Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.
Chapter 41
A black fog intruded in Lukas's vision. Even though he had no problem breathing underwater, he was still exerting too much energy in the cold water, and even though the Ocean Soul was far away – something he shuddered to think about – he could still feel the negative effect it had on him. And the Desert Heart was reacting to something as well. It was actually comforting, having the heat when he was surrounded by cold.
His vision went completely black, and Lukas closed his eyes and forced himself to steady. He couldn't lose consciousness underwater. He didn't want to be unconscious when the spell wore off.
A blue light appeared behind his closed lids, and when he opened his eyes, he saw a blond figure with blue eyes. At first his mind thought about Mathias, but this young man looked too different. The man grabbed a hold of him. Lukas could sense this man meant no harm, and so didn't struggle.
"Let me get you to the shore," the young man said.
Lukas's vision faded again as the young man pulled him along.
When Lukas opened his eyes again, it was night, and he was on dry land. He looked around, seeing that he was on another small island, though this one was larger and had trees. He shivered and wrapped his arms around himself. He was still wet, and the cold seeped through to his bones.
"You can make the water obey you," a voice said. "Just will the water to leave your clothes."
Lukas frowned, before he did as told. He imagined the water leaving his clothes, and when he looked down, he saw that a trail of water left him. He shuddered as he felt the cold abandon him, but it would take a while for him to feel warm enough.
"Thank you," he said, before he looked around. He was alone. Completely alone. "Vlad… Arthur…"
"They're in danger." Lukas jumped at the voice. It was the same as before.
"Who are you?" Lukas asked. "And where are you?"
"My name is Alfred. And I was your predecessor."
"…You were connected to the Ocean Soul before me. But…"
"'Connected' isn't exactly the right word. And since Nemthys destroyed my physical form, the curse doesn't apply to me anymore. So, I can tell you everything I need to."
"What do you mean?"
"The jewels… are not actual jewels. Not yet, anyway. They manifest in the souls of sorcerers, and are reborn every few centuries. Nemthys learned of this, and so he abuses this power to make himself powerful. But he does not own the jewels. That is why the sorcerers need to go willingly, or as willingly as possible. It's complicated magic."
Lukas absorbed all of Alfred's words, before one of the things that he said really sank in.
"Wait," he said. "So, you're saying…? Vlad, Arthur and I…?"
"The three of you are the Jewels of Nemthys. Technically, the Jewels of the World. Oceans, Forests and Deserts. Soul, Mind and Heart. Power enough to defeat the gods. Which is why the Jewels can be used to seal Nemthys. Or destroy him."
Lukas's mind reeled. Everything they thought they understood about the jewels… they were wrong.
"How… How is any of this possible?" Lukas asked. "I mean… How could we be…?"
"Nemthys found out about the jewels, and about the power they possessed, and chose to use them for himself. He was once just a regular demon, you see, but with the power of the jewels, became a god. And the rest of the gods knew about none of this. The jewels first came into being before the current pantheon was even born."
"So, all those times they had us, but didn't take the opportunity to look for the jewels… It's because what we thought were the jewels…"
"That is what happens when we die."
Lukas felt sick. He removed the Desert Heart, and the thought that he was holding a corpse…
"…Gilbert was confident, though kind. He was born first among us three. I was the youngest. The other two tried to comfort me. Toris was so gentle, and Gilbert did his best to try to make us laugh, even as Nemthys drained our lives away. Hold onto that jewel. Nemthys… He destroyed both Toris and my shells. We're free now, but we can't linger for too long. I just wanted you to know about the danger you're in, and why."
"I've been in danger the whole time," Lukas said. "What makes it different now?"
"Because Nemthys has the other two. And unless Roderich finds you, he's going to use the other two to find you. It's going to be painful for them."
Lukas growled and closed his hand around the stone.
"Then how can I help them?" Lukas asked. "I'm useless right now!"
"There is one thing that you have on your side."
"And that is…?"
"Arthur and Vlad didn't go willingly. Now, even if Nemthys does try to use them, the magic won't work for him. He's also going to have a hard time trying to drain their power."
"So, as long as they don't have me, they should be safe? Is that what you're saying?"
"…Their lives aren't in danger, but there's a good chance that they will be in extreme pain as Nemthys tries to use them. But you can protect them."
"How? Tell me!"
"You need to unlock your true power as a jewel. Almost like what Vlad did the other day when he was tortured. But with more power, and with more control. I can help you. Three hundred years in that shell… I learned a thing or two about it."
"And how is that supposed to be able to protect them?"
"The three of you are connected by bonds that Nemthys would never be able to understand. You three have the strongest bonds in millennia, since you had enough time to strengthen those bonds. You had enough time to fall in love. And you can use that love to extend to them and shield them."
The promise that he would be able to shield them was tempting. He swallowed and nodded.
"Teach me," he said. "Please."
…
"Damn," Arthur said, slumping in the chair. "These restraints are strong."
"Arthur," Vlad said, his voice small, "are we going to die here?"
Arthur's chest ached. He didn't want to believe that, but from what he heard, he was pretty sure that it would be their fate. He could see many stones in red, blue and green that littered the ground around them. Stones that were discarded once the people they used to be were dead. He felt sick at the thought that they were surrounded by corpses, and that they would soon join them.
"We're going to find a way to get out of here," Arthur said. "I don't know how, but we'll get out of here. You heard Nemthys. Gupta and someone else managed to save the others before they… Before they…"
"Why didn't Toris or Gilbert warn us?" Vlad asked. "Why didn't Gupta?"
"…There was a curse placed on them. The same with Nemthys's current followers. They couldn't tell us. Because, if we knew… then there would be no reason to travel around. We could have gone to Mount Alasbu and this whole thing would have been sorted out."
Vlad whimpered, before he tried to break his restraints with magic. That was the first thing that Arthur tried.
"I just thought of something," Arthur said. "Remember what Lucania said about the sorcerers that were kidnapped? A-and how it always happens in three? A-and how it's always after the youngest of them turns eighteen?"
"…It's because they were the Jewels of Nemthys," Vlad said. "And Nemthys woke up the moment I turned eighteen. I know. We should have figured out that something was wrong. I hope Lukas is safe."
Arthur's stomach dropped. He looked over towards the empty chair. Even though Lukas wasn't there yet, it was still a matter of time. For the moment, they were alone in that room, but that could change. Either Nemthys or one of his followers could return at any time.
"…Roderich was supposed to get Lukas, right?" Arthur asked. "He's taking a while, don't you think?"
Vlad looked over towards Arthur before his eyes widened.
"Do you think that means…?" he started.
"I think Lukas managed to get away," Arthur said. "Now, we just need to hope that he can continue like that."
"…But his magic is exhausted. Mine too."
"And so is mine. I can only use the simplest of spells, but they're not of much use right now. We…"
He cut himself off. He could hear footsteps. Vlad could hear them too, for he turned towards the room's entrance and swallowed. Soon enough, Nemthys returned, and he grinned when he saw them. He sauntered over towards Arthur and Vlad. Arthur instinctively leaned back at his approach.
"I've been waiting weeks to see you here," Nemthys said, before he eyed the empty chair. "It's almost perfect."
Arthur wanted to bite back that he would never see Lukas there, but he knew that it would be an empty promise. Lukas was in a weakened state, and there was no telling how the exposure to the Ocean Soul – or rather, the stone that used to be Lukas's predecessor – would affect him. He at least hadn't been exposed for too long, and perhaps the distance was to his benefit. Not to mention, the stone was destroyed. But Lukas still didn't know what was going on, and Arthur didn't have much hope that Lukas would be able to avoid Nemthys's followers.
A thought occurred to him that Lukas might not even want to avoid them. He was in love with Arthur and Vlad, and the three of them had a tendency to put their own safety aside in order to rescue whoever out of them was in danger. Lukas might surrender and come willingly, and that would be the end of it.
Arthur's heart ached. He couldn't protect Vlad right now, and Lukas was in danger that he didn't even properly understand. Arthur hated this helpless feeling. And perhaps, he was starting to think that he was also in love with Vlad and Lukas. He wanted to protect them, even at the cost of his own life. He wanted to be with them. But right now, if the three of them were together, it would spell their doom.
"Oh, have you already given up hope?" Nemthys mocked, as he cupped Arthur's cheek. He used his thumb to wipe away a tear that Arthur hadn't even known had fallen. "You'll see Lukas again soon, and the three of you will be together soon. Perhaps, just in case, I should also get rid of your brothers. That way, you wouldn't have anyone that would want to save you."
"No!" Arthur shouted. "Please, leave them alone!"
His brothers… In the despair he was feeling, he had forgotten about them. Dylan was already dead, and he didn't want Patrick or Alistair to suffer the same fate.
"You do not get to tell me what to do," Nemthys hissed. "I am your master, and you will do well to remember that. Perhaps Vlad can teach you how to be an obedient little slave. The same that he had been for years."
Vlad whimpered, and Arthur bit back the retort. Nemthys had no right to remind Vlad about the horrible childhood he had been forced to endure. But he was worried that any defiance would cause pain, if not for him, then for Vlad.
Nemthys chuckled one more time, before he returned to his throne. Arthur craned his neck, watching as an orb in front of Nemthys lit up. Nemthys frowned, stroking his hand over the surface of the orb a few times, and Arthur realised that Nemthys couldn't see Lukas. At least, Arthur hoped so. If that was true, then there was at least one thing to be grateful for.
Nemthys looked up. He probably didn't want to alert Arthur or Vlad that there was something wrong, and Arthur turned forward, hoping that his face didn't betray his relief. Nemthys moved around, before he left the room. Arthur sagged in relief.
"What's going on?" Vlad asked.
"I suspect that the orb over there is how Nemthys was able to spy on us," Arthur said. "And I have the feeling that he couldn't see Lukas."
"Is… Is that good?"
Arthur swallowed. He hoped that it was good, because the alternative reason was that Lukas was dead. He'd only just thought of it, and the idea filled him with more dread than anything else.
"Arthur, can you still get in touch with your brothers?" Vlad asked. "They need to know."
Arthur closed his eyes, reaching out to either Alistair or Patrick. After a few seconds, pain pierced his skull and he cried out in agony.
"What's wrong?" Vlad asked.
"S-something's blocking me," Arthur gasped. "I can't… I can't reach out to them."
"So, there's no hope."
Arthur closed his eyes, keeping his tears at bay. Despair, anger, frustration, fear… All of these emotions warred for dominance. He could only hope that his brothers and Lukas remained safe.
…
Roderich frowned, looking around the island. The place was small, so there wasn't a place for Lukas to hide. And the only other way he could have gone was beneath the waves.
Lukas had tried to swim away earlier. Perhaps he had tried it again. Roderich stepped inside the water and reached out. If Lukas was in or near the water, then he would be able to sense him. But after a few minutes, Roderich had to conclude that this method wouldn't help. He swore and stepped back.
He had failed. His master would be furious.
Roderich took a deep breath, before he turned towards the east. Towards the main continent. Lukas had most likely gone in that direction. Roderich would find him and take him back to his master. But how did he avoid detection?
Roderich allowed his body to become like mist, and he spread out over the waters. He continued to reach out, trying to sense Lukas as he went eastwards. Perhaps, if Tino and the three siblings were still there, they would have found Lukas, and Roderich wouldn't be in as much trouble. But he would still be punished. After all, he was the one that had allowed Lukas to break free from his grip.
…
Lukas gasped, staring up at the moon. Alfred had tried to teach him how to unlock the power of the jewel, and he had just accessed the power source. So powerful… If this was where Nemthys's power came from, Lukas could understand why he didn't allow it to fall into anyone else's hands.
"That's good," Alfred said. "That's a great start."
Lukas groaned, detecting the implication behind the word choice. He pushed himself up and winced.
"What now?" he asked. "Are there any spells that I should use?"
"There's one spell, yes. Close your eyes." Lukas did as told. He could see a cottage appear in his mind's eye. "Now, imagine yourself going to this house."
"What's there?"
"Help."
"…Okay. I hope you realise how much I'm trusting you."
Lukas focused on the building, imagining himself going there. He swayed, and the ground beneath him felt different. He opened his eyes, and he was no longer on the island. He was deep in the forest, it would seem, with the cottage in front of him.
He pushed himself until he could stand. He winced. His magic was strong, but his body was weak and battered. He was exhausted. He shivered, before he walked towards the cottage. He could see that there was a light inside, and he took a deep breath before he knocked.
Lukas had no idea how long he waited, but eventually the door opened. And his eyes widened as he looked at a familiar face, who looked equally surprised to see him.
"Lukas? Where's Arthur?"
Lukas sobbed as his knees gave out. Alistair caught him before he fell. There was movement, and Lukas looked up to see Patrick approaching.
"You're freezing," Alistair said. "Pat, go boil some water. I'll take him to my room."
Patrick disappeared, and Alistair started to guide Lukas towards a room at the back. Alistair sat him down on the bed, before he started searching around the drawers. Alistair placed a change of clothes on the bed next to Lukas.
"Get changed," Alistair said. "We'll come back with some tea and broth for you. And then we want to know what happened."
"A-Arthur a-and V-Vlad," Lukas said. "N-Nemthys t-took them. I-I g-got a-away, b-but…"
"Shh. I was afraid of this. We'll talk later, when you've had some time to warm up. I'm guessing it's not just your body that's cold. And feel free to get under the covers."
"But…"
"Don't argue. You look like you've aged ten years since the last time we saw you. Get yourself warm, and we'll discuss this later."
Alistair closed the door, leaving Lukas alone. He closed his eyes and sighed.
"Thank you," Lukas whispered.
"There's one more thing," Alfred said. An image of a mountain showed up, and then, deep in the heart of the mountain's caves, a figure appeared, bound to the stones as creatures consumed him. Every time a bit of him was eaten away, the flesh would grow back. "He's going to be able to help you get to Nemthys's lair. He helped before. You can find him in Loadei Mountain."
Lukas recognised the figure. It wasn't hard for him. He had wondered what had happened to him.
"Gupta…" Lukas breathed.
He had two friends to rescue, and possibly, three allies. This was better than he'd had an hour ago. He just hoped that it would be enough.
He closed his eyes, thinking of Arthur and Vlad.
"I will save you," he vowed. "And we will stop Nemthys, once and for all."
