"Soul Alchemist"

The single candle barely lit a sphere in the dark room. Night had fully settled in. But the girl didn't need to see clearly what she was doing; the process was second nature to her.

Zltt.

Warmth trickled across her wrist, not too much. Carefully she pressed the cut to a weather-worn mark on her other arm. An ethereal light emerged. She closed her eyes, and directed the glow to the dim candle. Its halo began to shift as if blown by a soft breeze…except the flame didn't move with it. Within moments, the form of a woman became discernable, defined in light. The girl opened her eyes.

"Mom…I've missed you…"

The apparition smiled.

Edward Elric stared out of the propped train window, letting the wind catch his loosely-braided blonde hair. His younger brother, Alphonse, recited the outline of their secret orders yet again beside him.

"Carnival supports several small villages, which have experienced regular disappearances for some time." The boy's voice had a metallic echo to it, due to the fact that it came from within a large suit of armor. "After your reports on the events in Central, we have reason to believe it could be another hidden lab for the Philosopher's Stone. Perhaps the same people involved at Lab #5."

"I know, I know," groaned Edward.

"I'm just trying to keep it fresh in the mind."

"Well, could you not do it out loud so much? It's giving me a headache."

"Maybe you should have taken that extra couple of days they offered."

"I don't need it. We've wasted enough time already."

"O Brother…" Alphonse would have rolled his eyes, if he could.

The truth was, Edward already had the mission constantly on his mind. It, like everything else these days, was a consequence of their failed attempt at human transmutation. They wouldn't be scouring the country for the Philosopher's Stone if it weren't for that horrible accident. He might have listened to Granny Pinako's dislike of "dogs of the military," too, except for his determination to correct their mistakes. I owe it to Al, at the very least. He touched the cool automail hidden by his right sleeve.

His brother kept a respectful silence for the rest of the trip, which turned out to be rather quick. Soon the skyline of a modest town was visible among the waves of southeast heat. As they drew closer, however, splashes of color flashed between the buildings.

"I wonder what's going on?" mused Alphonse. The train station was also festive.

"It's not called 'Carnival' for nothing," Edward replied, smiling. "Who knows, there's always something happening. Let's check it out."

They didn't have to go far to see that the current event was some kind of gypsy traveling show. Market stalls boasted food, trinkets, games, and exotic services like palm reading. In the square, a stage presently captivated an audience with a small troupe of acrobats. No one seemed troubled by strange occurrences, at least outwardly. Where to start? They knew that the local officials preferred to pretend nothing was wrong; after all, they hadn't been able to do anything about it. But reports and stories had circulated.

"Have you been over to Lamballah Street yet? There's a new stall this year," one woman said excitedly to another.

"Really? What to they have?" asked her friend.

"I think she's that Spirit Child from Terekor, the town farthest south—"

"That's just a folk story—"

"Shush, let me finish." The first woman dropped her voice to a whisper. "I saw him, my George, he was right there in the room! Just think, fifteen years since his death, and we talked for several minutes!"

The second woman gaped. "Do…do you think I would be able to see Mother?"

"She can call anyone you want, with just a touch of a hand. I've never seen anything like it! Come on!" The two of them hurried away through the crowd. Edward and Alphonse were too stunned to try to follow.

"Someone who can call back the dead…really?" croaked Edward.

"Someone's actually done it," breathed Alphonse. "Or at least that's what it sounds like. But I've never heard of such a method before."

"Well, we haven't exactly found a method that works. It's not supposed to exist. " Even though they had given up on human transmutation, the idea of a chance to see their own mother again tapped a deep longing in both of them. This girl had obviously been at it for awhile, and survived. "We have to find that stall."

Easier said than done, for they had no knowledge of getting around the town. Edward, ever the independent spirit, was determined to find it without help, resulting in two hours of wandering aimlessly. "Sheesh, it's not that big of a town!"

"I think we should either ask for directions or focus on why we're here in the first place," Alphonse tried pacifyingly.

Edward growled at the idea, but knew his towering younger brother had a point. They were wasting time. "Okay, okay, go ask…that guy. He looks reliable enough."

The man in question was dressed in plain working clothes, chatting with a local fruit seller. When he saw the two boys (or rather one small boy and one very large suit of armor) approaching, he greeted them with a warm smile.

"Good day, travelers. Can I help you?"

"Do you live here? We're trying to find a particular street," Alphonse asked politely.

"Sure I do; what street do you need?"

"Lamballah."

"Ahh, looking for the Soul Alchemist?"

"Soul Alchemist?" both boys sputtered.

"You've never heard her go by that name?" the man countered, equally surprised. "Of course what she does is alchemy. Never seen anything like it, though. Supernatural, almost. Sometimes I wonder why she settles for staying here…although she did finally join the caravan."

"How do we get there?" Edward pressed.

"It's just a couple of blocks beyond here. Turn right, and follow the people. You'll want to hurry, though. The caravan starts closing up this time of day." He indicated the correct direction. "Her talent had really boosted tourism around here. Like I said, I'm surprised you haven't heard of her, even if you're from out of town."

"Yeah…thanks," replied Edward, already heading in the direction they were pointed. Alphonse, despite his longer legs, had to hurry to keep up.

"Brother, wait!"

The man was right—when they turned the corner, several people were lined up outside a booth not too far down. This "Soul Alchemist" really had a reputation if people still came at closing time.

"What should we do?" Alphonse asked.

Edward pulled out his alchemist's watch. "We show them we're here on business."

"But the mission! What if we tip off whoever's running this potential lab?"

"Well then what do you suggest?"

"Umm…well…" Alphonse surveyed the group in front of him. It inched forward. "The line's not that long. Whoever she is, she knows how to bring back souls in a physical form. I think that's worth waiting for."

The sun was already behind the buildings, casting the narrow lane in shadow. As they stood in line, the air around them grew darker and chillier. But they couldn't leave. Every person that left the stall had the same expression. Happiness. Wonder. Total belief in what their eyes had seen. "I'm sorry, but I really do need to close for the night," a voice suddenly called from inside. Only two people were left in front of them. "The caravan will be here until Friday. I'll gladly see you tomorrow."

A sigh of disappointment rippled through the remaining crowd (some had arrived even later than Edward and Alphonse). Most of them turned away, heading for their homes or lodgings for the night. Edward pushed his way forward. A petite girl, dark-haired and barely taller than Edward, was breaking down the simple stall. A piece of cloth was knotted around each wrist. She was obviously worn out, and didn't look at them. Pride and independence showed in her straight posture and intense features.

"I said I'm closed for the night."

"I'm Edward Elric, and this is my brother Alphonse—"

"Doesn't matter; come back in the morning."

"I'm afraid we can't wait that long," said Edward. He grabbed her left wrist. She flinched, growing angry now.

"And what do you want me to do? I'm closed. Please leave."

Edward released her so he could pull out his watch. "Would this change your mind?"

"Ed…" Alphonse muttered.

"Why should it?" shrugged the girl. "So you're a State Alchemist. I'm making an honest living. It's not a crime not to get certified."

"So you admit to using alchemy in your little magic show here?"

The girl froze. "You don't know the first thing about what I do. It's perfectly legal, and every person who comes here knows what it is."

"Enlighten us, then."

"I don't really care to. You're rude and pushy just like anyone I've ever met in the military. Leave. Now." She abandoned her cleaning to disappear through the back of the booth.

"Brother, maybe we should—" agreed Alphonse.

"In a minute, Al." Edward made a wilder grab this time, but still managed to catch her wrist. This time she let out a gasp and a wince.

"Let go of me before I start screaming assault! I don't have to oblige you for anything, bigshot or not!"

"Ed!" Alphonse chimed in, yanking him back. The girl grimaced again. "Look, miss, I apologize for my brother. He gets a little carried away sometimes—"

"A little?"

"Let me finish—we were just looking for information, as research, if you will," he tried to reassure her. "We were told…that you can call up those who are dead with alchemy."

She glared from one to the other. "Well you have a fine way of asking. I'm still not inclined to tell you squat, even with your manners, big guy."

Edward was ready to unleash a retort when he noticed the dark stain around his fingers. He didn't feel the moisture under them because it was his right hand.

"You're—you're bleeding!" he exclaimed instead, releasing her. She grasped the hidden wound protectively.

"It's nothing you need concern yourselves with. Like I said, you know nothing about me."

"I'm sorry, okay? I…didn't cause that, did I?"

"Pshh, as if your grip could ever draw blood."

"Actually…" Edward eyed the girl warily as he removed his bloody glove and pushed up his coat sleeve, revealing the automail. Her mouth fell open.

"Whatever your story is, it's probably not that far off from everything we've experienced," Alphonse chipped in. She looked at him with apprehension.

"He's not a threat, despite how he looks," dismissed Edward. "Now, can we have a civilized conversation about what exactly you do?"

"Hmph, you're one to talk—" the girl began.

Voices behind them made them all jump. An older woman and a younger woman were timidly coming closer, carrying a basket and arguing under their breath. Both looked frightened.

"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea; you said yourself we could be next."

"The Spirit Girl might be the only one who can answer your questions. No one else is going to bother with your missing husband, certainly not the military. See? She's still here." The women nodded their greeting to the little group.

"Can…can I help you?" the girl asked them.