"Kings may be judges of the earth, but wise men are the judges of kings."
- Solomon ibn Gabirol

Chapter XL: Kriegspiel

Sumeragi Residence
Naha, Okinawa, Ryukyu Republic
October 10, 2025

"It is done," Rai surmised to the one on the other side of the commlink, a solemn expression crossing his face. "Ragnarok is imminent."

"Not quite," the contact responded knowingly. "There still remains much to accomplish before Ragnarok can take place, and not simply because there are three more Codes to obtain."

Rai nodded at that in acknowledgment. Indeed it wouldn't simply do to perform Ragnarok at the first opportunity; the world at large needed to be prepared for its occurrence, and the results thereafter. And as his superior stated, it would take more than just obtaining the C.C., E.E. and F.F. codes to fulfill that preparation. "What are your orders?"

"For now, see to Operation Akikaze's completion, by whatever means you deem necessary," the contact replied, frowning in thought. "I do not know what Marrybell's objectives are with this 'Euro Britannia' of hers, but by its very nature it must not be allowed to enter fruition."

Rai understood that as well. Knowing Bloody Marry and her activities in the Eurasian Far East up to this point, it was highly doubtful she intended anything altruistic with her proposed dominion. That alone made it imperative that she not conquer Moscow. "Would it serve our purposes for Zero and the High Command to be made aware?"

"That will happen on its own," the contact said. "In fact, it is fair to assume that Zero already suspects much."

"Yes, he would," Rai acknowledged again. Knowing Zero as well as he did, it was a fair guess that he had an inclination or two toward his sister. After all, they had been close once upon a time. "Even so, I fear Operation Akikaze will not be as simple to accomplish as Akatsuki had been. Especially as Marrybell is, shall we say, not so ignorant as Johann Ernst."

The contact seemed to take that in with a measure of curiousness. "Do you suspect Zero to be outmatched?"

"More ill-prepared than outmatched, if that's any comfort," Rai responded. "To my knowledge, Zero has only fought such an opponent once eight years ago. Said opponent had no army or outside support of any kind, and yet he very nearly defeated Zero at his own game."

Rai's face then turned to utmost seriousness. "By comparison, Marrybell not only has her army, up to and including the Ceridwren Knights, but she is skilled enough a tactician as to match the likes of Zhukov," the Black Knight ace summarized. "How do you think Zero is going to contend with her, especially if he is not aware of her full capabilities?"

The contact took that in as well. "I see your point Adonis," it responded in admittance. "Still, he will contend with her all the same, and he will do so without interference on your part."

The contact then allowed itself a small smile. "Beyond your supporting him in battle of course."

Nodding as he understood the indirect command, Rai could not but acknowledge in return. "Yes, my lord."

Alexandra Land
Franz Josef Archipelago, Arctic Circle

As much a frozen hellhole Alexandra Land was, such that she again wondered who in their right mind would setup an installation there, Rakshata had to admit that the trip this far north was truly fruitful and productive. With the last of its defenders long since cleared away – those that didn't die in battle ending up taking their own lives to avoid capture, much to the disturbance of her fellow Black Knights – the Eildon facility was proving a vast treasure trove of data and information, much of which would not have been acquired in any regular "Britannian" base.

It was taking some time, but slowly but surely, everything was getting accessed and catalogued, from the locations of other such facilities throughout the world to any and all research and experimentation with ancient archeotech, namely those of the titular First Civilization that the Eildons seemed rather obsessed by. Granted the latter would only serve Rakshata to only a certain extent, as this so-called First Civilization was far more advanced and therefore completely removed from any form of modern technology in the present, but if she could gleam one or two breakthroughs on the Eildons' part to help her own research and development, then she would be more than happy. That alone made her coming all the way up to this frozen wasteland worth it, though obviously Zero cared more for the strategic data therein, namely said locations of other Eildon bases throughout the world. Can't have them running around that much longer of course.

Still, as Rakshata stood in the former command center of the base, observing the latest round of data mining that had been transferred to her pad while smoking her usual pipe, she could not help but feel rather disturbed by some of the findings. The examinations of the so-called Thought Elevator on Kamine Island, which were still going on in the present day, had been disturbing enough, but the more she learned about this First Civilization and all the relics it had left behind from its abrupt disappearance, the more she truly felt the modern world was out of its element. By and large this past nation, whose real name still had yet to be disclosed (assuming it even possessed one) was far more advanced than anything Rakshata had seen all the way to the present. More than advanced enough to create the Thought Elevators, the gateways between the physical "real" world into the metaphysical Otherworld, among other things that seemed to bend and twist "reality" like origami paper. Just as Rakshata had a sneaky suspicion that they were connected to Geass in some way, possibly the original creators and wielders of the Power of the King.

Obviously this complicated the present more than a bit, and not simply because of the obvious effects over the Great World War and all therein. As scientist, Rakshata was used to the conventional. Everything from bullets to knightmares to sakuradite, all the way up to the elaborate self-destruct systems that made the Devastation possible, fell into that category, as they were all well within the realm of physical law and understanding. By contrast, everything that the Eildons were delving into pertained to the unconventional, namely an ancient race of untold advancement that neither Rakshata nor those around her – even those who were truly aware of what they were looking at – could begin to understand. Not simply the leftover technology and relics, but the very science itself was beyond her, and perhaps any other inclined mind outside of V.V.'s secret order. Just what did that say about the world she and so many others lived in and took for granted?

Ultimately it was of very little matter, Rakshata was forced to admit, at least in the present. For the time being there was only the completion of Operation Fubuki to look toward. She could feel perturbed as much as she wanted back in Ryukyu when she rummaged over the findings more. Until then, she and the rest of her division had a job to do, and only so much time to see it finished. Both to ensure that those Black Knights, namely those devicers and ground troops that had been recalled to the Tsuru following the cessation of battle, remained ignorant, and to ensure that the Black Knights were on their way back home by the time V.V.'s reprisal forces reached the archipelago.

Knowing the latter could very arrive at any time, especially through an all too certain object at the center of the base – in fact, the installation seemed to be deliberately built around it – Rakshata focused back on her work, taking absentminded puffs from her pipe as her eyes continued running through the data. All the while around the aforementioned artifact, her fellow Black Knights who were aware – up to and including her lord and master – were undoubtedly feeling as disturbed over all of it as she was.

It had taken a little bit longer than he had wanted, but at last the center facility of the Eildon base had been found fully secure, thereby allowing Lelouch to enter and inspect its contents. Having lowered himself out of the Mordred – and nearly freezing to death in the process despite the insulation of his pilot suit – the Demon King now followed his knight and his attendant and sometimes second guardswoman into the circular construct at the center of the basin, which to Lelouch's eyes looked more like a large, metal circus tent than anything "regular" military. He supposed such was an apt description and design, as the construct was meant more toward concealing within its center than any more tactical purpose. And it was certainly immense enough to be a "Big Top".

Following protocol, Kallen and C.C. both entered first, making one final sweep to ensure there were no enemies lurking in the background. Only when none were found was their commander and liege allowed to enter, with all eyes immediately turning toward him upon said entry. Outside of Colonel Ohgi and Orpheus Zevon, who were standing in front of the device in question, the other Black Knights present were either part of Rakshata's Science Division or were leftover ground troops that remained to establish security. The rest of the assault force, up to and including Zero Squadron, had returned to the Tsuru, which was now landed and anchored at the far end of the island, wholly oblivious and on standby for the long flight home. Thus everyone present was either there out of necessity or they were as aware of the real enemy as Lelouch was.

Upon turning the featureless orb of his mask toward Colonel Ohgi, the officer nodded toward the unspoken command and so called out in her loudest voice. "Everyone out!"

With that, the whole of the Black Knight contingent ceased their activities and promptly made their way out of the building, leaving only Lelouch and the four others there. Standing before the great monolith, which was, according to Rakshata, of the very same make and design as the one on Kamine.

Once the last of the regulars departed, Lelouch reached up and without due ceremony removed his mask, handing it off to C.C. as uncaringly as he would have passing a memo pad. That being said, he was a little surprised when he turned and found Kallen's hand reached out with his Geass suppressive contact in her palm, the Major looking away and avoiding eye contact rather forcibly. After a short moment however, in which Lelouch recalled Jeremiah Gottwald's prior "trap", the former prince turned revolutionary closed his eyes and smiled in understanding as he took the contact. "I trust you found the answers you sought, Kallen?"

With more than a fair tinge of red across her face, Kallen smiled back as she confirmed. "I did," she answered, warmly and openly. "And much more."

Nodding in congratulatory acknowledgment while also ignoring the somewhat less than hidden smiles from Chigusa, Orpheus and of course C.C., Lelouch slipped the contact into place, keeping his Geass subdued and concealed for the time being. No sooner than he placed it did Kallen fully turn toward him, her eyes all but shimmering with barely checked emotion, but Lelouch had already turned aside as she did, his own eyes looking up toward the Thought Elevator. Indeed the structure was a complete match for the one on Kamine, right down to the intricate markings across its surface. Up to and including the all too familiar sigil, which Lelouch observed without outward emotion for a time.

And then, after the moment had passed, the former Black Prince turned toward the former terrorist and former Eildon, who stood by waiting. "I think it's time you brought us up to speed on all of this," he stated, as Kallen and Chigusa both looked on with equal interest. By contrast, C.C. remained in the background, her arms folded over her chest patiently.

For his part, Orpheus simply nodded and, with no shortage of apprehension from the four gathered Black Knights toward his yet anticipated words, began.

The pain was excruciating, even against the numb of the cold combined with the sheer level of burning across his ruined body. How he had managed to survive the destruction was nothing short of a miracle in itself, an irony he would have smiled at had he not been so concentrated on moving, seemingly inch by inch, through the tundra. He knew he had very little time left. Unlike the first and second times he had miraculously survived, he was now indeed one motion away from death, and no amount of cybernetics would bring him back from the brink. Even so, he could not let himself go just yet, not when he still had his mission to complete. Not when he still had his execution to fulfill, his axe to fall and behead.

As the lights of his former basin came more and more apparent in his blurry organic eye – his left little more than inoperative static and his Geass Canceller likely with it – Jeremiah Gottwald took it all as a sign of reassurance. The Black Knights were still present, obviously still mining all too crucial data from the computer systems, which meant that Lelouch himself was still present. He didn't know for how much longer, but he did note that that large airship they had used to reach Alexandra Land in the first place was not there, so he still had some measure of time. If he could somehow catch Lelouch outside the Mordred, as well as slip by the sentries, he could still fulfill his mission. He could still avenge his Empress.

Even so, he was still a fair distance away from the base, and the more he moved the more he felt his body, both the organic and technological parts, fail under him. Again it was no shortage of a miracle that he had survived that killing shot to the Vortigern, and had survived well enough to pull himself out of the resultant wreckage. That miracle had only extended itself as his body forcibly moved across the length of the island back to the base, which he had chastised himself for concentrating so much on his target that he had left undefended to an airborne assault. Not that the latter truly mattered to him so much; again he didn't care much for the Eildons beyond their allowing his vengeance. V.V. and the rest could deal with the follow-ons later as they see fit, assuming that those follow-ons still existed later on of course. Once their leader fell to his blade, it was doubtful the Order of the Black Knights would remain thereafter for much longer, any more than he would himself.

Indeed, this much awaited, much desired execution was all he lived for and toward now. He would remain until he at last finished Lelouch for good. Once that task was completed, once Lelouch's head was finally and decidedly removed from his body, nothing more would matter to him. Or of him…

"I'll start from the beginning, at least as far back as I have come to learn and understand," Orpheus began to explain to his captive audience. "I do not know what this 'First Civilization' is or how far into the history books it falls, if at all. What I do know however is that our common enemy, while obviously being far more recent, started business at a most crucial time. One that you're all undoubtedly familiar with…"

Orpheus nodded, as though to visibly establish the common heritage he and the three before him all shared. "The founding of Britannia."

That more than earned the interest of Lelouch and the others, as they all knew that story. The Roman invasion of the original Britannia, or at least what would become Britannia, under Julius Caesar. The desperate last and ultimately valiant stand of Alwyn, who led the island's inhabitance to repel the invasion three times over. Events that would culminate in the foundation of Britannia as a nation, even before its transition into the empire it was well within the present.

"Suffice to say those stories are all true," Orpheus continued on. "There was indeed an Alwyn, and he did raise his Chosen, unite the once warring tribesmen under his banner and set them all against Caesar's legions, repelling the latter three times over and ensuring that the Roman Empire would not return for another century or so. Britannia, in its most baseline form, was indeed founded upon this trial by fire, with Alwyn establishing himself as the first Emperor, and that over time the oppressive, desert making empire we all know and love came into being, very much Incedo Semper ad Futuri as it were. However, all of that is only the surface of a very dark, very well concealed depth."

Orpheus then looked up to the monolith. "In truth, Alwyn was much more than some Celt 'super-king' that everybody joined hands with around the campfire. While records are inexact of his background, it is known that he came from outside some time before Caesar, and would go onto form a secret religious order at the foot of Eildon Hill."

The former terrorist smiled as he saw realization blossom before him. "Yes that is how our friendly neighborhood Eildons started out. Though their initial activities are as sketchy as their own history, and their leader's, the original Eildons were essentially druids that Alwyn gathered together under the titular hill, possibly within said titular hill according to some theories. Nobody knows what they were doing there exactly, but with the benefit of hindsight, I would guess that another Thought Elevator had been discovered there, and that the onlookers had taken an interest in it."

"And Stonehenge?" Lelouch couldn't help but question, recalling much more of the story now. Namely the claim that Alwyn was connected to that structure as well.

Orpheus shook his head. "Unknown, but I wouldn't be surprised. Stonehenge was where the original sample of sakuradite was discovered after all," he admitted. "In any case, Alwyn and his followers remained secluded until Caesar made his landing. Once the Romans were repelled, Alwyn would go onto form the initial Britannia and everyone lived happily ever after, rainbows and sunsets all around."

The Peace Mark leader's eyes narrowed conspiringly. "That being said, Britannia's founding wasn't simply to build a new civilization, nor was it to repel another incursion and it certainly wasn't to crusade and conquer. Rather, it was fight another enemy," he then declared rather firmly. "God."

That caused Kallen to raise her eyebrow more than a fair fraction. "God?" she repeated, highlighting on the group's confusion.

Orpheus shrugged. "I didn't say it made sense. But at the same time, that is the adversary Alwyn had set himself against."

He went further on. "Before he reached the island, Alwyn had purportedly spent some time across the North Sea. While there, he became intrigued with the locals' concept of Ragnarok, the prophesized destruction of the gods, or God, and the world as we know it. Keep in mind that this would be a novel idea for the period, predating things like the Book of Revelation by a century or so," Orpheus made sure to highlight on. "In any case, Alwyn was so enamored with Ragnarok that he made it the basis of his activities thereafter, up to and including with Britannia."

Letting out a breath, Orpheus visibly recalled. "As you can understand from this, Britannia's purpose, its real purpose, isn't to conquer the world. It would have done so long ago if that were the motive. No, Britannia was formed as a beachhead, a vanguard against those who employed Geass as conquerors and warlords as well as those who did so without, while also concealing the Eildons from the world at large…"

"So that the latter could fulfill Ragnarok without interruption," Lelouch summarized, nodding. "And what does Ragnarok in itself entail?"

Again Orpheus shrugged. "I don't know, beyond that it requires the capture and harvest of all Geass Codes," he said, causing the group to turn toward C.C.

The witch herself seemed to have barely been paying attention, but answered regardless. "I wouldn't know the specifics either. But Alwyn's roadies have spent the last two millennia or so capturing and harvesting Codes, all the while doing battle against the forces of evil."

Orpheus then retook the explanation. "There are about twenty-six Codes, all conveniently marked and designated by dual letters of the Britannian alphabet. The problem that Alwyn faced during his day and his followers still face now is that the twenty-six Code Bearers are naturally spread throughout the globe at any given time, oft in lands that are otherwise unreachable for the era. That aside however, there was a means to track them down in one form or another."

The terrorist then looked toward the revolutionary Demon King. "Simply observe current events. Chances are where there is a great and upcoming leader and conqueror on the warpath, there is a Code Bearer just behind, providing Geass and council."

Again he watched as realization came upon the three Black Knights. "From there, it is only a matter of obtainment. If the Geass user has an army, then Britannia and those under its influence will step into fight that army. If the user is more discreet and otherwise remains in the background, the Eildons will act on their own. Once it is all over and done with, the Code Bearer is vulnerable."

Orpheus couldn't help but nod in a strange fondness over this. "Far be it for me to praise my enemies, but you have to admit Alwyn really thought it all over."

"Indeed," Lelouch responded, himself frowning as he took it all in. If any of what his newfound ally was saying was true, and Lelouch had little doubt that it all was, then there really was more occurring in the present than even he had estimated. Before he had known the Eildons had been working to some end involving Geass, but he had not expected it to be such as he had heard. In fact, the best he had estimated was that they were supporting Britannia's world conquest from the background, both through Geass itself and whatever First Civilization leftovers had been recovered. This, however, changed everything, and not simply because there was now more at stake than the present Great World War.

"How many Codes remain unaccounted for?" Chigusa inquired, speaking for the first time.

"Including hers?" Orpheus again glanced toward a bored looking C.C. "I think three. Maybe four."

Lelouch took that in as well. "So Ragnarok is close it hand then," he said as he came to face the Thought Elevator again. "Whatever it is…"

That was as far as he got before the indentations on the edifice flashed active, causing all to nearly jump in response. By the time anyone realized what had happened, Lelouch was no longer standing there, before the device. Having, once again seemingly, vanished into thin air.

"No!" Kallen cried out in an all too familiar and all too encompassing fear. Not again. It couldn't happen again…!

"It's alright Major," another, also familiar voice spoke up from behind the group. "V.V. wasn't the one who took dear sweet Lelouch this time."

Weapons drawn, all four sets of eyes shifted to the origin. There, standing in a space she had not occupied a second before, the form of Anya Alstreim looked upon the gathered in bemusement. The Knight of Six's eyes alight with the Power.

"Rest assured he could not be any safer where he is now," Marianne assured to the four, her "borrowed" lips folded in a knowing gleam.

Sword of Arawn
Otherworld

"What?" Lelouch felt himself murmur upon his reversion. He did not know where he was now, but he could tell he was no longer in Alexandra Land. In fact, he wasn't sure if he was on Earth any more, given the seemingly endless twilight sky around him, or the temple-like structure before him, floating therein. And then there was that rather ominous image of Jupiter above, which Lelouch could not help but wonder more toward…

"At last," a voice announced from the base of the temple, one that Lelouch knew all too well, and dreaded. Eyes shifting back to the upper platform, Lelouch looked on in horror as his father gazed down upon him, much as he had that fateful day eight years ago.

"Welcome Lelouch," Charles beamed out, his voice booming in spite of the apparent openness. "To the Otherworld, and the Sword of Arawn."

"You!" Lelouch let out as he went for his sidearm, which had made the transition with him wherever he was. Before he could draw however, the Emperor raised his hand in a stopping motion.

"Do not bother my son," Charles stated, then slipping the glove off of his right hand to reveal the marking of a Code embedded there. Even as relatively far away as he was, Lelouch could almost feel the power therein against his skin. "Ragnarok is nigh, as you so correctly surmised, and I am its instrument."

Lelouch glowered back, immediately understanding. "So you've obtained the twenty-three Codes that have been harvested, as well as the immortality therein."

"Yes," Charles confirmed as he slipped his glove back on. "In exchange for the ability to use my Geass, of course."

"What?" Lelouch repeated out of renewed confusion.

The Emperor raised an eyebrow. "You mean C.C. never told you? The Codes are transferred from Bearer to User upon the latter Geass reaching fruition. From that transference, the Code is imprinted onto the new Bearer, and Geass is rendered unusable."

The monarch tilted his head with minor interest. "What did you think the end of your contract with her truly entailed?"

Lelouch blinked, now taken back. That was C.C.'s intention all along? To transfer her Code to him or Kallen? If so, then…?

"But no matter," Charles proclaimed. "What is important is that we now face each other, openly and without lie or deception between us."

"Yes?" Lelouch shot back in challenge. "And where do we go from here father?"

The Emperor again tilted his head, as though he understood when Lelouch didn't. "Admittedly it is quite the stalemate," he spoke observantly. "You cannot kill me, nor can you use your Geass to command me. By contrast, I cannot utilize my Geass either…"

The Emperor then grinned enigmatically as he added. "And I have no desire whatsoever to kill you."

Again Lelouch was taken back, confusion remaining paramount. He recovered after a moment however, and faced back against his father with all the willpower he could muster.

"Then what is it that you intend?" he demanded, knowing that his father never did anything without some sort of purpose or intention, no matter how unapparent. "Don't tell me you brought me here for simple conversation."

"Not quite, though my reason is simple enough in fact," Charles answered, then turning aside to reveal a table set in the middle of the edifice. A board and the lines therein already set and waiting. "Perhaps you would honor me with a game?"

Now Lelouch was truly confused. Surely the Emperor had not taken him there for just that. Surely there was something greater afoot, especially back in Alexandra Land. What was happening there in his absence? Were his forces under attack? Perhaps he had been taken to open the way for the Eildons to launch a reprisal. If so, then he…

Ultimately however, something deep inside Lelouch told him it was what it was. Though he clearly had expended much in the way of time and energy to bring him there, the Emperor wanted only a game and nothing more. Consequently, that same something told Lelouch that if his father wanted to destroy his forces in Alexandra Land, he would have just been done with it. Just as he would have had Lelouch killed from the beginning and prevented all that had occurred thereafter.

With that knowledge, and again bringing about as much willpower as he could, Lelouch turned it back on the Emperor. "On one condition. If I win…" he stated to a nonplussed Charles zi Britannia. "You will tell me where Nunnally is!"

"Very well," Charles answered without pause, immediately turning toward the table and waiting game board.

Again confusion weighed on Lelouch. Didn't his father have stakes of his own? Surely if he won there would be some condition he would want Lelouch to meet, up to and including his ending his tenure as Zero then and there. Once more however, something inside told Lelouch that there was nothing his father wanted nor needed from him, not there at least. That certainly would have fit the Emperor's character, Lelouch admitted as he made his way up the floating staircase to the Sword's center.

After another few moments, both he and his father, the enemy of all he knew and cherished, took their respective seats. Having taken the white side for himself, his father moved first, putting one pawn forward. Lelouch then followed with his own black pawn.

So began the fateful, if not so epic, struggle between father and son.

Alexandra Land
Franz Josef Archipelago, Arctic Circle

"For the third time and counting, yes I assure you Lelouch is safe where he is," Marianne sighed in the face of the vengeful Dragoness, who kept her gun trained on her alongside Orpheus and Chigusa. Only C.C. remained unarmed, though the latter was now pointedly annoyed. "I cannot tell you where he is exactly, but I promise, once again, that he will be returned here when it's all finished. Just as I promise nothing untold is being done to him now."

"Forgive us if we're not wholly convinced," Chigusa spoke up, partly to respond for the group and partly to keep Kallen from tearing the Knight of Six's head open. "The last time you took him…"

"Correction, I wasn't the one who took him the last time," Marianne resounded back up to the Black Knight Colonel. "I might be in league with V.V. to some level, but I promise you I'm no Eildon and I do not share his hostility toward your leader. Quite the contrary in fact, I have a highly vested, highly personal interest in him."

The "late" Empress then turned toward the still seething Knight of Zero. "You've witnessed this yourself Major. After all, wasn't I the one who struck V.V. the first time upon coming to Lelouch's aid? Wasn't it I and my compatriots who ensured that Lelouch survived the Grandmaster's trap, and ensured his return to Ryukyu?"

Though she heard the words, and knew them to be true, such wasn't Kallen's present focus. With her Geass active, she once again beheld that mysterious silhouette over Anya Alstreim. The gentle eyed, admittedly beautiful woman that bore her no hostility, though Kallen couldn't help but wonder if there was something more passed her projected amusement. Especially when that something obviously had to do with the quite literal love of her life.

"Enough," C.C. spoke up, gesturing the others to lower her weapons. "She's not an enemy, no matter how much she's playing all of you."

That earned a small laugh with Anya's voice. "Really, can't I have a little bit of fun C.C.?" she posited to the immortal, the other three immediately taking note of the familiarity. "It's not every day I get to come out into the open like this."

"I wish you hadn't come out into the open at all," C.C. responded to the monarch. "Do you have any idea how much trouble would occur if someone saw the Knight of Six out here, speaking to us?"

Marianne tilted her head, as though she hadn't thought of that. "I suppose it would be rather inconvenient, for you at least," she shot back. "But then, you would know all about making things inconvenient. Wasn't that the main reason you were lit up the first time? At that little bonfire in Rouen?"

"What?" Orpheus looked up in sudden, naked recognition. "What…what did you just say?"

Looking between the Peace Mark leader and the two Black Knights, Marianne frowned upon realizing what had happened. "You never told them, did you?"

C.C. shrugged. "It didn't seem important, though I ended up telling Lelouch after Narita."

Marianne actually appeared affronted by this. "You've been with these men and women, oft times in battle, for eight years running and they still don't know who you really are?" she spoke in near condemnation. "That's a blatant disservice C.C., even for you."

"As I said, I didn't think it was important," C.C. responded, despite the three deeply inquiring gazes that were fixed on her now.

"Who…?" Kallen also spoke, uncertainty now upon her and Chigusa. Though it wasn't the first time she had wondered about her partner's true identity, it was only now that Kallen saw that the green-haired, pizza obsessed girl she had lived with since the Black Rebellion was not some random figure. Such that she could only stare over said woman, as though she were looking upon someone else entirely. Someone legendary. "Who are you?"

Turning toward C.C., who simply gave off an resigned nod, Marianne turned back toward her audience with a renewed, beaming smile. "May I introduce the most renowned woman of modern history, aside from yours truly of course," she went on before anyone could question that. "A onetime peasant girl who, called upon by God Himself, took part in a century long war in the defense of a most beleaguered nation. A warrior and a leader of men, whose mere presence shifted the battle of a great city in but nine days' time."

It was then that Kallen and Chigusa both came to the same realization that Orpheus had, now turning toward their immortal companion with newfound astonishment. Somehow managing not to sigh back at all of them, C.C. could only look on herself in barely checked irritation.

"A woman who shook the whole of the Old World, from Loire to Compiegne. A woman who fought not with a sword, but with a banner and her faith, bringing about a revolution that not even V.V. and his fellows had foreseen, much less were able to stem."

The Empress couldn't help but smile in appreciation over that last one, just imagining how infuriatingly caught off guard the Grandmaster had to have been at the time. There was little wonder what had transpired at Rouen had happened the way it did. "And though that woman would eventually be captured and put to 'death' by their machinations, and the machinations of many, many others, her name and legacy would persist regardless, such that she would become a martyr like no other."

That smile quickly turned into a full grin as she gestured toward C.C. "That woman now stands before you, having lived for centuries well into the present, from one battlefield to the next."

And then, at last, she finished. "The Maid of Orleans, Jeanne d'Arc."

Frowning as she again heard that name, once again referring to her directly after so long, C.C. could only stare back blandly toward the three "mortals" before her. She didn't want to do it, but now that it was out in the open, she knew she had no choice.

"It's a long story, as you can easily tell," C.C. began to the three before her, who all held complete interest. "And for the record, I still hope Frémiet is burning in Hell over that damned statue…"

Sword of Arawn
Otherworld

Against the third such opponent in his lifetime, Lelouch found himself completely and utterly overwhelmed. No, as he strained there, trying to find some way to move his pieces and break out of his father's latest ensnarement, he realized this game was completely different from those he had played with Schneizel and Johann. The matches with the latter pair had been much more drawn out, in which his brother and the Knight of Two had to make long and calculated movements to corner him and eventually declare checkmate. By complete contrast, only a few minutes could have passed since his father's game had started, and already he had been cornered and put on the defensive no less than three times. And try as he might to conceal his emotions, his bafflement, Lelouch knew the Emperor was more than able to pick up on his turmoil.

"How disappointing my son. Is this truly the best that the Demon King, Britannia's professed enemy, is capable of?" Charles casually spoke as he moved a rook, causing his son to visibly cringe from the simple advancement. It was obvious from that response that Lelouch had not anticipated that move either. "Surely you can do far more in such a simple game."

No, he couldn't let his father get into his head, otherwise he would lose then and there. Lelouch had to remain strong, remain resolved. He had broken out three times already, and he would break out no matter how many times it took, all the while building up his grand strategy and executing accordingly. That was how he defeated his opponents, from Clovis at the very beginning to Johann in China to Jeremiah Gottwald in the present. He would defeat his father, his enemy, in that precise and uncompromising manner.

Eventually he did make his move, only to watch in horror as his father's white knight swooped in and took his own remaining black bishop. It helped even less that the latter had been positioned right near his black queen. Why the Emperor had chosen to spare that piece Lelouch didn't know, but he was at least thankful for that much, for much the reasons he had spoken to Orpheus not too long ago.

"Once again disappointing," Charles exclaimed as he leaned back and folded his arms. "You focus far too much in your long-term strategizing, so much so that you sacrifice much of your present movements."

The Emperor frowned toward his son. "This is the precise reason Johann nearly defeated you in Xiaopei, and before that how your assured victory in Narita became a near crushing defeat. You concentrate so much on the endgame objective that you're unable to change your strategy as the battlefield changes around you."

Yet again did confusion weigh upon Lelouch. Was his father actually giving him sage advice? He shook his head, surmising that he was being mocked and left it at that.

"Then how about this!?" Lelouch called out as he employed his queen, taking out the offending white knight.

Audibly sighing, his father countered by removing a black rook as well. With a pawn that Lelouch had overlooked no less. "Once again, disappointing."

Lelouch snarled under the weight of his father's gaze, and words. He could not, would not lose to this man! "And this!?" Lelouch almost shouted, using his queen to remove one of his father's bishops.

Charles minutely smiled. "Is that what you've been relegated down to my son?" the Emperor question. "Using your queen as a bludgeoning tool like some novice?"

"Shut up!" Lelouch called back out, now actually sweating. Was his father going to attack his queen next, as he seemed to allude to? Again Lelouch knew it was only a game piece, one that could be reclaimed if he did everything right. And yet…

Smile enlarging, Charles shook his head. "The Queen is a powerful piece, certainly," he admitted. "But it is not the one that must move most of all."

It was then that the Emperor made his next move. One that Lelouch, for the life of him, could not believe his father would do. Nor speak the words that followed.

"If the King does not lead, how can he expect his subordinates to follow?" Charles recited, his enigmatic smile making its grand return. "Even the Queen must ultimately submit to the King's authority, upon the chessboard if not so much in the real."

"You!" Lelouch growled, now knowing full well he was being mocked. There could be no other explanation. There was no other explanation.

Yet, as Lelouch sat there under his father's unflinching gaze, he could not help but again wonder. All the while still trying to find some way to reverse the game, before it was too late.

Alexandra Land
Franz Josef Archipelago, Arctic Circle

"Finally," Rakshata murmured as she received the much awaited report. For all of their dabbling in the arcane, the Eildons still largely used modern day tech with the rest of the world. The Indian scientist was thankful for that, as it made data mining that much easier, not to mention quicker. "Pack it up and signal the Tsuru."

Her chief subordinate nodding in response, he and the others went about their way. As some began to disengage equipment, others signaled the airship for return transport.

Taking another puff of her pipe, Rakshata tapped her own wrist unit. "R-8 to N-7, mission complete," she called out to Colonel Ohgi specifically. "We may return to that warmer, sunnier place at any time."

"I still can't believe this," Kallen once more let out, unable to hide her astonishment. "You are Jeanne d'Arc? The Jeanne d'Arc?"

C.C. glared back with uncharacteristic aggravation. "As I have told you over and over, I was Jeanne d'Arc," she responded with aggravation as well. "Just as I was Claude des Armoises, Anne de Savoy, Mori Ranmaru, Cecilia Cathcart, Cecile Cathcart, Matilda Anthony, Samantha Willis, Anastasia Tchaikovsky, Lilia Marlene, Michaela Wittmann and so many, many others before eventually coming to Cera Cathcart. Those were all me once upon a time, in one form or the other."

"'Was' and 'were' being the operative terms I take it," Chigusa surmised, catching onto the deliberate usage of the words and matching tone.

"Indeed," C.C. responded, starting the feel the first vestiges of a headache coming on. "Jeanne d'Arc died in that 'little bonfire' in 1431, and the rest of those women, and men, followed her at one point or the other, and not always of old age."

She then closed her eyes. "In their place, the 'immortal witch' known as C.C. has remained constant," she spoke with newfound solemnity. "And will for the immediate future it seems…"

Something in Kallen twinged at that last statement, and she wasn't so entirely blown away by her partner and roommate's true identity not to notice. Was that regret the Guren pilot heard there?

It was right at that moment that Chigusa's wrist unit buzzed. "R-8 to N-7, mission complete. We may return to that warmer, sunnier place at any time," Rakshata called out from the command center.

Sniffing at the timing, the Colonel looked toward their apparent host. "You heard it. If you'll kindly return Zero to us, we'll be on our way now."

Marianne seemed to take a moment before answering. "Sorry, but you'll have to wait for that much longer," she answered back. "For what it's worth, it won't be that much longer."

"You're right," Kallen seethed. "Because I'm ending it, whatever it is, now."

With that, the Black Knight ace reached out and grabbed the Anya Alstreim's body by the tunic, her now drawn tanto against the Round's throat. Chigusa and Orpheus both moved to intervene, only to halt at Marianne's gesture.

"Return him, now," Kallen growled in warning, the edge of her blade barely held back from piercing the Knight of Six's neck. "Or…"

"Or what Major?" Marianne responded back, deliberately staring into Kallen's eyes. Both her normal right and her Geass lit left. "You can't kill me, as I'm sure you're all too aware. Just as you know the one you're speaking to now is not Anya Alstreim…"

"I don't care who you are, nor do I care why or how!" Kallen bellowed with angered impatience. "The only thing I care about is you're keeping Lelouch away, and we want him back!"

"You mean you want him back," Marianne answered with understanding. "At least, you're the one that wants him back most of all. Not surprising given the effects of Jeremiah's Canceller trap."

Slowly and with no undo aggression, Marianne reached up and placed her hand against Kallen's. "He will return Kallen," she assured, deliberately using the woman's given name for the first time. "I give you my word, which bears the weight of the Crown, that Lelouch will return to you."

From there, she drew the tanto away, all while keeping her eyes locked on the Guren pilot's.

"You have just had a very heavy haze lifted from your mind. The doubts and fears you have held for eight long years have been abruptly cleared, and your emotions, your feelings, are raw and unchecked. Yet at the same time, that makes you all the more driven against that one remaining fear, the one that no Geass will ever clear away."

The Empress dared to smile. "I understand that latter feeling all too well my dear, for it is indeed a double-edged sword. As much as you love that man, you fear to lose him exactly as much," she tilted her head in acknowledgment. "And in this dark hell of a world of ours, that admittedly can happen still."

Something shifted in Kallen upon that declaration. Even without her Geass monitoring Anya Alstreim's vitals, something inside her told that that was no lie. That the one before her loved Lelouch as much as she did. Such that she too feared losing him.

"How would you know?" Kallen found herself inquiring.

As Anya's physical body smiled before Kallen's physical sight, so too did the gentle-eyed woman's silhouette to her Geass.

"Because while you may love Lelouch as a man," Marianne whispered, so that only Kallen could hear her now. "I love him as my son."

Upon that declaration, something clicked inside Kallen's mind, such that she began to feel a similar recognition as she had felt toward C.C. Toward this other woman of professed renown and legend. The very same woman that had brought her beloved, and his younger sister alongside, into the world from the very beginning.

"So you can believe these words as I repeat them," Marianne stated. "Lelouch will return to you, Kallen."

Only then, upon those same words, did Kallen recede and allow Marianne to stand untouched. All the while Orpheus and Chigusa stood by cautiously, C.C. having again taken to folding her arms over her chest in visible impatience.

Taking a moment to restraighten her host's tunic, Marianne then smiled as she said. "And as luck would have it…"

Sword of Arawn
Otherworld

"Checkmate," Charles at last declared with ultimate authority.

Breathing heavily, Lelouch knew that it was indeed that, no matter how much he wished otherwise. Outside his cornered King, he had but his Queen and two pawns remaining, and none of the latter three could support his primary piece now. He wasn't even sure if he had made his father actually work toward bringing him down, or if the Emperor had even used the majority of his energy to do so. There was only the undeniability of that single, uncompromising word, followed by Lelouch knocking down his King as tradition demanded.

For the next few moments did the former prince try and ultimately fail in steadying his breathing, finding some sort of calm. He had never, never been so overwhelmed, so overpowered. In fact, he had never been so outmatched from the very beginning. Was this really his main adversary? The man he had declared to bring down, for justice as well as vengeance? It was all unfathomable!

Even so, Lelouch was not finished just yet. While he was unable to look upon his father once more, he could at least speak the following.

"Can…can you at least tell me?" he found himself saying, even though the words were distant to him. "If…if Nunnally…is safe?"

It was a futile effort he knew. He had lost the game, and his father had no reason to give him such an answer. Anymore than he had ever answered a similar question fifteen years ago in regard to his mother…

"She is safe," Charles confirmed, causing Lelouch to abruptly look back up. Once again the prince could not believe his ears, though that did not seem to matter to the Emperor. "And she will remain so."

Blinking, Lelouch felt much due tears begin to fall from his cheeks. Of all the things he could have heard, he had heard exactly what he had wanted, after so long. Just as he knew they were true.

"Thank you," Lelouch breathed, closing his eyes as the tears now flowed in full. "Father."

Nodding in final acknowledgment, the Emperor rose from his seat. From which the world, the reality, once more shifted around Lelouch.

Alexandra Land
Franz Josef Archipelago, Arctic Circle

And with that, Lelouch found himself within the center of the cold. Standing before the same four that he had been among not very long ago. One of whom appeared to be in a similar emotional state as he.

"Lelouch!" Kallen called out as she ran to him, embracing him tightly.

Blinking once more, the prince could only stare down as his knight all but buried her face into his shoulder. Holding him as if to keep the universe itself from taking him away from her, which Lelouch realized could very well have happened.

"I'm sorry," Kallen breathed against his pilot suit. "Just…just for a little…please…"

"I understand," Lelouch responded as he closed his own eyes in resolution, wrapping his own arms around her in comfort. Again he felt warm smiles from the other three, and again he ignored them. Instead focusing his attention, his own warmth, on the one.

At least, until the sound of heavy, oncoming footfalls were heard. Abruptly did the group turn to the source, all drawing their respective weapons as Kallen placed her back against her charge. All while an undead ghost of a human form – a cybernetic human form – gradually entered the light.

"I…" the badly burned and bleeding Jeremiah Gottwald managed to speak as he stumbled that much more, moving as much as he could toward the former prince. "I will…" he continued as a golden blade extended from his forearm.

At that, Kallen raised her Luger for a quick headshot.

"Wait!" Chigusa commanded as she looked on in unmoving horror. All while Jeremiah drew that much closer to his target.

"I…I will…!" he continued declare as he came more and more upon Lelouch, ignoring Kallen as his blade raised high. "Avenge…!"

Placing a hand on his knight's shoulder, Lelouch, for reasons even he wasn't aware, walked around her. Placing himself just before the barely functioning cyborg, his eyes as unreadable as his expression.

Slowly but surely did Jeremiah at last come over him, blade remaining upward as to strike. Lelouch remained where he all throughout, as though standing by for his awaited death.

Then, right as the killing stroke was to be delivered, Jeremiah halted all too suddenly. Just as he brought his arm down to pierce Lelouch's head, both appendage and blade ended up freezing but mere centimeters from contact. All the while the Demon King looked on in seeming pity, as did those who bore witness. Even Kallen found herself lowering her pistol, though her glare remained as present as it was uncompromising.

Sniffing somewhat, Jeremiah retracted the blade and closed his eye, a small smile coming over his still functioning lips. It appeared he would not be able to fulfill his vengeance after all. And yet, somehow, he did not feel as remorseful as he would have thought.

"Forgive…me…" he breathed at last, before his anticipated fall. "…my…Empress…"

Only then did Lelouch feel emotion return to him, this time in abject shock. Did…did Jeremiah just…?

With a great slam did Jeremiah's body, organic and cybernetic parts, fall back against the ground. His smile still present, even his body laid motionless.

Biting back her newfound tears, Chigusa immediately brought up her wristcom back up. "Medical team to my position! Code Red!"

Not for the first time did V.V. sit forlornly upon his throne, looking out over the blank space of his immediate domain. By contrast, it was for the first time in a long, long span that he felt the way he did. That he would feel so…uncertain.

Fortunately, it wasn't long before he felt an outside presence enter nearby. One that he closed his eyes and smiled in welcome toward. "I suppose you're going to tell me I was premature," he spoke openly. "That I should have waited for the remaining three before passing my power, and my immortality, over?"

"Normally such a move would be premature," the Second Master responded, his monolith taking form before the throne. "But unfortunately, we are not in so certain times."

"Indeed," V.V. confirmed with a nod. It had been a risk, but given all that was happening now, and would happen, it had been a necessary one. At the very least he knew his Code, and the twenty-two others, would be in good hands. In spite of all of his prior doubts, he knew now that his apprentice would not fail him. Charles would see Ragnarok through, once and very much for all.

"I am however curious," the Second Master questioned, earning V.V.'s interest. "To what name or title shall you be referred?"

Confused at first, V.V. found himself breaking into a smile. Indeed, he no longer had his Code. And with it, he had given up the very name he had held for time innumerable.

In the process however, he had reclaimed two other things he had lost. One of which he addressed in the present.

"I would think such an answer obvious," the former immortal declared. "As I first entered this world with one name to my being, so shall I leave it."

A smile, one seemingly composed of euphoria, took form over the Grandmaster's lips.

"And this world, this world as it is now and this world as it will soon be, will know that name," he continued to declare, his eyes soon closing. "Or more precisely, remember."

Then did the Grandmaster's eyes reopened. From which, after whole millennia, the Sigil shone.

"For that name…" the Grandmaster at last finalized, to his immediate audience and to all others beyond. "…is Alwyn."

END OF ACT III