Hetalia – Of Magic and Might
Chapter 26 for all my lovelies. Introductions of new characters and new locations in this one! Welcome new followers, thank you very much for choosing to follow this story. I greatly appreciate it. Without further ado, I'll place this chapter here for your pleasure.
Enjoy!
The Isle of Steam, Lord Yao's Bath house, Lord Yao's private bath chamber.
The Isle of Steam was a small volcanic resort Isle a way south of the Capital. In it's earlier years it had stood uninhabited, many a natural hot springs and green forestry decorating its surface. During its time it came over the ownership of one Yao Wang, who saw its potential and lay down the foundations of what it became today. Yao had built a towering majestic bath house fit for the gods at the very centre of the Isle. The bath house had over several floors, each intended for differing people of class. Surrounding the enormous bath house were small restaurant businesses that offended both an exquisite dining experience and free fortune cookies (with purchases). Year by year the Isle increased in popularity and soon it become the Isles most popular holiday resort location, streams upon streams of customers flocking to the Isle to have a charming holiday experience in the lap of luxury.
On the highest level of the bath house was Yao's own private bath chamber. In truth the whole floor was his bath chamber, literally. Thin wooden walkways stretched from small island to small island, proving to be the only method of crossing the room without taking a soak. The walls and floors were tiled with beautiful mosaic works of art, colours of deep red to jade green and brilliant gold weaving together in the forms of dancing dragons. On the opposite wall to the elevator door, stood a large crystal clear circular window that offered a pandemic view of the Isle of Steam below and of the gleaming Capital beyond.
This was Yao's favourite spot in the whole room and was the place where he was contently lounged as his younger brother, Jia Long Wang entered the through the golden elevator doors. Jia looked very similar to Yao with his long ponytailed dark brown hair and light brown eyes, however Jia was smaller then Yao and at that moment he wore a black traditional Chinese robe and dark brown trousers.
"Brother, you didn't alert me of your return," Jia blurted with a small bow, his breathing heavy from running. "If I'd known, I would have had something prepared and waited for you" Yao cast his lazy graze over his little brother before chuckling softly.
"I do not need refreshments to feel at home Brother, that's what you are for-aru. Come now don't be so formal, tell me of how my Isle fares" Yao smiled sinking lower into the warm water. Jia straightened out of his respectfully bow and met Yao's expectant eyes.
"Business was been as it always as been Brother, successful. More people outside the Capital has been visiting, our reputation has grown greater then we thought," Jia explained with a happy smile playing on his mouth "It's hard to imagine now that you built all of this from the ground up"
"We Jia, we built this from the ground up," Yao corrected with a wave of his wave, lowering his head back so the steaming water wet his long hair "You don't credit yourself enough. I couldn't of done half the things I have if it wasn't for your help. Who else could I entrust my primary business with?"
Jia knew what Yao was implicating at, he knew about Yao's other affairs in unsavoury businesses. Yao did speak the truth though. He was a careful, cunning man who always knew what distance to keep his friends and enemies. By leaving his Isle under the charge of Jia, Yao had left more then half of his wealth in the hands of his brother.
"How was your outing in the Capital?" Jia asked curious, looking intently as his brother's smug smile that told all had gone well.
"How was it you ask-aru? Well I won't reveal too much, however I can tell you that my meet and greet with the Emperor was very… Insightful," Yao teased, enjoying the sight of his brother itching to know further details. "It seems that the Emperor lost the race between him and general Ludwig. Ludwig found the person that Ivan was desperately seeking, and now Ivan is on the war path to reclaim them. Ivan told me himself that this person would be cable of turning the tables on this stale mate war. They must be very special"
"So with this person under Ludwig's charge, we can expect the Resistance to begin making their first bold moves?" Jia suggested gaining him an approving nod from Yao.
"Most certainly, dear Brother. Open war seems to be edging closer the we realise and I doubt we'll be able to play both sides for long-aru" Yao replied, a tone of anxiousness lying beneath his words.
"Then is it time to choose?" Jia spoke soundly, not wanting to push his brother into making rushed decisions.
"Not yet Jia. We still have time to be our own player until we choose the winning side," Yao continued before stopping and observing his brother's face, it held a question that he hadn't worked up the courage to ask. "You have a question-aru?" Jia looked up surprised and smirked coyly.
"I was simply thinking how fortunate you are that I didn't betray your trust. That I didn't seize this Isle for my own while you were off gallivanting in the Capital" Jia teased to Yao, crossing his arms with superiority. It's was Yao's time to smirk coyly as he rose, the water covering the lower part of his naked body.
"It looks like I'll have to enlighten you to the reason why I leave the majority of my wealth in your hands, Brother," Yao sinisterly spoke to his brother as he slowly walked closer to the wooden walkway stairs leading out of the bath. "I admit that if ,hypothetically, you took this Isle from me leaving me with only a quarter of my fortune. I would indeed be crippled financially, I would be forced to once again build myself up brick by brick while you would sit yourself on my gold and laugh at my misfortune. However…," Yao continued as he climbed the stairs towards his brother, walking over to him and stopping centromeres away.
"Without me, you wouldn't last a day in this harsh, cold world. Without me, you would be left with nothing, all alone. It's not because I know that you are dependant upon me brother, that I trust you with my Isle. It's because of your fear of losing the one thing that truly matters. Family. If a man has no kin, he has nothing," Yao whispered, looking straight into the fearful eyes of his brother.
"Pity the man with no family, Brother. For they are the most broken".
Whale-Tail Island, The Resistance Headquarters, The indoor gym below General Ludwig's office.
"C'mon bro-bro, it's straight. Now practice with the awesome me" Gilbert moaned hopping from one foot to the other as Ludwig stood in front of his punching bag, ever so carefully pinning the crude drawing of Ivan that Feliciano had sent him to the bag. Ludwig took a step backwards and admired his handiwork before making a satisfied noise and turned his attention back to his impatient brother.
"I'm ready now, are you sure you want to spar? You've only recently recovered and you know I didn't call you here because I wanted to box with you" Ludwig said with concern as he picked up as pair of thick brown sparing gloves.
"Oh, so now you think you're more awesome then me? Fat chance Ludwig!" Gilbert loudly and competitively shouted with his hands on his hips in a stance of pretend dominance. Ludwig sighed and slipped the hefty gloves on before facing his brother, Gilbert already in his fighting stance.
"Gilbert! This isn't why I called you. I called you because I have to tell you some important matters concerning the future of our cause" Ludwig replied irritated as Gilbert swung his first punch, catching Ludwig's gloved hand expertly.
"The future? Bah! Brother you've never confided in me before about our direction, why the change all of a sudden? I bet it's because you pity me for getting my butt handed to me" Gilbert bitterly said as he sent a flurry of punches towards Ludwig's left glove, finishing the combo with a powerful right hook.
"Of the Isles! Must you have such a thick skull Gil?!," Ludwig snapped frustrated that Gilbert still hadn't caught his meaning. Reminding himself to keep his temper as a good leader should, Ludwig tried again. "I'm telling you this because after Arthur returns and joins us, I'll be taking him and some men west to the Nordic Kingdom," Ludwig finished carefully watching his brother's face which bore an expression of confusion. "And if I am to leave, then I am in need of someone to oversee my duties here"
Gilbert's face continued to draw a blank, Ludwig sighed again and placed a gloved hand on Gilbert's shoulder.
"Annnnndddd you want me to suggest someone one trust worthy? I think Jones is a good-" Gilbert muttered, his lip pouting slightly.
"No, Gilbert. I want you to act in my stead" Ludwig requested watching Gilbert's eyes grow wide in realisation. Gilbert stammered for a good minute lost for words before he was able to form actual, understandable sentences.
"You're certain, Ludwig? There are others who would be far more suited to the task" Gilbert murmured suddenly humble at the enormous responsibility his brother had loaded on him. Ludwig smiled sincerely at Gilbert's flustered face.
"Of course I am certain Gil. You are my brother, leading runs in our blood" Ludwig reassured as Gilbert met his eyes.
"Thank you…," Gilbert whispered in a quiet voice before clearing his throat and speaking in a stronger voice. "Though Ludwig, I can't help but spot a fatal flaw in your plan. What if Arthur doesn't agree to join us? Your whole plan hinges on the assumption that he will join"
Ludwig chuckled and slapped Gilbert's shoulder as he released it. "I have no doubts that Arthur will join our cause. He's got the look. The look of a man who can't resist the allure of adventure and has a strong sense of justice. If he still needs further convincing well…we know where his friend Francis is, if it comes to that". Gilbert nodded and raised his fists again to spar, only to be interrupted by the sound of a fist knocking against the wooden door of the gym. Ludwig took off his gloves and called for the person to enter, Kiku Honda opened the door and softly closed it behind him. Gilbert curiously looked on as Kiku walked over to Ludwig and held out a thin brown envelope as he respectfully bowed.
"Sir, we just received this letter now. It was sent from the Capital under the name of Elizabeth Héderváry"
Author's Note: So we have Hong Kong taking to the stage! As there's no real set human name for him, I decided to go with probably the most familiar name which was Jia Long Wang. In regards of his history, I wanted him to be brothers with Yao first before we saw any interaction between him and Arthur. Notice the distinct lack of thick eyebrows on Hong Kong, I see that changing (wink, wink)
The Isle of Steam is in the Southern Hemisphere of the Isles where it is significantly warmer. Although Yao undoubtedly owns the small Isle, he was not graced with a title by the Empire unlike Lord Antonio (Lord of Whale-Tail Island). Interestingly Ivan wanted to officially name Yao a Lord, however Yao insistently denied the title. Choosing only to be called 'Lord Yao' inside his bath house. If it wasn't obvious, Yao's bathhouse is based off the famous bathhouse in Studio Ghibli's 'Spirited Away', my second favourite Studio Ghibli film (Howl's Moving Castle being my first)
And now, elaboration on Yao's and Jia's relationship. It's a very much 'wait here at home while I bring home the bacon' relationship. As horrible as it is, Yao views Jia as a sort of guard dog. He shows affection towards him and he trusts him to guard what's precious to him. Despite his claims, Yao doesn't view him as a partner. That is to say, Jia isn't as naïve as he would have you think. He knows his brother's devious nature and his unquenchable greed. He understands that if Yao no longer sees his value, then his brother will cut his losses. At least that is what Jia believes, can we say the same for Yao? Presently having nothing to fall back upon, Jia decided that the safest course of events would be to dance to his brother's tune. It's a very murky and clouded relationship where truth and lies become blurred.
More on to the other brotherly pair in this chapter, Ludwig and Gilbert. Now their relationship has never been great, they've never been close like Alfred and Matthew. So when Ludwig entrusts his life's work, something so overwhelmingly personal and precious to Gilbert. He can't help but get emotional and touched by the immense amount of trust that Ludwig is giving him. As to why Ludwig wants to go West of the Nordic Kingdom, all shall be revealed.
Speaking of which, the Nordics will be debuting their role! Woooo! Wow I'm starting to feel just how big this cast is growing. Their personalities, their relationships, their history. I'd just like to say a big thank you to all you dear readers. Without your support this story would of never gotten past its earlier chapters. You are much a part of this story as I am :)
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter! If you are liking this story so far please be sure to leave me a review telling me what you think, your opinions, your predictions. If you want to keep up to date with this story, give that follow button a click or to. Once again thank you for reading.
Until next time folks!