Kiku and Maria could not stand it any longer. Finding a computer, they connected to the Web and called Belgium.
"Al and Matt have been gone for hours," Maria moaned. "We fear the worst!"
"I haven't seen Esther, either, for that matter. Good God, if they've captured them…"
Kiku assured her. "Let's not jump to conclusions. Belgium, can you arrange a group call with the East Asian Resistance?"
"How did you know-"
"I had spoken with Singapore long ago on a contingency plan should China wage war"
"Yes, yes of course."
Japan, Philippines, Belgium, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Vietnam and South Korea were now online. South Korea was first to speak.
"Yo, you'll never believe this. North's pushing in on me, I barely got away from our fight. He caught me completely by surprise"
A soldier walked into view to give South Korea a bottle of water
Maria's eyes bulged. "Was that-"
"Yeah, they got drafted"
"If you let any of those seven die, I am never talking to you again"
South Korea laughed. "They're tougher than they look, Ma'i"
Malaysia stared shyly into the screen. Maria immediately saw her.
"Aisha…"
Malaysia took a deep breath.
"Thank God you're safe. Listen, I'm sorry for yelling at you… and slapping you…. and hitting you with a slipper in the face. That was unfair to you. I had no idea then that they'd gotten to Singapore"
"IT was my fault for keeping a secret. Forgive me,"
"All I know is if even one of my sisters gets hurt, China's not gonna be alive for long. Wait, where's Indonesia?"
"We haven't heard from her yet," said Singapore.
"She's probably hiding in the jungles, preparing booby traps, talking to a coconut with a face drawn on it," quipped South Korea. Hong Kong laughed.
"Now," said Singapore. "What's this about Israel being a traitor?"
As if to respond, a new face joined the group call. "I'd like to know myself," said Israel, her eyes staring straight at them.
Alfred awoke in a cold, dark dungeon. He heard voices and footsteps, but couldn't discern much from them. Suddenly, a pair of hands was at the bars, jimmying the cage open. It was Matt.
"They're fools to think an ice prison can hold a Canadian. Follow me,"
"Cut the crap, Esther," said Maria. "We know you're the spy. Why should you want Alfred to stay out of Quebec?"
Israel rolled her eyes, as if she couldn't believe how stupid they all were. "BECAUSE he's not supposed to go in there alone! Iran is there, with the goddess of winter and an army of snow spirits. We need backing from the demigods before making a move!"
Canada and America kept on walking, without a sound. They saw a subterranean network filled with dungeons, each seemingly filled with horrible monsters from Wendigos to all other matter of creatures.
"The armies Iran spoke of," Canada murmured.
America spied a catwalk passing directly above the cavern and leading to a potential exit. Canada shook his head. "Obvious trap, let's go deeper,"
They kept walking.
"Why were you snooping around the computers?" asked Belgium.
"Because I knew someone else was hacking into the database and taking note of our plans. Counter-intelligence has always been my specialty."
Belgium eyed Israel. "Nice try, but my monitors picked up no one else but you snooping around,"
Israel laughed. "You disappoint me, Sophia. You belie your name. Ask yourself: Who among us Polisaiads has a knack for going by unnoticed, even by cameras?"
America and Canada were at a dead end. Soon, he heard the noises of monsters being roused from their slumber, and he knew at once they were spotted.
Israel was on a roll. "Maria, who knew you had been attacked by a sea serpent in the Atlantic despite you three not having contacted anyone until you landed at Saint Helena?"
"We can take them," said Canada.
"I know I'll try, Mattie-boy, but I just got ONE question…"
Maria gasped, the truth all coming together at once.
Israel pressed on. "Who told you to go to Brazil? Who immediately knew about England's kidnapping before anyone else?"
"What is it, Al?"
"Why are you bullshitting me?"
"We know Russia is the Bear, China the Dragon, Iran the Crane, Mexico the Serpent, South Africa the Gazelle and Brazil was the Jaguar. But who is the last member… the Elk?"
Canada laughed, a deep, bittersweet laugh. "I guess 'Moose' was a little bit too on the nose!"
"Why?" asked America.
"Why?! Are you SERIOUSLY asking me WHY?!"
"And you, Maria. For a Rick Riordan fan, you're slow on the prophecy interpretation," Israel shook her head.
Maria recited the line that jumped into her head.
"The Mountain's Guard of late has turned…"
Israel shook her head. "The Mountie's betrayed us…"