Take Me to Another World

Warnings: Very sad. Purposely "out of character" characters. AU with normal Universe.

He wasn't meant to understand magic. He wasn't a mage, his younger brother was. He, Lovino, was just a warrior, if he could call himself that. Lovino couldn't help but feel disgusted at himself. Here he sat in the dirt, his leather armor dusty and battered, staring down at the remains of his father's blade. The sword's once pristine blade was snapped in half. Useless. It was even dull. Had there ever been a chance? It was as if the enemy mocked them, making them appear to have the strength to fight back, only to completely crush them in the end. Useless.

Useless

Useless

Useless

Lovino's face twisted into a look of agony as he threw the useless sword aside. He shouldn't have trained as a warrior. He should have been a farmer. Staying at home with his mother, who had been a fierce homemaker, when not tending a field. Or a rancher, raising animals to feed his family. He made a fist and smacked the ground. He was the eldest son, yet he had failed his father. His mother was gone. Their home was gone. His father was gone. All he had left was his brother… and how long would that last?

"Lovi…"

Lovino looked up then ducked his head, wiping at the tears. He couldn't let his brother see. His brother stood there, an almost perfect image of himself yet almost mirrored in differences. Their hair was only slightly different in hue, covering the tips of their slightly pointed ears, his brother's more of a rust brown while his was the color of tree bark. Their eyes were the same shape and size yet his was bright green while his brother's was amber. Lovino's skin was an olive color, from days spent under the sun in the training grounds. His brother's skin was paler, from hours spent with his nose buried in tomes.

"I have dust in my eyes." Lovino hissed, his voice having an accidental edge.

But his brother was used to this by now. They had grown up together, therefore the coldness of his brother's personality just melted in his mind. Lovino felt his brother place his hands on his shoulders. Gentle hands. Hands that weren't made to harm, but rather to help. His brother was a wonderful mage but his greatest skills lay in his healing magic. It was a great waste of his talent by putting him in this war to use destruction spells.

"There is no shame in weeping, brother. It shows that your heart is still strong by showing compassion." His brother spoke in a soft voice.

Lovino put a hand on the other's arm, as if trying to anchor himself. The feeling of the smooth silk material of the inner sleeve was cool compared to the slightly rough material of the outer robe. Lovino couldn't bring himself to look at his brother's face, so he looked at his clothing. The mage's robe was a deep gold color, once having intricate designs in thread across the torso but now worn away to leave it blank. Underneath was the off white silken shirt, the tight sleeves like a second skin reaching just past his wrist. It would look too extravagant on the battlefield to those who weren't aware. The silk was made from the silk of the armored silk worms from the east, something arrows couldn't pierce easily. Enchantments were woven into the very fabric of his brother's robe to keep enemy spells from dealing heavy damage. The two paired together gave his brother more protection than his leather armor did for himself. For that he was grateful.

Lovino wrapped his arms around his brother, thankful they were alone so that he could have this display of brotherly affection. He was never one to show his emotions well, except those of anger and spite. He was the opposite of his brother. While his brother was gentle, he was violent. It was almost as if he was born to be in a war. Oh but his courage lacked on the battlefield! Sparing and training was nothing compared to the frightening nightmare that was their enemy. Monstrous creatures from the depths of the underworld itself. Demons come to devour them, rip them limb from limb and savor their dying cries.

"…Feliciano…" Lovino started.

His brother smiled as he returned the embrace.

"Dear brother, do not worry anymore. Soon we will be in the new world, one where our enemy cannot hope to reach. Have faith brother." Feliciano said.

Lovino released his brother, taking a moment to observe his face. The younger brother was completely calm. He couldn't understand how or why. Feliciano was just as much of a coward as he had been. How could he be so calm with all the weight now upon his shoulders.

"We… together." Lovino said.

His brother smiled but Lovino caught the tinge of another emotion. Sadness? Lovino prided himself in knowing when others lied to him. That smile was an open book. It told him his brother's worry. The worry that it may not work.

"Yes. Together. Then we can lay down our weapons and live in peace. Remember our farm? The one we planned together. We can have it. I can even see it now." Feliciano said with a small laugh.

Lovino squeezed his brother's arm and stood. They would have it. Lovino wouldn't go without his brother. They would have it together or not at all. The two brothers walked back toward the remains of the encampment. It had already been packed up, the smoldering fires dying quickly as rain began to fall from the sky. Feliciano looked up at the clouds, rain drops falling onto his face, making him blink his eyes.

"Look, brother. This world weeps in farewell." He said.

Lovino said nothing. The world was saying its farewell to them. It was not their farewell.

"You should go, brother. They will need you to help get everyone through the gate once it is open." Feliciano said, casting a look toward the hill before them.

Lovino shook his head, fists clenched.

"No, brother. I will stand by you until you cross over as well." he said.

Feliciano smiled. This time, Lovino couldn't tell if it was real or an illusion. Lovino was normally stubborn. But at that moment he didn't feel like the elder brother. He felt like a child about to leave behind their last family member. He couldn't help but feel panicked. His brother assured him he knew what he was doing. He had studied the tomes. No one else had the power to do this. It was their last hope. They either left for a new, peaceful world or were slaughtered in this one.

"I will cross over but I must be last. I must keep the gate open until everyone has gone. Promise me that no matter what, you cross over when the others have. I will meet you on the other side." Feliciano said.

Lovino couldn't detect any waver in that voice. He sighed in resignation. In his mind he swore that if he crossed over and his brother wasn't directly behind him, he would go back to this world and drag him across. Lovino clapped his brother's back and turned to leave.

"Brother! Do not forget father's sword. He would be so cross if you left it." Feliciano called after.

Lovino turned to see his brother holding the broken weapon. With a corner of his mouth turning up, he caught it by the hilt as his brother tossed it his way. Lovino put it back into the scabbard and began his trek toward the sea of people that had gathered. Waiting. He didn't want to watch his brother climb the hill to stand at the top. Only when Lovino had reached the sea of people did he look. He turned to look up. His brother stood there at the top, unmoving for a moment. Lovino didn't know much about magic but it was as if his brother was collecting himself. Preparing for the very draining spell he was about to perform. Lovino had no magic. But he willed his own energy to his brother, hoping that he could give his brother more of a chance. He had heard stories about mages who attempted magic that was too strong for them. How it drained them until they fell to the floor, dead before their bodies touched it. But that wouldn't happen. Not to Feliciano. He knew what he was doing. In addition he had more magic now than he had before. He didn't understand the magic his brother was borrowing. Only that it was as old as this world itself, hidden deep underground for it was very feared.

Lovino watched as his brother raised his arms and began the incantation. He was too far away to even see his lips move. But he saw the green glow that circled the younger brother's hands and the runes in circle formations appearing behind him. Lovino watched almost spellbound. Nothing else mattered. Feliciano raised his arms above his head, the light growing between his palms. Then he thrust them forward, his shout almost faint from where Lovino stood. The light burst forward and Lovino watched, wide eyed as it shot toward the air above the cliff. Instantly it seemed as though it hit a wall and the gate burst open. Everyone shielded their eyes from the resulting flash. Lovino soon lowered his arm and was amazed at the image before him. Through the gate… a lush green land was seen. There were no traces of the barren dirt under his feet on that side. This was the new world. Instantly the sea of people walked forward, urged on by the little amounts of soldiers left.

Lovino began urging them on, helping to push a cart out of the mud here and encourage a mother or father holding and practically dragging children by the hand there. It didn't take much to spur them on. They were all eager to leave this dead land for a new life. A new life made possible by the magic that had once dwelled beneath their feet. Lovino found himself smiling, that smile reaching his eyes for the first time in so long. He felt warm as the thought struck them. It was working. It actually was working! Lovino looked back up at the hill. He couldn't see his brother well from where he stood but he knew the other had a similar smile as he stood there, keeping the gate open. But then Lovino's smile vanished. Something was wrong… terribly wrong.

Lovino watched in horror as his brother lowered his arms, tilting his head back… as the magic he had been using consumed him. His body was disintegrating, becoming dust as the runes grew brighter. His body never had the chance to hit the ground before it was no more. Not a trace remained as the dust blew away. Lovino had let out a terrible, devastated scream. His feet made to bolt, eager to take him to that spot. To do something! He had to! His brother, his only brother! He had to save him! Even if it was too late he had to! But an arm was thrown around him, holding him back.

"No! There's nothing you can do! He's gone! The gate will not stay open much longer! We must go through!" someone yelled at him.

Lovino struggled, tears pouring down his face.

"No! I cannot leave! I cannot leave him! I must do something! Feliciano! Brother!" Lovino shouted.

But the one holding him back didn't listen. Instead he began dragging the struggling young man toward the gate. It was already shrinking, slowly closing. He was right. It would soon close. But Lovino didn't care. Without his brother, there was no new world. Not for him. If his brother did not cross over, neither would he! If his brother was dead, he would die too.
"You fool! Your brother gave himself so that you might live! Do not let his sacrifice be in vain! Live!"

Lovino tore his gaze from the hill where is brother once stood. He swallowed his sobs and began running toward the gate. He urged himself on. He swore that he would not give up on his brother. He was not dead. He couldn't be dead. Lovino ground his teeth as his body burned from running. The one who had held him back quickly jumped through the gate. It was getting smaller and smaller. If he didn't act quickly, it would be too small for him to fit through. 'I will find you, Feliciano! I will bring you back and we will find our happiness. Even if I breathe my last breath… it will be as my eyes see you again!' Lovino thought to himself as he ran. With the last of his strength, Lovino dove forward. He dove through just in time, the gate finally closing behind him. But his body didn't fall onto the lush green grass he had seen before. He kept falling.

What had happened? The gate had still been open when he jumped through. But this wasn't the chasm that lay beyond the cliff. It wasn't dark but filled with light. All thought flew from his mind as he fell. It happened so quickly, it was a miracle he could even draw in a breath. Then, all at once, it stopped. His body painfully collided with something solid. He lay there, dazed, his entire body stinging with pain. He could hear a roaring buzz around him and for a moment he wondered dazedly if he had fallen into a nest of needlewasps. He had done so as a child and it was an experience he would never forget. If not for his brother quickly shooting off his amateur spells, those stingers would have put more holes into his body than cheese. Confused, Lovino lifted himself onto his hands and knees. He put a hand to his head, wincing as his fingers touched a large bump and warm blood. He shook his head, trying to get his ability to think back. His fingers squeezed the ground and the rough texture made him look down. It wasn't ground… small woven… ropes? It couldn't have been a rug. If it was, he'd never seen one like this before.

His green eyes looked up and he saw many people around him. But their clothing… it wasn't anything like he had ever seen before. They weren't his people. One look to their ears proved that. The tops were rounded, not slightly pointed as his were. Lovino resisted the urge to let his body fall back down as more of it began to regain feeling lost from the fall. He hissed and twisted to look at his leg. A large splinter of wood was sticking out of his thigh. His fingers closed around it and he yanked it out. Instantly the area… a room… was filled with louder sounds. That buzzing wasn't needlewasps at all. It formed into speech as everyone around him was talking at once. When he pulled the splinter from his leg, they all shouted in protest and alarm. A few even approached. Lovino pulled his broken sword out of the scabbard. He held it up, his other hand looking for something to steady himself as he shakily rose to his feet. The hand found a chair… an odd looking chair. His eyes sweapt the room as he looked at the potential threat. These were strange beings that looked like his own kind, yet weren't. They didn't even have the same laugage.

"Do not touch me! Get away from me!" he shouted.

He winced as the action brought more throbbing to his head. He put his free hand to his head and wished he had a better weapon. His sword was broken… but at least it seemed to put these beings on edge. Good. They were somewhat intelligent. Lovino felt the room spin and he struggled to keep himself from vomiting. All of this… was too much. This strange new place… these strange new beings… not ending up in the promised new world when he crossed the gate… his brother's death. He didn't know whether to give in to the urge to fall into unconsciousness or let out a devastated wail. Gods above… why? Everything had been taken from him. Why his brother as well?

"Romano?"

The voice made Lovino freeze. He turned slowly and dropped his sword.

"Feliciano!" Lovino cried out before the world around him went dark.

Note: Inspired by Archage Trailer I once saw. Poor Lovi… I killed Feli. By the way, Lovino was dropped in "our world". Veniciano is very confused to see another "Romano"… Thanks for reading!