Tale of the Inheritance of the Hero | By : PilarthelastPillar Category: +G to L > Hetalia: Axis Powers Views: 860 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0 |
Disclaimer: I'm a college student, so that means the only thing I own is the 40, 000 dollar debt that is slowly increasing. So no, I don't own Hetalia or Hetalia characters. |
Chapter One: The Journey Begins
"Other things may change us, but we start and end with family"- Anthony Brandt
000
On the edge of a small peaceful village named Ravello lived two brothers, Feliciano and Lovino Vargas. The brothers are known in Ravello for their tomatoes and if one asked about the brother's produce they would reply that it was the Vargas brothers tomatoes is what made their food fantastico. They would work as a team as Lovino would lug the tomatoes into town and sell them while Feliciano would harvest the tomatoes himself as well as complete home chores.
Their beloved grandfather had peacefully passed away two years ago leaving his grandchildren the house and land. Unfortunately, Feliciano and Lovino did not inherit their grandfather's natural strength or passion for adventure. Since then, the two brothers had been working together to support each other until they achieved their dreams. Feliciano who dreamed of becoming a wandering artist and Lovino dreamed of becoming a husband and father.
Yet little did they know, their grandfather's true inheritance does not reside in an old walking stick he left behind, or his journal, or his old sword and clothes. The true inheritance is in fate which will arrive on their door step in the early hours of this particular morning.
Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you the tale of the Inheritance of the Hero.
000
The sun had barely managed to peek above the forest tree line when there was a knock sounded on a faded red mahogany wooden door at sixty six forest hill cottage. There were two clues of the man that showed he wasn't from Ravello who was currently standing outside the small log cottage. The first clue could be seen from the apparel of his clothes from his fanciful feathered hat to his shiny leather boots with a gold buckle neatly tucked in. The second clue was that the fact that this man had knocked on the door to the infamous Vargas brothers, whom one does not like to be woken at such an early hour.
The man knocked again and then heard a loud angry crash that startled him.
"What the FUCK? WHO THE HELL IS IT!" The door opened to an angry Lovino who wore a dirty white shirt was slumped down to his bare knees. With disheveled hair and sleep in his eyes Lovino took in the sight of the man before him as he yelled, "WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT AT THIS HOUR?"
Regaining his composure the man cleared his throat and brought out a small parchment from the inside pocket of his golden trimmed jacket.
"Lovino Vargas I take it?"
"I'm not him at this hour you cock sucker," Lovino snapped back. The man shrugged and took it as a confirmation of Lovino's identity.
"I am here as the representative of King Titan for the new tax he has just passed," The man stopped and looked at the sleepy Italian waiting for a response. When Lovino stayed silent he continued. "I'm here on behalf of collecting the tax of chickens."
"Chickens?"
"Yes chickens."
"You mean cute, little fucker rollie polli cock sucker chickens?"
"Uh, yes," The tax collector said uncertain who was clearly put off by the chosen words of the angry Italian.
Lovino stared at the tax collector with a straight face and turned right to look at the grown field. An acre full of bright red tomatoes could be seen along with a small flower garden that the brothers taken to as a small hobby. Lovino then looked to his left of his home where a small shed that was a poor excuse for a barn is where their old donkey and other gardening tools were stored. With an irritated sigh, Lovino finally turned his attention back at the tax collector.
"Well, it seems we might have a problem here,” Lovino started calmly before he screamed, "Because we are a tomato farm! You ass wipe!"
Lovino slammed the door at a very shocked man. Hoping to catch at least an hour more of sleep he dragged his feet to his bedroom.
"Ve…. Brother, who was that?" a small tired voice asked timidly. The voice belonged to the younger twin brother who's curl on the tip of his head bobbed strangely against gravity. Lovino scratched his darker auburn hair before he answered.
"Some stupid tax collector bastard who wanted chickens! Can you believe that? Freaking chickens!"
"Eh? How are we going to pay him? Where are we going to find a chicken?" Feliciano inquired nervously.
"We're not going to pay him you idiot!" Lovino scolded Feliciano as he stomped into his bedroom. He sighed as he realized that there was no way he can go back to sleep now that he was all worked up. He started to put on his day clothes as Feliciano stood near the doorway, still nervous.
"You shouldn't have slammed the door on a tax collector. Ve...They could come back and…"
"And what? We have nothing else to give them. The idiot king took everything that everyone has!" Lovino yelled.
Feliciano didn't push the subject. Instead he announced breakfast would be ready in half an hours' time and went to work.
000
The day started off without a hitch. After breakfast, Lovino loaded the tomatoes and products onto the cart and swiftly climbed on. Giving a pat to their faithful old mule he turned to Feliciano who stood there looking up at him.
"Don't do anything stupid," Lovino advised as he picked up the reins.
"Ve, and you should remember to keep your anger in check. We don't want you scarring away the customers again," Feliciano advised back as a small frown appeared on his face.
"Tch, whatever, I should be back before sunset," And then without a farewell, Lovino pulled on the reins and took off.
Feliciano watched his brother slowly fade out of view. He resisted the urge to paint as he reminded himself of the work that had to be done around the farm. A seagull flew overhead as Feliciano watched wistfully. Shaking his head Feliciano went towards the field and began his daily chores.
000
It was past noon by the time Lovino called it quits. He had to admit, he sold a bit more than he expected. With an uncharacteristic smile he went into the town pub and sat down with a sigh.
"Hey! Lovino! When is your brother going to come back again? He's got a talent with making some good tunes with that violin of his." Lovino got a large slap on the back by a man with light green eyes and deep red hair.
"Shut up Stephan." Lovino grumbled and made a gesture to order a drink. It was bad enough that he was waken up at the crack of dawn but to have a reminder of how so many people like his brother more than him had already sucked out his good mood.
"Ah, lighten up, lighten up," Stephan sat down next to him. "I take it you got a visitor this morning?" Lovino raised an eyebrow at him and Stephan continued.
"Yeah, those bastards came to my house too. Asking for chickens! And the only family that raises and sells chickens is the Delaura family. What a punch of pricks."
Lovino chuckled gently as he took his drink. He would have agreed in that moment and told Stephan how he was so mad this morning he almost threw a tomato at the tax collector when a bang went through the pub. The pub instantly was quiet and Lovino looked to the source of the noise which was a smoking pistol. A group of men all dressed exactly as the man that was at Lovino's front step was gathered in the front of the pub. Dread grew in Lovino as he saw ten tax collectors stood at attention behind the notorious blond hair man known as Vash Zwingli. Spinning the gun skillfully in his hand, he deposited the pistol in his holder. He stood rigid and proud as he tugged on his black leather gloves before he cleared his throat.
"It has come to my attention that there has been resistance in this town concerning… taxes?" A sickening clicking was heard and it took Lovino only a second to realize that they had locked the front and only door.
000
Feliciano started to worry when he didn't hear the old cart come up the dusty path to their home when the sun started to fall behind the forest. He tried to bury the worry by telling himself that Lovino probably was talking to his friends and didn't realize he was late. But when the sun had been replaced by the new moon, Feliciano started to worry. He was about to leave the cottage to look for his older brother when he heard a frantic knock on the door.
Feliciano rushed to the door and jerked it open only to find Stephan who looked like he had just gotten out of a fight. Before Feliciano could interrogate, Stephan begged, "Please, let me in."
Feliciano stepped to the side and Stephan walked in silently and quickly. Stephan took a seat at their small kitchen table as Feliciano went into their emergency stash and retrieved an old bottle of brandy. Feliciano quickly poured Stephan a small glass of whisky and set it before him.
"What happened to my brother Stephan?" Feliciano asked, knowing it was trouble. Stephan looked at him directly and Feliciano could see the damage that had been done. Stephan's right eye was already swelling shut and there seemed to be a few scraps across his jaw. His shirt was covered in blood and footprints. Stephan took a big gulp of whisky.
"The damn tax collectors," he hissed. "They just came out of nowhere," he took another gulp. Feliciano's eyes widened and he could feel a knot in his stomach.
"You're not making any sense Stephan. Where is my brother?" Feliciano asked again as his voice cracked.
"The tax collectors came to the old pub and they told us that if we didn't wise up and pay them that hell was to pay. And then your brother..." Stephan trailed off. Feliciano felt his stomach clenched in fear as he thought oh you foolish brother!
"I don't know what got into Lovino, but he started to mouth off to the one and only, Vash Zwingli."
"You mean the most powerful gunslinger in the kingdom?" Feliciano gasped as tears started to gather in his eyes.
"Yeah, and for some reason your thick headed brother decided to voice his opinion for the first time in his life."
Stephan took a moment to look at his empty glass of whisky and then said huskily, "you would have been proud. He just went off on a rant. Told the tax collectors that King Titan's taxes were unjustified. He told them that we are the legs of this kingdom and that without us, the Kingdom would fall. Demanded that Zwingli would tell us what all of these new taxes were for. And then you know how your brother then likes to end his rants with his colorful insults."
"My god!" Feliciano moaned as he slapped his forehead.
"Well, you can take it that Zwingli didn't take a liking to any of that and order Lovino to be arrested. We tried to stop them from taking Lovino but..." Stephan choked and rubbed his forehand tiredly with a bloody hand.
"They took him. He's probably off to the main capital of the Kingdom and knowing their reputation... he's on his way to his execution."
The silence that followed was heavy. It took a minute for Feliciano to process the information.
"You... you can't be serious Stephan! For something so small as to speak out... that's not enough to get arrested." Feliciano reasoned.
"It's enough to get arrested!" Stephan snapped. "To speak out and criticize the King's orders, his laws! I'm surprised he wasn't killed on the spot right then and there," Tears threatened to shed Feliciano's face which made Stephan take a breath to calm himself, "Listen, you and your brother have been living in this little bubble all your life. You and your brother don't know the struggles, the life outside of this village."
Stephan stood up and walked over to Feliciano. "The best thing you can do for your brother is to try to appeal and... pray."
Stephan clapped a hand on Feliciano's shaking shoulder. "I'm sorry I couldn't save your brother. I hope for the best, my neighbor." Stephan's hand slipped away and he walked towards the door. He opened it and before he stepped outside turned around.
"I'm heading home to my wife now. I'm sure she's worried about my sorry self. We'll get through this," Stephan said in a strong voice. "I will return tomorrow morning to check on you," Stephan closed the door. Feliciano said nothing as he still was facing his back toward the door.
Small sobs sputtered from Feliciano's pouted lips, and then he started to cry. Fear of being alone. Fear of losing his only brother to a bloody death with no hope of saving him. He cried for what felt like hours. Then suddenly, without thinking, Feliciano swiped at the empty glass and it hit the wall with a loud crash. He screamed as he flipped a small table that contained a stack of papers and bills. The papers fell to the ground like leaves on an autumn day. Already exhausted, Feliciano, still crying, crumbled to his knees as the paper fell around him.
An old photograph flitted to the floor and Feliciano for once stopped crying. He slowly bent down to pick up the delicate photo. The black and white photo of his grandfather along with him and his brother stared back up at him. An overwhelming grief passed through him as he longed for his Grandfather to still be alive. His laughter and cunning mind would surely be able to help Lovino in the matter of hours. He rubbed his thumb lightly on the photo before turning it over and read neat cursive letters that read:
My beloved familia
Familia Feliciano thought and suddenly a thought clicked in his head. Feliciano wiped the remaining tears off his face and a grim yet determine expression was born on his face. He put the photo in his pocket and quickly went to his room. He grabbed an old leather pack and started to throw random bits of clothes, a map, a bag of money (his three year savings) and a pad of parchment with his drawing stencils all in . Lovino is family, my brother. Feliciano thought as he ran into the kitchen and grabbed the remaining loafs of bread and clean water. Lovi is all I have left. I need to go help him. Feliciano continued to think. Grabbing a green woolen cloak, Feliciano put it on swiftly and clasped the hook around his throat. I've always been selfish and weak, but that needs to change. He shrugged on the leather pack and started to leave when suddenly he stopped when something caught his eye.
Leaning in the corner of the room almost forgotten was Grandfather's old staff. It was rumored and told by own Grandfather how powerful it was. Supposedly an old wizard gave it to his Grandfather for protection after some good deeds his Grandfather had done. Feliciano grabbed the staff and held it carefully. But he had never seen his Grandfather do anything with it except use it as a walking stick.
Feliciano walked to the door with the staffed gripped tightly in his hand. The forest he and his brother lived near was dark and foreboding compared to his cheery cottage that looked absolutely safe. Without blowing out any of the candles Feliciano closed the door and took his first step of his adventure as he dissolved into the darkness. Look after me Grandfather because I'm going to need it to save Lovino.
OOO
Author's note: I did some researching on the internet and found something interesting. Segals are a symbol of freedom.
I have decided to post this story up on AdultFanFiction because no one has given me any reviews what so ever about my story on Fanfiction.net. I would like to hear people's opinions, criticisms, critiques or anything about this story.
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