Meanwhile at the center they were preparing to start the meeting. Lukas and Arthur had eventually woken and had gathered all there evidence and prepared there speeches. They had sat everyone down at the table when china received the text from Kiku that they were almost there. France and Matthias were still in the other room. Lukas turns to Arthur. "Shall I go and get them?"
Arthur nodded lightly. "Probably a good idea." He replied.
The taxi pulls up to the center and Kiku gets out with the girl. Ludwig simply followed Kiku, holding onto Romano's suitcase. Even if it would be hard to tell him, he wanted to be the one to tell Feliciano what happened. Kiku led him into the elevator once again carrying the girl who is now asleep. He is hiding his emotions but wishes he could just cry. Things like this just didn't happen. Ludwig clutched the case in his hand, following Kiku onto the elevator. Now that he had dried off some, he put on a stoic face, refusing to show his emotions. He knew he'd have to be strong for Feliciano, even if he felt like he was going to fall apart.
Prussia is still sleeping in one of the chairs his head curled on the table. He had worn himself out to a dangerous level. And he was always more susceptible to illness, the hazard that comes with being an albino. He feels ill and even in his sleep wishes Luddy was there to keep him warm. Lukas goes into the other room. "Matthias the meeting will start soon. You need to come to the other room."
Mathias frowned deeply. "Can't I stay with him? I already know what's going on..." He said, still not wanting to leave Eskil's side.
Lukas hesitates for a moment. "I don't know. Maybe we should take him back in there? I really do t want to do this alone." And though he doesn't say it they both know he needs Matthias' support. He then turns to Francis. "You need to be there though and we need Seychelles as proof of what's going on." Mathias frowned deeply, but nodded. He carefully picked up Eskil, holding him protectively against his chest as he carried him back to the main room.
Ludwig followed him into the room, immediately walking over to Feliciano. He needed to know the truth. A deep frown on his face, he walked up to the Italian. "Feli...I..." He started, but struggled to find the words to say, clutching the suitcase in a trembling hand. Francis does the same with his little girl and they head over. When Lukas opens the door it is to see Feli looking confused at Ludwig waiting for his answer.
Feli turns to Ludwig with a bright smile and hugs him. "Ludwig your back!" He says enthusiastically. "Did you find my fratello?" He then pulls away and notices the case. "Roma's case? Where's Roma?" He asked confused. "He hates people touching his stuff he will be mad at you!" He says. Still by the door Kiku shocks everyone by starting to cry silently in the middle of Feli's words. He hurries over to his own brother and sets the child in a chair and hides his face.
Ludwig swallowed hard, getting the courage to say his next words. "Romano und Antonio...they're gone, Feli...they won't be coming back...their plane crashed in the ocean und...u-und we couldn't find them..." He said, choking on his words, holding the case out to Feli, clearly struggling to keep his composure. Mathias looks around the room, confused, not sure what was going on.
Feli just stares at him silently for a moment. He looks down at the case but doesn't take it. "You're lying." He says softly at first and then louder. "You're lying! Roma said he would never leave me! And that it would all be ok! He wouldn't go away!" He screamed starting to get hysterical as he backed away from Ludwig shaking his head. Lukas gasped from the doorway and hurried into the room with Francis following quickly. He set up the makeshift beds for the two injured people and turned back to watch what was happening with the room. Shocked murmurs broke out as those who understood Italian and German translated for those who didn't. Soon the entire room was in shock. Nations don't die every day.
Ludwig's heart ached, hearing those words from him. "Feli...I would never lie about something like this...I-I searched the water myself...u-until I couldn't swim anymore...I-I couldn't save them...I-I'm sorry..." He said, setting the case down at his feet, then turned and swiftly walked out of the room. He couldn't be in this room anymore or he felt like he would break. He swiftly walked out of the conference room and went outside, needing to get some fresh air, feeling sick. Kiku on the other hand stands and runs after Ludwig leaving the Spanish girl in Yao's lap when he reaches Ludwig he gently rubs circles on Ludwig's back to help him. Ludwig sat down on the ground, putting his face in his hands, unable to keep it in anymore as tears started to roll down his cheeks. It was just too painful. He'd told families their loved ones died in war, but he never thought he'd have to tell one of his best friends that their brother died and he couldn't do anything to save them. He felt utterly useless.
Kiku in a rare show of compassion pulled him into his arms and rocked him a little bit. He shushed him like he would a child and tried to make him feel better. They needed to be there for Feli. Ludwig couldn't fall apart now. Ludwig tried hard to stop his tears, they just kept coming. He couldn't even remember the last time he cried. It was not something he normally did. But this kind of situation was just too much for him to handle.
Kiku gently pulled him to his feet. "Come on. If you're going to cry at least do it with Feli. Being together is better than being separate." He says gently guiding him back to the room. He felt very vulnerable being separated from the group even though they were just in the hall. Ludwig didn't answer, just followed along with Kiku, silent tears still streaming down his face.
Feli just stood there in shock for a moment. He then fell to the floor and started to cry loudly as he clutched his brother case. This shocked Francis who hadn't really heard what had happened as he had been busy. He turns to Arthur confused. "What happened?" He says quietly. Lukas walks over and shakes Prussia's arm to wake him up so that they can start the meeting sooner. He is shocked to find the albino is shaking and cold. "Arthur? He is sick! We need blankets!" He calls as he starts to run a diagnostic with his still almost burned out magic to try and find out what is wrong.
Arthur frowned deeply, a feeling of sadness welling up inside him. He didn't get along well with either of the men, but he never, ever wished death upon them. "Antonio and Romano...they're dead..." He said softly to Francis. Hearing Lukas, his frowned turned to a concerned one, rushing off to grab some blankets. He brought them back and wrapped them around Gilbert. "What's wrong with him? I might be able to help him." He suggested.
Francis eyes widen. Antonio? And Romano? That can't be right. Not his best friend and best friend's lover! Not Antonio! He just stood there in shock not even really able to process what he has just been told. Lukas shakes his head. "I'm not sure I can't tell. But we need to warm him up. He is to cold."
Arthur nodded, setting his hands on Gilbert's arm. Mumbling a soft spell, warmth spread through Gilbert's body. He then also cast a spell on him that would help boost his immune system to try to fight off whatever was making him sick.
Francis noticed them fussing over gilbert and stood on mechanical legs making his way over to them. "Is his TB flaring up again?" He asks quietly his mind still not processing the thought that his best friend is gone. Forever.
Arthur frowned deeply. "He has TB? No wonder his immune system is shot..." He grumbled, but quickly mumbled another spell. It was something he couldn't cure, but now that he knew the problem, he could at least treat the symptoms. Kiku leads him back into the room and back to Feli and sits Ludwig down on the floor. The moment Ludwig is sitting Feli is in his lap face buried in his chest sobbing loudly though no longer denying the fact.
Francis nods. "He has had it for years. He knows better than to overextend himself but he does anyway." Gilbert's body relaxes a little and Francis starts to check his breathing. "He needs his inhaler but needs to be awake to use it. And he needs to be kept warm." He says simply. He looks over at Ludwig on the floor wondering if he should tell him that his bruder is having another attack. It won't help but Gil will need Luddy.
Arthur nodded. "I can keep him warm if you can get his inhaler. I should be able to wake him up, too, but I don't want to until we have the inhaler." He said, his hand still on Gilbert's arm and feeding the warmth into his body. Ludwig wrapped his arms around Feliciano, pulling him close and buried his face against his shoulder, still openly weeping. Francis nods and starts rummaging through Gil's bag. Nowadays he always has to carry one with him with various medicines and his inhaler. He pulls it out and moves over to be in a better position when he wakes. Gil coughs a little and groans in his sleep. Feli cuddles close his sobs becoming hiccups and coughing.
Arthur waited until Francis came back with the inhaler. He muttered a small spell that shot the tiniest of electrical shocks into his body. It wouldn't be painful, but would have a similar effect of getting a burst of adrenaline. Ludwig just held onto him, refusing to let the Italian go.
Gil jumped in shock and cried out which bothered his lungs and he started to cough violently. Francis shoved the inhaler towards Gil's searching hands and after a few puffs Gil starts to calm down though he still looks extremely pale and not up to his usual hyperactive self.
Arthur frowned worriedly. "Just relax. I'm going to cast a spell on you that will help you maintain a warmer temperature without assistance until your body can do it on your own." He said. He cast a stronger version of the spell he had been using, so that he wouldn't have to keep his hand on his arm to do it. He also transferred some of his magical energy in him to boost his levels so they weren't so dangerously low.
Gil does his best to do as he is told but it's not easy. His relaxes more as his body warms and his reserve starts to rise a little. "Where's Ludwig?" He asks quietly knowing that if he talks to loud he will cough again. Ludwig can't be in the room because if he had heard him coughing Ludwig would have been beside him instantly. And who was doing that awful crying? He wonders.
Arthur bit his lower lip. "He's...comforting Feliciano...apparently the plane Antonio and Romano were on crashed in the ocean...they didn't make it..." He replied softly, not wanting to upset him more.
It takes a moment for him to process his words but then he is shouting "what?" And Francis is trying to hold him down and whispering gently to him as Gil struggles having a much more violent reaction than Francis at the news. Lukas backs away slightly. "You might want to consider putting him in restraints so he doesn't hurt himself or Francis." He says softly to Arthur.
Arthur sighed heavily. He placed his hands on Gilbert's shoulders, pushing him back down into his seat. "Would you cut it out? Ludwig is already having a hard enough time right now without having to worry about you hurting yourself." He said, pointing to where Ludwig and Feli were crying on the floor.
He looks over at them and is briefly filled with jealousy that Ludwig is holding Feliciano and not himself he is then filled with revulsion and horror at his own thoughts and turns to face the table again which jars him and he coughs again a little bit of blood coming up which he tries to hide from Francis and the others. Kiku starts to guide his two friends to seats at the table and sits beside them with Romano's case In front of him. Lukas returns to Matthias and checks on Eskil before turning and sitting preparing to start the meeting. Francis stays beside gilbert unsure of what to do.
Arthur set his hand on Gilbert's back, pouring some more healing energy into him, focusing more on his lungs. "I know you're upset, but you need to relax. You'll only make things worse, and I don't know how much more I can help you." He said, rubbing his back soothingly. Ludwig shuffled to his seat, wiping his eyes dry. Mathias was sitting in his seat, holding Eskil against his chest.
Even sitting Feli curled Into Ludwig which caused gilbert jealousy to flare up again. Luddy was his! But he forced it down and nodded in understanding to Arthur. Lukas waves Arthur over.
Arthur gave Gilbert one last pat on the shoulder before walking over to Lukas. "What is it?" He asked.
"We need to start. And I think you should be near Seychelles while Francis is with gilbert. I thought I saw her hand move a few moments ago. Would you like me to start?"
Arthur nodded. "That sounds like a good idea to me." He said, then went over to Seychelles so he could be at her side if she woke up. Lukas stands and calls everyone to attention before starting to tell his story from the first time he fell into a plant. Everyone just listened intently, Mathias only partially paying attention since he already knew what all happened.
Lukas continues to hold everyone's attention. He tells them about disabling plants and discovering that there were more than they thought. And then the panic over Arthur and calling the first meeting and then finding the letters in the prime minister's office. He stops and then explains the conspiracy against all of the nations. He stops and then tells them that this is why Romano and Antonio are dead. Their plane didn't just go down they were murdered. He then turns and briefly tells them about Seychelles. He then turns to Matthias. "And this is our..." He trails off a little unsure of what to call Eskil.
"He's our son." Mathias said firmly, running his fingers through Eskil's hair. In spite of the boy being in his teens, Mathias held him as if he was a sleeping toddler.
Lukas smiled at Matthias and gently leaned over to kiss Eskil's forehead before turning around and explaining the accident earlier and the attacks previously and how Eskil got injured along with Peter and Tino and Matthias. When he finishes he sighs and sits back down in his chair wearily.
Arthur then stood up to take over. "Essentially, our lives and the fate our nations are at risk. While we know what happens to us directly effects our country, our bosses seem to forget this. They don't understand that killing us could devastate the nation, especially if the country is already experience some form of economic or political hardship. Under normal circumstances, action against our leaders is considered forbidden for us. However, as the Nordics had, eliminating their leaders was the only way to preserve not only their lives, but ensure nothing bad would happen to their nation. Leaders will obviously be elected or appointed depending on your governments, but I believe this situation falls under exigent circumstances and we must act in order to keep our nations from falling into ruin. I propose we break off into groups, take out our leaders, and destroy and documents they may have that a new leader might find to ensure this doesn't happen again once new leaders are in place. However, I am open to hearing any other suggestions, since this involves all of us." He explained, looking around the room to see if anyone had any ideas.
Lukas looks at Arthur in relief. First for taking over and second for defending their choices to eliminate their bosses. That was one of the biggest taboos and hadn't happened since World War 2 and some nations still had trouble accepting that. Shocked whispers break out around the room as everyone starts to converse searching for plans or just coping with the new information. There was no doubt as they has Seychelles as proof and Romano and Antonio's death on the table as well. Beside Ludwig Feli has now started messing with his brother's case trying to guess the password. Arthur continued to look around to room. "Does anyone else have any ideas?" He asked, half expecting Alfred to cut in with some absurd idea. Ludwig just sat beside him, ready to try and help if Feli needed it.
Alfred is leaning over and talking to Mathew quietly not even noticing Arthur's gaze or expectations. Feli haves a small triumphant sound when the lock pops and he opens the case. Right on top is Roma's iPad which his home screen has been changed to a note to unlock it and look at the first video. Feli looked at it with wide eyes before turning and showing it to Ludwig. And that's when Alfred stands up. "I think that you plan is best but the groups need to be varied with at least one of your weird mumbles jumbo things along and the nation's leader they are planning on killing, that nation should not be in the group. Sometimes nations get attached to their bosses."
Ludwig frowned thoughtfully, looking over and watching the video. Arthur blinked in surprise. "Wow...that's actually a good idea. I'm impressed. "He said, though he didn't say it in a condescending manner. He truly liked the idea. He for one did not like the idea of killing his Prime Minister. "Alright, we should split off in groups of no more than six, as anything bigger than that would be hard for traveling. Each group should plan ahead who they will take out, and the corresponding nation can wait behind, so there will actually be five nations taking out the boss. That way there will be plenty of back up and more eyes searching for any documents that could lead the next boss down this same path. Is this agreeable?" He asked everyone. Alfred smiles wide at Arthur and the room starts to nod in agreement. Lukas stands. "Agreed. We will need to test everyone's abilities and split into groups so that talents are divided evenly."
The video starts and they see Roma and hear him curse a little bit before starting to speak. "Feli. I don't think Antonio and I are going to get off of this plane alive. I'm sorry. But you need to know not to trust our boss. I know he is sweet to you but there is plans for a global attack. He plans to take you out the next time you go to his office. I have pictures and documents on my iPad they plan to go after Seychelles first. You need to warn her if you get a chance. There is a full list of the planned order in the documents I am leaving for you. They know about all of us. Even the micro nations like Peter." They see the camera bounce a little and hear screams in the background the iPad they are recording on seems to be dropped to the ground and they hear Romano cursing and then Antonio saying "losiento Lovino!" The camera gets picked back up. "The only person who they don't know about is Prussia. They seem to believe that he is already dead. This is probably because Ludwig doesn't take him to meet his leaders anymore due to the last fiasco. Use this to your advantage if you can. Also stay away from Sicily actually stay out of Italy. There is a nuclear power plant that I believe to be unstable and possibly about to blow from the documents I found. I don't have much more time." They hear Antonio again "Lovi there's an island coming up! We can drop her over that." Roma is silent "si we can. Feliciano? I don't say it much but te amo fratellino." The video cuts off.
Ludwig frowned deeply as he watched, the heart wrenching ache forming in his chest again and he felt sick. He still couldn't believe the two of them were gone.
Arthur nodded, agreeing with Lukas. "Alright, anyone with magical capabilities, gather over there," He said, pointing over to the side. "Those with hand to hand combat skills over there," He said, pointing to another wall. "Those with firearms skills over there," He said, pointing to a third wall. "And those with good computer skills over there." He said, pointing to the fourth wall.
When the video was over Feli burst into tears again causing the entire room to turn and look at him. Soon people started to split into their specific categories. The magic group includes gilbert Ivan Lukas Arthur Romania and Egypt. The other countries split up until only Germany and Italy are at the table with Matthias still beside Eskil and Seychelles. It is then that Seychelles decides to let out a low moan of pain.
Arthur heard Seychelles, quickly running over to her. "Shelli? Can you hear me?" He asked, voice thick with concern.
Ludwig reached over, pulling Feli close, doing his best to comfort his friend, knowing there was nothing he could say to make things better. Feli leans into him and started to cry harder unable to look through the documents his brother left him. Ludwig just held onto Feli, silent tears starting to roll down his cheeks. Kiku eventually abandoned his own group to come and join his friends wrapping them both on his arms. Ludwig smiled weakly at Kiku appreciatively.
Francis rushed over from his group to be beside them as well. She slowly opened her eyes with another groan and was disorientated for a moment trying to make her surroundings come into focus. "Dad? Papa?" She questioned quietly.
Arthur smiled gently. "Yes, dear, it's us." He said, brushing her bangs from her face.
She looks between them in shock and then down at her own body. "How am I still alive?" She asks in wonder. She shifts a little and then groans in pain.
Arthur frowned softly. "Take it easy. I was able to heal most of your wounds, but not everything." He said. Suddenly, something dawned on him. "Stay with her." He said, then ran over to Lukas. "I might be able to bring back Antonio and Romano." He said hastily.
Michelle watches him hurry away and Lukas looks at him shocked. "And how do you plan to do that?"
"Just like I brought you back. I was able to place your soul into a blank days after you died. Antonio and Romano have only been dead a few hours. Even though they don't have magic, their spirits should still be in the gate for at least a day." Arthur explained.
"That's dangerous and you know it. It was dangerous the last time, nearly got you killed. I shouldn't have asked you to do that and we shouldn't do it now." Lukas says softly, it isn't that he doesn't want to help. But this will be the third trip into the gate, and there was no way the gatekeepers were going to be pleased with this. There was only so much they could do and so much they would be allowed to do.
"I'm well aware of the risks, but look at them. "Arthur said, pointing at Feli and Ludwig. "If Emil had died and you couldn't go into the gate yourself, wouldn't you want someone to bring him back? If I have even barely enough power left to try to save them, I will do it." Arthur insisted.
Lukas looks at the two of them and then turns to look at Matthias holding their child. He nods. "I understand. I will go with you." He turns to Ivan. "You have the strongest magic. Will you hold open the gate for us?"
Arthur breathed out a sigh of relief he didn't realize he was holding, glad Lukas agreed to help. He would do it himself, but he knew it would kill him if he did. Ivan looked over, smiling lightly. "Da, I can do zat."
Lukas gives him a tense smile before walking over to Matthias. "Hey. Arthur and I are going into the gate." He says softly after telling Arthur to start working on the blanks. With the help of the other magic users. Mathias frowned. He wanted to go with him, but he didn't want to leave Eskil alone.
Lukas smiles down at his lover. "I will be fine." He says recognizing the look on his face. He bends down to kiss Eskil's forehead before stepping away. "Love you. See you soon" he then turns to head out of the room. Mathias still frowned, but nodded. "Love you..." He said softly.
Arthur took the other magic users into a side room so they'd be away from everyone else, quickly making up the blanks, doing his best not to drain himself too much so he could go into the gate without killing himself.
The magic users work diligently and it doesn't take long for them to get the blanks made. Then comes the arguing. Gilbert speaks up. "Why are you going into the gate if you're drained?"
"Because I've already done this before, so I know what I'm doing." Arthur replied simply, getting to work on the circle for the gate.
Gilbert snorted which caused him to start coughing again and eventually he had to use his inhaler. When he can breathe again he looks much paler but speaks. "Did you think to ask if anyone else had done this before? Maybe you will find we are more experienced than you think." It's around then that Lukas comes in.
Arthur rolled his eyes. "Yes, and you're more fit to go in there in your condition than I. Besides, I did this only a few days ago. I can handle myself." He said. In all honesty, he wanted to go because he didn't want to lose anyone else when it was his idea in the first place. Lukas was the most experienced, so he didn't have to worry so much about him. But if anyone was going to possibly die in this, he didn't want it to be anyone but him. That and he trusted Lukas with his life now. If something went down in the gate, he knew Lukas would be able to help.
Gilbert looks impressed. "You did this a few days ago? Pray tell us why." He says innocently. "And I wasn't suggesting myself. We could send Romania. He has been. And maybe I don't exactly trust you to bring Antonio back. After all you hate him. Why would you help him?"
"I had to bring Lukas back to life, but that isn't important. And just because I don't get along with Antonio does not mean I hate him. If I did, why would I risk my neck to bring him and Romano back? I'm doing this because there are people who love them both who cannot save them, but I have the power to, so I will. And this was my idea. I don't want to risk losing anyone else to it if things go bad." Arthur explained, finishing drawing the gate circle. "Besides, even if I am not doing this for personal reasons, they are both fellow nations, and its times like these when we must put aside our quarrels and differences to help each other out and ensure our survival. If that doesn't convince you, then I don't know what else to tell you."
This appeases almost everyone in the room. And then to their shock gilbert starts laughing. "Oh really? That's rich. That's really rich. When I needed your help you didn't help me! But now we née to put aside our differences?! I begged for help and instead of getting it your stupid boss killed me! I died because of you! I'm still dying because of you! What the fuck?! And when did you start liking Lukas? I was pretty sure you hated Lukas more than me but if he needs help you drop everything but I it's me screw it right?" He snarls before storming out.
Arthur growled, grabbing onto his arm and pulled him back. "Listen here, you prick. War is one thing. We are ordered to do things none of us truly wants to do to each other. This is different. This is all of us facing bloody extinction. I don't see any of the nations you and Ludwig almost wiped out during the World Wars throwing a fit like this. Your bombing of my capital nearly put me in a coma. But do you see me bitching about it? No. Because that was war. You two almost killed me, and if Alfred had not joined the war, it is quite possible I would not be here today. So maybe you should take that in consideration before you pin blame on me for something I was ordered to do during wartime, because I know for sure you have done things just as bad to other nations." He seethed angrily.
Gilbert turned back to him angrily. "But that's just it! I warned you all! I saw it coming and I asked you all for help. I warned Poland and he didn't listen. How do you think your country new that we would be vulnerable that day? I was always fighting against Hitler. Always. I was out in a fucking camp! My own towns were burned by Hitler! I fought back to! In the end I had to go in and kill the sorry motherfucker myself! And then the entire war got pinned on my shoulders!"
"And you think I don't know these things? I have had to do things in the past that I'm not proud of because of my bosses, and I know for sure you have to! We weren't the ones who pinned the blame on your shoulders, our bosses did because it was your boss who started the war and were ordered to punish you and the other Axis powers for it! Do you honestly think I enjoyed the things I did? Maybe you should put yourself in other people's shoes before you make it like we're the bad guys for following orders! After all, you were a nation bred for war, so you of all people should know the importance of following orders during war!" Arthur snapped. "But if you don't trust me enough to save Antonio and Romano, then tough shit, because I'm doing it anyway. I'm trying to make amends for things I've done because if I'm going to die in all of this, I want people to know I'm sorry for the things I've done. I'm sorry for the pain I had to put you and Ludwig through. I'm sorry for the way my people treated all of my old territories. I'm sorry for the way I treated Antonio during my pirate days. I'm sorry for fighting my brothers so damn much that we never speak unless it has to do with business. I'm sorry for a lot of things, but it's in the past and all I can do now is do my best to make up for it. If you can't understand that, then that's your own problem, because I'm doing the best I bloody can."
Gilbert stopped and looked at him slowly appraising him. "Did you miss everything I just said?" His voice a low his. "Of course I understand the importance of following orders. But if you listened to me you learned that I followed none of the orders I was given. I fought for you. I fought against my family because I knew it was wrong. I know about following orders but more importantly I know about honor. And even after I had leaked thousands of papers of important information that you needed to win the war it was my country that was dissolved. And then I was sent to Russia to await my death." He turns to Ivan for a moment. "No offence meant Ivan. Just trying to prove a point." He turns back to Arthur. "But if you really mean that you are going to do what you can then I will have to trust you." In the middle of all this Kiku had slipped into the room as well. After all he was a magic user as well and needed to help them. Gil started to cough again and made his way out into the hall.
Arthur sighed heavily, following Gilbert. He did not want to leave off like this, especially if there was a chance he wouldn't come back. "Gilbert, you should also know that there are some things we have no control over. The leaders of the Allies voted to do those things to you. The people of our countries wanted justice for the things that happened in the war. There are things that happen that we do not have control over. Whether we helped or not, it was going to happen. There was no stopping it. It was because none of us personally wanted you dead that we brought you back, even if our bosses didn't want you alive anymore. I just...I hope you'll understand that none of us wanted to do those things to you. And I may not speak for the others, but I personally regret that my actions hurt you so deeply." He said sincerely. "I just want you to know that I will bring back Antonio and Romano, even if it means ending my own existence. They didn't deserve to die the way they did. And if it were you in their place, I would do the same thing." He said, then walked back into the room to prepare for entering the gate.
Gilbert just sits in the hallway miserable before sighing and going back into the room where his brother was. When Arthur comes in Kiku goes up to him and speaks softly.
"I'm very sorry about him. He has a lot of resentment from the war. He did a lot and feels that no one notices or cared. And even to this day he does a lot for all of the other countries that no one notices. It also doesn't help that he suffers from severe depression. I know this doesn't excuse his actions but maybe you can better understand why he acted as such." Kiku steps back and Lukas steps forward.
"How are we doing this? We need someone to lead us to the gate one we are in spirit form." As he speaks Romania steps forward as well,
"Ya can't seriously be plannin on goin in. There so depraved can ya?"
Arthur nodded. "I understand his feelings. I've been blamed by my siblings for things that occurred between us during our countless wars. I just don't know how to make him understand that I do notice, but because of the politics nowadays with his country nonexistent, there is nothing I can do about it." He said lightly. Turning to Romania, he nodded. "I fully intend on going in there." He said simply, then looked over at Lukas. "I say we just go for it. I don't want to delay any longer and risk their spirits moving on to history before we can get to them." He replied, then turned to face the rest of the magic users. "Ivan, your job is to keep the gate open until we are back in our bodies. It does not matter who, but someone will need to guide our spirits to the gate, and then guide us back to our bodies once we return." He said, then laid down on the floor next to the blanks he made of Antonio and Romano to get ready.
"Wait!" Romania called out and hurried forward to them. "Here Arthur take my magic. I won't need it." He says and lays a hand on his arm and starts to let the magic flow from his body to Arthur reenergizing it. Egypt also stepped forward and did the same for Lukas. They continued until both levels were pretty close to what they normally were before stepping back. "Thank you." Lukas whispers before lying next to Arthur on the ground. Ivan moves into position to hold the gate open.
Arthur smiled appreciatively at Romania. "Thank you." He said, then closed his eyes to relax. Knowing how to do it for himself, he started mumbling the necessary incantation until a small child version of himself crawled from his chest, clad in a white tunic with white angel wings. Since it was his full spirit, he didn't look nearly as scrawny as the partial spirit from before.
Lukas does the same and his child self-crawls out as well his blue fairy wings fluttering and he hovers a few inches off of the ground. His backless tunic is dark blue with green pants underneath it and he smiled at Arthur and offered his hand. Kiku stepped forward towards the children and beckoned them closer. "Come on you need to come this way." He says gently. Lukas just nods. Arthur smiled at Lukas, taking his hand. He looked over at Kiku and nodded, following the Japanese man's directions.
Kiku led them over to the gate and helped the small children threw. When they step threw they are filled with the sensation of falling through the white light. Lukas thinks he hears laughter but he isn't sure. Arthur relaxed once he was through, already knowing what the feeling was like, simply flapping his wings a couple times to keep a sense of control over his falling. After a long fall which Lukas is also accustomed to the see water and sand ahead of them. Lukas flutters his wings to slow the decent so they don't fall into the water. He lands on the sand gracefully hand still attached to Arthur's.
Arthur easily landed beside Lukas in the sand, looking around. "I liked the lake better." He commented absently, looking for signs of Antonio and Romano.
Lukas gives a little laugh. "I know you did. After all that's where you were hiding. So where do you think they would be?" He asks as he looks away starting to walk away from the ocean which Lukas thinks is creeping up the sand towards them.
Arthur followed alongside him, frowning in thought. "I'm not sure...unfortunately, all I really know about Antonio is that he enjoys growing tomatoes. I don't really know much about Romano, either..." He replied.
"Hmmm. Well that sucks." Lukas comments thoughtfully. "I guess that we will just have to wander around until we find them won't we?" He continues to walk away from the water and the sand becomes grass. Suddenly they hear a voice saying in an agitated tone,
"Oh no not you again." And the blonde boy who had pushed Matthias into the lake last time comes out from behind a rock. "What are you doing here? Again."
(Hello people! My apologies for the hiatus! But I was in a depression and then I was in the hospital, no fun at all, I hope you enjoy this chapter! Please leave me a review to let me know your thoughts on it and speculations or anything! Reviews always bring a little bit of light into the dark room which I call my.. Actually it's just a dark room. I never turn on my light.)