Hetaoni: ENDGAME

Chapter 36 ~ We Are Soldiers That Can't Fight

   All the nations were together, Main Expedition Team 1 and 2, as well as the Back-Up Team. Nothing could go wrong, right? Wrong. They had just exited the basement when the ground shook with tremendous strength. The tremors weren't enough to stop the nations though. The plaster in the wall cracked, bits and pieces, some floating some crashing, came down on the countries heads as if it was raining. 

"Get down!" Germany hollered, ducking over Japan as the ceiling fell on their heads.

  The earthquake lasted for an eternity. It was as if it was too stubborn to go away. After 15 minutes of a game of duck-and-cover, America was the first to stand up. Canadra, being a ghost and all, was unharmed by the flying debris, though England was the first to ask.

"Are you alright Canadra?" He asked, a doting mother kind of look on his face. He certainly did have some affection for the ghost as a type of daughter anyways. 

   The ghost's girl's eyes were wide in not only shock, but a lurking sense of fear that was unshakable. Japan could sense the air of suspense as well. Something wasn't right, and they all knew it. Even Romano, for someone who hadn't even been informed of the situation, immediately realized it. 

"It's Veneziano, isn't it?" Romano said, already knowing the answer. His face darkened, and Germany clenched his pants. 

  Canadra nodded. "Japan, Romano... You can sense it too, can't you... No.. You can sense her." 

"You don't mean.....?" Hungary started, but never finished. That was the one sentence she would never be able to finish. Just saying that witch's name made the poor girl tremble in fear. Having seen her in person, it had always amazed her how Prussia, Germany, America, and even England, could stand just hearing her name, let alone want to fight her.

"Yes... Ryuu." There was Grief in the ghost's usually fierce and lively eyes. The fear and guilt was shockingly deep, for why would a little girl feel like it was her fault that so many people were killed, including her own.

   The moment Germany heard the first syllable of that sentence, he ran. That nagging voice in his head that kept telling him "Go find him! Go find him!" was finally given attention. He didn't care where he ran, as long as he found him, safe and sound, without a single scratch on him, smiling like he always did, smelling like fine wine and pasta, not death and blood. As long as he found Italy.

"Germany-San! W-Wait!" Japan called after him. 

  Hungary clenched her jaw. She took a few steps forward, ready to follow the German. "H-Hungary..."

"I'm the one who raised him! I deserve to save him too... Right?" The brunette choked. She turned to look at her husband. "Right?" Tears were streaming down her face.

  "And you!" She faced Japan. "He was your ally!" Japan's face fell. "Romano is Italy's flesh and blood! He dserves to go save him as well. Why is no one running? Why is no one doing anything?"

   Prussia bit his lip. Romano crossed arms across his chest tighter. "Why? Tell me why!"

"Fear is something you can't control. But it's something you can overcome. Germany hated the supernatural, and yet he still ran! Why is no one following him? Because you're scared! Soldiers don't show fear, they run and keep moving! It stops them from thinking to much about what kind of darkness that's pursuing them, or the darkness they're pursuing. We're all soldiers! So then why don't we fight?" Hungary looked at every one of them, all the nations that stood still, all the nations that were scared, all the nations that were weak. She shook her head. "This is pitiful."

  She turned and ran. And then Prussia ran. Then Japan and China. Russia, Canadra, America, and England followed.

"Guess we have no choice, eh? Allons-y!" France chimed. Canada nodded, following the other running nations. 

  Spain and Belgium exchanged glances. "Romano?"

"Let's go." Romano sprinted down the hallway, Belgium and Spain following with a slight smile.

   They were on the second floor when it happened. A blood curling scream ricocheted against the walls, filling the air with it's horrible screech. Hungary stopped cold in her tracks. 

"Japan! What are you sensing?" She called out to him. "Something horrible. Torture, blood, and death...." He called back. He clenched the handle of his blade. Could this be the end for Italy? 

   Prussia pulled his own blade out. "West!" Germany was standing in front of the door, unable to move. His cerulean eyes continued to stare at the door, his body shaking relentlessy without end. "What the hell is wrong with you?! Open the door!"

"I c-can't! My body... It won't move...." He stuttered, eyes wide as saucers.

   Canadra narrowed her eyes. She had seen this before.... But when? So many people have died in front of her very eyes... So why was this trauma so familiar? She knew that this wasn't an experience she had felt herself. 

"G-Germany-San?" Japan put a hand on his ally's shoulder, trying to calm the man. 

   France pushed through the crowd. In one qucik flash, he slapped the man. "Snap out of it mon ami! I can tell that all your fears and traumas are taking over that énorme body of yours. Do you want to save Italy or not?" Germany gasped. "Now, Allons, tout le monde!"

   Germany clenched his fists. He pushed open the door, and his eyes widened in horror.

   That, was not an image that needed to be seen.