Demon and Priestess

by Imperator's slave

Shamna always considered herself an invincible ruler, the true power behind Zilkhstan's throne. None would dare to stand against her and her prophecies. Death itself was nothing but another proof she was above everyone. None could stand on the same level as her….Until Emperor Lelouch vi Britannia appeared in her life. Perhaps someone can stand on her level or next to her.

She shouldn't have cared so much for him, and yet she did.

---

She watched as his body fell to the ground.

The blood was coming out of the wound left by the sword as his murderer stood atop the podium. Masses cheered, and his soldiers ran away like cowards. The body lay next to the little girl who didn't know how to react until she touched his arm and suddenly started weeping.

All of that was of little relevance to the blonde woman as she simply closed her eyes and took a deep sigh.

She failed again.

So many attempts and she didn't achieve anything.

She lost count of how many times it happened by now, and at some point, she stopped counting. However, it meant nothing. She couldn't stop and gave up now. Her prophecies were meant to be absolute, and guarantee the future, that's how it always has been. She couldn't fail now and forsake her homeland to suffer chaos in the wake of Demon's departure. Not when she still required him.

"Next time I will try a new method."

No, she will have to do it again. Try to stop the masked assassin and save her partner. Again and again no matter what. As far as she knew and cared, her everything depended on it.

And so, Shamna bit the pill inside her mouth as its substance ended her life. As it has been done countless times before. Her body went stiff before falling down, only the yellow light flashing up in her eye.

Time to redo it once again.

---

Both of them were ready to kill each other, and yet they left each other as partners.

---

Zilkhstan. Gralbahd.

The Kingdom of Zilkhstan. Always known as the Land of Warriors, the land that never experienced defeat thanks to its elite soldiers and the mystic powers, the main religion bestowed upon the chosen ones. The only nation in the world that managed to go into conflict with the Holy Britannian Empire and fight off on its own, never requiring outside help to rescue it from its mightier opponent.

That was no longer the case.

The colossal battle station that was Damocles flew on top of the Kingdom's heart, Gralbahd. The city was an oasis among Zilkhstan's dead desert. The mix of old and new, the capital was magnificent, even its military outposts only added more flavour to Land of Warrior's main city. However, everyone on the ground knew that with the press of a single button, the entire city and its population might be gone in the blink of an eye.

And no one understood it better than the king's older sister and Holy Priestess of Zilkhstan.

After all, she had first-hand experience being inside the epicentre of F.L.E.I.J.A. Several times by now.

Zilkhstan wasn't known to be the most hospitable place to visit in the world. Its international policies and diplomacy were lacking, to say the least. Although some might say it meant nothing now when the entire world was at the mercy of one Demon Emperor who did as he pleased.

Despite its usual lack of hospitality, the Kingdom's soldiers stood in rows, respectfully greeting the important guest. The nobility, the religious sect and the government officials, everyone went before the main palace as they welcomed their visitor and potential executioner.

Lelouch vi Britannia, the 99th Emperor of Britannia, the undisputed ruler of the entire planet. The Demon.

The young monarch who less than a month ago bested his siblings and taken control over the flying fortress Damocles and now held the entire world hostage. None could defy his will anymore. All who tried were dead or on their way to becoming such. Even the arrogant fools within Zilkhstan's upper classes would do nothing but smile politely while shaking from fear as Emperor Lelouch passed them, going towards the King's palace.

Shalio could do little, but look at the foreigner Royal with an irritated expression he tried to hide. It didn't work as Emperor Lelouch kept smiling mockingly at him. The young King in a wheelchair would have preferred to use force instead of meaningless chatter to deal with the Britannian ruler, but his dear older sister advised against such. The last thing Shalio would want is for his sister to experience pain again and again for the sake of her prophecies.

The Emperor walked up to the King who couldn't even stand up to greet him. Lelouch wasn't alone as the cyborg bodyguard and infamous assassin stood behind him, his left mechanic eye ready to work if needed. Shalio took a deep breath before he greeted the man his sister warned about.

"Greetings and welcome to Zilkhstan, Emperor Lelouch vi Britannia." the blonde man with blue defective eyes looked at the standing man before him with contempt

Jeremiah glared dangerously at the crippled boy before his master spoke.

"It is rather nice to finally visit such a unique place, King Shalio. After all, your Kingdom will be another gemstone to add to my collection. Now, what do you say we discuss the business related to your acceptance of my rulership of Zilkhstan inside the magnificent palace behind you? I'm not used to your climate yet and the sun is anything but merciful towards me."

"Of course." Shalio had to remember his sister's order not to antagonize the Emperor. Even if the pompous bastard dared to act like he owed them all already. No matter what Shalio will say, Lelouch will have the upper hand over all of them with Damocles in the sky. "This way."

The Emperor went after the King, the cyborg knight right behind him. Three of them walked inside the palace as it showed its guests the beauty Zilkhstan could offer with its striking architecture and ornaments. Their excursion met its end when Shalio led them to the meeting hall. Before its doors stood two rows of women in rather revealing outfits. All of them had their eyes closed as they were bowing before two Royals. The door inside the hall opened up as the female retainers motioned for the world's emperor to walk inside.

They stopped Jeremiah from entering and an orange knight was about to force his way when Shalio opened his mouth.

"My sister wishes to speak with Emperor Lelouch. Alone." The King spoke with a begrudged tone before his wheelchair moved to the side. "That means I'm not allowed either. So, I will stay here next to your assassin, at his mercy."

Lelouch smirked, immediately understanding the message. None would dare strike the ruler of Britannia when Zilkhstan's own King was in danger at the hands of an Anti-Geass-wielding cyborg. Lelouch gave a reassuring nod towards his zealot knight before walking inside the meeting hall.

The place was just as beautiful as the rest of the palace, but the real jewel was the woman who waited for the Emperor there. Sitting across the dining table full of refreshing drinks and freshly cooked dishes, the Priestess of the Kingdom and the older sister of the King.

Shamna.

"We meet at last, your Majesty." the tall gorgeous blonde woman greeted the Emperor with a slight bow as she gestured towards the table. "Please sit and enjoy some refreshments. I'm sure the desert sun is rather difficult to handle for someone from outside our borders. It is a pleasure to see the conqueror of the world face to face."

"Pleasure is mine, my lady," Lelouch spoke with a careful tone. He didn't miss how Shamna called him 'your majesty'. Considering how Shalio barely managed to hold back his clear distaste for Lelouch, the Emperor was suspicious about his older sister's carefree usage of such a title. He took the only available seat, while the Priestess sat right before him. "I have to admit that your homeland is rather too hot for my tastes."

"..." Shamna stayed silent as she took a sip of the drink, still smiling. Her blue eyes never left Lelouch's face.

Emperor Lelouch felt somewhat weird by it but decided to keep the conversation going. "My lady, let's cut right to the business. We both know why I'm here today. Zilkhstan, your Kingdom and its people, you and your brother including, must kneel before me and accept my absolute rule over all of you. My visit is nothing but a formality, this isn't negotiations but a simple reminder that-"

"-that I'm the ruler of mankind and every living being is my subject /you're the ruler of mankind and every living being is your subject."

Both Shamna and Lelouch spoke at the same time. Lelouch stared at her with narrowed eyes, his suspicions turning into worry as the Holy Priestess before him gave a devilish smile.

"You're right, Lelouch. Let's cut right to the business. I do not want to waste time more than needed. Therefore let's quickly do it." Shamna's sly smile disappeared as it was replaced with a tired and agitated stare. "We both know why are you here. Zilkhstan is the last nation to publicly defy your control over us and reject your authority. Your brought Damocles as the first and last reminder of who dominates the battlefield. You will fire F.L.E.I.J.A. warhead and destroy Gralbahd if needed. Or perhaps someone among the staff on the station will fire it if something happens to you. Like it did before."

Lelouch's mask didn't falter, but the emperor did freeze. "Wha-"

"Your favourite tea is black with lemon and two spoons of sugar, that was the drink you chose most often when you come here. When you're bored or are in deep thought you will thoughtfully stare away from everyone's gaze, your eyes cold. You don't speak without careful thinking, every word, even insult or threat is meticulously planned to have whatever effect you want. For now, it is targeted at reminding everyone, especially my younger brother of the power you possess over us with F.L.E.I.J.A., but there is more to that."

"..." his purple eyes focused on the blonde woman before him with a perplexed look

"Jeremiah Gottwald isn't the only one whom you brought today. Besides him and Damocles, there are multiple latest-generation Knightmares hidden outside the city and ready to quickly attack our outposts if needed. You have a device on you that monitors your heartbeat and sends signals to your fortress in the sky. Your armies have orders to destroy this city and the rest of Zilkhstan. You have a hidden handgun inside your robe. You prepared many backups just in case. You're wearing eye lenses to hide and block your Geass power-"

The moment Lelouch heard the word Geass, he immediately tried to raise his hands and take off the said lenses. However, before his hand could reach his face, Shamna quickly jumped from her seat to catch them with her arms. Lelouch glared dangerously at her but paused when he noticed the begging look in her eyes despite the stern expression on the young woman's face.

"Please, just please, Lelouch. Stop. You will listen to me because it is the only way for both of us to get anywhere." Shamna took a deep sigh. "There are explosives under this table, connected to the transmitter that I have on me."

To prove the point, she ripped apart the clothes on her chest to reveal the small device right over her heart area. Lelouch raised his eyebrows, familiar with such a trick. He gave her a questioning look and Shamna nodded.

"Yes, yes, I learned it from you. You have the same thing on you, expect your explosion will be big enough to swallow the entire capitol. So let's try to avoid that, ok, Lelouch? I warn you, I have a suicide pill inside my mouth and I will bite it faster than you can take off your lenses. Jeremiah Gottwald is fast, but not fast enough to escape this room with you and run from the palace grounds before they will explode. Yes, the entire palace, and yes, I know it includes my brother."

There was a momentary pause as the King's sister and regent Queen (she and Shalio weren't married), caught her breath. If what she said was true, Lelouch will admit he was impressed. Shamna spoke again with an exhausted tone.

"We have done this so many times that I'm going insane by now. I don't know how long I can endure it. Just-I'm asking you, Lelouch. Do not take off your lenses and use your Geass on me. I employ you to believe when I say it won't end well for either of us. I saw it many, many times before. It ends with either you, me or both of us dying in the end. Just, hear me out before making any decision. We're the only ones here, I made sure no one will interrupt us. Just hear me out, Lelouch."

Lelouch carefully lowered his hands and placed them on the table while Shamna sat back, still somewhat fearful. From the reports he had read, Lelouch expected a proud and overconfident Priestess who might try to either strike a deal with him or simply try to manipulate him for the sake of her goal. However, right now before him was a woman who looked drained and at the end of her tether.

"You have Geass," Lelouch said as matter of fact. His green-haired Witch informed him about Zilkhstan's religious Farlaf Order and its past connection with Geass Order. "So speculations about Zilkhstan's having Geass are correct."

"Indeed. Farlaf and their power are one of the few reasons Kingdom always had enough power to fight off any potential invader." Shamna bit her lip. "Expect our current predicament. Despite my best attempts, and there were dozens of them, I'm unable to deal with you in the usual way."

The Holy Priestess took a deep sigh while Lelouch studied her. Empire's files from OSI about Shamna pictured her as an intelligent and dangerous person who cannot be underestimated no matter what. However, right now before Lelouch was sitting a woman who looked like she could use a break. It all can be a trick for all he knew, but she was right, Lelouch did have several backup plans that should act in case something went wrong. Jeremiah was given the order to do whatever it takes to rescue him if Lelouch's heart monitor will show anything outside the norm. Still, even if it was a carefully planned trap, there was no way for Shamna to know some details of his plan. There was more to her Geass.

"Your Geass, does it allow you to read minds? Or perhaps see the future or potential outcomes? You did say saw something about several times. If you want me to trust you then elaborate." Lelouch gave her a long stare. "You must already know what I'm capable of so do not try to test my patience, Priestess."

"Hmm, well, if I'm going to reveal my hand entirely then let's start from the very beginning. I lied when I greeted you. This isn't the first time we met each other. In fact, it must be my thirty-third attempt to deal with you if I remember correctly and believe me I don't want to. Although, I think I stopped trying to get you killed somewhere between attempts 22 and 29, heh." Shamna laughed. "My, some of them were rather fun even if I didn't survive for too long afterwards-"

Lelouch narrowed his eyes. "You are able to move in time. Perhaps that's why you know so much."

"Close, Lelouch, but no. I'm only sending my consciousness back in time by six hours. Think of it as a time loop that I constantly restart in an attempt to get the best outcome for me...which now includes keeping you alive as well. And somehow that proved to be even harder since you're quite an uncooperative quest." Shamna smirked. "Why, let me tell you about some of my tries and failures. Spoilers, I failed to achieve full victory in every one of them."

---

Attempt #1

"You're making a huge mistake." Lelouch vi Britannia spoke with venom as Shamna's armed guard surrounded him, his hands tied.

"Silence." Shalio smiled wickedly before moving closer to Shamna. "What now, sister?"

The blonde priestess smirked as she stared at the captured Emperor, a new trophy for her nation. "Damocles won't dare to fire at us while their precious Emperor is still here. Our capital is a fortress and can withstand any conventional attack. We will demand to have the audience on the fortress and will send our Geass assassins as representatives. They will open the path for our Knightmare units with float systems. The Emperor's forces are nothing compared to our elite guard. Without the chance to fire F.L.E.I.J.A., his Damocles is useless against us. We will take it over and keep Lelouch vi Britannia as a hostage."

"Geass assassins, huh?" Their guest and captive Lelouch smiled. "And I thought they all died during the Geass Order purge. Well, your plan is overly optimistic but still possible. Except for one thing."

"You dare?" Shalio raised his voice, but Shamna stopped him as she walked closer towards the Emperor.

"And what did I fail to account for, Demon?" Shamna asked carefully.

Lelouch gave her a simple smile. "My bodyguard of course."

"Your lapdog is being dealt with by our best assassins," Shalio informed him. "By now he must be already dea-"

The broken King was interrupted by the sudden kick as doors opened and everyone turned towards the entrance. There was standing the blue-haired man with a golden blade coming out of his left wrist, covered in blood. Numerous corpses behind made it clear whose blood it was. How did Orange Knight manage to deal with Geass-powered assassins was known only to the Emperor as Jeremiah's left eye with Geass Canceler stopped flashing blue and covered itself. Before any of Shamna's soldiers could attempt to slay the cyborg, Jeremiah closed the distance between them and cut down everyone around his master. Shalio tried to pull out the gun, but Jeremiah kicked him and sent him flying away.

Shamna cursed under her breath while the Emperor smirked.

"I see you no longer have the advantage over me, dear Priestess." Lelouch moved closer towards her.

Shamna glanced at her younger brother who couldn't stand up and the cyborg monster who was standing over his body, golden blade threateningly pointed at Shalio.

"Curse you! You left me no choice." Shamna never liked doing it, but for the sake of her plans, she had to endure such a fate.

"What-"

Before Lelouch could do anything, Shamna bit the capsule hidden in her mouth and released the deadly poison that immediately claimed her life. The Geass in her eye was activated and her mind returned back in time.

Who cares if she didn't account for Lelouch's bodyguard to have some tools against Geass?! She will win next time!

---

Attempt #7

Her forces finally managed to take down Jeremiah Gottwald despite the cyborg's best attempts to defend his Emperor. They had to use a Gefjun Disturber generator Zilkhstan bought from India to freeze Jeremiah. However, even that wasn't enough as the man wouldn't stop moving towards Lelouch no matter what. Screaming about loyalty, still able to slay several armed men before finally being gunned down.

It was messy, but only results mattered to Shamna and a few dead soldiers were cheap prices to pay for having Emperor Lelouch as a hostage. Speaking about the Emperor-

"You lost, Demon," Shalio spoke with a cruel smirk while Lelouch stood alone before them, all alone.

"...is Jeremiah dead?" Lelouch asked with a sombre tone while Shalio laughed, but Shamna felt unease.

'Something isn't right.' she could sense it.

"Your knight died for nothing trying to protect you. But I will admire his spirit and sense of loyalty even if it is wasted on you. If only I could fight him on my own, what a pity." Shalio, her dear young brother and the only person for whom Shamna cared, sometimes didn't know when to stay silent.

Lelouch vi Britannia gave them a stare that promised pain before he sighed.

"I see...I'm sorry for being a bad lord, Jeremiah. Well, then, it looks like I will leave this palace alone. Completely alone." Lelouch said as his hands went towards his eyes.

Shamna froze as she turned towards her brother and thought to cover him. "Wait, no-!"

She was too late as the Emperor took away his eye lenses and revealed a pair of red Geass eyes that stared into the deepest part of their souls.

"Lelouch vi Britannia commands you, create a safe passage for me and kill every person in this place. Spare no one."

The command was given and her guards and retainers who didn't have any eye protection immediately obeyed their new master. They were ordered to kill and so they did.

Starting with their former King and Holy Priestess.

Shamna cursed Lelouch. Who knew he possessed such powerful Geass?! What was his power? Ability to command people into killing everyone? Changing their thought wave? Taking over their mind?

Damn, it! She will have to experiment a few times to find out exactly what his Geass was and its limits, its weakness before she can finally defeat the Emperor for good.

---

Attempt #15

Shamna stared into the body of Emperor Lelouch vi Britannia as he fell to the ground. Blood was pouring out of his neck as life slowly left him.

Finally, after all this time, she managed to kill Lelouch.

Shamna took off the visor she wore to protect herself from the Emperor. The rest of her guard had them too, with Shalio always having his own for health reasons.

"Serves you right, you fool." Her brother smirked while his older sister fought the urge to roll her eyes.

This isn't how she planned it at all. After finally managing to deal with Jeremiah Gottwald and Emperor's Geass, she expected Lelouch to be easy prey. She was half right. She died many times just to finally deduce what Geass Lelouch had.

From everything she saw, Shamna concluded that Lelouch's power was to take over people's minds depending on the command he gave to them. If he told them to kill themselves, they would do it. If he ordered them to become his slaves, they would turn into obedient dolls. No matter what, they will be obedient. Such powerful Geass and the fact Lelouch vi Britannia had a red Geass sigil in both of his eyes meant that he mastered it enough to be able to take code if he wanted to.

That created so many questions, to which Shamna couldn't get answers at this moment. Who gave him this power? Was it V.V. of Geass Order? Or perhaps the green-haired woman who ran away years ago from everyone? Is this how Lelouch was able to take over the world?

The scariest and most dangerous realization was that Lelouch's forces in the Damocles were definitely under the effect of his Geass. Which meant, they will do anything for the sake of their Emperor...who is now dead.

It meant that they would come after them once they learned about his death.

This wasn't the victory. It couldn't be. They had Damocles, his people had F.L.E.I.J.A-

"Sister? There is something under his robes, something is squeaking." Shalio pointed out.

Shamna stared at the dead Emperor with wide eyes as the realisation quickly struck her.

The Holy Priestess didn't bother panicking when one of her female retainers ran inside the room, screaming about a flying fortress firing the warhead.

Everything turned bright when F.L.E.I.J.A exploded, she didn't even hear the shouts of her guards and Shalio as the light covered them all, ending their lives on this route.

All Shamna could think of was the trick Lelouch pulled out.

'Having your forces monitor your heart status? Actually an incredible idea, not bad Emperor Lelouch. Not bad at all.'

---

Attempt #?

Gralbahd was on fire as Britannian Knightmares engaged in the fight. Zilkhstan's forces were good, but they couldn't do too much against enemies who had air superiority and outnumbered them. The battle wasn't over yet, even if the Kingdom was suffering heavy casualties. Still, as far as Shamna cared, she has already been lost in this loop as well.

There inside the palace, that damn main hall she started to despise by now, the blonde woman was sitting behind that cursed table again. The floor was covered with the bodies of her guard and Lelouch's knight of orange. As for the Emperor himself, the young monarch was sitting before her. His hands held the wound in his stomach left by the stray bullets.

Shamna might have said anything and made fun of his misfortune if only she wasn't in a similar situation. The older sister had to hold her own wound before blood loss would claim her life and join her sibling in a pile of corpses. Shalio's body was lying on the ground near Jeremiah. Cyborg's blade was inside her little brother's throat.

'I don't know what's worse. The fact that by this point I'm getting numb to seeing Shalio die or that I'm more interested in what trick Lelouch had this time.'

Everything was meant to go perfectly on this route. The Gefjun Disturber generator dealt with Gottwald. Her guard quickly rushed to capture the Emperor to not allow him to use his Geass, before they would take away the heart monitor. Lelouch was their hostage and now it was time to continue their original plan. Shamna thought she finally bested him, that she won and was free from this cursed loop of death she herself kept going.

Except it wasn't the end, not at all. The hour didn't pass before Britannian Vincent Wards and Garethes moved inside the capital and devastated the city, forcing Zilkhstan's military to respond, or at least try to do so. Her old guess that Lelouch's forces were Geassed proved to be correct when she heard reports about imperial units fighting with disregard for their own lives. That was troublesome, more so when Shamna received news about someone with green hair making her way inside the palace, being able to deal with her Geass assassins with ease.

Unknown to Shamna, the Emperor heard or perhaps felt the coming of the code bearer. The one who could deal with Geass assassins Kingdom could throw at Britannia. The first to attack the palace were his soldiers. During the hectic gunfight, both Lelouch and Shamna were caught by random bullets from either side.

And now, both of them sat there, slowly dying at each other's company. All Shamna could think of was that she didn't prepare enough for this round. While Lelouch sent her a death glare.

"Do you-do you even know what you did?!" Lelouch was gasping, his right hand holding the wound and trying to stop the blood, his left fist hit the table. "You ruined everything! And for what? Your stupid fucking pride?!"

"You wouldn't understand. It is for the sake of this Kingdom I and Shalio do every-"

"Lies! You care only about yourself, this nation and its people are nothing but toys to you and your spoiled brat of a brother. I read the reports. The only reason Zilkhstan is still standing is because of its army. In every other sense, this nation is a corpse. Gralbahd is the only city you bothered to improve. If you cared about your nation you would have tried everything in your power to transform it into something better, instead of grasping the means of older times that won't work anymore. But now, now none of this matters." Lelouch lowered his head. "Everything is over, you ruined my plan, my Req-Aggh! It is meaningless now."

Shamna was silent for a moment, thinking about his words.

Was it how it looked from an outside perspective? Was Zilkhstan's military the only reason it didn't become a failed state today? Their army was the main reason the Kingdom existed for the last 300 years, and the religion of the Farlaf order was another. The Holy Priestess never left the borders of her homeland, she never had the reason. She knew from people and reports that the former Chinese Federation was a mess to put it lightly, but was the rest of the world just as bad? Was Zilkhstan stuck in the past? Shamna can't know for sure, and she can't learn the answer to this question while she is stuck in this loop.

"...All you would have to do is accept my rule and just wait. One month and then-" Lelouch bit his lip, but this got Shamna's attention.

"Wait for what?"

Lelouch stared at her, a mix of anger and pity. "For the start of the new age. For the destruction of the old world as you see it and the birth of a new one. All you will have to do is wait, but now it is irrelevant. You ruined my plan and we all will die. You, me and millions across your desert nation and beyond that."

"...If you and I could solve our feud peacefully, would you agree to strike a deal with me?" Shamna spoke, carefully choosing her words.

Shamna didn't know for how long she could go anymore. She never had to experience something like this when her Geass worked. All her previous deaths would lead her to a certain victory, one that is absolute. However, today she hit the wall in the form of Lelouch who wouldn't just go down easily.

'I tried to deal with him for so long, but violent means show no path to victory. If I must make a deal with the Demon Emperor, I will. Anything to resolve this nightmare, to stop it.'

Fighting didn't work, then it left only negotiations.

"What?" Lelouch blinked. "This is meaningless now-"

"Yes or no, Lelouch?" Shamna asked.

"...If it means you will not intervene with my plan then I see no reason not to," Lelouch spoke after a moment before letting out an insane laugh. "But that doesn't matter now, does it? We are both going to die here."

"No, we won't. Not when I finally see the path to victory, even if it is unusual for me." Shamna said with a relaxed smile, feeling her body going offline as the blood didn't stop pouring. "Let's pray, our next confrontation will be the last, Lelouch vi Britannia."

Before the Emperor could ask what she meant, her head hit the table. Life ending and her Geass activating to fix it and start all over again.

---

Present time.

'After so many times I failed to accomplish my goals, sitting here next to him makes me feel strange.'

Shamna silently took a drink once she finished retelling some of the routes she had to live through and die in. Lelouch was at a loss for words, staring at her with wide eyes and a mix of emotions. The mask of the Demon Emperor didn't disappear for a single moment, but she saw glimpses under it. There was silence as both the Emperor and Priestess waited for the other to say something. Lelouch was the first.

"Was that loop the final one?"

Shamna shocked her head. "No. Turns out that diplomatic negotiations aren't easy to pull off. Usually, it was someone from my side ruining everything. Shalio or some other idiot who couldn't think with their brain and only relied on strength. Brutes all of them."

"I thought such warriors are the pride of your Kingdom."

"After having to die, who knows how many times I started to think about Zilkhstan's principles. I'm tired, Lelouch. The cyanide taste is getting too familiar to me and this doesn't mean anything good." Shamna sighed. "I'm surprised you actually believed me. In some loops, you refused to trust my words."

"Well, you did bring up something you shouldn't be able to know no matter what." Something one Lelouch said in her presence with his last breath. "If what you are saying is true, and there is evidence for that, then both of us are stuck in a time loop, one that you can stop any time."

"But I won't unless I will get something out of this," Shamna warned him. "Emperor Lelouch, I'm not a stupid person. You want to get something out of Zilkhstan and I want to secure the best outcome for my Kingdom. Therefore we're at odds. Before I tried everything, but talking with you. Therefore, let's bargain, Demon Emperor. I know your position-"

"For Zilkhstan to accept my rule, fall in line like the rest of the world. Mankind is my subject and that includes everyone in this country." Lelouch said.

"The Royal court, nobility, military and Farlaf Order would never agree to it. This nation was built by hardened survivors and warriors from all over Eurasia. Fighting the outside aggressors and maintaining our sovereignty are part of our national identity...They wouldn't even agree to wait for this new age of yours. I don't know what it is, but I know old relics in the capital and my own brother would rather die fighting than bend a knee before you."

"Then let's find a compromise." Lelouch thought about something. "Zilkhstan doesn't want to be the subject of my Britannia, and it cannot be the only free state. I can't allow it...but Zilkhstan can stand above others as a partner state in the region."

"Oh? Elaborate." Shamna looked at him with curiosity.

"Just imagine it. The Holy Britannian Empire and the Land of the Warriors, Kingdom of Zilkhstan, both strong nations decided to solve their dispute peacefully via partnership. Leaders of both states realised that war will be too costly. For Zilkhstan it might be the end of their history and existence, while for Britannia it is a potential threat that might weaken them to the point the rest of the world will attempt to rebel against the Demon Emperor's rule. The partnership is the most logical solution, one where Britannia will supply Zilkhstan, while your nation will provide its army to assist the Britannian ruler and him alone. Your people will buy this version."

"But you're withholding something, Lelouch." Shamna could see there was more to this than Lelouch let on. His smirk proved her theories.

"Dealing with old fools and religious zealots might be quite tiring. I heard some stuff about the noble houses in your court. Former thieves and killers who do not attempt to entertain the idea of peaceful coexistence or implementing change. What about your brother? It must be hard for young King Shalio to rule in his conditions when everyone is born with the mentality that strength dominates over everything else. I imagine you had to use your power quite often for his sake, I respect that. But you would want something guaranteed, something that will ensure his safety and further spread your control over this country, make it unlimited."

"What do you mean, Lelouch? I already have the highest authority here. Shalio is the king, but you and I know who is the real power behind his throne. You-" Shamna froze when she realised what Lelouch implied. "You want to enslave my government and my people."

The Demon Emperor laughed. "You already have a good idea of what my Geass can do. Let me ask you this, Holy Priestess, would you like to have absolute control over your government and army? Have unlimited power over all of them. With my Geass, they all will become your slaves, dolls to command. You have authority as King's older sister, Queen and Holy Priestess. But you still have to put up with the rest of the fools in your government. The nobility is parasites, and religious orders like Farlaf are snakes that will backstab you should you stop being useful to them. Today your goals align, but who can guarantee it to stay like this forever? Your Geass is powerful indeed, but Farlaf surely will find a way to beat it. I can even think of some ideas that require preparation. Admit it, Shamna. You and Shalio will be better off as the sole undisputed rulers of this Kingdom, where no danger will come from within. Not to mention, it will be more beneficial for Zilkhstan for you to lead it in the future without having to concern yourself with mere fools you call government."

During the entire conversion, Shamna didn't move her gaze from Lelouch, making sure he wouldn't take off his lenses and use Geass on her. However, after the Emperor told her his suggestion, the blonde woman leaned further into her chair and closed her eyes for a moment, analyzing what Lelouch said.

'I could certainly use something like Lelouch's Geass to further spread my control. Dealing with bastards like Swaile and Shesthaal or creep Belq is something I want to get rid of, but they're still useful and I can't kill them yet.'

For now, Shamna can keep them at a safe length, especially Belq, but men like them were loyal to her and Shalio only because of money and power. If Kingdom's situation will get worse in the future, they will be the first to betray her or worse. The same went for a huge chunk of nobility. Even a respectful lord like Bolvona Forgnar was a rather difficult man to work with because of his honour and principles.

'The Farlaf Order is another uncertainty. They are the ones who gave me Geass and guided the Kingdom since its inception, but their goals were always beyond Zilkhstan. If Geass Order with all its resources and the backing of Charles zi Britannia couldn't achieve its goal then who to say Farlaf will succeed this generation or in the future?'

Farlaf aimed to connect C World and theirs, but was it the best direction for Zilkhstan? There were other methods to guarantee the security of her Kingdom and Shamna knew it, perhaps having control that even the Order can't take from her is the better alternative than worrying about whether their old dogma would bring ruin to her.

There were more advantages to agreeing with Lelouch than there were issues, but Shamna wasn't naive. Even if Zilkhstan was to start a mutual partnership with Britannia, Lelouch will surely desire something more. In this relationship, Lelouch had the upper hand and both of them knew that. Shamna had only a losing hand in this match.

'He can make demands and suggestions that will benefit his side more than mine. I can say no, but we won't reach an agreement and will hit the wall. No, only I will.' Shamna bit her lower lip. 'Lelouch can just wait for me to eventually give in. I can keep this loop going indefinitely, but I can't keep up with it forever. I'm already negotiating with him when at the start I never intended to do so. He was meant to be my captive, a prize. But now, I have no choice but to treat him as an equal since the alternative is forever dying and playing this game until I will break.'

In this loop, Lelouch already knew what her power did and what she experienced during all previous attempts. Shamna herself told it to him to gain his trust for the sake of negotiations and showcase their never-ending battle so to speak. However, if Shamna will fail and will have to reset the time again, do it again once more, Lelouch in the next loop will know nothing. Shamna will keep going through this cycle of hell until she can't go on further and her mind is broken while Lelouch will experience nothing.

Despite living her entire life, dealing with problems without mercy and with absolute power, this time Shamna couldn't do anything.

There she was, sitting inside her palace before the man whose dying face she was several times. And yet every time that happened, she didn't win. No, defeat was all but certain when Lelouch's life was over. It happened enough times to make her realise, in order to live and win Shamna needed to make sure Lelouch vi Britannia lives as well.

'At first, I hated you. How much I wanted to see you in agony. But after dying so many times because of your hidden plans, because of your tricks, I stopped despising you, Lelouch. Hahah-! You did actually break my mind, Demon Emperor Lelouch! Now I only see you as my greatest foe, a challenge that I will overcome one way or another. Sooner or later, trust me. You won't get away from me so easily, Lelouch...but I need to be smart about my moves. I can't allow you to win me again. No. If I can't win in the way I only knew, then I must accept certain realities.'

And so, Shamna had only one logical choice.

"Very well.' She gave in, not fully happy but it was a beneficial deal for both of them. "Once the entire government are my and Shalio's pawns there shouldn't be political and religious issues striking a deal with Britannia."

"I'm glad you agreed." Lelouch smiled before taking a sip of black tea with lemon. "I also want all Geass users in your nations gone, of course besides you, obviously."

And there was the part Shamna was worried about and knew would happen. Lelouch will demand more.

"Your Majesty, you might bite off more than you can chew. Geassing Farlaf Order is one thing, but killing Kingdom's Geass warriors is a completely different matter. They are assassins, soldiers and assets Zilkhstan needs to defend itself."

"Britannia can offer better protection than your assassins will ever do. You know about the might of my Damocles by now, Shamna." Lelouch's face was emotionless. "Geass Order was destroyed by Zero and his Black Knights for a reason. Geass is a dangerous curse that will bring more burdens than advantages. You must understand it by now."

"My Geass is the only reason we're talking peacefully right now, Lelouch. If I didn't have it, my life would have ended during the first attempt of dealing with you. The same goes for you, I don't know the full history, but you will be a hypocrite to deny that your Geass wasn't the reason some of your victories were achieved." She gave him a knowing smile. "I'm sure it was very helpful getting control over the rest of your siblings when you took the throne, your Majesty. You know that in some cases Geass is the only tool we have and must utilize it."

"And that is why I'm not against you having it. Your Geass is unique, I never saw anything like this. But I do not know what powers the rest of your people might possess and that might be dangerous, too risky for the future-"

"For your plan, no matter what it is?" Shamna pointed out, pleased that it got the reaction of the Emperor as Lelouch narrowed his eyes, but said nothing. Which was enough for the answer. "You know, I never learned what exactly you plan to do. The world is yours and only we are left for you to take care of. Should Britannia and Zilkhstan make an alliance, our Geass users might be of use to you. Of course, including my gift, but that will require further negotiations and my assistance won't be cheap."

"...Manipulate your Geass users hmm. Shamna, then how about we make another pact, but bound by my Geass." Lelouch offered her a hand.

"You-!" Shamna clenched her fist, worried he might try to take off his lenses. "You want to use Geass on me? You heard me before, I have preparation specifically to prevent such from happening, so why do you think I will allow you to do so?"

"Because this Geass command will make sure neither of us will break the deal, our partnership," Lelouch explained. "By now you have a good guess of what I can do and I know what you can do. I will Geass both of us into following the deal and Geass will make sure neither will breach the contract. Your power can even allow you to return in time and change anything you might find not to your liking. Doesn't that sound agreeable?"

"Except the fact that your knight Jeremiah Gottwald has the ability to nullify Geass and its effects. I'm sure it will work on your power as well, which means you can simply rid yourself of this command and break our deal. Why should I trust you?"

Shamna never trusted anyone, her little brother being the only exception. No, even Shalio couldn't be trusted with leading Zilkhstan on his own. Shamna liked her brother, he was her only family, but he was someone she needed to protect and take care of. She couldn't afford anything to go wrong, couldn't let her guard down for a moment or she would lose everything. That is how she survived and achieved everything until now and she was sure this was the only way to continue.

Lelouch had a different idea.

"Despite how others think of me, I do not break the promise I intended to fulfil. You will have to believe me. After all, while I do have Jeremiah and his Geass canceler, you have your own Geass that can help you go around our deal as well, should you apply your vast inelegance. Oh, mighty priestess, I know the words of Demon mean little, but I never fail my allies, I always intended to fulfil my promise to them." Lelouch placed a hand over his chest and bowed slightly.

"Well aren't you a tender partner, I'm sure your lover is happy about that." Shamna joked before taking a glass of wine, her eyes looking at the red liquid inside it. "I dislike the fact you managed to find compelling arguments when you learned about my Geass only moments ago. But very well, in that case, I agree to do this. But! I'm keeping my Geass users as my tools, you aren't killing them, Lelouch."

"...fine." Lelouch sighed. "But in that case, you will give me full information on them and their powers, what they can do and their potential weaknesses."

"Deal." Shamna quickly agreed and took his hand. "Now, how will we do it? Should we do it here or maybe find a more hidden place from others?"

"No, this place is good enough. Now, my fair lady, do you have a mirror? I think it would be better if I went through it first."

Shamna quickly brought him one of her mirrors that Lelouch took. They left the table as the Emperor took away his lenses. Gone were the Royal purple eyes, replaced with red Geass symbols that dominated everything and everyone. Shamna's own Geass colour was yellow, but she found herself getting lost in his red ones. Something about them was captivating.

'My, am I finding the eyes of the man who killed me numerous times stunning? Is this sign of me losing my mind?' Shamna thought half-jokingly. 'Well, I won't deny the truth if I see something nice to look at.'

"I, Lelouch vi Britannia, command myself to guarantee the security of Zilkhstan, to never break my promise to Shamna. That under my rule none will harm people of this nation and especially their Holy Priestess Shamna." Lelouch gave the order to himself as the Geass was activated and moved towards the target in reflection. Lelouch blinked, with both of his eyes already red, it was hard to tell if Geass's command worked or not.

"That last part. Lelouch, I must warn you that flattery won't get you anywhere." Shamna didn't blush, but she did feel a strange feeling inside her stomach. "Or do you think it will be enough to make me fall for you, your Majesty?"

"Hmm, would you kill yourself if I said yes?" Lelouch joked. Normal people would have called it a terrible one, but neither of the people in the room was normal, at all.

"Ahaha-!" Shamna covered her face to stop her laugh. "You're lucky I don't try to kill you in this loop or I would have had you executed for daring to make fun of something like this."

"Then it must mean that I'm already someone special for you, Shamna," Lelouch smirked, still not looking at her face in case he might accidentally use Geass. Shamna noticed it too.

'He could have used any moment to use Geass and turn me into his slave for example. That would have made everything easier for him. Of course, expect one small detail.' Shamna must say she was getting more and more impressed with the Emperor. Either he was sincere with his intent of partnership with her or was luring her into a false sense of security before he will trick her. Either way, Shamna liked both possibilities. 'I think I truly lost my mind after dealing with him for too long, I even find his machinations endearing.'

"Now, it is time for you, my lady."

Lelouch finally turned towards her and offered his hand once more. Shamna looked at it for a moment before a confident smile formed on her face. She walked towards him and took it, not letting go. Her blue eyes stared into his blood-red ones as she nodded and gave Lelouch permission to start. It might have been the best opportunity for him to break her trust and give a different order.

Lelouch didn't.

"Lelouch vi Britannia, commands you! Never break the promise we made. That neither you nor anyone of your people will ever harm Britannia and its ruler! That alliance between both Britannia and Zilkhstan will last as long as we both can guarantee it." The command was given as Geass' bird flew towards the eyes of Shamna. She blinked, the red circle appearing around her pupils before it disappeared.

Shamna looked around before she spoke while Lelouch put back his eye lenses. "Huh, I genuinely expected you to lie and turn me into your subject right now. Slightly disappointed that I was wrong about this."

"I told you I intend to fulfil the promise I gave to you and in this matter, we made a deal, Shamna." Lelouch's tone was more kind than before, Shamna could no longer feel fake empathy in it. However, she did notice the look in his eyes. It was for a mere second, but she saw sadness in them before he put back on the mask. "Besides, you will be a more useful ally with your free will instead of being my slave. Speaking about slaves, where are your Royal court and heads of the government? Time to take care of them."

"Then let lead the way. You can't imagine how happy I'm to finally leave this room after meeting you, both of us alive." For the first time since Shamna started this loop, she managed to achieve her goal, albeit in a new way. Speaking about loops and potential death. "Oh, I almost forgot!"

She quickly moved towards the table and pressed the button under it that was next to the small timer. The timer stopped as Shamna turned towards Lelouch who had a questioning look.

"May I ask what was that?"

"Oh, just another bomb I planted and didn't tell you about it. It had a timer that was supposed to activate within the next few minutes. I prepared it in case you managed to Geass me into obeying you, turning it on the moment you walked into the room and leaving enough time to chat, Lelouch." Shamna waved away nonchalantly. "I used this method a few times before."

"...Smart move," Lelouch commented as Shamna grinned.

"Learned while dealing with you. Now, what do you say I introduce you to my royal court, all noble houses, partner?" She made sure to put more emotions in the last word before walking up to Lelouch and offering her hand this time.

The Demon Emperor took it as the Holy Priestess led him outside towards their future victims.

---

A few hours later.

"Lelouch vi Britannia commands you! Become slaves of Holy Priestess Sahmna and her brother King Shalio!"

The Emperor commanded as the Geass order made its work. The masses before him stood with their helmets removed, eyes focused on him. They were the last soldiers within Zilkhstan's army. While the Kingdom's soldiers were elite and professional warriors, their numbers were significantly lower than that of Britannia or other departed global powers, including Black Knights. The soldiers before him raised their hands in the air as all of them screamed in unions.

"All Hail, Her Excellency Shamna! Long live, King Shalio!"

The said siblings watched from the top podium of the temple as Lelouch finished using Geass to enslave the remaining forces of their military. It was done. Farlaf Order was first to go, all of their members were quickly turned into obedient slaves, even if many were already loyal to her and Shalio. Then it was the turn of the nobility and their army.

Shamna couldn't help, but enjoy the sight before her. Before thanks to her Geass, her prophecies guaranteed people to follow her which meant her power was secured and Shalio was more or less safe. Now, with the help of Lelouch, she didn't need to worry about any potential rebellion from within the nation. She had all keys of Zilkhstan and could do as she pleased. She was feeling euphoric. The same couldn't be said about Shalio.

"You're Queen as well." He clenched his fist.

"Only until the day you will find a wife for yourself, Shalio." Shamna reminded him. "We are brother and sister, not a married couple."

"That is not what I'm implying, sister. Only that you are more than a Priestess. This nation stands today thanks to you. Your title should be remembered."

"Pff, I am more than happy with the position of Holy Priestess while you can play the role of the great King, Shalio." Shamna walked towards her brother and kneeled before him, giving a kind, warm smile. "Now our power is secured and Zilkhstan is ours, yours to lead as its King."

"All thanks to Emperor Lelouch," Shalio said with an irritated tone. "How many times have you had to die because of this man?"

"Enough to know that he isn't someone you should underestimate, brother," Shamna said with a serious tone. "Lelouch can be our worst enemy or our greatest ally, partner."

Shalio narrowed his eyes. "Partner, huh? You never called anyone like that before."

"Shalio, my dear young brother." Shamna gave him a teasing smile. "Don't tell me you're jealous of my partner?"

"No, it isn't that, sister." He took her hand with his two. "We saw what he is capable of. We know how many people he killed, and enslaved his own siblings, and his own sister. He is the Demon Emperor for a reason, we should be careful around him, especially you. We cannot know for sure what he planned."

"Oh, my silly brother." Shamna patted the blonde hair on his head. "Trust me, I know who I'm dealing with. I have already experienced what he is capable of and more."

'During all these loops I spent so much time around him, I like to think I have a good read on him. In fact, I spent more time dealing and talking with Lelouch than with anyone else in this world besides Shalio.' How strange was it that their partnership was born of her inability to defeat him or kill him? 'What was the old saying? If you can't beat them, join them. Well, in my case, make a deal with the Demon.'

"Shalio, I appreciate your overprotectiveness, but don't forget that I'm the one making decisions here, not you." Her brother looked away, not happy. "Brother, I'm sure I spent enough time in that hall trying to win in my game against Lelouch. After all failed attempts I'm more than happy to finally move past that. You can dislike him, but for my sake please do not say or do anything that will make me angry. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sister." Shamna kissed his forehead.

"Thank you. Now, act like a King, brother. You now have absolute control over his nation and none would even think of defying you." She turned towards the Emperor and his cyborg bodyguard as two were walking towards them. "Don't embarrass me in front of him, or you will be sorry."

"Sister, don't tell me you-...well, now this is interesting. Very well." Shalio spoke with a playful tone.

Shamna didn't know why she didn't like to hear such a change in tone. Despite the circumstances, Shalio and Shamna were family. Their lives weren't normal, but it didn't mean they couldn't have normal sibling moments every now and then. As Lelouch and Jeremiah walked towards a pair of blonde Royals, Shalio's wheelchair moved forward as he started.

"Emperor Lelouch vi Britannia. As the King of Zilkhstan, I thank you for helping me and my sister. By now you should be aware of the plans we originally had for you and Damocles, your Majesty."

Jeremiah raised an eyebrow, unfamiliar with what truly transpired within the walls of the meeting hall while Lelouch nodded.

"Indeed. I hope my partnership with your sister will prove to be a great opportunity for both of our nations, your Highness. Britannia and Zilkhstan are now partner states and we must help each other. And that might include some upgrades for your KMF units, of course, there are certain measures that must be taken. Such as how they can be used outside the borders of Zilkhstan, and there aren't many scenarios where they can." Lelouch smirked. "For technical and strategic reasons. After all, I don't want my ally to waste their resources on something I must deal with myself."

"Hmm, well aren't you the trickster? Promising to help improve our army while also saying we can't deploy them outside our borders. Your Majesty must have heard that our economy heavily relies on our soldiers acting as mercenaries in other nations. How can we keep our nation intact like this?"

Due to the country's lack of natural resources, the #1 exported commodity was its own soldiers. All over the world, Zilkhstan's soldiers have been hired as mercenaries. Before, their services were often used by different groups within the Chinese Federation. Sometimes Europeans paid them to deal with dirty work they didn't want the public to know about. Britannian nobles were also one of their usual customers. Of course, all of it changed in the last few months. The UFN and the Black Knights didn't need them to fight their wars and Lelouch's Britannia was more than capable of conquering the entire world on its own. At the present time, Zilkhstan was in a dangerous position where its main source of money and reasons for the economy to exist was in danger.

Now that Zilkhstan and Britannia were partners, there was a question of how Zilkhstan would keep its economy and way of life if their partner owed the entire world. There weren't many customers left and you couldn't really work for the people who would fight Lelouch. That went against their partnership. So, how would Zilkhstan survive?

"That's a good question, your Highness. Perhaps I have a good solution for the issues I created." Lelouch raised his hands at the sides. "Diversification of economy."

"Diversification?" Shalio blinked, not sure what to even think, meanwhile his sister spoke.

"Zilkhstan is the land of proud warriors, Lelouch. You and I agreed on many things and have done a lot, but you are suggesting to change the very nature of our Kingdom."

"Am I, Shamna? I do not ask you to dissolve your army and become pacifists, well, not directly."

"Lelouch." Shamna narrowed her eyes while Shalio remained confused.

"What is diversification?" The young King asked while Lelouch started to speak.

"It is the process of shifting an economy away from a single income source toward multiple sources from a growing range of sectors and markets. Traditionally, it has been applied as a strategy to encourage positive economic growth and development." Lelouch explained. "In your case, the only income source Zilkhstan has are the mercenary soldiers. However, even before I took over the world, your source was quite an unstable source of money. Your Kingdom's economy existed because of the military spending and for the sake of it. Zilkhstan doesn't have many resources, especially sakuradite which meant you had to import it from the outside. That is already a giant strategic threat where your armies might become useless if your neighbours decide to block the roads that bring you needed fuel for Knightmares."

"In that case, we would have attacked them and defeated their puny forces," Shalio said, but Shamna shook her head.

"It isn't as simple as you think, brother. Sure, our warriors can defeat our neighbours when they're alone, but only if we have enough sakuradite and before our enemies might decide to unite as one front against us. Our Kingdom is 90% desert. With overwhelming force, they can overrun us before we can kill them all. Don't forget that our neighbours were part of the Chinese Federation and Middle Eastern Federation. Both of them had more resources and population than we do. We might have had better fighters, but in total war, we will lose most of the time. The reason we survived was because of Farlaf Order's Geass powers and our role as a mercenary hub that was convenient to everyone around us."

"Indeed. None would be foolish enough to underestimate the strength of your forces, your Highness. But it will be unwise to think that you're invincible. Your Kingdom has many sides that can become your weakness if not dealt with in time. Of course, now that we have a deal I can offer some guarantees," Lelouch offered a solution. "And of course, I fully expected Zilkhstan to keep and modernize itself so my allies can answer future crises should anything happen."

Shamna gave him a side look. "You want us to abandon our tradition, our way of living. To give up our strength."

"No, nothing of that, my dear ally." Lelouch shook his head. "What I want is a reliable associate state that will help Britannia maintain order in the region. And in order to achieve that, your Kingdom must adapt and evolve for the sake of its survival. I and my Empire can offer a lot to you, but we can't artificially sustain this nation. Otherwise, what is the point of our partnership? I need a strong Zilkhstan that can answer future challenges and fulfil its end of the bargain."

Shalio cut to the point. "What do you want, Emperor? What is your intent for this diversification? Surely you have already prepared some sort of plan."

"You're giving me too much credit, your Highness. When I arrived here, I had quite a different idea for this nation, but thanks to the certain beauty with a golden eye, I changed my mind." Lelouch smirked while Shamna proudly smiled. "But yes, I have something. A new plan and not all possibilities were accounted for yet. Still, I have a feeling it shall work."

"Neither I nor my brother is fond of the prospect of going against our traditions and way of life, but I'm intrigued, Lelouch." Shamna crossed her arms under her bosom.

"It is simple really. You see, ever since I took the throne I had one problem I couldn't deal with despite my powers and best efforts. Well, not the best since I was more occupied with world conquest." Lelouch let out a short laugh. "I attempted to challenge the cancer of any government, the underworld and its criminal activities. I had success in dealing with some more annoying actors, such as Peace Mark terrorists and their cells. However, I didn't achieve complete victory, I couldn't destroy all of the vermin."

"And you won't be able to," Shamna commented. "No matter how mighty Empires were, none of them were able to wipe out the criminal activity as a whole. At best, you can clean out the current leadership and circles, but not destroy it completely. Someone always will take the power in a newly created vacuum and-" the blonde priestess paused, understanding what Lelouch planned. "Oh, my."

'You are a genius bastard.' Shamna wanted to both laugh and kiss the man who was her adversary and now an ally.

"Sister?" Shalio looked confused.

"He wants us to take over the underworld, Shalio." His sister said with a small smirk. "Well, I certainly can see the benefits and they outnumber the negatives. Especially with our newly Geassed armies and nobility. Zilkhstan will become a safe haven for those who work in darkness, hiding from the ruthless law of the Empire. We will offer them protection while they are on our territory and play by our rules, and get paid for our protection. Even criminals can't run forever and must have some sort of safe place where Britannia can't get them." She licked her lips. "Or simply doesn't want to. My, how convenient that Zilkhstan won't face the same level of surveillance as other nations under Lelouch's control."

"What can I say?" the glint in Lelouch's eyes did little to calm Shamna who was getting more fascinated by such a plan. "Even my Britannia has shortcomings and sometimes looks the other way. However, there must be regulations. I do not tolerate the selling of KMFs units across the black market and will not allow Refrain to become widespread because of Zilkhstan."

"Refrain won't be allowed," Shalio spoke out. "I do not want my subjects to be addicted like this poison either. As for the Knightmare black market-"

"That can be talked over once we have a more detailed plan, brother." Since Lelouch had planned more responsibilities for them, Shamna won't miss a chance to get something as a bonus of this deal. After all, Zilkhstan is the one who will have to change its infrastructure and do the dirty work for this plan to work out. "Speaking about Knightmares, we will need facilities to build our own modern units. The small ones we have won't be enough for an operation of such magnitude."

"No." Lelouch immediately answered. "I cannot provide them, Shamna. Knightmare production is something I want to maintain under my direct control."

"You don't trust us?" Shalio was offended, even if it was mostly fake.

"I trust you to fulfil your responsibilities of the agreement as long as it is beneficial to you." Lelouch noticed that his answer pleased Shamna who nodded, content with it. "Still, you will need some kind of defensive measures, even with your professional soldiers. Hmm, how about Britannia transporting some of the older Knightmare units it no longer uses on a mass scale? Do not worry, I won't give you ancient Sutherlands or Glasgow. Some older Vincent machines, European Panzer Hummel and Chinese Gun-Ru should be enough. Of course, all of them have sakuradite to operate for a great while, 3-4 years. You can do whatever you want with them."

"I'm not an engineer, but I can see that you are giving us junk compared to your own arsenal. Everything except Vincent's units is severely outdated compared to the best your army can offer." It was Shamna who complained while Shalio was positive about such a prospect.

"You say we can do whatever we please? Does it mean we can use them for spare parts or even build our own units?" Shalio became more interested in the plan the Emperor had for them.

"Well, if you can make something good of them, go ahead." Lelouch knew the limits of these Knightmares and that even if King manages to create something new out of them, it won't be on the same level as Britannian or Black Knight's technology.

Shamna narrowed her eyes as she gazed at her brother. "Shalio, don't tell me you plan to create a Knightmare for yourself. Brother, that's dangerous-"

"I know, sister. I know." Shalio waved away with an irritated tone, not caring that the Emperor saw him in such a state. "My body can't handle it, but I need to prove that I'm worthy to be the King of our homeland."

"You don't have to prove anything, Shalio. Lelouch turned all our armies and governors into obedient puppets, none of them will dare to defy you. I rather not see my brother die for nothing."

Shamna was a cold power hungry woman. She knew it, Lelouch knew it. And yet, the Emperor noticed that she did care about her younger brother...in some way, it reminded him of his own sibling who was cursed to be bound to a wheelchair because of a cruel world.

"And what about the people? What about the future generations?" Shalio barely held his tone. "What kind of legacy will I leave them? Shalio the Broken? Shalio the King who hid behind his older sister? I need to prove that I'm worthy, never mind if my body can't handle it. I must do it for the sake of the deal you made with the Emperor if you want to think of it that way."

"Hmm." Lelouch looked curious once he heard the last part. "If you say it like that."

"Lelouch?" Shamna narrowed her eyes. "You won't give my brother a Knightmare that will kill him. His body won't handle it."

"Then why not fix said body?" Lelouch wondered as Shalio's eyes went wide.

"You mean-?!"

The Emperor pointed at Jeremiah who wasn't far away from the trio. "You saw my bodyguard and loyal knight. His body wasn't always like that, a lot of things happened. But, what If I told you this technology can be re-created and applied to your body, your Highness?"

Both blonde siblings looked at each other. Shalio was hopeful, a thrill was seen on his face, but he tried to compose himself and glanced at his sister for guidance. Shamna knew why Lelouch offered it. He wanted to further spread his influence over the two of them, and buy their loyalty as far as their partnership went. Well, the siblings couldn't say no to the prospect of Shalio's body being stable when the price was already known to them and Shamna didn't have reasons to betray said partnership so far. The sister gave a nod to her brother who quickly nodded to the Emperor's proposal.

"Excellent. Now-," The Demon Emperor smiled, a devilish expression on his face. "What do you say about a short trip outside your Kingdom, King Shalio?"

---

She expected a betrayal. And while there were tricks, he didn't break the word given to her. At least not yet.

---

One week later.

Shamna stood before the Royal palace as Britannian aircraft landed before it. Her retainers formed two lines before it, welcoming the guest and their King back. The airship's doors opened as three figures stepped out. Emperor Lelouch with Jeremiah Gottwald right behind him, and King Shalio. All three of them walked towards Shamna. Yes, including her brother.

'He actually did it.'

"Sister!" Always stoic, or at least trying to do so, Shalio couldn't hide his excitement as he ran towards her. Shamna didn't have time to react when Shalio closed the distance between them and hugged her. "Do you see it?! I can finally walk on my own! I can run! I don't need the visor, my vision is perfect and I haven't bled at all since the operation. It is a miracle, sister!"

And true to his word, King Shalio was no longer in a wheelchair and didn't have a red visor he needed to see properly. Shamna could see that something mechanical was in his eyes, most likely machinery to fix his ill eyes. Even when hugging the smaller boy, she could feel something metal and cold on his kneecaps. Later as Shalio explained, his lower body was reinforced with medical cybernetics originally created by one of the Britannian scientists specifically for Orange Knight. However, according to her brother, he was operated on by a woman with dark skin and yellow hair, clearly Geassed judging by the red circles he saw in her eyes after the operation.

"I see it, Shalio. I see it." Shamna smiled warmly before her gaze fell on the Emperor who approached them. "And I see the person to whom I should be grateful for it."

The Demon Emperor waved away. "Please, my lady. All I did was arrange the schedule and transport your brother to the right doctor. Everything else was the work of a certain genius who won't even remember the said operation."

"I see. Oh, I almost forgot, but can I ask your knight to use his special power?" Lelouch raised his eyebrow while Shamna stepped aside to not get caught in the area.

"Sister?"

"Just want to make sure my partner didn't try something funny behind my back while you were away, Shalio." Shamna could never afford to let her guard down, even now. "Creating such a miracle, Lelouch. While I'm thankful, I also want to be sure there isn't more to this."

Lelouch smirked, clearly expecting something like this as he motioned Jeremiah to do as was asked, of course after joining Shamna so the Geass command he gave himself won't be disrupted either. The original cyborg obeyed his master and activated his Geass Canceler. The blue bubble covered Shalio, but nothing happened. Shalio wasn't under Lelouch's Geass. His older sister let out a sigh, now calmer.

"Welcome back, Shalio. I'm sure there are a lot of you who want to discuss this with me, but I and Lelouch must have a business talk first." She gave Shalio an apologetic smile. "I'm sure you want to test out your legs now that you're back home."

"Yes! I want to run across the palace, I want to see every corner of this place, this city with my own eyes." Shalio was beaming with happiness, no longer burdened by the weakness of his own flesh. "I can finally walk and I don't want to stop."

Lelouch noticed the glance the Holy Priestess was sending his way and cleared his throat.

"Jeremiah, please make the company of the young King." His bodyguard attempted to object, but his master quickly raised his hand. "Don't worry about me. I trust Shamna enough to not try to kill me again. After all, we have a deal and neither of us has gotten what we want to form it yet."

"True, if I wanted to kill you I wouldn't do it this late," Shamna spoke with a teasing smirk. The older cyborg didn't like the idea of leaving his liege with this woman, but he couldn't say anything if his master desired to do so.

With a silent nod, Jeremiah left with the young King who was overexcited to experience walking around his own palace. Meanwhile, Shamna took Lelouch over to one of the palace's luxurious gardens outside. The last thing Priestess wanted was to have another serious discussion in the room where she and Lelouch killed each other dozens of times. Once they were there, Lelouch took a seat as his gaze fell on the beautiful scenery while Shamna brought up drinks. Two of them were completely alone as the older sister of the King didn't want anyone to interrupt her and the Demon Emperor.

"I see that you prepared quite a table for me. I'm touched." Lelouch spoke as his gaze darted to the chessboard.

Shamna nodded. "It is a rather known fact that His Majesty Emperor enjoys chess above any other game. So I decided to prepare drinks and entertainment to pass time."

"Oh? Will the Holy Priestess herself play a game with me?"

"Our agreement is already a game of sorts, with stakes being your life and my sanity." Shamna wasn't even trying to joke.

"Does it mean you want to replay the match from our first meeting? Granted, I won't be able to memorize all my movements that span across multiple time loops, but I'm sure your excellency will inform me once you're done losing." Lelouch gave her a cheeky grin.

Shamna wasn't impressed with his joke. "Mayhaps I should run some loops just to see you pay for these words with your lives. Or maybe your dignity, hmp!"

"If that is your idea of stress relief, all I can say is be merciful and remember that our Geass contract will forbid you from doing so." Shamna didn't know if she liked or hated when he was right. Probably both.

"I don't envy whoever has to tolerate you on a daily basis. Oh the poor future empress, she will have to endure such a smart ass as yourself, your Majesty."

Lelouch was silent for a moment, a smirk vanished from his face for a mere second. "I suppose so."

"What? No comeback for this? Did I strike a nerve, Lelouch? If so, I'm only a little sorry. A little bit."

Her guest waved off. "Do not worry about me, my lady. If anything you have to be anxious about losing in chess as well. Even your Geass won't help you win this."

"Please, does your Majesty think I'm not familiar with this game? While I didn't have enough good or interesting opponents in my homeland, I'm sure of my skills."

"Well then, let's see,"

Both of them started their match. Lelouch had to admit that the blonde priestess was a worthy challenger. And yet, the first game was his victory. However, Shamna defeated him in their first rematch. Afterwards, the games got more interesting as both opponents started to learn each other's movements and were predicting each other's future moves. The Demon Emperor wouldn't show it, but the ability of the Holy Priestess to predict his plans and quickly build her own ones around them was both frightening and impressive.

"It is a tie," Lelouch announced. "Have to admit you are a great player."

"My opponent wasn't bad either," Shamna smirked. "How curious. When we first met we tried to kill each other. But now? We are enjoying our time with a game of chess. Destiny works in mysterious ways, won't you agree, Lelouch?"

The Emperor shook his head. "I do not believe in such things as destiny or fate. Call it however you want. Only the people who have no power over their lives will believe in some sort of higher power guiding them."

"A cynical look, your Majesty. As a person of faith, I can't help but disagree." Shamna was a religious person despite her own ambitions and means to achieve them.

"Can you? I thought you of all people will understand that it is people who drive life, not fate. Your Geass is proof of that. You can, will and already did change the direction of how the lives of many will go down based on your personal desires. We are here today, speaking as allies not because of fate or something almighty, but because of you. You were the one who desired to negotiate with me and here we're now."

"While I agree with that logic, what if it was the desire of something outside our control, Lelouch? What if my powers and yours were given to us to achieve greater accomplishments and dying in the hands of each other wasn't the intent of forces moving us forward? Then me using my Geass in an attempt to kidnap you would always lead to the same conclusions no matter what I will try. I will face defeat after defeat and eventually accept the fact that the only way to win you is to become your ally, a partner."

"To me, that seems like an attempt to toss responsibility for your actions on someone else." Lelouch's experiences become sour.

"Oh, no. Trust me, I do not intend to run away from my actions or the consequences of them. If anything I'm proud of them since they always led me to victory. Including our deal, even if it is unconventional and the first time for me." Shamna smiled. "But I also think it wasn't just me losing my mind over you refusing to give up or becoming an obedient captive in my previous attempts. No. I'm sure destiny, the future, has arranged an important game for the two of us."

Lelouch stared at her with mixed emotions. His mask was good, but Shamna always made sure to look into his eyes and see what the Demon Emperor truly thought.

'These eyes of his, people call them a mirror of soul for a reason. So much intelligence, passion, hatred and confidence in them. My, I might actually lose myself in them.' Shamna fought the urge to giggle. Lelouch was a dangerous opponent and perhaps even more so as an ally. 'You have a perfect mask, well, almost perfect one. I can see that you're troubled by something. Hmm, how curious.'

"I refuse to believe that my actions were anything, but the fruit of my thoughts. I won't allow anyone to take away my control over my life. Never again." Shamna was surprised to see Lelouch frown as he remembered something unpleasant. "Your words have logic, Shamna. Even if I refuse to accept such logic, perhaps you're right in some way. Still, none of it will change my mind and my ambitions."

"And I don't intend to, believe me, Lelouch. While I'm Holy Priestess and leader of a religious organization within Zilkhstan, I do not plan to turn you to my faith." Shamna had to admit the idea was tempering. Emperor Lelouch vi Britannia converted himself to the religion of her people. Because of her and for her. Oh, such a thought sent chills running down her spine, but Shamna had to restrain herself.

'After all, I saw and experienced what it is like dealing with Lelouch when you go against him. Judging by our conversation a moment ago, should he become part of my doctrine we will argue until the end of days.' However, that didn't sound unpleasant either. 'A little conflict from time to time is rather stimulating for my mind, especially when my opponent is someone like Lelouch. My, I need to be careful or at this rate-'

"I would rather we move the conversation away from such topics." Lelouch suddenly spoke.

In Shama's mind, that was because the Demon Emperor had a somewhat similar realisation as her and didn't want to indulge in such dangerous thoughts further. After all, surely her ally and most dangerous opponent saw her just like Shamna saw Lelouch.

The Holy Priestess couldn't know how far she was from the truth.

'Was the Demon looking into my eyes as I was into his? Was he thinking about what it will be like to keep this conversation going for longer, perhaps until the end of times? We're the allies and partners, and I'm his most powerful enemy. Surely, he thinks of me the same way I do of him. Oh, my!'

Shamna wanted to laugh. Was it perhaps her delusions born from her inability to defeat this foe? Most likely.

Perhaps in her numerous attempts to slay the Emperor, Priestess started to think of him as the goal she needed to conquer in any way. In every way.

"Was my gift to your brother to your liking, my lady?" The Emperor spoke and broke Shamna from her illusions.

"Shalio is very happy," she spoke first while pouring him some refreshments.

Lelouch took the goblet, nodding. "Who wouldn't be? Not every day one manages to escape the chains forced upon you by this fate you speak of."

"Fate is an interesting concept." Shalio smiled as she drank from her own goblet. "Some people are born to be burdened by some sort of chains no matter how hard they try to get rid of them. Won't you agree, Lelouch?"

"Oh, are you talking about me, my lady?"

"Today? No. But maybe in the future, I will." Shamna gave him a kind smile with closed eyes as she raised her hand forward. "Now give it to me."

"Give what?" Lelouch asked with an innocent tone. "My lady, I think we aren't on that level to have this kind of relationship-"

"Stop fooling around and give me a controller, Lelouch." they stared at each other for a moment as silence fell between them. Eventually, Lelouch let out a sigh as he pulled out a small device and handed it over to her. "That's better. I knew you would have something like this prepared. Don't get me wrong, your Majesty. I would be offended if you didn't try anything. Gods know I would have tried something like this too."

"I want to clarify that there is nothing dangerous, well, not lethal anyway," Lelouch said. "A simple controller that can turn off the mechanism in Shalio's legs. An easy and painless way to immobilize him."

"I trust you enough not to kill my brother or me while we're fulfilling our end of the deal, Lelouch." Shamna didn't even look engaged by the fact the Demon Emperor tried to use her brother and potentially endanger his life. It was as she said, she completely expected such behaviour and was actually pleased by her own predictions and Lelouch. She didn't even need to use her Geass to find out about this. "And now he will definitely try to pilot Knightmares."

"Boys will be boys," Lelouch smirked while Shamna sighed. "My medics said his body must get used to the new parts before he can try piloting a real Knightmare. I told him to be patient or the gift I bestowed upon him will be wasted. I was taken aback when he listened to me without any fuss, hmm. Your brother handled the operation and preparations for it pretty well."

"Because I told him to do so. He is the King of Zilkhstan and should behave accordingly. Even when outside his nation without my direct guidance he must show nothing, but the image of the perfect monarch, especially when in presence of another ruler." Shamna couldn't help but smirk teasingly. "If only you heard how he complained about everything to me via the phone before the operation. The weather wasn't the same, none of your servants treated him the same way as ours did and no one would allow him to pilot newer Knightmare models. No different from a small child I swear."

"He did ask me if I had spare Lancelot lying around. Told him all the last ones were destroyed." Lelouch half-joked. "I can see that your brother really enjoyed Knightmares."

"More like he has a penchant for showmanship." Shamna didn't know why the small smirk Lelouch got was slightly concerning her. "Don't tell me you're actually thinking about giving him one of these things."

"If this gets me his further cooperation then I don't mind throwing some gifts for the King. After all, I can't really use my preferred method of manipulating people thanks to certain beauty." Lelouch spoke. "I knew that you will demand Jeremiah to prove your brother isn't under my influence. I was surprised you even allowed him to leave your Kingdom."

"Consider it a show of goodwill." Shamna understood what Lelouch wanted. Assassinating Shalio might have been beneficial when Lelouch intended to simply subjugate Zilkhstan but wasn't great for the new plans the Emperor had for this nation. Lelouch wanted more and for that reason, Shamna was needed. Therefore the well-being of Shalio was an important matter. "You didn't kill my brother which proves our deal means more to you than I originally thought."

"Of course it does. Killing and destroying those who stand against me is always easy, but I do enjoy good challenges. By the way, speaking about the deal. How is it going? I made necessary preparations on my side and expected the same on yours."

Shamna nodded. "We had connections through underworld channels and sent them a clear message. Zilkhstan is a safe place for them and their activities, of course with some limitations and after paying a tribute. We also got the Knigthmares you sent us. Old and outdated they might be, we will make good use of them. And then there is the gold you sent to us. I still can't see the point."

"Zilkhstan will need a legal business and deals to cover all underworld ones. Makes it easier to hide all filth of the criminal world as well as create more places for investments. The gold is still Britannian, but I in all my benevolence allow Zilkhstan to hold it and keep it secure."

Shamna raised her eyebrows. "So you also want to turn us into your bank?"

"How about the world bank?"

"Isn't that the same since you control the world?" Shamna asked while Lelouch waved off.

"Semantics. What I want is for Zilkhstan to remain economically stable in the long run. With Britannia dominating the regular world and your Kingdom taking care of the underworld, I can be calm about the future." Lelouch noticed that she was thinking about something. "Something is wrong?"

"Since you can't deal with us in your regular way, you went as far as ensuring our loyalty with deals that are beneficial to my nation." Shamna thought about it. Of course, it made sense for the Emperor to be careful with Zilkhstan. Her Geass proved to be a dangerous tool, but it wasn't like Shamna was invincible. There were limits to her power and she knew Lelouch could see them as well. With enough careful planning, even her prophecies can become obsolete. She suspected Lelouch, and yet he didn't betray their deal. And while there was a method to do so and escape, he didn't do it, for now. There was something he wanted, something that made him willing to cooperate with her.

'And I don't know anything about it beyond it happening somewhere in the future.'

"I didn't expect Emperor Lelouch to worry about the future this much. Not when you have defeated everyone and have control over the entire world. Perhaps there is something I need to know?" She was curious. "Of course, for the sake of doing my best to fulfil my end of the deal."

"You don't need to, Priestess. Empire's matters outside Zilkhstan are only my burden and they aren't your concern." Lelouch narrowed his eyes, not bothering to hide his distaste for this topic. A clear indication that it was something Shamna shouldn't press on further.

'It cannot be a simple arrogance, but he won't tell me more. What a shame. Still, as long as it is something that doesn't directly threaten us or involve our stability, I'm willing to ignore this matter...Even if curiosity is driving me insane.'

"In that case, let's further discuss our business related to turning my Kingdom into the world's most secured bank as well as a den of the criminal world." Shamna raised her goblet. "For our further cooperation."

"For the future." Lelouch slowly raised his own goblet.

Shamna drank from hers, her eyes still glued to the Emperor who now looked more preoccupied with his thoughts. "And Lelouch?"

"Hmm?"

"Despite our unique meeting, I'm being sincere about fulfilling our deal. Well, at least as long as it will be beneficial to me." Shamna's usual prideful expression formed on her face. "And that means that Zilkhstan's doors are open for you. Cooperation is a preferable alternative to destruction. Heh, being your ally is both exhausting and easier than being your enemy."

'You are my ally, my challenge, my partner and rival, Lelouch vi Britannia. Should you run into my hands, asking for help, I will deliver it. After all, that will mean that you do think of me as someone you can depend on, trust me.'

What further proof Shamna will need to show that Lelouch saw her as equal? That they were people who understood each other better than anyone else. Both of them were geniuses, none could stand equal to them, except the other. The battle of wits between them, one where Lelouch was victorious only until Shamna will find a way to beat him, make him acknowledge her as the winner.

'I will best you, Lelouch. And when that happens I will be truly invincible.'

If the Demon Emperor, the man who conquered the entire world was the mightiest being history will ever know, then the woman who can triumph over him surely will be even greater. Lelouch, her ally and rival, will be the one to help Shamna grow into the most powerful woman in this world, one way or another.

'You made my Kingdom stand on its own in your world. Gave us resources and means to evolve, to become stronger.'

Was it perhaps because Lelouch had no one else to trust and so decided to create worthy allies on his own? His entire family was nothing, but puppets and enemies who were defeated by now. Surely if the Demon Emperor had no equals, then she as the Queen and the Holy Priestess of Zilkhstan was the most worthy to be his ally, partner and rival. The means to go further.

'You did speak about the future. Perhaps you meant a future where you have someone who makes you go on even further, to achieve even more than you already did. Go beyond your limit. So, am I such a reason and person who will make you go deeper into greatness, Lelouch? In the same way, as you're mine?'

The Holy Priestess's delusions of grandiosity were clouding her mind and she didn't even realise it yet. The Demon did not care about her thoughts beyond whatever it took her to fulfil their deal.

At that moment and in the future. Shamna wouldn't understand or accept the hard truth.

The reality where Emperor Lelouch did not care about her beyond seeing her as a tool for achieving a better world after Zero Requiem. The future world that he won't witness.

---

'I thought I understood him...and I do. That day was the wrongdoing of another, but Lelouch didn't mean it. I know it.'

---

Two weeks later.

Shamna leaned further into her chair as she tossed the papers across the table. Administration, the dullest activity every competent ruler had to suffer through no matter how much they wanted to avoid it. Even with the Geassed government, Shamna had to personally monitor and make sure there were no mistakes made by her puppets. Still, it was a job someone had to do and it definitely couldn't be Shalio.

With greater responsibility comes more paperwork. Still, it was for the sake of Zilkhstan and they were improving within the expected time frame. Turning Zilkhstan from a mercenary breeding ground into one big bank with mercenaries for guards and criminals as informants/traders proved to be rather advantageous for her. Still, the fruits of this deal will show themselves sooner. And all because Shamna couldn't kill one person.

"What would he do." The Holy Priestess mused to herself.

"Thinking about one dashing Emperor, sister?" Shalio let out a short laugh as he walked inside her office with drinks. "Don't tell me that dear older sister of mine has fallen for the charms of the Demon Emperor."

"Don't tell me that little brother of mine isn't against such an idea." Shamna was more surprised by Shalio talking about it so boldly. "I thought you didn't like him."

"Hard to dislike the man who gave me the ability to walk and see. I don't love him, but at least I am at peace with seeing you two together more frequently." Shalio pointed out. "Especially when it means I have higher chances of getting my hands on Lancelot Albion blueprints."

"So this is your endgame, huh?" Shamna groaned, both frustrated and a little pleased that her brother wanted to get something out of Lelouch as well. "You do know that Knightmare was destroyed right?"

"The Knightmare? Yes. But the blueprints are definitely out there and can be used. Now that I can pilot Knightmares I want to build the best one this world has ever seen." Stars could be seen in his eyes.

Shamna grunted. "Don't tell me you want to create a 10th-generation unit when we can't build our own variant yet."

"That's no longer the truth, sister. Thanks to the older units we got from your partner, Zilkhstan is on its way to developing our own Knightmare models. Thanks to the inflow of refugees with questionable morals and past, we got our hands on some former engineers from Europe and China. They need jobs and means to survive, so I hired them to create something new for our armed forces. Nothing phenomenal according to them, at best it will be equivalent to 5th generation Knightmares. But it can be easily mass-produced with our new income and further improved once we get some data. I'm excited about it. Our first Ghedo Vakka."

"Heh, well good for you, brother. While I don't share your deep love for the war machines, I see the advantage of it." Shamna was actually impressed that Shalio went out of his way to do so alone. Not bad. "Perhaps Lelouch was a good influence for you. Now you see how other monarchs behave and act. Take an example from him."

"I just might. Oh, and sister? He has my blessing." the small smile Shalio sent her way did a lot to confuse Shamna.

"Your blessing for what?"

"Don't act naive. I'm sure this thought has crossed your mind once or twice." Shalio didn't know if he should be laughing or groaning when he saw further confusion on her face. "Gods, are you clueless or are you playing me for the fool? Lelouch vi Britannia has my permission to wed you."

"Oh, you meant this." Shamna blinked a few times. "Well, it isn't like I required it, but thank you anyway Shalio."

Her brother looked disappointed. "This isn't the reaction I expected. I thought you would try to deny it, accuse me of speaking nonsense or something like that. Not react in such a manner."

"Did you expect me to act like an embarrassed maiden in love once I heard it? Please." Shamna laughed. "I won't deny that Lelouch is rather a handsome man and I enjoy talking with him. Perhaps he can make a most suitable husband for me. However, do not forget that my and his partnership were born out of mutual benefit from my failure to defeat him and his wish to pursue a less destructive way of dealing with me. We are allies, already partners. I'm sure he thought of me the same way I did of him before he even stepped a foot into Gralbahd. That he saw me as only another opponent he would conquer easily. Our opinion surely changed about each other, but it didn't turn our relationship into something akin to lovers. At least not yet. After all-"

'I'm his ally and the only enemy he couldn't defeat, the one who made the mighty Lelouch vi Britannia choose a different path. His greatest adversary. I don't need to be his lover to occupy his thoughts all the time,' Shamna proudly thought. 'Surely he already spends hours thinking about my moves, my plans and how I intend to play the game. Just as I do about him. Lovers? Please, we're beyond that. Two equals who knew no defeat until meeting each other and finally felt the taste of an impossible challenge.'

Shamna of Zilkhstan was a woman who never bothered herself with simple love beyond the family love she had for her brother. And yet it was only that, thanks to her power and status, she was worried only about further securing her power base and ensuring the Kingdom's stability under her control. Everything else was secondary. However, all of that changed when her ambitions ran into the immovable object with the name Lelouch vi Britannia. Oh, Shamna could kill him, but such realities would end only with her own death and therefore defeat. To achieve her further goal of the future where she is powerful and Zilkhstan stable, the only path she sees is one forged in partnership with Lelouch.

'We don't need to declare our love before the whole world to know how we feel about each other, how we think of each other.' Still, Shamna won't deny some part of her did feel that tieing the Demon Emperor to her and Zilkhstan via marriage had its advantages. Not only would she become the Empress of the whole Britannia, but everyone in the world would know that Lelouch announced who was his equal and the only one who can stand next to him. 'Actually, Shalio's idea sounds more and more tempting the longer I ponder over it. Oh, how could I fall for the charms of the Demon when I wanted to imprison him? Heh, perhaps I should try to make him my prisoner via legal marriage. For the sake of our fruitful partnership of course.'

As far as Shamna understood, it wasn't love, but another form of her ambitions. Shamna wanted power. Lelouch was the most powerful man alive. She wanted her prophecies to reign supreme. If the Emperor of Britannia itself relied on them, then what further proof she needed? Everything she wants to achieve can be hers as long as she is Lelouch's partner.

That was the fantasy Shamna made for herself as the only way to end the never-ending loop of trying to defeat Lelouch.

Shamna didn't call it love and yet it was that. A delusional one-sided love she unknowingly forced herself into in order to escape her time in prison. She thought she could win and get everything. As far as Shamna cared, she almost did.

And yet, fate was an interesting thing.

"Your Highness, Your Excellency. Emperor Lelouch is currently having a victory parade across Tokyo." One of her female retainers, Geassed, announced as she pointed at a huge screen on the wall behind her. "Do you want to watch it?"

Shalio looked at his sister with a knowing grin while Shamna took the goblet with a refreshing drink. "I won't mind some nice distraction from my work. Let's watch it. Should be an amusing show."

After all, it wasn't the first event Lelouch hosted to showcase his might over people. And Shamna knew it won't be the last...at least she thought so.

---

The streets of the Japanese capital were full of simple citizens who watched in terror as the Demon Emperor and his loyal army of slaves made their way across Tokyo. Publicly displaying those who went against him and lost.

All Black Knights.

The former Prime Minister.

The little sister who was right in front of Lelouch's throne.

Everything was going perfectly for the Emperor.

Until his black mask appeared before the Knightmares.

---

It wasn't supposed to happen. He died from injuries! This one was the imposter! How could all of them fail to shoot a mere human?!

---

Zero ran, dodging the bullets of Vincent Wards and the blade of Jeremiah Gottwald as he moved towards the Emperor.

As he raised his red sword, the intent of the masked revolutionary became clear.

The whole world went silent as they watched the spectacle before them. It was as if every sound disappeared at that sole moment.

No one moved or uttered a word. Everyone was too stunned by what they were seeing.

It couldn't be happening. And yet it did.

The red sword reached its target and pierced the flesh of its victim.

---

She watched as his body fell to the ground.

---

Inside the office of the Holy Priestess, the dead silence took its place as both siblings watched the broadcast on the screen.

What just transpired, meant gigantic consequences for the entire world as far as both siblings understood. Everything was going to change because Emperor Lelouch was killed by Zero. Shamna's power and Zilkhstan's stability were in serious danger and she couldn't allow it to happen.

She wouldn't.

Shalio felt a lump in his throat as he spoke.

"Sister-" he turned just in time to see the golden sigil of Geass in her right eye, her sister's heart already stopped beating.

Shamna started another time loop. Again because of Lelouch.

This time, she was going to save him for the sake of her ambitions, for their partnership, for herself.

And just like before, Shamna will face the challenge she couldn't overcome in her usual way. Because of him, again.

Because of his own ambitions, even if it meant his end.

Because even in death Lelouch vi Britannia will prove to be anything but a weak opponent.

---

Another failed attempt.

Shamna opened her eyes as she fell to her knees, her hands shaking as she fought the urge to scream into the void. As always she woke up in her bedroom, the same spot where this loop would start. Six hours before the bad end.

'Why?! 'Why?! 'Why?! 'Why?! 'Why can't I save you?!'

The Holy Priestess never used her power for something like this. Never for the sake of another, only for her own benefit. Well, perhaps in her mind Shamna was justifying it as another method to achieve her perfect future of grandiose and might. Even if from the side it looked like she was desperately trying to save the only person who made her fall in love.

'What am I doing wrong?! What?! I accounted for everything! I sent my best people! They had Geass, our best Knightmares and they learned everything they needed.' Location of the parade, the army and Vincent Ward's movements. And most importantly, where and when Zero was supposed to appear. And yet none of it was enough. 'Something always went wrong, I can't understand it! What did I miss? Where did I go wrong?!'

For some reason, every time Shamna tried to intervene and save Lelouch, she would fail. Be it because of time playing against her, or the Britannians themselves denying her a chance to save their emperor, Shamna couldn't comprehend it.

'They wouldn't hear us out. I used every diplomatic and secret channel to warn them, but none of them would listen to me. Lelouch wouldn't even answer me. Is he being misguided on purpose? Is this inside job to kill the Emperor by his own men? But that should be impossible! He has Geass, he has all control! They cannot go against him! It couldn't be it! There is more to it. What if it is the work of another Geass user? I don't have enough information, I need more time, but I can't afford to lose it!'

She knew that his death would bring nothing, but issues and chaos to the world. Including Zilkhstan. Emperor Lelouch was the tyrant, a despot who ruled the world with fear and an iron fist in the form of his army and Damocles. What would happen if such a leader died? Chaos. The civil war on a global scale between states that will try to get their independence back and Lelouch's loyalists who want to save their master's empire. Black Knights, remnants of the European military and others. All those who were defeated and conquered by Lelouch vi Britannia, of them will be able to reclaim their freedom and lost power. With Britannia having Damocles and F.L.E.I.J.A. arsenal the future warfare might be catastrophic.

'Zilkhstan is Britannian partner, even if we didn't make it official. Should they call us to assist them via our agreements we will have to answer. However, it will get us into conflict with all our neighbours who will go against Lelouch. The world without Lelouch will fall into jeopardy, full of chaos and death. I'm sure of it!'

Shamna moved across the palace as she located Shalio. She gave orders, and new plans on how to save Emperor Lelouch while explaining the situation, and the future to her brother. Like before, Shalio volunteered to personally fly there and save Lelouch. Like before, Shamna didn't allow him to do so. It didn't work the first few times she tried it and it won't work now.

Shamna remembered every minute, every move made by everyone on that cursed parade. She hated every moment of it and yet she memorized everything. All for the sake of her goals, for the sake of ensuring Lelouch won't die.

And so, in this loop, she tried again.

And again she failed.

Lelouch vi Britannia died as a sword pierced his body and ended his life. His murderer, Zero, stood proudly before the public of fools who dared to cheer this act of treason.

Shamna was about to end her own life and do it all again but stopped when Shalio raised his hands and begged her to hear him out.

"Sister, wait!" He sounded panicked, knowing very well what Shamna tried to do. Shalio didn't understand just how many times his sister killed herself for the sake of Lelouch and he won't.

"What? Every minute I'm wasting in this failed attempt is another moment taken from the next attempt." Shamna hissed.

Shalio was taken aback but spoke. "What if destiny won't allow you to stop Zero from killing Lelouch?

"Destiny can fuck itself then!" Shamna shouted in fury. "My Geass, my prophecies will win! I can't allow anything, but that! If Lelouch won't survive, if he isn't alive then-!"

'I will lose the only one who could be my worthy enemy. The only opponent I cherished and cared for. My ally, my partner.' Shamna bit her lip until blood came out. 'The only one I can love as an equal.'

"Sister, listen to me! Mayhaps we, you, cannot save Lelouch and prevent his death. But maybe we can save him after it! Bring him back to life!"

Shamna blinked as she stared at him. Shalio looked confident, even if he didn't know exactly what they could do. However, he trusted that his sister could find a solution. She always did even if it was something extraordinary like when she made a deal with Demon.

She was silent, thinking about it. Her mind was presenting dozens of possible solutions. Every new one was less possible than another, but one of them should work, must work.

'Wait, Aramu Gate.' Shamna suddenly remembered one of Farlaf Order's holiest relics. 'That can work, it must.'

If the Holy Priestess couldn't save the Demon Emperor, then she would simply resurrect him.

"...hehehHEHEHE-!" Shamna couldn't contain her laugh, be it from insanity or sudden revelation. Perhaps both. However, Shamna might have finally found the compromise once again. She had her chance to make sure her partner will live. Even if he must die first.

Shalio stared at his older sister with a worried look. He never saw her like this. Shamna pitied her brother, he wouldn't get it. How could anyone understand why and how she could go on like this? Nevermind them, only her ambitions mattered. Shamna attempted to bite the suicide pill she always used but found none.

'Tch, did I get rid of it? Oh, who cares.'

Shamna didn't bother to finish this loop nicely and clearly. A mere blade will do the trick.

Ignoring Shalio's horrified look and screams, Shamna used the nearby sword to slit her own throat and restart.

This time she was going to achieve her goal, even if she had to change direction. All that mattered was the ending point.

'I will save you, Lelouch. We made a promise. Our deal, partnership. I won't allow you to escape your responsibilities, Demon.'

---

Six months later.

Both siblings walked across the massive corridors of their palace, both occupied with administrative talking. Half a year passed since the 'death' of Demon Emperor Lelouch vi Britannia. Despite Shamna's worries and theories of how the world should have collapsed in the civil war, it didn't happen. The new Empress of the Holy Britannian Empire, Nunnally was a weak leader, but she had the full support of Zero and his Black Knights. With their assistance and with Lelouch's former armies and servants surrendering without any fight, she quickly took control of the empire.

Damocles was destroyed. No one knew how exactly, but it was gone around the same time Lelouch was slain. This only strengthened Shamna's conspiracy that Lelouch was betrayed by someone from within. Nunnally faced minimal resistance inside Britannia and almost none from the world as she had begun to free states that were conquered by Lelouch. Black Knights, the greatest enemy of Britannia, were back in action, acting as UFN attack dogs. Europe and Asia were now once again independent while Britannia was militarily castrating itself with Nunnally's reforms.

'Everything Lelouch achieved with his might, she destroyed in a matter of months. Foolish girl. This so-called peaceful period is nothing, but a sham. World was almost perfect and yet, his sister ruined everything!... And worst of all, I'm bound by Geass to assist her.'

Shamna didn't bother hiding her disgust, but she was powerless on this matter. The Geass contract she and Lelouch made was still active and it meant that she wouldn't allow Zilkhstan to harm Britannia and its new Empress in any way.

"The Knightmare production will start soon, the factories are set and ready to start working" Shalio commented. "Thanks to our ever-increasing government budget we will be building Ghedo Vakka at planned speed."

"Good. But keep in mind that we are still bound by UFN's new regulations. Weaklings all of them. Still, it would be bad if foreign investors stopped doing business with us because of sanctions. Keep our arsenal at the regulated size." She narrowed her eyes. "Don't waste your time with an enormous mass-produced army, focus on special units and hide them underground. I will make sure no one will find out about them."

"Hmm, on one hand, I hate that we have to play by UFN's rules, but at the same time we're getting richer." Shalio chuckled. "This bank plan is actually paying off rather nicely."

"Of course, it will. The Chinese Federation never had anything of this sort and Europe's old preferred place was ruined. Rich and powerful want to hide their treasure inside the foreign nation whose laws will give them legal protection and preferential treatment. We were the ones who didn't suffer anything during Lelouch's reign and therefore had an advantage over everyone when the only military powers were the Black Knights and the declining Britannian army." Shamna didn't like it one bit, but she had to play along with the new world ruler for now. "We are also getting income from underworld dealings. Combine all of it together and we should be making more like this than we did over decades of mercenary contracts."

"Impressive isn't it?"Shalio asked. "Do you think it was part of his plan?"

Shamna looked at her now cyborg brother with an irritated gaze. "To get himself killed? Don't be foolish. Lelouch set us up to be a stable nation under his rule. It is no wonder our scheme is working in this pathetic era as well. And don't you dare bring this up when we're talking there!"

Shalio ignored his sister's hiss as they walked towards the huge doors that led to a secret section of the palace. "Sure, sure. I know you can be defensive, but this much? I pity our friend."

"Hush. And behave around him, he is still recovering."

Shamna opened the doors and her blue eyes immediately moved towards the lone figure working behind a desk full of papers. With his back turned towards them, the raven-haired young man in Zilkhstani official clothes was too busy with his work. The point, he didn't notice their arrival until Shamna stepped next to him and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Good morning, Lelouch."

The young man stopped writing as his purple eyes looked up at her. A small smile formed on his face.

"Good morning. Shamna."

Lelouch vi Britannia, the supposedly dead Emperor of Britannia was sitting inside her palace, taking care of administrative duties.

It should be impossible. The entire world saw his death. Shamna saw it dozens of times. And yet, there he was, next to her alive, hidden and well. Shamna will keep it that way, all of it.

'Geass is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural.' Shamna thought to herself as she stared at her partner and now the governor of Zilkhstan. 'Even death can be defeated with this power.'

---

The idea Shalio suggested turned into the secret operation of extracting the body of the late Emperor Lelouch.

His heart stopped and his body was no longer alive, but it meant nothing for the mystical secrets Zilkhstan had thanks to history with the Farlaf Order. All Shamna needed to do was bring the body and some medical care. Aramu Gate would do the rest.

It wasn't easy. With the entire world celebrating his death, people wanted Lelouch's body to be burned at the stake. Filthy animals as they might be, it gave Zilkhstan's task team a great chance to rescue Lelouch's body and leave no evidence behind. She sent their best Geass agents, former assassins who in the past only killed now were ordered to bring up the dead. Eventually, Lelouch returned to Zilkhstan, even if temporarily dead.

Geassed Farlaf Order, her slaves, did everything necessary and Aramu Gate worked as an anchor to C world, helping Shamna find Lelouch's consciousness.

And soon, Lelouch vi Britannia opened his eyes once again.

He was breathing, moving. He was alive.

Everything worked out... except one thing.

"Where am I?! What happened?! Who are all of you?!"

Despite being alive, his mind was a mess. The resurrection of Lelouch didn't go without issues. His memories were in disorder, he remembered some parts of his past, while the rest were clouded. Didn't help that Shamna didn't know his life before he became the Emperor and therefore couldn't help him too much.

Especially when some revelations were new to her as well.

"Lelouch, calm down! It is me, Shamna. The one with whom you made a deal. Do you remember? Our Geass contract?" She attempted to soothe him.

His panic stopped when she heard him say these words.

"Geass contract. Our deal. Yes." Lelouch started to calm down.

"Yes, we made a deal. One that was meant to benefit both of us. Do you remember what you promised me?"

He looked troubled. Lelouch closed his eyes, trying his best to remember that night, but it was too chaotic. He remembered both of them standing on top of the building, alone. He could remember only a few words.

"I promised to make you-"

"Safe. That no harm will come to me."

"I promised that? Didn't I?" Lelouch couldn't be sure

"You did. You said that no one will harm me. You gave me your promise, Lelouch." she pressed on, fully believing that was what the Emperor was remembering. "And I promised to support you, to give you everything I can."

This made him remember more. Their promise to each other. How she comforted him after Euphemia's Special Zone Massacre fiasco. How they become-

"You're the one who gave me everything I needed to achieve my goal. Yes. Geass. My dream. You're my partner."

Shamna smiled, pleased once she heard him say the final word.

Partners.

It was indeed who they are.

"Indeed, my Emperor." She leaned closer, taking Lelouch's face into her hands so Lelouch could see only her. His purple eyes stared at her blue ones. "I'm your partner. I'm your Priestess and you're my Demon."

Lelouch's memories might be foggy, but it didn't matter as long as he remembered her in this way. The only right way as far as Shamna cared.

Everything and everyone else was less important.

---

Present time.

"The request sent to us by some of Europe's more prosperous citizens was daring to say the least," Lelouch spoke while looking over some papers on the table. "They demand treatment, unlike all other clients."

"Pigs in suits, all of them," Shalio cursed.

"Indeed. Still, they have money and we need to build a reputation of someone any person with cash can trust to protect it. Besides." A devilish smile formed on his face, one that always made Shamna feel weak at her knees. "Who said we can't ask for some additional demands from them as well? They made mistakes and left traces on some of their matters no one must know about. Of course, we now do thanks to Farlaf operatives. We have enough dirt on them in case they decide to backstab us."

"Good work, Lelouch. There are reasons we trust you with this job after all and you never disappoint." It was rare to hear a compliment from Shalio.

Shamna gave her brother a side look. Shalio was the same boy who wanted to show off, arrogant and cocky especially now with his modified body. And yet he showed modesty and at least some kindness to their permanent guest.

'Hard to be an asshole towards the man who made you walk and see on your own. Shalio would have offered Lelouch shelter and would hide him from the entire world even if my partner couldn't offer anything in return. Warrior's honour perhaps. But as always Lelouch proved to be full of surprises.' Shamna proudly looked at the former Emperor. 'Even in this current state Lelouch is capable of using his intelligence to achieve greatness. Of course, our Geass contact helps as well.'

Lelouch ordered himself to guarantee the security of Zilkhstan, and that command was still active. Helping Lelouch's mind to recover to some degree and start working, helping Shamna and Shalio rule Zilkhstan. Even if he couldn't leave the capital.

'I can't allow anyone to see him alive. People still remember the face of the Emperor. Gralbahd should be more than enough for him to walk and see the beauty we can offer.' Even leaving the palace was allowed only with escorts of a few Farlaf operatives, Geass users, who would act as his bodyguards. Lelouch also had to hide his face, just to be safer. 'So far Lelouch trusts me when I say I do it for his own sake. And I mean it. But sooner or later he will want to get more freedom. I explained the situation to him, but because of his conditions he can't remember his reign as Emperor very well.'

Explaining to Lelouch why he was dead and what happened before it was a difficult task. He didn't remember what his great plan was and knew nothing about any coup that claimed his life. And yet, he talked about stories, events and people he lived through. Some were what she expected from a Britannian prince, but many weren't. Especially when Lelouch brought information Shamna could never expect.

'Black Knights. Zero. Julius Kingsley.' Shamna had a headache the first time she heard it. However, her worries quickly turned into awe as her mind quickly acknowledged the information. As always in her twisted way. 'Lelouch vi Britannia, the prince in hiding who created the Order of Black Knights as Zero with the intent to weaken Britannia and kill his family members before taking the throne for himself and ruling the world. Hah! His schemes and plans go even beyond my imagination! As expected of my equal, my partner!'

Of course, there were some matters that didn't make too much sense so far. Some stories weren't full and Lelouch himself couldn't remember every detail, but it was merely because his mind wasn't fully back yet. Some of his memories were missing. And that included his ability to use Geass. Lelouch couldn't activate it, lack of lenses proved it. Well, it wasn't like he actually needed it yet. Still, Shamna thought it might help him reclaim the throne, but in reality, she was more than content with life going on like this.

'Him staying in Zilkhstan forever with me. Should I achieve my further goals of getting the code for myself and him, it will become reality.'

Two immortals, two equals, partners in crime

The perfect future, the perfect life. Once both Shamna and Lelouch had the code they would be unstoppable. With Shalio's new body and Knightmare plans they will have enough power to make this world bend a knee before them. Lelouch has already done so in the past. Even if he doesn't know her entire plan just yet, he will learn and accept it once Shamna will give him the code and eternity to spend with her. Shalio's cybernetics will be enough to sustain him for centuries to come as well. Geass will help all of them, she will make it do so.

"Well then, I have a few matters I must personally attend to. So I will leave you two alone, don't do anything irresponsible, Shamna." Shalio gave a small smile to his sister and wink before leaving the room. Shamna fought the urge to groan. She wouldn't do anything to Lelouch unless he would want it of course.

'He did give me his blessing and I think I heard him say something about wanting to be a great uncle and continuing bloodline nonsense. Hmm. Maybe I need to find a suitable bride for him before Shalio will be too involved in my personal life.'

"Your brother got used to his new body so quickly." Lelouch's words brought her attention back to him. "He was less polite before he got it."

"You remember him before you gave him cybernetics?" Shamna raised her eyebrows. Lelouch was remembering some moments of his previous life from time to time, but almost always they were too messy to make sense of.

"I...I think so? I'm not sure, but I remember him being in a wheelchair-" Lelouch remembered how Shalio couldn't walk or see, always stuck in the wheelchair ever since they were sent to Japan. The former Emperor grabbed his head as he felt a building migraine. "Agh! Trying to remember everything is painful. But last night I had a dream."

"What was it about, Lelouch?" Shamna asked with a comforting voice as she sat on top of the table next to her partner, her eyes looking at him with worry and curiosity. "I hope nothing traumatic happened, you had enough of these nightmares."

"No, this one was peaceful, well, as peaceful as Black Knight operation can be." Lelouch chuckled before melancholy formed on his face. "I remember visiting the giant tower, a den full of criminal scum. I remember how my Black Knights came to rescue me from Charles's Geass he put on me and...I remember getting lost, alone walking across corpses of innocent...And then my partner had come to my rescue."

Lelouch looked up at her, confused. Shamna herself was a little lost. What Lelouch was describing was the return of Zero one year after the Black Rebellion and the battle of Babel Tower. However, obviously, she wasn't there at that time to help him. There was only one logical explanation-

"Perhaps your brain is trying to fill in the blank spaces in your memory using the most comforting memories you have, Lelouch. Me. In that case, your mind puts me in your older memories before we even met as means of trying to make sense of what happened, make it logical. I'm your partner in crime, we are equal. It is expected that you will think of me as the one who saved you back then, even if it wasn't true. But if it was, I would have done so. Maybe you were saved by your former servants, or maybe you saved yourself from that encounter."

And of course, Shamna made the wrong conclusion, one that revolved only around herself. It must always be about her, that was the only allowed reality. Unknowingly or knowingly, Shamna was polluting Lelouch's mind with herself. After all, of course, her Demon will think of her as his saviour, it was only natural.

Priestess didn't even know nor understand that she took the place of a Witch.

"Your resurrection wasn't the easiest process and some parts of your memories might be damaged. If it is the case, then I have no idea if that can be fixed." Lelouch looked away, obviously displeased with such revelation. Shamna gently stroked his hair. "But it doesn't mean you can't make new memories, happy ones with people around you here. The entire Kingdom and its people are at your service. Shalio already likes you. And me, well, it is obvious how I feel about my partner."

"..." Lelouch was thinking about something.

"Lelouch?"

"...In that memory, I recall how fires surrounded me as my enemies tried to kill me. And yet." Lelouch looked at her with a hopeful gaze. "I remember how my partner moved and kissed me, giving me strength to get rid of all those who stand against me."

Kiss

Something Shamna and Lelouch never shared. However-

"Is this how your mind imagines me? Or is this some kind of play? Oh, my, Lelouch. You're a mischievous seducer." Shamna once again could only think of the path that aligned with her egoism and interests.

Lelouch shook his head. "No, I'm sure of what I saw. This is how I regained myself, locked by Charles. I...I think it helped me to remember my past self at that moment."

"Well, then. If you claim it worked out back then-"

Shamna leaned forward and captured Lelouch's lips. Their first kiss was slow, simple and full of passion. Or at least Priestess felt so, believing her Demon was the same. Their kiss lasted a full minute before both stopped because of the need to breathe. Both looked at each with hunger and desire to keep going. Shamna was sure of it because she felt so.

"So, my dear Demon? Did it unlock some of your memories?" Shamna asked while heavily breathing.

Lelouch was panting. "No, but it made a new one."

The Priestess smiled.

"Then let's keep making new happy memories, my Demon."

They were partners, it was only natural for them to prove it to each other.

---

Somewhere in Britannia.

Jeremiah Gottwald sighed as he finished working on the field. Once done, the cyborg man took a long look at the vast field of his orange farm. Those who made fun of his nickname given by his master can go to hell, this farm was Gottwald's new home. After all, it was the last gift his majesty gave to him and Jeremiah will cherish it forever.

"If only you were still with us, Master Lelouch."

No, Gottwald couldn't allow himself to get emotional, again. His master's greatest plan worked and now the world was better, for the sake of Mistress Nunnally. Jeremiah couldn't get weak now when the Requiem was complete. Not to mention, little Anya was waiting for him to make dinner-

"Jeremiah."

An old familiar voice spoke from behind. Only a few living beings could manage and sneak behind a cyborg knight like this. Gottwald immediately recognized the voice and quickly turned around before giving a respectful bow.

"Lady C.C.! I didn't expect to see you-"

However, all words died down as Jeremiah saw the expression on a green-haired woman.

Usually, a stoic and nonchalant lady C.C. was now anything, but that. Her eyes were bloodshot red, was it from crying or not, Jeremiah couldn't comprehend it regardless. A scowl was easily visible as she was clenching her fists with bags under her eyes. C.C. was shaking a little bit, and yet one could see both anger and anxiety in her expression.

"What happened." Jeremiah could ask only one thing at that moment.

"Lelouch...He is alive, I know it, but-" C.C. whispered in a hoarse tone.

"Lady C.C.! You don't mean-?!"

"He is alive. Lelouch is alive. I know it, I'm sure of it." A momentary smile formed on her face, but it quickly turned into a scowl. "...But someone took him away from...someone dared to steal him!"

Who else, but Warlock's true partner could realise that something went terribly wrong with the boy who gave her a promise?

The green-haired code bearer knew that something had transpired with her partner. She could sense it.

Someone has brought Lelouch back to life before she could do it. However, there was more to it. She was sure of it, something wrong was going around Lelouch.

Someone dared to take what wasn't theirs. And-

The Witch wasn't happy at all.

Jeremiah could see it. Even he, the cyborg assassin and knight could do nothing, but get frightened by the sight before him. The lady of his master didn't stop.

"I must find whoever did this. The vixen, the thief. Rescue him and fix everything." With a cold tone, C.C. spoke. After all-

No one dared to stand between the Witch and her Warlock.

#

#

#

#

It's been 4 years since the 'Code Geass Lelouch of Resurrection' was released and I saw only one fanfic that had Shamna as the main heroine. That will be 'In the Land of Warriors' by Awareness Bringer, a story that gave me the idea to write this chapter. Plus by a certain horny nun from the great Fgo fanfic story- 'Something Lost, Something Found' by Avenger013. Another inspiration was the movie "Edge of Tomorrow", specifically when the Main character was explaining everything to the general. This gave me an idea about how Shamna is stuck in her own time loop because of her Geass and has to deal with Demon Emperor Lelouch right before Zero Requiem when Lelouch is arguably most powerful and focused on his goal.

Honestly, I know that Shamna is meant to be the antithesis to Lelouch, but in my mind that only makes writing them together even more interesting, with their Geass and minds, the two of them can be the scariest and most powerful power couple. Especially with Shamna getting her 'Failed One'. However, I wouldn't call it a romance since it is pretty much a one-sided obsession/delusion from Shamna's side towards Lelouch, who isn't in the right state of mind. Calling it love is kind of creepy since Shamna is both knowingly and unknowingly taking advantage of Lelouch's mental state and gaslighting him. Which makes writing such a dynamic even more interesting :3 Sue me, but I love Yandere and somehow accidentally turned Shamna into one here when that was the original intention. Yeah, I know that doesn't make sense, but somehow it happened. And then I added another one...who knows if I will add even more.

And so, we have a delusional Shamna who can kill herself to constantly restart time and do it as many times as it takes for her to achieve her goal. After dealing with Lelouch, her ego took a hit since she couldn't deal with Lelouch. And so, her mind, perhaps broken after failing to successfully defeat Lelouch so many times, went a little insane and made Shamna believe in anything that will make her remain sane to some degree. After all, having to die so many times will eventually drive you insane. To the point where Shamna stopped thinking of Lelouch as the enemy and now saw him as some kind of achievement, an object to conquer. After all, if Shamna can defeat Demon Emperor Lelouch, that means she is the most powerful person on the planet right? At least what Shamna deluded herself into thinking. Even when she learned about Lelouch's past as Zero (although these memories are clouded as well so she doesn't have the full picture), Shamna got the wrong asnwer. Thanks to her intelligence she was able more or less deduct how main events went, but because of her delusional, selfish obsession she comes to the wrong conclusions.

And she is the only one who thinks so since the entire chapter was only from her point of view. Meanwhile, Lelouch before Zero Requiem only saw her as another tool.

Here, Lelouch decided to deal with Zilkhstan's question before he would fulfill Zero Requiem and leave a new perfect world for Nunnally to live in. So here, Demon Emperor Lelouch is after taking Damocles, defeating Black Knights and a few weeks before Zero will return. Lelouch would have done anything to make sure Zilkhstan won't become a problem for Nunnally and the new world. While I can Lelouch using Damocles and F.L.E.I.J.A for the sake of Zero Requiem, I also don't think Lelouch wants to commit genocide even if he plays the Demon Emperor role. So, considering what Shamna told him and that dealing with her Geass might be too troublesome with Zero Requiem on the horizon, Lelouch decided to kill two birds with one stone. Leave Shamna with Zilkhstan and her own Geass Order, but ensure she won't hurt Nunnally and the New World. To do it, Lelouch needed to make sure Shamna will do her part per their alliance, plus make Zilkhstan a new heart of the underworld as means of making sure Zilkhstan will get new ways to make money and that Nunnally and Black Knights will have an easier time after Zero Requiem. With Shamna still under the effect of the Geass contract, she can't hurt the Britannian ruler and also has to play along new world's rules since Zilkhstan is becoming the Code Geass version of Switzerland. And now Shamna has no reason to do what she did in the movie since Zilkhstan is now safe economically and politically. For that reason, Lelouch went as far as doing everything to win Shamna's trust (Geassing her might not work since Shamna might have backup plans for this scenario). Even turning Shalio into a lesser version of Jeremiah, is another reason to actively interact with the new world since Shalio will need continuous tech support for himself and only a few scientists can offer it. As far as Lelouch cared, this plan had more advantages, plus he surely left enough plans for Zero to deal with Shamna and Zilkhstan if needed. Hence why Lelouch never brought C.C. with him to Shamna so the Priestess won't learn anything about her. However, Lelouch prepared nothing to deal with the scenario where he is actively helping Shamna and her Kingdom :3

And now, Shamna and even Shalio are replacing important people in Lelouch's memories. The said important people in the form of certain Witch and Britannian Empress won't be pleased to learn about how Lelouch is being taken advantage of by a creepy Priestess. Not to mention the Zero or Black Knights once they learn about all of it :3