Changed the Character selection again, I figured Canada and America would be the best bet for right now, since Hungary and Spain . . . well, I need to work on them a bit.

You know, if you know your fairy tales, you'll be able to recognize several of the curses and antidotes . . . shall we play a game? It's simple, you guess which Fairy Tale (or tales, I'm taking only parts of some), and I'll tell you if you're right or wrong . . . but I should warn you, I'm also using stories from other places besides Grimm and Disney.

Now, back to:

Where Night is Blind

The four nations who decided to go to the woods left out the back door in the kitchens as soon as they received supplies, the scarred wolf, Adolfo joining them at Tala's insistence.

According to the map, the closest place was the cottage, and the farthest place was the tower, which was probably the Witch's tower that Tala had mentioned.

They decided to start with the Cottage and Tree house, if they had enough time, they might be able to reach the church as well.

Adolfo stayed close to Canada and Japan, acting more like a well trained dog than a wolf, and always kept them on his blindside.

"According to the journal entry, the Woodcarver should have two others with him." Canada started, gaining a curious glance from the others. "If the Witch was bothering him, why didn't he leave them with the Baron? Wouldn't that have been safer than taking them with him?"

"Given that all we know about the Baron was that he let us stay and is rarely seen by even his maid, he might not be the type to watch out for others." France pointed out. "Besides, it also sounded like the Woodcarver and the Baron had a falling out of some kind."

"Or, perhaps the Mansion isn't as safe as it appears." Japan offered, before looking at Switzerland. "What do you think, Switzerrand-san?"

"I think there's something following us." Switzerland shifted the gun in his hands. The wolf growled, suddenly and pressed against Canada's leg, almost knocking the Canadian over.

It wasn't a very dark part of the woods, they could still see the sunlight through the branches of the trees, but there was suddenly a vey ominous feeling of 'something out there'.

But just as soon as it came, it was gone, the wolf stopped growling and moved to stand a little farther away from Canada.

"Let's keep moving." Switzerland continued moving forward. The rest of the trip to the Cottage was in silence.

The cottage was small, two windows and one door, and was only one story high with a wooden roof. It would have been idealistic, except one window had been broken and boarded up, and the front door hung awkwardly on it's hinges. France moved to the unbroken window while Japan tried knocking on the door.

"Maybe they're out?"

"I don't think so, Japan, you better open the door." France suggested, stepping back from the window.

"Yosh." Japan opened the door, which protested loudly, and the group entered, leaving Adolfo outside.

Inside, there were three beds pushed to the far left wall, some shelves, and a table with three chairs. The table was broken and turned on its side, and the mattresses on the beds were half off, or on the case of the far bed, on the ground entirely.

Whoever had been there, had left in a hurry.

"Maple." Canada growled, and Japan quietly wondered how he could make such an innocent word sound so dark.

"Look for any journal entries, and then we better head to the tree house." Switzerland checked his gun.

France glanced between Canada, who was checking the broken table, and Switzerland who kept glancing out the door.

It had been quite a shock when Canada, who was normally so quiet and passive, had showed up to a world meeting demanding to know where America had disappeared too. When England had confused him with America, (again), Canada had let the entire room full of nations have it, listing the differences between himself and his brother, and reminding them just how important he had been in the World Wars, and probably would have gone on longer if Switzerland hadn't shown up, demanding to know where Lichtenstein was.

As time had gone on, and they realized that it wasn't just two nations, but a group, France had watched Canada turn rather icy to everyone, even Cuba, and begin bringing a hockey stick to most meetings, and leaving his polar bear to guard America's house. It was an odd thought, but Canada was really worried for America (and to tell the truth, France was as well, when a person as strong as America went missing, it was worrying for the rest of them) to the point of being even more dangerous.

As for Switzerland, his temper had become shorter, and he had begun checking and double checking security. The normally Neutral nation had been almost ready to go to war.

"Here let me help you." France joined Canada in studying the table and chairs, pushing his thoughts on the two aside.

Japan studied the mattresses, and found one that had part of a side seam redone. Gently, he was able to use a small carving knife that had been left on the floor to open it. There was a journal entry, along with a carved wooden medallion with an owl and hourglass on one side and a trident on the other. He turned his attention to the journal entry.

I guess we've settled down for now- everyone else that weren't enchanted by Him has slipped away, and I couldn't stop them. Even now, I wonder how much longer I will last before I lose myself completely . . .

I'm a horrible person, I could have stopped all this, but I just . . . I wanted there to be another way, now the only way out is to hope that someone, anyone, cares enough to come after us.

The children don't understand what I'm doing, they don't know why I keep carving and tearing pages out of the journal to hide, if I could hide the journal intact, I would. But I know Him, He wouldn't let the Journal exist if I didn't make it difficult to get to . . . the Bastard has a twisted sense of humor.

With this entry, there should be a medallion. The clues on it will lead you to three different options . . . there are two other medallions that have been hidden, and they also have clues to those same three options. You'll want all three together before you choose an option.

One last warning- Watch out for the Ravens, they're tricksters and on His side.

"What does it say?"

"He gives a few vague crues, he arso warns about Ravens."

"Ravens . . . I haven't seen any."

"With the exception of that bird earlier, we haven't seen many animals." Canada noted, before trying to continue. He was cut off by a howl from Adolfo which was suddenly cut off. Switzerland was out the door and firing twice before Japan got to his feet and Canada got to the door. The sudden silence that followed was surprisingly deafening.

"What was it?" France asked, finally breaking the silence as he left the cottage.

"I don't know." Switzerland was kneeling by the wolf. Adolfo looked up, before shakily getting to his paws. "Whatever it was stunned the wolf, and was pretty fast . . . I'm not sure I got it."

"Good boy." Canada muttered as he rubbed the wolf's ears. The wolf straightened, as if preening under the attention. "Let's get to the Tree House, hopefully whatever that was won't try again."

"Alright." The journey to the Tree house was surprisingly short, and Switzerland watched as the wolf once again took a guard position.

"I'm impressed." It was quite literally a tree house. It was a large oak tree, and the house was built up in the branches. It was small, not that much smaller than the cottage though it did appear to have two stories. More importantly, there were clothes hanging on a line.

"I guess there's no way to knock . . . Hello?!" Canada called out. "Is anyone in there?" There was no response.

"Well, let's go up anyway." France suggested. "I think I see the door." It took a few moments of rather poor coordination and cooperation to get up onto the first low hanging branch, but after that it was fairly easy. It was also fairly easy to enter the treehouse, though someone had apparently tried to push a rather heavy end table over the trapdoor. It had a similar set up to the cottage, but the trunk of the tree had been carved to act as stairs to the second level, as well as was covered by different types of animals. There was a bowl of half eaten soup on the table.

"Looks like someone's home after all-" Switzerland cut himself off as he spotted someone in the corner by the beds.

A very familiar someone, in a tattered pink gown with a leather apron over it, with a small bird on her shoulder and holding a baton in defense.

"Go away, whoever you are, or my big brother will make your lives misery when he gets back!" The girl tightened her grip, and did her best to appear menacing.

"Lichtenstein!" France wasn't the only one to speak her name, Canada and Japan also said it in shock. Switzerland couldn't say anything past the lump in his throat as he moved towards her, studying every feature on a face he thought he wouldn't get to see again, her hair ribbon was missing, he noted, before realizing something that made him want to choke.

Liechtenstein wasn't looking at them. Switzerland froze halfway to her. She was looking through them, as if she . . . as if she couldn't . . .

"Can you see us?" Canada noticed it as well.

"I can't see anything." Prussia's bird suddenly left her shoulder, giving happy little 'piyo's as it circled France and Canada. "Adler knows you?"

"Oui, we are friends of you and your brother, the Woodcarver." France held Prussia's bird gently, patting the very happy chick.

"You know where they are?"

"Wait, 'They' aren't here?" Canada questioned.

"My older bruder and my younger bruder . . . they've gone missing." Liechtenstein slightly lowered the baton.

"Oh, I see . . ." Japan glanced at the others. That was worrying, even more so than finding the cottage abandoned.

"We'll find them, we just need to get you back to the mansion before dark." Switzerland moved forward again, and Liechtenstein raised her baton again.

"No."

"Liechtenstein-"

"That's not my name, my name is Lucille, if you really knew my brother, you would know that." Switzerland felt a lump start to form in his throat.

Liechtenstein was defending herself and paying attention to a threat, just like he had once wanted her too. Except now he would give anything for her to be the way she normally was.

"How can we prove we're trustworthy, mademoiselle?" France asked.

"My older brother taught me some riddles . . . if you know him, you should know the answers, If you can answer three of my riddles, I'll go with you, if not, you'll leave me here."

"As you wish, what's the first riddle?"

" . . . I am the red sun, which land do I come from?"

"Red- ah! Japan, where the sun rises." Japan smiled. It was a simple riddle, actually, if they were all like this, they could get Liechtenstein to the mansion soon.

"Correct. Second, I was once called King, but now I am called a Knave, who am I?"

"Once called a King, now a Knave . . . that doesn't make sense . . ." France frowned. Switzerland scowled when he saw Japan's stumped look.

"Oh! Is it the Union Jack?" Canada asked, stepping forward.

"Yes, that is correct."

"How did you guess that, Canada?" France blinked at him.

"I was England's colony for a while, and for a long time, we just called his flag the King's Colors . . . and a Knave is another way of saying Jack for the card." Canada gave a small smile. "America was talking about the different cards with Greece and Prussia when we were playing poker in the last world meeting."

"Are you ready for the next riddle?" Lucille asked quietly, and the group focused on her again.

"Of course, what is it?"

"I am an unmarred cross in the middle of a bloody field, who am I?" Switzerland was silent as the others began whispering.

Japan's flag was a red sun on a white background. The second riddle had asked about a flag in particular . . . and a 'field' was another way to say background for a flag. A bloody field, that was red. Switzerland blinked, then looked up.

"Switzerland. A white cross on a red flag." He managed, pushing past the lump in his throat.

"Yes. That is correct." Lucille tilted her head, and lowered her baton. "I shall go with you."

"Thank you, Lucille-san. Do you need to bring anything?" As Japan and France offered to help her pack up, Switzerland turned his attention to the rather sparsely decorated rooms. He noted the lack of clutter, and also noted that, like the cottage, there were three beds, only one looked like it had been slept in, and had several makeshift weapons near it.

The Cottage had been abandoned in a hurry, The Woodcarver had moved Lucille here, but never got the chance to move everything before going missing, most likely involuntarily. The Younger brother, the micronation Sealand most likely, had also gone missing.

They'd wait to question Lucille later, for now, they'd get her back to safety.

"Are you okay?" A soft voice asked. Switzerland glanced at Canada, who had come up behind him.

"I don't know." Switzerland turned away. "The journal entry mentioned that The Woodcarver had two he was still protecting . . . and yet Lucille is here, blind and alone, both the Woodcarver and possibly Sealand are missing."

"Three that we know of their previous whereabouts, we're still missing what happened to the other six."

"We're missing all of them, Lucille doesn't know who or what she really is." Switzerland walked over to a carving of a little girl and boy playing hide and seek around a box. Quietly, he opened it, revealing another Journal entry.

Lucille and Peter have recovered from their illness, but I'm worried. I'm always worried, it feels like I have aged to an old man from all this stress. The witch is becoming more insistent, and the Whispers she sends would drive a person mad . . . I know she will target the children next, when she does . . . I will have to give in. I try to keep optimistic about a rescue, surely Norway, England or even Romania could find us, but . . . well, time is different here, and they might not have noticed we are gone. We could be here for a long time, and the others prove that memories don't last.

There was a sketch in the middle of the entry, more of a doodle than a sketch, really, but Switzerland was able to recognize the outlines of the nine missing nations. The entry then continued, as if the Woodcarver had gotten up and then returned to writing, but lost his train of thought.

Lucille had a nightmare again, Hopefully, if Switzerland ever finds out, he won't kill me for letting her sleep with me in my bed. She remembers what's happened in her dreams, I think, but I am horrible at comforting her . . . I don't have any words to give her that will make any of this better. Peter's nightmares are starting to fade already, and I'm worried that . . . that if he forgets that, he won't ever want to remember. But I cannot bring myself to wish him to have the nightmares again, no matter what the alternative is.

"There's writing on the back." Canada noted, quietly. Switzerland flipped it over to scan it as well. Some of the words were darker, as if the Woodcarver had been pressing harder on them.

I have failed. The Witch got Peter, I don't . . . I don't know what happened to him, she almost got Lucille . . . but Lucille's blind now. I have brought her to this tree house, the Witch won't be able to get her again, but now I must search for Peter . . .

I already know the outcome of this, I know what the Witch will do . . . but I still have to try. I've left all the clues I can, Lucille still remembers the ones I got her to memorize . . . Play games with her, and she'll give them to you.

If you ever meet Switzerland, tell him I'm sorry I couldn't protect his little sister better.

And if you see Sweden . . . let him know I'm sorry I couldn't protect his little one, either.

Sincerely, and Sorrowfully, The Woodcarver.

"We're ready to go . . ." France announced, Switzerland put the entry into his pocket, and moved leave.

The return to the Mansion was full of France talking to Lucille, reassuring her that everything would be alright. Switzerland remained silent, the entry he had found weighing heavily in his pocket.

The Witch had gotten to three recently, maybe even just before they arrived. The Woodcarver was cracking, and by the time they found him, could be completely cracked.

When they did get back to the mansion, they were relieved to see that Romano and Prussia were with the group.

It didn't take long, as stories of their day were swapped, for relief to fade.

"I don't understand, my brothers and I were always together." Lucille frowned, clutching her bag tighter. "Big Bruder always did his best for us, so how can you say they're not my family?" Switzerland tightened his grip on his gun, but France was the one who spoke.

"We are all family, in a way, mon cherie, we do not mean to imply otherwise, it is just . . . some of us are estranged more than others, and we are trying to figure out who it was that was with you." France reassured her.

"I believe you're telling the truth, but I honestly can't imagine being anyone else." The Baron and Germany were talking off to the side, while England talked with Russia, Japan, Switzerland and Turkey about their next move.

Romano was silent, he had been that way ever since Lucille had arrived, and looked ready to be physically ill. Spain noticed.

"It's going to be okay, Romano, we'll figure this out."

"What if I end up like them?" Romano looked at Spain. "I don't . . . It's bad enough I barely remember who I am! I don't want to turn into someone else!"

"We won't let that happen, mi tomate, we'll find a way to save you."

"That's what China and America said, before . . ." Romano trailed off, and closed his eyes.

"Before what?" Spain watched Romano shake his head, tears starting to leak out. "Romano, what happened to China and America? You said America tried to rescue you."

"I don't know . . . None of us ever found China, and America . . . I don't know." Romano didn't fight as Spain hugged him. "Get off of me . . ." Spain smiled at the very unenthusiastic protest. The tone might have been less forceful, and Romano might not have been struggling to escape like normal, but it was something familiar, at least.

This chapter fought me, a lot. I think you'll like it, but you could always leave a review? Next chapter will be a short sort of Interlude, before we start to get even darker . . . by the way, can you guess where the chapter Titles come from?