Memories of Old

Chapter 38: The First Loop

Chapter 38: The First Loop

As I had promised, a half hour after we'd passed through the Front Gates, the Mansion appeared. I did not bother to hide my sneer and glare as I set my sights upon the accursed building.

"Woah, I don't think I've ever see Italy look so terrifying." America gulped, and a few nations took an involuntary step back upon seeing my expression.

Luciano glared, too, but his wasn't quite as hateful as mine. All feelings of wanting to come back vanished the moment I caught sight of the place, and for that, I was grateful.

I ignored the tiny sigh of relief I felt when we stepped inside.

"It's been a long time." Yang spoke casually as he looked around.

"Not long enough." I spat, surprising several of the nations.

"There's not a speck of dust!" Arthur pointed out, running a hand over the railing. "Are you sure this place is abandoned? I don't fancy getting in trouble for breaking and entering."

"The door was unlocked, how's that breaking and entering?" Alfred countered. "Come on, man! Let's have a look around!" He grinned, bouncing in place excitedly.

"Trespassing, then! Oh, I don't know..." Arthur looked around warily. "Something feels off, here. Maybe we should go." But even as he said it, he quietly closed the door behind him.

"Fate sealed." I sighed.

"What was that?" Flavio looked up at me. I just shook my head.

"I'm sure it's nothing. You're just being paranoid." Yao dismissed the Englishman.

"No... I feel a disturbance as well." Kiku spoke up, looking around warily. "Something is wrong. I don't feel right about this."

"Kesesese! You're all wimps!" Gilbert laughed. "Maybe we should split up into groups?"

"Ve~! I wanna be with Japan and Germany!" Feliciano grinned happily.

A sudden crash from the hallway on the right caused the group to jump. "Perhaps someone is here, after all." Francis spoke warily. "Maybe we should go."

"Nonsense. It was likely just the wind." Ludwig dismissed. "But if it bothers you that much, then go have a look yourself." He shrugged.

"How would it be the wind if it came from inside the house?" South Korea gave Germany an odd look.

"Fine. I will." Francis stalked off towards the Kitchen.

"I'd better go with him. Damn frog might hurt himself if there's broken glass." Arthur sighed. Matthew followed, leaving the seven nations in the Entryway.

I tensed, knowing what was about to happen. "Everyone be ready. And please, try not to panic." I shot them a sardonic look.

"Ready? Ready for what?" Prussia asked, but a moment later, a giant monster appeared from the stairs, and I instantly fell into a defensive stance, ready to draw its attention and dash for the stairs. A moment later, I remembered that this was a memory, and straightened up with a light flush.

It was twice as tall as a man, with sickly grey leathery skin stretched taut over bones and muscle. The thing's large eyes were black, like an endless abyss. It stood on two legs, and had a long spiked tail. Two arms extended from its torso, ending in three fingers and a thumb, each equipped with razor sharp black claws. Its head was shaped vaguely like a human, but it had razor sharp teeth that it bared at the nations like some kind of fiend.