Hetalian Protectors

Four

 Prussia's POV: I waited for them. As stupid as it was, I waited. Breaking free of Austria's hawk-eyed stare, I vanished into the throng of nations trying to find a way out. Russia's voice, lacking any of its playful singsong quality for once, just caught my ear, loud and commanding. Pulling everyone forward since Aridan had disappeared from the front. Since she'd gone to the back to defend us against the hell hounds hunting us down.

An excuse it might've been, but I figured it would be easier for the burnette to make it back to the silver haired man's side if I assisted her through the shoving countries, as I loathed having to follow the man. It had nothing to do with the fact that I wanted to make sure Arwen was safe. None whatsoever. Nobody had any proof!

But she'd - I meant they'd - fallen pretty far behind, and as much as I wanted to run into the darkness blade swinging, ready to cut down every villain that got in my way, I didn't want to risk getting shot with that weapon they seemed to fear so much. It didn't take a genius to know that not only were we outnumbered, but we were also possibly outgunned and lacking the necessary information to properly mount an attack. The girls seemed very sure of that fact, after all, even with over a hundred immortal nations on their side.

Something really wasn't right with that gun. But if I stayed hidden in my little nook here, I should be fine, I told myself. Having successfully lodged myself between two rocks that had fallen long ago, no one could see me from the outside. I was safely concealed, therefore it was no problem if I waited until they caught up to help escort them back to the group.

However, the longer I stood there in that cramped space, the more tension leaked into my muscles. Sweat beading on my face as the heat was nearly suffocating. "Damn it... Where are you?" It was a ragged whisper, my body shimmying free from what I had then deemed a prison just as a frantic shuffling echoed from just down the cavern. Muffled talking coming with it, and I froze. Going utterly silent.

"You can't! You can't even walk! What are you going to do! Swing once and miss?!" That was Scarlett, I recognized the soft tone anywhere, but for once she seemed strained, and she was nearly yelling. So, in that case it was probably at one of the girls... I smirked. Arwen.

That smirk died away with the wet cough that bounced off the walls, my want to hear that familiar tone instantly fading. "We don't have any choice left. I can't go any further. You can. You have to protect them for as long as you can. You heard Aridan." Her grin was audible in her words, as well as how weak it was. "And for your information, I intend on stabbing that bastard through the throat. I won't miss."

"You-"

"Stop telling me what I can and can't do, Scarlett. You know it just makes me want to do the... the opposite." Another cough, heavier this time, and she cursed. "Dammit... Fuck, get out of here. We don't have time to argue. I have to prepare my epic speech and everything."

Before I even realized it my feet were moving, but I guess I'd been frozen to that spot for longer than I'd noticed. Arms wrapping around my waist as shrill voices echoed around the cave. "Germany!"

"Italy! Romano! Get back to the others!"

"What about Prussia?"

"LET ME GO GERMANY! LET ME GO NOW!" Thrashing, I stared into the gloom, willing it to part, willing it to show me her face, to show me the Major's so I could split him in half. Panic tearing through my gut, my mind, my veins, leaving nothing in its wake as my brother took one step back, then another, dragging me away from the girl I thought could piece me back together.

Who I'd sworn to protect this time around.

*****

Arwen's POV: Scarlett's voice had been drowned out by screaming. Familiar screaming. Loud and unhindered, promising that if he got his hands around his enemy's throat there would be nothing left.

"Gil..." Voice barely audible, I stared off, imagining what it would be like if I could break the promise binding me to this spot, if I could escape the mist swirling around my fingers. If I could run - or in my current condition limp - limp until I laid eyes on him and throw myself into what was sure to be the most familiar and safe hold I'd been in for years. If I could spill forth the words I'd been holding back for the months we'd gotten to know each other, again, so he'd know it hadn't been his fault. None of it had. I'd made my choices. Just like I am now.

We'd done it to protect them. Just like I'm doing this to protect them.

"What do I tell him?" Scarlett, close to tears, holding onto my hand like she could somehow will her strength through her fingers and into mine, said the words like a plea.

"Tell him... Tell him I'm sorry." Everything seemed so inadequate. No words could accurately describe what I wanted to tell him. "That if things could be different..." I found I couldn't say anything else, but Scarlett, tears running freely down her face, nodded. She understood. She always did.

Grinning softly, I wiped away the wet lines, pushing at her gently even though it left me swaying like a leaf in the wind. "Don't cry. This is what we chose, isn't it? I'll see you later."

Her body jerked with a sob; she was probably biting her tongue, literally. "S-see you later." One foot behind the other, like she couldn't bare to take her eyes off me, she ran backward for a time before finally spinning around and taking off, limping away as fast as she possibly could. Following the fading screams of Gilbert who, for all this time, had not stopped. Not once. Begging to come save me, this time.

Facing what was sure to be my end, a magic promise at my fingertips, I grit my teeth and raised my sword. "To the end, Gil."

I took one very uneven step forward. "To the end."