Survive to Fight
Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.
Chapter 2: The Spirits and the Deal
When America left he didn't look back, because if he had his resolve would have crumbled and he would have given in to the aching loneliness that filled his heart. England, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Cuba, and many others had already fallen. He could feel himself slowly slipping away as well.
He called a meeting to in his lands, the Asian nations were part of the few left if only because North Korea still valued his family to some extent.
China arrived with Japan, both looking weary. Following them came South Korea, Vietnam, Russia, Philippines, Malaysia, and a few other countries that had yet to give in to the sickness that was permeating the lands.
"You called us here America-san?" Japan asked, for once he looked tired to match how he felt about his age.
America nodded. "England, Canada and I had gone on a search to seek out an answer, something that might save the nations and their people. Shortly after finding something of use, Canada and England collapsed. They are gone," he said gravely. His eyes held no tears, he had cried and used all his grief to finding the answer.
"What is plan, aru?" China asked warily. "You would not have called if there was none."
America stared at them all. "I can fix this. I can, but I need your family to talk to North Korea, distract him while I go. Either way all of us may die, but at least if the plan works we have a chance."
"And you will not tell us the plan?" Japan asked.
America shook his head sadly. "The less you know the better. In the event this is the last any of us see each other again…I'm glad I got to know all of you."
There were words of agreement, but America walked out the door and left. He headed for the lands, his forests and Native American areas that were still protected. He sought out the caves that his mother had shown him almost a millennia ago.
"It has been a long time since you have come here, little one."
There she was, still as beautiful as ever, her skin a shade darker than his own, her brown eyes shining with intelligence and wisdom beyond years, her long black hair pulled back into a braid, standing there wearing and old deer skin ceremonial dress.
"I have missed you…mother."
She nodded her head and stared at him. "The world ails and you seek counsel."
He nodded in agreement. "The spirits hold counsel that could save all."
"There will be a price."
"I will pay it."
She smiled at him. "You have grown, my son. I almost regret letting that foreigner corrupt you."
"I needed him as much as he needed me. The spirits would not have led me to him without reason."
She tilted her head. "The spirits oft meddle where they ought not. But for you, little one, there is favor."
"If they did not life just might be boring," he said with a smile.
She did not return it, her lips drawn into a small frown. "The price may cost more than you are willing to lose," she warned. "Are you prepared to handle that? Even if it is all you hold dear?"
"So long as I am the only one who need pay it," he answered.
"It doesn't work that way."
"It doesn't," he agreed, "but I would take all the suffering so that the others dare not know."
She smiled then. "I am proud of you, my son, my America. I am proud of who you, your brother, and the others have become. Never fear that you are alone."
She left him alone. He began chanting, old words flowing from his tongue knowledge of a language long forgotten. The spirits began to appear, the earth began to pulse and he could feel the crackle of electricity in the air. Time itself ground to a halt at the amount of power being pulled into one area.
You have called upon the powers of old.
"I have a request, I would you hear."
Speak and be heard.
"I request a way to save this world. It is falling to ruin and I would not that all suffer because of a dispute created by myself and another."
We shall confer.
Time did not move, but if it had America felt that it moved slowly. He could hardly believe they were willing to consider his request, let alone without him having to say more.
These lands are old, we grow weary, but your request can be answered.
He let out a sigh of relief, but they continued speaking.
The price, will be the souls of the nations.
"What does that mean?"
Human you represent, human you shall be, souls recycled in time for thee.
"They lose their immortality?"
Time is relevant, the end will draw once more, but you will remember all and seek the chance for the end, but end will be not what you think and choice will be yours, Child of Spirits.
"Child of Spirits?"
You are he who remembers all, ours but not, who seeks and longs, who sees and not. One life or many, you shall remember for which you desire.
"I will accept this price, so long as the world lives."
And so it shall, price to be owed and price to be paid, your request we shall grant though not expected the way.
The world around him spun black, America never had the chance to question the spirits of what was happening, what would happen to the other or if they lived. All he knew was darkness, never knowing that around the world a pulse of magic took the souls of the nations, the micronations, and nations of old, giving them new life with new purpose.
The spirits shared glances, feeling the old magic leaving the area where it had expanded and exploded in energy that was felt around the world, a single thought flowing through them all.
So it begins and one day shall end.