...Learn To...

3

Preuss fluttered his eyes open to a black world that he was still not use to. He closed them again and rolled over in his bed, curling the sheets up closer to his chin.

It smells like her still… he wondered in awe, inhaling the scent. It’s like she was just here…

It had been a week since everyone had left, and the boy was already feeling heartache. His dreams were filled with Chloe and his parents, and every once in a while he would think that he saw them. But that was a humorous thought, since he didn’t even have sight anymore.

“Another day in boring hell…” he muttered to himself, laying on his back and letting the covers fall where they may. “I wonder what else Chloe left here…”

Preuss laid there for a long while, just staring into nothing while his brain was filled with the present. Eventually his thoughts wandered to Chloe. How was she doing back in Hetalia? Was she enjoying her job as Bakersfield? Did she remember him? Did she… Miss him?

He rolled over to face the room and tucked his arm under the pillow. It disturbed him of the thought of Chloe acting like nothing happened. Would she? She probably wanted no memory of this wretched place… She’ll probably find a new boyfriend and move on. Maybe she’ll even hook up with another country.

Preuss flopped onto his back with a sigh, his arm covering his eyes. “Someone just take this nightmare from me…”

Unfortunately, that didn't happen. A sultry voice wormed its way through his hearing as the owner knocked on his door.

"Oh, Pre-chan~" she giggled. Preuss wanted to hurl. "Big Sister is calling for you~ I'd think it would be wise to go see her. Oh, wait, you can't!"

Preuss clamped his jaw shut and tuned out the evil peal of laughter that spilled from the repulsive girl's lips. How he loathed that sound...

"In other words, Lord Junpei has called you. Go, or lose your hearing as well~"

Her giggles echoed through his head long after she had left.

Take me from this hell... I don't care if I die, just take me from his hell...

He knew what Junpei was wanting of him. He wanted to mess with their minds again, but Preuss had grown immune to such things. Seven years of constant torture left him numb and hopeless.

But one flame burned within him. The flame of hatred for the Hondas. The flame of love for his sister. And the flame of remembrance of Chloe's bravery and strength. Even now he could feel her kiss as he strapped his blades to his person. His last memory of sight plagued his mind, adding fuel to the fire. Chloe was able to go home after all those years. Why couldn't he? If Mom and Dad never returned, they stilled needed personified people for those ancient countries. He could find a way.

He exited the room, and headed down the familiar path. Magic enabled him to see a kind of matrix grid of the area around him, keeping him from running into things. He broke into a run as soon as he heard his siblings' voices, and as soon as the grid bent to show their structures.

"Preuss!" Perisa called, running for him and wrapping her arms around him. "All you alright?"

He nodded, returning the hug. "I'm okay... Yui just grated on my nerves again."

Dastan was silent.

The siblings hardly talked, though Perisa would try to cheer them up as much as she could. When they arrived at the castle, however, they halted. The twins clasped hands, and Perisa guided him, to make him look like a helpless blind boy. The less they knew, the better.

They entered the main halls to see Junpei perched on his throne with Yui standing next to him. At his feet, miserable, was Zelda. She lifted her eyes to see her siblings, only to look away, ashamed.

Junpei smiled. "Ah, they have arrived. Do you see that, Zelda? They have to be called to come. They've given up on trying to rescue you. Ten years... And only three rescue attempts..."

"It's hard to attack when you're blind," Preuss pointed out calmly.

"Oh, and who's fault was that?" Yui asked, mocking pity.

"Yours," came Zelda's quiet, but angered voice.

"Shut up!" Junpei ordered, raising his hand to slap the girl.

No one moved, but Junpei's hand stopped. In fact, his whole body was frozen. His eyes widened in shock, and Zelda slowly turned to see Preuss's face stern.

"Lay one finger on her. I dare you."

Yui let out a growl and threw one of her knives towards him, enchanted so that it was almost the speed of a bullet. Yet, Preuss caught it, and sent it back. He took this chance to run for Zelda to try and take her back. He would burn this castle down if he had to!

He reached her, but his time had run out. The spell he had cast on Junpei wore off, and he lunged at Preuss, effectively stabbing the boy in the side. He cried out in pain, falling to the ground while clutching his side.

"Pre-chan!" Zelda croaked, her voice not use to yelling.

Junpei was angry. Extremely angry. He raised his hand again and again to bare down on the twenty-year-old's helpless body, until finally stopped by Perisa's chain whip wrapping itself around his wrist. She yanked hard, dragging him to the floor. He writhed against his bonds while his sister ran for them, her knives coming out.

It was all-out war between the siblings. Preuss was able to heal his wounds quickly, thanks to his siblings keeping the enemy under control. He grabbed Zelda and hurried for the door. It was risky, but worth the shot. Right now, he was willing to die for his sister's release.

Perisa noticed her twin's intent and coaxed the enemy away from the door. So far, so good. If they could just buy a bit more time...

He was at the door! He went through, dragging Zelda along, but was suddenly halted.

He turned around.

Zelda had her hand on the entrance that would not let her through.

Junpei's mechanical laughter rang through the castle.

"You children are so nieve...! Did you not expect me to keep my prize locked away for safe keeping? Idiots!"

"Oh, darling, you're so smart~" cooed Yui, earning a kiss.

Preuss was revolted by the two. Not only were they sibling lovers, but they also were treating Zelda like an animal. He didn't even want to think about what Junpei did to her...

"Zelda," he murmured, turning and lacing both hands in hers. "What does Junpei do to you?"

She lowered her head. "You don't want to know, Pre-chan..."

"Zelda, tell me."

"No, Pre-chan. There's nothing you can do about it... I've survived this long under his nightmare-reign, so I can survive longer." She leaned closer, resting her for head on his. "You've grown so much... I have a plan to get out. Stay away for as long as you can. If you haven't heard from me in a year, then you may come again."

"But Zelda--"

"No. Now go."

There was nothing he could do. So he left, with Perisa and Dastan trailing after.

He didn't want to leave without Zelda, but he knew that he had to trust her. If he just trusted her, she would come back. Somehow, she would come back.

He had to trust her.

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Sorry for the late update! *Bows repeatedly* I've been super busy while helping my brother and sister prepare for their baby boy's arrival. Hasn't happened yet, but I've been too busy to write. v.v BUT! I shall have a special thing prepared for you~