---Chapter XIII: Moon (Part 2)---




///Third Person PoV///

"Took you long enough, Luciano."

A dark chuckle was heard from the other end of the line. "Someone's impatient~ Lighten up, aren't you enjoying the game?"



"Of course, I am. But there's something troubling me..." Russia said, looking down.



Luciano let out a hum in question. "And that is...?"



"...the memories that we have seen...were they...actually real...?" the tall Russian asked, readjusting his scarf.


The line was silent for a moment, until Luciano spoke, "...what if they were?"



"There are no 'what-if's here if you already knew." Russia said coldly.


Laughter erupted from the other line, "It's really funny how you only thought of that now. Very well, it's all very true."




"You bastard. We were supposed to follow what we agreed on, I don't like compromising anything." Russia said, gritting his teeth.


Luciano sighed. "Oh, please. It's not my fault our magic idiot somehow messed up with those creatures. But anyway, it's still fine, isn't it? We get the joy of watching you guys suffer, you get the joy of the company of your friends. You guys are getting along really well now, aren't you?~"


"W-We...we are. Hmm. I did gain something from this twisted game of yours." Russia replied.



After hearing Russia's response, another wave of laughter was heard from Luciano. "Si, you did. ...It'd be a shame if they ever find out~"




"You wouldn't dare!!" Russia hissed, clenching his phone tightly.



Luciano chuckled, amused at his reaction. "Don't worry, I won't tell them...if you give me information."



"Huh? What is it?" Russia asked, raising an eyebrow.



Pausing for a moment, Luciano then spoke, "I've noticed that your little friends have been lurking around places for seemingly suspicious reasons. What are they up to?"



"......I don't know." Russia said monotonously.


The Italian Second Player clicked his tongue. "Lying will dig your grave deeper."



"Fine. They're looking for you guys." Russia admitted.



The line went silent once more. "...You didn't tell them where we were, did you?" Luciano asked, sounding more like a threat than a question.



"No. Do you want me to?" 


"Of course not. Now, there's something I need you to do if you want me to keep quiet about our little game."



Russia creased his forehead. "And what might that be?"




"I need you to help us get the girl back." Luciano told him in a low voice.



Growing even more confused, Russia asked, "Why do you need the girl? You better not be planning to hurt that little sunflower."



"...Too late. I've already hurt her a long, long time ago."  Luciano said in a soft voice, so soft that Russia wasn't able to hear it.



Russia adjusted the call volume, "What was that? I wasn't able to catch what you said."



"I said, 'We need her on our side. She's getting in the way of our plans, and our game.'... Not to worry, we won't hurt her." Luciano answered.



Noticing the length of their conversation, Russia spoke, "As long as you're sure you won't harm her. We need to speed this discussion up, they might get suspicious if I keep them waiting for too long. What am I supposed to do?"



"Oh, something effortless. All you need to do is keep a close eye on her. If she ever interacts with any other Second Player besides me, inform me about it. A simple text will do. That's it. It'll take a while for us to make a move to take her back, though. We're still fixing some unforeseen difficulties." Luciano explained.



Russia nodded, finding the condition easy enough. "Fine. Now, I need to take my leave, the others might be looking for me."



"Oohh. Missing your 'friends' already." Luciano teased.



Russia frowned. "Don't push it, Italian."



"Heh. Same to you. Keep your attitude to yourself. Ciao." Luciano said before ending the call.



Hearing the click on the other line, signalling the call ended, Russia placed his phone back to his pocket.



"Time to resume this...game."



///Reader's PoV///



Even though I already knew that another flight of stairs would appear, I still looked at it with awe. It looked really normal before, as if there were no sign that it was concealing another path. We stood in the hall for a fair amount of time, debating on whether or not to venture over there, and preparing weapons and such just in case it was dangerous. Pfft. "Just in case". Who am I kidding? It's obviously dangerous.



I turned to my right as I heard footsteps. It was from Russia, who seemed to have exited the mochi room just now. I feel as though I am forgetting something about him. 



Breaking me from my thoughts, Japan spoke up, "There's another flight of stairs...Shall we go up?"



We all nodded, ready to face whatever was beyond those stairs. Cautiously, we made our way up the steps. As we reached the top of the stairs, we ended up in a room that was stained with so much blood and reeked just as much. Blood was on the walls, with giant handprints of seemingly the same liquid.  There was an entrance in front of us to another room, so we all took a deep breath and walked into the next room.  The room was just like the previous one, it had blood around. Looking down on the floor, we saw a some kind of giant clock that was written down with blood as well. In the middle, there was a blue switch. 


The others scattered about, making their own observances of the room. I noticed Japan going around the room to talk with the other countries, just like in the game. I decided to join him, and he was more than happy to let me.



"This is real blood...And with the handprints on the entrance, this has to be the worst room ever." America said, feeling the chills the room gave.



We walked over to Russia, who was in the bottom left of the room. "I know it sounds odd coming from me...but this room is a little creepy." he told us with a troubled expression.



"What, you guys want a clue? Just look at the picture on the wall." Romano huffed, trying to hide the fact that the place is scaring him.



Spain was cupping his chin when Japan and I approached him. "It doesn't look like it's a dead end. There must be some kind of device somewhere." he told us.



"The temperature is strangely low in this room. It's freezing..." China told us as we walked up to him, while he was rubbing his arms for warmth.



England was over the right side of the room. He had a vexed expression when we walked up to him. "This feels too different from what we've seen so far. We may have got into the enemy's core." the Brit informed us.




"The blood on the floor...I mean, the numbers. A clock, maybe?" France suggested, as he looked down on the number he was stepping on. It was number 3.


Germany was nearby, so we approached him. "If possible, I want us to solve this without relying on Italy or on you, frau. I hope you don't mind me saying that." he said. "It's fine." I told him with a smile.




"This place feels weird. Be careful." Prussia said when he saw us.



Italy was standing near the switch, and he had a kind of apologetic look on his face. "Err...I remember how this room works. do you want me to tell you the answer?" he asked Japan.


"Oh, uhm, to be honest...I actually know how this room works, too." I confessed.


"No, it's quite alright. If our past selves were able to solve it, we should also be able to. You two don't have to interfere." Japan said, looking to and from me and Italy.



Italy giggled. "Ooh, so serious, japan~ Well, then, we'll just watch you for a while."



We then spotted Canada leaning on the wall. "Have you two...seen the picture on the wall?" he asked us.


"No, we haven't." Japan said, shaking his head.


Canada nodded. "You guys should. It's...disturbing." 



Japan and I took a look at the picture on the wall next to Canada. The photo showed a moon that had an X mark over it written in blood.



"There's an X marked in blood on the moon." Japan said under his breath.


Canada stepped closer to us. "Have you...seen the picture on the wall?"

"We have" I told him.


It was then that the countries had decided to gather around and discuss what to do about this room. Knowing how this part played out, I walked over to stand beside France.


"Ohonhon~ Aren't you standing a little bit too close to me, jeune fille? Not that I don't like it." France winked.


Rolling my eyes, I just chuckled. "Oh, please. My reason's not what you think. But I'll let you believe what you believe." I told him. Just then, I noticed Canada, who seems like he wanted to say something. Our eyes met and I gave him an approving smile.



"There was an X on the moon." Canada said in a soft, but audible voice.


Japan nodded and looked across the floor. "And then there's the numbers on the floor... are they repressenting a clock? If we assume so...an X on the moon and a clock..."



Russia tilted his head. "It means...the time when the moon doesn't show up?"


"Hmm, right. But that's too broad. Maybe something to do with the seasons?" Germany suggested.



England rubbed his temples as he tried to think. "Maybe the moon tonight-no, no. Dammit...Our past selves did solve this, right?"



"Hm...Yeah, sort of." Italy told us.


America frowned as he gazed upon the floor. "Being outsmarted by myself is out of the question...Say, Italy...what's that switch at your feet?" the energetic American said as he walked over to step on the switch.



Italy's eyes widened. "Oh! Amer-"


All of a sudden, it seemed like electricity had flowed throughout the room and shocked us. I felt it, but it was only like static electricity.



"OW!" Prussia yelled out in pain.


Japan clicked his tongue as he still felt the previous shock. "Tch...!"


"America! Be a little more careful when you do something!!" China scolded.


America quickly backs off the switch. "Ack! I-I'm sorry! It was my fault."


"If you don't solve it correctly, we take a hit...Chigii!! That fucking hurts, you bastard!!" Romano shouted, raising his fist.



Spain saw his friend seemed to be unaffected by what happened. "Hm? France, you don't look like you're in much pain. Did you enjoy the pain?" he asked. I laughed. I blame my dirty mind.


"Well, if a lady or gentleman wants me to-I mean, it didn't hurt me that much. It was just static eletricity." France said in flirtatious voice, but changed it quickly when he realised that that wasn't the answer. 


I nodded. "Yeah, same goes for me."



"Oh, France and (Name) are standing on one of the numbers...Then...er...that means...Maybe...we have to stand on the numbers and press the switch?" Canada guessed.



Italy shook his head. "Oh, erm-"

"Well--" I tried to speak out.


Germany crossed his arms and looked at Italy and I. "Hey, you two be quiet! Now, each one of us is going to stand on a number."


"Right." England said as we began looking for a number to stand on.


Italy stood on number 12, Canada on 1, England on 2, Prussia on 4, Japan on 5, Germany on 6, America on 7, Russia on 8, Romano on 9, Spain on 10, and China on 11. France was kind enough to let me take his place on number 3, so he was the only one who doesn't have a number to stand on.


"Well then, France, please press the switch." Germany said.


I met eye-to-eye with Italy, both of us had sorry looks on our faces as France stepped on the switch.


Another shock of electricity surged throughout the room, the other countries yelled out in pain. "Sh-Shit. France, we got it wrong, step away from that now!" Prussia shouted.


"Argh...Pain is pleasurable...but this isn't the kind of pain Big Brother wanted to receive." France groaned as he stepped away from the switch.


I looked at them, wanting to tell them the answer straight out, but decided against it. "I hope you guys don't mind if I drop a clue. All I can give you is ...'the time with no moon'..." I told them.



"The moon..." Japan muttered.



Italy nodded and seemed to have caught my drift. "Ve, by the way, Japan can solve this. I mean, if it weren't for Japan, maybe we wouldn't have solved it..."



"Yeah, you're right. The moon isn't just that thing in the sky, is it?" Romano thought out loud.



China looked up in thought.  "...Hm?! I think I kind of got it." he said, snapping his fingers as his gaze met up with Japan's.


"...Other than the 'moon' in the sky...The Japanese lunar calender...? The first month is Matsuki, the second month is Kisaragi. And the third month is...Yayoi...!!" Japan paused at the sudden realisation. "It doesn't have the kangi for 'tsuki' inside! And 'tsuki' or 'zuki' means 'moon' in Japanese!"



"I see. So, (Name) will step off number 3." France said, thinking he understood.


With an uneasy look on my face, I stepped off the number.



"So? Is it just (Name) who has to move?" Prussia asked.


Japan shook his head. "Oh, er, also...The twelfh month is Shiwasu. It's not written with the kanji 'tsuki' or 'zuki'..." he explained.



"Hm, then Italy has to move." England said.



Sighing, Italy spoke, "...All right. I'll step away."




///Canada's PoV <3///


I watched quietly as Italy moved away from the number. Something is quite not right about this. (Name) and Italy both know the solution to this room, so they'd know whether we're on the right track or not. And by the hesitant look on both their faces as they stepped away from the numbers, we are definitely not on track. (Name) even has that troubled look on her face that practically says that we are not making the right decision.



Wait a minute. Now there are thirteen people, so it was even more than enough people to fit. But before, there were only ten people...


There were also times when there were even fewer of us... 


I don't like thinking about that, but it surely happened. So, when there were ten of us at most, we all had to stand on a number...


That's odd. If all ten of us were standing on the numbers, who pressed the switch? 



Or maybe... 





"Aaah!! stop!! W-wait a minute! Please, wait!" I spoke as loudly as I could.



Spain raised an eyebrow and asked,  "What, what's wrong?"



"It's the other way around! It's not that 3 and 12 are the numbers we don't step on; 3 and 12 are the numbers we have to step on! Because...um..." I fidgeted in my place, loosing my confidence.


Then, I saw (Name) giving me a big smile and discreetly, a thumbs up. 



This is it...the right track!



"Oh, you're right. because there were only ten of us before, and if we all stepped on the numbers, there'd be no one to press the switch." Prussia said as he understood what I was trying to say.


Russia nodded. "True...Besides, even if all of us had been alive, it still wouldn't have been enough. If it's just 3 and 12, even if only three of us had survived, it'd be enough."



"Ugh...I don't want to forget about that, but, well, you're right. It's a sound argument.
So, (Name) and Italy, back on your numbers. The others will step away...Japan, you press the switch, please." Germany said.


Japan nodded and spoke, "Yes."



Everyone but Italy and (Name) stepped off the numbers.  Japan made his way to the center of the room to press the switch. When he did, a bright light illuminated the room. As the light died down, we noticed that a door appeared next to a bloody handprint on the wall of the top left corner.



"Oh, a door appeared." Japan commented.



America raised a fist in the air. "Yosh! Let's go ahead!"



"Oh! Wait!" Italy called out to stop us. I turned around to see him with a worried expression on his face.



China also turned around and asked, "What is it?"



"I didn't tell you the answer for this room, but I can't be so carefree from now on. In the next room, there'll be a key hanging on the wall...That's the key to the front door. As soon as we get it, you have to run. A monster will come after us, so just run to the front door." Italy explained.



Spain looked a bit excited. "More than ever, you mean. All right! I'll warm up, then!"



///Third Person PoV///



As they walked through the door, they found themselves in a room that had cell containing numerous monsters of various shapes and sizes. The creatures were moving about in their cell, but they were locked up, making them unable to walk forward to the people there.



Prussia's eyes widened as he saw the horrible sight. "Ugh! What the hell is this place?!"


"There are so many..." China said, covering his mouth with his extremely long sleeve.


Clutching the arm of the person next to her, which was Germany, (Name) spoke softly, "...I expected this...but I can't help but feel on edge when I see them in person. Ugh, this is just..."


Italy stepped forward and faced them. "L-let's just go ahead. They won't come out of 
the cell...I think." 


"R-right. Besides, with so many enemies, we would be...No, I'd rather not think about that." Japan said nervously.


Walking down the left hall, they ended up entering another room. This room had lots of blood covering it, especially the floor. The floor was filled with numbers written with blood. In the top left corner of the room, there was a giant rock-like creature that had several eyes all over its body. The temperature inside was also low, increasing the chills the room gave to those who entered.



Japan cringed as he observed his surroundings. "Ugh...This room is also quite-"



"Behind that thing! The key is on that wall!" Italy exclaimed, pointing at the rock-like creature that stayed in the corner.



Russia raised an eyebrow and looked confused. "...Isn't it going to...attack us?"



"It will if you get close to it, but it's incredibly slow. We can get away from it by just
walking. I'll got get it." Italy told them, walking over to the creature.




Germany started to panic when he saw Italy moving closer to the monster on his own. "Hey!! You're going by yourself again-"


"Quickly...We're going to get out! It's really slow, so we'll be fine. I'm sure the key is on that wall!" Italy muttered to himself.


The creature started to slowly move closer to Italy and away from its place, only to reveal that there was no key on the wall behind it.




Italy froze as he saw that there was nothing on the wall.  "What...?"



"H-hey, Italy! There's no key!" France frantically pointed out.



"Oh, God...Why?! It was always...It was always there before!!" Italy exclaimed, running his fingers through his hair in distress. He didn't understand it at all. He knew perfectly well that there was supposed to be something there.


Italy's mind flashbacks to the first time he saw that key.

=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=

In the same room that had the rock-like monster, Italy, Germany, and Prussia were shocked to see that there was a key on the wall behind the creature. Other than that, the place was actually clean and empty. The only thing different was that there was only one number on the floor that was written with blood. It was the number three. The countries looked at each other.



"Is that...a...key?" Italy asked, squinting his eyes.


Germany nodded and confirmed. "...Hey, that's a key!"


"...Sorry, I can't move my arm anymore. I can still use my feet, though. I'll take care of that enemy with my feet, so you guys just take the key." Prussia told them, wincing a bit.



Italy furrowed his brows and turned to Germany. "Germany, did you hear what Prussia just said?"


"...This noise is terrible...But I read his lips. You also just talked to me, didn't you?"
he replied, placing a hand on one of his ears.



Italy faced the albino and nodded.  "...Yeah. Prussia, please..."


"Yeah!" Prussia nodded back before he charged at the monster.


=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=

"I'm sure...this is the right place...wh-what am I going to do...?" Italy turned around to face the others, tears starting to stream down his face in frustration. Unknowingly, the monster was already right behind him.



"Italy!" America cried out as he ran after the Northern Italian to save him from the approaching creature. Russia also saw this and attacked the monster together with America.



France took a step back. "This isn't going well..."



"Tsk! I really need to get my magic back..." England muttered, clicking his tongue.


"Oh..." Prussia let out as he saw what was happening before him.


Italy looked down and cried. "W-we were too late..."



"Veneziano! Get back!" Romano called after his younger brother.


Italy looked at them with so much stress and frustration, "Wh-what am I going to do? Did I...do something wrong? The key...there's no key..."


"Italy! Get out of the way!" Germany began running over to Italy's side.



Italy clenched his fists. "Wh-What am I going to do...?"



Suddenly, the ground began to rumble and the whole room shook.


"Wh-what is it this time?!" Prussia looked around with a frustrated expression.


Romano remembered something and quickly looked above, his eyes widened as he shouted and pointed at the ceiling, "...Up there!!"



In a flash, a great number of monsters fell down from above. They all engaged in a battle against these alien-like creatures. Using their weapons and their abilities, they exchanged attacks with the monsters. 



When they defeated the monsters, the things disappeared...only to be replaced by more creatures after the room shakes once more.



England flailed his hands in exasperation. "What?! Again?!"



"...Oh, no. They keep coming!!" Spain cried as he saw that they were being surrounded by more monsters.



America placed a palm on his face with a look of horror. "It never ends!"


"There are too many! we can't run past them!" Canada said, placing a protective arm to cover the girl behind him.



Italy shook his head vigorously. "N-no...I don't want to go back again! Not when we've made it so far!! No!!"


"Italy!" Japan called after his friend, who seemed to be becoming disoriented.


China made eye contact with his comrades and spoke, "Let's at least surround Italy! They're all going after him!"



"...After me...That's right, If I...If I were gone..." Italy muttered to himself, taking out the journal from his uniform jacket.



Germany looked behind to call after Italy. "Oh, come on! Italy, just get down!"



"Please! Somehow...somehow...! Make me-make me disappear somewhere!!" Italy said loudly, opening the journal.



Romano saw this and panicked. "Veneziano!!"



"Italy's journal!!" Japan alerted the others as he saw Italy hold out the book in front of him.


"Italy!!" Germany yelled, running towards Italy and grabbing the journal.



"G-Germany! My journal!" Italy said, the book being tugged back in forth between him and the German.


The (h/c) haired girl quickly walked over to them. "(N-Name)! Come back!" Canada called out.


(Name) looked back and spoke, "No, I-I know what's going to--"



"Let go of it, Italy!! The journal-Ah, dammit! You always---" Germany said, looking straight into Italy's amber orbs. He suddenly stopped when he noticed something strange happening.




The journal began to emanate a bright light, surrounding them.







And in a blink of an eye, they were gone.