Hungary kicked the eiderdown off her legs, setting her feet on the floor. It didn't matter that America had promised to come back, it would take a while to calm England down.
She lifted herself off the bed, making her way to the door. She gasped quietly, falling against the wood. That pain. What was happening to her? She coughed violently, one hand clutching her chest while the other covered her mouth. This feeling was atrocious!
Taking a deep, shuddering breath, Hungary pushed herself away from the door, pulling it open and stumbling out of the room. She made her way down the hall, half leaning against the wall for support. She probably should have stayed in bed, but if she was left alone with her thoughts, she may go insane.
Having exhausted himself with all that crying, Italy had fallen asleep in Germany's arms, his head resting on the larger nation's shoulder. He kept whimpering and hiccuping in his sleep, but for the most part, he was still.
Germany, deciding it was best not to carry Italy around like this in case they ran into trouble, carried the sleeping Italian to the nearest bedroom. He pulled back the bed's eiderdown with his foot, laying Italy on the mattress beneath.
He sat on the edge of the bed, pulling off Italy's high-tops before standing up and pulling the eiderdown back over him.
With a sigh, he settled himself cross-legged on the floor by the side of the bed.
What a ridiculous situation this was. Seven nations were dead, or had reached 'Platinum Tier', or some philosophical shit like that. When Prussia had tried to smash a window his arm had ripped open. And The Game Master. The fucking Game Master. That bastard had a seriously sick sense of humour.
"Germany?"
Italy's voice brought Germany out of his thoughts. "Are you alright?" he asked, turning to face the lethargic nation.
Italy gave a weak nod. "What were you thinking of, Germany?" he asked, rolling onto his side and slipping his thumb into his mouth, something he'd never grown out of.
Germany smiled at the childish action. Italy only ever sucked his thumb in front of people he was totally comfortable with, which was only Germany, Romano and Spain, and even then he only did it when he was tired. Prussia and Japan had both seen him doing it, but he tried not to when they were around. "Nothing important." he replied. He gently stroked a few locks of auburn hair out of Italy's face. "You should go back to sleep."
With another nod, Italy moved over. "Will you lie with me?" he asked, his words obscured by the thumb in his mouth. "Just until I fall asleep."
Germany sighed, tugging off his boots before climbing into the bed beside Italy. "Just try not to dribble on me." he teased.
It had taken Prussia a long time to calm Canada down, but once he had, they'd returned to wandering the halls. Canada kept a tight hold on Prussia's hand, casting worried glances up at him every so often.
While aware of the looks he was getting, Prussia just kept walking strait forward, never taking his eyes off the path ahead of him.
Every time the Prussian so much as coughed, Canada would squeeze his hand move slightly closer.
"Birdie," Prussia sighed, starting to get a little aggravated. While he was touched that the Canadian worried about him so much, he really wished we wouldn't get himself worked up. "How many times do I have to tell you? I'm too awesome to die." He flashed his usual, cocky grin, but it gave his partner no comfort.
Canada's gaze fell to the floor. "I'm sorry." he whispered. "I keep picturing all these awful scenarios and..." he trailed off, his eyes filling with tears again.
With a sigh, Prussia turned, wiping away Canada's tears as they began to fall. "Stop crying all the time, you know I can't handle emotions." He pulled the Canadian in for a hug, raking his fingers through his blond hair.
"I ca-can't help it." Canada rested his head on Prussia's chest. "Please don't die."
"Canada!" Prussia could help raising his voice a little. "Stop talking like that! I'm not going to die. Okay?" He caught hold of the Canadian's chin, making him meet his eyes. "How unawesome would I be if I died and left you?"
Canada wished he could have been comforted that easily.
Hungary's breathing was uneven and she could barely keep her eyes open. Every muscle in her body was screaming for her to go back to the soft, comfortable bed, but her mind persisted that she keep moving forward.
She stumbled a little, almost tripping over, but soon righted herself and continued to limp painfully down the hall.
Her throat had become dry and her head was starting to pound. Still, she walked forward, albeit a little unstably.
She blundered clumsily through one of the bedrooms and into the adjoining bathroom, leaning against the sink. She could just about hold herself up.
This wasn't a good feeling. This wasn't a good feeling at all.
She heaved, ready to throw the contents of her stomach up into the sink, but nothing happened. She gave a few more dry heaves before her stomach settled.
Putting a hand to her cheek she ran the tap, relieved when it actually ran clean water. In this ridiculous clichéd horror-story situation, she'd hardly be surprised if the damn thing ran blood.
She cupped her free hand under the running tap, collecting some water into her palm, lifting it to her lips. She swished the water around in her mouth before spitting it back into the sink.
She lifted her head, looking into the mirror.
She looked dreadful.
All the colour had drained from her face. Her skin looked dry and her hair looked like it hadn't seen a brush in years. Her lips were horribly chapped and her eyes were dull with heavy dark circles under her eyes.
She groaned, covering her face with her hands. She felt so ill.
So ill.
But no one's here for you.
No one cares.
You could die.
No one in this house would care.
"Prussia would care." she argued back at the voice in her head. "And Italy. Italy would care."
Then where are they?
Prussia would rather be with Canada than you.
After everything you've been through together he chose Canada over you.
And Italy.
Don't be so stupid.
You were going to offer to explore the house with him, weren't you?
And what did he do?
He ran strait to Germany.
None of them care about you.
Hungary didn't even know she'd started crying. "Shut up!" she spat. "Just shut up!" She leaned over the sink, glaring dangerously at her reflection.
She saw the whites of her eyes start to darken, her pupils disappearing as they took on the pretty green of her irises.
She stepped back, wide-eyed. "What on earth?" She shook her head, rubbing her eyes and trying to convince herself that she was just overtired and imagining things.
Deciding against staying to see if her eyes were still changing, Hungary spun on her heel, heading out of the bathroom. She sat on the bed, still shaking. What to do? The last thing she wanted was to sit here with the voices in her head driving her crazy, but she was too weak to go far.
"Hungary?"
She looked up, giving a weak smile to who she saw in the doorway. "Prussia." Her voice came out in an airy tangle, quieter than a whisper.
Prussia stepped into the room, Canada following after him. "Are you okay? What happened?" asked the Prussian, sitting beside his childhood friend.
Hungary's smile fell as soon as she saw the Canadian.
It's all his fault.
You and Prussia would still be best friends if he'd just stayed in the corner, unnoticed, where he belongs!
Shaking the voice out of her head, Hungary took a deep breath. "France and I got separated and he... he..." she trailed off, tears springing to her eyes at the thought. If she'd stuck with him, he might still be alive.
Canada looked to the floor. "So, he really is dead." he whispered, biting his lip.
With a sigh, Prussia put an arm around the Canadian, rubbing his back.
He should be comforting you.
You're the one that's ill.
Once again you come second.
"Why don't you go get some water to calm yourself down?" asked Prussia.
Canada nodded, wiping the tears off his cheeks as he walked out of the bedroom.
"It's not fair." whispered Hungary. "It's just not fair."
"Hungary, what's wrong?"
Biting her lip, Hungary struggled to her feet. "I'm alone." she muttered. "So very alone. France is dead. Italy would rather be with Germany." She started to shake, fists clenching at her side. "And you... you have Canada!" she spat the name, vehemently.
Prussia sighed. "Hungary, just because I have Canada doesn't mean I care about you any less." he said laying a hand on the Hungarian's back. "We're brothers, remember?" he laughed.
Hungary felt her chest clench. "Brothers." she whispered practically inaudibly. "What the fuck happened to 'bros before hos'?" She bit the inside of her mouth, fighting back more tears. "Prussia," she spoke up a little so Prussia could hear her. "If you'd never met Canada, do you think we'd still be as close as we used to be?"
"We're still close."
"No." A sad smile crept onto Hungary's face. "Not like we used to be. Don't you remember? We'd tell each other everything. Now I hardly see you."
Another sigh fell from Prussia's lips. "Things were different back then. I—"
"Prussia!"
Canada's voice sounded through the halls.
Prussia was on his feet in an instant. "Birdie?" He dashed out the door leaving Hungary sat on the bed, fists clenched in her lap and head reeling.
One call from the Canadian and he runs off.
Canada says jump, Prussia asks how fucking high.
It's all Canada's fault!
You should get rid of him!
Hungary pulled herself up, moving forward on weak legs.
Come on move faster!
You have to get rid of the Canadian!
Despite the encouraging words that echoed through her head, her legs gave out and she crumpled to the floor.
"I can't." she muttered. "I can't even walk."
No!
You can do it!
Get up!
Get up!
I believe in you!
Taking a deep breath Hungary shakily pushed herself up onto her hands and knees. She was about to try to get onto her feet when something shining under the chest of draws caught her eye.
Hesitantly, she reached her hand out, grabbing a hold of the object and pulling it out from it's hiding place.
A hatchet.
Perfect.
Hungary gently run her finger across the blade, creating a small slice in her skin. "It's sharp." she observed. She licked away the droplet of blood pooling on the tip of her finger before pushing herself onto her feet.
She made her way out of the room and down the hall, her legs no longer feeling as weak as they did.
"Birdie?" Prussia found Canada standing in the doorway of a room they'd yet to explore. He had a hand covering his face and couldn't seem to tear his eyes away from whatever was inside that room.
He was jerked out of his trance-like state when Prussia grabbed hold of him. "Birdie, what's wrong."
Canada shook his head pointing into the room.
Prussia turned to peek into the room his hand automatically coming up to cover his mouth.
On the floor, just inside of the room, was England. Badly beaten and barely recognisable. The room was totally destroyed, broken furniture everywhere and blood stains on the wall. And in the centre of it all lay Spain, clutching Romano close to him.
Prussia turned away, pulling Canada with him. He cursed, squeezing his eyes shut. After taking a moment to calm down, he released a shuddering breath. "Come on," he whispered, kissing the top of Canada's head. "Let's go back to Hungary."
As he turned to take them back to the bedroom that they came from, he saw Hungary slowly making her way toward them. "We were just coming back." he informed her.
Hungary ignored him, walking strait forwards.
"Hungary, didn't you hear? We're go—" That's when he noticed. Not only the hatchet dangling at her said but her eyes. Her completely back eyes, narrowed and focused on Canada. "H-Hungary..."
"Prussia, what's—"
"Get out of here." Prussia didn't even look at the Canadian.
Canada gave a puzzled look, still shaking.
"Now, Canada!"
Hungary's melodic laugh didn't seem as sweet as usual. "Prussia. Don't make him do things he doesn't want to do." she said in a sing-song voice.
Prussia turned, putting his hands on Canada's shoulders. "Birdie, please!" he pleaded. "Remember The Game Master talking about The Corrupt? I'm guessing that The Corruption makes you do things you wouldn't normally do. Even kill people."
Very clever, Prussia!
Canada flinched at the sound of The Game Master's voice.
"I think it's safe to assume that The Corruption has Hungary. So please, just run!"
"But—"
Prussia spun the Canadian round by his shoulders, shoving him away. "GO!"
Hesitating for only a moment, Canada nodded, taking off down the hall.
Prussia turned back to face Hungary, who had almost reached him. She was still a little wobbly on her feet, but much faster than she was.
The Hungarian clenched her teeth, quickening her pace.
When she reached Prussia, he grabbed her by her upper arms. "Hungary what are you doing?" he growled.
Hungary struggled in his hold. "Let go of me! Let go, Prussia!"
"No!"
"Let me kill him!" she hissed. "If I get rid of him, we can be brothers again!"
Prussia pushed Hungary backwards, sending her onto her back. "I'm not going to let you kill him!"
Tears flooded Hungary's eyes. "You don't want me to kill him?" she asked, pushing herself into a seated position.
He's getting in the way!
You know what to do.
"Well, obviously that's going to be a problem." She slowly managed to get back onto her feet. "Because no matter what you say, I really do want the Canadian to die." She took a step forward, brining the hatchet up. "Even if it means I have to kill you first."
She charged forwards, bringing the hatchet down in an attack that Prussia easily dodged.
Skidding to a halt and turning back around, a grin stretched across Hungary's face. "Doesn't this bring back memories?" she sang.
Prussia glared. "I'm fighting you unarmed and you're trying to kill my boyfriend. Fucking nostalgia." he replied, sarcastically.
Hungary swung the hatchet, and knowing he'd have no time to dodge, Prussia blocked it, getting his arm ripped open again, both old and new wounds beginning to ooze blood. He swore loudly, gripping his injured arm.
While Prussia was distracted, Hungary swung again, taking out his leg.
Prussia dropped to the floor, hissing in pain.
With a chiming giggle, Hungary tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "I bet Canada is real pretty when he's crying." she taunted.
"Don't you fucking touch him!" spat Prussia, pushing himself up on his good arm.
Hungary gave a bored look, delivering a hard kick to Prussia's ribs, pushing him over onto his back. "As if I'd listen to that." She raised the hatchet one more time, before bringing it down heavily onto Prussia's chest, tearing it wide open.
Prussia jerked forward, coughing up a thick spray of blood.
With a sneer, Hungary yanked the hatchet out of Prussia's chest, turning and walking away, leaving Prussia to die.
Taking a deep, gasping breath, Prussia let a small smile grace his face as he stared down at his make-shift bandages, made from Canada's shirt. "I guess I wasn't awesome enough after all." he whispered.
Prussia has reached platinum tier.
End Note: Sorry about the thumb-sucking thing. ATH readers will know it's a head canon of mine. Prussia's death scene was the hardest thing I've ever had to write.
Right, some of you may want to know where France's body was when Canada found the room France, England, Romano and Spain died in. I hope I'm not spoiling anything when I say; You'll find out next chapter.
Also, my boyfriend has done some fanart of this story. You can find them on Deviantart under the name NarakuNoDragon.
One more thing (this is a long end note); When the font is centred and italic, you guys get that that's The Corruption talking to them, right?Translations: There are none~
Sneak peaks
"I'm not tired anymore, Germany."
"Let the punishment fit the crime."
"I have served my purpose."
"You don't think I'm going to hurt you, do you?"
"Oh, hello."