Italy didn't dare move, keeping his face hidden in Germany's chest. He could feel something—he didn't want to imagine what—dripping down onto him from the ceiling. He tried desperately to get the image of his fellow nation's bodies chained to the wall out of his head, but he just couldn't.
And on top of it all, there was that voice. That woman's voice.
"It seems you've found my little hideaway."
Germany glanced up to the ceiling, where the voice was coming from, his eyes widening.
There was a woman who appeared to be lying on the ceiling. Her skin looked almost grey, but maybe it was the light, and she had long, white hair that splayed out around her. Like the bodies on the wall, she also had chains around her wrists as well as her waist, but they dangled down in front of her, not really restricting her at all.
She gave a flirtatious wink before somersaulting down from the ceiling, landing about a foot away from Germany and Italy, her black dress pooling behind her.
"And just who might you be?" Germany asked, glaring darkly.
The woman just smiled. "My, my. You can't tell who I am?" she licked her upper lip, turning away. "Then again, I don't really expect you to. My voice is awfully scrambled when I talk to the house."
Germany took a step back, eyes widening. "The Game Master."
With a low, sultry giggle, the woman turned, flicking her glossy hair. "That's me!" she chimed. She leant forward, running a finger up Italy's spine, making him shiver. "And you, Italy Vene— Actually... I think I can just call you Italy now." she smirked, moving closer and pressing up against his back. "You are the only Italy now that the other one's kinda... dead, after all."
Italy shook even more, clutching Germany's shirt tightly.
"You've really surprised me, making it this far." The Game Master stated, winding her arms around the Italian's waist. "I thought you'd be the first to go." she hummed lowly. "You'll probably die soon."
Germany pushed Italy out of the way, grabbing The Game Master by her dress. "I've never hit a woman before, but—"
"But what?" The Game Master gave a defiant smirk. "You think you can cause me any harm? Try it."
Pulling a fist back, Germany swung for The Game Master, who jumped back up onto the ceiling. "Missed me~" she taunted.
"Why don't you fight me without flying away like a coward?"
The Game Master stuck out her bottom lip. "But then I'd get hit. Why would I want that?" She poked her tongue out, a cheerful smile fixing itself onto her face. "How about you leave me alone or you'll have to fight your friends?"
Germany raised an eyebrow. "Fight my friends? What are you—"
"Germany!"
The German faced Italy, who was pointing at the far wall. He turned in time to see the bodies of The Corrupt lifting their heads.
"You remember them as friends. You know what they remember of you?" The Game Master spun down, hanging in Germany's line of sight like a spider on a thread of webbing. "Everything bad that you've ever done to them." she whispered. "You have to the count of three to get out of my room."
Germany turned back towards Italy, grabbing his wrist and pulling him out of the room, slamming the door shut.
Italy backed up against the wall, crying and coughing, shaking his head. He lurched forward, dry heaving and choking on his own breath.
"Italy." Germany lay a hand on the Italian's back. "Are you okay?" he asked, moving his hand in gentle circles.
With even more tears pouring down his face, Italy shook his head again. He lurched even further, emptying the contents of his stomach onto the floor. He couldn't breathe without broken sobs tumbling from his lips.
Germany lifted the Italian onto his hip, cradling him close to his chest. He'd known the smaller nation for a very long time. He'd seen him at his best and he thought that he'd seen him at his worst, but he had never seen him become such a mess before. So, he did the only thing he could think to do. He sang their song.
"I-I'll make a soldier's decision to fly away. Load my gun, paint my face, call me misery. I could see the sky light up and the ground explode."
Italy hid his face in the crook of Germany's neck, sobbing and hiccuping so much that it was beginning to hurt his chest.
"Got my sights locked in, I can see you breathe. Then I watched you fall and somebody scream. It's the saddest thing when angels fly away."
"G-Germany," Italy croaked, his throat sore. "She said I was going to die soon..."
"She lied!" snapped Germany. "She lied to frighten you. You're not going to die!"
Italy fell silent after that, sniffling quietly every now and then as he was carried down the hall.
Hungary sighed, collapsing on a bed in one of the rooms. Her hatchet dropped to the floor and she brought her hands up to rub at her face. "I wish that brat wasn't so good at hiding." she grumbled.
She started to hum as she began idly yanking her fingers through matted brunette locks.
Canada. The invisible nation. And yet he'd stolen the heart of her best friend. Her brother.
Prussia always did have strange taste. And apparently, so did Canada.
How did the Canadian put up with Prussia's arrogance and obnoxiousness?
Not that it mattered now. Prussia was dead and Canada would soon be following him.
With a low chuckle, Hungary pulled herself back up, snatching the hatchet off the floor and leaving the room.
Meanwhile, Canada was still lying on the floor next to Prussia.
"You idiot." he whispered, lacing his fingers between the Prussian's. "You should have run away with me." His eyes began to fill up with tears all over again. "We could have easily outrun her."
He shook the tears from his eyes, curling up against the Prussian's side. "You idiot."
"Canada?"
The Canadian sat bolt upright, ready to fight if need be.
It was just Germany, carrying an unconscious Italy.
"Is he...?"
"Sleeping." Germany clarified. "He's just sleeping." He went to take a step forward.
"D-Don't come over here." Canada warned. "Please, don't. It's..."
"My brother." Germany stated. "I know."
Once again, Canada's eyes filled. "I'm sorry. He told me to run and—"
"I don't blame you, Canada."
"B-But..." Canada shook his head. "He died protecting me. Don't you get it?"
Germany sighed. "I get it." He walked forward, stopping an inch away from the Canadian. "I get that you feel responsible. You probably hate yourself. But don't think that I hate you too, Canada." he said.
"Germany..."
Balancing Italy on one arm, Germany held his free hand out to the nation on front of him. "Come with us. It's dangerous to be alone here."
With a small smile, Canada refused. "Thank you, but I can't." he said. "Hungary is Corrupt. She's looking for me. I think it's safe to assume that she'll try to kill you both too if you're with me."
"Canada, I think the two of us could—"
"Please, Germany. It's not that I don't appreciate what you're trying to do for me, but I can't... I can't have another death on my conscious."
Germany sighed. "Well, okay." he muttered. "But be careful. Prussia would never forgive me if something happened to you."
"The same goes for you." Canada watched as Germany walked away.
When he was out of sight, Canada lay back down, resting his head on Prussia's chest.
Platinum Tier.
What did that even mean?
Italy was sure it was just a euphemism for death, but The Game Master had explained it differently.
What had she said?
That Platinum Tier was like Heaven?
But she also said that they would begin anew. So... reincarnation?
It was a strange concept, like a life-after-death theory. All Italy knew was, he really did not want to find out.
The passing hour found Canada still curled up beside Prussia. Still sobbing. Still apologising.
"You should have just let her kill me." he whispered, pressing a kiss to the Prussian's now cold cheek.
"Aww, how sweet."
Canada jumped to his feet, facing the new arrival. "H-Hungary..."
"You know," Hungary lifted her hatchet, once again running her finger across the blade. "If you had just stayed put and died like a good little bitch, he would still be alive." she stated, looking down at Prussia.
"Tais-toi!" yelled Canada, clenching his fists. "You didn't have to kill him!"
Hungary put a hand to her lips, shielding her grin. "Oh, but I did." she purred. "If I hadn't have killed him, he wouldn't have let me kill you." She grinned, stepping forward. "I really do want you dead, Canada." she growled, lowly.
Canada was shaking, anger, sadness and fear taking their toll on him. "Don't you see how you've undermined your own argument there?" he asked.
Hungary didn't respond.
"You wanted me out of the way so you and Prussia would be as close as you used to, am I right?" He paused for Hungary to answer, but she remained silent, staring at Canada with an unreadable expression. "How do you expect to to be close to him now that he's dead?" he asked, his voice steadily raising in volume. "Now that you killed him?!"
Hungary drew back her hatchet, smacking Canada across the face with the blunt end, sending him to the ground with a pained yelp, his glasses smashing and skidding across the floor.
The Canadian weakly pushed himself up on his arms, spitting out a tooth, along with a mouthful of blood.
With a snarl, Hungary grabbed a fist full of Canada's hair, pulling him to his knees. "Is it really wise to antagonize the lady with the hatchet, Birdie?" She punctuated the end of her sentence with a knee to the Canadian's stomach.
Canada dropped back onto the floor, face first, coughing and spluttering. "F-Fuck you!" he wheezed, glaring hard at the woman above him.
Hungary paused, eyes wide. "Canadian's can swear?" she asked. She sighed. "I thought fighting you would be more interesting. You're hardly putting up a fight." she complained. "Oh, well." She raised her hatchet, bringing it down with as much force as she could and burying it in the Canadian's back.
Canada gave an airy scream, pain radiating throughout his whole body. Hungary's hatchet had snapped his spine, rendering him immobile. All he could do was lie on the floor, screaming in brutal agony.
Giving a high-pitched giggle, Hungary put her foot down heavily on Canada's back, earning a louder cry from the fallen nation, and yanked her hatchet back.
Slowly, a numbness began to take over Canada's body and his eyes started to feel heavy.
Hungary smirked. "Giving up already?" she cackled. She raised her hatchet, her tongue flicking over her upper lip. "Once more for luck, dear." she whispered, swinging down and sinking her blade into Canada's skull.
Canada has reached Platinum Tier.
End Note: A wild Kassy appeared! Kassy used Update! It's super effective! (I hope)
Why did I put Italy's musings on Platinum Tier in? Because I wanted something in-between Canada's talk with Germany and his death. Now that Canada is gone and Hungary is corrupt, there are only two who could win The Game. I wonder if any of you can guess who it is. You're all assuming that it's Germany, but by pointing this out, I'm making you think that it's Italy. Criss-cross! Or am I double-bluffing~?
Translations:
Tais-toi! - Shut up! (French)
Sneak peaks
"It would be easier to die."
"I still have my Italy."
"I'll come back for you soon, I promise."
"I'm on my way, Italy."
"Hi, Germany~!"