Luciano spent the rest of the week catching up with his brother. They shared all that they had learned about their past. Flavio had been revived under similar circumstances. Unlike his little brother, he was discovered by a group of government workers. They were the ones who explained to him his past. They told him about the other lands and his role in the world.
"Everyone said he was usually a nice guy, but he yelled alot and had a bit of a mouth on him when it came to swearing. I don't know how anyone can stand that much negativity." Flavio said dramatically. Luciano rolled his eyes and ate a bit more of the rabbit he had caught. "Oh dear brother, I am so glad I found you. Now together we can pull the nation together again. We can grow stronger and eventually, the other lands will become a part of us. We will be a new nation. A better one. We can become an empire. The men who found me were telling me that our other selves' grandfather was the Roman empire. He had all of Europe under his control. We could do that too you know, we could rule everything."
"You are a fool Flavio." Luciano said quietly. "This world that we live in, it can't take dictatorship rulers. It is so delicate and fragile. Even the slightest shake and it will crash and burn. We need to gather the other nations and restore order first. Then, piece by piece we can rebuild our society." Luciano said in a professional manner. Rosita gave a slight nod. Luciano may have been a bit of a psychopath, but he was a smart one. Flavio shook his head and leaned back.
"Little brother, this world is already broken. We need to fix it as soon as possible or else the pieces are going to shatter more and more. Those men I was with, they killed the first men and women who found me. Do you want to know who exactly was in the group I was with before? Children. They murdered children in front of their mothers like animals. Then, they slowly killed off everyone else. I was the last one left and they saw my eyes. Apparently, Al had known my other self. He bossed him around too so he took me away and forced me into that group of theirs. Every day was hell. I watched as they raped and murdered my own citizens, knowing I couldn't do anything to stop them. They claimed they knew how to kill a nation. There was a special gun or something and they had it. Looking back at it now, I think they were full of bull shit." Flavio said softly. Luciano stood up and slapped the other nation across the jaw.
"Of course they were lying you dumb ass!" He shouted. Fury and rage filled his eyes as he looked down at Flavio. "Were you really that idiotic to think that something as pathetic and weak as a bullet could kill a nation? I can't fucking believe you Flavio. The blood of all of those people is on your hands just as much as that stupid mob boss's. You murdered them Flavio. They died because of you... Alexandra died because of you." Luciano sat down and stared into the small fire. Flavio was trembling with fear as he looked upon his brother. The stories he had heard about the old north Italy all involved his kindness and forgiveness. He was sweet and gentle to everyone. This man was a complete opposite. Then again, he was the complete opposite of his old self too.
"Luciano, do you think that maybe... Just maybe, we were born to be the exact opposites of our old selves? Just think about it, the world failed with them around and tore apart, so maybe, we are mother earths do overs. You know, make them the opposite and see how it goes type of thing. Maybe the others failed because they were too kind. Maybe we will fail because we are too cruel. And maybe, after us, the nations will be perfect. They will be strong enough to carry our world to greatness." Flavio sat in silence after his small speech. Luciano glanced over at him and sighed.
"Do you honestly think everything is going to just turn out okay? We are having to go out into the woods and hunt for rabbits for food. We are never going to finish our journey because we can't even get it started. Flavio, I know what has to be done. We need to find the others. We need to know that it's not just us out here alone in this wilderness. If we can find even just one other nation alive, then we can start anew. The world will never be the same one that our previous selves saw, but we can make it a future that they will regret not seeing. All it takes is one little step." Luciano paused and stood up. "Flavio, I appreciate you finding us and giving us hope that we are not alone, but at the same time, this just gives me more motivation to go out and find others like us. Me and Rosita need to start our journey to Vienna, we are already a few days behind schedule."
"Well then little brother, I guess this is where we part ways." Flavio stood up and faced his sibling. "This isn't the last time you are going to hear from me. While you are off exploring, I am going to go around the cities and find out how many citizens we have left to help rebuild. I promise when you come back, you will have a real proper house to come back too." Flavio said happily. He reached over and hugged his brother. "Now you have to promise me something. Promise me that you will take care of yourself and that human girl you travel with. I want you both back here safe and sound."
"I understand." Luciano said quietly as he awkwardly returned the hug. "Well then, goodbye Flavio Vargas."
"Goodbye Luciano Vargas." Flavio said with a smile. And with that, he walked into the woods, dissolving into the darkness.
Not long after Flavio left, Luciano and Rosita walked away from the small town, leaving it in the distance. They walked for miles and miles without rest. Eventually, they met a few small mountains. With much determination, they climbed. Minutes turned into hours, and hours melted into days. Their clothes were torn and filthy, and their skin was caked with mud. The two were exhausted. No matter how far they walked, it seemed like they were getting nowhere. Eventually, they reached the boarder. The moment Luciano crossed it, he had a strange feeling, like a stray animal that walks into another animals territory.
"Luciano, is everything all right?" Rosita asked quietly, noticing a change about him.
"Yes, I'm fine. I just got the strangest feeling thought. Come on, we should turn in for the night." Luciano said quickly. He walked to a clear spot and began to build a small fire. They gathered a few rabbits and some more herbs and plants and ate. Their stomachs had been empty all day, so the sweet relief of food brightened both of their moods. When the cover of stars was over their heads, they both fell into peaceful sleep, though it would not remain that way.
Rosita twitched slightly as she had a strange dream. She was falling slowly down a dark hole. When she reached the bottom, she was back on the outskirts of Milan. She looked through the desolate dark streets. A cloud of emptiness began to surround her. Shivers ran up her spine. When she turned around, she almost bumped into something. When she looked up, she almost screamed.
A might demon stood before her, fangs drawn and ready for blood. His bumpy green skin was covered in a thick, disgusting mucus. The yellow eyes of his glowed in their sockets. He let out a low growl and smirked at her.
"You are far from your home young lady. May I escort you home?" The demon bowed his head, and in an instant, he changed into the form of a handsome young man. He had dark brown hair that swooped over to one side. His red eyes were hidden behind a pair of red tinted sunglasses. His teeth though, he still had the same, knife-like teeth as the demonic form that she had just seen. Rosita looked at him and shook her head.
"I am sorry sir, but I already have an escort." And with that, Rosita turned away from the demon and started to walk. The fowl creature ran after her.
"Please, I insist. Your escort couldn't make it this evening. He is busy, something got on his mind, he isn't coming. Allow me to escort you home instead." The demon requested as he grabbed her wrist. She pulled away and glared at him.
"Excuse me, but even if my escort could not make it, I can walk myself." She stormed off. The demon grew angry with her. He ran after her yet again and grabbed her wrist tighter. His hands turned back into their true form. His thick red finger nails clawed into her arms. Rosita screamed and tried to escape.
"I insist." The demon growled again. His voice was hoarse and sick sounding. Rosita continued to pull away from him. He was too strong though, no matter what she tried, she couldn't break free.
"Leave me alone!" She shouted. The demon dug his nails deeper into her arms. She let out a scream and kicked him. There was a sick crack as he bones protruded from his leg. Rosita took the opportunity and ran. However, no matter how far she seemed to travel, she never moved from the spot. The demon grabbed her and held her in place by her hair.
"Fine then little girl, lets make a deal. You want to run off with lover boy and be all happily ever after don't you? Well how about this. If you can spot the true me from one of these fake ones, then I will set you free." the demon said with a smirk.
"And what if I lose the bet?" Rosita winced.
"I get to keep you, body and soul." The demon cackled as he grabbed her thigh. She smacked his hand away aggressively. "Alright you wretched little thing, here is your test." The demon dissipated into thin air. Rosita lay on the ground in pain, holding her head.
"Rosita, are you okay?" Said a familiar voice. Luciano came running to her side. As soon as she saw him, Rosita backed away from him.
"Wait, I don't trust you. Tell me something that only you know. Something that you have never told anybody!"Rosita cried out. Before she could get an answer, she awoke from her nightmare. Luciano was standing over her, shaking her shoulder.
"Rosita, wake up, you were having another nightmare." Luciano whispered. The young human looked up at him and threw her arms around his neck. He was caught off guard by the hug and fell down. "I-... umm... okay?" Luciano returned the hug, confused. "Did I do something good?"
"No, of course you didn't!" Rosita cried out as she shoved him away. Luciano sat even more confused that before. "L-Let's just keep walking." Rosita said quietly. She quickly stood up and folded her traveling blanket. "We still have quite a ways to go." She said quietly. The two of them didn't talk much during that days journey. However, about half way through it, they did find a bit of luck. They found the boarder sign for Austria. They at least made it to the next nation.
"Its going to be a few days until we reach the capital isn't it. We should at least try to get a few more miles in before we rest for the night." Luciano said quietly. Rosita just nodded and continued to walk. They hiked until nightfall covered them like a blanket. Rosita built a fire while Luciano hunted for something to eat. Like every other night, they had roasted rabbits.
"Has something been bothering you?" Luciano questioned her.
"What makes you say that?" Rosita looked up from her rabbit, a small glare piercing from her eyes.
"Nothing, it's just that, you haven't really spoken all day. It's odd to not hear you talking." Luciano said quietly. He poked at the ground with his foot like a nervous child.
"I just had a strange dream. It was nothing." Rosita sighed.
"... Do you want to talk about it?" Luciano whispered. He had never been this open before, but after the dream, Rosita couldn't tell him anything. She just shook her head and laid down on her blanket. "Oh, well, goodnight then." Luciano said as he laid down on the other side of the fire. After much resistance, Rosita nodded off into the dream.
"What do you want to know?" Luciano from the dream asked. Rosita shrugged.
"Anything, as long as it is something only you know." She cried. Luciano pulled her close to him and held her. She heard his heart beating and his soft breathing.
"Do you really want to know something that only I would know?" Luciano asked softly. Rosita nodded and buried her head into his shoulder. Luciano bent his head down and whispered gently into her ear. "Rosita, I asked you to come on this journey with me because... I love you." Luciano's lips gently touched her cheek. Rosita felt her face blushing dark red. His touch was so soft and sweet.
"I'm sorry." She whispered. She quickly pulled the knife out of his pocket and plunged it into his heart. He gasped and exploded into a cloud of smoke. "The real Luciano doesn't feel that way about me. I know he doesn't... He can't." He said as she put the knife in her pocket. "Send me your next form demon, I will know that it's you." She called out fearlessly. Just when she was about to face her next test, she woke up.
When she looked around, she couldn't see much. It was still dark out. The fire was nothing but burning embers now. She was just about to call out for Luciano when she felt a hand over her mouth. Quickly, she whipped her head back and saw Luciano. There was a troubled look in his eyes.
"I saw someone in the woods" he whispered "we need to leave immediately." And with that, he stood up and rolled the blankets. Rosita could barely see him moving. He was just a shadow to her at the moment. She was about to start stumbling towards him when she felt his hand grab hers. He took off sprinting, pulling her along behind. They couldn't get caught by whoever or whatever was hiding in the woods near them at the moment.
They ran until sunlight filtered through the trees. The two were exhausted and dehydrated. Poor Rosita felt like she was dying. After two nights of hardly any sleep, then being stalked in the night, she felt like she was going to pass out. When the sun was high in the sky, they stopped for a break. Luciano went and got a bit of food and water for them. Rosita could barely see straight at the moment. Her hands were shaking and her entire body ached.
"We should stop for the rest of the day. You can barely walk." Luciano exclaimed. Rosita shook her head and stood up.
"No, we need to keep going. We will never make it if we keep stopping for me to rest." She took a couple shaky steps, the continued into the woods. Luciano sighed and followed after her. for the next hour or two he kept a close watch on her. Just like he predicted, she collapsed. When he ran over to her, she was unconscious. As quick as he could, he threw the bags on one shoulder and her on the next. He jogged through the woods looking for anywhere that could help. Eventually, the trees vanished and cities took over his view. He couldn't stop though. He didn't trust cities or towns after the first one they stopped at. He kept moving at a quick pace.
After a long, exhausted day, he finally found somewhere they could rest. There was a large mansion outside one of the big cities. It looked old, so he figured it must be abandoned. Just to make sure, he knocked on the door. He was extremely surprised to be greeted by a man about his size. Despite looking like a young man, he had grey hair and a long scar running over one of his crystal blue eyes.
"Can I help you?" The man asked quietly. Luciano adjusted Rosita on his shoulder and nodded.
"Please sir, we have been walking all day. Me and my uh... traveling companion are exhausted. If you could just give us a room for the night we would appreciate it." Luciano begged. The young man looked unsure.
"This isn't my house, but the man who lives here is kind, and I am sure he would be delighted to have company such as yourself." The young man answered. "What is your name stranger?" He asked quietly.
"Luciano Vargas." He replied as he walked in the door. His breath was taken away when he saw the architectural beauty in the home. Dark wood accentuated the lighter marble pieces throughout the house. It was a true masterpiece in the crumbled world.
"You may call me Gilen Beilschmidt. Ah, it seems my dear friend who owns this house is here." Gilen said with a nod.