Dislaimer: I do not own Code Geass, which is propriety of Studio Sunrise, and neither do I own Exalted, which is property of White Wolf Publishing.

This fiction originally appeared as a quest-style story on the forum Sufficient Velocity. As such do not be confused by the strange structure.

Fiendish Advent - Act 7

{●}

Lelouch's palace was like the rest of the Conventicle Malfeasant, made primarily with black basalt, gold and brass. The style was vaguely reminiscent of Asian culture with a touch of Roman influence. Much to Seyrun's clear displeasure Lemmun was there waiting for Lelouch as the guide.

The palace itself was a huge thing with many halls, ballrooms, bedchambers, libraries and other rooms, the wall covered with great tapestries and works of art from Malfeas.

The latter were, luckily, only mildly disturbing.

"The Palaces was fitted with all the commodities of the modern world that could be installed Green Sun Prince." The Naneke explained. "Sadly some technological wonders couldn't be replicated for various reasons, but I can assure you any basic need you may desire for can be satisfied readily. There are many serfs working incessantly for that purpose and to keep the palace at full efficiency at all times."

"That's good, however I will spend much of my time in Creation. As such I have need of serfs expert in fighting, stealth and any other military ability. I also need to learn how to summon them myself."

"Of course Master. This can be easily arranged, and the libraries of Unquestionable Orabilis contain all the knowledge you require. Or, if it pleases you, my humble self can teach you himself."

"Oh please, no!"

"I will consider it." Lelouch cautiously replied. "Where are we going anyway?"

"The center of the Palace Master, the heart of the Manse. You will need to claim ownership of it and the Hearthstone within, so that nobody can question your authority."

'Another one?' He touched the pocket where heput the Gem of the Conventicle Malfeasant. 'Can never have enough I suppose.'

Reaching a large door two Erymanthoi opened it for them to step inside.

"Yuuuppiii!"

Right into a drunken party. The young Fiend stopped, staring in mild confusion as the Anuhles from the Dark-Green Fangs spread across the room, either drinking from bottles, wobbling around, singing or just snoring loudly.

"Those fucking imbeciles!" Seyrun seethed. "I lose sight of them for a while, and THIS is what they do?"

"Oh dear." Lemmun sniffed at an half-empty bottle. "It appears they found the reserve of bonewine."

'Bonewine? No wait, I don't want to know.' Lelouch cleared his throat before speaking, loudly but calmly. "Having fun?"

"You bet-" An Anuhle began, before realizing who he was speaking to. "Oh fuck! Guys! The Boss is here!" With a startled gasp everyone rushed to form an orderly line, even if the effect was ruined by those still mostly sober needing to draw along the absolutely drunk and the passed out.

Lelouch smiled pleasantly, his eyes closed. "What. Happened?"

They fidgeted nervously. Eventually one found the courage to speak. "Weeellll...we were waiting...nothing to do...we found the wine-" He began before another spider sleep-tackled and pushed him down.

"Pain. Pain for those idiots."

"Punishment, Master?" One of the Erymanthoi growled.

"Sadly I need them alive." He shook his head. "Just beat the drunkenness out of them."

The apes smiled. The spiders paled.

Ignoring the cries of pain Lelouch followed Lemmun to the other side of the room, where on a raised pillar stood another Hearthstone. The process took longer because he needed to do the attunement himself and alone, but eventually it went off without problems.

"Here we are." Hands of Essence pushed open the massive doors, and Rakshata guided the other Infernals into the armory of the Conventicle Malfeasant. The inside was full of racks, each one holding weapons of every type, to swords to spears and even guns, plus simpler but not less impressive items.

"You made them?" Lelouch asked, looking in wonder as what his new Essence sight was telling him were relics of great potency.

"Only a small part. Malfeas' massive production of Relics never slowed down since the Primordial War. I just helped refining it to modern needs." She answered smugly. "This is only the equipment that can be fitted on a person. Since Exalts can't only rely on their Charms, we need to prepare in any way possible."

"Make sense." He gave a cursory glance around before discarding the melee-weapons as viable options. Instead he walked to the firearms section and picked up a random gun. Heavy, yet it fit into his hand perfectly. "Those are Relic guns, yes? Do they have a specific name?"

"Hellcasters."

How appropriate.

After Lelouch and the others made their selection a demon came to see the raven-haired prince: a great crimson snake, two emeralds for eyes. "Peer Lelouch Vi Britannia, also know as Lelouch Lamperouge and Zero?" It hissed.

Just by how it said all three of his identities Lelouch had an inkling of what this was about. "I am." The Mark of Ebon Dragon opened up like a third eye, looking down at the snake.

It bowed down. "By the order of my Master I came. Unquestionable Daendels requests your presence at the site where Mighty Oramus rest."

Called it.

"Daendels...Oh fuck." Seyrun was awestruck. "Daendels the Unfettered Heart. He is not just an Unquestionable of Oramus: he's his Fetich!"

'Even more reasons to answer then.' Lelouch turned to Kaguya and apologized. "Sorry, it appears our talk will need to wait."

"It's not problem." She smiled in understanding. "Good luck Lelouch-sama."

"Thank you." He looked back at the snake. "Let's go."

Waiting for him and the properly chastised Dark-Green Fangs was a dirigible-like airship manned by various demons with human-like form. Faster and more comfortable than an Agatae, it took only three cries of Tomescu to reach their destination, time Lelouch spent admiring the layers of Malfeas they passed over.

Passing above a forest of metallic sheen, great swarms of metallic insects swarming around at the airship's passage, his gaze fell for the first time on the Shattered Cities: a veritable mountain range of jagged, ruined buildings and cities lain waste, shattered spires and leveled temples visible at every turn.

And in the center of it was an egg-like mass the size of a mountain, its color changing rhythmically like the beat of a great hearth, a great structure of brass and marble hundreds of feet tall surrounding it like a scaffolding constructed by mad spiders.

Lelouch knew what—who was it even before Seyrun told him.

"Oh Great Oramus..." He whispered with reverence before descending in a litany of fervent prayers to the deity before them.

Lelouch instead stared at his patron in rapt fascination, absentmindedly following the serfs out of the ship and through the rubble until they reached the entrance to the scaffolding, the only temple to Oramus that ever existed, and the demons left Lelouch there alone, the Anuhles waiting outside at a respectful distance.

For what seem like hours he stared there, silent and immobile, Seyrun's prayers relegated to background buzz. His gaze sweeped over the great being, every Essence lattice and detail searing itself into his mind with absolute clarity, the blasphemous reality of Oramus's cage revealing itself.

He thought how long he has been in this state. How much he must have suffered, but here he failed miserably because he knew that, no much how he struggled, he could understand only an infinitesimal small part of it.

"How could they do this?" Lelouch finally whispered in a mix of horror and indignation.

"Fear mostly." A new voice said from behind him. Old, and wise beyond understanding. "For they could never quench the doubt gnawing at their hearts that all their efforts were, essentially, only a temporary measure."

Lelouch turned around.

Out of all the demons he met Daendels was the most human-like. Appearing like an old but still strong man, he wore timeless simple clothes of a traveler or desert dweller, a hat partially shadowing his face. Then Lelouch realized it was not covered by shadows—everything above his nose WAS a shadow, an emptiness in the structure of reality that cannot be pierced. That he didn't want to pierce.

The young Fiend fell down to one knee and bowed deeply. "Honoured Unquestionable."

"At ease boy." The demon said simply while walking past him, deeper into the temple, before stopping and looking up at Oramus. "I will not stay here long, so we can dispense with the pleasantries."

"As...you wish." He replied with some hesitation. He slowly looked up. "Are you...Unquestionable Daendels?"

"That I am." He hummed. "I didn't have much faith in this Reclamation project, honestly not with all those fools trying, and failing, to make a coherent effort. Have you ever seen a reunion of the Conclave? Put ten Radeken in a cage meant to comfortably hold only six, and they will be more civil. Everyone has at least a single counterpart they hate, and they only search to further their own interests. By the end of each session there are always been a dozen attempted murders."

Lelouch stood silent, mentally trying to image the scenario painted by Daendels. It wasn't pretty.

"But, apparently my Oversoul has a plan: you." He slightly tilted his body clockwise. "He didn't say much, but he told me every necessary move has been made, and all that remain is waiting for the results to show themselves."

"Words cannot express how honored I am to have such trust given upon me." Lelouch bowed deeply again. "Like I said to Unquestionable Ligier, I owe my Master and all of Malfeas a debt I believe will require much to repay. Whatever is asked of me, I will strive to achieve it at all costs."

"Yes. Debts must be repaid." He said in apparent approval before tossing something at Lelouch. "Catch."

He grabbed it out of the air. It turned out to be a scroll, around which was wrapped an Amulet with a single Hearthstone on it.

"I was told to give those things to you. The Hearthstone is for a Manse that sometimes fly around. Nothing much, but the stone itself is something you need to keep on yourself on all times. The scroll tells you how to meet the one who, among my soul-siblings, was decided is the best teacher for you. If you are in need of everything else, the boys living here are excellent artisans." He shrugged. "That's all."

"I...thank you for the gifts Lord Daendels." He bowed again.

"No need boy. I was just repaying a favor."

"Eve-" Lelouch raised his head, but stopped when he saw the space in front of you was empty. He looked around, but there was no trace of Daendels. He already left. Seyrun kept praying.

What a bizarre encounter.

Lelouch mentally shrugged. What was the point of criticizing the behavior of an Unquestionable? Demons weren't human, and he would be a fool to think otherwise. Didn't make dealing with them less weird though.

Like with the Gem of the Conventicle Malfeasant attuning the new stone was near instantaneous, something he guessed was made possible by the original owner transferring ownership to him. He put the Amulet around his neck and hid it under the suit.

'Are you done?' He then asked your advisor.

"-for we are simple servants, insignificant in your eyes. Our faith and devotion-" Nope, he was not.

Then again,he thought, maybe it was not a bad idea. He had been helped much by Oramus, but until he could repay the Yozi with results...his honest gratitude would suffice. Sitting down in the lotus position, hands on his knees and head bowed, Lelouch started praying, putting into appropriate words his honest feelings.

It was...actually a nice feeling, relaxing even. The ex-Britannian Prince had never been very religious, even with the Empire's blatant support of the church and use of its themes to further justify the monarchy. Not that he didn't attend when appropriate, but he preferred spending time with his favorite family members and studying for the time he was going to enter the political scene.

...Now that he thought about it, the church must be tied to the Celestial Bureaucracy in some way. Which made it another target, even if he was going to do away with it either way.

At the end of his prayers Lelouch stood up, bowed a final time, turned around and walked away, posture proud and resolve reaffirmed.

He was a Champion of Hell.

Once outside the temple the Anuhles quickly moved into place around him, his personal honor guard. "What now Boss?" Seyrun, finally coming out of his religious fervor, asked.

'Lord Daendels said the demons living here in the Shattered Cities are all crafters. And since requesting something from them is within my rights, I want to see if there is any-'

"HEY-OH!"

"Gaah!"

Startled (and deafened) by the sudden shout right in front of his face Lelouch fell down on his butt. The next few seconds were a blur as he tried to recover his bearings, vaguely aware of the Fangs moving between he and whoever surprised the ravenette. And shouting, which just made things worse.

Once his hearing was back to normal he pushed himself back on his feet with a growl. "Who the hell is-"

"Hey! How are you? I am quite good thank you very much! The weather has been quite nice though I miss Hegra's rains! Those are the most fun! Are you one of those Green Sun Princes I heard so much about? You look scrawny! Shouldn't a Prince look more im-"

The almost literal deluge of words stopped Lelouch cold, gaping like a fish. Or maybe the real reason was what he was currently looking at.

Girly. Very, very girly. It was the only possible way to describe the creature in front of him, besides ridiculous of course. It was vaguely shaped like a horse, but one drawn by a child, with pink fur and even pinker mane. The face and expression it was currently making were surprisingly human-like, too big eyes notwithstanding.

'What the FUCK is this?'

"Woah! I've met many demons in my life, but this is just plain disturbing!" Even Seyrun was confused.

Luckily the Yozis were on his side, because the equine's rambling was interrupted by a hovering rock hitting its head. "Owwie!"

"Pinkie Pie! That is no way to treat a Peer. It is highly unsightly and improper." A new, sophisticate voice said harshly. The owner was another similar horse-like creature, with pure white fur and purple mane.

Lelouch was honestly starting to think Oramus's presence was affecting his mind in very bad ways.

"Rarity! You meanie!" The pink horse whined, enormous drops of tears pouring out of her eyes. "That hurt!"

"It was for your own good darling." The white horse replied before turning to face Lelouch and bending her front knees, head kept down. He realized it was bowing. "Greetings Honorable Peer. My name is Rarity, Seamstress of the Shattered Cities. My friend here is Pinkie Pie, Dabbler of Parties and Dreams. Please forgive her: she has an unfortunate tendency to drink new concoctions herself, and they make her...excitable."

Pinkie Pie nodded enthusiastically, a jaw-defying grin on her face.

'Oookay...in for a penny, in for a pound I suppose.' "I am Zero." Lelouch took a dramatic pose. "The Champion chosen by Wise Oramus to do his will where he cannot. Are you here, perhaps, on Unquestionable Daendels' orders?"

"That is correct Peer Zero." Rarity looked up. She and Pinkie Pie were females...right? "As the Chosen of our Great Lord, it is every inhabitant of the Shattered Cities' pleasure to assist you in any way we can." She said proudly. "Everything that is unique in the whole universe can be found here, for every act of creation is a prayer to our Lord."

"And dreams!" Pinkie hopped up and down. "I love Oramus's dreams!"

"A bit too much, if I can say so myself." Rarity shook her head, annoyed. "You only have to ask Peer Zero, and I will bring you to the ones best suited."

"Actually, you may help me already. You said you are a seamstress?" Lelouch asked, raising a gloved hand. "It is possible to improve this costume-"

"Mh, mh, mh." Rarity hummed loudly, suddenly inside his personal space. Her eyes critically scanned every surface of cloth. "I see, I see. Decent enough I suppose. Colors are socially acceptable, and the texture..." She sniffed haughtily. "Passable. For amateurs, that is."

"Hey!" The Fangs cried out in indignation.

"Kill or sew darlings. You can't do both and expect to be good." She replied with sufficiency. "And what's this?" Lelouch's mask was ripped from the Anuhle carrying it by a telekinetic force and brought in front of Rarity's face. "I understand the need of secrecy, but it's a crime to conceal such a perfect face." She looked at Lelouch dreamily before her eyes lighted up. "Ah, I know! Follow me!"

Pushed quite adamantly from behind by a rather excited Pinkie Lelouch was brought to a nearby building. It was a strange thing, made not of basalt but of a lattice of thin brass filaments. The inside brought to mind the atelier of a tailor, exotic materials and dresses with too many limbs notwithstanding.

"Woah!" He gasped as an invisible force took off his clothes. He barely managed to put on a shadow-disguise before ending with only his boxer on. "What the hell?!"

"Hush darling. I am working." Rarity replied back curtly, a pair of glittery glasses on her face, before letting out with a shrill: "Pinkie! The Calcanth!"

The pinkie demon pushed into place a large cauldron full of bubbling liquid. Then the cauldron opened its mouth and pulled out a long tongue, many alchemical tools resting on it.

"You may want to rest Boss." One of the Fangs offered Lelouch a chair. "I think this is going to take a long time."

"Yeah. Those artificer guys are all nuts."

"...This better be worth it." He huffed before sitting down, resolving to be just a spectator for now.

Watching the white-furred demon working was...interesting. Rarity may look like she came straight out of a three years old girl's dreams, but she exhibited a single-minded fervor no child would be able to imagine.

She poured Calcanth on the mask together with ground indigo ice and crystal dust.

She took apart the costume without breaking a single thread, exposing every single one of them to the vapors of a chromatic large scale burned over a fire of silver bark, the flames fanned by the breath of mice made of fire.

This and much more Rarity did, praying loudly all the time while Pinkie divided her time between helping and making sacrifices to small temples.

'Hey. Seyrun.'

"Yes?"

'Do you play Chess?'

Infernal and Unwoven Coadjutor were in the middle of their tenth mental game, the Anuhle slowly but steadily having become good at it, when Rarity finally finished. "How does it feel darling?" She asked with sparkling eyes.

Lelouch grunted, glad to finally have his real clothes back. He tugged one sleeve. "The same as before. What changed?"

"Simple! First, the mask." She slid it on Lelouch's head, the mechanism closing it smoothly. He immediately realized it was easier to see through it, almost like he was not wearing it. "Now even with your face covered you'll always be fabulous!" She sighed in bliss. "Oh. And, as an afterthought, I made so it hides your identity better."

'Call it an afterthought.' "What else?"

"Sadly I couldn't make the costume itself more durable. That would have required making something new from scratch." She lifted the cape. "Instead I infused your mantle with the essence of a shield. Now you can use it to parry enemy's blows. Even a fiery daiklave will be unable to scratch it."

"Good enough. I don't plan to enter direct combat often anyway." Lelouch took out the scroll Daendels gave him. "Now I need to go. I have a meeting with an Unquestionable."

"We will hold you no longer." Rarity bowed. "May your future be full of glory and fortune Green Sun Prince."

"Bu-bye!" Pinkie Pie waved her hoof energetically.

"Yeah, bye." He left the shop and began the course back to the airship.

Once he was sufficiently afar he opened and read the scroll:

"Once, there was a maiden-Why in Malfeas' many secret names are we still using this shitty opening?! We don't even like the Maidens! Here, read this:"

What follow was a densely written map of numerous signs, some quite nonsensical.

"Show up at the time of a Tomescu's cry. Not before, and not after. I am a buuuuuuuuuuuusy woman. Notice the twelve 'u' in 'busy': that'll tell you how busy I am.

Remondin."

Lelouch's eyebrow twitched.

"Remondin...according to my notes she's called the Misconstrued Counselor. She's the Sixth Soul of Oramus. Never heard of her before."

'I can see why, if this is how she treats everyone.' Stepping into the airship he showed the scroll to the captain. "Can you bring me here?"

Four eyes blinked one after the other. "That's the most complicated map I have ever seen. But I think I know where it is. We can be there in two cries of Tomescu."

"Excellent. Let's go then." He sit down on his seat and leaned back. 'Where we were?'

"Knight to H7."

"This...is it?"

"Yes." Answered the guide.

Lelouch looked up at the absurdly high tower, trying to make an estimate of its height and giving up at 500 yards. "The top?"

"Yes." The guide answered again with a smile. "Lady Remondin's studio is at the very top. By her will it can be reached only through the stairs. Have a good day." She bowed before walking away.

"I don't think we have much of a choice Boss. We gotta walk. And we also need to be there for when the Tomescu cry. Who know how she's going to react otherwise."

'I know, I know.' He snorted, trying to hide how much hate he had for stairs. 'It's just-'

"Mister? Can you help me?" Someone asked. Turning to the side he saw a little girl has walked up to him, her sweet, guileless eyes staring at the young Fiend imploringly.

Lelouch blinked. "Yes? What do you need?"

"I need to go there." She pointed to the tower's top. "But it's too high! I can't do it!"

"You too?" He extended to her a hand. "I'm going there myself. Do you want to come with me?"

"I told you, I can't do it!" She shook her tiny fists before her eyes lighted up. "I know! Give me a piggyback!"

"Eh? But-"

"Pleeease?" She asked with a pleading pout, on the verge of crying.

"I...you...alright, alright." Lelouch sighed in defeat, a benevolent wry smile on his face. He dropped down on one knee. "Jump up little Miss."

"Yippee!" She cried in delight before jumping on his back. His hands held her below the knees, and her fingers with scarlet-lacquered nails grabbed his shoulders. "Go horsie, go!

"Yo-ho." Lelouch made the imitation of a horse before starting the long walk up the stairs, the Fangs following closely.

Half an hour later

"Go horsie, go!

"Yo-ho."

One hour later

"Go horsie, go!

"Yo...*pant*...ho..."

Two hours later

"*wheeze* Lis- *pant* *pant* *gasp* ten...urgh...can I drop yo-"

"Go horsie!"

"But-"

"Go!"

"Uuugh..Yi *wheeze* ho...*pant*"

Much later

Lelouch didn't open the door so much as fall on it, slamming it open with the weight of his body before falling on the ground, the girl still latched to his back.

The Tomescu in the room cried.

The Anuhles dragged him forward, up to a desk behind which a man made of mirror shards was writing on a scroll. He stopped and looked down at him. "Do you have an appointment?"

What escapes Lelouch's lips was his lungs' death rattle.

"Peer Zero, Chosen of Oramus." One Anuhle replied for him while another forced Calcanth down his throat. "Message said to be here at the Tomescu's cry."

The mirror shards man took out a list and hummed. "We were expecting you. Please go inside." He then looked at the girl and bowed. "Have a good day Lady Remondin."

"Thanks!" She chirped while the Anuhles help Lelouch back on his feet. Still weak but reenergized by the gross, but still useful substance he walked to the large doors at the other side of the hall and pushed them apart.

The interior resembled, at least in design, the classic study of a lawyer: oval of form, there was an elaborate desk in the middle while the walls were covered by shelves containing many things, from trophies to scrolls.

The little girl finally jumped down. With a big smile on her lips she looked up at Lelouch. "We got there Mister! Are you happy?"

"More like relieved." He said slowly, trying to put his breath back under control. "So. Remondin, was it? That guy sa-"

One moment.

Just wait a fucking moment!

"We are in Malfeas! Why would a little girl be here?!" He gasped, pointing at her. His eyes widened. "And your name...is Remondin..!"

"Out of it already? You're good." She winked at him while pulling out her tongue. Her long, forked tongue.

"Wait what?! Cecelyne's infinity, why I haven't realized it before?!" Seyrun cried out in disbelief.

Lelouch spluttered in indignation. "This-before-why didn't I...you messed with my mind!"

"If it is of any consolation, most don't snap out of it even after I clearly say to them who I am. That's why I said you're good." The Third Circle Demon in the shape of a little girl walked to the desk and sit on the chair behind it. "I am Remondin, Sixth Soul of Oramus. Some, mostly the wise ones, call me the Misconstrued Counselor. Every ruler of the Demon City has come to search my aid at least once, for I know every possible future."

She leaned forward, fingers folded under her chin. The amused, devious smile under the still sweet and guileless eyes made for a horrible contrast. "And since you're a Fiend and I am the most invested in the political scene of Malfeas amidst the Unquestionables of my Oversoul, I'm going to be your mentor from now on, Lelouch." She tilted her head. "Or do you prefer Zero?"

Swallowing the bile Lelouch put on a neutral expression and bowed. "Please address me however you wish Lady Remondin. If I may ask, was that a test?"

"Half of it."

"Half?"

"The other half is me getting a kick out of making people behave like fools."

His head snapped up, staring in disbelief at the smiling demon. "Everyone has a hobby. This is mine." Opening a compartment in the desk she took out a bowl full of creatures with the body of a toad and the face of a tiger. One of them tried to jump out.

Glump!

Like lightning her tongue lashed out and ensnared the fugitive. The only thing Lelouch was able to see was a foreleg between Remondin's lips before she sucked it inside. She held up the bowl. "Want one? Merrevichs are delicious this time of the year."

The only reason he didn't puke was an empty stomach. "Your...offer is most gracious, but sadly I am not hungry."

"More for me then!" She giggled. She basically inhaled another one before putting the bowl away. "Onto business now. When are you going to leave Malfeas?"

Lelouch took a deep breath. This...demon may be a sadistic teaser but for the sake of his ambitions he needed to play her game. "If everything goes well in a few days, My Lady. Just the time to see what available resources will be useful for my operations in Japan, and to discuss arrangements with the other Peers. Also, I have an appointment with Citizen Berengiere to hire the services and expand the activities of one of the cults founded by her."

"The one of Ligier? You shouldn't have problems then." She got off the chair and walked in front of the desk, a bamboo cane appearing in her hand. "In truth I don't even care what you do. But teaching I must, and teaching I will." She rapped the other palm with the cane. "What do you know of the proper etiquette when dealing with demons, especially Citizens and Unquestionables?"

"I-"

"Nothing." She interrupted him. "That's what. Show me how you bow."

Grumbling under his breath Lelouch did as told.

Wack!

"Ouch!" And instantly received a whacking under his chin.

"You lower yourself too much! It must be 15° before Citizens, and 30° before Unquestionables. Try again!"

Ignoring the pain he repeated the bow.

Wack!

"Ouch!"

"Don't bend your neck! What must move is your midriff! Again!"

Outside the man made of shards kept working, while the Anuhles stood on standby in case their service was suddenly required.

"YOU ARE CRAZY!"

Wack!

"THAT WILL NOT DO! SAY IT PROPERLY!"

"MY BEAUTIFUL LADY, IT IS MY HUMBLE OPINION THAT YOU HAVE MUCH IN COMMON WITH ADORJAN!"

"BETTER!"

Wack!

"THEN WHY DID YOU HIT ME?!"

"FOR BEING A CHEEKY LITTLE BRAT!"

Wack! Wack! Wack!

"Lady Remondin seems to like your Master a lot." The shards man suddenly commented.

The Anuhles stared back with incredulity, despite not daring to back to a Citizen without being explicitly asked something.

Some of the shards morphed into the facsimile of a smile. "She's being honest. That's why."

"Crazy...Psychotic...Bitch..." Lelouch muttered while resting on a Fang's back as he and the others left the tower, his whole body hurting too much to move.

"Boss. Can you please stop openly badmouthing an Unquestionable before they toss us inside a Punishment Sphere?!"

"Why? Have I not been punished enough?" He replied back, the Anuhle putting him down with his back against a wall.

"...You are obviously underestimating us demons Boss. Malfeas is the capital of pain. What you are feeling right now is but a caress."

"What happy thoughts you inspire." The raven-haired youth sarcastically replied before relaxing, simply waiting for the pain to go away. Even as the other demons gave him a wide berth he took the time to observe them in their daily life. Even with the vast differences between there and Earth he soon noticed familiar patterns, especially the one where everyone was moving around as if incredibly busy, but lacking enough time to do everything.

That's when he noticed it. 'Seyrun?'

"Yes Boss?"

'Playing music and ringing the brass bells is a vital job right?'

"That's right. Without noise Adorjan comes and kills everyone. All fiefdoms employ serfs to make music non-stop. It is an absolutely vital job."

'Then why has that one stopped?'

"...What?"

'That one.' He looked in the direction he saw it. 'It looked at something in the distance, made a face, and then ran away. Those Angyalkae too.' He added, seeing a group of the harpists fleeing into a house and barricading the door.

"Oh shit."

'Actually, I stand corrected.' Lelouch stood up and cast his gaze across the plaza. 'Everyone is either running away or barricading themselves inside the buildings. Why would they do that?'

"Oh shit oh shit oh shit oh shit oh shit!"

'Seyrun?'

The Dark-Green Fangs looked at each other, shrieked and ran away, pushing away those fleeing into a building to enter them instead. "Where are you going?!" Lelouch shouted, but they just ignored him.

"SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT!"

'Seyrun! What is hap-'

"RUN! RUN BOSS! RUN RUN RUN RUN AND DON'T LOOK BACK! IT'S HERE!"

'What is here?!'

"THE NIGHT IS HERE!" He let out a last scream before falling silent.

And then everything turned black. Lelouch blinked a few times, but the sudden darkness was so thick he couldn't even see his own hands. "Is something blocking Ligier?" He looked up.

It was a dragon.

No, it was the shadow of a dragon.

He was wrong, it was the shadow of everything.

It was his shadow.

A great serpentine figure, the hollow shadow of a great being that wasn't there flied through empty air, darkening the world below and extinguishing all light, even the green radiance of Ligier. It stretched across miles or maybe whole worlds.

Lelouch vi Britannia was witness to darkness unending.

-Frizzle-

The hearthstone around his neck gave you a jolt, releasing a pulse of essence through Lelouch's whole body. A spike of pain pierced his eyes, making him close them instinctively.

-Frizzle-

When Lelouch opened them again he was able to see. Everything was still shrouded by darkness, but he could still see his surroundings as if it was clear noon. Somewhat, it felt perfectly natural.

That's when he heard it. The sound of a great horn, playing a doleful song of melancholy and revelry for the night. The temptation to lose himself in it was strong.

Sadly he couldn't. Not then, not yet, because there was still much for him to do out. He had yet to earn the right to be happy. So Lelouch stood straight, wrapped in his cape, and waited for what he knew was coming.

Soon strange demons emerged from hidden passages and the openings into Malfeas' sewers to dance on the tune of the horn, their movements full of surprisingly human-like emotions and sentiments. He ignored them, and they ignored him as something far more fascinating made her appearance, the dark broods of the night following in her wake.

Even Lelouch couldn't help but be mesmerized by That Which Calls to the Shadows.

Erembour wore silken robes of silver, which cover flawless skin of the deepest black. Her liquid eyes shimmered like the moon, and strands of glowing white hair twinkled amid raven tresses. In her hands she carried a long silver horn curved like a mighty ram's, which she sounded with such dedication and intensity even him was moved by it, and admired her for that.

And then the unthinkable happened: she slowed down, her feet taking more time to move forward with each step until she was right in front of Lelouch. Looking at him, an unspoken invitation in her gaze.

He bowed down in the proper stance drilled into him by Remondin. "I am sorry Lady Erembour. As much as I would love to join, my duty to the Makers binds me. There is much I have still to accomplish under the light, for me to rest in the darkness."

A sound like crystalline bells. With a start he realized that the horn had stopped and Erembour was laughing, a hand covering her mouth like a demure maiden. "He was sad, you know? To lose you." She said. Both of them knew who 'He' was. "You were doomed to die, greatly changing the world in doing so. And so he loved you. But he also knew what you could be: for all of us; for the whole world. He made a decision, and helped you cast away your destiny. And so you will live, even as it saddens him."

"I was doomed to die?" Lelouch repeated, resisting the urge to look up at the sky. He closed his eyes in contemplation. "Ah, I see: the path I always wanted to take, it would have destroyed me sooner or later. Not matter if I won or lost."

She nodded in agreement. Her lips moved back towards the horn, to stop the song once again.

"I am still going to die."

She stopped. Her eyes opened, looking at him smiling ruefully.

"Even with an Exaltation, I am still mortal. Even if the chance to live forever were to be offered to me, I don't know if I would be able to take it." He closed his eyes again, feeling a deep but familiar sadness. "And who know if I will live long enough to see my dreams become a reality. Because my path hasn't changed: I just gained new responsibilities. It could even be that I will still need to die to realize my dreams, unable to see the world I wish for even for an instant."

He took a deep breath. "But whatever happens, it will be on my terms. Brought on by the consequences of my actions, and no one else. There is no more a guiding force to my life, and I am fine with that."

He spread his arms, face rising to the sky. When he opened his eyes again, it didn't hurt. "I am free. And there isn't a sweeter gift you could have given me. Maybe you don't know what to do with my gratitude. That's fine. Instead, I will repay my debt another way:

I will give you freedom. Just as you gave it to me."

Lelouch dropped his arms, eyes closed and head shaking with a self-depreciating smile on his lips. "Forgive me Lady Erembour, for making you waste time. Please, continue to-"

A feeling like velvet, gently pushing his chin up. Something incredibly soft pressed against the tip of the boy's nose, filling his nostrils with the sweet scents of flowers that bloom at night and wither at dawn.

Erembour pulled back, the residual feeling of her lips still scathing hot on Lelouch's flesh. She smiled. "Know that the night is your friend Lelouch. You made even me curious to see how far you will go."

The silver horn played again, and the dance resumed. Erembour left to catch up with her Oversoul, the dark broods following her. They look at Lelouch with awe in passing, but he ignored them like before. Instead he walked to a nearby rock and sit down on it, hands on his knees and gaze staring ahead.

"-oss?"

'That was my first kiss.'

"-Boss?"

'Granted in was on the tip of the nose, but still.'

"-ear me Boss?"

'Who knew a girl's touch could feel so go-'

"DO YOU HEAR ME BOSS!"

"Gaah!" Lelouch screamed, falling down on his back. "Seyrun what the hell?!"

"Good, you're back. Boss, the Ebon Dragon is gone: the night ended. I have no idea how you survived all that without becoming an abomination. I though you were a goner!"

"Eh?" Pulling himself up Lelouch realized that, yes, the light of Ligier was back. And so were the demons who were in the streets before, all staring at him like he was some sort of portent.

"Boss! You're back!" The Fangs cried happily.

Bam!

His foot smashed into the face of the nearest one. "Yes, I am back. I also clearly remember some people ditching me to save their own lives." He snarled, drilling his foot even deeper.

"Eeehehe..." One Anuhle sweatdropped, chuckling nervously. "Why bring up the past? What's done is done." He spread four of his limbs. "We're all alive! Everything is okay now!"

"ADORJAN COMES!"

"I'm worried for Lelouch-sama." Kaguya suddenly said in the middle of perusing through the Equitable Market together with Milly and Leila, Rakshata and Akito having offered to act as guides.

"He has been away for awhile, hasn't he?" Milly commented, tapping a finger on her lips.

"Awhile?" Rakshata snorted. "With how big Malfeas is, even with the faster methods of travel it may take weeks to reach a certain place. Believe me, that he's taking a long time to come back isn't a sign something went wrong."

Boom!

The entrance to the sewers blasted open, the metal disk sealing it landing with a loud clank. Out of the newly made passage crawled out a tired and dirty Lelouch, soon followed by the likewise proven Dark-Green Fangs.

"That one is." Akito commented quite bluntly.

"Lelouch-sama!" The young girl, followed by the blonde, ran to the rescue of the raven-haired youth. She looked him over, but found no apparent injuries. "What happened to you?"

Lelouch gasped, eyes dilated, opening and closing his mouth several time before raising a single trembling finger and saying a word that send shivers down the back of anyone listening. "Adorjan."

"Ouch." Rakshata winced before looking at the hole in the ground, intrigued. "You escaped into the sewers? Clever, if a bit unhygienic."

"There is an entire empire under it. Bigger than Europe." Another gasp. "The Rat King was waging war against the people made of nutcrackers. We fell down right in the middle of the final battle."

Akito raised an eyebrow. "Did you eat something strange?"

Lelouch giggled. "I negotiated a ceasefire and then peace between the two nations. Now they work together to farm the glowing mushrooms they previously used for illumination." Another giggle. "Which, mind you, I am preeeeetty sure are delicious but also highly hallucinogenic."

He looked at Milly and blinked. "Wow, Milly. Since when your skin is blue?"

The Slayer turned to the tanned blonde. "Doctor?"

The Indian scientist massaged her nose's bridge. "Bring him to my house. I will see what I can do."

Daendels, the Unfettered Heart, Fetich Soul of the Dragon Beyond the World

Something of a legend even in the Demon Realm, the Fetich Soul of Oramus wanders the Demon City without rest, questing endlessly for a way to free his master. Many Solar Savants thought Daendels became like this after Oramus' imprisonment, but in reality Daendels has always been a free spirit. He is the Unfettered, that which is shackled by nothing but his own goals, defining itself through them. His favored form is that of the archetypal wanderer, old and wise just like Oramus, but if he has others the scrolls of the Copper Spiders don't make mention of them. Many Sorcerers summoned him in the past in hope of learning secrets from before Creation was made, and paid greatly for it: for Daendels' hatred of restrictions is second only to his guile and intelligence, and it was to the last two that many Solars fell prey to, everything they worked for going wrong at the last possible moment and the despair leaving them a shell of their former selves. No matter how many times the Solars tried, how many biddings they laid on Daendels: the Unfettered Heart always obey them; and always, his summoners only reap ruin.

However, despite his apparent malice Daendels is honorable: believing favours given and debt unpaid to be ties that shackle him he always strives to repay them quickly and fairly. Those who help the Unfettered Heart can expect to receive a favour that perfectly balance their contribution; likewise, those he willingly help must take care to pay him back, lest he takes what he owns...one way or another. This behavior makes him popular among the Citizens and Unquestionables, for they know he can always get what they need, while First Circle Demons that have something he requires don't need to fear being treated unjustly.

Remondin, the Misconstrued Counselor, Sixth Soul of the Dragon Beyond the World

This puissant entity advises the rulers of the Demon City, whispering to them her endless knowledge of possible futures. She most often takes the form of a child with sweet, guileless eyes, scarlet-lacquered nails and a forked tongue; she has other shapes, but her nails and tongue mark her in every form. Sorcerers call upon Remondin to learn of perils that may yet come to pass, for she knows the stars of Creation as well as those of Malfeas, and her keen strategic mind may unravel even the most complex and subtle of dilemmas. Yet her subtlety makes her counsel perilous, for her malice may lead those who rely on her wisdom into far greater troubles. She may also call forth the shades of others' possible future selves, either to converse or to do battle on her behalf, and meeting such shades can be disquieting indeed.

Charms Database:

From Ebon Dragon

Witness to Darkness: You can see perfectly fine in the darkness and can recognize easily when someone is lying. Telling the truth, however, is now harder.

AN: I was in a very, very trollish mood when I wrote this.