Hetalian Protectors

A Race Worth Running

Last Time:

I looked to Ludwig, "That's two of your three is that all right?" The blonde nodded. I let my eyes fall closed and I took a deep breath. "You're not going to believe what I say right away. I understand that, but you have to listen. People within your governments have joined up with a very dangerous group. These people are out to get one thing." They all glanced at each other as I paused, taking a deep breath.

"Your immortality." Most of their faces became unbelieving after that sentence, but I raised my hand to stop any comments. "We are countries as well."

*****

Japan's POV: Countries... Is she serious? There aren't any new countries. There haven't been any for centuries... Never mind that, but what's with this whole "immortality" thing?  The girl named Scarlett was standing just a few feet from Germany now, her hands still raised in front of her. "You get one more question."

As I waited for Germany to think of something to say, not really being one to talk out, I took the moment to study her fully. She was shorter than the other girls, almost the same height as... I believe her name was Luna? Her hair was dark brown but it had a red tint to it, especially towards her roots. She had freckles, just a light dusting of them across her nose, which stood out greatly from her skin tone. She, no all, of the girls had unnaturally pale skin. You could tell they'd seen the sun a little bit, but they seriously resembled the vampires from all the old legends. Her eyes were what really got me. They were a dark brown, but they almost resembled the color black. It was kind of nostalgic, but I couldn't figure out why.

Her eyes were also, dare I say, amused. I looked around, confused. Whilst everyone had lowered their guard just a fraction, it didn't mean they were in any less danger. Who the heck would be amused by this situation? I tightened my grip on my katana but I didn't raise it, not wanting the girls to believe that I was up to something as my agitation began to grow. Something was up. I may be old, but my instincts were still sharp enough to recognize that.

Germany finally spoke again, though it wasn't really a question. "I have a hard time believing that jou're countries. The vorld has been explored, there are no unclaimed lands left." I couldn't help but notice Luna and Aridan looking over their shoulders at the doors to the hall, tense and worried expressions on their faces. The banging was getting louder making it obvious that more people had joined in trying to get into the room. Just what was going on? Who were they so scared of?

"That's too long a story to explain right now. If you want to know that then you'll have to come with us." Scarlett smirked, causing my blood to boil as anger raised in my throat. I couldn't understand how she was getting under my skin so easily. I usually wasn't one to get upset over nothing. What the hell's wrong with me...? Germany also looked irritated as he raised his gun back up.

"Vhat's to stop me from shooting jou right now? Vhy shouldn't I?" Scarlett's smirk dissipated to be replaced by a grim frown.

"I would prefer if you didn't."

"Vhy? If jou're a country then you von't die."

"Well, I assume you know this already, but getting shot hurts, even if we're countries. But if that'll prove it to you, I guess you can go ahead." With that, Scarlett spread her arms out and held them horizontally, opening up her chest area. "Give me your best shot. Literally." She smiled then frowned. "God, that was so cheesy. Good going there Scar..."

Is she talking to herself? I stared at her horrified. She  was willing to get shot just to prove they were countries? By the time she'd be fully healed they'd already be arrested, so why let yourself get hurt when your teleporter was out of commission? There would be no way to escape on your own unless one of your friends carried you to safety, which would make it easier for them to be caught with you. But of course I didn't know these girls. Maybe they didn't care what happened to each other. 

I clenched my teeth together and bit back a hysterical snicker when Scarlett didn't back down, instead choosing to take another step forward. "Well? What are you waiting for?" Who are these girls? There was a pause. A long one. Then Germany dropped his arm, a wary look on his stony face.

"Vere jou seriously gonna let me shot jou?" Scarlett's face stretched in a sad grin and she nodded, finally putting her arms down. Her eyes were distant, like she was looking back on something that wasn't particularly fun to remember. 

"If that's what it took for you to believe me, then yes." She turned away and walked over to one of her friends. I believe her name was... Aridan? Scarlett held out her hand and Aridan reached into her small side bag, pulling out a tiny stack of papers. They seemed to exchange some words, but they were so quiet that I don't think they could even hear each other. Aridan nodded though, handing Scarlett the papers despite the increasing anxiety in her eyes. This is when I realized just how injured and tired Scarlett and the others really were, the blood on Aridan's hand giving it away. 

Each of them had dark bags under their eyes and as I said before their skin was deathly pale, but it was to the point where their veins showed bright blue against their dark black clothing. Their hair was tangled and messy, sticking up in random places. The girl, who I believe to be Kyoko, had blood running down her left arm and the blonde hanging off her shoulder had a scabbed over gash on her forehead. Scarlett herself had blood on her pants leg that came from a hole in her right calf. She walked with a slight limp, but otherwise she didn't let on what-so-ever. It looked like a gunshot hole. I decided it was time to speak up.

"You're injured." My voice seemed to make her freeze. In fact it seemed to make them all freeze. Scarlett paused in her actions of ruffling through the papers in her hands and looked up, her eyes suddenly blocked by some undecipherable emotion. I felt a twinge of unease, not use to not being able to read what people were thinking or feeling.

Scarlett took a deep breathe. "Yeah...I guess we are..." She looked down and patted her leg. "This is what happens when you're too slow." She gave a grim smile, motioning back to the papers. "Lets not worry about that now. Here," Scarlett walked forward and handed the small pile of papers to Germany. He gave her an uncertain look before placing his gun back in its holder and beginning to read.

It was silent for a while before Germany glanced back up, but the entire time while he was reading his face continued to pale. Eventually, his head slowly came up, and I nearly dropped my sword at the look in his eyes. They were haunted. I hastily seethed my sword and went to his side. "Germany-san? What's wrong?" He didn't answer, instead continuing to stare at Scarlett. I moved my gaze to the documents in his hands. What could be so terrible that it would even scare Germany-san?

They were old and crumpled brown around the edges, and I instantly recognized the form of a letter. At the bottom of one was an official seal, but I had never seen it before, its curling lines that made a rose new to me. Which was impossible, considering I'd been around for almost thirty-seven thousand years. I carefully grabbed them and pried them from Germany's fingers, shocked at the grip my friend had on them. When I finally extracted them, I began to read. The first few words were scrawled in a beautiful script, catching my eyes almost immediately.

A race worth running... The most important thing to these girls...