Green Sun, Black Shadows (CG/Exalted)

[Alexander89]

[X] Plan Zero is Nobody

'Tell me Seyrun.' You ask your advisor while scribbling. 'Does Malfeas have any common symbolism or color themes?'

"Green, Brass and Basalt." He reply immediately. "The first is Ligier, the other two are the main materials the Demon City offers. There are more, but whatever you do don't use azure."

'Why?'

"Azure is the color sacred to Cecelyne. Only her priests can use it. Doing otherwise is punishable by death."

A bit extreme if you can say so. 'Any other color under a similar taboo?'

"No. Certain colors or combinations of them can point to a specific profession or to whom a demon is vassal to, but only the Sacred Azure is inviolable, for it represents the laws that all demons must follow. Malefactors can use it since they are considered among the priests, but doing so outside official business is frowned upon."

'Got it. I wasn't planning to use it anyway. Other colors associated with Yozis that can be used instead?'

"Uhm...Well the Ebon Dragon favors black obviously, and Adorjan red. She Who Live in Her Name-"

As he keeps talking your hand keeps moving. Something impressive and fascinating, but not ridiculous. Evocative, but not obvious. Practical and efficient, but not minimalistic.

At one point you turn on your computer and copy what you made, followed by adding colors.

"Boss...this..."

You look upon the finished product on the screen, the program's automatic functions correcting errors until all proportions are perfect.

And you know, that what is staring back at you is your future.

"This will have a looot of success!" Seyrun finishes jubilantly.

You smile and agree. "It will."

There is only a small detail left.

{====}​

August 12th

"Here it is. Just as you have ordered Madam." The clerk hands over a box.

"Thank you sonny." The old woman takes out the order and, after a quick examination, smiles to show everything is in order.

"I have to say, I've made many mask for many parties but never one made entirely of metal."

"I wanted an original gift for my grandson, something that will last." She smiles and put the money on the counter. "Thanks again, and goodbye sonny."

"Goodbye Madam."

While the clerk is counting the money the old woman put the order inside the box and leaves the shop, limping on her cane.

Ten minutes later you're sitting on the train that will bring you back to the Tokyo Settlement. 'It took a long time, but it was worth it.'

"You could have simply killed the maker."

'I could have. But he was not a soldier, so no. Letting Britannia wonder how a frail and weak old woman is connected to Zero would be entertaining however.'

"You're the Boss."

{====}​

The party to welcome Kallen into the Student Council went as well as expected. You and Milly prepared the food, Shirley, Rivalz and Nina welcomed the newcomer and even Nunnally was here to enjoy it, though initially you were again helping her to bring the plates to the table.

"So! How about a toast to our new member?" And then Rivalz had to bring out a bottle of champagne.

Shirley is on him in the brink of an eye. "Rivalz we're underage! Where did you get that? Give it to me!"

He twists and turns before tossing the bottle to you. "Lelouch, pass!"

You catch it, but before Shirley can pounce on you raise a hand. "Stop!" She instantly obeys, instinctively going straight like a soldier called to attention. With the mood having calmed down you read the label and confirm it is indeed champagne. You walk to the table, put down the bottle and fix your blue-haired friend with a disapproving gaze. "No one is drinking while Nunnally is present."

"Big Brother, I don't mind." Your little sister says, a glass of orange's juice given to her by Milly in her hands.

"But I do." You pour yourself a glass of ginger ale and take a sip.

"Lelouch, that's not fair!" Rivalz whines. "There are limits to even being a siscon!"

You would have replied to that, were you not too busy coughing and spluttering.

Milly elbows Kallen and leers while pointing a thumb at you. "He totally is one. Ice prince one second, a mother hen the next."

To your horror both Shirley and Nina nod, agreeing completely.

"Big Brother? What does 'siscon' mean?"

'NOOOOOOO!!!!!'

{====}​

August 13th

Kallen suppresses a snicker as she recalls the party of yesterday, and Lamperouge's attempts to strangle Cardemonde. She had her doubts, but the members are a lot more entertaining that her supposed 'friends'. At least they don't constantly talk about shallow topics or use derogatory slurs against Japanese people.

'Not like this stupid propaganda.' Her eyes narrow in disgust at the exhibit of photos taken during the war, while the speakers spew lies that paint Britannia as enlightened and Japan as a country of savages that only profited from being enslaved. Ohgi and two others are standing nearby, keeping an eye on her while making sure to appear interested in the display. 'Did Zero pick this place on purpose?'

"Attention please. Miss Kallen Stadtfeld of Ashford Academy, your lost item has been delivered to the service counter." A voice suddenly blares through the speakers. "Please proceed to the service counter of the viewing platform to collect your lost item."

She looks up in surprise before understanding immediately: this must be the mysterious Zero's method to contact them. She goes to the counter, where they hand her a phone, one of those simple prepaid types you can use and discard without none the wiser. She just has time to walk to the observation platform that she receives a call, the caller ID simply saying 'Zero'. "Hello?"

"Take the outbound line of the fifth Kanjo line. Get out on Shibuya."

"Eh?" But the voice has already hung up. 'What's up with him?' She frowns before taking a furtive glance at Ohgi. A minute movement of his eyes is all the acknowledging she needs.

Twenty minutes later she had taken the Kanjo line and reached the Shibuya ghetto, her friends trailing behind her.

"One hundred yards straight. Right. Left. Left. Fifty-two yards straight and then right. Enter the old building with the great 'X'."

She follows the instructions, idly noting that the area is unusually desert even for a ghetto, and reach the destination, a theatre with great fissures on its first and second floors that form a crude 'X' shape. By this point Ohgi and the others gave up subtlety and enter together with her.

("Lelouch. They've entered the building.")

("Perfect. Good job Milly.")

("Make sure to tape it! It's not everyday that I can see your acting skills in action.")

("...I will see what I can do.")

"O-ohgi." One of the group, a guy with blue hair, mutters while they walk deeper into the building. "What if is it a trap?"

"I assure you, it is no trap." A voice says suddenly.

They stop, right in the middle of a cone of light entering from a crack in the wall. Forestalled by the rhythmic sound of steps they watch as a figure emerges from the darkness and approach them. "Are you Zero?"

"I am." With a final movement the figure steps into the light, eliciting a small gasp from everyone, included Kallen. Zero wears a cape of the deepest black flowing behind him like the wings of a great bat, the insides being painted a thick vermilion, almost like blood, and edged with brilliant green. Under it he wears an equally black suit with brass-colored stripes. Around the neck there is a silver scarf. His face is concealed by an helmet-like mask, completely black save for a deep purple faceplate surrounded by a white circle, branching into seven spikes: three at the top and two on either side of the head.

Kallen has to admit it cut an awe-inspiring, if terrifying, figure.

Then Zero surprises everyone by offering a polite bow. "I thank you for being here today. I am sure you will not regret it." He straightens up and points an arm at them, fingers cupped and palm facing upward. "I also want to praise your performance at Shinjuku. I am sure none of you have had any real military training, and yet you performed marvelously. It takes courage - and bravery - to oppose Britannia."

Ohgi speaks. "Yes, we know. There is a difference between us and the Britannians, a very harsh one. That's why we resist them."

"Admirable. However, merely resisting will not give you Japan, and you know it." He lowers his hands before dramatically spreading both to either side, making his cape flap. "That is why my goal is the complete and total destruction of Britannia, and the liberation of all people who suffer under their rule!" At their collective gasp he steps forward and holds out a hand. "And I want you, all of you, to form the foundation of an army that will work towards that end."

"What? An army? Are you joking?"

"I assure you this is no joke." The mask turns to face her. "Or maybe you doubt my ability to back up my claims? In that case you only have to think back to the battle of three days ago. Your group has no formal military training, and yet under my leadership you were able to inflict more casualties against Britannia in a single battle than any other Japanese group has since the miracle of Itsukushima. Am I wrong?" At their silence he continues. "If it had not been for the white Knightmare our victory would have been total, but even if we were forced to retreat you, Q-1, still had the skill to hold your own." Kallen feels pride swells up inside her at those words. "Working together you and I even managed to damage it."

"But we still lost..." One of Ohgi's friends comment.

"Maybe militarily, but we still won a strategic victory." Walking closer he takes out from one sleeve a rolled newspaper and shows the front page to them, stopping a few yards from Kallen.

She reads the title. "What? It's that bogus story about the capsule being stolen by-" Her eyes widen in realization. "That was you?!"

He laughs. "Did you think I ran with my tail between my legs? Using clandestine resources available to me I had Clovis convinced that your stealing the poison gas capsule was actually a plot hatched by the Purebloods by using the IFF data from the Knightmare I stole from a Pureblood as 'proof'." He rolls up the newspaper and tosses it at Ohgi, who fumbles a bit before properly catching it. "Because of this Clovis is going to tear his own government apart looking for 'traitors'. If everything goes as planned, the internal strife will make liberating Japan become much easier."

"And you...planned all of this?" One of them asks in awe.

Zero doesn't say anything, but Kallen could almost picture him smirking knowingly under his mask. After ten seconds he breaks the silence. "Knowing this, will you follow me? Or, maybe, you are satisfied with your current sponsor?" He tilts his head.

Ohgi scratches the back of his head. "It's not that. Sure the information about the poison gas was useful, but you saved us and even gave us Knightmares..."

{====}​

The man's words confirm one of your first suspicions: that their cell has, indeed, the backing of a greater organization. 'The most likely suspects are the Six Houses of Kyoto, through intermediaries since their cell is too small to warrant direct interaction.'

"Will you show us your face?" Aaand here it is, the inevitable question. Unsurprisingly, it's Kallen that makes it first, but you can see the growing curiosity in the others' eyes.

You knew they would ask to see behind your mask, but you are prepared for this. "I'm sorry, but I would prefer to remain anonymous." You hold up your hand as they begin to object. Your inner Essence flares inside you as you speak, twisting reality in your favor. "I admit, I have personal reasons for this, but there is another important reason. You must understand, Zero is not an individual. Zero is an idea, a symbol for the oppressed to rally behind. Zero is nothing, and nobody. And yet, at the same time he is every person who wishes for a better world, every individual oppressed by Britannia. Zero is enigmatic and unknowable, defying all odds to bring about the impossible." You put an hand over your chest. "If I were to die, anyone could take my place if they have the will to never give up and fight against injustice." Not that it would even work, but they don't know it. You turn to face Kallen. "What about you? If necessary, would you take my mantle to ensure that faith in Zero never dies? To ensure those fighting for a better tomorrow would never lose hope and continue to fight against the oppressors?"

"W-What? Me?" At first she is like a deer caught in the headlights before she schools her features and nods fiercely. "Of course I would!"

"Then you understand. In time I may show you my face, but for now I ask that you trust me as you did in Shinjuku."

They look at each other for a while before Ohgi nods resolutely and offers you his hand. "I can't speak for those who aren't present, but I am sure that if you repeat your words to them they will accept you. As we do."

You take his hand and shake it. "If they are open-minded people like you, I am sure of it." You put one hand over your chest and tilt your head forward. "I am Zero. I look forward to work with you."

"Ohgi Kaname." The man with the afro replies.

"Kozuki Kallen." She sighs. "But at school I go by Kallen Stadtfeld."

"Sugiyama Kento." The one with blue hair tells you.

"Yoshida Toru." The one with brown hair and a red bandanna replies.

"Marvelous." You release Ohgi's hand. "However, there is one last thing I must make clear." You cross your arms over your chest. "Under me, there will not be terrorism."

You continue before they can open their mouths. "War against Britannia isn't just a military campaign, it's a war of ideas. Britannia uses every instance of terrorism to fuel their propaganda machine, turning the public against the perpetrators. They use this to justify the oppression of the Numbers, claiming themselves to be more civilized and morally superior, dressing up their heinous actions in a veil of false righteousness." You spread one arm. "As such, those working under me must become a force for justice. We must not only win on the battlefield, but show that our cause is right. We will protect the innocent and punish the wicked, no matter their race. By doing so, we will expose Britannia for the vile den of sins it is and gather people to our cause."

You point at them. "This is not negotiable. I do not fight to only kill, but also to protect. I refuse to discriminate by race, because Japanese are not the only ones suffering under Britannia's rule. And, most importantly..." You raises one hand and clench it. "I refuse to lower myself to Britannia's standards!"

"Wow. You make a good point." Ohgi scratches his chin. "I don't know if it will work, but then I wanted to become a teacher, not a resistance member." He shrugs. "Look at me now."

"I think it would be great." Kallen speaks up with a smile. "This way we can really help people!"

"I swear, tell them they can fly and they will believe you." Seyrun chuckles. "Will they ever realize you're using them?"

'Don't say that. I don't intend to go back on my promises.' You smile. 'In exchange for services given, I'll make sure they obtain happiness.'

After all, happiness takes many forms.

{====}​

You walk inside the Ashford's compound, suit and mask safely locked inside a suitcase. By your side Milly is watching the video made by the camera you hid before the meeting. "Not bad, but it's a bit dusky. Why don't you make the suit light purple?"

"I thought about it, but then I remembered I plan to make the uniforms black. Wearing similar colors will increase camaraderie." You squint your eyes at her. "And, really, your first question is about my suit?"

"Of course!" Her eyes sparkles. "I want a dress made of silk too!"

You can understand that. It felt very, very good on your skin. "That can be arranged. What about-"

"Boss! Lady Friend of the Boss!" Both of you turn around, and see one of the Anuhles calling to you from behind the bushes. Making sure no one is looking you reach it and crouch down, out of view.

"Nrihudub." You acknowledge your subordinate. "What happened?"

"Someone tried to sneak into your house Boss." You tense up. "But we caught her."

"Her? A female then." An assassin? After years of silence? "Where is she?"

"We bound and brought her to your room."

"Good." You stand up. "Come with me Milly, I may need your help."

"Sure! A tied-up girl in your room? I'm not going to miss it!"

Gods damn it Milly.

Together you sneak around the campus until you reach your house. You enter, close the door and then rush to your room, Milly hot on your heels. When you slam open the door the sight that greets your eyes is that of a human-sized cocoon of spider's silk hanging down from the ceiling, completely covering the captive save for the head.

Said head, which is watching you upside-down with an expression that is a mix of annoyed and murderous, is that of the green haired girl that got shot in the head right in front of your eyes that day at Shinjuku. The same girl that was inside the capsule.

Only, she seems to have got better. Because she's glaring. Even if a stripe of silk around the mouth prevent her from speaking. That the Anuhles are forming a protective circle between you and her also helps. Or maybe it's the fact that staying upside-down is not a comfortable position.

At least this explains where the corpse went.

[] Talk with Seyrun. Find out how someone who should be dead is alive.
[] Remove the stripe and ask her why she tried to sneak into your house.
[] Ask Milly to take care of her and watch the fireworks.
[] Write-in.
====

Personal Essence: 9/13
Peripheral Essence: 24/32
Willpower: 7/7
Stunt Pool 2/4

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Enjou's XP Expenditure Plan - Basic Combat Proficiency
Dexterity 4 - 7 XP (27 days left)
Dodge 1 - 3 XP (3 days left)
Athletics 1 - 3 XP (3 days left)
Resistance 1 - 3 XP (3 days left)
Firearms 2 - 4 XP (3 days left)

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====

Ashford: Complete.
+4 Xp for recruiting Ohgi's group
+5 Xp for completing the Scene
+1 Xp for gaining (un)official membership with the Survival Game Club
+14 Xp for active participation

====
What? You forgot about poor C.C. ? For shame!

 

[Alexander89]

Anyways, since I'm liking this quest so much...

BEHOLD! ORAMUS CHARMS!

MediaFire

I believe I got them all. To use, simply download the files and put them in the Anathema\repository\custom folder. If all you need is Oramus, then grab the Oramus .xml and the new .properties. You need the new properties file for the charm text to show up.

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That's beautiful! Thanks! ...But, I changed some things in the Charms listed to purchase for this quest, so for whoever read Peanuckle's Charmset on Anathema, remember to check also the Charms Shop to confirm what it is used in this quest.

I'm not sure if I'd want to, but is anyone planning on going the Pantheon Heresy route?

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// Sorry, but what is this pantheon heresy route? I'm new in Exalted.

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They're custom charms made by Earthscorpion, to create demons without going Devil-Tiger:

New Keyword: Pantheon
Primordials are not merely singular beings, in the manner of lesser creatures. Even lessened as they are, the Yozis are nations, civilisations, worlds in their own right. They are legion. And from the moment of their Exaltation, the Infernal Exalted have taken their first steps onto a similar path. All other Exalted have three souls - the hun, the po, and the keter soul of the Exaltation. The Green Sun Princes have in addition the fourth soul of their coadjutor, the once-demon fused into a synthetic soul hierarchy. Within them, however, they have the potential to expand beyond that.

Charms with this keyword develop an additional nascent soul within the Infernal. Other Charms can synergise with and play off this, and certain heretical Charms may ask for them as prerequisites (for example, Fourth-Soul Devil Domain requires that the Infernal has learned a Pantheon-keyworded Charm before they can build a small world within their soul).

The following Charms have the Pantheon Charm retroactively applied to them; Sun-Heart Furnace Soul, Counter-Pronouncement of Enthymemic Law, Crystal Facet Thoughts, Silence in Her Wake, Darkling Grace Complete, Carmine Mantled Emissary, Self-Seed Infestation, Toil By Proxy, Empyreal Invincibility Declaration. Pantheon-keyworded Charms should in general be Essence 3 or higher, and three to four Charms deep in a tree.

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New Keyword: Pantheon-Anchored
As their souls bud and multiply like nascent Primordials, an Infernal may delve into Heresy and develop Charm trees associated with the lesser parts of themselves. Charms with this Keyword are Heretical, and tied to a soul in the Infernal's Pantheon. They are costed as Unfavoured Charms, and should the soul they are tied to die, they collapse and are converted back into xp.

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Titanic Spawn Uncountable
Cost: -; Mins: Essence 3; Type: Permanent
Keywords: None
Duration: Permanent
Prerequisites: Any (Yozi) Mythos Exultant

The demonic races of Malfeas are beyond number, and throng the streets of the city. From their internalised mythos, the warlock takes such fecundity for themselves. The character gains the capacity to spawn weak deva by performing a thematically appropriate birthing ritual, which may take no fewer than four hours. The player and the GM should design the new species based on the birthing ritual, the Infernal's intent, and her personality, and it should be balanced based on the examples of extant First Circle Demons. The Infernal gains one free species with this charm, and may spend 1xp per additional breeding ritual to create further new species.

The newborn deva is mechanically a First Circle Demon who descends from the Infernal and may not be bound by any other sorcerer without her express permission. It is created with an empty motepool. If the warlock possesses an appropriate realm which resonates with her essence, such as the inner worlds created by Spirit of the Living World or Fourth-Soul Devil Domain, the deva returns there if banished. Otherwise, it is destroyed as if it was an Emerald Circle spell dispelled by Emerald Circle Countermagic.

The scars of the Surrender Oaths are burned into the Mythoi of the Yozis, and certain of these restrictions bind the warlock. When within Creation, the Infernal may make use of this charm no more than once per day, and may not summon a demon on a day she uses it and vice versa.

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Titanic Heart Overweening
Cost: -; Mins: Essence 4; Type: Permanent
Keywords: None
Duration: Permanent
Prerequisites: Titanic Spawn Uncountable

The thoughts of the Primordials are not those of mortal men. They are mighty spirits in their own rights, overflowing from the hearts of titans to form pantheons and landscapes. This Charm permanently enhances the Infernal's capacities. On the night of the new moon, when Luna turns her face from Creation, the feelings in the form of an Intimacy of the character may slip from his heart and take on independent form as a puissant spirit. This occurs when the Infernal would regain willpower from sleep - or another activity which substitutes for it - and may only occur once per new moon.

The newborn spirit is mechanically treated as a deva of the Second Circle who descends from the Infernal, and who may not be bound by any other sorcerer. They should be given statistics as if they were a newly created Demon of the Second Circle whose Motivation is derived from the Intimacy they formed from, and whose themes derive from the Intimacy filtered through all the First (Yozi) Excellencies that the character knows. The Motivation of the deva and the Intimacy of the Infernal are irrevocably linked; should the Intimacy change - such as from admiration to love - then so will the Motivation, and likewise should the Motivation of the deva shift so will the Intimacy. Should the Infernal lose her Intimacy, the deva dies as if slain by a spirit-killing Charm.

If the deva is banished, they return to the mind of their creator, and may escape again at the next new moon. The Infernal may also choose to willingly "banish" the deva by Touching them, and absorbing them back into her psyche. If they are slain, they may not escape again until a year and a day has passed. However, if they are slain with a spirit-killing Charm, they die permanently and Infernal loses the Intimacy. If he regains it - for example, by falling back in love with his wife - the spirit born from the regained Intimacy shares no continuity with the deceased deva.

The character retains an unconscious veto over whether a given Intimacy is permitted to take independent form; some hearts are so jealous as to cling so closely to certain feelings that they cannot escape. The Infernal may maintain no more than (Willpower + Compassion) extant Intimacies as deva at this level of development. Due to the sympathetic resonance of the bonds of titanic power, on any day where such a deva has formed any spell the Infernal casts to summon a deva who descends from another titan fails, and vice versa.

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There is rumour of an E5 Charm called Titanic Soul Invincible which would elevate an Infernal's souls to the level of the Unquestionable themselves; no doubt sparking furious debates among the souls of the Yozis and a tribunal in the court of Cecelyne or at the Infernal Althing to determine the status of such devas among the peers of Hell. As of yet, however, no Infernal has delved this far into Pantheonic Heresy.

EDIT: Adding relevant Charms from "Fourth Soul" rewrite:

Fourth-Soul Devil Domain
Cost: -; Mins: Essence 3; Type: Permanent
Keywords: Unwoven (1)
Duration: Permanent
Prerequisite Charms: One Yozi Pantheon-keyworded Charm, one Yozi geomantic Charm

The Sun-Heart Furnace Soul stirs a new soul to life inside the Infernal. But the princes of the green sun already have a fourth soul, and so, with this new realisation of one's own metabiology and knowledge of terrain and how it can be manipulated, a sanctum akin to those possessed by gods may be forged within the Infernal for the coadjutor. This Charm creates a sanctum within the Infernal. This unreal place, called a Devil Domain, has a rating which is equal to and tracks the current rating in the Unwoven Coadjutor background - which gives the demon a reason to cooperate, as a disagreement can radically decrease the living space available to the coadjutor. The coadjutor is permanently materialised within the sanctum, recovering its body, and has full access to its own Charms and Essence while in it - it still fulfils all the normal tasks of a coadjutor. Unlike normal sanctums, there is no entrance to it; the Infernal controls passage exclusively. No entity or object may exit or enter it, save by methods described in this or later expansion Charms; this is resolved as if it was a defence again any effect which would contest this.

The Devil Domain lacks the grandeur and splendour of the later Spirit of the Living World; it is a strange un-place, a product of the coadjutor and the arcane spiritual machinery of the Yozi Charms known by the Heretic. Its geography and territory is produced by a fusion between the nature of the demon, and Charms known by the Infernal. For example, a neomah coadjutor may live in a great tower shaped like a nautilus, as might be expected from its kind, but Holy Land Infliction will introduce silver sands to the walls and floors, Mother Sea Mastery will make the walls drowned and wet, or Witness to Darkness may make thick dark clouds which obscure the tiny sun of Sun-Heart Furnace Soul. Even this Charm exists within the Devil Domain; a tiny model of the sanctum which exists at its heart... and to touch it will see a giant finger come down from above, for space is folded up in this oroborus-world. The world exists as long as the Infernal possesses the necessary rating in the Unwoven Coadjutor background, and expands and contracts when the background rating changes, destroying and/or making new terrain as it does so. As a result of this bribery and incentive, the Infernal may choose to render all of her social attacks against her coadjutor undodgeable unnatural mental influence; it is now fully aware of how its comfort depends on its good relationship with its greater self, and though it may argue against her, it cannot ignore her.

The rating in the Unwoven Coadjutor defines the maximum size of the Devil Domain; there is no way to expand it beyond the size limits of that background. The Infernal may visit the Devil Domain by meditating as per Spirit of the Living World. In addition, the coadjutor may invite the Infernal in whenever she sleeps; she is free to reject this invitation, and dream normally. The Infernal's Charms are represented as features of the world, and the coadjutor may reconfigure the world within those parameters and themes as if it knew Creative Convergence of Principles, spending its own motes and willpower to do so, save any sentient beings it would produce are hollow shells as produced by Will-Crushing Force. The Devil Domain counts as Bordermarches for the purposes of any Wyld Shaping Charms used within, and may not be used to create demesnes or magical things by such methods. Changes which violate the established thematics of the Devil Domain revert over the course of one tick. Many coadjutors will change the appearance of larger Devil Domains radically; some may delight in surprising their Infernal each time they visit.

As a Miscellaneous Obvious action which may not be flurried, the Infernal may send any smaller-than-man-sized object that she owns and is touching into the Devil Domain, whether by forcing it into her own chest, tearing a hole in reality to lay it to rest, tossing the object into the air whereupon a demonic hand snatches it and it vanishes, or any other way. Objects may be recovered by taking another unflurryable Miscellaneous Obvious action, and require that the coadjutor, in the sanctum, be touching the object too. At least one Slayer with a heranhal coadjutor has put his demon to work making objects using raw materials he sends it, for which it thanks him for the appreciation of its craft and the joys of having flesh once more. Any artifacts within the Devil Domain are sent spinning into Elsewhere with the death of the Exalt, whereupon they wash up on the shores of Creation five days later. Anything else within the Devil Domain is destroyed if the Infernal dies.

Should the Infernal later learn Spirit of the Living World, she may chose to keep this place separate from her Inner World, or alternative expand it from this sanctum, which forms the omphalous of the new reality. The XP cost of this Charm is refunded if the Infernal merges the Devil Domain into the Living World.


Blossoms of the Tiger Empire
Cost: -; Mins: Essence 3; Type: Permanent
Keywords: Unwoven (1)
Duration: Permanent
Prerequisites: Fourth-Soul Devil Domain, Sorcerous Enlightenment of (Yozi)

Once, in the long ago, the spire of Yu Shan was surrounded by the unbounded firmament and upon this blank canvas the Primordials built their play-worlds. Now within their own souls the Green Sun Princes repeat such deeds. The inner world granted by Fourth Soul Devil Domain unfolds, expanding within Elsewhere. From the borders of the world defined by the Devil Domain, it now extends for an extra (Coadjutor rating) kilometres. This terrain will take on a general theme and appearance similar to the core Devil Domain, but is not composed of representations of the Infernal's Charms. Any additional Pantheon souls the character possesses will likely claim areas of the Tiger Empire for themselves, much as the Unquestionable do in Malfeas - they may reshape it as the coadjutor may reshape the Devil Domain.

The borders of this unreal place brush up against reality where the Infernal's essence pools and swirls, much as Cecelyne touches all places of desolation. When the character is within land affected by one of their Infernal geomantic charms or which has undergone significant modification via their sorcerous effects, they may carry out a personalised Sorcerous ritual to transfer larger objects or structures to or from their Tiger Empire. The ritual costs 20 motes and 1 willpower, and takes four hours in which omen weather flares, the earth shakes, and the aesthetics of their Tiger Empire intrude upon the world as an Essence 1 Blasphemy. They must own the object or structure, and its largest dimension may measure no more than (Essence + Coadjutor) times ten metres across. This charm may not affect objects or structures anchored into the geomancy of another realm of existence, such as manses or the Devil Domain representations of their charms.

At Essence 4 this Charm automatically upgrades, increasing the radius of the Tiger Empire by (Essence) kilometres. At Essence 5 it further upgrades by multiplying its radius by ten.


Self-Within-Self Inversion
Cost: 5m, 1wp; Mins: Essence 4; Type: Simple (Speed 7, -3DV)
Keywords: Unwoven (1), Combo-OK, Obvious
Duration: Instant
Prerequisite Charms: Fourth-Soul Devil Domain

To enter a spirit's sanctum is a special thing, and yet comes naturally to its owner. How much more special is it to enter the very soul of an Exalt; so wondrous is it, in fact, that only its greater self may enter this special place. As she raises one hand, the Infernal's anima flares totemic, in blinding brightness. Then it collapses in on itself, folding down in a way which gives the horrifying feeling that the Infernal is retreating at an incredible velocity. When the light clears, the green sun prince has gone from this world (only actually vanishing at the end of the speed 7 action). She now exists physically within her Devil Domain. Nothing else, living or animate-dead, may follow her through, apart from attuned living artifacts - this is also a convenient way of getting rid of parasites.

Within the Devil Domain, the Exalt is physical and material, existing within herself. In this state, use of her own Charms warps the landscape of the Devil Domain, the aspects representing her Charms swelling in importance, pulsing with cosmic power. As a result, the coadjutor may well request that the Infernal not destroy or warp too much of the landscape through her use of Charms, as it does live in this place. There is no way to see in or out of the Devil Domain, so characters can only guess whether or not it is safe to leave.

To leave, the Infernal activates this Charm again. She appears in the same place she departed. However, this time she appears instantly in the real world, in an explosion of anima-light, and must wait seven ticks before acting again.

Click to shrink...

There is also this, but it requires Cecelyne and SWLiHN's Charms:

Omphalic Reverence Receptacle
Cost: - ; Mins: Essence 3; Type: Permanent
Keywords: Training, Unwoven (2)
Duration: Permanent
Prerequisite Charms: Fourth-Soul Devil Domain, Wayward Divinity Oversight, Penitents Like Scattered Grains

In Yu-Shan, the gods lounge in unearned splendour, usurper-dogs sprawled about the manor-house built by their masters. It was not they who built the Heaven in which they live, nor they who constructed the mechanisms that direct the Quintessence and Ambrosia upon which they sup. The Heretics of Malfeas have likewise tugged free of Primordial chains, and likewise seek the sweet taste of faith, hoarded by the gods. Taking the immaterial flows of prayer in a titanic fist, the Green Sun Prince gives a mighty yank, tearing them loose from the conduits of Heaven until they flow toward her alone. This triggers an Essence 5 Blasphemy effect, physically centred in the offices of Heaven that handle the accounting of prayers, as all records of any Cult currently or previously directed towards the Infernal ignite, burning in cold flame the colour of her anima until only ash is left, which is carried away on an impossible gale. From this point on, the prayer to the Infernal is exclusively her concern.

Within the Devil Domain, this Charm manifests as a receptacle akin to the fountains in Yu Shan where prayer manifests. From this point on, all the Quintessence and Ambrosia she would have gained, had she been a god, comes into being in this vessel when her mote pool is full, rather than finding its way to Yu Shan. Both the Infernal and her coadjutor immediately learn the Spirit Charm "Creation of Perfection" at no additional xp cost, though it is limited to manipulating the Quintessence and Ambrosia provided by this Charm. The coadjutor also gains the First Craft Excellency, and may replace her rating in Lore, Occult, or any Craft ability with (Essence) for the purposes of working Quintessence and Ambrosia within the Devil Domain. While Ambrosia can normally be made into any mundane substance (or jade), Ambrosia generated within the Infernal's Devil Domain can also be made into any magical substance that resonates with a First (Primordial) Excellency known to her.

The Infernal may learn to draw upon the varieties and rarities of mortal prayer to enrich herself. This Charm permits the Infernal, as a Training effect, to instantly pay 3XP per dot and gain the Salary background up to a limit of her rating in Cult, just as gods in Heaven benefit from the riches of Cult. This income is not dependent on Heaven, but instead comes from within. Withdrawals of wealth must be performed using the capacity of Fourth-Soul Devil Domain to remove things from the soul-world, and raw Ambrosia and Quintessence may not be extracted in Creation without it sublimating into nothingness - though it may still be a most useful option for bribery in a Terrestrial God's sanctum.

An alternate version of this Charm exists, with the same prerequisites, but Fourth-Soul Devil Domain replaced with Spirit of the Living World. This Charm in addition also diverts any flow of prayer to the devas of the Infernal towards the Living World rather than Heaven. The deva chooses the form in which they receive their Quintessence and Ambrosia. The Blasphemy Effect generated by that Charm is Essence 10, and fills the archives of the prayer registries of Yu Shan with mocking laugher for a year and a day as a Sorcerous effect.

Click to shrink...

 

[Alexander89]

Interlude​

01:00, Shinjuku

The young woman pants as she pushes herself harder and harder, her legs burning from exhaustion and her breath labored. Yet she endures, holding tight the bundle in her arms.

"RAAAAAGH!!!"

For if she stops, only death will await her.

Howling like a tortured beast a being who was once a man chases after her, restless in its pursuit. It has the appearance of a middle-aged man dressed in poor clothes, the front stained with blood and the holes left from an automatic firearm. Its skin is pale and sunken, and its eyes are glowing with an eerie gray light, fixed on the fleeing woman with hate...and hunger.

The woman keeps running, but it is night and the streets are littered with rubble from the recent skirmish. Inevitably she steps on one small rock, causing her to stumble and fall down with an yelp. The bundle comes undone, and its contents of clocks and other house amenities scatter around.

The thing slows down, gazing with nostalgia at the items before focusing back on the woman, hands stiffened into claws and jaws open, panting.

"No please! Please forgive me!" The woman pleads, crying and crawling back. "I didn't want to disturb you...but I had no choice! Without things to sell I will not be able to feed my sons!"

The thing's answer is to howl and jumps at the woman, teeth bare and hungry for life.

A flash of silver, and a knife buries itself into the thing's tongue, skewering through the lower jaw.

"Not so fast!"

Someone kicks the thing from the side, pushing it down on the ground. Still reeling from the pain it is powerless to stop the assailant from reaching to the knife, ripping it out and pushing it down again, slashing the thing's jugular open.

The woman stares widen-eyed at the one who saved her: a beautiful young woman with long, straight, platinum blond hair, wearing skimpy clothing consisting of high-heeled sandals, denim shorts, a tube top that exposes her abdomen and a blue jacket.

She swings the knife to get rid of the blood before putting it back in its sheath. "You shouldn't steal from the dead." She says without turning to face the other woman.

The thief winces in shame. But before she can defend her actions a stack of bills lands in front of her feet. "Use that instead. Now go, this place is dangerous."

"T-Thank you! Thank you so much!" The woman picks up the money and bows before running away.

"Weelll." The blonde woman scratches her and look down at the items and the corpse. "Should I give him a proper burial?"

"Just pour salt on the body and bury the items near it." A new voice says. Following it a black cat walks to the side of the woman and sits down. Tail twitching lazily it looks up at her with soulful green eyes. Then it speaks. "We don't have time to waste."

"Yes, yes. Whatever you say teacher." She replies with a roll of her eyes before she kneels down and begins collecting the items. "What we are ever doing here in Japan?"

"Scouting of course." The cat simply says.

She stops and turns around. "For what? This Shadowland is recent and the others are too small to be of any real threat. While the ones in Argentina are-"

"I know that very well." The cat interrupts sternly. It seems to ponder for a few seconds before continuing. "However, many of the New Moon Elders seem to think something will soon happen here, in Japan."

"Something what?"

"Something important."

"Yeah? How very helpful." She snorts.

The cat glares at her, a silver-white disk glittering above its brows.

"Relax teacher. You know me, I will do my part. Or my name-" She winks and points at herself. "Is not Anja Silverclaws!"

Interlude - End​

 

[Alexander89]

[X] Muse of Unearthly Delights

Oramus creates unique stuff, so we could use this as the basis for a demon that crafts unique artifacts while living inside of our Fourth-Soul Devil Domain.

Click to shrink...

It can also inspires others in exchange for sanity. So Muse and its requisite.

Well I'm sad you didn't like my custom charm, but I'll suggest this one:
[X] Masque Of Hollow Faces

Because it creates a new identity, somewhat fitting the idea of making a new person, and is 3 charms deep, as the guidelines suggest. It's also a low enough Essence rating that we'll be able to make use of it in-quest. My second choice, Glimpsed Through A Warped Mirror, is E5.

Click to shrink...

It's not I don't like it, it's just that I don't think it's balanced.

Alright, something you may find useful. The exact composition of Britannia, or at least what will be used in this quest:

-Homeland (United States)
-Area 1 (Canada)
-Area 2 (Greenland)
-Area 3 (Mexico)
-Area 4 (Cuba)
-Area 5 (Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, ecc.)
-Area 6 (Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina)
-Area 7 (Hawaii and Midway Atoll)
-Area 8 (Southern Pacific Islands and New Zealand)
-Area 9 (Papua New Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia)
-Area 10 (Philippines)
-Area 11 (Japan)
-Area 12 (Morocco, Algeria)

This list was compiled using the wiki and logic. Then again, I don't know if it is something that make sense politically and militarily. Or if I need to include butterflies due to Solars resurfacing. Then again, Malfeas wasn't the only one having troubles finding acceptable candidates, so I suppose the effects don't need to be quite so immediate. They're here however, oh if they are.

 

[Alexander89]

[X] Ask Milly to take care of her and watch the fireworks.

You have prepared many contingencies in case you need to extract the truth from any agent sent your way, but many of them rely on the target fearing death some way or another. So in the case of someone apparently able to come back to live, what does that leave you?

...You need time to think and talk with Seyrun. "President, would you like to do the honors?" You look at Milly and take the stance of a bellboy inviting a guest to enter a party.

"Can I? Great! Zenész, fetch me my collection of animal ears!" Milly excitedly exclaims. The look of confused horror on the green haired girl's face as she struggles to escape her silken cocoon is one you are all too familiar with, as is the look in Milly's eyes. "First Kallen, and now a second beautiful girl to dress up the next day! What a spectacular harem you're building for me, Lulu!"

You resist the urge to facepalm. Then you remember you skipped lunch in order to meet the terrorists. "Anyways Madam President, I imagine you'll whip up quite an appetite as you work. Shall I order takeout?"

"Splendid idea, minion most faithful! Hmmm... Chinese, KFC, or pizza?"

At the mention of pizza the captive's eyes light up excitedly, looking to you pleadingly. Well, she did take a bullet for you, and it wouldn't do to be ungrateful. "Pizza it is, then."

After making an order you lean against the wall and cross your arms, absentmindedly watching Milly as she orders the spiders to set the captive upright and begins taking her measurements. 'Seyrun. How is it that someone who should be dead is alive? Clones, plastic surgery, cyborgs - all those are plausible when dealing with the powerhouse that is Britannia. But from the magical side?'

"True Resurrection is impossible, Boss. And so is going back in time. There were deliberate rules set by the Primordials when Creation was made, because both of those practices carried a real possibility of fucking up reality really bad." He says, and you mentally nod: now you will not be tempted by someone proposing them to you. "That say, there are some ways for a being to avoid crossing the thin line between life and death. Spirits like Gods and us Demons don't age but can be killed. However if we have a cult - a big enough group of humans offering us prayers constantly - we can reform a year and a day later. Prayers are chains that keep us into the material world. A Second or Third Circle Demon doesn't need a cult, since they are extensions of a greater being, but prayers make the return happen faster. Ghosts are ghosts: they may think otherwise, but they remain dead beings mimicking the living. They can reform too, but the right ritual sends them to Lethe without the chance of coming back, and Oblivion destroys them."

'Understood. What about a person able to survive an injury that should kill her?'

"I was getting to that point. Sorcery, mighty instrument it is, can make someone immortal... but never in an unconditional, guaranteed fashion. There may be periodic rituals needed to renew said immortality, certain conditions under which one can die, a regional restriction one cannot travel outside of without risking his immortality and similar things. This is what the notes I was given say, but First Circle Demons like me don't use Sorcery. But I understand there is always a chink, a fatal flaw. You just need to find it."

You are relieved to hear that: even with your vision of the world turned upside down, some things stay the same.

When your order arrive you go down to meet the pizza boy and pay him. As you walk back into your room with the pizza you see Milly's Angyalkae holding out to her a collection of fake animal ears with prehensile hair, while the blonde tries one after the other on the green-haired girl. The latter just ignores her to concentrate on the boxes in your hands.

"Just a moment dear." Milly says to the greenette, leaving a pair of fox's ears on her head. "The pepperoni is mine!"

"Sure." You take a slice of margherita and are about to bite into it when you notice the captive is staring at the slice. You hold it out. "Want some?"

She nods furiously, almost pleading.

"Uhm, I don't see why not." You walk up to her and remove the stripe, letting your hand resting on her shoulder. "If you swear to honestly tell us why you tried to sneak into my house."

She takes a deep breath and replies. "Yes, yes, whatever."

You can feel the words hanging between you and her, ghostly and thin as spiderwebs. You concentrate and push Essence into the words, feeling them grow thick and strong. Your anima burns brightly as the oath becomes solid, two chains of burning charcoal power that ran from your body straight into the girl's soul.

"And now-" You smirk. "You better hold your part of the bargain. After all, there are worse things than death."

The girl holds perfectly still, not even breathing, before groaning. "Blasted gods, you're an Exalt?!"

You raise an eyebrow. "You didn't know?" Then you hold the slice of pizza closer to her mouth.

She scowls before taking a bite. She hums in delight as she chews before her expression turns neutral. "Until this morning I thought you were dead, boya. You see demons skittering around eating corpses, you don't generally think someone survived." She glares at the Anuhles, who click their fangs in response. Then she takes another bite.

You hum. "So why come here to Ashford? Did you recognize my uniform?"

"Y-!" She stops. She opens and closes her mouth a few times before groaning again. "Do I really have to say the whole truth?"

"Yes."

"Blast. Then no, I didn't recognize the uniform. But after leaving Shinjuku I remembered that the Ashfords were Marianne's close friends. If there was a place where her children could have hidden, it was with them."

By the time she finishes you already took out your gun and pressed it against her forehead. She just looks bored. "You may be able to resurrect yourself." You hiss. "But trust me, I have enough time and imagination to make your life very unpleasant. And if that doesn't suffice, there are always the torture devices of Malfeas." You remove the gun and put it back. "So it's in your best interest to tell me why you call my mother by her name, and how you knew me and my sister were alive."

"In order: I use her name because your mother and me were friends. I am older than I look and occasionally mingle with nobility." She drones. "I didn't know you were alive, but I recognized you: if you were alive, there was a big possibility your sister was alive too."

"Now, now Lulu. Calm down." Milly pats your shoulder. Her lips are smiling, but her eyes are not. You stare back for a few seconds before relenting and back down. She hums, pleased, before turning to the green-haired girl. "We may have started off on the wrong foot, but I don't see why we can't be friends. I'm Milly! The grumpy one here is Lelouch." Who's grumpy? "What's your name?"

"C.C."

Milly raises an eyebrow. "Just the initials? How odd."

C.C. shrugs. "That's what I go by those days."

"Mysterious. I like it!" She grins. "So C.C., what do you say we take you out of that cocoon and we all have lunch together, like good friends?"

"What, no 'promise to behave, or else'?" She asks bemusedly.

You grin. "Why, do you think you can escape?" At your words the Anuhles step in front of the door and each windows.

Her bemusement fades. "Whatever. Just get me out of here fast: I don't want my pizza to get cold!"

"Perfect!" Milly raises a fist in the air. "But first..." She looks at C.C. from different angles. "Mmmh...yes, fox's ears are the best choice. Now for the final touch."

"What do you mean with fi-" She freezes as Milly takes out a felt-tip pen. "You're joking."
​

{====}​

Milly was definitely not joking. But apparently C.C.'s love for pizza (or is it just hunger?) is great enough that, even while wearing a pair of fake fox's ears and with whiskers drawn on her cheeks, she just ignores everything else to concentrate on the food in front of her. You ordered eight pizzas: you and Milly ate one each, the greenette devoured the rest.

"Seconds." She even has the galls to demand more as if it is perfectly natural.

"No." You tell her sternly. "Now finish your story. You are hunted by the military, so why did you come here?"

She stays silent for a second before grimacing and, reluctantly, answers. "Only a small portion of the military is after me. Hiding normally is enough." She fidgets. "...And I thought Nunnally deserved to know what happened to her brother."

"As much as I appreciate the thought-" You deadpan. "I hope you weren't going to tell my sister I was eaten by giant spiders."

She shoots you an unamused look. "But then I saw you going to school this morning, so I changed my plans." She takes an olive seed and chucks it at one Anuhle, chuckling as it growls back. "I wanted to ask you to hide me."

"For free?"

"Of course not. I was going to offer you power." She stares in displeasure at your forehead. "But that's useless now. Exaltations rejects the forming of a Geass."

"Geass? What's that?" Milly asks.

"The power I can bestow upon others. What it does depends on the person who receives it. Usually it is related to the mind, influencing such things as will, thought, memory and perception."

"No physical interference?"

She grimaces. "...It can happen. If someone is injected with my blood or my cells they can develop a Geass without a formal contract that can affect the outside world." She shakes her head. "But they would die soon after, my Essence corrupting their bodies and shortening their lifespan. I don't do that."

"But you know it can happen."

She frowns. "I was told it's a possibility. And the scientists that held me captive tried it a few times. It wasn't pretty."

Is she saying they did human experiments on her? It makes sense, the promise of immortality would make quick work of most moral restrains. You tap your fingers on the table. "Alright, change of topic. You know I am an Exalt. This mean you have prior experiences with them."

"Most of them bad." She scoffs. "Does the term 'Sidereal' say anything to you?"

"The Chosen of the Five Maidens."

She grins. "Great, I don't need to explain."

"What is it your relation with them?"

She stays silent. You narrow your eyes in irritation. "Fine. What other types of Exalt you know of, and do you have an affiliation with a specific group?"

"Lunars and Dragonblooded. Though one time a Lunar told me stories about the Golden Kings that once reigned over the world. Silly if you ask me." She crosses her arms above her chest. "I belong to no group. I am my own person and I do what I want. Why?"

"Weeell." Milly twirls her hair around one finger. "Me and Lelouch may or may not work for Hell, so..."

"I honestly couldn't care less." She deadpans. "It doesn't concern me."

Well, that's one less concern. Do you have more questions for her?

[] No
[] Yes:
-[] Write-in.

"I suppose that's all." You muse. "I don't doubt you're keeping secrets, but as long as they're not a danger for us it's not a problem."

"They're not, I can tell you that much."

"Good to hear that. Now, I suppose you still want help to hide from the military." You lock your fingers together. "And since you saved my life, I am willing to show you my gratitude."

"Then-"

"Provided you join my Anti-Britannia organization."

"...What?" She gapes, eyes half-closed.

You grin. "Those who don't work don't eat."

She glares at you. "And if I say no?"

You shrug. "Then the most I can do for you is to pay smugglers to take you out of the country. By sea, because the airports will be controlled. Are you amenable to the idea of spending a couple of weeks hidden inside a five meters by five container eating only canned food?"

She looks at you like you just shot her dog. "You devil."

"That's a yes?"

"Yes! Dammit, yes!" She throws her arms in the air. "I swear, of all the traits you have to inherit from Marianne!"

"Thanks for the compliment." Strangely, you mean it. "Milly, meet your new minion."

"Yatta!" The blonde hugs C.C, her right hand on the greenette's breast. "Zenész, fetch me the rest of the fox's costume. And don't forget the tail!"

"Shouldn't you enforce the agreement with your powers?" Seyrun asks while C.C. judo-throws Milly across the room. "She looks shifty to me."

'She wouldn't have agreed to it. But I don't think that, besides her apparent immortality, she isn't very strong. An Anuhle to keeps an eye on her will suffice.'

Just as you think that an Anuhle opens the door. "Boss! There is a Messenger from the City!"

"Truly? Bring them in."

What enters is a new type of demon, a man-sized salamander swathed in oily black plumage with enormous vermilion eyes, holding in its claws a scroll. "Salutations. Are you Prince Lelouch and Princess Milly?"

You nod, and it hands you the scroll. You open it to behold... hieroglyphs?

"That's Old Realm. Don't worry Boss I will teach you later. Let's see...Once, there was a maiden-blablabla...As I thought, they're calling you to Malfeas. Three days from now we need to meet with the cultists, who will have prepared a portal to the Endless Desert. Once there we will meet our escort to the City. There will be a parade, which will end at the Conventicle Malfeasant. That's, ah, the gathering for Infernals. And-oh."

'Oh?'

"It's firmed by Ligier." Seyrun says flatly. "Boss, you really, really don't want to miss this."

'Relax, I was waiting for this.' You nod at the salamander. "Understood. We will be there at the appointed time."

"I hear and obey." The demon bows before dematerializing.

"Milly. Our bosses want to meet us. We need at least two weeks off school."

"That's-uhn!-easy!" She replies while wrestling with C.C. "I will make up some excuses with grandfather."

While you will need to make up one for Nunnally, but that should be easy. No, what you need to consider now is what to do until then, if keeping up your current schedule is worth the effort or it's best to focus on something else.

There is also Ohgi's group to consider. First you need to come up with a suitable name ("Black Knights" is currently at the top of the list), secure a source of money that doesn't solely come from your gambling or they mysterious benefactors, find a suitable base, make sure the Sutherlands are properly maintained, how to start up recruitment and decide what you want them to do in your absence.​

[] Plan "GM Do It". (Trust me to make intelligent choices)
[] Plan "I Have a Plan". (You make your own proposals)
-[] Write-in.
====

Personal Essence: 13/13
Peripheral Essence: 14/32

Willpower: 6/7

Stunt Pool 2/4

Click to shrink...

====

Nothing much to say here. The choices are basically if letting things run as they are (Enjou's Plan is still in effect), and that works, or if you have specific instructions or things you want Lelouch to do. Sorry for the lack of clear-cut choices, but it is really to open this time.

I may make a character sheet for C.C., but most of it will be guess-work.

 

[Alexander89]

[X] Yes

-[X] What sections of the army are chasing her, and how aware are they about magic? Are any of them Dragonblooded?
-[X] You presume Clovis is likely aware of her given his swift response to her capsule being stolen. Does she know if he's an Exalt or not? Does she know who any of the other Exalts in the Royal Family are?

"A small unit backed by the Viceroy, it's called the 'Code R - Research Team' or something." She shrugs. "They're mostly scientists, Clovis is too much of a coward to involve people he can't unless he can be sure they're absolutely loyal to him. Like his Royal Guard, but they're dead now." A sadistic smile graces her lips. "That's why I assume he is going to keep things as discrete as possible, but it will also limit his options."

That fits your half-brother's profile. Even as a teenager he was arrogant and prideful to those beneath him, but fearful and cautious of those above him. Human experiments aside, there are so many way for this news to ruin him if it was overheard by the wrong people.

"All the researchers were also thaumaturges. General Asprius, the head researcher, I think he's a God-blooded or something similar." She shrugs again. "The only Dragonblooded was Clovis."

"So Clovis is an Exalt." You muse. "Do you know for certain? Because I think he may wears an artifact to conceal his nature."

She blinks in faint surprise. "It could be. I've never seen his Anima flaring, but once he hit a guard during a temper tantrum and poisoned him. That's how I deduced he is a Wood Aspect."

"That's correct. Wood Dragonblooded can make themselves immune to plant-based poisons, but at the same time that power makes them toxic to others as well. Clovis must be wearing an Artifact that cloaks his Essence and his Anima, but doesn't stop the latter's effects."

'Note to self: if it becomes necessary, kill Clovis from a distance.' "Do you know if there are other Exalts in the Royal Family, and who?"

"Everyone that have some kind of reputation I suppose. You Exalts can't help standing out." C.C. deadpans. "I haven't been to court since Marianne's death, but I know with certainty Schneizel and Cornelia are Dragonblooded."

But of course: the only two that pose a real threat, and they're Exalts. You're also sure, with Cornelia at least, that they are making a subordinate of any other Dragonblooded they could sink their fangs into. "Only those two?"

"I wasn't interested, so I didn't look too deeply beyond listening to gossip...oh." She puts a finger over her lips. "I think I recall Marianne commenting than a certain Marrybell showed great promise, and was likely to Exalt."

"Marrybell?" Now that's a name you haven't heard in awhile. The Ninth Princess, you met her only once or twice and always at formal events. For what you remember she was similar to Euphemia, which alone made her stand out. You also remember reading a few years ago that her mother and sister died in a terrorist attack. Honestly, you know too little to gauge her threat level, so you change topic. "What of the Emperor?"

"I don't know." She shakes her head. "He was the last person I looked forward to meeting."

Understandable.

-[X] How many other Geass users is she aware of? Are there any in particular you need to watch out for, like members of the Royal Family? If so, what are their abilities?

"Not many: I give my gift scarcely, and only to people that really need it. Haven't see any of them in a while." She closes her eyes. "I don't know if any member who isn't Exalted has a Geass, or what their abilities are."

She's lying. Part of it is just omission, but the rest is a full lie. You narrow your eyes, debating forcing her to say the truth with an oath...

You click your tongue, and decide against it. She will likely refuse, plus with her immortality she may decide she can withstand any kind of misfortune that can befall her. If you want the truth, force is not the solution.

Subtle manipulation is it.

"Now I see why you are a Fiend Boss."

-[X] Do the powers granted by Geass work on Exalts, demons, spirits, gods, or any other magical creatures? Also, can non-human magical beings be given Geass, or only non-Exalt humans?

"It works on them all. But it can be resisted by special powers that protect against other mind tempering effects. Only non-Exalt humans can be given a Geass. I don't know if God-blooded and other half-breeds qualify."

-[X] Does she have any powers other than granting Geasses, and do they work on Exalts, demons, etc?

"Now, now Lulu." She replies with a mocking tone. "Leave a girl some of her secrets."

How do you hate that nickname.

-[X] Does anyone other than her have the power to grant Geass? If so, how many others are there and who are they?

"There are eight of us." She looks away with an huff. "I only met two other immortals like myself, and they're both assholes. Damn midget..."

-[X] Can someone who has a Geass Exalt? If so, do they lose their Geass? Also, what happens if she tries to give Geass to an Exalt aside from it just not working?

"Someone with a Geass can Exalt, but they would lose their Geass." She nods. "Trying to give Geass to an Exalt doesn't work. That's all. The Exaltation interferes on the soul's level, I know no way to bypass that."

-[X] She says she was your mother's friend. Does she know, or at least suspect, who arranged your mother's assassination? If so, who, and what are their likely motives?

"Anyone with a grudge against her boya." She deadpans. "Marianne was the type of person that made friends as easily as enemies." She shakes her head. "I was in Europe at the time, and learned about her death only later. Sorry."

-[X] Does she personally know the Ashfords, Ruben specifically?

Milly perks up at that.

"I met Ruben Ashford at one of his parties. We greeted each other. That's all. He was Marianne's friend, not mine."

{====}​

"Alright!" You clap your hands to get the two wrestling girls' attention. "C.C., I can't introduce you yet to the members of my organization because they wouldn't trust you as a foreigner. So until I have earned enough of their loyalty you can stay here in my house. You don't have to do anything...of course, keeping Nunnally company while I am in Malfeas would net you positive points."

"What I am, a babysitter?" She rolls her eyes before pushing away Milly and leans down on your bed. "Fine. But I want your credit card."

"I am going to keep track of all transactions." You deadpan.

"If that's how you amuse yourself." She deadpans back. Witch.

"Your cover story is that you knew Marianne - student, daughter of friends, whatever works - and are currently in hiding much like we are for your own reasons. Do no talk with the members of the Student Council, but if you end up being found by one of them just say you're a friend of Milly." You smirk at her. "Or her pet fox. Whatever amuses yourself more."

She squints her eyes at you, as if to say 'this isn't over'.

"You know." Milly muses, sitting next to C.C. "We could enroll you in the school!"

"One full of teenagers? Eeew." She makes a disgusted face. "Spare me the melodrama."

"I agree with C.C. here. That would expose her too much." You look at your watch and sigh. "It's already late. Milly, procure C.C. clothes that don't scream 'runaway'. In the meantime I will explain the cover story to Sayoko and Nunnally. Oh, and learn Old Realm: we will need it."

"Okay Lelouch! Follow me minion most faithful number two!" Dragging a reluctant C.C. Milly leaves in tandem with her demon.

"..." You grab the door's pommel and close it. "Raimobon. Cuabuhm."

The two Anuhles skitters to attention.

"While I am away, if C.C. tries to even hurt a single hair on Nunnally's head you are to kill her, cut her into many pieces, and then bury each one in different parts of the city."

"Will do Boss!"

You don't think she would do it, but you aren't going to risk Nunnally's safety.

While C.C. is with Milly you meet with your sister and explain the situation, a task made more difficult by the fact you can't lie, but you somehow manage. Strangely Nunnally easily accepts the story you prepared, though for some strange reason she asks if C.C. is your girlfriend (which you deny) and makes a comment about Shirley being sad.

What the energetic orangette has anything to do with it, you have no idea.

Explaining why you need to leave for two weeks and maybe more was totally more complicated. Luckily at that moment Milly came back with a better clothed C.C. and, after presenting the greenette, together you spin a vague tale about needing to prepare for when you and Nunnally will graduate from Ashford and will therefore need to find an occupation in society without risking your secret identity.

It's painfully obvious the biggest reason for her objecting is the thought you two will be separated for so long, but it's necessary: the alternative is bringing her with you, and there are so many reasons about that you don't even bother counting them.

"Do you really have to go Big Brother?"

"I do." You squeeze her hand just a little. "We can't be students forever."

"No, I suppose we can't." She hums, playing with your fingers like the first times after the incident where she lost her sight. "I thought about that. About career choices. I think I would like to become a teacher. Do you think it's possible, Big Brother?"

"That's a wonderful dream Nunnally." You smile. "You should pursue it. And if things become difficult I will help you in any way I can."

Anything to see her smile.

{====}​

"Sayoko? Can I talk with you for a second?"

"Of course, My Lord." She bows. "What do you need?"

"It's about the other day." You begin without preambles. "Why did you think I was wearing a mask?"

"My Lord, I was just making sure you weren't an impostor trying to take Master Lelouch's place." She replies as if it is the most natural thing in the world.

"Yeah. My spinneret it is." Seyrun grumbles. "That's the first thing that a trained bodyguard thinks, not a maidservant. Boss, I said and repeat it: this one isn't what she appears to be. She's trained."

Sayoko is...on second thought, how much do you really know about her? Previously she was under the service of Ruben before she assigned her to you, and since then became so much like family you and Nunnally shared the truth about your origins, and she accepted it with a smile.

"Sayoko." You begin, catching her attention. "You don't need to answer me if you don't want to, but I would like to know: before becoming a maid for the Ashford, what did you do?"

"...Ara, it has finally come to this?" She sighs in resignation, resting her cheek on one hand, before straightening up and bowing again. "I didn't wish to keep this hidden Lord Lelouch, I just thought it was not appropriate to touch on. The answer is that I became a maid only after the war. Before that, I was the Head of the Shinozaki School of ninjutsu and martial arts."

"Called it!" Seyrun exclaims in triumph.

"Shinozaki School of ninjutsu and martial arts?" You repeat, not quite sure what to make of it.

"I was a ninja." She replies while smiling.

"A ninja."

"Yes." So fast you almost couldn't see it she makes a jab to the side, knuckles stopping just a millimeter before hitting a glass. The glass is unmarred, but the sponge inside it is tossed into the air and lands into the sink.

"...One moment." You close your eyes, pinch your nose's bridge and take a series of deep breaths. "Alright, so you're a warrior. A martial artists. A ninja, whatever they do in modern times. I...accept it, even if I don't know how that's supposed to work. That begets the question." You gesture at her dress. "Why...a maid?"

"That...is a long story." She begins slowly, as if in the middle of a reminiscence. "I am an orphan Lord Lelouch, I don't remember my birth parents. I grew up in an orphanage most of my life until one day I was accosted by my mentor, the 36th Successor of the Shinozaki School, who for reason he never explained took me as his pupil. He trained me, teaching me everything I know, and then when he judged me ready he gave me the surname Shinozaki, the title of 37th Successor and a legal identity. After that he left, whistling merrily with his inseparable bamboo cane."

She chuckles. "He was an odd man, but I respected him as a father. His first lesson was 'Do whatever you feel is right: only you control your destiny'. The second was 'your skills are made to protect, not to harm'. That's why when Britannia invaded...instead of fighting, I found myself helping the people around me." She smiles sadly. "I guess I just find the smiles of others to be more important than just fighting. I still do. After that I met Master Ruben Ashford during one of his organized relief efforts to help the victims of war: he didn't know about my past, but after seeing how good I was at taking care of others he offered me a job at the school he was building. I thought it was a respectable life, so I accepted. You know the rest."

...Wow. This...how the hell were you ignorant of this?

"What's important in a servant are skills and loyalty, not their past. Maybe th-"

'Maybe, but it's still wrong because it's Sayoko!' You interrupt him. "I thank you for telling me this Sayoko. I am glad you decided to trust me and Nunnally, even after our former country did horrible things to Japan." You pause. "Do you despise Britannia?"

"No." At your shocked look she elaborates. "It's more like I pity it. I look at their valued ideology of superiority, and all I see is just a twisted mechanism that breeds only hate and suffering: for others, and for themselves." She smiles. "That's why I am glad to have met you, My Lord, and Lady Nunnally. You are not only someone I greatly respect, but also wish to serve because you are worthy."

"...You want to know something Sayoko?" You say after regaining the control your mental faculties. "I've heard many people talking so much about the concept of chivalry, but you are the first person I have met that I can honestly say embodies the best qualities of what chivalry should really be."

"You honor me with your words Lord Lelouch." She bows again. You almost tell her it isn't necessary to be so formal, but you notice the smile on her lips and decide to let it go today.

Maybe in the future she may be an useful asset. But for now, you are content with being among family.

{====}​

"Black Knights?" Ohgi asks.

"Yes." You reply while inspecting one of the stored Sutherland. "That will be the name of our organization."

"But, shouldn't we choose something more-"

"Japanese?" You interrupt him before jumping down from the cockpit and landing in front of him, marveling at how your Exalt body can do many things you thought impossible with your previous weak constitution. "That would be counterproductive. Ohgi, you may not see it now but one day this organization will be filled with more than just Japanese people. Every nation we'll free from the yoke of Britannia will become one more ally to our cause. If we don't prepare to become an international force from the beginning it would only bring future problems."

You pat him over his shoulder. "It's okay. I understand it may be a concept difficult to grasp, but I have faith that you and the rest have what it takes."

"Thanks. I also have faith in you Zero. I believe you know what you're doing." He smiles and nods. "Still, why 'Black Knights'?"

"It's for the concept behind the figure." You explain. "The 'White Knight' is a stereotype of literature, the knight-errant who wander the land in search of adventures suiting his chivalric virtues: dueling strong opponents, slaying monsters, courting princesses. He gains great fame for them, but it's glory more centered around himself than the good he does, which often is limited and marginal. Plus he puts respect for the authorities above all else, such that when the two come into conflict he must either let evil go, or disgrace himself in the eyes of everyone to follow what his morals tell him."

"When you put it that way, it doesn't sound so great."

"Because it isn't." You shrug. "There is certainly nothing wrong with personal glory, as someone without even a bit of selfishness cannot be called human." You raise an hand in the air. "However, for the sake of helping as many people as possible we must behave differently. The 'Black Knight' is the opposite of the White Knight: he is an outcast, working anonymously for a greater purpose and is known to go against authorities should his mission necessitate it." You point at him. "That's what we need to do: putting the wellbeing of others above ours. It may be thankless at times, but such is the price for the greater good. Do you understand my reasons now, Ohgi?"

"V-Vaguely." He stammers before chuckling. "Zero, you speak like one of my old school's professors. Do you have a doctorate or something?"

"Nothing official." You reply offhandedly. "You can say I have an...appreciation for the classics."

"And the symbol?"

Spoiler

"Just something catchy and easy to replicate." Actually it was C.C.' suggestion. And by suggestion you mean she scribbled it, rolled the paper into a ball and tossed it at you from behind. Repeatedly.

"Zero! This uniform is amazing!" An excited exclamation catches your attention. You turn around just in time to see Kallen running towards you, a big grin on her face, wearing the uniform you had made for her. "It's so soft, and yet I can't even stretch it! What is it made of?"

"A special material that's similar to silk." More specifically, magic silk from demonic spiders. "But much stronger and also bulletproof. My costume is the same. While I wish to equip all of you with them, making them requires a lot of time and resources." You snap your fingers. "That's one of the reasons for my soon-to-be absence."

"You're going to meet possible backers, right?"

"Yes. They're people who already helped me in the past and can do so again now. But I need to meet them directly, and that requires I leave the country." And the whole dimension. "That's why I have prepared something for all of you. Follow me."

You lead Ohgi and Kallen to a table, under which you left two heavy briefcases. You pick up one and put it on the table before opening it. Your followers gasp at the sight of the many stacks of bills within. "This is part of my personal resources. I'll entrust it to you. In my absence you will need to work on our logistics: food, medicines, clothing, etc."

"And weapons?" Kallen questions.

"That, as I am sure you know, is harder to get." You close the briefcase and bend to take the other. "My backers can help me with it. Beyond that, I want to have a firm base covering and supporting us because, once we start making waves on the public scene, we can't stop." You put the second case on the table. "Also they're not only for us, but also for the local populace. We will need new recruits, both soldiers and support personnel, so working to earn the goodwill of people will be fundamental."

"I see. So what's inside the other case?"

You open it, revealing various books on war, strategy, and tactics. "You, Ohgi, are the second in command. Kallen, you're our best Knightmare pilot. You two and anyone else who might be a good officer will study those books. It's not only necessary knowledge to lead men in battle, but within them are described the tactics and strategies of Britannia. You will learn how our enemy thinks, and in doing so learn how to best counter them."

You produce a list and hand it to Ohgi. "For this purpose I compiled a list of jobs and those suited for them, based your performances during Shinjuku and other general impressions."

"Cool." Ohgi begins, before he raises one eyebrow in confusion. "Why is Tamaki not on the list?"

Oh yes, the redhead buffoon. "Is that a problem?"

"He's one of the senior members, and an old friend."

You resist the urge to facepalm. "I see. Then, what would you put him in charge of?"

"Uhm...finances?"

Oh hell no. "The cafeteria is better."

"The cafe-"

"Food is important." You interrupt him. "Without food a human being dies in five days. If we have money but no food, what will you eat? Bills?"

"Uh..."

"I'm glad we agree on the same point."

{====}​

'Seyrun, what goods from Earth - I mean Creation are sought-after in Malfeas?' You suddenly ask your advisor while at school.

"Why do you ask Boss?"

'If there is really a cult, and they respect me, one possible source of income might be to expand the cult's business with Malfeas. I could even invest some of my own money. I am sure genuine magical goods that don't exist here would be useful some way or another.'

"Ambitious. Well, trading is not my field, so I can't offer advice. But by Yozi's decree all cults must support the Green Sun Princes, so you can just request their collaboration. Before that check who's the Cult Patron: if it's a Second Circle or higher, it may be best to work on an agreement where you both benefit from it. And for goods, the most sought after ones are seashells that hold the laughter of a mortal child. With it you can make amulets that repels Adorjan. Other commodities includes moleskins, feathers from albino peacocks, tears of pity, the dropped teeth of children, lost coins, the blood of a maiden's deflowering and the likes. Even if a demon cannot use these goods he can trade them to other demons."

You stop and rest your forehead against the wall. 'The blood of a maiden's deflowering?'

"I don't decide those things. Buuut, if you want to set up an organization of assassins instead I can help you a lot more. Everyone need a dagger in the dark, and if you have more than one even better!"

'I...will think about it.' You sigh before resuming your walk.

*flash*

"Uh? Did you hear that?"

'Hear what?'

"...No, nevermind."

'Whatever.'

You see a wallet on the ground. There is no one else around, so it must be a lost item. You bend to pick it up.

*flash* *giggle~*

You stand up and whip your head around. 'What was that?'

"I knew it was something strange!"

You search around the area, but even with Seyrun's inhuman senses added to yours you find nothing out of the ordinary. You even interrogate your Anuhle guards, but they didn't see anyone doing something out of the ordinary. Even the wallet is empty. In the end you just decide it was a coincidence and move on, since you have an appointment and don't want to miss it.

More exactly, you can't miss it because those maniacs would probably hunt you down through the whole school.

Entering the Survival Club building you open the drawer with your name and retrieve your personal weapon, a Beretta M92F. Checking it's in good conditions you remove the old cartridge and insert a new one.

"Now."

Then with one fluid movement you bend your arm backward above your shoulder and point the airsoft gun behind you. "Not today Miss Glass."

The violet-haired girl laughs in genuine amusement, her two Desert Eagles still pointed at your back. "Marvelous Lelouch! I knew you belong here! That you kept coming back is proof of that!"

Only because this is the only place where you can train your firearm skills hard enough to qualify for actual training. "Survival Games have their own appeal, I suppose." You say instead, turning around as both of you put back your guns. "You do realize this is the last day?"

"Not if I can help it!" She shamelessly declares.

"Yes, yes." You roll your eyes. The usual banter done, you go to prepare the other members' weapons and equipment, so that they can change faster. It is during said task that you make a horrifying discovery. "Miss Glass?"

"Yes?"

You show her one gun, an image of you printed on the grip. "What...is this?"

"A Glock 26C. The semi-auto Glock 26 is a real firearm, while the 26C is a full auto, airsoft exclusive va-"

"That's not what I mean!" You point to the grip, eyebrow twitching. "Why there is a photo of me there?"

"Oh, that?" She says dismissively. "The girls from your Fan Club asked for permission to customize their weapons. It wasn't a big deal so I authorized it."

A pin could be heard dropping in the ensuing silence. "I don't have a Fan Club." You finally say, more to convince yourself than her.

"No, you do." She replies with a smirk, taking out her phone and fiddling with it. "It started gaining popularity in the last week, but already it has a large number of followers. They even have an official web page. Oh look, there is new content available!"

She shows you the screen. On it there are numerous shots of you taken from different angles and at different times.

The last chronological one is taken from behind, the maker having zoomed almost obsessively on your butt while you bend to pick up something.

Breath. In out. In out. In out.

You smile beatifically. "Is that so? Why, I'm honored!"

'Notes so self. First thing to do once school is over: resume your old hacker lessons. Second thing to do: nuke the hell out of this abomination against nature!!!'

Enjou's XP Expenditure Plan - Basic Combat Proficiency
Dexterity 4 - 7 XP (24 days left)
Dodge: O
Athletics: O
Resistance: O
Firearms: O -> OO
Linguistics: OO -> OOO (Native tongue: English. Japanese, Chinese, Old Realm)
Current: 42 Xp
Total acquired: 63 Xp

Click to shrink...

{====}​

The day finally comes. With everything you need for a five days trip through an otherworldly desert in another realm of existence you kiss Nunnally goodbye and take the train to a small town outside the Tokyo Settlement. Milly, who had taken the previous train, is waiting for you at the station and together you reach the cultists' supposed 'hideout'. She is wearing a white and purple dress, while you have your Zero costume under the shadow illusion, which you drop before entering.

Now, you are ready to admit your mental image of a 'cult' is shaped by stereotypes.

"My Brothers and Sisters! Our fervent prayers have been heard! Not one, but two Chosen of our Gods have magnanimously allowed us to bask in their holy presence!"

It appears those stereotypes are correct. What greet you is a congregation of chanting cultists all wearing matching brass, green, and black colored robes. They are an even mix of Japanese and Britannians, mostly adults with some kids. Any other time the sight of people freely mingling together without any sort of racial hatred would make you happy.

It still does. You're just a little crept out by the whole 'worshiping' thing. Thankfully you don't think you see much fanaticism in their eyes. There is a stage hastily put together, and the walls are decorated with curtains matching the cultists' robes. The building is clear and shows signs of being used. It's less clandestine meeting and more festival for an important holiday.

Milly just takes to it like a fish takes to water. "Oyah everyone! Missed me?" She greets them cheerfully, to which they respond with loud cheering. "I brought a new friend today! Zenész, please play some music."

The Angyalka appears and begins to play a cheerful music. Meanwhile Milly leads you to the stage. "That's your moment Lulu." She whispers to you before stepping to your side, leaving the front stage all to you.

What seems to be the leader steps forward and drops on one knee, the others soon following suit. "Please Green Sun Prince, tell us by what name we may call you so that we may properly celebrate your magnificence."

"That's your cue Boss. Cultists love dramatic and flamboyant shit. Just say some important-sounding words and you will have them eating from your hand."

You hope not. You like your subordinates to have more backbone than that.

[] Speech for the cultists (write-in).

- One possible source of income might be to expand the cult's own business with the denizens of Hell. Talk to Seyrun about what goods might be profitable to trade. You could invest some of your own money into expanding the cult's capabilities to trade goods between Creation and Hell, if it seems feasible. Heck, maybe you can get some samples of goods from Malfeas and Ruben might be willing to invest further into your new 'company'.
- Speaking of the cult, it'd probably be a good idea to have them use the demons in their employ help gather intelligence for the Black Knights while you're out. When you meet the cult, see if they can appoint a liaison to work with your group in that regard.

Click to shrink...

Do you talk with the cultists about those possibilities?

[] No
[] Yes
-[] Write-in.

(OOC: I am leaving details deliberately vague. With a good Stunt you can set the Cult's circumstances and abilities, making your goals easier to reach.

Fair warning: the current Black Knights may not react positively to any religious talk, so you may want to instruct the cultists about it.)

{====}​

How to describe stepping into the portal? There is a sense of...freedom, as if you shell over a comfortable dress to remain naked, the temperature just right to the skin.

You breath in. The air is clear and crisp, free of smells and particles.

You open your eyes to a blank black sky, a breathtaking desert of silver sand stretching for what you know is forever.

This is Cecelyne. A place. A Goddess. A World. A Primeval Reality.

"Woah..." Even Milly is without words, taking in the scenario with wide eyes.

"And here we are. Home, bittersweet home. Well not quite, but close. Creation is great but I missed the familiar sights. Oh: look, our escorts is there."

Advancing towards yours and Milly's position is a contingent of demons. Many are armed and form serrated ranks on both sides. Between them are two palanquins carried by hulking red apes, while behind them are two strange crosses between a spider and an horse. Flying above them are two great, beautiful wasp-like beings.

When in reach they stop and bow deeply, the flying ones landing before doing so. You have to praise their discipline, which wouldn't look out of place at Pendragon...except for the whole 'non-human' thing.

After you acknowledge them with a nod of your head they stand up, and an hunchbacked demon with the head of a praying mantis and wearing simple yellow clothes approaches you. "Ugh, a Naneke. I hate those guys." Seyrun complains.

'Why?'

"They never shut up. Never."

"Welcome great Green Sun Prince, great Green Sun Princess. Peers of the City. Chosen of Hell. Welcome." He claps his hands together and bows deeply. "May I ask for your names?"

"My name is Milly! Nice to meet you."

"I am Zero."

"Peer Milly, Peer Zero: my name is Lemmun, and I am here to answer any questions you will ask of me. Now please hurry and come." Lemmun gestures to the escort. "For the Unquestionables desires your presence, and we must make them wait not."

He points to the palanquins. "The palanquins are at your service, provided with every comfort."

Next he points to the spider-horse hybrids. "You may also choose the Peghedu, their movements so smooth it's like you're not moving at all."

Finally he points to the wasp-like beings. "Or, if it so please you, the Agatae are ready to bring you whenever you wish on their wings."

Milly is already running by the time Lemmun started speaking, hugging an Agata before riding it. The demon responds with an happy bell-like cry and rose in the air.

Which method of travel do you choose?
[] Palanquin
[] Peghedu
[] Agata

You have begun the five-days travel across Cecelyne! What do you do during it?
[] Write-in. (You can use this time to train all traits save physical Attributes, Non-Caste/Non-Favored Abilities, Sorcery Spells and Martial Arts Charms)
====

And, finished. Man, this took awhile.

 

[Enjou]

Omake time! Little scenes from various people while Lelouch is out and about.

Slices of Life​

==Ohgi==​

It had only been two days since Zero had left, and Ohgi Kaname had already read through three of the books that he had been instructed to read. Kaname did not consider himself a violent man, not liking war. He had been a teacher, a man dedicated to ensuring that the younger generation had a bright future ahead of them. It was ironically that which had lead him to taking up arms against Britannia. What hope could his pupils have of even a decent future when they were relegated to being second class citizens?

The contents of the books had been eye opening. Kaname knew he wasn't as good of a leader as Naoto was. He'd only taken over as the group's leader after Naoto's death because there wasn't really anyone else who seemed like they could. Ever since then the group had been in decline, getting less funding from their backer and losing members as their petty victories were outnumbers by numerous defeats. If Zero hadn't saved them in Shinjuku they'd all be dead now, along with every last citizen in Shinjuku.

Kaname could only chide himself at his failure, but not as a leader. No, he was disappointed in himself for failing to do what all teachers should do - continue learning. Why had it not occurred to him to learn how to lead even if only at an academic level? Hell, if he had thought to get Naoto books like these would his friend still be alive? Naoto was a good leader, but looking back he had been mostly leading through good instincts. With the right training, could he have been as good as Zero? Maybe. All Kaname knew was that what he was learning would possibly one day keep his people alive, so he was eager to understand it.

His stomach grumbled, and he realized he had left his meal untouched for the last couple hours. Cold curry didn't sound very appetizing, but he wasn't about to waste it. He picked up his plate and spoon, and then began to eat.

"Hmmm?" he chewed and swallowed, and then looked at the rather plain looking meal. "This is pretty good."

==Shirley==​

Lelouch's fan club was out of control. Did they have no shame?

*click, save, click, save*

It was scandalous! How could they take so many pictures of her darling Lulu without his permission like this?

*click, save, click, save*

She'd report it to Milly, but the President would only encourage this kind of behavior.

*click, save, click, save*

Was that a picture of Lelouch bending over!? Why was it so focused on his butt? His amazing...

*click, flash*

Shirley looked up and saw Rivalz standing behind her monitor, smiling mischievously while holding a camera. "Oya, Shirley, what ever might you be up to to have such a look on your face?" He turned the camera around to show a picture of her staring at the monitor, a lecherous, open mouthed smile on her face, and... was she drooling just a bit? "Has the fair maiden perhaps found the now infamous site of Lelouch's fan club?"

Shirley was absolutely certain she had gone beet red at that point. "N... n... no, of course not! I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Oh, so you all that clicking wasn't you saving pictures to look at later?"

Something inside her snapped.

==Nina==​

A loud noise distracted her from the equations she was looking at. Turning around she saw Shirley attempting to strangle Rivalz. She sighed in relief that it was just something normal happening, and turned back to her computer to continue her work.

==Kallen==​

Looking at Kallen now, most people would only see a young woman playing on a game at an arcade. Kozuki Kallen though was training, or at least as best she could without being able to actually go out in a real Knightmare. She wished she had a real simulator available, but the current generation of arcade games were a decent substitute.

At this moment, she was looking at her time. She was the previous record holder of this particular scenario on this machine, something she had been quite proud of. But now she'd blown her previous time out of the water by just under four minutes. While she hadn't thrown herself into reading the books on war and tactics as much as Ohgi had, she had been quite interested in a few chapters involving Knightmare combat. The book "The Conquest of Area 11: How Knightmares Changed the Course of Warfare" had been really illuminating.

She was a good pilot. She knew that. Few could match her if they were in an identical machine. Reading hadn't really helped her as a pilot. What it had helped was to give her an understanding of fighting alongside other Knightmare pilots and how others did the same. Her Glasgow had been destroyed in Shinjuku. Hunted down by that arrogant dog in the Sutherland like she was a little rabbit. He had help though. It wasn't just his superior machine that won the day for him, but the fact that he had others backing him up.

The scenario she'd just played had a number of AI pilots on her side she could give some primitive commands to. She'd never really bothered with them before. They had always seemed slow, more a hindrance than a help. She could always win on her own. But now she realized that just charging ahead by herself had slowed down how quickly she could win, and that the only reason she had been winning was because her AI allies had still be targets the enemy had to contend with. This time she had worked with them, positioning them to help her own attacks, and the results...

Kallen smiled. Next time she would be the hunter.

==Tamaki==​

Tamaki was pissed. How could Zero put a talented man like him in charge of something like food? Tamaki should be in charge of finances or something else important. Oh, Zero had made it sound like the cooking was important and all at the time, but Tamaki was sure it was bullshit. As he was stirring his pot of curry to keep it from burning, he was about to complain loudly before he was interrupted.

"Tamaki-kun, can I have seconds?" He looked up and saw Naomi holding an empty plate.

"Oh, sure. Just a sec, Inoue-san" He took the plate and began putting more rice and curry on it.

"I didn't know you could cook, Tamaki. It's really good. Everyone is saying so." She smiled.

"Err... thanks. I don't usually cook because it's a bit of a hassle, so I usually eat out." It was true. He considered himself a man of taste. He only would cook when he was low on cash. Did people really like his cooking? "Here you go." He handed her the plate.

"You should cook more often, Tamaki-kun. Women love a man that can cook." She winked at him, leaving him blushing and rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment and pride. Maybe Zero knew what he was doing after all, recognizing Tamaki's true talents? Of course. That had to be how it was. Zero was too smart to waste someone like Tamaki on something unimportant, right?

 

[Alexander89]

[X] Speech and Prayer

'Suggest me appropriate ways to refer to an Yozi. I'm new at this!'

"Will do Boss!"

With Seyrun's help you begin: "I am Zero, Green Sun Prince and Chosen of..." you dramatically extend your right arm, flaring your cape, "Oramus, The Dragon From Beyond The World!"

Several members of the cult gasp in shock at your proclamation, others simply staring with wide eyes and mouths agape. "Yes, blessed Oramus, he who sees both That Which Is and That Which Is Not, has chosen to aid the Reclamation by declaring me his champion. In his wisdom the Ouroboros Border of Reality has given me a task of vast importance, which will become evident to all soon enough. The corrupt and oppressive rulers of Britannia will suffer for the sins they have committed, and you all shall be remembered and greatly rewarded for your steadfast loyalty and work, when the True Rulers of the world return!"

You raise your fist, and the crowd cheers. Chants of "Zero!" and "Oramus!" are a constant. You gesture for silence, and they quickly calm themselves, though the fire in their eyes is still present. Very good.

The leader raises both of his hands towards you. "What joyful news you bring, oh Chosen! Please, allow us to thanks yours and your Master's names in our prayers, together with Chosen Milly and the True Gods."

'Should I? By that matter, do prayers really work?'

"Of course Boss! The prayers of humans and other mortal beings generate Essence, which fuel the venerated being. Only Yozi, the Unquestionables and the gods hear the prayers, all the others just receive the extra juice. Now, true devotion is not really required...but being properly respectful is. It's an unspoken rule that prayers should be of gratitude and praising, and only when one really needs it about requesting a boon or help of some kind. It is extremely disrespectful and borderline blasphemy to disturb the Yozi for matters that aren't of the proper importance."

Uhm, so it's a supernatural method of communication with some benefits for the being being prayed at? You can get behind that. You also understand the last part of Seyrun's explanation: if every matter could be resolved by praying, everyone would grow lazy and indolent. Even in your eyes the world-gods that create reality must be approached with the proper gravitas. 'I have an idea. Help me compose an appropriate prayer to Oramus.'

"Okay Boss. Uhm, in those cases we should make an offering, but lacking that let's hope your role as Oramus' champion is enough. Be sure to recite it in Old Realm."

"You can." You reply, nodding. "But at this moment we must first give thanks to my master. Mighty Oramus does not ask for temples or shrines to be built in his image, for it is his desire to maintain only his one unique temple within Malfeas. However he does appreciate prayers, as all his brethren. I will pray to give him our thanks, and to continue watching over us. Join me." You kneel, the others and even Milly soon following, and begin to pray.

As you recite the test your Anima flares up, slowly rising to a great bonfire that bathes the room in iridescent emerald, tendrils of purple, black and rainbow orbiting around your figure. At that the cultists' prayers grow even more fervently. At the end of the prayer they raise their heads and gasp at something behind you. Turning around you see colored fluids seeping from the cracks into the wall, quickly forming a seven pointed kaleidoscopic star.

"It worked! It worked!" Seyrun cheers.

"My Brothers and Sisters!" The cult leader's voice raises of several octanes. "Our Gods answered! Mighty Oramus has shown that Prince Zero is indeed his will made manifest! Blessed is he!"

"Blessed is he!"
"Blessed is he!"
"Blessed is he!"

Your lips stretch into a smile. 'I could get used to this.'

{====}​

After the whole spectacle the meeting quickly devolves into a party. There's punch and food, and music blaring out of a portable radio. You aren't a fan of progressive rock, but by Seyrun's happy humming the demon finds it enjoyable.

And of course Milly is the soul of the party, rallying everyone behind her. In the meantime you have a private meeting with the cult leader, one Shichirobei Noritoshi, and the spokesperson to the authorities for the Britannians, a woman by the name of Sarah White.

"How can we help you, oh Chosen?" They both ask after bowing.

"Business, I'm afraid." You begin. "As a start how do you go about using the abilities of the demons you summon?"

"Well lots of ways, but I guess the main thing is we've been gathering blackmail material on a number of minor nobles." Noritoshi explains. "They're pretty corrupt, and quite eager to pay once they know we're aware of the skeletons in their closet. Sarah helps with that, because they know the police will listen to her."

You nod. It was one of the things you had considered doing yourself.

"Cowards, the lot of them. All the better for us, yes." A new voice speaks up. You look around, but spot no one.

"One moment please." The leader brings you to a large mirror fixed on the wall. Once you look at it you see reflected a network of throbbing red veins in the shape of an eel floating above the man's shoulders. "This is Xibhi. He is the first demon I met, and who opened my eyes to the truth."

"Ah, a Passion Moray." Seyrun supplies. "They're transparent, but can be partially seen on reflective surfaces. They feed on passionate memories, and make excellent blackmail material collectors because of that."

"Glory to the Peer, glory eternal." The demon continues in its odd speech and bow.

"I see. What you are doing is good, but you can expand on that to make even more profitable. The right information is worth a lot to the right people. Rather than doing the blackmail yourself, you could just as easily sell the information and evidence to their political rivals for more than that. You can even play both sides, pitting rival gangs or political factions against one another, having them escalate and destroy one another for you. Giving partial information to lead people to false conclusions also works - just look at how Prince Clovis went after the Purebloods."

The cult leader blinks. "That was you?" You grin behind your mask. This is never going to get old.

[X] Plan Learn About The Cult

-[X] What are the cult's current activities and abilities?
-[X] What do they use the demons they summon for?

"Most of our efforts are directed to make sure all of our members and their families have access to proper living conditions and services." Noritoshi explains. "The extra money is nice, but we can't rely on blackmail forever. We help people find homes, get proper jobs and for the young to receive a proper education."

"We're also working towards improving the city." Sarah continues. "This is going a bit slowly because we don't want to rouse suspicion from the central authorities. Beyond that we of course keep up the recruitment of new members. We summon demons who can help with the task at hand with their special skills."

-[X] What goods do they currently export and import to and from Malfeas? Are there any other goods they wish to trade in, but can't get access to on either side for whatever reasons?
--[X] Who is the cult's patron demon? If you're going to expand the cult's ability to trade, you'll want to talk to whomever it is about doing so while you are in Malfeas to make things easier on that end.

"Surprisingly in Malfeas most items we humans consider common are very sought after." Noritoshi smiles. "Things like water and products of animal origins. Others are more exoteric like dropped teeth of children. Our patron especially like for us to trade cloths of various origins. However, there is also an high demand for Sakuradite: apparently it's semi-magical and many demons want it, but it is sadly almost impossible for us to obtain."

'Is he telling the truth?'

"Yes. My notes says Sakuradite is a pseudo-magical material that came in existence because of the changed geomancy of Creation. Demon artificers greatly request it for study and crafting."

"Luckily, I can help with that." You reply, thinking of using the battery packs for Knightmare Frames. "Who is your patron? I would like to meet with them while in Malfeas, in order to help you better."

"Peer Zero. We pay respect and gratitude to Suave Berengiere!" Both Noritoshi and Sarah claps their hands in reverence.

In the mirror Xibhi bobs its head up and down. "Beautiful more than the stars, Mistress Berengiere is! Peerless artist, kind Mistress!"

"Well that's surprising. Berengiere is the Weaver of Voices, soul of Ligier and Second Circle Demon. She makes cloths out of passion-filled voices, but don't ask what is under the veil that hide her face. Negotiations shouldn't be too difficult."

"Our patron has been very helpful with creating the cult proper, and the only thing she asks in return is for us to summon her often and help find passionate voices so she can practice her craft."

"Yeah, I heard she was given the duty to guard an important place, but it bores her so she escapes whenever she can."

Curious, but you have since learned that all demons have their quirks. Not that you care beyond what could be useful for you. "In that case Xibhi, I want you to bring a message to your Mistress, to request a meeting."

"Xibhi will! Xibhi will!" The demon whirls around happily.

Noritoshi provides the tools, and with the help of Seyrun and Xibhi you compile a letter to send. It's quite wordy and full of niceties, but you have experience from your time as a prince so such things come easily for you.

-[X] Discuss how you want them to help the Black Knights.
--[X] They should pick a Japanese liaison, as the group is primarily Japanese at the moment. Also, it should be someone who can keep their religious beliefs quiet, as the Black Knights are not likely to deal with such things well at this time. Maybe later they can be converted, but for now the relationship between the two groups should be kept at a professional level.
---[X] The main things needed will be assistance in providing information on prospective targets, and occasional stealthy demonic intervention to help ensure things go well. You don't expect them to do this for free, of course, so you'll negotiate a cut of any money that the Black Knights seize from targets (criminal organizations tend to be cash only businesses at multiple points) that will go to the cult.

"We will be happy to provide whatever help we can." The two leaders promptly reply. "I just have the ideal man for the job. Do you also need fighters Lord Zero?"

You shake your head. "No, Not at the moment. I already have recruits I am training, what I need now is a civilian infrastructure to help the residents of the ghettos. For that help of the mundane kind is required, and I would like your help for that."

"I understand."

{====}​

You can't really let yourself be outdone by Milly, can you? With a light chuckle you remove the mask and toss it to one of the Anuhle to keep before walking to the remaining Agata. The demon bends down respectfully, allowing you to easily mount it. "Fly steady, I need to concentrate."

"Yes master." It intones before raising in the air.

With that, the travel begins.

The landscape, while beautiful, can't be said to change much. There are dunes here and there, but after a while they all blur together. Seyrun told you it's better this way, for truly dangerous phenomenon are hidden in the desolation of Cecelyne, and a travel where nothing happen is the best blessing that can be given.

So, when not conversing with Milly, you spend your time questioning Lemmun, much to Seyrun's annoyance. Indeed the Naneke proves himself to be able to talk for hours without even breathing, but listening is an art you have mastered long ago. From him you learn of the history of Creation as remembered by demons, of the rise and fall of the Solar Exalts; of the great cataclysm and the event called 'World-Change', when the world became a sphere and the firmament opened, revealing the Spiral, aka the Milky Way.

To think the home of humanity was once a flat surface amidst an infinite sea of chaotic energy. The things you learn.

"Is that sarcasm?"

'Yes. Yes it is.'

The caravan stops only for a few hours every day to allow you and Milly time to sleep, the passage of time calculated only by the screams of the Tomescu, a type of demon that apparently always cries at dawn and dusk. Seyrun explains that clocks don't work in Malfeas, for the demon realm exists outside the normal passage of time. Only the Tomescu are accurate.

When you don't feel like sleeping, something your Exalted nature allows you to ignore safely, you engage in something normally unfamiliar for you: meditation. It is, according to Seyrun, the most efficient way to study the core of Essence that dwell inside your body and develop it, allowing you to draw forth new and stronger powers. Forcing your hyperactive mind to empty itself of all thoughts proves difficult but you persevere on, conscious that this could, and would, mean difference between victory and defeat, life and death in the future.

It's during the second day that you do it. Seated in the lotus position on the sand your sight turns inward, towards the core of burning potential nestled in your soul. The demons of the caravan watches in awe as your anima burn brightly with pure emerald and the Caste Mark blazes, the sand around you turning into shards of obsidian and sphere of sardonyx.

Essence: OO -> OOO
Personal Essence: 16
Peripheral Essence: 39

Learned:

Oramus Mythos Exultant
Ebon Dragon Mythos Exultant

Oramus Inevitability Technique
Ebon Dragon Inevitability Technique

Oramus World-Shaping Cosmogony
Ebon Dragon World-Shaping Cosmogony

Click to shrink...

'You know Seyrun, I just realized something.' You tell your advisor.

"What is it Boss?"

'That day, I just walked in to see Clovis like it was nothing. What if others try to do it to me? What if a bird in a tree watching me is a Lunar? What if I meet Milly one day and instead it's a Night Caste with one of their bullshit Stealth powers.'

It is actually terrifying to think about it, to freely change your appearance and pass as someone else...granted it's okay when you use it, but it's not when used against you.

"Uh. You're kinda right. And let's no talk about the fact you can't see dematerialized spirits."

'Correct. It's new power's time. Do you have anything useful?'

"One moment, I think I saw-Ah! Found it! There is a new power from Oramus that you can acquire: with it you becomes able to see Essence and through magical disguises! Useful!"

'Now we're talking. Teach me.'

"First, you need to channel Oramus' power into your eyes..."

It takes three days, and more than a few headaches, but you feel a new path opening on the circuits of your Exaltation. Your eyesight becomes strange, like you now see more colors that your eyes couldn't previously perceive. It doesn't hinder your vision however, and with a bit of practice you quickly get used to it.

At the same time you have notice that when you talk with the demons they almost always stare straight you in the eyes, but you can't fathom why.

After that you decide to dwell more into the gifts of the Ebon Dragon. Seyrun explains to you about the Perfection of Defense, a concept created by the Primordial Qaf who taught it to his siblings before the Gods and Exalted stole it from themselves. A power developed by that principle is able to perfectly parry or dodge any type of attack, reducing any damage to zero. However, since nothing is truly perfect, every power developed possesses an Imperfection, a determined set of circumstances that make the defense either more difficult or impossible to use. Still he says, since you have access to more than one Yozi's powers, you can acquire two defenses with different Imperfections and cover all your bases.

It takes the rest of the journey but you eventually learn the Perfect Defense of the Ebon Dragon, allowing you to dissolve into shadows and reform in a different point. The Imperfection is that it can't defend you against Holy attacks, the power developed by Solars to inflict great damage to any being the Unconquered Sun declared a Creature of Darkness.

Learned:

Dual Gaze Paradox
Bloodless Murk Evasion

Lore: OOO -> OOOOO
Hacking (Lore): O

Current Xp: 0
Total Xp acquired: 66 Xp

Click to shrink...

{====}​

In the beginning you mistook them for mountains.

Then as you grow closer and the light of a green sun peek up from the horizon you realize that the gargantuan super-structures spreading as far as eyes can see are not mountains but buildings of black stone and basalt, some reaching so high you cannot see the end.

This is Malfeas, the Demon City. A place of impossible, sanity-defying proportions and nature, upon which shines an alien green sun both beautiful and terrible.

You have never felt so small and insignificant before.

"And this is only one of the outmost layers." Seyrun chuckles. "Behold Malfeas! Our King! Our Kingdom! Our Prison!" His voice grows heated. "Look at the ignominy of form that the traitor gods inflicted on He who Was Infinite Power. Understand his rage at the betrayal, his pain. Understand his lesson." He growls. "Never forget, and never again."

'...' You tilt your head. '..Was that part of the given instructions?'

"In part, but most is mine. Do you like it? I'm quite good at inspirational speeches." He shamelessly replies.

'Sure.' You respond, mentally cataloging away the discovery of another quirks of your advisor.

The final thing to reach you is the music: foreign to your tastes, but so wonderful and full of so many different emotions you feel your heart swell and almost burst. You know the music and the noise serve as a ward against certain death from a crazy Yozi, and yet you are sure that even without that danger it would continue, because imagining the absence of such beauty is almost painful.

You look to your side, and see the same emotions on Milly's face.

Hell really isn't all it's cracked up to be.

When you reach the point where desert meet city you are greeted by a crew of black-robed beings. Their hands and feet are darkened bone and their faces are flame the hue of Earth's clear autumn sky. Seyrun tells you they are the priests of Cecelyne, who enforce her laws and administer worship. He suggests caution and utmost respect, for they are fair but ruthless in their duties.

As the other demons of the escort bows and walk away one of the priests steps forward and point a finger at you and Milly. "If you are Peers of Malfeas, show the sacred Marks."

A minimal exertion of Essence, and the mark of Ebon Dragon and Adorjan appears on the forehead of you and Milly.

The priest nods. Others begin to observe you two by various angulations before nodding in apparent approval. They offer Milly a white mantle to go with her dress; to you nothing, because you already have one.

"I have a question." You say while you follow them to another location, the Dark-Green Fangs and Milly's Angyalka following another path.

"If I can answer I will." The priest replies gravely.

"How long before we reach our destination?"

"Two cries of Tomescu."

Twelve hours. It's a definite improvement from your early estimate of several days, considered the incredible size of Malfeas. You are lead to a large carriage tied to large, sturdy beings similar to elephants. You and Milly step into it, and the parade begins.

{====}​

You saw many celebrations before, the ones back in Britannia the most sumptuous of all. But like the rest, Malfeas is just something else.

At your passage the city literally explode with activity, ten of thousands of demons of all forms and appearances flowing into the streets to celebrate. They make a contest of who can produce the more noise. They dance with reckless abandon. They drink many mysterious drinks, the air carrying a thousand and one different smells to your nose. At some point even the buildings dance, revealing themselves to be another demon.

It is total, complete madness. It is so far common sense it goes beyond alien.

Yet you love every. Single. Moment of it.

Milly is a whirlpool of movements, dancing as she hurls bolts of prismatic lightning and bursts of gossamer ice in the air, a totemic harp of iridescent gemstone burning behind her.

Not one to be outdone you push your anima to the limits, the bonfire burning around you.

Then you push past them and thrust your fist in the air.

You anima swells and explodes, your mantle consumed by the light as seven great wings made of unearthly kaleidoscopic light explode from your back and spread like the tail of a peacock. Space twists around them as fragments of shining, fluctuating lights reveal brief vista of alien stars as they resonate from the music, echoing back colors that can be heard and sounds that can be tasted. They gather in a large tornado with you as the eye and shoot upward, hitting everything and nothing at the same time.

The crowd grows even wilder.

{====}​

Hidden by the chaos of the celebration different pairs of eyes, and other manners of perceiving reality, stare at the two newcomers not with reverence but with interest.

They plot. They scheme. They all want different things, but all know a single certain truth.

There are new players in the game.

{====}​

Twelve hours later the carriage reach a city-sized stupa of verdigris-covered brass and basalt, surrounded by a wall of jagged, interlocking black stones. A torii frames the only doorway into the structure and a gigantic tower emerges from the center, collecting Ligier's green light at the top.

The Conventicle Malfeasant.

Once inside you allow your utterly tired and exhausted body to slump down. "Cannot...move...anymore..." You rasp.

"Why...I...can...?" In a similar condition Milly wheezes out.

"Honorable Peers." Servant demons present to you glasses of vibrant green liquids. "To recover strength."

Any other day you would had reservations. Today you are too tired to care. You grab the glass and gulp it down.

It tastes like spicy water.

Instantly you feel your reserves of Essence being refilled, if only partially, the familiar energy re-energizing your body. "Wow, it really worked." You look at the glass. "What is this?"

"Chalcanth. It's demon essence or flesh dissolved into Vitriol."

You freeze.

"By the taste I would say...Metody, the elementals of Vitriol. No foreign memories, so it's the regular type, probably made from many identical demons each giving out a piece of themselves to brew."

Your cheeks puff before you force it down the instincts to puke. 'This is absolutely, totally disgusting.'

"Eh, cannibalism isn't really a big thing among demons. It's you humans who balk at it, but I heard it made you sick so you're justified."

'Just shut up. Please.'

After resting you and Milly are lead across the Conventicle. It's an immense structure larger in the inside than on the outside, the hollow dome easily able to hold a many small cities. The light of Ligier shines from above, allowing everyone to see clearly. Around the perimeter of the interior of the dome are 50 lavish palaces, one for each Green Sun Prince the guides says. After that is another ring of temples, gaming parlors, theaters, restaurants and other recreational structures.

In the very center is a large amphitheater of basalt and brass, many smaller buildings connected to it. You enter one, which turn out to be a reception hall. "This way please." The guide indicates a corridor. "The other Peers are waiting for you."

"You mean there are other Green Sun Princes here?" You ask.

"Yes. They arrived before you."

"Heard that Lulu?" Milly grabs you hand and drag you with her. "Let's meet the full band!"

You roll your eyes before matching her pace. A few minutes later you emerge in another room, with various couches positioned around a large table with numerous types of food and beverages on it. There is only one person there, a girl a few years younger than you dressed in a stylish white and red kimono, long and flowing black hair framing an youthful face and two...very familiar...green eyes...

Spoiler

Hold on, isn't that-?

"Ara! It's the demon of the forest! Sashiburi, demon-san." The girl smiles happily, eyes light up with clear interest.

Yep, it's Kaguya Sumeragi.

Fuck the gods.

"Fuck them!"

"Oh, yes, hello." You begin, finding the whole setup oddly...awkward. "Nice to see you again."

"Lelouch, who is this? And what does she mean by 'demon of the forest'?" Milly asks in a sing-song voice, smiling the smile promising mischief and doom.

You wave her off. "She's someone I met when we were children. It's a silly story, can we just forget about it?"

"Why? It sounds interesting." A new voice announces.

You turn around, and see three new people coming in your direction. The first is a tall woman of oriental origins with tanned skin and long blonde hair, a pipe in her hands. She is wearing a white doctor's coat over a red jacket and purple pants.

Spoiler

You blink in honest surprise, having recognized her almost instantly. "Rakshata Chawla?"

"Oh? You know me?" You and her shake hands.

"Indeed. I read all of your articles about medical cybernetics." In the hope of finding a method to heal Nunnally's legs.

"Oh, that. Sadly the world is more interested in making weapons than investing in medicine." She puts the pipe in her mouth, smiling with a touch of melancholy. "Something I hope to change."

"By making more weapons?" One of the other two says in a monotone, nonetheless managing to make it sound sarcastic. He's a young Japanese man around your age, with blue eyes and long blue hair tied in a single braid. You recognize the blue uniform belonging to the European Union, the grades on his arm making him a Second Lieutenant.

Spoiler

Behind him is a young woman that, honestly, look like she isn't sure she wants to be here. She too is wearing an European Union uniform, her rank that of Major. She has very long light blonde hair that reach her waist, with two egg shaped buns held up with gold braces. Her purple eyes catch your attention, for they hint at Britannian nationality just like yours.

Spoiler

"By ending all conflicts as quickly as possible. I already told you so Akito." Rakshata replies back with the tone of a mother stating the obvious to a child.

"Yeah. Sure." He replies flatly before looking at you. "Second Lieutenant Akito Hyuga." He points behind him at the girl. "This is my superior Leila Malcal. She Exalted as a Dragonblooded a few days ago without any idea what was going on, so I brought her here."

"Lieutenant Hyuga! I am perfectly capable of giving my name out myself." She says sternly before looking to the side. "When you said we were going to Hell, I didn't think you were literal..."

"I know how you feel. Initially it was a shock for me too." Kaguya steps forward and does a curtsey. "I am Kaguya Sumeragi, Head Mistress of the House of Sumeragi, one of the Six Kyoto Houses of Japan."

"Milly Ashford!" The blonde raises an hand. "I am just a Student Council President!"

After that all the eyes turn to you. Right, introductions. Uhm, Milly and Kaguya already know your identity as an ex-prince, and will probably keep it a secret. You don't know what kind of person Rakshata is beyond her scientific genius, and the other two are even more of an incognita.

Then again, you will have to work closely with them in the pursuit of world conquest in the name of the Yozis. Which know you are a Britannian Prince. At least the Ebon Dragon does, but you don't see why others, like the Unquestionables, wouldn't be informed of the fact. It could be very well that even if you lie the truth will come up one way or another.

In the end you decide to present yourself as-

[] Zero
[] Lelouch Lamperouge
[] Lelouch Vi Britannia
====
Kudos to Enjou to suggesting the exchange since page 26 :lol

How many people guessed correctly the Defiler and the Slayer?

 

[Enjou]

Ok, bit of an assessment of our new Coven members...

Sumeragi Kaguya
Primary Virtues: Highest is likely Temperance. She's a rather patient person and she maintain a great deal of self-control - even when Zero's "true nature" is revealed in canon she keeps her calm in spite of being visibly upset. Four dots there, at least. Her next most important one is probably Compassion. She's a nice person. Three dots, maybe four.
Attributes: Her Exaltation probably focused on Social Attributes most - probably four dots in Appearance, and I'd guess her Charisma might be five dots (canonically her stats according to Lelouch has her Charisma maxed out), with Manipulation coming last at a likely two dots. Next will be her Mental Attributes. Her canon intelligence rating is quite high, only beaten by Rakshata, so maybe four dots, with Perception and Wits being three dots each. Physical stats come last, with her likely being identical to Milly with Stamina at three dots and the others at two.
Motives: Pretty much freeing the Japanese people from oppression. And now quite possibly marrying Lelouch. On the former count she's in a good position to make it easy to work with her, and our goals align with hers pretty well.
Role: Likely helping us a lot on the social side of things, especially with the Japanese. Opposite of Milly, who will be operating on the Britannia side of things. Also an important role will be giving us lots of lulz as she makes things awkward for Lelouch.

Rakshata Crawla
Primary Virtues: I'm not sure if she has any particularly high Virtues. Conviction maybe since she's willing to build weapons for the sake of world peace. She wouldn't be only one dot on anything, though, I think.
Attributes: Mental stats would be her primary ones. Intelligence is likely maxed out. Social stats are likely second, likely with Appearance four and her Charisma being higher than Manipulation. Physical again I'd guess would be identical to Milly.
Motives: Ending world conflicts so people can focus on important shit, like medical technology. Again, should be easy to work with.
Role: Building cool shit. The Guren will have magical materials. Being an Infernal, she's got more potential than Lloyd, so she may surpass him in terms of what she is able to make.

Hyuga Akito
Primary Virtues: Valor. Definitely Valor. Conviction after that, likely.
Attributes: He's the Slayer, and he's apparently been punchsploding Knightmares, so physical for sure. He's had three years, so he may well have maxed his physical stats out. I'm not sure whether he'd be social or mental after that, but it doesn't matter as much for him since his job is to punchsplode the enemy.
Motives: If he hasn't found and murdered his brother yet, then killing his brother is likely his primary motive. If he's done that, well, who knows? Working with him might be a bit difficult, especially if he or Leila are still invested in whatever is currently going on in the EU.
Role: Punching the enemy.

Leila Malcal
Primary Virtues: Compassion, most likely. Either Temperance or Valor after that. Her Conviction is probably two dots.
Attributes: Social first, with mental second. Probably more Charisma than Manipulation, but won't be bad at either. Physical will be lowest most likely, though she will make up for this with some expertise in Martial Arts as she's trained in Judo.
Motives: If she's similar to canon, she's at least got an Intimacy if not a Motivation for helping the Japanese people stuck in the EU. That'll help with working with her, though again whether she can come to Japan or not I don't know.
Role: Secondary commander. She's not Lelouch, but she's no slouch when it comes to war.

There shouldn't be any issues with having Kaguya or Rakshata being close by to help us regularly. And let's face it, Kaguya will probably enroll in Ashford Academy to be closer to Lelouch. Hijinks will ensue.

The other two might have to be in the EU for a while. Hopefully Ligier is going to be ordering Akito to come to Japan to help us out as there would likely be other agents of the Reclamation in the EU to help fend off Britannia, because we really need a combat focused Exalt on our side to balance out the Coven's Social and Mental focus. One possibility is that Leila will be able to convince her superiors that supporting our rebellion in Japan is for the best - there's no way the EU can conquer Japan given it's geographical location, so helping it become independent of both Britannia and the Chinese Federation is in their interests, especially if we throw in increased exports of Sakuradite to them to sweeten the deal. Britannia would similarly be denied the largest source of Sakuradite, which would stall their own army. Leila and her unit could be sent to Japan to aid the Black Knights for that reason, and it would be a good cover story for who our secret international backers are.

 

[Alexander89]

*breath* I will answer to your post in a moment (or two). In the meantime I want to announce I finished to add all Ebon Dragon's Charms, from Ink Monkeys to Modern Age to the "My Dark Lady" series of EarthScorpion, who also provided the revised "Witness to Darkness".

Now, normally I would say you are therefore free to suggest new homebrew charms. However, reading the Modern Age Charms gave me an idea:

New Keyword: Innovation

While it is true the Yozis are able to adapt some of the Charms of their siblings to their own themes and limitations, and it also true that every new Charm created by a Green Sun Prince which doesn't carry the Heretical Keyword is instantly learnt by the Yozi's whose Charmset the new Charm originate from, the Yozis themselves were not aware of the latter.

For the Exalts' imagination and creativity allow them to do in mortal lifetimes what took Titans aeons to do, the metaphysical link between their Exaltation and the Yozis' whose Charms are open to them working, indeed, two-ways.

The Keyword Innovation marks those Charms that are either created by expanding on already existing Charms, that involve technology and circumstances of the modern world (such as cars, Internet and space travel) or which are adaptations of the Charms of another Yozi, reimagined with new names and adapted mechanisms.

This is essentially a mechanism to indicate the new Charms that Infernals create from a single Yozi, instead of making an Heretical Charm from two different Yozi.