Edward is told the transmutation failed. He is told that the armor was found, the blood seal cracked in two.
Broken.
Like his heart.
He hides his pain and does not cry. Even as he watches the small coffin being lowered into the ground. The coffin is ment for the body of a nine year old child, it contains only the cracked bloodseal. Edward stays by the fresh grave, staring off into the distance. He wishes, for an instant, that he could join his mother and brother in the earth. The thought lasts only for the blink of an eye, for a single tear.
It is the promise the brothers made to each other that now holds the remaining Elric togather. The promise to go on, to not look back, to make the best of his life.
This is what holds Edward Elric's heart togather. This is what keeps him from shattering.
This is what turns his face into the setting sun and his feet away from Risembool.
Back to Central. Back to the military, the only family he has now.
On that long train ride he watches the scenery without seeing it. Ghosts play in his imagination..
"Look, Brother, isn't it beautiful?" "Yeh, Al."
"I wonder when we'll see Winry again, Brother?"
"Soon as we get your body back....." Ed swallows passed the knot in his throat. Bites his lip. Hands, both flesh and metal, fist involuntarily.
"I will not cry. I will not cry. I will not cry." he whispers.
But, he wants to. Oh, dear lord god, he wants to. He wants to scream. He wants to destroy.....he wants to be held. He wants someone....someone....to hold him and pet him and tell him it's okay. Even if it will never, ever, be okay again.
"Are you all right, Brother?"
"Yeh. Yeh, sure. I'm fine."