Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia or any of it's stupendous characters...
So as promised, more Artie and some rather gruesome action, (May upset some readers if you have a phobia of a murderous elf and or blood).
CH8: Piercing
"What?..". Arthurs brows furrowed.
Mint bunny shuffled nervously in it's spot. "Ever since you know... Me and the fairies have been keeping an eye out, like you used to. So we found out that there's a trap waiting for you just out side the River kingdom and I came and found you so I could warn you before you got ambushed!".
"Ambushed?! Mint bunny?".
"People want you dead Arthur! I'm trying to warn you!" The said bunny of mint hovered in front of Arthurs eyes. Scowling at the elf. "You have to avoid the river and forest kingdoms Arthur, unless you welcome death!".
"Who wants me dead M.B., why can I not return home?" Arthur stood up gracefully, brushing of the dirt collected from the fall.
"We're not sure, but someone who thinks you're trouble". Mint bunny perched them self on Arthurs pointed armoured shoulder.
"Well, why can I not go home?",
"They're waiting for you at both ends. In fact, there is a back up squads waiting for you on any alternative route".
"So who ever it is must have money...". Arthur rubbed his chin as he thought about it. "Do you know what these guy are? Elf, Human, Dwarf?".
Mint bunny's long ears fell back. "Mercenary's, so could be any of them".
Arthur stepped towards his Through-bred, patting her gently on the base of her neck. "M.B. I need a favour?" Arthur turned to look at Mint bunny as they continuously perched on Arthurs shoulder.
"Name it!" Mint bunny grew a small smile that faded when it heard,
"I need you to be a distraction for the mercenary's". Arthur grew a dark smirk, knowing how it was about to end for the rented killers. Mint bunny cringed, only knowing the basis of the thoughts now running through Arthurs mind. The elf was normally so delicate with life, but those who willingly take it easily for money. Well lets just say that is not route wanted to be taken when Arthur was in the way.
.o0o. (Mercenary's Boss P.O.V)
The sound of a heavy galloping hooves filled the forest, the main of the noise over to the west. Leading most to believe there was some one in a hurry. The gallop continued down the west river path, no other beings but the elf and his horse travelling faster then suspected. The two went onwards, the world around traversing as a rainbow of smudges.
TWANG! The elf halted in his tracks. A look of pure fright engulfed him. His right arm slowly moving up to touch the newly lodged arrow in his upper torso. The arrow had gone straight through the targets heart. Piercing the precious chest containing nothing.
Something was wrong. The target hadn't shifted since the arrow went in. Not even lost balance and fell off. No something's defiantly off.
The hammer of the group approached the strange target with a relentless never speed. He reluctantly removed the hammer from his back and used the end to poke Arthur in the knee. As soon as he did, the target exploded into a mint colour firework, blinding the men.
During the blinding light there was a rather manly yelp and a thud. Soon after the light faded only the sight of crimson covered the once tanned birch and evergreen.
"Gods! Show your self!" the leader of the mercenary's called. There was another painful scream, this one right behind the leader.
"Boss! B-Behind you!" called the one with the hammer.
Said Boss, slowly turned. Nothing ever makes my men so skittish, what could it be?- "NOOOOOOO!". There just before his very eyes, hung his scythe master. Red running from the butchered wrists, his chain wrapped stiffly around the base of his broken crooked neck and his eyes gouged from his sockets, the same red coming out like his final tears.
There was two cracking sounds, just as painful as the breaking of the scythe guys neck. There lay two more, now converted to the red side.
STAB! "Gyhh, gerguh", THUMP! The archer was on his knees, he had an arrow going through his neck. The head jutting one side, trickling in sweet crimson as the feather remained clean. A stranger, a elf grasped the archer by his hair lifting his head back, exposing his throat. A small dagger was taken from his pocket by the elf and then used it to skim lightly across the light flesh. The ruby substance cascaded freely. The elf tossed the draining body to the reddening ground.
"You! How dare you even-"
"Oh do shut your disgraceful mouth. Only shit spills from those lips and I have no interest in listening to shit". The elf unbuckled his cloak from his shoulder, waving it for a moment with one strict motion of his wrist and the he disappeared in a flash of white.
SQUELCH! The boss turned to see,
"What's that really bad joke about a man with a hammer in his head... Oh yes, my guess is: Very much dead?".
Then with another flash of white, the elven target stood behind the boss. There was a sudden yank at the back of his head, facing upwards and gasping at the shock. There was a slip of pressure to his mouth and a sour acidic taste. The holder of the liquid was soon placed in his hands. He looked down at his hands where his own empty vial, that just a second ago, contained a rare and deadly poison lay.
"Y-You, *cough*, ba-*cough* ba-bastard...*cough, cough*". The boss fell to his knees, the crimson flying where ever he faced. Soon it was over his hands, drenching the front of his blackening leather armour. Little after that, the boss was on the floor, a pool of the finest colour forming around his mouth.
"Tsk, I think you should know that your lucky to die by your own hand. I would of made this a lot more painful and a lot longer". The last of any light that was not the flames of hell, was the elf taking off in his flash of pure white.
.o0o. (Arthurs P.O.V.)
Soon after the grisly demise of the mercenary's, Arthur had gone back to Mint bunny and Lancashire. "That path is now clear. Thank you for pretending to be me". Arthur smiled sincerely to Mint bunny, who only nodded distantly, knowing what had just taken place.
"I forget how blood thirsty, you could get Arthur".
Arthur lost his smile, the semi-permanent frown returned. ". With a couple of sniffs and a slight hesitation, Mint bunny gave in to the will of it's favourite elf, no matter how horrible the acts he commit's. "There we go! Now can you tell me any where that would be safe to stay at?". Arthur tickled Mint bunny's head.
"Sure, we think the safest place would be in the celestial kingdom-", Arthur just gave a redundant look "-or you could stay with the Mountain Elves'".
Arthur gave a large sigh, this was going to be harder than he first thought. "King Mikkel would never let me in his city and prince Lukas... I might as well offer my head on a silver platter... If i thought about this sooner I could of headed east... Bollocks...". Arthur hummed as he thought about what he could possibly do.
"Well, the sea elves may welcome you?" Mint bunny added into consideration.
"Prince Ludwig yes but King Gilbert... I would be sent back to my kingdom in chains and in a dress... I could always try the Valley elves?" Arthur still deep in thought almost missed the yelling of some other mercenary's that had found the last group Arthur had came in contact with. "Well... Sounds as I cannot go so west, maybe I should take my chance with Lukas?" Arthur rushed as his did a 180 with Lancashire.
"Probably the best for your well being". Was screeched by Mint bunny as it settled on Arthurs shoulder just in time for Arthur to kick Lancashire into a fast canter, soon developing into a Fast gallop again.
A/N:
So here is chapter 8. I think I may smell a magic duel coming on? No? Oh okay maybe not then. Any way, I hope this met my promise and I am sorry if this is slightly under-rated and should go up. I know when Arthur and Alfred finally decide to get together the rating will increase. Yeah... awkward at first but hopefully will go well. So hoped you enjoyed! Yours, E-Liberty.