After getting some sleep, Edward seemed to be more alert and focused despite the hangover. But he didn't drink anymore, though his chain smoking continued to give him something to do on the long ride to the north. It took him a while but he seemed to have gotten over the shock of recent events. He didn't look so lost but there was a determined air about him. This change worried Al more so than he already was.
Edward didn't talk much and he wouldn't allow the others to do so. If anyone strayed off in a pair, Edward always managed to find them before they could get into a deep discussion. Of course they would be talking about him and Al knew his brother was keeping that very thing from happening. It irritated Al. He knew he wouldn't get the full story out of Edward in regards to Russell during the war. He'd have an easier time pulling teeth. He tried to talk to Havoc but Edward would appear before he got a chance to ask. When he tried to ask Edward all he got were grunts and that it didn't matter anymore.
He also wanted to discuss with Lin and Havoc how to keep Edward from doing something reckless. He knew Edward still felt responsible for what happened with Elysia and Richard. As much as it upset Al it was just in his nature to take the blame. The only way to get Edward to see it wasn't his fault was for Elysia and Richard to return safely. Then somehow they would have to convince Edward he still wasn't at fault for their traumatic experience.
As much as he loved his brother, Al was worried that with Edward - in his unstable condition, coming face to face with Russell - his wife and son would likely be put into more danger than they already were. Al had a feeling that dealing with Russell would include some kind of sacrifice and Edward would be all too willing. But he didn't trust Russell. If he was a homunculus he would have no problem breaking any deals or promises... or hurting anyone in the process. Al had to prevent that and he had no problems going behind Edward's back to do so. But in order to do that he needed to talk to Lin and Havoc but Edward was not allowing it. He didn't think he could keep his brother from being reckless on his own. Edward was much too stubborn and bull headed for one person to be.
Then there was the matter of the homunculi. At least Edward stayed away from Lin. That small blessing allowed Al to get more information from Lin regarding the Xing alchemists and their methods of removing Greed from his body. That knowledge combined with his early experiences, his research through the years and talks with his father gave him a plan of action to deal with the homunculi.
They would be arriving at Briggs in another day. They had just passed through North City. The express train was resupplied with a fresh crew and they would be pushing full speed ahead to the last northern outpost where they would ride the rest of the way to Briggs by car. Havoc, Lin and Edward were sound asleep in their own cabins. It was too much to ask for Lin and Havoc to out last Edward in order to talk with Al alone. They were just as mentally exhausted as well. But he had to admit Edward's stamina and will was rather impressive.
He sat alone in the sitting area of the private car, looking out the window, watching the dark countryside whip by, deep in thought. There was a lot to think about. He missed Gloria and his kids; he was worried about them and hoped they were safe. He was scared for Elysia and his nephew. Edward showed him the picture of Richard who was the very image of his father as a teenager. Al wondered if they had come into contact with each other and what Elysia would think seeing Richard. He wondered how they were doing hoping Russell hadn't hurt them in any way.
He looked down at the picture of his nephew. He could see why Edward looked at it so often. Richard looked as his brother should have at that age; full of wide eyed innocence, loved and cared for. It saddened Al when he thought of everything Edward had been through over the years. He had his share of trauma but he knew Edward had it worse and it hadn't stopped when it should have.
Al sighed tiredly. It was almost four in the morning. Thinking and worrying about Edward was making his head ache. He slumped in his chair, closing his eyes as he leaned his head back when he felt a twinge.
It was a spasm really, above his right eye, deep within his skull. It was a strange sensation he'd never felt before. It faded just as quickly as it came and he ignored it. Then it happened again, stronger this time and it felt like something was being pulled from his mind, a thought... or a memory… some knowledge... He put his arms over his head as the tugging increased as if he was pulling back on something that was being taken from him. But this time there was real pain instead of discomfort and it just got worse. It was too much to bear...
"Al!"
Someone was shaking him.
"Al! Are you alright? Say something!"
Someone sounded scared.
"Please, Al!"
"I'm okay," he finally answered, his head throbbing mercilessly as he opened his eyes. "Why am I on the floor?"
"I don't know," Edward said looking a bit relieved but worry still lingered in his eyes. "I was hoping you'd be able to explain that and why you were yelling."
"I was yelling?" Al said sitting up, resting his back against the chair he had been sitting on earlier. He pressed the palms of his hands into his eyes, the aching only easing a bit. "I don't remember doing that. I just felt this pain. It felt like something was torn from me..."
"Torn?" Edward said perplexed as he looked him over. "What was torn?"
"Something from my memory..."
Edward swallowed nervously. He opened his mouth to say something but hesitated then shut his mouth.
Al looked sharply at him, ignoring the pain. His heart began to beat faster. His brother had an idea what had caused the sudden pain and wasn't going to tell him. Al searched Edward's eyes, looking for something that would help him understand what his brother knew. Edward looked away and Al could only stare back when he realized he knew the answer but needed to hear it from his brother. "Edward, how did you pull my body from the Gate?"
"I told you, I used the Philosopher's Stone." He was lying, Al could see it.
He looked up at Lin and Havoc who were hovering behind Edward with worried expressions that quickly turned to guilt and shame. They each took a step back as if this were territory they didn't want to step foot in. He looked back at Edward, and then shook his head, more for his foolishness for not realizing it before. No, he didn't need Edward to tell him; he knew.
"Are you going to be alright?" Edward asked cautiously.
"Yeah," he smiled. The pain was fading quickly and was nearly gone. He lifted his hand. "Help me up."
Edward did so. He looked perplexed and guilty. "There's something you should..."
"Not now. I'm tired."
Edward didn't press it and helped Al to his room.
Elysia knew who the Crimson Alchemist was. She knew what he had done to Edward and to the people of Ishbal. She also knew what Edward had done to him in return. No thought to her own safety entered her mind. She was scared for Edward. With the Crimson Alchemist roaming free he'd want to get back at the man who had imprisoned him for twenty years.
Russell helped the man get dressed in Fletcher's clothes. They were big and baggy, hanging off the man's thin frame. He asked no questions. It was if he and Russell had an unspoken arrangement, two evil minds communicating silently.
When Kimbley seemed somewhat recovered from the journey back through the Gate, Russell picked up the jar and brought it over to him. Kimbley looked at the creature inside and stared hard at it.
"What is that?"
"The reason you're back."
Kimbley looked up at Russell. "You're going to have to explain that one to me."
Russell's explanation was removing the lid from the jar and pointing the opening towards Kimbley. Suddenly, Envy shot out, latching on Kimbley's neck with sharp, razor teeth.
Elysia and Richard flinched back, shutting their eyes not wanting to be witnesses to these events any longer. Elysia covered her ears but Kimbley's struggling and cries of pain could not be shut out. She didn't think their situation could get any worse. Watching one man sacrificed for another was horrible enough... now to see this grotesque creature taking over someone's body... she didn't know if she could keep the contents of her stomach down.
Kimbley grabbed at the thing that was slowly melding with his body trying to tear it off but Envy had hold of him and wasn't letting go.
"Easy, Kimbley," Envy soothed. "This won't take long."
"What are you?" Kimbley gasped.
"You don't remember your old friend, Envy?"
"Envy?"
"Yes, it's me. Now let me in and I'll explain everything to you."
Kimbley continued to struggle but there was not much strength to his continued resistance. Finally, with Envy completely absorbed in his body he stood and held his arms out in front of him.
"I really liked my old body but this will do for now," he said looking slightly disappointed looking at the back of his hands. Then a maniacal grin spread across his face and he sighed, content, as he stretched. "Yes, it's so much better than that jar."
When Elysia heard the name Envy her eyes popped open and she could only stare, dumbstruck. She didn't know if she was emotionally drained by everything that had happened and or if seeing Envy before her was too shocking that she was finally in the middle of a heart attack. Finally, she deduced it wasn't that. She didn't think a heart attack would produce the boiling hate that churned within looking at the man who now housed the homunculus that killed her father.
Envy turned to look at her as if he sensed her hatred and anger. A grin spread across his face as he walked towards Elysia and Richard. He stopped in front of them and kneeled in front of Elysia, his face too close for comfort. "I must say that Elric kid is very unpredictable," he chuckled. "For the runt to marry that poor man's daughter knowing he had a hand in his death..."
"No he didn't!" Elysia yelled knowing exactly what he was talking about. "It was you!"
She lunged forward and took a swing but Envy caught her hand.
"Kimbley wants me to kill you now but I prefer to kill you in front of the pipsqueak. We'll have to make sure it's really dramatic!"
"Let her go!" Richard yelled getting up but Envy kicked him hard in the stomach. Richard fell to the ground, winded.
"I think it would only be fair that I told you how your father left this world before you join him."
"I don't want to know," Elysia said trying to pull her hand free, disgusted by his touch. But Envy held on tighter, squeezing. Elysia winced and he smiled moving closer. As he did, Elysia moved back until she hit the back of the truck, unable to go any further.
"But you would be so proud of him facing two of us."
"Two?" Elysia couldn't help.
"Yes, me and Lust. She got him in the shoulder and he got her right here," he said poking Elysia in the forehead. "Pretty impressive for a desk jockey and that hag let him get away. She was losing her touch anyways; that's what happens when you play with humans for too long. But I found him," Envy said pointing at himself, a wide grin on his face. "You know, he could have survived if he trusted the military but then again it was corrupt so who could blame him," the grin widened even more. "But he was so gullible. You humans are so easy to figure out. He knew it wasn't his wife but..." Envy shrugged. "Pitiful."
"You didn't..." and Elysia gasped as Envy proved his point shape shifting into the very image of Edward.
"Pitiful," Envy emphasized with distaste as he changed back, his brow creased in concentration, as gold eyes returned to brown. "We'll chat more later," he added, dropping her hand as he turned to leave. "When was the last time this body ate? The pit is rumbling something crazy and Kimbley is a pain complaining that he's hungry."
Russell – having kept his distance during the exchange - activated a transmutation circle on the side of the truck and the wall that had been hiding Elysia and Richard formed back, imprisoning them once again in their small, dark corner.
Elysia had been holding back as long as she could. Once the two homunculi were out of sight she lost it, sobbing uncontrollably as she sank to the floor.