Fullmetal Exorcist- Chapter 4- Alchemic Innocence
Izumi frowned at her godchildren. She had been separated from them for a long time since they were born, and they were just about to go away again, this time to a war that that history will almost never mention.
"Boys," She looks at Ed and Al. "You know your decision means that you'll become the Vatican's dog, especially if you're directly under Central. I'm not that religious, just that if you join the Order instead, you'll get more freedom…"
"We understand that," Ed frowned, looking at the wooden grooves of the table to avoid her intense gaze. "But then we won't be able to stay with Master."
Al then nodded after his older brother. "Besides, Master should be able to give us freedom, more freedom than being in the Order. Destroying Akuma has been integrated in our lives, teacher… We can't turn away from what we are said to do…"
Izumi's glare softened, and she got up from the table, and the two brothers looked up.
"You two," She smiled. "Be careful, you hear? Pinako will be dead worried if she hears you go missing again for another year."
"Don't sweat it, teacher," Ed smirked. "I'm much tougher, now that you taught me a few tricks."
Ed then lost the look he wore and replaced it with one that showed his fiery resolve.
"I'm going to help Master change this horrid system," he said in a low voice. "We will change it. I just know that it's bound to change someday…"
"Brother?" Al asked the dozing one, who perked up and noticed.
"What is it, Al?"
"You know…" Al looked out the window of the blazing train. "This Cornello person… isn't it strange? Usually when there's high activation of Innocence, the Earl sends loads of Akuma to the area, and then we'd have to get rid of them all."
"Your point?" Lavi was absorbed in the books that Ed had brought along.
"I mean, Komui didn't say anything about high numbers of Akuma. You think this might be a hoax?"
"Look," Ed pointed to the report. "The Finders who saw this were from our department, see? It was Havoc and Riza who sent Komui and Master the message. You know that they wouldn't lie about. Seems that they said they even saw the Innocence."
"Oh," Al said. "But still, it's strange."
"Yep," Lavi turned the next page of his book. "Strange indeed."
"Besides, you have some instructions yourself," Ed looked at Lavi, who looked up at him, his face asking what it was.
"Well," Ed began. "Since I'm supposed to be 'your overseer Inspector' from Central, you might have to listen to me, for once."
"Wha-"
"Don't say that, brother," Al scolded Ed. "You're not that brutal. Besides, even though you're Inspector and Exorcist all at once… well, at least you're not like that Link person."
"Oh, that guy?" Lavi remembered 'Two Spots.' "He was way too uptight."
"I'm just saying," Ed looked at the two of them. "It's just procedure, all right? So, just do as I say."
"Fine," Lavi went back to the book. "But you owe me one."
"Hey, Ed, how long did it take for us to get from HQ to here?" Lavi stretched his lazy arms as they walked off the station.
"Um…" Ed reached into his pocket, and gazed into his silver pocket watch. "Five hours."
"That long?!" Al jumped. Ed raised an eyebrow.
"What? It's in Andorra, for crying out loud!" Ed reminded them. "You think it would take ten minutes to get here?"
"Hehe, sorry," Lavi smiled. "I guess it's hard to get used to not using the Gate for once."
"Sounds like you had an easier way of getting around," Al looked at the redhead as they approached the welcoming gates of Lior. "Was the Ark that fast?"
"Well, yeah!" Lavi grinned, and he recounted how he and his friends had to fight the Noah to get it. Al listened intently, even though he had heard it from Lavi before, while Ed was busy looking around the busy town, searching for an inn to stay. Strange enough, it was past twelve, and the town was still busy as day.
The people around them looked up and stopped their activity. A man who was shouting about sales for shoes froze and his hands fell to their sides. A local florist stopped snipping bad ends off her beautiful roses and laid her pliers down. The children stopped playing hopscotch and stared at the three young men. The black coats… the red lining… the recognition was quite like authority.
"Exorcists are here!!" One of the pedestrians yelled happily. Although the voices were not synchronized, Lavi could they were all shouting. "Welcome to Lior, black clergy!"
They were suddenly bombarded with requests and greetings, they probably wouldn't have made it ten feet into the city.
"Would you like a new pair of shoes?" the cobbler asked.
"Um… no, thanks… I'm fine with my shoes…"
"How about this delicious bread?" a baker the passed by showed a rather appetizing tray of the said food.
"It looks great… I'll try it later… right-"
"How about my roses," the florist showed them a rosebush. "I'm sure you all have loved ones back home…"
"Thank you, but-"
They became overwhelmed with questions until the crowd fell silent when a young couple approached them. The man, his broad shoulders shown rather proudly, walked with his brown hair ruffling in the midnight wind. He wore simple clothing, a white dress shirt, and black slacks. The woman, presumed to be romantically involved with him had brown hair and pink bangs that parted at her forehead.
"What's with all the racket?" the man smiled.
"Ryan!" One of men turned to him. "Some Exorcists have stopped by!"
"That so?" the woman looked in surprise, and they pointed to the three boys who stood at middle of the cobblestone pavement. The two then softened and smiled brightly.
"Welcome to Lior, Exorcists!" the woman said cheerily. "Say, you three seem to need a place to stay, right?"
"Um… er… yeah…" Al answered, and Ryan placed a hand on the boys' shoulders.
"No worries!" He smiled. "My fiancé Rose and I will be happy to let you stay at our inn! Come along now!"
They protested a bit as the man shoved them a bit to hard, nearly causing them to fall flat on their face, but they complied anyways, with Rose following behind quite willingly. Lavi couldn't help but turn back briefly to an empty yet dark alleyway, where he was sure he saw movement.
"Here's your room!" Rose showed to them. It was a vast room, with three beds (conveniently), and a window that displayed the town square, where a fountain was running quite smoothly. Lavi saw that the fountainhead's statue of a strange robed elderly man was probably Leto, that sun god Komui mentioned. Ed and Al set their luggage on the side of the door, but when Lavi was about to walk from the window to his bags, he tripped on his feet, sending a nearby porcelain vase smashing to the wooden floor. Al nearly jumped at the sound of the vase.
"Oh!" Ryan gasped. "Are you fine, sir?"
"I'm fine, thank you," Lavi groaned as he massaged his head, getting up slowly and then settling on the bed. "Who knew that tripping could give you a headache?"
"What about the vase?" Rose asked softly. "Look, I'll go to the backroom and bring a new one-"
"It's all right, miss Rose," Al smiled. "My brother can fix it. Stand back and watch."
Ed then cracked his knuckles as he walked to the part of the room where the uneven fragments and shards of the vase stood. He then gave the scene an analytical look, and subsequently clapped his hands together, producing an unusual hum, like the chorus of angels, if Marie were here to describe it. Lavi watched more closely as Ed bent down to his knees and placed his hands, still humming, to the shards of the porcelain. A puff of smoke ensued from the area where the boy had placed his hands, and Ed got up to his feet, staring at the clouded area. The smoke cleared, and everyone saw a vase, in perfect shape. Ed picked it up and placed it on the mantle again.
Rose was at a loss for words, but Ryan was able to speak.
"Amazing…" He smiled. "So that is you ability as an Exorcist?"
"No," Al explained. "Each Exorcist has their own ability."
"I know that," Ryan looked at Al and then to Ed. "Many Exorcists have stopped here before, especially this inn. Lior is quite a big center for travel, as I've seen, even business goes on at night. I've been able to witness many things their 'Innocence' can do. But I've never seen one that your friend just did…"
"Well, mine's very different," Ed smiled. "My Innocence is apparently a new type of Innocence: Alchemic Innocence."
"Alchemic?" Lavi sat up. "You mean like that alchemy book said?"
"Correct," Al nodded. "Alchemic Innocence is a type of Innocence that is manifested in its user's entire body, allowing him to use alchemy for special purposes. This is not identical to parasitic Innocence, in which only one part of the body becomes Innocence. My brother Ed's alchemic Innocence allows him to do a whole variety of alchemy, which is very rare. My Innocence is also alchemic, and it allows me to heal others, which is called alkahestry. My Innocence is more for defensive purposes than offensive. Alchemic Innocence has many advantages. Although first times, the user finds it unstable to use, but once he gets the hang of it, the Innocence allows complete synchronization with the mind, so complete control of Alchemic Innocence is critical point."
Lavi fascinated with this information, began to let the words sink into his mind so he could document it later. Bookman would be thrilled to hear this.
"Nicely said," Ed smiled to his brother. "However, there is one drawback to alchemic Innocence."
All eyes turned to him.
"Alchemy follows one basic rule: The Law of Equivalent Exchange. For something there must be an equal price, in all circumstances."
"Whoa…" Ryan was dumbfounded. "You know, Father Cornello can do that, too."
"Really?" Lavi looked at the innkeeper.
"Yep," He smiled. "Turns out, you came at the right time. Tomorrow, he's going to have a sitcom in the morning, and then an offering ceremony in the afternoon. I think you should see him afternoon cause that's when everyone goes. We've left a radio in your room in case you feel like turning it on."
"Thank you, Ryan," Al smiled, and the couple turned around and left the room. The bedroom was silent as the only noise was Al setting up the clothes from the luggage to the dresser. Lavi was still sitting upright on bed, as Ed looked outside the night sky where a full moon was at large.
"Alchemic Innocence?" Lavi asked, shattering the silence. "You've met anyone who has it yet?"
"Sure have," Ed didn't keep his eyes off from the window. "My godmother has one, but she's hiding out in Europe so she won't get involved with the Vatican."
"Hiding out?" Lavi jumped. "But why should she? I mean, if she joins in, she can help take down more Akuma! She would be quite helpful!"
"Apparently, she's doing that every day," Al continued to fold the clothes. "There's a reason why all of Britain is free of Akuma these days. Even Central was befuddled, but Master's department knows all about it."
"Amazing…" Lavi gasped. "You godmother's that good?"
"Believe me," Ed smirked. "She's really tough, she's the one who taught us actual fighting experiences."
"That's cool…" Lavi grinned. "If we ever go to Britain, I will definitely meet her."
"No doubt about that." Ed chuckled, and Al placed the suitcases under the beds.
"You know," Lavi contemplated. "It's really strange, not able to have Allen around when he could tell Akuma are around. Now we're just going trial and error without him."
"It's strange enough," Al said. "Central usually keeps quiet about who they put up for heresy. They don't tell anyone until they really do kill the 'heretic.'"
"Well, there's been some cases for exceptions," Ed hinted. "Anyways, bedtime, let's just get some shuteye. Five hours is better than none."
"Children of God who live on this Earth, have faith and thou shalt be saved. The God of the Sun, Leto, enlightens thy path. Behold, having descended from his throne, the Lord shall save thee from thy sins. As a messenger of the Sun God, I am your Father."
Ed had to hold back a yawn as he listened to the broadcast and watched Lavi write down the information. The Bookman apprentice then set down his fountain pen and sighed.
"For the first time in my life," He said out loud for the two brothers to hear. "I've actually gotten bored of documenting things like this."
"That's because you're used to writing about wars, not preaching," Al sighed, and the door opened as Rose and Ryan emerged from the entrance to the inn's room.
"Morning!" Rose smiled brightly, carrying a tray of breakfast for the three. "Oh! You've been listening to Father Cornello's teachings?"
"Yeah…" Ed laid back down on his bed, looking at the ceiling. "Come to think of it, who is Father Cornello, anyways?"
"Father Cornello?" Ryan pulled up a chair and contemplated on how he should say it. "He is the messenger of Leto, the Sun God!"
"The founder of Letoism," Rose continued. "The one with the power of miracles, he says. He's actually this really kind man who came to this city some years of ago and showed us the real way of God!"
"Oh, really?" Ed looked up at them. He could hear the scratching of Lavi's fountain pen again. "Well, the three of us aren't that into religion, so it's hard for us to follow things nowadays."
"Oh, really?" Ryan smiled. "Well, we follow Father Cornello because he made us a promise. You see, Rose's mother died the last year, and she's been done about it. We were engaged a long time already, but she's broken it off until she gets her mother back… Cornello says he can bring her mother back to life."
"Back to life?!" Ed nearly fell out of his bed. Lavi dropped his pen in surprise, and Al rushed over to help him up.
"Come on, Brother…" He urged. "This is not the way to start your morning, crashing around like that."
Al turned to the surprised couple. "I'm sorry, my brother tends to go catatonic at mentions of things like that."
"Oh?" Rose proceeded to present Lavi his breakfast by setting it on his table where he was writing away busily. "Why so? Shouldn't he be happy about it?"
"Well… um…" Al stuttered. "It's hard to say… He had this… well… accident… and he doesn't get over it…"
"Easy for you to say," Ed munched on the toast of his breakfast. "It's a delicate topic, so I don't take it very lightly."
"Oh, then, you should ask Father Cornello to solve your problems." Ryan smiled. "He'll be happy to listen your request, even help you along with Letoism, if that helps!"
"Sure," Ed smirked. "I'll be looking forward to that…"
Lavi's pen scratching became slower and slower, as if he were think in doubt at the same time. So Rose had lost her mother… man… this story keeps repeating and never stops… someone loses a loved one… and that will lead to another tragedy… a far deeper one, he knows that. Rose is the big target of the Earl. And what about Cornello? He is far too suspicious…
"Say…" Rose smiled. "You've got a whole morning, so how about you make yourselves useful? After breakfast, you three can help us with the kitchen. I'm sure you might need to stay in shape all the time, no?"
"Geez!" Ed said to himself as the three Exorcist walked down the ever-so-busy streets again. "Religion, religion, religion. Is there nothing that doesn't have to do with that guy around here?"
"No, don't think so," Lavi placed his hands behind his head lazily, observing the decorative surroundings. "Apparently, Komui was right, these people really are into this 'Leto' thing. Wonder if it's a cult or something."
"Nah," Al said quietly. "Cult will be an overstatement… Anyways, my hands are still numb from the cold water we had to use to wash the dishes. I always prefer warm water… How about you?"
"I never really care," Lavi continued to look around. "I mean, I don't really give anything about the temperature… well… maybe whenever it's scorching hot or freezing cold… You know… Allen, Yuu, and I went on this mission once, when we had to go into this bad blizzard, I had to use my Heaven Seal on my Innocence to get rid of the storm for the moment when we were battling these really hard Akuma. Allen even knocked himself out for a moment, too."
"Well, we'll make sure that won't happen again, right?" Ed smiled, and they arrived at what seemed like a large temple. Everyone was crowding there now, and the three of them just happened to be at the very back, unfortunately. Lavi, being quite tall for a man of nineteen years old almost to twenty, was able to see anyways, but Ed and Al apparently had an issue with seeing over everyone's head. Then Ed had an idea of making a makeshift platform off the ground so they could stand on it.
So Cornello, apparently, was an elderly man, fifty, if one could say. He was almost bald, his eyes squinted shut. Like most priests, he wore a black robe with a white scarf hanging from his shoulders. His smile was very wide, and it somehow reminded Lavi of a Cheshire Cat…
Rose petals fell softly on the white marble balcony of the temple, and Cornello managed to get a hold of one flower petal, and with a clap of humming, the petal became a fully grown rose, its silky glow arousing awe in the crowds. Ed raised an eyebrow in wonder.
"I wonder if this is even Innocence…" Lavi wondered. "I mean, Alchemic Innocence requires the Law of Equivalent Exchange. This does not follow the criteria. I think it could be an Equip Type… but… you know anything, Ed?"
"What do you think?!" Ed scowled. "I don't know any more about this guy than you, so what gives you the idea to ask me?"
"Brother…" Al calmed the other. "Be calm… you don't have to explode at everyone…"
"So… Bingo." Ed smiled evilly before seeing a member of temple pass by. No doubt, he was one, wearing white robes similar to Cornello's. Ed, Al, and Lavi exchanged glances and understood the plan.
"Um… sir?" Al asked the robed man while approaching him. "My friends and I just came to this town…"
"Oh?" The man looked surprised. "Are you the Exorcists that came yesterday by any chance?"
"Yes, we are…" Al smiled. "So… we would like to see Father… Cornello…"
"Oh, sure!" the man smiled. "No worries there! Just follow me, and I'll lead you into his office!"
The three of them followed this robed man around the crowd and to the main entrance just when the show ended and Cornello retreated to private sanctuary from his balcony.
"Founder, there are people requesting an interview with you, sir."
"Who might they be?" Cornello asked his Letoist follower.
"Two boys and one man dressed in red and black… they claim to be Exorcists from the Black Order of the Vatican."
"Vatican?" Cornello looked up dangerously, and then dismissively looked away. "Tell them I'm busy and they go home. We mustn't dwindle with another religion here. Wait… Exorcists?!"
"Yes," The Letoist replied. "I'm sure I heard them say 'Black Order…' Do you know them?"
"This is bad!" Cornello looked unhappy. "Exorcists, the Black Order?! They are the army of the Vatican, if you don't know that!"
"You mean to say that those two kids and that punk are Exorcists?"
"Age and appearance doesn't matter when it comes to Exorcists!" Cornello palmed his face in frustration. "Exorcists… Usually they come out of their so called Headquarters to search for people accommodated with objects called Innocence… I see, so those punks are related to the Black Order…"
"Why are the black clergy here?!" the Letoist exclaimed. "Do they know your contract with-"
"They are the dogs of Vatican, after all," Cornello relaxed once again, finally formulating a plan. "They have excellent noses, by the way…"
"Do you want me to send them away?"
"No, that would be too suspicious," Cornello frowned. "The Black Order will send more than three Exorcists if we turn them down. They won't stop until they get answers, the bastards."
"So what do we do?"
Cornello then put up a wide clownish smile, a creepy one… "Just claim… that they never came… how does that sound?"
The other responded with a malicious grin, understanding the murderous intent. "As long as God is content…."