"Italy, can you help Prussia?" You question. Germany is heavily winded, his face distort in the chilling pain. Whatever was around his leg, caused far more than loss of air and a sprained ankle. over the sounds of japan's and prussia's swords clashing Italy could hear you. His brown eyes stare into yours, the dark brown slowly getting brighter. Almost like he is leaving the mania inside his head and is only now sees the light. He goes to speak, looking down to Germany, panic riddled before seeing your expression. A smile - in this situation - catches him off guard.

"I've got him." You inform Italy softly, placing a hand on Germany's shoulder. Italy's brow scrunched, his mouth opening as a low whine comes from his throat. Prussia and Japan are doing all they can to hold the creature back. Germany can barely move. Yet you sit there and softly rub Germany's back in hopes to calm him as he fights off the last of his winding.

"You wOn't eScaPe..." The Oni growls.

"Ya' sure about that!" Prussia yells as he drains more blood from the monster. Italy grabs Germany's belt and slips out his whip, the brunets face scrunching up in determination. He is going to protect Germany. He will do what Germany has done so many times before. He will protect. He will attack. He has his best friends back.

Italy sprints to Japan's side, flicking out his arm to crack the whip against the creature's arm. Germany sits himself up with a frown, his expression bewildered as he stares at his comrade in arms, before looking at you. Your expression is proud, your eyes glowing as the corner of your lips curl. You sense the blond's gaze and look at him, the pride in your eyes simmering to worry.

"Can you get up?" You ask, the fighting almost drowning you out. Germany nods as he sits up, grunting. He puts pressure on his foot but stumbles forward. You grab his arm and wrap it around your neck.

I take that as a no. 

You roll your eyes; an airly laugh leaving you. You sigh and pull Germany up with a grunt, taking some of his weight off his foot. You guide him towards the door, away from the fight. You slouch, trying to take more of his load, but Germany is still mindful. He wouldn't give you any more leniency, and it would be pointless to ask. He looks back to everyone else, his eyes widening in alarm.

"What about--"

"Sorry," you say, not sounding very apologetic. "But we're gonna take twice as long as them to get to the door." You tell him, trying to drag him around the corner and out of view. "Start worrying about yourself. I know Prussia would love to see you in tip-top shape." You say, pulling him along. You can feel him nod in agreement as he slowly puts pressure on his right foot, trying to get used to the pain.

"Die!" The monster screeches again, knocking Japan off his feet. 

"Japan!" Italy screams, Japan sliding across the rubble. He groans in pain, his head falling back as his eyes roll back in agony. Italy scrunches up his face in anger, fingers gripping the whip tightly, his hands going white. Italy growls, a rumble coming from the back of his throat as he strikes the monster with Germany's whip. This isn't how it is going to end. He isn't going to let his friends die in a place like this. He won't let anyone die in a place like this. The demon recoils, a gurgle leaving its throat.

"Let's get out of here! We can't physically defeat it!" Prussia shouts just as you reach the door. Opening it, Germany begins to limp out on his own as you take out supplies, a hand on the door, giving them out to each of them as they run past you.

"Italy? You look pale. Are you all right?" Germany asks as they close the door. Prussia scoffs, rolling his eyes as he look at Italy. Italy shares his expression, and they nod simultaneously. They lope arms with the blond, helping him out at a quicker pace. Italy laughs lightly as he leads the way.

"I'm fine. C'mon, let's go back." Italy says cheerily, looking up at Germany. It is not a reaction they were expecting, especially after the situation they went through. 

"Come on, Japan." You call, ushering him too. He still looks out of it. They gradually make their way towards Russia who stands by the barred door, greeting the group with a tilt of his head.

"Oh, you're back. What's the matter?" Russia asks, looking at the two who carry Germany. France, who you can see with his brightly coloured clothing from all the way down the corridor, jogs to the group to see what the fuss is about.

 "We can't use that exit!" Japan explains, out of breath. "It has been burnt out! We have to run now!"

"I see." Russia nods before he smiles. "Good thing you found me. Let's hurry. The others should be back soon now." He passes France who deepens his brow.

"Did you hear?" Prussia asks France, giving him a once over.

"We can't use it anymore?" Prussia nods at the question. "Too bad." France sighs, opening the door for them as they all go through. "Let's just get away now." France joins the group and guides the way with Italy, passing through the room with the large table. They spot China by the other door and call out to him, explaining the situation. He joins the group, and they run down another hallway only to spot Canada.

"Canada, we can't use the exit anymore!" France tells him, pushing him towards the door.

"I-I see." Canada points down the hall. "America and England are in that room over there." They run up the hall, and all the nations are reunited in an empty room.

"Britain, the exit has been burnt down," Japan explains. He looks at America, almost as if to blame him. "The Thing attacked us."

"You can't be serious! Just when we thought we were finally going to get out..." England runs his hand down his face in frustration.

"Lock the door!" China orders, pointing at the one behind them. Japan perks up and does so, Italy stepping away from them to England. Germany furrows his brow, wondering why he would leave his side.

"Wow." America muses, looking over to his brother. "This room is so spacious we could fit the whole world in here." He laughs loudly, earning an eye roll from England and a chuff of amusement from Canada. Japan's expression lifts, panting slightly as he looks heavenward.

"God damn it!" Germany yells, clenching his fist as he tries to lean away from Prussia, only to sway. Prussia grabs his arm again with a scolding look. "Even though we all got together, our situation hasn't got any better!" Germany yells in annoyance, shoving Prussia. Germany hits the wall, the loud slam making you jump. "We still haven't found an exit, we're locked up in here, and that fucking monster is after our asses!"

"West, chill out. Don't be so pessimistic." Prussia says, a half-hearted laugh leaving him. "What matters is that we're alive. With so many nations missing, someone outside will surely come to rescue us."

"We have to break clocks," China reminds. "We still need to connect the time we spend here with the time in the outside world, aru. Who knows how long we've been here, or for how long we've been missing outside the mansion." The mood is getting worse and worse.

"Yeah, that's the best short-cut." England mutters, looking down and tapping his chin.

"Maybe the others outside the mansion will only notice we're missing when we break all the clocks." Russia lifts his chin, looking off to the right. He nods to himself before continuing. "We'll need to be strong until then." He casts his gaze over everyone. Some are panting, others just right down exhausted. It is clear that everyone needs a rest, no matter how short. But right now they are faced with fighting that Thing. "You'll probably agree with me, but... we're quite tired. Not from fighting the enemy, but running away all the time. And food and drink aren't helping as much as we'd like." You look down, feeling that comment as strongly as an arrow to the chest. You are just as useless as you thought.

"Maybe escaping really is impossible..." Germany grabs his hair, his eyes brimming red. "And now... we're probably going to get eaten one by one. That's what I would do if I were the Thing!" He closes his eyes tight, his face scrunching up.

"That's enough, West! We only lost one way out! There are still many other ways!" Prussia tries to console his brother, placing a hand on his shoulder. You watch the duo, swallowing thickly. They are beginning to scare you, their voices rising.

"Yeah," Germany grits his jaw. "And the Thing will wait. Wait as we run around and around and around!" He raises his voice. "Tell me another!" He lashes out. You stand back, watching the brothers argue with your breath caught in your throat. Hyper-aware, you twitch; fingers grabbing at the bottom of your sleeves. A small movement catches your eye: Japan. He moves his hands to hold the top of his katana. This action would have been ignored by you if it isn't for the fact that you are basically an omniscient human. An unsettling vibe falls around Japan. You can't read his features, but he seems ready for something, uneasy about the situation.

He cannot jump forward yet, or remember too early. But, what if England and America haven't had the conversation that they're meant to? 

You shake your head, face scrunching in concentration.

No, the Allies had said earlier that those two had planned something.

England and America watch over each other, having a nonverbal conversation before looking at Italy. They have a strong will about them, both getting ready.

"Quit it, West!" Prussia scowls. "Just because we lost a way out doesn't mean we won't find other exists."

I'll just have to trust them and the game. But just in case, I should hold Japan back. If he alerts them now, then the correct dialogue won't follow, and something may go wrong.

"...Prussia." Germany grabs his brothers attention. "I'm sorry." He apologises, his head hanging as he couldn't bring himself to look in the Prussians eyes. "And thank you... for what you did earlier. This time, I intend to make it up to you for saving me. I'm sorry I was a burden." Japan perks up at this, looking between his closest friends. Italy gazes at Germany, his eyes drooping. He reaches out, trying to grasp his attention as a curt smile appears on his face.

"But, Germany, it's okay--" Italy begins, but is cut off.

"Nein!" Germany shouts, sending a sharp look to Italy. "If I can't protect my allies when I have the chance, then my training was pointless." He rubs his temples, instantly looking ashamed of his outburst. "At the very least, I should be able to protect myself. I'm sorry to you, too." His expression is most proud, with a mix of dread. "You've been fighting well, without running away. I really appreciate it." All his training has worked off, but that just makes him sad. Sad that all the hard drills actually accustomed to something -- something like this. A situation that no one could have predicted. "In fact, you're putting up quite a fight. Thank you."

"What?" Italy looks at him in surprise, before looking away, rubbing his arm. He understands the words Germany left unsaid. "Oh, um. Thank you..." He mumbles. "But you know, I think we can definitely get out now." Italy looks around. "You see, this is the first time that--" He then stops suddenly, his eyes widening. A chill runs down his spine, the morbid expression now full of desperation as air catches in his throat.

"What's wrong, Italy?" France asks. Italy pays no heed to his question. His eyes stare at the wall, his pupils dilating and hands shaking.

"Please... Please, if you get out, just keep running." Italy hugs himself, leaning his head forward, his hair covers his face. "No matter what, don't look back, don't forget about me, don't blame me, don't cry, and time--" Italy begins to shiver as he stares down at the floor, his voice cracking. Japan suddenly lurches forwards. But you grab his arm. You hold him back. Your fingers curl around the material of his sleeve, head lulling forward to not meet his stare.

I hope I'm making the right decision.

"Er... you're shaking..." Canada observes, watching Italy warily.

"(F/n)-chan." Japan whispers to you, staring at you in surprise. You look at him, scared. Scared of what is to come, scared of what he'll do, scared of how Japan will deal with this. For a moment, you make eye contact with him, and a soft whine comes from your throat, body feeling small at the surprise on his face and the fear on Italy's.

This is all my fault.

"I'm glad you're all alive," Italy says. Japan quickly snaps out from his daze when he sees you staring at Italy and shouts out his name in panic. The door behind Italy swings open, and what enters couldn't have been worse. The monster, with its mouth gaping and eyes piercing, looms behind Italy with its claws outstretched. They can snap closed any moment and entrap him. America jumps forward as England shouts a warning to all.

"Italy!" Japan yells again, and this time free of your restraint. He sprints forward, not hearing England. He is only focused on Italy. Italy looks up to everyone, his eyes red and puffy with a sad smile plastered on his face. The Oni moves closer behind him, a feral growl rumbling in its throat.

"... It was scary," Italy said hesitantly," but-but... It was fun."

"ITALY!" Germany screams.