Hetalia – The Cold of War
Chapter 13! And the cogs are beginning to spin ;) Coming up is one of my favourite moments between Allistor and Arthur, to me it feels very genuine and true to their characters.
Questions and comments from reviews!
ElleDeghe asks: Will Allistor be fighting?
Ooh ho Ho we will definitely see Allistor tearing up the battlefield. He fights like a demon and is the very definition of badass. His weapon of choice? Dual Tomahawks baby!
Now without further ado I present the next chapter,
Enjoy!
The Nordic Kingdom, The Royal Palace, Allistor Kirkland's Chamber
Outside the triangular window pane of Allistor Kirkland's room, the relentless snow storm continued to hail down. The high ceiling room's fireplace had been lit and a merry flame danced on top of the piled pine logs, warding away the bitter cold. Dim morning sunlight filtered into the room and shone down onto the cotton cot bed occupied by the two Kirklands. The eldest lay on his back with his limbs eagle spread while the youngest had curled in on himself under the thick furs.
Allistor opened his peridot eyes with the last words of his dream ringing in his ears and groaned at the sudden invasion of light on his sight. As Allistor lifted his head, he continued to blink away the daze that clouded his vision and sat up. Beside him Arthur stirred and continued to mumble thickly "Alfred…not…you..me?". Allistor looked down in his brother's distressed face and felt the horribly familiar wave of powerlessness wash over him.
"Still troubled by ya sleep Artie? I'd hoped that'd changed" Allistor grimly wished to himself, hating that he had no real power to take away his brother's hurt. Arthur began to violently toss and turn before settling and resumed breathing steadily, his frowned face relaxed as the nightmare passed. Allistor bit his lip in frustration and rose out of the cot to perform his routine morning stretches.
"Oi Arthur, shake ya self" Allistor called with no response but Arthur's heavy breathing Without the faintest noise, Allistor silently padded over to window before opening it and scooping up a handful of snow. Chuckling darkly he condensed the snow into a tight ball, took aim and without a moment of hesitation, lobbed the snowball directly at his brother's sleeping face.
The condensed snow exploded upon impact, bursting into smaller pieces as it slammed into Arthur's face. Arthur screamed in such surprise that he bolted up right, lost his balance and slipped off the bed with an undignified high pitched cry. Allistor bellowed his laughter as he clutched his bursting sides, unaware that the loudness of their racket had now woken most of the Palace.
"ALLISTOR! I'LL KILL YOU!" Arthur roared as he scrambled off the boarded floor and launched himself at his howling brother. Not attempting to swipe away his tears, Allistor sidestepped out of Arthur line of flight and has nearly hit when Arthur lashed out his heel in a surprise attack. Arthur grunted as he hit the floor. He whirled and sent back a low kick with his other heel. Allistor chuckled and jumped to avoid Arthur's sweeping ground kick. Upon landing, Allistor brought his knee up aiming for Arthur's chin. Arthur pushed himself backwards to dodge but wasn't quick enough to avoid the follow up grab. Allistor yanked Arthur close and wrapped his thick arm around his throat. Sealing off the windpipe and holding on as Arthur tried to escape the wicked headlock.
"Tap out Laddie" Allistor teased as Arthur wiggled and squirmed. Completely unable to shake off his brother's death grip. Reluctantly Arthur tapped Allistor's forearm in defeat, darting away then released and gulping for air.
"Bastard" Arthur spat as he rubbed his aching neck to soothe it, Allistor continuing to laugh as if it were the most hilarious thing in the world.
"Too good of an opportunity to pass up" Allistor smirked as he strode over to his large wooden chest and began to pull out clean loose white shirts, two coloured tunics and a set of pressed brown pants.
"Hitting me in the face with a snowball or testing how out of practice I've gotten?" Arthur glared as reached out to catch the shirt and light grey tunic Allistor threw to him. Reaching for his pants that had been discarded on the chair the night before.
"Both," Allistor cheerily replied as he took off the drawstring pants he had slept in and shoved his legs through the new ones. Pulling the shirt and dark blue tunic over his head to complete the look. "So the sleeping talking hasn't stopped eh?" Arthur hurriedly tugged the shirt and tunic on to briefly hide his embarrassed blush.
"It hasn't been so bad recently," Arthur commented as he finishing dressing himself, perching on the bed to put his woollen socks on and lace up his boots. "But I mean, I think it's because I've been sleeping near Alf-" Arthur choked without finishing, his ears burning a deep crimson. Allistor wasn't an idiot, and so of course he knew who Arthur had been about to say. However for the sake of his brother's pride he pretended to not understand.
"Who?"
"No one. Ahem! So uh, what's the plan today?" Arthur quickly diverted as he straightened off the bed and reached for his green cloak and spell book in its hip harness. Strapping both items on with practiced ease. Allistor hummed to himself as he to reached for his matching cloak, thinking about the day ahead.
"Well no ones come ta bother us so I assume we have tha morning off. That'll give us some time to practise" Allistor decided, noticing Arthur's surprised look.
"Practise for what?"
"For when we end the mermaids tonight. You've gotten sloppy" Allistor purred the last part and laughed as Arthur whipped his spell book out and threw it at him. Easily catching the projectile with beyond catlike reflexes. Allistor examined the rune engraved leather cover with approval before trying to open it, finding it would not budge. "Personal locking spell? Good job"
Arthur smiled at the praise as he walked around the cot and took back his book, replacing it back on his hip and walking to the door with his brother. "So should we get breakfast first or work up an appetite?"
"Neither, we raid the kitchen and take our loot to the courtyard. An' then I whip ya little plump buttocks inta shape" Allistor winked as they exited his chamber and strode down the corridor towards the unsuspecting kitchen.
The Capital, The Winter Palace, The AirShip landing platform
Natasha stood with her feet braced and hands behind her back as she watched the her men march and board their black warships. The latest models were stood on the wide circular platform, ready to take flight with it's crew waiting for the order. Heavy artillery cannons, long range flamethrowers and grappling guns had been polished, buffed and armed to the teeth. Over by her ship Natasha could see her blindfolded prisoner Vladimir being dragged onto the ship in chains, his body limp putting up no resistance as he taken out of sight below deck.
Natasha herself was prepared for the Northern weather. She wore a white lynx furred long coat and matching hat. Her fine leather boots were polished without a speck and her platinum blonde hair was braided into a neat bun. The sky was releasing its white puffs and a few delicate flakes floated down to decorate Natasha's dark eyelashes and eyebrows. Behind her, Emperor Ivan approached silently with three mysterious robed figures followed in his wake. He stopped beside Natasha, watching the boarding alongside her.
"Alive and unspoilt. His retrieval takes the upmost priority" He commanded without emotion, his face forever the symbol of unwavering strength.
"Understood" Natasha answered respectfully, her heart clenching when her brother turned to look at her. Giving her one of his rare special smiles.
"You look beautiful in the snow" The Emperor surprisingly complimented, a unmistakable warm tone colouring his usually icy persona. Natasha's fair cheeks darkened furiously as the blood rushed to them. Her heart threatening to burst from her chest as she clung to her brother's sacred words.
"Y-you are too kind brother" Natasha weakly flustered, her blood feeling as though it had been set alight. The Emperor's smile held its warmth for a second longer before it quelled and its usual cool air resumed its place. He held up his hand motioning to the three hooded figures he had brought, the men stepped forward with eerie symmetry and lowered their pitch black hoods. The middle man of the three was monstrous. His washboard shoulders and tree trunk biceps bulged under his black robe and uniform. A strong square jaw and matching forehead were paired with devilishly black eyes. He bore a long jagged scar that extended from both corners of his mouth, giving the terrifying impression that he was always smiling. The two men on either side wore smooth metal masks that concealed their faces from forehead to chin.
These men were part of the larger group 'The Faceless'. The products of the successful experimentation on the manipulation of a Sorcerer's mind and will, having it warped beyond recognition or completely removed. The success rate was low, most participants driven insane as their mind cracked and forever lost their ability to use magic. Traits such as empathy, disobedience and mercy were suppressed to create the perfect solider. Those whose will was not removed but rather bent into obedience, ascended to the title of 'Elite'. Elites retained their social skills, verbal ability and sense of logic. They were ideal but ultimately flawed. For due to the repression of humane emotions, they exhibited displays of disturbing levels of blood lust and a love for chaos. Making them unruly and difficult to control as precisely as the regulars. The Faceless' magic was basic without preparation, reduced to simple elemental spells and telepathy unless they had the ingredients and proper magic circle ready. Once powerful independent sorcerers, now reduced to weaponised puppets.
"Popscu is weak and will be insufficient for combat on this mission. Take these two Faceless and Elite Silver. I believe with their power, subduing Arthur Kirkland will be smoother" The Emperor stated, turning his head to watch as the broad shouldered figure knelt along with the two regulars before Natasha.
"Elite Long John Silver, at ye service Madame" Silver growled with a bowed bald head, even low his hulking figure was taller then Natasha. The two Faceless did not pass any comment, the ability to speak had been erased from their memory. Natasha cleared her throat as her indiction for them to rise, looking Silver up and down.
"You understand the imperativeness of our mission that our great Emperor has tasked us with?" Natasha tested, aware that they likely already knew but felt inclined to ask in front of her brother.
"Find and retrieve one Arthur Kirkland. Kill any who stand in the way" Silver answered with a twisted grin, flashing his pointed teeth as if he were baring them at her. Natasha resisted the urge to shiver and held her poker face as she nodded.
"Then you may take your place on board. We arrive North in a day and a half, have any magic preparation ready for when we land" She ordered with a wave of her hand, Silver and his men already moving towards her ship. The Emperor made a small humming noise as he watched, his breath tiny puffs against the cold air. There was a pregnant pause between the siblings, something that held the air until Natasha could not hold back her troubled thoughts.
"Brother, why are we doing this?" Natasha asked with a wavering voice, doubts clouding her resolve as she questioned her brother's means. She had always known the goal. And yet sometimes she couldn't help but feel as if they were chasing an unreachable dream. She had never questioned brother's ambition or strength. Conquering a Kingdom had more then proven that. But now standing looking out on the platform, Natasha wondered how much farther her brother was willing to go.
The Emperor stood silent before replying in a controlled voice "Explain yourself Natasha"
"Seven years ago you became this Kingdom's Emperor. Six years ago you purged all Sorcerers. The stalemate between you and Ludwig Beilschmidt is breaking and you are risking all out war with the Nordic Kingdom for one person. You say with Arthur we'll make a breakthrough but I fail to see how. You never told me how you knew exactly how to cripple the Royal family or how you knew things that were impossible to know. None of it made sense but I still followed you even though you only ever told me on a need to know basis," Natasha could feel herself getting more and more hysterical but the words didn't stop.
"I want sister Maria back as much as you do so, why? Why do you continue do keep secrets from me? We're together in this aren't we. And yet you haven't told me the details of why we need Arthur Kirkland. What great purpose we need him for. I want you to trust me so please," She felt tears whelm up in her eyes. Felt her mental dam crack. Her ice queen image melting. "Just tell me why…"
The Emperor stared down at his sister. His poisonously violet narrowed with disapproval over the emotional outburst. It would not do to for Natasha to become delusional. He needed her objective for the mission. Arthur Kirkland needed to be his for Maria to be returned. This part of the plan could not be altered. They had made it clear that without him, the deal was off. They were like Ivan in a way, purposely withholding information to why They required Arthur. But that wasn't important, what important was making sure that Natasha has in the correct frame of mind. And for that, Ivan was going to have to put on a small performance.
"Natasha," The Emperor shushed, reaching forward and cupping his sister's pale cheeks in his gloved palms. He had seen the gesture used as reassuring move before, particularly between Roderick and his sweetheart. "You must listen to me. I can not tell you everything in this current moment. This is neither the time nor the place to be sharing that kind of information. But know with faith that I will tell you. When you return with Arthur Kirkland, there will be no more secrets between us," As tenderly as a lover, Ivan gently pulled Natasha to him and oh-so-softly kissed her pale forehead. "Once this is over we'll be free to be a family again. We can be happy, together…So will you do this sister for me? For us?"
Trembling Natasha looked up through misted eyes before carefully swiping them away, breathing her answer through flush rose lips
"Yes".
And the plot thickens, Ivan just what are you up to? ;) So this chapter was verrrryy fun to write. The first section with Arthur and Allistor is definitely one of my most well written chemistry between characters. I love their relationship much. And in regards to Natasha and Ivan, well despite They pulling the strings, Ivan is still very much in control.
Now, the Faceless. We have confirmation that the sorcerers are kept alive and Ivan is weaponising them. Turning them into his own private army. It's tragic how they are stripped of their identities and reduced to puppets, specifically since they were so diverse and organic.
It has happened once again! The blessed PREWRITTEN chapter has arrived! And with it... Could it be?! Actual USUK romance?! Yes yes! This slow burn is finally getting more fuel! For the price FIVE REVIEWS I am willing to post the new chapter up early!
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed the chapter! If you would like to see the next chapter up early, then please post a review. FIVE reviews is the minimum for it to go up. I hope you are enjoying the story :D Once again thank for reading and as always,
Until next time folks!