Chapter 25
"Burr, so cold," said a sleepy Saya trying to find some type of heat. "Hm, what's wrong?" asked Ed when he was awoken by the movement in the bed. "Sorry, didn't mean to wake you." "It's fine but why are you awake?" "I got cold." "Here put this on," said Ed handing Saya his coat. "What about you?" questioned a concern Saya trying to refuse the coat. "I'll be fine plus you need it more than I do," replied Ed pulling the hood over Saya's head. "I'm sorry about keeping my condition a secret from you," said Saya regretting her decision of not telling Ed the truth. "Come here. I'm not mad and I understand why you did it. You didn't want me to worry and focus on my goal. Isn't that right?" "Yes, because it wouldn't be fair for Al to be trap in that armor if you stop your journey because of me." "You're right that isn't fair to Al but that doesn't mean it is okay for you to die in the process. So tell me if you're not feeling good and no more secrets. Okay?" said Ed pulling Saya closer to him. "Okay, no more secrets," replied Saya snuggling closer to Ed. "I love you too much to lose you." Ed said pulling Saya's chin up so she was looking at him. "I love you too." "That's good to hear." Ed said pulling Saya close to him in order for him to kiss her. Saya was first surprise by the kiss but quickly recover leaning into Ed and returning the kiss. 'Hehe, it's about time!' Al thought to himself silently watching the pair in front of him and happy for the both of them. He also couldn't wait to tell Winry the good news. "Try to get some more sleep, okay." Ed suggested, softly placing his hand on Saya's cheek slowly releasing from the kiss. "Okay," replied Saya snuggling into Ed's chest and instantly falling asleep. "Yawn, so cold," shivered Ed rolling onto his back. "Restricts," asked a puzzle Ed noticing his hands were bond. "Morning, nice chains." Al said unmute at the current situation. "Yeah, they're so lovely," replied and unmuse Ed sitting up. "Huh, what's going on?" Saya asked rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "Nothing really if you don't mind having your hands bond by chains." "When did this happen?" "Probably when we were sleeping." "Yeah but was it really nesccary do this." "Hey, you three sleep well?" asked the Brig's automenchic. "Yeah, consider." "Heard you help defend the fort from that monster," chuckled the menchic handing the group some coffee. "Thank you." "That's a hundred zens." "What?!" yelled a shock spitting his coffee. "You serious? It wasn't that good," said a disappointed Saya handing the menchic a hundred zen. "Can't believe you're charging me?!" mumbled Ed. "So have you found anything yet?" questioned a curious Al. "Not yet but we sent a party into the hole. They should be back at any moment now. Also Major Miles is at the hospital." "Huh, was he injured?" "No, he is visiting a soldier who was injured fighting Scar." "Scar is in the north?" Shortly after a group of Brig's soldiers thank the brothers for helping save some of their fellow men. Since the soldiers thought of them as buddies, Ed thought it was a good idea to ask the soldiers to unchain them. Which the soldiers quickly decline and left a disappointed Ed. "Let's go the General wants to see you," ordered Buccaneer unlocking the cell and trying the group up with ropes. "Wait! Saya is coming too?" "Yes, the General wants all of you. You got a problem with that?!" "No sir!" "Awesome, this is a serious tunnel." Ed said amazed by the tunnel that the group was riding horseback in. "Still can't believe an intruder could get this far through our defenses." "So has anyone else ever made it into the fort before?" "No, not while I ever been in command here. But once 20 years ago, there was a strange incident when the mountain guards were attack in the middle of winter. Appardtly a woman stole food and supplies for a whole month." 'It was teacher!' "This should be far enough. You dismount." "Me?" asked pointing to himself. "Now then we are safely away from any priding eyes. You can now tell me everything without being discovered and I mean everything. Don't hold anything back. Yesterday I ask you about that thing and you remember what you said. I can't answer. You refused me and that is a very dangerous thing to do. Whatever it is means you would risk your life to protect something or someone. This time don't lie to e," demanded a serious General Armstrong. "We need your help General," plead Ed and then explain the group's situation. "the Philosopher's Stone, homunculus, Fuher King Bradley, a mysteries man who call himself Father, corporation in the senior staff," ponded Armstrong tapping her hand on her sword. "And there are hoisters involve too." "The question is what do we do next? This tunnel here, I want to know what you alchemists think of it." "First of all, the tunnel didn't originate from Drachma. This is just my guess but chances are that it is in the shape of a giant circle." "Why is that?" "It has to do with alchemy. In our field it's the symbol that supplies us with power," replied Saya sitting next to Ed looking at the country's map. "We need to look at this a bit more." Ed whispered to himself focusing on the map. Ed circled Ishval on the map then asks Falman to list all of the battle company by bloodshed. "Now we connect the dots." Ed said connecting the dots/towns on the map. "How could that be?" questioned the group shock that the connected dots form a transmutation circle around the country. "That's the same circle from the fifth laborbaty," said Saya when she instantly recorige the array. "If they make a Philosopher's Stone that large, how many people would have to die?" asked and unmuse and serious Buccaneer. "I don't like this! As far as I can see there is only one place left. If your theory is right then the next place they gonna hit s right here in Brig. Those bastards in Central! What kind of dirty plans do they have for my fort?!" yelled a furious General Armstrong. "General Armstrong! You are need back at the fort. Lieutant General Raven from Central is here to see you," informed a solider urgently. "It's looks like our time is up," whispered a serious but disappoint Armstrong. "Excuse me General Armstrong; I would like to ask a favor of you. I think Lt. Genera you can con information from Lt. General Raven." Ed asked calculating a plan.