I own neither Highschool DxD nor Code Geass.
Lelouch glanced at the Seraphs gathered around him, the barest of smirks playing on his mouth as his amethyst eyes took in the realm before him with a mixture of anticipation and curiosity, ignoring the barely concealed looks of reverence he was receiving.
It was scenery that would have made the greatest of kings weep in awe—its beauty peerless and unequalled. The former emperor had seen luxury before, he'd ruled over an empire whose dominion covered the entire world and beheld all its wonders but none could match the splendour that was laid before his eyes today.
Golden gates hung above the ground, hovering a hundred kilometres above the horizon and gleaming with a radiance that could burn every shadow in the world—they covered the stratosphere in its entirety and stole the place of clouds as they shone brighter than any diamond could with an overbearing aura more intense than anything he had seen before.
But the intensity, the conceptual weight of the radiance gathered around his body in a gentle embrace— it was warm, almost welcoming. The aura weightless against his body as if it had been waiting all along.
"This does feel strangely nostalgic," Lelouch whispered, "How quaint…"
The former emperor glanced at the angels gathered around him who exchanged undecipherable glances at his words, eyes gleaming with emotions he could neither recognize nor understand. He could sense the power inside them, far greater than anything he had experienced before but it no longer seemed overwhelming.
They were the Great Seraphs, the strongest and wisest of the heavenly host who stood guard over their father's kingdom and ruled it in his stead.
"I have never had the pleasure of introducing the sights of the sixth heaven to a stranger," Michael spoke. The ruler of angels was pale, as if all his strength had been sapped away— his lean body trembled slowly as he drew in slow shaky breaths. But hope blazed inside his haunting emerald eyes even as he leaned against his Gabriel, unable to even stand on his own.
He stood tall despite his weakness, an aura of untold power and wisdom around him. It was a testament to his strength, that his resolve remained unbent and unbroken even as his body slowly crumbled to weakness.
"Father named this realm Zebel, one of the seven singularities created to protect the material core of the Heavenly Kingdom," Michael explained, gesturing towards the golden gates above the sky.
"The seven singularities?" Lelouch raised a brow in question.
"The system perfectly isolates the Seven Heavens. It folds the dimensions that made up their existence onto themselves, a feat that only Lord Vishnu has ever been able to recreate." Metatron explained, almost out of habit. A searching look in his eyes as he peered at him, "It turns these realms into perfect singularities. They are secluded and segregated from the outside world, existing inside an imaginary space that could only be entered through the Gates above us. A perfect barrier proven to be impenetrable time and time again."
"So long as the grace of our Lord's protection remains beside us, Heaven can never be breached from the outside." Raphael declared solemnly, voice a low undertone as the Seraphs nodded in agreement.
"It all seems rather astounding," Lelouch whispered, his amethyst eyes darkening in contemplation as he looked down upon the world that seemed to call for him.
"The power that protects our Heavens also resonates with yours, perhaps that is why these lands call out to you." Michael stepped forward. "We can all feel them basking in the presence of your inherent authority, it reminds us of someone else."
"And what exactly do you mean by inherent authority?" Lelouch asked, finally turning around to face Michael— the information that had been shoved inside his head at those words, barely a touch away yet so distant. "I do not understand the meaning behind the terminology, though I've heard it used before."
"To begin with, it is important that you know what an authority actually is." Michael looked at him with his emerald green eyes that shone with warm enthusiasm. His solemn yet gentle voice moved to a lecturing tone that an older brother might use. "An authority is a metaphysical concept that exists as part of our natural order, the absolute control of god over his domain"
"Look upon this realm," Michael asked, and Lelouch turned towards the horizon guarded by golden gates. "It might seem simple in practice, but there is more to the world than what your physical senses reveal. This realm has a physical and metaphysical side to it. The one you can see and the one you cannot, not yet anyways."
Lelouch glanced back at Michael, his words unknowingly echoing that of his father's spoken inside the seventh heaven. "I want you to expand your senses and look beyond."
The former emperor simply focused inwards, purging all thoughts from his mind that never really came to a rest. It was hard and demanded tenacity he had in spades— his shoulders relaxed for a moment as he delved deeper and deeper. He saw the whole world— the vast horizons that stretched for eternity, the mountains which reached out for the sky, the rivers that watered the ground, a thousand blades of grass waving in the breeze, and countless people moving about in majestic capitals.
It almost reminded him of the time he'd spent inside the Thought Elevator, metaphysical constructs connected to the collective unconsciousness. He'd moved the mind of his world before, rejecting the stagnation of his father and allowing time to continue its march.
In comparison, this seemed almost tame— the former took a few good minutes, but the response came when his mind brushed against this world's edges. It was hard to describe the sensation, human vocabulary had no name for an experience so vibrant.
"You have touched it." Gabriel's melodious voice broke his thoughts before Lelouch could open his eyes.
"It felt as if something brushed against you, yes?" Michael asked, taking over his sister as Lelouch nodded. "That was the metaphysical side of this realm, one can think of this as a blanket mothers wrap around their babe right after he is born. The authority of a god is an abstract blanket— instead of manifesting in the physical world as our powers go. The authority of a god wraps itself around a concept and intertwines around their very being."
"An authority allows a god power over the concept they rule over," Lelouch nodded.
"The unique existence of a god can metaphysically latch onto a concept they resonate to." The Archangel nodded. "This allows them to manifest and manipulate the domain they rule over. A god of creation rules over the very concept of creation, for example."
"This is perhaps the most fearsome aspect of a deity's existence, for divine beings have the inherent power to weaponise concepts themselves," Metatron added, pushing back his spectacles as the haze around his face distorted for a moment. "They can seize absolute control of a concept. This innate aspect is what separates the Dream and the Ouroboros from other dragons, it is the reason why they proudly bear the moniker of Dragon Gods."
"You know I come from the Dimensional Gap," Lelouch concluded, glancing at the Seraphs from the corner of his eye. He would not begrudge them for caution but the former emperor remembered all too well how they had been eager to pounce on him before, the recent developments must have forced them to stay their hands.
"We could tell." Michael smiled, as if the revelation was the least important aspect of his sudden appearance and considering the circumstances, he was not entirely wrong either.
Lelouch thought about it for a moment before he slowly nodded. The supernatural was completely new to him, and in a world where power ruled supreme— the strength he had inherited would become a weapon second only to his mind.
"I should thank you for the explanation, Michael," Lelouch spoke. The information shoved into his mind by the System was nothing but a confusing blend of colour and noise, of shivering cold followed by comforting warmth.
His mind refused to remember properly, it was as if he was in a fevered dream through it all. But he could even feel parts of it rousing, the memories on the brink of truly waking up only to feel them move out of his grasp when he thought harder. But everything he inherited had been engraved at the back of his mind as clearly as instinct— Lelouch knew everything would come to him eventually. There was nothing he could do except wait, for this was the hand he was dealt with.
"The very fact our kingdom resonates so strongly with your inherent authorities proves your place." Michael smiled at him, gently. "This is where you belong."
"So you claim." Lelouch raised an elegant brow before turning around to face the seraphim fully, dramatically. He blamed Madam President for his rather extravagant dramatics but extravagant theatrics had proven to be useful during his revolution, and they would serve him in this world just as well.
His penetrating gaze pierced into each of the Seraphs gathered before him, penetrating their very soul themselves as they all subconsciously straightened their backs under his overbearing gaze before he looked away.
The quietness that followed was awkward, to say the least. The oppressive atmosphere had made it a hard task to bridge the gap, physical or otherwise— but perhaps fragmented question and answer was perhaps not the best solution to this ordeal, as he'd certainly never had their trust in the first place. Introductions, then, coupled with the truth. The foundations of an amicable relationship.
"I imagine," Lelouch said, catching their gazes once again, "that my side of things would be quicker to explain. As much as I would like answers, the situation implores me to give them first."
The former emperor paused. He was standing aside, facing Michael and Gabriel though he could sense the strange gaze was receiving from Uriel behind him. Raphael was the quickest on the uptake, and his inquiry made him pause for its seeming simplicity.
"Before jumping to conclusions, we wish to hear this from your own mouth." Raphael's eyes bore into his own with an intensity that he could not avoid. "Who are you, really?"
Lelouch could just give them his name, but he imagined it would be met with discontent. The question was rather innocuous yet invasive and the Seraphs were looking at him expectantly, as if the answer he provided would somehow explain everything. He took advantage of their patience and spent the next few seconds considering his next words.
An idea came to him, one to convince them of his story. It was perhaps not the optimal way to conceive a friendship with these angels and certainly, the method would have been discarded by Schneizel without a second thought— his brother's game was one of diplomacy and manipulation rather than upfront honesty.
Though Lelouch himself had partaken of his own fair share of the two but the former emperor had been burned too often by repercussions of the latter to consider it as a major tool of his repertoire. Schneizel had presented himself as an equal, the amiable comrade who shared in both defeat and victory. The image made him an excellent leader of men and had thousands falling over themselves to curry favour with the affable prince— such an approach might have its advantages but it had very nearly cost him the Black Knights.
His own methods though, had won out in the end. He had always known not be able to be the drinking buddy or the friendly peer, so he had instead settled for the alternative. Crafting an image of superiority, he had become the untouchable leader— the invulnerable Zero. Schneizel could keep his string twisting and whispered words. He would simply make do with what had always been his by birth, theatrics and ingenuity.
"You must have already reached your conclusions by now, so there is not much to explain. Simply put, I am the sole scion of your father— the inheritor sent here to guide all his subjects towards the world they wish for."
The Seraphs glanced at each other yet none spoke a word in protest. Lelouch was surprised— he'd expected disbelief and suspicion. It was, after all, the part he imagined would arouse the most suspicion but it seemed they put more stock in their father than he'd initially imagined.
"Father's his schemes are beyond us, it is only natural for him to surprise us so," Raphael nodded, and the rest nodded at his words.
Lelouch raised a brow at their quips but made no move to intervene. It was better favourable that they come to their own conclusions rather than question him at every turn— this situation had surprisingly turned to his favour. It was not as if he could have just overlooked the Seraphs had the tables turned otherwise. The archangels of heaven were not simple paws to be disposed of, they were the greatest resource he had at hand.
The contract stated it clearly, the duty to protect all his world in exchange for the happiness of those he loved. It was a bargain he would have accepted a thousand times over, even if it denied the people of his world the justice they rightfully deserved.
But playing his part to perfection involved two steps— successfully identifying all those who threatened this world's interests and then exterminating them all without leaving a single one behind. That he had no means to detect such threats nor could he wage war against the world on his own, made heaven a thousand times more valuable.
What he knew for certain was that in this world, strength was power.
It might seem a pointless tautology in his previous world. Of course, strength was power but so were many other things— money, status, influence, leverage, resources. All of these and more could but turned into a source of power, he had toyed with each countless times over.
But for the supernatural, nothing held anything close to the same level of power as personal strength.
This seemingly simple fact clashed with the fundamental principles of warfare that he knew and thrived in. Tactics, strategies, ambushes, traps— all were rendered obsolete by the simple truth that whole armies could be singlehandedly decimated by lone individuals. In this world, power ruled supreme and pure strength dictated the victory and defeat.
Lelouch was a master of strategy and manipulation, having honed the art of overturning disadvantageous wars to the utmost perfection. A small part of him played as an observer, constantly watching his own moves even as another part of him remained as an observer watching the over—watching him.
But here, his complex strategies were rendered obsolete. What harm could earthquakes and natural eruptions do to ancient demons that preyed upon nations? Which conventional army could face gods that could herald disaster on their lonesome? His opponents were not humans anymore— here he would have to face dark demons who dwelled within the night, beasts that had never known death, angels who could lay waste to nations with a snap of a finger, and omnipotent gods that never knew defeat.
In this absurd world that fundamentally challenged the norms he'd used previously to his advantage, the Seraphs would prove to be invaluable. He needed monsters of his own if he wanted to defeat the monsters of this world— the influence he would wield otherwise would inevitably be halved without them by his side.
The former emperor could come up with a hundred contrived reasons to justify his actions yet securing their loyalty should have been his foremost objective. But gentle emerald eyes had flashed through his mind at the thought, and he found himself reluctant to deceive them completely.
"This must be a monumental for you all but loath as I am to intervene, prudence demands that I speak out lest your expectations soar," Lelouch finally spoke, observing the hopeful gleam in their eyes as they openly overserved him. "You shall have to forgive me for being blunt, but I wish to make myself clear before moving forward."
Lelouch paused and glanced at all of them, knowing all too well how their hearts must have been moved by his unexpected appearance. The former emperor knew he had given them hope that had been stolen from them for centuries, but unreal expectations must be cut before they could bloom into something dangerous. It might have been merciful to do so but he refused to pretend this time around.
"I am not your father, nor shall I ever replace him." Lelouch finally spoke, his words sharper than Michael's infamous sword.
The thousand emotions that rushed through their open faces told him how his words panged at the strings of their hearts, but Lelouch remained resolute— it was almost tragic, allowing them to hope once again and then snatching it all away in one fell stroke. But the former emperor knew that allowing them to wallow in false expectations was even crueller.
He had seen how misunderstood intentions could lay waste to whole organizations, he had seen it all too clearly. Even the Black Knights, Lelouch shook his head and steeled his heart. That past was behind him…
"I might have inherited your father's power and his authorities, but I have my own dreams and convictions." The ormer continued, blunt in his explanation. "I regret betraying your expectations, yet I refuse to shoulder that which was never mine to begin with. The only resemblance I share with your father is the purpose I was sent here for."
A despondent sense of melancholy spread through the angels as they took in his words, a sense of deep mourning that made Lelouch's heart clench for reasons unknown. The wounds caused by his death must have been centuries old by now, but he knew all too well that time alone could not temper the scars of the mind.
"But you have to be…" Michael's voice quivered for a moment, his haunting emerald eyes shining with rare desperation as he lowered his head in a rare show of weakness.
"I apologize." Lelouch sighed and looked away, "But my emergence would not change the fate of your father, his soul rests in peace."
Michael's perpetually sad gaze lowered, heavy with burdens that Lelouch might never understand as a despondent gloom permeated the room. The former emperor would not claim to understand what Michael was going through, what all of them were experiencing…
But he knew the separation caused by death— Lelouch had also lost people he loved, people he would burn the world just to meet again. He had been drenched in that mournful darkness and knew that the agony it brought along was nearly unbearable, so intense that it washed away all reason and left nothing behind but an empty heart.
The emotion was not foreign to him, it had been a constant companion throughout most of his life ever since the death of his mother. Nunnally had been his remedy to it ever after, but even that had been taken from him. Lelouch had experienced that separation far, far too many times.
Almost as if driven by some greater instinct, his eyes sought out Gabriel who had been uncharacteristically, and a pang of regret shot his heart when he saw her balk at his words and lower her bright eyes. She was kind, in a way that almost reminded him of Nunnally. Gabriel had shown him generosity that he had never expected to receive, kindness that he did not deserve. She had healed him, protected him, and even stood up against her own brothers for his sake without expecting anything in return.
Lelouch knew better than most how hard it was to fight someone you loved with all your heart, to stand against those you cherished more than yourself for no reason other than it was right— hateful amethyst eyes that so resembled his own flashed through his mind and he closed his eyes, remembering the greatest war he had waged.
And yet this kind angel had done it for a boy that had not even known her for more than a single day. He sighed once again, and in a move completely uncharacteristic of him, slowly walked towards Gabriel with a distant look in his eyes.
The Seraphs looked surprised by his sudden movement but made no move to intervene as Lelouch quietly approached their sister and knelt in front of her. With surprising softness within his amethyst eyes, he gently took her hand and looked right into her emerald eyes that looked wet on the corners.
"Gabriel," Lelouch spoke, in a tone so kind that it sounded strange to his own ears.
Her emerald green eyes shined with raw emotion as a dull pain throbbed within her heart— the same pain that she had experienced time and time again as brothers and sisters fell to darkness, dull ache that never went away as the kingdom they ruled slowly degraded into something she could no longer recognize, the agony had seized her heart when her father went away and never returned. It was the dull torment that accompanied loss, and even though she had learned to cope with it, being reminded of everything she had lost after all this time hurt.
"I would never claim to know your father as deeply as his sons and daughters, nor shall I presume to understand the love shared," Lelouch stated, his voice heavy. "But even though I may not understand him completely, he remains one of the few who truly earned my respect. Not because just he is a god but because he is a kind one, one that understood the value of love and kindness."
A large hand covered hers, the smoothness of a hand that had never seen a day of training strange against her own. But his hand was much warmer than hers and the heat seemed to seep into her, dusting her cheeks red and driving away any cold doubts she had.
"I respect him because I trust in his dream and his ideals— to do good even when it is hard, to be kind to others even when there is nothing to gain from it, to help a stranger as you would a brother, to love and forgive one another even when it might easier to hate. Above all else, to always be kind."
Lelouch bowed to meet her eyes and though his words were spoken for Gabriel's sake, they were nonetheless genuine.
"It makes no difference whether he stands alongside us or not. The angels do not follow God for his strength or promised rewards. You pray to him for kindness, for the love he gave everyone though they might not be worth it at times. Heaven followed him because you believed that the teachings he bestowed upon us are true." Lelouch glanced at Gabriel, and his heart clenched when he saw her beautiful face marked by tears. "And his passing, tragic though it might be, has made his words no less true. His legacy has been passed down to us, and we must ensure that his dreams and his ambitions never fade away. Today, I give you nothing but heartfelt condolences."
Though he could never understand her pain, he wanted to help Gabriel. She was kind, far too kind for this world just as Euphie and Nunally had been….
"But rest assured, for as long as this body of mine draws breath, the noble radiance of your Father would never stop spreading comfort and warmth through this dark world. I shall protect this world as promised," Lelouch said, unshakable resolve in his haunting amethyst eyes that bore into Gabriel's own and she was forced to look away as warmth rose inside her heart, warming her core— driving away the despair that had taken over her mind.
They were simple words, yet hearing them from him made her heart flutter.
In a moment dictated by pure impulse, Gabriel reached out with her hands and brought Lelouch into a soft hug, suddenly pushing herself up against him as her arms wrapped themselves around his torso.
Lelouch could almost feel the wind driven out of him as her hands gently planted themselves on his back and pushed his body further into hers in a near smothering embrace and even worse, he could feel his cheeks growing warmer as her ample breasts mashed into his chest through the thin fabric of her clothing.
"Thank you," she whispered into his ear, the warmth inside her growing her as she expressed her gratitude. Her thoughts as she held her first friend were of acceptance.
Lelouch smiled as he gently pried himself away from the grip of the blond Seraph and gently took a step backwards.
"This cruel world shall change, this I swear before you," Lelouch spoke, his features twisted into something dark and fearsome to behold. It was the look of a boy who'd destroy the world for his sister. "I would create a gentler world."
Gabriel found no words in the face of his resolve— if she could not bring herself to regret saving the boy in her arms on that fateful day which seemed so long ago, then she probably never would.
Lelouch could feel the gazes of the other archangels as they hung onto his words. Though meant for Gabriel alone, his words were heard by everyone and he knew what they thought of him had reached even greater heights. He'd always ruled through reverence, an untouchable leader inspiring admiration in man and woman both— forsaking the bonds of camaraderie in favour of unshakeable faith, that had been his way of kingship. To become a symbol, one that could not be grasped but only admired from afar.
But a symbol remained unshakable only as long as it remained untainted. Lelouch had inspired awe and reverence but neglected to nurture loyalty, that had been his shortcoming once— the former could be called many things, but stagnant was not one of them.
Repeating the same mistake twice had never been his folly, neither in his previous world nor in this one. His words though meant to comfort Gabriel, had also forged a sense of comradeship between ruler and subject. They served a pragmatic means to an end.
Lelouch shook his head, he would not allow darkening thoughts to cloud his judgement now. He would continue to move forward…
His back straightened and the aura around him changed, radiating charisma and confidence that made the Seraphs straighten their backs.
"I imagine introductions are in order," Lelouch spoke, an order rather than a request. Certain procedures had to be observed before he could truly begin.
One by one, all the Seraphs stepped forward and announced their names following which they fell back in place.
"Michael, the Hand of God"
"Gabriel, the Power of God"
"Uriel, the Wrath of God"
"Raphael, the Glory of God"
"Metatron, the Voice of God"
Lelouch looked on as they called out their names, an aura of majesty about him that made the world bend.
"Lelouch vi Britannia, the Hope of God…"
Despite the world-shaking revelations that had been made today— Uriel sat quietly on his throne, lost in deep thought. "Is this what you really wanted, father?"
There was no denying the authority inside the boy, they spoke more than words every could.
Metatron had checked twice, once using his own magic then using the System again, and if that was not enough— the way their powers reverberated each Lelouch spoke made everything clear enough to understand.
It had been apparent from the very start. They should have recognised the authority that bore down upon them each time Lelouch had opened his mouth, they should have known this boy had the favour of father. It was almost as if every word out of his mouth was an ordinance unto itself. To oppose them would be akin to going against father himself, and angels had fallen whenever anyone dared.
Uriel's hands clenched tightly, an unknown emotion he could neither understand nor recognise as he glanced up at the tome hovering above. A part of him could not help but wonder if any of them remembered the glory it once represented.
The heaven they ruled today was but a shadow, so pathetic that he sometimes questioned why they even bothered. Dark whispers betrayed his mind as he thought about the majesty that had fallen alongside their great lord, the glorious days of their kingdom a footnote in the annals of history the moment they retreated into Heaven as cowards would.
The great war remained a dark mark on his father's honour ever since, a mark they all shared.
The one thing that angered him the most was that those wretched fallen had come out on top, carving an empire for themselves out of the underworld. The demons had lost the Satans, but even they emerged victorious with a world to their name and a people that burned with ambition and hope. Uriel had heard about those super devils that had risen from the ashes of the previous regime and understood that the dawn of the Devil kind was not over yet.
Just as the Fallen, they would also march towards the future— it was heaven alone that had stagnated.
Heaven alone had lost its dreams, its proud people forced to accept defeat after defeat as brothers and sisters fell in hordes. The death of father had changed them all, it had changed their morale.
A nation that had no ambition, a kingdom that refused to grow— that was what they were now. He would much rather have fought to the very end than accept this slow death.
He had watched as his sisters and his brothers slowly learned to accept the defeat that hung over them. He had seen great men scorning the grace of father as the honeyed whispers of those wretches consumed the human freedom they once fought to preserve. It was fear alone that remained, it was dread of his father's name that kept heaven preserved. The world might mock them, but it would not forget their deeds so easily.
No. Heaven needed this, they needed this— they needed an emperor to guide them, to make them the pride and honour they had forsaken. None of them were meant to rule, for they were but servants created to follow the whims and wishes of a higher hand.
Hmph, Uriel snorted. He would let fools waste their thoughts on consequences and punishments— it was his world that demanded his loyalty, everything else was but noise.
A stranger he might be, but Lelouch was the king his father had chosen— all that he needed to do now was to discharge his duty as the spear of Heaven in his lords' name. He would follow each of his father's wishes, to the last breath if need be. Whatever the outcome may be, he would rather face an uncertain future than the slow death they were dying now.
The sound of slow knocking pushed away the treasonous thoughts and he folded his arms and sat straighter, it was about time his guests showed themselves. This had to be done sooner or later, and he would much rather get it over now when consequences devastating enough to break their realm did not loom over them. "Please enter."
Raphael and Metatron entered the room, and Uriel frowned at the sight of his brothers. "Proactive as usual, brothers."
Together, the three held enough influence and power to change the future of heaven and talks between figures of their rank and power could have been mentioned in the annals of history had they been anything but brothers on the same side. Raphael raised a brow when he saw Uriel seated on his throne. "We can come back again if you find yourself busy at the moment."
"No need, I was expecting you both." Uriel stood up to invite his brothers inside. A change in circumstances would not make him would not forget basic courtesy, and his brothers deserved respect more than everyone else. "I shall not stand on ceremony today, and I ask you to do the same. We have been asked to convene at court by morning, I fear we may not get a chance to speak again before that happens…"
A wave of his hand and four thrones made of rose gold came into being alongside an equal number of tea sets on the table. The fourth throne decorated with gems worth a king's ransom and the largest of them all, remained conspicuously empty— the absence of its occupant noted by all the brothers. Michael had not graced them with his presence despite being invited, despite knowing the stakes at hand.
"What of Michael?" Uriel asked, his eyes brushing over the empty throne as he sat down and slowly poured himself a cup of tea. "Why has our elder brother made himself busy at such a time?"
It would have been simpler, had Michael shown himself today.
"Lelouch has kept him for two whole days." Raphael snorted, gently blowing the steam from his cup before bringing it to his mouth, "I fear he would remain occupied for quite some time, father's scion had proven to be rather demanding with his questions."
"They have been going at it for two whole days?" Uriel felt his brows rising and he masked his interest a moment later, knowing his brothers would read him with a glance if he let down his guard. "And you say they have been doing this without a single break?"
As soon as he had finished with the introductions, Lelouch had asked— no, demanded that a seraph introduce him through the state of Heaven and the recent developments of the state. Understandable, given what he might face in the future.
As the eldest of them all, Michael had taken up this task, much to the protest of them all for they all knew how much recent events had drained him. He would have done the deed himself had he known it would take this long, it might have even served as a chance to know the enigmatic scion sent by his father— either Lelouch was a simpleton or the explanations he demanded were too long to be explained quickly.
"It is what it is," Raphael answered, shrugging his large shoulders nonchalantly as if unbothered by the prospect. "Metatron would know more about this, he was present when Michael began his report."
They both looked to the other archangel, only to find that he had already zoned out. The spectacled Metatron, whose face forever remained concealed under a veil of haze had already curled up on his throne, his eyes peering down at them in disinterest.
Uriel's forehead pulsated in a rare moment of annoyance. "Metatron!"
The authoritative grown was enough to knock Metatron from his daze and he slowly straightened, adjusting his slanted spectacles. "What is it?"
"Care to share your thoughts, or would you rather sleep all the time?" Raphael spoke.
"Well, if you want to know, then I think this puts everything in clear perspective," Metatron said, brushing away his wayward locks. "If nothing else, he's capable in governance given how he's keeping Michael on his toes."
"If only you took everything as seriously as work." Uriel sighed, making Metatron smirk languidly before his eyes hardened. He was perhaps the most talented of the seraphs save Michael, surprising them in rare displays of genius whenever duty called. "You should not make the mistake of underestimating Lelouch. It's in his eyes— constantly seeking, swaying here and there. He takes in everything around him and asks plenty of questions, I would not envy Michael at the moment."
Uriel's brows rose even as Raphael sent him a meaningful glance, "Interesting, so even our elusive brother acknowledges Lelouch now…"
But then again, he should have expected this from father— Lelouch must have been chosen for a reason. It seemed another one of his tests, to begin with the unthinkable so that the unreasonable might seem expected. He knew the odds of change were unfavourable to achieve, but to show support now would only make everything worse and to temper expectations would be to betray his own ideals.
"You must have noticed already," Metatron whispered, closing his eyes in thought.
"Yes, I know what you speak of." Uriel nodded, recognising the curious gleam in his brother's house. "Hischarisma…"
"The way he holds himself, the way he speaks. It almost reminds me of father," Raphael finished, glancing at his brothers. "That boy can move the hearts of men. The aura around him is intense, it draws in all those that look at him."
A sudden quiet followed his words, not because they were stunned but because they were all contemplating Raphael's observation. The hall remained tense and pensive, yet none noticed the corner of Uriel's mouth twisting into a satisfied smirk.
"In truth, personal thoughts would not change the greater picture. The quickening of our pulse, that rapid rush of the heart? That was not devotion, it was a falsehood our heart whispered based on fleeting expectations and nothing else. Hope born of something as fickle as an inheritance is doomed to burn quick," Metatron spoke, his words a harsh reminder as he leaned forward. "What we must decide is action, for words alone change nothing."
They all glanced at each other, the cups of tea slowly turning cold as trepidation shot through their hearts— of anyone else, they knew their choices today would shape the destiny of the future to come. Metatron was rarely wrong, was it really false hope that had moved him so or was it his foresight?
"It seems simple enough, I say," Uriel spoke, a pang of excitement moving through his thumping heart. He was the archangel of wisdom and knowledge, he refused to step back if things had already come to this. "We are honour-bound to follow the wishes of our Father, and his wish has been made clear to us. My sword belongs to Lelouch, so long as he speaks in our father's name."
"But is it really that simple?" Metatron continued, almost rhetorically as he leaned back against his throne. "What would become of Michael then? Have any of us given any thought to our eldest brother?"
And there it was, the only problem— when it came to hierarchy, Lelouch held a rank higher than Michael and his claim on the throne remained greater, but Michael had ruled Heaven for centuries by now. His older brother held the authority that now rightfully belonged to Lelouch. His brother had been a steadfast supporter of their cause, and his competence could not be questioned in matters of wisdom.
There were other ranks that had to be doled out as well, everything would change once they made that step.
"Heaven accepts our regime because of our father's authority and to reject his wishes would undermine our own legitimacy." Raphael glanced at Metatron who raised his cup before his eyes slowly moved towards his brother, "But recognizing Lelouch would grant him rank higher than Michael who rules over Heaven."
They paused and raised a cup to their mouths— hearts, contrary to their outward appearance, in deep uproar. Regime change would completely decimate heaven if not done peacefully, their kingdom was already weak and archangels turning on each other would only serve to fragment it further.
Lelouch had already charmed many of them, his charisma unparalleled for it gave fuel to hope they had not seen for centuries. The boy might be chosen by father but he remained untested— the loyalty of his brothers was not so fickle that they would change colours at the mere chance of change. Angels remained perhaps the most unyielding, why would they accept change when god had already made them perfect?
To most of them, it might seem nigh unthinkable. His brothers and sisters might not see why anyone would choose a wet boy over the elder brother who had led them through the darkest hours, but Uriel knew things would not be so simple— the future host lay beyond the dawn. If he moved forward now, there would be nothing remaining between him and the change he yearned for save a broken promise. But how many would have made the choice he had, to throw everything away just to march forward rather than stagnate? It was a hard choice, a simple choice but the right one.
But much as he wished otherwise, being born with foresight did not grant Uriel the luxury of self-deception— this would be no quick victory, but a trial of resolve. Raphael and Metatron would check his advance on all fronts if not be brought to the fold and more angels would be made ready by the second.
"You underestimate Lelouch." Metatron adjusted his locks, speaking as if he could read Uriel's mind. "Things are not as simple as they seem. It has not been a month, but his influence has crept into our innermost echelons."
Raphael gasped, astonishment clear on his face as he instantly grasped the implication. Brash he might be, but his younger brother was no fool.
"You can't mean—"
"Gabriel would choose Lelouch over Michael," Metatron explained, the certainty in his voice sending shivers down their spine "Lelouch was already her friend and you must know how our sister is, she never wanted this regime. Gabriel loves her brother more than the world itself but she loves her father more."
Her decision would not be driven by altruistic ambitions, and Uriel knew his sister would choose what loyalty and honour demanded of her. They already shared an amicable relationship and father's backing all but ensured she would walk alongside Lelouch. The influence she wielded was not something the rest could overlook— she was the most beloved of all archangels, she who had declared the nativity of Christ. Metatron's words served as a harsh reminder as he turned towards him, "And Gabriel is not the only one amongst us who would follow Lelouch."
Uriel just leaned forward, ignoring the betrayal in Raphael's gaze that stung more than it should have. "I am a simple man, and would forever remain such a man. I have sworn myself to father, anything else is not my concern."
Metatron and Raphael shared a forlorn glance, yet none spoke up against his declaration. How could they really when the herald of Lelouch was the last miracle of their father?
Which angel would speak out against this? The very reason why the angels and the fallen stood against one another was because one side swore to serve, whereas the other rebelled. How could the seraphs claim to be righteous if they could not accept such a simple wish?
"I would not begrudge your choice, brother." Metatron finally spoke, his cold eyes bearing into his own with the intensity of a thousand suns. "We all stand at a crossroad today, one that would decide our future. I only ask that you observe before declaring your intention."
Uriel stared at his brother and slowly nodded. He refused to face Raphael, knowing this was shocking beyond imagination to his younger brother who could be so simple at times. The thought of standing against his own brethren must never once have entered his mind but two of the seraphs had changed camp already — Raphael and Michael against Gabriel and Uriel, meaning it all would fall to Metatron if things came to a vote.
"You—" Raphael began.
"It is all but certain that the fate of heaven would rest in the hands of our newcomer." Metatron's words seemed to have severed the haze in his mind. "All we can do now is hope."
They really had no idea what was to come…
Michael's Court convened only a quick walk away from the medical centre in sixth heaven so the seraphs opted to walk through the rows of palaces, allowing Lelouch the chance to witness the wonders of Heaven— a simple walk through the streets was enough serve as a reminder this world was not his own, the renaissance palaces whose design emphasized geometry and regularity of parts as opposed to the gothic architecture he was used to had been mesmerising under the morning sun.
It was as if this realm was an invaluable masterpiece of majesty and elegance that could put to shame any human monument he had ever seen before. The former emperor had thought himself unable to appreciate the simpler beauties of the world, but the sixth heaven had proven him wrong.
The walk had been interesting, but even more interesting were the people— it was even more fascinating to observe how even angels tried to mimic humanity. Their science, cuisine, fashion, and even their culture was a homage mankind. It was almost as if for all their eons of knowledge, they needed to imitate human innovation to advance as a species.
A single glance told him enough, these angels were no greater than simple humans. A fact that secured him more than he could have imagined.
It was said that humans were the scariest animal on earth, but Lelouch thought the opposite. Humans were ones that he felt most safe with— he could not trick bears and elephants. If he encountered a rampaging beast, the most a man as weak as him could have done was get trampled.
But humans, they could be deceived— and as he'd found, angels were no greater.
"How interesting." The whisper snapped the seraphs out of their thoughts as they all glanced at Michael who slowly retreated to his throne inside the very court where they had once gathered to judge Lelouch, how quickly times had changed.
They glanced at Lelouch whose cold amethyst eyes remained on Archangel Michael, who had been reporting to the younger boy for three days straight.
Lelouch had ensured that he responded at the right time, intervened at the appropriate moments, and never hesitated to ask the right questions. The seraphs watched as a boy centuries younger in age and experience picked on intricacies even they had not noticed before— the blazing ambition in those his eyes would have scared them had they not seen the kindness he had shown Gabriel.
Michael concluded his report, shoulders slumping in exhaustion as he leaned back against his throne. The system had taken a part of him alongside when it had been wrenched from his control and seeing the older brother who had survived the great war look so forlorn struck them in ways they could not put in words— but they knew he would pull through, he always had. No, it was Lelouch who had them glued. They watched him transfixed as fanatics would watch a miracle, eyes drawn on each of his moves.
Lelouch allowed Michael's words to sink in for a moment before he finally stood up and slowly walked forward. His steps measured, full of grand purpose and majesty in complete contrast to the cold demeanour he'd taken when brought here before and the angels found themselves leaning forward in anticipation as Lelouch came to a stop at the raised podium.
"Seraphs!" His voice was strong and reverberated across the hall as a clap of thunder. "It might seem strange to hear a stranger speak of this, but I request the Seraphim clear all concerns about my impending future before we move forward."
There were whispers at his request but none refused. Lelouch observed the way these Seraphs earnestly leaned forward in anticipation, hanging on each of his words. It seemed almost tame compared to the intricacies of the Britannian Court, which despite its crystal fountains and luscious gardens was an arena in disguise where monsters prowled and schemed to set upon and tear each other to pieces as they had done with the two people dearest to him in the world.
"Before anything else, I wish to thank everyone here for standing guard over the gates of heaven," Lelouch spoke, peering at each of them before lowering his head in a rare show of gratitude. "Father might have protected Heaven in past, but it was the Seraphim that secured our future. You are a true knights, fierce in service and unshaken in honour."
"It was but our humble duty." Michael stood up, breaking the stunned hush that had fallen over the court.
"However, I shall remain grateful." Lelouch answered. The unspoken acknowledgment was not lost on them, the opening steps to change broken perceptions— no longer was he before the angels that once sentenced him to death, he now stood before the guardians of heaven.
"Moving onwards, I imagine everyone here must already be aware of the danger these revelations pose. For the sake of prudence, I request recent developments be censored."
The seraphs nodded, surprised that his thoughts matched what they had decided— to reveal his inheritance would have granted him untold authority before the people, he had chosen greater good over personal gain.
"Plans have been put into motion. We plan to separate heaven from the outside, even the church." Uriel stood, facing the rest of his colleagues. "It requires great preparation, but we have no choice but to change that which has remained forever untouched before."
"The throne of our Father might be empty, but the shield of reputation that protects Heaven should never be broken." Metatron stood up, his brother had been too blunt now. "The safety of heaven comes before influence."
Lelouch raised an elegant brow in question before he slowly brought a hand to cover his mouth. He would have overseen the operation but knew that heaven would have long fallen if the Seraphs were not this capable.
"I shall not trouble you on this anymore then, I have but a single thing to say before I leave the stage." Lelouch smiled that beautiful smile of his, when he was about to right a wrong in the world.
He should have done this slowly, but where would the satisfaction be in that? At every turn, he had gambled. He'd not always won— no one really did, but great victories were not without great risk. Meekness was not his tried and true companion
As he opened his mouth to speak, none of them knew his next words would shake the very foundations of Heaven and change its destiny for years to come.
"There remains no point in walking around in circles, so I shall be blunt this one time." Lelouch closed his eyes, "My demand is simple. I want Michael to abdicate and renounce his claim over the throne of god. The regime in power is to be must surrender all its power and disband peacefully."
A moment passed, and then pandemonium erupted.
"This is no time for jokes." Raphael shot to his feet and growled, fury burning in his eyes as he growled loudly, "Please speak seriously, otherwise I would—"
"You would do nothing," a cold voice cut through the shout, as the demon emperor who had destroyed the world opened his cold amethyst eyes and glanced at Raphael— an absolute hush fell upon the hall as unseen weight descended upon them, wrenching away their powers and reminding them who exactly he was. "My words must have confused you, but I would not repeat myself."
The Seraphs were forced to lower their heads, unable to move or speak— the unspoken threat knocking the breath out of their chests.
The amethyst-eyed demon that suddenly reared its head was fearsome and made the angels who had seen gods fall suck in a sharp intake of breath— it was not the instinctive fear born by the rejection of death or insult for such a surface emotion could not compare to what they were experiencing now, almost akin to a hushed conversation about who to eat when trapped in a cave without any hope of rescue
It sneaked into the deepest parts of the heart without anyone being aware and the next thing they knew, strength had betrayed them. The seraphs who had survived a thousand wars could not even comprehend why they had reared away at the face of a single boy's fury.
"But this is not right." It was Gabriel who found the courage to speak, emerald eyes wet at the edges as her voice echoed through the court. "To push my brother into such a decision, ignoring everything he has done for heaven—"
"The world rarely ever is, Gabriel." Lelouch's amethyst eyes turned gentler, and the power bearing down on their shoulders suddenly vanished as if it had never existed to begin with. "I do not intend to demean what you all have done. But this is something that has to be done, we cannot bear a succession crisis on top of everything."
Gabriel opened her mouth to speak but then closed it again and slowly sat back down. She had no response.
It should have been obvious from the moment Lelouch had woken up, but somehow they had all overlooked the obvious— they remembered the boy who once stood helpless before them, he seemed so mundane just seven days before that they had had mistaken him for a human.
Yet something about him had changed, something they had all ignored.
None of the seraph spoke a word when he woke up and started speaking perfect echonian despite not knowing a word before. They remained quiet even when the boy they once thought to be ordinary brought forth a power great enough to bring archangels to knees through sheer strength.
They had even ignored the way the realm basked under his presence, ignored the constant weight of his existence that descended upon them whenever he spoke. All of them had certainly taken note of it, but they had ignored it nonetheless— not just because of ignorance but because they had been afraid, so full of fear that they refused to even acknowledge it.
Lelouch had slapped it right in their faces— he had been in control of the System from the moment he'd had awakened, the power that could create miracles and fall angels. They underestimated the boy, heaven had been wrenched from their hands the moment Michael collapsed. They had been in checkmate right from the beginning, this was all but a simple play to him…
"These concerns must not be rushed." Metatron tentatively took a step forward, eyes wide as he spread his arms. "We must have dialogue to determine the right order of things before taking action, anything else would be a folly."
"You wish to negotiate as equals?" Lelouch raised a brow, "So you would acknowledge my rank when it comes to talking but refuse to step down when it comes to power and authority. That seems quite unreasonable, one might say."
They winced, recognizing the trap but too late already. He had been sent here by father, that much was certain. But to reject his authority now would threaten the very legitimacy their regime stood upon— what right would they have to call themselves purer then, to scorn the fallen for treachery if they refused to accept father's wishes themselves?
"I must ask you this." Michael slowly stood up, and everyone fell quiet when oldest brother finally spoke. "Why?"
As the one whose authority had been put into question, Michael should have opposed this. Out of all the angels in heaven, he was the one who should have spoken up against Lelouch. It was always the oldest son who had to protect the father's dreams.
But as he looked into those amethyst eyes, Michael could not bring himself to feel anything.
This was something he had spent centuries nurturing, a world that he had devoted his very heart and soul to. It was a kingdom that he had spent uncountable nights on, working himself to the brink of exhaustion day and night.
He had bled for Heaven. He'd worked so hard for the sake of his people, all so that father would be proud of him when they met again at the shores of eternity. Watching over heaven was no easy task— maintaining the System when it was meant for someone far greater than him, managing the bestowal of sacred gears only for others to wrench them away, overseeing the prayers of mankind and looking over miracles of God. It had been exhausting.
He was just Michael, an archangel of heaven— but he was not God. He would not ever be God so how could he just take his father's place? Michael had never known the fact as profoundly as he did now, facing the one bearing the hopes of his Father.
"Heavens mourned and the skies bled red when the grace of our father faded away, never to return again." Michael spoke, a profound emotion in his voice that could not be explained by simple words. "Both hopes and dreams were broken that day, and our people of Heaven turned towards me for guidance."
Lelouch looked away, seeing a resemblance that struck him deeply. The emotion in those emerald eyes was not foreign to him— it had been a constant companion throughout most of his life ever since the death of his mother. He'd never been truly alone. He could remember a hundred names on the top of his head, friends and enemies who had intertwined their lives with his in inseparable ways but it had always remained at the back of his mind, the treacherous whispers never leaving him.
"I was forced to step forward at such a time, promising them an eternity of peace and prosperity." Michael continued, his haunting eyes turning distant as he lost himself in memories. "An eternity where we could smile happily again with our hopes secure. My promise to them was an eternal utopia, a paradise unchanging forevermore."
Lelouch looked at Michael, taking a measure of the man before him as brothers and sisters looked down— they remembered the night when purpose had been taken from them. It was their weakness that forced Michael to accept a burden he was never meant to bear.
"To create father's kingdom, you forced us to retreat behind the gates of heaven. All to protect us from the world that had rejected us, to recreate what was once lost without any intervention," Metatron whispered, gaze heavy as he looked at the older brother who had always been strong. He might not always agree with his brother, but he would always respect. "All you really wanted was to protect heaven, forever and ever. Isn't that right, brother?"
Michael slowly nodded, a thousand emotions Lelouch could neither recognize nor understand going through his haunting emerald eyes. "At least tell me this much, Lelouch. Is our regime really so flawed that it needs to be destroyed? Have we fallen so low in the eyes of father?"
Lelouch frowned, Michael's ideals reminding him of his brother and his desire to enforce an eternal present— a future where time came to a pause, a world without change. Michael's to embrace the future was not something he could accept…
"Your governance might not be perfect, but heaven enjoyed prosperity for centuries under your rule and survived the darkest of nights under your guidance." Lelouch slowly nodded. He took advantage of their patience and spent the next few seconds in silence, considering his next words. "You all protected this kingdom together and would have ensured its future for eons more. Your ideals might not be perfect, but I would not call them flawed either."
A shock spread throughout the hall at his words. In the wake of everything that had happened, honest praise was the last thing they had expected to hear from Lelouch.
"If you think that to be true, then why reject it?" Gabriel hesitated before she slowly began. "Why does the work that my brother shed sweat and blood for have to be destroyed?"
Lelouch closed his eyes, thinking of an eternal present, an unchanging eternity removed from progress— the Sword of Damocles hanging over the world and pink, so much pink.
"I reject it because change is more eternal than any of us, because I know that time would never stop its march." Lelouch answered, his voice cold, "Do you really think that the world would stop moving forward if you cover behind Heaven's gates? Do you think the world would stay the same for centuries?"
"You wish to create an eternal present, an unchanging eternity of peace." He spat, unable to stop the sneer. "But you forget that progress comes from change, and development is fed by need. To recreate the past, you denied Heaven the chance to move forward and the world would leave us behind because of it. People want the future, they wish to be greater than they were yesterday you force them to remain the same."
"To pursue the past, heaven has forsaken its duty. Your beloved father is dead and his dying wish was to protect the world. To guard them against the beings that would hunt them in the dark, which would feast on the young and weak, and that would tempt the good and strong among them as they are doing right now."
"And where are Heaven's legions? Where are they when the innocent call out for help? Where are they when children are hunted down and murdered like cattle? Where are the promised protectors, where are the shepherds to guide the faithful, the guardians to protect the weak in their time of need? Where are they?"
Lelouch paused, looking at each of the Seraphs with his amethyst eyes. He waited long for an answer but the angels all lowered their heads, unable to meet his gaze.
"They remain behind the gates of heaven, enjoying its spenders as the innocent scream for help outside." He answered, furious.
"Even worse, the legions that your father trusted are slowly becoming the very thing that they were supposed to guard against, feasting upon the devotion of mankind and claiming it is for their own good. To control them by masquerading around as god almighty and forget that your father deemed it a sin to pretend to be one, and for what?"
"To protect heaven?" He spat, "Heaven was meant to stand guard over its people. It was supposed to be the home of the righteous and brave yet angels remain on their thrones, weapons untouched in their sheaths and rusted armour abandoned on the ground as they watch the people they were duty sworn to protect are ravaged and exploited. I ask you this, what is the meaning behind heaven when it serves no other purpose than its survival?"
Lelouch spread his arms wide as he asked this, sneering again when he received no answer— shame marked their beautiful faces for they were all too aware of their own weakness, the regrets that had reduced them to this state.
"You only need to take a look at the way our enemies purposely hunt humans with Sacred Gears to see whether I speak the truth. They were your father's boon to mankind, to give them the means to fight back the monsters that hunt them in the night." The demon emperor continued, "And what happens to them now? They are slowly turning into tools for the devils instead. The very demons they were meant to guard against. Pantheons steal humanity's greatest and strongest with promises of riches and power, and they turn them into glorified slaves the moment they get hold of them. They promise to love and protect, when in truth they are the source of the danger that they need protecting from."
Lelouch sighed loudly, the knowledge given to him by that man banging at the back of his mind as he thought about the cold price of inaction and the war being waged without steel— heaven had been protected under Michael's eternity, yet the same eternity once meant to protect was slowly turning into the cause of stagnation.
"Stripped of ambitions, deprived of the potential for change, a heaven that does nothing more than simply exist." Lelouch finished, "Can any of you hold your heads high and say your father would have approved of the way things are now? Can any of you do say the same about yourselves?"
Charismatic. No other word could accurately describe the boy. It was once known that their other brother who had raised his sword against god had a charm that could make even kings envious, then this boy could have made even the gods jealous. His allure was just that unnatural and they could not help but be drawn along
"Before creation, there must be destruction. This kingdom of yours that remains frozen in the past must be destroyed before a new one takes its place." Lelouch smiled, "The decision remains in your own hands. Do you not trust the judgment of your father?"
"Do you understand what you are saying?" Michael peered into his eyes.
The demon emperor smirked in response, "If I deliver to you the impossible, then I might have earned your trust."
AN-
The titles of the seraphs are taken from To Aru Majutsu no Index, they might sound corny but DxD did not give them any so I had to go for the next best thing.
Usually, Lelouch would not have straight-up demanded that the seraphs surrender their power unconditionally. But a single thought from him could blacken the wings of even an archangel. This is not Lelouch being out of character, as some might claim— this is just a repeat of what he did to Britannia, with the System instead of Geass.
Would the Seraphs resent him for it? Some might, and some might not.
Speaking of out of character behaviour, Lelouch here does not want to repeat the path he took as Zero and the Demon Emperor. Here, you can actually see him showing his humane side to his subordinates, which he never did with the Black Knights in hopes that he might inspire more than just loyalty in people.
In DxD canon, heaven has ten seraph-ranked angels, and the four strongest amongstthem are known as the Four Great Seraphs who actually rule the kingdom— Gabriel, Uriel, Michael, and Raphael. The Satan equivalent of Heaven.
I had changed that completely in the previous version, but I found that I had created too many original characters along the way which made things hard for me later. I have made it so that the story more closely follows the canon now.
This means Great Seraphs are the same as in canon, only with Metatron acting as the Speaker of the Seraphim— he was once the Voice of God and holds the highest rank of heaven in practically all legends he appears in, you can consider him equivalent to a Fifth Great Seraph who does not hold formal rank simply because of his own wishes. Plus, I find him interesting as a character so I kept him around and made him part of the regime.
Thanks for reading.