pause while Charles narrowed his eyes in understand who could start such a performance: Zero.
/Rulers of Earth/
It stared down at the one who would be king, an ant to its massive size yet the presence of a great power dwelled within. It's vocal cords were hoarse from years of unuse as it began to fix that notion to display its intellect.
So, thou art the new king?
Zero narrowed his eyes from behind as he heard it speak as he clenched his fist as he remained silent.
Thou art ignorant of thy birthright? Of thine destiny amongst Cyphers?
"...Enlighten me."
The creature snorted, disdain in its eyes.
Foolish Cyphers the lot, for thou to not know thine nature meant that thou hath been kept ignorant in fear of thy power.
Thou art a Fifth Heavenly King-Ruler of Nothing, Bringer of Balance between All-Creation. One who punishes thy fellow Cyphers that hath fallen to depravity and madness.
Zero felt something stir within his heart at this revelation, a purpose and task entrusted to him from birth that reflected his own soul bare. His soul was kind yet tainted by the darkness of humanity's cruel nature. His heart rejected all evil and sought nothing more than to smite its very existence into utter destruction.
He will embrace this role as electricity danced between both hands as he looked up to it.
"You've come for me?"
The Behemoth looked amused as it began flexing its massive muscular frame as its creaking bones echoes like rumbling mountains as ash fell from it.
We of the Four Beasts test each Fifth Heavenly King, to test thy will and courage if thou art worthy of wielding our power as thine own. Prove to me thy valor, and wield the power of the earth itself like none before.
Zero's body began to surge with electricity as the city around them began to suffer a black out as the Behemoth realized what he had done. He took all the electrical power from this city to give him an extra boost and did so during its monologue, clever.
"Shall we dance?" the warrior asked with a mocking bow as the earth shook with the Behemoth's roar.