The Legend of East and West

Chapter 16: Enter the Palace

(Five more chapters and this is done! Yahoo! I don't have another long story planned next. I am fine with that since we do have a few stories already present here. I do have another Hetalia story in mind, but it is still in the planning stages. Anyway, this is where things get good! Enjoy!)

         "Why won't they talk?!" Prince Japan demanded as he was standing outside of the dungeons with the rest starting at him.

He was trying to get answers from Vietnam, but she refused to talk about anything. It frustrated her to no end! He let out a gasp of pain before collapsing and holding his chest in pain! Germany and Feliciana reached his sides with concerning expressions. Their friend wasn't faring well. He was pale and appeared almost sickly. He wasn't getting any better and seemed to be more exhausted and erratic by the days.

"Japan, maybe you should rest" Feliciana advised him with a worried expression, "This isn't healthy for you. Please stop this"

"Japan, there is no shame in stopping" Germany advised strongly, "Rest is just as important as working. Without it, we would collapse. Please take a break. We can even leave the palace if it would help you"

Hearing both his best friends calling out to him, Japan weakly raised his head to face them and the others. They were stunned to see how dark and tired his eyes were and noticed his health was falling him.

"There must be something we can do, right Czech?" Slovakia asked in a whisper as he grabbed her shoulder tightly.

She wasn't sure. She would have answers to the situation before herself or at least an idea of what to do, but right now, she didn't have anything. There was nothing she could think of to help Japan. Croatia motioned them to follow him and remain quiet. Slovakia was confused while Czechia turned to him, holding a tense expression.

"Japan!" Netherlands spoke with Turkey raising a brow at him, "Perhaps it would be better if we went to the throne room to help you recover. Being down here for too long can be a bit much for anyone"

He offered his hand for the prince to take who groaned in agreement. Netherlands helped the prince stand and walk to the throne room with Germany and Feliciana walking after them. Netherlands looked over his shoulder and raised his head to Croatia who shrugged before walking away, leaving them in the dungeons.

"What was that exchange?" Czechia asked hesitantly as she gazed up at Turkey with Hungary holding a key out to her, "What are you doing?"

"Asking you to stay here and keep an eye on things" Hungary answered firmly, "Including my Austria. I know you will make the right choice"

Czechia took the keys and wondered what Hungary meant before the palace shook violently!

"What is that?!" Czechia shouted with Slovakia crying and latching onto her arm.

Outside of the palace, the Afri traders did receive Cameroon's message and already began their attack on the palace by knocking down the construction areas of it!

"Do you think that will get their attention?" Ghana asked curiously as he observed the damages they had already done.

"Hopefully! We need to keep this up until the others arrive!" Kenya declared as she observed the damages, "Knowing them, they are going to take their sweet time showing up!"

She held a determined, confident expression. She couldn't be happier that their plan was finally in motion. Her fellow traders also agreed too as they continued to lay waste to the construction areas of the palace and making sure no one was near it.

"Keep it up and your distance! We have to hold out long enough to get their attention on us! No one else is getting hurt! Do you understand me?!" Kenya ordered in a rallying tone as she turned to her fellow traders.