Chapter 8: Tearful Embrace
"No!" Roy struggled furiously against the Drachman restraining him. "Riza!"
Listening to Roy's panicked cries, the Drachman with the pistol laughed as his finger began to curl around the trigger. Suddenly, from the corner of Roy's eyes, a blaze of fire appeared from the smoke-engulfed street. A stream of fire collided with the Drachman soldier, engulfing him in fire and knocking him back several feet. The man was dead, burned to an unrecognizable heap, before he even hit the pavement.
A dreadful silence ensued after the rebel restraining Roy dropped him to the ground with a thud. The remaining two soldiers lifted their rifles in panic as they cast hasty glances around the hazy street.
"Who the hell is out there?" One of the soldiers shouted with fear. "Show yourself!"
As the words left his mouth, he was also consumed by a stream of fire, which seemed to appear from the haze and smoke of the street. The third rebel began to fire panicked shots into the street, completely emptying his automatic weapon into the empty street. As his weapon clicked empty, he attempted to flee but was also hit with a stream of fire as he crumpled to the ground.
Roy and Riza remained silent on the ground in shock at what just happened. Who was their mysterious rescuer? As the steady sound of boots on pavement grew louder, the smoke gave way and standing before them was Riza's father, Berthold Hawkeye, the master alchemist himself.
His raised arm fell to his side, a small glint shining with the movement. In his hand was a metallic lighter with alchemical symbols etched all over its side. His thumb was resting lightly on the lighter's striker. Keeping his eyes lowered, he approached Roy and quickly sketched more strange symbols on the ground beside him, and with a spectacular flash of blue light, Riza was amazed to see the majority of Roy's physical injuries, including cuts and bruises, disappear completely.
Seeing his wounds disappear, Roy tried to get up from the ground, but was held down by a firm hand and cold stare from the alchemist. Berthold Hawkeye moved to his daughter next, and ignoring his daughter's soft protests that she was fine, he performed the same procedure on her minor scratches and bruises.
"I've only done simple healing for surface injuries like bruises, cuts, and bleeding. I don't have the skill to mend bone fractures or torn tendons. You two hide in the shadows of this alley and wait for the military to arrive. They should be here shortly. Roy, make sure you take care of my daughter until then." Berthold Hawkeye spoke solemnly as picked up one of the dead Drachman's rifles and placed it next to Roy. "Only use this if you absolutely need to. I have some unfinished business to take care of."
"Mr. Hawkeye. I'm coming with you!" Using the rifle beside him as makeshift crutch, Roy struggled to his feet. "I will help you kill those Drachman bastards!"
"No. Stay here and hide with Riza until help arrives." Berthold Hawkeye turned his back to them and began to leave.
"Do you really expect me to just sit around while there are still Drachman soldiers prowling around!" Roy roared furiously, taking several painful steps forward. "Because of them, my parents are gone!"
"Roy!" Berthold Hawkeye shouted angrily before calming down. "My daughter nearly lost her life protecting you. I am sorry about what happened to your parents. I truly am, but right now, you need to stay here and with Riza until the military arrives. You owe her your life. Protect her now as she just did for you."
With that sudden realization hitting him, Roy let the rifle in his hands fall to his side. Roy limped to where Riza was and helped pick her off the ground despite the pain from injuries beneath the surface of his skin.
"Dad…" Riza spoke nervously. "Thank you."
Berthold Hawkeye nodded slightly and disappeared into the smoke towards where sounds of gunfire could be heard. Still using the rifle to support himself, Roy watched as the alchemist disappeared from view, his teeth and free hand clenched tightly.
"Roy…" Riza tugged gently on his arm from behind.
Her voice and touch pulled Roy out of his furious thoughts. He turned to see what was the matter, and as he did so, Riza slid her arms carefully around him with her hands resting on his back. Riza began to cry as she held him there, staining his dusty shirt with her warm tears. Roy stood motionless, unsure how to react to the situation. They remained in silence with Riza holding him tightly and sobbing softly. Roy's mind was blank as she held him there, supporting his broken body from falling with her own. Roy's arms remained at his sides, and the rifle now hung limply in his hand.
"Roy..." Riza squeezed him tighter as she spoke and breaking him from his empty trance. "It's okay, Roy. You don't have to be so strong all the time…"
With tears suddenly beginning to brim in his own eyes, he let the rifle fall lightly to the ground from his fingers lightly. It clacked hollowly on the ground as it landed. Roy wrapped his arms slowly around her and silently returned the embrace.
Note: This is a short bittersweet chapter that I really enjoyed writing. I hope it came across as so to you. I have the next couple of chapters planned out, and I'm looking forward to them greatly. Thanks to everyone for your continued support. I hope I didn't disappoint your expectations on this one, Monk'ichii. If there are any suggestions or questions, feel free to drop me a quick review, and I will get back to you ASAP. Well, until the next chapter, I wish everyone the best and until next time.
