Rise of the Monarch
Author: Tenno Hikari
Fandom: Code Geass R2 (Sort of crossover with the webtoon Solo Leveling and the Destiny video game).
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Synopsis: Like shattered pieces of a mosaic falling into place, Lelouch remembers his death during the Black Rebellion and the strange rebirth that followed after. Zero has revived his rebellion against Britannia; fighting on the front lines and armed with terrifying new powers in replacement of his lost Geass. If the strong must conquer the weak for the sake of peace… then so be it.
Chapter Four
Julius would be lying if he were to say that the twisted smile on the Archon's face hadn't put him on edge. Those gleaming teeth were long and sharp. Julius didn't doubt that the Fallen Boss could easily tear him limb from limb. This monster was strong enough to kill him even without a weapon; that stomp alone would have killed him had he been at half-health.
A screen suddenly appeared to the side of Riksis, though Julius doubted the other could see it.
Alarm!
[Optional Objective: Slay the Devil Archon with its own weapon]
Was that possible?
Could he wield that cannon-like weapon himself?
Now he only had a quarter left of his HP. Until he regenerated his health, fighting up close was not an option.
So he turned and ran, dodging explosions of cannon fire left and right.
How was he supposed to fight back? He couldn't exactly fight from long range. Last time he checked, he only had three sets of daggers left in his inventory. The 'Dreg's Hands' didn't do much damage the last time he attacked the boss and were easily destroyed.
He was most likely going to die.
Strange, the feeling of dying didn't fill him with paralyzing fear. He had died before, according to the strange woman who brought him here. Bishop would most likely resurrect him, but that didn't mean there might be consequences. What if the Boss caught hold of his Ghost while she was trying to revive him?
Well, obviously he would just remain a corpse. Dying again without even know how he died or why he had been brought back in the first place. That was unacceptable.
'Julius!' Bishop hissed, 'Your fatigue is rising.'
Why was he feeling winded so soon? Something really had to be done about this stamina. Gritting his teeth, he came skidding to a halt, while crouching back into the shadows once more to catch his breath.
Ping!
[Stealth Mode Activated]
[Meditation Activated]
'Stealth Mode? Meditation...?'
Julius stared in disbelief as he saw that his whole form had become transparent. He might have cried out in panic if he hadn't been too worried about drawing the Fallens' attention. Instead, he hesitantly brought one clear finger to tap at the screen to receive more information.
[Stealth Mode: While crouched in a non-combat state, you will become invisible to your enemies. Stealth Mode has a 35-second cooldown cannot be activated when you are under attack.]
[Meditation: While in Stealth Mode, you will slowly regenerate health. Meditation has a 5-minute cooldown and cannot be activated when you are under attack.]
Julius watched in hopeful disbelief as his HP began to slowly replenish.
"Bishop," he whispered quietly so not to draw the attention of the Dregs who were now hunting him down.
'Yes?'
"Can Fallen also regenerate their health?"
'No. They are mortals who do not possess regenerative abilities like you.'
A grin formed on the Hunters' face as he drew out his dagger.
"Interesting…"
'Is it?' she queried. 'I'm going to make a log. Whenever you use the word 'interesting' in such a way, I'm going to assume its code for a crazy plan in progress.'
"It's practical, not crazy," he muttered quietly as Riksis let out a loud growl of impatience that echoed throughout the cavern.
Julius quickly pulled up his menu, observing his experience points and quickly browsed through the skills he had obtained from his levels up to this point. He had to admit to himself, how foolish it was for not looking at the newly acquitted abilities before the fight.
'Julius, your meditation isn't going to last forever!'
"I know, I know. I just needed some time to regain my health. If possible, I want to complete that optional objective."
A second later, his invisibility wore off. Julius had only managed to restore his HP to at least eighty percent, but he should be able to live through another one of the Archon's stomp attacks. Thankfully, the enemies hadn't noticed him yet, as he maneuvered himself to stalk silently behind a group of two Fallen.
He drove his dagger into the back of the neck of one unsuspecting enemy and locked his arm around the throat of the other. The Dreg gagged as it tried to put up a fight, thrashing in his grip. Four hands tried to pry his arm off, but Julius didn't relinquish. With a snarl, the Hunter pulled until he heard a loud 'crack' as the light faded from multiple eyes.
[You've leveled up!]
Both HP and MP had been restored, his stats had increased, and fatigue had reset. Most important of all, a few new skills had been unlocked.
'Just in time,' Julius thought as a tall foreboding shadow fell upon him.
"Do you really have to go, Suzaku?" Rivalz couldn't help the pleading tone in his voice as he stared at his friend and the only other male member of the student council. "It feels like you just came back to Ashford just yesterday."
"He did just come yesterday," Shirley pointed out.
"I know that! But we didn't even get a chance to hang out or anything."
"Geez, Rivalz. What do you call what we're doing now?" The girl asked while gesturing to the table full of food. Milly had insisted they have a nice brunch together since Suzaku had politely turned down an all-out celebration over his brief return.
"It's not the same, Shirley. I meant guy stuff, like going to a casino or something."
"Do I need to remind you that you're both under the legal age to gamble?"
"Do you think that seriously matters if one of us," Rivalz, jabbed his fork in Suzaku's direction, "is a Knight of the Rounds?"
Sitting across from them, Suzaku chuckled in amusement as he ate rather than contribute to the conversation. While he found the antics of the Student Council endearing, he desperately wanted to leave. He was the only one here who had any recollection of what had transpired the other day.
The Emperor had used his Geass on the members of the Student Council, as well as the entire Academy. Everyone had been forced to forget Lelouch and Nunnally, by default they should have forgotten the Eleven-student as well. However, that wouldn't do for his role of helping the OSI monitoring Ashford, so the Emperor had simply inserted him as if they had sought the Honorary Britannian out.
Just like that, an Eleven had been accepted with open arms by the people he was now lying to. It made Suzaku hate the power of Geass even more. While he was indebted to the Emperor, he loathed the fact that the man didn't bother to use power to even try and clear Euphie's name as the massacre princess.
"Hey, Suzaku?"
Pulled out of his thoughts, he reluctantly met Milly Ashford's gaze. She had been mostly quiet throughout the meal, which wasn't like her. Suzaku knew she had been disappointed that they couldn't do another one of her wild celebrations just to see him, but he had promised not to refuse the next time he came.
"Is something wrong, Prez?"
"Um… well…"
The Knight of Seven tried not to look anxious as she tried to put her thoughts into words. What if she had remembered what really happened the other day?
"Has Lloyd said anything about me?"
He sighed inwardly in relief while glancing at a deflated Rivalz in sympathy over the other's unrequited crush.
"Er… not really," he admitted. "Sorry, Milly, but Lloyd and the rest of Camelot have been pretty busy. Well, you know how he is. All work."
"I know," the blonde sighed and nodded before quickly changing subjects. "Have you seen, Nina? Do you know how she's settling in?"
Suzaku shook his head, wondering why she would even ask him. Nina wasn't openly hostile over his enrollment at the Academy, as some of the other Britannian students, but she was frightened of the Numbers. It was probably because of her admiration for Euphemia, that she even bothered to utter a couple of words to him in greeting when they both attended the council.
"We work in two separate locations," he informed her. "I'm with Camelot and she's apart of his highness, Prince Schneizel's, research team, back in the mainland."
Researching what… Suzaku had no idea. All he remembered was her always on her laptop all the time he came to the clubroom. Whatever it was caught his employer, Earl Lloyd Asplund's attention, which meant whatever she had been working on, had been amazing.
"I see. She must be busy. All her text responses are about two to three words. I was just wondering if she's doing all right. Her leaving the Academy was just so sudden. This whole time, it just feels like we're lacking…"
"I'll ask Earl Maldini about Nina the next time I see him," he offered quickly. "Have you guys had any luck recruiting new members?"
"Sadly no," Shirley answered. "While a lot of students are returning from the mainland, we've only gotten a few inquiries. Also, have you met Madam President? She has some very high standards."
"Well, not just anyone can fill in the role of Vice President," Milly nodded as she folded her arms across her chest. "Sorry, Rivalz, but you're more skilled as our Secretary."
The said teenager, merely grinned while rubbing the back of his head.
"Anything you say, Prez. I'll always be here for you… er… the council."
Suzaku only smiled and was mercifully saved as his cell phone went off. The caller ID was unknown, but he knew exactly who was calling. His goodbyes to his friend were brief, with the promise to expect another school-wide festival on his return.
The Knight of Seven dropped his smile once he was off campus grounds. He climbed into the awaiting luxury car, and with a word to his driver, was off. Suzaku, hastily unzipped the collar of the top of Ashford uniform, allowing him to breathe more easily before he finally answered his phone.
"Sir Kururugi, here."
"Do they suspect?"
He frowned. Dame Villata Nu, wasted no time contacting him. It was rather strange, that he would be working alongside one of the former Purists who had tried to use him as a scapegoat a year ago.
"No. Did you doubt his Majesty?"
"Of course not! But I'm in charge of monitoring and reporting all suspicious activity at that Academy."
"The OSI's primary target is C.C.," he reminded. "Do not endanger any of the civilians."
"Even if some might be working alongside the Black Knights?"
Suzaku's eyes narrowed as he remembered how his friends risked their lives trying to help him when the Lancelot had been incapacitated. "There was only one infiltrator during the Black Rebellion: Kallen Statfield. She's a hostile threat. Proceed with caution with that one."
"Understood. What about that Finnette girl?"
Shirley? Suzaku's thoughts went back to the events yesterday and how the girl had demanded, with tears, in her eyes if he had killed Zero.
"Again, do not endanger any of the students. Their memories have been sealed. If they show any signs of remembering, bring it to my attention immediately. Are we clear?"
"Crystal, my lord."
Suzaku glared at his phone before hanging up.
[Blade Dancer Activated]
Once again, Julius was surrounded by the brilliant light blue glow that was Arc energy. Lightning currents danced around his torso like armor, and was fatal to the touch as the last group of lower-tier Fallen had attempted to tackle him. They vaporized in a flash, and he stepped on their ashes as he took a step forward.
The Hunter could even see himself reflected in Riksis' many widening eyes. But the surprise is only momentary, and this time, Julius was ready for the stomp. He evaded the attack by inches; any damage he took from the shockwave, was instantly healed by Blade Dancer's passive regenerating perk.
He threw his slashes with lightning speed, attacking the Archons' arms. He had Riksis momentarily pinned. The monster still refused to relinquish its' weapon, firing shrapnel blasts in all directions which Julius was lucky enough to avoid. At least he was doing more than chipping away at that massive HP bar.
Using Blade Dancer, he was hacking away off more than half. If Bishop was correct, the Archon couldn't regain its health. All he had to do was just outlive the other. It was so simple he…
CRACK!
Didn't account for the monster to free one of its arms and swing at him.
His health immediately went from full to seventy-five percent in seconds.
Julius cursed under his breath. The blow had momentarily stopped his attack. With only a few seconds remaining, he had to move to the next phase of his plan.
[Showstopper]
Blade Dancer deactivated with a burst of dazzling light, so intense it was blinding.
Riksis stumbled away with a grunt as it tried to shield its' face with two arms. The Fallen was momentarily caught off guard, which was enough time for Julius to throw down a grenade, and wrench the weapon out of its slack clawed hands.
'Yes!'
"GRAWWWR!" Riksis roared in pain and rage, stomping the ground hard.
Julius skidded away and took off running as he now had the Archon chasing him like a mad bull.
'What are you doing?' Bishop demanded. 'Why not turn around and shoot it?'
"Easy for you to say," he panted while jumping up to avoid Risksis' tackle. "You don't even have hands!"
'What does that have to do with anything?'
Julius watched, with some satisfaction, as the Fallen collided into a wall – face first – when it lunged for him a second time. He then took off, sliding behind cover as he crouched down once more. Meditation was still on cooldown, but Stealth Mode immediately made him invisible once more.
While quietly catching his breath, he stared down at the Fallen weapon clutched tightly in his hands.
[Shrapnel Launcher]
Unlike the daggers, there was no durability. Instead, there was a limited supply of ammunition. Which meant the weapon would probably be useless once he ran out, or would self-destruct like a Vandal's rifle.
'I understand you now,' Bishop spoke up. 'Fallen weapons are vastly different from the ones humans use. Unlike the Dregs' Hand Daggers, this weapon, in particular, is a one time use that can't be saved in your inventory. Are you familiar with how basic firearms work?'
Not trusting himself to draw the enraged Archon's attention, Julius mutely nodded. He didn't know how or when, but he knew. Probably from his past visions of war, he knew how lethal firearms were and how to wield them.
'This Shrapnel Launcher is a bit similar to a human shotgun,' she explained. 'You don't have to reload it, but there is a limited supply of ammunition before it destructs or if the Archon re-acquires it.'
The Hunter wasn't going to let that happen. Nor would he wait, as he moved from hiding to stalk Riksis' tracks. Julius couldn't afford to take the chance that the Shrapnel Launcher would destruct if he waited for all his abilities to recharge.
The reward (assuming there was one) for this optional objective had better be worth it.
Like an actual gun or a better dagger.
Riksis turned at the sound of footsteps rushing from behind. The Fallen, quickly took the offensive as it let out a sweep of its' arms, only to connect with the air. Julius had anticipated the motion, he slides underneath the blow, before surging upwards. His fist, charged with Arc, connected with the underside of the Archon's jaw. The Fallen made a grunt, as the electricity coursed through its body and temporarily disoriented it.
'Hope this works,' Julius thought as he now held the Shrapnel Launcher in both hands while aiming at the monster's chest. It took him only a second to find the trigger and push.
Dark blood splattered across his face and clothes but kept firing as the gun felt as if it was fighting him back with each burst. The Boss screamed in agony, arms shooting forward in all directions. A knee grazed him, but Julius took the blow without flinching. He continued firing, volley after volley until they dropped and he was well out of ammunition.
Ping!
[You have slain Riksis: The Devil Archon]
Ping!
[You've leveled up!]
Ping!
[You've leveled up!]
Ping!
[You have received bonus rewards and experience for completing Dungeon flawlessly]
Ping!
[You've leveled up!]
[You have received bonus rewards for completing the Optional Objective]
[Julius Kingsly is now Level 10]
A gold chest suddenly appeared beside the Fallen' corpse.
"Congratulations," Bishop spoke as she suddenly appeared before him. "You've cleared your first Dungeon, and without needing me to revive you. You're also level 10 now, how exciting. Let's check out your stats now."
His profile screen appeared before him, and the Hunter couldn't believe how much had changed since he entered.
[User name: Julius Kingsly (you can now change your name at any time)
Class: Hunter
Sub-Class: Arc
Level: 10
HP: 1050
MP: 500
Fatigue: 0
Intelligence: 30
Strength: 11
Discipline: 11
Vitality: 11
Mobility: 11
Recovery: 11
Resilience: 11
Total Stats: 96
Bonus Stats: 5 [You can apply these in any stat category]
Title Equipped: None
Armor Equipped: Basic Cloak
Weapons Equipped: Dregs Hand x 2]
Julius anxiously kneeled down by the large gilded chest the contained his rewards and quickly opened it. There were at least 10 shimmering blue gems, and several gleaming white ones in there. Swallowing hard he pulled one out, and watch in amazement as it transformed before his very eyes.
What was once a gem; was suddenly turned into a long black hooded cloak. By touch alone, Julius couldn't tell what material it was made out of, but it felt of high quality.
[Rare Hunter Armor rewarded for clearing the Dungeon flawlessly.
Cloak of Devils – Set piece 1 of 5. Provides extra mobility and recovery.
Gain Bonus ability when other pieces of the same set are equipped.]
A set-piece?
Eagerly, his hands reached back into the chest. True enough, four other gems turned into similar black pieces.
"Julius? What are you doing?"
The Hunter blinked as he stared at his Ghost, as he began removing his coat.
"Getting dressed…?"
Bishop made an amused hum.
"Equip."
He blinked as the garments disappeared before his astonished eyes.
"What? Where…?"
"You're now wearing them."
Indeed he now was. From the neck down, he was covered in black light-weight armor.
[Complete set of House of Devils armor Equipped:
Increase the cooldown rate of Meditation by 2 minutes. Increase invisibility from stealth mode by five seconds. You now deal more damage to Fallen enemies. You now take less damage by Fallen enemies.]
On top of the bonus, gave a boost to his stats.
Grinning, he continued to pull out the rest of the blue gems by one, and what they turned into… did not disappoint.
[Item Class: D. Rare kinetic hand cannon: Azimuth Dsu. Can be equipped, stored, sold, or dismantled for parts and silver.]
There were a bunch of stats on it that he didn't understand, but something he would ask Bishop to explain to him later. The only traits that really stood out, was that it was a high-impact precision fire-arm. The hand cannon also had a perk called 'kill clip' in which he would be able to do increased damage after reloading from a kill.
He quickly moved onto the next.
[Item Class: D. Rare energy sniper rifle: Aachen-LR2. Can be equipped, stored, sold, or dismantled for parts and silver.]
Holding the long rifle carefully in his hands, Julius couldn't help but stare down the scope and realized how quickly he could have picked off those Vandals if only he had something like this earlier.
In his mind's eye, he visualized compartments similar but smaller than his inventory screen. Before Bishop could inquire, he raised the sniper, over his shoulder before it disappeared. The weapon was now 'stowed' away safely without the need for a verbal command. Now, if he wanted to use it again…
"You catch on fast," his Ghost spoke with approval as the sniper rifle appeared in his hands once more. "As expected of my Guardian, but don't you dare point that at me."
"I would never."
He stowed the sniper away once more.
The last weapon, but certainly not least, was a dagger.
[Item Class: C. The Devil's Fang: ATK + 25. Can be equipped, stored, sold, or dismantled for parts and silver.
- Effect 'Bleed': Attacked enemies have a chance to lose 1% of their health every second.
- Effect 'Paralyze': Attacked enemies have a chance to become unable to move.]
The fact that there was no durability loss on these class type weapons, made them even more amazing!
Pleased, Julius 'stowed' his brand new dagger and hand cannon, before moving onto the white gems.
They weren't weapons or armor, but that didn't make them useless. He received more silver to spend at the store, strange crafting items (when he would use them, he had no idea), and even Bishop got something.
"Tah-dah!" his Ghost sang as shell shifted colors to match his attire.
He grinned in amusement, as she spun about, before noticing the last reward in the box.
The gem wasn't blue or white like the others. Instead, it was a deep purple that almost verged to black.
[Item Class: ? The Mask of Zero. Can only be equipped or stored]
All the color drained from Julius Kingsly's face, as a hauntingly familiar black and indigo mask appeared in his hands.
End Chapter Four
Author's Notes:
I really rushed with this chapter. I would have liked to make that fight more exciting than 'shoot Riksis till he dies'… but couldn't think of anything.
Review Responses:
Lord of the Abyss: The Thorn will be apart of Lelouch's arsenal of weapons.
Star Drago: I was thinking that the Resurrection version of Zero's outfit would be more formal wear for him, something he probably wouldn't wear in combat. Right now, this story takes place not too long after R1. I don't know if I'll be following the R2 cannon just yet.
Vampire Lord: I'm glad you liked my characterization. I'm basing Bishop off of Sagira, Osiris' ghost, and loved how she banters with him all the time.
MM Browsing: As much as I like the Code Geass spin-off characters, I don't believe I'll be able to add them to this story (at least anytime soon).
Dragon Lord Syed: As of now, there are no pairings in my head, but I do ship Lelouch with pretty much anyone.
Thank you all so much for reviews, I'll admit, they keep me writing.