Chapter XIV : Promised Day 1915 (end)
Reappearing in Central on the spot her fight had just finished, Ari closed her eyes for a moment, pin-pointing Padfoot's position, and Black Flames took her to her partner, who barked an amiable greeting – having just left the newly named Min Feng with his brother.
"Well, I've had my fun, time to get to work." she commented to the black dog "Let's take advantage of my Past Life Aura's remaining time and take care of these dolls."
Padfoot barked his agreement, and felt Ariana's holy powers link to him – after all being a goddess' familiar meant helping her with her duties too. The next moment, they were rushing through black Flames, appearing in the main courtyard, where she could feel most of the unnatural presences. Green flooded the zone, and the whole Headquarters, seeking out all of the immortal army – and the next moment they fell to the ground, leaving behind countless empty husks under both soldiers and chimera's cheers.
The young goddess felt her body tremble, and one of her knees hit the ground – she caught herself by grabbing at Padfoot's fur, the young Grimm a stable presence by her side.
"Ariana!"
Teacher's voice snapped her out of her daze – just as it did the rest of the people present, and the older alchemist ran to her "What are you thinking, expanding so much power?" the fox-chimera scolded worriedly "Your body isn't made to endure this kind of powers!"
The young girl gave her a shaky smile "It's in my job's description." if the people around though she was referring to the silver watch in her pocket, Izumi knew she was rather talking about her links with Death "Beside, I couldn't just stop fighting just because I took care of my own business."
"You took care of two homunculus when it took all of our combined efforts to take one down!" Izumi protested "Of course you should take a break, stupid apprentice!"
The affirmation stunned even more those that had just witnessed the show of power that had just happened – a display that had seemed so astonishing they barely realized that not even Gluttony was left in the courtyard; something that wasn't Ari's, but her Teacher's work.
"Ah, but Teacher," the WindBlade alchemist contradicted, already feeling better yet somehow knowing she would pay the price latter "We still have to help my brothers fight the one who created this mess."
"True." Izumi sighed, knowing she couldn't stop Ariana – and that she wouldn't, as she had every intention of helping too, she turned toward her husband, the tall man enfolding both girls in a hug before stepping back, knowing he had no place in the fight coming
Black Flames flashed, and Ari, Padfoot and Izumi disappeared.
[Hidden Quest Complete! Violets are Blue...
Defeat Gluttony in the same manner as Lust
Reward:+1000XP, Homunculus Gluttony added to Boss List]
[Level up! You are now level 78!
+1SP]
[Person of Interest Eliminated(Gluttony): +1000WP]
[Infiltration of Father's Underground Lair Successful (Ariana Elric) : +500WP]
[Infiltration of Father's Underground Lair Successful (Izumi Curtis) : +500WP]
Roy, Riza and Hawkeye had started advancing far more cautiously once underground, knowing that as soon as he felt safe enough, Pride would strike – and in the dark corridors, the homunculus had the clear advantage.
Then, a powerful and oh so familiar wave of power run thought the tunnels, making all the unnatural dolls they had been fighting against drop, now bereft of any simulacrum of life.
"This girl," Roy grumbled as he felt Ariana's weariness thanks to the green gem on his finger "What doesn't she understand in the word reasonable?"
"That's rich coming from you." Hughes mocked, the exasperated remark making him come out of his daze "Still, she opened the way for us, better not waste the opportunity."
Riza and Roy nodded grimly, and they pressed ahead, with still no trace of Pride in sight – and soon arrived to a large room where a few familiar faces were seen, and fight was on-going.
"You're late, bastard." Ed greeted
"There was a lot of traffic." Roy retorted "So what's up here?"
"That crazy looking scientist is looking to do something." the elder Elric answered "We're stopping him. Then Ari showed off, and we're still wondering what the hell she just did."
"Oh, you know your sister." Riza commented lightly "She simply decided to help a bit and finished off all of those creepy dolls. In one go."
"Of course." Ed rolled his eyes, barely surprised "So, someone wants to bet on how long she's going to spent on bed-rest after that stunt?"
An awkward silence was his answer, as well as a familiar killing intent.
"She's just behind me, isn't she?" the blond alchemist sighed, resigned to his fate
"That I am, brother dear." Ariana answered with a sweet smile "Here we are, Teacher and I, coming out of our goodness of heart, to help you, and this is how we're rewarded?"
Ed gulped, while Al laughed.
Scar and May shared a glance, definitively convinced that this family had to have some kind of wonky gene – not one of them was normal!
Of course, none had stopped fighting while they talked, the well-trained spare Fuhrer falling one by one under the small force's powers.
"16, 17, 21, 23, 26, come!" the mad scientist called – the soldiers rushed to him, placing themselves around him in a far too familiar way "It's time!"
The circle hastily etched to the ground light up, and power hummed around them in a forbidding way, Ariana realizing first "He's using his men as price! This circle is opening the Gate!"
"Good, good." the mad scientist praised "But that's nor all it's doing! Tell me... Do you know how many Alchemy Research Facilities are under the Fuhrer's direct purview in Central City?"
The three siblings were the first to realize it, having killed Lust in an empty laboratory what felt like an eternity earlier.
"There's a five point transmutation circle running under the city." Ed was the first to vocalize
"Precisely!" the man's smile widened, as around him the five soldiers were eaten away by the array
The power around them became searching as several gigantic eyes opened, zeroing on the alchemists.
The next moment, they were taken away, pets included, under the rest of their allies eyes.
¤.¤.¤
"What did you do!" raged Riza, jumping to attack the alchemist that was on the ground, visibly tired by what he'd just done
The cackling scientist didn't pay attention to her "Six! There's even a spare! I guess those guys upstairs weren't as bad as I thought..." a snort "Well, I guess I won't need you after all Pride, why don't you go and join your Father."
Said homunculus dropped to the ground – May's eyes widened as she realized that there were so many souls crying out in agony around that she hadn't even realized the last homunculus was so close.
This could only mean one thing...
"We're nearly at the center," she urgently whispered to Scar "They must be right under our feet!"
The Ishvalian warrior nodded, and while the others' around him went back to fight the last soldiers, and a Pride clearly feeling better than earlier, he focused the power granted to him by his brother, and with one powerful strike, made the ground shake, then crumble under their feet – revealing that just as the Xingese princess had just said, there was indeed another large underground room just beneath them.
A room important enough that Pride's shadows all rushed toward the hole in the ground to protect it, trying to forbid them access to it, mercilessly assimilating the still cackling scientist on the way, as if by afterthought.
"You are not to interfere with Father." the homunculus stated coldly
Riza smiled, having received a message from her brother thanks to Chaos' Interface.
"We won't need to." she stated confidently "Your Father just did the biggest mistake he could by gathering those six around him voluntarily." her smile grew wilder "And it's just you and us now."
"Pitiful." the small homunculus mocked "You really think your friends will be able to stop Father?" he smiled, blood-lust gleaming in his eyes "Or that you will be able to stop me?"
Riza's answer was to shot him in both knees, the boy only avoiding one of the two bullets – and even thought the wound was regenerating, she smirked victoriously.
After all, at the start of their earlier fight, he wouldn't even have needed to dodge those bullets.
The last of the Sins was weakening.
¤.¤.¤
"What the fuck is happening?" Ed loudly questioned as they were unceremoniously dropped in a large underground room
"I think this is Father's idea of an invitation." his sister answered while picking herself up, a hand in Padfoot's fur more by habit than real need - for now the adrenaline of the last fight was more than enough to keep her going, no matter how bad the aftermath would be latter on
"Well, well," a voice, both familiar and unknown echoed "Seems like we even have spares."
"Homunculus." their father greeted the man in robes looking much like himself "You've changed." a smile "You used to be so full of life and emotions, and yet you look so sad and boring now... You got rid of them didn't you..." he affirmed "Pride, Wrath, Gluttony, Lust, Envy, Greed, Sloth... In excess they aren't good, but you need all of them to be really human..."
"I don't want to be human! I want to be a perfect being!" the original homunculus retorted with an unnatural calm, the ground around him launching itself at them without even a move from their assailant
The alchemists and their pets all jumped out of the way – all except Ariana, who was laughing helplessly, using Padfoot as a clutch to stay upright and her green aura creating a wall of power around her, protecting her from the attacks.
"The perfect being?" she mocked "You are ridiculous!" she didn't move anymore than him as she launched her own attacks at it "True perfection doesn't exist, as it goes against the very concept of evolution!"
Von Hohenheim was the first to regain his balance and soon joined his daughter's attacks, soon forcing the immortal being to move from the place he'd been withstanding their assaults from.
"You sure have some interesting children, Von Hohenheim."
"That I do," easily agreed the philosopher "but you too, have children now. You say you don't want to be human, yet here you are playing house, creating children from your own existence and making them call you Father."
The homunculus' eyes narrowed at this affirmation, as if his old acquaintance had struck a nerve.
Meanwhile, Ed and Al had joined on their family's assault. Seeing that the situation wasn't all that favorable, Father stepped back, and disappeared into the ground, making all of them look around warily – even for Ariana it was impossible to track Father now that they were at the core of his power-base, the feeling of the tempest of suffering souls all around them making it impossible to guess accurately at the man's position.
And he struck – a hand rushing out of the ground and going through Von Hohenheim's chest.
"Your Stone is mine!" the homunculus stated – before jumping back, out of the ground and away from the man he stole his face from "What have you done?"
"I have done what you never could, my little friend in the flask. By throwing away your emotions, you lost any chance of beating me!" he affirmed, the familiar power of the Red Stone swirling around him
(Sargens, a man coming from a long line of carpenters. He did a lot of repairs for the palace.)
(Dozul, his son. He respected a lot his father, and wanted to follow in his footsteps.)
(Toby, a young boy who wanted to be a scholar.)
(Andre, one of my fellow slaves. He never liked how I managed to gain our master's favor.)
(Zuul, a terrible criminal, condemned to death. He seemed beyond redemption, yet even him wants to punish you for your crimes...)
"These are the souls fighting you right now." Von Hohenheim stated, pointing toward the nearly decaying hand of his counterpart "They are the souls you deprived of a life, body, and even of death when you made us into monsters!"
"The souls of your Stone are helping you?" a disbelieving Homunculus repeated "They are a mere mass of energy!"
"Oh, sure enough, managing to communicate with each of them individually is a difficult, maddening process, as all of them are suffering as one, deprived from death because of this Stone within both of us... But I had nothing but time, thanks to this immortal body you oh so generously granted me." the next attack was like a drill, striking the Homunculus right between the eyes "And with their help, I'll put you right back where you belong, my little friend in the flask."
Under the attack's pressure, the non-human's body seemed to loose it's form – and like a nightmarish butterfly breaking out of it's silky prison, a black mass of shadows, similar in many ways to Pride, climbed out of the discarded body, smiling wildly "Did you really think you were the only one to evolve, Hohenheim?" he taunted, before giving out a sigh of fake sadness "Ah well, I had hoped to have a bit more fun with our reunion, but you are proving far too troublesome, old friend, and the clock is ticking!"
¤.¤.¤
Scar rushed toward Pride, knowing that of the remaining fighters, he was the only one who could take on the homunculus at close range.
He noted that Riza had already jumped to a longer range, and was setting up her sniper – while he still had a bit of bitterness leftover from the Ishvalian war, he was glad to have the Hawkeye by his side for this fight.
His brother's power hummed – there was no reason to hold back here, and the small homunculus was blocking the way to the center of the array, the very place where he needed to place the last of the circles designed by his brother. His Ishavalian brothers had spent months traveling the country and risking themselves to set up this array – he wouldn't fail them by not putting the last circle in place; he wouldn't let the alchemists fight for their life, and the whole country, while risking to be cut from their most familiar source of power at any moment...
The shadows were still quick to attack, and easily tore through his torso – but the moment of immobility it bough paid, and three loud shots echoed through the underground room, as Riza's specially crafted bullets tore once more through the young looking homunculus, who was now struck in place by May's alkahestry circle.
The child-like looking body broke down, revealing a small embryo form in its midst.
"That's Pride's true form." Hughes commented, disbelief clear in his voice "This is the being that decimated Briggs' soldiers and killed countless people..."
"He's powerless now." Riza sighed, carefully picking him up
"What will you do with him?" May asked, the young girl now feeling a bit queasy at having ruthlessly attempted to kill him
"Ari will take care of him." the military woman smiled, before turning toward the hole in the ground "But for now, let's finish this."
With a nod, they all jumped down, ready to assist their alchemists friends.
[Hidden Quest! And then there was one...
You have defeated Pride
Goal: Decide of the fate of the last Sin
Reward:+1000 XP, Homunculus Pride added to Boss List, Vanquisher of the Seven Sins Perk to be unlocked]
[Person of Interest Neutralized (Pride):+1000WP]
"The time has come!" Father proclaimed, tentacles reaching out toward them "Time to get to work, my precious sacrifices!" his protruding eyes went from one alchemist to the other "I've even got a spare!" his eyes stopped on Ariana "You, I won't use you. I'll let you annoying little pest witness your family's suffering!" he stated, amused, not realizing that they had all resisted a lot less than they should have
Th five alchemists were in place around him, the spare and pet confined by one of his appendages – and the sun was now hidden behind the moon.
"Have you ever considered," the nonhuman proclaimed as power started to hum around them "that this whole planet can be seen as a single organism, or rather, a system with knowledge so vast your tiny inconsequential human brain can't even envision it... Do you imagine what kind of power could be obtained by opening the Gate of this system?"
Throughout the country, the largest array ever to be carved came to life, illuminating the country hidden in the shadows by the eclipse.
"Yes! All this power, all mine! Come to my call, God! I will devour you and make your powers mine!"
Ariana felt the precise moment where all of the souls cried out in against all around the country - some of them familiar, others unknown, all of them echoing loudly as if they were right by her side. She pushed the heart-wrenching cries behind barriers, putting all those hours of meditation she'd done since childhood into good use.
Because by opening the planet's Gate, the Homunculus had unknowingly given her unrestricted access to her own powers, no longer hampered by the Gate's closed doors.
And just as the immortal was calling for, a silhouette appeared from the opened doors, reaching toward the world it hadn't ever touched, looking as little human as the Homunculus now did.
Ariana let her powers rush around her, and tore at the appendage keeping her away from the circle, stopping with one hand the descent of their friends that had been caught in the array as they were jumping down, and freeing her friends with the other hand.
Around them, the ground shook as the array became unstable – it's purpose unfinished, yet its form lost.
"What have you done!" yelled the furious Homunculus, reaching toward the god he wanted to absorb
"I'm fulfilling a promise." she stated, just as her father did his part
¤.¤.¤
(It's time.)
(The being in the Flask need to be stopped.)
(What happened to us cannot be allowed to happen again!)
The umbra was cast on Amestris, and Father's rage grew even more, as he didn't know whom to curse more between the father and the daughter – as Von Hohenheim long work, that had separated him from his family for years, finally came to fruition and the souls of the people of Amestris were guided back into their body by the long departed of Xerxes, depriving Father from their power.
"How dare you resist me!" the immortal raged, attacking without any thought-out plan his long lost friend
"I will always resist you!" Von Hohenheim answered with just as much heat
¤.¤.¤
And while her father's held the Homunculus' attention, Ariana had turned her own attention toward the other true immortal present on the planet's surface.
"I can't be allowed to stay too long or my very presence will destroy this world." Truth stated "My powers haven't been tailored to walk the Mortal Realms like yours."
"I know," Ariana nodded seriously "but there's still something left to be done before you go back."
While Father and Von Hohenheim were affronting each other, May Chang and Teacher soon rushing to aid the last man of Xerxes, Ed had dashed toward an awakening Scar "Come, we've got to get your brother's array to work now! Father could cut us from the earth at any moment!"
The Ishvalian put himself together, Ari pointing the center of the array to him – and just as Father screamed "You are of no further use to me!" and cut them from their source of alchemy, the alkahestry array did its job
Roy, who was helping Maes and Riza up, felt just as well as the other alchemists the precise moment the array powered up – as the earth, the energy source that had always seemed so muted when they'd worked with it was suddenly present, pulsing just underneath them and answering their every call.
He nodded respectfully toward Scar – and the other answered in kind, satisfied to have finally accomplished his brother's wish.
Ed and Al had gravitated toward their sister, knowing their role in the part to come.
Seeing he was lacking power, the desperate immortal lost any semblance of sanity and rushed toward Truth, hoping against any logic that the unstable circle, depleted from its source of power, would still let him absorb the god.
This was of course exactly what the Elric siblings and their father had been aiming at.
In the courtyard, people were moving toward the large hole that had been torn into the ground, revealing the fight that was on-going downstairs.
"I don't know what's going on, but we have to help them!" managed to stammered a Central soldier, faith in those that had helped them against the monster gaining upon his natural fear
"We'll only get in their way." the rough voice of mister Curtis stated
The chimera nodded, knowing how much it hurt the loving husband to see his wife fight downstairs as was stuck up there "We did our part in the fight by keeping the monsters within headquarters." one said "Now, we'll have to trust them to win, and get ready to explain to the rest of the country what happened here today."
"I'm not even sure I know what happened..." a northern soldier commented
(flashback begin)
"And you'd rather hear a boring story than gain another power?" a dubious Truth asked
Ari's smile was answer enough.
Truth finally let go of his hesitation, and stated "I'll do you one better then. I'll show you."
¤.¤.¤
The discussions about the new world of Hagaren had been on-going for quite a while in the Immortal Realms – all worlds were under the care of at least one minor god, and that job wasn't one to be neglectful of, especially for a young world.
There were lots of stories, about young world not protected correctly by their designed deity, who were destructed. Sometime, by people gaining too much powers much too early in the world's History, sometime by the deity neglecting to keep his world away from older realities where stronger powers were at work.
Hagaren was very young, and fast evolving – already the main spiritual sources of energy had been identified and studied by scientists who were calling them "Alchemy".
The one who'd be put in charge would have quite a lot of work to do for a few millenniums.
The fast discovery of alchemy put Knowledge's deities at an advantage – the young planet clearly needed someone wise to watch over it.
Still, the fact that Truth had been chosen had been a surprise.
Why, the young god was barely a few millenniums old himself!
Truth had been very honored, and took his duty seriously, creating the Gate that would protect his world from outside influences – a Gate he'd keep watch of, and gradually open, then dismantle as Hagaren grew older.
The idea had been rather well received by the elder deities, whom didn't regret their choice.
And Truth's siblings jealousy grew.
Wisdom, the eldest, kept out of it, knowing it wouldn't end well – he did try to warn his younger brother, but Truth couldn't believe that his siblings would fall so low.
Art did too, but was far too shy to try and help.
Science, Teaching and Learning plotted together.
After all they tought, Truth was barely older than them and they were far more powerful, they should have been the one to be given a world.
Being given a world was a great honor, and the god chosen always gained a considerable boost in power, as most of the worshipers prayed to the main deity, and belief was a power in and of itself.
Well, they'd show the others that it had been a mistake to chose their sibling. And what easier way to do that, than to have Truth himself destroy the world he was supposed to protect?
Science was sent to distract Truth, and Teaching and Learning used this opportunity to open the Gate enough to send a powerful blessing to one man – a man chosen carefully for his thirst for Knowledge and complete lack of morals.
With the two gods blessings, the man soon stumbled upon a new branch of study – a way reach for all the knowledge available on his planet, and take it from himself. A way to reach for Truth.
Of course, having the knowledge about Truth's existence didn't give that man the power to reach for the god.
Fortunately for him, Science was there to weaken Truth.
Killing a god, even a minor deity, isn't possible – hurting him and weakening him, on the other hand, is completely possible.
With Truth weakened, the man activated his array, and dragged the god to him – or rather, he tried; but the god, even in his weakened state, still managed to resist, knowing that being dragged to Hagaren was a sure way to destroy it.
The end result was that a part of the god was torn away from it, leaving him with the constant pain of being incomplete – while the lucky alchemist found himself with part of of the deity, and as such, part of its knowledge, trapped in a jar, but was far too diminished from his attempt to ever be able to redo his exploit.
Humans weren't meant for the knowledge he'd glimpse during his encounter, and it had taken its toll on him.
Truth's first price of Equivalent Exchange.
Truth knew he had to do something – he managed to close the Gate, throwing his siblings out of Hagaren, and hiding himself behind the powerful doors he'd made when he was still complete. The Gate was now his best defense, and his prison – should he open it, he wouldn't be capable of protecting himself against his siblings, as such he couldn't take the risk of opening that door anymore.
The higher deities were soon annoyed with the young god's refusal to let them do their work on his planet, but Hagaren was his, and it was his choice. They let him be, not realizing what had happened, as the three culprit had taken care to act when the higher gods attention wasn't on them.
As for the part of Truth torn from him, it nearly instantly lost itself, only remembering it's knowledge, and the fact that it had once be free of the jar that was now its prison – that it had once been so different from the humans.
So superior.
And as madness took the Homunculus, so came the resolve to become a god.
(flashback end)
¤.¤.¤
It had been natural for Ariana to want to heal Truth after he shared his story – as she had stated years ago to the god, she may not be Death himself, she still was a goddess directly linked to him.
And watching over the souls cycling through death, and their wholeness was one of her natural duty.
Because of how attuned her powers were to souls, she despised mortals who tried to tie their soul to the Mortal Plans, like Voldemort had done once upon a time.
She felt acutely the pain of people whose soul had been messed with against their will, and as such helped them whenever she was able to, just like she'd done with the Vindice.
This was also this gift that made it possible for her to tie pre-existing souls to the homonculi.
And now, it would be this Soul Art that let her repair the damages done by one alchemist and three jealous siblings.
Ariana and her two brothers were each at one end of the three-point circle that was the result of hours of work.
A circle within which Father had finally been dragged with his attempt at absorbing the one he ironically was born from – a circle within which Hohenheim himself, and more importantly, Truth, were standing too.
If the nation-wide array activating had been impressing, there were no words for the powers at work there, as Truth stepped toward a terrified Homunculus.
"Why are you interfering!" the scared being asked "Who are you?"
Truth smile, reaching toward the struggling to flee being "I am the one you called, Homunculus. I am God, I am Truth... I am you, and once upon a time, you were me."
¤.¤.¤
The world became white around them as most of Central City's Headquarters were sent to the Gate – and the first thing those snapping out of their surprise realized was that where before Truth and Homunculus had both looked monstrously inhuman, only one being was standing, far different from before.
The complete Truth looked far more human than before, much like most of the gods tended to take on a humanoid form – but even if Truth did look human, he clearly didn't feel human, his powers as the reigning deity finally complete.
This Truth looked far less the terrifying despot he had seemed to be in the alchemists previous encounters, and far more what people thought about when they prayed to god.
A superior, impartial, but still mostly benevolent entity.
"Thank you, little Shadow." the man with white hair and golden eyes bowed toward his fellow goddess "You did something I truly believed impossible."
"Well," Ariana smiled "You know how I feel about messing with souls."
The word made Riza react first – and probably because she was already used about the idea of deities, she didn't feel any shame at interrupting "Speaking of souls..." in her hands still was the fetus like entity that had once been Pride
Ariana understood, feeling her friend's confused emotions toward their former enemy.
Pride had been ruthless and cruel – but he had above all been a child who'd never been taught better, and had always craved his father's approval.
She could give him a soul – but the body he had lost was beyond her reach. Whatever life he would go on to, it would be a new one.
"I'll take care of him." she wasn't all that surprised by Truth's affirmation
Now that he was reunited with Homunculus, he had all of Father's memories and actions, and in a way, felt responsible for the seven Sins that had been his children.
Saving and healing even one of them was something he felt was his duty to do.
This time, Pride would grow up loved, and understanding his place in the universe.
¤.¤.¤
"What will happen to all those taken here?" Roy wondered, looking at the soldiers, chimera and former homunculus that had accidentally followed them to the Gate "It's not as if they voluntarily came, so making them pay would seem..."
"Unfair." Truth agreed "And the price has already been paid, when they decided to trust themselves rather than their orders, and fought the abomination that was the immortal army."
The alchemists, that were the only one that had really understood the danger everyone was in, were all relieved at the deity's statement.
It was then Von Hohenheim who stepped toward Truth "I guess it's my turn now?"
Truth smiled "Do you really think your daughter won't save you when she put her life on the line for monsters that didn't even have a soul?"
"I have been ready for Death for a long time."
"Yet I'm sure you could make him wait a little more." the god contradicted as a Red Stone materialized in his hands "This I'm taking back. But your own life is once more yours, mortality included."
The old philosopher couldn't help but smile – he hadn't lied, and would have accepted Death as an old friend.
Still, being given the chance to see his children grow up and his mortality back in the same gesture wasn't something he'd refuse.
Truth let his eyes meet those of all present, and smiled.
From the Gate, they'd all gain knowledge, and understanding about the event that transpired, and hopefully they'd use it to better their country.
It was now time for them to go back.
One by once they disappeared, each a bit more knowledgeable than before, each a bit more wary about what one man's folly could cause.
¤.¤.¤
Soon, only Truth remained, a now baby-like Pride in his arms, with Ari and Roy facing him, Padfoot negligently lying down at their feet.
"It's reassuring to see that all new gods aren't like my siblings." Truth commented "Thanks to you I can now open back the Gate to the other gods, and finally report my siblings' actions to Knowledge."
"And they won't like the consequences." Ariana affirmed, amused – Knowledge had seemed far too concerned about Truth's well-being when she didn't know what had happened to let the matter rest once she learned the truth of it
"Thank you for proving me wrong about you." the older god reiterated, before turning toward Roy "And take care of your partner, or another god may well snatch her up for himself."
"I will." the hit-man confirmed, hardly surprised by the underlying threat
"One last thing..." a form materialized beside him
"Wrath?" a surprised goddess realized "What..."
"Well, I'm honored to tell you that you have gained your first Disciple… ."
"What? But how..."
"You claimed him as your own when you gave him back his soul," Truth explained "And he voluntarily answered to your call."
"I want to see what kind of worlds you can create by your simple presence." the warrior admitted "You were the first to make me wonder about a different vision than mine."
Roy laughed "I can't believe it! After making the deadly Vindice into your priests, you just had to take on a feared homunculus as an assistant didn't you?"
"I didn't meant to!"
"Do you regret it?" the deceased Fuhrer asked
"Of course not!" she contradicted "I'm honored that you feel me worthy enough of following!"
"Then all is well." the man stated "Don't worry about this for now, we'll each learn about this new partnership as it goes. For now, I believe your family is waiting for you back in Amestris."
She smiled, somehow reassured by the man's calm acceptance of the situation, then turned toward Truth.
"Well, this is goodbye for now." the god stated "I'll see you both in the Immortal Realms now that I'm not stuck here anymore."
With that last affirmation the couple and the dog were sent back to Central City.
¤.¤.¤
"Well, you took your sweet time." Ed commented as dozens of notifications appeared on Chaos' Interface "We even had time to start the parley with the soldiers outside of the wall." a smile "It's going rather well, thanks to Fuery and Havoc's hard work at the radio station among other things... "
"We had a last detail to take care of..." she said
Just by looking at her self-conscious look and the bastard obvious struggle to remain serious, the elder Elric sibling just knew there was more to it. But now wasn't the time to ask about it, so he simply nodded and they started to help with the cleaning up.
[Hidden Quest Complete! The Truth of the Matter!
Truth is now whole once more
Reward:+500XP , Truth's Gate Perk (Level max updated to 200 for those who have seen the Gate) unlocked]
[Hidden Quest Complete! And then there was one...
Pride will now have a new life as Truth's Champion
Reward:+1000 XP, Homunculus Pride added to Boss List, Vanquisher of the Seven Sins Perk unlocked]
[Life Quest Complete! Darkness passing through the world...
total WP: 19500
Reward: 5000XP, 1 mutation unlocked, Map System unlocked, 1 S-grade Enhancement Stone to be chosen
Bonus Reward: 9000XP, +3 S-grade Enhancement Stone to be chosen, 1 mutation unlocked]
[Challenge LV 100 Complete! The Lost Souls
Reward: +1000XP, one soul-bound token, one Alternate Life Perk to be chosen]
[Hidden Quest Complete! To eternity and Beyond...
You have gained your first Holy Disciple
Reward: +1000XP, Holy System unlocked]
[Level up! You are now level 89!
+6 Intelligence, +4 Agility, +2 Luck
+12SP, +4CP, +2PP]
[Mutations available:
- Wolf's Claw: your nails are now dangerously sharp claws
- Dog's Nose: your sense of smell cannot be fooled
- Snake's Fang: your body produce a potent acidic poison that can be leaked by your canine or nails
- Hawk's eye: you can see very far, and pick out movement from the corner of your eyes
- Bat's Ear: your audition is so god you could walk with you eyes closed
- Cheetah's Paw: you run faster than any human
- Snake's Fang: your body produce a potent acidic poison that can be leaked by your canine or nails
2 available]
[Alternate Life Perk available:
- Elric Inheritance: Knowledge is your weapon of choice in a fight, but sometimes your fists works just as well
+2 Intelligence, +1 Strength at each birthday
- Rockbell Inheritance: Learning when to take arms, and when to keep peace is an art
+2 Wisdom, +1 Endurance at each birthday
- Curtis Inheritance: You grown nimble and cunning as a fox with each passing year
+2 Agility, +1 Intelligence at each birthday
1 available]
[Perk available:
- Smooth Talker: double rate of learning Communication and Awareness Skills
- Fighter's Mind: double rate of learning Survival and Ground Skills
- Blood Fiend (2/2) : +1SP to Blood Alchemy for each 10SP in your chosen Weapon Skill
2 available]
[Grimoire update! Holy Disciple
They are the immortal servants of a deity, helping it to do its job.
Unlike Holy Servants, that work in the Mortal Realms, Disciple are considered as minor deity and as such can also work from within the Immortal Realms. It is to be noted that Disciple can only interact with the Mortal Realms as ghosts, or apparition, except if they become World-Bound deities.]
[System log: Holy System
This permanent feature will let you manage your Holy Network.
You can now activate the voice chat with your Disciples and , and the regular written chat with all of your subordinates (Holy Servant included).
Your Familiars are still the only one to benefit from a direct and permanent mind link.
All powers directly linked to your Godly Nature will now be available from this window (Such as the Hollow Skill and the Abilities it unlocks)]