Hello! So I have always loved the themed of game and dices, so I came up with a little fic, and I hope you all will enjoy this! c:
Plot Summary: In order to save those who are dear to him, Italy Veneziano must defeat the Game Master in a game. One wrong move and his loved ones will be injured, or worse.
It was sudden. All Veneziano remember was finding an old box, probably an old board game, and then suddenly, he is here. There is nothing around him, just complete darkness. He was getting terrified and he remained seated on the floor, trying desperately in a futile attempt to reach out for someone or something.
"F-Fratello...? Are you there?" No answer.
"Germany? Japan?" No answer as well.
He stood up slowly, still reaching out into the darkness around him, hoping to grab onto something, anything.
"Fratello? Nonno? Are you there? I'm scared…" Of course, all he heard was his own echo. His tears continued to fall as he called out for his brother and his friends, until suddenly, a light was shown onto him.
He shield his eyes from the sudden attack, the light was extremely bright, almost blinding. "H-Hello..?" He squeaked.
"Hello, Italy." The voice was deep and loud, and Veneziano had no idea where it was coming from.
"C-Ciao… Who are you? Where are you? Where am I?"
"I? Well, I am the Game Master, and you, my friend, are stuck here in my little game. The only way out for you, is if you defeat me in one of my many favourite games."
"Oh… Well, I love games." Veneziano's voice was innocent as he dried his tears. "What games are we playing?"
"Hmm… How about a simple game. Snakes and Ladders?"
Snakes and Ladders? It sounded innocent enough. Oh, but poor Veneziano did not know that. He had no clue what was in stored for him, and this was just the beginning.
Veneziano was standing high up above the ground, on a podium like thing. There was nothing there but a table and two dice. It was still pitch black around him, except for the front, where a beam of light illuminated the playing board down below. It looked approximately 50 meters below him, and just looking down at it was making Veneziano feel a little sick.
"It'll just be a simple game, I'm sure you have played it before. We will play with two game pieces first. Now, look, look at my beautiful game pieces." Veneziano looked down at the game board, and suddenly, two shadows appeared and they morphed into two majestic horses. Veneziano's eyes widened, amazed at the majestic pieces that had formed right before his very eyes.
"Pretty, aren't they? Now we'll see yours."
"But I do not know how to do that magic thing you just did."
"No worries, I've got you covered." Veneziano still could not find where the Game Master was, but he was really intrigued by what he would do for him. Maybe he would make a pony or a cute little kitten. Or maybe even a plate of pasta! That would definitely be the best.
Suddenly, the Game Master snapped his fingers and a cloud of smoke appeared over the board. Veneziano looked over the railing, excited to see what the Game Master have made for him. As the smoke started to clear, he saw to slightly smaller figures next to the Game Master's game pieces. He squinted slightly, until he caught a glimpse. He was surprised though, because he had expected to see his game pieces appear, not his friends. He bent over the railing excitedly and waved his arm, calling out to his pieces. "Oi~ Germany! Japan! I'm up here!"
"Italy…? Is that you?" Squinting up against the light, Germany managed to see a slight figure, most probably Italy's.
"Hello Germany! Great to see you! Japan too!"
"Italy, what are you doing up there?" Japan asked, his voice a little soft, but it was also stern at the same time. The both of them had probably sensed that something was wrong, seeing that they were on a huge game board, standing next to two gigantic black horses.
Italy smiled and waved, "I'm playing a game with the Game Master! He said he will get me some game pieces but then before they appeared you guys appeared!" He then looked up at where the beam of light is coming from. "Hey, Mr Game Master! You can bring them up here, right? And then, can I see my game pieces afterwards? I want to see what wonderful pieces I will get!"
"Oh but Italy, your game pieces are here. Your friends down there? They're your pieces."
"Huh? What? That must be a mistake, my friends aren't game pieces."
"But they will be for you, for this game. Don't worry too much, it'll be fun!" Veneziano suddenly felt a cool breeze around his ear and that sent a chill down his spine. "I'll even let you go first. When you're ready, just throw the dice, and we can start playing."