Chapter 2 - A Ring and an Explanation

The next day, Cornello was performing miracles in front of the citizens of Liorre, outside his church. Some miracles included turning flower petals into diamond wreaths, and turning water to wine.

"So, that's it, huh?" Ed said, unimpressed. "What do you think?"

He was asking Al, Brian and Vinny when he saw these miracles.

"Nothin' to think, Eddie," Vinny answered. "No doubt he's using alchemy."

"I concur," Brian agreed.

"But somehow," Ed began, "he's ignoring the law of equivalent exchange. He should have transmuted that flower into something of equal mass."

"And he's changing matter into in-organic matter," Al added. "He shouldn't be able to do that."

"Unless he has..." Vinny added, wondering.

Ed points out that Cornello has a ring on his left middle finger, with a red stone on it.

"Bingo," he whispered. "That's how he's doing it."

Later that day, inside the church, Rosé was busy polishing the alter in the sanctuary, while New Brian sat in a pew.

"So," Ed's voice suddenly got her attention, as well as New Brian's, "if you pray and polish the alter enough times, someone from the dead will be brought back to life?"

He, along with Al, Brian and Vinny, have entered the sanctuary, and sat in a pew behind the one New Brian was sitting in.

"I guess you could say that," Rosé answered, gesturing. "By the way, welcome to the church. Are you guys interested in Letoism?"

"Can't say that I am," Ed answered. "I'm not really the religious type."

"Me neither," Brian added, "though I am impressed."

"Well," Rosé replied, bowing her head in understanding, "sorry to hear that. To know God is to know hope. If we believe in divine grace, then through him, all things are possible, if you believed, I'm sure he'd make you grow taller."

Ed growled at this.

"Easy, Eddie," Vinny assured. "She's trying to help."

"And about bringing the dead back to life?" Ed began. "I don't think it's possible." With that, he pulled out a notebook from his jacket pocket and started reading. "Water: 35 liters, carbon: 20 kilograms, ammonia: 4 liters, lime: 1.5 kilograms, phosphorus: 800 grams, salt: 250 grams, saltpeter: 100 grams, sulfur: 80 grams, fluorine: 7.5 grams, iron: 5 grams, silicon: 3 grams, and trace amounts of fifteen other elements."

"Huh?" Rosé asked, confused.

"What the heck is all that?" New Brian asked, also confused.

Ed answered, "It's the chemical makeup of the average adult human body, down to the last specks of protein in your eyelashes." With that, he closed the notebook. "And even though science has given us the entire physical breakdown, there hasn't been a successful attempt at bringing a human to life."

"Yeah," Brian added in agreement. "Something's still missing, something scientists haven't been able to find in centuries of research. By the way, Rosé, all those ingredients Ed read? They can be bought on a kid's allowance. Humans are made on the cheap."

"How can you say such blasphemy?" Rosé disbelieved. "We're God's children, human and animal alike."

"That's right," New Brian agreed.

Ed chuckled. "We alchemists are scientists" he said. "We don't believe in unprovable concepts, like creators or gods. We observe the physical laws that govern this world, to try to learn the truth."

"How coincidental," Brian added, "that we're the closest things to gods there are."

"You aren't gods," Rosé disagreed. "You aren't even close to one. That's arrogant."

"Anyway, there's an old myth about a man who flew on wings made from wax," Ed informed. "He thought he could touch the sun, but when he got too close, his wings melted and he came crashing down. Am I right, fellas?" Brian nodded in agreement, while Al and Vinny unsurely placed their hands on their heads. "Although," Ed continued, "and it's difficult for me to ask, could the Father save even an arrogant scientist like me?" Ed asked.

"And probably an atheist dog like my brother?" Vinny innocently added, even though Brian regarded it.

"Vinny," Brian growled.

"Well, I guess so," Rosé answered, "since you guys have a sudden change of heart. If anyone can lead you to the Creator's light, he can."

"Father Cornello," Brother Cray said, getting the Father's attention in his office, "there are visitors here who wish to see you: a child, a man wearing a suit of armor, and their two dogs. They go by the surname 'Elric'."

"Elric, you say?" Cornello repeated. "Are you positive?"

"Yes," Cray answered. "That's what they call themselves. No mistake."

"Damn!" Cornello silently exclaimed, slapping a hand to his forehead. "Then this is a problem. Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist, has come to call on us."

"The man in the armor, sir?" Cray guessed.

"Dressing the part, it seems."

"But why would a state alchemist be here in Liorre?" Cray asked. "I'm sure they can't have found out about our plans, can they?"

"It's possible he's too sharp for his own good. Don't worry, I'll get that pretty, and his little dogs, too."

Author's note: That's a reference to the Wicked Witch of the West, the central antagonist from The Wizard of Oz, to Dorothy Gale and her dog, Toto.