In the woods (Countryhuman)

29

Russia was positioned midway between two of the posts when he got the transmission over from Zar's location. In just a few seconds, he could hear the bushes crash nearby as the rumbling drone of a motorcycle grew.

He hit the dirt just in time for the red scaled beast itself to gallop on over.

"Russia in: Red's in the field." The radio static called back with a few affirmations.

"Bhutan here: Blue ran by into the field."
"Guyana: Impossible. Blue ran right by me."
"Wait so there's more than two?!"

The tri striped country lowered the volume of the radio down. Shoving it back into his pocket, Russia ran towards one of the main posts to start the gate drop. The lever was shoved down quickly, the chains inside rattling as they were set free. A thick mesh of wire and chain fell to the ground not a moment later, spanning the reach of three pole's worth.

That isn't to say, the impact wasn't quiet. Mirroring Russia's own or the echoes finally reaching him, the gates of the other side rang out as well.

"Everyone got their gate down? Over."
"Si"
"Da."
"Ja."
"Sim."
"Tak"
"Na'am"
"Iya Nih."
"Tiap."
"Evet."

Truly was somewhat odd that so many different languages shared the same general pronunciation for 'yes'.

"UN in: Team D is heading in to coral them towards the West side. Everyone keep your guard up, and make sure they do not try to climb." If the radio still had power after this he'd be amazed, Russia joked to himself in an attempt to lighten the mood.

In the midst of the chaos, he had just barely picked up on the leaving motor before it's last echoes became too soft to hear. His partner, Kazakhstan, was on the other side of the stretch. Based on the small movement in the moonlight, the younger brother was still on the ground. The light from the stars were too dim for Russia's liking.

Looking back at the pole, he flicked on the switch to turn on the overhead lights.

The sharp crackle of sparks nearly gave the country a heart attack. The static of the radio didn't help either.

"Bhutan in: Is anyone else's lights working?"

To his dismay a cacophony of negative responses answered the question. The woods seemed to creep in, now seeming to mock the country. Mocking the puny countries attempts of fully taking over the area.

That was the strange thing about Pangaea. It wasn't a physical place on any normal map. It was more like a place between places. Wormholes to each of the continents that feel like a simple walk. But the forest was here before any country was born. Many speculated it had an ancient magic. Like how it regrows and prevents structures.

Even when all is gone, the forest would still be there.

Only a matter of time before it reclaims all that it took.

Despite the night being only slightly warm, a chill ran down Russia's spine at the thought. He refused to let the spiral descend that these creatures were the forest's way of reclaiming it's lost land. Couldn't be.

The puzzle pieces kept coming, but many more were missing.

The motorcycle for one.

"Kaz. You got this spot, right?"

"KAZ!"

The form on the ground jumped. "Дa. I got this spot. Why?"

"RUSSIA! Where are you going?!"

But he was already off. He knew the direction that the bike went, and he knew full well that the pingers worked as long as he could still see the trap. Brush blurred under his boots as Russia ran. The fence on his right and the dark woods on his left, Russia was amazed to find where the cycle cut through.