Canada led me to Roderich's personal orchard after I started the drying cycle on Norway's outfit. The trees there were arranged masterfully, as to be expected by a nation like Roderich. The tree in the very cent of the orchard was clearly the only one with a large axe in it. "Just as I suspected.", I said with a sigh. "Well, who was it?" asked Canada impatiently. "Judging by the design, it was none other than--!" I was cut off after a particularly rough shove to the cold ground. "You idiot! You don't remember anything, do you?" a tense but familiar voice said. "M-Mathias, what is your problem?!" I asked, rising from the ground to meet the Dane. "My problem? Even after you created this new world, you still find ways to avoid me!" he spouted. "Not to mention that you're all lovey-dovey with...with him again!". Having no idea what he was talking about, I slapped him in hopes he would come to his senses, but he just pulled another axe from seemingly nowhere. This axe was different, though. Namely, it was double headed with one head on fire and the other frozen solid. "So, it's gonna come to strife, eh?" he said, with an almost insane grin. "Surely you aren't going to attack me unarmed, Mathias?" I asked, mustering my coolest tempered voice. "Of course not, you idiot! Get your strife abstratus in order, grab your claws, and let's fight!" he said. "My...claws? Mathias, I fear that you have truly gone off your rocker." I responded, much to his shock. "How can't you know even the bare basics of strife?" he shouted, but I was too busy trying to figure out what he meant. At that exact moment, a green card appeared out of thin air. The word "clawkind" was printed on the right-hand side with a picture of battle claws in the center, and several smaller images below it. Focusing on the rightmost small image, a pair of blue metallic claws, I stared in shock as the claws materialized on my hands. Not even a second later, I was blocking an overhead strike from the flame head of Denmark's axe. Stepping to the side, I flug myself at the Dane and slashed my claws across his midsection. There was no blood, but he still looked as if the attack hurt. "So this is the power that made our world. The strength of the Seer of Heart.
" he said. "Mathias Køhler, I demand that you stop talking nonsense and explain yourself to me right now!" I shouted, fed up with his nonsense. In that instant, he went from raving maniac, to sobbing sad-sack. "I'm sorry," he said through a stream of tears. "It's just been so long since you called me by my full name." he added. "More nonsense." I sighed. "If you have no more business here, I suggest you get going." I said as the still sobbing man got to his feet. "And take your axe with y--!" I was interrupted again, not by a tackle, but by a kiss. Not an enjoyable kiss, either. It was rough, forced, and tasted of fish. Again, I slapped the Dane. "You'll be lucky to escape with your life the next time you pull that stunt!" I yelled as the Denmark walked away from the orchard.
When I got back inside, I immediately told Roderich what happened. "He...he kissed you?!" he asked, bewildered. "Don't worry, Roderich. I slapped him a good one and sent him running with a threat." I replied, leaning in to kiss him on the cheek. "Don't worry, I used the strongest mouthwash I have two times." I said, smiling at him. "It's starting to make sense now." he said. "What is?" I asked, having had enough insanity for one day. However, Roderich did not respond. He went up to the attic and came back with two necklaces. One that was shaped like a heart that was divided in half with one half filled in and the other hollowed out a bit. The other was a small dark blue spiral. "Ever since I was a child, these two necklaces were in an ornate jewelry box in my attic." he responded. "When I wore the blue one, I would have a horrible nightmare when I went to sleep. It was always the same nightmare, too." he said. "What about the heart necklace?" I asked him. "Nothing happened with the heart, but after what Mathias called you, I have a feeling that it belongs to you." he replied, putting the necklace around my neck. Instantly, I could see a scene unfolding before my eyes.
A dark sky was rumbling with the sound of canonfire over a black and white checkered ground. Twelve people were on that field, squaring off against shadowy enemies that resembled chess pieces. As the chess army dissipated, a new, taller figure took their place. "This is it. The king has arrived." a voice said. My own voice. The twelve of us launched into combat. Myself, Austria, Russia, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Latvia, the Italy brothers, Hungary, Prussia, Canada, and France. The scene shifted, and only myself and Roderich were standing, with Roderich being severely wounded. "I won't let that...that thing kill you Roderich!" I shouted "I think I've lost you enough times." I added, striking at the Black King, but my attack was in vain. The king struck Roderich down with one final hit before growling "The Bard is dead. His melody is Void.". Tears began to fall down both my past self's face and my current face as well. My past self screamed out in heartbreak before delivering a finishing blow to the King. Amongst the ruin of battle, a green door appeared. My past self walked through into a room where a cool robotic voice said "Well done, Seer of Heart. You have slain the Black King and successfully brought a new world to life. What do you want in your new world?". My past self fell to his knees and said in a barely audible voice "A second chance with Roderich and my friends.". "As you wish, Seer." the voice responded before the entire room flashed white. When the light cleared, the scene had changed to my room back in Palamecia, as I woke up to see Russia staring at me. At that moment, I ripped the necklace from my body and cried even more.
