Chapter Seven

When Ruby awoke she was surrounded in darkness. She felt something tightly tied around her arm where the cut was and realized someone had bandaged her and brought her back to the room she so familiarly knew. Looking around as her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she saw someone else, unmoving, beside her. Sitting up, she crawled on her knees to where she could see them more clearly. She peered over their shoulder to get a close look at their face and gasped at the horrifying sight before her. She could barely even tell who it was, but when she was able to see past the blood and swelling, she knew it was Ed. What the hell did they do to him..?! She screamed in her mind, unwilling to use her voice in case she was heard. She quickly checked to see if he was breathing, and to her dismay he was barely hanging on. Oh Edward, no!

"You're awake," Dantè said, entering the room silently. She moved over to where Ruby leaned over the limp body that was Ed, who just lay there suffering. "It's only a matter of time, you realize." She said.

Ruby fought back tears and asked simply, "Why?" Dantè sneered at her.

"Because of what he did to me," She answered. "Do you know how long it took me to get my hands on a Philosopher's Stone after what he did to me? I almost didn't make it. I used what was left of the Stone on you when Envy came back and told me about you. You should feel lucky to be alive. When Envy brought me to you you were almost dead." Ruby took a moment to let the information she had just learned sink in. It was Dantè who had saved her life? It was Dantè's Philosopher's Stone that made her human?

"But... Why? Why did you make me human again?" She asked.

"Because I knew you would lead me to Fullmetal." She answered. Ruby winced. She was being played; she was a pawn in this twisted game. She heard someone else enter the room. "Envy, did you get her?"

"She's right here," Envy replied, walking over and handing something large to his master. Ruby looked closely. Amber?!

"What are you-?!"

"Be quiet and listen!" Dantè snapped. Ruby glared at her only to be met with a menacing stare. "You have tree choices. First choice, kill Fullmetal and go back home with your little child and never be bothered by us again."

"I'd never kill Ed!" Ruby yelled. Amber began to cry quietly. Dantè shot her a nasty look and continued.

"As I was saying, second choice, you don't kill Edward but in exchange I take over your body using your baby for the transmutation." Silence filled the room. Ruby glanced at Envy, who didn't seem to know any more than she did. Ruby leaned over Ed's body, checking his breathing again. He was still hanging on.

"Oh, and did I forget to mention," Dantè added, "If you let Edward die himself, your little baby dies with him."

"How can you be so heartless?" Ruby cried.

"I'm not heartless. I've had a few hearts, actually. Not too many, seeing how long this body has lasted me, but now I'm in need of a new vessel." She replied. Ruby looked at Edward's body and watched the slight rise and fall of his breathing. She put her arm under Ed's body and lifted him so she could hug him, possibly for the last time.

"And the third choice…?" She asked. Dantè grinned and Envy looked down at the floor.

"The third choice is I let Edward live but use you to transmute your baby into an older homunculus to do my bidding." She answered. Ruby glared at her.

"Amber's not dead, how could you-?"

"She'll be dead soon enough if you don't make your choice." Dantè said. Ruby sighed and looked down at Edward.

"Master," Envy said quietly. Both of them looked at him questioningly. "What if we were to keep Ruby here with us as our slave?"

"Don't be stupid, Envy. She'd just run away again and cause more trouble for us." Dantè replied, though curiosity was clear on her face.

"We could keep Amber to be sure she didn't." Envy said hastily. Ruby gave him a look of fear and mistrust. Dantè thought for a moment.

"No, but we could keep the child. How does this sound, Dagger Alchemist; you and Fullmetal go free, and the child stays here with us. Then when she gets older I'll transfer my soul to her body as my new vessel." Ruby stared down at the ground. She couldn't even think of doing anything to kill anyone, and that was the only other option.

With a saddened and unsteady voice, she replied, "I suppose that would be the better of the choices." Dantè smiled.

"Envy, escort them back to their village home." Envy dipped his head.

"Yes, master."

"Wait!" Ruby said, standing up. "Can't I... Can't I say good-bye?" Dantè sighed; annoyed by the persistence Ruby had to get her way.

"Fine," She said. "Say good-bye to her then leave." Ruby leaned in close, taking Amber in her arms and kissing her forehead gently. After a few moments, Dantè took the child back and Envy lead Ruby out, carrying Ed in one arm.