Chapter XIV: The Fuhrer's Son
Edward found his brother in the library, engrossed by a stack of rather voluminous tomes. The books were a quite dated repository of alchemical knowledge handed down from times which preceded the founding of Amestris. The one which Alphonse was reading was particularly old.
"Hey Al, what'cha reading?" Edward asked.
"It's about something called Alkahestry; it's a form of alchemy they practice in Xing. They say it is highly adapted for medical purposes." Alphonse answered.
"Medical purposes huh? You suppose anything in there could help us get our bodies back?" Edward asked in return, reaching around and scratching the back of his head with a smile upon his face.
"Maybe but we would need an adept Alkahest to teach us. This is written from an outsider's perspective and doesn't really give all the ins and outs of the art." Alphonse explained.
"That girl with the funny cat, she was from Xing right?" Edward asked.
"Yeah." Alphonse replied.
"And she used that funny alchemy of hers which means she could be a Xingese Alkahest. Perhaps if we find her she can teach us?" Edward concluded.
"But where would we find her, she took off before we woke up the other day?" Alphonse inquired.
"We ask around. That creepy cat thing of her is a dead giveaway. If anyone has seen it they certainly wouldn't forget it and that could lead us right to her." Edward answered.
"Oh my gosh! It really is you! The fullmetal alchemist!" a child's voice burst in and startled the Elric brothers.
They turned to see a young boy standing in front of and between them across the table beaming with excitement as if he had just met his favorite celebrity. Then again the Elrics were something of celebrities around her Edward supposed, only they didn't seem to get all the credit they deserved.
"Actually I'm not the Fullmetal Alchemist, . ." Alphonse began to explain.
"You're his brother! I know! The little one is actually the Fullmetal Alchemist." the boy completed Alphonse's sentence.
"Hey!" Edward shouted in protest.
"Oh my gosh! He even gets mad when you call him little just like they said they would!" the kid cheered.
"Hey!" Edward protested again.
"Calm down brother. He's just a fan of our work I guess. I suppose we should give him an autograph or something?" Alphonse suggested.
"Yes, yes, please do!" the boy cheerfully replied.
Alphonse took up a pen and paper. "Who should I make this out to?" Alphonse asked.
"Selim. Selim Bradley." the boy answered gleefully.
"Bradley? As in King Bradley? The Fuhrer of our country?" Edward asked.
"Yep that's the one! My dad is responsible for this entire country! It's a big and important job yep." Selim replied.
Ed and Al looked at each other and inwardly gasped. They knew now that they had to be careful about what they said in front of the boy lest he inadvertently told his father what they were up to and thereby incurred the Fuhrer's displeasure or wrath if you will. So Edward and Alphonse dutifully signed an autograph for the little boy who accepted it with a cheerful smile.
"What are you reading there? I bet it's something really cool about alchemy right?" Selim asked excitedly.
"Well, um, actually it's about something called Alkahestry; it's a form of alchemy they practice in Xing." Alphonse confessed.
"Xingese alkahestry? Why would you want to study foreign alchemy when Amestris is a major alchemical power right here?" Selim asked.
Alphonse thought on his feet and came up with a reasonable enough answer without much hesitation. "They say Alkahestry is adapted specifically for medical purposes." Alphonse answered.
"So we think it might help us to get our bodies back." Edward added, which wasn't far from the truth.
"Oh I see! In case the Philosopher's Stone turns out not to be real after all. My father says it doesn't exist but if anyone can find it I know that it will be the Fullmetal Alchemist and his big brother!" Selim replied.
"Hey! I am the big brother!" Edward protested.
Alphonse grabbed Edward by the shoulders before he could draw attention to himself with that outburst.
"Hey! I got an idea! How about you two come join me and my parents for dinner tonight? I can't wait to show him that I know the Fullmetal Alchemist!" Selim invited them.
"I'd love to go but I think the Fuhrer is too busy now to be bothered by us." Edward said hesitantly shrugging off the child's request.
"Great! Then I'll see you there! Don't be late!" Selim accepted the invitation for them and left without giving them time to back out of the arrangement.
"Great, now it looks like we have to go." Edward quietly complained.
"The Fuhrer, I hope he's not still mad at us!" Alphonse said with a gulp.
"Nah, he'll be over it. We just got to keep our heads down and act like we're not meddling in their business. Play the good little dog card just for a night and we'll be alright. Besides we might just learn something over there." Edward replied.
"We'll have the boy with us and you know the Fuhrer won't do something so rash in front of a kid that admires him that much." Edward added.
"If that is Fuhrer Bradley's son?" Alphonse remarked.
"Yeah." Edward whispered. There was something odd about it. Fuhrer Bradley was a homunculus, he shouldn't be able to have children. He shouldn't be able to show the appearance of aging either but he did. Tonight's meeting might leave them with more questions than answers.
"Something doesn't add up. I didn't even think that the Fuhrer could have children because you know." Edward told Alphonse being careful not to say anything which if overheard could land him in a world of trouble.
"I know what you mean brother." Alphonse replied.
"Just keep your eyes open." Edward cautioned him.
"Right." Alphonse agreed.
The brothers then went back to studying their textbook tomes until it was time to get ready and go over to the Fuhrer's estate for dinner at the behest of his son.
When they arrived that evening they were seated in the living room in comfortable chairs across from the Fuhrer's wife while Selim played with toys on the carpet between them.
"Well Selim certainly has taken a liking to you. You two seem to be all he talks about these days, other than his father that is." Mrs. Bradley confessed.
"Oh that reminds me Mom, can I show them the report I did for school on my dad?" Selim jovially burst out and said.
"Why certainly son. I believe you left it upstairs in your room." Mrs. Bradley replied.
Selim ran off and left his mother alone with the Elrics.
"Speaking of his dad is the Fuhrer here?" asked Edward.
"No but he should be along shortly. The affairs of state keep him quite busy you know." Mrs. Bradley replied followed by a long silence while they waited for Selim to return.
"Are you going to ask why he doesn't look like his father?" Mrs. Bradley broke the silence and asked.
"No, we didn't even think. . ." Alphonse replied as if almost in shock. Like she knew they were suspicious. Did she know the truth about what her husband was?
"It's because Selim is adopted." Mrs. Bradley told them. "You seem me and my husband were never able to have children so we took in Selim. He needed a good home and well I needed someone to care for when my husband was out managing the country." she went on to explain."
"Oh, I never even noticed the lack of resemblance until you brought it up but now that you mention it, yeah." Edward calmly and softly responded.
"Oh it's quite alright. Selim really is a sweet kid, sometimes a tad to enthusiastic but that's our boy." Mrs. Bradley gleefully said.
The front doors opened turning Ed and Al's attention away from Mrs. Bradley and in the direction of the sound. They were then startled but by no means surprised to see Fuhrer Bradley heading in their direction, as stern and iron faced as ever. His countenance softened when his wife got up and approached him.
"How lovely it is to see you dear." she said taking hold of his right hand with both of her hands and beaming radiantly up towards him. "As you see our son has brought guests over for dinner." she continued pointing one open hand towards the Elric brothers.
"Ah the Elric brothers, how pleasant it is to see the two of you here." King Bradley greeted them pleasantly as if he had completely forgotten their earlier affair in Central Command.
The Elrics started to get up but were rebuked by the Fuhrer. "No need to get up. We're off duty now." he said.
"Seeing as you're my guests how about I offer you a cup of tea before dinner." Bradley offered.
"It's really not necessary sir." Alphonse politely refused.
"Nonsense. It would be my pleasure." Bradley insisted.
He then left to prepare fresh brewed tea leaving the Elrics with his wife for a few minutes. Fuhrer Bradley then returned with the tea just as Selim was coming back downstairs. Selim dropped his materials and ran to hug his father's leg almost causing him to drop the tea if the Fuhrer's dexterity and balance hadn't been so great.
"Hey dad! You'd never guess who I ran into at the library today!" Selim exclaimed as he backed away and beamed up at his father.
"Judging by what I see here I'd say the Elric brothers." the Fuhrer replied as he handed out the tea and set the pot down on the coffee table beside his reclining chair.
"Yep!" Selim said.
"My boy, he quite idolizes you two. You wouldn't believe how many times he has asked me to introduce him to the both of you." Fuhrer Bradley said.
"Yeah, but he never would." Selim added.
"Now, now. The Elrics are very busy doing important alchemical research for the State. I can't interrupt their work just so you can swoon all over them." Bradley told his son.
"But I suppose I can't stop you from finding them yourself." Bradley said with a hearty, pleasant laugh.
The way the Fuhrer was with his family, or really the way he was in general, outside of the realm of battle was so different than he truly was. Looking at him now one would have no idea this elder war hero was the living embodiment of Wrath. If the Elrics didn't know better they would think the Fuhrer was a kind man and a good father but they knew the harsh cold reality of who this man was deep inside. They knew his malevolence even if it did not show on the outside.
The brothers sat in the midst of awkward conversation while having tea with the Fuhrer, the homunculus who ruled their country. Selim showed the brothers his school presentation on his number one role model, who after all the boy had swooned over the Elrics this evening was surprisingly not them. It was his father, the Fuhrer, a more appropriate choice. If only the eager little kid knew who exactly he was idolizing here. Edward held his tongue, for the boy's sake and for his own. Sowing discord in the Bradley household would have been an offense that would no doubt cost him his life.
"And that's why my dad is the greatest person in the whole wide world." Selim concluded.
"Settle down there my boy. I'm sure the Elrics didn't come all this way just to hear about me." Fuhrer Bradley modestly remarked, blushing a bit with the laugh lines showing in his face.
"That's quite alright. You're his father so it's only natural he looks up to you." Edward said feigning good cheer.
"And you're the most important person in the country." Alphonse added.
The Fuhrer grinned deeply and held his palm out as if to say "Enough, Enough. Enough with the flattery." Selim then picked up his materials and returned them to his room. Shortly thereafter the dinner meal was ready. They were served roast duck and herb dumplings with a side of steamed carrots and asparagus. The dinner conversation was just as trivial and fluffy as afternoon tea was. It was also unnerving with the Elrics and the Fuhrer both fully aware of the cards each other held. They both were undoubtedly performing an act to get through the night, an act which the Fuhrer was far better at performing. Still there were no noticeable slip ups and when the dinner was concluded all seemed well. They thanked Selim and the Bradleys' for their hospitality and went to the door. Whew, Alphonse thought thinking they had just dodged a bullet. It had been a time of heavy tension for what should have been a light and pleasant evening.
Bradley showed the Elrics out and walked them to the iron outer gates of his sprawling palatial estate. The gaslights around the patio and along the walkway provided a calming glow as did the young fireflies buzzing about this early summer's eve. The night air was calm and quiet. The sound of cars, foot traffic and the city nightlife was a distance removed from the Fuhrer's household. They stopped at the gates and just as the Fuhrer reached out to open them to let the Elrics out he stopped and focused back upon the boys with a glaring look that had clearly lost the image of his daily masquerade.
"The two of you did not make any mention to my family of what you may or may not have seen concerning the military and happenings in Central?" the Fuhrer asked them plainly but without incriminating words lest anyone unseen be listening in.
"No sir. Not one word." Edward replied.
"Good. See to it that it stays that way." the Fuhrer said sternly.
He then became more somber, almost longing or nostalgic in his voice and mannerisms. He resumed his charade with a deep breath only it wasn't a charade. There was a deep emotion to the Fuhrer's words that followed, one that was sincere. It appeared Wrath had a heart after all; there was still some humanity left in this Homunculus. He exhaled with his eyes closed and then spoke plainly to the brothers.
"It is true. That so much has been appointed to me since I took the role of Fuhrer. My wife however, that was the one thing I was allowed to choose for myself." Bradley explained. "I would rather she stay unaware of the way the world really works. Her life would be a happier one that way." he continued.
"As for the two of you keep your mouths shut and your nose clean. Good luck on your research boys." the Fuhrer said opening the door and dismissing the Elrics.
Once the Elrics had left Fuhrer Bradley ambled about his palatial estate that night. The sun went down and the deep purple velvet sky turned to black. The glow of the gaslights became more profound. After a lengthy stroll the Fuhrer stopped near the corner of his inner garden next to an ornate gaslight on a tall pole. The gaslight pole was connected to two pairs of wooden latticework separating the patio of the Fuhrer's estate from the garden. Opposite the latticework were the beige plaster walls of the Fuhrer's mansion home and between the two a cobblestone walkway forming a scene of simple elegance in which the Fuhrer was at its center. The shadows danced off the walls broken by the glow of the flickering flame within the gaslight while the Fuhrer remained standing there, as if waiting for someone.
All of the sudden he spoke into the darkness. "Father has not been himself lately. Have you noticed anything strange about him Pride?" Fuhrer Bradley asked.
"You mean other than the new Homunculi?" a voice replied coming from out of nowhere.
The sound of the voice had no clear origin point; it was as if it came from all around him as he stood in the shadowy twilight path.
"That too. It is unlike Father to wish to purge his purer elements from his being. As if he possessed them to begin with. The desire in reverse should have been expelled just the same with our inception." Fuhrer Bradley stated.
"He doesn't quite exude the same presence he once did. He seems more, cast down to Earth if you will." Bradley said.
"He seems different. More like us if you will. As if through his second catharsis his passions had been retained. Nor does he seem to possess further knowledge concerning the plan." Bradley continued.
"That is disconcerting. Were you there when it happened?" Pride asked from out of the air.
"No. Envy and Gluttony were with him." the Fuhrer replied.
"Idiots. Those two would believe anything." Pride disdainfully criticized his brothers.
"Yes and that is what has me troubled. I need you to look more closely into the matter. If something is wrong with Father I need to know." Wrath said.
"I will see what I can find." Pride replied from the shadowy void of the darkness between the flames.
"What about the Elrics? I see they are snooping around again." Pride asked, changing the subject.
"Keep an eye on them but nothing more. See that no harm comes to them. Father had great plans for them." the Fuhrer answered him.
Great plans indeed, that is if Father was still Father. If whatever misfortune that had befallen their creator had affected that then it seemed all their long standing plans would be in jeopardy. They had prepared for too long, laid too much groundwork, sacrificed too much to be set when the Promised Day came. The culmination of hundreds of years of scheming and manipulating an entire nation was drawing ever too close for an accident of fate to foul it up or even worse a deliberate act of sabotage. Could that be Von Hohenheim standing in for Father down there? The thought hadn't even occurred to Wrath until then. He was similar enough to Father to fool the slow witted Gluttony and easily distracted Envy, especially after going three rounds with the Elrics prior. Could Father's alter ego, the basis for his form upon this mortal plane have found a way to drag Father back from whence he came and substitute himself in his place in order to confound and defeat his children? It was an unsettling proposition but hardly likely. If Hohenheim had been able to do that his alchemy would be at a level of unparalleled proportions against with all of their powers combined would be insufficient to challenge him. Also Hohenheim purging his virtues? That simply would go completely against everything Hohenheim believed. While the former slave was wrought with sorrow his virtue was the one possession he prized above all else, the stains upon it being the basis for much of his sorrow. The last thing Hohenheim would want to do was to remove that he so desperately wished he could restore. Nothing seemed to add up to Wrath. For the moment he had a country to run and an agenda to advance; he hadn't the time to investigate further. That would fall into the realm of Pride, who literally could be in multiple places at once. He was the greatest of the homunculi in the art of deception and infiltration; by Pride's own account he was the greatest of the homunculi period. If anyone could pierce the shadows veiling the truth surrounding their father it would be Pride. Wrath parted company with Pride who apparently had no physical location within the shadows and returned to his home as Fuhrer Bradley, back to his family and the second life he led.