---Chapter XIX: Hide and Seek (Part 1)---

"Where do you think you're going, sweetie?"  

  //Reader's PoV//


It felt like my heart stopped upon hearing the eerie voice.


What do I do...?


This wasn't some joke. This wasn't just some hallucination my mind had made up. It was real.



That person's behind me.


There were so many thoughts swirling in my mind. What am I supposed to do? Who is that person behind me? I can't exactly tell by the voice because...the person's voice sounded garbled up in a way. Like...like it wasn't a ghost, or creature, or some entity... It felt far...worse. It felt...dangerous. The voice was raspy, as if struggling...but at the same time it sounded...wicked. And...


...and it was like that person sounded so...consumed.


I know this isn't the time to overanalyse the situation...but I just couldn't help it.


It's like I'm...being compelled to do so.


Which brings me to outweigh curiosity over fear...and causes me to slowly turn around to see who that person was. "I need to kno--"


"STOP."


I abruptly stopped and instead flinched upon hearing the sharp tone of the person behind me. "Don't you dare turn around...unless you want to die, sweetie."


That was more than enough reason for me to revert to my old position, facing the exact opposite side from the source of the voice. Braving to try getting something out of the unknown entity, I spoke softly, "...Okay...who...are you, and what are you doing here?"

A dark chuckle erupted from the person behind me. "You already know me, sweetie...and I've been here in this mansion with you this whole time."

"W-What, I don't know you..."

"You do."

"What?"

"You do know me, sweetie. You're just not aware of who I am."

"You're not...making any sense."


There was a short pause between the two of us, then the person continued, "You keep observing, but do not see. You keep analysing, but do not think. You keep remembering, but still forget."


What the person told me was somehow bothering. What do I not see? Not think of? I've been going through enough mental struggles inside this wretched mansion, what more is there to it? What did I miss?


"That you are here in time," said the person behind me in, strangely, a softer tone.


The replies that this person gave just kept increasing my questions than answering them. "I don't understand! What are you trying to tell me, exactly?!" I couldn't help but speak out in an exasperated tone. "I'm in time for what?"


"You really don't understand, do you, sweetie? What I said wasn't something to question," the person said, as if disappointed by my false comprehension. "But I see that you want answers, and maybe even more, hm?"


"More than answers...I want solutions," I told the person, clenching my fists. "I don't know who you are, or what role you play here in this horrid mansion...but I can tell that you know more about the whole situation than I do. You might--you might even know how my friends and I can get out of here."


"Ah, so you are slowly starting to think, hm? Well, you are correct, sweetie~" the eerie voice crept back again, closer...as if just beside my ear. "...but who said I would let you and your dear friends out of this mansion?"

Hearing that made anger spark within me, turning around, I spoke, "So it was you?! You're the--"


"I SAID, DONT. TURN."


The voice became stronger which made me halt just in time. Startled and scared, I began calming myself down. "....Tell me."


"Hm?"


"You...whoever you are. Tell me how we can get out of here, please..." I pleaded, trying a different approach to the unknown entity. "We've had...enough of this nightmare. We don't want to see each other suffer anymore. We want to stop this cycle of death and regrets. We just...we just want to get out of here." I was practically shaking at that point.


Again, there was silence, as if the person was thinking. The person behind me chuckled again, "Ahah, it's delicious to hear you beg, sweetie, but it just doesn't work that way."


In a way, I knew that it didn't.


Letting out a deep breath, I spoke, "Then, why don't we have a deal?"


"A deal?"


What I'm thinking of is somehow dangerous, but I can't let this chance get away. "I'm not sure if you're one of those Things, but I have a hunch that you'd accept a deal like the one Italy made with that monster. So, why don't we make a deal? A deal where if I win, you have to tell us everything so we can get out of here--or better yet, have you get all of us out of this mansion."


"...And if you lose, sweetie?"


I felt cold. What am I doing? It's like making a deal with the devil itself. How could I not consider the possibility of losing? I could put everyone in even more danger...but...


Faintly, I heard a noise that could be taken as a sigh from the person behind me. "Ah, here I was thinking that you were more cunning than I give you credit for. But I'll tell you what sweetie, I like the idea. Let me help you with it."

"What?"

"You said you wanted to make a deal with me to make me help you and your friends escape, right? Fine. If you win, I'll tell you everything, even tell you the answer to escape this mansion." the person told me.

I felt hope rising within me. "Y-You will?! Ah..." I paused, "What's the catch?"


"This deal of ours will be a game, played under my terms."


"...What terms..?" The thought of it already began to make me uneasy, what's worse is that the person placed their hands on my shoulders and whispered in my ear, causing the chills to run up my spine.

And as the person explained the twisted game that they wanted to play, my eyes just grew wider and wider. My body was shaking, and my knees were slowly weakening. It was cruel. A twisted game befitting for this twisted mansion.

Once the person was done explaining, they took off their hands off of my shoulders, making me feel a slight relief, I could finally breath without restriction.

"So, what do say, sweetie?"


I'm sorry, everyone.


"We have a deal."


I heard the person take a step back.


"Then let's play a game of Hide-and-Seek, (Name)."


The voice changed, as if the person speaking had slipped its guard down. I couldn't believe it.


That voice.


Finally turning around, I spoke, "You're--"


But I spoke too soon, because the next thing I knew, I was already losing consciousness...like, I was losing my breath...


I don't know what happened to me next, but I remember...


I remember the faint ticking of the grandfather clock in the room, and the sound of its gong, the sound those clocks usually make to signal the hour.


But in this case, I knew.


It was the signal for the game to begin.


-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-  

  //Reader's PoV//


Tick.

Tock.


Tick.

Tock.


It was the faint sounds of the clock that greeted me once I was finally gaining consciousness. What on earth happened this time?

Sitting up from my previous position of lying down on the wooden floor, I adjusted my eyes to the apparently new surroundings. I tried blinking and looking around to familiarise myself with the dimmer atmosphere. As I did, I felt a sudden uneasiness in the pit of my stomach.

I was still in the mansion. I was still in the mansion, but...


"...It...changed."


As I stood up and observed the whole room before me, I realised that I was in kitchen on the first floor. It was noticeable with the plates and the stove and the sink...but the thing is...


It was all broken. Old. Dusty.


Truly abandoned.


Same goes for everything else that surrounded me. There were missing floorboards in some areas, ripped wallpaper, and dust that seemed like it had built up in the place for years. The mansion that I was once familiar with now turned old and seemingly crumbling by the minute. Was this the outcome of that earthquake? Surely mere tremors wouldn't turn the building into something like this. Or maybe it was...but there was something else at play?

As I was by the kitchen, I ran my index finger across the marble countertop and collected dust from it. "Even if the earthquake shook dust from the ceiling to fall down here, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't turn the place into a whole different mansion."





"I was thinkin' the same thing, dollface."



Hearing that familiar Southern accent in this unfamiliar place caused me to abruptly turn around to find the source of the voice. "Allen!" I exclaimed as I saw the red haired American whose arms were propped on the countertop.

"As much as I like hearin' ya saying my name, I wanna have ya call me 'Al'." he told me, wiggling his eyebrows at the first part of his statement. Punching his arm lightly from the joke, I replied, "Oh ha ha. Okay, Al. How long have you been here? Where are the others?"

Al's gaze shifted to the dusty kitchen counter. "Hm? I headed over here when I heard ya talkin' to yourself. I was just finishing up looking around." The tone of his voice felt a bit off, as if there was something else he wanted to tell me.

"You already looked around the mansion?" I spoke slowly, trying to convince myself my suspicions were wrong. "...And the others...?"



"Nowhere. It's like we're the only ones here," Al answered softly, as if he wanted to break down the news as gently as he could. "Sorry, doll, I don't even get what the fuck's goin' on here...but I'm sure there's a way to find 'em, wherever they ended up in."


Appreciating the usually brusque redhead's consideration, my lips slightly curled upwards. With all the crazy and illogical things that happened in this mansion, something like this already felt almost normal. "Well, I guess you're right... They're probably just somewhere in the mansion again, maybe in a new room or new floor or whatever is hidden in here that we have yet to discover," I said, gripping my bag's shoulder straps tighter as I convinced myself to stay rational.


"Ya sure are takin' the situation calmer than how a normal girl would." Allen straightened himself up and dusted off his bomber jacket.

I laughed softly at his statement. "It's obvious that I'm not a 'normal' girl, you know?"

"Oh, a lot of us know that more than ya might think, doll."

His response made me raise an eyebrow, but he just shrugged it off. "A'ight, let's start lookin' for 'em, then." Allen started walking towards the door, I followed after him.


Once we were out of the kitchen and were passing through the hallway, I noticed that it was all in the same condition as the previous room. It all seemed old and damaged, a striking difference from the former state of the mansion's interior.


"This here shithole turned into an even shittier one after them earthquake." Al frowned as he dragged his nail-covered bat along the damaged walls.


Trudging beside him with my hands in my pockets, I turned to him. "You sure are cussing more freely now," I pointed out.

"W-Well, the old man ain't here ta tell me to shut ma trap, might as well make most of it." he replied, scratching the back of his head. "Unless, you're bothered by it...Are ya, dollface..?"


"No, not really. If that's how you express yourself, I don't mind," I reassured him. I've known for a while that that's how he's always been, and how he really is, so I won't discourage him from being that way. "Though you know there are limits to it."

"Yeah ahaha.." He seemed somewhat happy about my response for some reason, but that might not have been a good thing since he lost a little awareness of his surroundings for a moment.

"Watch out!"

.

.

.

"You almost fell, you idiot!" I scolded the redhead, who seemed to be a little stunned by the happening. The floorboards of the hallway we were passing through were already old and eroding, and there were large holes that people could easily fall through if not paying attention. The hall was dim, so it wasn't easily noticeable. It was a good thing I spotted the hole sooner. "Aren't you supposed to more alert than an ordinary human like me? Geez."

We were both sitting on the dusty floor, since I instinctively used my arm to stop him from taking a step further earlier. Allen just sat there in a daze for a moment, and then ruffled his hair for some reason. "No wonder..." he murmured.

"Hm? What did you say?" I asked as I stood up and dusted off my clothes. Al smirked at me and stood up, as well. "Nothin', doll."

Looking down the hall, I tried observing whether or not the path was safe but it was too dim for me now. I tugged at the American's bomber jacket. "Hey, do you think that it's safe to walk over there?" I asked, pointing up ahead.

After picking up his bat, he raised it up and pointed it towards the end of the hall, as if he was aiming for it. "Yeah, the floorboards over there seem sturdier than in this area. Don't worry, doll. I'll be alert this time," he told me in a serious tone. He must've taken what I said earlier to heart.

Without warning, he took my hand in his and led me across the hallway. "H-Hey..."

"What? Ya don't like it?" he teased, still walking forward steadily. I couldn't really respond to what he said. He sighed, "Just makin' sure ya don't miss a step in the dark."

"Thanks, Al." I said quietly, realising that he just wanted to make sure I don't hurt myself through the risky hall we were passing through. He squeezed my hand a bit after I thanked him.


"Hah. Looks like I'mma make a few jealous soon."


"Why?"


"Because I got ta monopolize ya, dollface."


His statement caused an internal conflict within my rationality, trying to make sense of what he said. I'm sure it's just him teasing again, though.


"Oh."


As we neared the end of the hall, Allen stopped. "Whoever y'are, show yourself. I ain't got no time for this," he raised his voice in a stern manner. The person was obscured by the darkness of the hall, but he began stepping towards us. From the tone of Allen's voice, it seems the person was a stranger to him.


....Could it be 'that person' I encountered earlier...?


"I'm sorry if I startled any of you. I won't harm anyone, I just needed to talk to the girl," a man with a thick, and unsettlingly familiar accent spoke softly.

What the guy said must've aggravated Allen even more, since he made me hide behind him. "You sound like a Kraut but not one of ours. Who're you and whaddya want from the girl, hm?"


"What's Al going on about? Kraut? ....German...'but not one of ours'...?" I thought to myself, trying to figure out who the person was before Allen would think of throwing a punch at the guy.


Wait.



Moving Al slightly to the side to get a glimpse of the person in front of us, I couldn't help but gasp noticeably. How could I not? It's my first time seeing him.


"....Holy Roman Empire?" I managed to ask, still a bit awestruck at the black-clad man before us. Upon seeing how I recognise the man, Allen lowered his bat to the side. I began walking forward to approach the former nation, "...You're Holy Roman Empire, aren't you?"


"It's nice to meet you, too, Miss (Name)."

  -=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-

//Third Person PoV//

When they were nearing the backyard, they heard high-pitched screams.

And that was when Liechtenstein's fears were confirmed.

  [Outside the Mansion, Current Timeloop]

"Big brother, the kids are in danger!" Liechtenstein cried as she started sprinting towards the source of the shrill screams. The other nations followed suit, equally worried about the younger micronation's condition. "Liechtenstein, wait up!" Switzerland called her, worried that she might face whatever it was head on.


When the older nations reached the backyard, their blood ran cold.


Across the yard was a grey alien creature, slowly approaching the smaller, younger nations that weren't even supposed to be in a dangerous place like this.

The micronations were scattered, so the monster must have had trouble choosing a target. Unfortunately, it thought of settling for the closest it could attack--a small brunette in pink.

"WY, LOOK OUT!!!" A young lad in a sailor uniform shouted as he pushed the girl away from the alien's vision. Then, with all his might he punched the alien, making it flinch backwards upon getting hit.

"Sealand..." Wy was amazed by the sight, recalling that the lad's nation was made of steel and proved to be strong, indeed. Snapping out of her daze, she quickly pulled Sealand away before the monster could retaliate. "Let's get out of here!"



As they were running, Molossia and Seborga were actually shooting the alien creature to slow it down. It wasn't a surprise to see Molossia carrying large guns, but they were a bit surprised by Seborga. His attitude seemed to change from cheery to serious at these situations in a split-second, it seemed.

When the two older micronations ran out of ammo, they knew it was their time to flee, as well. The Thing had fairly slowed down from their shots. "Sealand and Wy are already running up ahead, where's the braided kid?" Molossia asked, panting slightly.

"Kugelmugel? He's--over there!" Seborga pointed at the white haired lad shaking by the bushes. He was obviously terrified by the scene, but it was good he was out of harm's way. "Molossia, take Kugelmugel with you and run ahead!" the Italian micronation instructed.

"Ha?! Why do I have to take your orders, huh??" Molossia retorted by reflex, shrugging it off, he spoke once more. "What are you going to do, anyway?"


"We're still missing one."


Molossia recounted their party, "Sealand and Wy already ran ahead, Kugelmugel is over there, and there's the both of us. The fuck? Y'know how to count? That's all of us who headed here!"


"No. Trust me. There's still one more, and I don't think that kid went back to safety. I need to find him. Bring Kugelmugel to Sealand and Wy. Look over there," Seborga paused, pointing at the nations across the spacious backyard, "The countries are here, you can either warn them about the monster or tell them to take care of it. Either way, I'm still gonna look for the missing young one."

Clenching his teeth, Molossia knew that he couldn't turn away from the Italian's request, especially if he was using such a serious tone like that. Molossia understood that it was all for their safety. "Fine. I'll bring the kid over to safety, so find the other one you're talkin' 'bout and get back in one piece."

"Grazie, mi amico!" Seborga said as he looked through the trees and bushes, unknowingly gaining the attention of the monster that pursued them earlier.



"Sealand!!" Finland exclaimed in relief as he pulled the young blond lad into a tight hug. "We were so worried!" the Finn cried. Sweden pat Sealand's shoulder. "Mm."

Looking down, Sealand fidgeted and rubbed his fist. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause trouble," he honestly apologised.

"I-It's not all Sealand's fault; we decided to go along with it, too." Wy tried defending her friend. Getting a little flustered, she gathered the courage to speak up again, "And, h-he also saved me, too, s-so please don't get too mad..."

"We know...we saw from afar, when we just got here." Finland gave a half-smile. Patting Sealand on the head, he made the lad look up at him. "Sealand, you had us worried, but you saved your friend. You're a good kid. Right, Sve?"

"Mm." Sweden responded in a lighter tone. Both their responses seemed to uplift Sealand's spirits in a thankful way. What also changed the spirits of the scene was a particular Australian.

"Crikey! Don't ever scare us like that again, Wy!" Australia told the female micronation, who nodded in recognition of her senior, but quickly turned away. "I-It's not like I'll be more careful for you, idiot. I'll do it for myself!"

Australia smiled, seeing Wy in her usual state. "Oh sure, sure."


"Damn, kid, you sure run slow." Molossia huffed as he led Kugelmugel towards the older nations. "Haa...trying to run so fretfully....is not....art!" Kugelmugel tried to reason, but looked thankful to the gruff micronation's help.

"Ah, Kugelmugel! You're safe... Thank goodness!" Liechtenstein breathed a sigh of relief, smiling at the braided lad. Her bright smile somehow dazzled him, making him a bit flustered. Switzerland somehow noticed this and squinted at the boy, muttering something about the micronation having a "dangerous aura" radiating from him because of his suspicion.

Kugelmugel got so scared by the Swiss scrutinizing him like that that ended up bumping into none other than Austria himself, who seemed a bit unpleased by the young boy. Kugelmugel shivered a bit, preparing himself for a scolding.


Austria bended down to be at eye level with the white-haired lad. "Kugelmugel, you could've gotten yourself hurt, you fool," he sighed. "But we are glad that you are fine," Austria reassured the young lad.

Facing Molossia, Austria gave a nod of gratitude. "Thank you for bringing him back here, well. We're glad you aren't hurt, too."

Feeling a little happy from being appreciated, Molossia accidentally gave a slight smile, until he remembered something urgent. "Wait!!"

The rest became alarmed at Molossia's panicked exclamation. "W-What's wrong?" Finland asked.


"S-Seborga is still back there!" Molossia told them, looking back but seeing that the Italian micronation was nowhere in sight. "He said that someone was missing, but I didn't know who he was referring to!"

"Huh? But aren't all the ankle-biters here?" Australia said, gesturing at the smaller micronations.


Suddenly, Sweden took a step forward, face faltering ever so slightly. He had a feeling, a strong feeling who Seborga went looking for.


"Ladonia."


=-=-=-==-=-

//Seborga's PoV//


As I was searching through the bushes, I felt somehow relieved that Molossia and Kugelmugel were able to get out of sight before the monster recovers from our attacks.

"Where is that guy, anyway? Sigh... wish I was looking for a girl instead, though, that would've been nice," I thought as I waded through the bushes. "But it's not like I can leave him alone. And it's my fault for not calling him out sooner."


Stepping forward, I felt my foot bump into something. "Ah! This is it!" I beamed, crouching down to pick up the laptop.


"Hey! It's you!" a young male with slightly-ruffled red hair and blue eyes emerged from the lush bushes. The streak of paint on the lad's face made him easy to recognise.

Seborga cheered. "Ladonia!! Thank goodness, you're okay!" the Italian micronation laughed, the relief in his voice evident. Ladonia was usually hesitant about this kind of attitude towards him, but he was moved by the Seborga's concern. "Th-Thanks. I was alright from the start, anyway." the younger lad tried shrugging it off.


"It's good to hear you've been fine, ehehe!" I pat his back, about to hand him his laptop, when I heard the rustling in the bushes and heavier footsteps. Ladonia didn't seem to notice this and asked, "Hey, what is i--"

"Oh no...I think we got targeted, after all. We're the only ones left here. The rest are probably safe back at camp, but we're vulnerable against those monsters." I had to admit to the young boy, who seemed frightened at the news.

As the heavy footsteps trudged nearer, Seborga looked back and forth between Ladonia and the laptop. "Ladonia, I know how to keep you safe from that monster," I told him, placing his laptop gently on the ground, having it blend within the bushes as to not be seen.

"Wh-What are you doing?! If that alien thing catches us, we're doomed! We need to run!" Ladonia panicked, shaking my shoulders.

I shook my head. "That Thing can move fast when not attacked, and I'm already out of bullets to shoot it with."


"Then...then what are you gonna do?" Ladonia asked me, appearing to have a sinking feeling about what I plan to do. "...W-Wait don't tell me you're go--"


With a single press of a button, the young lad before me disappeared and got transported behind the screen of his own laptop. "Seborga!! Hey!!" he tried shouting through the speakers.

I smiled at him and placed an index finger to my lips. "Shhh. Just stay here and be as stay as silent as you can, that monster won't find you."


Ladonia was visibly showing his worry now. "But you...you'll...."


"I said shhh." I chuckled. The young boy seemed to follow and quieted down. I slightly closed the laptop, it was still running, though, so I know he could hear me. "Don't worry, I'm Italian. I can outrun this monster any day!" I whispered before standing up.

Before I could even find a direction to run to, the grey alien monster already emerged from the bushes and spotted me.



"Dio mi salvi."


=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=

//Reader's PoV// 

"It's nice to meet you, too, Miss (Name)."   

  It was so strange, meeting someone whom I know plays an overwhelmingly significant role in the game and in the story HetaOni was supposed to be. I'm not sure what to make of him, really. Is he a friend, a foe? What role does he exactly play? All these thoughts cloud my head and cause me to feel uneasy facing the elusive Holy Roman Empire.

"Now, I know this may sound confusing and complex on your part, but I must tell you something important before I take my leave from this place," he began, adjusting his voice in a softer tone as if to not frighten me away or make me agitated around him. "I have to explain so that you'll have a better understanding of your situation...and so that you will be extra careful not to lose in this twisted game."


"Woah woah woah--hold on," Allen raised his hands in front of him, taking a step back from the black-coated man. "How'd ya even know all of this? Were you the one responsible for all the shit that happened to us, huh? Doesn't that make you our damn enemy?!"

Trying to stop Allen from doing anything rash, I raised my arm in front of him to stop him from approaching HRE. "Okay, Al, you hold on, as well. You haven't even heard the guy's explanation, and yet you already rolled up your sleeves ready to sock the guy's jaw. Let's hear him out, I know him, in a way."

"...Fine. But one suspicious move, and I'll have my nail-covered bat here hear 'em out later, too, a'ight?" he asked on condition, keeping a steady glare at the other man. Sighing, I knew I just had to go along with it, "Alright, fine."

Going back to what HRE said earlier, I couldn't help but point things out. "What did you mean about our current situation? And what makes you say that we could lose in this 'twisted game'?"


"The reason why your surroundings had changed, is because you are all playing this twisted game that that person had devised against you," Holy Roman Empire looked troubled as he started his explanation, showing an expression that he was aware of it but couldn't do anything to stop it from happening. "It was made so that you would all lose, but since a lot of things had changed, you now have a chance to beat that person at their own game and find the answers to this mansion."

"Who's 'that person' ya keep talkin' 'bout, anyway?" Al asked, squinting at HRE.

Holy Roman Empire looked down, looking like he was disappointed in himself. "I'm sorry...I can't tell you that."

"Ha! Suspicious!!" Allen yelled, raising his bat to hit HRE in aggression, but I stopped him in time. "Allen!" I raised my voice at him, showing how serious I am about not harming the man who held the knowledge we could gather about the whole predicament. Afterwards, I motioned HRE to continue what he wanted to say.

Nodding as thanks, he cleared his throat. "As I was saying, you have a chance to beat that person at their own game and find the answers to this mansion, along the way. All of you will face obstacles of all sorts, whether together with another person...or all by yourself, you'll have to take on all what will come up without losing yourself in these fragments."

"Answers? Obstacles? Fragments?" Allen listed down the words with his fingers. "Are ya really explainin' or what? Speak in damn English for fuck's sake."

I sighed and elbowed the American's arm, giving him another warning glare. "...What our dear Allen here meant was, is it alright if you break it down for us in a simpler way, so we won't get confused or misunderstand what you said?" I asked HRE politely, sending him an apologetic smile for the inconvenience.

"Ja, it is alright. I'm sorry, I'll more precise about it," he paused, formulating a better explanation in his mind, then spoke, "To be simple, you will deal with different kinds of problems or obstacles as you go around this mansion. It's different depending on the person, so I can't exactly say what you'll have to deal with, though. But, once you pass the obstacle, or get through the problem, you'll get an answer. That answer will bring you closer to finding a way to finally get out of here."

My breath hitched as he mentioned our possible escape from the mansion once and for all. "...For...for real...?" I murmured, beginning to plant a seed of hope in my heart. "So all we have to do is overcome those obstacles, get an answer, and then we're all home free?" I asked, turning to Allen, who also started looking hopeful despite his suspicions over Holy Roman Empire.

"It may sound easy if you put it that way, but these obstacles can consume you, so you have to put all your power into it to not lose to the game itself. It's not all a matter of physical strength...there are other strengths that you need, and most of all, you will need something important."

Getting a sinking feeling about the difficulty of the obstacles, my breathing staggered a little and I didn't want to press about it. Yet, there was still something left unsaid. "What important thing do we need?"

"Someone else will come your way and tell you about it at a later time," Holy Roman Empire gave me a knowing smile, as he's telling me he was referring to someone I was acquainted with. ...Don't tell me...


"....And, Miss (Name), there is something else I need to tell you to be wary about." Holy Roman Empire's features darkened as he spoke; his voice lowered down as if he didn't want to be heard. He took a few steps toward me and leaned down to whisper something in my ear, much to a certain redhead's strange disliking. "Woah, what's he doing?!" Allen growled, but I raised a hand to stop him from interfering as I listened to HRE's serious voice.


"That person will be looking for you."


My (e/c) orbs began filling with confusion, questions, and most of all, fear. There was something eerie about the person that he'd kept mentioning. It was like the person was something beyond their control, beyond my control. Being aware of something like that scares me, because I don't know how I'll be able to handle something that's possibly dangerous as that. I don't think I can handle that on my own.

Holy Roman Empire took a few steps back and seemingly read the fear and anxiety that shone in my eyes. "Miss (Name)," he called me, making me face him directly. He smiled at me and reassured me like he knew what I was thinking. "...You are definitely not alone in all this. Really, you're not. You will face this together, with them, and even with us. We promise you, we'll do our best to help you."

"Thank you..." I returned the smile, grateful and a lot less worried after hearing HRE's words. It looked like Allen was also calming down, seeing as Holy Roman Empire's sincerity showed that he was on our side. "Well, a'ight, thanks...but you still left out them 'fragments' ya mentioned," the redhead reminded.

I was also intrigued by that one, so I'm glad Allen brought it up. "Yeah, what did you mean by that?"

"It's a bit more complicated to explain, but all I can say is that, you all got divided into different fragments of time...and of space," HRE paused, giving us time to absorb the info. "Timeloop after timeloop, time becomes fragmented and spaces become created. That means that some of you may be in one fragment, but the others could be in another.


You could be in the same place, but in a different time, a different space.


Even if you do see one of your friends in this mansion, if they're in a different fragment of time or a different space, you two cannot meet. The other may not be able to see you.


Even if you were in the same place, but if you were in a different time, you still won't be able to touch them. It will be like a memory. Remembering and seeing them before your very eyes, but never able to feel their touch, or their warmth."


Holy Roman Empire paused once more to take a shaky breath. He looked pained as he elaborated on the matter; it was evident that it was something that he experienced firsthand, seeing as how he's so emotional about it. But going over his explanation, I can almost feel how terrible it is. To see someone important right before you, but never able to touch them, to help them, to be there for them. It's just...cruel.

When the black-clad man regained his composure over the matter, he continued. "But don't worry, every time you find an answer, the fragments heal themselves and unravels the spaces. That means, you would be able to reunite with your other friends soon, once you find the real answer to this mansion. And I believe that you will, Miss (Name)."

"You're all putting so much faith in me," I chuckled awkwardly, feeling a bit of pressure. HRE shook his head. "We're making no mistake, Miss (Name). You should know that yourself, as well."

Suddenly, I was pulled back by a certain American who wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "So, to be clear, the doll here and I are in the same time and space, huh?"

"That's correct." HRE looked around. "And it seems to me that you two are the only ones in this space besides myself. So, I hope the both of you will be careful and do your best to pass the obstacles and attain that answer."

"Huh? Where are ya gonna be, and how the hell are ya even gonna get outta here?" Allen asked, slightly getting suspicious again.

Turning around, Holy Roman Empire answered, "I'm sorry, I'm not really like all of you... And I really have to go somewhere....I need to get back to someone..."


"He's waiting for you, right?"


HRE flinched ever so slightly, not really expecting that I would ask him that directly. But I already knew, I knew that someone wanted him to return for a long time now.

"Ja. He is," Holy Roman Empire replied, in a gentle voice.


I felt happy for the person we were referring to. "Well, then you gotta get back to him quick, huh? But before you go...I have one last question."


He didn't turn around to face me anymore, but he replied, "What is it?"


"Are you....like a wish?"


He gave a soft chuckle under his breath. A light began glowing before him, it seemed to be an ability of his to move through time and space, or the fragments in our case. He stepped forward to take his leave, but before he did, he gave out his answer loud and clear.


"Ja. I am."


And with that, the light disappeared and so did he.


After a few moments of silence, Allen pat my shoulder. "I think you've got a lot more explaining to do, dollface."

"I guess," I laughed, noticing how Allen felt a bit lost by what I meant earlier. Though, I think the thorough explanation would be for another time. "But we have to focus on something more important: getting that answer the guy told us about."

"Yeah, well, right--but I'm still gettin' ya to 'fess up what ya two were talking about later." Allen scratched his head, a bit troubled by the encounter.

"And understanding all that time and space shit is too damn hard!" he groaned. Turning to me, he wiggled his eyebrows, "And that's not the good kind of hard!"

The innuendo made me laugh, but I still punched his arm. "Idiot, now's really not the time to be joking around, you know. We finally have a way out of this mansion, we might as well look for that answer quick."

"Yeah yeah." Allen agreed, then looked forward. "But the hall over there's practically pitch black. Don'tcha have some sorta flashlight in your bag, Dora?" he laughed, pointing at my bag. He received another elbow to his arm for the poor joke, but I was glad he reminded me, since I really did have a flashlight in my bag.

.-.

"Ah, here it is." After I zipped up my bag, and wore it once more, I switched the flashlight on. Thankfully, the light was enough to help us walk through to dark hallway.

As we were walking, Allen suddenly had a thought pop up. "Hey, doll, if we were the only ones in this space, I wonder who ended up in the same space with who? It'd be priceless to see someone having to put up with someone they damn know they don't like! Haha!"

"That'd be interesting." I giggled at the thought. "But I think they'll be fine. I mean, you guys have gotten along without killing each other, yet, right?"

"Yeah, but we still hung out with whoever we could tolerate the most. We just don't talk to each other if we don't mix." Allen pointed out, telling me how he and the 2Ps managed to work together. "Matt and I get to beat up each other a lot, though. I always win, of course."

"Yeaahh sure.." I rolled my eyes. Though the thought still lingered in my head. Since Allen and I managed to still be alive after that earthquake, I'm sure everyone else is safe, as well. There was just one question left to ask regarding them.

Who ended up in the same space with whom?



-=-=-=-=-=-  

//Third Person PoV//

"Why is it oh-so dark in here?? And the place suddenly became so terrible and old, and oh! This won't do. I wish I had some cupcakes to comfort me from this disastrous place!" a high pitched male voice echoed through the halls, as he complained about how his surroundings became even more uncute as he recalled it to be.

The light in the halls was dim, but he was fortunately still able to walk around despite the holes on the floorboards. The ghastly display of the ripped wallpapers, and the horrendous condition of the kitchen made his tum-tums a bit sick, though.

As he walked, he checked on open rooms every now and then to make sure if anyone else was there with him. "I hope the poppet is safe," he silently hoped, thinking how he wished he could find her soon. Without realising it, the strawberry blond man had bumped into something...or someone.

"Oof! Owwie that hurt," Oliver pouted. "Was a post supposed to be here in the middle of the hall?" he asked aloud as he rubbed his forehead.

Suddenly, the so-called post took a step back. "Was? Who are you calling a

Pfosten?"

"Huh? Oh! It's Lutz!!" Oliver suddenly became ecstatic that he finally saw someone he knew in the unfamiliar place. "YAAY! I'm so glad I'm not alone in this place! :D" the cupcake-loving Brit cheered loudly, much to the German's vexation. With a disappointed sigh, Lutz spoke monotonously,

"Oh. Yay."

-=-=-=-==-


Up inside the piano room, a Spanish man with black hair and white highlights looked around, searching for someone in the rubble and wood that fell from the ceiling. "Ah, not here, huh?" He then decided to leave the room and search somewhere else.

As Andres exited the piano room, he saw a blond, grungy looking Frenchman ascending the stairs, muttering something about the unknown whereabouts of someone. When Francois finally reached the top step, his bored violet eyes met the Spaniard's black orbs. It seemed like they had the same thing in mind, so they asked each other in unison,

"Are you looking for a gay bastard, too?"

-=-=-=-=-=-  

Matthieu felt as uncomfortable as hell.


Not only was he walking through the dim halls of a completely wrecked version of the mansion they once knew, but he was also walking with an incredibly tall Russian man with crimson orbs and bags under his eyes. And to make things even more awkward, the Russian wasn't talking, but was chugging down a bottle of vodka, instead.

"Ah, fuck. Where are the others, anyway? I really can't deal with guys like this," Matthieu thought, trying hard to keep a stoic face like the other he was walking beside with.

The atmosphere of the mansion became even more eerie, and it felt a lot emptier than he remembered. It was like they were the only ones left in there. "Damn, I sure hope not," he mentally prayed, not wanting to die a sad death all alone with an intimidating guy like Nikolai.

Despite staying silent, Nikolai seemed to have sensed the Canadian's distress. Out of nowhere, Nikolai brought out another flask of vodka and tossed it to the lumberjack's hands. "Drink." Nikolai said in a tone as if he was ordering the guy.

Matthieu seemed a bit surprised at this, but accepted the alcoholic drink, anyway, since he didn't want to offend or aggravate the Russian man. As he drank some of the vodka given to him, he could feel the burning sensation down his throat actually calming his nerves.



Matthieu felt a little less as uncomfortable as hell.


-=-=-=--=-=-  

  "...Where...where am I..?" A Japanese man clad in a white naval uniform groaned as he gained consciousness. He was lying on the floor, inside the room with the fireplace. Although vaguely familiar, the interior of the house gravely changed into a completely abandoned, and eroding mansion that looked like it was untended for years.


As he sat up, the door suddenly slammed open, causing Japan to jump up and stand in a defensive position. Another man entered the room and yelled, "Kuro, you bastard!!"

Upon adjusting his eyes and recognising the other Asian, the Chinese man wearing a military cap noticed his mistake. "Ah, not Kuro. Just bastard." he clicked his tongue.

"It's nice to see you, as well, I suppose." Japan sighed. Despite being at truce with the Second Players, they still can't get along as well as they want to. It's not like centuries of hate can be healed in such short time.

.-.

Japan and Zao headed out into the halls, in search of looking for their other comrades. Both noticed that the mansion indeed changed terribly after that uncalled for earthquake.

When they reached the other corridor, they found another person lying on the floor. Japan hurriedly rushed to the person's side and checked who it was.


"Pru--ah, no.." Japan paused, noticing the Prussian's cape. It was actually Gilen. Thankfully, he wasn't injured or anything, he was simply laying down there. "G-Gilen... Are you alright?"

The Prussian Second Player stirred. "Nghh...I'm not dead yet?" he asked, clearly awake, but not opening his eyes.

"Ano...no, you're not," Japan answered, sounding a bit troubled by Gilen's question.

"Oh..." Gilen went back to being silent again. After a few moments, he asked once more, "Am I dead yet?"

"N-No..."


"..."


"How about now?"


"No, Gilen..."


"...Am I dead, now?"


Zao must've snapped at that point so he answered the depressed Prussian himself, "No, you're not dead you little shit. Now, get up so we can look for the others." Zao called out, obviously pissed off from the holdup.

With a hollow sigh, Gilen stood up unwillingly, dusting of his clothes, and adjusting his cape. "...Fine."


They all walked together, searching around the mansion for any other person they could find. It hasn't been five minutes yet when Gilen once again asked, clearly frustrating the other two with him.


"Are you sure I'm not yet dead?"


"Oh, you will be if you keep asking the same shitty question." Zao threatened.


All Japan could do was sigh.


-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

  The basement wasn't exactly the nicest place to wake up in after an earthquake. It was cold, full of rubble, and the air felt completely unsanitary. If he had died in this place, he would have never accepted something as dishonourable.

The man wearing the Japanese Imperial Navy uniform clicked his tongue at his distaste for the new surroundings. He began trudging onwards, wanting to exit the vicinity as soon as he could. On his way out of the basement, though, he flinched upon hearing a loud and flamboyant man call out to him from afar.


"Ahhh! Sei tu! It's me your incredibly stylish comrade!!!"


As soon as Kuro recognised the voice, he quickly picked up his pace and walked forward, ignoring the Italian man. Flavio was simply not the kind he'd want to deal with, that effervescent being was just too much for him to handle.

"Heeey!~ Aspettare! Wait up!! Don't leave me in this horrid basement, this place is incredibly disgusting! Heyyy!"


Kuro was walking as fast as he could.


"Kuro?? Yoohoo?"


Kuro ran.


When he noticed that Flavio stopped calling out to him, he stopped to catch his breath. "Finally lost him," he thought. He thought.


"You really shouldn't underestimate Italians and their ability to run, hun." Flavio told the Japanese Second Player, patting his shoulder with a bit of force, along with a face that said, "Ignore me again and I'll kill you."


All 2P!Japan could do was sigh.

-=-=--=-=--=-  

  Luciano was in a state of internal panic.

He couldn't find his precious ragazza anywhere.


Okay, he couldn't find his comrades anywhere, too, but you know.


He could trust that his comrades could take on a little earthquake like that and live, but he was definitely alarmed at what kind of condition a certain (age)-year old girl was in. The mansion turned into a complete horror house, complete with thrashed furniture, holes on the floor, crumbling ceilings, the works. He felt worried how (Name) would deal with waking up all alone in a dark and eerie place like this...


Who was he kidding?


"I know that girl well enough to know that she's alright and she can handle this well even on her own." Luciano muttered under his breath. "She's brave, she's collected, and she's admirable in every possible way. An eerie and almost-collapsing mansion like this wouldn't get her down. Not in the least."


"I know she's great...and she's strong in a lot of ways...but even still," Luciano paused, walking forward in search of the girl. "...I want to protect her. I want to be there for her. I want her."


No matter how many times he had suffered in this mansion, he kept going, he kept living, he kept repeating, he kept.....he kept himself from losing to this wicked mansion just for her. God, he loves her.

He tried so hard to keep himself away from her, it even went to the point where he pretended he never knew her and treated her as if they've just met when really--Luciano felt like he'd known her since forever.

From the very start of the current timeloop, he had watched her. He made sure that she was safe. It wasn't in his calculations that she'd end up with the First Players instead, but even so, he saw to it that the girl was never in actual harm's way.

It was difficult, watching over the person he loved but had to control himself from calling out her name in the same gentle tone. There was one time he almost couldn't help it and softly called out to her as the girl was on her way to call the Italian and German First Players. (Refer to the last sentence of Chapter 4 part 2)


Ah, gladly, he reminded himself that revealing his identity to the ragazza at the time would either endanger her or his plan to get back at the First Players and get her out of the mansion safely, so he held back.

What hurt him through his plan, though, was the fact that he had hurt the ragazza again. He lied to her about having her parents captive, he lied to her about a lot of things...and she found out. More than being angry, she was hurt. She was hurt because she actually found the heart to trust in him, and believe in him...but what did he do? He just kept hurting her over and over.

He made her cry.


He made her cry as she realised she was fooled into believing that her parents were in danger because of her. He made her cry when he tried sending her home without her consent. He made her cry for all the idiotic things that he had done.


All that taken into account, (Name) should've hated him by now.


But no.


She showed how much she cared.


She showed how important they were.


She showed how much she wanted to be with them, all of them.



It even went to the point where (Name) almost risked her life to save him again. Back when she warned Luciano about the grey creature's attack. She could've run for her own safety, and left him, an enemy, alone to deal with it...but instead; she stood her ground and helped him through it. By the end of that incident, Luciano felt like his resolve would almost crumble and he could've ended up confessing to (Name) and telling her everything he knew.


But fortunately, he was able to restrain himself. He ended up thinking deeply after that, though. He began questioning himself, and whether or not it was the right thing to do.


And the very last words of the girl from the past time loop were the same words that helped him realise how she felt about meeting someone like him.

"....I'm so glad to have met you, Luciano Vargas."

It was the same set of words that kept him going to this day.


"I just want to see you, again, (Second Name)..." he took a deep breath, walking towards the last room he needed to look into. He had already explored the rest of the mansion; all that was left to check was the kitchen on the first floor.


As he was nearing the kitchen, he could hear footsteps from the inside. Luciano felt relief, and his hopes soared high as he hurried towards the kitchen. He could hear the other person heading his way, as well.



"(NAME)!"
"(SECOND NAME)!"


Luciano made an abrupt stop as he recognised the soft-spoken man's voice. He felt irked, he felt annoyed, he felt completely, and utterly disappointed.

The feeling was mutual on the other man's part, as well. Matthew's last stop was the kitchen, too, so he knew that whoever it was that was headed there had to be the only person left that he had to deal with. And, mind you, it just had to be the one he wanted to deal with the least.


With the same nature of disappointment and irritation, Luciano and Matthew both clicked their tongues and huffed,




"Oh, not  you ."