The journey back to Resembool was a long one but we made it safely. Edward needed to visit Pinako to get his arm fixed up again, so we had to say goodbye to Alex and Breda at the station as they headed back.
I walked with my hand held onto Edward through to Pinako's house. As we walked through the long roads, we passed the graveyard, and I noticed a tall man with long blonde hair ahead. The man was standing in front of Trisha's grave as I stared and stopped Edward. I pointed at the man and Edward gasped,
"No, it can't be…" I spoke; Edward was looking at the man too. His gaze turned more into glare as he realised who it was.
"Hohenheim…" Edward spoke.
We walked into the graveyard and up towards Van as I couldn't believe it. Van noticed our hands and I quickly let go…
This man saved me all those years back… I never knew how I got from Xerxes to Amestris… Van never confirmed, but I always suspected it was him.
"Hello Edward, you appear to have grown some?" Van told it like a question,
"And… Reaka… my, it's been a while," Van smiled at me, I wanted to be happy, but I was conflicted… I was happy to see him, but he left me alone for so long?! I knew he had the answers to why I was immortal, but he wouldn't tell me!
"V… Van Hohenheim…" I didn't know whether to smile or glare, "It's been too long," I added. Edward glared and looked away,
"I spoke with Pinako… you tried human transmutation," Van spoke, he sounded cold as I folded my arms.
Edward looked at his father, unable to think of anything to reply, instead, Edward looked away,
"What makes you think you can show up like this? There's nothing left for you here anymore," Edward snapped, I looked at Edward as he clenched his fists,
"I noticed. Tell me, Edward. What possessed you to burn down my home?" Van asked and looked in the distance where the house once stood,
"After what happened, we vowed to never look back. We did it as a symbol of our resolve," Edward spoke,
"No you didn't. You were hiding the memory. You didn't want to be reminded of what you've done. And thought you could erase the memory by destroying evidence," Van walked over to Edward overshadowing him.
"You're wrong!" Edward yelled, I stepped back slightly and just listened to them,
"It's just like a child who hides the sheets after he wets the bed. You ran away, and you know it," Van explained, Edward didn't look too pleased, he looked almost, frightened.
"I… You don't know a damned thing! You make me sick up to my stomach!" Edward snapped, grabbed my hand, and pulled me away with him. I glanced back at Van and then looked away as he seemed upset. I carried on walking with Edward as I frowned and looked away.
We got to Pinako's and had dinner with her as she took Edward's arm for maintenance. Afterwards, we went to Edward's room and spoke about what happened.
"What are you going to do?" Edward asked, he was sat on the bed while I was on a chair in the corner of the room.
"What do you mean?" I replied as I looked at Edward, he frowned and looked down,
"Well, the main reason I first met you was because you were looking for Hohenheim, now that you've found him, what are you going to do?" he snapped,
"I'm going to ask him for my memories," I replied, honestly, as Edward knew I couldn't remember why I became immortal.
"Your memories?" Edward looked at me shocked,
"Yes," you nodded, "I have a period of my life where I can't remember what happened… the last thing I remember before I became immortal was when my parents died… the rest is blurry… but I have a feeling your father knows me, and my past." I explained.
"How would that bastard know about your past?" Edward snapped, I shrugged and pulled my sketchbook onto my lap,
"I don't know… whether the knowledge was passed down the family line. I couldn't tell you. But I know it's got something to do with Van, after I first woke up, I saw a man who looked very much like him, probably a grandfather or something." I explained, I didn't know if it was Hohenheim, he didn't have the same expression as the person who I saw all those years ago. It seemed colder.
Edward moved in front of me and knelt in front of the chair, his hands holding both arms,
"So, you don't have any memories of what happened?" Edward asked,
"No… though, when we went to Xerxes… that glyph we saw on the wall… like the one in the 5th lab… it brought back a memory… I someone who looks like your father holding a flask with a black orb inside and then I just heard loads of screaming… and I passed out…" I explained,
"Do you think this man who looks like my father will know your past?" Edward asked, "Yes, that's why I need to ask Van if he's met the man I'm looking for," I explained. Edward yawned, "Time for bed," I smirked and moved off the chair as Edward stood up. I needed to confirm a few things with Van… I hoped he would finally tell me the truth.
Edward got into his bed,
"Night Edward," I smiled; Edward grabbed my hand,
"Are you not going to give me a goodnight kiss?" Edward smirked,
"Fine…" I sighed with a smirk and kissed his forehead, then kissed his lips. I pulled away and smiled down at Edward,
"Goodnight, Rea," Edward smiled; I waved and walked out of the room. We had both been given our own rooms again being at Pinako's house.
I walked into someone as I exited Edward's room and I looked up to see Van,
"Van," I looked at him shocked,
"Erm… Reaka… can we have a chat please," Van put his hand behind his head with a sheepish grin,
"Sure," I smiled but looked at him suspiciously.
Van and I sat at the table, Pinako gave us space so we could catch up, it felt awkward being sat there. We didn't know what to say to each other…
"I know you've known both my sons since they were about 5," Van said,
"Yes, your sons are amazing, they are both strong and they both have big hearts," I smiled,
"And I've noticed you've fallen in love with my eldest," Van smirked, I froze and felt my stomach jump as he looked at me, though it wasn't in anger, he seemed happy…
"Well… yes… I have…" I scratched my chin in embarrassment,
"I'm happy, though, I'm worried, because of the fact your immortal… it's going to hurt my sons feelings if he gets too old for you," Van explained, he spoke as if he knew the pain of having a family while in this condition, I frowned, he didn't know that I knew the pain all too well… having been with others over the years thinking they could help me, giving me hope.
"I know… it will hurt me too…" I bowed my head down.
"Anyway, I know you wanted to ask me something important," Van smiled at me,
"Yes… I was wondering… if you knew how I became immortal?" I asked, Van frowned as he looked at me, I think he expected me to ask this question as I had done previously, but I don't think he was expecting it to be the first thing I spoke about, Van rested his elbows in the table locked his fingers together and rested his chin on his hands,
"I think its best if I talk to you outside of the house…" Van looked serious, I started to worry.
When we both got outside, we went to the end of the pathway and sat under the stars.
"Reaka… we both lived in Xerxes… about 400 years ago now…" Van started,
"We both did? Wait… then why is there another man who looks like you?" I asked, Van looked at me seriously then grabbed both of my hands as he moved to kneel in front of me,
"Reaka… the story I'm about to tell you… I need you to keep this to yourself and tell nobody, not even my sons…" Van spoke, I swallowed the heavy burden as my muscles tensed in worry.
We sat on the floor and leaned against the rock wall. I listened to Van as he told the story about how we befriended a homunculus in the flask, how it trained us in Alchemy and science… apparently, I knew alchemy before the incident happened. I also wasn't a slave like Van, but he refused to tell me more than that. I couldn't believe that we helped orchestrate the destruction of Xerxes though… I pulled my legs to my chest. I remembered bits and pieces as Van told the story, I started to get flashes as Van told me.
"I remember some of the past… the dwarf in the flask… I… can't believe it…" I covered my face. Van wrapped his arm around me,
"Don't tell anyone…" Van said,
"I won't…" I looked up at the sky, Van wiped the tears away from my face.
"You're too beautiful to cry, Reaka," Van smiled at me,
"Thanks, I guess… you have always been here for me…" I smiled at him,
"As a best friend," Van smirked, I remembered something I said when you first met Van.
The image appeared in my mind. I was six and Van saved me from being knocked down by a horse and carriage, I was being shown around the city at the time by someone, I couldn't remember their face, it was still a blur. I wasn't normally a talkative person, but Van saved me, and I wanted to repay him.
I chased him down the street as the person who was escorting me followed behind in fear I would get hit again. Van was getting annoyed with me as I was chasing him around,
"Hey… Mister! Wait!" I called,
"Leave me alone…" the stubborn blond-haired man snapped. I was a person of importance I remembered that much, but I couldn't remember what,
"Mister… you saved my life!" I yelled, and ran in front of him, "I need to repay the debt! Even if I have to save your life!" I pointed at him in determination, the blond-haired man smiled at me with a small frown.
"You study with the master already, don't you?" The boy asked as I nodded,
"I do, he's helping me learn military strategy and politics." I explained as the boy nodded,
"I work there as a slave. If you can help me out a bit that would be enough." The man spoke as I smiled,
"Sure, I'll make sure you work with me. So, we can do stuff together." I smiled as the blond-haired man nodded,
"Thanks." He spoke and we walked together to the master's home.
I looked up at Van,
"Now, I remember I was kind of annoying back then huh?" I smirked at back at the Van I knew now.
"Yes… I'll admit you did annoy me at some stages… though you were a very bright gifted young girl. The only problem was you-." Van explained, I frowned as he stopped,
"I-what?" I asked as Van frowned, he looked at me,
"You were of great importance to Xerxes." Van spoke, I just stared at him waiting to tell me, "I… you are the Princess of Xerxes." Van spoke as I just stared at him, I stood up and stepped back,
"I'm what?!" I was confused,
"Your father was the king's son; your parents were murdered when you were five. While you were out of the palace. The people of Xerxes loved you though, you'd explore the city often and the people would help you, if they knew who you were." Van explained, "I didn't know you were the princess when we first met, only that you were studying under the Master." Van spoke as I started to remember more,
"My grandfather didn't know what to do with me, he threw me to the master to learn about the world." I explained as Van nodded, I looked at Van and he stood up,
"Let's head back inside." Van spoke as I nodded. The memories started to come back slowly, it was amazing what a small conversation could do, whether I pushed the memories back because of the trauma of what happened… that was probably the reason. It was ungodly.
As we entered the warmth of the home I put my hand to my chest,
"I won't tell anyone." I spoke as Van nodded,
"Thank you." Van responded and put his hand on my shoulder, "goodnight, Rea." Van added and went to see Pinako,
"Night… Van." I nodded and soon went to my room to sleep.
I made my way to my room and got ready to sleep, it was late, and I got changed to get ready for bed. I got into my bed and quickly fell asleep. Dreaming of a past like I once forgot.
The next morning, I got up and rubbed my eyes,
"Pinako… Edward?" I called, there was no reply. I walked downstairs and saw a note on the table, "Gone out for a while?" I muttered while rubbing my eyes. "Wonder what's got Edward in such a hurry…" I looked around and decided to make myself something to eat.
The weather went bad as I started raining, I started to worry about what they were doing, they didn't tell me where they went or how long they're gone for. As I looked out the window, I saw them walking up the path. Pinako and Edward both looked distraught and stressed as I opened the front door to green them.
"Where have you two been? You both had me worried sick!" I called and then ran upstairs and grabbed two towels and gave them both one each as they walked through the door. I ran into the kitchen and quickly made them warm drinks and gave them both one,
"Rea…" Edward grabbed my hand before I ran off again.
"Edward… what's wrong?" I asked and turned to face him fully and knelt in front of him.
"The… human transmutation me and my brother made… wasn't our mom…" Edward explained, my eyes widened in shock.
"W-What? Did you just go dig it up? What possessed you to go dig it up?" I asked questions,
"I heard Hohenheim talking to Pinako last night and he said it wasn't her… I had to check… but now I know… Alphonse can be returned to normal, and so can you," Edward looked at me with determination, like he found something new to go on, I smiled,
"Well, you know I'll follow wherever you lead," I spoke, Edward nodded, he needed to check on a few things, so I helped Pinako around the house for a short while.
Edward called up his teacher and asked her the question. Apparently, she put the phone down on him. Afterwards, I waited for Edward to talk to Pinako about her son and daughter-in-law.
Then we both caught the train to Central, we waited at the station together and I looked at Edward, so much had happened the last few days, it was a bit mad,
"Are you okay?" I asked Edward, he nodded,
"Are you?" Edward looked at me, "I know you spoke to my father last night. What did he want?" Edward glared slightly and I felt him squeeze my hand,
"He reminded me of things. But I still don't remember everything." I lied as I looked at the ground,
"Oh, yeah, like what?" Edward asked, I chuckled and looked at him,
"Apparently, I was the granddaughter of the King of Xerxes." I smirked, I knew that wasn't terrible to tell Edward and I knew it would surprise him enough to keep him off my back about everything else.
"What?!" Edward yelled and jumped away from me, "Y-you're a princess?!" He added as I laughed,
"Yeah, I remember some bits of that life…" I pondered as Edward stared at me,
"You don't act like a Princess to me…" Edward muttered, I looked at him,
"What's that supposed to mean?" I looked at Edward, he flinched,
"Well… I mean, I don't really know how a Princess is meant to act but… I imagine they'd-" Edward pondered but he stopped seeing me glaring with my hands on my hips,
"Go on?" I enquired, my eyebrow raising as he put his hands up and slowly stepped back,
"I don't know what I meant… forget I said anything!" Edward tried his best to backtrack. I sighed and relaxed my arms,
"I know, I'm nothing like what most people would consider a Princess… I'm not a leader, I'm not a politician, I'm not a strategic person… I'm just… me." I frowned and turned away, "not that I have anything to rule now… I mean its just rubble." I mumbled and Edward slowly moved closer to me,
"I'm sorry that you've remembered all this and it's not what you wanted." Edward put his hand on my shoulder as I nodded,
"It's probably for the best." I sighed; Edward moved his hand over my back as the train had arrived in the distance to take us back to Central.
We arrived back in Central; I told Edward about some of the things I was learning when I was younger, having the memories fresh in my mind again I was able to recall information a lot better… but I didn't get chance to cover the fact that I once knew how to do alchemy.
We arrived back at my home and found Alphonse in ruins, his right arm on the floor, his jaw was gone,
"What the hell?!" Edward circled around Alphonse,
"I'm sorry brother." Alphonse spoke, Alphonse had cloth covering his arm and jaw as I stood there with my hand over my mouth,
"You..! What..! How are you this beat up?!" Edward yelled and kept moving around Alphonse. Seconds later though, Edward glared at Ling who was sat at my dining table with Lan Fan,
"And you! What the hell are you doing here?" Edward yelled,
"Eating a delicious dinner…" Ling spoke. Edward was quick to kick them out as I sighed and rubbed my temples, Winry walked to my side and gave me a small smile.
"Seriously, how did this happen to you?" Edward asked, Alphonse sighed as he looked between his older brother and myself, I could hear Ling and Lan Fan sat outside by my apartment door as Alphonse explained the story about Roy, Riza, Barry the Chopper and the homunculus called Lust.
"A Homunculus and Barry the Chopper. And just to throw a cherry on top, you find out your body might reject your soul." Edward spoke, then transmuted Alphonse's arm back onto his body, "I'm going to have to extend what little you have left of your armour." Edward explained, as he finished the transmutation he sighed, and we watched Alphonse move his arm.
Edward sighed a moment later,
"Ed? He'll be able to get his body back, right?" Winry asked,
"Yeah, of course he will! I told you I'm going to get it back," Edward explained, then sat down. "Al, I've got to tell you something. I dug up the body we transmuted in Resembool." Edward started, Alphonse took a moment to process what Edward said,
"What?! Why would you do that?" Alphonse stood up,
"Because, Al. I found out that the thing we buried wasn't really our mother." Edward answered.
Alphonse wobbled on the spot then sat down,
"But… hold on a minute, then that means…" Alphonse stumbled on words,
"The thing we made. I don't know what, but it was something completely different," Edward leaned forward,
"But if it wasn't… then what happened to me?" Alphonse asked,
"That's just it. This has actually convinced me we can return you to normal…" Edward spoke and looked at me and then at Winry.
"Ed, are you sure?" Winry asked, I sat next to Edward as he was on the sofa,
"Yea, but… before I start explaining how… well um… Winry… do you remember when Al and I got in a fight when we were kids about who'd marry you?" Edward explained, I blinked in surprise and looked at Edward for a moment, I guess it's been a long time since I was a kid and competed about things like that.
"Huh? The fight we were talking about on the roof?" Alphonse asked,
"Yeah, that one… Al told me you turned him down" Edward looked sheepish, Winry nodded,
"Turned you both down," Winry spoke quickly,
"Whatever. So, the questions for both of you then. What was your reasoning?" Edward asked,
"Well, she said…" Alphonse spoke,
"I just don't like men who are shorter than me," Alphonse and Winry spoke at the same time, I laughed as I thought it was adorable to hear about some of their childhood memories, I wasn't a part of.
Edward screamed suddenly,
"You can't judge a man about something he can't help!" Edward cried,
"Er… I don't really see how this has anything to do with Al getting his body back?" Winry spoke. I pulled Edward on the seat next to me as he calmed down,
"I had to be sure. Al had a memory of something I don't recall… you seem to clearly remember it the same way Winry. Which means that it happened without a doubt. So now that we know you remembered something real, then we also know for a fact that really is Al bonded in there. I pulled you out, Al. I actually did it. I know it was only your soul but that's just it. If I was able to pull that much of you out, then I've got a hunch that I can get back in there and pull it out." Edward explained, I looked at Edward and I understood what he was saying. I looked away and nodded, I had seen the truth myself when the destruction of Xerxes happened, I remember seeing it, but I didn't have to pay for it myself… because the lives that were sacrificed paid for it.
"You think my body is still in the portal? Existing separately from my soul? Like Barry's body!" Alphonse spoke,
"Right, what did you see? Try to think back can you remember what happened when the Truth unravelled you?" Edward asked,
"I reached out… and it was me. It was my hand I grabbed," Alphonse explained,
"I knew it, looks like we're not done with the Truth yet, Al," Edward smirked.
"We're going to get in there and pull your body out!" Edward smiled,
"Brother… after the portal… I remember looking at you from inside that thing…" Alphonse spoke, we were all shocked.
"You we're inside of it? That thing, was you?" Edward was shocked,
"I guess so, but my soul didn't bind… it must of rejected me right away… so that means… we didn't harm anyone else's soul after all." Alphonse explained, the brothers seemed to relax after figuring that out, I took Edward's hand as the phone started ringing. I jumped and walked over to it.
Answering the phone, I stood up tall,
"Hello, Morden Residence." I spoke,
"Hello, Rea, it's Izumi Curtis." Izumi spoke as I smiled,
"How are you? And… how did you get my number?" I asked,
"I had to call around, but I need to speak to Edward please." Izumi spoke as I nodded,
"Sure thing, Ed." I looked back at him as he had his head in his hands, he looked back and I smiled, "It's Izumi." I smiled and Edward was quick to get up.
I moved and sat down on the sofa again as Winry stood up and yawned,
"I'm heading to bed; I'll see you all tomorrow morning." Winry spoke as I nodded,
"See you, Winry." I smiled as she nodded and waved.
I pulled my legs up on the sofa as Edward finished his call with Izumi and Alphonse stood up,
"Al?" Edward spoke,
"This entire time I've been blaming myself for what happened. I thought it was me. I thought I was the one who killed mom a second time," Alphonse spoke, Edward moved around the sofa and looked at Alphonse as I stayed quiet,
"And so did I, Al," Edward replied,
"Thanks brother. Thank you. I wasn't the one who killed mom after all," Alphonse covered his face,
"But still, none of this changes the fact that I'm the one who put you in that body… and I don't care what it takes. I'm going to make you normal again-" Edward started,
"Brother, I was right there with you, and I knew that there were risks! So quit trying to shoulder all of this on your own. I can't watch you suffer like this. Not on your own, I can't just stand back and watch other people get hurt for what I've done. Like what happened to Mr. Hughes! I felt like it was my fault when I found out he was dead… and I told myself that if it meant other people getting hurt then I don't even want my body back. Brother, I've met other people who weren't exactly human, but they still managed to live their lives with a purpose. And even in this body, it hasn't stopped other people from treating me like I'm still human. This body could reject me any time, but it's the same with being human, you never know when you might get sick or die in an accident. So, I can still get by like this… I can live a somewhat normal life… and that's how I've managed to keep going, but now… I can't take it anymore, because, I can't… I can't take all the nights by myself, it's too lonely. And that's why I have to get back to normal!" Alphonse explained, I was almost in tears,
"Sure, and you're going to, we'll knock that truth jerk on his butt!" Edward held his fist up and Alphonse nodded.
I went to bed soon after seeing the brothers finish their little pep talk. As I got ready for bed, I put my hair up in a messy bun and started to pull my T-shirt off as the door opened and I quickly turned around and pushed it back down to see Edward at the door,
"It's only me." Edward smirked as he walked in and closed it, I sighed with relief as he walked around the bed and to my side as I grabbed something to change into. I looked at Edward and noticed that he was standing a little taller than me as I looked only slightly up at him,
"You've certainly grown up." I smiled and sat on the bed as Edward looked at me and sat down next to me,
"What do you mean?" Edward asked,
"You have actually gotten a bit taller." I smirked as Edward grinned,
"Don't need any milk to get bigger!" Edward joked as I chuckled,
"I guess so." I smirked as I felt Edward's hand on my leg.
"How's my princess?" Edward smirked as I glared at him,
"You make that sound condescending." I folded my arms and Edward chuckled,
"Sorry. It's difficult to wrap my head around." Edward moved in front of me and knelt on the floor, I looked over him, "Rea, I feel like I know we can make you mortal again. We've made so much progress on finding out about the truth and how it works… I think we can do it." Edward spoke as I smiled, I nodded and didn't reply, the thoughts and memories about how I truly became immortal were playing on my mind, "my father told you something else didn't he?" Edward questioned as I frowned,
"I…" I stopped myself and looked away,
"That bastard…" Edward put his hands on either of my knees and rubbed my legs to comfort me, "you know you can tell me." Edward spoke as I nodded,
"I know, but he made me promise not to tell you. You'd think of me as a monster if I was able to tell you." I explained as Edward looked shocked and angry,
"You'd never be a monster to me, Rea." Edward moved his hands to my waist and moved himself between my legs as I tilted my head forward and rested it on his forehead. "You're one of the most amazing people I've ever met." Edward spoke, "and I was thinking earlier. You are like a princess. You care for the people who live in this building, you brought them together as a community and you gave them that big speech about helping each other over you. That's a leader talking, that's a princess who cares for the people." Edward spoke as I looked between his eyes, I smiled and rested my right hand on his cheek gently and my left on his shoulder, "you also managed to work your way in with the military and you've helped them a number of occasions." Edward added as I nodded, "you're definitely not a monster, and you most certainly don't look like one." Edward smirked as I chuckled,
"Thanks, Ed." I muttered as he nodded.