Chapter 35: Through the void

Amelia, Japan, Italy, Feliciana, France, François, and Germany walked through the burnt pathway towards the rift; the trees were ashes and the grass had become singed dirt. The carnage of the monsters cleared pathway was mortifying with dead, cooked animals littered on the sides and the smell of smoke still thickened the air. They continued walking straight, the cloud cover blocking any light that lit up their path. After forty-five minutes of walking (trudging for Italy), the winds changed dramatically from a light breeze to 45mph gushes of wind that was blowing them back somewhat.

"We're close by." Feliciana stated, her face lacking emotion.

"How can you tell?" Italy asked nervously as they continued fighting the wind forward.

"The wind patterns are changing dramatically. It's kind of like the Coriolis Effect fighting itself."

"Um…Ok." Italy answered back even though he didn't understand what she had said.

"Hey guys, something's up ahead." Amelia pointed towards a glowing green light that was emitting from the end of the pathway.

They hurried toward it, the wind still fighting their every move. They stepped up to the green vortex in the ground and examined it while still trying to stay on their feet. François looked down into it then looked at the others. "Mon Angleterre is waiting." And with that, she jumped through the portal, catching everyone off guard.

"Guess we have no choice now." Feliciana said as she pulled Italy into the vortex with her even though Italy was crying uncontrollably.

Germany jumped in almost right after, his first thought being of Italy's well-being. Japan took a step back, questioning his next choice, though he didn't get much time to think because Amelia grabbed his arm and jumped in. Now all that was left was France who was looking down into the vortex, his mind filling with doubt. He took a step back then remembered that the life of those he loved was at stake, so he inched towards the portal and fell through, his hands covering his eyes.

This fall was different from their last one; it felt slower and more drawn out. Feliciana held onto Italy who had calmed down in the middle of falling though when the exit was visible, he started to freak out again. She embraced him for impact in case it was another free fall so that he wouldn't get hurt, but when they exited, they came out sideways. The impact, though painful, wasn't unbearable. Feliciana pulled Italy up off of the floor and brushed herself off, François sitting on the floor next to them.

"Waaa, where's Germany?" Italy looked into the vortex then was met by Germany who fell through, falling directly onto Italy.

He quickly got back up and apologized to Italy who was taking in deep breaths after being nearly crushed. After a few moments, Amelia and Japan fell through, Amelia cradling him so that the impact wouldn't affect him. They fell onto the floor and after they recovered, Japan quickly got up, slightly embarrassed.

"Is that everyone?" François asked as she brushed the dirt off of her already dirty blouse.

"Wait, where's France?" Italy asked as he shuffled to his feet.

Everyone looked into the vortex and waited for France to fall through.

"Maybe he chickened out." Amelia shrugged her shoulders in disappointment.

As she said this, France tumbled out of the green vortex, his face twisted into the most hilarious figure. He fell to the floor and laid there for a good two minutes until Feliciana kicked him in the side and told him to get up. He staggered up and looked around at everyone's dirtied faces. He then looked around at his surroundings.

"Hmm, may I ask where we are?" France was slightly intimidated by the darkness that surrounded them.

They all looked around and found themselves in what they believed to be an abandoned warehouse with boxes, shattered glass, dust, and a bunch of other blackened and burnt crap scattered around the large hallways and shelves. The walls were burnt and the floor had blackened footsteps engraved into them. There was one light bulb that hung down from the ceiling that flickered on and off; it was the only thing that protruded any light. The warehouse was cold and the air was stale. Amelia took a step forward and looked around with disdain on her face, her hands shaking slightly. She took another step forward only this time she cupped her hands around her mouth and screamed "ALICE!"

Then as if on instinct, François stepped next to her and shouted "ALLIIICCCEEEE!"

France and Japan exchanged glances then did the same for England. "ENNNNGGGLLLLAAANNNNDDD!"

They're voices echoed throughout the entire warehouse, and when it stopped they began searching the entire warehouse together (in fear that an enemy would appear and that they would be separated). They continued to scream Alice's and England's name for a good ten minutes until something caught their eyes. There was a large crate in the corner, and behind it there was an emitting glow that was barely noticeable. They all walked towards it and Germany moved the crate slightly to see what was behind it.

When the crate was moved, Alice and England came into view, only England was cradling Alice's head on his lap with one arm and trying to chant an incantation with another. Her arms were severely burned and her face was reddened on one side. England on the other hand didn't seem to have any severe injuries on his body, though his face was lowered near Alice's and his hair covered up most of it. Tears were dripping down his face and his hand was shaking, the words he was mumbling slurred dramatically.

François and France pushed their way through to them but stopped in horror at the sight of Alice near death and England mentally fading. François kneeled down at England and placed her hand on his shoulder though England didn't look up. France kneeled down next to François and stroked Alice's semi long hair, though it felt sticky from blood. England looked up at the two countries, his face in complete despair.

"Engl-." France started but England stopped him.

"She risked her life for me." England murmured low enough for only the two French countries to here.

"What?" François stared into his eyes, her face slightly stained with blood.

"There was a fire, and monsters, and she…" He stopped and looked down at her again, feeling for a beat.

"She what?" France was in complete shock.

England put his head down near her chest and shook uncontrollably. "I-I don't know. One minute we're walking through the hallway then all of a sudden Alice started to scream something and then there was fire and, and, and."

Feliciana put her hands over her mouth at the sight of Alice. "Then what England, what did she do?"

England shot his head up and sobbed out "She fought them all off while I didn't do anything! She chanted something that killed off over a dozen of those giant monsters, though one still got away." He put his hand on top of her head. "They were freaking everywhere."

They all crowded around Alice and England, though nobody knew what to do. England continued to cry while François kept her hand on his shoulder and France kept his hand on Alice.

"Mon Angleterre, why?" Françoise's hand started to shake somewhat violently and she put her head down on Alice's chest, being careful not to put pressure against her.

She took Alice's hand and held it near herself, her mind filling with absolute despair. "Mon ami, please come back."

Feliciana stepped up to comfort her, but then stepped back when France beat her to it. He placed a hand on her shoulder, still keeping his other on Alice. She looked over at him and then at England whose face was still stained with tears, then something miraculous happened. Alice's arm twitched and then it rose slightly to make contact with France's face. France felt the warm hand feel his cheek, so he raised the hand that was stroking Alice's hair and put it on top of her shivering hand.

"England?" She whispered.

England looked at her and widened his eyes. "Alice!"

Her head rose slightly then her eyes looked at the group, though something was off. She blinked a couple times then rubbed her eyes. Her eyes were distant and her face remained straight even when France put his near hers to look at her face. He put up three fingers and asked "how many fingers am I holding up?"

She didn't talk for a moment then answered. "I don't know."

They were all horrified. France looked at her eyes which had become clouded and dull. "A-Alice." He placed his hands on her face.

England had stopped crying and was merely terrified now. Alice shakily got to her feet and looked forwards, away from the group. "I'm sorry, but it seems that I've become blind."

-Sorry this chapter took so long. I was at camp for a week and didn't have any internet access there. :\