Turned Tables

Family

It had been a few months since the idea of a revolution came to mind. Not such a long time, yet so much went wrong throughout it. A war had begun, so twisted that it struck deeper than ever into the heart of every country. Causalities were uncountable, but it was no longer terrifying. There was no time for fear, only action and survival.

Gorgeous lands burnt to the ground, mere ash, a shadow of the beauty it once was. The United Nations were in tatters, none knowing the state of the others, too caught up in their own. Some were long dead, others insane, others in comas, and others yet barely surviving, on the constant brink of death.

The humans were not faring much better either, due to the obvious, and a biologically engineered virus, a modern version of the Black Plague, that had first spiked up in the slums of India, though it's personification claimed to be clueless. Yet no one cared at this point. The sole instinct and goal of every living being was to survive, to make it through the day without being burnt, shot, stabbed, poisoned, or die of fatigue, hunger, weakness, or illness.

Families were torn apart, lovers forgetting each other's names. Nothing mattered anymore, yet nothing ever changed. Very few still functioned enough to communicate, two of those somewhere in Asia, the exact location unknown, for the borders were long gone.

In the midst of the rubble and crackling flames, a figure lay curled up in on themselves, hacking up soot and blood. A second crawled towards the former, rubbing their back until the fit had passed. Blinking blearily, the first looked towards the latter, almost crying with relief upon recognising their features. "China!"

"Yes, it's me, Hong Kong, don't yell, or you'll start coughing again." Not paying much heed to his words, Hong Kong wrapped his thin arms tightly around his elder brother, not wanting to let go. Not again. China sighed, hugging the teen back. They were both weak, and this was the first interaction, other than dodging bullets, either had had in a good while.

"Am I going to die?" Hong Kong asked in a small, terrified whisper, and China tensed, remaining silent. All his life, he had been able to answer every question thrown his way, especially from his siblings, yet what would he say now? Truthfully, he knew they were all going to die, but he could not say that.

For China, this was enough. Sweet relief had flooded his veins when he caught sight of Hong Kong, for no matter his state, he was alive, the same which could not be said for many. That was more than enough.

A wetness stained China's shoulder, and for a panicked second, he thought it was fresh blood, but then he realised it was tears. The younger was crying. "I-I saw Taiwan and-and she-she-she-" Ignoring the pain in his heart at those words, the elder shushed him, carding his fingers through his dirty hair soothingly.

Taiwan was gone as well, then. What happened to the rest of them? China could only pray they were alright. He did not think he could bear the loss of any more of his siblings, but regardless, he had to stay strong. At least for Hong Kong, if not for himself. He could not imagine how horrid it must be, to be so young, and lose just about everything in the blink of an eye. It was incredibly difficult for China himself, even if he was far older, and knew this day would come once, but it still hurt more than anything.

He did not know how long it took for Hong Kong's violent trembling to cease, and his sobs to quiet. His light weight relaxed greatly, and the ancient suspected he had worn himself out to the point of uneasy slumber. China sighed, gently cradling the teen closer protectively.

He had always longed to spend more time with his younger siblings, for them to be more affectionate towards him, and not the way South Korea would do to pester him, but he had never wished for it to happen under such circumstances. Fate worked in funny ways.

Yet... Was this really their fate?

Was this how it would all end?

Was the world really going to end as they knew it?

The situation was so surreal, it only seemed to be a twisted fantasy. Perhaps that was all life was, a series of twisted fantasies with spurts of happiness that could never last forever.

This was the final spurt of happiness for China, to stay with at least one of his precious siblings that he had dedicated his life to taking care of.

As China felt all his weaknesses wash over him, he accepted it.

This was the last fatal game of humanity's.

One none would ever forget.

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I'm back y'all! With one of the longest chapters for this book! And one of the most angsty ones! I sincerely apologise for the overly long wait, but it was not of my choice.

This is the last chapter before the epilogue, by the way.

I am super excited to post the epilogue for some... Odd reason...

But ah well, enough of that

You know what y'all haven't heard in a while from me?

Y'all haven't heard about my appreciation for likes, comments, and votes!

Kesesese, you know I had to, it's traditional.

As well as my farewell.

Ciao till the day after tomorrow~!