Hey all! I posted this story as a whole, and after some editing, decided to re-post one chapter at a time. :P So this was written for FMA Big Bang on livejournal, and contains many many OCs. A few facts to keep in mind:
Areugo I based on Italy, and Creta on Greece. Canon pairings, as is my usual preference, also abound in here! :D
Rated M because of language, sex, and some violence.
"Don't be shocked that people die; be surprised you're still alive." –Cassie, acoustic version, Flyleaf
Chapter One
The man waited in the darkness, the sounds of celebration echoing up to him. He peered out through the scope into the bright sunshine, perfectly calm. His finger inched toward the trigger, and he mimed shooting the face down below. Smiling just a little, he pulled back.
"Now," he mused. "Where would it hurt you the most?" He pointed the gun to each part listed. "Your arm? Your leg?" He focused on the other face nearby, watching, as always, "No. Your heart will take the pain."
He watched down below for a few more moments, watched them in their stupid assurance. They did not believe that justice would find them. He stood, looking back to greet the other person entering the room. The taller man walked forward, still mostly concealed by shadow, the faint light just barely illuminating the scars on his face, and his blood red eyes. "We must be sure in our choice," he said. "Wouldn't the proposed wife be a better fit?"
"You have not been observing here. Look out the window, and you will see the perfect choice." Perhaps this Ishvalan man- a man who had just much a right as he to fight for justice- was too soft. His words had been filled with conviction, but mere words were useless. Few understood this, and anger coiled within. How could they fight for justice without proper resolve?
The fire cooled. No, now was not the time to think such thoughts. Soon, he and the Victor would prune all those not committed, but only time would tell who those were. The Victor had said this other was worthy, and as such would be welcomed as a brother. They stood for justice; they alone would bring goodness and righteousness back to the world.
"You are our Star in the darkness, correct?"
The man gave a brief nod, expressionless. "You are to be known as 'The King' for now. Our Victor told me much about you."
The mention of the one leading them calmed any remaining doubts The King had.
The Star took the offered gun, looking through the scope into the crowd below. "This girl- not the future wife, not his closest sister; this quiet one in the back will bring him to his knees. Besides, the sister is already slated to be used."
The Star nodded, giving the gun back. "You spoke the truth. Not once do their eyes meet, but he knows where she is. Not once does the public see them communicate, but these outward signs are not needed. It is in their every move, the slightest flick of their eyes."
The King gave a faint smile. "You speak of this as if you know it well."
The Star shrugged, still watching the crowd below. The faint light made the scars on his face seem deeply etched, as if in stone. "The General and his wife are the same. I've observed them for a long time." His hand clenched upon the window sill. "I survived the war. Survived my family, because that man saw fit to burn my house to the ground, with them alive inside, and that woman saw fit to shoot those that escaped. The violence against my family and my people cannot be atoned for, not until all of Amestris suffers the same fate."
"And that man below?" The King asked, fighting a grin. The more people saw their side, the more evil would bleed.
The Ishvalan scowled. "He is their ally. We can offer no quarter toward Amestris or its allies." He glanced out the window again. "After the Emperor has been discarded, I will welcome the people as our allies."
"If they follow the path of justice," The King supplied. He knew that such people had the potential to be wondrous and good, like the Wise One helping them. "If they see the right, then they shall join us, and be thankful we helped them to escape such rule."
The Star smiled for the first time, a bitter smile that promised terror and pain for the evil ones. "I must be cruel, if only to be kind. Thus bad begins, and worse remains behind."
The King inclined his head, and they both turned to watch the bright street. "In the end," he whispered, remembering her screams, her blood, the demons that had destroyed himself, her, and the life they had created. "Their blood will collect in the gutters, and find its way to a foul underbelly. Our Victor is leading us down the right path, and with him we will watch them suffer. First their hearts-" he gestured outside, "and their minds. Then their bodies, their last tie to the earth. From there, their souls will fly to the dark depths waiting for them."
"Perhaps for our crimes to come, we will soon follow." The Star turned away from the window, watching the shadows, his face set.
"Then so shall we suffer. But our way truth, justice, and if we are to die, or to exist in anguish forever, the way will be cleared for those we love." The King closed his eyes, his jaw clenched. "They ripped out my Queen's heart; let her blood stain the floor with the remains of a new life." He did not bother to hold back the rough sob, the hate and misery pushing out of his mouth. "We must destroy them as they destroyed us, if we are to have peace."
"Some rise by sin," The Star said quietly, still watching the shadows. "And some by virtue fall."
"They will fall!" The King hissed, ripping away part of the dead plaster from the wall.
"Yes. They will." The Star spoke with deadly promise, and raised his eyes toward the ceiling. "Ishvala, guide me on this journey."
The King forced himself to calm. He needed his energy for the fight. "How is everything with our Victor? Is he well? What of my Queen?" Communications were slow and careful for good reason, but as a result he was often left waiting in fear as to the condition of those he loved.
"The plans have all been initiated perfectly. We have a young man under the very nose of General Armstrong and the betrayer Scar. Our Victor is well, and is secured with his country's current ruler, the alchemists and the military suspect nothing. Your Queen has been employed, working with the Wise One, and has assured us that everything works better than we could have hoped. I will wait among my people, and assist the young man with the traitor Scar."
"While I take my place with the Cretian ambassadors." The King found his finger inching toward the trigger again. He remembered her face, all of her blood, her broken body, and what had been stolen from them by the demons.
It took all of his effort to wait longer, to not punish the evil now; it was only the knowledge that the planned end would be more satisfying, that stayed his hand. Without a word, he turned and left the room, clutching the gun to his chest.
"Soon," he vowed.
(~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~)
He watched as the ground shot up, forming towering spikes, blue energy crackling around the tips. A woman with long black beaded hair sliced through the spikes, throwing some knives to the ground.
"You'll have to do better than that!" Her hands hit the ground, and blue light connected the knives, creating circles. Immediately, the surface of the ground before her exploded, the smoke hiding her from view.
A girl ran through the smoke, drawing a quick circle with her foot in the dirt, throwing her own knives to make two more circles. Her palms slammed to the ground, making a giant hollow arrow that propelled itself forward through the smoke. The girl straightened, panting, and tucked her short black hair behind her ear. Suddenly she whirled around as the woman emerged from the side, meeting the oncoming knife with one of her own.
The woman smirked, drawing back. "Cutting it a little close, aren't you, pupil? You still have much to learn."
The girl bowed. "With your teaching, I have come far. I will go farther still, no matter what!"
The woman's lips twitched, and then she seemed to force herself to scowl. "You have to work harder tomorrow before we leave. Don't' think you won't train in Amestris either." She leaned close with a sly smile. "Or in the desert."
The girl set her chin, dark eyes flashing. "I'll work hard no matter the setting."
"Mei, stop teasing Jia. You know very well we'll hardly have the strength to walk, let alone train." He walked toward them as the smoke cleared, shaking his blond hair out of his equally golden eyes. The spell between master and pupil was broken as Mei bounded forward into his waiting arms. "I have to say, though, Jia, you really ought to challenge my brother when we reach Amestris. I'd like to see his face when you beat him!"
Jia laughed as the man held out his other arm to her. Mei glanced back to make sure no one was watching, and then gestured Jia forward, her own arm held out in invitation.
Jia ran into their arms, closing her eyes. He felt her warmth between them, both he and Mei clutching her tighter. After all this time, they were family. "What's for dinner, Al?"
"Mei's cooking," Al said, nuzzling said woman, who giggled, kissing the tip of his nose.
Jia blanched. "Oh. Really? Perhaps I'll eat in the palace tonight after all…"
Even with the lightness of the situation, Al knew that would never happen. Not if Jia could prevent it, or Ling for that matter.
Mei glared, sticking out her tongue. "Oh no, you won't!"
The two continued to argue as they all clasped hands, walking back to the city. Al smiled as he watched them, though his thoughts were not on their words.
Mei nudged Jia so hard she nearly toppled over. She giggled, and tried to hide behind Al, Xiao Mei climbing up Al's shoulder and watching with amusement. Mei's black hair whipped around as she ran from Jia, still laughing. Even as a girl, she had been cute, but over the years she had grown into a beautiful woman. Al's smile grew, that was what the outside world saw; but to him she had always been beautiful. Her eyes were still wide, childlike, and sneaky. She could make him laugh until it hurt, and cry for sheer happiness. She had not been afraid of him in the armor. She had been there when he'd existed as nothing but a scared boy in a hollow shell. Sometimes she had stayed awake with him at night, talking. About her distant mother, whose place in the Emperor's bed had been secured by her beauty. From the moment after Mei's birth, she did not care to know her daughter. This fact hardly bothered Mei; others in her clan loved her, so she never felt the absence of parents. Her family had grown ever since; now she had Al, Ed, Winry, Ling, and Jia.
As they approached the town, Jia let go of their hands, walking ahead of them. Until Al and Mei were married, it would not be acceptable for her to be seen holding hands with another man.
Mei drew closer to him, and he wrapped an arm around her waist. The roads were muddy and they stayed toward the side so they wouldn't get splashed while others passed by. Jia jumped easily up on the low rock wall following the road, her arms out on either side for balance. A few older people shot her scandalized looks, but most did not care; society had been changing under Ling's rule, and besides, Jia did have some sort of diplomatic immunity with her position.
She kept her shoulders back and her chin up. Wind blew lightly at her short hair, a small braid Mei had done the night before poking out from behind her ear. She reached up, grabbing a rain sodden branch, laughing as the cool drops slid down her face and over the freckles around her nose and under her eyes.
Al smiled, feeling Mei's shoulders shake with silent laughter. His smile faded, even while he tried to reassure himself. She will still be able to laugh and smile. Ling will treat her well.
Xing was changing. To the young, these changes ranged from exciting to confusing, but for all of those that had grown up with the rigid traditions, the changes were foreign and unwelcome. The laws may have changed, but much of society had not. Al knew that people's minds would have to change first; they were facing a similar problem back in Amestris. He supposed that some of the looks they were getting were for him and Mei as well. She ignored their whispers and stares, her jaw tight. He held her tighter. Mei was powerful, both politically and physically- her consenting to marry a poor Amestrian alchemist caused quite a stir. Ling and Jia's quiet rebellion caused another.
He'd never be happy with anyone but Ran Fan. And Ran Fan can never marry him, because she has to keep him safe.
A few bowed as they passed; his skills and his relationship with Mei and Jia gave him some positive recognition too, and a few even sent smiles his way. Jia hopped off the wall as it ended, walking closer to Mei as they approached the market.
One wife. That was revolutionary to the culture, something Ling had been trying to push through for quite a while. Finally, in light of the contest between the many princes and princesses, society had begun to see his reasoning. One wife, out of any of the clans. It just so happened that Jia was the only one of marrying age; all the others were too young, too old, or already married.
They passed the close clustered houses of the merchants and the market, the crowd thicker. People shouted out prices and special offers, or demands to see more merchandise. A shop selling hand woven silks and tapestries was enough to make Jia pause, though she shook her head when Mei asked if she wanted to stop.
As Emperor, Ling would be allowed to take a concubine if he wished, but Al knew Ling would never- could never- ask that of Ran Fan.
Jia, as ignorant as the rest of the country in regards to Ling and his most faithful bodyguard, knew that she also had no choice. It had been coming on for a few years; her mother and father glowed with the triumph and honor awarded them for their daughter being the Emperor's sole wife.
That's all they care about, Al thought bitterly. They have a lovely, powerful, smart, kind, daughter and all that matters is who she marries. Mei squeezed his hand, and he felt himself relax, unable to keep from smiling a little. She always seemed able to read his mind.
Jia was not beautiful in a way that was immediately noticed. Still young, she had not quite grown into her body yet; she had small lips and too-long arms in comparison to her legs. Slightly shorter than Mei, she had a larger quantity of freckles than most Xingians, and somewhat limp hair. But, like with Mei, Al saw that she was indeed beautiful. When she smiled, when she was determined to win; she was beautiful in all the accidental ways that many overlooked, and her features showed that more beauty would come with age.
The streets became less crowded, houses farther apart. Men pushed wheel barrels full of food past, a healing and alchemy clinic taking up the space of five houses. Father up the road, the Emperor's palace stood on top of a hill, surrounded by great walls and flowering trees. Xing was in its prince season; bright colors and fresh grass greeted him everywhere Al turned.
Until Ling and Jia married, she lived with Al and Mei in a house just within the walls of the palace. The house stood, grander than many in town, with two floors and a garden, though plain in architecture. Looking at the outside, it was hard to imagine that they'd lived there for all those years. Inside the house was a different story.
The walls were dotted with tapestries and photographs. A tapestry an older woman had made for them, depicting Al and Mei sitting under a blossoming tree on a hill, covered one side of the living room wall, while photos covered much of the other side.
The photo of Ed and Winry's wedding a year ago hung most prominently next to the tapestry, Ed's broad grin and Winry's glowing smile shining still through the photo, no matter the passage of time.
Al smiled, sharing a glance with Mei as they passed, thinking of how Granny Pinako had sung a drunken duet with Havoc (the latter being dragged off later by an equally drunk but slightly steadier Rebecca Catalina, to a place in the woods not quite far enough away to hide their sounds). Or how Ed's own eyes had glinted with happy tears. Al had been shaking when he'd made the toast- not from nerves, but because in that moment, looking out at all their friends and family, he knew that through the triumph and the sorrow, they would make it. That their whole lives were ahead of them.
A picture of Jia was next to that, hair dripping wet from falling in the rive, while another with the three of them was under that, along with a few pictures from when he was a child, and two from his days in the armor. One had Ed and Winry; Winry's arms wrapped around one of his, Ed in front of them, grinning. The other was in central; Maes Hughes, one arm around Al back in his armor, the other ruffling Ed' s hair, while Mustang, Hawkeye, and the others were clearly trying not to laugh. Ed's mouth was partly open, arms blurred as he reached up to slap Hughes's hand away.
For a while they were mostly silent, helping Mei cut vegetables, boil water, and take out the plates.
"When you love someone," He'd told Jia once, "You are happy to just sit in silence with them."
All those moments, even hours, of silence with Ed and Winry flashed behind his eyes. It was hard sometimes, being apart from them, and yet he was not sad. No matter the distance, nothing between them would ever change. They would always be a family. Winry had been there to cry for them, to say kind words and mean them, to be the strength that pushed them forward when they started to forget about the home that was waiting. Ed never gave up; not down in that awful hole fighting the homunculi, not after their mother had died. He was the one that helped them both to have the strength to look back, to remember those waiting. Al- he knew that he had been there to protect them too, as they had both protected him so many times, in so many small ways.
Though distance did not change their feelings for each other, still he could not wait to see them again. He reached for a sharper knife to cut up some particularly stubborn carrots, and then stopped as a knock sounded on the door. His hand clenched upon the knife as a voice rose beyond the door-
"I come bearing a message for the Lady Jia, from Emperor Ling Yao!"
Mei approached the door swiftly, Al right behind. Peeking through the eyehole for a moment, Mei opened the door to reveal a young man in rather traditional garments. He bowed low to all three of them, his rather impressive, though thin, mustache flapping. "The Emperor wishes for you to come to the palace, so that his seamstresses may make sure that the clothing for your travels fit."
A small role of paper lay in the messenger's hand. Jia, her face expressionless, took the scroll, unfolding it. Her eyes quickly scanned the words, and then she handed it to Al without looking back at him. "Take care of this."
He was not offended by the command. This was how she was to act around others. Quickly reading the message himself, Al looked toward Mei, and gave a nod. She nodded back in understanding, turning to the messenger.
"Inform the Emperor that Lady Jia needs her sleep. We have a long journey ahead." Mei spoke sharply, her anger not directed toward the messenger, or Ling, at all. "She can try on the clothes tomorrow night while we are on the train."
Sorry, the note said. The council is all over me about you hardly being here. But if Mei uses her influence it will be acceptable for you to miss this.
"As Jia's teacher, caretaker, and bodyguard, I can assure you that she needs her rest." She rummaged through the papers on the table, finding a clean one, and quickly wrote out a response. "This should suffice. Bid the Emperor and the council good evening, and a safe night. Farewell."
He barely had time to bow again before she all but shut the door in his face.
There was silence. Jia stared at the door, her face still expressionless.
"Jia?" Al touched her arm, sharing a concerned look with Mei.
"I can only put it off so long." She spoke quietly. "Here I am, not the prettiest or the smartest, yet still it must be me. Soon I will be pampered and beautified, and honored beyond belief. I will be the Xingese face of alchemy. Someday I will bear the Emperor a child- the sooner, the better, right?"
They pulled closer to her, and she turned toward them, her voice becoming thick. "I'll be okay…" She gave a slight smile, lip trembling. "He'll be good to me, won't he?"
"The best," Al whispered, bringing her to his chest, Mei encircling her from behind, smoothing back her hair. Jia had always seemed to more or less accept her fate- but now he realized that she had always been hoping that somehow, she could get out of it.
Jia cleared her throat, tears slipping down her cheeks. "I'll be fine. He's a good man. I'll be provided for. I'll be fine."
"Shhh," Mei said softly. "We're here. Close your eyes, little one."
Gently, Mei began to sing a song he faintly remembered, while continuing to stroke Jia's hair. After a moment, Al joined in as the words came back to him.
As the seas part
And the skies flame
Cool the fire with your rain
Carry out the sun with your hands
Close your eyes
Fly with me
And please smile again
They stood like that, singing softly, and Al remembered his mother singing to them at night, or when they were sick. He remembered Winry's bright laughter, her tears, and her kind words; his brother's hand on his shoulder or the metallic echo from him lightly rapping the old armor with his knuckles.
Family is never gone
Forever in your heart
Even if we have to go
We'll whisper from the flowing earth
And sing with the leaves
Be in the mirrored water
And in the long shadows
Never will you be alone
Jia joined them on the last few words, her voice trembling.
So, close your eyes
Little one, my love
And please smile, again.