Chapter 23: The Secret Signature of Things

"Here!" Edward clapped his hands together and blue sparks shot up from the ground at his feet. A katana sword appeared out of the sand, and he tossed it over to Envy, who caught it. The two of them braced for Pride's first attack. Envy could not help but feel like he should be running in the opposite direction. The last time he fought Pride he had not stood a chance.

"I'm going to beat you to a pulp!" Edward rushed forward, automail arm transmuted into a blade. Pride had been silent for too long. Envy knew the signs of a pending attack, had watched his older brother tear humans apart before.

"Ed!" Envy shouted. Black shadows exploded out of the cracks in Alphonse' armor. Like blades the ones that missed Edward pierced the ground. Envy dodged most of them by jumping sideways. The others he guarded with the sword Edward made him.

"Shit!" Edward grunted as one of Pride's blades narrowly missed his left arm. It sliced a crimson line on the surface of his shoulder. Envy rolled to avoid another attack. There was no getting close to Pride's vessel this way. Eventually, he knew Edward would tire out, and so would he.

Edward seemed to be thinking along the same lines, because he heard him say, "We can't escape into the town!"

The people. Winry. If they escaped there, they would endanger everyone. Envy gritted his teeth and dodged another attack by throwing himself backwards. He landed, sword ready, only to be attacked again by twice as many blades. He tried to block them all, but one slipped through his defenses and pierced his shoulder. He winced and held back a cry as hot pain shot through him.

Pride took advantage of his moment of shock, and Envy felt the sharp edges of his tendril shadows winding up around his arms and legs. Soon his entire body was wrapped up in Pride's tight grasp. Envy dropped the sword as a tendril slowly cut into his wrist. He could not move his body.

"Well, I've captured your friend," Pride said to Edward. "Do I also have to capture the people in the Liore in order for you to cooperate with me?"

Edward balled his fists, and Pride forced Envy to his knees. He was twisting the tendrils so tight, Envy thought his body would break into several different pieces. "Ed!" He grunted forcefully, "You can't… cast shadows…"

Envy's mouth was covered, keeping him from finishing his sentence.

"That's enough out of you," Pride said, voice bubbling with anger. But Edward had caught on to what Envy was trying to tell him. He clapped his hands and dropped to the ground. Blue light radiated around them and into the town. There was a moment of pause before the lights started extinguishing. Clouds moved to hide the moon. The fire pit behind them blew out in a puff of smoke. The few streetlamps nearby popped and sparked into darkness.

Envy felt Pride's hold on him release. He stood up, but found he could see nothing but inky blackness. He frowned, knowing that eventually the lights would come back on. They had only bought some time, and now they were as useless as Pride without their sight.

A hand was on his shoulder. Envy spun around, startled, and jumped away.

"Envy?"

Envy blinked, trying to see into the darkness. "Is that you, chimera?"

"Name's Heinkel, homunculus," he replied with a hint of frustration. "What's going on? All the lights went out?"

"A shadow only exists if there's light," Envy replied, "but we're no use in this either."

"If he can't fight, did he leave?" asked another voice. Envy remembered the name of this chimera to be Darius.

"No, he's lurking somewhere. If the lights come back on, he'll be back," Envy said. "How did you guys find me in this darkness anyway?"

"Animal senses," Heinkel explained. "You smell, homunculus."

Envy smirked. "Then, that's how we'll beat him."

"What?"

"Pride has a container just for himself to use whenever he goes out," Envy explained. "Do you think you can find it?"

"He'll cut me to pieces!" Heinkel said.

"No, he can't materialize in this darkness. He has to wait for the lights to come back on," Envy replied. Without a word, he heard Heinkel storm off into the desert to find Pride. Envy was surprised by his quick reaction, and when he voiced this, Darius said, "He doesn't want to waste any time. The lights could come back on any minute now."

Envy nodded. "Good thinking."

"Hey, Envy," Edward hissed through the dark at him. "How did Pride know we were here?"

"I don't know," Envy replied. "That's had me worried. Tracking isn't supposed to be his expertise."

Suddenly, Darius' large hand had grabbed Envy by the back of the head. "Duck!"

Envy slammed into the ground, felt Fullmetal and Darius fall next to him, and felt the air of something heavy and fast rush over them. The thing screamed, "Smells like the Fullmetal Alchemist! Smells like Envy!"

"Shit!" Envy scrambled to his feet with Edward and Darius. "It's Gluttony!"

"I also smell someone I don't recognize," Gluttony quipped. "I can eat him, right?"

Envy snickered. "He's talking about you, Darius. He's also a homunculus."

"How am I supposed to fight against a monster like that?" Darius asked, voice shaking slightly.

"He's just following his nose. It's how Pride was able to track us," Envy replied. "In this darkness, you should be evenly matched."

"Well, victory goes to the swiftest!" Darius said, jumping up and running off. Envy heard him hit Gluttony. "Take that! And that! And one final blow…"

Edward gasped as the wind was knocked out of him. Envy heard him fall to the ground somewhere to his left. "Damn it, Donkey Kong…" he breathed.

"My bad."

Envy could not help but snicker.

"Shut up, Envy!" Edward snapped.

"I'm so angry! You guys won't let me eat you!" Gluttony cried. "So, that's why I'll just swallow you!"

Envy blanched as he realized Gluttony would transform and let loose the monster in his belly. "Not this again!"

"Something's coming," Darius said.

"What, exactly?" Edward asked, voice shaking. "It better not be another homunculus!"

Envy felt the air as something rushed between them to get to Gluttony. All he could hear was the monster's screams of pain. Red sparks ignited, cast deep shadows, as Gluttony's stone worked to heal him. In this split second, Envy saw a figure standing before a crumpled, bloody mass. A masked figure with an automail arm.

"I see you're getting into all sorts of trouble, Envy," said a voice behind him.

"Who's that?" Edward gasped. They spun around, but the darkness had resumed, and Envy could still hear the sounds of Gluttony and the masked figure fighting in the distance.

"Don't tell me you forgot already," replied the voice.

Envy's eyes widened. "Is that you, Greed?"

"No time for reunions. We've got a homunculus to deal with," said Greed, but his voice had changed.

"Ling?" Edward gasped. Envy felt Greed rush by as well, and Gluttony's cries grew. Envy balled his fists.

"I feel so useless!" he growled. "How come they can see in the dark and we can't?"

"The Emperor of Xing moves our nation by manipulating the veins of the dragon, in other words, the flow of energy," said a man's voice. "We, who serve him, can also read the flow. Additionally, by virtue of our office, we can see well in the dark."

"That voice…" Edward said. "So it's you, old man Fu! Why are you here? How did you know where we were?"

"We were lurking in Central for a bit, trying to figure out what was going on," Fu explained, "and we sensed several substantial energy forms in this location. There are two large energy forms clashing over there, Master Ling and that monster you call Gluttony. There's also one in the desert east of us."

"Pride," Envy corrected him. He remembered how troublesome the Xingese sensing ability could be for Father and was thankful he was on Fu's side now.

"And you…" Fu said. Envy frowned into the darkness at his tone of voice.

"He's a friend of ours," Darius said, surprising Envy. "He's a homunculus, but he's helping us fight the others."

"Right," Fu said. "My granddaughter told me about that. In any case, we can leave Gluttony up to Lan Fan. We should focus our efforts in fighting the other one. The one you call Pride."

"That's reckless!" Edward suddenly said, "It's only been half a year since Lan Fan got her automail. We've got to help her or she's dead meat!"

An explosion rocked through the landscape, and Envy saw bits of fiery debris land in the sand around them. Lan Fan and Greed stood before an exploded mess that used to be Gluttony. The fire from the debris caught the lumber at the edge of the town, and ignited it.

"Shit! The lights are coming back!" Envy gasped.

Winry spun around when she heard an explosion tear through the edge of town. Hohenheim stopped when he noticed she was not following him. She looked up above the buildings and saw smoke. Heard other people in the town gasp and point skyward at it.

"What was that explosion?"

"Quick, someone get the torches!"

"We need some lights over here too!"

"Winry," Hohenheim's hand was on her shoulder, but she didn't move.

"We have to help them!" Winry said, turning a narrowed gaze on him. "Please! Let's go back!"

Envy watched as the lion chimera was struck down by Pride. The child stood and dusted himself off with an irritated expression. Lips turned down. Jaw clenching. Eyes half-lidded.

"Naturally, with this much light there is plenty of shadow," Pride said as several dark spears readied over his head. "Goodbye, mister chimera."

Envy picked up the sword and ran as fast as he could, throwing himself between Pride's daggers and Heinkel. He blocked the attack, and bared his teeth at Pride. "This is our fight now, you little shit."

"You are nothing but an annoyance, Envy," Pride replied. More daggers flew at him, but Envy blocked them all. There was a new flame burning inside of him. A feeling that gave him energy and confidence.

With every attack Pride threw at him, Envy was able to block them with the sword. Envy could almost feel Pride's building frustration. He focused all his spears at once and still, Envy guarded against them, but he was pushed back a few feet by the sheer force of it, stopped only when Envy dug his foot into the ground.

Pride pulled back and narrowed his gaze at him. Envy felt a bead of sweat slide down the side of his face. He grinned. "Good thing, the pipsqueak knows how to craft a blade. This carbon reinforcement's really coming in handy."

Pride's gaze narrowed, but he said nothing. Envy knew the older homunculus well enough to know his pride was damaged. Envy was meant to be weaker, but Pride could not touch him.

"What's wrong? You tired already?" Envy smirked. Pride frowned.

"Gluttony," Pride said. Envy wondered what Pride could be planning as Gluttony broke off from his fight with Lan Fan and Greed and stomped to Pride's side. "You look pretty beat up."

Gluttony pointed at Lan Fan and Greed, holding his belly with the other hand, and cried, "That woman and Greed are so strange! It's like they know where I am in the dark!"

Lan Fan and Greed came to join Edward, Envy, Fu, Darius and Heinkel. Envy noticed Greed glance in his direction, and he figured Greed was thinking the same thing as him: Pride was planning something.

"Gluttony, how many times did you die?" Pride asked. Gluttony shook his head.

"I don't even know," he replied. "A lot."

"I was beaten pretty badly as well. At this rate, we may end up being annihilated by them."

Envy gasped and glanced over at Greed when he realized what Pride was about to do. Before he could say it, Gluttony's wails of pain cut through the night. The group's eyes widened in horror as Gluttony was enveloped in darkness and swallowed whole.

A silence fell over them. Nothing but the sound of crackling flames surrounded them. Pride closed his eyes and Envy knew he was feeling strong again. Knew also that the chances of beating him conventionally had thinned to nothing.

"He ate… his own comrade?" Ling breathed in disbelief. Edward narrowed his gaze on Pride. Envy's grip on the hilt of his sword tightened considerably. Heinkel's hands shook. Darius backed away slightly. Fu and Lan Fan remained as silent as shadows.

"Ah, this is convenient. I can distinguish your scents perfectly," Pride said. "Although I could do without the ravenous hunger."

It felt like the group was holding their breath, waiting for the strike that would eventually come.

"Oh, what's this…" Pride sniffed at the air like a dog. "There you are, Hohenheim."

Envy's eyes widened and the group glanced back to see Hohenheim step into the light of the wildfire. Hands in his pockets. Lenses reflecting the orange light around him. Envy felt sharp panic overwhelm him. If he was here, then where was Winry?

Pride's sharp spears lashed out. The group scattered. Envy jumped back, blade poised. He noticed Lan Fan holding her arm and doubling over in pain as a large shadow-blade came at her. He launched himself across the sand, pushing her out of the way and reflecting Pride's blade of his own.

Lan Fan gasped as she landed unceremoniously into the sand. "I don't need your help, monster!"

"Shut up!" Envy snapped, but Pride did not give them time to speak. He dodged another round of attacks, but a few grazed his side. Pride was faster now.

He saw Heinkel being helped by Fu and a group of daggers flying at them as well. He ran and slashed at Pride's spears with his sword, warding them off. Fu and Heinkel stopped and looked back at him, but he growled at them to keep moving.

"That's the second time you've saved my life!" Heinkel yelled back at him. "I'm sorry I couldn't finish him."

"I don't blame you," Envy said, bracing himself for another attack. "Even from my perspective, he's a monster."

"Envy, look out!" Edward shouted.

Envy felt the wind get pushed out of him as one of Pride's dark arms swept him off his feet. He dropped the sword, and landed several feet away on his side, gasping. The taste of copper coated his tongue. Smoke filled the air around him. He coughed and noticed he had landed close to the pile of burning lumber. His eyes watered against the smoke.

"Dammit…!" Envy gasped, spitting blood. Red sparks encircled his wounds and healed him. He looked up to see Edward on the ground several feet away. "Hey, are you alive?"

"More or less…" Edward grunted, shakily getting to his feet. His clothes were stained crimson. He was holding his automail arm as if it had stopped working again.

"Should you really be worrying about others right now, Envy?" Pride mocked. "I wonder how much more you can take at this point. Mind if I eat you?"

Envy growled, "Eat me and you'll have a stomach ache, you little shit."

"What a rude way to address your brother," Pride replied. There was a hint of malice in his voice. Envy gritted his teeth at him, his fingers dug into the sand. The sword lay uselessly a few feet away. Without it, he knew he stood no chance.

"Envy!" cried a pitched female voice. It drew his attention to the edge of town where Winry stood, eyes wide. Her hands covered her mouth when she realized she had pulled Pride's attention to her.

"Run! You idiot –," Envy gasped as one of Pride's spears ripped through his chest. He felt the black tendrils wrap around his last philosopher stone.

Pride smirked. "Got you."

Mustang pushed a weather-beaten door open and stepped into the flushed orange light of an oil lamp. Riza Hawkeye, Kain Fuery and Heymans Breta looked up at him when he arrived. He shut the door with a snap behind him. They stood in an old mine shaft.

"No signs of being followed?" he asked, and Hawkeye shook her head.

"Nope. If there were, he'd react to them right away," she replied. The black and white dog at her feet wagged its tail happily.

"And any movements from the Bradley family?" he asked.

"I've confirmed their plans for the next three days. The Fuhrer is joining the practice in the East. Selim has gone with him," Hawkeye replied.

Mustang frowned. "About that," he said. "The train that was carrying the Fuhrer plummeted down a valley and into the river."

Their eyes widened in shock. Breta was the first to recover. "Wow, that old Grumman really knows how to be extreme."

"After that, the homunculi will start being a lot more cautious…" Hawkeye said, bringing a hand to her chin in thought. "That may make some things difficult for us."

"Will that affect our mission?" Fuery asked, stepping forward. "Will the Eastern Army come to Central as planned?"

Mustang dropped his gaze to the lamp at their feet. He knew Grumman would wait and let the young soldiers do the dirty work before coming to Central and cleaning up the mess. And after speaking with General Armstrong at her mansion, he knew the Briggs movement had already been put into motion. That just left his group to decide when and where to make their move. With the Fuhrer missing, this was either a chance of a lifetime or a trap…

"What's in our hands right now is a one-way ticket to a battlefield no matter how you look at it," Mustang said, looking back up at his loyal companions. "No matter the outcome, we can't go back. Even after we complete our mission, you all have the grand task of rebuilding the nation by my side, after I become Fuhrer. With that said, my only order for you all is this: don't die."

The three pulled their shoulders back and straightened:

"Understood!"

Winry watched the darkness draw back and Envy's body blow away like dust. The crackling of flames surrounded them. The orange light shuddered against the shadows. Pride drew back, and Edward stood, covered in blood.

"No way…" breathed Darius. "He's gone…"

Winry could feel the sting of tears rising. She balled her fists against her thighs and let out a shuddered breath. Edward was watching her with pity in his eyes. Then, he turned back to Pride and bared his teeth.

"Not a substantial stone, but at least I don't have to deal with Envy any longer," Pride said, licking his lips. "Now then…"

He looked between them all before his eyes finally landed on Alphonse's armoured body lying in the sand. Black tendrils started to make their way towards him, but Lan Fan yelled, "Duck!"

Winry saw her throw a tiny grenade towards Pride. Upon realizing what it was she quickly covered her eyes. A flash of white light flooded the landscape, seeped through the cracks between her fingers. It took a moment for the light to fade, and when it did, Winry looked up to see Darius and Greed had carried Alphonse away from Pride's grasp.

The child's form bared its teeth at them. "How irritating!"

Several shadow-spears focused, aimed at Lan Fan. Edward shouted for her to run, and the spears lashed out. She braced herself, intent on guarding against them.

Pride let out a small gasp. The spears stopped inches from Lan Fan's face, and she jumped back and away from them, eyes wide.

"What's happening?" Winry heard Darius ask Edward, but he shook his head.

"I… don't know."

Pride gasped again, and grabbed at his chest. "What –? What is this? How can this be?"

Hohenheim took a small step forward, lenses flashing in the firelight. "You feel it, don't you? It must feel like a thousand claws are tearing you up from the inside. How disconcerting."

"Hohenheim!" Pride snarled. "What have you done? What is this? What's going on? Stop it! Make it stop!"

Edward glanced over at Hohenheim as Winry asked, "What's happening to him?"

"You must have realized that the souls in your philosopher stone are still alive," Hohenheim said to Pride, eyes narrowing on him. "I told Envy that and he didn't believe me at first."

"What? You're mocking me!"

"It seems Envy has taken my advice," Hohenheim said, making Edward's eyes widen, "and has managed to talk to the souls inside of his stone. You feel it, don't you? In amongst your mass of screaming souls, Envy has managed to keep his individuality inside of you, and is now tearing you apart from the inside with the help of those people within him."

Pride's eyes were widening with Hohenheim's words. A part of his cheek crumbled, revealing a dense darkness inside a cracking vessel.

"Well, then we'll help Envy out and tear this brat up from the outside!" Edward shouted. He transmuted his arm into a blade and rushed forward. Darius, Lan Fan and Greed followed him. Pride tried to dodge their attacks, but working together they managed to get him surrounded.

Edward slashed at him. Darius punched him. Lan Fan used her blade to slice him. Greed clawed at him with his carbon fibre hands. Until finally, the child-like vessel that encased Pride shattered. His shadowy limbs turned to dust. Slowly, they backed away to watch as he crumbled.

"No! This can't happen! I've never been defeated! Make it stop!" Pride screamed as the last of his body disappeared, leaving behind a small form of a child. Edward took a step towards the fetus, but red sparks shot up around it. He jumped back.

"Still not dead?" he said. "How many times do we have to kill this guy?"

The fetus enlarged, engulfed in red sparks, and then started to transform. Winry's eyes widened as the familiar form of Envy emerged. He was kneeling in the sand, and panting. He brought a hand up to his face and closed his eyes as if he suddenly had a headache.

"Envy!?" Edward said, smiling.

"Does that mean it's over?" Darius asked. Envy dropped his hand and looked up at them.

"Yeah," he said, standing. "It's over."

"You were some hero back there," Heinkel said, making Envy stare at him in surprise. "We wouldn't have stood a chance without you."

Winry rushed up to the group and did not hesitate to throw herself at Envy. He caught her and her arms wrapped around his body. She buried her face in his neck.

"Idiot," Envy snapped, "you could have gotten yourself killed!"

Winry felt hot tears. Her throat tightened, keeping her words from forming. Envy sighed, and his voice grew gentle, "Geez… you're a mess. Sorry I worried you."

Hohenheim stepped towards them, and said, "So, you did as I suggested. Does that mean you have both Pride and Gluttony within you?"

Edward looked between them with wide eyes. "What? You mean you guys planned that?"

Envy smirked. "Yeah. I have both the strong feelings of pride and gluttony now, which means I also have their powers. You guys reek, by the way."

Winry blushed crimson. Darius chuckled, "I bet you're starving too."

Envy frowned. "It's annoying. Now I know how Gluttony felt."

"I know Doctor Marco said not to trust you," Heinkel said, "but an enemy wouldn't have put his life on the line like you did. I owe you twice my life, and my respect."

Envy stared at him dumbfounded, and Winry figured he had never received a compliment like that before. It was clear Envy was at a loss for words. Winry smiled.

"Thank you, Mister," she said. "That means a lot."

"We should leave for Central as soon as possible," Hohenheim said. Envy seemed to snap out of his lull.

He nodded. "Yeah, that eclipse is happening tomorrow night… Everything starts when the sun comes up."

Winry could feel her heart racing. Her skin was slick and smooth like the man above her, covered in a fine sheen of sweat, making his skin shine in the moonlight like he was made of glass. It outlined every contour of his body, highlighting his taut muscles and toned abs. One strong arm was wrapped securely around her waist, while the other tangled itself in her hair. She hitched her breathing as he sunk into her, deeply, smoothly. He was in total control now. There was no quiver in his breathing, no clumsy thrust of self-release. He was there for her. He was making that crystal clear.

Everything from his lips to his fingers, everything about him was working for her. Every movement perfectly calculated, slow at times, fast and powerful at others, only when he knew she needed them to be.

Winry let a moan escape her throat as he pulled out and pushed back in again. She thrust forward and met his hips, bringing him deeper. The pleasure was intensifying, she didn't want it to stop. She felt sweat drip down her back and at the same moment his lips kissed her collar bone.

She wrapped her arms around his firm body, one hand drew circles on his back while the other brushed softly against the sensitive skin at his neck. She felt him grin against her neck and nibble lightly at her skin. He thrust into her again, deeper than the last time and she felt a spasm inside her body. She moaned loudly again. That was the spot, he had found it, and she knew he would pay closer attention to it now.

She was right. The next thrust was stronger and directed at sensitive place deep within her. It sent shivers up and down her spine. She wriggled and squirmed in his arms. The pleasure was building with every touch, every movement, every thrust. She could barely contain herself, her release was right around the corner, just a little more, just a little faster, just a little stronger…

"Envy…!" Winry moaned as he shuddered and kissed her neck. She took a deep breath and felt her thundering heartbeat through her ribcage. Her fingers touched the slick skin between her breasts as Envy fell onto the mattress next to her. The ceiling fan above them squeaked with every turn.

"Beats sleeping in the car," Envy smirked when he caught her glaring up at the fan. Her eyes were heavy. She nuzzled into the covers, but Envy sat up and threw his legs over the side of the bed.

"Where are you going?" Winry asked him. "It's so late."

He glanced over his shoulder at her and shifted his naked appearance so that he was clothed again in his usual outfit. "I just need to clear my head," he replied. "Ever since Hohenheim tasked me with getting to know the people inside me… I can hear them almost all the time now."

Winry felt her cheeks flush. "That's… awkward."

Envy stood and headed for the door, saying, "I'll be back later. Promise."

He did not wait for a reply before he closed the door gently behind him and stepped into the apartment hallway. What he told Winry was half of a truth. The other half… he did not even want to admit it to himself. The Promised Day. He would undoubtedly face Father today. And there was a good chance he would be destroyed with Father, if he was truly part of him.

Envy did not want to admit it, but he was scared.

He left the apartment and walked out into the dark, dusty street. The town of Liore was still sleeping. He did not expect to run into anyone, which served him just fine. He preferred to be alone. Knew that he was never truly alone. Alone was simply an illusion; now that he had confirmed it for himself that the people inside him were as real as the ones outside of him.

Twenty-nine had been the number, but the stunt with Pride cost him two lives. He was now down to twenty-seven. He did not know if he was meant to mourn the lost souls as humans do. Should he craft a memorial out of stone somewhere? He did not feel particularly sad. In fact, he felt grateful they had let him use their soul's energy so that he could continue living.

"Fight with me…" he had said. Remembered the words roll off his tongue, how his voice sounded in his ears. Foreign in its motivation. Like he suddenly understood a secret the humans had been keeping; the secret signature of things. He knew these new feelings, this new tenacity, would serve him well when it came time to face Father.

The pride he felt at his achievement over Pride and Gluttony was both unusual and welcome. For once he felt he was starting understand who he was, not as a simple reflection of envy, but as a person. A part of a whole. A sense of self. And it felt good. Fulfilling in its simplicity.

Envy looked up. He had walked to the edge of Liore where the desert stretched out for miles and miles. Nothing but sand. The navy sky of evening was starting to lighten. He noticed Edward standing and staring out into the Eastern horizon. Fists balled, chin high. Envy figured he had had trouble sleeping too. He wondered if the alchemist was as afraid of the coming day as he was.

Envy came to stand next to him. He knew Edward knew he was there, but neither of them spoke. Slowly, color exploded into the sky, and the first sliver of sunlight cut the night. Envy heard Edward take a deep breath.

"The Promised Day…" Edward whispered.

Envy squinted and looked away from the sun to see that Edward was staring at him. There was a moment of pause.

"Ready to kick some ass?" Envy said, his lips curling into a grin.

Edward gave a single nod. "I'll watch your back."

Envy nodded. "And I'll watch yours."

"We're in this together now," Edward said, holding out his left hand to Envy.

Envy raised an eyebrow, and slapped his hand away. "Idiot, friends don't shake hands."

Edward smirked. They both turned and headed back to Liore.