Hellfire

The light in front of me blinded and burned my eyes. Everything was bright, everything was hot. This was wrong, it was in the middle of the winter season.

My dear home, my comrades, my COUNTRY. Everything was turning to ashes right before my eyes and there was nothing I could do to stop it. I had tried my best to put out the fire, but it was to no avail. All that was left for me was to watch the village be consumed by the brightness. Women and children cried and screamed, no one helped them. No one was to be spared. That was his orders. That was how he always fought. Tsk, what kind of fighter kills everything in his path? That was more like a monster in my eyes.

Yet, I was still here. I couldn't die, only shatter. My only comfort was that even now, my people died as one, but that was no comfort really. Not when you are helpless to stop it. I growled in frustration, I couldn't take this anymore. This was wrong and cowardly. My hate was growing each time a flame devoured a life. Counting all the inhabitants of this village, I'm surprised I didn't snap earlier.

''RUSSIA!'' I wailed, all their pain was reflected through my voice. I turned my head to face the very monster who started all of this. He seemed even taller than usual there upon his high horse. A dark shadow in the night was how he appeared. Both him and his horse was smeared in soot. A true devil. Though his appearance couldn't frighten me. Not after what he'd done.

''Da?'' Was the only response. He had caused all this and yet he dared to ask why I was angry?

No, not angry, this was full-blown rage.

''Why? Why do this? What could you possibly gain from the deaths of all these people?'' I screamed. Tears started to trail down my cheeks as I shook violently. I desperately grasped the cross around my neck to prevent myself from falling into despair, I needed to know this answer before such a thing happened

''This was just an example of what will happen if you do not accept my proposal.'' He calmly stated with his regular smile still etched on his face.

''You seriously think this is going to make me accept?'' I almost laughed at the idea. He was insane!

''Are you willing to let your entire country see the same fate?'' He sounded confused. This was so wrong that it was almost funny. He had to be a moron or a psycho to not understand that I'd have this reaction. There was no other explanation than that the tall Russian was mocking me.

I started laughing. Don't know why, but I did. It was probably stupid and I had to look just as insane as I knew he was. Maybe I was? Who knew?

''Me, accept? I hate you. I hate you. I HATE YOU!'' I screamed. The humor didn't linger in my voice for long. He had no idea what kind of a beast he'd awoken. I might not be as mighty or tall, but a Finn never gives up, not now, not ever. We may be persuaded, not taken. We only do as WE please because that's who we are.

''Is that a no?'' He seemed genuinely surprised this time. His smile was gone by now and his eyes held emotion which I could not place nor care less about.

''Still unsure? You, kusipää paska perkele, I hate you! Burn all your bridges, go ahead! If you dare send me to hell, I will take you with me!''

''You rejected the offer...''

I let out a bitter laugh, I must really be crazy.

''Of course I did. Voi sinua helvettiin, vitun perkele-kutemaan. I declare war!''

This was it, I was officially a nutjob. I just declared war against Russia. RUSSIA. You know what? It felt beyond good, this was the most important thing I've ever done.

Russia didn't respond, he just got off the horse and walked over to where I was standing. I braced myself for a punch that never came.

''My dear Finland.'' He cooed and stroked my battered faced, smearing soot all over me as well. It was too shocking to cause any other reaction than to let him and just stand still. Then his hand raveled downwards to my throat and he actually choked me. Just like that.

''Вы сделали серьезную ошибку.''

As fast as he'd done it, he released me and retreated, casting a dark shadow over the burning village, which was by now only glowing slightly. All that remained was the black ash and the melted snow which created a gray mixture that smelled of death. Everything had come to an end.

''до свидания, Финляндия.''

I couldn't do anything else than gasp for air as I sunk to the cold ground. Only one thought remained before I blacked out from shock, pain and the deaths of so many.

''Rakas Jumala, what have I done?''