NOTE:

So this will be the first part in what I hope to be a trilogy. The major characters will include Lithuania (Toris), Poland (Feliks), Hungary (Elizabeta), Prussia (Gilbert), Switzerland (Vash), Canada (Matt), Austria (Roderich), and will involve a few other characters important to the plot but aren't main characters.

The first part will involve more of a focus on Feliks and Toris but will progress to a more equal balance between the main characters.

I'm sorry if the first two chapters seem slow - they are mainly for setting up the story and the world, but after these, the main plot and action will follow :) Also, the first chapter is pretty short, but after this, they will be more lengthy. So here goes!

It was late in the afternoon when Toris completed all his deliveries in the village. Typically, he remained in the town for an hour or so, speaking with some of his friends, but he was abnormally exhausted and figured heading home and getting some rest wouldn't do him any harm. Without any hesitation, he began heading north toward the outskirts of the village. His home was one of the farthest from the village center, meaning it was at least a twenty minute walk to get there. Normally, he didn't mind the walk; he enjoyed the peace and quiet that was so different than all the action happening in the village center. But. on a day like today when all he wanted to do was curl up and sleep, the walk was an agonizing thought.

After what seemed like an eternity, he could finally see his lone house off in the distance, and he quickened his pace, eager to make it inside. However, as he got closer, he saw several figures off toward the outskirts of the forest. Toris frowned, squinting to get a better view. Occasionally, some of the king's guards would patrol the area, making sure everything was normal and safe. But now, it looked to Toris as if there was some sort of fight going on, something that was extremely highly unusual. He got as close as he dared, hiding behind a thick tree that was closer to his house than to whatever was going on.

And it seemed he was right - off maybe two hundred meters from him was a group of six knights, swords and shields in hand as they fought to...protect themselves? Toris was having a hard time figuring out what was going on - all he could see was flashes of golden blonde hair that seemed to be attacking the knights. Toris bit his lip - he knew it wasn't his place to intervene, especially because he didn't know what was happening. But as he saw the blonde take down two knights, he began to get worried. What if it was a bandit that was trying to get into the village? Toris knew the knights were more experienced than he was, but even if he could help somewhat, wouldn't it be better than standing and watching?

However, in the time he took debating his position, the blonde managed to take down another two knights. The remaining two froze with swords in hand, looking as if they didn't know what to do either. But, much to Toris' surprise, they turn and ran back in the direction of the castle. Toris frowned, finding this quite unusual. Knights were not known to turn tail and run, especially to someone perceived as a threat. So why would they leave this fight?

Toris turned his eyes back to the blonde, and he could see whoever it was suddenly collapse to the ground. Toris' stomach twinged - he still didn't know what was going on, but it was clear this person was injured. He glanced once more in the direction the knights fled before rushing over to the blonde, his curiosity getting the better of him.

However, Toris' eyes widened as he stood in front of the blonde. He was bleeding profusely out of what appeared to be a stab wound in his side, but it wasn't the reason for Toris' awe.

The blonde's eyes quickly met Toris', and he stopped breathing at the sight of his crystal green eyes. Toris observed the rest of his face, marveling in how beautiful his skin was, how, despite just fighting for his life, his hair seemed to fall perfectly around his face. Everything about him was beautiful, but it was unnaturally so.

Which is how Toris knew he wasn't human.

While Toris was still distracted, the blonde drew his blade in front of him, holding it out at an arm's length to keep Toris away. Toris then realized how this looked to the creature - he was just attacked by guards, and now another human was approaching. Quickly, the brunette put his arms up, indicating surrender.

"I'm not here to hurt you," he said softly, staring at the figure in front of him with what he hoped was a genuine expression. "I'm going to help you, but I need to get you out of here in order to do that."

The blonde looked at him, eyes full of distrust. "I don't need your help," he hissed, beautiful despite his anger.

As if to prove his point, the blonde tried to get up but quickly collapsed again, falling to his knees. Toris rushed to his side, unsure as to why he was so keen on helping a complete stranger, especially this one.

"Please, you'll bleed out if your wound is left untreated," Toris insisted, trying not to plead. "I know a place I can treat you that's away from the village, and I promise once you're healed, you can leave. I won't keep you there any longer than necessary, alright?"

The blonde still looked incredibly wary, and Toris could tell from the way he stared at him that the creature was trying to figure out his intentions. Toris remained quiet, giving him time to figure it out, although he silently hoped he would make up his mind soon - the bleeding wasn't slowing down, and the longer they waited, the less time Toris had to treat it.

The blonde tried getting up again, and before he could collapse to the ground, Toris grabbed him, growing increasingly worried. It was obvious the blonde was on the verge of passing out, and it was all Toris could do to keep him upright.

"Fine," the creature finally muttered, his eyes closing. "But try anything funny, and I'll kill you."

Toris paid the comment no mind as he picked the now unconscious blonde up, his fatigue suddenly nonexistent. As quickly as he could with the added weight, Toris headed farther north and into the woods, bringing the creature to the one place he knew they wouldn't be disturbed.