Ed felt Zack move before he heard it, and he ducked down just as his scythe came slashing overhead.
"Can you watch where you swing that thing?!" Ed shouted, and he grunted as Zack's hand smacked down on the top of his head.
"Shut your mouth!" Zack barked. "I'm tryna listen to where the little shit is!"
Ed grit his teeth, opening his mouth to reply with something snarky, but all that came forth was a yelp as Zack's fingers gripped his hair, yanking his head backwards. Just in time, as the metal spade of Eddie's shovel came slashing downwards, exactly where his head once was. The metal clang reverberated as the shovel connected with the cobblestone flooring, and a small divot formed in the floor from the amount of force Eddie put into his swing.
Ed felt sweat drip down his face, cursing under his breath. He hadn't even heard Eddie coming.
Zack swung at the space just in front of Ed, and they both heard the rustle of fabric and Eddie's footsteps hurrying backwards in the dark, before silence met their ears.
"Tch." Zack muttered, clicking his tongue as he let go of Ed's head. "Fuckin' brat. S'not a fair fight if we can't see ya."
Ed carefully stood up, and after a beat of silence, he pressed his back up against Zack's back. "Hey." He whispered.
Zack jolted a bit at the contact, body tensing a bit. "What do you want?" He snapped.
"We gotta work together on this, okay?" Ed replied, keeping his voice down. He wasn't sure why- maybe it was an attempt to keep Eddie from hearing him, despite how futile it was. He continued, "Otherwise we won't get anywhere."
"...What do you have in mind?" Zack asked, following Ed's lead and lowering his voice to a whisper.
Ed took a moment to think on his reply, eyes raking the darkness in front of him. He and Zack were effectively blind right now, and if they continued to act rashly, they would be falling into the palm of Eddie's hand. And given the situation, he wasn't entirely sure how Eddie could even see right now. Was he relying on his hearing, and therefore was just as blind as them? But if he could actually see in the dark, then that was an issue. What could they do, then?
Wait, Ed's eyes widened a bit, a memory bursting forth.
"You want to learn how to read the Dragon's Pulse?" His friend Ling had asked, back when Ed approached him a few days after The Promised Day. He had quirked an eyebrow at him, pausing in his packing for the return home to Xing. It was mostly just food for the trip, along with some souvenirs and gifts given to him by everyone. "Whatever for?"
"Remember when we fought Pride in that forest that night?" Ed had responded, an eager look in his eye. "I think it would be useful if I ever ended up fighting in the dark again."
Ling smirked, "I don't think we need you picking fights with anyone in the dark, Ed."
"That's not what I mean!" Ed snapped, scowling at his friend. "It's for a just in case scenario, ya know?"
Ling chuckled. "Well... I suppose it wouldn't hurt. It'll take a lot of patience to master, you know." He opened one of his eyes, a devious look shining in them. "I'll understand if it's too hard for you."
Ed felt a grin split across his face.
"Zack," He murmured. "can you trust me?"
"What?"
"Can you trust me?" Ed repeated. "I have an idea, but you need to trust me for it to work."
He felt Zack shift against his back, and he knew that the killer was probably uncomfortable with the notion.
Still, he replied, practically growling his words out. "I... can try. Whatever you're doin' better fuckin' work."
Ed felt relieved, his eyes slipping closed. "Thank you."
Taking a deep breath, Ed forced himself to relax, feeling his other senses becoming stronger as he stopped relying on his eyes for now. He exhaled slowly, feeling as if his hearing increased, listening as he picked up Zack's quiet breathing, and he could vaguely hear Eddie moving in the darkness. He couldn't pinpoint it exactly, but he could tell Eddie was moving carefully, trying not to make any noise as he crept. Taking another deep breath, Ed held it as his brows furrowed, willing his senses to open up further as he exhaled softly.
Ling was right that the Dragon's Pulse was difficult to master, and he certainly hadn't mastered it before Ling had to return home to his country, but he practiced it enough... he hoped.
Taking another deep breath, Ed could have cheered as he started to feel the Pulse, practically envisioning it in his mind's eye. He could sense his own, filling his body from his head all the way to the tips of his fingers, like veins of red filling his whole being. He could feel it in Zack's body behind him, the rhythmic pulse that made up his life, and as he stretched his reach out further, he felt it- Eddie's own Pulse, about two feet from his right. He could feel it as Eddie raised his shovel, ready to sprint to them and strike-
"Zack!" Ed shouted, grabbing his sleeve and pulling him round to face Eddie's direction. "He's there!"
"What?" They heard Eddie exclaim, and Zack rushed forward, gripping his scythe.
He raised it for a strike. "Got ya, ya little-!" He swung the blade downward, and the horrible sound it made echoed when it hit the cobblestone. He missed.
"Shit." Zack muttered, returning to his spot with his back pressed against Ed's. "Where is he now?"
"Give me a second." Ed replied, feeling sweat drip off his nose. Eddie was fast- they had to be faster.
Closing his eyes again, Ed resumed his breathing, putting all his focus on channeling the Dragon's Pulse again. It was easier this time, and he felt Eddie circling them in the darkness, like a predator stalking their prey. He rushed forward towards Zack, raising his shovel once more.
This time, Ed moved around, catching both killers off guard. Ed's right hand grabbed the handle of the shovel right next to the base of the spade, mere inches from impaling itself into Zack's stomach, and with his left, Ed pushed Zack out of harms way. Eddie tried to yank the shovel away, from Ed refused to let go.
""How can you see?!" Eddie shouted in frustration, and he kicked his leg out, hitting Ed in the right shin. That managed to distract Ed enough and caused him to let go, but not without the metal slicing a line through his palm and making him hiss. Ed felt Zack grab his shoulder from behind, pushing him back as he moved forward.
"Zack-!" Ed shouted, stumbling as he regained his balance, and Zack shifted, turning to his left as he lifted his scythe overhead.
He swung down, and they both heard Eddie gasp as he narrowly missed being hit.
"Huh... impressive." Eddie commented, voice already coming from the direction of the maze. "Maybe this is what they call instinct, then? ...I'm wasting my time with you two. I need to find Rachel."
Ed grit his teeth, and he turned to the stairs. "You leave her alone!" He shouted, but his only response was Eddie's footsteps running off into the maze.
Speeding up the steps, Ed took off into the maze himself, barely acknowledging Zack shouting at him to wait up.
Rachel footsteps were quiet against the now grassy terrain of the maze, quickly making her way through, and doubling back even quicker if she found herself at a dead end. She had to have been in the middle of the maze when she could hear Ed shout, and immediately after, there was the sense of eyes on her back.
"Rachel." Eddie's voice spoke softly, beckoning her to turn around. "Come here."
She took off, running through the maze with all the strength her legs could give her. Eddie was close on her tail, giggling.
"It's cute that you want me to chase you, Rachel! I'll get you, soon..." His voice was sickeningly sweet, and a cold sweat broke out over her skin. It was just all a game to him.
Turning a corner, Rachel kept her flashlight training on the ground before her, grass getting kicked up from the force of her feet hitting the ground. She just had to make it to the other side, and then there had to be something-
Her flashlight's light began to flicker, growing weaker.
"Please stay on," She whispered, heart thundering in her chest. She could hear Eddie close behind her. "Please..."
She thankfully broke out into an open area, and a stone slab caught her eye. Immediately, Rachel duck down behind it, struggling to contain her gasps as she fought to catch her breath. She turned her flashlight off, clutching it to her chest, and she closed her eyes, straining to hear anything over her heartbeat.
Nothing.
Tentatively, she peeked out from behind the slab, when a colorful display caught her eye. Blinking, she turned her flashlight on and came out from behind the slab- she now realized it was a grave stone, and saw that at her feet was an open coffin. Flowers of all colors and varieties filled the interior, which looked to be lined with red silk. A beautiful sight, one that looked rather cozy to her.
Her grip tightened on her flashlight.
"This is for me, isn't it?" She whispered.
From her side, she heard Eddie walk up next to her. He was still holding his shovel, but not in a threatening manner. "It can be, Rachel." He replied.
The two turned to face each other, Rachel's frown meeting the burlap face. Eddie planted his shovel into the ground, and he reached up, removing the sack and letting it drop to his feet. Rachel stared into the boy's green eyes, ginger curly hair framing his freckled face. He smiled, holding his gloved hand out to her and going down on one knee.
"Please, Rachel..." He pleaded lovingly. "Leave your death to me."
"Can you give it a rest?" Ed's voice suddenly called out, causing Eddie to jolt. "You're seriously creepy!"
"You-!" Eddie stood quickly, turning his back to Rachel as he looked in Ed's direction. Rachel, seeing her chance, pushed Eddie into the grave, making the boy yelp as flowers flew into the air around him, and a remote fell from his pocket. She quickly reached down, scooping the object up, before she hurried to Ed's side. As light flooded the room, Ed relaxed and gave Rachel a smile.
"You did good, Rachel." He said, lifting his uninjured hand and ruffling her hair. She gave him the smallest of smiles, but upon hearing movement from Eddie, she moved behind Ed, grapping his sleeve.
Ed and Rachel watched as Eddie sat up, his eyes glassy as he gazed at the two blonds. "I-it's... it's not fair!" Eddie shouted, holding back his tears. "I just want to love you, Rachel... why won't you let me?"
"You sure show your love in a fucked up way." Ed said bluntly, approaching the grave as he clenched his fists. "How can you love someone if you kill them? That's not how that works."
"You don't understand!" Eddie snapped, and he made a move to lunge for his shovel. Ed, anticipating the movement, stomped his automail foot on top of the shaft.
"Then tell me, Eddie! Use your God damn words!" Ed shouted back at him, grabbing the boy by the front of his overalls and lifting him up off the ground. "Why is this the way you show your love, huh?"
"Because...!" Eddie choked out, gloved hands grabbing at Ed's wrist as he dangled a few inches off the ground. "B-because... it's the only way anything is ever mine!"
Ed paused, eyes widening a bit as he stared at Eddie. "...Pardon?"
Eddie left out a sniffle, tears threatening to fall from his eyes. "I-If I kill Rachel myself... then she's mine." He murmured. "Anything that I kill... it becomes mine."
Ed was silent for a long moment, before, much to Rachel and Eddie's surprise, he carefully set the boy back down onto his feet. Eddie blinked up at him, eyebrows furrowing, before Ed's bloodied fist suddenly connected with his cheek, knocking the Eddie down.
"That's a selfish way to show your love!" Ed snapped, and he crouched down, meeting Eddie's tearful glare with a hard look of his own. "You're not even thinking of the thoughts and feelings of other people! How can anyone be yours if they aren't alive to consent to that, huh? You're just doing this as some fucked up way of taking control of your life, aren't you?"
Eddie froze, staring at Ed like a fish out of water. Bingo.
"Listen, Eddie," Ed started, his gaze softening a bit. "Everyone deserves to be given a choice, and Rachel's made hers. You have to respect that." At seeing Eddie's doubtful look, he continued. "There's this saying I've heard before, and well... This might sound a little cliché, but... If you love someone, you set them free. If they come back, they're yours."
Frowning, Eddie shifted, rubbing his cheek. "But... what if they don't come back?" Eddie asked, his voice a hushed whisper now.
"Then they never were." Ed replied.
That answer put a forlorn look on Eddie's face, and he looked off towards Rachel. She held his gaze, her neutral expression unchanging as she watched them.
"How can you even expect to be loved in return if you just... kill everyone you're interested in, anyways?" Ed asked, frowning a bit. "You're just isolating yourself, Eddie."
Eddie contemplated his words for a moment, his attention returning to Ed. "What does... being loved in return feel like?" He questioned.
Ed quirked an eyebrow at that. "Being loved in general, or? 'Cause like... I don't wanna assume, but what about your parents? Didn't they love you?"
Eddie swallowed, nodding his head as he hummed, his voice losing it's strength. "Mhmm. I guess th-they did..."
"Then think of that. That unconditional love and support." Ed explained gently. "You can't have that if you continue to bloody your hands like this, Eddie."
Those words seemed to hit Eddie hard, as Ed watched as he averted his gaze, looking as if he was trying to restrain his emotions. His gloved hands flexed and clenched at his sides.
"Ugh, fuckin' gross. I'm late and you guys are gettin' all mushy on each other?" Zack suddenly spoke, catching the attention of the others in the room. He was standing at the entrance to the maze, and as Eddie made to hide behind Ed slightly, Zack began to stalk over to them, a sick sort of glee filling his eyes. "Let's cut the cheesy crap already."
"Zack, what are you-?" Ed started, grunting as Zack shoved Ed aside, and he used the blunt side of his scythe blade to knock Eddie off his feet, sending the boy into the grave. Eddie cried out, trying to catch his breath, and as Zack raised his weapon above his head, Ed felt his blood run cold.
"No, please-!" Eddie cried out, holding his hands out in surrender. "Don't-!"
"You're dead meat-" Zack cackled, eyes wide and deranged as he made to bring his scythe down on Eddie, thirsty for blood-
Ed grabbed the snath of the scythe, putting all his strength into stopping Zack's momentum, and the blade stopped mere inches from impaling Eddie.
"Zack, stop!" Ed hollered, pushing Zack back and stepping between he and Eddie as Zack stumbled backwards. "He's just a kid!"
"Um, hello? He tried to fuckin' kill us!" Zack snapped, regaining his footing. He pointed an accusatory finger at Eddie as the child stood and hid behind Ed's back, gripping his vest with his gloved hands. "It's either us or him! Now, let me at him-"
As Zack made to push Ed aside, he suddenly found himself stumbling back again- a soreness stinging his cheek now. He brought a hand up to his face as he gaped at Ed, seeing him pulling his bloodied fist back. A furious look took over Ed's expression, and Zack felt his own anger rising.
"Get the fuck out of the way, Ed." Zack growled out, gripping his scythe tightly as he glared daggers into Ed's eyes. Ed simply glared back, standing his ground in front of Eddie.
"I told you- You won't claim another life while I'm alive!" Ed shouted at him, and he grabbed Zack by the front of his sweater, pushing him back a bit. Zack grunted as Ed got in his face, fire blazing in his golden eyes. "Go ahead and just try to kill me! But I swear to you, that I'm not going down without a fight!"
Zack grit his teeth, searching Ed's eyes for any sign of weakness, but upon seeing the intensity of Ed's conviction, he faltered.
"...Fuckin' fine." He finally muttered, averting his gaze with a scowl. "I won't do it."
He wretched himself out of Ed's grip and backed away, holding a hand up in surrender to drive the point home, and Ed watched him with a hard stare as Zack backed away towards the maze, grumbling to himself. He only broke his gaze when felt a tug on his sleeve, turning to see Eddie standing there.
"Why did you spare me?" Eddie asked, his voice a shaky whisper as he stared up at Ed. "I-I'm a murderer...I tried to kill you, like Zack said." His eyes were large and watery, tears once again threatening to spill over. Ed reached out and ruffled Eddie's hair, making the boy flinch for a moment, but Ed made sure he had the boy's attention before he spoke.
"Because, everyone deserves a second chance to do good." He said, so simply that it made Eddie's eyes widen further.
"...E-even me?"
"Even you." Ed reassured, smiling at him.
With tears finally falling from his eyes, Eddie practically threw himself at Ed, wrapping his arms around his waist and burying his face into his chest. Sobs racked his body, clinging to Ed like he was his lifeline, and words spilled from him incoherently, flipping between "thank you's" and "I'm sorry's". Ed simply returned the embrace, holding him as he let it out, and when Eddie's legs gave out beneath him, Ed kneeled with him.
Zack watched on in disgust, and he turned to Rachel. "Can you believe-" He began, but stopped as Rachel walked past him, approaching the scene before her, and she gently laid a hand on Eddie's back, silently offering the boy some comfort. Ed looked at her in surprise, but his face broke out into an even larger smile. Zack subconsciously felt his hands tighten their grip on his scythe.
"Tch." Zack clicked his tongue in distaste, narrowing his eyes at the trio before he looked away, silently ruminating on Ed's words. He muttered, "...Everyone deserves a second chance, huh?"
He looked back at the display, seeing Eddie sniffling and rubbing his eyes as Ed smiled that infuriating smile at him, Rachel now knelt between the two. The display made an odd feeling settle in his gut, and he averted his gaze.
"...Bullshit."
