The scene lay out before them was colorful and filled with life. The lanterns hung in the air glowed and cast red light on all of the carts and stands, the bustling carts and horses that only added the futile japan look made me gasp. The dark sky made it look like it wasn't a sky at all, but instead a dark blanket draped over a tent. The flashes of lightning showed creatures staring down unto the earth and sharp rows of teeth.
"Al…are we even on earth?" Ed asked as Al guided him through the side walk. He chuckled and shook his head. "Not even close." He said through amused snickers. Spirits glided over and even through them as they walked on trying not to attract any unwanted attention. Monsters with six eyes or more slithered and stomped past them. Edward glanced up at Al and saw how he could blend in so easily. His glowing lantern eyes were like some sort of…result of being here for so long. The shops that lined the streets yelled and shouted bargains for strange things like fish heads, cat's eyes, and salt. They waded through the busy streets until they came to an old rundown shop that practically screamed creepy.
It was falling apart and held together with decrepit bricks that looked like they were a thousand years old. Al guided Ed to the front door, slanted and rotted; there wasn't even a light under it. There were loud crashes, glass shattering and doors slamming.
"Hello?" answered a very tall woman. She was the average height of a man and towered over Edward, making him shrink. She had a very short Kimono on with thigh highs and geisha shoes on. Her long black hair fell and cupped her face. A mask covered her face, with black dots for eyes and brows.
"Masuku, this is Edward, remember the appointment I made with you?" Al asked putting a hand on Ed's shoulder. Masuku looked down at Ed, and for a moment he thought she was going to laugh and tell them to go away.
"Alright, come in." she said leaving the door open as she turned away and went inside. Ed and Al looked at each other, but followed anyhow. The inside of the stone hutch was a stark and shining difference. It was silk curtains and shiny gold candle holders. It smelled of lilies, honey and wax. A short wooden table was at the very back surrounded by crimson veils Masuku sat on one side away from them with her hands folded on the table top. Al and Ed sat down, squeezed beside each other. Al struggled to fit in the small space while Ed just sat and gave sly side-ways smile at Al's struggles. After Al was situated Masuku brought out a glass ball and held it in her palms.
"Each of you put your hands on this and close your eyes. We're going to see what is going to happen now that the monster is free of its sleep wary chains." Ed and Al gave each other a glance and laid their hands on the crystal sphere.
Time and time again this happens
Time brings forth misery and happy tidings
It brings forth peace and apocalyptic chaos
It brings love and joy but also death and bloodshed
It brings forth the very essence that kills even the most powerful sorcerers
Two boys one dead and the other alive, will stop its rampage, but at a price
One will not make it
And the other will die
Over the span of a thousand years the monster will grab humanity by the neck and strangle it
The only way to prevent this is to make a sacrifice
Once the ominous voice disappeared the only thing left was the soft glow of the glass sphere. Al and Ed looked at each other with worried looks in their eyes.
"Masuku, what did that mean? Was it talking about us?" Al asked pulling his hand back. Masuku sighed and grabbed it, what happened next only sealed the duos fate.
"I love you Alphonse, but I care about the world more. I'm sorry." The glass ball cracked and shards fell off as light pulsated through it. The light grew brighter and brighter until engulfed the two boys, Alphonse let out a scream and Edward was sent flying into the wall with a sickening crack. Blood trickled out of his mouth as he opened his eyes to see Al clutching his head moaning in agony. His glowing lantern eyes grew brighter and brighter until they were no longer red, but a soft pink hue, his armor was restored to a new and polished state while a blood seal engraved itself in his torso.
"I'm sorry Alphonse…I know you can't stand being eternal and I know you can't stand being reminded of past events, but this needs to happen, there is no other way." Masuku stood and went to Edward, who glared at her through tear stained lashes.
"What the hell did you do to him?!" he screamed sending a punch into her leg. She side stepped it and bent down to stick her fingers into his blood caked mouth. She yanked them out and walked back to Alphonse who was still clutching his head. She knelt down and took his helmet off to smear her blood soaked fingers on his seal.
"Now you have to go…I hope you like the new life Al, it suites you." Masuku said before snapping her crimson coated fingers.
They were instantly transported back to the real world, earth.
"…ugh I was really hoping I wouldn't come back with a head ache." Edward moaned as he sat up from the floor. He turned to Alphonse who was still lying on the floor unconscious.
"Al? Al c'mon wake up this isn't funny. Al? AL! Alphonse!" Edward tried time and time again to wake his sleeping friend only to come out as disaster. He didn't know what happened, but whatever it was, it wasn't good.