Chapter 8 : Unholy secret

" It is time for the main reason most of you came here for." Dante

announced. Their was an amused chuckle throughout the crowd. "Now then, the

surprise is, I'm going to transmute my house into something. The real surprise is

that I'm letting the town decide what it needs the most." A murmur went through

the crowd this time. The mayor's wife, a pale and terribly frail looking lady,raised a

hand." I think that the town needs a larger sanctuary to worship in," came the

fragile voice." The one we have now can't accomadate the growing congregation."

" A sanctuary, that's a good idea. Any other suggestions?" A man towards the

middle said in a well cultered voice," What we need is a school for alchemist.

Rumor has it that they have made new breakthroughs in soul transmutation."

Dante thought to herself, Out of the question. They would find the entrance

sooner or later. Instead, she said," But when I'm gone, who would teach them?

Their aren't any alchemist nearby you could trust like me." The crowd murmured

in agreement. One voice that sounded familiar said," What about a bigger library?

With more books we could learn more about this 'alchemy' you keep talking

about." Dante turned to see the suave and debonair man who made the suggestion

about the school. Dante said as well-mannered as she could," Sir, this town is not

about alchemy. Remeber the city that disappeared? It was famous for it's alchemy,

and look what happened. It disappeared. Now sir, please think about the town and

not your own personel interest's." The turned his nose up and said," Hmph." Dante,

looking pleased with herself, looked at the rest of the audience." Any-more

suggestion's? No, well then it's been decided. A church it is. Stand back every-one."

Dante clapped her hands and touched the building. A blaze of intense blue light.

The crowd could see the building contorting into the desired shape. The crowd

looked dazed for a moment, then cheered as the most beautiful cathedral they had

ever seen came into their view. " Isn't it wonderful?!" "Astounding!" "What a shame

to Dante leave after she has given us such a beautiful gift." were just a few of the

responses about the towering . Dante said goodbye to the town and started to leave

when someone asked where husband was so they could say goodbye. Dante told

them he left for their new residency." To prepare it for me." she said. When she was

her way and well out of the city, a snake slowly slid to the seat beside her." Envy,

turn to your normal form now. If we pass some one, and they see me talking to a

snake, they will think I'm crazy." Envy(now in human form) said," So." Dante looked

at him and gave him a frigid glare." Because if they did, I would use you at the gate

as the exchange for a more obedient homunculus. Envy shuttered at the thought,

partly because to a sin, the gate was hell, and partly because he knew she meant it.

" I'm sorry Dante, I'll be more obedient." He was inwardly wishing he were the

human and she were the homunculus so he could send her to the other side of the

gate. " By the way," said Dante," good job at the party. You played the man just

right." Envy said disgustingly," I can be suave when time calls for it. At least give

me that." Dante had only to say," Now you are acting like your father." Envy 's

eyes became red with fury." If you ever liken me to that failed homunculus again,

I'll kill you." Dante frowned and gave him the frigid glare again that made him

shiver.But inwardly she smiled. She loved seeing her creation's malice towards her

and Peace. I wonder what he is doing, she thought to her- self

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" Hey, Pinako, get another round, on me." Peace shouted above the din of

bar. " You get it yourself you lazy bum." Pinako said as if angry, but inwardly laugh-

ing. " Awww, come on Pinako, ppplllleeeeaaassseee." Peace gave her a puppy-dog

look that Dante taught him when she was still innocent. " Ow, alright! Hey!

Bartender! Yea,you! Another round for us, on ole' Howie! " the short being yelled

at the bartender. The bartender nodded and gave them a look of wisdom and

amusement. " Well Hoinhiem, ever thinking about getting married? It's been

an odd number of years since you left your first wife. What was it? Danielle,

Diane, um, was it Diana..." "Dante, and i would prefer if you didn't mention

her any-more." "That bad in bed aye?" "You're drunk." said the still blond-

headed and golden eyed man." Whatdyou say?" Peace sighed and said," Come

on Pinako, I'll take you home." On the way out, he saw a lovely women with brown

hair and silver eyes.He stared for a moment, but when the stare was returned,he

blushed and fled through the door he was standing in. Peace gently put Pinako in

the brand-new car he transmuted (more on that later) and said to Pinako," I'll be

right back Pinako." " She's good for you, Hoinhiem." said a now sleeping midget.

Peace shook his head and chuckled slightly. The blond giant gathered his wits

and went back into the bar. Peace sauntered over to the table where the lovely

silver-eyed woman sat. " May I buy you a drink,ma'am." The lovely woman said,

"Yes, but please nothing stronger than a fresh chardonnay." Peace nodded and went

to the bar to order a small glass of white wine watered down. " Oh! how did you

know this was my favorite drink?" Peace smugly replied," Not much is weaker than

new chardonnay." The silver eyed beauty giggled and said," I'm Trisha Palladium."

"As in the metal?" Trisha giggled again and said," Not many people know that. Are

you a chemist?" " Close," said the tall blonde," I'm an alchemist." The woman looked

impressed . The blonde said," Well I'm sorry, but I must go. I have to take a drunken

friend home." "Say no more. Thank you for the drink, mister," "Hoinhiem." "Thank-you

Hoinhiem. I would like to meet you again." The man said." Next week,same time,

same day, same place, minus drunken friend.Alright?" Trisha smiled," I'll be here."

Peace kissed Trisha's hand and left. In the car, Pinako was sitting erect in the seat

smiling a I-know-something-you-don't-know smile. Peace grinned," You devil,

you set it up didn't you?" "Guilty." Peaced sighed, then said," Thank-you very much.

She seems perfect. Come on you old-woman I'm taking you home." "WHO YOU

CALLING AN OLD, DECRIPENT HAG WHOSE WRINKLES TOUCH THE

FLOOR!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!" " Calm down,Pinako! I didn't say any of that." "Just take me

home."