The Waters of Lethe
Disclaimer: I don't own FMA, I just like to play around in it's world and toture Ed for awhile
Author's note: post series and slightly AU. Some movie events may happen, but differently
Warning: movie spoilers, language, violence, and death. Maybe sex too.
Beta: Jedimasterwithapen
60.The Dark Spiral (Die dunkle Spirale)
The Id and the Ego met where the pier touched land at the edge of the pond. Edward-as-Id looked tearfully between Edward-as-Ego and Edward-as-Soul.
The latter still pulsed, but it was more blue than red and the light was dimmer. "What is wrong with the soul? We must protect it from all danger, but I don't know what to do!"
Edward-as-Ego bent down and squeezed the Id's shoulders in what he hoped was a reassuring manner. "Come with me," he said. "I know how to protect it!"
The Ego spun on his heel and retraced his steps back to the pond. He hissed between his teeth when his feet broke through the thin crust of ice on the water and splashed into the chilly liquid. Sloshing sounds behind him told him the Id was following.
"Hurry!" he yelled over his shoulder. "We don't have much time!"
The water was no more than knee deep until they got to the middle of the pond, then the bottom dropped down and they had to tread water.
"Take three deep breaths, and let yourself sink. Don't be afraid of what happens."
The Id was afraid, but he trusted the Ego and did as he asked. Together they sunk to the bottom of the pond while crackling noises above their heads signaled the freezing of the water. Burdened by the extra weight of the Soul, the Id hit bottom first, and he swiveled to make sure he landed on his back, with the Soul on his chest.
The Ego floated right above him for a moment, and then eased on top of him. They lay together like lovers, with the Soul sandwiched between.
"This is the best way to protect the Soul," said the Ego, air bubbling out of his mouth. "By shielding it with our own bodies, the ice cannot harm it."
"How long will we stay like this?"
"As long as it takes."
/
Edward lay on his side, his back resolutely presented towards the door. Anyone looking in would be fooled into believing his even breathing meant he was sleeping.
But Edward could not sleep. He felt violated in some fashion and simmered with anger towards his captors. While under the drug's influence, he'd had no will of his own, his body responded as if divorced from his consciousness and the memory filled him with horror.
Eckart could order me to kill someone and I would obey without thinking. This is how they will get me to open a Portal to my world.
A convulsive shudder ran through his body just thinking of the implications.
The sound of footsteps echoed through the hall outside his cell as people passed by almost constantly. Edward paid them no mind until what sounded like a large number of people approached and halted right outside the door.
A key scraped in the lock and they entered. Mengele ordered.
"Prepare the prisoner for his injection!"
Edward growled low in his throat and he whirled the instant a hand touched him, smashing his left fist into a startled face. A crunching noise heralded the sound of a nose breaking, and blood spurted everywhere.
He fought like a tiger, cursing and kicking but in vain. Edward was flipped over onto his stomach and held down while the needle did its work.
/
The second time, he took longer to come out of the darkness.
A bright light dazzled his eyes when he did. Edward gasped, utterly fascinated, he couldn't look away. Then a woman's voice came thundering from it.
"Can you hear me?"
"Y-yes, yes I can."
"Do you know who I am?"
"N - no."
"I am your Master."
"You - you are my Master?"
"YES! And you will obey me without question! Do you understand?"
"Yes, yes I do."
"Very well then, remember this. I am your Master. You will obey me without question."
"You are my Master. I will obey you without question."
"Very good, Puppet. Rest now, and wait for me to call upon you."
/
Edward's face and pillow were damp after he woke up. He licked his lips and they tasted salty.
Why am I crying?
He couldn't remember why.
Deep in Edward's subconscious, the Id, Ego, and Soul were compressed into a small space because solid ice was all around them. Neither of them could recall such an intense cold. The Id could see just by looking into the Ego's eyes this was serious, so he just closed his own and prayed it would end soon.