AN- I mention several kinds of Native American masks later on and want to mention that false face ones that it is considered highly disrespectful to sell or display or mimic live false face masks (ones that have been used in ceremony) and among certain groups, any false face mask. This is why there have been many requests to museums (including a successful one to the ROM) to remove any such masks from their exhibits.
Letting you know now, this chap was freaking hard to write (and is freaking long) because of what needed to happen in it. Bit of a forewarning for you there.
I own nothingggggggggggg (except da plot)
After Yong Soo had gone through the Tapairu's pool was, he found himself on the Mahiki, the pathway that led to the one of the Polynesian underworld's, Lua-O-Milu, but as that was not his destination, he should go the opposing way right?
Right.
So he began his trek through the underworlds, he passed through Ekera, the Ethiopian shadowy underworld, crossed the five rivers that separate Hades from the world of the living and through Helheim. He ran through the Incan underworld of Uca Pacha, escaping the grasp of it's eternally hungry occupant and through the Japanese Yomi-no-kuni. After going through the Egyptian Duat and it's room for the judging of souls, he then stealthily snuck past the bickering Sumerian siblings Erishkigal (goddess of the dead) and her sister Inanna (goddess of love and war) over the death every year of Inanna's consort Dumuzi. After getting horrifically lost and barely managing to escape some truly terrifying and gruesome realms, he at last got directions from the fairly kind Celtic god of the underworld, Cernunnos, and finally managed to reach his destination. Now to ask for that favour...
Steven felt absolutely exhausted, it was only supposed to have been a scout group attacking them but even fighting off a small fraction of Morgan's army was absurd when you had a force barely equal to said scout group.
At least they had repelled it... Though he was not expecting Zombies to be able to move so quickly, not after all those films that Alfred had mass produced. Though there was a problem, he had managed to make sure that Katyusha and Gupta were alright and safe but he had yet to find Yong Soo. Hopefully he had not been injured, or worse, taken.
Rushing around the base frantically, he ran into the infirmary, hoping to find the Korean with a still healing Matt but there was no such luck. Hold on, what was this note?
Australia,
I have gone to the Underworld in hopes of getting help. Please do not worry about me.
한국 (Korea)
Well, he hoped the other knew what he was getting into because there was no way to help him now. Now to track down Gupta and Katyusha again in hopes of coming up with some sort of plan between them. With the directions from one of the Ghosts who had seen them, Steven set off for the newly constructed stone battlements. Soon he saw Ukraine leaning against the wall, a bloody hand-print on one of the bricks and a slightly concerned Egypt beside her.
He explained that the two had been following his totems guidance, they had asked it what they could do to get home sooner and it had shown blood on the stone so that was what they did. When it lit up and runes covered the surface, Gupta realized it was similar to the one he had stumbled upon earlier with Hong Kong.
Before they could discuss the matter any further, the alarm sounded and they immediately ran to put on the armour and grab their weapons, the enemy was close.
Gilbert and Ludwig could not believe the size of the host coming towards the Resistance's base, and it was only a third of their enemies. For, Morgan's army was actually divided into three, with each part of the force approach from a different direction. When combined with the force coming from the sea, they were going to be completely surrounded.
If they didn't overwhelm them on the battlefield, she was going to starve them out.
A siege.
Running as quickly as they could back to the base, they gasped out their findings to Gilgamesh who paled at just what they described and when the other scouts came back and added their own pieces in onto the map it quickly became obvious that they were going to be fighting a hopeless battle unless their emissaries managed to garner them more allies.
From the sea, there was a force of hundreds of ships and several sea monsters such as the Leviathon, the Abenaki Alom-bag-winno-sis that loved flipping boats and the Chinese Shachihoko, a creature covered in poisonous spikes with the head of a tiger and body of fish that could transform into a tiger on land. In comparison they had exactly one hundred led by the legendary Samoan navigator Kahomovailahi and Odysseus and several Inuit Akhlutmeta-morphic killer whales that could transform into a wolf on land.
It was even more a helpless case on land, where they had maybe 3000 fighters, she had over 15000 and were composed of the deadliest creatures this world had to offer. There were Indian Manticore, fearsome creatures with body of a lion, face of man with three rows of teeth and a scorpion tail and the Gudanna, an Arabic bull that's poisonous breath could kill 200 at once. The Fijian giant, Flaming Teeth with it's teeth like burning logs and a taste for flesh there was also with several compatriots, Nunhyunuwi,the Cherokee stone man-eating giant, the Norse Geirrod, a Frost Giant and the Basque Tartaro a one eyed ugly giant. Besides the giants there was also the entire pantheon of Greek terrifying creatures such as the Nemean lion, Hydra, Erymanthus wild boar and Stymphalis carnivorous birds, all of which had caused many deaths. There were several Solovey-Razboynik as well, a Russian creature that lived in forests and killed people by screaming and Ihanaivulu, a south American seven-headed fire breathing monster. There was also the monstrous Basilisk serpents and Gorgans that marched with them, turning even allies into stone if they dared to look in their eyes. Besides these there were hundreds of Elves, Dwarves, Werewolves, Centaurs, Fauns, Griffins, Ghouls, Ogres, Trolls and Elementals.
Then, in the air she had about 2000 fighters from the Araucanian Chonchonyi, invisible vampires in the form of flying human heads to the Nihniknoovi from the Kawaiisu Tubatulabal people which were giant birds that loved to gorge itself on human flesh. She had Sirens, the part woman part bird creature capable of causing insanity with their songs, a few wyrms, the dragons' cousin. There were Simurghs from Persia, giant winged creatures similar to a peacock with the head of a dog and lion's claws, Herren-Surge from the Basque, giant seven-headed winged serpents and Pazuzus from Mesopotamia, terrifying eagle winged demons with lion claws and scorpion tails.
All of those named above were about a drop in the bucket though, there many more hideous creatures and beautiful grim ones, covered in blood marching to present them with their doom.
And they would be there in only a few hours.
Immediately, the base transformed further into a hive of activity, where before there was some work being done, it was now being pushed forward at a break neck pace, the walls strengthened, pit falls built, ammunition for the catapults and trebuchets were being brought in. All in all, they preparing to hold out for as long as possible.
"When you said you had an idea in mind, why did I even begin to think that it would be a moderately sane one?"
"I dunno Limey... But what's wrong with my idea?"
"IT'S BLOODY INSANE THAT'S WHAT!"
They were interrupted by a crashing noise from outside the panic room and the two froze as the others immediately woke up and stared at the door. A few moments later the sound of something solid striking the door was again heard. To think, just two days prior they had been going to meet the others in Boston and now had descended into this!
America hissed "They have found us!" His headache was beginning to return as that foreign pressure as again applied "England, there's no time for this! You know I'm right, this all started with you sending Matt to the other side so obviously that's where the fucking answers are! If we want to find out what the hell those creepy spiders are and how to defeat them and just what is going on with the others then we need to talk to someone from there! So far the only way we can do this with the borders down is through mine and Mattie's connection (That is Matthew's and mine! Speak proper English if you are going to lecture me git!) with, after he severed it, I can only find again through Kumajiro!" he finished with a huff.
"I understood that America when you explained to me your idea. However, the last time you managed to contact him you were informed that his body was no longer his to control and that he was under the influence of the enemy! If you try and contact him you may very well be walking into a trap or worse! At least address my concerns rather then just restate your previous argument!"
"England, you're thinking too much! How would she know?" He walked over to the tables where they had laid out all of the provinces/districts/territories and what-have-you to pick up Kumajiro. "C'mon ArthurI need your help for this, I have no knowledge of this kind of magic"
After a moment or two of bickering, Vash had woken up enough that the argument was registering in his exhausted brain and had had enough. Getting up, he walked over to where the other two were, unnoticed, raised his arms and smacked the two upside the head simultaneously.
"England, America. I don't care for your unresolved past issues, if there is a potential to fully understand this situation, it is necessary to take it. After all", here he turned to America "knowing is half the battle is it not?"
Soon enough it was decided by vote that they should go through with America's plan. So Alfred went into a meditative state holding Kumajiro as England helped him follow the magical thread that bound the bear to Matthew. As the string crossed over, both nations attempted to continue to follow it but only Alfred was able to do so. Perhaps it was a twin thing or perhaps it had to do with how closely their nations were bound together, politically, socially and economically, it was uncertain. However, either way, Alfred was now the only one following the string to an enormous battlefield. Instead Arthur maintained their minds' contact so that he would at least be able to relay any information learned as Alfred slipped ever the deeper into his trance.
It had been a week since the siege had begun and Steven was astonished at how long the walls had held against the battering of the enemy. They had also had a surprisingly low casualty rate though this was probably due to the excellent defence conducted by their forces of Valkyries, Wolpertinger, Roc, Imdugud and the Oni against Morgan's aerial forces, preventing any of their soldiers from being carried off or destroying the catapults. They had also done a fair job at thinning the opponents down through the use of arrows and pouring pots of boiling oil down on them, in addition to the damage the trebuchets and catapults had done.
That being said, it was a freaking miracle and a half that they, the wall and their base were still standing though it was uncertain how long this would remain true. They had had a few ambush parties go out and do as much damage as they could but besides that, they were stuck in a defensive position which was only going to get worse as their naval forces were effectively routed and destroyed. By this time tomorrow, they would likely be able to land and there would be another few thousand fighters to worry about. Additionally, he could see the siege towers making their way to the wall. While they had managed to destroy their first few attempts at getting over the walls via ladders, the towers were an entirely different business being able to hundreds at once and were pushed forward from behind, they could not be just pushed off the wall, you had to take those pushing them down, which was easier said then done. Finally, there was the battering ram, despite all the reinforcements done on the gate, it could take maybe another ten shots before breaking.
The Real Fight was going to just be beginning was all he thought, yet despite all his attention, he failed to notice the faint spiritual pressure sneak past him.
Following the trail, Alfred felt his heart skip a beat when he saw it led to a medical bay, just whatever had happened to the fun world he had explored in his dreams through his brother? It was now a disaster zone, there were trees being felled everywhere and great fires burning and those armies! While it was nowhere near the scale of the World Wars, the result of those two armies really clashing would likely bring about large scale disaster. While there was not much he could do, he still worried about this separate world. Maybe after this all blew over he figure out a way to send some sort of supplies to help them rebuild and regrow the devastated areas...
Following the thread, the finally found his brother's bed where Matthew lay sleeping, looking not sick but definitely not the most healthy he had ever seen the other. Good he was sleeping, it might make this easier. After a few tries he once again managed to slip inside the others dream, let's see just what could be garnered from this...
*CRASH*
Just as America successfully reestablished with his brother, the controlled nations managed at last to break into the room, which despite being just as well protected as the one in Boston had had an override that one of the more recent Presidents had insisted be installed just in case America locked himself in there over nothing and then refuse to come out. Somehow one of those controlled nations (he suspected Alfred's daughter Washington) had managed to find it and engage it so the first diamond-titanium alloy door just swung open for them and they just crashed through the secondary and tertiary iron and wooden doors.
Ой пиздец! Принес какой-то хуй Европу! Ivan quickly cursed to himself as Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovenia and Greece all came bursting through.
Joy.
Immediately Switzerland stepped in front of Liechtenstein while New Zealand protected their backs and Scotland, Wales, North Ireland and South Ireland went to go protect the counties and what-not. France went to protect England and America while Russia had ended up semi-trapped by the nations coming in as he had been sitting beside the door. Furious fighting sprung up, each person trying to protect something without the use of lethal force. After a few moments England's three brothers and sisters were overwhelmed by the combined forces of Hungary, Poland, Luxemburg, Portugal and Greece just as England bolted upright and shouted "Get their necks! Those little demons controlling them latch onto the back of their necks, slash there!"
With a sort of sadistic pleasure, Switzerland, France and Russia complied, rushing forward just as England hurried over in an attempt to help his siblings, leaving a still out-of-it America undefended for but a moment. But that moment was all Spain needed as he dashed forward, halberd at the ready. Russia seeing this, reacted immediately, unconsciously, going to go shield what was inexplicably precious to him despite the fact that he would be taking the injury instead. However just before the blade came in contact with his skin, a very angry screech came from above as a Bald Eagle, Freedom, dove from above, talons going for the eyes. As the other made a tactical retreat, Austria attempted to attack while the bird was busy but all it did was unleash an angrier scream as it's body changed form somewhat. It's eyes became fire, his glance lightening and his wings' motion filled the air with thunder, electrifying any who dared to get too close.
Looking over, Russia saw that despite this new information it was proving impossible for them to fend the others off for long especially as more nations appeared to take them on and replace the few that had fallen. Noticing that the attackers were ignoring those on the table and focusing solely on the cornered England, France, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, Russia picked up the American and the bear bridal style in hopes of not breaking the trance before running over to the others, Freedom protecting him from any oncoming attackers. In a split second's decision, Ivan then took his pipe and smashed a hole in the concrete floor, creating a hole big enough for them to slip through into the basement and hopefully make their escape.
They had broken through at last as thousands poured through the ruined gates. It was nearly impossible to tell which side was which as it was not as though there was any sort of uniform armour or species that was on one side. There were a few Grecian Amazon warriors here fighting several South American carnivorous Guirivulus, which have the body of puma, head of a fox and a tail ending in a claw. There were the Zulo's hominid lizards, the Intulo fighting goblins there. A griffin getting mangled by a unicorn over there. There were Djinn firing spells back and forth at one another and there, a minotaur attempting to fight a cyclops. There were Spartans doing battle against some Valkyries, Maori fighters taking on Oni, Ghouls against Nigini and Yeti against Wraiths. Everywhere there were thousands of battles as more of the wall was brought down and the invaders came rushing in. With the collapse of the wall, their aerial defence also collapsed and there were attacks from the air from everything from Vampires to monstrous birds to guard against.
It was absolute chaos and they were being overwhelmed.
Steven was about to panic when he heard a voice whisper in his ear "Miss me? Da-ze." Whipping around he saw standing there, a grinning Korean. "Wow, they can really through a party here, ne?"
Without waiting for an answer, the sound of a sword being drawn beside him rang through the air as Yong Soo shouted "Charge!" and from behind him came a giant host of ghostly figures who just rammed into the invaders...
"Yong Soo, what did you do?" said Steven in awe.
"Nothing much, I just unleashed some of the dead. You know, some aboriginal tribes, the Viking Einherjar and a few others, no big deal."
"...So you say." responded the Australian with a shake of his head before running forward to join the battle again.
Seconds after that, there were the shrieks of dragons as they dropped from the skies, engaging in aerial battle and all the way from the resistance's base you could hear Denmark's wild cackle (and Italy's call of "For Pasta and For Glory" and Germany's facepalm) as his army of sea monsters and mer creatures engaged the enormous fleet and it's protectors.
The Ambassadors had been successful and were coming back, perhaps they could rout the witch's forces yet! The Ambassadors had been successful and were coming back, perhaps they could rout the witch's forces yet!
From the forests to the East, a fairly large ragtag group came bursting forth and attacked Morgan's forces from behind. All sorts of great and terrible creatures, some good and pure like the Chinese Ki-Lin a deer with a horn, ox tail and fish scaled body, and others were frequently described as evil like the Adlet, the Inuit blood-drinking humanoid with dog legs.
However, if it is in your nature to do something, an instinct, something to sustain yourself, then should you be called evil for doing it?
No, not here anyway, for all kinds of "good" and "evil" creatures were fighting together in order to destroy the true evil, that which was taking away their freedom to choose. There were the Hawaiian Menehune, naked tricksters (though covered by long hair) with a mastery in magic battling beside Japanese Tanuki who fought alongside the horrific Slendermen. The Erinyes or furies depending, the female personifications of vengeance, punishers of oath breakers and personifications of the deads anger, their eyes dripping in blood with great bat wings were fighting beside nymphs.
And just like that, the tides of battle changed.
Between the two of them, this mission was essere cosa fatta. A done deal. Thought his totem's speed and Kaoru's totems camouflage, they had easily snuck past and incapacitated the guards to one of the underground jar rooms that Matthew had given them the map to. It was amusing, at one point when they had been discovered by the two remaining guards, Kaoru had just gone completely pangolin before curling up, after which Romano hurled him at the two with a shout of "Strike!"
Then they got to an enormous room with about Four Thousand jars or so in them, now was time for the best part.
Destruction.
Evil grins sped across their faces as they knocked shelves over, took baseball bats to them and just generally massacred any and everything in that room.
Now time to see how the other two teams did before running back to the battlefield.
After they had descended, their enemies had not taken long to find them and they were running blind. England and New Zealand had been grabbed by France who was directing them around with the help of his bat totem but shortly they came to a dead end. Hearing a shuffling sound behind her, Liechtenstein immediately tackled Vash as the sound of a wok passed overhead. Realizing they now truly had no other option but to fight Russia gently lay America and Kumajiro against a boulder and drew his pipe. Perhaps if he beat them all into submission this entire problem would go away and his sister would be back.
"Кол кол кол кол кол!"
The others coming to a similar conclusion joined them after England magicked up some light.
As their allies joined into the fray, Morgan was in for a second surprise, one that it was certain she would like even less. Streaks of blue light could be seen shooting around the field, slamming into one person or disappearing into the distance. It appeared that the teams sent to liberate the imprisoned consciences had been successful as many of their enemies stopped fighting to grab their heads as if they had a bad headache, giving an ally the chance to cut of the spider talisman while everyone from the infirmary came charging out to join in the fighting.
Despite many of her own fighters turning against her and having her forces routed, Morgan continued to fight, a manic grin on her face as those who truly joined her of their own will, re-organized themselves and began to push back.
Gilbert somehow found himself face to face with one of the main reasons behind their problems, running in to defend Gilgamesh from her finishing blow and began trading blows with her. She was no match for a former personification of an order of knights and now retrained in so many styles of fighting he had her on edge. However as he fought, he could not help but find her familiar, the witch apparently felt the same as she demanded through clenched teeth "How do I know you cur?"
"Tsk tsk, your ladyship that's hardly kind of you. Formal manners demand that you introduced yourself first."
"Insolent peasant! I'll have you know that you are addressing Morgan Le Fay, the one who should have been England!"
Gilbert froze for a moment, though quickly recovered. That had never occurred to him before but she had shown up in their histories at just that right time...she was the one who was supposed to replace Arthur as the personification of England if Mordred had succeeded. That meant...
"Well, I'll have YOU know that you are addressing the great awesome me, the awesome former kingdom of Prussia and now East Germany, at your service." he added with a sneer. "I suppose all of this is because you are throwing a hissy-fit that you lost and want to try again despite the fact that hundreds of years have past?"
At that, she froze and stared which he took as his opportunity to dart in and stab her while he mocked "So it's true then. Aren't you a sore loser?"
Despite the freely flowing chest wound, she eagerly began trading blows again. "You do not understand. It was supposed to be MINE. That old fogey and his king were on their way out, they had no concept of how the world worked. It would have been so simple had the Fae not intervened! They are the only reason that that incompetent twat won! It was rightfully ours!" Snarling she tried to slash him but Gilbert just turned past her as he said "I understand, more then you could know but you can't dwell on the past, it gets in the way of the present." With that, he ran her through from behind, though as he did so, he was shocked as the sword grew and became a two handed sword, the letters Excalibur clearly seen etched into the blade.
Drawing his blade back out, Prussia failed to notice her smug look and where she was looking until it was too late. "You ruined my dreams, let me return the favour!" Darting forward before he could even react, she stabbed the figure behind him through the side before collapsing. Her forces upon seeing their leaders death began to retreat and fell prey to the resistance who chased after them but that was not Gilbert's focus. No, his eyes were solely focused on a mop of blond hair framing wide purple eyes.
Why was Matthew on the battlefield in his state?
After Alfred had told him what he had seen outside, Matthew could not lay idle and had struggled to his feet before he then grabbed a sword to go join the fray, Alfred watching from inside his mind, giving him a heads-up on an enemy and such. They had just taken out a troll when they heard behind them "...return the favour!" and then all he had felt was an enormous pain bloom in his side, Alfred echoing his scream in their joined minds as he was injured at the same time through their connection, disappearing a few seconds later from his mindscape. Then he collapsed against a nearby boulder which then lit up with many runes and began to draw power from him.
Shit. Shit shit shit shit. Was all that Matthew could think as he felt the magic being drawn out of him, this wound was dangerous enough on his own, what had he done that had pissed fate off so much?
~Flashback~
"Your magic is bound by some old, very powerful magic, if you draw on beyond a small amount, the defensive aspect will activate and the seal will kill you"
~End Flashback~
Well, fuck. Looks like this is it, this stone is pulling out too much. He thought seeing black runes and symbols appear all over his skin. Looking up and seeing Gilbert's panicked face, he mouthed "I'm sorry" before he grabbed for some of the pent up power being pulled from him (centuries worth) and reaching around with his mind, grabbed each of his friend's auras and pulling them through the newly opened gate.
It was astonishing how quickly things happened, Arthur would later think. Barely a second after Alfred suddenly opened his eyes with a yelp and began bleeding from a stab wound on his chest, he slumped again into unconsciousness. As this happened a glowing alerted them all of the re-activation of a gatestone, the same rock that America was leaning against. As Russia leaned over the other protectively as the others attacked, Kumajiro on America's lap, the bear's eyes OPENED and spoke the three words that signalled the beginning of all the chaos.
"They are coming."
Simultaneously, as those words were uttered all the attacking nations froze before collapsing, joining Alfred in la-la land.
"Ach zum Teufel?" breathed Liechtenstein, not relaxing her grip on the fold-up chair she'd found and had been using as a weapon, Switzerland looking similarly stunned beside her. Actually, scratch that, they all looked rather stunned by this surprising turn of events- their enemies downed, the last gate, America's return to unconsciousness and the bear talking.
Immediately after the threat was gone, Russia gently picked up America and quickly climbed back up into the panic room in order to treat the gaping, bleeding wound in the others side began to others follow, each carrying one of the unconscious nations.
Then he felt something that made his hair stand on end, with the last gatestone restored there had been a minor surge of magic similar to what had woken them up previously but this was one another level entirely. Pure, RAW magical power crackled through the air as a great white wolf charged into existence, leaving a swirl of winds behind it, forming a portal.
As this happened, Kumajiro ran forwards and stared at the mass of swirling air and magic expectantly, Gilbird joining him, nesting in his fur. The Aussie's koala bear, Germany's Aster, Blackie and Berlitz and the Netherlands rabbit also sat nearby, watching. That could only thing to Arthur's mind, somehow the others had managed to open a stable portal and were coming through.
Not even daring to move or even breathe, those who remained among the living (in the awake sense), watched as first a bloodied hand emerged followed by an arm and then just a mass of people fell out onto one another.
"MATTHEW!" cried a desperate voice. Gilbert. not even looking at the conditions of the others began pushing and throwing them up until he got to the bottom of the pile. When Arthur saw what lay there, he swore he stopped breathing for a moment.
There in a quickly forming puddle of blood was his former colony Canada with an identical chest wound to America's but what scared England the most was the inky-black symbols covering his body. From what he could recall, it was an ancient sealing spell, something confirmed by the runes dotting the skin between the symbols, which were lethal when their condition were broken.
Panicking, he shouted them all back into better light and where the medical supplies were. In those seconds, he took in all of their appearances. All of them were wearing clothes reminiscent of their tribal days and their expressions were somewhat haunted as they frequently were after wars and none of them were uninjured, though there was nothing too serious to be looked at. Despite the few descriptions provided by Alfred, he could only wonder what on Earth they had gone through, even Katyusha's face was battle hardened.
Sending Francis and Liechtenstein to begin first aid on the others, Arthur lay Matt down on one of the cots, and he and Vash (the Red Cross came from him after all) immediately began checking his ABC's -Airway, Breathing and Circulation – however Matt was not breathing nor did the Canadian have a pulse, in fact, his body was starting to cool. Not good. As Vash began CPR, Arthur looked over at where the provinces were, all were present, some even beginning to wake, Queensland even running over to where Steven was being treated. However for Newfoundland and Labrador and Nunavut were gone while Saskatchewan and Alberta were nearly completely transparent while Yukon was just beginning to fade. In a moment, utter fear grasped him when he saw that Kumajiro was gone, not just not around gone but as in vanished gone with Canada being legally dead, his provinces beginning to fade and his companion had vanished, things were not looking promising. The only bright side was that on this side if Matthew did disappear, his land wouldn't sink/be destroyed but rather would descend either into civil war or be snapped up by a neighbouring country, though is they were lucky perhaps he would be reborn instead...
Prussia must have noticed the defeated look on his face because he shook off France's attempts at bandaging his wounds and ran over.
Gilbert was scared. This was something as it was not ever something he would normally ever readily admit being, even to himself at any point, but this? He had thought the other lost twice now and was now dying (he refused to even think that other word) in front of him. What could he do? He would do anything, ANYTHING, to see those purple eyes open again.
Anything? A voice echoed around in his head and in his mind's eye, he saw his totem, the little orange bird staring at him.
Yes, YES! Anything! He thought desperately as Arthur slumped and Vash stopped CPR as Matthew began to go clear and Saskatchewan, Alberta and Yukon vanished while P.E.I, B.C, Northwest Territories and Manitoba could barely be seen.
You'll do just fine it responded after a moment's pause while it felt like it was looking at his intentions. Which it very well could be, after all, it was part of his soul. With that the bird's form began to twist and grow
In his mind, Gilbert could do nothing but gape at his fully grown totem as it explained what he must do. Now knowing what the consequences will be, are you sure that this is still your wish?
Without hesitation, the albino answered Ja.
Gilbert immediately set about gathering his companions around the fading Canadian and told them to set up for the healing ceremony that Shin'ari had taught them way back to heal their kind. It was based off of the traditional ceremony but as they were more then human another ring had had to be added to strengthen it and the first ring's attributes would have to be reassigned. They were more then flesh and bone so while the first (original) circle was still based off the elements Earth, Air, Fire and Water which would help heal their persona, the added second circle was based off the Cardinal Directions. The directions not only included, well, location but also encompassed the seasons and the power given in it would strengthen the land. The difference between this healing ceremony and the one they would perform, he explained, would be within the other two circles there would be a third where the two Italys would be acting as Balances and provide a barrier while he left his role a secret. Without question, as time was of the essence (though there were a few questioning looks), the others got in position and brought out their totems to help with the spell weaving, ignoring Arthur, Francis, Lily and Vash's questions.
Gupta, Kaoru, Lars and Katyusha formed one large circle, with Mathias, Ludwig, Steven and Yong Soo in a smaller second. In the third circle sat Romano and Feliciano opposite one another with Matthew and Gilbert in the centre.
It began when Egypt stepped forward and as soon as he began to move a magical circle (looking similar to a transmutation circle) appeared and began to glow under him. Each motion that followed was done with deliberation, though each gesture was sharp, moving his arms and sliding his feet from one stance to another as he began to chant. His spirit jackal moved around his feet, adding it's power to the spell. Soon the ground surrounding him began to respond to his movements, the ground rising and falling as his jackal took on more earthy tones until with a last gesture of his arm it became complete stone. Following Gupta's shout of "Earth", the creature jumped and as if it hit an invisible barrier, it's body compacted, leaving only a stylized jackal head to hang suspended in the air.
As soon as his movements stilled, Lars stepping forward, lighting his pipe as he did so, and activated his own circle. He too began to perform a sort of dance but his movements were a direct opposite of the Egyptians - where Gupta was solid, Lars performed very light movements, feet barely touching, leaving a trail of smoke in his wake. His otter totem twined it's way around his feet as it also danced, chasing after the smoke. As his steps began to speed up ever so slightly, he started to chant while his right hand took the pipe. It was fairly easy to see with the smoke clinging to the Dutchman like a second skin, how each motion with his hand or foot created minor little zephyrs or whirlwinds. Taking the pipe again in his mouth, he made a smoke ring which his totem took within itself, dissolving partly into the vapour. He then shouted "Air", after which the otter curled within itself and turned into a similarly styled floating head.
Following him, Hong Kong stepped forward and another circle appeared under him. His movements were rather quick and fierce, looking more like a dance. His movements were filled with leaps and quick gestures, twisting and turning as though he was incapable of staying grounded or facing one direction, his totem mimicking him exactly. He also began to chant and soon flame followed his every movement, like entrancing ribbons they floated through the air while his quick gestures with his hands produced sparks until with a jumping snap kick he shot a ball of flame into the air where the Pangolin jumped, fusing with it. As Kaoru shouted "Flame!", the ball of flame uncurled in mid air, leaving a fiery floating pangolin head in it's wake.
Finally Katyusha stepped forward and her circle lit up, her face filled with determination, no tears to be seen. Her movements were a bit slower but were fluid, performing a series of complicated steps while making it look effortless, as though she was gliding, dancing around her totem. With each step, the water she was drawing from the air and manipulating grew and followed. Soon the bear rose onto it's hind legs as she drew both arms out in front of her and with a snap of her wrists she left a mini-rivers floating in the air which the bear dove into, merging with it, giving the water's its power. With her cry of"Water", the totem left behind a suspended watery bear head.
With her shout all of the four circles expanded to meet the others and encompassed the others in their glowing and as they did each totem head flattened before dropping to the ground into the spaces left behind by the circle completing it. With that, the circle flashed briefly and began to glow blue while the next circle inside of it began to emit of soft white light. Their part done, the four sat cross-legged and concentrated on continuing on providing energy and magic to keep the spell going.
This next part was interesting and they were were very lucky that they were able to meet the requirements, as because attributes were connected to the cardinal directions, those embodying each point had to be South of or East with respect to the country of Canada. All points except for North were easy to fulfil but that concern had been quickly passed when it was realized that Denmark would technically count because of his holdings in Greenland.
Denmark then stood in front of the Earth symbol and began to move, acting out the fierce blizzards of the North, cold snaps and the long months of scavenging, of winter. His movements were slow but fierce and strong, with a hint of desperation and fear adding a certain savagery to it. As Mathias began to chant, then Korea stepped forward to the Western mark in front of the air symbol and also began to move, his actions energetic, mimicking the renewal of the Earth, showing the joy of growth, of rebirth as the cold receded and the life giving rain that comes, of spring. Soon after, Yong Soo's movements also gained strength and he began to chant as well, which was when Steven stepped out in front of the fire symbol for the Southern point and began to move, his motions were unhurried, calm but showed hidden strength; his movements promising the planting of crops, of hard work, of plenty with the warning of heat and storms, of summer. Lastly, as the others continued to weave their magic, Germany stepped into place for the Eastern point in front of the water marker and joined in. His actions were somewhat hurried, not like Yong Soo's but rather with with a sort of need, his action promising the harvest, the preservation of food to provide in winter, the falling of the leaves, the turning of weather, of the fall. Once he also joined in the chanting, their movements matched up and, after shouted the direction they were representing, they summoned their totems. Mathias's killer whale flew forward to meet Steven's Tasmanian devil, Ludwig's German Shepard and Yong Soo's fox ran together and fused to form the compass rose, which then fell to the ground completing the second circle.
As the four of them sat cross-legged as well and focused their magic, the circle flashed and began to glow a pale green.
Meanwhile, Arthur and the others were stunned by the turn of events, Matthew's wounds had healed, though he was still transparent and same went for his remaining provinces and territories. Only New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Québec and Ontario remained and they were only barely there. What were they trying to do? As loathe as they were to admit it, the boy was gone...
As soon as the second circle was completed, Feliciano and Romano had done their job of creating two barriers, one between the first two circles and them and then one in between them and the third circle. They would prevent anything from leaking out and disrupting the first two circles while also keeping the magic fuelling Matthew's healing from being disrupted by what Gilbert was going to do.
Gilbert took a deep breath, steadying himself and began to dance. While what the others had done earlier was more of a series of motions interconnected to increase the power of what they were doing, Gilbert was actually dancing, each movement having a specific purpose behind it, nothing was wasted. Then he began to chant as well but unlike the others, what he said was not in the tongue of the world from which they had just come but was rather dictated by his totem in his presently favoured tongue, making the magic stronger. With each word though, those who understood German began to worry as to what exactly Prussia was doing.
Ich steh vor deinem Altar
Weiss nicht wer ich bin, wer ich war.
Diese Welt mich nicht liebt
Wie gnadenlos die Zeit vergeht
Here Germany paled looking somewhat upset and more and more nervous, he did not like where this was going, especially with the magical power being focused by those words and movements.
wie sich der Zeiger dreht
unentwegt
Er steht nie still
Little will o' the wisps appeared around the two, some hovering around the prone body, others interacting with Gilbert's twists, turns and leaps.
Er ist weg.
Siehst du mich?
Hörst du mich ?
Those little floating flames then began to merge together and move, floating around the Prussian
Was hab ich dir getan?
Warum zerstörst du mich?
Diese Welt ist sehr leer.
Ich biete dir mein Leben
At those words, all present who knew German looked at him astonished and Ludwig attempted to get up, to go stop him but couldn't move while the spell was still in effect, being woven and as part of it, could only watch helplessly.
Schmerz und kummer mich verzehrt
Nimm mich mit.
Aus dem Dunkel.
Ich schenke dir mein Leben
Wirst du ihm es geben?
Jeder wartet.
Tod!
Those little flames were now large burning flames and had settled in a floating circle around Prussia's feet, growing with each word
Was willst du von mir?
Nennen Sie Ihren Preis
Das letzte Urteil beruht
Um die Zukunft und eine tödliche trinken.
With that last word, the fire took shape and took off, becoming a giant flaming bird, it was about the size of an eagle, it was mostly a red-orange, orange and gold, with long colourful tail feathers. Wheeling about, it banked and dove straight for Gilbert who stretched out his arms as if in welcome.
Mein Leben ist Deine, nehmen Sie es!
And the bird consumed him in flame.
Staring at the spot where his brother once stood, Ludwig was overwhelmed with horror, he barely registered the sensation of his land expanding and him growing an inch or two. He was now Germany. No more East. No more West. He embodied all of it, but felt no joy in the joining. His brother was gone, the bird burning him up before diving into Matthew. The glowing of the circles gone, he once again tried to move but was again unable to, surprisingly the spell was still in effect.
Outside the circles, the others stared in horror the events in the circle and at the table that had once housed Matthew's thirteen provinces and territories but was now empty. This had gone from one disaster to another, Arthur thought and it's all my fault...but how could I have forseen this doom? And even after all that he thought looking closer at the figures he is still not breathing and is nearly completely transparent. Bollocks.
Gilbert opened his eyes, he was in a large white space with the wind whipping around and field as far as the eye could see. Was this what the nation's afterlife looked like? Perhaps he could see Old Man Germania again. Ah well, there was time to explore later. He needed to track down Matthew.
After what felt like an eternity of searching he heard it, a haunting voice on the wind:
In Flanders fields the poppies blow...
He was over there.
...Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky, The larks, still bravely singing, fly, Scarce heard amid the guns below.
Running over endless grass he came to a field of poppies and there in the centre lying among them was his Matthew. Slowing he walked over, doing his best not to trod on the flowers
We are the Dead. Short days ago, We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields.
Reaching the Canadian, he was startled to see him just lying there, not even having noticed his approach, arms crossed over his chest, he looked like he could be in a suit in a lovely wooden box about to be lowered six feet under. Now, how to wake him from his stupor?
Take up our quarrel with the foe:To you from failing hands we throw. The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die, We shall not sleep, though poppies grow, In Flanders fields.
That was it! He had visited Canada on his birthday once and had had to track him down to Newfoundland where he was surprised not to see celebration but rather a more solemn air. As he found out, here they held another remembrance day, Memorial day, in honour of those who had died in the Somme. The Somme, das Blutbad as it had become known among the Germans. On the first, the Newfoundlanders had lost 90% of their fighters in Beaumont Hamel with only 68 people turning up the next morning for role call. He had found Matthew that day holding the fully grown man, now his son, in his arms and reciting this at him, it had helped comfort John then, perhaps it would help bring Matthew back from the brink.
Taking a deep breath, he began, his voice overriding the haunting one on the wind
We have kept faith, ye Flanders' dead, Sleep well beneath those poppies red, That mark your place. The torch your dying hands did throw, We've held it high before the foe, And answered bitter blow for blow, In Flanders' fields.
It appeared to be working as Canada opened his eyes, though they were glazed over, staring at something Prussia couldn't see
And where your heroes' blood was spilled, The guns are now forever stilled, And silent grown. There is no moaning of the slain, There is no cry of tortured pain, And blood will never flow again, In Flanders' fields.
Yep it was definitely working as the other sat up and regained some colour in his cheeks. Crouching down, he enveloped the other in a hug as he finished.
Forever holy in our sight, Shall be those crosses gleaming white, That guard your sleep. Rest you in peace, the task is done, The fight you left us we have won. And "Peace on Earth" has just begun
Just as he began to say the last sentence, he heard another voice join his own
In Flanders' now.
"G-Gil? What?"
"Did you really think you could get rid of me so easily?"
"Wh-No? I wasn't trying to get rid of you...or I don't think I was, was I?"
Chuckling at the others confusion, Gilbert said "I would imagine you did think so, though Death is no obstacle for the great me, ja?"
"DEATH!"
"Yeah, you're dead Matt" Gilbert said, his voice soft now "I'm here to bring you back."
"But...That's not possible! In any story where they bring the dead back to life it doesn't work or the person become a vampire or zombie or something! The dead are meant to stay that way!"
"Well, they failed because they didn't have the awesome me there. And you are NOT supposed to BE dead! Your country is healthy and prospering, your people strong (if lacking backbone at times) and you haven't been taken over! We are not normal humans Matt, I can send you back. Ready?"
"Ready for whaAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
Just then he felt himself take flight as a large bird swooped in and grabbed him in it's talons. Looking down he saw Gilbert waving at him, why wasn't he coming with him?
"Gilllllllllllllllll!"
Watching the Canadian become but a dot in the sky, he whispered "Goodbye Matt." After all, he could not follow, he had sacrificed his identity as East Germany to come here and as such could not return to the world of the living anytime soon "I better not see you back here for some time Birdie"
Walking off, he was startled when he felt a tap on his shoulder "Not yet, you cannot go there."
Not even a full minute after the bird's flames consumed his brother, Matthew had completely faded away into the air. Was everything for naught? Their suffering in the other world, his brother's sacrifice? It was just not fair! Though he reminded himself But whoever said life is fair? Where was that written? Life isn't fair. He had only been reunited with his brother with what only felt like weeks, though it had been decades and yet he was snatched away from him again...
"Gil..."
Suddenly a deep drumming noise came thrumming through the air, methodical and steady and within the empty circle a small figure in a black cloak seemed to just to jump up from the ground and began to dance to the beat.
The dance was a simple one a few shuffle steps forward in back with the figure doubling over at some points. Then the sound of rattle joined in the the deep beat and another figure in black jumped up to join the first, their dance shifting to a more energetic one with quick turns and wider steps. This trend continued with as with each new instrument joining in (box drum, bells, foot drums, wooden flutes, whistles, rattles, end-blown flutes, etc) another figure would join in the dance and their movements would change until there were fourteen figures simultaneously leaping, twirling and moving around to the beat.
After a moment or too all of their movements changed, each cloaked figure now moving separately, still moving perfectly with the constant drum beat. Each figure's dance was reminiscent of an animal's movements- the deer's jump, the puma's prowl, the snake's slithering and the bird's flight. With this, the others could finally see their faces as the hoods of their cloaks fell off displaying the beautiful masks all of them wore. Two bore the elaborate cedar dance masks of the West Coast tribes, another the Iroquois wooden false face masks and yet two more wore the ceremonial corn husk mask. There was one bearing the Hamatasa mask, another an Ancestral mask, one a Wolf mask, another a Raven and one a Thunderbird mask. There was also one wearing a Tsonokwa, another an Inuit caribou Hide mask and two more the Yup'ik mask. There were feathers woven in their hair which ranged in all possible colours: from white to blond to red to brown to black. As they danced, they slowly grew, some gaining the height of a pre-teen, others the height of someone in their late teens.
For the first time, the steady drum beat began to speed up and with it, so did the dancers movements, the weight of the spell woven could be felt despite the barrier that the Italian twins were still holding. A fog of sorts began to swirl around the figures, slowly taking form one by one to join in the dance. The first to solidify enough to distinguish what it was, was a loon, which flew across the circle just as another bit of the fog solidified enough to discern a snowy owl which flew to the opposing figure that the loon had flown too. The next one was the Duck-Tolling Retriever which nearly bowled over the little Black-capped Chickadee as it raced over to one of the dancers. The little bird made it's way to the figure beside them while a great Bison appeared next, charging forward, followed by an Arctic Grayling which swum through the air. The Kermode bear or Spirit Bear was the next to solidify from the smoke, with the Blue Jay and Raven springing up shortly after, each making their way to a dancing figure. A White Tailed Deer, the Big Horned Sheep and Caribou were next until all but two had some sort of smoky animal dancing with them until, at last, an Eskimo Dog and Eagle appeared to join the last two.
Next each of the figures sketched into the air some sort of symbol that resembled the creature dancing with them as the music intensified. With a great shout, they all stamped their feet down and then there was a bright flash of light followed by a wave of power as the barrier broke.
I'm going to have my ass handed to me aren't I? Let me appease you with this offer- as soon as both of these are correctly answered (and it's not on the 23rd, 24th or 25th as I have exams then that take priority sorry), the next chapter will be uploaded for youuuuuuuu :)
WHAT significant event happened on the date that all this happened (as in why I would have chosen it)
AND
WHICH 3 songs compose Gil's spell (hint: two are originally in German and one is in English, 1-2 of the lines are my own though)
Einherjar- Norse- the great heroes who have died with bravery on the battle fields, every day the train by fighting each other until they are cut into pieces and are miraculously restored by nightfall to feast with Odin in Valhalla
The two poems mentioned, one of them is In Flanders Fields by Major John McCrae and the other is by Edna Jacques and is a response poem to the first and is called In Flanders Now
Translations
essere cosa fatta (Italian- A done deal. To have it in the bag)
Ой пиздец! Принес какой-то хуй Европу! (Russian mat- no direct En. translation, best- Oh Fuck! Some dick brought all of Europe to the door)
Ach, zum Teufel? (Ger- What the hell?)
Ich steh vor deinem Altar / Weiss nicht wer ich bin, wer ich war. / Diese Welt mich nicht liebt / wie gnadenlos die Zeit vergeht / wie sich der Zeiger dreht / unentwegt / Er steht nie still / Er ist weg. / Siehst du mich? / Hörst du mich ?/ Was hab ich dir getan? / Warum zerstörst du mich? / Diese Welt ist sehr leer. / Ich biete dir mein Leben / Schmerz und kummer mich verzehrt / Nimm mich mit. / Aus dem Dunkel. / Ich schenke dir mein Leben / Wirst du ihm es geben?/ Jeder wartet./ Tod!/ Was willst du von mir?/ Nennen Sie Ihren Preis / Das letzte Urteil beruht / Um die Zukunft und eine tödliche trinken. / Mein Leben ist Deine, nehmen Sie es!
(Ger- I stand before your altar / I don't know who I am or who I was / This world loves me not / how mercilessly time passes / how the hand turns / constant / It never stands still / He is gone / Can you see me? / Can you hear me? / What have I done? / Why are you destroying me? / This world is so empty / I offer you my life / Pain and grief consumes me / Take me out / Out of darkness / I give you my life / Will you give him his? / Everyone is waiting / Death /What do you want from me? / Name your price. / The last judgement rests / To the future and a deadly drink / I give you my life.)
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