Prologue

Nation's Salvation

A Promise Between Brothers

Prologue

He was an ancient, the first, having existed since the beginning. Before there was land, there had only been the vast sea and the beautiful world beneath, but time had brought forth the mountains, the trees, and the land. With it, came the surface dwellers, mixed with others like himself, only slightly different. There was peace, and there was war... there was life, and there was death. As more and more nations spread out across the world, his people slowly dwindled until only a handful remained, and he was tired... so very tired. Even the birth of his son had not changed that, and he could only hope that his half-sister remained strong enough to endure.

With the disappearance of the island cities centered around the coastal waters of Spain, she had reverted to a childlike state, often residing within the Scandinavian territories and care. He had no worries when she was with Norway or Denmark, two of the more level headed sons of Scandinavia. They, more than anyone, understood the need for her survival. He knew his death would bring her further pain and sadness, but his time had come, his son not yet ready to claim his birth right.

It was on a cold, and windy morning that he appeared before the older of the twins, violet eyes looking up from his daily chores to stare at the approaching water nation. Standing, he put down his weapon, reaching for the older male's arm in a sign of respect and friendship. They understood one another... and with a weary sigh he sat and watched for a long time as Norway continued to clean and polish his hunting tools for a migration across the ice bridge that extended from Siberia to an unknown world. The Scandinavian Countries made this trip frequently, a tradition that had begun with his father, passed down to his sons. With each migration, some stayed behind, while others came back and with them, much needed food and supplies so that everyone could survive the harsh winters that existed in the Scandinavian countries. Only small portions of the land now showed promise, no longer completely covered in ice, and with it, the birth of a new nation, Iceland. "How fares your father?"

"Much the same as yourself, I suppose," Norway answered. "You are two of the oldest, and with that comes a heavy burden. More and more of the ancients have already passed, leaving their legacies and futures with their sons or daughters."

"What I'm about to do... it's beyond cruel, but necessary for the survival of the planet and land nations."

Sensing something serious, Norway once again paused in his work, trying to determine if this was something for him alone, or for his twin as well. Making up his mind, he stood, said something to one of his younger warriors, and watched him take off. "I ask that it wait... I feel it necessary that Denmark hear your story as well."

"Where is she?"

"Most likely with Sweden. Where our father has a certain fondness for her, Sweden is the one she prefers and stays close to. Not that he'll offer an objection. Regardless of how she became a child again, she was the legendary warrior he strove to model himself after, the undefeated water nation that many wanted and failed to acquire."

"Is she still unable to grow?"

"For now, and Finland seems to know the reason why. However, he says nothing, even to Sweden, believing that the past belongs in the past… that it's best she never recalls the events that led to the destruction of her water nations."

The ancient stared at the open waters, his expression troubled, as if he were trying to decide, whether it was worth telling them the truth of her past or letting it vanish like the rest of her legacy. In addition to having grown weary of existence, he had a second reason for coming to them, to passing on his powers to another. "She will recall what happened," he finally admitted. "Her ties to Sweden… to the Nordic Nations in general, may or may not make a difference."

"I don't understand… so what if she remembers… we'll continue to protect her."

"I am surprised that she is the connection that keeps the five of you from warring against one another."

"She makes it easier to find food and the migration routes that we depend on for our survival. Without her… we'd most likely find ourselves fighting for resources like the other nations. However, we must remind ourselves that she is plagued with nightmares, often too afraid to sleep without one of us around."

"Sweden has set aside his need for more land?"

"I doubt it; but he doesn't look to his brothers if that is your concern. For now, he's decided that it is in our best interests and hers to remain unified, especially if other nations choose to attack and take what belong to us. Iceland is a newly formed nation, vulnerable if we allow it. Denmark is perhaps the easiest of the five to invade, but impossible to conquer due to the proximity to Norway and Sweden. If he chooses to explore and conquer, it is away from our homelands."

"Then while the Nordic brothers are in agreement, I ask that you also invite Sweden and Finland." It was rare for the Scandinavian Nations to regard her with such favor, considering their view of the female gender. However, they protected their women above everything else, knowing that without them, there was no future.

Norway gave the order, the two nations enjoying the occasional meal. Continuing his preparations for hunting and exploration, he took note of how isolated and resigned the older nation seemed… his father wasn't much better, but there seemed a heavy weight on the water nation's shoulders that his father lacked. As soon as the snow thawed, Norway would have his people on the move… it was necessary… to hunt, to prepare for the following winter, and to strengthen their defenses against outsiders.

One evening, sitting around a small fire, Norway asked a question that none of the brothers had dared, to include Finland. "Will she recover?" It was at this moment that his three brothers arrived, first with Denmark, then Sweden and Finland. Iceland, Norway decided, would remain with the human women, still too young to involve himself in political or military affairs.

Norway knew that Sweden must have had a successful raiding season, his expression that of contentment and satisfaction. Sweden rarely smiled, but there wasn't a need. It was the lack of hostility, the way he returned the warrior's embrace without much force behind it… All of them acknowledged the ancient water nation, none of them willing to fight in his presence. It was the same with Scandinavia… Norway had no idea why younger nations backed down with one of the ancients present, but it meant they'd have an unspoken moment of peace while the water nation was around00.

He regarded each of the brothers in turn, his gaze settling on the oldest, Finland. At first glance, he seemed passive, willing to do or support anything Sweden wanted. However, that was a choice, not due to a weakness or lack of will. How much did Finland know of Atlantis and how she came to their shores, broken and seemingly without a nation of her own? "I'm assuming that you left her with your father?" he asked Sweden.

"I find it best that she is not reminded of what she had or doesn't have," Sweden defended, daring the water nation to find fault with his decision. Currently, Atlantis was his to care for, and if he felt she needed to stay away from Oceanonis, he'd not change his mind. It seemed his brothers agreed, especially Finland.

"Eventually she will remember," he warned a second time. "I brought her to the Scandinavian Nations for several reasons… one because of the close ties that your father and I share. Second, on the land, she is safe, out of the reach of those that wish her harm."

"What are you talking about?" Denmark asked. "If she has an enemy… should you not have warned us sooner?"

"Her enemy was mine to deal with… however, I underestimated his abilities and resourcefulness. Hence the reason for why I have come. After this meeting, I will pass my powers over to her, and my existence will fade as a result. I briefly considered giving them to my son, but he is young and unaware of the power that lies dormant within him. Should he lose his land or people, he will not die like other land nations. Atlantis has a complicated past and her battle against our enemy will come to a temporary stand-still; there will come a time when she must face and fight the one that destroyed her island nations, the one that nearly decimated the hybrid nations that exist along the Atlantic and Mediterranean Waters."

"You're saying that she lost," Sweden demanded, his voice filled with shock and disbelief.

"In a one-on-one fight… there was no one stronger. However, due to the circumstances behind her enemy's ability to control and steal another nation's power… she found herself in a situation that demanded she protect the hybrid nations… it was an agreement all her island nations agreed upon, thus the legend of Atlantis was born. To prevent him from gaining their powers or a foot hold in her territories, her neighboring water nations sacrificed their powers and lives… to whom is unknown to all, including myself."

"Atlantis gave as much power as she was able to protect the hybrid nations, resulting in the child that you now harbor and protect. When she'll recover… I cannot tell you when that may or may not happen. Atlantis and I are the last, two of the remaining water nations that he needs to renew his efforts of conquering the hybrid nations. I am no longer strong enough to stop him, hence the reason I am giving my powers to her. That will buy the time the land nations need, but it places a certain amount of danger on the five of you. Should he acquire her, nothing will stop him from decimating the world, reclaiming the land that formerly belonged to the ocean."

One of the women, despite Norway's objections, brought him Iceland, the child breaking out in a large smile as he reached for his older brother. "I apologize," the woman whispered. "He is beyond our abilities to handle…" He didn't have to ask… Iceland when he wanted something, became a terror if denied. His eyes were like Norway's, but a shade lighter, his expression deceptively naïve and innocent.

Giggling, the boy grasped at his brother's beard, his fingers curling into the warmth, but the moment the other brothers saw him, he had no choice but to pass him around so that they too had a chance to bond with him. Even Sweden seemed to have a soft spot for the infant, holding him close while they kept their attention focused on one of the remaining water nations, Oceanonis. "Is it wise to force more hardship upon her," Sweden demanded, passing the child to Finland. Out of the group, Finland was the most passive, and had an affinity for younger nations. "She's quiet, nothing like the warrior we remember her as, and often looks to the sea in confusion and fear. That is not something a water nation should ever fear but embrace. There are scars covering nearly every inch of her body, burns and lacerations from the savage attacks against her island nations. Is what you're about to ask of her so necessary that you cannot let her exist without further pain or burden?"

"I do not make this decision lightly, and I'm aware that my death will cause her further emotional and physical distress. We are connected, in more ways than one, but if I remain… I'm placing a grave burden and responsibility upon the Scandinavian Nations, but there are none that I trust more. My question is, knowing that her enemy is a water nation, an ancient that is over 750 million years old, will you continue?"

The brothers hesitated, all of them wanting to say yes. However, they couldn't refute the danger to their people or themselves. Atlantis had been a powerful water nation… if she had struggled and fallen… how did they expect to protect her, or their people should he discover where she was hidden? Land wars were one thing, but fighting the ocean, the rivers, the rain… that was beyond their powers. However, could they afford not to protect her?

"You said that we'll have time… can you explain?" Finland spoke, his brothers all turning to him in surprise.

"How familiar are you with the 'Great War?'" the ancient asked him. Finland paled, his fingers raking through his hair.

"The war of the water nations… the floods that swallowed the land, killing nations and humans alike…"

"That war is far from over… the final pieces to his plan are Atlantis, my son, and the hybrids that acquired the powers of her fallen island nations."

"How long must we wait for your son to realize who and what he is?"

"He is of two worlds, one of the land, and one of the water. The latter part of himself remains dormant, and he will suffer much before it awakens." Oceanonis's gaze fell upon the sea, his red-blue eyes dull from the millions, upon millions, of years he had spent protecting and roaming them. "She will one day return to the water, and it is the friendship and fondness for the five land nations that took her in that will save this world."

"Her legacy must fall into legend… it's the only way to keep him from finding her. Atlantis, once I pass, will have full control over everything related to the water… the rivers, the lakes, the sky, the ocean… her power will become limitless."

None of the brothers had had any idea how vital she was, the ties she had to the water and the lands connected to the water. They wanted to ask Oceanonis to stay, but if he felt that he no longer had a choice but to pass his power on before it was taken… they had to accept his decision. Atlantis, a broken water nation, had to suffer greater hardships, angering and humbling them equally. "Does she have to fight him on her own? Is there nothing more that we can do?" Sweden roared, leaping to his feet in rage. Norway and Denmark had to jump up and restrain him, startled that Sweden was willing to fight.

Oceanonis had to admire the younger warrior's fighting spirit, and perhaps it was nations like Sweden that would lead to her enemy's defeat. "She chose to protect the hybrids… the reason is beyond my knowledge, but perhaps a vital component to your survival. Perhaps if you were to do the same… it is a possibility, not a certainty."

Sweden's desire to protect Atlantis made it easier for the ancient to leave her in his care. Any differences the five may have in the future, they would always place her protection and well being above themselves. Finland sighed… "Your son… are we to protect him as well?"

Oceanonis turned his gaze to the fire, waging an internal conflict with the request. He knew his son may or may not need them in the future, but he didn't want his decisions influenced with knowing who or what he was before the time was right for it. "Yes and no. He's plenty strong enough without additional influences, but should he truly need the help, then I am not opposed to such assistance. Until the awakening of his powers, you are not to tell him from where he originates from."

"How will any of us know?"

"You will know the traits of a water nation; our hair and eyes are the most notable. In the water, his hair will change colors, but revert to normal upon the surface once dry. It is only when that trait does not revert, will you know for sure that he has embraced that part of himself. Like Atlantis, his life and destiny are ones of hardship and great suffering."

"His name?"

"His land name is Prussia." The expressions to his claim was almost comical to the aged nation, and he might have laughed if he wasn't so tired. Prussia, despite his young age, was a force of reckoning on the northern parts of the European shores, always at odds with Turkey, Russia, Hungry, Austria, the British Empire, and the Holy Roman Empire for his lands.

They all had had their run ins with Prussia, and he didn't hold back when it came to battle. The red eyes did make sense though, now that they compared it to his father's. "We will not abandon her," Norway promised, something he did not say or agree to lightly. The other three nodded in agreement as well, something that made leaving easier. Sweden still regarded him with an intense rage, but fighting one as old as Oceanonis was suicidal, if not insane. These three nations were Vikings, and they always protected their own; anyone that tried to take it, suffered, and that protection would now fall upon Atlantis, and at times Prussia.

"Did you want to see her?" Denmark asked, watching the flash of pain and guilt in the older nation's eyes. For a moment, Oceanonis almost said yes, and then shook his head. It was best that she didn't, not wanting to make this any harder on her than it already was. "Best that she remembers the way I was rather than what I've become. I only ask that you pass on a message. Protect my son and the descendants of the water nations."

"That's the problem," Sweden snapped; "She doesn't remember! Her memories are fragmented and chaotic, violent and full of betrayal and pain! Why would you leave her like that?"

"The new memories will replace those, or at least make them easier. I will only serve to remind her of what she once had, and that is far crueler." Sweden almost challenged him, trembling with so much hate and rage that it was everything Denmark and Norway could do to keep him rooted. Oceanonis almost smiled, and then he was gone, not bothering for an excuse for his actions, or an apology. They all knew that when a nation got tired they moved on, that their father was close to such a journey himself. However, unlike the five of them, they were not faced with the knowledge that they were one of the last, forced to face off against another that was power hungry and determined to destroy the land nations. She was either going to be their salvation or their destruction. How the heck did someone leave another with that task and responsibility?

Making their way to Iceland, they found their father staring at the young water nation, her rainbow-colored eyes filled with tears. It had taken nearly a week to travel from Norway, and they knew that Oceanonis had already passed on, all his power flowing into her. Her expression was filled with confusion, pain, and terror, and the moment she saw Sweden, she rushed over and jumped into his arms. The others showed no surprise; despite his violent nature, he was still the gentlest with her, and his blue eyes were a storm of fury. If anything tried to hurt or take her from him... well none of the brothers envied the foolish idiots. Scandinavia knew... his sons hadn't needed to tell him, connected as he was to Oceanonis. They had been the first of many; one of the land, and one of the water.

Winter came and went, and just as Autumn started its approach, the five of them were once again gathered before another ancient that wished to move on. Why were they all leaving Atlantis to fight this war on her own? She too was an ancient, but because of her predicament, she had to re-live her life all over again, barely aware of everything that had come before. Scandinavia stroked a fond hand over the water nation's dark hair, her colored stripes in the silky strands the only thing indicating what she truly was to them. She had yet to pry herself away from Sweden, the two an odd combination. Perhaps it was in their blood, the older nation wasn't sure.

Atlantis had been a legend among warriors, having waged war against most of the southern parts of Europe and Northern portions of Africa. She never lost, and it was to that legacy that Sweden fought so hard; all the Vikings did. "I have a confession," he finally spoke, his voice filled with weary regret. The brothers didn't know if they wanted another one, not after the last one with Oceanonis. Everything Atlantis did, had them afraid, but they couldn't restrict her either. To do so would place them in greater peril. "There are two others of our blood; their locations unknown."

All of them felt the sudden spike of aggression, the brothers wisely stepping away from the young blonde. Handing Atlantis to Finland, Sweden demanded he take the two children out. Finland wisely didn't argue, knowing his brothers would fill him in. "I've had enough of prophecies, destinies, and confessions to last us several centuries... First Atlantis, now this!" Sweden snarled, cracking knuckles together for a fight.

Norway was the one to reach for his brother's wrist, a hint of anger just as potent as Sweden's in his violet orbs, but he shook his head. "Let it go, brother. Even if you did fight, what would it solve... let us find and protect them like we do her."

"Why are you just now telling us about them, and why do we not know where they are?" Denmark asked, struggling to remain the voice of reason.

"They are in the savage land, across the bridge of ice that we travel during the migration seasons. Some stayed, and most returned. Very few make that journey any longer, and for several thousand years I have searched and failed to find them. I believe that they are still, physically, very young, despite how old they are."

At least their father had looked for them, and it started to make sense why he hadn't said anything. Why give them hope of two brothers if they might not survive before they found them? The strong survived, and the weak died; that was the way of things, and yet Sweden wanted to make the journey. How did they find what their father had not? "You still sense them?" Sweden ask, the tension going out of his arms and legs. Norway stepped back, sensing that the danger had passed, and waited for his father's response.

"They're both alive. Whether or not that they're together, I do not know, but you will know them... they will have our complexion and eye colors, and perhaps temperament. I ask that you continue my search and protect them should they have need of it."

"As you wish," Sweden consented, taking his leave. The brothers already knew he'd seek out Finland and Atlantis, the powerful Viking intent on raising her himself.

"He is good for her," Scandinavia smirked, knowing Sweden would never treat her as anything less than a warrior. He never brought up her past, and he took her everywhere that he went, disregarding the notion that women did not fight or travel with the men folk. She wasn't of the land, and he didn't treat her as such, and therefore, their land laws did not fall upon her in the same manner. He would not seek a mate for her; as the last remaining water nation, she had that right to choose and he'd never allow anyone he didn't approve to force it upon her.

Finland had her sitting near the docks, baby Iceland in her arms. Her rainbow-colored gaze settled on Sweden as she approached, but they didn't light up with a smile. She rarely gave that to them, and when she did, he cherished it. "Is it true?" Finland asked, holding his breath.

"It is, but father isn't certain of where they are or how old they are? It's his assumption that the two were born while we were making our crossings over the Bering Strait, and that they moved or traveled with those that stayed behind."

"That could make them as old as 20,000 years," Finland gasped.

"Father still thinks that they're only children; it makes sense. With only a handful of people to make that crossing every year, the expansion rate is very low. Russia controls the Bering Strait, and if we wish to keep that territory and them a secret, we don't dare go near it or speak a word of this to anyone until we have them within our grasp."

"And if another nation finds them first?"

"We'll deal with it." Finland nodded, smiling as Iceland picked up and showed Atlantis a large sea shell. Taking it, she placed the open side to his ear, and they watched in awe as the baby's eyes went wide, taking it back and repeating what she had done.

Norway later appeared, watching the two nations play before reluctantly taking Iceland from her. Silently she stood, going to Sweden without a word of protest. They hated it... what would it take to see her smile again? After the passing of their father, the brothers kept to their word, protecting and raising Atlantis as their own, keeping her origins a secret from the rest of the world. As far as anyone knew, Atlantis was a city of myth, having vanished into the sea, no one certain of how it disappeared.

The shock came when she decided to leave, returning to the sea and leaving behind an arm band for each of the brothers, to include Iceland and the two they have yet to find. She had given them no warning, and Sweden nearly went insane with grief and rage.

"Do you think she'll make it?" Denmark asked them one morning, kicking at the sand. Sweden had gone a pillaging frenzy, conquering and destroying anything that stood in his path. It didn't matter how many lands he conquered, how many battles he fought, it wouldn't take away the emptiness that had been left behind with her absence.

"The world still moves on; as long as it remains, we know she's alive," Norway answered, a sad smile appearing on his twin's face. He didn't try to offer words of sympathy; her leaving had hurt them all, but they also knew that the water was her world and regardless if she had left now or later, it would have still been painful. "She'll return; you forget she's a warrior unlike any other, woman though she is. I was thinking; why not go on an adventure; explore the oceans to as far as we can go?"

"You're wanting to search for them?" Denmark gasped. "Is that possible... do you really think we'll find them?"

"We can only hope, but we speak none of this to Sweden until we're successful."

"Are you sure? What if he might want to help?"

"He's too angry... if we found them in the state of mind that he's in right now; they'll either run... Considering who they're related to; I doubt seriously that's going to happen. The alternative is that they'll wage a war against the four of us, and I'd rather not have to see them hurt."