Chapter 15: The Purge
After that debacle of a peace meeting, the Saderan senate are arguing of their next course of action. As usual one half is pursuing the continuation of the war with Britannia while the other argues to make peace. Complains were made by the war hawks and Zorzal who were offended when they learned that the Britannians raided Zorzal's palace, freed all the slaves and burn the South Palace to the ground, Saderan soldiers and civilians can't do anything about it since they don't want to fight them.
"This is a disaster." Pina said to herself, watching the two side shouting at each other. "Damn that stupid brother of mine, he really have to be a complete idiot and ruin the peace talks."
Diablo heard her and said. "The Royal Guards should've put more effort in preventing him from entering, father made it clear that he is not allowed in the room while the discussion is going." He don't why but it appears that Zorzal either bribe or threaten them. "So what are you going to do now."
"I have to go back to Alnus Hill and try to renegotiate the terms." She made a heavy sigh, frustrated at this turn of events. "I can't believe things went wrong this fast."
The siblings listened in the heated debate when Casel El Tiberius calls out to Pina. "Princess, you've been with the Britannians, went to their country's capital, and met their emperor; please, tell them why they are angry at us over a single slave and why pursuing peace with them must be done."
She nods and stood up, walking down to the middle of the senate were she began to tell what she learn. "There are three thing you must you all must know about the Britannians rejecting this peace talk: First is that they've abolished slavery two centuries ago, to them it's a crime to own, buy or sell slaves; in fact, that decree is now considered a Golden Law, which means once it's been placed it'll be almost impossible to change or remove."
The senates whispered to one another, astonished by this fact, it is very rare in this world that a nation did not practice slavery, some even wondered what they do with their enemies captured in battle.
"Second is Shirley Fenette the slave that Zorzal owned is a Britannian citizen, judging by what I saw is that she's friend with one of Lelouch's Black Knights. And third is that they saw how Shirley is being treated, abused and tormented, the sight of her covered in bruises and scars just infuriate them. Now, I fear for the worst."
"What do you mean by that, Princess?" Cicero asks.
"The Britannians were honorable and far more virtuous but they are notorious for being very vengeful in the past, now that mentality reignites when the Fifth Legion attack them, now they became cold, ruthless, and vicious; they will not stop until the blood of their fellow countrymen is avenged,"
Molt, Casel, Arcturius and most of the senate felt the shivers, it's like a man with two faces, one is a kind and forgiving while the other is a cruel and evil.
"Schneizel warns me that if one enslaved Britannian dies then ten captured legionnaires will be executed."
"No! My son Maoro could still be alive!"
"Is there a way to convince them otherwise?"
"This is simply not fair!"
Pina raised her voice to silence them and explains her situation further. "Senators, I tried, believe me. I've tried in convincing them to releasing all of our fellow Saderans, tried so hard to bring them all home safely; but the Britannians have all the cards against us, either I agreed to go with their way of doing things or prolonging the war which will not end well for us."
"But Princess, I don't understand this, why would they care so much about the plight of a few commoners? Why would they discard peace in order rescue them?"
"They greatly value their people because they once lost their original home, it's that time they realizes that the people is just as important and can survive without a nation." Pina explains.
The senate were silent at that, Molt quickly realizes that the reason for the Britannian losing their nation must be two things: An apocalyptic disaster, or defeated by a much powerful nation; he's willing to bet that it's the latter. "How did they lost their nation?"
The senate listen carefully believing that they might gain a leverage or gain a powerful ally from beyond the Gate. "It all started with the Age of Revolution, an age were peasants rising up against their aristocratic overlords; then there's the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte of France who create the Europia United, before Britannia there was the British Empire that own many colonies, Napoleon initiate many campaign against the British, the turning point would be the Battle of Trafalgar which allows the French to land military forces on the Britain, forcing many to migrate to their colonial holdings in America which soon resulted in formation of the Holy Britannian Empire."
"Can you me more of this "Europia United"? It appears that we might be able to gain ourselves a strong friend." Molt comments.
Pina immediately realize what her father is planning. "Don't tell me you're planning to make an alliance with the EU?"
"Why yes, my dear daughter, our current situation is dire, we need the powerful allies, especially one were they manage to defeat the Britannian's ancestors in the past." Most of the war hawks and general are agreeing with such plan. "And I also guess that Britannia and Europe aren't the only superpower?"
But Pina putting a stop to this by presenting facts. "Father, the plan to make an alliance is futile. Before I return I studied and learn more of the other superpowers, despite having a large military force like Britannia the EU is very divided, I've read and heard recent news that Europe is fragmented into three groups: the Central Power, the Seperatist, and Gene Smilas Faction; a civil war is becoming very likely. You know the Britannian's plan for EU's destruction? Do nothing and watch as their rival destroy itself with its internal conflict. China is on the decline, and Russia is a long time ally of Britannia; and even we do agreed to make a pact the Gate is heavily guarded and the Britannians are keeping a close eye to who is entering."
"Surely there is someone on the other side who can help us."
"I'm afraid there is none, our fate is now in their hands and there is nothing we can do about it." She said in a grim voice. "We should consider ourselves lucky that the aerial fleet didn't destroy our Capital right then and there, though the same cannot be said to Telta."
Britannian Aerial Fleet
Only one-fourth of the fleet going back to Alnus while the rest is heading to Telta, the soldiers were gearing up and fully prepared, they are well aware that many of their countrymen have been abducted by these bastards and very determine to bring them all in one piece, if some suffered greatly or died then they'll make the Saderans pay dearly for it.
"Princess Cornelia, Prince Lelouch, we've arrived in Telta, What are your orders?" Guilford asks her.
"Secure the perimeter, set up blockade, no one gets out, restrain any new comers, and broadcast a message to these people that Telta is now under our control." Cornelia ordered which Guilford relayed to all units. "And I also want our men to go to the markets, mines, mansions, any places they could possibly held our people."
"It will be done."
The current governor of Telta is Otho Licinius Carus, he is a morbidly obese man in his mid forties in charge of the daily routines of the city, living in a large mansion and enjoying a lavish life. For the past two decades life is good and plentiful, he and his city are growing rich from their main trade sources: mined minerals, slaves and plundered goods; yes, they made a hefty profit during times of of war, thousands of slaves gathered from Kushan and the north.
With the news of the Gate's appearance and the Saderan army marching through to claim dominion over any nation in the other side, they began to prepare for a predicted large influx of captives, setting up auctions and markets for the coming slaves and spoils of war. The enthusiasm for another profitable business was cut short when they heard the news of the Fifth Legion's total annihilation and the Britannian's ruthless vengeance against their country.
With only a hundred captives brought to the city Otho decides to put his investments on the breeding pens, now these establishment weren't use to breed animal livestock such as horses or cattles but rather slaves, these used to be a small business to ensure that slaves is readily available during times of peace, it only grows after the infamous Saderan-Bunny Wars for Bunny women are known for their natural beauty and birthing several children at one pregnancy, which is the reason why they're the vast majority. These poor women weren't that much different from animals in terms of treatment.
Otho's peaceful time in his office is interrupted when Britannian flying ships swarm the skies of his city, he went to the balcony to see them going down from smaller flying carriages, taking note that a lot of them are near his home.
A booming voice is heard. "This is Britannian Armed Forces, by order of Schneizel el Britannia: this city is now under Britannian rule, be warn that any resistance will be met with deadly force, cause no trouble and we can guarantee that you will not be harm."
Otho saw Britannian soldiers through gate and then heard a commotion outside his office, the doors burst open with four soldiers coming in and pointed their weapons at him. "FREEZE!" They shouted.
The governor of Telta do as they say and didn't move, walking through the door is the Black Prince of Britannia accompanied by his Royal Guards. "Prince Lelouch."
Lelouch looks at him with an amused smirk and remarks. "And you must be Otho, you're exactly as I thought of you as a man who governs a city famous for selling slaves: rich, bald, fat, ugly, and middle aged."
His words cut deep but Otho didn't say anything about this insult and instead asks him. "Why are you doing this? Aren't you supposed to be in the Capital to discuss a peace treaty?"
"I'm afraid there's been an incident that resulted in the peace talks that cause postponement. And since the armistice didn't go through we are free to take action against the Saderans, one of them is taking over this city." Seeing that the Governor of Telta is about to say something Lelouch cuts him off. "As such you and the people of this town must now obey us and cooperate without any objections. Now, we've received information that you've taken in Britannian captives."
Not wanting any consequences for defying the Black Prince, Otho have no choice but to cooperate. "Y-Yes, I believe over a hundred arrive, all of them are sent to the north market, near the mines."
Lelouch turns to Jeremiah who nods and contacts a couple of units. "Good, now you are dismiss and relieved of your duties. No questions asks."
Otho mouth is left open trying to say something but decided to follow his new overlord. "A-As you wish, P-Prince Lelouch." He then exited his office.
Without further ado Lelouch and his entourage left and heads towards the mines.
Soldiers under the command of Villetta have fully secured the mines and the north market, a team is sent to the slave trader's office to secure some documents that could contain any information regarding her countrymen, lucky for them they don't have to search very far, the slavers in Telta were preparing for the arrival of thousands of captives but since only a hundred came they just sold them to the town's inhabitants.
Most of them were sold to serve the Saderan homes, the remaining the men were sent to the mines while the young women and girls were sent to brothels or the "breeding pens", it really pisses her off in what these bastards doing to her fellow Britannians, treated like the lowest animals. They've been here for months, suffering through horrific treatment, no more, they are now free from captivity, thankful that they've finally arrived.
"We're saved!"
"Thank God this is over!"
"I can rest easy now."
Diethard and his team of cameramen were recording the ongoing event, he is tempted to make interview but knew that would be a bad timing.
It's not just her countrymen who are being abused but also every person who is a slave, whether they are human or demihuman, they are currently in a compound that house all the slaves and it was a depressing sight; men, women, and children with broken spirits, some have cuts and bruises, and others look malnourished and sickly.
The guards and traders were rounded up and forced to stand near a wall. Soon enough her prince and colleagues made an appearance, Lelouch watches with appalling disbelief at such poor condition of these unfortunate souls. "Is that all of them?"
"Yes, we've interrogate some of the guards and legionnaires, out of a hundred and fifty seven, only thirty seven died, fifteen perish during the journey from Los Angeles to here, four died by Crucifixion for defying orders, and others died in the mines." Viletta stated.
"I see, then three hundred and seventy Saderans will be executed for this." Lelouch turns to one of his Royal Guards and said. "Send word to Schneizel of our dead countrymen."
"It will be done." Liliana said and began communicate through her earpiece.
The prince turns to Viletta and her subordinates. "I want our fellow Britannians out of this place, they've suffered long enough, give them food and medical treatment. I don't want any dead Britannians buried here, exhume and sent them back to the other side and to their families." Gazing at the other slaves and decided that they should be set free too. He radioed every soldiers stationed in the city. "I think it's time to apply our law in this godforsaken town, free all the slaves, give them at least 50 silver piece, an option to either go their own way or go with us to become an Honorary Britannian."
"Should we discuss this with Lady Marianne and Prince Schneizel first?" Jeremiah asks, from the numbers there must be at least a hundred thousand slaves in this city.
"I will deal whatever consequences that come after this, but for now, we're going to impose our law against slavery with- harsh force. I want a word with Diethard." The well known media manager and journalist was contacted and approaches the prince and listens to his orders. "I want to spread to the people of Falmart, now and live."
"Of course, but it take at least half a few minutes for full live broadcast to be ready, make connections, broadcast zeppelins flying low to show massage."
Lelouch just nodded. "Good, do what needs to be done." And with that Diethard ordered his crew who all scramble to prepare to film their Prince's speech.
Just then a woman came running out a building holding a child in her arms, Royal Guards were about to block her way thinking that she's a threat until Lelouch orders them not to. "Your Highness, Saviour of Italica, and Smiter of the Flame Dragon, please, show mercy and free all of us who enslaved."
The begging woman is one of the Bunny women, blond hair and brown eyes, wearing nothing but rags, cuts and bruises on her visible skin, and she appears to be malnourished. A slave trader spoke out from the rounded Saderans. "You get back in the breeding pens, you stupid whore!" As soon as those words left his mouth he immediately regrets it as the notorious Black Prince looks at him with disdained look.
While heading to this place Lelouch was informed by Viletta about the breeding pens, how it operates, and the one report stated that they've found one Britannian woman named Annabelle G. Finlay, and is now three months pregnant. Needless to say that his contempt for these lowlifes just increased incredibly. "Silence him... Permanently."
One of the soldiers guarding these Saderans pulls out a pistol, the slave trader quickly pleaded. "Wait!" But Nichols didn't stop and pulls the trigger and shot the man right between the eyes, falling dead on the floor. It got the effect of silencing the rest of the guards and traders as they don't to offend the Britannian Prince.
"What's your name?" The woman answered and revealed to be Dalia. Lelouch removes his cape and used it to cover the Bunny woman. "Your days of hardship is now over; your life, your fate, your future and those of your child are now yours."
"Thank you, thank you so much, your Highness." Dalia went and try to kiss the Prince's feet, or his cheek, or lips if he wanted it but Lelouch stops her from degrading herself like that.
"No need for such payments, all it matters to me that you're safe, now go, take your silvers and seize your newfound freedom." Turning to many of the officers Lelouch just a simple order. "I want the silver pieces compensation to slaves of the breeding pens to be a hundred." They nodded, understanding that these poor women needed all the help they can get.
Soon, Diethard notify him of the broadcasting session. "Your Highness, everything is set, we await your speech."
The zeppelins lit up causing many to watch it, knowing that the Britannians are about to make a speech, words that have such huge effect on the masses, words that could rile up the populace. The first thing they see is a bunch of slaves but with Britannian soldiers helping them, the view pans and switched to Lelouch who is watching the slaves with grim look, he then looks at the camera to address the people of Falmart.
"Two centuries ago, the Holy Britannian Empire has abolished slavery deeming it unnecessary, backwards, and inhumane; now, I fully understand why, slavery is act of evil, depraved, tyrannical, and savagery; such injustice inflicted not only on my fellow countrymen but also on every poor souls who are not Saderans. From this moment onward, we shall impose our laws in this backward continents, our justice will be merciless but swift," To emphasize his point Lelouch ordered a squad to execute the slave traders and owners and legionnaires who guard the compound, the watchers witnessed the guns blazing and heard the horrified screams of men, lasting half a minute. "To all the people who own, buy or sell slaves, beware, for we will come to exact justice for your crimes; to all the slave, rejoice, for freedom is near."
Britannian Soldiers
A huge operation is being conducted, a mix of regular units and Black Knight soldiers worked together to rescue their fellow Britannians, with the intel from the slave market's documents finding the captives would be very easy, multiple squads and platoons roaming the streets of Telta.
"All units, follow the procedure, order them to free our people or bust in if they refuse."
"Yes sir!" They all said in unison and went into action.
"This is Liberator Four, we're at the target building, commencing extraction now." The squad leader gave his men the order as one of them bangs on the door.
"This is Britannian Armed Forces, we order you to open this door and our people go!"
After ten seconds, it is clear that these bastards aren't responding and they'll resort to brute force. "Break the door down!"
A private smashes the door open with a small battering ram then four men poured in, they saw the owner and his family huddled together at the end of the room, they searched the building and soon enough they found twenty year old Stephanie Schmidt. "P-Please, no more." She said in English thus confirming that she's a Britannian.
"Don't worry ma'am, we're the Britannian Army, we're here to rescue you and every Britannians held captive here." The soldiers can see that she's pale and sickly, and bruised too. One soldier carried her and made their way out the house.
"This is Liberator Four, we've located Stephanie Schmidt is now being carried out and into the ambulance."
One of the soldiers, Private Kent, who saw the state Stephanie is in walks up to the Saderan man and grabs him, and push him against the wall. "What the hell did you to her?" Kent demanded the man to answer, when he didn't answer he punched the sap in the gut. "I ask you again, what did you do to that girl?"
Kent was stopped by one of his teammates who reasoned. "Now is not the time for persecution, don't worry, he'll get what's coming."
The enraged soldier threw the man to the ground and said. "Don't think you're not getting off that easily, we'll be back for you."
"Liberator Nine, reporting in, we've found Matthew V. McCarthy, moving in for extraction." The squad of soldiers reached their objective, their fellow Britannian is being forced to lift heavy loads of crates and sacks.
When Matthew saw the soldiers of his country he dropped the wooden box he's carrying went towards them. "Thank God you guys finally arrived, I thought you've completely forgo-ack!" He chokes as a whip wraps around his neck.
"Where do you think you're going? Your isn't isn't finish until midnight!" Said the cruel slaver who ignores the soldiers.
"That bastard!"
"Waste that fucker!"
Two soldiers put forty bullet holes on the Saderan's body, one went for their strangled countrymen, while the rest secured the area. "Don't talk, just relax, we're getting you out of here. Medic!"
While Matt is getting his medical treatment, the squad reported to the higher ups. "Liberator Nine here, subject is in our custody but was injured, but thankfully it isn't serious." Seeing the whip marks on the young man's back just made their blood boils, if they have the chance they would burn this place to ground along with its depraved inhabitants.
Today is the day for Marcela Larson, she's been abducted from her hometown, receiving beatings and rape from these sadistic animals, humiliated and abused on a daily basis, now her hardship is coming to an end, his Royal Highness, Lelouch vi Britannia is now leading an operation to rescue every single Britannian who're captured during the Battle of Los Angeles.
Working near the window is where she saw the soldiers coming at her location. She whispered to herself. "Emily, mommy's coming home." Looking at her owners who is talking to his brother she make for the door and stumbled out, freedom is seconds away as she waved the soldiers. "I'm a Britannian! my name is Marcela Larson!"
Suddenly, she was grabbed by the hair were Marcela looks back that her owner is quick to get to her. "You're not going anywhere you stupid whore! Now get back to the-" He was hit on the face with the rear end of an assault rifle, very hard.
The soldiers saw that she was in distress and quickly went to help her. "It's alright, we're here, that bastard is longer going hurt you, okay." She was carried off as her tormentor is being beaten senseless by two Britannian soldiers.
"You think you're tough huh, beating helpless women is a turn on for you!"
"Stab him in the spine, paralyze him from the waist down."
"This is Liberator Fourteen, Marcela Larson is successfully secured and we're heading out."
With Cornelia
All over Telta, multiple raids and rescue operations is conducted. The Second Princess of Britannia is overseeing the events unfolding.
"This Liberator Thirty, we have Allan Dan Murphy and proceeding to the safe zone."
"Liberator Six reporting in, we need a medivac ASAP, Aileen Oliveras is in critical condition."
"May Orson have been rescued, extracting her now, Liberator Twenty out."
"Liberator Two here, there's been short a fight but we manage to rescue Samuel J. Corbett."
"Liberator Nineteen, subject Holly W. Silva is heavily drugged, she's unresponsive, requesting a medivac."
That feeling of immense anger hits Cornelia, the same feeling she have when she fought these bastards at Los Angeles and saw what they've done to her people. Dozen of reports flooded in, reports that details the terrible experience that her countrymen faced: they've been starved, beaten, worked to exhaustion, women and girls raped, tortured, experimented on, and many more. "Lelouch, what should we do to these degenerates? Cause if we just leave with our people and their slaves without any consequences for these Teltans I would feel empty."
"I say we destroy this town and execute its inhabitants, set an example."
Cornelia have a wide grin, very satisfied with the answer. "Ah yes, much better."
Guilford who overheard this voiced his concerns. "Pardon me, but, this certain course of action of killing all inhabitants including the women and children could result in a severe backlash, especially from EU who appears to be looking for a way to gain access to this place."
"How about this, we evict all the residents, execute half the men who owns slaves, and then burn Telta to the ground." Cornelia said to her Royal Guard.
After a minute of thinking Guilford answered. "Well, they would still be irked but the backlash will be very minor, considering the context of the events."
"Good." Turning to her little brother to see if it's acceptable. "What about you, Lelouch?"
"Works for me." He merely shrugged.
Jeremiah then gave a suggestion to Lelouch and Cornelia. "Should we give them a taste of their own medicine? They crucify their enemies and disobedient slaves as a form of humiliation and execution."
"Crucify them?" Lelouch looks at his most loyal subordinate and smiles. "Impale them on long wooden stakes instead."
Next Day
Otho drinks some wine as he read dozens parchments that reports what happening to his precious city, slaves are freed and anyone who tried to stop are beaten up or killed. Telta will fall into hard times when one of its main source of export is gone in a day, unfortunately, things is about to get worse.
The doors to his room burst open and four Britannian soldiers entered. "Otho Licinius Carus, by order of Lelouch vi Britannia we are to take you into custody."
"W-Where are you taking me?"
"You know once we get there."
Two of them went to put a pair of handcuffs on his wrists, Otho instinct made want to fight back but when they saw this they hit him in the gut and face. He was then dragged out of his office, out of his house, they're going for one of those horseless carriages that are widely used by the Britannians.
He is thrown inside, sitting up and looking back to the soldiers were one is about to hit him with this magic crossbow. "Wait!" The blunt end of the weapon collided with face hard, breaking his nose.
After the door of the vehicle is closed they began to moved. Nursing his broken nose and his sight becoming less blurry he looks around to what's happening his beloved Telta, Britannian soldiers roaming around doing raids on some of the buildings, breaking down doors and killing anyone inside.
The next are the market places, he saw dozens of stalls and building in flames, citizens of these parts are rounded up, he witness one Saderan trying to make a run for but is gunned down, further down the road a conturbernium of legionnaires are fighting the occupiers with spears, bow and arrow; but they're easily put down by Britannian soldiers.
It's like he's being toured around his own city, but instead of marveling the beauty he is grieving for the destruction, people are being driven from their homes, woman and children are forced to leave the city, men were being beaten or executed were half of them are impaled on wooden stakes, dead or alive, those Iron Giants are making it easy.
They are nearing their destination, Otho witnessed a public execution, ten men facing the Britannians, with an order from an officer the soldiers fired their weapon and shot these men dead. They stopped near a forum which one soldier approaches the door , he was violently dragged out of the vehicle to the ground he go, the soldier then went glare down at him and proceeds to stomp on his head knocking him out.
The next thing is a blur but Otho soon regain his sight, what he saw horrified him, high on top of the wooden stakes are dead bodies of legionnaires, merchants, guards, and normal citizens; on the middle is a pole which he guess be tied to, and they did.
The Black Prince is present their along with his Royal Guards, he gave his pistol to man with teal colored hair and orange eyes, he went to the governor of Telta and points the gun in between the eyes, smiling before pulling the trigger.
Three days later at the Saderan Capital
Molt Solo Augustus saw it all, and it made him feel older, such cruelty inflicted on his own people, the second largest city in Sadera is nothing but a pile of ash and rubble. Is this the price of his arrogance? The bravado? Are all the curses made by his dead enemies are coming to fruition? Punishment from the Gods? Such turn of events have finally crack his pride and changed him, forget expansion and uniting all of Falmart under one banner, he now have to focus on the survival of his nation. Coming through the great doors are Pina and Diabo. Seeing them he ordered the Royal Guards to leave them so he can have a private conversation with his children.
"Are you doing well, father?" Diabo asks.
"I'm doing fine." He rubbed his left temple and close his eyes, trying to fight the headache. "It's just certain event have bothered me greatly."
"I'm sorry that you have to see that." Pina said and then reasoned. "But I begged that you allow me to return to the Britannians and try to convince them to make peace with us."
Looking at his favorite daughter. "Such train of thoughts you'll be labeled as a coward or traitor by the senate, but because what's happening lately and who our enemies are your course of action is the most wisest of all." Pina smiled at that, happy to that he's seeing reasons. "I approved of your plan, you shall now act as an ambassador for Sadera, and hopefully, if things calmed down maybe we discuss a marriage alliance so that way our empire can advance further, as for you Diablo, you shall become my new heir."
The two siblings were surprised by his decisions, Diablo said. "It's such a great honor, father - but - what about Zorzal? He will not take this lightly."
"Zorzal have proven to be a complete liability to empire, he don't know a decent tactics, strategy nor logistics; he don't know a thing in managing the economy and infrastructure, he inspires corruption and depravity; he never think things through or thought of long term consequences, a glaring example of that is the war with the Bunny women which resulted in prolonging the war with the Kushan empire. He'll dragged our nation through the mud, he'll ruin many things, he'll cause more problems than solutions. As such I'll send him to Britannia to become a hostage or ward or whatever it is, hopefully that will teach him some humility and common sense."
"So that's the plan then, Pina will be negotiating peace, I will become the next Emperor, and Zorzal will become a hostage." Diablo recapped the whole thing.
"Yes, the fate of our Empire now rest in your hands."
Chapter End
AN: Sorry for the delay, been feeling lazy for some reason, and so here it is. If you guys have any ideas or suggestions, or spotted any mistakes, just post a comment or PM.
Extra
A young girl with blond hair and blue eyes is hugging her mother tightly, the chaos that is happening outside is still raging on, screams and shouts, burning and destruction. The door suddenly opened causing them to scream, standing their is a Britannian soldier, in grey clothing and armor, mask to cover the entirety of his face. The mother thought that he's here to violate them but he did no such thing.
"You two should get of here, we're burning this place to the ground unless you wanted to be inside when the building's burning."
Not wanting to die by fire the mother and daughter left their home, they run through the streets, it was a total chaos, throngs of screaming people, the sky is dark by the smoke coming from the ablaze buildings, and men impaled on wooden spikes is a terrifying sight. The two went through a less crowded street, a soldier suddenly stop them, the mother held her tightly but the soldier just looks up which they did the same, on the roof are two Britannian throwing a legionnaire of the building and fall to his death, crashing near the three. "Alright, move along you two."
They quickly went away. Suddenly, dropping in front of them is an Iron Giant, metal monstrosities capable of killing hundreds of warriors. It's head opened and reveals an sinister looking eye which Decima stares at with fear and curiosity, then the head closes and the giant went pass them.
They ran again but slowly, all around them Britannians are persecuting their people, majority of them are men. "Mercy, sir! please have mercy." A man begging for his life is gunned downed. They watch in horror as the soldiers impales the man on a wooden stake and is raised like flag.
Trying to forget that haunting image the two continued down the street, entering a plaza with more people with a greater number of Britannian forces. The girl got separated from her mother during the confusion. "Decima!"
"Mother!"
She tried her best in trying to find her mother, but every time she caught a glimpse of her someone got in way and now she's gone, her mother's voice is becoming fainter and fainter, soon she's all alone in this sea of people. Then the crowd is slowly less chaotic as Britannian soldiers are moving everyone into two groups. Decima notice that one group are mostly men while the other are mostly women and children, separated by rows of soldiers.
When things quite down she notice someone walking up to her, she recognize him as non other than Lelouch vi Britannia, the Black Prince and the Smiter of the Flame Dragon. "What's wrong, little one?"
She stared for a moment then answered. "I-I can't find my mother."
Lelouch went closer and kneels in front of her. "What's your name?"
"D-Decima." She stuttered, very nervous in front of man who is a prince of the Britannian empire.
"A pretty name, here, let me help." He smiles and offers her his hand. Decima slowly and cautiously holds it, Lelouch stood up and led her away from the two group. He pulls out a dagger with both ends have blades. "Beautiful, isn't it? A gift from the Dark Elves for slaying the Flame Dragon." He then balanced it on his one finger. "Perfectly balance, as all things should be. It will fall if too much weight is on one side, or the other." He presents it to the little girl. "Now, you try."
She takes it and began balancing it on one finger, it's a bit wobbly at first but she's getting the hang of it. She heard a man behind them said out loud.
"In accordance with our law, the penalty for slavery is life imprisonment- or death!"
"OPEN FIRE!"
The sounds of guns blazing and screams of men dying, and the cry of women and children made Decima look back, but is stopped by Lelouch. "Don't get distracted now, concentrate." And concentrate she did, and after a few seconds she balanced the dagger. "There, you got it."
She smiled faintly to him which he smiled back and nodded.
"Should we go to find your mother?" Wanting to be reunited with her mother again, Decima nodded happily. The girl and the Prince walked together hand in hand, soldiers and Royal Guards splits the crowd to make way for the two.