"He was trapped down here with Lovino and-and ate him to survive. And he turned into... this."

Arthur continued to mumble out, his fingers gripped tightly to Francis' shirt. He shielded his eyes from the monstrous being of Antonio out of fear, not wanting to stare into its hateful gaze again. In contrast, everyone else couldn't take their eyes off of it.

Feliciano felt his stomach twist and turn in unbearable pain as he looked at Antonio. He was so... terrifying. So horrid. So vicious. So murderous. Capable of tearing someone's body apart and eat them like some savage animal. At fault for the morbid death of his brother. All the answers Feliciano desperately sought out for for the past year were suddenly there before him.

Antonio stared at all of them where it swayed, eyes narrowing. It was tense, getting into a hunting stance as if observing the group of friends to find their weak spots.

"We have to leave- You have to go!" Arthur whispered anxiously, strands of cries frequently causing his words to crack and shake. "He's going to kill you-"

"Maybe we can talk to him." Gilbert interjected softly. Yes, he knew full and well how vicious Antonio was right now. The disembodied head of Lovino and Francis and Arthur's injuries were evident enough. Not to mention Ivan's demise an hour ago. However, Antonio hadn't moved where it was. From what Ivan said, wouldn't it of jumped and attacks them by now? It was only logical and they were easy targets. Why hadn't it attacked yet? Maybe it recognized them.

Bravely, Gilbert took a cautious step towards Antonio, one hand raised as if to reassure the monster. Eyes stayed forward on Antonio, watching every slight move in case he needed to move back.

"Antonio... it's us. It's your friends! You remember us, right?" Gilbert put a finger to his chest. "It's Gil... we were best buddies- we still are. You're one of my best friends. We-We did everything together."

Antonio's composure stiffened as Gilbert spoke, yet it didn't move towards him. It was listening. Noticing this, Gilbert continued.

"We're so, so sorry you were trapped down here. We looked everywhere for you both. We never lost hope."

A growl was received at these attempts to console, Gilbert stirred into a different conversational direction.

"We're not here to hurt you so please don't hurt us. Maybe we can help you- we can get you back to how you used to be. Just... just come with us. I know it's been a long time but... we are here for you. We're here to save you."

Arthur winced at Gilbert's motives, his trembles never ceasing. This wouldn't work. He knew. Antonio was far gone to be saved now. The longer they stayed here trying to help it, the more likely they'll die down here. He knew how far gone Antonio was. There was no way to get to it.

Antonio moved slightly towards Gilbert, eyes narrowing. Gilbert flinched but stayed where he was. He was determined to get through. Lacking the knowledge Arthur had, he believed in a false hope to save his dear friend.

Ignorance is risk.

Surprisingly, Antonio relaxed its stance just a little bit. It was as if it was contemplating what Gilbert was saying. Possibly.

"We'll finally bring you back down this mountain. So many people miss you back home." Gilbert chuckled uneasily. "You have a ton of college work to make up for but I'm sure they'll understand the circumstances... and, I'm sure there's a medicine to help, uh, cure your complexion. I know your suave charm and looks are still there (somewhere)."

Kiku, who was standing a few paces away from Gilbert, looked around the area for any route that would make due for a quick escape. Personally, he trusted Arthur's judgement more on how dangerous this situation was. He obviously had experienced more down here than Gilbert.

There was a large opening above with a clear shot of the moon peaking through. Kiku trailed his eyes down around the wall that led up to the opening. At the very corner of the mines, there was a slope with some rocks protruding out that could be used to climb. It wasn't the most ideal escape knowing not everyone in their group had the strength to climb, but it was the only way. It was either that or continuing to run through the mines blindly. It was the only way.

He nudged Alfred, nodding over to the slope. Alfred, completely forgetting his grudge on Kiku, looked over and nodded back to him. He stretched his leg out a bit to nudge Francis to show him the slope also.

Francis looked over, feeling a sickness pit in his stomach. Climbing? He had no idea how he would do that if that's what they had to do. There was no way he could carry Arthur and pull up his weight. His wounds would prohibit it. Nonetheless, he knew he was going to try. He had to. It was the only way.

Gilbert's eyes shifted for a second to the slope, seeing everyone look at it from the corner of his eye. He didn't need to say anything for he could tell everyone already had come to a silent agreement.

If this went downhill, they would all run to climb the slope and escape.

"Come with us, Toni." Gilbert's continued, bringing everyone back to what was in front of them. "Please."

Antonio remained standing there, its body continuing to relax with every word. It hazily recognized Gilbert. Not him as a person, but rather how he looked was... familiar. He looked like someone it knew. He looked...

I know him...

"Remember us... please. We're here for you."

I... want to remember.

"We can go right now. You just have to let us help you."

Help... me?

Gilbert felt his lips curl into the smallest smile as he saw Antonio's tense body become almost completely relaxed. It was working. He knew it was. His words were getting through to him. Maybe they could all escape here. Even though Antonio's state would be some medical mystery no doubt, it would be better than him staying down here. They just wanted their friend back, and now... there's a chance.

"Francis." Francis quickly looked back down at Arthur upon hearing his name emit weakly from his beloved's mouth. Arthur's grip on Francis's shirt had slackened a bit as he stared up at the other, struggling to keep his eyes open.

"Don't fall asleep Arthur." Francis pressed, grabbing his hand tightly and giving his body a little shake. "Please, just hold on a little longer."

The longer they stayed down here, the more Arthur's state worsened. They had to leave. They had to go.

"Gilbert, please," Feliciano stepped forward next to the albino, grabbing his sleeve, "Arthur isn't looking too good."

Antonio's eyes snapped towards Feliciano, its body becoming rigid once more. It looked at the Italian with a harsh stare, scanning him from head to toe. That hair. Those clothes. That voice. That face... it was his face.

His face. Him. He. It's him.

Not him. Not him. Leave him. Hurt him.

LOVEed him. Killed him.
KILLed him. DestroyED hIM.
ATE him. AtE HIM.
EAT hiM.

EAT THEM.

With a sudden shriek, Antonio reeled back, claws grabbing at its few tufts of hair it still had on its rough head. Everyone in the room tensed up, the terror that had dug claws into their hearts regained hold as the safety in this room was no more.

"Everyone, get to the slope!" Francis shouted, pointing to their escape point.

In an instant, everyone had begun to run towards the slope. The first to get here was Kiku, immediately grabbing onto the rocks and pulling himself up. It was rather slippery but the rough surfaces helped with grabbing on.

Antonio growled, any last human characteristics no where to be found on its being. All it saw before him was food. Food trying to escape. The monstrous desire that constantly tore at its nerves and bones began to fester, clouding its judgement. They were all just food. It had to eat. It had to feast. It was, oh, so so hungry.

Francis made it to the slope, Arthur in his arms. He looked up, biting his bottom lip as his anxiety ran wild. How was he going to carry Arthur up there? Would he be able to? No, he had to. Even if it put him through immense pain, he knew he would have to endure it— at least till they got to safety. A sudden idea popped into his brain and Francis gently placed Arthur down against the wall.

"Arthur, I'm going to need you to wrap your arms around my neck. C-Can you do that?" Francis pleaded, crouching and turning his back to Arthur. "I need you to hold onto me while I climb up."

Arthur weakly looked over at him, nodding ever so slightly. "I'll.. I'll try."

The boy shakily pushed himself forward, almost immediately falling on top of Francis' back. He wrapped his arms around the other's neck and did his best to wrap his one good leg around his torso. Oh, it was painful to hold, but for the time being it was doable.

"Hold on as tight as you can." Francis said in a breath. With that, he began to climb the slope.

Tears pricked the corners of his eyes as he felt each slightest movement send daggers across his body. His legs trembled as every ounce of energy he had in his body was focused on bringing him and Arthur to safety. As he climbed, he could hear Arthur quietly sobbing into his back as his hold frequently shifted.

"Fra- I cant... I cant." Arthur whimpered, his arms beginning to tremble. Francis began to panic, eyes darting left and right to find the quickest way up the slope.

"No- Hang on to me, Arthur. Please. Please don't let go of me. We're almost there, okay? Just a little while longer." Francis said reassuringly, pushing his body even more to go faster. It was as if every bone - every nerve - of his body were on fire. It became more and more unbearable as he grabbed the next rock. The slope wasn't that high up, yet it felt like the exit kept going farther and farther away...

Down below, Feliciano and Gilbert still remained in front of Antonio. Antonio was eyeing the two of them as if choosing which one to go after first. Feliciano trembled where he stood, feet shifting to run to the slope but not moving too much in case. Dammit. It was because he interfered, wasn't it? Antonio saw him and it ruined Gilbert's attempt at bringing him back.

"Feli, run to the slope right now." Gilbert ordered, moving his hand back to push the other towards where everyone else was heading.

"Wh-What about you?" Feliciano asked quickly.

"I'll be fine, just go! I'll calm him down again. I-I just need you to go! I think you reminded him of Lovino and that's why he got mad." Gilbert explained in a single breath, worried that the longer Feliciano stood there, the more Antonio would get angry. "I need you to go!"

Feliciano hesitated for a second before turning to run towards the slope.

Antonio screeched, all of its attention focused on the Italian. It couldn't let him get away. Not him. That boy... was good. So, so good. It wanted just him. Just him.

I need him... I need him. He can't leave. He's mine. He's only mine. Just mine. I can't lose him again... Never again. Never. I will have him.

"Feliciano!"

,,

Kiku made it up to the top of the slope first, immediately turning around and reaching for whoever was behind him. In this case, it was Alfred.

"Alfred! Grab my hand, I'll pull you up."

Alfred stared at his hand for a brief moment before, grabbing the rocks right next to Kiku's hand, completely ignoring him.

"Help those who need it, not me." He mumbled shakily, uncomfortable at the mix of anger and fear that bubbled within him.

Knowing this response was due to what happened before, Kiku felt his stomach drop. However, Alfred was right. Right beneath the American, he could see Francis slowly beginning to lose energy. His arms were shaking as he tried to keep up his own and Arthur's weight as they scaled the wall.

"Francis- grab my hand." Kiku said, reaching out.

Francis looked up, quickly grasping the hand held out to him. With difficulty, Kiku pulled Francis and Arthur up. Francis grabbed blindly at the snow on the ledge, slowly feeling relief glaze over him. Once at the very top, Francis collapsed to the floor, Arthur slipping off his back. They made it. They were going to be alright.

Alfred crouched back down to look down the slope, "Where's Gilbert? Where's-"

"-Feliciano!"

Everyone felt their blood run cold as every sound was instantly silenced. It felt as if the entire world, for a brief moment, stopped in its tracks. Alfred's mouth hung open as an expression of pure shock painted across his face. Kiku put a hand over his mouth as his legs began to tremble. Oh God...

Back in the mines, Feliciano found himself face down on the floor. Antonio wasn't screeching anymore. It was silent as if time had immediately been put to a halt. What happened? How did he get on the floor?

Breaking the still atmosphere, Feliciano began to feel something drip onto the side of his face. It was warm and thick, tickling his cheek as it slid down. What was this...? Fearing what he would see, Feliciano hesitantly turned his body around.

Gilbert was right on top Feliciano, his hands on both sides of him, propping himself over the other boy's body. He breathed heavily, eyes wide but calm as he stared down at the Italian. Crimson was quickly branching out on the front of his shirt as a bony, sharp hand protruded from his chest.

"Are you okay?"

Feliciano's breathing hitched as Gilbert let out a cough. More crimson painted his front, splashing over Feliciano as well. No... No... this couldn't be happening. This couldn't.

Finding his voice again, Feliciano let out a shaky cry, hands reaching towards Gilbert. Antonio immediately retracted his hand, causing the albino to fall harshly down on Feliciano's lap.

"G-Gil!" The boy whimpered, scooping the other up in his arms. Gilbert winced as he felt the other hug him close to his warm chest.

Antonio was taken aback. It looked down at his blood drenched hand then back at Gilbert. There was no remorse or regret in its actions. It didn't even truly know who these people were. And yet... there was something that caused his body to twist and ache in discomfort. The scarlet coating on its hands dripped onto the mine floor, its drops echoing in its ears. What was this? What was this feeling? With the lack of a solid conscience, all Antonio could do and feel was the sense of wrong and confusion as it continuously flickered its eyes from its hand to the boys a few feet away.

"Go- Go up the slope." Gilbert choked out, raising his hand to weakly push Feliciano away. "Before he... gets you."

Feliciano felt his breathing grow choppy and short as held Gilbert in his arms. No... No this couldn't be happening. He couldn't lose Gilbert. He couldn't lose another person he loved. Not like this... Not like this.

"N-No! No, I can't leave you- I can't-" The Italian stuttered, his reality slowly breaking around him.

Gilbert frowned, grabbing Feliciano by the collar and tugging him close to his face. It was a rather harsh gesture, but he needed to get to him.

"L-Listen, Feliciano. You need to go. Y-You have to live on, okay? For me... For Lovino." Feliciano shook his head, tears dripping down his chin profusely. Gilbert forced a small smile, "Look at me. It's okay. A-At least... I was able to save you in time. So, please..." His voice shook as his hand slackened on the other's clothes. "Don't let me die in vain."

The last sentence snapped Feliciano out of his shock, his eyes meeting Gilbert's. Gilbert gave a slight nod of his head and mouthed the words "go", his voice no longer reaching his limited energy.

"They're here! They're here!" Kiku's shouts rang through the air, quickly followed by the loud sounds of blades chopping through the air. The rescue helicopter they had called what seemed like days ago (which was only hours) finally found them and was there to save them. Finally... this horrific night would come to an end.

Alfred knelt down to shout into the mines, "Feliciano, come on! We have to go! Right now!" As he shouted, guilt clung to his heart, knowing they'd have to leave Gilbert down there. However, he knew this was the time to go.

Feliciano looked down at Gilbert, new tears forming as he saw that his friend's peaceful smile was now forever frozen on his face. Hands shaking, the Italian gently placed Gilbert on the stone floor, awkwardly getting back to his feet.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry." Was all he could whisper as he regrettably ran towards the slope, up to where the rest of his friends were waiting for him.

Antonio screeched angrily at seeing Feliciano run away, but it didn't pursue him. Instead, it recoiled at the sound of the helicopter above and staggered around, eventually disappearing back into the shadows of the mines. Feliciano watched it run out of view, feeling another loss settle upon his heart.

This entire night was filled with such terror and unbelievable outcomes to one of the biggest mysteries of his life. He finally found the answers he sought desperately for for the past year, and yet... those answers only provided him with further questions. More questions with answers that will forever plague his mind henceforth.

Once he reached the top of the slope, Feliciano felt the world around him suddenly flip upside down. He found himself faced down in the snow with a pair of hands struggling to haul him up.

They were safe now.

The rescue team finally got to them.

They were safe.

Most of them.