Jesus, I took way to long on this. Important stuff at the end, if you care about the narrative rules I'm writing. Hope you enjoy

Shock ruptured through his body as muscles jerked to life, tensing in diagnoses of every tendon. Brain activity began after the results proved decent and Lelouch arose to his knees in confusion as he shook his head to remove the small ringing in his ears. He rose to his feet when his mind finished adjusting to the atmosphere and swiveled his head right and left to observe his new environment. Smooth obsidian arches swept over the planes of craggy flat roads of the same metal. Further ahead stood a inclined hill with a… bright humanoid, waiting for someone; him, he presumed.

He cast his eyes to his new subject. Archon stood in wait; looking forward to its next orders. So, seeing no necessary reason for it to stay he spoke. "Archon, your orders are as follows: return to your last known location here and return to whatever life style you call normal. Keep our connection open, but ignore it otherwise and forget everything related to me. Return to my control when you hear me think the words Archon synthesis in that order. Now, go." it bowed deeply and with a small 'yes my lord,' popped out of existence. Without further reason to stay, he began his trek to the human beacon with a great sigh.

As time passed he noticed the ever-present brand on his hand which would occasionally shock him in a sprout of green energy. The energy he felt would travel to his core and give a pleasant pulse that unnerved him, it felt like something inside him was unfolding. His other observation was quite obvious.

He was not tired. He knew his stamina was way below many others his age but he was not even breathing heavily at this point, which added more timber to the fire of fear he felt swath over his skin. Yet his prior fears were lost when he heard the clunking steps of something behind him. he turned in hopes of finding something sentient to speak to.

And what he saw chilled him.

Euphemia, standing in the bloodstained dress he killed her in, smiling that saints smile, that only raised her corrupted appearance further as he saw her eyes veiled in the same glow that haunted all his victims. She tilted her eyes as she raised her hand in offering, as he began backing away unconsciously. "Come Lelouch, come join me. Let us kill all elevens once and for all."

He should have started running sooner.

He vaguely noticed he was faster than he remembered, as he swore aloud, running down the stone like ground. the figure gestured wildly, beckoning him towards her light. Perfect copies of Euphemia began popping out the woodwork's, or rockwork's, grasping for anything to slow his frightened pace, cooing honeyed words, poisoned by their intent. He reached the base of the cliff and quickly began climbing, almost being grabbed. The shining woman urgently beckoned him, gesturing for him to hurry as he glanced down as he saw a group of Euphie's slowly gaining on him at a rate unfitting of someone wearing heels and a dress.. He was close now, but so were his fake sisters. He made one last step up before he reached to the luminescent female. She returned the gesture and as their hands were inches apart. The world burst bright once more as he once again fell into a deep unconsciousness.

(v^v)

Waking in strange places seemed to be his new gimmick, he bleary thought as consciousness slowly returned once more. Gone was the strange feeling of depth he felt before and a new feeling met him. It was a feeling of rightness. Something he had not noticed he was missing. He had been in other-worldly realms too long, so when he smelt the air, he felt more at peace, though this air would be considered quite the opposite in hindsight. Opening his eyes, he realized what situation he was in immediately. Captured. He released a sigh, as his guards tensed and griped their swords tighter. He observed his hands in hopes of finding no mark. He was disappointed when he felt a now familiar surge from his palm. Before he could even contemplate its meaning, the door burst open with thunder as soft steps accompanied heavy boots into the room.

his hearing, it seemed, had also improved

Taking in his assumed captors, he found himself lucky, as they each held an allure he had yet to see in a captor. While one held a simmering venom, the other was a furious acid, voracious and unrestrained in its hunger for revenge; stellar definitions of the coined 'good cop, bad cop'. The ladder example stepped with aggressive swagger. The guards who were previously statuesque sheathed their swords, clearly feeling safer with these new presences in the cell. She began circling him like a predator as her partner stepping forward as well. He knew he would have to play this carefully. "Tell me why we shouldn't kill you now."

Well then…"Because you would be condemning an innocent man to death?" he attempted. She scoffed and continued pacing. "Innocent? The conclave is destroyed. Everyone who attended is dead. Except for you." He nodded. "Well as I never attended. You can say that truthfully. I have no memory of attending any outing in the residence of this 'conclave' and rest my case. Unless you have evidence or witnesses to contradict this, I would request my freedom." Her face scrunched and she yanked his shackled wrist up to everyone's view and it flashed in response. "Explain this!" He looked her in the eyes and stated the truth. "I can't."

"What do you mean you can't?" "I have only had this mark for a short time and have no recollection on how I received it." The fire and ice interrogators looked at one another before continuing as the lady with the hood spoke. "How much do you remember, then?"

Now it was time for some lying. "Seeing as my life is apparently forfeit, it seems I shall concede: all I remember before waking here is that I was being chased by something and then...a woman, cloaked in light. And now I'm here." The fiery one gave a hefting sigh after a large gap of silence and addressed the ice. "Go to the forward camp Lilianna. I shall take him to the rift." Well that didn't sound good. The fire drew close as she undid the steel and rearmed him with rope bindings. He was curious of this supposed situation he had been drawn into. "What has happened to distress you so?" She looked in his eyes as if to see if his question was sincere. "It would be easier to show you" She said as she rose to her feet and gestured with her head towards the exit. Once out of the apparent basement, he found himself in a mortar cathedral of sorts, yet its apparel was that of no church he had visited. It seemed the only color dotting the bricks were either gold or red. So there was obviously religion in this world. Curious…

He observed the apparent warden of his capture. Her clothing was strange. And as he thought on it, all of the people he had seen were odd in their apparel. They wore a strange armor reminiscent of the 1500s, with swords and shields, so he knew he was in a world pre industrial. This would be an interesting next few days if he survived them.

Yet his biggest surprise was when he stepped outside. Emerald vortex; there was an emerald vortex in the sky. 'What in god's name…' "We call it the breach. It is a massive rift into the world of demons and it grows larger with each passing hour. It is not the only such rift to appear, but it is the largest. All of them were caused by the explosion at the conclave." He stood there for a moment, lost in his stare of the abysmal portal. "An explosion…can do that?" She turned from her own gaze and walked towards him. "This one did, and unless we act, the breach may grow until it swallows the whole world." That explained where he was previously, but what did this have to do with him, why was he being accused of…That?

Seeming to hear his question, his mark gave a fierce pulse that made him fall to his knees in agony, releasing a yelp as he fell. His warden looked on with only restrained concern and crouched near him. "Each time the rift grows, your mark expands…and it is killing you-." wait, what?! "it may be the key to stopping this. But there isn't much time." He sucked in a breath as he tried to calm his shocked nerves. "I…understand." "Then..." she looked at him in shock and hope. "If I am a catalyst to prevent this world's consumption, I shall do what I can to help." She stared for a moment, gratitude shining in her bronze irises. She stood and pulled him up to his feet as they began walking once more.

As they trudged through the thin layer of snow, more and more eyes drew to them-no, him, staring with fear and anger. He looked to the surroundings before gazing at his warden. She looked back, seeing his question as they walked. She returned her sight to the road as she spoke. "They have decided your guilt. They need it. The people of this town mourn our most holy Divine Justina, head of the chantry." The chantry must be their religious sect, zealots perhaps. "The conclave was hers. It was a chance for peace between mages and Templars. She brought their leaders together. Now they are dead." So this was a war; possibly religious in nature. But a giant apocalyptic rift did not seem like something a terrorist would use to disrupt peace talks. There was something greater behind this. "How am I a suspect then?" she looked over her shoulder as they walked down the stairs of the village. "You appeared from the very rift we are taking you to. They say a woman was behind you." She paused for a moment. "Also…mages are known for great feats of destruction. I would not be condemned for my suspicions." Wait… a mage? Him? "I'm a mage?" She looked as confused as he was "Yes…do you mean to tell me you had no idea?" He nodded "Umm yes. What is a mage supposedly capable of, anyway?" she looked horrified at his lack of understanding. "Great feats…be they for creation or destruction." He stewed on this as a large set of doors drew open for them.

Once past the set of doors, the lady swung around and undid his wrist bindings with her dagger. He drew a questioning brow but she had already returned to her previous stance. "Walk ahead, I will be behind you, making sure you do not run." It was meant to be threatening but only made him laugh lightly. He had already submitted but he was quite sure they would only truly release him when this was over. As they walked the given path. His mark gave another blast but he was strong enough to remain standing, tripping over his footing a small amount, he felt his guard step closer in concern. He raised his hand to halt her approach as he resumed a stiff walk and continued on. As they began to step over another bridge. The rift gave an ominous bellow as it launched something from its maw. They watched in shocked horror as it swept through the sky to destroy the very bridge they stood upon. 'Now that's way too convenient, my mark may be attracting the rifts attention.' he thought as he rolled down the newly formed rubble onto a thick bed of ice. As he got to his hands and knees, he heard another impact. Lifting his head, he saw a…creature, rise from the pool of black sludge formed by the rifts rubble. He could barely find few words to describe this monstrosity that did not resemble horror or disgust. The warrior woman recovered quickly as she drew her sword and shield and engaged with a roar, barely flinching at the sight of it.

As she swept a fury of slashes at the creature, he went to check himself when he noticed a similar black liquid as before forming near his hand and expanding. Stumbling backwards, he drew to his feet, looking for some weapon for defense. As another creature slowly spawned from the black pool, he felt a call in his skin. Looking to the source, he found a long pole with a steel apparatus at its tip. Seeing no other item of use, he drew it into his grip and felt a snap inside him, as if something was expanding. He felt…like he could do anything. His presence felt larger. Like he could reach farther. He looked at the creature that was preparing to swipe at him and he just…tried to grab it with a thought. And just like that, the ice wrapped around the thing and sealed it in a sarcophagus of ice, leaving it to freeze, possibly suffocate, and die. He marveled at his work before he heard another clang from Cassandras shield. Flicking his eyes to her duel, he saw their fight continued, so he decided to end it. Swiping his staff to the left. The creature was skewered by a Ice spear formed from behind.

She stood in shock before she turned to him in fury. "Put your weapon down!" he immediately lowered his staff and gave a large sigh, not wishing for this new power to leave him. "Very well, have it your way." She gave a long stare and then lowered her own weapon before he could. "Wait…there are bound to be more ahead. One would have to be a fool to deny your aid." She sheathed her sword and turned to the road. She seemed incredibly tense, as if the idea was painful."I should not forget that you came willingly." She began to walk down the sole pathway encrusted with ice.

He glanced around trying to gauge his environment. From what he could tell, they were either in an arctic tundra, or the mountain peaks and looking at his surroundings; differed to the latter. She was 12 paces away when she turned and gestured for him to follow. Snapping back from his examination, he drew his body to movement as he followed behind the torch.

As the walkway spread to a small ravine, his guarded flame grew tight and boiling with tension. "Demons are ahead, prepare a spell." Having only just grasped his powers, he contemplated how he exerted his control previously. He remembered it was like using a second set of arms, except that they could grasp anything, and change to match his intent. Intent…intentions. He just needed to exert a wish, a command to his new appendages, and they would become what he needed. Finally understanding, he stepped ahead of the torch bearer and set off to experiment. Just like his Geass, he would study his new power and find its limits and rules.

As the ravine lowered, a pair of the ghastly creatures from before. Seeing this as the best time to experiment on warranted targets, he designated them as test subjects and contemplated what he would test. Subject #2 turned and recognized my presence and gave a whistle like howl as subject #1 whipped around to find the disturbance its partner had noticed. Testing his previous theory, he commanded the ice to revert back to liquid. It did nothing. As the subjects began to head up to him. He decided to give a more detailed command. He beckoned the earth to rise and block the path of the subjects' accent. Immediately the earth rose to his orders, and created his wall. The creatures gave another howl as they slammed into the wall recklessly. He realized these creatures were not one to give up and that his wall would only be a minor hindrance as small cracks began to form from the continuous slamming. The flaming warrior drew towards the wall preparing her sword and shield, casting wary glances towards him. Ignoring her concern. He began to weave his intentions into a command. It seemed magic required either a picture or a detailed order.

He could easily do that.

As the creature's arm slammed through the rock, he beseeched the wall to respond as he willed. Immediately the rock began to withdraw around subject #1 and formed tightly around the beastly thing. Once completely surrounding the creature, the mold of stone began to shrink and continued to press into the thing. Soon grotesque sounds lifted through the air, as the rocks continued to tighten. Soon nothing remained of subject #1, besides the guts and blood oozing from his carcass, tightly wound in a form fitting capsule of rock. He swept his sight to the second subject that was currently engaged in combat with the guard. He decided his next step, and wove his intentions around the warrior seeing if he could boost combat potential.

He felt her 'core,' seeming a faucet dripping and assumed that was her power output. Her power seemed to be centered in her inward enhancement, increasing her strength, she would sometimes use outward techniques to force the things attention to be solely focused on her or endow her armor to increase in density he assumed. She could do more with more at her disposal so he tried to improve her output of energy. Taking hold of the small bit of power that hid in her body, he began surging whatever this energy he controlled into the tightly bound bundle, coaxing it to release itself. He assumed that if he could command control, he could possibly command the strength strength for his allies. Slowly the bundle began to unfold, and then immediately released latching onto his appendage.

The warrior gave a roar of surprise and pain as the air around her exploded, sending the growling creature back some feet. She fell to her knees and groaned as her body trembled in quakes of pain. He hopped she would recover as he returned his attention to the subject, now unshaken and heading for the fire woman. He bid the earth to open its maw to swallow another of these creatures, and it happily agreed. As the earth ripped itself apart under the creature, Lelouch headed to his guardian. She was simply gasping for breath now, trying to calm herself and get her bearings as she seemed to be in a wash of panic, her eyes wide and her shoulders meeting her neck. He swept her into his arms as a means to calm her. He rocked her back and forth, hoping to calm her as he heard the squelch as the jaws of stone closed, resealing the earth.

The absolute strangeness of this situation was not lost on had seen something like this before with his time with the Black Knight; panic attacks, people going into shock, Men and women put into rehab from visages of war and victims. She seemed to be having those symptoms so he did what he had seen several times before. Comforted: he told her to slow down, to breath and to clear her mind, grabbing the only open skin he could see, her face. He held her firmly

As her breathing slowed, he released her onto the ground as she sat up, and looked around, looking for what he assumed was her would-be attacker. She finally turned to his kneeled form and looked at him with barely repressed confusion. "What…happened, mage?" 'It seemed she was suspicious, hmmm' he poked her in the center of her armor, attempting to diffuse her with out of place talk. "First of all, I'm a warlock, not a mage. And second; when did escorts start randomly falling over? Playing dead only works if you haven't engaged the creature yet." She shook her head and looked down in pure bamboozlement. Her accented voice quivered as her fire seemed to flicker. "I…I don't… I was fighting and then it was…like I was burning all over… like every muscle of my body was on fire and I just-I just couldn't think." He couldn't sympathies, but he could comfort. "Well I don't know what happened, but I think you're ok now. Can you stand?" she looked to him and he stood and offered his hand. She took it and with more strength then he thought he held, he pulled her up. He gave a smile and gave her a pat on the shoulder. "Come on, we have to meet your hooded partner, and I can't do that without my fiery guard. Besides, who's going to make sure I close the sky if I don't have my warden?" he fought not to grimace as she stared suspiciously. She then shook her head as she gestured for them to continue on. Christ, he was a good actor.

As they headed through the ravine, another meteorite launched from the flying nexus. Slamming into the ground, it immediately sunk into the ice. From the impact rose the liquid from before and immediately, the boiling black liquid spawned another pair of creatures, almost identical to the others, but a new enemy emerged on one of the cliffs. It looked like a specter outlined in emerald and as the monsters charged at the warriors the specter centered onto him and Lelouch immediately called the ice to form in a wall to intercept the bolt. The bolt cracked the solid water and he gathered his intent around the entity. It was thin, almost immaterial in nature. It seemed to be a poorly rendered magic construct. Another bolt broke against the wall and he rolled right and stretched his marked hand towards it. He willed its fragile form to disperse, it warbled but remained and he focused entirely on its dissipation. The visage shook and then combusted in a spray of green and he let himself give a satisfied smile.

However his enjoyment was short lived as a shout from the guide alerted him to the grotesque arm swinging into his side. He grunted as he was launched a few feet to the side, his form sliding over the icy ground. His head achingly turned to see what hit him and saw one of the creatures looming over him prepared to finish the now crouched Lelouch. Quickly removing his contacts, he looked into the sole eye the creature possessed and took a chance. "Die!" immediately, it began twitching horrendously. the monster began to melt and return to its black sludge. Splashes of black landed on his now dusty white robes, staining them.

His breath was ragged as it burst from his mouth. His warden approached, concern passively shining in her eyes as she went to help him up and offered a hand. He took the gauntlet gratefully and pulled himself up. Her eyes amused him greatly. Her entire posture was tense and her face was stoic but her eyes expressed everything she felt. They seemed to smolder with curiosity and concern tinged in fear with a dip of anger. He gave a small laugh and thanked her. Seeing that the coast was clear, she led him once more and he followed close behind.

After another bout which was solved through boiling innards (these creatures were apparently similar to humans in their composition of mostly water) and shield and sword play, they began ascending. As they transcended the stairwell, they heard the echoes of combat. They drew their respective weapons and sped their pace as they neared. The winds gave a push and he felt another will. Another mage perhaps? Hmmm good. Once the fight was visible Cassandra broke into a sprint and rushed the conflicting party, aiding the seemingly sentient party. As he gathered his concentration, he observed the field at his position on the ledge with half-lidded eyes and quickly assessed the situation.

There was…a very short but buff man, toting what appeared to be a semi-automatic crossbow, pushing back one of the creatures with its arrow volley. The presence he felt before appeared to be a bald male with long ears. His body shimmered, veiled in what he assumed was a body barrier. He was restraining the creature and seemed to hold no intent to kill it, simply playing with the creature, slamming shards of ice out of his staff that shattered on impact with the thing. If the man chose not to fight seriously, Lelouch would. He called his will into reality, an orb of pure power now floating above the party. The next step was harder, he enforced the form into that of a sword and it slowly complied, shaking and pulsing as it formed. Once it was complete he gave the newly formed sword its first order. Smite the shade through its head

And it did

Immediately the sword descended through the top of the beast's head and it released a hiss. It swelled and began evaporating into the now familiar liquid. He soon felt the eyes of the bald one erring into him as he withdrew the sword and sent it to backstab the shade full of arrows with a gesture of his staff. It fell the same, and he began sending it to a third target but found the last shade was already stabbed but by those of real swords. Seeing no other reason to hold it, he dismissed the blade and it evaporated. He stepped down from the cliff, heading to the now guarded group standing by the strange maw of power. The egg headed man speed-walked to meet him halfway. The man grabbed his arm and pulled him closer to the mini-nexus, and pulled out his marked arm. "Quickly! Before more come through!" the mage shoved Lelouch's hand forward and his mark responded instantly. A tether of light connected with the gaping maw and as it remained linked, the opening slowly shrank and soon it simply evaporated with a show of a green explosion. Without a source, the energy coiled to his mark like a conduit, and he felt his mark transfer it into himself. It was not harmful, far from it, he felt expanded, stronger.

After a few seconds of silence, he pulled his arm free of the hold and glared at the man. The long eared fellow gave an aged smirk. "You need not glare, friend. We are safe, and YOU are to thank." He gave a sigh and looked at his mark and wondered just what he had gotten himself into. Reading his mind, he took the silence as an opportunity to speak. "Whatever opened the breach also placed that mark upon your hand. I theorized that the mark could be used to close the rifts left in the breaches wake-"Again he tilted his head and smiled, and Lelouch saw a flash of Schnizel in it. "-and it seemed I was correct." Cassandra nodded her head absentmindedly, lost in her head. "Meaning it could also seal the breach" the mage gave a single nod "Possibly…" he tilted his head for a moment and then returned his sights to Lelouch. He crossed his fingers in a gesture he assumed as a greeting and inclined his head to the Britannian. "It appears you are the key to our salvation."

Before he could react, a new voice entered the conversation. "Good to know. Here I thought we'd be ass deep in demons forever." the short man, pulling his gloves tight, nodding his head and sauntered over "Varric Tethras: rogue, story teller and occasionally, unwelcome tagalong. Thanks for taking that one off my hands, he can look but he can't touch." He snickered at his own joke. Lelouch stared a moment and then nodded his head. "How do you do? It's nice to see humor in the face of all this." egg shook his head and continued smiling as he spoke. "You may reconsider that stance, in time." The short man gave a grunt as he shook his head as well. "Aww I'm sure well become great friends in the valley, chuckles"

The sentinel burst out in disapproval. "Absolutely not; your help is appreciated, Varric, but-." As if a veteran to such outcrys, the bard looked at the fire with a grin that seemed to light the flame even higher. "Have you been in the valley lately, seeker? Your men aren't in control anymore. You need me…"They stared for a moment but Lelouch could tell the fire was doused by the short one. Cassandra gave a groan and returned to her previous position. The bald one stepped closer and continued to smile. "My name is Solus if there are to be introduction, I am pleased to see you still alive." He was swiftly amended by Varric's snickering addition. "He means 'I kept that mark from killing you.'"

Well that changed opinions immediately. He turned to directly face him and bowed his head in gratitude. "Thank you." Solus gave a dismissive wave. "Thank me if we can manage to close the breach without killing you." That thought sobered Lelouch and he returned to his alertness as Solus turned to the women. "Cassandra, you should know: the magic involved here is unlike any I've seen: The prisoner is a mage, but I have trouble imagining any mage having such power. The fire, now named, seemed to tense but nodded "Understood… however we must get to the forward camp quickly." Cassandra led on once more and solos fell in step. He looked Varric and he likewise turned to Lelouch. "Well…Bianca's excited." He spoke as he followed the other two. Lelouch joined him as did the two other sentinels.

Not even a moment later, as they reached the completely frozen lake. Creatures swept in from the left. "Demons ahead!" Solus yelled as he whipped forth his staff. "Glad you brought me now, seeker?!" he yelled as he withdrew his bow and let it begin clicking as the demons began moving towards them. Cassandra let out a shout as she charged with the other soldiers, taking the largest creature of the group. Varric and Solus centered in on the 2nd largest so Lelouch took it upon himself to deal with the two specters. Before they could attack his fellows, he rose the ice between the two ghasts, garnering their attention towards him. With their attention and fury gathered on him, He began running for the cover of the slopes. He felt the ground behind him implode as he dove behind the elevated mound of snow as he thought of what to do.

'Well they look similar to the rifts so…' he rolled from the mound as he felt it come under fire. He laid on the ground and willed his mark to tether to the duo. A familiar rope of energy locked at least one in place and he forced the energy apart like he felt with the nexus. With a screech, the wraith dissipated and the second soon followed; but not without launching one last bolt to Lelouch who went to roll but stopped when he was shielded from it by Cassandra. The bolt smashed into her shield and she barely moved in recoil to it. Lelouch looked to the others after standing and thanking his inducted guardian. Varric was checking the now dead creature while Solus was performing some spell on the only wounded soldier. We suggested that they should go back to Haven and they agreed, soon shambling away.

They began their trek once more and as they approached a set of stairs the dwarf spoke. "So, are you innocent?" Varric inquired, his wit and curiosity shining in his rough voice as they crossed the river and truly began ascending toward the forward camp. Lelouch was curious for his disregard for the severity of their situation, but obliged as it was one of their few safe moments. "Well seeing as I've never traveled anywhere near this land, I shall assume my innocence. Although this incident of teleportation has saved my very life, I cannot condone the method of rescue. My plight, though great, is unworthy of the demise of an entire world." Varric laughed in unclear mirth. "Plight? What could be worse than being thrown in a sanctum of judgement and demons?"

He casts his eyes down: Memories of the sorrow, the hatred, and the pain he had drawn to catalyze and bind the world under one banner, against one enemy, bubbled forth. His shoulders slumped as melancholy followed his uncontrollable reminiscence. He remembered all he gave; his country, his royalty, his family, his innocence, his only chance at normal. His eyes closed as he saw who he had sacrificed. He had deceived his friends, betrayed the Black Knights, cursed Suzaku, damned his relatives…he had taken many lives, known and unknown. Enemies, bystanders, martyrs, colleagues, friends, sisters and brothers…Euphie. His head lowered as his lungs produced a sigh of sorrow.

"Remaining in a world you sacrificed everything you knew to create, only to be resented and shunned for its price." He increased his pace showing his conclusion to the now sour conversation. Their glances showed their curiosity, yet the new silence settled with little obstruction as the three quickly followed

As they neared the top of the stairs, Lelouch signaled for them to halt as he spied over the last steps to observe the enemies ahead. It appeared to be exactly the same as the previous encounter; two specters, one normal and one abnormal creature. Signaling his fellows, he concentrated on the sentient energy on the left ridge first. The familiar tether latched to the struggling foe and soon it dissipated. The others charged at the actually tangent enemies. After the second ghost was evaporated, his target now switched to the last two. The other three were centered on the larger one, while the smaller one swept closer to his team from their blind side. With will gathered, he rose a roofless ice box around the smaller one and as it tried to escape out the top, he slammed the box inward, crushing it in solid H2O

He released his focus as the groan from the last enemy signaled its demise. He turned to his partners to see Cassandra pulling at her blade, which had lodged itself into the deceased. While the other two seemed to be catching themselves. He took this time to examine himself as the others affirmed their own condition.

He wasn't tired. It actually felt like he COULDN'T get tired. His stamina seemed unending. And his body felt light and ready. He had fought many years but even when he became he became emperor, his stamina had remained as that of a sickly or fatigued man. He wondered if this was how Suzaku felt with his exercise nut stamina; so light and fluid, energy seeping into every joint and muscle, ready to spring into action. He felt a different sort of powerful. He felt free. And that was enough to convince him to wait before he looked into it further.

His group, now sufficiently ready, continued up the hill. As they approached a new incline to climb, his mark gave a thorough shock, and he bit back a hiss of pain. At the same time, Cassandra gave a sigh and declared her concern. "I worry for Leliana" scoffing at her dread, the burly midget attempted to alleviate her worry. "Relax seeker, she can take care of herself." As they trudged. Lelouch contemplated, wondering when he would get to research this world. Several questions remained unasked due to the fact that he had no base on where to estimate what was inappropriate. So he would be silent and bide his time.

As they ascended. He felt as they ascended, he felt the rift pulse from his proximity. Solus exclaimed something about their situation but Lelouch was distracted by the booming from the rift. Rushing forward with his fellows behind, he tethered the first specter visible as his combatants attacked the tangible enemy's. The specter soon dispersed but to Lelouch's displeasure, reformed and began swatting bolts at him. Forming a thick dome around both specters, he looked to the rift, an accusing glare aligned with the emerald rift. 'If I can conduct the rifts energy's with this mark then…' he redirected his will to the rift, letting the ice fall from around the specters. A new tether now latched to the rift. Gasps of confusion signaled he was doing something right. Soon the bodies that were attacking before, were now flying (well, more like being dragged through the air.) back into the nexus. Once every enemy was returned to the rift, he shifted his intent to closing it. Within 15 seconds, the rift closed with a burst.

His associates drew to his side, apparently checking him for injuries. Cassandra went to the door to attempt entry while the remaining simply watched her gain admission. Finally, the silence was rectified. "Well done, we are safe, for the moment." He glanced at the marked hand and then turned to the snow nodding "Whatever that mark on your hand is, it's useful." Cassandra signaled them over as the doors began to open.

It seemed they were in some overlook encampment, observing the giant battle at the summits of the mountains. From here he could easily see the problem. At the base of these mountains were several hundred rifts, unleashing spawns of units every 30 seconds. What he assumed were the defenders had amassed around the rifts and were slowly falling without any solutions. This conflict was horrendous. Whoever led these troops was poorly trained, or ill equipped for his position.

Moving behind Cassandra, he immediately noticed the frigid woman from his prior cell. She seemed to be discussing something with a fellow who only seemed to half listen, more intent on what Lelouch assumed was a map. This was the imbecile who was leading. He looked up and grimaced as they approached. "Ah here they come." the gritted dolt said in venom and condescending. At least the former was happier about their arrival, granting a small smile as she nodded to Cassandra who returned it. "You made it: chancellor, may I present-" He cut her off stiffly. "I know who he is…" the 'general' glared with all the vindictiveness he could muster, which wasn't much. "As grand chancellor of the chantry, I command you to take this man to val'royeu to face execution!"

Cassandra was at first surprised, then confused, and immediately angry as she spat her words in lidded fury "You command me?! You're nothing but a glorified clerk, a bureaucrat." He shifted his measly glare to his escort. "And you are nothing but a thug but a thug that supposed to serve the chantry." Hmmm chantry, spoken as if important. Noted for research. Meanwhile Leliana did not appreciate her apparent coworker being harassed. "We serve most holy, chancellor, as you well know." He swelled in outrage. "Justinia is dead! We must find a replacement, and obey her orders on the matter." Lelouch gave the man an inquiring look. "So none of you are actually in charge here?" And that seemed to swell him more. "You killed those in charge!" he roared. He panted as his air of anger went from a boil to a simmer he turned to the escort. "Call a retreat, seeker, our position here is hopeless." He scoffed at that and that earned a glare from a few. Cassandra ignored him and pushed on. "We can stop this before it's too late." He looked on in disappointment "How? We won't survive" "We must get to the temple it's the quickest route" leliana entered for her piece of input "But it's not the safest, our forces can charge in, while we take the mountain path." Cassandra didn't like that. "We lost contact with an entire squad up there, it's too risky!" and now the clerk was throwing a fit "Listen to me, abandon this cause before more lives are lost!" that brought the silence swiftly. They stood glaring at one another.

He was reminded of the Black Knights, how they often bickered like this, often between Todo and Ougi. He sighed at the memory and that seemed to knock them out of their little dispute as Cassandra turned to him. "What do you think?" he looked at her slightly surprised and confused as she stared at him, waiting for a response. "You're asking me? I am your prisoner" and without a beat; "But you have the mark." She waited a moment and then spoke again. "And you are the one we must keep alive. Since we cannot agree on our own…" she glanced to the side embarrassed. He looked at her, then down at the fight below. Could he fix this catastrophe?

Pff no question. Hello Clovis MK.2

"Pass me that map. And you-" He pointed at Leliana "–stand beside me and assist me." She looked bemused and was reluctant but she obliged. Stepping near, passing the map to Lelouch, she turned her gaze to the conflict. The map showed the clearing and past it. After confirming where the conflict was, he nodded. "Is there a defense outpost or a point of barricades or defense they can regroup and defend at?" she thought and then nodded, marking a point marked in writing he could not understand. He assumed it was an outpost.

"I can easily ensure that this battle is won in our favor, all I need-" he activated his Geass as he stared into her eyes "-is for you to follow my orders to the letter and I will bring you victory on this day." The Geass landed and he watched as it shifted her mind. It took a moment, her mind, was apparently stronger than he had originally assumed. Yet all fell to his eyes. She nodded. "Very well, we shall follow." That got everyone's attention. Most looked flabbergasted, but Cassandra simply looked very concerned.

He nodded, and addressed her in his command voice. "How long is the trek to the temple estimated to take by both routes?" She took a moment and then spoke. "We would have to wait for the soldiers to break through, wasting time, but it would be ensured, it would take around 4 hours to complete a push and we would suffer heavy losses but we would arrive. The second is the fastest and the riskiest. Scout parties have given a basic description of the path but when we sent scouts to recheck the route, none returned. It would take less than 15 minutes to prepare and an estimated hour to arrive at the temple if uninterrupted; that's only with what little we have gathered." the decision became quite obvious, but what the standing army would do was the question. He let a huff sweep out of his lips. "Show me the route." her hands were swift; practiced even. She was a planner maybe even a task master like him.

The route, he observed seemed to ride along the cusps of the mountains. Which meant only a small party could trek it unlabored; around 8 or so. Their path would then cut into an open mine shaft that exited into a direct route to the entrance of the temple, which was where the breaches core was assumed to be. The party was undermanned, and needed more muscle and a bit more range. He turned to Leliana, her face still stiff, and inquired on a question. "Would you be able to guide us along the route?" She nodded, seeming numb. "Do you practice in combat often or know self-defense." a nod. "I am a master archer and well versed in close quarters should it come to it."

He closed his eyes and it was his turn to nod. After a moment of thought, He opened his eyes, walked towards one of torches and took it out of its mantle. He let his brand print an idea into the torch. Feeling the sequence finish, he threw it down the ravine before letting his brand activate it.

Immediately, a sort of loud thud was heard, following the torches general landing area. He nodded to himself. Finalizing his plan, he swept into his zero facade. "Ma'am, sound the retreat for the troops in the ravine. Pull them back to the closest important encampment. Tell them to stay a safe ways out of the ravine and fortify that encampment just in case. Otherwise, send for a veteran mage and a knight if we have one on hand. Everybody else, take these moments to catch your breath and prepare for the hike. Let us not be rash. Stock up and be ready to move when the reinforcements get here." everybody nodded, some reluctantly and some immediately. Leliana pulled a bird from one of the cages near the table and quickly scrawled a message before launching it towards haven. She then signaled one of the guards to the side. Who nodded, and headed out.

After a short while, the knight they had requested came, and was soon followed by the mage and another individual in armor. He raised an eyebrow but quickly announced their imminent departure. everyone was already prepared except for Varric, who was writing in a note book before he grumbled and got off the box he was sitting on. Once everyone affirmed their status, they were ready to go.

As they began their trek, the duke's voice followed them as they departed the gate.

"On your head be the consequences, seeker…"

Yello! Sorry for the 2 year delay and the immediate ending for the chapter but i needed to round it off after working on it on and off ever since the original document got corrupted. At some point, i'll run through these chapters and proof read them again, but for now i need to keep writing. Later, if i get even a decent distance into this story, i might expand and revise alot of this, but otherwise, its currently what it is for a long time.

So a few things to mention before we conclude: #1. Lelouch may be slightly OOC by some people's perspective, and if that causes you to want to drop the story, alright. I will be attempting to make him as similar to what he was depicted as, but as I am the one formulating supposed reactions from a supposed scenario of a character that I cannot fully comprehend, there will be discrepancies for some. If you find my depiction lackluster or outright offensive, please send me a review and some evidence of why an ill see what I can do to correct the misstep. some dialogue will be merged with actual dialogue from the game, or even just taken from it, so that the story still can role along the same tracks as the original. ill be crafting my own story, but there are somethings that will be almost identical to cannon to keep the story from completely going off into plots difficult to fathom

#2. As much as I find the idea humorous, I shall not be making Lelouch a resource hungry, 100% complete, grab everything inquisitor. His bag is obviously limited and cannot carry 70 broad sword's and full plate armor's with little trouble and he is not doing every single quest or fight. Lelouch at his core, is an evasive taskmaster. he rarely entered battle but commanded the field at a safe distance. He's a genius, not a juggernaut.

#3. Battles will be very different from standard gameplay. Ya see when I read up on it, the fade was said to be the realm of pure magic, where anything or anyone can be warped, changed or created. And every inquisitor has a mark that acts as a key to the fade. So wouldn't that make you a piece of the fade? Or at least, have the ability to call or syphon it through yourself as you do with the rifts. In dragon age origins, when you play as a mage, you would meet a specter that, if you could convince him, would just, pop out a new staff for you. This would dictate that you could, with enough ambient energy present, create a solid object from nothing but power. It's even like that in the game, with the rift walker tree always recouping all your extinguished mana, very quickly, and forming solid stone and rock limbs. So in some ways, Lelouch is a bit OP but worry not, he will still face problems. Otherwise i'd get bored writing it. plus, if you stab a human, they should die, not keep going like they do in the game.

Any who, I will hopefully see you in the next chapter, which should be a while from now. Have a good one!