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Utopia	By : FlayraDowitcher Category: +G to L > Hetalia: Axis Powers Views: 3044 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia. I am making no money off of this fic.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
***Warnings: Language, dark themes, humor
***Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia. I am making no money off of this fic.

~*Fallen angels who cannot become the Virgin Mary...stay in your daydream,
And wander into the pleasure garden.*~ -Inmu
Chapter 1: Here Be Demons
The sun hadn't shown for three days.
Feliciano never cared for the rain. He stepped out of the taxi with his umbrella, trying to open it while balancing a potted plant and carrying a bag with a boxed cake in it. The rain beat down heavily on his umbrella as he hurried along the wet sidewalk to the entrance of the hospital. He sighed in relief when entering the front corridor; glad to finally be out of the downpour. Shaking his umbrella, he wrapped it closed and headed into the hospital's main entrance. The nurses greeted him by name as he signed in for he came here every other day to see his twin brother. Today was their birthday and he was bringing a homemade cake. Feliciano left his umbrella at the front coat stand and held the plant tightly to his chest while walking the tan halls that led to the elevator. He pressed the button for the fifth floor.
He shifted back and forth on his feet like he always did when riding in the elevator. While he loved visiting his brother, Feliciano only wished that the man were in a different state. Three months ago, his brother Romano was in a terrible car accident. The force of impact caused some brain injury that put him in a coma; one that the doctors were still unsure he would ever come out of. Feliciano stepped out of the elevator while thinking about that frightening night when he had received the phone call from the police. Romano had gone out that night with his lover Antonio for dinner and a movie. While on the way home they were hit by a drunk driver in a large SUV. Romano had been in the passenger seat during the moment of impact, which left him badly injured and his lover dead. Antonio had taken the full force of impact. Romano hadn't been wearing his seatbelt when the car flipped on its top, and somewhere during that rollover he had hit his head. The police told all this to Feliciano when he arrived at the hospital that fatal night. He was grateful that his brother had survived but did grieve for the loss of Antonio, who was pronounced dead on the way to the hospital. If Romano ever did wake up, Feliciano dreaded having to tell him the news about Antonio's death.
Feliciano stopped outside of Romano's hospital room door, staring at the nametag and room number sign. He let out a long sigh. Some day he hoped never to see this hospital room again. He prayed every day and night that Romano would wake up. His twin brother was all the family he had in America. Their parents lived overseas, but rarely had the time to come and visit or even speak to them. Both of them were fortunate to have rich relatives back in Italy who helped to pay most of the hospital bills anyway. Feliciano was still responsible for some of it, and his private insurance helped out a little. Antonio had money, but neither he nor Romano had any access to it due to their being no legal documents or a will. Antonio's family had taken control over the accounts and never once came to see Romano or offer to help pay the hospital bills. Now all they had were each other.
He opened the door and stepped inside to the familiar sight of his brother on the bed and the smell of hospital sanitizer. "Good morning, Romano! Happy birthday, big brother!" Feliciano said in a chipper voice. He always spoke to his brother as if Romano were actually awake and listening to him. The doctors and nurses had told him to speak plainly because there was a chance that Romano could hear him in the coma. "I brought you a new flower! And a cake from our bakery as well! I made it myself!" Feliciano 'showed him' the potted plant and held up the bag "It's a day lily. It smells very nice!" He referred to the plant.
Feliciano put the cake box on the end table and then removed the plastic cover to place the plant on the windowsill along with the others. There was a fern, a red amaryllis, an African violet, English ivy (which was overgrowing), a snake plant, and finally, the glass vase of red carnations. The red carnation was the national flower of Spain, one that Antonio loved and always brought to his brother. Romano would often say he hated them because they had no real fragrance and looked 'cheap'. But Feliciano knew that his twin enjoyed the flowers, so he kept up the tradition of bringing Romano carnations. It was more of a comfort to himself than anything. Carnations were inexpensive and lasted a long time when having been freshly cut. Every Saturday Feliciano would replace the old carnations with new ones.
He opened the shades to get in what little light there was from outside. The plants and flowers were not fairing very well without proper sunlight. Feliciano stared out at the rain for a moment, listening to its gentle patter on the thick glass. He really did hate the rain; it only managed to depress him, and he wasn't one to normally feel that way. Sniffling a bit to try and hold back tears, he turned to the bed and smiled at Romano.
"The bakery is coming along nicely! We've had more customers coming in this month than the last! I think my cannoli recipe is what wins them over. It's a lot of hard work baking just by myself, but I'm getting it done."
Feliciano could afford to hire a worker to help him out, but he would save that for a time when he really couldn't do all the work by himself. Any extra money he could bank was always helpful. If the family business were ever to fail, then Feliciano would have to sell the name and work for a larger company, which meant he would lose his home. They were born in Italy but moved to New York City with their parents when they were only toddlers. Their parents had started the pastry shop and they all lived above it. Feliciano lived there now by himself. It was lonely. He missed having his brother there with him.
"I hope you wake up soon, Romano." Feliciano straightened out the white bed sheets and carefully fluffed his pillow. He was always mindful of the many IV's connected to various machines. The constant 'beeping' of the machines used to bother him in the beginning, but now he barely heard them. "The shop and house is lonely without you." He kissed his brother's forehead. "Let's comb that hair, hm? Then we'll have some cake!" He smiled and went to the closet where the grooming kit was. While the nurses were kind to his brother, they never really took the time to do little things like this. He combed the stringy brown locks, which would need to be trimmed soon; something that he would also do himself. Feliciano also gave the sponge bath and trimmed Romano's nails. It didn't bother him, though. He enjoyed doing it and the nurses didn't complain.
"There you go! Lookin' good!" He put the comb away. "Ready to celebrate our birthday? I made your favorite too! Vanilla cake with strawberry filling and buttercream icing! Want to see?" Feliciano opened the bakery box to reveal the small cake. He took a package of colored candles from his coat pocket and placed a few on top. But that wasn't all. Feliciano also brought two party hats. Romano would be furious if he knew his brother was putting a colorful pointed paper hat on him. Feliciano was proud to wear his, snapping the elastic under his chin. He lit the candles with a lighter from home and dimmed the room lights. "We're twenty four today, can you believe it?"
Romano was silent.
Feliciano sighed. "Well…happy birthday to us." He blew out the candles, taking a moment to wipe at his eyes. "There." He sniffled a bit. "You know the rule, I get the first slice!" Feliciano cut a small piece for himself and held it in his hands to eat. He could only stomach one piece for the emotional toll on his spirit killed the need to eat. He would leave the cake with the nurses. "The cake was good. I used your recipe instead of mine." He kissed Romano's forehead. "I love you, Romano. Please wake up soon."
When he had finished his visit, Feliciano reclaimed his umbrella and stepped out into the city. The rain had slowed down so he would save on a taxi and just walk. He decided to take a longer route home to clear his mind. It was nearing dinnertime and he had that chicken filet defrosting on the counter. He walked on, accidentally passing the street he needed to take.
Two pairs of eyes were watching him from afar.
"That can't be the one. He's too young and looks like a girl."
"Shut up, you idiot! That is clearly the one we need! He can care for and house the dukes for us. Perhaps he is not the one needed to complete the Five Accursed Nations, but he is innocent and pure, which is enough to keep the demons grounded here."
"Arthur, what if you're wrong?"
"Then, my dear Francis, we would have accidently killed a regular human of no real value or significance."
Francis sighed. "You never change."
"Can it, Frog, and follow me. We need to guide him to our shop." Arthur removed his top hat and handed it to Francis to hold. His eyes shone green and his blonde hair blew in an invisible wind. He was calling forth a spell, one that would read the human's thoughts and fears.
Francis silently watched his warlock lover conjure up the needed spell. He longed for the olden days of the French and English courts when they were completely human. Arthur had been a trusted friend of King Henry VIII and his court, keeping his secret power of 'the Devil' as it was called then, to himself. Francis had first met Arthur on a visit to Henry's court where they talked for hours at the dinner feast. He was never sure if Arthur had cast a love spell on him or not, but after that night Francis couldn't stop thinking about the Englishman. Arthur was strange, unique, curious, and incredibly cynical. Francis had wanted Arthur, and he got him. Their relationship grew as the months went on until some false rumors and gossip reached the royal council. Francis was still in England when he had been accused of following in the teachings of Martin Luther, was wrongfully tried, and sentenced to death by burning. Arthur was unable to save him in time, but the warlock cast a spell that kept his spirit alive, allowing him to escape the flames. However, in order for him to have a solid form, Arthur had to sacrifice something of himself so he revealed his true identity to the king. Arthur had willingly gone to the pyre with his spell intact, and soon they were reborn in another time and place.
Now here they were in present day America. Francis had a solid form, but this form was only for Arthur and anyone the warlock allowed to see him. He was invisible to all humans unless Arthur willed it. Francis could be seen by the demons, but the creatures only viewed him as a sort of golem. He preferred 'phantom', since it seemed more romantic and poetic.
"Ah ha! Perfect!" Arthur spun around to grip Francis' face. "His twin brother is in a coma!"
"How is that perfect?"
"Idiot!" He bopped his lover on the head. "We can use that to get him to come with us!"
"Oh, so you'll wake his brother up for him?" Francis hoped that would be the answer.
Arthur snorted. "THAT would take a lot of magic, specifically blood magic, and I hate dabbling in the stuff. I'm going to use this to our advantage. The Dukes need a place to stay and a pure hearted human to keep them fed. I can sense his life force from here! Can't you?" Francis nodded. "Good. Now then, let us proceed." He took his lover's hand and they exited the alleyway in pursuit of the human. "See us now…" Arthur spoke in a whisper.
Feliciano stopped as he heard a whisper in his ear. He turned to his right but saw that no one was there. It must have been the rain, he thought. When he looked up again, he noticed that the buildings around him had changed. How did he get here? And where was here? Feliciano thought it strange, and he started to panic.
"Hello there!"
"AH!" Feliciano shrieked. "W-who are you?"
Arthur gave a polite smile. "My name is Arthur. Arthur Kirkland. And this is my friend Francis Bonnefoy. We couldn't help but notice how upset you looked."
"Um…" Feliciano didn't know what to say to that.
"Do not fear us." Francis extended his hand in greeting. "We're fortune tellers."
Feliciano shook Francis' hand. "F-fortune tellers?"
Arthur gave Francis an annoyed look before turning back to Feliciano. "Yes, fortune tellers. That's what we are. We know all about you."
Amber eyes widened. "You do?"
"Yes. Your name is Feliciano Vargas. You own a pastry shop. You're on your way there now after visiting your twin brother in the hospital."
He gasped. "H-how did you know all that?" Feliciano was shocked.
Francis smiled. "Fortune tellers."
"Yes, and we'd like to help you." Arthur bowed, removing his hat as he did. "Will you accompany us to our shop? I believe I have a few things that could help you to feel better."
"Really? Okay."
'Wow, that was easy.' Arthur spoke his thoughts to Francis.
'We could have offered him candy and he'd come with us.' Francis said back. 'He's too sweet and innocent. Please Arthur, let's just drop this. He looks like he doesn't have a clue.'
'No. We'll speak more of it later. If he's dumb as a brick it'll only make everything easier.' "Why don't you follow us? We have some cakes and tea at our shop as well. I know how much you like sweets!"
Feliciano smiled softly, blushing a bit. "Well…yes…I do like sweets."
Arthur took his hand. "Then come with us."
Feliciano followed them willingly, missing the obvious fact that the two men were not getting wet in the rain.
The shop was called 'Antique Nightmare' and it stood alone on the border of a good part of town and a bad part. They had to walk through the 'bad part', which made Feliciano extremely uncomfortable and worried. He stayed close to the two men who didn't seem worried about the rough area around them.
The shop itself was strangely fragranced and the décor was like something out of a horror movie. Feliciano looked all around him. The shelves were covered with glass jars full of liquids and other unrecognizable things inside of them. Odd items hung from ceiling. On the tables were 'Wicca' books of such and other dark themes pertaining to the black arts and magic. Another table stocked various candles and stands, along with some frightening designs for oil burners. One wall of shelves had evil looking figurines, most of them Feliciano couldn't even recognize. The figurines all looked like devils or goblins, maybe gargoyles? Another shelf displayed crystal balls of all sizes and color.
"See anything you like?" Arthur asked him.
"N-no…it's all a bit scary." Feliciano cringed at a particularly frightening painting of naked people dancing around some monstrous form with the head of a goat. Francis dropped a hand on his shoulder and gave a reassuring smile.
"Nothing will harm you in here. This is just a simple shop that caters to the present day witches and warlocks."
Arthur sneered. "A bunch of phonies, if you ask me." He reached out and took Feliciano's hand once again. "Still hungry? Come in to the back with us. I have the tea and cakes back there."
"Um…I…I don't know…" Feliciano started to tremble.
"Don't be silly! Nothing's going to happen to you here." Arthur assured him. "If it will make you feel any better, I may be able to help your twin brother Romano." He smirked when Feliciano seemed intrigued. "
"Really? You could do that?" In the back of his mind, something was telling him to turn back and leave this shop. But the possibility of having his brother return to him overrode any doubts. Yes, these men were strangers but he could not bring himself to say 'no' to their offer. He missed his brother terribly, and he didn't want to be alone any more. "Okay. Thank you."
Francis shook his head but followed the two into the back room where Arthur held his 'séances' and 'told fortunes' to average people. He offered the unsuspecting innocent human a plate with three strawberry tarts and poured a cup of tea. Arthur had been prepared for this so the warlock already had drugged the tea with one of his spells. Such innocence and vulnerability this young human possessed. Francis wanted to cuddle him close and stroke him as if he were a cat. He disapproved of everything Arthur was doing, but could not bring himself to hate the warlock whom he loved. So he watched in silence as the little human sipped the tea and nibbled on the tarts.
"So," Arthur began "Your twin brother was deeply in love with his lover Antonio?"
"Yes." Feliciano answered "Can you tell me if Antonio's spirit is okay? Is he safe? Where is he? Is he in heaven?"
Arthur wet his lips and glanced at Francis, who was glaring at him. 'You tell this man what he wants to hear! Say not one word of the truth!'
'What? That this Antonio is rotting in a box underground and is an empty vessel?'
'You know what I mean! Please, Arthur, just give him this little piece of happiness. Besides, the doors to the upper world have locked you out centuries ago. It remains a mystery to us in the dark realm.'
Arthur rolled his eyes. 'Fine then.' "Yes. Your friend Antonio's spirit is a part of heaven. He's a bright angel guarding over the sleeping form of your brother." He was slightly uncomfortable with the sudden tears in those big amber eyes. This man was believing every word. "He…sees you every time you visit, and he thanks you every day for taking such good care of the man he loves."
Feliciano wiped at his eyes, giving a little chuckle. "I'm relieved! That makes me feel so much better!" He sniffled. "So tell me…can you help wake Romano from his coma?" He politely asked Francis for more of the delicious tea.
"Well, magic can only do so much. You see, the heart and mind work together when magic is involved." Arthur threaded his fingers together. "It is impossible for me to enter Romano's mind and use my magic if his mind is working in a state of suspended animation." He saw the confused look on Feliciano's face. "In other words, I can't help him while he's in a coma. However, I can help to speed along the healing process."
"You can do that?" Feliciano was hopeful now, sucking down the tea. "Oh please!" He put down the teacup. "Please, I beg of you! Please help my brother! I don't have much money to repay you but…but maybe we can figure something out?"
'Game, set, and match.' Arthur chuckled inwardly. "I don't need any money, but I would like for you to do me a favor, since I'm doing one for you. After you do this for me, I'll give you something to put in his hospital room and that will help him heal faster."
"Yes! Anything!" Why was he beginning to feel so light headed all of a sudden? His vision was becoming blurred and the image of Arthur at the table was rippling like raindrops hitting water. He glanced over at Francis who was glowing, his face a mask of worry and…regret? Even the room was wiggling as if he were submerged in water. Feliciano felt himself slumping against the chair. What was wrong? Whatever it was, he felt extremely relaxed and lethargic.
"Feliciano? Can you hear me?" To him, Arthur's voice was distant and slightly mumbled.
"Y-Yeah?" He was so sleepy…
"Listen carefully," Arthur started "I'm going to give you some paintings. Portrait paintings."
Feliciano narrowed his brows. "Portrait…paintings?"
"Yes. You will have five. You must hang them up on your wall."
"Hang them up? Okay."
Arthur smirked at Francis and said, 'It's working!'
'I still don't like this, Arthur.' Francis responded. 'Just finish the rest.'
'Think of all the power we'll have once this is over!'
Arthur grinned, gave a dark chuckle, and held out his hands in a claw like manner. "Listen well to my words! You will hang the portraits regardless of your doubts." A steady stream of white mist emerged from his fingertips to surround Feliciano's head. "You will welcome the five that enter your home!"
Feliciano was staring wide eyed at Arthur. "I will welcome the five." He said slowly.
"Be their vessel! Keep them strong!"
"Yes. Yes I will."
"Now you will wake up in your home with no memory of this shop or of us! Only the paintings will come with you! Now…" he clapped his hands. "Awaken!"
Feliciano gasped and sat up quickly from his sofa. Panting heavily, he wondered what had happened? Something felt…well…not quite right. Had he been dreaming? Why was he still in his raincoat? He rubbed his eyes and ran a hand through his hair, letting out a deep sigh.
"I must have been so sleepy coming back…but I don't remember falling asleep." He tapped his lip as he tried to remember what could have happened. "That's really weird. Maybe I should stop eating so much biscotti?" He stood up, removed his jacket, and went to hang it up. He let out a yelp and a squeak when tripping over something large. With a stumble he collided with the carpet face first. Feliciano lay there for a moment, twitching. "Ow… my nose!" He lifted his hand to rub it. "What was that?"
Looking back at what he tripped over, Feliciano's eyes widened to saucers as he noticed a large and strange box in the center of his living room. The box was completely black with gold and red designs, all in the shape of strange creatures. On his hands and knees, Feliciano circled the box, looking carefully at all the engraved pictures colored in gold. They were gruesome pictures. There was a person being ripped apart by others while beside it another burned on a pyre. A warrior of some sort seemed to be toppling over while many arrows protruded from their back. Another side had a person standing away from some others pointing objects at it. An execution maybe? Then the last was of a person impaled on a spike while two other people looked on, one dressed in a warrior's armor and the other simply casual.
'What a strange box.' He thought. 'But I must open it. I know I must.' Feliciano stood on his knees and placed his hands on the top. He found the latch, slid it out of his holder, and opened the lid. Inside were five pictures. 'I have to hang these. I don't know why,' he wondered 'But I just have to.'
After getting some command hooks and strips, he set up one next to the living room doorway leading into the kitchen. He took out the first portrait and looked at it. It was only a headshot, but what a frightening one! This man looked like a monster! He had black oxen horns creeping down his head and curling at the end. He wore a sweet and innocent smile, like that of a child who knows a secret but will not tell. Feliciano shivered and hung it on the first hook. The next painting was even stranger than the first. This monster man had a black blindfold around his eyes. His hair was white and he wore a proud smirk. He, like the first, had horns but resembled that of a rams' and they were white. Feliciano hung it up. The third painting wasn't like the others. This man was young with a bright smile, but his teeth showed a set of fangs. Unlike the others, he did not have horns. Feliciano hung it. The fourth made him blush a bit. It was of another man whom appeared slightly older than the others. He had horns like that of a goat or a gazelle. He was removing the white eye mask from his face with the smile of a 'come hither' look. Feliciano cleared his throat and hung it on the wall.
And last but not least, the final painted portrait. Feliciano looked at the man on the canvas and felt himself smiling. This man wore no smile, but presented himself straight faced and dominant. His hair was blonde, his eyes a pale blue, and his shoulders broad. He had the same horns as the man with the blindfold. He traced the face with his fingertip. With another blush, brighter this time, he hung the final portrait on the wall. Now the five paintings were all in a straight line above his sofa. Feliciano still could not understand why he had them, why they were hanging, or what he was supposed to do with them. The paintings were odd, a little bit frightening, but nothing that seemed to bother him too much. So he dismissed it and left to take a shower and wash away the still chill of the rain on his body.
Standing under the cascade of hot water, Feliciano pondered on the paintings once again. Each face was perfectly engraved in his mind, not one of them missing a single detail. They were all strange looking men, as if they were monsters of some kind, or maybe demons? What a strange set of portraits. His mind went back to the blonde, the very handsome blonde. Feliciano blushed prettily under the hot steamy water, letting out a little schoolgirl giggle. How silly of him to find a painting so attractive! How silly it was of him to hang each one. Giving his hair one final rinse, he turned off the shower and stepped out to slip on his blue bathrobe. He let out a little sigh at the feel of being completely cleaned and warm wrapped up in a fluffy robe. With the smaller towel he ruffled his hair and cleaned out the water from his ears. 'Now for a nice hot cup of coca'. He had wanted to get another good long look at those strange paintings first. Humming a little tune, he walked in to the living room and looked up at the wall with the paintings.
He dropped his towel.
Each portrait was missing the person in them! Against the black background there was only a pure white outline where each man should be. Feliciano just stared at the empty paintings. Then, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. There was hot breath on his neck, as if someone were standing directly behind him. Trembling, he slowly turned to look over his shoulder. The scream he had wanted to let out only lodged in his throat. The man from the first painting with the ox horns and big nose smiled sweetly at him, showing off two rows of sharp teeth. He was dressed all in black.
"Hello!" The demon grinned. "Haha! My name is Ivan! Look at how scared you are!" He covered his eyes with his hands and opened them. "BOO!"
Feliciano wanted to scream, but all he could manage was to turn around and step slowly back. The demon man Ivan waved a clawed hand at him. He only had four fingers on each hand with each one having a sharp claw. They crackled when he twiddled them. From his back sprouted bone wings like that of a bat yet had no skin connecting. The demon continued to stare and smile at him. Feliciano backed up into something solid. This thing was also warm. Biting his bottom lip, he slowly turned around once again to stare up into the face of the older demon. A warm smile greeted him with bright green eyes laughing merrily behind a mask and a perfectly trimmed beard running from his ears to his chin. Like Ivan, he too had wings only these were black and feathered, like an angel. The man made a 'clonking' sound from below. Frightened, yet curious, Feliciano looked down to see hoofed feet and a devil-like tail swishing between the legs. He was also dressed in all black.
"You must be our human host. You may call me Sadiq." He winked.
Feliciano let out a little squeak from between his lips. Instead of backing away, he ran out of the room and into the kitchen where the refrigerator door was open. Something was in his fridge! A figure turned to face him upon hearing his entrance. It was the happy young man from the portraits with smiling eyes and wheat colored hair. The demon closed the fridge door and stood before Feliciano. He had eagle wings and talon feet. This man was also in all black but his arms were exposed. They were dripping blood that splattered on the floor but the red liquid quickly disappeared. He was chewing on a hot dog while holding the open pack his hand.
"Yo, what's up?" Said the demon. "I'm Alfred." He said with his mouth full. "Do you have any more of this guy named Oscar Mayer? He's really tasty! I'm so damn starved!" The demon Alfred shoved another full hotdog in his mouth.
Feliciano ran out of the kitchen and into the tiny hall that lead to three other rooms. He made a dash for his room, opening the door and slamming it shut. He pressed his back up against it, panting in disbelief. What was that he just saw? He must be dreaming! He's dreaming! He's sound asleep on the couch right now! Yes, that's the answer! It has to be! But there was someone on his bed! The form stood up with a smirk. This was the man with the blindfold over his eyes. From his back rose and stretched a pair of white bat or dragon type wings. From his head, curved white ram horns. This man was in all black as well, yet his clothing was tight. His top was a men's halter style showing stitches around his shoulders and biceps. He sauntered over to Feliciano.
"Well, well, well, look at what we've got here! You're a cute little kitten, aren't you?" The demon chuckled as he moved closer. "The name's Gilbert. Duke Gilbert to you, human! Aww, why are you trembling? Are you that scared?" Gilbert gave an obnoxious laugh. "Don't worry! There's nothing scary about me!" He started to untie the blindfold. "I'm delighted to see you!"
Feliciano finally let out his scream when the eyes of the demon Gilbert were revealed. They weren't eyes, only white lids stitched together. He bolted out of his bedroom and ran into the living room where he came face to face with the other three demons. He let out a frightened cry again as he looked at all four surrounding him. He started to whimper and cry.
"Who are you all?" He asked. "Please, go away!" 'I have to be dreaming! Wake up, Feli! Wake up!' He covered his eyes and curled into a ball on the floor. His body trembled as he whispered over and over that he was dreaming, that he had only eaten something bad and all of this wasn't really happening.
"Do we eat him?" Asked one. Feliciano squeaked.
"Dumb ass! We don't 'eat' him! We feed off him. Completely different from eating." Said another. Feliciano wished he could just poof into smoke and float away to safety.
"Let's play with him!" Said another, which sounded like the one named Ivan. "He's the mouse and I'm the kitty cat!"
"Leave the tiny human alone. Can't you see he's scared?"
"I still want to eat him!"
"You're not eating anyone!" Came a new voice to join the others.
Feliciano opened his eyes and lifted his face from his folded arms. Five demon men surrounded him, all standing side-by-side. The middle one was the blonde from the last portrait. Feliciano looked up into those hard blue eyes that stared down at him with what looked to be distain or annoyance. The large blonde had his strong arms crossed over his chest. He had the same features as the white demon Gilbert.
"You, who is our human host, arise from the floor." Feliciano didn't move. "I said arise! Now!"
Feliciano scrambled to stand up, tripping on his own two feet. He stood perfectly straight, trembling like a leaf in a storm, and looking up at the blonde with teary eyes.
"State your name, human."
Feliciano's vision went black, and he fainted.

The five demons stared down at the human on the sofa who was still out cold. They didn't know what to say or do about this human, so four pairs of eyes turned to the demon in the middle.
'Ludwig, what do we do?' Asked Gilbert.
'Let him be. This must be a tremendous amount of shock and fear for him.' Ludwig moved to sit on the arm of the sofa by the human's head. They were speaking in their demon language of Abyssal to each other in case the human could hear them.
'Can this guy be the one we're looking for?' Asked Alfred, finishing off the last hotdog.
'We can't be sure.' Answered Ludwig. 'Our warlock friend is not here yet. I'm sure he has a great many things to tell us. He can explain everything.' He looked at the others. 'Remember, this human world is strange to us. We haven't been on the surface in centuries. And you can bet we're not the only ones here right now either.'
Ivan grinned with his shark teeth. 'I'm looking forward to tearing them apart.'
'Don't get excited now.' Sadiq took a seat on the recliner. 'There is still much to explore and we haven't received any missions yet.'
'Yeah,' Started Gilbert 'And if I know our boss he'll take his sweet time figuring out what he wants us to do.'
'Gilbert, he knows what he wants to do.' Answered Ludwig. 'We are simply here to do his bidding and nothing more. You mustn't forget that our duty is to serve him. The time for humans ruling the world is coming to an end. All of the High Demon Lords are fighting for supreme control over the New Utopia. We must be triumphant, or else face the dire consequences of failure.' Ludwig saw the looks of fear cross over the faces of his fellow Dukes. 'If any of the Three Fiends and their armies gain control of the New Utopia, we will be their slaves. And after the things we've done in recent years to the others…well…you can only guess what kind of eternal tortures they'll bestow upon us.'
Ivan spoke seriously. 'But if we are to find the missing Accursed Nation then we will have full control over all of the Dark World, which in turn credits us full reign of the New Utopia.'
'But finding the missing Nation won't be a simple task.' Sadiq pointed out. 'This human is too pure in heart, mind, and body. He can't be the one we're looking for. Arthur is using him as a vessel for our safety while living here.'
'And if he is the one?' Asked Alfred. 'How will we know? This little guy is terrified of us, and we are looking for the Cowards, aren't we?'
'All humans are cowards.' Ludwig said flatly. 'We can't count that as a lead.'
Gilbert walked over to his brother and smiled at him. 'Don't forget, Ludwig, we were all once human. All of us.'
A silence fell upon the five of them as they shared a moment of nostalgia for their past human lives.
'We can't worry about that now. It's time to put the past behind us and start anew.' Said Ludwig. "Our first order is to remain here until we hear word from our warlock companion. He is strongly connected to this world and can help us navigate through it.'
'Oh look!' Alfred pointed to the sofa. 'He's waking up!'
Feliciano groaned softly, slapping a hand to his forehead. "What a terrible dream." He said out loud to no one. "I can't believe I-" He sat up from the sofa and froze at the sight of the five demon men looking at him. So it wasn't a dream. He screamed loudly and bolted from the sofa, crying as he ran in to his room. "DON'T EAT ME! JUST GO AWAY!" He called from the room. Feliciano looked down at the knob, realizing it was unlocked. He 'eeped' and turned it, hoping that it would somehow keep them out. But from the slight opening at the bottom of door he saw a shadow of two feet, then two more, and then two more. He trembled violently. 'Please hold, door! Please hold!'
The little latch unlocked itself. Feliciano screamed again, bolted, and hid in his closet. Through the silted wooden blinds he could see the door opening and the five demons walking in. He had to cover his mouth with both hands to keep from breathing too loudly. 'Go away. Go away. Go away.' He squeezed his eyes shut. All was silent. He peeked open one eye to see a large dark form standing outside the closet door. Feliciano felt the scream rising in his throat as a pair of cat-like red eyes stared through one of the blinds.
"Boo." Said the demon.
Feliciano screamed as the door was yanked open to reveal Ivan grinning down at him. Demon hands reached out to grab him and he was tossed over the large man's shoulder. Feliciano screamed, flailed, and kicked violently as he screamed to be let go. Ivan carried him out of the room and back in to the living area. Feliciano was dumped back on the sofa where the other four joined them. This time they surrounded the sofa, preventing any more means of escape. Feliciano squeaked and brought his knees up to his face, hiding in a tight ball.
"This guy is pathetic! He's shaking like a leaf!" Gilbert said with a laugh.
"He took one look at your face, that's why." Alfred counted.
"Hey!"
"Enough you two." Ludwig raised his voice. "This is no time for your bickering."
"Yes, can't you see the poor thing is scared enough?" Sadiq scolded lightly. "We're not going to hurt you. Can you tell us your name?"
Feliciano peeked out from his knees. "W-Why do you want to know? Why are you here? You're scaring me!"
"We're here on official business." Ludwig answered. "Like Sadiq said we are not going to hurt you. We are going to be living here, so you'd best get used to us."
"L-Live here? But…but…you can't! There's not enough room and…and you're…you're…you're…"
"Demons?" Alfred finished for him with a smile. "We're a good bunch, though! We may look a little scary but we're not bad guys."
Ivan giggled happily. "Maybe we should lose our demon parts for now and make ourselves look more human for him. Then he won't be so scared."
Feliciano watched the five demon's bodies twist and turn in strange ways. Their horns, tails, wings, claws, everything disappeared. Now they looked like simple human beings, save for Gilbert, who's eyes were still stitched together. He glanced at Alfred who was still dripping blood on the carpet.
"Let us properly introduce ourselves." Ludwig stood up. "I am Duke Ludwig Beilschmidt of the Amalekites Nation."
"I'm Duke Gilbert Beilschmidt of the Amalekites Nation and Ludwig's older, awesome brother!" Gilbert gave a thumbs up and a grin.
"Duke Ivan Braginski of the Geburim Nation." Ivan twiddled his now normal fingers at Feliciano. "Hiiiii!"
"The Amazing and Stupendous Hero of the Dark World, Duke Alfred F. Jones of the Anakim Nation!" Alfred gave a heroic pose. "The 'F' stands for Freedom and I am the bravest of the brave and freest of the free!"
"And I am Duke Sadiq Adnan of the Nephilim Nation." He gave a bow.
Ludwig looked at the human. "And now, you. What is your name?"
Feliciano swallowed hard before he spoke. "F-Feliciano…Vargas."
"What's your title?" Alfred asked.
"Um…Feliciano Vargas of…Pastries?" What a stupid answer.
Gilbert let out a mighty laugh. "What a loser!"
"He's not that bad!" Alfred smiled and went over to the human to pinch his cheeks. "Look at him! He's like a tiny little kitten!"
Feliciano allowed Duke Alfred to do whatever he wanted.
Ludwig chased Alfred away. "Off with you." He looked down at the trembling human. "I demand that you stop shaking!" Feliciano 'eeped'. "Stand up!" He did so. "And stop crying!"
"I…I…I…" He couldn't help but cry as Ludwig moved closer to him. The demon smelled funny. The strange smell managed to make him stop crying for a moment. He unconsciously sniffed at him. "You smell weird…like fire and smoke."
Ludwig took a step back and cleared his throat. "Ah…well…that is something specific."
Alfred let out a laugh. "That's how he died, you know! Burned to a crisp! That's part of his curse as a demon. He always smells of embers!"
"That's enough, Alfred." Ludwig growled.
"Go ahead Feli, can I call you Feli? Go ahead and touch him! He's really very hot to the touch!"
Feliciano looked at Ludwig as if asking what he should do.
"Bro, let him do it." Gilbert offered. "Maybe he'll stop being such a scared little bitch. If we're going to be living here then he'd best know about our curses."
"Curses?" Feliciano repeated. "Why are you cursed?"
"We were once human like you." Ivan answered. "But some horrible stuff happened and we were given a second chance at life. But as you can see…it's not a life like yours."
Feliciano suddenly felt a sense of sorrow for the five demons around him. When Ivan had spoken those words they all appeared chest fallen and woeful. Without any hesitation, Feliciano reached his hand up and touched Ludwig's cheek. It was as Alfred said, his skin was hot. Not enough to burn, but no real human could live with this sort of body temperature. "Why are you so hot?"
Ludwig silently stared down at him but chose not to answer. He stepped away.
"Even his dick is hot!" Alfred pointed out with a laugh. Ludwig surrounded himself in a black aura, hissing at the American demon. "It's like getting fucked by a- GAH!" Ivan suddenly had the faucet part of his pipe digging in to the skin of Alfred's neck.
"Remember what I said, Alfred. We don't talk about that in my presence." Ivan smiled sweetly and pulled harder. Alfred ducked away from the pipe, rubbing at his neck where a red spot was now forming.
Gilbert wrapped his arms around one of Ivan's. "This is why he likes me better!" Gilbert stuck his tongue out at Alfred.
"As if you haven't slept around!" Alfred countered, pulling on Ivan's other arm. "He likes me better anyway! I have eyes he can see!" Gilbert hissed at him. "And my limbs don't pop off during sex!" Alfred gave his albino competition a smug grin.
Ivan laughed happily. "Now, now, boys, there's no need to fight! Ivan loves both of you so much!" He brought the two demons into a headlock, one in each arm, squeezing the breath out of them. "We're one big happy family here, Feliciano!"
Feliciano looked confused until Sadiq dropped a hand on his shoulder. "Don't mind them. They're always like that." He smiled. "You see? We're very much…well…human."
Ludwig spoke next. "So stop your whimpering and get used to us being here."
"Um…w-why do you have to stay here?"
"Reasons." Ludwig answered flatly.
"But I have no room for so many of you."
"We'll manage." Ludwig crossed his arms.
Sadiq tapped Feliciano on the shoulder to get his attention. "You know what always brings people together? Food. Can you cook?" Feliciano nodded. "We haven't eaten in a few days. If you don't mind cooking for us, that is?"
What could he say to that?

Feliciano eventually found himself in the kitchen, still in his bathrobe, and making a full course dinner or his 'guests'. He had so many questions but was afraid to ask them. The demons had not hurt him yet, but he couldn't help still being frightened by them. It was hard to believe all of this was actually even happening. It was those paintings, which was still a mystery. A familiar mystery. He lifted the glass lid off of the pasta pot to stir the noodles. Everything he cooked with was locally grown and prepared fresh. (Sometimes he would buy premade food) The tomato sauce he was currently seasoning was canned by him. Both he and Romano would always make their own sauce, taking one night out of the week to make, cook, prepare, and jar the tomatoes for later use. Pasta was all he could really make right now to feed a group of six. For so long it's been only him so he didn't need to buy much.
Lowering the heat on the sauce, he set to chopping the lettuce for the salad. What did demons eat? No one told him what to make, they just said make 'whatever'. He could hear them talking about the apartment from the small dining area. They were pointing out things and trying to figure out what each one was. There was a lot they had to learn about this world, Feliciano figured. He heard someone enter the kitchen with him. With a gasp he spun around, using the counter for leverage before his legs gave out from under him in fear. It was only Ludwig.
"Oh, Ludwig! Sorry…you scared me." He felt slightly embarrassed for acting the way he did just now. Ludwig looked nothing like a demon right now. All his features were gone except for that smell.
"It's fine. What are you making?"
"Pasta."
"Pasta? What is that?"
"Um…it's like noodles. Noodles are made from wheat. When you cook it they turn soft and you can put sauces on them to give flavor. Some use butter, some use gravy-" He blushed again when Ludwig moved to stand next to him in front of the stove.
"What is this thing? It is burning blue fire."
"This is a stove. You cook food on it."
Ludwig looked at him with wide eyes. "It cooks for you? The fire just appears?"
Feliciano gave a lopsided smile. He never thought he'd have to explain the functioning of a stove. "No. The fire is from the gas that comes through little pipes, or tubes. You turn these knobs and they start a fire for you. You can make it very hot or keep it on very low heat. It all depends on what you're cooking."
"So no wood is needed?"
"No. No wood is needed. Some people still cook on wood stoves, but that's not what the average household has." He noticed Ludwig staring at the appliance with interest, and then his attention was focused on the sauce. Feliciano felt himself smile. "Would you like to try some of the sauce?" Ludwig just looked at him. "Here." Feliciano took out a spoon from the utensil drawer, scooped up some of the red sauce and blew on it. "It's a little hot, so be careful." He held it to Ludwig's lips.
Ludwig gave it a little sniff before tasting the red substance. He smacked his lips and rolled the 'sauce' on his tongue. What a strange food this was! He'd never tasted anything like it! "This sauce is flavorful. What's in it?"
"Mostly tomatoes with some spices. I'll be adding the meatballs to it soon for more flavor."
"I see…what's this?"
Feliciano found himself explaining every piece of electric appliance to Ludwig. The demon was amazed by the dishwasher in particular, surprised by the fact that one did not have to wash their plates in the river or in buckets of dirty water. Feliciano also had to show him how the pasta maker worked and the can opener. It was really very cute, and Feliciano found himself charmed by the sudden innocence of this strict demon. But Feliciano could still sense something sorrowful and depressing about him. They mentioned something about curses and the demons appeared to be extremely affected by it. Gripping his wooden spoon against his chest, Feliciano found the courage to ask Ludwig about his 'curse'.
"Ludwig…why do you smell like you're burning? Is it because of your curse?" Ludwig turned to look at him for a moment and said nothing. "Does it hurt you?"
"Not anymore." Ludwig finally answered. "I don't even feel it. I'm always burning from the inside. It's my curse."
Feliciano's brows furrowed sadly. "But why? Why are you cursed? Did you do something bad a long time ago?"
Ludwig wasn't sure if he should tell Feliciano the full truth right now, even though the man would find out eventually. Those amber eyes were gazing upon him with what could only be pity. He hated pity most of all. But those eyes… "No. I did nothing wrong. As stated earlier, I was burned. The Romans did it after my tribe lost to them. I was offered a second chance at life by the Dark One and blindly I accepted, for I did not want to die that day." Ludwig glanced down at the floor. "But I would not be allowed to live unless I gave up my mortal soul, which I did. Humans turned demon must carry the burden of eternal suffering with the cause of what killed them. My body is always burning as if the flames of the pyre are still surrounding me.
Gilbert, my brother, tried to save me from the Romans but they brutally murdered him. He was raped, tortured, and torn apart limb by limb. They even took his eyes. The Dark One cannot grant him true limbs, so he is forced to keep the ones he lost by stitching them together. His eyes are a different matter. The stitches eventually break and Gilbert must sew himself back together, eyelids and all."
Feliciano shuddered. "Doesn't that…hurt him?"
"It does…but like me, he's gotten used to it. You haven't seen it yet, but Ivan's back is a set of iron scales melted into his skin. He was betrayed by his secret order and left for death. Every time he moves the iron aches and pains him. And Alfred…well, his story is a bit odd. His body is full of bullet holes from a failed execution by the British during the Revolutionary War. The soldiers tried to save him by bleeding him, which eventually killed him. That is why his arms are always bleeding. It's a constant reminder of his death and suffering. Sadiq was impaled on a spike through the stomach and left for dead. He blames his death on the curse his lover sent him off with before the battle…asking for him to never return. Now he has a gaping hole in his stomach, you can look straight through it. Never mention anything about his lover, either. You will not like the outcome."
"Isn't there…a way to lift these curses?" Feliciano asked innocently.
Ludwig actually smiled at that. "No. We've all made our choices long ago and there is no turning back. The gates to the Light World are forever closed to us. We will never know peace."
"Is that like Heaven?"
"Some call it that. Although it is not what you think. It's not what any human thinks it is. I myself do not know what it is for I will never get the chance to see it."
Feliciano let the tears slide down his cheeks. "I'm sorry you and your friends have to suffer like that for all eternity…but how can being here in this world help you?"
Before Ludwig could answer there was a sudden flash of bright light from the dining area. Someone shouted, 'It's Arthur'. "Ah, that's our answer now." Ludwig said, quickly leaving the kitchen.
Feliciano turned off the heat and followed out after him, joining the others in the dining room. He gasped at the arrival of two more men who were now standing in his dining room as well. They looked extremely familiar to him. The man with blonde hair and green eyes looked at him with a smirk.
"So you followed through with what I told you to do. Well done, Feli."
"You used him to call us here?" Alfred asked the warlock.
"I did. You needed a human pure in mind, body, and spirit to keep your forms solid while in this world. It's his life force keeping you all strong."
Feliciano looked embarrassed when all eyes suddenly turned to him.
"So he is only our vessel then?" Asked Ludwig.
"Yes. As far as we know."
Gilbert spoke next. "So spill it, witchy boy! What's happening around here and what are we supposed to do?"
"Please, do tell!" Ivan said in a chipper tone. "It has been so long since I've tried out my toys on the bad guys." He opened up his black trench coat to expose all the instruments of torture he had hidden along the lining.
"Trust me, you'll get your chance." Arthur answered seriously, his features turning dark. "You five aren't the only ones who have entered this world from the dark abyss. The Three Fiends and their groupies have already broken through the barrier and are beginning to prey on humans. If our side wants full control of this world and its destruction, then we have to destroy the captains of the Three Fiends. If we don't…well then…you know what will happen."
"D-Destruction?" Feliciano repeated the one word that struck full terror in his heart. Everyone turned to look at him. "Do-do you mean that all of you will… will destroy my world and all the people in it?"
The room was silent.
End Chapter 1 TBC
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