Path of Hardship

Chapter TwoTest of Strength

Rockbell residence, Resembool, Amestris -1231 hours

Ed awoke to a bright, shining light directly in his face, temporarily blinding him. The sun from a nearby window glinted off of Al's armor, who was standing over the bed, looking down at him.

"Brother..it's twelve-thirty. Don't you think it's time you ought to get up?"

Although he never spoke of it or really even thought about it, Al envied him. He tried to live with it and shut it out of his mind, but ever since he found himself trapped in the armor, he lost many aspects of being a human. Besides sight and hearing, his senses had vanished. He could no longer eat or sleep, or even feel. He knew it was important to keep his hopes up, however, so he pushed the thought away.

"Ed! Wake up!"

"Al…go away. All that yelling and running around yesterday made me tired…"

"Brother, come on! We said we would help Winry and Aunt Pinako around the house today." He kept pleading with Ed, but he knew he was as stubborn as a bull. Rather than waste his time, he decided to just leave him be. Even Den tried to help, licking Ed's face vigorously, and barking loudly, but it was no use.

Hearing the noise, Winry peeked into their room. She glanced over at Ed, who had fallen back to sleep.

"EDWARD!" Her voice cut through the quietness of the house. It was surprisingly quiet, Al noticed. You could almost always usually hear the sounds of drilling and hammering as Winry and her grandmother constructed automail for various clients.

I wonder if business has been slow for them..he inquired.

Winry's shrill yell had done the trick. Ed awoke with a jolt. After nearly ten minutes of yelling and a dispute that nearly turned into an all-out brawl, the three were sitting peacefully at the kitchen table. Aunt Pinako had had to come into the room to break them up. Ed's temper, once again, had gotten the better of him.

After a late lunch, Ed retired to the workshop to help Winry with an arm someone had commissioned. Al had already started on some yard work earlier on in the morning. The two were grateful for the vacation from their normal lives. Sure, they didn't get their usual amount of excitement, but just being back in their hometown with their family was a reward in itself.

That night, the two stayed up late talking and discussing their plans once they left Resembool.

"It's nice though..isn't it, being back here again," said Al.

Ed, who had been looking out at the dark landscape outside, turned around to face him. "Sure is. It's not every day you get to relax like this with no one insulting your height or trying to murder you." He gave a small laugh. "It seems like we're always on the run, whether it's from Scar, the Homunculi, or some other wanted criminal…" He went back to looking out the window.

"Don't worry brother," said Al, trying to console him. "Things will get better. We just have to cover our tracks better so they can't find us. I have a feeling our luck will improve."

"I hope you're right, Al. I hope you're right…" Ed replied as he drifted off to sleep.

The days passed by slowly. On the fourth day, Winry went out to the back to find the brothers resting quietly. Ed was out of breath, most likely from another one of their sparring matches, one of their favorite activities they did whenever they paid a visit to their hometown.

"Ohh Edd," she sang cheerfully. "Guess what time it is?"

"Time for you to leave?" he replied, still panting.

"You know what I'm talking about. It's time to fix up your automail!" Winry exclaimed, grinning. She was especially proud of her handiwork on his arm and leg, and enjoyed tweaking it here and there when she got the chance.

Ed groaned. "I hate when you and Auntie do this! It works fine! There's no need for you to change something every time I see you!" he said as he got up.

Winry ran over and began pulling him toward the house. "Don't be a baby! I hate when you whine. Al, come and help me!" she ordered sternly. Al encouragingly convinced his brother to listen to his friend.

After numerous inspections, tweaks, and altering, it was time for Winry and Aunt Pinako to reattach Ed's limbs.

"Agh..not again," he sighed, preparing himself for the pain.

"One…"

"Two…"

"Three!"

On the final count and with one turn of a wrench, the nerves were connected. Ed clenched his teeth and winced. This must be the most painful thing in the world..he thought to himself. It felt like a bolt of lightening shooting through his arm and leg, a white, searing pain that felt like it would never go away. He gripped the arm of the chair in silent agony.

"Brother, are you all right?" It caused Al anguish as well. He couldn't stand watching whenever Winry and Aunt Pinako connected his arm or leg. He couldn't begin to imagine what it felt like. He knew, though, that it was important to Ed, so he stayed by his side ready to help if necessary.

Aunt Pinako grinned as she turned to look at him. "I say it every time, Ed, but I don't know how you do it. All of my clients say attaching the nerves is the most excruciating thing they've ever been through. You're a strong one, all right."

Winry looked up from the screw she was fitting into his hand. "Yeah, Ed, I like working on your automail, but how can you stand it?"

"Ah, it's nothing," he replied, trying to put on a brave face. He wouldn't dare show any signs of weakness in front of his brother or his friend.

Al helped the two mechanics lift Ed onto the couch.

"Winry, I'm fine! I don't need your help," he remarked. It was no use, though. He was stubborn, but often she was even more difficult. Al wasn't exactly helping his case, either. He agreed with her, most likely because he knew it wasn't wise to mess with her.

Ed took a few hours of rest, but couldn't bear to sit around doing nothing. He had to try out all of the new improvements to his arm and leg. It was time for another sparring match.

"Ready, Al?"

"Ready," his brother replied.

Almost instantly Ed could tell the difference, as he darted, dodging Al's moves. He had much more freedom of movement, and seemed to have found newfound strength in himself. I'll have to thank her for this later…he thought.

They fought for nearly an hour before they were called inside to eat. They could smell the savory meal from outside. Aunt Pinako had made Ed's favorite-stew. And for dessert? What else, but homemade pie. Ed ran into the house, nearly knocking his brother over into the grass. Al scrambled to his feet and followed him in.

My next to last day here… the two though simultaneously as they walked into the kitchen.