---CHAPTER IX: Phone Calls (Part 4)---

//Reader's PoV//

////"Thanks...Ollie."

"Don't mention it, poppet. ....Take care."

"....You, too."

At that, I walked through the mirror."////

The next thing I knew, I was standing on the tiled floor of the first floor's bathroom. I staggered a bit, maybe from the weird feeling of actually being magically transported from one room to another by...mirror. Slowly, I turned around to face my reflection, expecting Oliver to be seen on the other side. He wasn't, though. It was only my reflection. The image of the (age)-year old me in a not-so-peachy condition. Puffy eyes from crying, hair a bit disheveled from being blindfolded...not to mention the oh-so-wonderful cut on my cheek, courtesy of Mr. Luciano Vargas.

I lifted my hand up to my face and gently felt the cut. It didn't sting as much as before, but it still hurt if you put too much pressure on it. I gave a heavy sigh and glanced at the door. Once I'm out of here, I will no longer be safe.

Not only do I have to get up to the second floor while avoiding those random alien monsters, but I also have to be wary of the other 2Ps. If they see me, it'll be a death sentence.

Walking towards the door, I remembered that I could check where the 1Ps were at at the moment. I stopped walking and waved my hand in front of me, as I always did.

////~*~*~////

////////////////////

The game screen displayed the countries gathered around the area where the burnt rope ladder was. It seems they are in a conversation with someone above them, sitting on their supposed-to-be exit.

"That idiot...I didn't know he could be that stupid." a brown haired, amber-eyed man with a thick Italian accent that sounded a bit lower than Italy's. Hold on...that's....that's Romano! 

Clutching my head a bit, I started to remember this part of the game wherein Romano and Spain arrive at the mansion, in search of Italy and the others.

France tilted his head. "What, you already get what's going on? All we told you is that Italy locked us up and left on his own..."

Spain nodded and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Yeah, I don't really get it, either, but it looks like he shares some memories with Ita."

"What? Does that mean he understands the situation better than we do, then?" Canada asked quietly.

"Spain!! Did you find something to get me down there?!" Romano called over.

The Spaniard facepalmed upon remembering what he was supposed to look for earlier. "Oh... I forgot."

Japan shook his head. ".....We don't have time for that. First, we'll go after Italy and look for _____, so France can stay here with--"

"I can't wait!! Enough of this! Stand back!" The South Italian shouted.

Spain's eyes widened in fear, "Er... Wait a minute... Ro--

---maaaaaa!!"

As Spain was about to run to Romano's rescue, an albino bundle of awesomeness passed swiftly in front of him and caught the fallen Italian.

Prussia squinted his eyes, trying to adjust it to the darkness of the tunnel they were in,  to check up on the Italian. "Are you okay, Italy's Brother?!"

Romano nodded weakly. "...I think so..."

"Nice catch!" America grinned, giving a thumbs up.

Canada turned to face the others and spoke softly, "Let's split up into two groups to look for them.We'll start from the basement."

"O-okay. We'll go after... Veneziano... too." Romano said weakly, staggering towards the wall.

England tilted his head, "Are you feeling dizzy? You're going the wrong way."

 ////////////

-----======

"Ah. So they're still there. Good. The door to the basement is just a few steps away from here." I said as I waved my hand once more, making the screen in front of me to disappear.

Gripping tightly on my bag, I walked up to the door and reached my hand out for the knob.

"Hey, Russia, get your ass out of that bathroom. The First Players are on their way upstairs, if they see us, our plans might get ruined." I heard someone say in a familiar accent.

I dared not move, but I listened intently. After a few moments, I heard a clacking noise from outside. It seems to be the door to the bathroom beside where I was.

"I told you, it's Nikolai."

"Hmm, you seriously going to use what that girl said?"

"It's better than being referred to by the same name as that lonely wimp."

"Ah. I see what you mean. Alright, Nikolai. Hahh.. What was my name, again? Za...Zao. Right... Zao. Not bad, re--mpfff"

Before he was able to finish his sentence, it seems as though the other guy stopped him.

After a few moments of silence, I heard Nikolai whisper.

"Shh. Looks like they're already out of the basement and are on the way to the second floor." 

"Aiyah... Those damn bastards search pretty fast. Let's head upstairs cautiously."

"Da......hmm?"

"What is it?"

"The First Players are already upstairs....but strange...I feel like we're not the only ones left on this floor."

"Is that French drunkard slacking his ass off sleeping again?"

"No. No... Different..."

At that, I noticed the knob in front of me was turning.

Panic and fear was instilled in me as my heart pounded and my eyes widened while the knob was being turned from the other side ever so slowly.

Then, the door was opened.

"Heh."

I froze.

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

//Third Person's PoV//

The First Players headed to the second floor in search of Italy and _______.  When they were down to the second-to-the-last door, which was the fireplace room, they heard a commotion from the room opposite of them. So, they entered that room instead...only to find an inhumanely large monster that was about thrice as large as the usual creatures they fought in the mansion.

"Eeek!" Romano shrieked, upon seeing the vile being.

Prussia cautiously entered the room. "What the hell?!"

"Hah... Hah...!" They heard someone pant, the monster was blocking their view...but they had an idea of who that person was.

"Italy...?" Japan uttered slowly.

Germany's eyes widened as he heard this and thus, he shouted, "Italy!!"

The monster disappears, upon being defeated by the Northern Italian coughing out blood. 

"Hehe... You found me." he gave a weak chuckle, "Oh..."

Italy collapses, all bloody and bruised.

"Italy!!" Germany loudly called out as he rushed to catch the injured Italian.

Italy gave a shaky breath and looked around him. "It's... you, Germany

...Romano, too, even though I told you not to..."

"Wh-why? Why didn't you run?! Don't be stupid!! You should have waved your white flag like you always do!!!" Romano clutched onto his brother, tears springing from his eyes.

Italy did his best to nod. "Waving that... wouldn't have saved everyone. That's why I decided to do all I could..."

"Italy! Can you move?! Just take slow breaths!" Prussia told him frantically.

"There's still time! I'll stop the bleeding now, so bring me some bandages!!"

"Just stop it!! Why do you always have do things alone?! Take a look around you!!

Shit--When you wake up, I'm going to fucking kill you!!" Romano shouted, both in an angered and worried manner, the tears still running down his cheeks. He has never seen his own brother act like this before. It hurt him. It hurt him knowing his brother was in deep pain...and that he couldn't do a thing about it at that moment.

Italy's breath suddenly became laboured, "Aww... no... But when I... wake up again...I'll be...Oh... but I'm... so tired. And it really... hurts... What am I going to do? I haven't yet--"

The Northern Italian man suddenly loses consciousness, eyes closed and body limp.

"Ita--

...Oh, thank God. He's still breathing. I was so scared..." Prussia said, breathing a sigh of relief.

Japan looked at the others and spoke, "Let's go back to our safeplace at once. Prussia, please call the others back. Germany, you carry Italy. Romano, you can help me take care of his injuries."

Romano nodded, then turned his gaze back to his younger brother, "Yeah... Sorry." 

"Did Italy... actually beat that monster all on his own? A-And...I thought the frau would be with him..." Prussia asked, now with another wave of worry and fear. He tried to shake the worst of thoughts off his head, but couldn't help but ask, "Japan...you don't think she got..."

"No... Maybe Italy locked her up somewhere safe before he entered this room..." Japan said, looking away. It was time to think of rational reasons. He didn't want to think that the girl was in danger, either. He was very worried as well, but he decides it'd be best to think positive. He trusts _____ would know well enough to get through this. Right... She must be waiting for us, we'll come to her rescue as soon as we can. "I have faith in her that she will be alright... For now..."

Germany nodded and carried Italy in his arms. "He is severely injured! Let's hurry up!!"

-~-*--~==*==~==*==-~---*--~==*==~==*==~--*---

To the me...

To the me who lives at some point in time...

... and who isn't alone... 

-~-*--~==*==~==*==-~---*--~==*==~==*==~--*---

[[[SafeRoom]]]

Everyone gathered around Italy lying on the bed, unconscious.

"He's covered in injuries..." Germany pointed out, clenching his fists.

France nodded. "He fought alone. It's only natural."

"I heard that it was much bigger than before, but... he wasn't surprised at all, was he?" Canada asked.

Russia furrowed his brows. "You mean he already knew? Or..."

China shook his head and spoke slowly, "We should think... that he's already seen it many times over."

"I agree. That would explain his emotional strength and why he has got used to fighting. I don't think it's something he had from the very beginning." Japan told them.

America looked down. "It feels like something that he accumulated and then finally took shape. But we can't really be sure. We have to hear it from his own mouth."

"What can we do, then? We can't just demand that he tells us everything as soon as he wakes up. Do you really think he would tell us just like that?" Prussia asked them.

"Well...If we don't ask him, we'll never know, will we? I think we should at least try to interrogate him, even if it proves to be fruitless." England suggested.

France shot a look of disbelief at the Brit. "I disagree. If we all approach him when he's already so weary, he'll only feel cornered."

China waved his extremely long sleeves. " So, you want us to keep going like this,with us in the dark and only him in danger? I think we should interrogate him."

"But... have you seen his face? I don't think he'll tell us anything that easily. Why don't we wait a little before we try asking him?" Russia said.

Canada raised an eyebrow and spoke sofly, " 'A little'..? How long would we have to wait, exactly? We don't have much time left. If it's the only way, even if we have to be a little overbearing..."

"Romano, you know something, don't you? Can't you tell us?" America turned to the olive-skinned Italian.

Romano didn't answer, making Spain worry and nudge him, " Roma?"

"......I do know.I don't know everything, but I know more than you do." Romano admitted.

Prussia's eyes widened with a bit of hope, "Then..."

"But, knowing the truth, I also understand my brother's decision. I can't just tell you something that he's so desperate to hide." Romano said sadly, stroking his brother's hair.

England clicked his tongue and spoke, "But this isn't only about him! Other people's lives are at stake! This doesn't involve just us countries. There's a girl named ______ in this mansion, as well! We well know that we need to get her out of here... If you won't tell us anything, what are we supposed to do now?"

Romano shook his head, eyes starting to well up again "...... Sorry. I don't know, either."

Spain placed a hand on England's shoulder. "Go easy on him. I don't know what to do, either, but you're being too harsh on Romano. Give him a break."

"Potato Head, what do you think? Should we interrogate him, or wait for him totalk when he's ready? I want your opinion." Romano stated, turning to Germany for answers.

Germany looked straight into Romano's eyes, but said nothing.

Japan tilted his head, "Germany?"

"I...I... just want him to wake up first.

More than to interrogate him or to wait...more than anything, I want him to wake up.

And then, if he wants to talk, I will listen, and if he doesn't want to talk, I won't ask him anything.

I think we should try trusting him." Germany told them, taking a shaky breath afterwards.

Prussia nodded in approval of his brother's words. "... Yeah. Even Italy has learnt a thing or two, right? When he wakes up, his opinion will be important." 

"Indeed... Let's wait for him to wake up." Japan said, giving a small smile.

Germany suddenly glanced at Italy. "...Hm? Oh. W--wait!"

The rest raised their eyebrows in question.

"... He's going to wake up." Romano announced.

Russia observed the Italian. "Oh. He's awake."

Blinking a few times, Italy looked around the room, looking a bit awestruck.

England went a bit closer to the bed. "Are you okay? Hey."

Japan took a deep breath. "I'm so relieved. Italy, do you know where you are?"

He did not respond at all, causing the other countries to look at each other.

"H-hey... Veneziano?" Romano placed a hand on his brother's head gently.

China tilted his head. "What's wrong?"

"Italy? What's the matter?" Prussia asked, crouching down at Italy's bedside.

The Northern Italian opened his mouth and croaked out, "...........are..."

"I'm sorry, Italy. I couldn't hear you. Can you say that again?" Germany asked, wearing a relieved smile and leaning closer to his friend .

Italy looked at the blonde German and gave a blank stare.

"Who....... are... you?"

With that one sentence, Germany's expression changed unexplainably.

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

Ita...ly?

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

///Reader's PoV///

/////Panic and fear was instilled in me as my heart pounded and my eyes widened while the knob was being turned from the other side ever so slowly.

Then, the door was opened.

"Heh."

I froze.\\\\\\\\

Nikolai only took a glance at the bathroom, not stepping inside."Heh. Looks like I was--" 

Footsteps were heard steadily approaching the area. "You bastardos! We have a change of plans. It seems we have underestimated that 'weakling First Player'... He took down one of our important chess pieces." A man said in a low voice, with an Italian accent. It was Luciano.

"Oh? He was actually able to fight against that beast?" Zao asked.

"It seems so. My fratello and the others are heading back to fifth floor. The redheaded American's almost out of control, swearing that he'll put an end that First Player. It's been a hell lot of trouble dragging him back." Luciano replied.

Wait... fifth floor?

Nikolai closed the door and seems to have started walking. "I see. Let's head back to our base then and discuss our second plan. Let's go."

After that, I heard them head over to the stairs until the sound of their footsteps faded.

When I could no longer hear their footsteps, I took a deep breath of relief. 

Oh my goodness! Good thing I was able to move quickly behind the door! I knew it was like those cliche suspense movies where the main character hides behind the door and goes unnoticed and unscathed...but I always thought those wouldn't work in real life. 

Well, now that that's over, I can finally head over to the saferoom. Wiping sweat off my forehead and brushing out my (h/c) locks from my face, I turned the knob and stepped outside of the bathroom.

Suddenly, from the corner of my eye, I saw someone leaning on the wall beside me, his arms crossed.

"Ciao, ragazza."