Chapter Nine
It seemed as if they had been walking forever and, in all honesty, Germany thought maybe they had. The scenery went on and on, always unchanging, never leading anywhere. His guides, however, seemed to know exactly where they were going as they trekked through the barren landscape, every so often chatting to one another or pointing out something to the younger countries.
"We're close," Gaul said, suddenly, stopping in her tracks.
"I guess we are," Rome agreed, observing the area where they stood. "The fountain should be around here somewhere."
"Over there, perhaps?" suggested England, motioning towards a small valley shrouded in the bushy, metallic trees.
Rome tousled his hair. "I think you may be right. Good job, Eyebrows!"
"Meh," England pouted, fixing his hair. "No problem."
Germany started towards the grove of trees, the sudden anticipation of finally finding out whether his entire journey was worth anything or not hitting him full force. Reaching the brush, Germany had to tuck his wings in close to his body so they wouldn't snag on golden twigs and silver brambles.
Prussia followed after his brother, tearing through the scrub, not caring if he lost a few snowy white feathers in the process.
"Be careful, Prussia," Rome advised, noticing the loose down clinging to the thorns. "You don't want to damage your wings too much or else you wont be able to fly."
Prussia heeded the warning and tucked his wings in, still following Germany until they came to a small clearing.
The forest floor was alive with color as little flowers danced amongst the emerald grass, sparkling with blues and purples and yellows and pinks. In the center of the tiny meadow stood a white fountain, crystal clear water trickling from its top tier and pooling into the next before streaming down into the bottom in a never ending cycle.
A beautiful woman sat on th edge of the fountain, braiding blossoms into delicate wreaths. She looked up, examining the group with her olive green eyes, unfolding her dark brown wings, revealing them to be intertwined with ivy and flowers, much like her hair, which fell in chestnut tresses down her back.
"Grecia," Rome greeted with a bow.
"Roma," she replied, rising to curtsey in return.
"You remember Gaul, yes?"
"Yes, I do." Her eyes found the pastel blue of the Frenchwoman and she nodded in acknowledgment. "How do you fair, Gallien?"
"Very well, thank you," Gaul replied. "Do you remember these boys, Grecia?" She motioned to Germany, Prussia, and England, who stood awkwardly to the side.
"Germania's youngest sons... And... Britannia's?" Grecia looked confused, as if she hadn't had contact with people for a very long time, as if her memory was fading. And the way Rome and Gaul were treating her, asking her questions and praising her when she answered correctly, seemed to hint that she wasn't quite in the right state of mind.
"This is Ancient Greece," Rome explained to the boys. "Or, Grecia. She's the soothsayer."
Grecia began to hum to herself, absently plucking a flower from the ground and bringing it to her nose. Her eyes looked vacant and glassy.
"What's wrong with her?" England whispered to Gaul.
"She's been mentally deteriorating for years, for as long as she's been the soothsayer, actually. Rome thinks its the solitude getting to her. Ancient Egypt suggests that the herbs she uses to induce her visions aren't safe. We're not certain, however," Gaul replied, looking sadly at the dark haired woman.
"We must consult your prophecy," said Rome, carefully approaching Grecia, as if she might attack him if he moved too quickly. He grabbed onto Germany's arm, jerking him along with him.
"What are you doing?" Germany hissed, fighting Rome's grip.
"You have to ask her."
"A-about Italy?"
"Yes."
"Oh," said Germany. "Well, what do I say?"
"Just ask her."
Rome released his arm and gave him a slight nudge forward.
"Guten tag," Germany mumbled, warily stepping towards the soothsayer, avoiding eye contact and, instead, averting his gaze to the ground. "My name is Germany and I have a... I have a question to ask you."
Grecia nodded. "Proceed."
"W-well, I was just wondering if... um... if my... my friend Italy is here or not. Do you know if he is?" Germany muttered.
Grecia closed her eyes and took a deep breath in. "I see... I see your friend..."
"You do!? Is he okay!? Is he here!?"
"Only one question at a time, Germany," said Gaul. "Let her finish."
Germany acknowledged the advice and turned back to the soothsayer, watching as her eyelids fluttered and she twitched and jerked in spastic movements.
"He is here... and he... he is not alone..." She suddenly tensed. "But he is in danger... grave danger..." Her eyes flew open, foggy white, clouded over. "You are all in danger! You must leave this place! Leave this place now!" she screamed before collapsing into Rome's arms as he suddenly appeared behind her. He stroked her hair and held her until her eyes cleared and she came to.
"That was quite an intense vision," said Grecia. "I think I need to rest now."
Rome nodded. "Yes, take a nap, dear. You've done enough for now." He laid her down in the crisp grass where she curled up and fell fast asleep almost instantaneously. He faced Germany and put a hand on his shoulder. "That's enough. No more today."
Germany nodded wordlessly and all but fell into Prussia.
"West? Are you alright?" asked Prussia, wrapping his wings around his younger brother, spinning him around to look him in the eye. "What's the matter?"
"I really did kill him, Prussia..." Germany said, on the verge of tears once again. "He really did die! I thought maybe he would still be alive after all but no! He really died!" He broke free from Prussia and turned away.
"But we're here to bring him back and that's all that really matters," England cut in.
Germany gestured towards Grecia who still lie on the ground. "You heard what she said though! He's in danger! We're all in danger and it's my fault we're here in the first place!"
"Calm down," said Gaul. "Nobody is in danger here. I don't care what was foreseen, you're safe with us."
"I'm going to find him though! Before he gets hurt!" Germany spread his wings to their full span beating them until he rose from the ground, hovering for a few minutes as his eyes met Rome's.
"Germany..." Rome said sternly, stepping towards him. "Don't..."
"Forgive me," Germany managed, darting away through the sky as fast as his wings could carry him.
"West!" Prussia cried. He took a running start to take to the sky when England stopped him.
"He'll be fine! We'll find him before danger does."
