Hetalia: The Magic Almanac- The Novelization

Origin: Part 1- Chapter 4: Horatio

It was a rather lovely day for the whole village. Traders with horses pulling wagons brought their goods throughout the village, people mingled with each other, and the occasional stray dog chased a stray cat all around. 

Horatio was walking home from school with one of his friends, Cornelius. He was rather big in his gut, which was not something you'd see in the village often. This indicated that Cornelius belonged in a wealthy family and was the heir to their trading company on the day his father dies. 

"Well, Cornelius," Horatio began, "Today was a pretty good day, don't you think?" 

"Indeed," Cornelius answered, "Just thinking of it, your father won't be pleased like always, eh?" 

What were Cornelius and Horatio doing beforehand? Well, they were doing what most teenagers at the time would do: pull pranks onto the other townspeople. This act of tomfoolery involved a shepherd herding his sheep into town. Horatio and Cornelius were hiding in a nearby alley, wearing costumes stolen from a nearby theater that resembled hideous beasts. Once the shepherd was nearby, Cornelius and Horatio leaped out of the alleyway, scaring all of the sheep away. You can tell right away that the shepherd was very cross, and threatened to get the village magistrates after them. Right away, Horatio and Cornelius returned the costumes and continued on with their day as if nothing ever happened.

A rather familiar voice was heard in the distance. "Horatio! Cornelius!" 

The duo looked around to see where the voice was coming from. It seemed like it was all their imagination until they really saw who it was: Alfwin. 

Alfwin was a rather peculiar character. Suffering from dwarfism, he had a rather rough childhood because of his stature. Abandoned by his parents for his deformity, he had to deal with lots of abuse from people, as many considered he was actually a halfling that lived in the woods. Now that he befriended Horatio and Cornelius, Alfwin was treated as the little brother of the troupe. Along with that, he was able to have a home ever since befriending the two, living in a well-known inn in the village. 

"Alfwin?" 

Alfwin was in a rather hoppy mood today. He hopped around the two excitedly, waiting to bring them some news. 

"I hear tonight is the best time to do the one and only..." Alfwin began, "Running with death itself!" 

Horatio's eyes widened, as he immediately understood what this really meant. This was an opportunity to do the unthinkable. 

"Running with Diablo the bull?!" Horatio exclaimed, "I'd so do it!" 

"Have you lost your sanity, Horatio?!" Cornelius protested, 

"Shut up, Cornelius! It's not like i'm going to do it immediately tonight, since my father will be pissy about it."

"Good idea!" Alfwin interrupted

"Don't egg him, Alfwin!" Cornelius forcefully nudged Alfwin, noting that what he did was not the best idea in the world. 

"No matter, my father is quite pissy anyways." 

Alfwin poked Cornelius, noting that he is going to whisper something to the rather bulky man. 

"Never did I know Horatio actually wants to do the Death Run with Diablo!" Alfwin whispered to Cornelius. They made sure that Horatio couldn't hear them whispering. 

"Now I realize how long I was dilly-dallying for," Horatio announced, "So I must now say farewell. I shall see you two tomorrow as per usual." 

Cornelius and Alfwin waved to Horatio, who was heading homeward. Though Horatio thought today was going to be an average day for him, there actually was a surprise waiting for him.