"N-no..." The Holy Roman Empire whispered. He could feel himself slipping away. The only thing he could think of was Italy. That small, adorable girl. He had left her to fight, and now...

He wouldn't be coming back...

His vision was fading. He could no longer feel anything. "I can't.. Leave her..." His weak voice forced out. And, despite his desperate efforts to stay conscious, he slipped into the deepest sleep he ever would.

He soon found himself in a different place. "What...?" He sat up, looking at his surroundings. It was a strange place. It seemed like everything was white. He looked at himself. All of the blood from his battle had been washed away. He couldn't feel the pain of the wounds he had sustained, and his skin was pale.

He stood up. He was afraid to walk forward. "I just want to see Italy again..." He said, looking sadly down at the ground. He looked up again, though, upon hearing footsteps approaching him from behind.

"Hey..." A heavily accented voice called to him. "Who are you?"

Holy Roman Empire turned around. "What?" A tall, muscular man stood in front of him. He had pale skin and blonde hair, which hung carelessly down in his face. His eyes were narrow, and bright blue. He looked confused.

"I'm Germany. Ludwig. Who are you?" He asked again. So this was the country he would be replacing when he was released. Right?
"Holy Roman Empire..." He replied, a hit of suspicion in his voice. "What is this place?"

Germany shook his head. "I shouldn't tell you that. All you need to know is that we won't be here much longer. We're both going somewhere else..." He was trying to spare the child from knowing the gruesome details of what must have happened to him to get here.

"I see..." Holy Roman Empire replied thoughtfully. He knew what was happening. This must be what happens when a country dies. And when a country dies, another country must take the land it owned...

"In that case, can you do something for me?" He asked Germany, accepting that he had no more chances. That he was done.

Germany nodded. He could at least help grant the child one last wish, before he disappeared.

"Find her. Find Italy."

"Who is Italy?" Germany asked.

"She's a girl at home. She has beautiful brown hair, with a little curl on the right side. Her eyes are brown. She's so cute. I love her. Find her. Let her know that I tried. That I would do anything just to see her one more time. Tell her I love her.."

Germany was silent. He couldn't say anything, so he just nodded.

"Thank you." Holy Roman Empire replied. Germany could see that he was starting to disappear. His skin was becoming lighter and lighter. Soon, he would be invisible, like a ghost. And then, he would be gone. Lost, without a single trace. Would anyone even remember him? Probably not.

Germany walked closer to Holy Roman Empire, knelt down, and hugged him. "I'll tell her." He said. "I promise."

Holy Roman Empire nodded. "Thank you... Goodbye..." He replied gratefully, as he faded away.

"Goodbye..." Germany replied. And, before he knew it, the Holy Roman Empire had disappeared, and his eyes filled with a bright, white light. And suddenly, that place was empty. Any evidence that they had been there was completely gone.