From below the dragon

dark comes forth,

Nidhogg flying

from Nithafjoll;

The bodies of men

on his wings he bears,

The serpent bright:

but now must I sink.

Final stanza of the Völuspá

()()()()()()()()()()

When I was eight years old, my mother told me that in the end, the sum of an nation is its people, for a nation without its people, is not a nation, but patch of land with a flag. As such, it is the highest duty of the monarch to preserve the people, so that they may preserve their nation. To that end, the honor of Britannia is the honor of its people. Likewise, I believe, or at least like to believe, that I'm willing to fight for the Britannia and its people. But when I see what Britannia has become thanks to my father, its dishonor, has become the people's dishonor.

The horrendous acts of murder committed on the command of the Viceroys in the areas, or the generals on the field bring shame to the Britannian Imperial Army, and would make the knights of old weep. The codes of chivalry and justice that Britannia was built on have been stomped upon, and replaced with doctrines based on cruelty and blood. My father promised our country prosperity and power, and I suppose to that end he told the truth, but he failed to explain that the price of such things would be damnation.

I am not so naive as to not know what our enemies call us, and what they call me father; they call him the "Enemy of the World". At first I tried to deny it; I tried to rationalize the actions in my mind, and do my best to help the conditions of the conquered people. But it was all just a lie I told myself and others, and now I see clearer than ever, that the enemies are right; the Emperor is the enemy of the world. But I also realize something else; Charles zi Britannia is not only the enemy of the world, but the enemy of Britannia. He prioritizes expanding the empire, rather than ruling it as it is. And while many don't see it, the Britannian people suffer for it; our economy has become frail, and our lines have been stretched thin. It seems it would only take a spark, and all of Britannia would explode in a massive blaze. But the Emperor doesn't care; he won't ever care what happens to Britannia or its people. A man like that cannot, nay, must not be allowed to rule anything.

When I was born I entered a covenant with the Britannian people, that as royalty, I would protect and lead them however and whenever it was needed. But only now do I understand what I have to to if I am to fulfill my covenant.

Euphemia set her pen down, as she sat back, looking at the diary entry she had just completed. She thought maybe writing it all down and seeing it in front of her would make it seem more real. But if anything, writing it made it seem even stranger; was she really thinking and feeling all these things? The princess was broken from her thoughts, as she heard someone knocking her door.

"Come in!" Euphemia said, quickly shutting her diary. The door opened, and Cornelia walked in, in full uniform.

"What are you up to?"

"Just working on my diary," Euphemia answered, "What about you?"

"I'm here to say my goodbyes," Cornelia answered, "I am going to be deployed to the Middle East." Euphemia kept her feelings hidden, save for a sight twitch of her finger.

"The Arab kingdoms are next?" After Cornelia clarified that, Euphemia sighed, as she looked back down at her journal.

"Why? What's the point?"

"To expand the empire, why else?" Cornelia said, with a slight shrug.

"But is it really necessary?"

"Of course its necessary. By expanding our Empire, we're getting access to resources that can be brought home, and be used to make Britannia stronger." Euphemia had some doubts about that, but opted to keep them to herself.

"Do you have to go?"

"Its my duty," the elder sister explained.

"But do you really have to go so soon? You know what tomorrow is, right?" Cornelia stopped suddenly, as her fists clenched

"I don't need to be reminded," she said solemnly. Looking back down at her desk, Euphemia's eyes briefly got misty. Tomorrow was the anniversary of Lelouch and Nunnally's death. She remembered Cornelia requesting to personally go to Japan and retrieve the two before the invasion took place, but the Emperor wouldn't even hear it.

"Lelouch and Nunnally would want us to move on," Cornelia said, shaking her head slightly, "We can't wallow in sadness." Knowing she was right, Euphemia shook her head slightly so as to clear it, as she looked at her diary.

"Well, I should be going," Cornelia said, "I'm expected in Area 12 by tomorrow morning." She approached her younger sister, and opened her arms for a hug, which the Third Princess readily gave.

"Promise me you'll be safe," Euphemia said.

"I can promise that at least," Cornelia said, kissing her sister on the forehead. With that the two, parted, and the elder sister started to leave, as Euphemia looked after her.

"Cornelia, before you go, can I ask you something, quickly?" she suddenly asked.

"Of course," Cornelia said, looking back at her sister with a smile. The pink-haired girl shifted on her feet slightly, averting her eyes.

"I have to protect Britannia, its my sworn role as a princess," Euphemia said, "You want to protect Britannia, too right?"

"Of course," Cornelia answered, looking puzzled by the question, "Who wouldn't want to protect the Empire?"

"I didn't say the Empire," Euphemia said, her fingers curling slightly, "I said Britannia." Again, Cornelia looked puzzled, but just shook her head slightly.

"What is the purpose of this question, anyway?" she asked.

"Well," Euphemia said, tapping her finger on her desk, "What would you do to protect it?"

"I would do whatever it took."

"Anything?" Euphemia asked, "Even if that meant potentially turning against it?"

The silence was so thick between the li Britannias that it felt like it could've brought down the ceiling. Cornelia looked Euphemia straight into the eyes, but the younger girl didn't even flinch against that steeled gaze.

"Where are these questions coming from?" the Second Princess inquired.

"My mind," Euphemia answered as she sat back down at her desk. Not really a lie, but not really the whole truth either. Her sister was silent for a long time, as if considering either the question, or Euphemia's behavior. Or perhaps it was both.

"I said I would do whatever it took," Cornelia repeated, and to indicate that the conversation was over, she left the room. Euphemia watched her as she did, her brow furrowing. She wished they hadn't parted on those terms, but then she looked towards the Britannian flag that was draped in her room. She then turned back to her diary, and finished her entry.

If I am to truly fulfill my covenant with the Britannian people, I must see it all through to the end. Because even if it means I become a traitor, I must see to it that my father, the enemy of Britannia, is defeated once and for all, no matter the cost.

All hail the true Britannia.

A World on Fire: A Complete World History, by Terrance Madsen

Let it first be said that I am writing this as a Britannian. True, a Britannian from a different time, but a Britannian nonetheless. I cannot and will not pretend to understand the plight of the people that languish under Emperor Charle's thrall, but I will do my best to see that they are represented as well as can be. This piece is a chronicling of what I consider the most important details of the world, and its nations, and I hope that by reading this, others may at the very least have another piece of the truth.

Special thanks to Earl Lloyd Asplund and Lady Kaguya Sumeragi for their contributions to this piece, and their insight into the events that would define an era.

Note: An idea I've been musing about in my head for a while now. Much of this story is inspired by real events that took place in Germany during the reign of the Nazis, when members of the German government and military conspired to remove Hitler and the Nazis from power.

People may want to insist that the way I'm approaching Britannia is wrong, but is it really so wrong to give Britannia an identity beyond just the evil empire? Seriously, give me one real cultural feature of Britannia that isn't based on racism, or imperialism. There will be OCs in this story.

Be sure to review.