Hetalian Protectors

Three

Russia's POV: At first, I wouldn't look at her. It hurt too much. The secrets that still weighed heavily over all of our heads crushing my lungs into pulp the few times I heard her voice. A reminder that things weren't ever as simple as they could be. That things would never be easy.

It was only when Luna went down that I figured I didn't have time to waste anymore. Pushing through the crowd, earning more than a few curses, I was too big for them to stop, hand grasping for Adrian's arm. Her eyes blown wide as she didn't seem to see me coming. Constantly looking over her shoulder, blade at the ready, gun in her other hand, already cocked. Her breathing down to mere pants, one arm protectively slung across her abdomen.

My fingers closed around her wrist, bringing us both to a jarring halt. For a second she didn't seem to see me as people shoved past, leaving us behind. It wasn't a good idea to stay still for a long time but- my gaze dropped to the deep red stains she'd been trying to hide. My gut dropped all the way to the floor.

"What did you do?" My voice was rough, those simple words yanking her from whatever world she'd been dragged off to as she finally focused on me. Blinking a few times, she shook her head. Trying to pull free and take a step back, only to realize that my grip was unyielding. She'd have to pry me loose if she wanted to get free.

"I didn't do anything." She hissed, frantic eyes darting behind us where Arwen and Scarlett were just starting to become visible, bringing up the rear even with the danger of the Major shooting them down with his fancy weapon. She was supposed to be in front. Leading the way to forward now that Luna was gone. "Ivan, let me go. Now is not the time-"

"You're hurt."

"I know!" It was a ragged hiss, broken. "But it doesn't matter. We can't stop here. They're coming." Pushing him back with one final burst of strength she shook her head. "Let go!"

"Russia!" A small hand clapped down on my arm, violet eyes darting to the left to see Ukraine hovering beside us both. A frown pulling her lips down as she looked between us both, something unbearably sad in her gaze. "She's right. She has to keep going. I'll take a look at her wounds myself when we're out of her, I swear."

I knew they were right. Of course I did. But something inside my very soul screamed to not let go. That if I did something bad would happen. It always did. She'd leave me and the pain would happen all over again because I was a fool. I was a fool because I'd ignored what'd happened in the past and let myself fall-

But I let go anyways, her arm hesitating from pulling away completely, leaving us a mere inch apart. She had seemed to calm somewhat, but there was a crease in her brows now, her face much more gentle than before. Getting on her toes, shouts came from behind us that went right through one ear and out the other, her hand caressing my cheek, her lips the other. She appeared to understand them, though. "Get out of here and don't worry about me. I'll be right behind you. Two more rights. Then a left. Don't stop."

Holding his gaze for one more second, her eyes brightened. "Go."

The last thing I saw was her running to meet up with Arwen and Scarlett while Ukraine tugged me back to the front of the group of nations streaming through the caves like their lives depended on it.

*****

Aridan's POV: Skidding to a stop, Arwen nearly tumbled into me, my hands and Scarlett's the only thing to keep her on her feet. Before I could open my mouth, she jerked a finger behind her, where in the darkness little beams of lights danced. They were gaining. And fast.

"I'll stay." Scarlett murmured. "You take her and keep going." Attempting to give me all of Arwen's weight altogether, I just carefully shoved it back.

"Don't even think about it, you idiot! You can barely walk too!" Letting out a loud and uneven breath, I held up a hand, letting them see the beginning of the spell weaving itself around my fingers, dark and consuming. "I'll stay. Kyoko and Luna have started it. You guys have to finish it or escape."

Arwen's eyes were wide as she practically glared at the offending magic taking shape before her, but I only gave her a tiny smile. "You think I'm being stupid, but how I see it, you're the stupid one for waiting around. If you think I'm going down without a fight, you're wrong."

Mind going to the man I'd be leaving behind a second time, I only hoped he remembered my directions and made it outside this maze of dirt and gloom. Regretting every missed opportunity. Every failure.

Well, I'd just have to take out all those feelings on the bastards chasing us.

Scarlett glanced behind her, seeing that the lights were much closer than before. "We can all stay-"

"We need to keep going as long as possible. Now get going." Jerking a thumb over my shoulder, I cut her off with a sharp look. Wanting to keep her and Arwen alive too... If it could be that way. I'd already lost two friends...

"Give them hell." Arwen rasped, grabbing my hand with fingers slick with red, mine wrapping right back as I gave her a single nod right back, letting Scarlett drag her off at a hobbling run we all knew they wouldn't be able to keep up for long. Facing forward, I raised my gun, aiming at the lights and firing one time after another, watching as they fell, only to be replaced by another. And another. And another.

When they swarmed over me, I went down blade swinging, a blast accompanying a sharp burst of white before everything went black.