Hello! I finally returned with a new chapter!
Hetalia does not belong to me and belongs to Hidekazu Himaruya. Hetaquest also doesn't belong to me. You can watch the actual thing on SotetAG's channel. Hetalia~!
It took a little more time than Ludwig had wished to reach the mountains where the Patriach and his assistant were. They had to fight through several monsters: pale carnivorous plants with salmon pink petals and snake head leaves, glowing blue anenome-shaped creatures with dripping fanged centers, and other wild beasts. Finally, they stood in front of a huge rocky mountain. The entrance was a simple pair of grecian-style columns in front of a large opening where Italy assumed was the opening to a mountain trail. As he hesitated, Ludwig gave a small push from behind.
"Come on." Ludwig brushed past him, vanishing into the darkness of the cave. Italy paused, but followed meekly.
The caverns in the mountain were spacious and confusing to maneuver. Ludwig had to continuously double back when they hid a dead end, cursing irritably under his breath. Their situation worsened even more when a few of the monsters had cornered them in on of the many dead ends along the trail way. Ludwig was too far away to be of assistance to Italy, too busy fending off the monsters harassing him. As the green tentacles slowly crept toward Italy, he burst into tears. He closed his eyes, crying out soft pleads. An arm was held protectively over his face.
"Somebody help me!"
A red and green ball of light erupted from an outstretched hand, slamming into the monster. It disintegrated, and the ball of light quickly charged the other two that had surounded Ludwig. As Italy stared in wonder at the bright light hovering in front of him, it seemed to giggle. A warm summery glow gently pulsed from it, along with the fresh smell of tomatoes and wood. Wait... he remembered that scent... like... a box of tomatoes?
"... Are you the tomato box fairy? Italy asked, eyes for once open in wonder. It merely let out another bubbly giggle, before circling him and vanishing back into his palm. Once the last spark of light vanished, Italy began to sway, exhausted. Ludwig had barely managed to stop him from falling to the floor. A bottle of green potion was quickly placed at his lips, and he swallowed. A strong wave of energy filled him. Once he emptied the bottle, Ludwig slipped the now-empty bottle into the pack containing the medicinal herbs and potion and eased Italy back onto his feet.
"Interesting... I never knew you had that kind of ability, Feliciano."
Italy could only shrug as an answer. He still felt pretty tired, even after taking the potion. At least he wasn't passed out on the floor. When Italy didn't answer, Ludwig quickly started a brisk walk, making sure to support Italy as he did so.
"We better start moving quickly. Who knows what other monsters are in these caverns..."
/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~/
After they managed to get through the ground level of the mountain trail, they found a set of stairs. A Restoration Circle shimmered brightly next to it. Once they healed themselves using the Restoration Circle, they climbed up the stone stairs to the next part of the trail. Ludwig looked around.
"Looks like this is the Summit," Ludwig murmurred thoughtfuly.
"Where's the patriach?" Italy asked, a bit concerned. An angry screech cut the air, along with some frantic shouts and yelps. They jumped in alarm. Ludwig pulled on Italy's arm.
"That way!"
They ran down a long stone path, bursting into a roofless clearing. A stone balcony overlooked the steep edge. Two men were facing a whirling orb of fire. The younger was dressed in a hooded, longsleeved oriental-style white tunic with green piping, dark gray sandals, and a sheathed Japanese katana at his green belt. A dark blue knot ornament hung there as well. The older was dressed in a rich scarlet overgarment trimmed with gold over a cream-colored robe.
A blast of flame came near the younger man, shoving him back with a grunt. "Ugh!"
The red-orange robed man looked up in alarm. "Kiku!"
He quickly stepped in front of Kiku, pulling him to his feet. The man spoke urgently to him. "You have to run now! I'll manage on my own!"
Kiku shook his head stubbornly. "I can't do that!"
Ludwig strode briskly over to the two. They looked up in surprise as he approached. "Are you alright?!" he yelled.
"Who are you?!" Kiku asked, still shocked.
Once Italy had come close enough to distinguish the two men, his eyes widened. Japan?! And China, too! When I thought Xiao Mei and her brothers looked familiar, it was because they were all nations close to Japan!
"Er, are you Kiku? Xiao Mei and her brothers sent us to look for you!" Italy explained.
"They asked you to do that?!" Kiku asked, startled and a bit embarrassed that his siblings would do such a thing. His companion pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation. "Aiyah! Those idiots! How could they send our guests?!"
Ludwig interrupted, a bit impatient. "We'll talk later! I'll assist you!"
The blazing orb of flames starting to burn more brightly, lashes of flame whipping out at a faster pace. "GIVE... stone..."
"Veeeeeeeeeeeh! It's heeeerrrre!" Italy whimpered, backing away to hide behind Ludwig. A piercing shriek cut through the air, the sound of a bird of prey's cry. The ball of fire burst apart, winking out of existence. Where there once was the blazing orb, was a majestic bird. The wings were golds and blacks, with large scarlet feathers spreading wide to catch stray rays of sunlgiht streaming past rocky walls. It's body was of the same coloring, and its head was crowned with a stunning blaze of crimson fire. A silver-grey snake purtruded out from the bird's body, hissing menacingly at the small group. It was easily three times bigger than Ludwig drawn up to full height.
As it screamed a battle cry, Ludwig quickly shoved Italy aside. "Move!"
They barely managed to duck, before a blast of intense gold flame rained down where they had just stood. Ludwig pulled his iron-studded whip from his belt, brandishing it at the blazing creature before him.
"Back!"
When the twisted phoenix only screeched angrily as a response, Ludwig flicked his wrist, bringing down his whip with a powerful blow. The lash's long reach granted a hit, causing the monster to screech with pained agony. With another swing, Ludwig wrapped the whip's lash around the bird's neck, swinging it around and crashing against the floor. He quickly pulled his weapon back.
With an angry cry, the bird arched its neck high into the air. The monster swung its wing, knocking Ludwig back into the rocks. Luckily the shield had taken most of the damage, but it still would be very painful for Ludwig. Italy quickly darted to Ludwig's side, pulling open the pack to pull out one Pasta and a Seasoning. Now's the time to put the information that the librarian had given him to use.
Feeling a bit uncertain, Italy grouped the two Ingredients together and placed his hands above them. He concentrated, staring hard at his hands. At first nothing happened, but eventually a warm rosy gold light enveloped the two Ingredients, covering them with the reddish glow. It faded quickly, leaving Italy holding a small ball of Pasta. The rich scent of tomato sauce and spices wafted up to Italy's nose, but he resisted the urge to take a bite. He quickly popped the Pasta into Ludwig's mouth. Interestingly, no tomato sauce coated his fingers, nor had he felt the usual warm slipperiness that comes from fresh pasta. Well, it is magic, after all.
As Ludwig swallowed, some color returned to his face. He got up shakily, but he managed to stay on his feet.
"Thanks, Feliciano."
Meanwhile, while Ludwig and Italy had been busy with first aid, Kiku had decided to attack. After murmuring an incantation, a shimmering seal of green light appeared before his outstretched palm. With an elegant swipe a powerful gust of wind followed his arm's every movement, slamming into the bird and blasting it quite effectively.
Kiku's companion approached the creature from behind, moving with an elegant grace. As the phoenix faltered in its flight, flapping about desperately, he closed his eyes and clasped his hands together. A softly murmured encantation, before snapping his eyes open and leaps like a gazelle through the air. His clenched fist slammed into the back of the monster, causing it to crash to the floor. As it laid there stunned, the man drew his arm back once for. A swirl of white and green encased his fist, a bright splash of color among the drab browns and grays of stone.
Once the glowing fist smashed into the bird's back once more, it gave out a loud keening shriek. The light surrounding the man's fist grew brighter, while the beast began to shudder. It's feather's became discolored and fell away to listlessly drift to the floor, and the flame crowning its head began to dim. Slowly, the once-phoenix began to disintigrate underneath the man's hands, leaving behind only dust and gold.
The man got up, dusting off his hands. "Thank goodness that is over."
Italy stared forlornly where the phoenix once was. "But they told me that phoenixes are docile..."
The China-lookalike followed his gaze, replying, "That one was a little different. I never thought a phoenix would be turned into a monster."
Where his superior trailed off, Kiku continued. "Real phoenixes are delicate, beautiful creatures. Moreover, they don't speak the human language."
"This one also demanded that we give it something," Ludwig recalled.
"Maybe they're really after the Jewel, after all?" Italy suggested, giving a soft sigh.
As they pondered the strange events, the scarlet-robed man bowed deeply, with Kiku doing the same. "I'm sorry that you had to go through all that trouble, especially when you came from so far away." When he tilted his head back to its original position, he smiled. "But you really helped us! Xiexie! What are your names?"
"Ludwig," Italy heard his companion say firmly. "I come as an envoy from Ramneyg."
"I'm It-Feliciano, the mediator!" Italy quickly said. He held his breath for a moment, before sighing in relief when he realised that the others hadn't noticed his mistake.
The man nodded slowly, deep in thought. "Ludwig and Feliciano... I see."
"By the way, where's the patriach?" Italy asked curiously. "Is he hiding somewhere?"
Ludwig nodded, evidently agreeing with Italy's words. "I was told that two people came to the mountains... Was it actually three?"
Kiku glanced toward his superior. "Err..."
"What are you talking about?" The elder man asked.
Italy tilted his head. "Veh?"
The red-orange robed man drew himself up to his full height. "I am the patriach."
Ludwig could only stare at the newly-revealed patriach in shock, while Italy laughed, "Oh come on! You look younger than me! You can't possibly be the patriach..."
The man stared at Italy blankly, who in turn eventually faltered. "Wait, are you serious?"
Ludwig turned his gaze away, a light pink dusting his cheeks. "Wang Yao, forgive our rudeness."
Yao smiled. "Don't worry about it. The Guardian's family is special even in our village. The Red Jewel has the power to stop time for its User. That's why I look like this even though I'm quite an old man."
Italy gazed at the patriach with a new-found wonder. The power of the Red Jewel is amazing...
Kiku looked toward Yao, looking a bit concerned. "Mr. Wang Yao, shouldn't we go back to the village now? Xiao Mei and the others must be worried."
Ludwig added, "And there is no need for us to stay any longer."
Yao nodded in agreement. "We'll go with you to the village."
/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~/
Ludwig, Italy, and Kiku followed Yao's lead as he quickly and efficiently led them along the mountain trail. When they came across the Restoration Circle from earlier, they healed themselves and continued on their way. As they briskly walked pass rocky paths and stone walls, Italy found himself staring at the two newcomers, marveling how similar they were to their Earth counterparts. He laughed cheerfuly, lost in his thoughts. Kiku had noticed Italy's small bout of laughter, and paused with a question in his eyes.
"Feliciano? Is there something on my face?"
"What?" Italy asked dazedly.
"You were looking in my direction and laughing, so I was wondering what was wrong."
Italy instantly felt embarassed. "Oh, sorry, sorry, it's nothing! Don't worry about it!" Italy quickly replied. I let my happiness show. It's just that I never thought that the three of us would get together.
By now, Ludwig had noticed the two stragglers and turned back. He raised an eyebrow, a bit impatient. "What are you two talking about?" He quickly looked toward Kiku apolegetically, "I'm sorry about that, Kiku. Just ignore him."
Kiku shook his head. "No, he's not bothering me at all."
"U-um, say, how old is Wang Yao now? It's completely different from his looks, isn't it?" Italy asked.
Kiku looked a bit surprised. "That's a very unexpected question. He won't talk about his age even if you ask him, so even I don't know exactly how old he is, but he is, without a doubt, over a hundred years old."
Italy felt pretty impressed. "Stopping time is awesome!"
Much to Italy's surprise, Kiku frowned deeply. "It's not a very convenient ability, though..." As though clearing his thoughts, he shook his head. "Actually, his time has started to move again now."
"What? Why? Has the Jewel lost its effect?"
Ludwig shook his head at Italy's words. "The power of the Jewel wouldn't disappear just like that..."
"This means that Wang Yao is no longer the User of the Jewel. The suspension of time by the Jewel has been undone and now the qualifications of the User of the Jewel have been passsed on to a different guardian."
Ludwig looked at Kiku, confusion breaking through his usual stoic demeaner. "Aren't the User of the Jewel and the chief supposed to be the very same person here?"
"No. While he is no longer the User of the Jewel, it doesn't change the fact that Wang Yao is the patriach of Saia, so don't worry about it."
"I see," Ludwig answered, looking thoughtful.
While the two of them had discussed the Jewel and Wang Yao, Italy looked on with mild confusion and curiosity. I wonder what they mean by "User of the Jewel"? If it's supposed to be common knowledge, I'll have to ask Feliciano about it later!
A loud yell came from up ahead the trail, startling the three traveler's. It was Wang Yao, the patriach sounding quite impatient and irked. "What are you guys doing?! Hurry up!"
Kiku winced, and turned to the other two. "Shall we go?"
"Yeah," Italy agreed. They quickly hurried down the path. They found the patriach waiting near one of the many side trails of the path, tapping his foot impatiently as they approached.
"What were you talking about?! When I looked behind, you were gone! I was really surprised!"
"I-I'm sorry," Italy stammered.
Yao let out a soft huff. "Be careful."
As they watched the patriach turn on his heel and head down another tunnel, the three men just looked at one another. With a shrug, they followed suit, timidly following their leader through the tunnel and out the mountain.
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