I know I said this would be the last chapter but it hasn't turned out that way! It was just too long and it's not even finished yet so I've split it into two but next week will definitely be the last chapter and it will be the first chapter to be posted on my new laptop so without further ado, the penultimate chapter...
Additional names
Rūkasu – Lukas – Norway
Matiasu – Matthias – Denmark
Emiru – Emil - Iceland
Sadikku - Sadik - Turkey
I do not own Hetalia!
Demonic Romeo : Vol XI
The day before...
"Those are Iwan's demands," U~Orufugangu stood in the derelict church, explaining what had happened. "You, Āsā, and The Bāto- tatchi- karutetto are to show up at Warehouse 13 on the East Dock where Iwan will exchange Rutovu~ihi, Erizavu~eeta, Feliks and the Vargas brothers for you." Arufureddo, Girubāto, Ansonī and Furanshisu looked at each other.
"You know Iwan won't let any of us leave, don't you," Girubāto said. "Not even your grandson. That unawesome S.O.B will grab what he can, when he can. You can bet he'll have demons hiding and waiting!"
"We're aware of that," Romyurasu replied. "We've no intention of giving anyone up to him. We'll have our own hidden army. If Iwan wants a fight, we'll give him one. Tino has a lot of friends just waiting for a chance to get the demon who hurt him."
"How is Tino?" Āsā asked.
"He'll b' sore fer a wh'le," Berwald replied. He had accompanied the two angels to the church, wanting to be part of the ambush against Iwan for what he had done to Tino. "But he'll rec'ver!" Āsā breathed a sigh of relief. He liked Tino and Berwald for what they did for Pītā and hated the idea of the kind-hearted angel being hurt but he was angry that Tino had suffered at Iwan's hands in the first place.
"If he does that just to send a message," Girubāto said. "I'm afraid of what he's doing to mein bruder. I know what Iwan's like! He's a totally unawesome sadist." Mashū put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"We'll get your brother back!" he promised. Girubāto put his hand over Mashū's.
"Ja," he replied. "And we'll do without sacrificing yours!"
"Arch-angels Rūkasu and Matiasu will be waiting," U~Orufugangu said. "In life, Rūkasu came from Norway and Matiasu hailed from Denmark. They're friends of Tino and Berwald and eager to avenge a fellow Nordic. Some of Yao's younger brothers and sisters will be joining the battle too, as well as Rūkasu's younger brother Emīru but he'll be with Yao and the other healers at Rūkasu's insistence. Emīru's not happy about that but he's not a warrior! Do you know who Iwan might get on side." U~Orufugangu addressed The Bāto- tatchi- karutetto.
"Toriumu, Edo~uarudo and Raivis," Arufureddo replied. "Any of the demons who were tricked of the their souls by Iwan, excluding us of course. Sadikku might join in for the hell of it, he's always up for a fight. Not sure about Vladimir, he's more for punishing the tainted than corrupting innocent souls or battling angels. Iwan could call on quite a few demons."
"But!" Furanshisu added. "Most are demons who were victims of Iwan's trickery so they'll back him up out of fear but their hearts won't be in it and that's Iwan's weakness. Your angels believe in what they're fighting for and they'll give it everything they have. You just need to get the upper-hand!"
"Any suggestions on how we get the advantage?" Romyurasu asked.
"Don't reveal your hand too soon!"
Warehouse 13. East Dock …..
White feathers and leathery membrane mixed as angels and demons clashed. Swords clanged as they struck each other and arrows flew. Āsā and The Bāto- tatchi- karutetto grabbed Rutovu~ihi and the others and tried to fly them to safety but a group of demons blocked their way.
"And where are you little birds going to?" a tall, dark-haired demon with huge wings and a white half-mask, welding a enormous curved sword. Demons fanned out around him, blocking their escape. "Iwan would like a word!" Āsā flapped his wings harder to keep himself afloat while carrying Rōman, Mashū doing the same, holding Ferishiāno. Arufureddo and Girubāto were helping Rutovu~ihi and Ansonī and Furanshisu were escorting Erizavu~eeta and Feliks. Arufureddo and Girubāto passed Rutovu~ihi to Erizavu~eeta and Feliks, joining Ansonī and Furanshisu, bracing themselves for battle.
"Out of the way, Sadikku!" Arufureddo warned, producing his pistol while Girubāto took out his sword, Ansonī got out his axe and Furanshisu unsheathed his rapier. they were prepared to fight to allow Āsā and his brother to take Rōman and Ferishiāno to safety. And hopefully stay there!
"Or what, traitor?" Sadikku sneered and turned to his entourage. "Get them!" The other demons crowded in and two fell as they were shot down by Arufureddo. Ansonī swung his axe, scattering demons and ripping through the wing membrane of one and he screamed in pain and dropped. Furanshisu engaged another demon with a sword in a duel as Arufureddo fired again while Sadikku kept back, waiting for his moment while Girubāto engaged another demon in a sword fight.
Āsā and Mashū flew to a patch of trees on the ground with their burdens, Ferishiāno shaking with fear and Rōman swearing a blue streak as they raced to the ground with Erizavu~eeta and Feliks following with Rutovu~ihi. They landed and took their charges out of sight of the combat in the sky above them.
"Stay here," Āsā ordered as Erizavu~eeta and Feliks landed and laid Rutovu~ihi down. "And please look after Rutovu~ihi." Rutovu~ihi tried to struggle to his feet but was being held down by Erizavu~eeta.
"I should fight with you," he insisted, trying to shrug Erizavu~eeta off.
"You're in no condition," Āsā replied. "You can barely stand. Besides, we need someone to protect Rōman and Ferishiāno, should any demons get pass us." Rutovu~ihi stopped struggling, sighed and nodded.
"Hey, Eyebrows," Rōman said, testily. "We can protect ourselves, you know!"
"Against demons?" Āsā replied and Rōman fell silent. "Stay here out of sight!" Āsā turned produced his bow and left to returned the fight. As he flew toward the fight and Arufureddo, Āsā heard the flapping of wings behind him and looked back to see Mashū following him with his own bow in his hands.
"Go back, Mashū!" Āsā ordered. "You're not ready for a battle on this scale."
"We all need to fight, Āsā," Mashū replied. "I'm sure Arufureddo wants you to stay out of it too."
"Like that was ever going to happen!"
In the chaos of the clash of demons and angels, Iwan lost sight of Āsā and Arufureddo for a moment and then he spotted their group flying into the sky, Āsā carrying Rōman, Mashū carrying Ferishiāno and Arufureddo and Girubāto carrying Rutovu~ihi, followed by Erizavu~eeta and Feliks. Iwan smiled and took to the air after them, only for something to hit him from behind and bring back down to the ground.
He hit the ground hard and then he heard something land nearby. He turned to see an angel standing over him. He had seen big angels, fought them but this was the first angel he had seen who was as big as him, had not know such an angel existed but there he was. Blonde with an impressive wing span, carrying a massive broadsword. Stern blue-eyes glared out from behind square, half-rimmed glasses. Although he showed very little emotion, Iwan got the feeling that this angel was completely and utterly pissed off and he scrambled to his feet.
"Privet," he said, casually. "Who do I have the pleasure of meeting?" The angel gave him a dead glare.
"I'm Berwald!" he declared. "T'no's husband!Ah! Now Iwan understood!
"And how is little Tino?" he asked in a tone that was almost not a mockery. Almost! Berwald swung his broadsword to bring it down on Iwan's head. Iwan brought up his pipe up to block the sword but it still connected hard enough for the vibration to rattle Iwan's arm. Berwald swung again, this time from the left and Iwan barely got his pipe round in time, the sword bouncing off it with a clang.
This angel was going to be a challenge. The closest challenge Iwan had ever had was when he dragged Arufureddo into Hell. The American had put up quite a fight before succumbing.
Berwald swung at Iwan's head and Iwan ducked and took a swing at Berwald's knee, revelling in the impact. Berwald's leg collapsed from under him and he brought his sword up to block the pipe that was coming toward his head.
"I enjoyed the way little Tino screamed," Iwan said, smiling. "I hope to hear it again some day. Maybe for longer next time!" Berwald pushed Iwan away and struggled back to his feet.
"I'll kill ya f'rst!" He declared and lunged his sword forward. Iwan dodged but not fast enough to avoid the sword taking a slice out of his side. Iwan managed to avoid crying out in pain but that had hurt. This angel could defeat him if he did not bring him down first. Berwald swung his sword again but Iwan batted it away with his pipe then reverse the swing and struck Berwald in the side of his head.
Stunned, Berwald went down on his stomach. He tried to get back up but a foot between his wings forced him back to the ground. Iwan put his foot on Berwald and held him down, brandishing his pipe and smiling down at the helpless angel.
"Poor Tino," he said. "I guess his husband won't be coming home." And he raised his pipe to bring it down on Berwald's head.
Suddenly he was blasted off his feet and hurled eight feet away. He shook his head and looked up, seeing two angels hovering above him. Both were blonde, one spiky haired and the other with one side held back with a cross barrette and a curl sticking out to the left. The spiky haired one was carrying an axe that was as big as the one Ansonī welded, if not bigger. The other angel had his hands close together and in the centre was a glowing ball of light.
Rūkasu and Matiasu! He had heard of these two arch-angels, they worked as a team. The Norwegian and the Dane were formidable together, more than even Iwan could handle so he decided to cut his losses, even as the next ball of light flew at him.
He took to the air, avoiding the light ball which exploded where he had been standing. Rūkasu landed to help Berwald while Matiasu pursued Iwan, swing his axe at him that Iwan barely avoided, still smarting from Berwald's blow. He disappeared in a crowd of angels and demons fighting and Matiasu returned to assist Rūkasu and Berwald.
Arufureddo fired off a few rounds, hitting one demon and wounding another while Girubāto, Furanshisu and Ansonī tackled some of the others but the odds were against them as Sadikku faced off against Arufureddo, brandishing his sword.
"How long do you think you can keep this up, Arufureddo?" Sadikku asked. "You know, I did hope The Bāto- tatchi- karutetto would knock Iwan off his pedestal. I'm no more enamoured of Iwan that you are but then you had to turn traitor so now we're on opposite sides. Pity!"
"Yes, well it's funny how things work out," Arufureddo replied with his gun trained on Sadikku. "Sorry to disappoint you!"
"Ah well!" Sadikku sighed. "Have it your own way!" And he came at Arufureddo, dodging the bullets Arufureddo fired in his direction. Arufureddo avoided the sweep of Sadikku's sword as it almost grazed his stomach. Sadikku regretted having to fight Arufureddo, he really thought the young demon had what it took to take Iwan's place as top demon but, alas, that would never happen now!
Arufureddo felt himself being grabbed by demons who had come, unseen, from behind him and held him immobile as Sadikku moved in for the kill.
"Sorry about this, Arufureddo," he said as he went to run his sword through Arufureddo.
An arrow flew past and struck the demon on Arufureddo's right, distracting Sadikku from killing Arufureddo while Arufureddo pistol-whipped the demon on his left. Sadikku ducked as another arrow sped his way.
Arufureddo looked to see Āsā and Mashū shooting arrows at the demons fighting The Bāto- tatchi- karutetto, making their enemies scatter. They continued to fire, giving The Bāto- tatchi- karutetto the chance to get the upper-hand. Sadikku and what was left of his group decided to cut their losses and run.
"Why didn't you stay where you were safe?" Arufureddo demanded, not wanting his lover in any danger.
"That goes for you too, Birdie," Girubāto agreed.
"This is our fight too," Āsā replied, adamantly. "The others are in a place that's under cover and they have Erizavu~eeta and Feliks watching over them and Rutovu~ihi should recover soon. We're needed here!" Arufureddo flew over to Āsā.
"Stay close!" he warned. Girubāto moved closer to Mashū and assumed a protective posture. "Take us to the others, we'll get them to safety and then we end this, one way or another!" Āsā lead the way, not knowing that they were being watched and followed.
Romyurasu and U~Orufugangu fought side by side against the demons that were coming at them from all directions and they were they were growing less and less as other angels distracted the demons until there were only one or two for the two angels to deal with and they made short work of them.
"We should find our grandsons," Romyurasu said as U~Orufugangu sent the last demon crashing to the ground. U~Orufugangu looked up and saw Āsā and Arufureddo flying past, followed by Mashū, Girubāto, Furanshisu and Ansonī. He grabbed hold of Romyurasu and took off after them.
They caught up with them and joined the formation as they flew away from the main fighting.
"Where are the others?" Romyurasu asked as they came in close.
"We're going to them now," Āsā replied. "We took them to a wooded area out of sight of Iwan and his crew. We can take Rōman and Ferishiāno home and put Rutovu~ihi in their care while we return and help deal with Iwan."
"Good thinking!" U~Orufugangu said and they continued on their way, unaware that Iwan and his lackeys were following.
Ferishiāno was doing his best to tend to Rutovu~ihi's bruises and cuts but without a first-aid kit, he was limited to what he could do but Rutovu~ihi seemed to have healed some since their liberation. Erizavu~eeta and Feliks were were keeping watch while Rōman paced back and forth between trees.
"This sucks," he fumed. "We can't find out who's winning, the demon bastards or the angel bastards!" Ferishiāno wondered if referring to angels as bastards might land Rōman in trouble with the Heavenly Powers but none of the angels around him seemed to care.
"I'm sure everyone's fine," Ferishiāno replied. "Ansonī will be back in no time, you'll see."
"Who cares about that demonic jerk bastard?" Rōman snapped. "If he'd stayed out of our lives, we wouldn't be here now!" Ferishiāno was not fooled. Rōman was worried about Ansonī and would be until he was sure the demon was alive and unhurt.
"They're here!" Erizavu~eeta called out as she and Feliks watched the group of angels and demons flying over the trees and they circled around to land. As they touched down, Romyurasu ran to greet his grandsons.
"Nonno!" Ferishiāno gasped as his grandfather walked toward them, his large wings folded around him. Standing up from beside Rutovu~ihi, Ferishiāno ran into his grandfather's waiting arms. Rōman stood back, not knowing what to do as Romyurasu held Ferishiāno with one arm and opened the other for Rōman. For a moment, Rōman did not move but then his lip quivered and he ran into his grandfather's embrace.
"I missed you, you old bastard!" he wept. Romyurasu held both his grandsons tight.
"I missed you too," he replied. "Both of you. I didn't want to leave you!"
"You're back now, Nonno!" Ferishiāno replied and both of them hugged their grandfather back.
U~Orufugangu and Girubāto made their way over to Rutovu~ihi who struggled to his feet, Girubāto helping him up, with the others standing out of the way of the family reunions.
"How are you, Rutovu~ihi?" his grandfather asked, looking over the bruises that Iwan had inflicted on him. They seemed to be fading already but Rutovu~ihi was clearly still in some discomfort.
"I'll heal, Großvater," Rutovu~ihi reassured his grandfather while Girubāto gave a grin and patted his bruder on the back.
"Rutovu~ihi comes from an awesome blood-line," he declared. "It'll take more than Iwan to put him down."
"Why don't we test that theory, da?" came Iwan's voice behind them. Everyone spun round to see the Russian demon standing there, surrounded by Edo~uarudo, Toriumu, Raivis and several other demons. "You angels have put put a good fight but it makes me smile to think I'll soon crush all of you." Āsā and Mashū summoned their bows, Arufureddo took out his pistol, Ansonī welded his axe and Girubāto and Furanshisu produced their swords. Romyurasu and U~Orufugangu also took out swords along with Erizavu~eeta and Feliks began chanting something.
Iwan first target was Arufureddo but that was not who he went for first. While his henchmen kept the others busy, Iwan turned on Āsā who aimed his bow at Iwan.
"Ah, Āsā!" Iwan sighed. "I would have giving you a good existence in Hell, after I had you changed into a demon, but you had to choose that turncoat." Iwan nodded at Arufureddo who had his pistol aimed at Iwan's head. "You know he'll be dead soon so I guess you lose all round, da? But look on the bright side, you won't have too long to mourn him before you join him!"
"You haven't killed anyone yet," Arufureddo snarled, keeping Iwan covered with his pistol. "And you're not going to!" And Arufureddo fired but, somehow, Iwan evaded the bullet and shot toward Arufureddo and swung his pipe into Arufureddo's stomach, driving the air out of him and driving him to the ground. Iwan gave a smile, disturbing in its softness, as he lifted his pipe and brought it down towards Arufureddo's head.
But it never connected. Instead, the pipe was halted by Āsā's bow as Āsā held Iwan off while Iwan pushed back with his pipe but, being an angel, Āsā was deceptively strong and gave as good as he got.
"You could still join me, Āsā," Iwan told him. "The kind of demon you'd make, the two of us could rule Hell!" Āsā gave him another shove.
"I don't want to rule Hell," he snapped. "And I'll never be a demon."
"Too bad," Iwan replied as he pushed back again. "I can only let you live as my ally."
"You have to kill me first!" Āsā managed to shove Iwan back and fired an arrow that Iwan barely dodged. By this time, Arufureddo was back on his feet and Iwan had to dodge bullets as well.
"Two against one," he commented. "Not a fair fight!"
"Reminder me again, Iwan," Arufureddo replied. "How many were with you when you dragged me into Hell!" Iwan cocked his head, smiling.
"Fair point!" he conceded and flew at them again, brandishing his pipe, somehow avoiding both arrows and bullets. Iwan missed Arufureddo but managed a glancing blow to the side of Āsā's head. The British angel went down and Arufureddo moved to protect him.
"You really do love him, don't you," Iwan mocked. "A demon and an angel! The ultimate Romeo and Juliet! Of course, you know how that story turned out! Ready to die again!" Āsā was beginning to stir from the unconsciousness the blow to his head had sent him into as Iwan and Arufureddo continued to fight. They clashed time and again, neither gaining the upper hand until Iwan changed his tactics. Instead of attacking Arufureddo as a whole, he concentrated on one part. The hand holding his pistol.
The blow broke bones and pulled a cry of pain from the American demon as the gun flew from his hand. Iwan raced and picked up the gun, aiming it at the still groggy Āsā.
"I'll kill you soon enough," Iwan said to Arufureddo like he was saying 'I'll see you tomorrow'. "But perhaps a little more emotional punishment for you." Āsā could see the pistol aimed at him but he was still too dazed to get up as Iwan squeezed the trigger.
Yao was working non-stop as injured angels came in a steady stream and, as fast as he would get one angel back on their feet and back into the fight, two would take their place. Rūkasu's younger brother, Emiru, a young man with ash-blonde air and violet eyes, kept bringing more supplies so Yao could work with running out of medicals.
"How long is this going to go on for?" Emiru asked as another wounded angel was brought in.
"As long as it does," Yao replied, vaguely. "Battles between Heaven and Hell to this extent are rare but when they happen they can last a long time. We may have a while to go yet. He's the one I worry about!" Yao pointed toward Tino who was moving among the angels too injured to return to battle, seeing to their comfort. It was decided that Tino should stay with the Infirmary Unit after his assault by Iwan, although he would rather be out fighting alongside Berwald.
"He's stuck here, worried about his husband," Yao added. "Helping the wounded occupies his mind but he still worries."
"I know how he feels," Emīru admitted. "My older brother's out there and I'm scared he'll be the next one to be carried in. Although I'd rather you didn't tell him I said that though." Yao chuckled. Emīru loved his big brother but did not like to show it. It was sometimes fun to watch the brothers as Emīru refused to call Rūkasu Big Brother like the elder wanted him to.
"Your secret's safe with me," he laughed, happy to find something to laugh at in his hour of darkness.
"BERWALD!" Tino's tortured cry had both of them spinning round to see Rūkasu and Matiasu carrying Berwald between them. Emīru was relieved to see that Rūkasu was unharmed but his heart went out to Tino as he knelt beside Berwald when he was place on an empty cot.
"What are his injuries?" Yao demanded as he rushed in with medical supplies.
"Injured knee and head trauma," Rūkasu said without wasting time. "We got to him before Iwan could inflict any more damage." Matiasu gripped his axe.
"Let's go inflict some of our own!" he declared and rushed out while Yao tended to Berwald. Rūkasu sighed and, after sharing a meaningful look at his younger brother, joined the hot-headed Danish angel. Yao was reassuring Tino as he worked on Berwald's head injury.
"He'll be just fine, Tino," he promised "He'll wake up with a headache but then he'll be as good as new."
"And I'll never let him out of my sight again!"
Erizavu~eeta fought fiercely, swinging her sword and downing one demon after another but the odds were against them as Feliks continued to chant. Erizavu~eeta fought to keep demons away from her partner as he did what ever he was doing.
A rumble began to run through the ground and Feliks stopped chanting.
"Get off the ground!" he called and he and Erizavu~eeta took to the trees. Just as a stampede of ponies ran into the trees and crashed into the demons. It was quite possibly the weirdest thing Erizavu~eeta had ever seen but it cleared the demons out.
"Unorthodox but effective," she commented. Feliks shrugged.
"I, like, totally like ponies!"
Romyurasu and U~Orufugangu took up a protect stance around Rōman, Ferishiāno and Rutovu~ihi although the latter insisted that he could fight as they became surrounded by the Baltic Trio demons who, frankly looked like they would rather be anywhere else but there at that moment but they feared Iwan too much to disobey even though they were facing off against two powerful angels. They were just glad that they were not facing The Bāto- tatchi- karutetto as well. Arufureddo was being kept busy by Iwan, Girubāto fighting alongside Mashū, holding off some of the lesser demons as were Furanshisu and Ansonī, although Ansonī would rather be at Rōman's side, protecting his little tomate but someone had to fight the remaining demons.
To say that the Baltic Trio were no match for the Italian and Germanic angels was an understatement, coupled with the fact the these angels were protecting family, the two angels did not even break a sweat although it had to be said the Baltic Trio did not put up much of a fight and they were soon restrained.
"That was less of a challenge than I'd hoped," Romyurasu commented. Rutovu~ihi shrugged.
"They're here under duress," he replied. "I doubt their hearts were really in this fight and they're not the strongest demons in Hell. Iwan's the real threat here."
"Time to deal with him then," U~Orufugangu said.
Then there was the sound of a gun shot!
There I go with the cliffhangers again! We know Iwan had the gun and was aiming at Āsā! Did he shoot Āsā? Did he shoot anyone? Did he miss? You have to wait for next week to find out, I'm afraid.
To Kirascribbler – So happy you're enjoying this and you get another chapter after this one :)
To Scarlet Phantom – Yeah! If there's anything guaranteed to make Berwald go all Viking, it's hurting Tino and he did manage to get a blow in, even if Iwan did get the upper-hand. Well, the angels and demons in this story can die again although where they'd go to, I'm not sure! AND WHY DID YOU TELL ME ABOUT HETALIA! WORLD TWINKLE EP 11! I haven't seen that series yet so I watch the episode online and now I'm a blubbering mess DAVIE! T_T And Writer's Block! I feel your pain! D:
To themusicalcat – Yup! Iwan's the all-round baddie! :C Who will die? Now that would be telling, although (and this might be confusing) people will both die and be saved O_o (you'll understand next week unless you can guess before then) And next week, plenty of people will need hugs! :'(
To ArtemisIsis13 – I don't think this chapter will have done your blood pressure any favours either :P The poor restaurant! I think many might miss it. Or will they? ;) Ha, ha, yeah! You have to remember that Sweden used to be a Viking, not something you mess with! DX Everybody needs a hug, except Iwan! He needs a kick in the …... never mind! I think if I saw a flying frying pan, I'd faint too O.O Hmm, the priest! I can't give a clue without giving it away but you'll soon see! And as you can see, it's not the Nordics but I can tell you it's not Pītā either but let's just say it's someone with clout. Feri would like the idea of being the boyfriend of an angel but the boyfriend of a demon! Let's see how Rōman handles that, especially in view of what going to happen! ...Oops! I've said too much! And now the battle's well and truly under way and it's about to end badly. Or well! Wait and see! XP
To Pandoala – Don't worry about it! All reviews wherever or whenever are welcome! :) The Evil One won't have to do anything because * spoiler alert * Iwan's going to screw up rather badly :O. As all the angels and demons were humans in life, I kind of thought they would be tolerate and less judgemental about Humanity's little foibles and, as you say, they're meant to be beings of light. Besides, I can't stand the Fire-and-Brimstone set so I made them all a little more human. It also made it possible for certain demons to be saved, all very ironic because I'm not very religious XP
The last chapter is definitely the last one and it's nearly done! Have the tissues handy because I was crying just writing it but then again, that could be just me, however you have been warned!
So till then,
Hasta la Pasta!
P.S. Please forgive grammatical errors, this was put up quickly! I'll correct any errors at a later date!