Descent Into The Maelstrom
Maelstrom: (n.) 1. A large or violent whirlpool, 2. A violently agitated state of mind or affairs.
Chapter 1:Edward Elric stepped inside the old abandoned warehouse, ignoring the dust curling around his platform boots as he walked. His eyes were wary, watchful of any movement in the darkness. He knew the homunculi were there, he knew they had his brother. He knew he had to get Alphonse back, who knew what they might do to him. Especially that one, Envy…
He walked over old wood scraps and debris towards a door on the far side of the room that was partially open, and he could see a faint light flickering, like candlelight. He slowly made his way over to the door, muscles tensed and ready for any impending attack. The door creaked on rusty hinges as he eased it open, peering around for anything. His narrowed eyes found…
Nothing.
The room was small, the walls lined with bookcases and dust an inch thick. A small table sat in a far corner with two candles flickering in the darkness. Books lay scattered across the grimy surface with chaotic indifference. Edward ventured into the empty room, searching…
"Looking for me?"
Edward's entire body tensed even further as he heard the evil-soaked voice of Envy. He turned around to face the homunculus, and wasn't surprised to see Lust and Gluttony, holding onto Alphonse. Lust was looking seductively dangerous, as usual. She was leaning against the wall, absentmindedly running a finger up and down Al's armor. Gluttony leered up at Al, then focused his attention on Edward.
"Can I eat him, Lust? Can I? Please?" The fat homunculus pleaded.
Lust smiled evilly as she responded, "No, the metal might give you indigestion." She continued to stroke Al's side as she spoke. Edward narrowed his eyes as he asked, "What do you want? Why do you want Al?"
Envy grinned maliciously. "Why, we need him to make a Stone. We're one life away from having enough, and I thought it might be a good idea if your brother was it. Isn't that nice of us?"
Edward's eyes widened in surprise and anger before casually transmuting his automail into a small metal blade and saying, "Well. We have a problem, then, don't we?" He charged at Envy, who dodged the attack with ease.
"You'll have to try harder than that, half-pint." Envy sneered.
"Don't call me small!" Raged Edward. He stabbed at the Sin as he transformed into every person that Edward ever loved. Hughes, his mother, Al…
He managed to slash into Envy, leaving a huge gouge. He just smirked. Edward, frustrated by this, whipped out his secret weapon, the seven-point array that he had sewn into his gloves, specifically designed to drain a homunculus of its power. He clapped his hands and laid them directly onto Envy's chest. The Sin stopped, and started choking. He dropped to his knees as he began to throw up pieces of Red Stone. They spilled over his mouth and onto the floor like blood. Once they finally stopped, Envy shakily stood, glaring at Edward through his bangs.
"You…b-bastard…" He choked out.
Edward smirked as he allowed that emptiness fill his eyes, the emptiness that allowed him to kill these soulless demons. He lunged forward, the movement far too casual for its intentions, and speared the homunculus through the chest. Bright red blood gushed from the wound, sliding around the protruding metal. The shock on his face was almost comical as the spike slipped out of him. Edward grinned maliciously as the Sin fell dying at his feet.
Lust's face twisted in fury as she watched Envy fall. How dare this presumptuous brat kill him? She extended her long spiky fingers at the boy. It snagged his coat as he dodged her sudden attack, jumping back like a gymnastic monkey. She snarled back at Gluttony, "Kill that hunk of metal!"
Gluttony, as always, did as she demanded. He turned to Alphonse with an evil sneer and started towards him, saliva dripping. Al struggled against his bindings desperately, but was unsuccessful. Gluttony began gnawing through his unyielding armor.
Alphonse screamed, "Niisan! Niisan help me!"
Edward started at the sound of his brother calling for his assistance, and earned a nasty wound from Lust's nails. More than a little annoyed at this, he rebounded with a vicious counterattack, landing a deep slice across her pale throat. The blood flowed forth, but she ignored it as she lashed out at him again and again. All the while, Al was helpless against the ministrations of Gluttony.
Lust and Edward dodged each other's blows, like an intricate dance. His breath became ragged as she got in a few lucky shots. Finally, she lengthened her nails again, but Edward darted under her swipe and quickly clapped his hands. He pressed his hands against her waist, once again activating the circle on her. Her forward momentum caused her to stumble to her knees as Envy had done, and began to cough up the lives caught in the Stone.
Edward wasted no time gloating over her death; he slit her throat quickly and efficiently. He stopped for just a second to catch his breath, and he heard a earth-shattering scream. It made his heart jump into his throat. He whipped around to see Alphonse being eaten alive by that greedy creature.
Gluttony's teeth scraped at the edges of the blood seal and Alphonse shrieked, sending a shiver down to Edward's very soul.
And he stood motionless as that thing continued to eat his brother.
(A/N: This is my very first WIP, so please tell me what's wrong, what's right, etc. Lol. Reviews are MUCH appreciated.)