Hetalia - The Cold of War

Chapter 22! And we are back my people, ready and kicking to get the ball rolling again. I'd like to thank the reviewers of the last chapter: Dangara2610, Chiisaioni, Willow Leaves and SecretParadox Hatsuki. Despite the lack of overall action you still took the time to review and that is amazing, a big thank you to you all!

Question Time:

SecretParadox Hatsuki asks: Are they going to save Arthur?

Sorry but unfortunately, spoilers! Of course the rebel alliance want to rescue Arthur, though for individual reasons; Ludwig and the King for military strength, for without Arthur they lose his and Allistor's support meaning they have no sorcerers able to capably fight. I can only say to wait and see what happens to our bushy browed hero.

An' to all I present thee the next chapter,

Enjoy!

Alfred Jone's Mindscape, Unknown, Somewhere warm?

"Alfred? Come now, don't pretend you're asleep. We both know that you snore like a walrus when you do, sleepy head" A familiar voice faded in, prompting the young rebel to crack open his azul eyes only to immediately squint them against the intruding sunlight that harshly assaulted them. Alfred groaned as his vision slowly adjusted to the intense brightness before being able to survey his mysterious surroundings. He was laying in a colourful meadow of wildflowers; splays of blue cornflowers, white daisies and red poppies swayed with green blades of long sweet grass. Cheerful chirps of song birds and the faint buzzing of insects resonated throughout the spacious meadow with perfumed air that held a haze like quality to it. Alfred awed at the beauty of his natural setting before he looked up to the voice that had awoken him and felt his heart lurch at the sight.

Arthur was crouching above him on all fours, silhouetted by the glorious midday sunlight. Unmistakeable with his golden halo of hair and those intelligent captivating eyes that never ceased to fasciate. A casual loose shirt hung off his thin lean frame and the ends of his brown trouser bracers had been rolled up to the calf revealing bare feet. The image was almost more natural then the meadow Alfred lay in, the display so honestly genuine that it made Alfred wish Arthur was always this free with himself. No gigantic feathered wings, no scary glowing eyes that didn't belong; simply Arthur as himself.

In past Arthur had compared Alfred to the Sun itself with associations of earthly health and wholeheartedness, and when Alfred looked at Arthur he saw the most intriguing, interesting, most perfectly flawed person alive. It wasn't just Arthur's bewitching appearance that Alfred craved for, it was his unquenchable amount of depth he had to his character. True, sometimes his personality sometimes sucked and he could be way too rude and sarcastic, but Arthur was this layered, complex being that Alfred pined to understand. So incredibly skilled and loftily unique that quietly, Alfred feared that someone as ordinary as himself would never be able to compare; the prospect not unlike falling in love with a star, one-sided and unbearably unrequited. He ached to cast aside the defensive emotional barriers Arthur erected to keep people from getting too close, and yearned to stand accepted alongside him as an righteous equal. Alfred hungrily drank in the vision before him like a man starved, grazing deep into the beautiful emerald rock pools that were laced with veins of tumbling gold.

"Arthur" Alfred breathed as he hesitantly reached up a hand to cradle Arthur's blushed cheek, his palm warm as the blond sorcerer easily leaned into the affectionate touch. Alfred would have been content to simply remain there, would it have not been for the gut wrenching memories that resurfaced from the corners of his mind; casting him back to the blood quenched courtyard. His aqua blue eyes pricked with tears as he remembered the last grief stricken time he saw his dearest one. Clarity forlornly settled upon him. "This is a dream" He grieved with a tremulous voice full of heartache, the throbbing love organ twitched painfully inside his tight chest. The cruel paradox ironic to Alfred as to imagine Arthur safe and happy before him while the real Arthur's fate was distressingly unknown. The dream Arthur only adoringly smiled down at Alfred and parted his lips as he leaned in to close the distance between them, his sweet breath hot on Alfred's tear trailed face.

"Then it is a good dream" Arthur hushed as he tenderly sealed the narrow space between them, tilting his head as he kissed Alfred with infinite softness. Alfred felt his damp eyes slide shut as he as he felt his grief and torments pushed down, and lost himself in the emotional moment. And though Alfred shortly allowed himself a moment to imagine what their first kiss would feel like, he knew it was wrong to relish in false pleasure. If he was going to kiss Arthur, he was going to when Arthur was safe and ready to. With a small grumble, Alfred broke off their intimate prayer and gently pushed Arthur back so that their eyes met.

"Any other time, I would of happily stayed in a dream like this. But right now when I have no clue about what happened, I can't do this, even if it's in my head. It feels…wrong," Alfred reluctantly admitted, annoyed at himself for being so morally inclined to be the hero. "You, or Matt, or even Allistor could be badly hurt and I'd be here, ignoring them. I can't stay, not when you might need me out in the real world". Arthur's thickly dark blond brows drew together and as cocked his head slightly to the side inquisitively, when something shifted behind his eyes. The warm dreamlike haze was abruptly replaced with sterile chilled air, Alfred's head became clearer and sharper as the dream was banished. Now not a dream, but a vision, Arthur's eyes emptied and turned glassy like a doll before hardening and darkened as if a stranger was looking through them. A transformation from familiar, to vacant, to foreign. The image of Arthur pinned Alfred with a glare.

"You would deny him? When you fear that you may never have the opportunity again?" The dream Arthur challenged as he clambered off Alfred and brushed the grass off his clothes, the accent dropped along with the act. Alfred narrowed his eyes at the imposter.

"Yeah, a hero puts his friends before himself and does the right thing. Now explain to me who the hell you are and why you're decided to krunk up my dream"

The dream Arthur scoffed at Alfred "Oh such noble ideals and a tough guy, really makes me blush. As to my name, that's not important. I'm merely the middle man delivering a message from the Boss, so listen up punk," He hissed. "The Boss ain't happy how close you and Arthur Kirkland are getting, if you catch my drift. Saying that you're messing up his plans for him and his homeboy"

Alfred felt that he had been slapped in the face by the bullshit fish. He had no idea that the guy who had looked like Arthur was blabbing on about. "You totally lost me dude. Boss? Plans?"

The dream Arthur shook his head in despair, "Gods, he told me you weren't the brightest but I didn't think you'd be this slow. Okay muscles, I'll put it in a layman's four words: Back. Off. From. Arthur. Like I said, the Boss says you're getting too close and ruining the match he's already set up for his favourites. I mean, no offence, but the guy Arthur's meant to be with is just so much better then you. Boss even refers to him as his 'protege' he's so experienced and understanding of the topic love,". Alfred's blood boiled as he listened to the pretentious prick lecture him. The only sense he had managed grasp from the one-sided conversation was that someone didn't want him romantically advancing on Arthur, and the hell if he was in the mood to add this onto his growing list of problems."So get it? You and Arthur have had some touching moments together, had some quaint banter, blah blah blah. But that all stops now you hear?".

"Oh yeah? And who is this big bad 'Boss' you keep yapping about? Thinks he's some hot shot big deal that can tell me how to live my life?" Alfred cockily smirked as the dream Arthur gave a loud offended gasp.

"Big deal? Big Deal! He's only Lord Eros, the very God of Love, the only driving force of humanity on this dusty mud patch. If he wasn't at the helm, then you humans would have died out long ago!" The dream Arthur squawked like an outraged parrot. Alfred raised his hand and gave an exaggerated dramatic yawn, pleased the performance ignited further anger in the dream Arthur's eyes.

"Whatever man. I don't give an ass scratch about your boss or his plans. I've got enough on my plate to worry about with the War and my best friend being some kind of Angel. I'll worry about your boss when I actually work up the energy to give a damn".

The dream Arthur bristled before he looked up and cocked his head to the side in the impression that he was listening to something quiet. He remained in the pose before reclining his head and narrowed his eyes at the youth, "You're lucky the boss wants to keep you around to hike up the romantic drama, otherwise you'd be a bloody splatter in a bed right now. Don't think you've gotten a free pass outta this mess. The boss is gonna be working overtime to make sure Arthur falls for who he is meant to, so if you think you have even an ember of a chance, guess again" The dream Arthur growled before he turned and began to walk, his image beginning to sway and fade the further he got. In the freezing meadow of flowers, Alfred stood alone to his disorganised thoughts.

"Alfred" A new voice faded in, different from the one that had first called to him. It called again, louder and clearer, "Alfred?". Then the meadow splintered and cracked into nothing.

The North, The Nordic Kingdom, Infirmary Ward

"Alfred!" A jolted spasm jerked him awake as he was yanked from his dream, hissing sharply when the action shot sparks of pain through his recovering ribs. Alfred Jones had returned to the mortal plane.

"Ow, fuck, ow" Alfred cursed as he shallowly panted to control the spiking pain, before finding to his surprise that it had disappeared as quickly as it had came. A hand roughly grabbed his own and enclosed it in a tight vice grip strong enough to crush his recovering hand bones.

"Oh thank gods Al you're awake," Matt's voice rung out relieved roughly to Alfred's left, the exact position unclear when the American's vision was blurred without his glasses "Thank you, thank you. I believe now, I believe in you Gaia". Alfred cringed and huffed as he sat himself up on what he assumed was a bed, sinking slightly into the plush mattress as he rubbed the sleep from his crusted eyes.

"Where am I?" Alfred thickly mumbled as he straightened up and shivered from the cool air that slapped against his bare goose-bumped skin when the thick covers fell off him. Vaguely he could make out indistinct white movements move about in the fuzzy room and could hear distorted fragments of conversation. His visitor, a floating blond bob to him, made a reaching motion and the comforting shape and weight of his glasses was pressed into his hand. The morning sunshine lit room bounced into focus as Alfred returned them to the bridge of his nose and his blue eyes immediately darted to his bedside brother for answers. Matthew looked rough sat sloughed over on a metal stool, with a large plaster across his cheek and butterfly stitched cut on his chin. There were dark bags under his clouded violet eyes and his skin lacked the signature rosy colour of health, the shaggy blond waves had been loosely pulled back into a ponytail. He looked more then rough, he looked beaten down.

"You're in the Palace Al, Infirmary ward. You were messed up bad when you were brought in. Bruised black and blue, bleeding heavily. The physicians say that your heart stopped a couple of times, but it just restarted itself as if by magic," Matt grimly reported as he folded his bruised arms across each other. "Everyone thought you weren't going to make it, I thought you were going to make it" He whispered guiltily with lowered eyes to the floor. Alfred ran his hand through his messy hair as he reflected on Matt's bleak words, not sure how to comfort him without stating the obvious fact that he wasn't dead. He thought back on the bizarre dream but made up his mind to talk to Arthur or Lukas about it later, who were probably revised on mythology then Matt.

"How many hours have I been out?" He asked instead hoping to divert from morbid 'what could have been' thoughts. Matthew's free bangs swayed as he sadly shook his head.

"Not hours Al, days. You've been out for three days straight". It was then Alfred's turn to shake his own head but instead in disbelief.

"Wow. Gee, no wonder I feel so stiff" He remarked as he wriggled his toes and swung one leg off the steel posted bed, followed by the other to Matt's objection.

"Al, stop. You need to take it easy. You've been bed ridden this entire time, just slow down!" Matthew feebly protested as he rose out of his stool to push Alfred back down, unsuccessful as Alfred unsteadily lurched to his feet and stumbled to find his legs.

"No can do bro. I need to find out the deal with Arthur and those weird wings of his, alongside what happened after he knocked me out. Plus I've got some other questions for him and stuff" Alfred grinned confidently as his bare feet padded against the cold flagstone floor past the distracted nurses towards the crowded Infirmary's door. When no reply came, Alfred stopped and looked back to his brother questioningly. Matthew stood with fists clenched on either side of his waist, his lip bitten pale as he struggled to meet Alfred's interrogating stare.

"Alfred…Arthur isn't here. No one except Allistor knows the full story of what happened in the yard and Ludwig is strictly keeping all related information classified. All I managed to get was that the Emperor's right hand took Arthur prisoner and that, by now, they've probably arrived at the Capital" Matthew meekly explained, his voice quivered as he saw his brother's shoulders begin to tremble. Alfred felt his body turn to lead as he fought against the tsunami of guilt and grief, the turmoil nauseatingly unbalancing him. The promise he had made Arthur, that they would come back to each other, echoed tauntingly in his ears.

"Arthur's-…fuc-. Prisoner?," Alfred managed as he swayed rooted on the spot "And I've been out for three-… Oh hell, he's in the Capital. I- I need to talk to Allistor, learn what happened" He suddenly decided as he spun on his heels and sprinted for the door, about to shove it open when the engraved wooden barrier gave way; the blind sorcerer Lukas standing in the way, a concerned expression on his sad face.

"It is a comfort to see you awake again young Jones, to me and to Allistor" Lukas sighed as he reached and took Alfred's sweaty hand, giving it a well meant squeeze before releasing it. Alfred shakily rubbed his hand as it was given back to him, the question of why Lukas had come to see him and where Allistor was troublingly bubbled on his already troubled mind.

"Arthur" Alfred uttered and watched as the sorcerer's face crumple with shame, his bottom lip quivering as he replied.

"Yes, I know. We, Allistor and I, must speak with you about the matter, alone" Lukas muttered as he began to lead Alfred out the door, only to be stopped when Matthew moved to block their advance.

"I'm sorry but I can't allow that, not after what Alfred's been through. He needs more rest, look at him," Matthew argued as he gestured to Alfred's half naked form and wobbling legs. "He's not fit to go trekking off into the wilderness to find someone who refuses to cooperate when we are trying to help him".

A line creased on Lukas' forehead as he frowned at the younger man and stepped forward in an aggressive matter "Allistor's behaviour is more then understandable considering that he is in mourning for Arthur. You've only had a glimpse of the pain of losing a brother, whom of which, would not be alive if not for Allistor. He is out there alone, wandering aimlessly in Iron Bear territory and is very vulnerable, being in no mind to defend himself," Lukas retaliated with bitterness, "now the one thing that Allistor asked of me before he left, was to take Alfred to him. And that's exactly what I intend to do".

Matthew looked prepared to square off with the sorcerer when Alfred stepped between the two and placed a hand on each shoulder to smoother the brewing ugly fight. "Let's just take a chill pill guys and cool it down a notch. I agree with Matt here, there's no way I can just get up and go…without preparation. If I'm going to make any rescue plans, I need to know what happened and Allistor's the only one who can tell me. Lukas, lemme get some gear together and then I'll meet you at the city gates in about an hour". His brother looked at him with betrayal and then steeled determination.

"Well, then Alfred, if there's nothing else I can say to change your mind, then I'm coming to" Matthew resolved as he folded his arms again and fixed Alfred with his sternest look, making it clear this was the only compromise on the table. Thrown off by the unusual aggressive behaviour from his bro, Alfred pleadingly looked to Lukas, who gritted his teeth before he gave a curt single nod.

"Fine, but do not blame me if Allistor doesn't take this well," He yielded before smiling faintly, "though on the other hand I must admit that having another will make the journey smoother. I'll meet the two of you in an hour outside the city gates then, where I'll tell you inform you on the ways of the Iron Bear's as we set off. Oh! And bring plenty of food and water, we'll be travelling back with Allistor so pack enough for five going both ways" Lukas called back with a wave as he made his way down the corridor to pack his own effects, leaving the two twins alone in front of the Infirmary. Matthew looked to his brother with a cocked eyebrow.

"You know there's no way that Ludwig will approve this. This place is a mess and he's going to want every man he can get here so they can run the numbers for the next attack". Alfred merely shrugged at the warning, his impressive shoulder muscles rolled seamlessly beneath the tanned healed skin. Unaware that without Allistor's healing factor pulsating in his body, he'd have been dead nights ago.

"That's why we don't tell him. Better to ask forgiveness then to ask permission" Alfred smirked as he stepped forward to walk "now, shall we pay the armoury a fleeting fancy, o' brother of mine?". Matthew rolled his lavender eyes at the poor intimation of the odd accent and gave Alfred a hard clap on the back as he brushed by.

"Sure, but first Alfred, lets get you some pants eh? Not even you can hike through blizzards buck butt naked!"

The adventure continues! So seeing the aftereffects of the battle on Alfred's end and an introduction of another God, Eros; God of Shipping. His OTP will not be broken!... Joking aside, the lore of this world is beginning to be flushed out, the introduction of more Gods and Goddesses and their mythical creations. I am beyond ready to tell you all about Arthur's roots and how the world our heroes live in came to be.

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you are enjoying this story and wish to long continue, then please take the time to leave a review telling your thoughts, opinions and questions. They are always appreciated and help with motivation to keep these chapters coming in. With new lore and backstory coming in, I would suggest confused readers to go read the first chapter of Hetalia - Origins for details about the mythology of this world. However if you want a snack bite of the lore, I'll be posting a summary of each God as so to clear so confusion. Once again thank you reading and as always,

Until next time!

Hetalia - Origins, a short Summary of the First Generation Gods

Void created the first immortal beings Order and Chaos, and together they created:

The First Generation of Gods

Gaia - Goddess of Earth and prominent Godly figure in the world

First born of Order and Chaos. A maternally kind but powerful figure that cares deeply for her creations.

Fun Fact: Her favourite pastime was to disguise herself as an old woman travels across the countryside telling stories of events that happened in her history and reading the fortunes of great heroes.

Creations

With another:

Order - Angels

Alone:

-The First Men, the first humans ever created. Later a select few of the First Men would be gifted with the ability to control and wield mana, becoming known as the First Sorcerers. The ability is passed through bloodline, explaining how though all humans have mana, only sorcerers are able to harness it.

Tartarus - God of the Underworld and Ruler of Hell

Second born and eldest son of Order and Chaos. Ambitious and cunning, Tartarus craves for the power Gaia wields as head of the Gods and secretly plots to undermine her.

Fun Fact: Tartarus nearly overthrew Gaia with his son Typhoon within the first month of the Earth's creation, the planet's growing structure was unsteady and if not for the intervention of Gaia's Angels, would have been destroyed.

Creations

With another:

Gaia - Typhoon, Father of the Four Winds and Creator of all volcanic eruptions and dangerous weather

Alone:

-Death

-Famine

-War

-Pestilence

Eros - God of Love

Born from the unconditional love Order and Chaos felt for the Void, Eros became personified and the embodiment of all love.

Fun Fact: Eros first created his clay made humans out of jealousy when he saw the many different types of love displayed by Gaia's First Men. He was overjoyed when Gaia allowed him to have his own humans interbreed with hers and has vowed to forever watch over the purest of her bloodline among the humans. He often sees to this by arranging romantic relationships between sorcerers and individuals with power so that Gaia's bloodline is secure and strong.

Creations

With another:

Erebus - Lust

Alone:

Clay made humans, these humans would interbreed with Gaia's first men and create the diversion between the few magically gifted sorcerers and the rest of humanity.

Nyx - Goddess of Night

Opposite to her twin brother's mature personality, Nyx is sprite like and enjoys playing with her companions; the Man in the Moon and the Star Constellations.

Fun fact: She plays a game with the Stars where she must guess how many of them there are. She guessed correctly on the 100th year of the Earth's creation but continues to play along and pretends she still doesn't know

Creations

With another:

Erebus

- Aether - God of Light.

- Hemera - Goddess of Day

Alone:

-Night Wraiths, Intangible figures that patrol the night and travel in the shadows. When bond to a human, a Vampire is created.

Erebus - God of Darkness

A brooding God that prefers solace over company save his twin's, Erebus is the master of shadows and the shadow realm.

Fun Fact: His greatest shame is the accidental birth of his second daughter, Lust. The conception resulted from a dishonourable 'one night stand' between himself and Eros, an event he continually denies having participated in though Eros still finds ways to tease him about it.

With Another:

Nyx

- Aether - God of Light

- Hemera - Goddess of Day

Eros

- Lust

And that was been a short guide to the First Generation of gods! This lore will continue to explored throughout the story and I hope you enjoy it as much as I will.