Title : Drowning in the Abyss
Genre : Anime/Manga
Category : Full Metal Alchemist
Disclaimer : I am in no way affiliated with the fine people who created the show or manga but am grateful for it nonetheless.
Summary : It appears that traveling through the Gate affected Alphonse more than Edward ever knew. Sequel to Whispers of a Nightmare. Post movie.
Chapter 1 : First Wake
Edward could hear the rain hitting the tree leaves as he ran past them, wincing as a branch brushed against his cheek, leaving quite a nasty scratch. Blood trickled down his pale skin, mixing with the transparent substance that was continuing to pour down from the heavens.
White puffs of mist departed his lips at an alarming rate, spiraling through the air and vanishing behind him as he continued to run, he doing his best to ignore how cold it truly was. The thin, long-sleeved white shirt wasn't enough to sustain what little warmth he had had, especially now that it was ripped and torn from the many past branches and shrubs he had come in contact with.
But the torn shirt wasn't his main concern at the moment.
He could hear the footsteps behind him, fading then sounding almost as if they were right at his back. And that voice—he could hear the person calling out to him, saying his name so eerily calm and composed that it didn't seem at though he was being chased at all. And that terrified him more than anything.
Strands of gold wrapped around his eyes, temporarily blinding him as he pushed forward through the thick brush, silently praying that his heart would stop beating so fast, but it continued to pulsate through his ears, reminding him that he was far from invincible. Even if his arm and leg were made of metal.
Lightning flashed overhead, thunder rumbling in its wake. It crackled through the gray sky, echoing through the trees and brush, surrounding him with its force as the ground shook. He felt it creep up through his flesh leg, chills running up and down his spine as he pushed and dodged twigs and branches, his heart feeling like it could give out any second.
"Edward..."
They were calling for him again, and this time it was closer, much, much closer.
The nineteen year old could hear their footfalls sloshing through the muddy ground just as his were, though somehow, theirs seemed to be moving at twice the rate his was.
He sped up, or tried to, exhaustion flooding through his system. His flesh leg felt as though it was made of lead instead of nerves and muscles, and his left—although it didn't exactly weigh a hundred pounds, it sure as hell felt like it at the moment.
His black slacks had become a bit baggy, and that fact only worsened his state right now as they became caught on a stray branch, the force instantly tearing them and sending him toppling over to the ground. Mud and dirt splashed up around him as he hit the floor of the forest hard, a snapping sound befalling his ears.
His brain had told him that it was just the branch breaking, but the pain in his right ankle told him different. It seared through his leg and back down again, forcing him to acknowledge that it was either badly strained or broken, and more than likely the latter.
Grimacing, he pushed himself up, ignoring the cold, sticky substance that he was now covered in. Tears of pain sprang to his eyes as he put weight on the limb, knowing that it would now be impossible to outrun his predator.
"Dammit!" he muttered in a hushed whisper, impelling himself to go forward. He felt the ground shake once more as lightning struck somewhere obviously close, the thunder proceeding it quickly. It rumbled through the treetops, vibrating through his ears as he held onto to each tree he passed for dear life, fearful of the footfalls that had now gotten terrifyingly close to him.
Edward knew he probably wouldn't make it much farther.
Great, after everything I've worked so hard for...And now it'll be over before I know it...
The impact of the person's hands hit him harder than he'd originally expected, their strength sending him straight back to the mud-covered ground. He rolled away from them, trying desperately to push himself up or crawl away, their voice at his feet.
"Why do you keep running, Ed? Why? I would never hurt you...that badly."
Edward could hear the precious breath he so desperately tried to suck in deflating his lungs at a rate seemingly faster than the speed of light, his eyes watering with the attempt. He felt his fingers dig into the earth, continuously sinking farther and farther down, unable to get a grip on anything.
"You can keep trying, but you're not going to get anywhere. I thought you of all people would know that, Ed," the voice without a face continued on, it so eerily familiar in the blonde's ears. "Besides, now that I've got you, why would I let you go?" A light laugh followed the half-hearted question, and as the sound sunk in, Edward stopped struggling, his wide, golden orbs slowly tracing the shadow that fell upon him all the way to its origin.
And what he saw made his blood run cold; a hell of a lot colder than the chilly air that was now enveloping his body anyway.
The one word he was hanging on escaped his lips gradually, he so deathly afraid to confirm the thoughts that were racing through his jaded mind.
"Alphonse?" The pain in his eyes was clearly evident as he spoke, unaware of the fear that was also forcing his forehead to crease in disbelief. "Al...no..." His voice had dropped to an almost inaudible whisper, the pain that had been searing through his ankle completely forgotten about. Numbness surrounded him far and wide, spreading like a vast wasteland, consuming every thought of hope or faith he'd had.
The last thing he saw before he closed his eyes was the too large rock coming down at him, and the deranged grin plastered upon his little brother's face, filled with utter hate and delight at the same time.
Thankfully, he awoke before he saw the blood that had painted Al's visage; bright crimson splashed upon a cream-colored canvas with soulless eyes.
&&&&&
Golden orbs opened to a sea of darkness, a trickle of moonlight filtering in between curtains that were flowing quietly with the gentle breeze that blew in through the open window, giving explanation for the reason why it was so damned cold in the room. It didn't help the fact that he had nearly drowned in his own sweat, his white t-shirt nearly see-through and sticking adamantly to his thin frame.
Edward let out a quiet sigh, pushing himself carefully from the cheap and barely usable sheets, trying desperately to forget the images that were still fresh in his mind as his automail clicked distantly in his ears. For some unexplained reason, he jumped at the sound of it, apparently startled by the sudden noise.
"Two years without it and look what's happened to me," he muttered with a sad smile as the former alchemist stood to his feet, the chill of the hardwood floor seeping through his flesh limb. He shivered, wrapping his arms around himself as he walked over to the open window, shutting it as quietly as possible, not wanting to disrupt his younger brother's sleep.
But as he glanced over, he realized that the twin bed that sat not more than four feet away from his own, had not been slept in at all. The white sheets were carefully made, just as they had been before Edward had fallen asleep.
That could mean only one thing.
The blonde sighed as he made his way into the kitchenette area, his golden orbs falling upon the sight of his little brother fast asleep at the table, head placed uncomfortably on top of an open book with his mouth hanging open ever so slightly. Ed couldn't help but laugh at the light snores that were escaping the teenager's lips, or the small wet spot on the page below.
Just that fraction of a second helped him to push away the dream, even it would come back to him later on. He had his little brother, and that was all that mattered at the moment.
"Hey, Al," Edward whispered as he leaned over, smacking the boy's cheek lightly with his palm, flesh one, of course. "You're gonna be drowning in a minute if you don't wake up. Come on," he tried to urge the younger teen, only to earn a sleep-filled groan and an inaudible murmur from his little brother.
With a playful roll of the eyes, Ed gently pulled Alphonse up by his arms, struggling to steady the now taller of the two. Edward tried to ignore the height difference (even if it was only by three inches), thankful that Al was at least using his own two feet to get from one room to the other.
Just as he was about to help him onto the bed, Al's eyes cracked open slightly, staring straight into Ed's. A crooked smile parted the boy's lips, faint, purplish circles visible underneath his eyes in the last rays of moonlight that were slowly receding from the room.
"Brother, what are you doing?" he asked, his voice thick with sleep, his throat obviously dry. He shifted slightly as he let Ed guide him onto the creaking mattress, unconsciousness taunting his heavy eyelids, they closing ever so slightly before he forced them back open to look back up at his older brother.
"Getting you to bed. You fell asleep at the table again. You're gonna break your neck one of these days if you're not careful," the nineteen year old chided with a carefully placed smirk, his golden orbs glimmering as he stared into Al's gray ones.
"But...I wasn't finished yet. There's still so much research to do, Ed. So much that we don't know..." His voice was fading as his eyelids grew even heavier, sleep coming to reclaim him once again.
A tired smile gently turned up Ed's lips as he pushed back Al's hair, it falling back down through his fingers as he did so. "Shh, just rest, Al. I'll wake you in the morning," he whispered, pulling the flimsy sheets over Al's lanky frame. He glanced over at the clock on the nightstand, taking note of the time, his brow creasing slightly as he realized it was almost five o'clock.
"Looks like morning's already here," he muttered, standing back up, a twinge of dizziness haunting his eyes. His vision doubled temporarily before he regained his balance, inwardly thankful that the room had stopped spinning. Raising his head, he felt thin strands of hair slide across his cheeks as he blinked them out of his eyes, a deep breath easing out of his lungs.
Golden orbs searched the darkened room, locating the messy bed among the purple and blue spots that were still dancing politely in front of them. Carefully, Edward made his way over to it, sitting down on the edge while gripping the sheets for dear life, silently praying that he wouldn't somehow manage to fall to the floor.
A shiver traveled through his thin frame, goosebumps raising over his pale skin. His brow narrowed as he tried to think of a cause for the sudden bout of his inability to keep his balance, and then it occurred to him that he hadn't exactly been keeping up a healthy eating schedule as of late. Hell, he couldn't even remember the last time he'd eaten, which wasn't good, especially with the automail his body had to support.
They'd been traveling through Germany for the past two months, searching for the whereabouts of the atomic bomb that had somehow managed to break through to the other side of the Gate; and finding it was proving to be harder than they'd originally planned. Especially with the limited funds they'd managed to acquire.
Finding a place to stay wasn't exactly easy, judging the state that the economy was in; and being able to find affordable yet edible food was a trying task as well. They'd managed to scrounge up enough money from an account their father had more than obviously left for them, but what little they did have was starting to drain from their pockets, a fact that Edward tried so desperately to deny but knew to be true.
The two teens had managed to snag a room over a tavern for the past two nights, trying to recover from the highly uncomfortable train ride they'd sneaked onto in Wurzburg. They somehow wound up in Gera, though it was a far cry from their designated destination. In approximately three hours, they were supposed to catch a ride to Kassel, but only if they were able to get on undetected, a feat which was becoming harder and harder as security grew tighter and tighter.
They'd managed to uncover some information on a probable location of the bomb due to some careful yet dangerous eavesdropping in a small town near Stuttgart, which unbeknownst to Al nearly cost Ed his life.
Just the thought made the blonde shiver as sweat beaded on his forehead. He quickly wiped it away, the chilly air starting to seep through his skin, making the hair on the back of his neck stand on end.
The thought of just a few more minutes of sleep drifted through his mind, but he quickly pushed it away, knowing he had to prepare for the long day that awaited them.
He stood up slowly, this time careful to not let dizziness overtake him. As quietly as he could, the nineteen year old made his way into the tiny bathroom, nearly jumping out of his skin as a spider unwound its way down from the ceiling directly in front of his eyes. A very surprised gasp escaped his lips as redness poured across his pale cheeks in embarrassment.
"You can fight homunculi and survive automail surgery, but almost piss your pants when you see a spider?" the chiding mutter parted his lips, the young man shaking his head in disappointment. "Maybe Al's right. Maybe I am going soft. A spider. A fucking spider." For some reason, he just couldn't rid the thought of being afraid of the eight-legged creature from his mind as he slid off his t-shirt and shorts and climbed into the shower, instantly feeling unintelligent once again for forgetting to let the water run before he climbed in. He'd learned the night before that the hot water wasn't exactly hot, and had Alphonse's laughter ringing through his head for the good amount of fifteen minutes before he pushed the younger boy in, fully clothed of course.
And he didn't mind the bruise on his arm for it one bit. Just getting the chance to see the look of seething anger plastered across Al's face was pleasure enough. He hadn't been able to do a thing like that since they were children.
He couldn't help but let a tiny grin pursue his lips as he turned on the water, memories of years past running before his golden orbs as the cold blast of rain hit his skin, gradually turning lukewarm but not quite hot.
Images of a nine year old version of himself and an eight year old Alphonse swam across his vision, with an equally young Winry in tow. They were all running as fast as they could, racing to see who could get to the Rockbell house first.
As he traced the memory in his mind, he could almost feel the fresh country air take up residence in his lungs, his chest burning with longing. The clear blue sky spread across his vision like a vivid tapestry, painting the walls of his mind with the beautiful color he had yet to experience or see this side of the Gate.
Their laughter flooded through his ears, sounding sweetly innocent as it drifted through the tall, green grass, giving off an almost ethereal glow as the sun shown down on it, illuminating it with its golden rays.
Edward could feel the ground at his feet; hear the wind rushing past his ears with such force he thought his eardrums just might pop. And faintly, ever so faintly, the chirping of birds overhead seemingly rooting them on.
It was a perfect day. Probably the last one he'd ever had.
The sound of the bathroom door crashing open and banging into the paint-chipped wall jarred him from the memory, it receding into the background of his mind. Ed immediately drew back the shower curtain, his eyes widening as the sight of a very bloody and extremely distraught Alphonse stood before him, looking visibly dazed and confused.
Fear surged through him instantaneously as he hurriedly grabbed the cheap towel that was provided for them and wrapped it around his thin waist, jumping out of the shower without even bothering to turn off the water. From the looks of things, he'd probably need it.
"Al! Al, what'd you do?" the golden blonde shouted, his voice raising with each word, concern laced within the confusion. With shaking hands, he cupped his younger brother's face with his fingers (careful of the metal ones), pinpointing the origin of the blood. His eyes traced the path of the crimson substance up Al's shirt and to his face, all the way to his nose where it had apparently come from, though it was hard for Ed to believe that that much blood could have originated from there.
"Brother, I was dreaming...about Resembool, and it was horrible. Winry—she was crying, and she was saying all these things about how she didn't have much time, and she was scared...And then there was an explosion, and that's when I woke up." He was quiet for a moment, trying desperately to push back the tears that haunted his eyes, and to make the shakiness in his voice go away, without much success. "There's blood all over the pillow," the eighteen year old managed to add before Edward silenced him.
"Be quiet a minute, Al!" the hushed snap reverberated through the tiny space, instantly making the younger of the two go still. The fear that had surged through Edward was slowly starting to dissipate, but it still decided to entangle itself within his veins, even as he cleared away the blood, courtesy of the now cold water from the shower.
Eyes the color of an overcast sky peered at the porcelain-skinned nineteen year old, taking in the vast array of scars and faint bruises that covered a fair amount of his exposed body, much to Al's disliking. The pale tint that shadowed his small frame didn't help matters any, especially with the fact that his ribs had become more visible over the previous months, a truth Alphonse was currently starting to process.
His brow narrowed in visible anger, a show of emotion Edward was presently ignoring as he continued to clean off the darkening substance, making sure to get every bit of the crimson that had been plastered to the taller one's face and neck. Nostalgia pricked at his skin as images of another day and time surfaced in his mind, though in that reality, the situation was reversed, and he was the one being attended to. A glimmer of remembrance watered his eyes, though the act was temporary, due to the sudden movement of his focus.
"Al, quit moving! I'll never get all this off if you keep backing away from me..." The blonde was quiet for a moment as he realized the act was voluntary, not liking the look in his little brother's eyes one bit. "What?" His voice had dropped in volume, so soft Alphonse almost didn't hear it.
"You're doing it again, Brother." The words evaporated from his mouth more quickly and angrily than he cared for, but he couldn't help it. He was pissed.
Edward's lips cracked into a lopsided smile, not sure of what to make of his little brother's sudden display of anger. "What are you talking about?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, feeling as though he were about to be backed into a corner, silently praying it wouldn't be literally.
"You know what I'm talking about, Ed," Alphonse stated rather darkly, a storm seemingly brewing within his eyes. "You know exactly what I'm talking about," he went on, poking the smaller teen in the chest, unable to shove away the anger that was fueling his actions.
Ed instantly backed away at the sudden touch, folding his arms across his bare chest as he did so. He wasn't liking this one bit, especially not the dangerous expression that was slowly creeping into Al's eyes. It looked so foreign, contrasting with the gentle innocence that was gradually fading into the distance of the grey pools that windowed his soul.
"No, I don't know, Al," Edward replied with a sarcastic edge, trying not to sound like the smart ass he knew he could be. "So why don't you tell me," he added, finding his body suddenly susceptible to the chill that had found its way into the bathroom, recalling that the only thing that covered him was a worn towel that had seen better days.
Alphonse advanced on him, forcing Ed to connect with the pea-green colored wall, bits of paint sticking to his still wet back. His brow furrowed in confusion, tremors snaking their way underneath his skin as he watched his younger brother come within inches of him; the nightmare that had taken place less than an hour before reminiscent in his golden orbs.
"You've stopped eating again." The tone could've been described as icy if not for the concern and hint of hurt that echoed throughout Al's voice, his words forcing a hallow feeling into the pit of Edward's stomach, making him more than uneasy.
"Don't start on me, Al!" he shot back, trying to sound more authoritative than fearful as he countered his little brother's anger. "We can't exactly afford feasts, you know," the mutter parted his lips, inwardly knowing he should be trying to calm the other teen instead of indulging in the argument, but part of him just couldn't have it that way.
"You've been lying to me!" the unexpected shout came, tears welling in the eighteen year old's jaded orbs, fists clenching at his sides. "You said that you were alright! But you're not! You're not!" He was screaming now, pain evident in the words that were being forced out of his vocal chords.
"Stop it, Al." The sentence couldn't even be heard underneath Al's shouts, a fact that inwardly frightened the older teen, but he knew he had to calm his little brother down sooner or later. "Stop it, Al," Ed tried again, only to be met with more shrill yells. "I said stop it, Alphonse!"
For some strange reason, those words drew silence from the disgruntled young man, though his eyes were still ablaze with fury; the same emotion that was present in the nightmare. Without a word, he continued to stare deep into Edward's eyes, the quiet intensity quite visible in his downcast orbs.
The only sound Ed could hear was the sound of his own heart beating, palpitating loudly in his ears, seemingly drowning out all other noise, regardless of whether it was actually there or not. Breath was easing in and out of his lungs rather hurriedly, giving off the illusion that he was wheezing, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop it.
His back hit the wall once more as Alphonse moved forward suddenly, their bodies almost connecting, though the younger teen drew back before contact was actually made. Confusion marked Ed's face as he watched his younger brother mentally contemplate something before turning away and exiting the room, a bit of blood still caked around his nostrils, leaving before Ed had the chance to clean it off.
The nineteen year old stood there for a moment, his hands still flat against the wall, feeling strangely powerless and utterly helpless as a deep breath escaped his lips, one he'd obviously been holding for more than just a second. Images from the dream flooded through his mind, the expression on Al's face haunting him, making him wonder if the nightmare would be like the other ones; insanity or reality.
As he stared at the bruise that was forming on his chest, Edward realized he wasn't so sure.
&&&&&
He couldn't count how many times he'd been there in the past two months. It was just somewhere he'd go now. No questions asked.
Gone were the nights where he'd disappear into the tavern on the corner, taking a seat at the bar, as he and Maes always used to. He'd order two drinks, though both would go untouched. Roy Mustang hadn't had a drink in over three months, probably the longest amount of time he'd ever gone without alcohol.
And for some strange reason, he had no idea why he'd stopped. Perhaps it was the fact that inwardly, he knew he didn't need it anymore.
He still had his nights when he'd be the only one left in the office, a much larger one now, albeit. He was a general after all; meaning more paperwork, and therefore, more space to sign it in. But he'd managed to keep his subordinates, cordially thanking his higher ranking officer for the favor.
But when it came down to it; he was still alone, even after all this time.
His footsteps were precise, calculated; even.
That's what ten years in the military will do to you... The thought ran around his head, the man sarcastic even with himself and nobody else around to hear.
His gloved hands were stuffed into the pocket of his military-issued trench coat, the dark navy material drifting about at his feet, billowing slightly in the chilly breeze that was blowing around him.
The pale moonlight was hidden behind several clouds tonight, somehow making the streets seem even more lonesome and deserted; but then again, it was near midnight, and with the new curfew they'd put into effect, he didn't really expect to see too many souls out anyway.
Central was rebuilding, and quickly at that. Most of the buildings that had been destroyed in the invasion were in the process of getting rebuilt, the majority of debris discarded. But they still had a long way to go before they were back to what they were before. The estimated time of clean up and restructuring was to take almost a year, if not more, and due to the fact that a new Fuhrer still had not been chosen, the process could take longer. A truth that the citizens didn't exactly want to hear.
He'd have this place up and running in no time.
The dark-haired man could feel chills resonate up his spine, and even though the temperatures were near the freezing mark, they didn't originate because of that.
The onyx-eyed man had known all along that the one he called Full Metal had been alive. It was just one of those things that no matter how many times someone had tried to tell him different, he couldn't believe them.
Or he wouldn't accept it.
He'd lost too many people to even try.
But his beliefs were confirmed, and even with the snide remarks they'd exchanged, he missed him. Hell, he never thought that he could actually miss someone that much, but it was true.
In a way, it was as though he'd lost a son; a son he never had. And probably would never.
In that moment, something made his eyes water, and as much as he tried to convince himself that it was just the bitter cold wind that was whisking past him, he knew it was a lie. A lie he'd tried to tell himself over and over again without success.
The man knew that Edward wasn't exactly a kid anymore; hardly at the age of eighteen...Or is he nineteen now?
A tiny smirk played across his tired features, recalling that the blonde had indeed turned nineteen just a few days before.
You're getting old, Roy.
He laughed quietly to himself, hearing Maes jovial yet somehow serious voice stream through his thoughts.
God, how he missed him too.
Dammit.
The tears were there again, glistening underneath his eyes, though only one could be seen, rolling down his pale cheek in the glow of the street lights. He quickly wiped it away, angered at the fact that he'd let the damn thing escape.
He watched the breath spiral from his lips as he let out a sigh, running a shaky hand through his jet black locks as he did so.
Get a hold of yourself. They're both gone now, and there isn't a damn thing you can do about it.
His eyes narrowed at the thought, though somehow, he knew that wasn't the truth, at least not partially. There was still a way...
You know better.
But the idea still circulated through his head, and he couldn't push it away, especially as he came closer to his intended destination.
Onyx orbs gazed up at the sky, one seeing the sporadic stars that were separated by the clouds, the other seeing a complete darkness, though one that was not rendered by its inability to see.
Even with the hopes of rebuilding and new construction, and the promise of new technology; there was a certain discernible uneasiness that had settled within the depths of the city. Hell, it could probably be suffice to say the entire State.
He'd been hearing rumors, and they weren't very joyous ones at that. Mustang had been told that they were just that, rumors; and not to be taken with a grain of salt, but something about the things that were passing through his ears stirred something within him. It was a fear that hadn't been unveiled since the War in Ishbal, and even though it had been laying dormant all these years since; the fact was that it was still there, ready to appear at any time.
Amestris hadn't always been peaceful, that much he knew. He'd lived through his share of turmoil and despair, seen the grotesque images that human beings weren't supposed to live through let alone see. And as much as he wanted to deny it, every time he heard the wind rustle past his ears, he swore he could hear whispers of warning, gentle voices telling him that something very wrong was about to happen.
And something was also telling him that there was no way in absolute hell he'd be able to get through it by himself. Of course, he wouldn't be standing on the front lines alone; there'd be others with him unfortunately. But there would also be someone that wouldn't. Someone that he knew he'd need in order to win, to defeat the enemy at hand.
And as much as he told himself that Full Metal would come running back without question, the young man couldn't just appear out of nowhere. After all, he was on the other side of the Gate, a complete other world away.
The air grew colder as he neared his routine spot, mist swirling up from the sewer system below.
He pulled the coat closer to him, his skin crawling with pins and needles, even though he was buried underneath layers of clothing and cottony material. The chill that found its way to him was internal, and no amount of clothing could protect him from it.
He peered around once more, taking in the sight of the broken Old District, the dilapidated buildings seemingly crumbling around him.
And to think, they weren't even touched in the invasion.
The sounds of the homeless met his ears; their hushed whispers, one man's drunken shouts, a woman's crying, a probable insane person singing. Their voices melded together, becoming a symphony of sadness and woe, filling the night air with their laments.
The dark-haired man couldn't help but shake his head, knowing there wasn't a thing in this world he could do to help those people. They'd stay there, haunting the Old District until they were either killed or perished on their own accord.
Taking in the street one last time, he made sure he wasn't being followed, for if anyone found him there, he'd more than likely be shot.
His onyx eye traced the outside of the establishment he was about to enter, the wave of routine irony washing over him yet again. Carefully, he made his way inside, taking one gloved hand out of his pocket and snapping his fingers, a small flame dancing on his fingertips. It didn't take long for him to find the staircase, descending down the steps one at a time, cautious not to fall.
He counted the stone stairs as he went, a habit he couldn't seem to break. The trip took him about ten minutes to complete, his finally tally coming to one hundred and forty-six.
It's not going to change. You know that.
He paused at the last step, taking in the vast sea of buildings, all over four hundred years old. The Flame Alchemist couldn't help but stare at the sight, even though it was probably the fiftieth time he'd seen it. It was still an amazing yet terrifying image to take in.
Not even one. Not one soul survived. And no one remembers.
A strange sense of anger tugged at his nerves, forcing his brow to furrow as he started walking. His footfalls were faster this time, not paced perfectly as the ones before had been.
And as he made his way closer to the edge of the city, he found what he was looking for; the alchemic array that gave the Elric brothers safe passage to the other side of the Gate.
He just didn't have the heart to destroy it.
There's always the possibility...
Author(ess) note : Hello, everyone. I am so sorry for taking so long to get this one up and running. I've been bogged down by just about everything you can think of, so time's just been a passing thing as of late. I'd like to take the time to thank everyone that reviewed the last chapter of "Whispers of a Nightmare." You all have been too kind to me, and I only hope that you'll enjoy this one as well. Hopefully, it wasn't too out there.
And I just want to say that Al is not the bad guy; but there is going to be PLENTY of angst between the two brothers so...BE PREPARED. :p
Oh, and I really didn't like the fact that they were stating that he was three or four years younger than Ed just because of the time his body was in the Gate; because IMO, he's still a year behind Ed so that's how I'm going to write him, even if his body isn't that of an eighteen year old's. Not yet anyway.
Hope you liked it, and an update should be coming soon. ; )
Haunted Obsidian