Amor Vincit Omnia, Chapter 7

Thank you to the person who pointed out Andersen is a surname, not a name... So, because I still liked it's sound, Denmark is now Anders, not Andersen. I quickly fixed that, and Andersen shouldn't appear anywhere anymore. However if you do spot a mistake like that, inform me. Also does Anders's make any sense? Should it be different? Idk, you're just gonna have to make do with this, readers.

Arthur didn't want to get up Friday morning. He'd just rather sleep forever; his dreams weren't as bad as real life.

Last night had been one of the weirdest he'd ever experienced, and he knew it had been real because everything was so crystal clear in his memory and the book that he'd dropped last night was still on the floor.

He had his morning tea for breakfast in his room; he couldn't eat more than that anyway. He wasn't hungry because his thoughts were elsewhere; mainly around Francis.

Arthur did know that the Frenchman was important, although he would never admit out loud just how important. He was his rival, friend, ally, and…

No, this was not the time for those thoughts.

Arthur forced his thoughts elsewhere by opening the TV, just for the French morning news.

Good morning, viewers.

Last night was eventful for France. Experts are unsure why, but unusually many fires started last night and emergency services were busy with more car crashes than usual. In addition to this weird occurrence, a number of famous paintings were stolen from the Louvre last night. Thankfully, the Mona Lisa and other famous works were untouched.

Arthur frowned. Something wasn't right.

Paris De Gaulle airport had to shut down early this morning due to many computer malfunctions. Hundreds of flights have been canceled. The police are investigating the possibility of a cyberattack.

And…

The news reporter paused, as if she was listening to something from her earphone-device. Arthur didn't like it when her smile faded.

Uh, right. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sorry to inform you but we have just received reports of a hostage situation in Lyon. We are unsure of the details, but it seems to be taking place in a bank…"

Arthur shut the TV. He knew why this was happening.

He'd seen something like this happen many times, even experienced it. When countries were not doing well, because of a war or other similar event, their national avatar usually got sick or felt uneasy. Arthur had even gotten bruises out of nowhere during the bombing of London in the Second World War.

But this seemed to work both ways. Because if an avatar got seriously hurt or something, the country seemed to suffer also. Lightly, but noticeably. However this was no longer light…

Francis had to be in serious pain or… or…

No. Arthur stopped himself from thinking that. Of course Francis was alive! However as he dressed for the day, he felt the thoughts from yesterday come back. Especially the thought of Francis's funeral…

Arthur felt just a little bit of panic arise. But he bit his lip and put on his coat, hiding his emotions like the stereotypical Englishman he was. He had a plan; a nice, long stroll around Paris to calm his nerves.

The people in the lobby were talking and whispering to each other a lot as Arthur walked past them to get to the front door. He got the feeling he'd missed out on something, but shook it off.

There were more important things to think about.

Once outside, he started walking aimlessly. Arthur went past parks, shops, cafes, libraries and many monuments. But something was off…

The birds in the sky sung just a little quieter, the people he went past seemed oddly gloomier than usual, and the atmosphere was just… different. There was no "vibe" of Paris, like there had been before. Arthur had barely noticed it before, but now that it was strangely gone, he missed it dearly.

He stopped to sit down on a park bench. In front of him was a playground, but there were no children there. 'Unusual for a city of over two million residents…' Arthur thought, and just couldn't help but think how much better things would be if Francis were to be right next to him on the bench. He alone was all that was needed to bring life to the nearly empty park…

Arthur didn't want to miss him so much already.

And once he had those thoughts, he was rolling downhill again. 'Why Francis? What did he do? Will he come back? What is Freya doing to him at this very moment?'

Arthur's mind was in overdrive, and only then realized how worried sick he was about everything. What if Francis would never come back… what if he'd stay as Freya's prisoner for all eternity and Arthur would have to watch France suffer from the news every day?

And if he never was to come back… would "Arthur" slowly leave too? He still had a lot of friends and company, sure. But Francis was important, vital for Arthur…

Truly irreplaceable.

They'd known each other for over a thousand years, fought many wars against each other and with each other. Even at the point of their most bitter rivalry, Arthur could've never killed Francis and France. He knew and had experienced almost the same things as Arthur; they'd been in so many funerals and weddings together, cried and laughed. Seen the world go to hell and then rise from the ashes over and over, seen rebellions and tyranny…

There were too many bad memories to carry alone. Arthur had nobody else he could truly rely on if something terrible were to happen, nobody who would understand as well as Francis. Arthur had been there for Francis as his country was invaded by the Germans, been there to hold his hand and to tell him that all was not lost. Vice versa, Francis was the one who Arthur had gone to tell about Alfred's declaration of independence and his loss in the war. The Frenchman had seen the slow fall of the British Empire and been there to pull Arthur up to his feet again, to help Arthur get over it and keep fighting on.

Because after all, this was their device. When it really came down to it, they could always lean on each other for support. And Arthur wasn't sure when he'd started wishing he could fall to the other's arms a bit more often.

It was love, Arthur knew it and was way past the point of arrogantly denying it. He wondered if Francis thoughts so too, deep down. His subtle- and not-so-subtle sexual innuendos and actions would be a sign, if he didn't act like that around just about anyone. Arthur feared that if Francis truly knew what he felt, their very close relationship would change forever, and not in a good way.

And he was content with not telling Francis. He just needed their relationship to go on like it had for centuries. Have him in Arthur's life in at least some way…

The Brit hadn't really even considered the possibility of a life without Francis before. And when he had (WW2, when times were grim for France), it'd only made him fight on harder for Francis's sake.

But what could he even do now?

Francis was somewhere far away, trapped by an insane goddess. Arthur felt helpless, useless and as if he was letting Francis down. Arthur made his right hand into a fist as he felt the tears easily overwhelm his defenses.

The teardrops fell from his cheeks, one by one. He tried to make it stop, but soon gave up. What difference did it make if he cried or not?

Nobody stopped to ask him if he was alright. In fact, almost nobody walked past. He lost track of time as he fully explored the worst possible scenarios that his brain could provide. All the happy endings he'd previously imagined were dying. The ones when they would both just walk endlessly on beaches, holding hands and listening to the birds. The days they would almost entirely devote to memories and their hundreds of dead friends, when they'd both cry but be glad the other still remembered. And what about that trip to the Louvre? He couldn't possibly go there alone, in fact Arthur never had. Francis had always been there with him, it was special in that way.

And lastly, the horrifying idea of Francis's face slowly blurring in his memory. Forgetting the color of his eyes, the length of his hair, that smile he usually had…

That thought really, finally broke him. But also forced him to stand up from the bench. Francis wasn't gone yet, and even if Lukas and Anders had both thought that rescuing him was nearly impossible, Arthur would try, he would die trying. Because Francis had never let him down when Arthur truly needed him, Arthur wouldn't give up either.

Wiping his tears, his face turned to show absolute determination.

Arthur was going to get him back, and show Freya exactly what happens when you mess with the British!

The door of the hotel was opened with force. As Arthur walked in, he got some odd looks, but the people left in the almost-desolate lobby didn't stop him. Arthur marched on, with a clear destination.

Anders's and Lukas's room.

But as he entered the elevator, he saw Carlos. The embodiment of Cuba was clearly worried about something, but seemed relieved to find Arthur.

"Arthur, you look busy, but this is urgent-"He started, but was cut off by Arthur. "I'm very, very busy right now. I have to focus, so I'm afraid this is going to have to wait." He said, but slightly curious about what Carlos was saying.

"I'm sorry, but you're gonna have to at least hear me out." Carlos replied, not giving in. "Matthew is acting totally crazy, and the boy is furious. He yelled at Alfred this morning, like really yelled. I've never seen him like that…" Carlos paused for a moment. "I tried to talk to him, but it's no use. Alfred is locked up in his room, and after the things Matthew said in the lobby… I doubt he's coming out anytime soon."

Arthur stopped. Were they fighting now, of all times? But something wasn't right; Matthew wouldn't snap at Alfred like that, it was so unlike him…

"After I gave up, I tried to look for you and Francis. I can't find Francis, but at least I bumped into you." He said, observing Arthur's reaction. The brit sighed. "I know you and Matthew are close… but if you couldn't help, I doubt I can help either. And I really need to find Lukas and Anders, or one of them. Have you seen them?" Arthur asked as he pressed the button for the fourth floor, but was surprised as Carlos moved Arthur's hand so he pressed the third instead. "They also went to check on Matthew, should still be there." The Cuban spoke, walking out of the elevator. "Uh, thanks." Arthur managed to thank, before the doors closed.

Lukas and Anders were indeed sitting outside Matthew's door, talking to each other concerned. Arthur walked over to them quickly, and kneeled to join their conversation.

"Arthur! Good that you're here." Anders spoke. "Matthew is acting stra-"He began, but was cut off by Arthur. "I know, Carlos told me." Lukas and Anders changed looks, but then Anders continued. "Right. Say, is there something we should know about Alfred and Matthew?"

Arthur pondered if he should tell them. He and Francis had agreed to let the two tell people on their own about their relationship, and intervene in their business as little as possible. They were independent nowadays, anyway. But things were already messy, and Matthew had apparently already made it clear to many something was going on.

"They started dating a few days ago." Arthur muttered, quietly. "But it's been turbulent." Anders and Lukas nodded at the same time (kind of cutely), signaling Arthur to go on. "I think something is off. Alfred is the more unstable of the two, and just more prone to stuff like this in general. This doesn't feel right; Matthew doesn't act like this." He voiced his suspicions, and Lukas seemed to be pondering about something. "Arthur, I think that there is a very real chance Freya is involved here." Lukas whispered, almost as if someone was listening. Arthur was confused by that. "How come?" He asked, frowning.

Lukas cleared his throat, the way he usually did when he was about to explain something complex. "Freya is the goddess of love, but in truth, she can also control other emotions. I fear that this is what she's done to Matthew." Arthur's eyes went wide. Freya was messing with Alfred and Matthew, of all the people? "They really, really don't need this right now. Why them?" Arthur asked, shocked. Lukas slowly shook his head. "I wish I knew. There doesn't seem any way to return Matthew to normal, at least to my knowledge. But I think you should talk to him, just to see what happens." Lukas suggested, gesturing towards Matthew's door.

Arthur had originally planned to ask Lukas something else, but refrained. It could wait just a moment; he had to see Matthew's state for himself. He knocked on his door, lightly at first, but then harder. "Open the door, Matthew. It's me, Arthur." He said. He thought at first that the other just wasn't going to open the door, but a bit of shuffling around was then heard from the room and a very, very angry Matthew opened the door.

"What do you want now? Are you here to defend Alfred, that sick fuck?" Arthur flinched at the sight of Matthew. His look was not the gentle Canadian he usually was; no, he looked as if he could slaughter ten puppies without blinking. It was actually terrifying, the change. But Arthur had to be tough here. "Matthew, let's just have a cup of tea and discuss this calmly. No need for such emotional outbursts." He said, calmly and more adult-like than he'd thought was possible. Matthew looked as if he was going to slam the door for a few seconds, but then reluctantly opened the door just enough to let Arthur in.

Once inside, Arthur noticed the state of his room. Matthew's usually clean room was a mess, books lying on the floor, as if they'd been thrown around. But Arthur was careful not to mention it; the Canadian seemed so on edge that anything could send Arthur flying out of the room. So, he found the electric water boiler and started making some tea. Matthew just coldly observed from the bed, and Arthur felt as if his every move was being monitored. Soon enough though, Arthur handed over a cup to Matthew and sat down next to him on the bed.

"I don't really get why you're acting like this." Arthur said, although he'd just been explained why. Matthew frowned. "If you didn't know, Alfred has sick thoughts towards me. Like, incestuous thoughts. Can you actually believe this shit?" He exclaimed, stirring his tea with a spoon a bit too roughly, just so a little drop escaped the teacup. "Matthew, I'm no expert on the subject but surely you know that things get a little complicated when we talk of "incest" between nations?" Matthew didn't like that. He set his teacup aside and started to speak in an even angrier way than before. "You sound like Francis! You seriously buy all of his bullshit about relationships? We're not that different from humans!" He said, making Arthur feel a little threatened. But he already had his answer planned. "Look, if you would've seen all the things I've seen during my lifetime; the nations bonding, loving each other, hating each other… You would understand that we are slightly similar to humans. But as soon as you dig deeper, things get very complicated. Like, think Antonio and Lovino. The other is way older, and basically raised Lovino, but yet, they are dating. And-"He was cut off.

"Don't you dare start lecturing me, Arthur! None of that matters, I just feel it, how wrong it is for Alfred to love me! I know what I want, or more like what I don't want. I only told him the truth this morning!" Matthew almost yelled. Arthur knew what he'd try next. "No you didn't. We both know that the real truth is that you love him too!"

Matthew's frown seemed to soften, his expression weaken. The very smallest teardrops formed at the corners of his eyes, and Arthur thought he had broken through to the real Matthew Williams. The Canadian moved his lips, as to try and say something…

But then, that little pause was gone.

"I do NOT. Now get OUT of my room or I will make you!" Matthew roared, and Arthur quickly left. But he'd seen it; that this truly was not Matthew. And that was enough.

Freya gritted her teeth as she felt a bit of pain in her head. This wasn't as planned… She had to silence Lukas and Anders, they were (once again) messing with her plans. Freya had something already in store for Arthur, and she just couldn't have him running around knowing too much. It'd been entertaining to watch them try and plot against her at first, but that was boring now, and a threat to the success of her plans.

She looked behind her, just to check that Francis was still out cold. He was, and after seeing that, she cast a spell.

"Yeah, you were right, he isn't himself. I was just going to ask you about…" Arthur started speaking to Lukas and Anders, but paused as he saw the scene in front of him.

It was Freya, standing behind Lukas and Anders, who were totally unaware of her. "Huh? You look like you've seen a ghost, what's-" Anders started, but was cut off abruptly, because he was frozen in place. He and Lukas, both unmoving. Freya smiled as she stepped over the two seated, now frozen nations. Arthur instantly recognized her as the woman who had taken Francis, but her eyes were glowing red, unlike last time.

"Well hello Arthur. We didn't have time to formally greet last time. I'm Freya." She said, extending her hand like she was attempting to shake Arthur's hand, and even smiled a little. He took a few steps back, trembling a little, fearing something bad would happen if they touched. And even if nothing bad would happen, he wasn't going to kindly shake the hand of a woman who had just kidnapped Francis. She frowned in disapproval as she lowered her hand. "Fine then, let's not even try to be nice to each other." She said as she leant against the wall. "What the bloody hell do you want from Francis?" Arthur asked, trying to sound as threatening as possible. Freya only smiled a little at the Brit. "I want him to not mess with my plans. And I want that from you too; don't try anything, or Francis will suffer. And by suffering I mean forcing emotions down his throat; how about destroying all his trust towards you, for starters?" She said, chuckling a bit.

Arthur bit his lip, trying his very hardest to show no weakness. But the thought of Francis not trusting him, even fearing him was a horrible one. "So if you want to save your friend, or whatever you think he is to you, from that… Hand over the necklace. She said, killing all her fake cheerfulness.

"What necklace?" Arthur asked, trying to play dumb. Freya wasn't fooled. "I know you have it; Lukas and Anders gave it to you and you have it on at this very moment. I'll ask nicely one more time; Give it here."

Arthur wondered if he should give it to her or not… but it was his only real bargaining chip.

Earlier, with Anders and Lukas;

"What is that? Why is it glowing like that?" Arthur said, shocked. Lukas was holding a necklace in his hand, a very basic silver one. But it had one, small, emerald-like gem in it which glowed brightly. He felt it; there was something mystical about the necklace, magical even.

"Arthur, calm down. And Anders, get something to clean that tea with…" Lukas sighed, but then continued. "This here is a 'linkstone', used to teleport from our world to the heavenly worlds. It's something me and Anders stole from Freya years ago, in an attempt to lock her into the heavenly realm of Fólkvangr. However, it appears she has figured out another way to travel from this world to the other, so in the end it never stopped her. However; you can understand why it is vital for us." Lukas said, and Arthur nodded in understanding. "I see… But you don't know how Freya suddenly got her powers back and the ability to travel between worlds?" He asked and the Norwegian confirmed his suspicion. "No idea."

"I don't think so." Arthur mumbled and lifted the necklace so it was over, not under his shirt. Freya frowned, before laughing obnoxiously. "You have the spirit, but I wonder if you can actually stop me from taking it." She spoke, and mumbled something. It was like a poem, a spell in a language Arthur had never heard before.

He had to act fast, think of a way out… Seconds became hours as he frantically observed every route, every possibility, every detail.

Arthur concluded that there was no way out but with the necklace's power. He felt bad, leaving Lukas and Anders behind, but there was no other option. He'd never actually tested the thing before; hell, he just found out about it.

Arthur just had to try.

He squeezed the gem in his left hand and moved his right behind his back, and made it into a fist. Freya's eyes widened; she'd noticed what was going on. She raised her hands, now sparkling, and snapped her fingers.

Lightning came from her hands, suddenly, quickly.

But it all went through Arthur, who was already fading away to another place. He smiled victoriously, smugly, although he had no idea where he was now going. Still, Arthur saw that it was worth it from Freya's enraged expression. Arthur took one good look at her, to try and find out everything about his enemy.

Her eyes were red, her hair absolutely blonde, gown pure white and her flower crown still firmly in place. Then he realized, that something besides the goddess's eyes had changed from the time they last met, with Francis. However, there was no time to think about that as he felt himself slide quickly into unconsciousness and his body disintegrate into thin air.

Anders would've smiled, if he wasn't frozen in place. Arthur was safe now, and that was the most important.

Freya was fuming with anger. She turned to face Lukas and Anders, with a murderous gaze. "Well, it seems your friend has left you two to me." She muttered, snapping her fingers to free the two. "So let's try something." She said cheerfully, but didn't smile the slightest. "I command you, Anders Køhler, to never trust Lukas again.

And so, she shot lightning to Anders head, earning a scream from Lukas. Anders was instantly unconscious, and as the lightning stopped, Lukas hurried over to him to check on him. Lukas was yelling in panic, seeing Anders in his state, and tears were everywhere.

He turned his head to look at a fading Freya. He felt only anger at that sight. "DON'T YOU DARE RUN AWAY!" Lukas screamed, in a way he hadn't screamed for ages. "I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL HUNT YOU DOWN AND MAKE YOU PAY FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE! DO YOU HEAR ME?"

Freya just smiled, just slightly amused at the display.

And long after Freya was gone, Lukas was still crying. He would've screamed, but his throat wasn't capable of making any sound anymore. He just sobbed.

Suddenly, Anders stirred in Lukas's arms. His eyes opened, revealing a soft, caring expression. His lips moved a little, and after seemingly a bit of a struggle he managed to whisper;

"I love you, don't believe what I say aft-after-wards…" Anders said, before his eyes closed again. Lukas tried to smile at that to reassure him of that. "I love you too, I won't believe any of it…" He whispered, voice hoarse. Then, after a heartbeat or two, Anders's eyes opened up wide. He jumped from Lukas, eyes full of only fear. "Stay… STAY AWAY!" Anders exclaimed, eyes wide with horror.

Lukas only cried harder as his body sunk to lay on the floor, because the man he'd loved was now gone.

Amazing, another chapter done. Next time I think I'll give our other pairs some love... or hate...

Feedback is appreciated, and thank you for reading this.