Hetalia- Of Magic and Might
Chapter 22! Wow two chapter so close together, what's come over me? Anywho, thank you to all my followers and people who has reviewed this story so far. You guys are so great :) Onto the next chapter!
Enjoy!
Whale-Tail Island, The Resistance Headquarters, General Ludwig Beilschmidt's Office
Arthur Kirkland shifted his weight from one foot to the other nervously as the leader of the Resistance intently observed him. Now Arthur was a man who was not easily intimated. But as soon as he had crossed the boundary into Ludwig's office, goosebumps crawled across his skin. Ludwig's presence reeked of power, determination and ruthlessness. Arthur felt the unsettling pressure of lurking fear breathe down his neck. He was going to have to be very careful around this man, his instincts were screaming at him to run away as quickly as he could. But that clearly wasn't be option right now.
"My men tell me that your name is Arthur Kirkland, is this true?" Ludwig asked at last, breaking the uncomfortable tense atmosphere that had taken the room.
"Yes" Arthur shortly answered, he planned to give as little information away as he could about himself and Francis.
"And is it true that you are a sorcerer?, the Isles was under the impression that all the sorcerers were extinct" Ludwig continued not taking his steel blue eyes off Arthur.
"Not all of them" Arthur answered meeting Ludwig's cool stare.
Ludwig nodded as if satisfied and brought his hands together "A survivor then. I can't tell you how pleased I am to see that Ivan hasn't completely wiped you out" Arthur gritted his teeth in protest. Ludwig was obviously trying to win him over with flattery, but it was not flying with him. It didn't help that Ludwig kept reminding him at he was the last one, alone. Ludwig seemed to pick up that Arthur was not impressed as he stood up.
"I see you are not a man easily swayed by words. So I'll be brief and to the point. Your powers would be an invaluable asset to our cause Arthur. If you joined us, we would have an advantage over Ivan that we have not had for over eight years. Should you choose to help our cause, you would help in ending this tyranny" Ludwig argued powerfully. Arthur could not deny that Ludwig built his case strongly. But it wasn't just him he was thinking of, he had to think of Francis.
"And should I choose not to? You keep my partner and I imprisoned here? We have people expecting us you know" Arthur challenged. Ludwig smiled pitifully at Arthur.
"You underestimate me Arthur. Do you think we have survived this long by being soft about little details like that?" Ludwig returned eerily, Arthur silently gulped down the lump that had began to form inside his throat. The situation was being to look more daunting. "You surprise me Arthur. I thought a man who's had his people annihilated would jump at the chance to get revenge"
"Anyone would think so. I thought about it for years. And I want to, for my brothers and my other kin. But I built a life in the Capital, I met people I truly care about. I already lost my family once, I'm not about to risk it again" Arthur solemnly answered, his voice cracking at the end. Matthew and Alfred looked to each other when Arthur had mentioned family, they knew what it think like to lose it too well. Ludwig stared at Arthur for about a minute before coming from behind his desk and walking up to Arthur. His towering height dwarfed Arthur and Arthur had to tilt his neck to keep looking at him. Ludwig closed the distance between them and stopped inches away from Arthur's face.
"How dare you. What gives you the right to say something so selfish. You built a happy life? You gained a new family? Well that's all fine and dandy for you isn't it, Arthur. People are starving, diseased, terrified in their beds not knowing if they'll be executed for crimes they didn't commit. Countless children orphaned because their parents tried to push the system so their children could live a better life. And you refuse to fight. The one who could turn the tables on this war and bring balance to this world, refuses to fight. People like that, they don't deserve to a happy ending" Ludwig glared down at the shell shocked Arthur.
Ludwig pressed his advance, using a softer tone this time. "All I ask Arthur is that you witness the crimes Ivan has inflicted on this Kingdom, can you please just give me that?" Arthur nodded numbly, his mind a whir and chaotic. He didn't know what to think, had he been wrong to hide away from the Empire? Ludwig sighed in relief and placed a his huge hand on Arthur's thin shoulder. "Thank you Arthur. Thank you so much". Turning to Matthew and Alfred, Ludwig addressed them for the first time since they entered the office. "Would you take Arthur down to the yard and run him through some basic training in preparation for a mission?" Matthew and Alfred curtly nodded and Alfred touched Arthur on the arm to indict for him to follow him. All together the trio left the room, leaving Ludwig to revel in his success.
"Now Ivan, let the real game begin" Ludwig whispered, touching his heart where his picture of Feliciano was kept.
Whale-Tail Island, The Resistance Headquarters, The Training Yard.
"Why did you agree?" Alfred asked as he held his boxers stance and Arthur lowered into his own stance. After the trio had exited Ludwig's office, Matthew had marched them straight to the yard and insisted that Alfred run Arthur through the regular drills as he supervised. Arthur had been reluctant and protested, reassuring them that he could fight well enough. Though Matthew had persisted and won in the end.
"Because he got to me okay!" Arthur gruffly returned as he crouched low "You know, hand to hand isn't really my style".
"That's why we're practicing it, you ready?" Alfred smirked, tensing his legs in preparation to dart forward. Arthur groaned at Alfred's over enthusiastic behaviour. Might as well get this over with.
"Alright, bring it on" Arthur sighed before squeaking as he was forced to dodge Alfred's surprise jab. Arthur hopped back and retaliated with a swift kick to Alfred's abdomen. Alfred lowered his elbow and let Arthur's kick land, absorbing the momentum and damage into his well built arm. Alfred made to punch Arthur as he was unbalanced, however Arthur anticipated this and rolled at the way. Alfred with a burst of speed rushed closer and swept his leg low. Catching Arthur off guard as he came out of his roll and knocking him on his back.
"Ow" Arthur groaned as he lifted his head up and propped himself up with his elbow. Matthew sighed and walked over to Arthur, extending his hand to Arthur to heave him up. Arthur looked suspiciously at the hand before taking it and allowing Matthew to help him up. As Matthew heaved Arthur to his feet, he quickly pulled Arthur close and whispered in his ear.
"You're underestimating Alfred's speed. He's strong and he can quick when he needs to. But you are still lighter and more agile. Don't stop moving and he won't be able to hit you eh" Matthew pulled away and gave Arthur a thumbs up before resuming the place he took upon watching the sparring match. Arthur hesitantly returned Matthew's genuine smile, he wasn't as mean as he seemed Arthur happily concluded. Mentally shaking himself, Arthur set himself back into his stance. Alfred was already rearing to go and was eagerly waiting to begin sparring again.
Arthur made the first move this time. Sprinting forward Arthur made to tackle Alfred's side, Alfred raising his arms to defend. However when Arthur was close enough he side stepped twirling, landing himself behind Alfred and throwing a jab blow at Alfred's exposed rib cage. Alfred gasped in pain and spun around to meet Arthur charging at him. This time Alfred reflexively grabbed Arthur's back wrestling style as Arthur rugby tackled him, and without letting go flung Arthur's light frame over his head. Arthur cried in shock as he was tossed over Alfred head and continued to fall with his back facing the ground. Both men again fell together hitting the ground with a thud, the air forced out of their lungs as their backs simultaneously hit the ground.
Matthew watched on astonished as after a moment, Alfred burst out laughing when he regained his breath. Arthur turned his head to look at Alfred questioningly before giggling ridiculously alongside Alfred. Despite himself Matthew found himself drawn in with their shenanigans, all three men laughing hysterically. None of them knew what was so funny about their situation, none of them really cared. Happiness had temporarily banished all thoughts of approaching danger to come.
Ending on a positive note! So Ludwig returns to the stage. He's interesting to say the least. He has to act as the pillar of strength in his leadership role and he has to call the big shots. He has so much riding on him and everyone is looking to him for answers. While he may seem manipulative, it's only because his role forces him to be if he wants to succeed. And that's what I love about him and Feliciano, Feliciano brings out his humanity and reminds him that he has a life outside the movement. They make a interesting pair :3
Ludwig's speech really struck a nerve with Arthur. Arthur's now confused and Ludwig was taken advantage of that, much to the distaste of Alfred and Matthew. They want to help their cause, but it's still doesn't sit right how with them how Ludwig got Arthur to join. Thank you for reading and I hope you are enjoying this story. If you want to stay updated, leave a follow and a review to let me know how I'm doing with this story.
Untill next time folks!