Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.
Chapter 12
"…Are you sure you should have let them go?" Heracles asked.
Gupta stared at the direction in which the three sorcerers disappeared. There were many things that he probably should have told them, but he could tell that they weren't ready for something like that.
"I'm sure," Gupta said. "They need to learn the truth on their own. I just hope that they discover it before Nemthys and his followers find them."
"What exactly is the truth?" Kostas asked.
"It's hard to explain. Anyway, I think we should heed their words. If my former comrades are active here, then it's best to leave."
Nemthys didn't appreciate traitors. Gupta suspected that it was only a matter of time before his former master would find him. He would also be angry that Gupta had met the new generation and didn't bring them to him.
Still, he couldn't help but think of the bond the three of them already shared. Two of them hadn't hesitated to tell him that they trusted each other. But he focused instead on the third one. He was scared, that much Gupta could see, and clung to the other two. That was more important than any words that they could say.
A strong bond was important. Nemthys knew it too. Gupta knew that Nemthys wanted to capture them before they became too strong. It could benefit him, but it could also be dangerous for him. He would want to have them before they were too dangerous. This was how it had always been, for the thousand years that Gupta had been alive.
He looked back to the direction that the three had disappeared to. He hoped that they would be alright, and they would be, as long as they didn't face any of Nemthys's more dangerous followers.
…
"It's too hot," Vlad whined. "When are we going to find some shade?"
"No idea," Arthur said. "But I agree. It's way too hot to travel through the desert right now."
"Do you think we should use magic to cast shade again?" Lukas asked.
"Maybe not. Gupta was right. We're in an area that despises sorcerers. There's always a chance that we might encounter someone else that would not be sympathetic to us."
"There are a lot of merchants and bandits in the desert," Vlad said. "The camels they use blend into the surroundings, and they also wear clothes to the same effect. The idea is that the other group shouldn't see them. And we won't be able to see them until they're close."
"Couldn't we perhaps buy some appropriate clothes from the merchants?"
"Not a good idea. First, we don't know if the merchants we might encounter are in fact merchants and not bandits who'd just gotten lucky. Second, if they are merchants, we have no way of knowing if they'd even have the type of things we'd need. They might be transporting something else. Third, if these merchants are working to deliver an order, then we'd be out of luck. And fourth… the products they sell might also be humans."
"You mean, slave traders," Lukas said. He was silent for a moment. "Do you think we can use the map to find another oasis? We can at least wait there until it's a bit cooler."
"That sounds like a grand idea," Arthur sighed.
It took them another hour to find an oasis. By then, they were considerably red-faced and glistening. Vlad immediately stuck his head in the waters and resurfaced a few seconds later.
"This is heaven!" Vlad exclaimed. "You need to try this!"
"I don't think so," Lukas said. Arthur nodded his head. "Anyway, how long do you think we should stay here?"
Vlad looked up towards the sky as the horses made their way to the watering hole, following his lead.
"I'd say about three hours," Vlad said. "The sun is at its highest, and this is the hottest time of the day. It would be suicide to travel now."
"Good to know," Arthur said as Lukas went to refill their water. "So, what are we going to do until then?"
"Sleep."
Vlad stumbled towards a bunch of trees and made himself comfortable beneath them. Arthur chuckled when he realised that Vlad was already asleep.
"It must be nice to be able to fall asleep so quickly," Arthur said.
"Yeah," Lukas said. "He must feel really relaxed around us."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, think about it. Would you be able to fall asleep if you couldn't feel comfortable around someone you have to travel with?"
Arthur thought about it, and he had to admit that Lukas had a point. He thought about the question Gupta had asked earlier. Vlad didn't answer, but his words weren't necessary. He managed to say enough without saying a word.
"We should also discuss what Gupta told us," Arthur said. "Do you think he was honest with us?"
"I don't know if he was completely honest," Lukas admitted, "but I think he told us at least some true things. One thing that I think he was honest about was the fact that Nemthys is still feared by many, and that his name is taboo. I don't think finding more information on him is going to be easy."
"…Right. Do you think that… the other thing he mentioned is also true?"
"Could you be more specific?"
"That… He uses sorcerers for his power? It would certainly explain some of his followers' actions. They wanted to get us to come willingly, or at least as willing as possible. Could it be that… The reason for that is because they wanted us for our power? That… after they used us to get the jewels, he's going to drain us, and that the less damaged we are, the better it would be?"
Lukas didn't answer immediately. He removed the jewel and stared at the red gem. His eyes snapped away when he heard Vlad whimper. The younger boy was probably reacting to the presence of the jewel. Lukas returned it to his pocket.
"That worries me too," Lukas said. "But that only means that we need to get this over with as soon as possible. The less time he has to try to capture us, the safer we'd be."
Arthur nodded, though he seemed distracted. Lukas could guess why that would be.
"You're worried that they would go after your brothers, aren't you?" Lukas asked.
"Yes," Arthur said. "And… what about you? Aren't you worried about your brother?"
"Emil didn't inherit any magic. He has a bit of the Sight, but it's too weak to be of any relevance. And Mathias and Berwald are completely mundane. But… From what I saw of your brothers, they'd be more than able to take care of themselves."
Arthur still looked unsure. Lukas grabbed Arthur's hands. They felt warm in his own.
"Nothing's going to happen to your brothers," Lukas said. "We'll meet up with them in a few days, and you'll see that there never was anything to fear."
"I hope you're right," Arthur said. "It's just… We used to live a simple life. None of us anticipated any sort of adventure, especially one that would end up stopping a god. I just… This is more than I think I can take."
Lukas squeezed Arthur's hands.
"You're stronger than you think you are," Lukas whispered. "You have a lot of mental fortitude. I can see it whenever I look in your eyes."
Arthur gave a small smile.
"And… You have a strong spirit too," Arthur said. "And Vlad… Vlad has a gentle heart. Despite everything he's been through he still has so much innocence. I… I want to protect that."
"So do I," Lukas agreed. "I don't want anyone to scare him again. Remember when we first saw him?"
"How could I forget? That image is burned in my mind. I know that he was expecting death. It's just fortunate that we managed to avoid that."
"…I don't think it was death that he was afraid of. I think it was something else."
"Such as what?"
"I don't know. But I have a feeling that Vlad is more capable of imagining something like that than either of us." Lukas yawned. "I think I'll join Vlad in sleep. We still have a long journey ahead of us."
Arthur looked towards the sky and nodded.
"That's not a bad idea," Arthur said. "Let's hope we don't have any more interruptions."
…
Arthur stared at the tree in front of him. It was a large tree, and had obviously seen many generations. Yet, there was something else about it. Some sort of mystical quality that he couldn't quite place.
It was as though the tree was drawing him in, beckoning him to come forward and go inside. He took a step forward, only for a hand on his shoulder to stop him.
"Arthur." He recognised Lukas's voice. "I think we're in a dream again."
"Is that where this is?" Arthur asked, before turning his attention back to the tree. "Do you think this tree has some significance?"
"Arthur…" This was Vlad's voice. "Do you feel some sort of compulsion?"
"…Yes. I… I can't explain it. But I feel as though I need to get close to the tree."
Arthur took a step forward, and another, before he stopped and turned back to the other two.
"Are… are you just going to stand there?" Arthur asked.
"Lead the way," Lukas said.
Arthur nodded, before he started to walk forward again. He placed his hand on the tree's trunk, and he was surprised to feel heat emanating from the bark. It was almost as though the tree was alive. But it wasn't enough to just touch the tree. Arthur wanted to go inside the tree.
He found an opening, but just when he reached for it, he heard a voice echo.
Go away.
"What's that?" Lukas asked.
Arthur jumped. Lukas was closer than he had thought. He turned around to see him and Vlad right behind him.
Go away.
"What's going on?" Vlad asked, his eyes going to the sky.
Arthur followed his gaze, and he could see the sky darkening. He felt a terrible foreboding. There was something happening, and they needed to get away before it happened.
Go away!
…
Arthur's eyes snapped open. He sat up, breathing heavily. He was covered in sweat, but it had nothing to do with the desert heat. In fact, he felt rather cold.
"What the hell?" Lukas exclaimed, jerking awake just as violently. "What was that? And…?"
Arthur glanced towards Lukas, who removed the gem from his pocket and threw it away from him. Arthur frowned. After all the trouble they went through to get it…
Vlad apparently thought the same thing, for he went to pick it up, before yelping and dropping it again. He immediately started to suck his fingers.
"Hot!" Vlad exclaimed. "Why is it so hot?"
"Hot?" Arthur repeated, before he reached out to touch the gem as well. His fingers immediately drew back and he frowned. "What the bloody hell is going on?"
"That's what I want to know," Lukas said. "And what was going on with that dream?"
"I don't know. But… Do you think that dream might be a real place?"
"Well, whether it's real or not doesn't matter. I want to know the importance of it."
"Maybe it's where the next jewel is," Vlad suggested. "I mean, we found this one in a mine. Why wouldn't the next one be in a tree?"
"…You know, that's entirely possible," Arthur said. "After all, it's the Forest Mind. It would make sense for it to be in the forest, in a giant tree. But… I don't exactly recall ever hearing of such a tree, and I've been living in the forest my entire life."
"But the forest is large, and it's entirely possible that you hadn't been to every part of it," Lukas pointed out.
"Yes, but I could still have heard about it. That's what makes this so strange. Anyway, I think it's safe for us to continue travelling again."
Vlad looked up to the sky and nodded his head. After readying the horses and ensuring that they had enough water, they set out again.
None of them spoke. They were intent on leaving the desert as soon as possible. They also didn't want any distractions, in case something happened. The encounter with Gupta and his companions reminded them that they were still in dangerous territory, and with Nemthys and his followers hunting them, it was dangerous to trust anyone.
…
"…The ground sounds different," Vlad remarked, before he looked down.
"I think we reached a grassy area," Arthur said. "Finally, we're leaving this desert. The forest should come along soon enough."
"Wonderful," Lukas exhaled. "I think, after we enter the treeline, we travel for another hour or so before we turn in for the night."
"Are you tired already?" Vlad asked, looking back.
"It's more of a mental exhaustion. That desert really took a lot out of me. How could anyone want to live there?"
"Your guess is as good as mine," Arthur remarked.
In the end, they travelled for another two hours before they settled down. They managed to find a stream, so the horses were happy. After securing the horses, the trio settled down and made a small fire, where they cooked the last of their rations.
"We'll need to get more food soon," Lukas said. "Do you think the stream has any fish?"
"We could try fishing in the morning," Arthur said. "We can also see if we can gather any berries. How good are you with hunting?"
"I'm good at fishing. Hunting is not for me."
"Okay, then I'll do the hunting. Vlad… Do you know how to identify different fruits?"
Vlad shook his head. Arthur bit his lip.
"The last thing we'd want is to have nothing but poisonous fruit," Arthur remarked. "You wouldn't be able to use your magic to identify anything?"
During their travels, Arthur and Lukas had tried to teach Vlad as much about magic as they could. It was difficult when they couldn't spend more time simply focusing on what they were doing. But by sharing their knowledge, they were able to teach Vlad something, even if it was only how to properly control his magic.
"I don't know," Vlad said. He frowned. "I'll see if I can do something. Otherwise, I could make sure that the horses are in a good condition. I sometimes had to help out in the stables, so I know what to do."
"That would be a great help," Lukas said. "Thank you."
Vlad smiled. He liked the thought of being useful. He felt helpless and pathetic, seeing how Arthur and Lukas did so much to help him, while he couldn't really reciprocate. He leaned back, and he could just make out the moon through the canopy of trees.
"You know, I can't even remember the last time I was out of the desert," Vlad said. "Maybe, back before I was a slave. This is nice."
Arthur and Lukas were silent. Vlad noticed that they tended to do that whenever Vlad's past was brought up. The alternative was that they would quickly change the subject or reassure him that that life was over. But still, Vlad didn't think that it would be healthy for him to be too hopeful in that regard. He still didn't know what he would do with his life when their journey was over. He had never been allowed to think about the future. He was just prepared for the possibility of being someone's slave again.
If it had to happen, he hoped that he could belong to Arthur or Lukas. He was sure that they would be wonderful masters.
"If that's the case," Arthur said, interrupting Vlad's train of thought, "then I would have to make sure that you experience all of the beauty that the forest has to offer."
"And I will make sure that you experience the ocean," Lukas said. "Even if our journey doesn't take us there, I'll show you the ocean."
Vlad smiled and nodded. Yes, he wouldn't mind spending the rest of his life with either of them.
…
Lukas covered his mouth with his hands, squinting as he stared in front of him. They were supposed to have left the desert. So, how was he trapped in a sandstorm?
He couldn't see Vlad or Arthur anywhere, and his body was being battered in all different directions. He couldn't see or hear anything. He was just trapped.
Lukas let out a scream when he felt a hand on his wrist, before he was pulled forward. He gritted his teeth as he tried to pull away, but the grip was too strong. But before he could scream again, he found himself deep in a cave. He didn't know how that happened. Before he could ponder on it, he saw the person that grabbed him for the first time. He was locked in the red gaze.
This wasn't Vlad, and his eyes looked completely different, despite being the same colour. While Vlad reminded him of gemstones, this man reminded him of spilt blood. Lukas felt cold, and his muscles locked. This man was dangerous. He needed to run away.
"Listen, I don't have much time," the man said. "You shouldn't waste your time like this. Ignore the other gems and just…"
Lukas didn't want to listen anymore. He was now convinced that this was some sort of interference from Nemthys, or perhaps one of his followers. It made sense that they would want to prevent them from collecting all the gems and stop Nemthys.
"Wait!" the man called out. "Don't run! Just listen to me!"
Lukas couldn't stand to be with that man. Something about him felt wrong. Very, very wrong.
He burst out of the cave and gasped. He was staring at a wasteland, filled with skeletons and small pebbles of blue, red and green. He wrapped his arms around himself as he looked up at the red sky.
