A Mother's Face
Ed tried to get as comfortable on the small bed he was laying, but it was impossible. True, there were times that he could sleep just about anywhere, but tonight it wasn’t one of them. His mind was simply too distracted as all kinds of thoughts piled in his mind.
His musings were bound to be cut off, however, when the sound of frantic pounding on the door reverberated throughout the house. Ed frowned, and decided to look into matters himself. Getting out of the bed, he stepped quietly close to the door and opened it just a bit so he could have a look at the main room.
Just as Ed suspected, Scar opened the door to a couple of Liorites who were tattered, wounded and covered in dust – a sign that they had just escaped from battle. Lyra, seeing the two men in such a pitiable state, quickly rushed to the kitchen to get them some water, while Rose stood a bit further away, holding the baby in her arms.
“Now,” Scar said, beckoning both men to sit down by the table in the centre of the room, “Are you sure about what you said? That you were attacked by talking animals?”
The shorter of the two men nodded. “They just blocked the main street, surrounding us completely. Then the largest of those dog-like creatures just gave the others to attack us without mercy. We were the only ones to escape.”
Ed clenched his jaw, understanding what the Liorite was talking about : Chimeras. And if they had the ability to speak, it meant the military managed to take Shou Tucker’s research further. That was something that sickened the teen alchemist to no end.
“Was anyone with them, controlling them?” Lyra asked at that moment as she returned with two cups of water in her hands.
“Yes,” the taller one replied in an agitated tone. “A military man who can make you explode simply by touching you.”
Scar stiffened, looking at the Liorite incredulously. “You saw that man?”
Lyra raised an eyebrow at that, surprised at Scar’s reaction. “Is something wrong?”
Scar didn’t bother answering her though. He simply faced Rose, a look of determination in his eyes.
“The chimeras and the man must be a scouting party. You can be sure that the bulk of the army will come and attack soon enough,” he said. “That’s why you will all leave through the underground passage when that happens.”
Ed was sure what Rose asked as she looked so fearfully at the Ishbalan.
What about you?
“I’ll take care of matters here,” Scar said cryptically, then quickly turned around and headed toward Ed’s room. Ed quickly retreated and lied down on the bed again, thus giving the impression he was sleeping. At the next moment, the door opened and Scar stepped in.
“Fullmetal Alchemist?”
Ed pushed himself in a sitting position and regarded Scar curiously. He just hoped Scar didn’t realise Ed overheard the whole conversation.
“You said you wanted to help this city, so here’s your chance,” the Ishbalan said, pointing at Rose and Lyra. “Help them guide the Liorites to safety.”
“I will,” Ed promised.
Scar nodded a bit, clearly accepting the teen alchemist’s answer. Casting one last look at Rose and Lyra, he placed the hood over his head once more and walked out the door.
Rose took a step forward as though to stop Scar from leaving. But Ed proved quicker as he walked at her side and placed an arm on her shoulder.
“Come on, Rose… Lyra.”
Both women complied after a moment of hesitation. Lyra, however, didn’t take her eyes off Ed, almost piercing him through with her look.
“So… you chose sides,” she said softly, making sure the other Liorites didn’t hear her as they all headed out on the street.
“I chose nothing. I’d rather not have anyone else’s death in my conscience if I can help it,” Ed answered with a hiss. “As soon as you’re out of harm’s way, I’ll go after Scar.”
Rose gasped and stared at Ed, her eyes reflecting her disbelief and exasperation.
“Yes, Liore will be under martial law,” Ed said, guessing what Rose was telling him. “If you want to hate someone, Rose, you might as well hate me. I may not like the military anymore than you do, but I’m still part of it. And I have friends in the military that are worth saving.”
Rose turned her eyes away at that, not wishing to look at Ed anymore.
Archer stood by the window of one of the tallest buildings the Amestris military had captured while the war still ranged, looking with quite the pleased expression at the hordes of soldiers, alchemists and tanks that assembled on the street below.
“Behold, your Excellency!” he declared proudly, knowing that the Führer was in the room and listening. “Over 7,000 men have gathered to crush Liore at your command!”
Bradley sipped some of his tea in silence, as though he was performing some kind of ritual. Roy and Armstrong watched him closely, waiting with bated breath to hear what his next words would be.
“Yes, without a doubt, Colonel Archer,” the Führer finally said. “However, I must also decide now that we should delay the assault.”
“What?!” Archer exclaimed before he could help it and span around, his face the epitome of shock.
Bradley, on the other hand, didn’t seem in the least fazed. He just placed the cup of tea down on a small table and knitted his fingers. “According to Colonel Mustang, Sergeant Beregond, a soldier of great potential I may add, infiltrated Liore with young Alphonse Elric in the hopes of rescuing the Fullmetal Alchemist without causing further provocation.” He paused and faced Archer, a small enigmatic smile on his lips. “We might still be able to compromise peacefully with Liore.”
Archer clenched his hands into fists. “It’s too late for that!”
“You don’t know Sergeant Beregond then,” Mustang said, locking his gaze on Archer. The Flame Alchemist could tell only too clearly that the other man was furious.
“With all due respect, Sir, you know we can’t attack without a reason,” Armstrong added. “We’ll have to wait and see if the covert operation proves successful.”
Archer didn’t saying anything more. He simply tightened his jaw, casting an angry glare both at Roy and Armstrong; a glare full of hatred.
Booming sounds reverberated throughout the streets, and dozens of people tried to run as fast as they could in the hopes of escaping the death that was following in the form of a single man, clothed in military garments. Yet wherever they ran, the alchemist simply touched the ground and caused one explosion after the other amid fits of manic laughter.
“Is that the best you can do?!” Kimblee exclaimed, watching the people fleeing like frightened animals. “Even your Ishbalan buddies put up more of a fight than this, and that isn’t saying much!”
He placed his hands on a wall, and the wall shattered to a thousand pieces. Blood-curdling screams filled the air, but Kimblee simply snorted cruelly.
“Pathetic.”
“Wait,” one of the dog-like chimeras that followed Kimblee closely behind said at that moment. “There’s something in the air.”
“Oh?” Kimblee said. He looked to his left and, sure enough, he spotted the silhouette of a robed man, standing in the middle of the road.
“Your kill?” the chimera asked, the hairs on the back of his head already standing up.
The alchemist chuckled and waved his hand dismissively. “No. Go have your fun.”
The chimera didn’t have to be told twice. Howling as a signal to attack, he charged with the rest of the pack against the robed man, the prospect of the kill nearly blinding him. So he didn’t notice the red flash of light that surrounded the man’s left arm until it was too late.
The first chimera that lunged at the man fell down with a yelp, blood gushing out of his head and staining the ground. Three more shared the first one’s fate, their heads exploding from the inside as Scar touched them one by one, and, soon enough, the whole pack was lying dead at his feet.
Kimblee witnessed the one-sided battle with crossed arms and did nothing. He simply smiled as the man approached him.
“Finally, an opponent that seems worthy of my time. I do hope your warm-up was sufficient though, since I don’t intend to go easy on you,” he said, exposing his tattooed palms.
Scar gritted his teeth as he noticed the alchemic circles that had haunted his dreams for the last eight years. “So it’s really you… Crimson Alchemist.”
Kimblee raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. “I’m glad to see my reputation precedes me, but I don’t know who…” he stopped midway, for it was then that he noticed Scar’s face. His smile broadened as his memories caught up with him. “Ah… I remember now. That scar was one of my masterpieces.” His gaze drifted on the Ishbalan’s left arm. “No wonder I didn’t recognise you at first. I’m sure I had blown up your arm too.”
Scar still walked towards Kimblee, his eyes never leaving the Amestrian. “It was given to me so I can revenge the State Alchemists. You will have the honour of being the last one I kill!”
“How nice of you to say that,” Kimblee replied, hardly fazed. “Pity that I also have this!” In the blink of an eye, he raised his right hand, revealing a ring with a red stone on his ring finger. The ring flashed brightly but, before Kimblee could perform any alchemy, it dissolved into thin air. Scar cried out in pain and dropped on his knees, his arm glowing red as it received the power of the stone.
Kimblee watched the scene intrigued, trying to understand what the meaning of it all was. However, everything fell into place when he noticed the tattoo on the Ishbalan’s arm.
“Well, well… following your brother’s footsteps, I see,” he commented with a chuckle. “In order to revenge the State Alchemists, you became what you hated.”
Scar clenched his hands into fists at those words. Composing himself, he slowly got back on his feet and faced Kimblee once more.
“It’s a small price to pay,” he said, his tone icy cold. “For I shall have you feel my brother’s hatred!”
And with that, he lunged for the attack.
Bradley stood in front of the same window Archer was standing barely half an hour ago, watching with interest in the direction of Liore. Though it was too far away for any human to see anything but the buildings under the moonlight, Pride’s Ultimate Eye enabled him to see the explosions and the destruction Kimblee caused. He didn’t even turn at the sound of a door opening, nor at the sound of a dress shuffling on the carpet as a woman walked in. He knew who walked in, and he was aware of the temper she was in.
“Why did you delay the assault?” the seductive tone was now harsh and angry.
“What are you unsatisfied with, Lust?” Pride asked, still looking at the horizon.
“You dare ask?!” she exclaimed. “Scar is waiting for the army to make its move. It’s with their lives that he can create the philosopher’s stone. You know you have to send your troops now, and yet you’ve done no such thing!”
“The Elric boys and Sergeant Beregond are somewhere in Liore.”
“One more reason we should act now!” Lust said. “If they find Scar, there won’t be any philosopher’s stone!”
Pride shook his head. “It looks to me that, in your desire to get the stone, you have forgotten your master’s wishes. She may risk losing one of the three, but not all of them. Her word is absolute.”
“What are you saying?” Lust could hardly believe her ears. “We wanted them alive in case we could manipulate them to create the stone. We don’t need them anymore!”
“So… you dare defy her?” Pride faced the female homunculus, no expression on his features. “Do you hate being a Homunculus so much? At least you live, and you live thanks to her. Remember that.”
“And yet she promised us a better life! That was why she had us search for the philosopher’s stone in the first place.” She turned around and walked toward the exit. “Gluttony and I are going back to Liore. Someone has to make sure Scar fulfils his goal.”
“You can go if you wish, but Gluttony stays here.” Pride said. “Her orders.”
Lust opened her mouth to voice her objections but she stopped. She knew it would be no use arguing with Pride or with her master for that matter. So, all she could do was leave, jaw clenched tightly.
“Brother! Brother!”
Yet Alphonse didn’t get an answer, just like he didn’t get one in the last half hour he had been searching. Clenching his hands into fists in his frustration, the suit of armour hurried to another dark street, calling out to Edward again.
It was then, however, that a terrible explosion sounded too close for comfort, shaking everything around him. A wall to his left crumbled as if it was made of paper, revealing two men locked in fierce combat. Al gasped, for the men were fighting with no other weapons than their own alchemic power, and the light of the alchemic reactions shone brightly on the faces of both Kimblee and Scar.
Another explosion made Al flinch, and he instantly took cover. Neither the State Alchemist nor the Ishbalan seemed to notice what was going on around them. Their eyes were fixed on each other, hatred written on their features as they fought and argued.
“You realise that the military is already making its move while you’re chasing me. Is that all right with you, Ishbalan?”
There was a flash of red light as Scar tried to grab Kimblee. “It is you who should be worried about the military, Crimson Alchemist. Their lives will be forfeited the moment they step in Liore!”
This time, Al crouched and moved closer. This had to stop, and he knew how he was going to do it.
“All this for some petty revenge. How foolish,” Kimblee commented in contempt.
“No more foolish than your reasons for killing Ishbalans!”
“Is that what you think? That I care to what race you belong? You’re a bigger fool than I thought!” Kimblee exclaimed, guffawing loudly. “Humans, all humans, are nothing more than empty shells that serve as nice bombs to me. That’s all there is to it.”
“Then you have no idea what a human really is,” Al said, finally coming out of his cover. The two men turned around in surprise, certainly not expecting a suit of armour clapping his hands and placing them on the ground. In seconds, a stony statue sprang out of the ground and grabbed Kimblee from behind.
Kimblee didn’t try to fight back. He simply looked at Al, a look of intrigue reflected in his eyes.
“So… another alchemist joins the fight,” he noted. “It was about time things became more challenging around here.”
“You’re not an alchemist! You’re a murderer!” Al said, hardly looking at Kimblee. He faced Scar instead, standing before him to make one question only.
“Where is my brother?”
Scar held up his glowing arm. “Stand aside, Alphonse Elric. This fight is not your concern.”
“No! There has been enough killing!” the suit of armour said, not moving. “How many more must die before you finally decide to stop?”
If Scar ever meant to answer, he never got the chance. Kimblee used his alchemy to blow up the statue that kept him in place, then lunged forward. Before Alphonse could react, Kimblee pushed him away and grabbed Scar by the right arm tightly. A flash of yellow light later, the right arm was dead and blackened at the Ishbalan’s side.
Kimblee laughed in triumph. “It is over, Ishbalan! Can you hear the ticking of the countdown to your death?”
Al gasped, for he realised what Kimblee did. Scar had become a bomb as well.
“No!” He got ready to clap his hands again, hoping to save Scar while there was still time, but Kimblee grabbed him by the arms.
“What? You think I’ve forgotten about you?” he asked with a smirk. “Your metal body will make such a beautiful booming sound when I’m finished with you.”
But Al was hardly paying attention to Kimblee anymore. He watched in shock as Scar grabbed his blackened arm with his left hand, destroying it from the very socket; then used his glowing red arm to pierce Kimblee’s heart through and through.
Kimblee’s eyes widened, blood spilt out of his mouth. And as his life slowly ebbed away, he turned around to stare at Scar.
“Look closely at this empty shell, Crimson Alchemist,” Scar said, covered in his own blood. “It has just killed you.” And with that, he let Kimblee drop on the ground.
Kimblee was already dead by the time of the impact, his eyes glazed and cold.
Al didn’t move, he didn’t think he could. Everything was quiet now, and nothing disturbed the stillness of the night except for the blood gushing out of Scar’s arm-socket.
A minute passed, then two… then Scar turned on his heel and started walking away.
“Scar!”
The Ishbalan kept walking, not looking back at the suit of armour.
“Go find your brother, Alphonse Elric. And when you do… leave as fast as you can.”
And with that, the darkness of the streets consumed him out of sight.
Ed held up the torch higher in order to light the dark passage for the people that were following him closely behind. Whispers and murmurs reached his ears as someone said that they should all head back and face the military, whereas another argued that they shouldn’t go against the Holy Mother’s wishes.
He turned when he heard Lyra’s voice to his right. She was sitting with Rose on a small pedestal nearby, and she was obviously saying something that troubled the mute girl; she was holding her baby closer to herself, rocking it gently. Ed moved closer to see what the problem was.
“Rose, you know what’s going to happen if the military catches up with us. That’s why Scar had to leave. We’ll need the philosopher’s stone.”
This again? Ed thought wryly. He was positively growing sick of it and he didn’t intend to hide it anymore.
“Stop it, Lyra,” he said, glaring at her. “I’ll deal with the military.”
Though she certainly didn’t expect Ed to join the conversation, she faced him with a hopeless expression on her face. “You might try, but will you succeed?” She shook her head. “Then the cities will hear about the military’s atrocities in Liore.”
“That won’t happen,” Ed replied. “They’ll only remember how a city was destroyed in an attempt to create the philosopher’s stone.” And with that he turned back to guiding the people through the passage, not noticing Lyra’s angered look in her eyes. He froze in his tracks, however, when he heard a strange rumbling sound getting closer. If he didn’t know any better, he’d say that it was… water?
People screamed at the sight of a river rushing to their direction and they tried to run away. The river proved faster as it engulfed several Liorites in its wet prison, only to rise up and form a wall, thus blocking the exit.
Ed clenched his jaw. He didn’t know how or why; nevertheless, he suspected who was behind this attack.
“Rose, Lyra, get out of here!” he cried and quickly clapped his hands. In seconds, his automail arm was transformed into a blade which Ed held up, ready to use it at the sight of the first homunculus.
“I’ve been waiting for you, kid.”
Ed raised an eyebrow. He knew that voice, yet he never thought that he’d hear it here of all places. Sure enough though, a black shape sprang out of the great wall of water and landed gracefully on the ground. Ed watched the boy that he had found in Dublith walk up to him with the poise of a deadly assassin, clothed in black and his violet eyes piercing and cruel, and he now knew that everything happened as Izumi feared.
“So… you actually remember, Homunculus,” he said.
The boy smirked. “The name’s Wrath. And you’re right, I do remember it all.” In a flash, he placed his hand on the ground and transmuted it into a stony fist. Seeing what was happening, Ed lunged forward to push Wrath away, but it was too late. The homunculus used the stony fist to block Ed’s automail, then hit him on the face. Ed staggered backwards, only to find himself pinned against the wall Wrath staring at him in triumph.
“It’s ironic, isn’t it? To meet again after all this time?” Wrath asked. “It seems only yesterday that I was sitting in the absolute darkness of the Gate, growing stronger as I waited for an idiot to drop by. One who kept screaming and crying ‘Give me back my little brother!’” He chuckled. “Pity I only took your arm and leg back then.”
“Well, look at it from the bright side,” Ed said, clenching his jaw. “I can do this now!” In a heartbeat, he used his automail leg to knee the homunculus on the stomach, then used his automail blade to slash Wrath’s chest.
“Oh, and here’s some news flash for you. I know your weak point, homunculus. My teacher has told me about it. You paralyse at the sight of a part that belonged to your previous body. You’re fakes so, when you see the real thing, you cower in fear.” He planted his feet firmly on the ground, ready to attack again. “I guess the secret’s out now.”
Wrath chuckled. “Then I’m quite safe, kid. It was my own body that was used at the failed human transmutation after my dear mother miscarried. But... if there’s one body I want in order to become human… ” Without taking his eyes off Ed, he touched the ground to transmute an iron lance as a weapon, “…It’s yours!”
The words barely escaped Wrath’s lips when the sound of a baby wailing filled the air. Wrath froze, eyes widened in shock. Ed looked back to see what was going on.
Rose was coming closer, the baby in her arms.
“Damn it, Rose! I told you to get out of here!”
She shook her head and walked on, the baby still crying.
Wrath closed his eyes. His hands tightened around the lance in an attempt to stop them from trembling.
“Shut it up…” he said softly, but it was to no avail. The baby’s cries only grew stronger until they became unbearable. “SHUT IT UP!” Blinded by rage, Wrath wielded the lance and attacked Rose.
“NO!” Ed quickly jumped between Wrath and Rose and thrust the automail blade on the homunculus’ chest. Though Wrath cried out in pain and fell lifeless on the ground, the young alchemist knew that it was hardly over. He faced Rose, who kept staring at the scene.
“Rose, listen to me!” he cried. “You were just used by Scar. You don’t have to die here! You know that!”
She looked at him in confusion, then at Wrath.
“Rose!”
She looked back at Ed.
“Even if you don’t care what happens to you… think of the baby.”
It was enough. Holding her son closer to her arms, she turned around and ran away, sparing only one look towards Ed. Ed didn’t say anything else though. He just watched her go with relief, knowing that he had at least saved her.
“Ed?”
His heart missed a beat, he thought his ears played tricks on him. He quickly turned around, and watched in horror as the great wall of water changed shape, becoming more humanoid. Until, finally, it took the shape of a woman with brown hair and green eyes. She looked like Colonel Douglas, and yet Ed knew it wasn’t her. It couldn’t be.
She smiled, looking at him in the same loving way that Ed remembered. Yet her voice was wounded when she asked in a soft tone:
“Why couldn’t you make me right, Ed?”
Ed couldn’t answer though. He kept staring at her, numbing shock crawling up his spine. His legs buckled underneath him and he fell on his knees. Memories of the monster that he created back in the basement of his home poisoned his mind and he couldn’t move. Not even when Wrath regenerated himself and he picked up the iron lance, or even when he stood behind him, ready to run the lance right through him.
Not even at the sound of the cold, childlike chuckle as the homunculus got ready for the kill.
“Time to pay up, kid.”
To Be Concluded…
His musings were bound to be cut off, however, when the sound of frantic pounding on the door reverberated throughout the house. Ed frowned, and decided to look into matters himself. Getting out of the bed, he stepped quietly close to the door and opened it just a bit so he could have a look at the main room.
Just as Ed suspected, Scar opened the door to a couple of Liorites who were tattered, wounded and covered in dust – a sign that they had just escaped from battle. Lyra, seeing the two men in such a pitiable state, quickly rushed to the kitchen to get them some water, while Rose stood a bit further away, holding the baby in her arms.
“Now,” Scar said, beckoning both men to sit down by the table in the centre of the room, “Are you sure about what you said? That you were attacked by talking animals?”
The shorter of the two men nodded. “They just blocked the main street, surrounding us completely. Then the largest of those dog-like creatures just gave the others to attack us without mercy. We were the only ones to escape.”
Ed clenched his jaw, understanding what the Liorite was talking about : Chimeras. And if they had the ability to speak, it meant the military managed to take Shou Tucker’s research further. That was something that sickened the teen alchemist to no end.
“Was anyone with them, controlling them?” Lyra asked at that moment as she returned with two cups of water in her hands.
“Yes,” the taller one replied in an agitated tone. “A military man who can make you explode simply by touching you.”
Scar stiffened, looking at the Liorite incredulously. “You saw that man?”
Lyra raised an eyebrow at that, surprised at Scar’s reaction. “Is something wrong?”
Scar didn’t bother answering her though. He simply faced Rose, a look of determination in his eyes.
“The chimeras and the man must be a scouting party. You can be sure that the bulk of the army will come and attack soon enough,” he said. “That’s why you will all leave through the underground passage when that happens.”
Ed was sure what Rose asked as she looked so fearfully at the Ishbalan.
What about you?
“I’ll take care of matters here,” Scar said cryptically, then quickly turned around and headed toward Ed’s room. Ed quickly retreated and lied down on the bed again, thus giving the impression he was sleeping. At the next moment, the door opened and Scar stepped in.
“Fullmetal Alchemist?”
Ed pushed himself in a sitting position and regarded Scar curiously. He just hoped Scar didn’t realise Ed overheard the whole conversation.
“You said you wanted to help this city, so here’s your chance,” the Ishbalan said, pointing at Rose and Lyra. “Help them guide the Liorites to safety.”
“I will,” Ed promised.
Scar nodded a bit, clearly accepting the teen alchemist’s answer. Casting one last look at Rose and Lyra, he placed the hood over his head once more and walked out the door.
Rose took a step forward as though to stop Scar from leaving. But Ed proved quicker as he walked at her side and placed an arm on her shoulder.
“Come on, Rose… Lyra.”
Both women complied after a moment of hesitation. Lyra, however, didn’t take her eyes off Ed, almost piercing him through with her look.
“So… you chose sides,” she said softly, making sure the other Liorites didn’t hear her as they all headed out on the street.
“I chose nothing. I’d rather not have anyone else’s death in my conscience if I can help it,” Ed answered with a hiss. “As soon as you’re out of harm’s way, I’ll go after Scar.”
Rose gasped and stared at Ed, her eyes reflecting her disbelief and exasperation.
“Yes, Liore will be under martial law,” Ed said, guessing what Rose was telling him. “If you want to hate someone, Rose, you might as well hate me. I may not like the military anymore than you do, but I’m still part of it. And I have friends in the military that are worth saving.”
Rose turned her eyes away at that, not wishing to look at Ed anymore.
Archer stood by the window of one of the tallest buildings the Amestris military had captured while the war still ranged, looking with quite the pleased expression at the hordes of soldiers, alchemists and tanks that assembled on the street below.
“Behold, your Excellency!” he declared proudly, knowing that the Führer was in the room and listening. “Over 7,000 men have gathered to crush Liore at your command!”
Bradley sipped some of his tea in silence, as though he was performing some kind of ritual. Roy and Armstrong watched him closely, waiting with bated breath to hear what his next words would be.
“Yes, without a doubt, Colonel Archer,” the Führer finally said. “However, I must also decide now that we should delay the assault.”
“What?!” Archer exclaimed before he could help it and span around, his face the epitome of shock.
Bradley, on the other hand, didn’t seem in the least fazed. He just placed the cup of tea down on a small table and knitted his fingers. “According to Colonel Mustang, Sergeant Beregond, a soldier of great potential I may add, infiltrated Liore with young Alphonse Elric in the hopes of rescuing the Fullmetal Alchemist without causing further provocation.” He paused and faced Archer, a small enigmatic smile on his lips. “We might still be able to compromise peacefully with Liore.”
Archer clenched his hands into fists. “It’s too late for that!”
“You don’t know Sergeant Beregond then,” Mustang said, locking his gaze on Archer. The Flame Alchemist could tell only too clearly that the other man was furious.
“With all due respect, Sir, you know we can’t attack without a reason,” Armstrong added. “We’ll have to wait and see if the covert operation proves successful.”
Archer didn’t saying anything more. He simply tightened his jaw, casting an angry glare both at Roy and Armstrong; a glare full of hatred.
Booming sounds reverberated throughout the streets, and dozens of people tried to run as fast as they could in the hopes of escaping the death that was following in the form of a single man, clothed in military garments. Yet wherever they ran, the alchemist simply touched the ground and caused one explosion after the other amid fits of manic laughter.
“Is that the best you can do?!” Kimblee exclaimed, watching the people fleeing like frightened animals. “Even your Ishbalan buddies put up more of a fight than this, and that isn’t saying much!”
He placed his hands on a wall, and the wall shattered to a thousand pieces. Blood-curdling screams filled the air, but Kimblee simply snorted cruelly.
“Pathetic.”
“Wait,” one of the dog-like chimeras that followed Kimblee closely behind said at that moment. “There’s something in the air.”
“Oh?” Kimblee said. He looked to his left and, sure enough, he spotted the silhouette of a robed man, standing in the middle of the road.
“Your kill?” the chimera asked, the hairs on the back of his head already standing up.
The alchemist chuckled and waved his hand dismissively. “No. Go have your fun.”
The chimera didn’t have to be told twice. Howling as a signal to attack, he charged with the rest of the pack against the robed man, the prospect of the kill nearly blinding him. So he didn’t notice the red flash of light that surrounded the man’s left arm until it was too late.
The first chimera that lunged at the man fell down with a yelp, blood gushing out of his head and staining the ground. Three more shared the first one’s fate, their heads exploding from the inside as Scar touched them one by one, and, soon enough, the whole pack was lying dead at his feet.
Kimblee witnessed the one-sided battle with crossed arms and did nothing. He simply smiled as the man approached him.
“Finally, an opponent that seems worthy of my time. I do hope your warm-up was sufficient though, since I don’t intend to go easy on you,” he said, exposing his tattooed palms.
Scar gritted his teeth as he noticed the alchemic circles that had haunted his dreams for the last eight years. “So it’s really you… Crimson Alchemist.”
Kimblee raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. “I’m glad to see my reputation precedes me, but I don’t know who…” he stopped midway, for it was then that he noticed Scar’s face. His smile broadened as his memories caught up with him. “Ah… I remember now. That scar was one of my masterpieces.” His gaze drifted on the Ishbalan’s left arm. “No wonder I didn’t recognise you at first. I’m sure I had blown up your arm too.”
Scar still walked towards Kimblee, his eyes never leaving the Amestrian. “It was given to me so I can revenge the State Alchemists. You will have the honour of being the last one I kill!”
“How nice of you to say that,” Kimblee replied, hardly fazed. “Pity that I also have this!” In the blink of an eye, he raised his right hand, revealing a ring with a red stone on his ring finger. The ring flashed brightly but, before Kimblee could perform any alchemy, it dissolved into thin air. Scar cried out in pain and dropped on his knees, his arm glowing red as it received the power of the stone.
Kimblee watched the scene intrigued, trying to understand what the meaning of it all was. However, everything fell into place when he noticed the tattoo on the Ishbalan’s arm.
“Well, well… following your brother’s footsteps, I see,” he commented with a chuckle. “In order to revenge the State Alchemists, you became what you hated.”
Scar clenched his hands into fists at those words. Composing himself, he slowly got back on his feet and faced Kimblee once more.
“It’s a small price to pay,” he said, his tone icy cold. “For I shall have you feel my brother’s hatred!”
And with that, he lunged for the attack.
Bradley stood in front of the same window Archer was standing barely half an hour ago, watching with interest in the direction of Liore. Though it was too far away for any human to see anything but the buildings under the moonlight, Pride’s Ultimate Eye enabled him to see the explosions and the destruction Kimblee caused. He didn’t even turn at the sound of a door opening, nor at the sound of a dress shuffling on the carpet as a woman walked in. He knew who walked in, and he was aware of the temper she was in.
“Why did you delay the assault?” the seductive tone was now harsh and angry.
“What are you unsatisfied with, Lust?” Pride asked, still looking at the horizon.
“You dare ask?!” she exclaimed. “Scar is waiting for the army to make its move. It’s with their lives that he can create the philosopher’s stone. You know you have to send your troops now, and yet you’ve done no such thing!”
“The Elric boys and Sergeant Beregond are somewhere in Liore.”
“One more reason we should act now!” Lust said. “If they find Scar, there won’t be any philosopher’s stone!”
Pride shook his head. “It looks to me that, in your desire to get the stone, you have forgotten your master’s wishes. She may risk losing one of the three, but not all of them. Her word is absolute.”
“What are you saying?” Lust could hardly believe her ears. “We wanted them alive in case we could manipulate them to create the stone. We don’t need them anymore!”
“So… you dare defy her?” Pride faced the female homunculus, no expression on his features. “Do you hate being a Homunculus so much? At least you live, and you live thanks to her. Remember that.”
“And yet she promised us a better life! That was why she had us search for the philosopher’s stone in the first place.” She turned around and walked toward the exit. “Gluttony and I are going back to Liore. Someone has to make sure Scar fulfils his goal.”
“You can go if you wish, but Gluttony stays here.” Pride said. “Her orders.”
Lust opened her mouth to voice her objections but she stopped. She knew it would be no use arguing with Pride or with her master for that matter. So, all she could do was leave, jaw clenched tightly.
“Brother! Brother!”
Yet Alphonse didn’t get an answer, just like he didn’t get one in the last half hour he had been searching. Clenching his hands into fists in his frustration, the suit of armour hurried to another dark street, calling out to Edward again.
It was then, however, that a terrible explosion sounded too close for comfort, shaking everything around him. A wall to his left crumbled as if it was made of paper, revealing two men locked in fierce combat. Al gasped, for the men were fighting with no other weapons than their own alchemic power, and the light of the alchemic reactions shone brightly on the faces of both Kimblee and Scar.
Another explosion made Al flinch, and he instantly took cover. Neither the State Alchemist nor the Ishbalan seemed to notice what was going on around them. Their eyes were fixed on each other, hatred written on their features as they fought and argued.
“You realise that the military is already making its move while you’re chasing me. Is that all right with you, Ishbalan?”
There was a flash of red light as Scar tried to grab Kimblee. “It is you who should be worried about the military, Crimson Alchemist. Their lives will be forfeited the moment they step in Liore!”
This time, Al crouched and moved closer. This had to stop, and he knew how he was going to do it.
“All this for some petty revenge. How foolish,” Kimblee commented in contempt.
“No more foolish than your reasons for killing Ishbalans!”
“Is that what you think? That I care to what race you belong? You’re a bigger fool than I thought!” Kimblee exclaimed, guffawing loudly. “Humans, all humans, are nothing more than empty shells that serve as nice bombs to me. That’s all there is to it.”
“Then you have no idea what a human really is,” Al said, finally coming out of his cover. The two men turned around in surprise, certainly not expecting a suit of armour clapping his hands and placing them on the ground. In seconds, a stony statue sprang out of the ground and grabbed Kimblee from behind.
Kimblee didn’t try to fight back. He simply looked at Al, a look of intrigue reflected in his eyes.
“So… another alchemist joins the fight,” he noted. “It was about time things became more challenging around here.”
“You’re not an alchemist! You’re a murderer!” Al said, hardly looking at Kimblee. He faced Scar instead, standing before him to make one question only.
“Where is my brother?”
Scar held up his glowing arm. “Stand aside, Alphonse Elric. This fight is not your concern.”
“No! There has been enough killing!” the suit of armour said, not moving. “How many more must die before you finally decide to stop?”
If Scar ever meant to answer, he never got the chance. Kimblee used his alchemy to blow up the statue that kept him in place, then lunged forward. Before Alphonse could react, Kimblee pushed him away and grabbed Scar by the right arm tightly. A flash of yellow light later, the right arm was dead and blackened at the Ishbalan’s side.
Kimblee laughed in triumph. “It is over, Ishbalan! Can you hear the ticking of the countdown to your death?”
Al gasped, for he realised what Kimblee did. Scar had become a bomb as well.
“No!” He got ready to clap his hands again, hoping to save Scar while there was still time, but Kimblee grabbed him by the arms.
“What? You think I’ve forgotten about you?” he asked with a smirk. “Your metal body will make such a beautiful booming sound when I’m finished with you.”
But Al was hardly paying attention to Kimblee anymore. He watched in shock as Scar grabbed his blackened arm with his left hand, destroying it from the very socket; then used his glowing red arm to pierce Kimblee’s heart through and through.
Kimblee’s eyes widened, blood spilt out of his mouth. And as his life slowly ebbed away, he turned around to stare at Scar.
“Look closely at this empty shell, Crimson Alchemist,” Scar said, covered in his own blood. “It has just killed you.” And with that, he let Kimblee drop on the ground.
Kimblee was already dead by the time of the impact, his eyes glazed and cold.
Al didn’t move, he didn’t think he could. Everything was quiet now, and nothing disturbed the stillness of the night except for the blood gushing out of Scar’s arm-socket.
A minute passed, then two… then Scar turned on his heel and started walking away.
“Scar!”
The Ishbalan kept walking, not looking back at the suit of armour.
“Go find your brother, Alphonse Elric. And when you do… leave as fast as you can.”
And with that, the darkness of the streets consumed him out of sight.
Ed held up the torch higher in order to light the dark passage for the people that were following him closely behind. Whispers and murmurs reached his ears as someone said that they should all head back and face the military, whereas another argued that they shouldn’t go against the Holy Mother’s wishes.
He turned when he heard Lyra’s voice to his right. She was sitting with Rose on a small pedestal nearby, and she was obviously saying something that troubled the mute girl; she was holding her baby closer to herself, rocking it gently. Ed moved closer to see what the problem was.
“Rose, you know what’s going to happen if the military catches up with us. That’s why Scar had to leave. We’ll need the philosopher’s stone.”
This again? Ed thought wryly. He was positively growing sick of it and he didn’t intend to hide it anymore.
“Stop it, Lyra,” he said, glaring at her. “I’ll deal with the military.”
Though she certainly didn’t expect Ed to join the conversation, she faced him with a hopeless expression on her face. “You might try, but will you succeed?” She shook her head. “Then the cities will hear about the military’s atrocities in Liore.”
“That won’t happen,” Ed replied. “They’ll only remember how a city was destroyed in an attempt to create the philosopher’s stone.” And with that he turned back to guiding the people through the passage, not noticing Lyra’s angered look in her eyes. He froze in his tracks, however, when he heard a strange rumbling sound getting closer. If he didn’t know any better, he’d say that it was… water?
People screamed at the sight of a river rushing to their direction and they tried to run away. The river proved faster as it engulfed several Liorites in its wet prison, only to rise up and form a wall, thus blocking the exit.
Ed clenched his jaw. He didn’t know how or why; nevertheless, he suspected who was behind this attack.
“Rose, Lyra, get out of here!” he cried and quickly clapped his hands. In seconds, his automail arm was transformed into a blade which Ed held up, ready to use it at the sight of the first homunculus.
“I’ve been waiting for you, kid.”
Ed raised an eyebrow. He knew that voice, yet he never thought that he’d hear it here of all places. Sure enough though, a black shape sprang out of the great wall of water and landed gracefully on the ground. Ed watched the boy that he had found in Dublith walk up to him with the poise of a deadly assassin, clothed in black and his violet eyes piercing and cruel, and he now knew that everything happened as Izumi feared.
“So… you actually remember, Homunculus,” he said.
The boy smirked. “The name’s Wrath. And you’re right, I do remember it all.” In a flash, he placed his hand on the ground and transmuted it into a stony fist. Seeing what was happening, Ed lunged forward to push Wrath away, but it was too late. The homunculus used the stony fist to block Ed’s automail, then hit him on the face. Ed staggered backwards, only to find himself pinned against the wall Wrath staring at him in triumph.
“It’s ironic, isn’t it? To meet again after all this time?” Wrath asked. “It seems only yesterday that I was sitting in the absolute darkness of the Gate, growing stronger as I waited for an idiot to drop by. One who kept screaming and crying ‘Give me back my little brother!’” He chuckled. “Pity I only took your arm and leg back then.”
“Well, look at it from the bright side,” Ed said, clenching his jaw. “I can do this now!” In a heartbeat, he used his automail leg to knee the homunculus on the stomach, then used his automail blade to slash Wrath’s chest.
“Oh, and here’s some news flash for you. I know your weak point, homunculus. My teacher has told me about it. You paralyse at the sight of a part that belonged to your previous body. You’re fakes so, when you see the real thing, you cower in fear.” He planted his feet firmly on the ground, ready to attack again. “I guess the secret’s out now.”
Wrath chuckled. “Then I’m quite safe, kid. It was my own body that was used at the failed human transmutation after my dear mother miscarried. But... if there’s one body I want in order to become human… ” Without taking his eyes off Ed, he touched the ground to transmute an iron lance as a weapon, “…It’s yours!”
The words barely escaped Wrath’s lips when the sound of a baby wailing filled the air. Wrath froze, eyes widened in shock. Ed looked back to see what was going on.
Rose was coming closer, the baby in her arms.
“Damn it, Rose! I told you to get out of here!”
She shook her head and walked on, the baby still crying.
Wrath closed his eyes. His hands tightened around the lance in an attempt to stop them from trembling.
“Shut it up…” he said softly, but it was to no avail. The baby’s cries only grew stronger until they became unbearable. “SHUT IT UP!” Blinded by rage, Wrath wielded the lance and attacked Rose.
“NO!” Ed quickly jumped between Wrath and Rose and thrust the automail blade on the homunculus’ chest. Though Wrath cried out in pain and fell lifeless on the ground, the young alchemist knew that it was hardly over. He faced Rose, who kept staring at the scene.
“Rose, listen to me!” he cried. “You were just used by Scar. You don’t have to die here! You know that!”
She looked at him in confusion, then at Wrath.
“Rose!”
She looked back at Ed.
“Even if you don’t care what happens to you… think of the baby.”
It was enough. Holding her son closer to her arms, she turned around and ran away, sparing only one look towards Ed. Ed didn’t say anything else though. He just watched her go with relief, knowing that he had at least saved her.
“Ed?”
His heart missed a beat, he thought his ears played tricks on him. He quickly turned around, and watched in horror as the great wall of water changed shape, becoming more humanoid. Until, finally, it took the shape of a woman with brown hair and green eyes. She looked like Colonel Douglas, and yet Ed knew it wasn’t her. It couldn’t be.
She smiled, looking at him in the same loving way that Ed remembered. Yet her voice was wounded when she asked in a soft tone:
“Why couldn’t you make me right, Ed?”
Ed couldn’t answer though. He kept staring at her, numbing shock crawling up his spine. His legs buckled underneath him and he fell on his knees. Memories of the monster that he created back in the basement of his home poisoned his mind and he couldn’t move. Not even when Wrath regenerated himself and he picked up the iron lance, or even when he stood behind him, ready to run the lance right through him.
Not even at the sound of the cold, childlike chuckle as the homunculus got ready for the kill.
“Time to pay up, kid.”
To Be Concluded…
Subtitles
- Brother's Debt
- Fullmetal Body, Fullmetal Heart
- A Quiet Day
- In The Night
- Two Men's Faces
- Transfer
- Making Plans
- Shadows Of The Past
- Underworld
- The Price Of Immortality
- Departure
- The Key
- Enemy Revealed
- A Step Back
- A Step Closer To The Truth
- A Race
- Rush Valley
- Responsibility
- Izumi
- Time To Stand Still
- Wild Child
- Encounter
- Riddles In The Dark
- In Search For Answers
- A Teacher's Mistakes
- Complications
- Visits
- The Nature Of A Homunculus
- Dante Of The Deep Forest
- Kidnapped
- Fight At The Devil's Nest
- Innocence Lost
- Blood Spilt
- Recovering
- Bearers Of Ill News
- The Flame Alchemist
- True Colours
- Markings On The Ground
- The Mission
- Heading To Liore
- Change Of Plans
- The Scar
- Holy Mother
- A Mother's Face
- Final Moments