Huzzah! I have returned with another chapter! A huge thank you to everyone who has reviewed, favorited, and followed this story so far! You guys encourage me far more than you'll ever know! Anyways, on with chapter two!

I still do not own Fullmetal Alchemist.

"What the hell are they doing here?" Ed hissed as Havoc grabbed his arm.

Havoc led the young alchemist out of the sanctuary through one of the side doors and ushered him down the hall. Looking over his shoulder to make sure they weren't being followed, he took Ed far enough away from the rest of the congregation to ensure they wouldn't be overheard.

"Chief, you're not okay," Havoc said as he spun around to face the teen, "I know you haven't been sleeping and I know something is bothering you."

"I've told you before, I'm fine."

Ed moved to walk away from the Second Lieutenant, but Havoc wasn't having that. He grabbed Ed's shoulders, keeping him in place. He didn't speak until the teen finally looked him in the eyes.

"Ed, I'm worried about you and I know the others in Freyvale have to be worried about you too. They wouldn't have called Mustang if they thought everything was okay. You say you're fine, but you aren't fooling me and you sure as hell won't be able to fool the Colonel."

"I never asked for you to worry!" Ed snapped. "Besides, I can look out for myself. There's nothing for you to be concerned about."

Havoc let out a frustrated sigh. He should've expected something like that from the kid.

"Well that's too bad. While this mission is important, so is your well-being. The Colonel wouldn't have sent us in here if he didn't think you could help figure out what's going on with these murders. You can't exactly do that when you're not sleeping and taking care of yourself, can you? You might be fine for a couple of days, but you won't last long like this."

Havoc expected another heated retort from the young alchemist, but was surprised when Ed didn't say anything and couldn't meet his gaze any longer. This only further concerned the Second Lieutenant. It seemed Ed didn't even have the energy to argue with him.

"I don't have the slightest idea of what's bothering you," Havoc continued. "You don't have to tell me, but I'm begging you to at least tell the Colonel. He probably had to go against General Grumman's orders to be here. He could potentially get in a lot of trouble for that. Please don't let it be for nothing."

Ed sighed wearily, knowing Havoc was right.

"We should probably join the rest of the congregation before anyone notices we're gone," he suggested.

Havoc nodded, giving the teen a comforting smile and keeping a hand on his shoulder as they walked down the hall.

*break*

"Thank you so much for your time," Roy said as he escorted a little boy and his mom out the door.

After meeting Corinthian, the three brothers led him and his First Lieutenant out of the sanctuary. They took them to two separate rooms. Understandably, they felt more comfortable with Riza talking to the girls in the congregation, so that left the Colonel to talk to the boys.

So far, it had gone about as he had expected it to. Once he and Riza arrived in Freyvale, they spent the night in the warehouse with the others that arrived before them. Breda, Falman, and Fuery had briefed them on everything they had learned so far.

Ed discovered for a fact that all of the victims had at one point been a member of the Disciples of the Moon after talking with some of the other teens in the cult. In reality, it was quite sad. Some of the people that Ed befriended weren't even aware of the fate of their brothers, sisters, and parents.

Roy snapped out of his thoughts when he heard laughter coming down the hall. He looked up to see Absalom walking with an arm slung around Ed's shoulders. He felt relieved to see one of the brothers finally bring Ed to him. To make sure the kids weren't scared, one of the brothers would accompany them to him or his First Lieutenant. In the case of the younger children, their parents would join them for the interview. Most of the teens had been interviewed alone.

He couldn't hear what Ed said next, but it had Absalom grinning from ear to ear. The brother gestured to the boy.

"Wren, this is Edward! He and his older brother just joined us a few days ago and it has been such a joy to have them both in our congregation. Ed's so eager to learn our way of life and what the Moon wants for us. He's adjusted quite well and has already been making friends with the other kids in our congregation!"

A genuine smile made its way on Roy's face.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Edward," the Colonel said, extending a hand out to the teen, "It's so good to hear you're settling in."

While he and his youngest subordinate had been known for their frequent spats and arguments, he knew he could count on the kid. It might not be in the manner he always wanted it to be, but Ed and Al always completed whatever mission he assigned them.

The Colonel didn't usually get to see Ed while he was on a mission, so he couldn't help but be glad to see that Ed had not only been following orders and fitting in with the cult, but he seemed to be excelling at it.

Despite his satisfaction with the boy's work on the mission thus far, it wasn't enough to make him forget why he was here in the first place.

"It's a pleasure to meet you too, sir," Ed responded, shaking his commanding officer's hand.

The Colonel had to stop himself from chuckling. It had to be killing the young alchemist on the inside to be forced to address him so respectfully. Absalom turned to leave the two.

"I'll tell your brother you're here, Edward. He'll probably be waiting for you when you two are finished."

With that, he left the two alchemists alone. The Colonel stepped to the side and gestured to the room, a silent order for Ed to hurry up and get in so they could talk. Once they were both inside, he shut the door and faced the table and chairs.

"Sit."

Despite the quietness of his voice, the tone didn't allow for questions or protests. While the door was shut and none of the brothers seemed to be sticking around for these interviews, he wanted to be completely sure they wouldn't be overheard. Silently, the normally stubborn Fullmetal Alchemist slumped in the chair. The Colonel sat down across from him. Ed refused to look him in the eyes, staring down at the table in front of him.

"What's going on with you?" Roy asked, not even bothering to beat around the bush. He interrupted Ed when the kid opened his mouth. "And if you dare say that you're fine, I swear I will court-martial you, Fullmetal."

Ed quickly shut his mouth. The Colonel didn't have a single doubt that Havoc had a talk with the kid, but Ed probably was going to claim that nothing was wrong out of habit.

They didn't have time for this argument. Roy needed to know what was wrong with his youngest subordinate, and he needed to know now. However, this would be difficult to find out as the kid was still reluctant to speak.

The Colonel sighed.

"In case you're wondering, Al made it to Resembool just fine. He called me when he arrived and asked me to tell you not to worry about him if I got the chance. Now you know your brother is fine. Although, I have a feeling that isn't what's bothering you."

He saw Ed visibly relax when he told him that Al was fine. He didn't see a reason for Ed to think otherwise since he was just going back to their hometown while he was on this mission, but he also didn't have a younger brother. Just being separated had to make Ed anxious to some degree.

However, it wouldn't cause him to hardly sleep for three days.

"I hate this, Colonel," Ed muttered, barely audible. "I hate everything about this cult. Everyone just seems like they would be lost without the Jones brothers. One of the first things I learned when I got here was that only the three brothers were worthy enough to see the manuscripts. These people don't even have scriptures or a book or anything to validate what the brothers are telling them. They hear their words and they act like it's law. It's terrifying to see everyone follow the brothers so blindly…just…why would they do that?"

Mustang shook his head.

"I wish I had an answer for you. I don't understand it either."

Ed finally looked Mustang in the eyes.

"I feel terrible for Zayne. He's only a year younger than me. He was the one to show me around the Sanct and help guide me through the prayers and services the brothers conduct every day. His father was one of the first victims. He told me that his dad and another man in the congregation received a calling from the Moon. The last time Zayne saw his dad was when he followed the Jones brothers out of the sanctuary. He still thinks his dad is alive. Every one of the victims supposedly received some sort of calling from the Moon, and I hate seeing people hope they get one during the evening service before the full moon tomorrow night. They don't have the slightest idea of what's happening. Colonel…we have to help these people."

Hearing this all from Ed concerned the older alchemist. He knew the Disciples of the Moon were probably left in the dark about what happened to their brothers and sisters, but hearing that other members were hoping to receive the same calling the victims supposedly had was nothing less than disturbing.

"I know you want to help these people," Roy started, "However, until we have concrete evidence that this cult is behind the murders, there isn't much we can do."

Ed looked back down at the table, his mouth setting into a grim line. He knew the Colonel was right, but he didn't like it. As of right now, all they had proof of was that there was an entire congregation of people that believed a wacky tale about the moon told by three brothers. That in and of itself wasn't illegal.

"I know," Ed whispered.

A moment of silence passed between the two alchemists. Roy thought about how to proceed next. He was finally getting one of his most stubborn subordinates to open up about what was bothering him, but he needed to tread carefully. There was still something that Ed wasn't telling him.

"I understand that you're worried about these people, but I don't think that would cause you to barely sleep for three days," he ventured.

Ed tensed yet again. He looked absolutely torn. The Colonel could practically hear the teen's thoughts battling in his mind.

"Did you feel it after you crossed the archway?" Roy asked, putting an end to the war raging in Ed's head.

Ed's eyes widened. Roy knew he was right about the feeling he got when he first arrived at the Sanct. The young alchemist could feel the dark, suffocating aura that surrounded the Sanct along with him.

"You can feel it too?"

The hope was evident in Ed's voice. The Colonel nodded.

"Do you have any idea what it is?" Roy asked next.

Ed bit his lip. It was obvious that he had an idea, but something was holding him back from talking about it.

"Did Fuery give you a microphone?"

The Colonel was taken aback by the question, but nodded anyway. He did have one hidden underneath his shirt. Hawkeye had one as well. In the event something went wrong, they would at least have a way of contacting the military personnel at the warehouse.

Ed swallowed. He still remained hesitant, but decided to speak anyway.

"The last time I felt something like this…was when I lost my arm and leg."

That certainly caught Roy's attention. Without even thinking, he reached into the pocket of his slacks and took out a small metallic device with wires attached that disappeared under his shirt and connected to the microphone hidden there. He turned it off, making sure Ed could see it. He would apologize to Fuery about that later. Hopefully they wouldn't panic at the sudden loss of contact.

"They can't hear us, Fullmetal. Tell me everything."

Ed took a deep breath.

"Right after Al and I activated the human transmutation circle, we both knew something was wrong. The energy all around us turned dark, almost evil. Then the rebound hit us. I feel that same dark energy that we felt that night. I have ever since I stepped foot into the Sanct. It just doesn't make sense. The Disciples of the Moon oppose alchemy because they claim something called the Darkness created it to destroy everything that was made by the Moon's design. They believe alchemy to be evil, so I don't know why I'm feeling this dark energy when alchemy isn't even being performed here."

The Colonel would be lying if he said he wasn't confused as well. However, he would worry about that later. Right now, he would find satisfaction in the fact that he finally had some answers.

Everything made sense. Of course Ed couldn't explain something like this to Havoc. Only a handful of people knew why Ed had two automail limbs and that Al was just an empty suit of armor. While the men in Mustang's unit wouldn't tell a single soul, the same couldn't be said about the other soldiers sent to Freyvale. If word of this got to the higher ups, there's no telling what punishment the young alchemist would face or what would happen to his brother.

He also understood why he saw the fear in Ed's eyes when he saw the kid in the sanctuary. The young alchemist was aware of only one source for this kind of energy. Knowing what he did now, he would be more concerned if Ed wasn't a bit scared.

"What's frustrating me most is that this is just a feeling," Ed continued, "Feelings aren't concrete evidence. I honestly thought I was losing my mind when nobody else could sense it. I don't think you understand how relieved I am that you can feel it too."

"Is this why you aren't sleeping?" Roy asked next.

Ed nodded, shifting his gaze back down to the table.

"The first night Lieutenant Havoc and I got here, I had a nightmare about that monster Al and I created. I fell back asleep, but I had the same nightmare and nearly woke up screaming. Al told me that I sometimes talk in my sleep, especially when I'm dreaming about that night. I'm worried that if I fall asleep, I'll say or do something that will blow our cover."

Roy couldn't help but take pride in how selfless Ed was. He was willing to sacrifice sleeping because he was afraid he would endanger himself and Havoc and lose their chance to get to the bottom of these murders, but he couldn't continue like this.

There was no telling how long he and Havoc were going to have to stay at the Sanct.

"Fullmetal," Roy said to get the boy's attention, "I understand. It's admirable of you to care so much about these people and about solving these murders, but you can't go on like this. Tell Havoc to stay up for a few hours to watch you while you sleep. If you have a nightmare and start talking in your sleep, he'll be able to wake you. Say it's a direct order from me."

Ed looked uncomfortable. It wasn't difficult for Roy to figure out what he was thinking.

"It's not going to be any trouble for him to do that. He'll be more than happy to as long as you get some sleep. You need to be at your best. The sooner we figure out what's going on, the sooner we can get you two out of here."

The Colonel was expecting some form of protest from the kid, but Ed simply nodded. He turned his microphone back on and concealed the metallic device back in his pocket.

"Everything's going to be okay," he said as he stood up.

Saying that killed two birds with one stone. He got to reassure Ed as well as let the others back at the warehouse know that they were fine. He would explain what he could to them later.

He guided Ed back to the door. Like Absalom said, Havoc was waiting for Ed just outside of the room. Since he could hear footsteps coming down the hall, indicating another child coming to be interviewed, he settled for nodding at the Second Lieutenant. Considering Havoc reciprocated the movement, it was safe to say he understood.

As the two walked away, Roy couldn't stop the dread brewing within him as he thought about what Ed had shared with him. If it was even possible, the energy surrounding him seemed even darker and more ominous. He and Ed wouldn't be able to sense it if it didn't exist.

"What the hell is going on here?" he muttered under his breath as he watched his subordinates disappear.

*break*

"Please, we would be honored to have you all join us for lunch!" Jeremiah insisted as he guided the two military officers and the mayor through the courtyard. "My wife told me that she and some of the young girls she's teaching to cook are making stew for the congregation today."

All of the members of the congregation began swarming a door just to the right of the double doors of the sanctuary. It didn't take an expert to guess that this was where the Disciples of the Moon ate together.

Roy scanned through the mass of people. He could see Corinthian and Absalom talking with other members of their congregation as they headed to lunch. He spotted Ed chatting with a brown-haired boy around his age. He figured that this was Zayne. Instantly, he understood why Ed felt so bad for the him. From the looks of it, he was just a happy kid without a care in the world, unaware that his father was brutally murdered.

He snapped out of his reverie when the First Lieutenant spoke up.

"You brothers really are too kind," Hawkeye said with a warm smile.

"You two will be free to continue with the interviews after lunch. I'm sorry we had to stop, but our congregation eats every meal together. We believe that it's—"

Jeremiah was cut off by the sound of gunshots. From the sounds of it, it came from the gate. Screams resounded within the crowd of people.

"Jeremiah, Absalom! Get everyone inside!" Corinthian ordered.

He along with several other men that had quickly armed themselves with rifles rushed to the front gate. The Colonel's eyes widened and he glanced at Hawkeye. It seemed like the Disciples of the Moon didn't just have a few guards, but their own militia.

The two military officers were herded into the sanctuary along with several members of the cult. Once everyone was in, the doors were slammed shut. A couple more armed men stood by the doors, waiting in case they were needed to protect the congregation.

Riza leaned in close to her commanding officer.

"Do you have any idea what's happening?" she whispered, although she was pretty sure she knew the answer.

The Colonel shook his head. He knew his men weren't the cause of those gunshots. They were under strict orders to remain at the warehouse unless ordered otherwise. They knew better than to disobey his orders.

It was easy to see that the First Lieutenant didn't like not knowing what was going on. He didn't like it either. His first instinct was to join the men running to the gate, but he had a cover to keep.

He glanced around at the other people in the sanctuary with them. From the looks of it, no one had any idea what was going on. Unfortunately, all they could do was wait.

*break*

"What's going on?" Corinthian demanded as he and his followers stormed the front gate.

One of the guards was clutching his arm to his chest. Another was sprawled out on the ground. His chest was rising and falling very slowly.

A few more men were on the ground, blood spreading into a puddle around them. It was obvious they weren't members of the cult by their clothes.

"You killed my daughter!" came a screech.

Corinthian saw a couple of the guards struggling to keep a man pinned on the ground. A few of the men that joined him assisted the guards with the man. The others moved to get the injured guards back to the Sanct.

"Brother Corinthian," one of the guards spoke up, "This man and a few others shot at us and tried to break into the Sanct. Only two of us were hit. We had to defend our haven. Unfortunately, that meant the casualties of those that came with him."

Once the struggling newcomer was securely pinned down, Corinthian approached him.

"You bastard!" the man spat at him. "My daughter is dead because of you!"

Corinthian felt a pang of sadness. Remembering his congregation's recently deceased sister, he knelt down next to the man.

"I'm so sorry," he said with genuine sympathy. "She was a wonderful member of our congregation. Everyone was so sad when they heard of her passing. We all miss her dearly."

He was initially angry that the man tried to storm into their haven, but in a way he understood. This man was a grieving father. It didn't excuse him for his actions, but he was probably just angry and wanted to find out what led his daughter to her demise. Corinthian would be lying if he said he wasn't at all curious about what happened to their deceased brother and sister either.

"How dare you say that!" the man roared, resuming his struggling. "You all are the ones that killed her and all those other people! Don't try to deny it. The military is already on to you and your brothers!"

At this, Corinthian's eyebrows rose. From the looks on his followers' faces, they were shocked at this information.

The grieving father stopped his struggling. His body started shaking. It took Corinthian a few moments to realize he was laughing, but it wasn't a normal laugh. It was on the border of insanity.

"I don't know what's going on in that psychotic cult of yours, but I know the military already has men on the inside. From what I hear, they've even sent in a state alchemist. I know you and your followers are no match for them. Whatever you and your brothers are doing to those poor people, it's about to come to an end!"

Corinthian's face darkened. Slowly, he rose to his feet.

"Brother Corinthian?" someone asked, not liking the look on his face.

A few moments of silence passed. Corinthian inhaled deeply. He looked to his followers with fiery, determined eyes.

"Brothers, prepare yourselves. It looks like the Darkness has invaded our haven."

*break*

The Colonel hated waiting, especially when he had absolutely no idea of what was happening. Most of all, he wished Havoc and Ed had been ushered into the sanctuary along with him and Hawkeye. However, the congregation had unfortunately been separated while taking cover.

If there was any upside, it was that one of the guards had summoned Jeremiah. Hopefully they would all find out what was going on soon.

As if his wish had been granted, the double doors opened. However, more armed men walked in before anyone could exit.

They looked angry.

They were coming straight for the Colonel and his First Lieutenant.

"Will you two please come with us?" one of them asked, but it wasn't a request considering the two military officers were grabbed by the arm and escorted out of the sanctuary before giving them an answer.

This was definitely not a good sign.

Roy and Riza were forced deeper into the Sanct until they arrived at a room and were roughly pushed in. More armed men were waiting for them inside. A few members of the cult were there, silently standing against the stone wall. A woman and her young son were obviously scared. The kid was crying and clutching on to his mom's dress.

The two military officers nearly froze when they saw Havoc and Ed there as well.

"Against the wall!" one of the guards ordered, prodding the two with his rifle.

With no protests, the Colonel and First Lieutenant strode over to the wall. The only remaining space was next to Havoc. He shot them a nervous glance before turning his eyes forward. The silence and tension in the room was nearly suffocating.

The arrival of the Jones brothers didn't make it any better.

A very pissed off Corinthian stormed up to those against the wall, eyeing each one of them.

"I'm sorry to have to bring you all here," he began with a cold edge to his voice, "But it has been brought to our attention that the military has infiltrated the Sanct in light of our brother and sister's murders. They even believed that it was necessary to send in a state alchemist."

Some of the other members audibly gasped. Corinthian brought his intimidating gaze to the Colonel and First Lieutenant.

"Since you all are the most recent members to join our congregation with the inclusion of our guests, I'm afraid you all are under suspicion."

He stopped in front of the two military officers. Without taking his eyes off of them, he reached out behind him to accept a rifle from one of the guards. When Roy met his eyes, he knew they were in deep trouble.

"So which one of you is it?"

And there it is! I hope you guys enjoyed this! I definitely enjoyed writing the slightly brotherly moment between Jean and Ed at the beginning. Unfortunately, our favorite military family is now in trouble…what will become of them? What are the Jones brothers going to do? Find out next chapter! Unfortunately, it will be at least over a week because of finals next week. Anyways, until then!