(A/N: Get ready for a hella long chapter. That's all I've got to say.)
|Reader's POV|
>Japan, Germany, Italy and France Have Been Chosen<
>Battle Party Has Been Chosen<
"Japan, Germany, Italy, France, you're with me." I ordered, the four gathering around me, standing in front of the monster. "Ready?"
I received quiet nods all around. "Good." My sword materialized in my hand in a single flash of a bright, warm light. "Then let's do this."
I readied my sword, then charging forward. I slashed at its left claw, which it swiftly dodged. Japan attacked at its right hand, getting a few hits in. It was much harder this time since I had to attack while clicking on moves since staying behind and just tapping at the air would be too obvious, there were too many witnesses. I tried to head toward its leg, but its arm kept blocking my way.
"Fall back!" I yelled and we regroup off the side. "Japan, you continue attacking at its right arm. I'll attack its left. Germany, stand in between us and attack its stomach area, as well as cover up any holes of defense Japan and I miss. Italy, you cover him. France, while the Thing's distracted you sneak up behind him and attack its back. If either me or Japan take a hit, we're counting on you and Italy to heal us. Everyone got it?"
"Yeah!" The four cheered in sync, splitting up to their designated positions.
I lunged towards the Oni's left arm, cleanly cutting off its claw. As its arm dived towards the ground in defeat, I hopped onto it and stood my ground. I lifted my blade into the air and stabbed it, the tip of the sword skewering its grey skin. I tugged it out and quickly jumped off its weakened arm. While I was catching my breath, the Thing suddenly knocked me over, pushing me towards the wall with its arm, ignoring the wound I had just inflicted upon it. It slammed me against the wall, crushing my whole body. I screamed in agony, falling onto the ground when the pressure subsided. Japan had sliced off the arm entirely.
"(Name)! Are you alright?"
Pain severely swelled around my chest, tightening mercilessly. "I-I'm fine." I hissed out, feeling like I could barely breathe, much less talk. I grabbed Japan's arm and pulled myself up, gasping. "J-Japan! France..."
Japan left the right arm of the monster unfinished. Germany was doing his best to keep it at bay, but its arm was headed toward France, who was obliviously continuing to attack its back. Even though my body felt like it were on fire, I screamed and ran towards France. Realizing that I wasn't going to make it on time, I held my sword's hilt in one hand, reaching it back behind my head. I twisted my body to the side and pushed my arm forward, releasing my sword. It soared through the air and punctured the Oni's right arm. The monster roared mightily, attempting to shake off my sword.
"Japan, go!"
He didn't need to be told twice. In a few long strides he was attacking the Thing's right arm along with Germany. Glowing sparks from Germany's whip combined with the silver slashes Japan perfectly executed made for a spectacular show of colors.
"Bella? Can you hear me?" Ringing struck my eardrums so Italy's words came out muted, but I could see his lips moving. I subtly tapped on one of Italy's moves, 'Peperoncino', a red magic circle appearing in front of me. Energy and comfort instantly filled me up. "Better?"
I nodded. "Thank you, Italy." I was going to head back onto the battlefield when Italy pulled me back.
"You've done enough, (Name). Leave it to them."
I glanced at Italy. "I-I guess you're right. Okay." I turned my head back to the Oni and watched as the three finished it off with ease.
"W-We defeated it...?"
"As expected you guys!" America cheered estatically, his gaze falling onto the unconscious England lying on the ground. "...Oh, we have to heal England."
"Is he alright? I don't really know what he did, but it looked like he used a lot of energy."
"He's fine!" America answered. "He just needs to sleep a little and he'll wake up in no time! I just wish we could get him somewhere better to sleep..."
"That's a more pressing matter." China said.
"......I see. I'll show you the way." Germany suddenly spoke, heading toward the door.
"What?" Japan took the word right out of my mouth.
"I've experimented it several times, so I think it's alright. Japan, remember that thick door on the second floor?"
'He's talking about that iron door. The one he kept going into when Japan and I first found him.'
"What? Oh...Yes, I remember."
"Let's go there....Finally, I'm going to be of some use, too."
"Understood...Let's go." Japan nodded.
"Um, listen!" Italy piped up.
However, he was drowned out by Germany, "Quickly. We may have defeated it for now, but it's very likely that it'll come back again."
"...Yeah. But...America. Thank...you..."
"...I think you should practice your smile a little more. You can't say that with that face."
Deadly silence filled the room.
Maniacal laughter suddenly hit my eardrums. A loud voice cried out in my head, 'CONGRATULATIONS.' I winced and clamped a hand over my ear.
"Shut up!!!" Prussia shouted, shutting his eyes and gripping his ears.
'Huh?'
"Whoa! What's the matter?" Russia inquired.
"Oh..." Prussia slowly took his hands off his ears and looked around, puzzled. "S-Sorry...Er, did you just hear..."
"Did something happen?" Japan asked, concerned.
"N-No, it's nothing." Prussia hesitated. "Really, I'm sorry........."
I looked at him curiously, wondering what the heck just happened...
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"Ouch!"
"Who's stepping on my foot?!"
"So...who's on top of me~?"
"Hey, that's my hair!! So, isn't it a little narrow here? And dark?"
Once we entered the iron door, we were immediately cramped and discomfort swept the large group.
"Oh, sorry. There was a switch, but...Wait just a minute. I'm sure it was...around here...(Name), I think it's somewhere near you." Germany's voice spoke within the dark.
"Really? Okay, give me a second." I carefully wove my way through the group, my elbow hitting a wall. I ran my hand along the wall, patting it down until I felt...a different...surface?
"Ooh, I didn't know you wanted me that badly, frau~"
".
..
...That...was your chest, wasn't it, Prussia?"
"Kesesese~"
"You have no idea how much I want to die right now." I deadpanned, punching him square in the chest. "J-Jeez, you suck." I muttered as I quickly walked around him. I found the switch, flicking it on.
"Huh."
I looked around in wonder. It was so much bigger than I expected. There was a portion of the room dedicated for beds, which were lined up in two rows. In the top right part was a kitchen, where there were a couple of jars and bottles that sat on a shelf hanging above a stove, a sink and a bunch of counters, as well as a fireplace and a bunch of bags, barrels and boxes off to the side. On the opposite half of the room, there was a rectangular wooden table with chairs surrounding it towards the middle, three throne-like chairs in the top left corner and a door right beside it.
As my awe-struck eyes traveled around the room, my gaze just happened to land on, low and behold, Prussia. He winked furiously, raising his eyebrows up and down and smirking flirtatiously. I reddened a little, stomping over to him and forcefully slapping his arm.
"I hate you so very much."
"Aw, come on, you know you love me~" Prussia said in a sing-song voice.
"No. I really don't." I huffed at his immature behavior and turned around.
"Ouch. Well that stung."
Well dang. His voice actually sounded legitimately hurt. I spun around quickly, blurting out, "Whoa Prussia, wait a sec, I was just kid-"
"You were going to say just kidding right??" Prussia's fake frown reverted to its usual grin. He clapped his hands together. "You admitted it!"
"W-Wait, hold on-!"
"No take backs!!" He stuck his tongue out childishly and folded his arms against his chest.
I sighed, defeated and hung my head. I let a light chuckle slide, lifting my head back up. I took a place beside Prussia, joining the rest of the group in the circle they formed.
"Anyway, awesome! What is this place? Did you make it, West?"
"...It's amazing..."
"How did you do this?"
"Ugh..." A groan came from England, who was just lying on the ground.
"Oh." America leaned above him, peering down on him. "Are you awake?"
England sat upright and looked around in confusion. "Wh-Where the hell am I?! Don't tell me we...got out?"
His question was met with complete silence.
"Pfft. You would've thought." The sarcasm slipped through my lips.
"Hm." England's head fell back onto the floor. "Based on everyone's silence and (Name)'s sarcasm...I guess not..."
"We have much to talk about. However, our first priority now is to sleep. We had better sleep first and talk later." Germany said.
"Yeah, if we try to talk now, I won't get anything..." Prussia yawned.
I playfully rolled my eyes, about to tease him, but I stopped when I looked at him. Dark circles brushed along the bottom of his eyes and he did look like he needed some rest.
"I'm hungry, too, but...I want to sleep first. Let's just do some basic healing and then sleep."
'Huh. China, too.' I glanced around at the others and saw the same tiredness in their eyes. Now that I think about it, it would be nice to get some rest...
"America, didn't you get hurt when you thrust the iron pipe? Give me your arm; I'll take care of it." Canada piped up as he looked around. "Is there a first-aid kit here or anything of the sort?"
I sighed. So much for rest. Sleep is for the weak, anyway. "And I told you to be careful, America...Don't worry about that Canada, I'll take over. I pretty much am a living first-aid kit. You should go and rest, I've got it covered." I stated. I slipped my backpack's strap off my shoulder and lifted it in front of me. I began pulling out more bandages, ointments and other things like that, then stuffing them in my pocket.
"Those who don't have any problems, sleep. There is no need to keep watch. I've already experimented it countless times."
'Ah, that's helpful. We wouldn't want anyone going lost again...'
"Japan~ Sleep next to me! You, too, Germany! I'll sleep in the middle!"
'Ha...Gayyyy-' I thought, placing a hand over my mouth to keep from laughing.
"Yes, of course." Japan nodded. "It's been so long since I've laid down a little."
"Hm, then I guess I'll sleep next to West." Prussia said, suddenly bumping my elbow with his. "Or frau, maybe you can sleep next to me-"
"Um, how about heck no."
America snickered, and I smiled lightly when Prussia turned his head to glare at him.
"I'm so tired, too...I'll go ahead."
"I'll go to sleep, too. My back hurts..."
France and China headed for the beds. After that, the group dispersed into different parts of the huge room.
I headed toward England, who had retired into one of the beds. I carefully touched the back of my hand to his forehead, checking his temperature. When I retracted my hand from his face, his emerald eyes fluttered open.
"O-Oh, hi, England. Sorry if I woke you up. I just came to check up on you."
"Thank you, (Name). I appreciate the concern, love, but I'll be fine." He spoke in a soft, weak voice.
"I know." I returned his smile and dug through my backpack. "Just get some rest and remember to drink some water when you can." I said as I pulled a water bottle out of my bag, setting it beside him.
"I will." He nodded sleepily, shutting his eyes.
I walked through the beds and stopped at France's. He was lying on his side so I walked over to that part of the bed, peering down to meet his blue eyes.
"(Name)." He blinked in surprise before flipping his body so his back pressed against the bed. "Do you need anything?" He began to sit upright, but I gently pushed him right back down.
"No need to get up, just rest. I only need to check on your scrapes from before." I explained, picking up his arm and unraveling the gauze bandage from around his elbow. Sure enough it was starting to heal. I reapplied some more of the cream, doing the same to his other elbow. "They're starting to heal, which is good. There's no need for a bandage, I think it's better if you let the wound breathe a little."
"Merci, fille."
I nodded and walked off. I set out for America, who happened to be talking to Canada.
"Hey Canada, mind if I borrow America for a sec?"
"Of course." Canada politely answered, retreating and walking toward the beds.
"Alright. America." I clasped my hands together and looked up at him. "Let's see that wound."
"Well, uh, it isn't really a wound. Canada was exaggerating a bit, my arm's just a little sore, it's nothing." America smiled, waving his hand dismissively.
"Oh okay. Hm...ice would usually help with soreness, but I don't really have an ice pack. Got it! I think cold water will do."
"Convenient, I was just about to head to the bathroom." America pointed towards the door I saw before.
"Wait, seriously? That's a bathroom?"
"Yep! C'mon, I'll show you!" He took me by the wrist and tugged me across the room. He opened the door and let go of me, bowing dramatically. "You first, milady." America said in a really terrible British accent.
I burst out laughing. I played along, curtsying. "Wait, are you trying to imitate England??"
"Why of course not, you git! Whatever would make you think so?" He continued, gesturing toward the bathroom. "Ladies first because I'm trying too hard to be a gentleman even when my favorite hobbies include yelling at people and bickering with France."
I giggled and playfully smacked his arm. "Ahaha, shush! He might hear you. Let's go."
I entered the bathroom and walked over to the sink. I pulled out an empty water bottle and filled it with cold water. I handed it to America.
He took it gratefully, grinning widely. "Thanks, (Name)!"
"No problem." I tapped on the gauze bandage wrapped around my arm. "I'm going to fix this injury up in the other room, okay?"
"Okay! I'm gonna take a quick shower."
I nodded and opened the door to the second half of the bathroom, shutting it behind me. I looked for a lock, but unfortunately didn't find one. I frowned, gulping. I guess I just had to trust America.
I slipped my hoodie over my head and set it on the toilet next to me. I unwound the blood stained bandage and threw it in the garbage. I ran my fingers along the scars around my wrists, sighing softly. I lifted my arm above the sink and turned on the faucet, letting water rain down on the scratches on my skin. Water mixed with blood dripped down my arm and into the drain.
I was in the middle of washing my arm when the bathroom's door opened. I shut off the faucet and decided to listen in since I had nothing better to do.
"Phew! I was drenched in sweat!"
"The tatami..."
'Japan?'
"Oh, by the way...Thank you for what you did for Italy. Since I broke a clock without consulting anyone else, I became so preoccupied with another matter that I completely forgot about that."
'Yep, definitely something Japan would say.'
"I'm up to anything if I can be a hero! No need to thank me!"
'And that's something America would say.'
"Certainly, you were both heroes back then. You even told England and all the others."
'Hm. That explains why everyone seemed to be relatively calm.'
"Hm? Oh, yeah. When we took refuge in that room, England hadn't said anything, had he? He said he was going to do some kind of spell or something, and if by any chance there wasn't enough time, I'd have to buy him time. And there really wasn't enough time, so I attacked with this iron pipe I'd picked up earlier, and when the spell was done, it succeeded in slowing down our enemy." America explained.
"That's why you both stood waiting in the back. Everyone else also acted quickly. Telling them beforehand turned out to be the key. Thank you."
I was about to yell out, 'I told you so', but I held back.
"It's because...I don't want to lose any of my friends. And it looks like Italy is hiding something."
I was halfway through dressing my arm when I stopped, my eyes widening.
"Indeed. Everyone has noticed it by now."
'W-What...really?'
"I hope he will tell us tomorrow, though..."
"I wonder if he really will. He has that determined face. As if he thinks that ordinary methods won't work."
"Yes, it is just as you say. I can't help but think that he looks like someone who has been standing all alone in a far away place for a very long time." Japan replied.
'That's actually the perfect way to describe it.'
"Then we have to run over there and catch him."
I smiled and shook my head slowly. I tore off the bandage from the rest of the roll and began to tighten it around my arm.
Japan chuckled. "Definitely. We should all catch him together. Excuse me, I need to go to the bathroom."
'...Shoot.' I thought. I quickly turned around and held the door.
"U-Um...Japandon'tcomeinhereI'mnaked."
.
..
...
"(Name), I think you broke Japan."
"A-Ah, my apologies, (Name). I'll...just...go now."
When I heard the bathroom door close, I sighed in relief. I heard America laugh from the other side of the room.
"Are you really naked?"
"No...I just..." I paused. Though Japan was gone, my arms still gripped the end of the door. I stared at my forearms. "It's a long story." I finally let go of the door. "We all have our secrets, you know."
America remained silent. "Oh...sorry. That was a little unexpectedly dark. I-"
"No, I understand. There are some things in the past that are better left unsaid. I'd know, I promise."
"Thank you. Actually, A-America...can you do me a favor?"