Kurisuta Rockbell was a witch. Ed knew that, teasing her incessantly back when both their parents were alive.
But after that, Ed left to learn alchemy, and Granny Pinako, who she called Grams, took her to a far-off shrine to learn the Craft.
When they both returned, she was…different. Ed could sense her power. It was really impressive…and intimidating.
But still, he never foresaw what happened next.
Kuri barged in his house. "Elric! What the hell do you think your doing with all this stuff?! You can't be expecting to bring your mama back ALONE!"
"H-Hey! It's not! I'm just!" Ed stammered.
"Enough." Kuri sat down beside him. "I'm not here to judge." A small smile. "I'm here to help you, Edward."
Ed suppressed a grin. Whenever she used his full name he knew he was about to get his way.
Kuri rubbed his back for a minute, then examined the books. "This isn't complete. The physical is there, but not the spiritual. For that you need…" she drew several familiar symbols in the dust. "MAA-NO-U, and RAA-JI-KA."
"These are runes." Ed said excitedly.
Kuri tapped a spot on her leg, and Rajika appeared in red. "Death." She tapped a spot on her arm. "Love."
"What about…" Ed drew a symbol. "Life."
Kuri shook her head. "That isn't Life. That's Light. Silly Ed."
Ed pouted. "Well what do these have to do with the soul?"
"Using Death and Love, we should be able to draw out our spiritual power and bring Trisha-mama back."
Ed leveled his gaze at me, determined. "Yes. It's time. We're ready."
He placed his hands down on the circle, as did I. The two runes blazed on my arm and leg.
And then I died.