The horses were running at full speed towards the village of Marecia. The soldiers hoped that nothing terrible had happened to the inhabitants of the village, including Alfred's family. But the twitching of the horses told them otherwise. Suddenly there was a loud roar followed by shrieks and screams.

"FASTER!" Captain Lewis yelled to his horse. The horse sensing the urgency in his master's voice found his inner strength and ran off ahead of the rest of the group. As he approached the village he noticed people were fleeing. Then looking off in the Columbia section he noticed many destroyed buildings.

"Merciful God" was all he could say as he neared his destination. He caught sight of the bakery and noticed that it was on fire. A young boy ran out holding his mother's hand tightly. Captain Lewis noticed the woman was bleeding heavily.

"Run Matthew! Leave me here. Run! Don't turn around!" The woman yelled at her son just as the horrid creature burst from the bakery. The flames seemed to have to effect on the creature. Why would it? It came straight from hell.

The woman then collapsed. Matthew stopped and tried to make her stand up, "Mom! Get up!"

The woman lay of the ground gasping for air, "R-run r-run, find Al *wheeze* Alfred." Her blood was pooling around her. The scent of it drove the creature mad.

"NO I WON'T LEAVE YOU!" Matthew cried as it charged. Well Lewis wouldn't have any of this.

He pulled out his sword and without dismounting charged at the hideous beast of nightmares. With all his might he plunged his sword deep into the creature's neck. It began to wail and screech in pain yet it still headed towards the small boy. Lewis jumped off his horse and grabbed the hilt and sliced the neck in two. The head rolled off the beast. Its wicked grin was still there even as it turned to ash. It had no more use.

"Mom wake up! Mom!" Matthew kept on calling. His mother's heart was barely beating and her breathing was mere gasps.

"Y-you're a big boy now, *gasp* don't cry *gasp* find y-your broth-ther."

"We'll both find him! You just need to get better! Didn't you promise him your special ice cream? *sniff* Didn't you promise *sniff* that we would always be t-together!" Tears were falling from his eyes but he refused to wipe his eyes in fear that once he closed them she would disappear. Lewis could only stare and watch. The poison of the beast was in her. He could do nothing.

"I-I'm sorry Mattie *cough* I c-can't. Remember *wheeze* that I-I love you *gasp* both." Her vibrant blue eyes turned dull and her hand lost its grip. Her beating heart ceased and her shallow breath halted. Her sun kissed skin grew pale and blue. She was no longer there.

"Mom. . .mama. . .wake up. WAKE UP! WAKE UP!" Matthew called out to her in vain. He tried to shake her awake in his desperation. At this point Lewis tried to restrain and calm the boy.

"Stop that! She's gone now. Let her rest in peace!" That came out a little harsh. Matthew seemed to notice him for the first time.

"Who are you? Why didn't you save my mom! You're a soldier! WHY DIDN'T YOU SAVE HER!" Matthew collapsed into a heap of sobs. He didn't care who saw, he didn't care what they thought. She was gone and that's all that mattered.

"She was injured by that monster. Whenever they harm their prey they secrete poison through their teeth and claws. Even if I had administered first aid she would have just suffered more." Lewis explained solemnly. He had killed the beast but felt no victory. They were too late. He had to report this immediately.

"What? I don't understand, what is that thing?" Matt looked up at him terrified and confused.

"That was an Umbra Cor. A bloodthirsty race set on destroying and killing anything they can get their filthy jaws on. They were supposed to be wiped out of existence years ago. But as you can see they are back." Matthew stared in shock. His mother said they were legends! But why? Why did they get attacked.

"Would you like to bury her?" Lewis asked. Matthew looked at his mother's lifeless body before he answered.

"Yes. L-let's burry her by my dad." Matthew stood up as they soldier picked up his mother. He led them to a small grave with the words 'To a loving husband and amazing father, Here lies Thomas Jones.'

Matthew began to dig with his hands, "Her name was Emily". A pang of sadness went through the soldier's heart. He walked into the shed by the house and was lucky to find two shovels. He brought them out and handed one to Matthew who already had a small hole done.

"It would be easier this way." Lewis said as he began to dig. Matthew took the other shovel and dug as well. But then a voice called out to him.

"Sir! We are taking the injured to the nearest hospitals and neighboring villages!" One of the solder's called out.

Lewis halted his digging to reply, "Alright then! I'll meet with you later. I am occupied at the moment."

"Aye sir!" The soldier saluted and went on his way.

They had finished digging the hole and had placed his mother's body. Matthew's face was still covered in tears while a few sobs escaped from his quivering mouth. He held to his mother's hand. He didn't want to let go knowing that once he did he would never see her again.

"You have to let her go now." Lewis said to Matthew. Matthew's back stiffened but he complied. He let go of his mother's hand and walked away from the site. Lewis continued to fill the hole mechanically. He was about ready to pack and leave when Matthew appeared once more.

"Wait." He stopped. "Let me bury her with this." Matthew held out two white lilies. "These were her favorite flowers. She grew them behind the house. These are the last ones left." He was about to place both flowers on the grave.

"You should keep one as a memoir." Lewis explained to Matthew. Keeping something that represents his mom would help him deal with the sorrow.

"You're right." Matthew placed a single flower on the grave. He noticed that the soldier had placed a small cross on the grave with the word 'Emily' inscribed on it. He gave the soldier a small smile in appreciation. Her last words rung in his head "Remember that I-I love you both." Both. How was he going to tell Alfred. On no, Alfred!

"D-did they get you A-Alfred. Oh God. No why you stupid, stupid idiot! Why did you have to run off! Some hero!" He was all alone now.

"Alfred. Oh that's right. You're his brother aren't you! I wasn't expecting a twin though." Lewis now had a good view of the lad. He looked just like Alfred but with longer hair and darker eyes, almost an ocean blue.

"Wait. . .you know where Alfred is!" Matthew exclaimed hopefully. Maybe, maybe his brother was alive and well.

"Yes he is at the kingdom healing—"

"He's hurt! Did one of those things get him too?" Matthew asked fear once again settling in his stomach.

"Well he almost was but some of our 'friends' were there and helped him." Lewis then realized that there was a huge gap in his story.

"How did he get there without anyone noticing?" Matthew asked.

"That I can't explain to you but I was ordered to bring you to him." Lewis replied. "And my name is Lewis Stameson, Captain of the Spades army." He bowed.

"Wait, why would soldiers of the Royal Spades Army come to find the brother of a commoner?" Matthew asked confused of the whole ordeal. His brother was alive and well and soldiers came here to find him!

"Because it was a direct order from his majesty the Prince of Spades." Lewis replied like it was the most obvious answer.

Matthews mouth went slack and his eyes went wide. 'The Prince!'

"I have spent more time than necessary! Now come, we must reunite you with your brother and I must report this to the Prince." Lewis said extending his hand. Matthew took it apprehensively only to be yanked on top of a horse. "Don't fail me now Sue. Off to the kingdom!" Lewis said to his horse. She neighed and shot towards the kingdom.

~~~~~~~~~UKUS~~~~~~~~~

"Prince Arthur!" Yao called. Arthur was sitting in his study surrounded by mountains of books dealing with the Umbra Cor.

"What is it Yao? Have they found Alfred's family?" Arthur asked hopefully.

"Well I have received word that the village was attacked by the Umbra Cor. There were many casualties and injured. I don't know the status of Alfred's family." Yao responded.

Arthur felt his heart clench. How was he going to tell Alfred that his family was dead? He knows the feeling of losing a mother and father but he had no siblings. He could only guess that pain. Even then he still had Yao to care for him. Alfred would have no one.

"Oh yes and the King of Diamonds decided today of all days to drop us a nice surprise visit."

Arthur's jaw dropped and his worry was replaced with pure resentment and anger, "What the hell is that bloody git doing here!" he roared.

"Young man! Watch your tongue, aru." Yao scolded.

"I agree with your advisor mon ami." A pompous voice was heard.

Arthur turned slowly and forbiddingly. "Who gave you permission to enter my study, Francis." He said darkly.

The man approached Arthur with a gait that yelled 'I am far superior that you in every way'. His hair was long blonde and wavy. It reminded him of silk, bad thing it was such a grotesque person. He had blue eyes that seemed to make the sky weep in shame. But that voice. All who heard him said his voice was that of angels. To Arthur it was like a demon straight from the Diamond Kingdom. He considered this place hell. And to top it off he had the most ridiculous flirty personality he had ever seen.

"Well normally I would like to chat with my ally but I have some urgent business that I need to talk to you about." His teasing voice turned into one of seriousness. Something Arthur thought was impossible.

"I have heard that you are also being plagued by the Umbra Cor, no?"

Arthur was once again shocked. How did this pompous bastard know about this? "How, how did you know that?"

"Well let's just say a little bird told me." The King replied.

"So you learned this from flirting with the locals and listening through gossip?" Arthur replied coyly.

"Well not quite, but close. There have been sightings of them at my kingdom as well. At first I thought the locals were losing their poor minds. That was until the people began to disappear. Through witnesses we discovered that it indeed was the Umbra Cor. I decided to come to you first since your kingdom has quite the experience with these vile creatures. And I have something you might find interesting. I came unannounced since I thought that you may not have suffered the same problems as I but it seems we are on the same boat mon ami." Francis quickly explained.

Arthur was about to reply when the door slammed open, "Your majesties, they are back."

I almost forgot about this chapter ^^; I thought it was finished but it had a good chunk missing. Sorry for the delay. Alfred wasn't involved at all in this chapter. Let's just say he was taking another nap. I wasn't expecting this chapter to be so long, especially Canada/Matthew's part. And France makes his entrance Huzzah! As in their age Arthur is 16, Alfred and Matthew are 12 and Francis is 18.

Anyway thanks for the reviews Mintbunny07, Renuki, Eternally1Yours, l Ashuri l and Kraut. Please keep on reviewing :)