Warning: This chapter is rated M or at least borderline M, so proceed at your own risk (it's gets a little intense in some scenes and I'm paranoid about the rating). War themes, violence, mention of death etc.
I'm Baaack! Sorry it took so long for me to finally update, I was a little caught up with the North Queensland floods and I also had just wanted to take a little break from writing because this chapter was giving me so much grief (I have legit rewritten this chapter 7 times, so I apologise if there's a lot of mistakes I was in a rush to post it). I honestly didn't expect for this chapter to be so dark. I was initially going for a bit more light heartedness, but yet here we are XD. Anyway, on with the story! It's long to make up for the fact that it's so late.
Australia trudged through the night amongst his people, they were headed up towards the allied trenches at their designated meeting ground. It was the final push. It was the desperate attempt to try and break the German line.
All their bosses and highest military officials had agreed to shift the divisions around, all the allied divisions that had a personification amongst the ranks would be moved to fight more closely together at the Hindenburg Line. Logically, it made sense, an army performed it's best with their personification fighting beside them, and instead of having the nations scattered all over the place fighting in different battles, fighting in close proximity with one another could be the boost they needed to win the war. But the hardest part for any nation leader and said nation to swallow, was that the humans in the division with them would be walking straight into hell, considering that Germany himself would be at the line as well, doing everything he can to keep the allies out.
Australia's people were already weary from the battle that they had just returned from. They were originally on their way directly to the meet up base, but they had been called in for emergency reinforcements for a battle that took place at Mount Saint-Quentin. While Australia had seized another victory for the allies it had also come at a great cost, everything in this war did. It was another three thousand that lay dead in the fields, never to return home to Australia. Yet, Australia could do nothing but silently mourn his fallen people as he turned away from the area with the remaining of his people.
The meet up area was just a few miles away from the Hindenburg line; the sounds of gunfire, shells and screams still filled the air. It was a sick twisted joke. The only constant in this war were those horrid sounds, it was one of the only things that confirmed that you were alive. Australia had remained unblinking as he walked forward with his eyes staring at the ground. The green hue in his eyes didn't shine as bright as they once did before the war started, gone was the spark of innocence and in its place was the cold truth of reality.
His eyes had burnt and stung with the amount of dirt and dust that had swirled in the air around them; mixed into the surroundings from the battle and war-torn plains. But Australia didn't really find it in himself to care. Stinging and burning eyes was only a minor discomfort to what else he had been through.
He hated this war. He had said it, thought it and even shouted it many times before, but his feelings on the subject never changed. The pain he felt of his people dying had just been yet another constant ache in his chest, it was numbing soreness to the point where Australia thought that it would never quell. It had been four years, four long and blood-soaked years. But to him, it had easily felt like a century, and he had seen enough death to last a lifetime.
Australia felt the familiar tug of several nations in the area. He tore his sullen green eyes to scan his surroundings. Australia made an effort to straighten his shoulders, ignoring the way his tight muscles screamed in protest, and took a deep breath to steady his emotions. He pushed away those thoughts of pain and death, he would deal with them later. He was the personification of Australia for god's sake, he always laughed in the face of danger and often faced it head first with nothing but a smile. And his people had reflected that optimism despite the circumstances, so he had to remain strong willed for them.
Australia walked through the crowded camp of the allied nations, the area was dimly lit with oil lamps making it a bit difficult to distinguish figures in the shadowy haze. But he could easily tell by sensing the presence of the other nations that he was pretty much the last one to show up.
He spotted America and Canada sitting off to the side. America was helping to wrap a bandage around his twin's torso. They both looked like they had just been in a pretty nasty fight with the multitude of cuts and injuries that scattered their body. The two exchanged a quiet conversation between them, but when they noticed Australia pass by, they lifted their heads and offered a smile in greeting before going back to their conversation. Australia smiled back and continued on his way, not wanting to intrude on their moment.
Australia adjusted the pack on his back, the weight of it not bothering him as much as it used to. He continued walking with his people. He noticed that England and France were hunched over a makeshift table with a map spread out. France held up a lamp while England was pointing out several places on the map, they were most likely talking about upcoming battle strategies. Australia nodded for his people to take it easy and rest while they can. He watched as they all pretty much collapsed with exhaustion.
Content that his people were now at ease, Australia headed over to where the two Empire nations were. A smile broke through his dirt streaked face in greeting.
Upon hearing someone approach, France and England looked up. England almost had to do a double take to make sure that it was Australia approaching them. It seemed that his son had grown so much since the start of the war. Australia now stood just over a head taller than he did and practically doubled him in muscle.
"Late as usual I see," England stated, his voice lacked the usual scolding tone when it came to Australia's punctuality instead it only held exhaustion, "What kept you?"
"I was held up at some place, Saint Quentin I think it was called," Australia answered, "They needed the reinforcement and we were the closest in the area."
"And the outcome?" France asks anxiously.
Australia knew that it must have been hard for the older nation, knowing that his once beautiful land had been turned into a war zone and only being able to defend parts of it at a time.
Australia smiled softly in reassurance, "The German divisions hightailed it out of there, they were headed up this way, eastwards to the German line."
England nodded tightly before turning back to France, "This also proves my point that Germany will be up on there. If he is starting to gather stronger defences then he will direct all his artillery on that line, especially if he knows that we are here."
France sighed and rubbed his bloodshot eyes, "Then that will only mean another blood bath."
Australia watched the two converse with a frown, "Well sorry to interrupt the morally uplifting conversation, but you know where Zea is?"
England nodded his head in the direction of where he knew the New Zealander to be.
Australia was about to turn around to find his brother before his father spoke up again, "He's had a hard time, I think seeing you again will help him."
Australia swallowed and nodded wordlessly, worry for what could have happened to his younger brother fueled his determination. The two grew up together and practically only had each other since they lived on the opposite side of the world to everyone else, they had entered the war together so their brotherly bond ran deep.
It wasn't long before Australia had found New Zealand sitting on the ground looking up at the stars. The stars over Europe were different to the ones that sparkled over their homes, only another thing to add to the ever growing list of things that reminded them that they were so far from home. Australia placed his pack quietly on the ground and sat down next to his brother, who still had yet to take his eyes from the sky.
"G'day," Australia spoke softly, breaking the silence that hung over the two, "How you holdin' up?"
New Zealand tore his gaze from the sky to stare down at his hands. His voice was so quiet and raspy, like he had tried to swallow a cactus, that Australia had to strain in order to hear, "Does it matter?"
Before Australia could interject New Zealand continued, "This stupid war won't end. No matter how many people die, we just keep fighting only for more to be killed."
Geez the morale at this place in bloody fantastic, Australia thought to himself bitterly. But he was able to read between the lines.
"How bad?"
"We had lost. They had us pinned down from the front and back, t-then the gas came…and-and…s-so many" New Zealand couldn't finish his sentence as the tears started to spill over his pale cheeks.
Australia didn't hesitate in pulling New Zealand into a side hug. It was uncomfortable as both were bent a little awkwardly, but neither dared break it, as they both sort out comfort from each other.
Australia let his brother cry to release some of the pain that had been built up over the months of relentless pain. He wished he could have been there for his little brother so he wouldn't have had to go through it alone.
"It's gonna be alright," Australia tightened his arm around his brother's shaking shoulders, "We just have to keep fighting for a little longer, then we can go back home. I promise."
Australia winced at his own words of attempted comfort. He knew that the promises of the war ending soon were nothing but empty. They had been saying that for the past four years. But Australia was never the best at this type of stuff, that was his brother's department.
"Do you remember when we were kids and England was hosting that party with those fancy officials? And even though we couldn't go we still snuck in to steal some of the deserts."
It seems that Australia's change in tactic was doing the trick. New Zealand seemed to calm down a little as he remembered the memory.
"We called it, 'Operation steal tasty treats that are actually edible and leave before dad catches us."
A watery laugh escaped New Zealand, "You were always horrible at naming things."
"It was still better than your idea, at least mine had personality."
"You're an idiot."
"And you're still a sheep shagger."
New Zealand broke out into laughter at his brother's banter. As ridiculous and childish as it was, it was a sense of normality that had been lacking for four years. Australia always was the best at lightening the mood.
New Zealand broke the hug and wiped the tear stains from his face, his throat still sore from the effects of the gas, but he knew that it would heal. "Thanks bro, I really needed that."
"No worries mate," Australia replied, "Come on, we better go hear what they want us to do."
Australia looked over in the direction that America and Canada were starting to walk towards where England and France were hovering.
"I've heard what they've been saying, it's going to be the big push to try and end it," New Zealand spoke while he also looked over his shoulder to see the other nations gather, "I can feel Germany up there, it's going to end with a bloodbath."
Australia sighs, "Most likely."
New Zealand shoots his brother a disbelieving look, wasn't Australia always the one to try and say something positive about and dire situation?
But Australia just gets up, not bothering to brush the dust off his uniform and extends a hand to help his younger brother up, "But let's give him hell, Anzac style."
New Zealand just grinned and took his brother's hand to accept his help. Australia's words were a reflection of the moment the two had first stepped on Gallipoli shores together. His older brother knew just how to comfort him.
XxxxXxxx
25 minutes
Australia anxiously kicked the dirt beneath him as he waited with the rest of his people, they stood in silence with baited breath. He picked the skin around his fingernails nervously, a habit that he picked up as a child. The silence amongst them weighed heavily, strangely enough it was that thick that it seemed to even smother the sounds of shelling in the distance. The air was thick and difficult to breathe, Australia could taste the dirt and gunpowder as he licked his dry and cracked lips.
Australia didn't bother to wait at the back of his division this time, the element of surprise was no longer needed as both sides knew that there were personifications on either side of the Hindenburg line. Every personification was nervous, no matter what side they were on, they were tense as they awaited the hour they needed to move. This battle meant everything, it would be the determinate that decided the outcome of the war, their fate. And it seemed that their apprehension seemed to rub off on their people as they also felt the same anxiety. They held their rifles in nervous grips and had their bayonets at the ready.
20 minutes
Green eyes snapped to the right where Australia heard the silent footsteps of an approaching nation. Australia's heart rate increased, and his hand flinched for his own weapon, but he instantly relaxed when he felt the familiar presence. He really needed to get a handle on his nerves.
"Long time no see mate," Australia greeted, "I was beginning to think you buggered off down the road."
America smiled back, even if the gesture didn't fully reach his baby blue hues, "No way dude, I'm not going to be stuck with Iggy breathing down my neck every second."
America and his people were the next closest division to Australia, New Zealand not too far behind him. Even if Australia would never admit it, but the sense of an older and stronger nation nearby was a feeling of comfort and reassurance. He had to fight so often on his own in the past couple of months that he had missed the company of a friendly nation. While he could always talk to his people as they would always welcome him into their conversations, but he did miss the other personifications, they were able to relate and understand in a way that human civilians never could.
"You ready? As soon as we make a move, Germany is going to unleash all he's got." Australia asked.
"Totally dude! If anyone can break through it will be the hero and his trusty sidekicks." America stated cheerfully with his hero complex. Although as he was speaking he tilted his head to the side to signal that he needed to talk to the younger nation privately.
America waited until he and Australia were somewhere that they wouldn't be overheard.
"That's actually kind of what I needed to speak to you about. I was told to pass the message across to you," America began, "England and France are saying that this is a very high-risk objective-"
"You're jokin'! Are they only realising that now?" Australia interrupted with a tone of disbelief, "Where the bloody hell have they been for the past couple of days? Because whatever is waiting for us up there isn't a bloody picnic with a bunyip."
America gave him an odd look.
"A what?... Nevermind." America shook his head, he gave up long ago trying to decipher what Australian meant half the time, "Because of the severity of that line, it's a high risk situation, even more so than other times. They are telling us to be a lot more careful because the stakes are like so much higher."
"Yeah, but how is that different from other times? This is the battle everyone has been harping on about, we already know it's gonna be risky?"
"How much do you know about the way that we die?" America started
"That the whole resurrection process is a pain in the arse," Australia replied. He couldn't forget the first time he had been resurrected from death, it had hurt like hell.
"Exactly! Dude that process takes time and we aren't always going to be around another nation to keep an eye on us during that process. A lot of things can happen between the time we die to the time we wake up," America pointed out, "Germany will do anything and everything he can to hold that line, and that includes capturing personifications that may have been temporarily killed in battle. If he were to spot one of us during the process, it could make the situation even worse, an army without their personification isn't at its best, and he could so anything to try and get that nation to surrender."
Australia frowned, "What makes you so sure? I mean Germany is a bit aggro at times, but during the time I've been around him he doesn't seem like the type to be that harsh."
"Maybe, maybe no." America answered, "A personification is made to follow whatever their leader says, so in the end it's not about what Germany himself wants to do, it's about what his boss wants. Either way, we can't all be right next to another personification to trust them to drag up back to the trenches if we do die."
"Geez mate have you been drinking again," Australia asked, "You are going all deep and insightful, which is something you tend to do when your smashed."
Australia did understand what America was taking about, despite what most that knew him seemed to think he could take things seriously. But it was his way of coping with tense situations, trying to insert humour and it's what he was best known for. But he succeeded in his job as it made America chuckle a little.
"Yeah I suppose it totally does make me sound all old like England," America agreed, "But look, that's the general gist of the message I was told to pass along. So, I'll see you on the other side."
Australia bid his friend goodbye and watched as the American headed back to where his people were waiting in the short distance away. Aus hummed in amusement, no matter how much America was thought to be oblivious, he was actually pretty good at sensing the mood and trying to be more optimistic about it. He guessed that, that was something the two had in common.
15 minutes
Australia noticed that his people were starting to become more nervous as the time to go drew near. They had started to exchange worried glances in the direction of the German line as well as mutter amongst themselves in hushed whispers.
As their personification he could feel their fears vibrate through his own body, after a years of sustaining heavy casualties and hearing the rumours about how heavily defended the infamous line was, they were starting to see the operation as a lost cause.
Australia knew that it would be up to him to try and lift his people's spirit, he wanted to at least give them some sort of comfort before heading into battle.
"Alright listen up," Australia spoke, his voice was able to be clearly heard as he watched as his people's attention turned to him to hear what he had to say. He couldn't give too much away of course, he still had the whole nation secret to uphold after all.
5 minutes
"I know you're scared, but we can't back down now just because the outlook looks a little dark. I'm just an average soldier, just like you. But I was one of the ones to take the first steps on Gallipoli, faced heavy fire at Pozieres and face the odds at Villers Bretonneux, so yeah, I've had my fair share of dealing with situations that were seen as hopeless. Everyone said that we couldn't do it; that we weren't cut out for war, we proved them wrong. I'm not gonna lie, we don't have the numbers like America, we do lack the experience like the English and we don't know the terrain like the French. But we go in with every single battle with a hell of a lot of courage and spirit." Australia stated.
2 minutes
"And in the times when the outcome looked grim and we had almost lost, we had managed to snatch victory back for the rest of the allies more than once. I honestly can't describe what we are about to walk into, but all I know is that we will dive in with that same mateship since Gallipoli. And we will continue to show the world that even in the face of danger, our spirit and courage will shine through." Australia finished.
He let out a breath as his chest felt just a little lighter seeing the pride show on his peoples faces. He could feel their new found energy and their spark being relighted. It made him proud to be their personification, and no matter what happened in the next moments, he would be proud of them.
1 minute
Australia weaved his way through so he was near the beginning of the tree line once more, so he could keep an eye out for the signal, a flare would be sent into the sky so the nations knew that it would be time to head out to try and take the line. And sure enough, a star shell pierced through the night sky, it dimly illuminated the battle field. Australia straightened his posture.
That was the signal. It was time to go.
As soon as he and his people had run out of their position the enemy fire had increased. It was pure hell. Shrapnel was being fired from all directions and it didn't help matters that the thick layer of dirt in the air made the surroundings hazy. Australia's chest and legs were burning from his constant running and jumping down for cover to fire a couple of shots.
Everything was happening around him so fast that Australia was struggling to keep up. Every nation and their divisions were running towards the line, but he couldn't catch a glimpse of any personifications, not that he'd be able to recognise them with all the dust in the air anyway. The sound of an incoming shell penetrated the sounds of screams and shouts. Australia hit the ground and covered his head as the shell exploded just a few metres from him, a shower of dirt rained around him.
Australia raised his head up when it was safe enough to do so, his eyes scanned his surroundings. His sight landed on two German soldiers in a dug out, he picked up his rifle and made his way over. Australia kept his footsteps as light and soundless as he could as he veered around to the back of the dugout. No matter how much Australia hated to do it; hated to get anymore blood on his hands, but it was essential for survival.
Australia was able to get up behind them without being spotted, he jumped down into the fairly deep dugout. The two German soldiers spun around to face him, one of them drawing his bayonet, the other younger one, who Australia only just noticed, was caught tangled up in some barbed wire. He had quickly lean back when the older soldier had tried to slash at his neck. Australia grabbed the armed soldier by his arm and elbowed him in his stomach, it immediately loosened the hold the solider had on his bayonet. Australia kicked it away and shoved the soldier he still had in his hold to the ground.
He flickered his eyes to the younger solider that had tears streaming down his dirt streaked cheeks, his face was pure white with fear. Something about that look struck Australia in a way that he didn't understand, yet the look seemed so familiar.
But before Australia could do or say anything else a voice, whose accent Australia couldn't think of off the top of his head, shouted "Gas!"
Australia snapped his eyes to the side and saw the plumes of deadly toxic gas that was heavily feared on the battlefield. When Australia turned back to the two German soldiers in the dugout with him, the older one had a chance to escape but he didn't. Instead the older moved closer to huddle with the younger soldier who was still trapped in barbed wire.
Before Australia could stop and think if the two Germans could even understand English he spoke, "What are you doing mate? You need to get out of here before the gas arrives."
He couldn't understand why the older one didn't escape, he had the perfect opportunity to. But the German solider swallowed thickly and replied in English but with a very thick German accent.
"He is my little bruder." The older German spoke with tears filling his eyes, already knowing that his fate would be sealed, "I stay with him."
Australia tensed slightly at the words. His green eyes softened as he turned to see the incoming gas and everyone else clearing out. The two brothers wouldn't make it out alive if they stayed there, and neither would he if he waited around any longer, and he still had to disarm the machine gun that the two were using. A flash of what America spoke to him before appeared in his mind.
'They are telling us to be a lot more careful because the stakes are like so much higher. A lot of things can happen between the time we die to the time we wake up.'
The older brother wrapped an arm around his brother and spoke softly in their mother tongue to him. Australia's jaw clenched, if it was New Zealand in that situation…
He couldn't do it, he couldn't just leave them.
Australia laid his rifle down and hurried over to retrieve the older brother's bayonet that Australia had kicked away. He wouldn't be able to do it on his own with the limited amount of time. He detached the bayonet off his own rifle and bent down in front of the two brothers. He held the other steel weapon out to the older German.
"I won't be able to get him out myself before that gas floats in," Australia stated. The older brother took his bayonet, he didn't bother to hide his surprise at being helped by their enemy.
"Alright, you need to keep still and try not to move about too much," Australia explained to the tangled solider, then he turned back to the older, "Watch what I do and when you brother's free you both need to get out of here."
He knew it was a lot to ask of two people that saw him as the enemy, and if the situation was also reversed he knew he would also be hesitant to trust them. But the younger brother nodded his head in understanding, placing his full trust into Australia's hands.
"D-Danke Aussie." The younger brother said quietly, his voice still wavering with emotion.
Australia just thanked the gods that the barbed wire was corroded enough that he would just be able to snap the wire with enough pressure, similar to how he got New Zealand out. Australia placed the blade underneath the wire very carefully and applied pressure. The younger brother flinched a little at the snap, but he did his best to remain still. The older watched what Australia did and soon got to work helping to cut his little brother out.
Australia tried his best to keep his hands steady as he worked, he was under pressure and he didn't have a whole lot of time before the gas arrived. He had seconds left to work and his hands were beginning to sweat from the pressure.
Finally the last of the wires gave away and Australia and the German soldier helped him out of the barbed wires. The younger was finally free and he and his brother ran away like Australia had told them too. The older brother gave one final look of gratitude to Australia, a silent promise to never forget how the Australian that had saved their lives.
Australia wasted no time turning around to dismantle the machine gun, so it wouldn't be used again. He was almost done when he took a breath to try and steady his racing heart.
He wished he didn't.
Because as soon as he did he started to cough as a terrific pain overcame him. He was too late to escape the deadly cloud of chemicals.
XxxxXxxx
It had been several weeks since they had first started the attack on the Hindenburg line, and if Australia was being perfectly honest, he was surprised. He was surprised at the fact that they had managed to break the German lines, but he was also surprised that Germany was still fighting. It seemed that he was trying to hold on with everything he had. So that means that the war was very much still alive and raging.
Australia had been out with a retrieval group with some of his people to try and bring back the wounded that lay scattered on the fields. But Australia had gotten separated amid the fighting around them. He was now left alone in the ruins of a house in the surrounding forest, well what was left of the forest. He had just woken up actually. He had slammed his head pretty hard against the demolished pieces of debris during the explosion that had separated them. It wasn't something he had to be resurrected from which was something that Australia was thankful for, it had only knocked him out for a little while whilst the injury healed.
The sounds of voices and approaching footsteps made Australia on edge. He peered around the half-destroyed wall to get a better look at who was approaching. It was a small German group no doubt looking to see if they could take any other soldiers as prisoner.
"Brilliant," Australia muttered to himself.
Australia had reached for his weapon but soon discovered that he was out of ammunition. Australia rolled his eyes at his unlucky break, things could never go easy on him it seemed.
He realised that he'd just have to sneak away, because if ran away now then he'd risk the chance at being seen if he went passed them back to the safety of his people. He was too deep in thought that he had evidently spotted, he had locked eyes with one of the leaders of the group. The attention of the small group had now been turned onto him. They were approaching him at a faster pace and shouting words after him that Australia didn't recognise.
Australia tried to run around to the other side of the demolished house to try and put some more distance between them, maybe he would be able to get a head start. He turned his head over his shoulder to see if they had caught up with him yet.
He had almost reached the line up of still standing trees when he had crashed into something that was running at him from the side. Australia landed on his back on the hard ground, he grunted in pain. He didn't even have time to look at his attacker he just reached for his weapon, it was pure instinct, be ready for an attack at any time. His heart was beating so fast in his chest in fear, he was already at a disadvantage with the group of soldiers searching for him he didn't want to be held up any longer than he needed to be.
He raised his bayonet at the person that had also fallen with the impact, that's when he finally got a good look at the person.
"Zea?" Australia breathed and he lowered his weapon, "What the hell are you doing out here? You almost gave me a heart attack."
"I could say the same to you," New Zealand panted, "You running from them too?"
Australia nodded, he had been so distracted that he didn't even notice his brother's presence.
"What are we going to do? I ran out of bullets a while ago, so fighting out way out might be difficult." New Zealand explained as he and his brother both stood up again.
"Yeah I'm out too," Australia said.
The shouting and footsteps got louder.
"I didn't see Germany with them, so maybe if we hid somewhere?" New Zealand suggested.
"Well there's nothing but fallen over trees and leaves, so we could always hide under that." Australia commented, his voice laced with a sarcasm at the sight of barely anything to hide under.
"That'll work." New Zealand hurried over to one of the fallen trees, leaving Australia standing with a shocked expression on his face.
Wait what?
He wasn't expecting his younger brother to agree, it wasn't even a good plan!
But Australia, not wanting to get shot at, hurried over with New Zealand. They both covered themselves in the mud and leaves as best as they could. It wasn't in any shape or form the best that could deceive a nation, but it was all they had time for.
The German group entered the scene that they just were mere seconds ago. They looked around to see if they could spot the Australian and New Zealander.
Someone was among them that Australia recognised. It was the person that he had helped to set his younger brother free in that dugout. The older brother had looked around, his gaze had stopped directly at the spot that the two nations were hiding.
They both held their breath, thinking that it was all over and that they would be captured.
The German that had spotted them shouted to the leader of the group. Australia couldn't understand what they were saying but he did see that the man had pointed in the opposite direction. He was diverting them away. Soon enough, the group began to wander off to search in the direction that the man had pointed to.
The older brother had turned back to where Australia and New Zealand were hiding and gave the Australian a small smile. He had saved Australia just like the personification had done for him and his brother.
Australia and New Zealand both let out a breath that they were holding once the coast was clear. The two nations both stood up from their hiding spot.
New Zealand rolled out his shoulder that was starting to ache from being kept in an awkward position.
"As far as plans go, this one was pretty shit." Australia muttered as he wiped the mud from his scar.
New Zealand was shaking the dirt and leaves from his hair when his head snapped up to Australia. He shot his brother a look of incredulity.
"This was your plan! You were the one that said to hide under the leaves and such."
"Well I didn't think you'd actually agree to it. I was hoping you'd come up with a better idea." Australia quipped back.
"Well either way, it helped us to get away. I thought for sure that guy was going to give us away, I wonder why he didn't?" New Zealand wondered.
When New Zealand didn't get a response he turned back to his brother. Australia was looking over in the direction that the soldier had pointed to. "Aus, you okay?"
"Huh? Yeah I'm good, now worries." Australia assured and started to walk back into the direction of where he knew his people would be, "I guess he just wanted to return a favour."
Now this was New Zealand's turn to be left in confusion. But he soon snapped out of it and hurried to follow his brother.
They two had decided to take a small break from walking, having been walking for a few hours trying to get back to their people, and just sit down in a secluded area for a little bit. They remained on guard at all times, even if they would only be resting for about five minutes or so. But the sounds of gunfire still penetrated the air in the distance.
New Zealand broke the silence first.
"What's the first thing you're going to do if we get home?"
Australia had to think about it for a moment, "Probably just take a walk out bush somewhere, somewhere quiet and that you can smell the eucalyptus. What about you?"
It had been so long since Australia's been home that he missed the simple things like that. He missed the hot sun searing down on him, he missed those summer days especially during the winter months in France.
"Just taking a walk along the beach, not having to worry about any shells or enemy attacks." New Zealand smiled at the thought. But there's probably a lot more work to do when this is all over, we're sort of recognised now anyway so I guess there's more paperwork."
Australia groaned, "Honestly, can you go one day without mentioning work? I still have all that paper work I was supposed to do for my boss before the war started."
New Zealand rolled his eyes before taking on a more serious note, "Do you think it was worth it? Enlisting and fighting in all of this just to get recognised?"
"Well if I knew it would go on for as long as it has and everything else, then I'd be a lot more hesitant in my decision." Australia tried his best to be light-hearted, but it wasn't something one could turn positive.
Joining up was a decision that both of them didn't give a second thought about, they couldn't wait to enlist. The truth was, if Australia knew what this war would entail, then he would have rather not be recognised, nothing was worth the horrors they have faced, except maybe knowing that they would be standing by their people to face it.
New Zealand's head snapped up in alertness, his eyes wide. But Australia didn't notice as he continued his tangent.
"And a lot of things would have been different if we knew what would happen. I probably wouldn't go out alone when Turkey was around. Can you believe how many people have asked-"
"Shush!" New Zealand interrupted, "Do you hear that?"
Australia strained his ears to ear whatever his brother heard. But all he heard was silence.
"I don't hear anything."
"Exactly!" New Zealand exclaimed as he stood up to peer around, "I hear nothing, the guns have stopped."
Australia stood up as well. He still couldn't hear anything. It was first time they have heard silence in four years. So it left them a little on edge.
"Is everyone clearing out? It could be gas if it is." Australia asked.
But New Zealand looked just as confused as Australia was, but they were both standing up and ready to make a break for it if it was.
New Zealand suddenly felt something appear in his hand. He jumped, startled by the sudden appearance of the object.
It was a letter from England, if he sent it using his magic than it must have been really important.
"It's from dad," New Zealand informed Australia. The younger nation began to read over it, his eyes practically double in size.
Assuming it was bad news Australia sighed, "Alright, where's the old man sending us now."
New Zealand just wordless shook his head.
"Well, don't keep me in suspense, what'd he say?" Australia asked as he walked over to stand closer to his brother.
"I-It's over." New Zealand looked up from the letter, his eyes glassy but his smile never faltered.
"What?" Australia said just above a whisper. He prayed it was what he thought New Zealand meant, but he didn't want to get his hopes up if he had heard wrong.
"It's over!" New Zealand practically cheered, "The war's over! Germany surrendered."
Australia stayed in the same position; frozen as the words fully began to sink in.
A smile slowly started to stretch across Australia's face. "It's really over? You better not be joking."
"It's real!" New Zealand smiled, tears filling his eyes.
Australia felt his own eyes begin to prickle with tears. If this was a dream, he never wanted to wake up. The war is over! That meant, all the dying, the pain, the trenches, the training!
It was all over!
"We did it," Australia whispered to New Zealand happily as he face broke out into an all-out smile.
No, happy was too tame a word for how Australia felt. He was ecstatic! He couldn't remember a time feeling this relieved. Everything they had experienced, all the times they would pray for the horrible war to end, and now it was. No more people would have to die!
Australia felt like he was on a high, his chest for the first time in so long felt light. He could also feel the happiness from his people, which added to the elated feeling he felt throughout his very being.
"There's more," New Zealand explained, "They mention a meeting with all of the other nations about signing a treaty. They want us to be there as well."
The letter had fallen from New Zealand's grasp and lay abandoned on the ground as the two overjoyed brothers hugged each other tightly. They did it, they had survived the war together. Australia was sure that if anyone was around they would have heard the two brothers cheering in overjoy, but he really couldn't care less.
Tears of happiness leaked out of Australia's eyes, leaving tracks through the dried mud still on his face. They never had to face an army or fire a gun ever again! After four long years, there was peace at last.
FINALLY! Break out the sparkling apple cider and cake World War 1 is officially over! (Well technically it was over 101 years ago). Australia may have fought in the war, but he should try writing about it XD. So there's a lot of history to digest from this chapter so let's jump right into it!
The Battle of Mont Saint-Quentin (August to September 1918), I just had to include it as a British Army Commander (General Henry Rawlinson) described the Australian advances at that battle the greatest military achievement of the war. It was only one Australian division against five German divisions (Probably should have mentioned earlier that divisions can contain anything between 8,000 to 30,000 soldiers). It was a similar situation at Gallipoli in the sense at the start it was up-hill fighting with the Germans at the top, they had the advantage of firing their weapons down the hill at the Australian's that way. But because of the seriously uneven situation the Australian's faced, the strategic area was first lost and the German reserves regained the footing they held. But the next day when reinforcements from two other Aussie divisions that arrived, the Australian's attempted to retake the town once again while still outnumbered, this time successfully with the German's retreat to the Hindenburg Line- Their last line of defence. One of the men in the Australian army that fought in that battle was shot in the head and the bullet passes right though his skull, and he miraculously survived and re-enlisted in World War Two!
The battle that New Zealand is describing is the battle of Passchendaele (Late 1917s). For New Zealander's that battle has often been remembered as New Zealand's Blackest Days. When the New Zealand division advanced to attack the Germans, but the mud was so thick it made it almost impossible for them to bring heavy guns forward or to stabilise them. Amidst the battle the New Zealanders were facing German gun fire from all sides, front and back and they were unable to through the uncut barbed wire. They were pinned down in the craters left from shelling and the use of poisonous gas in the battle field was introduced. Well actually I think it was in 1916, but I do know that they used the gas at Passchendaele. The Canadians did come to help and relieve the troops already there. But New Zealand had suffered a horrendous loss of 843. That's why New Zealand's voice sounds really painful, because he is feeling the effects of the gas from his people.
The last battle that took place was the breaking of the Hindenburg line – Germany's last defence. The last and the strongest of Germany's army was there. The first attack on the line was actually done by Australian General John Monash on the 18th of September and his Australian Battalion. Australian troops reached the first part of the Hindenburg Line and attacked the heavily fortified German defences and Machine Gun posts and eight tanks. The Australian's broke though German positions. Then on the 29th of September the Hindenburg line was finally broken. The Australian and US troops spearheaded this battle and were given the task of breaking defences in the centre. The German's held their positions quite well and there was an evident struggle on both sides and heavy casualties suffered by both. When all the Allies broke through the third and final stage of the Hindenburg line the Germans were forced to fall back. Australian troops had been fighting for six months without a break so they were worn and war weary. Then the German's called for an armistice and the guns finally fell silent for the first time in four years on the 11th of November at 11am. The next chapter will contain the total casualty list
But as well all now, peace can never truly last.
Lest We Forget