Jikan

"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!? ARE YOU TRYING TO DECAPITATE ME OR SOMETHING?"

Prussia stood speechless with his sword in mid-slice. It was crossed with another. The blonde haired country snickered. "West, what are you doing here? I could've killed you! You should be more aware of your surroundings." Germany pushed him away and sheathed his sword. "I should be more aware…by the way, what are you doing? We've been waiting for about ten minutes. These woods aren't that deep, so the ball couldn't have gone far." Prussia started dancing in place, making a strange face. Germany watched him in exasperation. Why was his brother so weird? "I found something, look!" He held an ebony sphere up to Germany's face. Germany took the ball. What was this thing? "What is it?" He asked. "How the hell am I supposed to know? Bring the other two, I want to explore this place."

The four walked together through the dry wood. Germany sighed. "This had better be good, Prussia." Italy followed him closely. "I thought we were playing football. Why do we always have to go into someplace scary?" Japan, who made up the rear, rubbed his chin. "Actually, I'm very curious." Prussia smiled as he led them. "Prepare to have your mind blown!" He stopped and pointed ahead. Germany, who had bumped into him from the abrupt stop, grunted. "Damn it, watch it!" He looked up. A small, wooden shelter stood a few yards away. Nothing stirred. The trees that once surrounded the cabin had been cut down. "An old cabin? You're fascinated by an abandoned building? Are you sure you're not mentally-"

"It's not abandoned! I heard voices! And they were talking about that ball. There are more of them!" Prussia crept his way toward the house. Germany watched, unsure what to do. Should he follow his insane brother, or go back to their previous activity? Japan said something behind him. "I sense a strange presence in this area." That was enough for Germany. "Prussia!" He whisper-yelled. "Prussia, get back here this instant! Prussia, don't ignore me when I'm talking to you!" He set off after his brother. Prussia was moving fast. He had already skipped across the clearing and heading for the door. Germany caught up and grabbed his sleeve. Prussia put his up to his lips, signaling him to be quiet. Then, he pointed to the door. The door was slightly ajar and was hanging off its hinges. Cool air seeped from the inside. He shifted and felt the presence of Italy and Japan next to him. "Prussia, there aren't any people here." Japan shook his head. "Don't be so sure." Prussia snickered. "You aren't scared, are you, West?" Germany shoved him forward. "Are you going in, or can we continue our game?" Prussia carefully pried the door open. It creaked as it swung open. The large, dark doorway gaped before them. The four of them peeked inside. It was pitch black inside. No one made the move to advance. Germany had an uneasy feeling. He personally didn't want to go in. "W-well, what are you waiting for?" He prompted. "This was your idea after all." Prussia looked behind his should to give his younger brother an irritated look. "You've got some nerve, West! Why don't you be a hero for your boyfriend and go in head on! Besides, I'm waiting for my awesome meter to fill…" Germany gritted his teeth. "Awesome…meter? And I don't have a boyfriend!" He shoved the snickering country aside. He looked in and swallowed. So dark…Then, he smacked himself. That's Italy's weakness. Even though East's a jerk, he was right. Germany did need to protect Italy and the rest of the former Axis.

He crept in. Someone put their elbow into his back. "Hurry up, slow poke! Keskeskes~" Germany growled and moved over for the rest to come in behind him. He couldn't see any better. Suddenly, the light came on. Everyone swung their heads around looking an enemy. Then, they relaxed when their eyes landed on Italy. He smiled nervously. "Sorry, I just saw it and I…" Germany put his hand up. "There's no need to apologize." He looked around the small room. There were machine parts lying on work tables. There were smudges and stains spread across the floor. Toolboxes were thrown this way and that. Strange objects lined shelves along the walls. And air reeked of oil, death, and something else he couldn't put his finger on. Prussia came up behind him. "Look! Over there!" There were black balls, identical to the one Japan had in his arms now, inside a large, gray chest in the center of the workshop. Germany beckoned his brother to follow him. He stood up straight and proceeded to walk toward it. He ran his fingertips across each surface. "What are these?"

Japan came up next to him. "There is a strange presence. It's been bothering me for a while. I don't think we're welcome here." His voice was very solemn. It kind of scared Germany, but he reminded himself that Japan was a serious person all together. But something about his voice bothered him. "Right, we should leave. We'll the ball with us. Prussia, come on."

The Eastern nation sighed. "Of course we're not welcome! We're digging in someone's stuff. What do you expect?" He stood and looked around eagerly. "Maybe we can find some money while we're here!" Germany smacked his brother in the back of the head. "You won't be looking for anything. We're leaving." Prussia gaped as he was rubbing his head. "Why!? You scared, West? You're gonna let fish breath talk you out of some exploration? That's fine! I'm staying." Germany grabbed him by the shirt collar. "You will not be staying anywhere." He proceeded to drag his struggling brother toward the door. "West! Let go! This is why you can't get a girl! Damn it, I'm the older brother!" Japan held the ball in his hand. "I'll bring it to my place for further research." Germany gave him a curt nod. "Italy!" He called. Italy ran toward him. "Germany! I may have found something!" Germany shook his head. "There is nothing else in this place for us to associate ourselves with." Italy looked at him, disappointed. He shoved something into his pocket and followed them out.

As they were walking, Japan explained possibilities of what the ball could be. "These are just assumptions. I might have a more solid answer in a few weeks." Italy ran up to them. "Does this mean we'll finish our game?" Germany's head popped. The ball! He turned to Prussia who was lagging behind with an annoyed expression on his face. "Did you ever find the ball?" Germany called. The older nation looked at him nastily. "Nope. And don't ask me to find it either 'cause I'm not!" Germany sighed. "That's fine. I'll look for myself." He didn't express that he was afraid Prussia would try to explore the cabin again. He let the others walk past him as he went deeper into the wood.

"Are you positive this'll work?" The German nodded. "Positive. Nothing should go wrong with this. Operation Final Solution will be executed tonight." The military officer grinned with pleasure. "Perfect. And with the Women's World Cup Finals in play, people won't even suspect. I couldn't ask for a better situation." The German coughed. "Um…there is one thing we need from you." The officer raised an eyebrow, curious. "Hm?"

"We need someone from a country who practices witchcraft." The officer frowned. "Witchcraft?" The German nodded. "Yes. Perhaps someone from the United Kingdom?" The officer nodded, still confused and a little concerned. Then, he realized that none of his actions in this period mattered anymore. A new era was about rise. And everything in this one will disappear…