[ON HOLD] Shadows of the Blessed | #Countryhumans AUOriginals

00: Visions [Pt. 3]

Previously...

An alternate fate awaits.

——————

A white-gloved finger tapped Germany on his shoulder. The sensation of cold water trickling down his spine forced Germany to snap out of his trance; he immediately lost sight of what was happening in the mists, much to his own dismay.

Germany whirled and shot the other a glare. They always appeared out of thin air, at the worst times.

"It is time, Allemagne," a gruff voice mentioned, still from behind him. The familiar smell of cigar smoke drifted around in the air. Upon seeing the gesture of annoyance, the person then added dramatically, "Apologies if I frightened you, 'O' Wise One.'"

Without a word in reply, Germany rose and made his way over the bodies littering the floor, pausing for a brief moment to check the pulse of one courtier. Despite the rising fears in him, he found that they were still alive and breathing at the norm.

France, as he slinked in the direction from which the Oracle and King EU had left, reassured him, "I have sent word for the Netherlands. She will be here to tend to them."

Germany got up, reluctantly peeling his eyes away from the mess. He joined the taller man at the grand doors left ajar and followed him into the corridor. But for some off reason, Germany felt as if something weren't right. As if...

——————

Seven Blessings, from the far, far lands of the unknown, to be endowed by the Great King of the Forbidden, will be the change.

A path of grave danger and bitter hardships. Seven children will bring you those Blessings.

The darkness around EU dissipated, replaced with another vision. Of a flourishing, happy kingdom. The end of war, of disease, and famine. What all people wanted. He then saw an image of his sister, Lady ECJ, well and smiling again.

This reminded him of how useless he was— how he, a king, couldn't even protect his own sister. EU subconsciously returned the smile before that image, too, disintegrated.

He found himself back in what he recognized as his throne room. However, mist still shrouded everything in view and muffled all sound; he had to concentrate in order to make out individual people and objects.

On the day of a new moon's birth...

Four new, slightly indistinct figures were also in the chamber.

...will come the Catalysts— those who will begin.

A young man from the four stepped forth and introduced them, including himself, with a bow of respect. He bore the Uraslavic insignia of a captain of guards.

The son of a general, from the far Northeast.

An adolescent— evidently, the child of a commoner— sporting a very contagious smile stood at attention beside another young man. The latter's features made his appearance closely resemble EU's private assassin, France.

Two brothers, of the West, destined to meet.

The last, a girl who lingered some distance away from the others, only looked on stoically. Her hands and feet were shackled and chained.

Former daughter of nobility turned thief.

More will follow, if only he believes.

EU's eyes search the room and land on Switzerland— who, again, stood in front of his dais—again, looking at him intently.

I must tell you, your Majesty, the Oracle continues, that there is a choice. Here, the choice you should make— the choice the people, as your subjects, would want you to make— may seem clear as day.

But I must also warn you that with every choice, any choice, there is a price—

——————

The entire vision became twisted and distorted; in flash, it was as if everything collapsed into and destroyed itself.

EU's world went completely black for a moment. He clutched blindly at his face. His eyes, his eyes—

It felt as if they'd been wrenched from their sockets and shoved back into his head.

A terrible ringing sounded in his ears; EU fell to the floor with a thud, tumbling over himself— thrown by some undetectable force.

Certain he was blind, he forced his eyelids open.

He wasn't.

EU saw Switzerland's body crumpled on the ground further away, blown against the veranda walkway's railing. He feared the frail old man might be dead.

"...Reich," Switzerland managed to choke out, now sprawled on his back, staring dazedly upwards at the sky.

"You've returned."

It wasn't until then that EU noticed a dark figure had descended upon the fountain. It wore a sinister grin, displaying its mouthful of sharp teeth.

"We meet again, old man," it laughed, a weak, raspy laugh— the laugh of someone who hadn't done so in a long, long time; its voice sounded like static. The figure— Third Reich– then turned to EU with a mock bow.

"Your Majesty, what a pleasure to make your acquaintance at last."

Germany burst through the courtyard doors, France right behind him. "NEIN!!"

"Sohn," the demon purred fondly, with a much wider smile. He pivoted and reached out with both of his skeletal, clawed hands, as if asking for a hug.

——————

word count: 826
[00]Total: 2416

好。今天就这样了。^ - ^

同志们下次见！

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