Veritas
Chapter 4: Shadows
"Is this where we're going to get my powers back?" Asked Selim, staring at the city of Ishvala from the surrounding plateau.
"Yes," answered Kimblee. "We have to make some Philospher's stones." Selim covered his emotions with a sly smile. He wasn't thrilled about making the stones.
"Look," said Selim. "Can we just get this over with?"
"I know you aren't terribly excited about making these," said Kimblee. "But we have to in order to get your powers back."
"Do I even need them?" Said Selim.
"Of course you do. You can rule Amestris under your iron fist of shadow."
"Yes, of course."
The two made their way down to the city gates. The sun blazed overhead, its rays piercing the vast sky. There were other people on the road, usually minding their own business. Occasionally, one glanced at the two strangers in the red car and gave them a weird look. Cars like that weren't seen too often on the roads of Ishval, not unless the people in them were very important.
Selim's thoughts wandered back to Edward and May. Were they okay? He shook his head. Why was he still thinking of them as though they were still friends? He should only think about them in terms of enmity, how could they pose a threat and so on. As far as he could think, they had to make their way out of the middle of nowhere first, and May would probably be a complete wreck once they did. At the moment, there was no danger that they posed.
"How long will this take?" Asked Selim. "We have to get it over with before people realize what we've done."
"What we've done?" Asked Kimblee. "What you've done, you mean." Selim huffed.
"Sure."
"Well, we have to collect the sacrifices first, set up the circle, find the proper ingredients, and actually perform the ritual. It could take anywhere from a number of days to a couple of weeks, depending on how fast we work."
Selim stared Kimblee directly in the eyes.
"Let's get started then. We have a lot of work to do."
Selim had never pulled three all-nighters in a row in his entire life. After he and Kimblee had snuck into the city under the cover of darkness, they had worked nonstop at collecting, well, everything; and honestly, Selim was completely exhausted. He didn't think it was possible to work this much and be so tired.
"I'm back," Selim managed, entering the abandoned warehouse where they were based.
"Welcome," said Kimblee. "Did you bring it?"
"I did," said Selim, handing Kimblee a small package.
"Excellent," he smiled. "We are now ready to perform human sacrifice."
The sacrifices were set. The circle was drawn in its beautiful complexity. The necessary ingredients were in their places. Selim stood in the center. He began to speak.
He spoke for minutes, yet they seemed like hours. The words flowed from his mouth far too rapidly, and he lost track of what he was saying. But it didn't matter—he had practiced so much that he could have said them in his sleep.
Bright lights appeared. People screamed. Selim relished the power flowing into him. It flowed and flowed and flowed, so much so that it hurt. What was happening?
Black.
At first, it was as if he was there. Not really anywhere specific, but he just was. It was a comfortable feeling too, nothing bad nor truly good about it, but it was nice to know that he existed. In fact, he could have stayed like this forever. Then, slowly but surely, more senses came into existence. He could feel his back on cold, hard concrete. Then, he could hear.
"I know you're conscious." Selim blinked open his eyes.
"Morning, Kimblee. What time is it?"
"Well," said Kimblee, sitting in a wooden chair a few feet away. "It's been about a day and a half since your 'incident.' I'm pleased to say that it was a success."
"I have Pride's powers now?" Asked Selim in awe, sitting up, gazing at his hands.
"Yes," replied Kimblee. "But they don't come out of your hands. You'll figure it out." He sat up. "In the mean time, we have to get going."
"Are they beginning to suspect us?" Asked Selim.
"There's tension in the city. They don't know what, but so many people have gone missing that they know something's up."
"Alright, let's go," said Selim standing up. He immediately saw swirls of light and abruptly fell back, only to not hit the ground. He turned his gaze to face the floor. To his surprise, where he should have landed, there were shadows.
"Did I…?" He began.
"Yes, you did," Kimblee cut it. "It will probably take a couple of days to fully integrate the power into your system, since you've been cut off for so long. But my guess is that you will have some sort of epiphany one day, and fully realize your abilities."
"Wow," said Selim. "Did you know that shadows are comfortable?"
"I did not."
"They are. Even so," he said, standing up, more slowly this time. "We should continue. There are probably search parties all over town hunting these lost men." He started for the door.
"Wait," said Kimblee. "There's only one problem with leaving."
"Oh?"
"The moment I step out of that door, everyone will instantly recognize me and will try to kill the both of us. Even when they don't, word will still reach the command centers and everyone in the country will be on high alert."
"You don't think it has reached them already, do you? What with the May and Edward incident I mean."
"No, not yet. I left them both injured just enough to slow their journey down to about a week. We still have a couple days before they reach the city."
"Ok," said Selim, relieved that his friends were still alive. "So what do we do? Can we use alchemy to disguise your face?"
"To hell with that idea. We'll wait a couple hours for nightfall. There's an event taking place this evening. The city's wealthiest will be in attendance. Finding a car should be no problem."
"And then escape will be simple: no one asks questions when wealth is abundant."
"True, true."
"Until the event begins," continued Selim. "I will be practicing."
Night had fallen across the streets of the city. Light from a huge building illuminated the otherwise darkened streets. The latest model cars were lining up in front of the brick building, and elegant people stepped out onto the streets. Eager valets quickly drove the cars away.
Selim and Kimblee watched from the other side of the street, covered in darkness.
"That's where they're taking the cars," whispered Selim, staring at a lot on the far side of the building.
"Works," said Kimblee. "Come on."
The two strolled down the mostly empty street, hands in pockets. Kimblee stared straight ahead at the destination, a smirk of malicious confidence across his face. Selim, in front, also strode with his hands in his pockets, glancing around warily and dangerously, searching for any possible threats. The two quickly made their way to the parking lot, regrouping by the entrance. One of the valets walked over to them.
"Excuse me gentlemen, is there something I can help you with?" Kimblee quickly turned away to avoid inevitable recognition.
"Actually there is," said Selim. "You can help me find a car." A shadow made its way up from the ground, quickly slitting the man's throat. The valet slumped over. Selim quickly took the keys out of his hand.
"Whoa whoa, are you alright?" He asked the valet, placing him upright on the curbside. "I think you should sit down for a bit…"
"Excellent," said Kimblee. Selim stared at the car model etched into the golden key.
"I'll find the car," he said. "I trust you can take car of the other one?"
"Sure thing." Kimblee walked away, to the other side of the parking lot. There was no scream.
While Kimblee was off doing his thing, Selim quickly found the car the keys belonged to. It was sleek and black, one of the latest models.
"Perfect," he said, climbing in and starting the engine. Kimblee soon found his way to the car.
"So now that we have a car, we go to Central."
"Alright," said Selim, driving out of the parking lot. "Why Central?"
"I need a Philosopher's Stone."
"Can't we make one?"
"We could. In fact, we know all of necessary requirements, but it would be so much simpler just to steal it."
"Where are we going to steal a Philosopher's Stone? I wasn't aware that there were any left."
"There's one left, I'm sure of it. It's far too important to be in anyone's possession except for Central Command's." Selim nodded, perfectly aware of the power Philosopher's Stones held.
"It would make most sense for it to be kept inside the command center itself," continued Kimblee.
"Actually," said Selim. "Wouldn't it make even more sense for it to be in Father's old lair?" Kimblee smiled.
"That it would."
"Which leaves the question of how we, or anyone else, could get down there. I know for a fact that all of the entrances have been sealed. Even with alchemy, people would notice." Kimblee was silent for a minute.
"Hmm… They had to have left one entrance…." He paused. "That's it: the Führer's office." Selim immediately caught on.
"The Immortal Legion's laboratory should be down those stairs, and from there, the lair."
"So Pride," began Kimblee. "How do you plan on breaking into the Führer's office?"
"Leave it to me."
Again, Selim found himself outside under the cover of darkness. Only this time, he was in Central, at the heart of the city. Actually, he was completely unable to describe just exactly how he felt standing on the rooftop of Central Command. Only the moonlight alluded to his presence. Kimblee stood next to him.
"Thanks for getting us up here," Kimblee said.
"No problem. Shadows will do just about anything." Selim glanced down. The ground seemed far away. No matter. He could do this.
A shadow formed at his feet, expanding to include Kimblee as well. The strong shadow platform slid off the roof quietly, carrying the two through the air. Kimblee held onto his white hat as a breeze attempted to separate the two.
The shadow carried them down from the roof to the highest floor. Selim closed his eyes, searching through Pride's memories trying to determine the location of Grumman's office. There! He found it.
The shadow carried them to the window in the center of all the others.
"They'll notice us soon. Hurry up," urged Kimblee, looking anxious for the first time in his life. Selim glared at him before turning back to the window. He sent a wave of shadow behind them, covering them from the back. A little obvious, to be sure, but not as obvious as two men floating in the air.
"It won't last forever," said Kimblee.
"I'm almost done," muttered Selim, concentrating. He created a shadow, sending it through the window, and he manipulated it to unlock the window from the inside. The shadow gently pushed the window open.
"We're in," said Selim. He stealthily leapt into the room, landing just behind Grumman's desk. Kimblee joined him, closing the window behind him with his gloved hands.
"Which door?" Asked Kimblee. Selim, drawing upon Pride's knowledge, motioned to a door on the far side of the room.
"This way," he said, walking up to it.
"It's locked," said Kimblee upon reaching it. Selim nodded, and sent a shadow into the lock. There was a click, and the door opened, revealing darkness. Kimblee strode into it, glancing back at the hesitant Selim.
"Coming?" He asked.
"There isn't light. No light, no shadows."
"There won't be anyone down here. We'll be fine." Selim shrugged, and followed after Kimblee.
They walked for what seemed like hours, but there was no way of truly telling how much time had passed. Neither Selim nor Kimblee felt the need to speak. The darkness forced silence upon them both. Selim dreaded the thought of walking all the way back up the stairs on the return trip.
Finally, the stairs just ended, and a red light appeared ahead. Selim walked toward it. Finally, some light! Shadows played at his feet.
The light shone on an open doorway, drawing Selim in. He peered through the entrance, only to be met by more red. His eyes widened as they adjusted to the light.
"Holy Hell," he murmured. "What happened here?"
"The remains of the Immortal Legion," said Kimblee from behind. "They were pseudo-human soldiers created from extracted souls. They were immortal, mindless-the ultimate killing machines. Except that the project backfired. Humans cannot hope to create true immortal soldiers."
"Only Father could," said Selim, staring grimly as the dead, rotting bodies before him. They were disfigured and mutilated. In truth, Selim was shocked. How could anyone do something so disgusting?
"Let's keep going," said Kimblee, stepping through the threshold. "It's the only way to the stone." Selim swallowed, reluctantly following Kimblee through the breadth of mangled corpses.
At the end of the room, the bloodstains and bodies finally ceased. Selim opened another door, leading into a tunnel illuminated with small, yellow lights. The two wandered on in silence. Selim had never before been in such a creepy place. He was being silent because the tunnels were so silent. It was uncomfortable to say the least. Despite this, he tried to keep up the unfazed appearance of Pride; after all, Kimblee was acting as though this were all second nature. But then again, he was a deranged psychopath.
Selim's thoughts drifted back to Edward and May. Were they okay? They must have found their way to Ishvala by now… even so, he wasn't sure if they were able to survive. Oh God, Mustang would be absolutely furious when he found out what had happened.
Don't think like that, he told himself. Everyone will be furious-you already knew that. But you're Pride. You have the power of shadow. No one else can defeat you.
Despite having gained Pride's abilities and having betrayed his friends, Selim still felt human emotions. He really hoped that Kimblee had spared them. Selim would forever be unable to forgive himself if either of his friends had died in that attack.
"Here we are," said Kimblee. He walked casually through an archway. Selim followed him.
"Wow," he breathed, staring around the room in amazement.
It was exactly how Pride remembered it, but seeing it in real life was entirely different. Father's old lair was enormous. The walls and floors were intricately laced with metal and pipelines. Everything was a dull silver, but it was so vast that the dullness was barely noticeable. The ceiling was very different, having been covered by layers of dirt and concrete after the Promised Day. Selim was actually surprised that they had left this much of the lair standing, instead of destroying it all when they had the chance.
"While you stand there gaping, I'm going to find the stone," said Kimblee. Selim glanced at him.
"We aren't even one hundred percent positive that it's here," he said, though he began searching anyway.
"There's nowhere else it would be," said Kimblee, a hint of desperation in his voice. Selim walked to the center of the room, where the frame of a huge chair remained. He cocked his head to one side, staring at the floor. It appeared as though a section of it had been cut out and reattached with alchemy. Not moving, Selim sent a shadow to the metal section, gently tearing through the ground and lifting it up. Nothing happened. All he could see was a faint red glow.
The shadow reached deeper into the ground, wrapping itself around a jar. Selim lifted it up to his face. There, in front of him, was the last remaining Philosopher's Stone in Amestris. It was beautiful, glowing the blood-red light of human souls.
"Kimblee," he said. Kimblee turned, saw the stone, and walked over.
"Excellent," he said. Selim handed him the jar. Kimblee touched the cover, and it broke in a flash of red light. He reached in and picked up the stone. The jar fell to the ground, shattering on the earth.
"At last," he said, staring intently at the stone. "A Philosopher's Stone is mine." He gently picked up the red rock, and placed it in his mouth.
"Did you eat it?" Asked Selim.
"For safekeeping," said Kimblee. "Now, then, shall we depart through the ceiling?" Selim shook his head.
"No, let's just go back the way we came." Kimblee shrugged, and started off. Selim glanced back at the shattered glass and open floor. He quickly sent some shadows, picking up the glass and depositing it back into the vault, before closing the cover on the floor. He slowly followed Kimblee, leaving the most infamous room in Amestris.
The trip back to the surface was not as bad as Selim imagined. The dead Immortal Legion no longer bothered him, and he strode right past the bodies without a second look. He climbed the stairs silently in the darkness, following Kimblee's aura of power as a guide. When they reached the top, Selim's muscles were numb and he himself unfeeling. They entered the office, Selim locking the door behind them. He looked ahead. Kimblee was already at the window, impatiently waiting. Selim approached him.
A sheet of paper caught his eye. Selim glanced down onto the Führer's desk. There was a slip of manila paper.
A telegram, he thought. Selim picked it up.
Führer Grumman:
This is Edward Armstrong reporting from Ishval. We were attacked seven days ago by Selim Bradley and Solf J. Kimblee, whom Selim resurrected. Anna is dead, but May and I are both alive with minor injuries. The entire country needs to be on alert for these two dangerous criminals.
Edward Armstrong
Selim breathed a sigh of relief. So they were alive. That was good. What was not good, however, was that Grumman would have the entire nation on high alert in a matter of hours. Or would he? The telegram was in his hand.
Selim took the sheet of paper and headed for the window. The shadows opened the glass, and he stepped onto a platform with Kimblee.
"One moment," he said, holding the paper in front of his face.
"A warning?" Asked Kimblee. "How very convenient." Selim stared at the note, shadows emerging. One showed its teeth, and devoured the telegram. The other closed and locked the window behind them.
"Not anymore. Sorry, Edward," said Selim. He paused for just a moment, before fully immersing himself in shadow, out of view of Central's soldiers.
It was as though no one had been there.