Demons Only One

Chapter 6: Limp in Both Legs

Link didn't exactly understand why, but he and the Bookman were currently in the middle the woods (lost) in Munich looking for a small cottage where the Noah supposedly lived back in the day. For some reason, he was ordered to accompany the Bookman while they looked into the Noah's past, and was simply told that it would help in monitoring the Noah. Being a Crow, Link didn't ask and merely obeyed. (He was assured that the Noah would be under the careful supervision of Bookman Jr. and other exorcists, but he had a feeling that this mission was more than about learning about the Noah's past...)

Link broke down the dilapidated door with ease, sending up a spray of dust and splintered wood that made him sneeze several times in succession and cover his face. He vaguely wondered just how old the house was and how long ago that Noah had stayed here.

As the dust settled, the Bookman stepped inside as Link followed and began to look around: It wasn't a large house and was only one story high. From the front door, a small living room connected to the kitchen could be seen and a small hallway no doubt leading to the single bedroom and study.

Taking a cursory glance around – there was nothing interesting – they walked towards the two rooms. The Bookman stepped into the study while Link peered into the bedroom.

The bedroom was very simple with only a single bed and hardly anything else. Everything was covered in a thick layer of dust and Link crinkled his nose, stifling the urge to sneeze again. Turning away, he walked into the study only to find that it was much, much smaller than he thought it would be from the layout of the house.

Frowning, he glanced at the Bookman and noticed that he too shared a similar expression. He then gazed down at the lone desk with a small shelf attached and picked up a small frame. Wiping at some of the dust, he noticed that it was empty. Frowning, he picked up the other frame on the desk and cleaned some of the dust.

In this frame, there was a picture of the Noah with someone else in heavy armor – presumably Mana Walker. Both were sharing a look that suggested that the person with the camera was insane, but both were grinning nonetheless. Putting down the frame - there was nothing else on the desk except dust - he glanced at the Bookman, who was also looking at the frames with some interest.

"I think that there is a hidden wall," he stated simply when he caught Link's eye. "Probably that wall." He pointed a long finger passed the Crow to the opposite wall. Link swiftly crossed the small room and tapped at the wall and a hollow sound met his ears. Nodding to the old man to step back, he picked up the desk chair and smashed it against the wall.

Coughing, he swiped at the air until the dust settled. Next to him, the Bookman sniffed loudly, then reached into the hole and extracted several books. Opening them, he quickly flipped through the pages.

"Anything?" Link asked, reaching for another book.

"It's blank."

"What?" Link quickly flipped through another book. It didn't take them long to determine that all the books were empty.

"Hmmm…" The Bookman slowly flipped through the first book. "Well, let's go back to the Order. We found the only things that are of any use here, and we need to report in. Finding this place took much longer than expected and we've been out of contact for long enough."

Link nodded absentmindedly and followed the older man out, but not before pocketing the two frames – perhaps they would be of use?

Ed didn't know how long he sat there, thinking or not thinking – he didn't know nor was aware of what he was doing -, nor did he know how long Allen stood motionless before joining him against the wall. His mind was completely blank but continued to buzz as it tried to come up with an answer to what he had to accomplish. For once, there were no new ideas, and he just felt so tired that he wasn't sure he could ever get up again.

Softly, a gentle voice washed over the two. "Edward. Edward… Are you awake?"

Ed slowly lifted his head even though it felt like a thousand pounds, his eyes still blankly staring forward. "H..hohenheim?" he croaked.

"Edward, I'm not supposed to be here, but I wanted you to know. I'm leaving in your possession my cookbook. I'll let you decide what to do with the information in there. As for me, try not to give away my identity. If they find out who I am, I won't be able to stay" - The voice paused as if to collect his thoughts. - "I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I was never there for you. I hope you'll one day forgive me… and you know, Al was always here, right? He's always been with you. I've seen your work. Your theory isn't wrong. You just have to trust in yourself some more… and I'm sorry... again. I've once again saddled you with my sin.

"I have to go, but remember, I'm here for you. I'll see you… my son."

He could feel Allen turn to give him a wide-eyes stare, and Ed felt himself smile listlessly back. "So I wasn't wrong. It really was him," he muttered, struggling to his feet, but failing and nearly cracking his head against the wall. "That bastard; didn't even come home and here he is in another world being an insufferable know-it-all." He sighed and leaned back at his second failure to get up. He should get up, read that damn book and figure out what Hohenheim was trying to tell him, but he just didn't have the energy.

Tomorrow, he assured himself. Tomorrow… and his eyes shut as he fell into a deep sleep.

Allen was relieved to see some light come back into Edward's eyes. It was disturbing when looked so listless and lifeless. He hated to see anyone look like that, even a Noah. Those eyes reminded him of when he had called Mana back. Certainly, he too must have worn the same eyes when General Cross found him.

He sighed and leaned back against the wall as he heard the Noah's soft snores. The conversation had been strange between him and his father, well, more like monologue as Edward hardly spoke a word. But a cookbook? Of all things to leave with someone, a cookbook? Allen puzzled over this.

Also, if that man, whoever he was, was indeed the Edward's father, wouldn't that also make him a Noah? So there was another Noah within the Order's ranks? How many were there total? And who was this man? Wouldn't that mean that the Black Order was compromised? While this particular man didn't seem like he was trying to harm the Black Order, any other Noah hiding might be a spy.

There were so many questions and no answers. Maybe Edward would tell him, but Allen felt that even if he were to ask, the Noah would not say a thing.

He let his mind wander away from the puzzling conversation and to the people within the Order. He wondered how they were getting along, and if they were worried. He wished that there was some way to let them know that he was doing fine…

Wait. Fullmetal was asleep, right? So he should be able to take over the body, right? But he didn't know how to go about it. What should he do?

Allen got up slowly and glanced at Edward. Seeing that he was still sound asleep, he quietly tip-toed up the stairs and glanced around. Somehow, he felt that being in the house wasn't the answer, but he didn't know what else to do. Maybe one of the doors was the way out?

Looking around, he started to wander around the house. The first floor held nothing too interesting: Just a kitchen, living room… typical things, so he made his way to the second floor. Opening one of the doors, it looked like it led to the master bedroom. Well, Allen thought it was the master bedroom. It wasn't large, but it definitely had the "parental" feel to it.

Shutting the door softly, he walked to the next door and tried the handle. However, unlike the last room, the handle didn't turn. He jangled it a bit before trying to put his shoulder quietly into the door, willing it to open. "Stupid door…" he growled, pushing a little harder.

He stopped and glared at the door. This has to be the door out, he thought. Grunting, he put his whole weight into the wood and felt it give way. Stumbling forward, he caught himself before he face-planted into the floor. Getting a sense of unease, he looked up and froze.

There was someone there, watching him.

Notes: Title is from Epik High's new album. The song is called Run. Ah, this song really hit me hard and then really inspired me to write more of this story. The lyrics really reminded me of Ed..

"I have a limp in both legs, the road to walk is endless."

I might use this song for the rest of the chapter titles of this story :D

But yea, it's been awhile since the last update so I uploaded a pretty short chapter that I've been working on for awhile now (didn't know how to write it really, and I'm really dissatisfied.. but.. eh..). Really, this summer has been way too busy and I'm so behind in everything. I wish I didn't have to study anymore. X.x

As always, thank you for the reviews and support! I can't keep writing without you all! :D

~Razra