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Utopia	By : FlayraDowitcher Category: +G to L > Hetalia: Axis Powers Views: 2991 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia. I am making no money off of this fic.

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
- 16
***Warnings: Language, violence, angst, mild humor
***Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia. I am making no money off of this fic.

'We all float down here!' –Pennywise the Clown, 'IT'
Chapter 14: We All Float
Feliciano was unable to sleep the rest of the night. He paced nervously in his room, twiddling his fingers and biting the nails, or rather claws. Everything had been going so well until Gilbert's kidnapping, which seemed to start the ball rolling for unfortunate events. He was terribly confused, confused and scared. If he were the kingdom of cowards then why would all the dark images and visions be coming to him? Shouldn't they go to someone who was brave, like Ludwig? Feeling sick to his stomach suddenly he hurried to the bathroom to vomit. This was something new being added to his usual anxiety- vomiting. There wasn't enough for it to be considered an illness, just a nervous stomach or so he hoped. There were so many changes going on with his body that maybe his nerves were just trying to adjust. Fat chance.
Going to the sink he scooped some water into his palms and splashed it on his face, taking a bit more to rinse his mouth out. The taste was disgusting. If there was ever a time to start drinking now was it. He needed to speak to someone, someone who wasn't a demon or a spirit. Feliciano could only hope that Kiku would be back from whatever spiritual cleansing he was currently doing. Normally Feliciano would be patient for something like that, but with his fear gripping him he wanted to smack the kitsune for leaving him. That was terrible of him- he had never hit anyone. He was always the one being hit.
'Stop sulking, you big baby!'
"Romano?" Feliciano looked around, recognizing his brother's voice. Was this another trap? Another game?
'Over here, you idiot!' Feliciano looked to his reflection only it wasn't him, it was Romano. His hands flew to his mouth as tears welled up in his eyes. It had been so long since he had last heard his brother's voice or seen him open his eyes. There was no doubt that Romano was looking back him wearing the outfit he had left in the night of the accident. 'You look like something out of a shitty teenager vampire movie! And you have terrible taste in decoration! Who are you, Aunt Stella?'
"Romano…is that really you?"
'No, it's Marlon Brando! Of course it's me! I am the one, and only, Romano Lovino Vargas. The brother who got stuck with you as a twin!'
Feliciano just smiled happily. "Veh~ it's so nice to hear your insults. Oh Romano, please tell me that you are really here speaking to me and it's not some dream?"
'Trust me, I'm enjoying my eternal siesta, but then you have to come around blubbering like a big baby and waking me up!'
"I'm glad to be speaking to you. Did you know that I talk to Antonio?"
'Yes. I have to deal with that jackass too…' Romano crossed his arms and looked away. 'That lying bastard…'
Feliciano didn't know how, but he knew what Romano was thinking about Antonio. Now that his brother knew about Antonio's true past and the mission, all the pieces were coming together. As little boys, Romano would whisper to him that he always thought someone was watching him. Someone would sing him to sleep and keep him safe from harm; he never felt alone. Now they knew that those feelings had all been Antonio watching over them like a guardian angel. "He gave up his life and angel title for you."
'He didn't have to do that!'
"He loves you so much…and even in this form you are still so mean to him."
Romano glared at him. 'We're not here to talk about him! I'm here to talk about you. Little brother, you're in some deep shit. I don't know what it is, but something is going to happen and it will happen sooner than later. You have to convince the other assholes that you are not stark raving mad when you tell them of your visions. You were always a weirdo, and even in this form and this new life you're still a freak!'
Feliciano wanted to cry. "Romano…don't insult me so much. I'm so scared and confused…Ludwig is going to be mad at me!"
'Tell him the next time you're sleeping together, or when he is half asleep. Guys are suckers for that. How the hell do you think I got so much stuff out of Antonio?'
"I didn't to know that."
'Brother, listen to me and listen carefully-' He suddenly came out of the mirror and grabbed Feliciano by the shoulders. 'You have to find a way to warn all of them. They must be active and they must be aware. If you don't convince them, you will end up alone, all alone in a lost world that no longer exists and you can't die. Hell won't want you and neither will Heaven.'
Feliciano's bottom lip trembled violently. "Lovino…mio fratello, what do I do?"
'Convince them that they are in danger! There must be one demon duke who will believe you. I have to go.'
"No! Wait, Romano!" He was soon staring at his own weeping reflection. Seeing Romano again and hearing his twin's devastating instructions, he threw up.
Until sunrise he could do nothing but fidget and shake his legs, clinking his knees together. He racked his brain thinking of the best way to approach the demons about his visions. The demon he most wanted to talk to was Ludwig but he figured his lover would dismiss him. Ludwig would try to ease his fears, but the demon wouldn't take him seriously. Ivan would only laugh him and so would Gilbert. Alfred, maybe, but that demon would turn it into some sort of game. Sadiq was a possible candidate yet Feliciano could see the Turkish demon, or whatever he was, snickering behind his back in a puff of smoke. Maybe he could speak to Arthur, but he had no way of getting in contact with the warlock. There was Matthew and Heracles, possibly Matthew. He seemed friendly enough and more likely to believe him. His stomach was killing him. If only Kiku were here-
"Feli?"
Feliciano's demon ears perked up at the sound of Kiku's voice in his room. He looked to the large doorway where the kitsune stood.
"I sensed something was deeply troubling you. I could feel it on the spiritual wavelengths so I hurried back. What it is?" Feliciano told him of his visions and his visit from both Antonio and Romano. "I see."
"You believe me, don't you?" Feliciano wiped at his eyes. "Please say you truly and honestly believe me."
Kiku nodded. "I do believe you, and I will help plead your case to the others. However, they will not listen for they see themselves as inferior."
"Then what can we do?"
"Our best bet is to keep reminding them that they are still human. Remember, Feli, they still fear their human world deaths. It haunts them. I think," he led Feliciano to sit on the bed. "You saw their deaths recreated. Before you said that Ludwig told you how they all died, but in your visions, you say their deaths were strange and worse. Does that shed any light on your concerns?"
Feliciano had to think for a bit, bringing himself back to all the encounters with the Three Fiends. He thought of the rooftop, trying to remember exactly what the Fiend had said to the demons to make them upset. Then, it hit him. His eyes widened and he whispered, "Your human deaths will come back tenfold…"
"What?"
"The Fiend! That is what he said on the rooftop! He warned the Dukes to surrender and become slaves or their deaths will come again!"
Kiku nodded. "Tenfold…yes…that would explain why you saw such strange visions."
Feliciano jumped up from the bed. "Like how Ivan was chained and fighting off some strange begins; and Sadiq had not one spear through his belly but his body was littered with them!" He began to tremble, holding his head. "They were all afraid when they heard that."
"Then you must remind them of it when you approach them with this vision. You have a great gift, Feli, and it must be gently nudged in the right direction."
"Why?"
Kiku just smiled at him. "It's not important right now. I suggest we call a meeting of the dukes. Send word."
"Right! Send word!"
Feliciano found himself staring at his desk full of old style paper and a quill. His curl twitched. Surely there was a ballpoint pen somewhere? He checked the desk drawers but found nothing of the sort. He looked at the quill, 'Okay, this can't be too hard. People have used it to write for thousands of years! I can do this!' So he sat down, with full determination, and began to write.
Ludwig's letter had ink spots all over it. Ivan's had a few spelling errors that could not be erased. Sadiq's looked a little better than the first two. Alfred's was the best out of all of them although it too was covered in dribbled ink spots. The saddest part was his terrible signature. His cursive had always been bad and he only signed with it after paying with a credit card. Even then it was just a fancy scribble. He nibbled the feathered tip of the quill nervously as he looked at the four letters and his scribbled, ink-heavy signature. There had to be an easier way to do this in the future.

Ludwig's Castle:
"What on earth is this?" Ludwig held up the letter between two fingers. "Is it written in another language?" After closer inspection, and with the help of his brother, they were able to read it.
'Fellow Dukes,
Come to my castle. We need a meeting. Come as soon as possible.
-Feliciano Vargas'
Gilbert smirked. "Looks like he sneezed the ink on the paper rather than write it! But what does he have to talk about?"
"I don't know, but we should go, as requested."
Ivan's Castle:
"Hm? What's a 'pastle'?" He turned the paper upside down. "Feliciano…Fargas?" Ivan just laughed.
Sadiq's Castle:
" 'Come as soon as possible.'" Heracles read out loud while laying naked on a bed next to Sadiq, who was leisurely smoking. "I think he was having a seizure when he wrote this."
"I suppose I should go. He went through all the trouble to write it."
Alfred's Castle:
"I wonder what he wants?" Alfred asked his brother, who was reading the letter as well.
"It sounds like something is wrong." Matthew said. "It says to come as soon as possible. Should I come too?"
"No, this is for the dukes. You stay here and keep an eye on things, okay?"
Matthew pouted. "I never get to go!"

'Okay, there's no reason to be afraid, you can do this!' Feliciano paced the room back and forth, holding his stomach and feeling lightheaded. He thought dressing differently would make him look more mature, which in turn would help the others to believe him. All he really had were his high-heeled boots to make himself taller and a cloak with shoulder pads. Maybe this was a big mistake.
"Master, they're here." Said a demon servant.
"Thank you." He took a heavy sip of his wine and handed the empty cup to the servant. 'Okay, just breathe. Breathe and focus. They are your friends and they will believe you! They will! They have to!' He whimpered and tried not to keep holding his ailing stomach as he entered the meeting hall. All five turned to look at him enter; only Ludwig and Sadiq stood up in greeting, but where was Kiku? He was supposed to be with them! "H-Hello everyone!" 'I'm going to throw up!' "We're just waiting on Kiku!" 'That should buy me some time.'
"I am here." Kiku entered the room.
'Damn it!' Feliciano made himself smile and told the others to sit as he too took his seat.
Alfred cleared his throat. "I um…don't see any snacks or drinks on the table?"
Feliciano 'eeped'. "Of course!"
"We don't need snacks." Ludwig put his hand up to Alfred, who stuck out his tongue. "Your letter…if that's what we can call it," Feliciano flushed in embarrassment. "Stated to come here as soon as possible. Is there something amiss?"
"Huh?" Feliciano blinked at his lover.
"Is something 'wrong', he means." Sadiq helped to clarify.
"Oh! Um…well…yes, there is something wrong. Kind of wrong."
Ivan raised a brow. "Kind of?"
Feliciano bit his lip and looked up at Kiku for support. Kiku placed a hand on his shoulder and turned his attention to the demons. "Feliciano would like to tell you all of a vision he had last night; a vision that may foretell the trouble in the days to come. I strongly advise that you listen."
"Visions?" Alfred snorted. "Slow down on the wine, Feli. That will stop the visions!"
"Alfred-" Ludwig warned. "Go ahead, Feli. Tell us what has happened."
Holding his stomach under the table and praying he didn't throw up on the table before him, Feliciano began to retell his visions. It became easier the more he spoke about it, and in the end he reminded them about the Fiend on the rooftop. "So you see, I think this might be a warning to all of us. That is why I called you all here."
Kiku spoke next. "Myself and Antonio fully agree with Feliciano's words and believe it should be examined further. This should be taken seriously."
"Look at what happened to Gilbert!" Feliciano quickly pointed out. "That was almost a copy-cat scene of how he died!"
Gilbert crossed his arms and looked away.
Ivan smiled at Feliciano as he spoke. "Feli, we appreciate your concern, but there is nothing to worry about. If anything were to happen it would have a long time ago."
"Ivan is right." Ludwig nodded. "We can't go by visions you're having, Feli. You are still discovering your demon powers and your body, along with your mind, are changing."
"Yeah, you're the kingdom of cowards, dude!" Alfred added in. "You're just getting creeped out by all that is happening!"
Feliciano let out a whine and shook his head. "No, it's true! Please say you all believe me? Please? I wouldn't have visions like this if they weren't true! I think…"
Sadiq lit up a pipe. "We'll all be extra aware in the days to come. That should make you feel better, okay?" He smiled and blew a puff of smoke in Feliciano's direction, turning in into the form of a bird.
"But you still don't believe me." Feliciano pouted. "What do I have to do to prove to all of you that I'm worried?"
Ivan chuckled. "We know you're worried, and it's extremely cute! We're going to be taking over the human world very shortly. There will be nothing to fear."
Ludwig stood up from his chair. "Feliciano, Kiku, we appreciate this concern and we thank you for holding this meeting but there is still much work we have to do in the next few days."
Kiku looked at all of them. "Even I sense something in the days to come. There is something out there that we must be aware of."
Feliciano watched the others starting to get up from the table, completely ignoring his concerns. He slammed his hands on the table and shouted out. "You're all still human!" Each one stopped to look at him. With tears in his eyes, Feliciano continued, looking to each one of them. "You were all human…and you still are. That Fiend promised you will suffer your human deaths tenfold if you don't surrender." He saw them exchanging glances with one another. "What if this is true? It already happened to Gilbert!"
"He is not a full duke like we are." Ivan reminded him.
"Feli, we'll be alright." Alfred gave him a thumbs up and a wink. "We're in charge now! The world is going to be ours! We're at the top of the food chain!"
Feliciano let the tears well up and slip down his cheeks as he turned to beg Ludwig to believe him. He was met with a cold, stern stare. 'I will sleep with you tonight and frighten away these visions.' Feliciano heard him speak in his mind.
'You don't believe me.' He looked away sadly as the others left with Kiku stroking his back in soothing circles. He saw Ludwig leave as well but only one demon remained.
"I believe you, Feli." It was Gilbert.
Feliciano wiped at his eyes. "Do you really? Or are you just going to laugh at me?"
Gilbert shook his head. "No, I'm not gonna laugh. I know what it's like to have visions. You probably don't know this but back when I was human living in my tribe, I was a priest. I was one with the spirit world. The day we died, I had a vision of it happening the night before. Not in much detail, but I saw Ludwig and myself being dragged away from each other by Roman soldiers."
"Did Ludwig listen to you when you told him?"
"I didn't tell him." Gilbert smiled sadly. "I didn't want him to worry about me while he was battling the Romans. But I had had visions before that. I knew when storms were coming, if there was going to be a flood, those sorts of things. So I can believe you when you speak of visions."
Feliciano smiled at him. "Do you think you can convince Ludwig? I don't want him or the rest of you getting hurt! I wasn't in the visions so…so I don't know what will become of me!"
"I hope you don't have to save us!" Gilbert laughed, trying to lighten the mood but it didn't work. "I'm sorry. I promise to speak with Ludwig. Like you said, it already happened to me so who knows what can happen from here on out. Keep strong kiddo, okay?"
Feliciano nodded. "My belly hurts."
"Drink something and go to bed. That'll help." He ruffled the brown hair and left after the others.
Feliciano stood up from the table and turned to Kiku. "I'm not very convincing, am I?"
Kiku shook his head. "Not at all, yet none of it is really your fault. Those demons are very stubborn."
"Kiku, do you know how I can get in touch with Arthur? I think he can help me out the most."
"I'm afraid I don't. We can only hope that things go well, and that nothing happens until Arthur gets here."
"I guess you're right. Still, I can't help but be nervous." He smiled sadly. "Is it cruel to say that I hope nothing happens to Ludwig? I mean, I don't want anything to happen to any of them…but am I selfish to think only of Ludwig?"
Kiku sighed. "That's a hard question to answer. It is always better to give without a hint of selfishness in you, but you and Ludwig share more together than the others. All we can do now is stay positive, remain aware, and hope for the best."
"I know you're right but I still can't let go of my fear and anxiety."
"Do something else to get your mind off it. Try to busy yourself around the palace. Ludwig will be here with you tonight to calm your fears."
Feliciano nodded and took Kiku's hand. "Thanks for being here with me. Promise you won't go away again?"
Kiku smiled. "I promise."
By dinnertime, Feliciano was feeling buzzed from all the wine. It was a good buzz though, for it was helping to numb the fear that seemed to be crippling him today. He soaked in his round marble tub surrounded by pink bath bubbles and his dinner waiting to be eaten on a tray. The raw meat was diced up, seasoned with pepper and salt. He lazily flopped out his demon tongue, placed the meat on the tip, and folded it into his mouth. This was nice, being lazy, drinking wine, and eating good food while soaking in a tub. No bills, no job, no nothing. Just resting for all eternity. If only he didn't have to be afraid.
"May I join you?"
Feliciano looked behind him to see Ludwig had entered, already naked and standing by the tub. He gave a small smile and a nod. "You look like you were going to no matter what I said."
Ludwig stepped into the water, sloshing his way over to Feliciano to embrace him. He pulled the slim form close, enjoying the feel of those angel wings against his lower belly. Buried his nose in the chestnut hair he breathed deep, smelling the fresh scent of lavender and vanilla. Holding his lover like this made his cock twitch with desire and he let Feliciano feel it against his tailbone. Ludwig was baffled when the demon tensed and wiggled out of his arms.
"Not tonight, Ludwig."
"Why not? Are you still frightened by your visions? There is no reason to be frightened now that I am here."
Feli turned around and rest his back against the tub. "You don't believe me at all, do you." Ludwig was silent. "I'm worried about you, Ludwig. I don't want anything to happen to you. I saw you in my vision…you were gathering up Gilbert's limbs…and you started to eat them-" He was unprepared for the death-like grip on his neck and the blazing red eyes burning into his own.
"I did nothing of the sort!" Ludwig growled out, baring his fangs and giving a little snarl.
"You're hurting me!" Feliciano squeaked while trying to pry Ludwig's iron grip off of his neck. Unknowingly, he summoned Antonio to defend him, and defend the angel did. Antonio drew a sword from the air and slashed in Ludwig's direction, landing a cut on the bicep. Ludwig was forced to let go and Feliciano pushed himself up against the back of the tub, letting Antonio's torso float threatening above him.
Ludwig looked at the cut on his arm and then to the spirit of the angel above Feliciano's head. The familiar was no stranger to attacking, and when the sword was replaced by a double bladed axe Ludwig knew to back away. Feliciano could be a very powerful and extremely dangerous individual if he collected the right spirits to fight for him. "I'm sorry, Feli, I just lost my sanity there. But that is no excuse for my actions."
He rubbed his neck. "I understand. I'm stressed out too. I only wish you would believe me."
"I can't go by visions, Feli. They are only dreams; images that your subconscious has mashed together based on your current fears. They mean nothing."
Feliciano was becoming annoyed, and with Antonio to protect him he started to feel a little bold. "Your brother believes me."
"I'm sure he does. He was another one who had visions all the time, but he was a priest in tune with the old spirits. You have nothing like that. His visions were ones dealing with the earth and weather."
"But why can't you believe me? Why can't you even entertain the thought?"
Ludwig crossed his arms. "Because it's silly. I'm not frightened, and you shouldn't be either."
Feliciano just gave him a nod of agreement but he would still worry about. "My tummy hurts."
"It's nerves. You'll be fine."
After he finished his dinner and bath they retired to his bed. Usually he slept naked but tonight he wanted to wear pajamas. In Ludwig's arms he did feel safe and secure, but deep inside he was hurt that the other wouldn't believe him. As lovers Ludwig should take what he says seriously instead of brushing it off to the side or ignoring it. His eyes were growing heavy with sleep, now comfortably safe in Ludwig's strong arms. He managed to sleep peacefully throughout the night.

Ludwig cracked his neck and gave it a shake to relieve the tension of the muscles there. He had been bent over his desk of papers since returning from Feliciano's castle, backed up on work. Feliciano had been acting strange last night, slightly cold and very distant. It was unlike the young demon. Ludwig was certain it was the visions frightening him but he didn't know how else to ease Feli's fears. Feliciano was the King of Cowards after all; fear, anxiety, and terror were all part of his demon genetic makeup. Yet there was one part of last night that bothered him and that was the look on Feli's face when he asked why he won't believe him. Ludwig had thought about trying to pretend to believe him but that wasn't in his nature. Being truthful was part of his values as a demon, and a human. He heard someone enter behind him, knowing immediately who it was by the sound of heeled boots.
"If you are here to scold me then you might as well turn around and leave. I have nothing to say."
"Brother, you are cruel to him. Visions should never be dismissed as silly. Look at what happened to me."
Ludwig closed his eyes as the familiar smell and warmth of his elder brother's arms came around his neck. "That was a coincidence."
"It still happened. Feliciano is a new demon, so who's to say what he sees isn't part of who he is?"
The blonde gave a heavy sigh. "Gilbert, look, I am very busy right now. The Dark One has sent the papers ready for the uprising. Soon we will be in the human world making it in our image. I don't have time for Feliciano's fears."
"Can we not destroy the Playboy Mansion?" Gilbert joked.
"Go away." Ludwig said with a sigh. He felt Gilbert move and the other came around to sit on his desk. He stared at Gilbert's current attire. "Why are you dressed like that? You look like a street walker."
"What? It's just a corset, pants and high heeled boots." He straightened his leg and points his foot. "I was jealous of the ones Feliciano had so I had to have them too. I know Ivan was looking at them too. The demon has a boot fetish." He grinned.
Ludwig had to close his eyes and cover his mouth to keep the little bit of bile that had come up due to the image of Ivan licking boots. "You are my brother. The least you can do when visiting me is to dress decently. We are dukes, not whores."
Gilbert's brows furrowed. "You would call your own brother a whore?"
"That is not what I- never mind. Get off of my desk and go wherever it is you have to go."
"Isn't red my color, though?" He grinned.
"Yes. It looks wonderful on you, now go away." His brother moved from the desk but did not leave the room. Instead, he sat on Ludwig's lap. "Gilbert! Go away! Listen to your brother!" Gilbert crossed his arms. "Gilbert," he growled. "I'm warning you!" Gilbert turned his head to the side. "GO BOTHER IVAN!"
"Oh, I'm sorry, were you saying something, because I don't listen to hard-heads."
Ludwig frowned. "Hard head?"
"Feliciano is very concerned about his visions and worries for you most of all. To not trust him, and to not listen to him is by far one of the most insulting attributes in a relationship. Now this is simple, I'm the big brother, and I don't take orders from you. You take orders from me, little bro."
Ludwig tapped his claws on the armrest. "But you do take orders from your head duke." While Gilbert was a demon duke in title, it was he who was the head of the Nation. He gave the title to Gilbert because they share so much together but there were times when he still had to exercise his authority. It was very rare, though, and immediately he regretted speaking it. The look on his brother's face was punishment enough. He quickly felt ashamed.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" Gilbert sneered at him.
"I should have never spoken to you that way. I apologize."
Gilbert jumped off his lap. "You better pull yourself together, little bro! I fucking look like this because I didn't want something terrible to happen to you! I'm here because I want to always keep you safe; and now you speak to me like that?" His voice was elevated.
Ludwig hung his head. "I'm sorry, brother. Please do not be angry with me. I appreciate everything you have done." He looked up at him. "I will speak to Feliciano again and I will take him seriously this time." Gilbert suddenly pulled him into an embrace.
"You're such a pain in the ass, Lud. I let you get away with too much." He pulled away. "Isn't it annoying when someone doesn't listen to you?" He crossed his arms. "So how do you think Feliciano feels?"
"I got it!" He rubbed his temples. "You have shamed me enough. Put something on before flying over to Ivan's castle. You are my brother, not a slut. What you do with Ivan behind closed doors is your business…but don't be showing your 'business' all over the Abyss."
Gilbert smirked and sauntered away. "Ta-ta, Little Luddy."
"Because Feliciano has them." Ludwig repeated, rolling his eyes about the boots. "I'll lose my mind before we take over."

Returning to Feliciano's castle late in the evening, Ludwig decided to make the most of his visit here by bringing the necessary papers to go over with him about the uprising. A servant escorted him to one of the rooms where Feliciano was having a 'snack' and being massaged. When Ludwig first saw him, the demon was on a table, naked, and eating a bowl of pasta while a male demon rubbed his back. Ludwig just rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"Hey Ludwig!" Feliciano smiled with a mouth full of pasta before swallowing heavily. "Isn't this great? I taught the cooks how to make pasta and now I can have it whenever I want! This has meat and blood on top for gravy! (1)"
Ludwig placed the pile of papers on a nearby table. "I see you are enjoying yourself. Finish up now, we have work to discuss."
Feliciano whined a bit. "But I'm so comfortable. Can't you just talk to me about business?"
He raised a blonde brow. "Will you pay attention if I do?" Feliciano just nodded, taking a sip from his goblet. "Alright. The first thing we are going to do is ready our troops. Once the Dark One and Arthur open up the portal to the human world we will go first, followed by our armies. Gilbert and myself will take the west of the earth, Ivan the north, Alfred the east, and Sadiq the south. You will be with Gilbert and myself. We will then combined our powers from the four corners, which will unleash the dark powers of the Abyss, and allow for our armies to finally set foot upon the earth. Then we- are you paying attention?" Ludwig hollered when he noticed Feliciano starting to doze off. The other jerked awake.
"YES! I'm listening!"
"Then what did I say?" He growled out.
Feliciano whimpered, shying away by hiding his face in his folded arms. "I'm sorry."
"Feli, this is important! You are one of the Five Accursed Nations! You are a part of this uprising as well! YOU!" He pointed to the servant. "Leave us!" The servant hurried out and he watched Feliciano sit up on the table.
"I don't want to see innocent people get hurt."
Ludwig frowned. "Humans will be our slaves. You will set up your castle and will be given a whole area of humans to rule with your army."
Feliciano tapped his feet together. "Can I set up my castle anywhere in the world?"
"Yes."
"Then I want to be in Italy. In Europe. That's where my family is from and my parents are there."
"Very well then." Ludwig cleared his throat. "I have…given some thought to your visions. I noticed you were visibly upset over me not believing you." He watched Feliciano slip on a robe and walk over to him. "I thought that maybe I should…listen to you more…and try to understand why you find these visions so troubling."
"Why I find them troubling? I've seen all of you dead or suffering! That's why I'm worried!" Feliciano threw his arms around Ludwig's waist, holding him close and resting a cheek on the warm body. "You were already burned to death once…why let it happen again?"
Ludwig stared down at him while slowly wrapping an arm around the other. Feliciano loved too much too quickly. While holding him, Ludwig began to wonder about Feli's soft nature and his extreme cowardice. Entertaining the idea of the visions, they couldn't depend on Feliciano to save them. Not only was he a demon but an angel as well. Feliciano was gullible and could be easily persuaded by the Fiends or other dark beasts. The hardest part was going to be keeping Feliciano out of harms way to keep him from being consumed by trickster forces. He was also curious to ask the smaller demon why he didn't see himself in the visions. That part troubled him. Feliciano was their lifeline in the human world, but could he end up being their biggest liability here in the Abyss? He was still very connected to the human world with relatives still living, unlike the rest of them. Ludwig couldn't speak about this with Feli, it would upset his lover further. Pulling away from the embrace, Ludwig planted a kiss on Feli's forehead.
"I'm afraid I must cut my visit short. I have other papers to deliver." His lover looked up at him with innocent eyes.
"But you didn't finish telling me about the uprising."
"We will have a large meeting soon to discuss it, so you may listen then. By the way, did you speak with Sadiq's lover?"
He nodded. "I did. Heracles was very nice, very calm, and I didn't sense any trouble from him. He was friendly too. And very, very lazy." Feliciano figured it was best to keep silent about Heracles being Sadiq's old lover.
Ludwig chuckled. "Sounds like someone else I know." Feliciano smiled. "I'll see you soon." He gave him another kiss. "I will make sure to keep aware as I am out. If you are still afraid, have Kiku stay with you until I return."
"But it's already so late."
"Work doesn't sleep." Ludwig stated plainly. "I'll be back later. Don't wait up for me."
"Okay. Promise you won't be too late?"
"I promise."
Ludwig flew to Sadiq's castle, not to deliver any sort of business but rather to discuss Feliciano. Aside from Arthur and Gilbert, Sadiq was the only other demon he could have a serious conversation with. Gilbert was busy with Ivan, Alfred rarely took things seriously, and Arthur was still in the human world. That only left Sadiq. Ludwig was also curious to see Heracles for himself and hoped the duke would have the new demon with him. Currently he was sitting in one of Sadiq's private meeting rooms void of dancing demons and lustful individuals. He took only the wine offered to him.
Sadiq puffed alight his long pipe, took a deep inhale, and let out the smoke. "So what brings you here? Why aren't you with your lover?"
"I just came from there. Out of our group, you are one of the few whom I can have an intelligent conversation with."
"I'm flattered." He snickered.
"This has to do with the visions that Feliciano spoke of."
Sadiq nodded. "They were strange to hear."
"Well, those visions are not my concern. My main concern is Feliciano, his strange powers, and his loyalty."
"Loyalty?" He took another puff. "He's crazy about you. He wouldn't betray you."
"It's not so much a betrayal but more of…being easily persuaded to another side, in order to protect us?"
Sadiq's green eyes shifted behind the white mask. "So you think that he may be persuaded by say, the Fiends, to go to their side?"
Ludwig nodded. "In order to save us. Feliciano is very caring, kind, and gullible. There terrible traits that could be our complete destruction. He also possesses new powers and who knows how many more he will discover? I just fear someone will get Feliciano to mess everything up by playing on his fears and emotions."
Tapping the ashes from his pipe, he said, "Or he may be the only thing that saves us." His green eyes looked up at Ludwig. "What makes you immediately assume his traits are dangerous to us?"
"He is the Nation of Cowards."
"But he is sweet. Generous, merciful, kind; all the things that we aren't. Cowards are the ones who survive. Many of my men ran off in fear after we came upon a forest with impaled bodies of our countrymen. The men who ran were able to live. I charged on into battle and was killed in the process. Minus the curse. Or whatever it was." He refilled his pipe and lit it. "It was told to us that our deaths would be experienced tenfold."
Ludwig tapped his claw on the table. "Which is why I'm concerned about Feliciano's loyalty. What's to say the Fiends aren't 'using' these visions to frighten him? If they keep implanting these fears of our deaths in his head, he may try something stupid to keep us from getting hurt. So if these visions are real-"
"We're fucked." He smirked, and then gave a throaty chuckle. "Ludwig, we are going to be the rulers of the human world. We will have more power than the Fiends. I'm not worried."
"I'm certain you have not forgotten the Fiends. Merkova, Fiend of Deception, Griot, Fiend of Corruption, and Nerissa, Fiend of Lies. Each one can have a huge effect on Feliciano. I doubt these visions have anything to do with them, though. I'm not worried either, but do you see why I am concerned?
"Certainly. You must keep reassuring Feliciano how important it is that he stay with us, that we need him. You have to start being more fluffy." He laughed at Ludwig's expression. "Yes, fluffy. You heard right. Give me a fluffy smile."
"I refuse."
"You want to charm Feli! Start smiling! And not that tiny little 'I look drugged' smile, a REAL happy smile. Teeth and all! Make a Feliciano face!"
Ludwig glared. "Now you're just being a prick." Sadiq grinned at him. "Not everyone is turned on by a smile. Oh, before I forget, that new demon of your, Heracles. Can we trust him?"
"We can." He tapped the ashes out of his pipe again. "Stop worrying about what I do here at my castle, okay? I already know that Feliciano was here talking to him."
"He isn't your old lover, is he?" Ludwig wanted to hear it from Sadiq's lips. The look he received told him it was so, and for safety, he pushed his chair back a bit. The demon knew how to kick with those hooves.
"That's none of your business. Will you just trust in my judgment?"
Ludwig threaded his fingers. "Let's say that he is. His goal in his past life was to kill you. What's to say he's not working for the Fiends or someone else to get at us? That is, if we entertain Feliciano's visions." He smiled.
"Leave my castle before my hooves find your gut!"
"Don't get angry. I'm sure you understand my concern? At this point we shouldn't be taking any chances."
Sadiq gripped the pipe between his teeth. "You let me take care of this. Now leave."
"I did not mean to offend you."
"Yeah well, you did."
Ludwig just shook his head and left the castle to return to Feliciano's. His lover was already asleep in the large bed snoring softly. The sheet was gathered at the hip, giving Ludwig a full view of those wings and smooth back. Head to the side, arms under the pillow, Ludwig watched the steady breathing of the sleeping demon. He didn't want to wake him up for he looked so peaceful. Quietly he undressed and climbed into bed beside him, careful as to not wake him up. Feliciano was sleeping like a log. Ludwig smiled and slowly rolled onto his side so he could continue gazing at the sleeping demon. 'Don't ever betray me, Feli. I think I care too much about you to be heartbroken like that.'
He played with the brown curl until he too fell asleep.

Alfred sat on his balcony staring out at the city below, watching his demon subjects go about their daily lives. He was bored tonight, bored and alone. Matthew was with him but his brother wasn't the kind of fun that he wanted tonight. Gilbert was with Ivan this night, leaving him alone. Ivan was still somewhat angry with him for not letting him leave when he had the feeling about Gilbert being in trouble. Alfred countered by saying that nothing was actually keeping Ivan there but his own lust, so there was no reason to blame him. Between Ivan and Ludwig, both of them seemed to like toying with him when they want to, and then casting him aside when done. Gilbert was always pushing for him to go and sworn Ludwig, but Alfred didn't want to spend an eternity with the blonde, he wanted Ivan. When they were called to the meeting, Alfred noticed the other dukes giving him sideway glances when speaking of Gilbert's disappearance, as if they thought he had something to do with it because of the shared relationship. Alfred was glad the finger got pointed to Feliciano, which no one believed anyway. It got the others off his back.
Even if Ivan chose Gilbert over him, he'd get over it. He wouldn't run to Ludwig, not after the terrible breakup they had. Ludwig has lied all these years about their one-night stand and Alfred never bothered to correct anyone because they wouldn't believe him anyway. It was his word against Ludwig's 'noble' one. Ivan would never break it off the way Ludwig did by pushing him out of bed and pointing to the door. It was a stupid thing to do on both their ends, he gave in too easily and Ludwig made a 'mistake', which he was. Ludwig called him a 'mistake that would never happen again'. Those were the only words that still stuck with him. The others that transpired were long since erased from his memory for he had eventually stopped caring. It was sad and gut retching at first, but Alfred got over it fairly quickly. And once he started giving Ivan a look over…then things became interesting.
'Yet I still have Gilbert in my way.'
"Brother?" It was Matthew.
"What is it?"
"Are you certain you are well? You seem very distant tonight. Is it about Ivan?" Alfred nodded. "I'm sorry you are not with him tonight." Matthew gave his brother a sad smile.
"It's cool, Mattie!" He grinned and gave him a thumbs up. "The hero never gets upset or cries over silly things! I'm just out enjoying the night air of the Abyss. Soon we won't be here! We'll be back up in the land of the living! Isn't that great?"
"Hm. I suppose. I'm not really alive though…I am a golem."
"You're alive enough for me." He placed his hands on Matthew's shoulders. "Why don't you go to your room and finish that basket weaving? I'm going to head to be myself."
Matthew lifted his brows in worry. "Are you certain, brother?"
"Yes! Now go on! Get!" He smacked Matthew's rump. "Big brother orders you!" Matthew whimpered and left the room, leaving Alfred to heave a large sigh. "Just think of all the hamburger joints you'll have in America, Alfred!" He said to himself. "There will be hamburger places all over my area! And I'll call it, 'Hamburger Street'! I like it." He wiggled his shoulders proudly. "I'll have the biggest, the brightest, and the tastiest kingdom in the new Utopia!"
Confident in his plans, which made him feel better, Alfred prepared for bed and flopped onto the sheets. He rolled around thinking about his tasty place in the new world. Food, music, and fun! His demon subjects will learn to love what the human world has to offer! It was an exciting thought.
'Alfred is too much of a child for me.' Alfred's eyes shot open at the sound of Ivan's voice in the room. He sat up and looked around only to find that his room was empty.
'I've been telling you all this time he is too young.' That was Gilbert. 'He'll leave you for someone else much younger and more full of live. Face it, Ivan, you're an old fuddy-duddy!' An image appeared of the two of them in Ivan's castle, on Ivan's bed, and naked.
'I am not a fuddy-duddy!' Ivan pouted.
Alfred shook his head and closed his eyes, trying to imagine the image away. It was still there when he opened them.
'It's best you leave the relationship off where it is. Alfred will get over it, he always does. Look how fast he got over Ludwig.'
'I still don't want to hurt his feelings, but I-'
'You have to! Alfred will be all right, he's strong willed that way. He'll get mad and huffy, but it won't last long. He's a stupid kid.'
Alfred narrowed his eyes. "I am not stupid! He'd better not be thinking about dumping me! I'll tear those ox horns right off his head! Wait, Ivan would never say that! I must be dreaming. I'm having the same stupid visions as Feli!"
'Poor Alfred…I would hate to see his face when I tell him.'
Is it true? Alfred stared at the image of the two nuzzling. Was Ivan truly mad at him for what happened to Gilbert? Or was it Gilbert's kidnapping that made Ivan realize where his true feelings lied? He was getting pushed to the side again! Not only once but twice! It wasn't fair! He got out of bed and went to the image, trying to reach out and grab one of them. What was he even doing? What was going on? Was this really happening? His bleeding bullet wounds were starting to ache painfully, bringing forth a couple of hisses and growls. Something wasn't right, and the voices of the two in his head were like hammers on an anvil.
"It's so loud! It hurts!" He saw Ivan and Gilbert together. "No, Ivan wouldn't do or say these things! This isn't real! Stop it!" He used his powers to fend off the images and sounds. All was silent for but a moment until something pierced his belly.
Alfred froze completely when the object went straight through his stomach and out his back, missing his spine. Slowly, his eyes glanced downwards to see a large black and scaly thing through his midsection. He coughed up a torrent of blood while his bullet wounds began to bleed; only this time the blood stained the floor. He looked up to see a womanly figure dressed all in black. Her features were completely covered by long black robes, except for her red hair, which fanned out all around her head in a halo. The thing through his belly was her tail- immediately, he knew who it was.
"…Merkova!" He said through gurgled blood. With one more attempt he proceeded to try and fly, only to have his wings penetrated by hooks. Holding back his cries of pain, he fought her, tugging at the chains while trying to push himself off of the tail. His body was broken and bleeding, his bullet wounds plaguing him. More of her tails shot out to wrap around his ankles and jerk him to the floor. Unable to hold back from the intense pain any longer, he rolled over onto his belly and used his claws to crawl away. He couldn't do it- she was just too strong in his weakened state…just like a human.
"ALFRED!"
Alfred looked up at his name to see Matthew at the door. "MATTHEW!" He cried, holding out a bloodied hand to him. "HELP ME!"
Matthew cried as he ran to his brother, grasped the hand in both of his, and tried to pull Alfred away from Merkova. "STOP! LET HIM GO! ALFRED!" He screamed frantically, only to be pulled along with him.
"RUN MATTIE!" Alfred said when he saw it was hopeless. "RUN AND GET THE OTHERS! HURRY!"
"ALFRED!" He screamed and tried one last pull only to have the blood slicken the hold. He fell back as Alfred was dragged in to the black robes of Merkova. Matthew watched in horror, screaming Alfred's name over and over again as he watched the bloodied form disappear from view. Sobbing, Matthew looked up at the Fiend who greeted him with yellow eyes. Twin bolts crashed loudly from out of the yellow orbs and struck him in the heart. He gasped. Looking down at his chest he watched as his golem body made of magic and clay slowly began to dry and crack. The little rivulets spread quickly all over him. He watched first as his hands crumbled, and then his arms, and then his shoulders.
The rest of the form collapsed, turning into a pile of dust and leaving no trace of a bodily form.
Merkova, thrilled that her task was complete, slowly disappeared from sight leaving only finger trails of blood and a pile of dust.
'One down, four to go.'
'We can delay the uprising now. Keeping them all apart will ensure our chance to rule the world! We have one in our gasp. The others will follow.'
'Won't the Dark One be pissed at us!' They all laughed.
From the pile of ashes rose Matthew's spirit. Frightened and heartbroken, Matthew let out a sorrowful wail that was heard throughout the Abyss.

Feliciano shot up from the bed in a sweat. Ludwig was startled awake as well but only by Feliciano's sudden movements. Feliciano looked toward the window with his hands grasping at his heart. He panted heavily. "Don't you hear it?"
"What's going on?" Ludwig listened for a moment. "I hear nothing."
"Oh my God, how can you not hear it!" He nearly shrieked. "It's terrible!" He got out of bed. "Something terrible has happened!"
Ludwig followed suit. "I hear nothing! What is it?"
"It's crying! Screaming!" He gasped. "It's Matthew!"
"Matthew?"
"Hurry, get Kiku!" Feliciano was in tears. He could feel deep within his soul that something terrible had happened. His nightmares were coming true. "Matthew needs our help!"
Ludwig was ready to say something while dressing only to be stopped short by the sound of distant wailing. He slowly turned his head towards the window. He didn't know if it was Matthew, but whomever it was, they were suffering and in terrible pain. Suddenly, the notion of Feliciano's visions didn't seem so bizarre anymore.
"Ludwig, please, will you take me to Alfred's castle?" Feliciano's eyes were begging him.
"Let's go."

Ivan's Castle:
"That sound." Ivan looked out over his balcony. Gilbert was with him.
"Someone is crying…" Gilbert slipped his hand into Ivan's and squeezed. They both felt the same sense of dread.
Sadiq's Castle:
The wailing stirred him from his sleep. Grunting and mumbling in interrupted sleep, he reached for his pipe and lit it. "What is that sound?" He got up and went to the nearest balcony. The air seemed thick and dense with the stench of a dark force. "You've got to be shitting me."
/
Arthur's shop:
"Something's coming." Arthur put on his warlock's cloak. "Francis, come with me. We have to get to the Abyss!"
Francis took his hand, giving his lover and master a worried look. "We should stay here."
"They need our help in the Abyss! Come! We have to hurry!"
Francis went along with Arthur knowing that they were walking in to the pit of Hell itself.
End Chapter 14 TBC
***(1) We call it 'gravy' in my family. Not 'sauce'. We're Italians, so we say gravy. ^_^***
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Utopia