Cathedral. Russel was becoming impatient as he tapped his finger on his arm.
They heard the door open. Melita walked in followed by Edward.
"Edward!" Fletcher called out.
"What took you so long?"
"Sorry, got caught up on something." Edward said, "Is this the place?"
Melita felt herself being drawn towards the altar.
"This is it." Melita said as she examined the broken glass windows.
"Show me the letter one more time." Edward asked.
Melita listened about how the Tringham father had come here to find way to refine the red water. He ended up in the 5th laboratory where he met an alchemist. That alchemist told him of an element that was necessary to transmute the red water into a Philosopher's stone. He was then brought here to the cathedral where the four stood.
Melita couldn't take her eyes off the figure in the stained glass.
"To think that there's an even bigger lab than the 5th. Have you heard anything about it, Melita?" Edward asked.
Melita didn't listen to him.
She began to whisper, "Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the Beginning, is now, and shall be, world without End."
Melita clapped her hands. This surprised the boys. They watched as glass that was on the floor was reattaching itself to the window. They watched in awe as the light shone on the floor. A transmutation circle activated in front of Melita. A part of the large altar sunk into the ground. It uncovered an entrance.
"How…?" Russel was at a loss of words.
"This is what you're looking for." Melita told them.
"Then we're going. You two should wait here." Edward said.
"But if Alphonse is in danger, maybe we could help!" Fletcher insisted.
"What dwells down there are not human. They're horrible creatures who seek pleasure in other's pain." Melita said as she looked inside.
"Don't worry. I'll get him out of here alive, no matter what." Edward said.
Just as Edward stepped inside, Russel stopped him.
"Edward, I didn't show you the letter so you could create the stone."
"Trust me. I'm not gonna make one… That's the last thing I ever plan on doing." Edward continued down the stairs.
"Wait…" Fletcher stopped Melita.
"What are you? How did you know where this place was?" Russel asked.
"Do you want the truth?" Melita paused, "I'm a monster."