Redux of chapter 2

When the shaking finally died down, Italy let out a scream.

The hedge garden out back of the conference room was gone, replaced with a steel labyrinth. The twists and turns seemed endless, the walls higher than the building's roof. A small storm riveted above the maze, thunder booming in the distance. A faint golden glow was seen from the center.

"What…is that?" China gaped.
"It…looks like a maze." Britain muttered. He felt an overwhelming sense of danger that sent chills down his spine. "But how did it get there?"

"I don't know, but…." Japan whispered. "I feel like it's sucking me in."
Britain raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
"We should go check it out!" America cheered.

"Are you mad!? We don't know what's in there!" Britain shrieked. America winked. "We won't know until we go check!"

As if the maze heard him, the large window that kept them from approaching the outside labyrinth vanished, allowing the countries to step outside.
"Wait…"

Everyone turned to see Japan twiddling his fingers. "We shouldn't all go in at once."

He continued, "If something dangerous is in there, we shouldn't send more than 15 people in. We can't afford to lose anyone anymore."

Britain blinked, and then nodded. "I agree. Some of us should stay behind to figure out what's going on."
Syria suddenly called out, "I say we send Israel in to die!"

Israel growled. "What!? I say we send in Syria, so she can learn a lesson!"
"WHY YOU-"

"STOP IT!"
Everyone turned to see Germany fuming. "There will be NO fighting right now! We have bigger issues to deal with!"

He massaged his temples. "I suggest those who go in stick together. Britain is right. We have no idea what's in there, so we best not take any chances."

China nodded. "I also agree. I say we send in the old Axis and Allies, plus the two fighters…" He glared at Israel and Syria.

"May I come with?" Antarctica asked. "Perhaps this journey might help decipher the whole air thing. They seem to be connected…" she trailed off. Prussia piped in, "I want to help too!"

"WHERE DID YOU COME FROM!?"
"The awesome never reveals his secrets…"

"Then it's decided." Antarctica concluded. "We should go now."

The 12 countries stood at the entrance. Inside, the maze seemed to be endless twists and turns of gray steel, completely plain.
Italy whimpered a bit, but nonetheless held his ground (which shocked Germany).

"Ready?" Britain asked.
Everyone nodded.

The all took a single step in.

Almost instantly, a wall shot up from the ground, blocking the exit, and a steel ceiling descended on top of the maze. Then from the floor, walls appeared and blocked each nation from seeing the people next to them.

They were on their own.

A deep laugh echoed throughout the labyrinth.
"Welcome…." A voice purred. "To your hell."

A video screen popped up from seemingly nowhere. It showed a man, his face shadowed by a black cloak, calmly sitting at a wooden table. Beside him, a young woman with blonde hair stood at the ready. "Greetings, nations. I am Anih, but you know me from the recording."

"What do you want with us?" Britain yelled. "Who are the juniors you want?"

Anih chuckled. "The juniors are not of concern."
Everyone glanced around nervously.
"Now, what I want….is to play a little game you call…Hangman."

He continued, "My name has one more letter to it. Guess the letter, and I reveal who I really am, who are the juniors, and who the Lady is."
"Sounds pretty easy." America muttered.
"But…."

Anih smirked wickedly. "You must guess the letter and where it is in my name. Guess wrong, and…."
He drew a line on his neck with his finger.

"I'll appear randomly along your journey, choosing someone to go randomly. And even if you didn't guess, that doesn't mean you won't be the consequence…."

"Now, let's begin!" He spread his arms wide.

"Russia…you go first."
Russia stared emotionlessly at the screen, where Anih's eyes would be. "G, in the beginning. Ganih."

Anih froze. "Where the hell did that come from?"
"You look like a Ganih."

Anih facepalmed. "No, Ivan, you're wrong."

Chills fell down Britain's spine. "How did you know his human name?"
Anih smirked wickedly. "You didn't know? I'm a nation as well. I might even be standing in the lane next to you…"
Instinctively America scooted away from the one closest to him, which held Japan.

The screen flickered away, leaving the group alone in the maze. "I hope you enjoy your little visitors…." Anih's voice rang coldly.

And so, each nation began to travel at their own pace.

China noticed something.

Sometimes the walls would be blank, others they would be covered in pictures and paintings. 5 out of 6 times the painting hallways would be the correct path. As they kept going, he noticed some of the pictures looked familiar. As he passed one painting, he recognized it.

I have that painting at my house!

"Guys….?" China gulped, receiving no answer. "I don't like this one bit…"

He found himself in a large room, covered in photos. The walls were painted red, with yellow stars in the corners. Chinese lanterns hung around the room, giving it a comforting glow.

The photos made China's heart drop.

They showed China, as a young kid, back when he and his siblings were younger. Back when he didn't bear the scars of betrayal. There was even one with Japan.

A chill ran down his spine. What was going on?

A snarl quickly interrupted his thoughts.

He turned around, to see someone who China could've sworn was back outside.

"South Korea…" he breathed.

The Korean looked unharmed, but his eyes were completely black, not a single trace of life or color.

"You…." He whispered hoarsely. South Korea hissed, baring fangs and claws as he latched onto China.
"Let go!" China cried.
China gasped, wrestling the creature on top of him who was definitely not South Korea. The younger one easily kept China pinned to the floor, his eyes emotionless. "You are not South Korea…!"

China then focused on the creature with anger. "Let go you- ARGH!"
He screamed in pain as the thing bit his neck harshly, making him scream in pain. 'South Korea' let go, standing up as China writhed on the floor, bleeding harshly out of the wound. It snarled, and then lowered its claws into China's head.

Japan couldn't help but gasp as he heard a scream. "China!?" He called, recognizing the scream. It was just like the one that was emitted when Japan betrayed his brother… The harsh realization that China would never answer weighed heavy on his heart.

About 15 minutes of more searching later, a video screen popped up, revealing Anih calmly sipping some tea.

"Oh, I'm on." He chuckled.
"YOU DID THAT! YOU KILLED CHINA!" Japan screamed, making Anih jump a bit.
Anih shrugged. "I told you, if you're wrong you lose someone." He spoke calmly. He turned to face the asian properly. "I can tell you're guilty, it's not your fault he died." Anih sighed. "Just as the turns are randomized, so are the deaths. I admit, it does make me a bit sad." Anih smiled again. "But enough of that. Besides, once this is over…never mind. So…..bye!"
The screen vanished.

Meanwhile, France was grumbling about his outfit. "I'll have to wear this several days in a row with no shower….yuck!"
"Oh get over it."

France turned to see Anih's face inches away. "Oh. Hello again."

Anih was not amused. "Guess." He growled.

France's face fell for a brief moment as he thought, before deciding on "Anieh.".

Anih grumbled. "Anieh, sounds like Annie. Trying to say I'm a girl?"
France laughed. "No, but that works!"
Anih groaned. "No France, that is incredibly wrong."

France sighed. Luck was not on his side; his shower had to wait.

Anih's screen faded.

Germany calmly marched through twists and turns, not stopping for a break. "I can do this." He whispered mentally.

That didn't stop his bad feeling about this.

As he entered a larger room, Germany's heart fell.

The room was painted black, gold, and red, to match his flag. Baby pictures and even toy tanks and guns were scattered about. "This is my old bedroom…" He muttered.

A growl was heard, and the large man froze, before slowly turning around.

A fierce hiss echoed the room, and an angry-looking Austria prowled out from the shadows.
"Oh, Austria. You scared me."

The German barely managed to avoid Austria's sharp smack, causing him to fall to the floor. "Shit."

Austria hissed again, slowly approaching Germany, shaking in anger.
For a moment, Austria stopped, straightening out his hair.

'Austria' sighed in satisfaction, before directing its black eyes towards Germany. It pounced.

"What the hell!" Germany yelled, firing a shot. The creature hissed in pain as the bullet grazed his arm, drawing blood.
It then tackled Germany, baring its fangs and swiping its claws against Germany's forehead. 'Austria' then pushed Germany into the wall, causing the German to black out.

'Austria' descended upon Germany, and with an ear-splitting crack, Germany was gone.

DEAD: China, Germany.

Ahh this was fun.

Hetalia (c) Hima-papa

Pokespe (c) Nintendo