HetaCaliga Part VIII

Germany was still numb. Speechless. He felt as if he could never speak again. His throat ached from the yelling, the sobbing…his limbs were sore from the countless scars that would probably never fade. He didn't want to be here anymore. He wanted to go back to his world….a rational world. A world where he was the only Germany, a world where all he had to worry about were economic and societal issues, annoying bosses, and other mishaps that come with running a country. Germany inwardly laughed at the thought. Sometimes, he would've given anything to just be human, to not have to worry about Germany, or his brother, or saving Italy's ass. But now…here…being "human" in a strange universe where his best friend has turned against him, tried to kill him…it's just too much.

It killed him. It literally killed Germany to see Feliciano act out like that. He felt betrayed, angry, saddened, shocked, hurt…everything. The blonde nation didn't know if he could actually go on like this. Would it be so wrong to just…die? Could he die? Out on the field, with his skin being slashed into ribbons, it sure as hell felt like he was dying. Ivan even said that they were on the brink of death. But what the hell had saved them? Germany felt unnerved; a strange sensation went through his body when he thought of what he had seen before he passed out. He was calling out to Prussia, and through his blurred vision, he saw his brother collapse. Then, German felt this strange sensation in the pit of his stomach, a warm tingling breath of air….comfort. So he closed his eyes, feeling the never ending light…this light he didn't even know existed. But it didn't matter, because it was there and he felt it within him, feeding him warmth and strength and reassurance.

But what was it? What prevented them from dying? Was there really something in this universe that was willing to show them some mercy?

It didn't matter. The fact is…is that his Feliciano is evil. Mutated. Cruel. Ruthless. And if the worst comes, Germany may have no clue but to dispose of him. After all, he always learned to do what has to be done, despite personal feelings and emotions.

The thought made him absolutely sick. He took in a deep breath, staring at the stone wall opposite him. He couldn't bear to turn around and look at HER. Daisy Vargas. The North Italy that wasn't Feliciano. The North Italy that was very similar to his Feli, yet different. It was too painful. Much too painful. Germany knew that it wasn't her fault all of this was happening, but he sometimes couldn't help but wish…just wish that it would've been Daisy on the other side rather than Feli. Yes, it was an awful though. Yes, he felt ashamed for thinking that. But it was the truth. Feliciano was his best friend, and Daisy…she's nice. She's sweet. She's strong. She's a fighter. She's…beautiful. So beautiful.

But she just isn't Feliciano. She isn't his best friend.

His best friend is a fucking psycho priest-mutant murderer.

He stared at the stone wall. Strange shadows were dancing eerily, erratically. Yet, even though everything seemed to be in motion, he knew that everything was still. Too still. He didn't dare turn around. Never. He knew she was there. He could feel her presence behind him and he was just too afraid to acknowledge it.

Then, he heard it. Her sigh. Her adorable sigh.

"Ve, Ludwig…I know you probably don't want to talk to me, but you're starting to creep me out."

That damn verbal tic…it drove him crazy. It made Germany's heart ache. He felt his eye twitch, but he didn't respond. He started to fidget slightly. Stare straight at the wall, stare straight at the wall, stare straight at the wall…

He heard another sigh. "Look, I know it's hard. Your best friend attempted to kill you…well…kill all of us. Mi dispiace. I really am. But sulking isn't going to do anything."

Germany gritted his teeth. He felt irritation swell up within him. How dare she…how dare this girl say this to him…to just dismiss his grief, to scold him for fucking "sulking." No. Nein. Who does she think she is? She doesn't even know him, dammit! She may be North Italy but she was NOT Feliciano.

"Shut up."

"…Excuse me?"

"SCHNAUZE! SHUT UP!" He growled, spinning around, standing up, and approaching her. He towered over her as he glared down at her, shooting every ounce of wrath that he had. He expected to see her cower, to see her cry, to see her beg for mercy, to see her eat shit at his feet, to see her do what Feliciano would've done…but she didn't. She just crossed her arms coolly and rose an eyebrow.

"Ve, at least I got a fucking reaction out of you, si?" she spoke with an almost smug tone, yet Germany could see that her eyes were dark. The scars on her cheeks seemed to stand out with her gloomy expression and Germany immediately felt remorse for yelling at her. She also went through it. She suffered the same physical pain that he did…the feeling of being sliced open alive. The evidence was right there.

He took a few steps back, running his hand through his unusually messy blonde hair that fell into his eyes. He was shaking. "Fick, stop it! Just s-stop it."

Daisy continued to stare at him with the same facial expression. "I'm not doing anything, Ludwig."

"M-Mein Gott! You are way too insensitive!" he burst out, feeling his eyes blur.

"Ve, how am I being insensitive? I'm telling you the truth," came Daisy's cool reply. She remained unyielding, unmoving. And Germany wasn't used to that. He was used to an Italy who would freak out and do anything for him when he was upset. He was used to an Italy who would cry at the sight of his friend crying. He wasn't used to this Italy, this Italy who kept her foot down to prove her point.

What point?

"I-I…t-that….THAT WAS MY BEST FRIEND WHO TRIED TO KILL US! I-I don't understand any fucking thing…" Germany spluttered, taking even more steps away, looking down at his feet.

She sighed again. "Look, I understand…"

"Nein. You don't. Feli…he's…he's…"

Everything to me.

Those unspoken words were left hanging in the air like a thick cloud of dust, swirling and twirling angrily.

It was silent for a few moments before Daisy spoke again. "Ludwig, I'm sorry. I'm sincerely sorry. I can see that he means a lot to you…but…but…"

Germany looked up to see that she was staring out the wide open window, the window that exposed the wide open sky, the tauntingly beautiful green rolling hills, a mockery of beauty.

"But Feliciano…he isn't here now. You have to face it. We're trying to figure this all out so we can reverse this mess, but as of now, as of the present. You're here and I'm here, but Feliciano is over somewhere on the other side of this universe. It's the truth, Ludwig. If you want to yell at me, you can," she said softly, using her hand to scratch her other arm.

Germany stared at her with an intense expression. He took her all in. Slim, petite, long thick curly brown hair with a single flyaway curl, big chocolate colored eyes with swirls of amber, milky skin covered in faint scars.

He didn't want to yell at her.

He didn't know what he wanted to do.

So he just stood there.

"Ve, Ludwig…have you ever thought that the others may be suffering just as much as you are? It's not just you and Antonio. Sorella most definitely is upset about Isabel. Alice is horrified about what happened to Meg, and she's worried sick about Emily. Alfred probably feels pretty bad about the fact that his England must be evil as well, and probably his brother as well. Then there's Gilbert, who's beating himself up over the fact that he couldn't do anything to protect Meg," Daisy spoke, still looking at the ground, her voice noticeably more quiet than before.

Germany continued to stare at her blankly, letting the words soak through his brain.

"And…I…" she continued, now looking from the floor and straight into Germany's blue eyes. His breath hitched at the eye contact, his senses running on overdrive.

"…I feel like I'm going to kill myself. Because I know that Louise is evil as well, and that she'll try and kill me…a-and that…I may have no choice but to…to…" her voice was steady, but eerily soft.

Germany understood what she was trying to say. He had just been thinking the same thing a moment ago. And it actually broke his heart.

Here was Daisy Vargas, in front of him. Her best friend was his own female counterpart. There was some huge connection there, an intimate connection. Because he and her best friend are both Germany as well. It was sad really…in any other situation, he would've loved to meet his female counterpart. He was sure that they would get along really well, possibly like brother and sister.

He nodded. "Ja, I know." His voice was abnormally soft, and it felt strange against his tongue, to say something so quietly.

Then, out of nowhere, the Italian girl wrapped her arms around his middle, burying her head into her chest. Germany let out a small gasp as he stiffened at the sudden contact. He felt his cheeks burn and he kept his arms at his side, unsure of what to do. He was never one for physical contact, not even with his closest friends.

"Um…W-What are you doing?"

"Ve, I needed a hug, so I assumed you needed one as well," she answered, her voice muffled against his chest. He felt his lips twitch up into a small smile at her answer as he slowly wrapped his arms around her small frame as well. She felt small and dainty in his arms, but she was still a significant vibrant figure of warmth.

This was…nice.

Maybe he should give hugs more often. Maybe, when all of this is done, he'll actually let Feliciano hug him without snapping.

They stood for a little while, feeling the slight breeze from the outside of the window caress them. A momentary stillness. A momentary peace.

"U-Um…you can let go now," Germany remarked, feeling his face grow hot with the prolonged contact.

"V-Ve, right. Mi dispiace," Daisy responded, breaking away from him swiftly, a sheepish smile on her lips and her cheeks bright red. The blush looked very endearing against her skin. She backed up wordlessly, sitting down gently on her bed, which was propped against the wall right under the window. She leaned against the stone, the sun catching illuminating the mixtures of copper and gold hidden within her hair.

She closed her eyes and let out a small sigh.

Germany was transfixed. Absolutely transfixed.

He gulped, staring at the way she curled her knees up to her chest and rested her hands gently on top of them. Another silence filled the room, a tension-filled silence. The air was thick and Germany found it hard to breathe. What was going on? He tried to snap out of it, to wrack his brains, to tell himself that he was overreacting to absolutely nothing.

But of course, it didn't work.

The blonde nation found himself walking over to Daisy, who was still in the same position, knees curled up, hands on knees, eyes closed gently, slow breathing.

Mein Gott…what's happening?

But his actions didn't seem to mirror his thought process. He bent down slowly, so that his face was level with hers. Daisy's eyes were still closed, so gently, so serene.

And so, he closed the distance between their lips gently. Daisy's response was immediate. She breathed in deeply and she snaked her arms around the German, coaxing him to fully get on the bed with her.

Germany was in shock. But it was…good. It was better than anything. He breathed in sharply and tangled his hands in her long brown hair as he squeezed himself on to the bed, deepening the kiss. The air was licking at his skin and he felt exposed…so exposed but safe. Free. Liberated.

Their kisses were tender, slow, yet passionate. The hot swirling air was balanced by the breeze that shifted unevenly through the window. Germany felt goosebumps erupt over every inch of his skin when he felt her nails graze his back under his loose shirt.

He didn't know why he was doing this. He didn't understand it at all. He'd seen plenty of beautiful women before in his life, but he had never had the sudden urge to kiss any of them…unless he was completely drunk. In fact, Germany was about as romantic as a piece of wood.

But this…this was different. The feel of her soft skin as his hands snaked up her sides, the taste of her lips, the way her sharp breaths came out at uneven intervals…

Overwhelming.

And there is a strong connection. A very strong binding connection, intangible.

And though she may not be Feliciano, she is still North Italy.

And he is still Germany.

North Italy and Germany are intertwined, and always will be.

So he smiled under the kiss, as he whispered her name gently against her lips. Daisy. Daisy varags. And she smiled in return.

XX

The day passed slowly, almost ominously as the nations stayed in the castle, mostly in their rooms, too intimidated to wander the Rugaskan castle alone. Most of them attempted to rest or sleep, but found it difficult, for a dark feeling of dread coated their insides. They didn't hear from Ivan or his siblings for the rest of the day.

Occasionally, the three female Baltics would come to check up on them, but only for brief periods, before leaving them in their sullen isolation. Occasionally, Alice would check up on Meg, just to make sure that she was still breathing. Gilbert, paranoid and full of bitterness, was hesitant to even look at her, but he still looked over at her just to make sure her chest rose and fell. The dark feeling of unease increased with each passing hour as the sun sunk lower. Meg didn't even stir.

And it was getting cold. The sky was getting dark. And the air was growing putrid.

They all knew that it was happening again, so they held their breaths as various numbers of servants came in to shield the windows with thick slabs of wood, jamming them into slots that blended in with the stone to keep them in place.

Yet, they knew that they could still probably hear everything that was going on. Germany wondered how the people of this universe could sleep through the night, listening to the wails and screeches and other horrid sounds that the enemy emitted, but he didn't dare ask anyone.

Germany was lying on his bed, his lips tight as he stared blankly up at the ceiling. He could already hear that awful wind pick up outside, that distant screeching noise he knew would echo throughout the whole damn land endlessly. They were approaching.

Yet, he was in here, safe. Safe, but feeling sick to his stomach. Daisy was on her bed, curled up in a ball as she gritted her teeth, her eyes wide, and her face pale.

It was going to be a long night.

Germany thought of it. The fact that Feli was so close, yet so distant. He was out there, causing massive destruction. His limbs and scars ached at the memory and he wanted to vomit. He didn't dare open his mouth, nor move his muscles. The room was dim, lit only by three candles sitting on a small table at the side of Daisy's bed, the wax continuing to melt with each passing second.

However, the silence was broken when the door burst open, hitting the wall with force. Germany jumped shakily and stared at Elena Laurinaitis. She was panting, her hair disheveled, her face deathly pale, and her eyes wide open in sheer terror.

Before she even said the words, Germany felt his stomach drop about a million miles.

"W-We…we ran out of sheep's blood. The castle's unprotected."

The roaring outside grew louder and Germany exchanged a dreaded look with Daisy, who looked like she was going to be sick. They were in trouble. Everyone.

No, he didn't want to go through this again.

"Quickly! Ivan ordered me to lead you to the cellar. It's the only somewhat safe place left. My sisters have led the others down! There's no time; they're coming!" she burst out, her shoulders trembling.

Germany knew that she was right. He could feel the cold air seep through his clothes and his throat felt thick. His ears were pounding and he felt lightheaded.

Daisy approached him, stopping at his side. She looked at him, looking like she wanted nothing more than to break down.

Germany grasped her hand and they both ran, following after Elena, who was rather quick on her feet as she coaxed them, leading them along dark passageways, twisting corridors, narrow stairs…down and down and down…and the wind was picking up, shaking the foundations of the castle, swirling with the putrid smell of blood, roaring and whispering mantras…mantras that mixed and danced and stabbed.

His limbs were on fire, but he didn't stop, dragging Daisy along. He wouldn't dare let go of her hand, in fear of losing her if he did.

Finally, they reached a narrow dark corridor that seemed to plunge further and further down into an endless abyss. Germany squeezed Daisy's hand and squinted his eyes so as not to lose sight of Elena. As they descended, the bitter smell and the eerie sounds started to subside, but they never fully faded away. Elena then paused, bent over, and she seemed to pull on a latch, which revealed a tight dark circular hole.

Elena looked at them frantically and motioned for them to climb in. "Hurry up! Get in!"

Germany didn't waste time. The sounds were starting to get louder, even down here. The air started to smell of rotten flesh and blood again. He clambered forward, dragging Daisy along with him, and he let go of her hand momentarily to descend carefully into the hole.

It was definitely tight; everything he grasped for support was damp. It smelt of fresh earth, and Germany could not see a thing. Once his feet hit the hard ground, he immediately looked up and grabbed Daisy's hand once again, to help her down.

Once the two reached the bottom, Elena climbed in, and sealed the opening, twisting the latch with a click so that it was locked.

"Everyone is here now, da?"

Germany almost yelped at the eerie voice, but Daisy's firm hand squeeze calmed him down.

"Yes," Elena answered.

"…West?" Prussia's voice whispered through the darkness.

"Ja," Germany answered.

"Sorella, you're here, si?" Daisy asked gently.

"Of course I am you fucking idiota! We're all here!" Katarina snapped.

"Quiet down, 'Tarina…" Antonio said soothingly.

"Don't tell me what to do, you bastard…"

"Oi! Stop acting like bloody children…and Alfred, you're crushing my arm!"

"This is so fucking UNAWESOME…"

"Um…M-Master Ivan…"

CRASH!

Everyone jumped as the cellar rattled dramatically. Germany gulped, his breathing going hoarse as he ducked, pulling Daisy with him, who gave a little squeak.

After a few moments of eerie silence, Germany allowed himself to straighten up a tiny bit. His heart pounded in his ears and his stomach started to twist unpleasantly once again.

"Ahhh…they are very near. I do not know how long this place will protect us," Russia's eerily calm voice penetrated the air.

"…You mean, they can get in? What the fuck!" Prussia exclaimed.

"Dude! I don't want to die!" America said, his voice coated with panic.

Russia gave a small laugh. Germany could barely make out the outline of his silhouette against the opposite wall. "You are all so amusing. This cellar is especially equipped for dire situations like this. If the enemy does manage to penetrate the walls and enter the cellar, you must not move. You understand, da?"

"V-Ve…how does that work?" Daisy asked shakily.

"To be honest, I don't know. I just know that this cellar has a strange enchantment on it. It's strong, but not strong enough to keep out the enemy. But you will be protected as long as you don't move…or make too much noise. So we must not breathe too loudly, and try to refrain from blinking excessively," Russia answered in that calmly optimistic tone.

"…This is fucking bullshit," spat Katarina.

There was another loud crash, causing rapid vibrations through the cellar, followed by the whistling of wind. Germany felt extremely cold and nauseous.

"What a shame. I have a dire feeling that this castle will be in ruins. How unfortunate," Russia said.

"…Wait a minute…aren't there are other people who live up in the castle as well?" America asked, his voice starting to rise dangerously.

"Da."

"And…and you just left them up there?" His tone was getting more and more bitter by the second. Germany inwardly groaned. He knew that it was absolutely awful that the other inhabitants of the Rugaskan castle were going to meet their dreaded fate, but this was NOT the time for America to twitch about his hero complex and pick fights with someone like Russia.

"A-Alfred…please don't…." Alice pleaded.

"You fucking communistic…" America started, sounding as if he were spitting each word with as much venom as he could muster.

"Shut your damn mouth you capitalistic pig, or I will skewer you," came the cold biting voice of Belarus's male counterpart. Germany shivered slightly. He had forgotten that he was in here as well.

"Let's not fight, please…" came the gentler, pleading voice of Ukraine's male counterpart.

BOOM!

Germany cried out as the tremor caused him to fall forward. He landed on the ground hard, hitting his chin on the sharp, ragged ground. He moaned in protest.

He heard Daisy's frantic voice, "Ludwig, get in the corner!"

He blindly started to crawl, not knowing exactly what direction he was going. When his hands grappled a rough wall, he stopped and curled up, wishing that he could just disappear. He felt a pair of arms wrap around him protectively, and his shaking seemed to cease slightly.

"Danke…Daisy…" he panted.

"Di niente…" she whispered back.

Then, it was silent. Absolutely silent.

No one dared to say a word. Even the slight shift of the muscle seemed absolutely out of place.

However, a slight moan broke the silence.

Germany's back stiffened and his head whipped around toward the sound.

"M-Meg?" Alice's weak voice followed.

"She's waking up. Damn, fucking bad timing," Prussia noted, distress in his voice.

Russia gave out another small laugh.

"W-Wh…." Meg's whispery voice cracked with a whimper of what Germany presumed to be pain. Then, he heard his brother speak.

"Shhh…whatever you move, do not move, alright? You're still bleeding."

Germany was taken aback by how soft spoken his brother sounded. He would've probably commented on it in any other circumstance, but his throat seemed to be completely dried out.

"Meg…I'm so glad you're o-okay…" Alice whispered. Germany could tell that she was on the verge of tears.

BAM!

Another tremor rippled through the cellar, this time stronger, louder. Germany clutched his head, for it was pounding uncontrollably. The smell was leaking in. The temperature was dropping. He could hear the familiar, dreaded wailing.

Then another one.

BAM!

BAM!

BAM!

With each crash, the tremor got greater. It felt as if the foundations of the cellar would burst at any moment.

Everyone braced themselves. They knew that it was coming. Germany kept telling himself not to panic as the pounding grew louder and louder. He had to calm himself. He had to be prepared to stay absolutely…still…

BAM!

With a final bam, the air was filled with debris. Germany squeezed his eyes shut and help his breath, determined not to breathe in the opaque air. He locked his limbs as he slowly opened his eyes.

No one made a sound as the debris cleared, revealing a huge gaping hole right smack in the middle of the stone foundation.

And stepping into the cellar from the gaping hole…

Was none other than Arthur Kirkland, the shadows dancing dangerously under his eyes.