Hey everybody! Its 300PASTA here With a few important messages!
First off, this story does have many pairings but not really yaoi that I know many (crazy amount of) people like. Sorry, I don't hate yaoi. I actually only dislike USUK, Franada, PruCan, and Spamano. Yeah, I know those are the most popular but what can I say? I'm weird.
Also, this will be a PruHun fanfic. I'm not sure about the other pairings though. We shall see.
Another thing, this chapter is only the beginning. PLEASE bare with me. I have to make a bunch of introductions in the first chapter so its longer than most. I apologize. I promise the story is better than the first chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia. But if there are any OCs they are most likely mine.
Chapter 1: The Beginning
Demons are deadly creatures of darkness. They feed on and harass humans in any way they please and take on many forms, some we cannot comprehend. Demons should be stopped. They should be killed. They should not coexist with humans.
"Our job is to kill all demons and protect our loved ones! With the help and funding from the Vatican in Rome, Italy, Catholics, Protestants, Buddhists, and Lutherans can work together to fulfill our jobs as demon hunters. We fight together, eat together, stick together. When there is a demon we need to kill, we shall slay it without question."
The small class of children listened to their instructor with wide eyes. One in particular seemed to be leaning in, ears attentive and listening to the awesomeness of the demon hunting process. His red eyes grew in excitement and his pale skin showed the tiniest hint of pink.
"You all will someday become full-fledged demon hunters. My job is to teach you what you need to know. You will learn how to use guns with special types of demon killing bullets. You will learn how to fight with swords and weapons of all kinds. You will learn the ways of demons and learn their weaknesses." The instructor adjusted his glasses. "Once you become true demon hunters, you will be separated into different squads, each with one squad leader." He cocked an eyebrow at the young excited, albino child. "Who knows, maybe one of you will become a squad leader."
The boy smiled at that.
"You will be given your orders from the Vatican through the Advisors of your Division. Our Division in West Germany. But before all that, let us help you obtain your skills necessary for demon hunting. This training is intense, harsh, and dangerous. And it starts, right now."
10 years later ...
"So, where is this freak of nature, leader?" Thomas Hunwik asked his squad leader, Gilbert Beilschmidt.
The night sky loomed over head and the moon provided the small squad with some form of light. Gilbert was the leader of the tiny (but awesome) squad of five demon hunters. It consisted of Thomas, Beau, Marcus, and his own little brother, Ludwig Beilschmidt. Hunting demons for the Vatican wouldn't be the same without his squad mates in Gilbert's opinion and he wouldn't trade them for the world.
"We are tiny but AWESOME!" The 'Prussian' had always said.
Tonight was yet another demon hunt. A few demons had been spotted just outside of Venice, Italy in the forest area. Gilbert and his squad were assigned to the mission of bringing them down.
"Kesesese! I never knew you thought of me so highly," Gilbert responded, giving Thomas a grin.
Thomas cocked an eyebrow. "… I'm guessing you didn't catch the sarcasm."
"Uh? What sarcasm?"
"Nothing, Gil." With a sigh, Thomas walked off to talk with Ludwig who was on high alert just a few feet ahead.
"Tell the awesome me this instant!" Gilbert demanded.
"No thanks."
Gilbert pouted like a child but still looked around for any signs of demons. Marcus snickered at the sight of Gilbert and Thomas but was slapped on the shoulder by Beau. "Shut up and keep on look out," grunted Beau.
Ludwig, hearing the two nodded. "Yes, we should all keep looking. It's so dark out I can hardly see a thing. Should we split up Gil?"
Gilbert shook his head, now serious. "No, we're stronger when together and I don't want to lose any men tonight."
Seemingly okay with that answer, Ludwig continued looking, his gun lifted high. One thing that was similar about the two German brothers other than that they like neat clothing, was that they both chose guns as their weapon of choice. Ludwig always had a love for guns. Before his grandpa died, he used a gun to slay demons as well.
Grandpa … I hope you are resting in peace right now, thought the German. It was all his grandfather's fault he was in this demon hunting mess. The least he could do was be at rest. However, Ludwig wouldn't be surprised if he was too busy haunting Gilbert at the moment. The two never really got along.
Ludwig had not noticed that he had fallen into step with the rest of his squad members who were now huddled close. What was that feeling he was getting? Was there a demon close by?
Suddenly, Gilbert froze and stretched out a hand, keeping Ludwig from going any further. "They're here," he whispered, a slight frown was evident on the albino's features.
Everyone's heads shot up in high alert. A rustling sound was heard ... but from where?
Gilbert's eyes darted left and right, over and over. He hoisted his gun up, now ready to fire. A slight breeze was coming in from the left. Gilbert frowned. "Was the wind always that harsh?" he murmured, feeling the air push against his face. No, of course not. The wind wasn't blowing earlier at all.
Glancing at his little brother, he spoke, "Left."
"Left?" asked Ludwig but before he could get an answer a piercing noise plowed their ears and two talons swooped down and tried to grasp Ludwig's shoulders. The German ducked immediately as the talon missed. Whatever it belonged to flew back up into the night sky. Its red eyes tinged with hunger and hate.
"What the hell?! Where did that come from?"
"Left," was Gilbert's blunt answer.
"Oh."
"Get down!" ordered Marcus as the creature closed in on them again. Now it could be seen more clearly in the moonlight. Its dark human body was covered here and there with feathers and its dark wings swooshed against the cool night air.
Gilbert and the others plunged into the grass. The talons missed again.
Standing up, Gilbert aimed for the giant human/bird and fired. "What are you waiting for, Luddy?! Shoot the damn thing!"
Ludwig jumped to his feet and shot a continuous round of bullets at the demon. Marcus followed suit. "Die bastard!"
Then another demon appeared, casting a dark shadow over the hunters.
Time skip ...
"Did you hear?"
"Hear what? Does this have to do with Beilschmidt?"
"Yeah, they say he lost his whole squad to a demon last night."
"His whole squad? I thought his forces were stronger than that."
"They say the only one who survived was his little brother."
"Ludwig right? Lucky bastard."
The news spread fast. Soon the whole Demon hunter division camp heard about it. But Gilbert Beilschmidt didn't care. Why would someone as awesome as him care what others were saying?
But they speak the truth … A little voice in Gilbert's head said so. You did lose your squad last night. You did lose your best friends. And it was all your fault.
Gilbert gritted his teeth at the voice. He didn't want to believe they were dead. After all they had been through it didn't feel right to suddenly label them as dead men, but it happened right before his eyes. The demon tore off Marcus' head. It pierced through Beau's heart. It-
"Bruder?"
Gilbert lifted his head and faced his little brother. Ludwig stood in the door way to Gilbert's dorm and sighed. "Bruder, we need to go."
"Go where?" asked the albino. He lay, sprawled across his unmade bed. His eyes looked puffy from all the tears he shed the night before.
"The Advisors want to have a word with you. If the situation is really serious they might send you to the Vatican in Rome," Ludwig responded glancing away from his brother.
Gilbert cocked an eyebrow. "Why would it be that serious? Many people have lost their … you know. Why should I be treated differently?"
"I don 't know but I don't like what I'm hearing around here. They say the demon we faced last night is important," said Ludwig, approaching his brother and sitting next to him. His forehead creased as his mind wondered what the Vatican could be thinking.
"I wonder …" Gilbert grunted and sat up. Reaching into his back pocket, he pulled something sharp out. " … Does this have something to do with it?"
"What?" asked his brother. Ludwig jumped a little when he saw the ruby red crystal in Gilbert's hand. It was at least the size of a baseball and it glimmered as the albino moved it side to side. "Where did you get that?"
"Last night, when I killed one of those demons, it dropped this."
"But what is it?"
"Uh … a crystal…?"
Ludwig face palmed. "I mean what is its purpose."
Gilbert shrugged and stared at it. Its color matched his eyes perfectly. "Last night, when I told one of the Advisors there was nothing left from the attack, I lied."
"Why would you lie?"
"I wanted to keep the stone. There's something about it, Luddy." Gilbert continued to examine it. "And that demon that killed my friends was trying to protect this at all costs. Whatever it is, it's important. And I vow on this stone that I will get my revenge on that beast."
As Ludwig looked up at his brother, he could see the hatred burning in his eyes. His eyebrows were furrowed and his lips curved downward. A grim look indeed.
Glancing back at his brother, Gilbert murmured, "I'm sorry, Lud. I'm sorry I couldn't save them. I-I'm such a failure … I-"
"There is no need to apologize bruder. It is alright … I should've been more useful to you. I was right next to Marcus. I could've saved him … I am the one who is sorry."
Gilbert stared at his brother with wide eyes.
"Come on, Bruder. We need to go, now." Ludwig stood up and headed for the door, expecting his brother to follow. Gilbert complied and slipped the red crystal into his pocket. Unknown to the albino, the crystal glowed brightly as he followed after his brother.
The Beilschmidt brothers made their way out of the dorms and into the Advisor's Hall. Awaiting them at the wide decorative, meeting doors stood a lady with dark hair and olive eyes. She wore traditional Vietnamese clothing and something told Gilbert she was angry. Her shoes continuously tapped on the hard floor impatiently.
Once the two were less than a few feet away she asked, "Where the hell were you? I've been standing here for more than fifteen minutes and the Advisors have been in there longer."
"Luddy is too slow!" Gilbert chuckled.
"No, I'm pretty sure you just didn't want to get your lazy ass out of bed." She grinned and glanced at Ludwig. "So what was it this time? Did you drag him?"
Gilbert frowned. "Shut up, Lien! He didn't drag the awesome me!"
The girl rolled her eyes. "Whatever …" Becoming serious again, she hooked her arm with Gilbert's and muttered, "Do you still have that crystal?"
"Of course I have it!" he whispered back.
"H-Hold on …" stuttered Ludwig. "She knows?"
Gilbert frowned. "It's not my fault. She just has a keen eye."
"He couldn't sneak that item passed me even if he tried," stated Lien. She took a deep breath and before she opened the huge doors she said, "I'd keep that thing safe and hidden if I were you. I think the advisors plan to do something with it."
Before Gilbert could ask what she meant, Lien had opened the doors. Soon he was facing many stern faces he recognized. The men and women sat at an oval table with papers piled on top of one another.
The room's occupants didn't seem to notice him at first. Finally, a man with grayish hair and a black tunic exclaimed a little too happily. "Ah, Gilbert Beilschmidt. It's a pleasure."
Gilbert didn't even bother saying the pleasure was all his. He knew the old man didn't really mean what he was saying. After being squad leader for a while you soon realize how full of shit the advisors really are.
Lien whispered a gentle good luck before unhooking their arms and walking out of the room. Ludwig patted his brother's shoulder quickly before following after her.
"Beilschmidt," began a woman with tan skin and bright blonde hair. "You are fully aware of why you were called here?"
He nodded. His goofy smile was completely erased in front of these people. "I lost two thirds of my squad last night."
"Are you fully aware?"
"I'm sorry, I don't understand."
The lady sighed. "I guess you are not fully aware."
"Well, I might once you tell me," Gilbert grunted. He had no time for these people and their stupid riddles.
"Last night, you reported that there was nothing left behind from the fight. Is that correct?" asked another man.
Lien was right. They want to know about the stone, thought Gilbert as he answered emotionlessly, "That it correct."
No one responded immediately but after a short 3 seconds another old man asked, "You did not … find anything?"
"Sir, what is there to find? May I ask, what were you hoping to find in the fight that took away my men?"
The same woman with the blonde hair stood up. "Beilschmidt, you are not permitted to ask those quest-"
"A rare crystal."
Gilbert cocked his eyebrow at a man just a little older than him who was seated to the far right.
"The crystal is something of high importance," explained the man. "And we want it."
Gilbert scoffed earning a few glares. "Of what importance does a rare crystal show, anyway?"
"We have said all that we can."
Gilbert frowned at this. They were hiding something … AGAIN. Why did they need the red crystal anyway? Why was it so important? For some reason, Gilbert didn't like the idea of handing it over to the Advisors. They were hiding too many secrets and they didn't deserve the stone worthy of being called awesome. Something in his brain told him he should hold on to it and keep it. Plus the stone went well with his awesome red eyes.
"That's all you can say?" the Albino scowled. "Are you keeping secrets again?" he asked in a way that resembled a parent disapproving of his/her child's activities. "Tsk, tsk."
Another lady slammed a hand onto the table. "Beilschmidt you should be treating us with respect-"
"I should … but I won't," he told them with his usual sly grin.
The lady growled but before she could speak again a smaller man said, "Beilschmidt did you see anything after the battle?"
"Wait, are you calling the awesome me a liar?!" he asked with hardly any shock.
"Answer the question," the man next to him demanded. "Did you or did you not see anything after the battle?"
"I don't know, did you see Big Bird?"
"We're being serious!"
Gilbert shook his head. "Listen, whatever it is you're looking for seems important and I want to know why. I won't give you an answer unless you tell me."
The room grew silent. The advisors gave each other nervous glances. Were they going to tell him? Gilbert cocked an eyebrow at them and folded his arms to as if to say, 'I'm waiting'.
The man who was first to speak, stood. "Alright Beilschmidt, you get your wish. But you must answer the question."
Many gasped at this. One woman rose to her feet and shouted. "We are not going to tell this … this idiot child the importance of such an object! We can't trust him!"
"I agree!" seconded another man.
Many gave their own 'ayes!' or nodded in agreement. This made Gilbert frown. "Fine! Then I won't give it to you!" he exclaimed childishly.
Everyone froze and stared at him. Gilbert froze as well and finally realized what he had just revealed. Shit!
"I mean …"
"So you do have it!" one lady happily declared as if she had one the election for president.
"No I don't!" Gilbert contradicted.
"Beilschmidt, we need the crystal. Please, hand it over. It is important." A man with a gray bushy beard and a walking stick, approached the Albino. "If you have it with you at the moment, please hand it over."
Gilbert studied the man a little before responding. The man looked … wrong. Something told Gilbert that to trust him would be the worst mistake of his life. It was just a stone and if these stupid Advisors were getting all worked up about it then it must be special. While it was true that Gilbert felt some sort of bond with the stone, he didn't try to think too much about it. Now that he was in a situation like this it was hard not to think about it.
Give it to the bastard advisor and probably never see it again and maybe even find the Vatican destroyed three days later (Hey! It could happen) or keep it and find out its true purpose before handing it over to some people I barely know.
Gilbert's mind raced through all possibilities. What would happen if he kept it? What would happen if he gave it away?
Finally, the albino sighed and reached into his back pocket and pulled it out. Once it was out of his pocket it shined brightly across the room. The red color almost a little blinding. Gilbert could hear gasps throughout the room but his mind was too busy wondering: how the heck did it begin to glow?
Gilbert stared down at it. It was … It was beautiful and it emitted great energy. What the hell was it anyway? His curiosity was almost too much to bare.
"Well done my boy! Well done!" the man in front of him exclaimed with a power hungry smile. "Now, give it to me," he ordered, holding out his hand towards the crystal.
Gilbert gazed down at the man's old hand and then glanced at his face. His eyes were lustful. To the albino Demon hunter it was an ugly sight. "A-Alright," he muttered. Slowly Gilbert moved the crystal towards the man's hand. In return the man smiled eagerly.
But before it could reach his hand, Gilbert pulled it back and gave him a smug grin. "I don't think I want to give you this."
"W-Wha-?"
Almost immediately Gilbert pushed open the meeting room's doors and raced out, crystal still in hand. The room's occupants were in complete and utter shock but soon recovered and sounded the camp's alarm.
Gilbert chuckled maniacally and continued down the hallway. "I AM AWESOME!" he cheered.
Suddenly a blond head of hair appeared from behind a corner and stared at the albino in surprise. "Bruder? What are you-"
"Come on Luddy!" Gilbert grabbed hold of his little brother's hand, making him run along with him.
"Bruder … Why are you running? What are you running from?" asked Ludwig. When he didn't get his answer, his brow creased. "Don't tell me this has something to do with the alarms."
"Those stupid Advisor bastards wanted the Awesome crystal and, well, I didn't give it to them! Kesesese!" Gilbert exclaimed.
"You idiot! What's wrong with you? Why didn't you give it to them?!"
"Long story short, they're assholes and I don't trust them! And since we're bruders and you're the responsible one, you have to take care of me! So you're coming with me!"
"To where?"
" … I don't know! But wherever we go, it can't be here!" Gilbert chuckled again, making his brother sigh.
"Gilbert!"
The two German brother looked to see Lien not too far ahead. She smiled at him and quickly threw him something small and black. Letting go of Ludwig's hand he easily caught it and gave her a questioning look.
"Put that in your pocket! And stay safe! I don't want to find out you were confiscated any time soon, got it?!" She shouted as they passed her.
Gilbert nodded slightly, still confused and sped up with his brother on his tail. The two could hear shouting behind them. It seemed to grow distant as the two found their way outside, passing others who had no idea what was going on.
Finally reaching the trees not too far from the camp, the two slowed down ever so slightly. They maintained a constant speed until they were sure no one was chasing them anymore.
The two panted and gasped for a nice breath of fresh air. Gilbert plopped down on the cold grass, smiling. "That was awesome! Let's do that again!"
"Bruder …" Ludwig sighed, "… Are you insane?"
"How am I supposed to know?!" He grinned. "Kesesese…"
Shaking his head disapprovingly, Ludwig sat next to his brother. "Now what?"
Gilbert didn't reply.
"You got both of us into this mess, bruder, and I'm too confused to think of a way out of it."
"We keep going."
"Huh?"
"We keep going." The albino stood up and walked in the opposite direction of the camp.
Ludwig cocked an eyebrow at his brother but followed after him, murmuring, "I really hope you know what you're doing, bruder."
Sooooo ... How was the first chapter? I hope it wasn't too fast paced and I hope it wasn't bad. If you were wondering if Lien was an OC or not, she isn't. Lien is my human name for Vietnam. Usually I use Ly but I notice that Lien is also used a lot so I'm just sticking with Lien. Plus that name seems more appropriate for this story.