Chapter IX

Poland let his head bang against the walls of his confined cell, obscene curses running through his mind. Bumps and bruises were already forming on his temple— remains from his last "interrogation". He swore his entire arm was dislocated and he didn't bother to try and fix it.

It wasn't like he was getting out of here anytime soon.

He cursed his own carelessness and the absolute-attentiveness of the guards. At first, he didn't notice anyone hunting him down when he was headed towards the exit. By the time he realized what was happening, it was much too late. He didn't know how they caught on—he was being careful, wasn't he?

They weren't wrong though—Feliks couldn't deny that. At least they didn't know who he really was—it would mean a lot of trouble, for himself and for Liet.

He wanted to lie down, but he couldn't. He wasn't going to let any of them think their methods where getting to him—he hadn't given up yet. Poland closed his eyes, replaying the events in his head.

Everyone he passed paid no mind to him like he hoped, but it didn't matter. They must've known from the beginning. That's why five guards were waiting for him at the entrance. He still didn't understand how he had screwed up…

Poland groaned. Lithuania needed him—he didn't have enough time to lie around in a cell. He had the urgency to talk to another nation, any nation, to tell them about what he heard. Perhaps he could…

"Hey!" He called loudly, banging on the bars, trying his best to get the prison guard's attention. "Hey whatever your name is! Do you know a guy named Ludwig? I need to like, talk to him!" He waited intently for a response.

"No one's allowed to see the prisoner," the guard answered dryly. Poland was alone in the cells but he could still hear the guard's voice from the main hallway.

"Oh come on!"

"No one's allowed to see the prisoner," he repeated.

Well, if that's how it was going to be…

-x-X-x-

Lithuania led his unit through the first snow.

The air was frigid and wet and Toris tried his best to quell the others' many complaints. His men were supposed to meet up with the Russians further southwest towards the Oblast. Together, they were going to attempt one major push to seal things off liberate the city.

Everything was going according to plan but they knew they were traveling further and further away from the supply trains. There was no sanctuary in these mountains and the nearest town was their rendezvous point.

"We're almost there!" Lithuania heartened, though he wasn't sure if the others even heard him when a mournful gale drowned out his voice. He glanced back to make sure everyone was still standing and following—they were.

He turned back around and adjusted his rifle belt. The black leather held a starking contrast with his white winter uniform. As he shifted the strap a little downwards, it snagged against a slender amber slab that was strung around his neck.

Lithuania untangled the object and fiddled around with it with numb fingers, gazing down upon it fondly as he continued to trudge through the snow and ice. The amber pendant had dulled and fogged over from the cold, but it still reminded him of something he could not have in a place like this.

He was leaning against the frozen wood of a fallen tree, enjoying the last campfire he will have in a while. Everyone else was seated at the opposite side of the fire, eating and talking feverishly. Suddenly, a soldier prodded him from the side, offering a pale-yellow envelope.

Slightly bewildered, he accepted the thin package. The solder returned to his place on a log and Toris set to studying the envelope. It was addressed from Latvia.

He frowned. The two had done what he told them to do—cut off all connections from him, which they obeyed for several months until now, apparently.

He shrugged and tore an opening. Inside was a fairly long letter and…

Something tumbled into his palm when he turned the envelope upside-down. It was gold in color and translucent, allowing the firelight to illuminate it beautifully. The object itself was half the length of his thumb and even thinner in width. A worn-out leather cord was strung through a small hole that had been drilled into the amber. A warrior on horseback and a rampant eagle were carved on either side of the object. Overtime, the design had worn down a bit, but the details still lasted.

It took him a second to remember what the object was, and when he did, he smiled faintly. He began to read the letter, feeling unusually cheerful yet wistful at the same time.

'Dear Toris,

I hope you got this safely. I don't think you would've been happy with me if the package ended up getting lost; I hope it made it to you on time.

Do you remember what this is? It was the good luck amber Feliks gave to you when you two formed the Commonwealth together. Those were the days… You gave it to me for safekeeping long time ago, remember? You said to keep it safe and make sure no one got to it when Ivan took you away for the first time. I kind of forgot about it after that though, I'm sorry. I only realized I still had it after thinking about you when it started snowing here.

How are you? We don't get a lot of news or information about the war because you know… You told us to leave. Eduard is still upset about it but I think he's getting better. We still have each other, you know?

But why did you make us go? We could've fought together; you know we wouldn't have minded. I always thought about it every night, but I think I understand you a little more now, Toris. Still, the both of us can't help but worry.

I'm trying to remember everything I'm supposed to tell you.

Oh yes, America keeps stopping by Eduard's houses and mine. One of the few things we hear about you is that you guys are moving around a lot. America tried to meet you at your own home the other day but I guess he missed you. There was something he really wanted to tell you and Russia, but I'm not allowed to say in this letter. I promised. It must be something really important. Better luck next time, I guess?

Talking about the lack of better luck, we heard the news about Kaliningrad earlier. I wanted to send a letter back then when it happened, but I never really got around to it. The city was supposed to be an advantage point America told me, so is Russia okay? It feels so odd writing about him to be honest—please don't tell him that!

But more importantly, please come home safe. Sometimes it gets a little lonely up here and I don't know what we would do if something happened to you. I better not think about it too much. I'm sure that's what you would've told us if we were still together.

Oh, I'm making you worry, aren't I? I'm sorry! I would start over but I already threw away a lot of paper because of the first part. I'm doing fine, actually! Better than you know who… I'm terrible with writing, aren't I? Sorry, sorry.

So, how is Poland? Are you two fighting together?

Make sure you wear that charm all the time now that I've given it back to you! It's for good luck and I think you need it.

Please be safe!

With Love,
Raivis Gallante '

Still smiling, Lithuania folded the letter and tucked it along with the envelope it came with into one of his pockets, making a note to himself to write a return letter tomorrow. He then took out a piece of twine and replaced the leather cord that was falling apart. He tied the pendant around his neck, bouncing the piece of amber in his palm before holding it still to study the ancient insignia.

He silently laughed to himself as the others looked at him curiously.

Lithuania snapped back to reality when he saw someone collapse from the corner of his eye. He quickly rushed to the soldier's side as everyone else stopped in their tracks.

"What's wrong?" He asked, expecting trouble. The wind had died down considerably enough for his voice to be heard this time.

"I broke my leg from the last scuffle, sir," he answered apologetically, patting his twisted limb.

Lithuania clicked his tongue as he observed the injury. It wasn't dreadfully serious, but the man couldn't walk on it anymore less he wanted to lose the foot to frostbite. "You should've told me sooner," Lithuania scolded, handing his gear to another soldier.

"My apologies, sir. I didn't want to slow everyone down."

Lithuania pulled his own arms back as he turned around. "Never mind that now, I'll carry you for the rest of the way."

"I…"

He sniffed impatiently. "It's the fastest way for all of us. I don't want you losing that leg of yours."

He climbed on and Lithuania was grateful that the man was much lighter than he expected. "I'm sorry about this, Commander."

"It's my job to take care of my subordinates—I just want you to focus on taking care of that leg of yours when we reach base. I promise there will be a proper medic waiting for us."

"Yes sir."

-x-X-x-

"Oh my God, you're actually here. Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting?"

"A week and a half? I don't know," Germany growled. "You were lucky. It's hard to remain unnoticed when you're shouting 'Germany' all the time, you moron. These people have no idea who-"

Poland cut him off, staring at him from between bars with an exasperated expression plastered on his face. "Yeah, yeah I know already. I didn't think you would actually come here so I was getting pretty desperate. Can you really blame me?"

"I- no, wait- what are you even doing here?"

"Spying," he replied simply like it was normal thing to do. "Well I was spying until I ended up here." He looked around disapprovingly. "Danky place if you ask me."

"Well, then you're a terrible spy. How did you get caught? Tell everyone why you're here?"

"As if." Poland glowered, aggravated. "I was being played and they had me caught before I even got the chance to run for it when I got the info. I still can't figure out how, and it's pissing me off just, like, thinking about it, seriously."

Germany sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "If you want me to bail you out, then you're out of luck. You're on Prussia's territory here."

"Well that's one thing I was sorta hoping for, I guess, but there's something else I need to tell you- well, anyone actually, but you're all I have."

Ludwig refrained from making a sarcastic comment. "I can't help your friend either."

"This isn't just about Liet, or me! Just listen, okay?"

He sighed again and looked towards the open entrance to the lighted hallway—no one was eavesdropping, and he had time to spare. "Fine, but make sure no one hears us."

-x-X-x-

Prussia almost shattered the mirror with his fist, blood and bile dripping from his mouth and into the sink that he was leaning over.

I'll kill him, I'll kill him…

Something burned in his core and he retched again. Someone was knocking from outside of the bathroom, calling his name repetitively. He wiped the filth from the corner of his mouth before snapping angrily, "I'm fine, now leave me the fuck alone!"

He collapsed to his knees, fatigue rapidly draining his energy. He rested his forehead against the cool marble of the sink, closing his eyes—he couldn't stand the white and bright magenta that bleached out his entire vision. His head throbbed to an agonizing beat.

Buildings were collapsing in on themselves, roads were breaking, and the cities were engulfed within a giant ring of hellfire-

The people-

-The people were dying.

"But sir, the airstrike from Lithuania-"

"I already fucking know about it!"

If the damn moron was still persisting, Prussia couldn't tell hear him for at that very moment a sudden burst of pain violently racked his body. Stars interrupted his vision of fire as human screams echoed endlessly in his ears.

-x-X-x-

"He's going to slaughter his own people. I heard it myself, his boss is going to kill enough people and burn down enough of his cities to make Gilbert hurt like hell and go after Lithuania."

"But why would he—?"

Poland took a deep breath that turned out more like a shuddering gasp. His heart hammered in his chest as anxiety made the hands clenching the prison bars tremble. "T-think about it like this, 'kay? If… If Gilbert is distracted with hunting down Liet, his boss will be free to do whatever he likes—not that he would mind if he was convinced that Lithuania was the one that attacked him in the first place. I-I was there to hear everything. The reason why they haven't gone all out against Liet and Ivan was because Prussia was stopping them from giving the command.

"To be honest, I sort of hate the guy for what he did to Liet, but he isn't as low as… as his boss… As much as I hate to admit it, Gilbert's the only thing that's keeping his boss from being a total bastard."

Germany wasn't sure of what to say. It seemed so unrealistic, yet possible at the same time. He didn't want to believe Poland but if what he was saying was true… "N-no one would permit him to go that far… It doesn't work like that."

"Germany! You know war, you know it! What does five cities matter to you when you can like win an entire country for yourself—and guess who's sending a never-ending stream of aid to Russia while they're both fighting their asses off?"

"Poland…"

Feliks' head was bowed and his entire body was shaking. His pale bangs shadowed his entire face but Germany could still feel the heated passion and anguish emanating profusely from the other nation. "That's not it…"

He only waited in silence for him to go on.

"What…whatever he's planning will kill Liet, and if it doesn't, Prussia will finish it personally. In the end, if everything goes his way, Lithuania won't exist anymore."

"…But surely he knows the other nations will punish the whole country for it," Ludwig tried to deny. This couldn't be true at all, it just couldn't.

Poland shook his head. "Liet will be framed for directly attacking Prussia's civilians, so guess who's gonna get framed for rubbing out Liet?"

"I…"

"You, Germany, you will."

-x-X-x-

There was still a pounding sensation in the back of his skull when he awoke on the cold, hard bathroom floor.

Gilbert managed to sit up without collapsing again though his limbs still trembled, threatening to give out on him. Aside from the growing migraine that filled his head, the only thing he could feel was the deepening hatred in his core. He didn't try to push it away—anything, anything was better than the torment he had just experienced.

There… There was nowhere else he could look. He knew it was all in his head, but it was real, and it was happening.

Flashes. He saw flashes of what his own people were going through in his mind's eye. It was impossible to recall every image that had blurred passed in the chaotic rush of noise and activity, but he could still feel the fear and confusion as if everything was happening to him.

And it was.

Explosions shook the ground, ripping fissures into the asphalt as people scrambled for safety in a midst of turmoil and raining shells. Perhaps an hour, a minute, or even a couple of seconds had passed before the sky was dyed a sickly red from the smoke and fire.

The fire. The fire was roaring and spreading. Another shell exploded somewhere else, new flames erupting from the splintered building.

His mouth still contained the bitter taste of bile and the cry of sirens rung in his ears—it was enough to drive anyone mad. He clenched his fists tightly, tightly enough to pierce his own skin but Gilbert didn't care at all—all the rage he felt drove every feeling of physical pain from his body.

He didn't understand.

Lithuania was his enemy, yes, but he had never expected for him to sink this low. It made him feel sick.

He thought it was impossible that someone like Lithuania could make him feel betrayed like this. Being proven otherwise only drove his anger further. He had allowed ceasefire so the line between civilian and soldier would remain distinct. That was the agreement.

It was supposed to be.

It was an odd sensation—his heart pounding against the underside of ribs caused his chest to ache horribly every time he took a shuddering breath. When the fire had eventually burned itself out, his skin froze over like an icy lake. Cold sweat ran down the length of his face, soaking his collar.

It was fear- no- helplessness that was robbing him of his strength. He had felt fear several times before (though he never admitted it), but this was something else. He felt vulnerable and violated, like there was something that could kill him from the inside out. He felt he could disappear any moment now if he didn't do anything in retaliation.

So… that was it then, wasn't it?

-x-X-x-

"What do you want me to do?"

"Get me out of here if you can. Then we need to find either Prussia or Lithuania. Preferably not together though, because that would be bad."

Germany studied his condition. He was still dressed in a Prussian guard's uniform, his hair was a bit matted and smudged, and his right arm seemed to dangle uselessly. "Can you walk?"

"Course I can. It's just this arm… God, is it okay for them to be twisting people's limbs off or something?"

"You are sentenced for execution."

"Wha-" He bit his tongue in time when he saw Germany mouth, "play along."

"Y-you bastard!" Poland corrected himself. "I already told you what you wanted to know, so let me out!"

"An enemy's espionage agent is supposed to be executed on the spot after interrogation. Feel grateful you have been allowed to live this long." He unlocked the cell with a long silver key. "Now if you will."

"Fuck you!" Poland shouted angrily, kicking and banging the bars on his way out of the cell. Germany took him by the back of his collar with one hand, and used the other to clamp his wrists together. "They'll kill you for this! I swear they'll kill you!"

Germany nudged him towards the entrance. "Be silent," he ordered apathetically.

"Like hell I will," Feliks retorted just as the two stopped in front of the prison guard's desk.

"I'm taking this one to be shot. He already told me everything I need to know."

Poland craned his head to glare at the prison guard with the dirtiest look he could muster. He hoped Germany knew what he was doing.

"Um, but sir, I've been told by my sup-"

"Your superiors have given me the obligation to dirty my hands with this task. He's been through trial and he's been found guilty of leaking information."

"Won't you at least need any assistance…?"

"Not at all," he replied stiffly, pushing Poland along, "I know where I'm going."

Poland found it safe to breath again when Germany shoved him into an empty room a safe distance away from the cells. "Ow, careful… Messed-up arm here."

"Try not to scream too loud."

"What are you-" His words were interrupted with a muffled yell and sickening pop when Germany seized his elbow and forced his arm to return to its socket. He eyes watered from the sudden burst of pain.

"Don't complain now, we have to get you out of here." He pointed towards the window.

"Why… why not the exit?"

"It's three meters, you can manage from here. Everyone already knows who you are—we're lucky no one else saw us but the guard." He walked over to the window and slid open the glass pane. He stuck his head out to judge the distance from the window to the ground. "It'll be fine and we have to hurry. Someone will figure out something's wrong soon."

Germany began to climb onto the windowsill. "Wait, do you like, even have an idea on where we're running to?" Poland asked doubtfully. He wasn't looking forward to jumping out of a window with a sore arm but Ludwig wasn't giving him much of a choice either.

"It's simple. Lithuania chased out Gilbert's men from his key cities and out of the countryside altogether. The only thing they need to take care of is liberating one of Russia's more important cities—Kaliningrad. The place is in ruins now, but I believe he's planning on rebuilding everything once matters settle down."

"So Liet will be in that area, right? How long do you think it'll take us?"

"A day, maybe less if we go by air but we should keep a low profile." He unbuttoned the top of his uniform and tossed it to a confused Feliks. "So they won't recognize you from far away," he explained.

Poland nodded and put the jacket on. It was a little big on him, but that didn't matter. He needed to get to the Kaliningrad Oblast quick.

-x-X-x-

"Where is he heading to?"

"Oh, so you've finally come to your senses?"

"I didn't say anything about that, you old geezer."

"Funny how ones like you should be more respectful towards their leaders…"

"Where the fuck is he heading to?" A glass shattered, or more like exploded.

There was a sigh. "Well if you must know, several forces are headed toward Kaliningrad- or Konigsberg- if that's what you prefer. Lithuania has smaller battles going on in the surrounding area. They definitely have their eyes set on the city, or what's left of it. Amazing what a single fire can do, no?"

"… I'm leaving."

"Oh, I'm sorry. Well good luck in neutralizing the enemy. This is one battle I prefer not to lose."

There was a loud curse and an even louder slam.

-x-X-x-

This. This was his first mistake.

He and Russia were faced with a field of rubble and hardly-standing buildings. He walked passed the remains of a church lay scattered over the charred skeleton of a school. Everything faced towards the sea—the same one his own country shared. Lithuania shivered—he hated to think that there were still men and women resting silently beneath the dark waves.

They were walking along the edge of the city where the sea spray could reach their faces even from where they were standing. The mist felt like frost against his skin as he licked his lips—they tasted strongly of salt.

There was a faint rumbling beneath their feet before a huge chunk of plaster detached itself from its pipe structure. Then there was the loud groaning of metal, and the supports broke and fell apart into the lapping waves. A single chunk from the wall rolled to Lithuania's feet. He felt thankful he told the others to stay away from any severely damaged edifice that might've still been standing (at the time). The last thing he wanted was someone getting crushed.

"A fire must've broken out after we left," Lithuania guessed without any humor in his voice, "Some things were still standing in one piece the last time I saw the place. I believe there used to be a tower somewhere around here." He nudged the block of cement and it rolled off the hill of rubble the two were standing upon. There was a dull crack, and the block broke into many more pieces. "Does it still hurt?"

Ivan shook his head. "Nyet, not really but it will be gone completely once the new day starts, da?"

"It will," Toris agreed. He slipped off his gloves and rubbed his chapped hands together. He was shivering slightly since he had left all his gear back at the makeshift camp. The damp air seemed to soak through his clothes and embrace his skin unpleasantly.

It was supposed to be noon but the achromatic clouds blocked the sun, blanching out the world. It has been several days and the fog and clouds haven't even cleared up once. Well, this was supposed to be expected of the winter, but it didn't stop him from growing tired with the endless gray.

Russia seemed to notice his discomfort for he stepped closer and pulled the Lithuanian towards himself, enveloping him with his arms. Toris thought he wasn't any warmer than the seawater spraying his face, but at least he felt safe like this—like nothing wrong could ever happen.

-x-X-x-

He awoke with a start.

Toris felt someone whisper words of misfortune into his ear, yet he couldn't recall exactly what the words were. He searched the darkness with his eyes as he reached for his rifle. Even in a place like this, a cricket was chirping.

He was sitting atop a large cement slab that protruded from another pile of rubble. There was no way someone could have snuck up on him without upsetting something. Yet, even as Lithuania tried to reassure himself, the back of his neck continued to prickle.

There was something else draped around his shoulders. Puzzled, he slipped the object off of himself and was immediately hit by a cold gust of air. It didn't take him long to realize that someone (he smiled faintly to himself) must've wrapped the blanket around him shortly after he accidentally fell asleep.

Toris took the heavy blanket in his hands, his heart growing hot. He got up from his resting spot and left the blanket where it was. At least he will have something warm when he comes back.

With his free hand, Toris reached towards his collar to feel the amber pendent—it wasn't there. A wave of panic washed over him as he frantically searched the ground for the lost object

I… I probably dropped it somewhere back at the camp.

It was definitely somewhere in the city. He remembered holding the pendent just as he stepped into the field of debris, but even so, it would be impossible to find it again in a place like this.

He knew it was puerile, but the necklace made him feel secure in Russia's absence. Now that it was gone, the atmosphere felt all the more foreboding.

Lithuania clicked the safety of his gun off—the prickling returned.

He swept the surroundings with his eyes once more. No one was there, but he knew better. Just then, dawn broke over the horizon, casting a pale light over the vast wreckage.

He sighed, fogging the air with his breath. He was freezing—he left behind most of his gear because he didn't expect himself to fall asleep during his shift.

So perhaps it wall all in his head; maybe the cold and paranoia was getting to him—

--until he felt it again. Despite the algidity, the air seemed to shimmer before his eyes. Raw, shapeless, hostile emotion crawled under his skin, making his breath run short. Something… something wasn't right at all.

Toris was running towards the center of it all now.

The necklace would have to wait.

-x-X-x-

He knew he would come.

Gilbert paced the scorched mosaics of what used to be a park. Whatever trees or flowers that where planted here long burned away with the fire.

He wasn't mistaken—Lithuania was definitely here. Another nation's presence felt different from an "ordinary" human's, and he felt two. Well, now he could finish everything in a single shot, like he should've since the beginning.

Gilbert wondered whether it would be best for him to make it quick or draw it out. He could always force the Lithuanian to witness his dearest partner's death. That's why he was fighting in the first place, right? To protect him. It was absolutely pathetic—all of it. Maybe he needed to remind him how helplessness felt again.

"So it was you."

It was still dark, but not pitch dark. Prussia could still see the green irises glaring at him from several meters away. He hated, hated, those eyes with such a burning passion. The grip around his pistol tightened—he wanted nothing more than to plant a bullet in the Lithuanian's chest and watch the light in those eyes extinguish into nothing… Like the fires that had burned away his precious people.

"Are you surprised to see me?"

"No, but I was hoping I could end this without having to see your face ever again."

Prussia laughed mirthlessly, throwing out his arm in either directions. "You? End this? You disgust me, Toris, you really do."

Lithuania had his rifle pointed at him but he didn't shoot—Gilbert didn't expect him to, he didn't even think this person had the heart- the will- to kill him and "end" it.

He himself, however, was the complete opposite. He was more than willing.

The sun was supposed to be rising now and Lithuania was facing west. A great mass of wreckage loomed behind him like a needled tower, obscuring the sun.

Lithuania seemed to be unaffected with his evident rage. His normally warm eyes were laced with an intense loathing. "The feeling's mutual in war."

Don't… you… dare… look down… on me.

To his surprise, Lithuania cast aside his gun—it was not an unfamiliar gesture.

"There's no way our weapons can match each other," he said, throwing off his white cloak, revealing a forest green battledress. He unsheathed a knife from his side and pointed it at Prussia. "Like this, no one will know."

This was definitely a deviation from his plans but his behavior was intriguing him—he'll play along for now. "You want to keep me away from the Russian, don't you?" He dropped the pistol and replaced it with his own knife. "You're tired and exhausted and I beat you the first time, how is this going to be any different?

"I'll make it different."

Gilbert could see the contempt in his eyes turn into pure determination as they stepped closer towards the center. What was Russia to him? He didn't understand Lithuania—it was always about others, not him. He knew what love felt like. He knew what it was like to have someone close (thinking about Germany made his heart clench), but this person had something different.

"So after everything that man did to you, you're still willing to fight for him—to die if you have to. Do you even know what you're doing?"

"I've known for a long time now."

"I don't get you at all."

"…I know."

They exchanged no words when Lithuania made the first move. Sparks flew from between their blades and Gilbert almost dropped his weapon from the shock of the blow.

Toris didn't wait for him to regain his hold as he aimed for the neck; Prussia blocked it just in time. His whole arm trembled violently under the sheer force—Lithuania was serious.

There's no way… there's no way I came out here for nothing.

-x-X-x-

Lithuania knew it was something personal when he saw Prussia standing amidst the ruin, most likely waiting for him.

He had no intention of letting the war drag on, but he knew he would never be satisfied with just defeating Prussia for the sake of ending things. Everything needed a meaning, and Toris was determined to settle his share of desires.

Russia will never suffer again.

That was the resolve he kept alit in his heart for all this time even as he forced his blade closer and closer to Gilbert's neck.

That was the resolve he was willing to die for.

He brought his gaze up to look at Prussia in the eye. There was a similar determination burning in those scarlet orbs, but it was for a different cause, and when he searched even deeper, he found nothing but a killing intent. It was the same rage he had felt in the air earlier—he knew Gilbert would not hold back, but neither would he.

Their knives broke contact and Lithuania easily brushed away an attack towards his middle. Gilbert stepped back in a haste and his foot sunk between two slabs of cement and piping. Toris forwent his instinct for mercy and decided to take advantage of the impediment and aimed his knife straightforward.

There was a horrifying crack before Prussia freed himself to avoid the blade. Lithuania spared a fleeting second to glance at his feet. His right ankle was twisted in an extremely awkward position—he had broken his own bones just to get out of the way.

His second thoughts were cut short when Gilbert lunged towards him despite the injury. Now his speed and ferocity increased and Lithuania was forced a step back. A chunk of plaster broke away and his foot struggled to find another hold. He stepped to the side and Prussia's knife snagged and ripped open his sleeve, grazing the skin underneath.

"Don't you dare think I've lost yet," Gilbert snarled angrily, sending a vertical slash towards his face. Lithuania blocked it with his knife on its way up and used both hands to try and push it away. Gilbert drew the weapon back only to plunge it deep into the Lithuanian's shoulder.

He cried out in pain before wrapping his hands around Prussia's to rip the blade out. The deep wound started to openly bleed and Toris clenched his teeth, trying to ignore the pain pulsating from the wound. He definitely didn't hit a vital, but the injury proved to be more than just distracting. He didn't have to worry about taking advantage of anyone now.

Prussia was standing not too far from him. He held the now-bloody weapon with both hands as his ankle quivered dangerously from beneath the weight he was putting onto it. If Lithuania kept fighting, he would surely faint from the blood loss. The two of them won't be able to make it any longer.

He raised his other arm to strike back—

Ba-thump-

His eyes widened in shock as a wall of heat hit him.

Ba-thump-

His entire body was frozen. His insides erupted in flames.

Ba-thump…

He wanted to ask what was happening but his lips were locked in a silent scream of agony.

The gray sky faded from his vision.

And then he knew.

Vilnius… Vilnius was burning.

The heat… the heat was too much. He wanted nothing more than to curl up and wait for the onslaught to subside, but his body refused him.

It was too sudden. His body was in a state of shock now—he couldn't move at all. The only thing he could see was a wall of flame, and the only thing he could feel was that wall of flame eating away at his skin.

And just as quickly as the fire came, something else-something cold was flooding his middle, battling the internal fire. It felt like a sword of ice had been thrown through his center.

He unclenched his eyes and slowly gazed down, the flickering lights fading away from his sight. Something metallic pierced through from underneath his clothing. The knife slipped from his grasp as he lifted shaking fingers to the object—its surface was slick with something red.

He observed his scarlet fingers through half-lidded eyes. The world seemed so much smaller now as his heart beat like a drum within his ears.

There was the sound of rubber scraping against concrete and Lithuania stopped the knife inches away from entering his heart with a single hand. Prussia looked at him in utter shock as he tried to push the weapon further—Toris only clenched his fingers tighter. The blade cut deep into his palm and blood gushed between his fingers but it didn't move any closer towards its target.

Gilbert tried to pull away now, but Lithuania didn't loosen his grip. With unseeing eyes, he reached forward to take the second pistol that was kept at the other's waist. Toris slipped his finger over the trigger and touched the mouth of the gun to Prussia's forehead.

Warm blood trickled from between his lips as he spoke faintly, "You… you will never harm us again."

-x-X-x-

Poland almost collapsed on all fours when he reached steady ground. Germany was standing right beside him, offering him support. The ruined city appalled them both but there was no time to waste.

Ivan and Toris were supposed to be here—they needed to find them quick.

"I-I hope they're really…" Poland gasped as the two of them broke into a run, searching.

"They have to be. This is the only place…" Germany tried to reassure him but he understood his anxiety. Shortly after they escaped, they realized the first part of the plan had already been carried out. It took all of Poland's strength to keep Germany from going ballistic.

Feliks, however, couldn't deny that the attacks meant Prussia was already set on hunting Lithuania down. They needed to hurry. Everything was at stake.

Poland sharply turned behind a segment of stonewalls and nearly fell into a pit of broken cement. A strong hand latched onto the back of his collar, preventing him from falling.

"Poland?" Came the soft voice. "What are you doing here?" Russia pulled the smaller nation back and looked at Germany. "Why is Ludwig here?"

Poland didn't wait to catch his breath. "I can't explain now, Russia. Where's Lithuania?"

"Lithuania is… injured. Gilbert is in this city, da? He's fighting Lithuania again, da?" His gaze iced over, but he quickly looked away.

"Ivan, he's going to—"

The sound of a gunshot violently split the air.

-x-X-x-

Gilbert pressed a hand to the side of his head, stemming the flow of the blood. If he hadn't let go and moved out of the way at the last second, he'd be laying on the floor, dead with a bullet hole in his temple.

There was a clank of metal when Toris dropped the knife, allowing the blood to drip freely from his fingertips. The smoking pistol remained in his other hand. He rasped throatily, speaking again.

"Never…"

He hacked as coagulated blood spilled from his mouth and splattered onto the concrete in puddles. Perhaps if his vision were clearer, he would be able to see his own reflection—to see the metal that had torn straight through his body. His mind was becoming aware of the immense pain in his torso now, but it wasn't over, not yet. He won't let it end like this.

Lithuania stepped forward, slowly pulling away from the metal shaft that impaled him. Every step sent a crippling wave of agony throughout him but he needed to get free…

He needed to see Ivan again…

The never-ending burning in his heart threatened to consume him but he willed himself to pull free.

Prussia stepped a safe distance back as he stepped closer.

"You've gone insane…"

If he could, Lithuania would've laughed at that. Maybe… Maybe I have.

He raised the gun to fire again but all his strength left him and his knees gave away.

He waited for the unforgiving ground to collide with his face but it never came. Instead, he was caught and wrapped with something warm and soft. He felt shielded, protected in these familiar arms. He smiled weakly, the blood on his lips still wet and glistening.

"Ivan."

-x-X-x-

"It wasn't Lithuania. He was using you all this time."

"… So that was it then. He… he meant to kill him himself, I was only the pawn."

"Gilbert…?"

"Help me out of here, West. I need to stop them…"

Germany looked towards Poland who nodded, his eyes gleaming with unshed tears.

-x-X-x-

I don't understand.

Why?

Why are you covered in so much red?

"Ivan." Toris.

Blood continued to bleed from the gruesome wound, surrounding them in a solid halo of crimson. "Don't speak, Toris… We'll take you to the doctor an-and you'll get better, Toris. You will…"

"I… I failed you didn't I?" His voice was barely audible but Russia made sure he could hear every word.

He tightly gripped one of Lithuania's hands and brought it up to his cheek. The skin was colder than the surrounding air. "Don't say that. Y-you saved me. The war is over now, you ended the war!" They were empty words but he needed to say something, anything.

"It's over… You're… safe now… I-I can…"

His heart spasmed painfully. "No, no, no! Toris! You promised-you promised you would stay with me forever, that you would never leave me! Spring is coming, da? It'll get warmer and better. There will be sunflowers, the bright ones. They're beautiful, Toris, they're…" His voice caught in his throat as hot tears burned the corners of his eyes. This was never supposed to happen.

His glazed emeralds softened in sadness. Lithuania rasped, his eyes unmoving, "Feliks…"

"L-Liet?" He kneeled down, the olive irises overflowing with tears themselves.

"Maybe… maybe I can see you again… in the… the rye fields…"

"O-Of course you can, you… you idiot," he said, his voice cracking. "I-I'll be waiting…" His misery was at its peak. Having a heart never felt this painful, not even once in a millennia.

Lithuania's mouth pulled into a fading smile. "Don't… cry… over someone… like me."

"You-you're always saying things like that, Liet…"

"I…" His fingers tightened slightly around Ivan's. "I… I wanted to live on for a little while longer… I wanted to see… those sunflowers with you, Ivan…" His hand cupped the tear-soaked side of his face, his touch gentle.

"Take me with you, Toris. Please! Don't… don't leave me here alone again!"

"Ivan." Something glimmering rolled down his cheek. "It's snowing."

Sure enough, snowflakes began floating down to earth in a serene sort of grace, covering the field of destruction with a chaste veil.

"You're… right, Toris…"

"It's… It's beautiful, isn't it?" The delicate snowflakes that settled on his face did not melt away. Ivan brushed them with his thumb and they turned into water at his very touch.

"It's beautiful…" Ivan agreed quietly, but Toris could no longer hear him.

-x-X-x-

-x-X-x-

If the world was so cold and undeserving

Then why do we still cry?

In the end

It's always the same

Both sides are meant to suffer

And we are absorbed

In our own suffering

I'm sorry…

I never intended for it to be this way

You must hate me

But

I still hope…

That you can l i v e o n . . .

. . . f o r

m e . . .

. . .

Tbc in Chapter X