Into the Woods [Indonesia]

[Japan]

It was still that terrible night. Kiku began to hate that slivered moon, which hung so stubbornly in the sky, began to wonder if that cursed night would ever end. At least they were outside. Kiku closed his eyes and breathed in the heavy night air deeply, grateful for the opportunity. (One he'd all but given up on in that library.) Once he had escaped from his confinement, Kiku wanted nothing more than to be outside. The manor felt too much like a prison, the air felt so stale and seemed to fill his lungs like cement, pumping nothing but poison to his body and blotting out all rational thought. No matter what awaited him outside, the air was fresh and his mind could finally clear. He had walked outside without a second thought, not expecting anyone else to follow. It seemed absurd to willingly venture out into the open at night with so much unknown and so he was not about to ask anyone to join him. But much to his surprise, someone did.

Kiku and Nesia had wandered most of the grounds in silence and hoping to find some clues as to what was happening, or, better still, some method of escape. This search is what had lead them to the Slave's Quarter; a hodgepodge village of brick shacks, all in various states of disrepair, some stood as sturdy as though simply waiting for new occupants, others were little more than piles of mud and chunks of wall. They paused as one, Kiku resting a protective hand on her shoulder as he scanned the buildings, his free hand resting on the hilt of his katana. If anything was going to attack, this would be the ideal situation. With just the two of them, there was no way they could cover each possible hiding place. He squeezed Nesia's shoulder reassuringly before taking a few steps forward, towards the nearest hut.

Kiku did not like this place. There was a pain that lingered here, that permeated the aging brick, the beaten dirt path, the very air that hung over this long neglected collection of shacks. His slim fingers drifted over the worn building, dark eyes drifting, lost in thought. He wanted to leave this place, wanted to turn back from the feeling that twisted uncomfortably in his chest. But he couldn't, not until he investigated that path. Even after nearly a century and a half, nature had failed to reclaim the path that snaked through the quarters and beyond, a path forged by hundreds of feet, living lives that did not belong to them. Kiku’s mind latched on to that path, instantly grasping its significance. After searching for hours, they may have found their escape; this path might be his--their ticket out of this nightmare.

He turned back to his companion, not liking the thought of having her out of his sight for long. After so long in the dark, with no one but that awful presence for company, he wasn't about to subject his precious partner to that same painful solitude, or worse. His eyes glanced back to the path, chest constricting in a strange mixture of fear and hope. He remembered seeing a path similar to this one as they had driven up to the manor; it had bisected the road and disappeared into the swampy marshes. They had been unable to locate the main road; Kiku's mind still ached at the paradox of it, couldn't understand how something as concrete as a paved road could just disappear, especially when this tiny dirt walkway could still be found.. Kiku's lips thinned as he considered the possibilities. There were many reasons whatever forces that be would leave the path, but Kiku could think of nothing good.

"What do you think, Nesia-san?" He asked softly, gesturing to to path as it disappeared into the trees. "There's no way of telling where it leads, or what we might encounter there... You should go back to the manor and find the others. I will scout ahead. Hopefully this is the same path that meets with the main road." He managed a gentle smile, carefully tucking away his thoughts so as not to scare the girl beside him. "We may escape from this yet."

[Indonesia]

When Nesia met the fellow Asian nation inside the manor, she was a bit taken aback seeing how calm Kiku was. She was unsure of how long he had been here. His costume looked fine save for some dust that landed on him from the library. Unlike hers that bore proofs of her misadventures in the manor. The edge of her pants was tattered and some parts of her costume had stained quite badly, leaving a faint wide mark on the white cotton. Kiku's calmness also lacked the trace of terror, of horror, and of despair. Indonesia knew those signs, despite being hidden, because the eyes never lied.

For her, he looked no different than a tourist whose tour slightly went wrong all of a sudden. And she, like any other guests she had met before, already knew what kind of horror lurking within these walls. How much did he know about the manor and its powers, Indonesia had no slightest clue. She simply agreed when he asked her to accompany him looking for a way out, no questions asked.

Looking for a way out.

To be honest, the tropical nation couldn't recall when was the last time she really looking for a way out. Most of her time in the manor was spent to stay survive. Indonesia never stepped outside the building either. She did, but it didn't count since she was just resurrected from her grave. Until Japan showed any knowledge about it or something that endanger their lives happened, she chose to stay silent and follow him quietly. Who knew, maybe they would find a real way out.

Yet her heart knew such thing was nigh impossible. Or perhaps she had long surrendered that possibility.

The moon was bright outside, illuminating the deserted world around them with a silvery light. There was no wind. The smell of decay reeked the air. These small brick shacks could be a hiding place for a monster. He gestured her to stay close behind him. Maybe he did know something...? Nevertheless, Indonesia clenched her weapon tightly, although she knew it would be useless if she had to fight against something with claw and teeth.

After a few seconds that felt stretched into minutes, he signaled that it was safe to proceed, so they walked again. Eventually they found an old muddy path, leading into the darkness ahead.

"What do you think, Nesia-san?"

She had been used to silence throughout their walk, so for a while she only blinked and stared at the path. "I'm not sure," was the only respond she could muster.

"There's no way of telling where it leads, or what we might encounter there... You should go back to the manor and find the others. I will scout ahead. Hopefully this is the same path that meets with the main road."

"No." Her voice was firm and clear. Indonesia pushed back her hood and looked directly at him.

"We may escape from this yet," he added.

"No," she repeated, her expression turned more serious. "If I turned my back, chances are you're going to get lost somewhere and maybe I will never be able to find you. I can't simply go back." She took a deep breath and scanned their surroundings. Seems like they were the only ones alive there. "I will get lost in the manor. That place changes its rooms often. I think it is better to stay together once you find someone."

Indonesia poked the dried mud on the ground with her short spear, muttering, "I've lost too many friends that way."

[Japan]

Surprised, Kiku turned back to the girl, watching her avoid his gaze in favor of a patch of caked mud. He had been a fool to keep his thoughts and concerns from her. It was clear she had been through quite a lot before their reunion. Her tattered costume, the exhaustion in her eyes, the worry in her voice—all the evidence pointed to a long and drawn out struggle to survive. Kiku sighed and took a step closer, his own memories of being lost and trapped in that hellish library surging to the forefront once more. He understood her sentiment of not wanting to be alone after such a thing.

“Nesia-san… I did not intend to push you away,” Kiku said softly. “You have clearly been through a lot in this place and I did not mean to insinuate that you cannot handle yourself.“ Indeed, with his memories still hazy and his logical world turned on its head, she was probably far more equipped to handle herself in this place than he was. He looked around, contemplating his options as he did. On one hand, it would be foolish not to explore the path before them. While it might be a trap, it also might be their only way out. And, as they had both experienced, whatever controlled this place was perfectly capable of moving objects around, meaning they may never find this place again. But on the other hand… walking into those woods would almost certainly mean danger, fighting, perhaps even death. Kiku was willing to risk his chances if it meant finding freedom, but he was not willing to drag the other nation down with him, not without telling her the truth. He rested a free hand on her shoulder, anchoring her in place as his eyes met hers.

“I must be honest with you, Nesia-san,” he said, voice deceptively calm. “The library left me… impaired. My mind has not recovered and I still do not have all of my memories. In this state, I am not sure I can protect you from whatever we might encounter in those woods,” he said, gesturing towards the path with his free hand. “Escape may be impossible—you would know more about this place than I do, but I cannot find it in myself not to try. I am going to follow this path, though I suspect this is just another ploy by whatever forces control this place. If you are set to follow me, just know, if it is a trap, I will do everything in my power to keep you safe, but I cannot guarantee that either of us will make it back alive.” His piece said, Kiku let his hand drop from her shoulder. There. Whatever choice Nesia made, at least Kiku could feel better, knowing that she had done so with all of the information at hand. The last thing he wanted was for her to go in, believing he was the same nation he had been when they arrived at the manor. Such thinking would only lead to tragedy….

[Indonesia]

“Nesia-san… I did not intend to push you away. You have clearly been through a lot in this place and I did not mean to insinuate that you cannot handle yourself.“

This place had eroded her optimism since she experienced her first demise. Perhaps in another time and place Kiku's words would have been welcomed, or even sought. It bore no comfort for her right now. Nesia closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She couldn't blame him. He merely played his part as a big brother. He was good at it usually. Nesia trusted his judgment, his opinion and views regarding matters in their life. Yet the laws that governed their world seemed to have withdrawn from the manor. Here in this derelict place, a one sure way to survive is to pay attention at how things work. Past experiences happened outside the manor meant nothing here; unless they were proven useful to defend yourself.

She glanced at the older nation, watching him observing the place around them. Nesia did not doubt his skills, but if he lacked adequate knowledge... he might drag them both into yet another misery. The Manor had changed her for sure, but she could still recognize herself. If the same change was done to him, what would happen? What kind of a person they would change him into? The female nation shivered. She had seen a different him decades ago. The thought of finding out what she would have to do if she face that person again sent chills down her spine. That was why she flinched when his hand touched her shoulder and stopped her train of thoughts.

“I must be honest with you, Nesia-san. The library left me… impaired. My mind has not recovered and I still do not have all of my memories. In this state, I am not sure I can protect you from whatever we might encounter in those woods.”

What happened to him at the library?

Nesia blinked once. Twice. Thrice - then she swallowed the question before it launched itself off her tongue. "I understand. It's... it's what happened to all of us here. At first it will feel strange, but... but you will get used to it." Since he was being honest to her, then Nesia could do the same for him too. Being used to have your mind impaired was not a nice thing to say, but it was the truth. "I can fight. I can protect myself. I am not completely helpless." She managed to smile, trying to reassure him, but she felt he would know that she was lying to herself too.

"Two heads are better than one, isn't it?" she responded to him. "For all I know, you are here right now. So I will follow you, uda." Nesia took a step forward. "The chance might be slim, but it exists. Until we try, we will never know how big or small the chance is."

Hopefully Kiku did not realize that she was, again, lying to them both.

[[ uda: big brother, Minangkabau language ]]

[Japan]

He caught the fear in her eyes… and it confused him. At first he mistook the worried look to be due to the fear of the manor—it certainly seemed like the most rational explanation. After all, he had done his best to keep her safe, to be a good big brother to her. And so, it was with a painful shock to realize that the fear was because of him. He actually took a step back, feeling a bit disconcerted. It had been a long time since he had done anything to bring fear to the smaller nation, but the memories were still there. He frowned a bit, the shame of his past actions surging once more. She had a reason to fear him back then—he had been so caught up with his war, with his glory, with his victory, that he stopped caring about those around him. He had done terrible things, things that he still was trying to atone for to this day. He still felt regret even now, but he’d thought they had begun to move away from that difficult time. So to see Nesia fear him once more… it was painful. But more so, it was frightening reminder of the monster he had once been.

But in a way, Kiku couldn’t blame her, this mansion seemed to bring out the worst in people. And Kiku was no exception to the rule. He had felt the darkness clawing at him, drawing out the old dreams of power—of bloodlust. So far it had been easy to ignore, drowned in the fear and worry that filled him over his friends’ wellbeing. But more and more, Kiku could feel it, burning ever more insistent in his subconscious.

He blinked Nesia was talking now. Kiku blinked and turned his attention to her. She was trying to make him feel better, to convince him that he didn’t have to worry about her. And perhaps she was right…. She had clearly survived plenty on her own. He didn’t believe her words for a second, not in a place like here. From what he had gleaned, a great deal had occurred in this manor and he had only scratched the surface.

“Very well, Nesia-san…I would… appreciate the second set of eyes. Thank you…” He rested a hand on her shoulder, tentatively due to her hesitance. The last thing he wanted to do was “We should get going then.” He felt his chest tighten at the thought. He looked back to the path, beckoning ominously in the moonlit night. His hand tightened on his katana, pulling out the blade from its sheath. “Please stay behind me and if anything goes wrong… anything at all, try to make your way back to the manor. Don’t worry about me, just get to safety.” No matter what happened to him, he wanted Nesia to stay safe. He smiled faintly at her, hoping to put her at ease, before starting towards the woods. It was now or never.
[/font]

[Indonesia]

“Very well, Nesia-san…I would… appreciate the second set of eyes. Thank you…”

Nesia didn't say her you're welcome aloud; a mere nod was enough to convey her thoughts. Again he placed his hand on her shoulder, but this time it was not as unexpected and as sudden as before. A brotherly pat like that would feel reassuring and calming, yet the female nation felt nothing but a touch. Perhaps it was because she knew they both realized that they were unsafe here. There was no safe place within the Manor, not even in their sleep. Every inch of space was another wicked playground for the monsters.

Kiku pulled out his blade, a sight that made her slightly relieved. His weapon was far better than hers, and his reach was longer. Though... a sword needed a larger space to be used properly. The forest, with its closely grown trees, could be too narrow for sword users. Nesia scolded herself. She should not underestimate Kiku's ability and experience. And trees were should be the least of her worries.

“Please stay behind me and if anything goes wrong… anything at all, try to make your way back to the manor. Don’t worry about me, just get to safety.”

She parted her lips a little, but refrained herself from voicing her thoughts. Strange that after all those years they had lived and all those people they outlived the nations still thought that it was safer being inside than being outside. Danger exists inside a house, danger sometimes comes through the door uninvited. And inside the manor had proven to be as dangerous as its outside, as shown in the locations where Nesia experienced her deaths. Even being with someone else did not turn out well either; it was either they died with her, they suffer together or they brought death to her.

Nevertheless, despite all her doubts, Nesia followed him into the woods closely. She watched their back, looking for any signs of movement aside of rustling leaves, but so far it looked good. The deeper they went, Nesia's eyes adjusted better to the lack of moonlight. Of course, poor lighting also meant poor sight as well.

"Oops!" Nesia tripped on a stone - or perhaps a root, it's hard to tell - and bumped into the older nation. "I'm sorry!" She regained her balance quickly, then listened to the sounds around them thinking that the noise she made might have disturbed some forest dwellers. Strangely, she heard nothing; not even a faintest rustle of leaves.

"Uda? Do you hear anything?" Nesia whispered her question. He was close enough thankfully, and she did not want something that lurked in the forest eavesdropping on their conversation. "Or is there really no sounds except the ones we make?"

While she waited his answer, Nesia's thoughts returned to the three types of her former companions in the Manor. If they suddenly got attacked... which type Kiku would turn into? A tiny spark of optimism in the corner of her mind muttered that they might survive it unscathed. The chance is slim, yet it exists.

[Japan]

The forest set Kiku’s teeth on edge. Almost from the moment they'd entered the woods, he felt the anxiety built in his chest. There were just too many places to hide, too many places that he couldn’t account for. Part of him wished he would have tried harder to convince Nesia to stay behind—not that the manor was any sanctuary. He knew all this and as much as he didn’t like it, Nesia was safer with company and so was he. And right now… well… neither could afford to be picky over company.

And so they ventured further in silence, the only sound was the soft footfalls on fallen leaves. But then he heard Nesia stumble and collide into his back. He turned around and braced a hand to her shoulder as she regained her balance. He caught her looking around, looking worried. At her questions, he stilled, his hand tightening on her shoulder. Nesia was right; when was the last time he heard anything other than their footsteps, the rhythmic pounding of his heart, their voices fearful and soft in the night?

“There’s nothing… nothing outside of us.” He murmured, eyes narrowed, pupils blown out in the darkness. “I can’t hear anything. It’s far too silent… even for the woods…” He swallowed and released her in favor of his katana. He frowned, eying the trees worriedly. There was so little room to maneuver… if they were ambushed. What would he do? Would he truly be able to protect himself? Would he be able to protect Nesia? He straightened and bared his sword like teeth. Something about this forest, about this night made Kiku’s blood boil. The darkness in his mind seemed more powerful here, seemed to feed on damp night air. Unlike the fearful oppressive air of the library, the atmosphere out sent sharp spikes of adrenaline pumping through his body. He bit back a smile, not wanting to put Nesia further on edge. But how long would he be able to hide it. For the first time, he actually hoped there would be an enemy, at least then he would have something to attack, something to focus that heat, that need for conflict on.

“There’s no point in standing still,” he said softly. “We are an easy target the longer we remain here….” He tried another smile, glancing over his shoulder to her. “We should get out while we can, find a road we can use to help save the others.” The real reason was far less noble and he knew it (and perhaps Nesia knew it too… after all, she knew him better than most.) But he had to escape this place before it sank its claws into him; there was no guarantee what it would pull out. And Kiku would rather not find out first hand. Without another word, he began walking forward once more, his familiar blade pointed into the darkness like a ward against the unknown. And he could only hope it held.