"Wendigos?"

Arthur knitted his brows together at the foreign word. It rung no bells nor made sense at all. It was a foreign word with a foreign meaning. Ivan expected Arthur to have no correlating knowledge with it for he easily eased into elaborating further.

"Wendigos." Ivan repeated, sitting back in the seat he relaxed in. Another cigarette was put to his mouth as his mysterious violet gaze rested on Arthur. "This mountain is their home. It's a cannibalistic spirit that inhabits these grounds. It's been here for years before even western men ventured and 'claimed' this as their own."

Arthur furrowed his brows together, confused upon all of this. Cannibalistic spirits? He'd heard of them countless times, being one to be interested in folklore and fairytales. However, he'd never expected them to be real. It was all fake, according to science and research.

"The Wendigos possess humans who grow hungry and fall into the hands of starvation. They take over their soul and turn them into a cannibalistic monster." Ivan continued, flashes of images of people actually turning before his eyes coming to mind. "First, you foster a hunger. It's small, nothing more than a wanting for a snack. Then the hunger grows and grows to the point where you could eat anything. It's only a matter of time before you resort to the last resource to eat— human flesh."

Arthur shuddered at the thought. He couldn't imagine anyone having to starve to the point where they'd eat just anyone. He tried imagining what would happen if he and Francis were trapped down here and they ended up trying to kill each other for food. Would that even happen? Arthur doubted he could bring himself to do so, but from what Ivan said, would he even have a choice?

Playing with the hem of the t-shirt given, Arthur swallowed thickly. "So... the thing that took Francis away... that was a wendigo?"

Ivan nodded, tapping his cigarette as some ash floated to the cave floor. "Yes, that was a wendigo. It was a fairly new one too. I've captured a majority of the ones that roam these mountains but this one is a feisty fellow. It was just made at least a year ago."

Arthur felt an ache in his stomach at the thought. To think... People just turn into one of these things. It wasn't something that happened in the old days, it still happened.

"Wendigos are near invincible." The Russian continued, "The only way to kill them is fire, and even that isn't recommended. If you kill a wendigo, their spirit is released into the air and goes to find another soul to take over. Like I mentioned, I capture them so they don't hurt anyone and so they aren't released. However, if you are up against a wendigo, a shotgun is perfect for defending yourself against it. Anything else will make no difference."

Ivan did know a lot about wendigos. He practically researched them for the past years. It wasn't out of interest nor scientific reasons. The man worked alone. There was no organization funding his intellect and information upon the creatures. Hell, he practically didn't exist on documents. He was a nobody. He did this for personal reasons.

A sigh slipped through the Brit's freezing lips as his gaze fell down to his feet.

"How come you know so much about these creatures? Why do you take so much interest in them? If I were you, I'd leave this bloody mountain and never come back." He questioned dully, not really caring for the answer but just thought he'd ask.

Ivan blinked, his facade never changing despite the touchy question.

"They took someone precious from me. Someone very dear... I learn about them to try and prevent anyone else, from both my standpoint and theirs, from falling into the hands of the wendigo."

Arthur glanced up, feeling a heaviness set in his heart. "Oh, I'm sorry... I didn't mean to bring up a bad topic."

Ivan let out an empty chuckle, shaking his head. "It's alright. I don't mind talking about it. I've moved past my grief, but still hang onto the hate."

The wendigos snatched someone very dear to Ivan. It happened three years ago. Ever since he was snatched from the Russian's grasp and turned into one of those horrid creatures, Ivan vowed to learn and keep these monsters tamed. An act to avenge his dearest's death.

Arthur suddenly stiffened where he was, his face paling ever so slightly.

"My friends... There's seven of us on this mountain, including me. They don't know about this. They don't know what's out here." Arthur realized how much danger they were all in. "I have to tell them. I have to get to them."

If they didn't know what to look out for, they wouldn't be ready to defend themselves. They needed to know. There was more going on here than they knew. They needed to get off this mountain.

Ivan opened his mouth to respond, equally sharing in the other's concern. However, words failed to be heard as a loud screech reverberated off the cave walls. Ivan's eyes widened as thrashing was heard along with the collapsing of multiple objects. The wendigo from before had returned.

It crawled on the mine floor, frequently jumping in such high distances to another part of the massive area. Arthur watched it from where they sat, petrified where he was.

"Wh-What do we do?" Arthur breathed quietly, eyes wide with fear. Although, the look in his eyes wasn't pure fear. It was a mix of terror and hate and anger. That thing took Francis away.

Ivan grabbed the hiker-like backpack from the floor and swung it back on. He didn't respond right away to Arthur but merely stood in front of the male, blocking him from the little arch of their one way cave.

He took out what looked like a nozzle connected to his backpack. Arthur squinted at his backpack, getting a better look. There was a gasoline container attached to it, which also was connected to the nozzle.

"Where are your friends?" Ivan whispered, turning his head just a tad to glance over at Arthur behind him.

"They're at the Jones's lodge." Arthur whispered back, feeling his voice tremble.

"We'll make a run for it. Like you said, we need to tell them about this. I'll hold it off while you run back up where you entered here. You got it? I'll follow behind. Don't hesitate."

It was like a battle plan. Diverge the enemy's path, retreat to safer grounds, do your best not to die. Basically what Ivan was asking Arthur to comply with. It wasn't something that settled well with the young adult Brit but it had to be done.

Arthur nodded, getting up from his seat and stood behind Ivan, waiting.

Ivan slowly stepped out from their little area, holding the nozzle in front of him. He shuffled to the side and never broke his gaze from the wendigo. The wendigo was looking around a crate of old wooden boxes, oblivious to the two humans that lurked by.

Arthur slowly followed beside Ivan, making sure they didn't separate for too much or long. Emerald eyes stared fixated at the wendigo, merely examining its nerve wracking appearance.

Random tufts of brown hair stuck up from its skull looking, bare head. Thin, sharp limbs were in stiff positions as its movements were quick and rigid. Its fingers were slim with its tips almost needle like. It was a near perfect representation of a starving human— a deformed torso with a showing ribcage gave it a monstrous figure; same goes for its legs and arms. The wendigo was bigger than an average human, if stood by for comparison it would tower over.

"Arthur... Help me."

Arthur's breathing hitched sharply as he heard the undeniable plea from the mine shaft. It was Francis. Francis was calling out for him. He was still alive. Sure, the voice was feeble and just barely heard but it was there no doubt.

"F-Francis!" Arthur cried out, immediately breaking away from Ivan and dashing over to the shafts

Ivan gasped, reaching out to grab Arthur but it was too late. Shit. This wasn't good.

The wendigo immediately turned to where they were, clouded eyes locking on Arthur. It's monstrous face snarled as its jaw snapped open to let out its signature screech. Piercing sharp, jagged teeth bared at Arthur as it lunged towards the Brit.

Arthur, breaking away from the shaft, looked over and felt his blood drain from his face.

He felt himself forget how to breathe for just a second as he finally reached the mine shaft, only to be swept off his feet as the wendigo grabbed his shirt front.

"L-Let me go, you bloody bastard!" The blonde cried out helplessly as he was forced to stare down at the monster that held him up. It's bony hand moved and now wrapped its skeleton like fingers around his throat.

Arthur gasped, tears brimming his eyes as he stared at the wendigo.

The wendigo narrowed its eyes and screeched once again. Its eyes widened a bit, the color behind the cloudy mask becoming just a bit more vivid.

Suddenly, it slammed Arthur against the inside of the mine shaft. Arthur let out a sharp cry of pain before he felt the hand around his neck let go and found himself falling down into the seemingly everlasting darkness of the mine shaft.

Its eyes were green.

...

Gilbert pulled Matthew and Kiku some ways away from the old butcher shop. Both were in utter hysterics, Matthew being more verbal and loud about it whilst Kiku lost all ability to even function properly.

"A-Alfred's dead! He's dead! Oh God, Oh God. He's really dead." Matthew sobbed shakily, purple eyes wide with terror and distraught. The screams of his brother still rang in his mind, breaking him down even more. A strong wave of shock took over his mind and self.

Feliciano ended up crying too, overwhelmed with the sudden news and cries from his friends.

"What? H-He's dead?" The Italian whimpered, hands shaking by his sides. "Does that mean we might die too?!"

A mixture of emotions flung through the air from the four friends, not one of them seeming to connect to a same train of thought. If Alfred was killed, did that mean whoever did it wanted the rest of them dead? Who would be next if Alfred had gone first?

"Wait, wait, let's all just calm down, alright?" Gilbert said above the messy chatter. Unlike the rest, he was rather serious and strong headed in situations like these, which was a surprise considering how immature he normally was. "If Alfred really is... dead... we need to get out of here. Who knows what's out there trying to kill us! We need to get off this mountain right now."

The Italian nodded his head quickly, agreeing without a second thought with what Gilbert said. "Y-Yes, I agree. Let's go. Let's leave! I don't want to be here anymore. I don't want to be here; I should've known to not come."

Matthew gave a short gasp before shaking his head. "W-We can't get off this mountain! Arthur and Francis are still out th-there. We can't just l-leave Alfred up here! We can't leave without everyone and I-I, And-And.. Oh God, are we stuck here?!"

Broken cries erupted from the Canadian as he fell back down into hysterics once more.

Gilbert shook his head, placing his hands on the smaller male's shoulder.

"Mattie, listen, we're going to be okay. We just have to keep a clear mind and logical thinking, alright? We will get off of this mountain and no one else will die. Trust me! I'll get us out of this nightmare!"

Matthew pulled himself away, shaking uncontrollably. Tears streamed down his face and froze onto the snow beneath him.

"W-We're all doomed here! My fucking brother died! Alfred is dead! If he died, who knows if we're even safe! Who knows if we're even going to make it past those trees! We're going to die on this mountain! Oh fuck, we-we are going to..!"

The distressed blonde tripped over his feet, falling backwards onto the snow. He started to cry once again but felt himself quieten when a low cracking sound was made.

All words and noises made from the four friends as they slowly turned to look at the trees around them. The tall pine trees emitted a variety of cracking sounds as their branches broke off slowly. It was all so surreal and almost as if this was some sort of out of this world trick.

Gilbert squinted up, looking around to see if anyone was the cause of all this.

Just like before.

No one was seen.

Boom

The top of the trees exploded with a loud bang, shaking the earth beneath them. The night sky lit up with a bright white and different shades of red and orange from the explosions. The tops of the trees blasted int bits, it's explosion deafening to the ears.

Feliciano immediately fled back up the path in terror, screaming as he did so. Kiku followed silently yet the clear image of pure terror still etched across his face.

Burning pieces of wood flew down from the desolated trees as more cracking came from the tree trunks.

Gilbert stared wide eyed as one of the massive pine trees began to fall. It's dark bark with its base now up in flames began to descend right on the path that the friends stood on— although now it was just Matthew and Gilbert.

"G-Gilbert!" The Prussian was torn away from his trance as he turned to see Feliciano yelling for him. The Italian was waving his hands desperately for the other to come over to him.

After a moment, the albino suddenly began to feel his legs move again and he started to run out of the way of the falling tree. Matthew had already made a run for it like the others, but was no where to be seen. The only thing that signaled where he fled to was the distant sounds of him crying.

Gilbert reached out to Feliciano, his heart pounding in his ears.

Suddenly, he felt a branch or maybe just a large piece of wood slam against his back. He felt a sharp pain cascade down his body as everything went black.

A/N:

Yeah, a lot is happening. Oops.
It may make sense, it may not. Just know it'll clear up very, very soon.

Also, sorry for the late update.
I've been getting terrible writers block and I just feel like no one really cares for this story so lol what's the point.
I'm still going to write it 'cause I hate leaving stories unfinished but y'know it's hard writing consistently.

I know this is going to sound really selfish and shitty of me, but, please, if you really enjoy this story and genuinely like it and are interested, please let me know. I just want to see if it's even worth updating frequently.

Please leave your feedback in the comments/reviews. They motivate me to keep writing. 3