The trio watched as Rose talked with one of the Brothers of the order, Serah frowned slightly not liking the Brother's aura. He reeks of arrogance; Ed squeezed her hand; sensing her tense and noticed that she was looking at Cray; her brow furrowed slightly. The trio noticed Rose laughing at something Cray said, before she turned to wave them over. When the trio reached the doorway to the Cathedral, Serah hesitated for a second. Ed glanced over his shoulder at the Ishvalen, lightly tugging on her hand. She took a deep breath and allowed Ed to lead her inside the building. Inside the Cathedral, a group of four Brothers joined Cray. Two walked behind the Trio and two in the front beside Rose and Cray.
"The Father is a very busy person and therefore doesn't have much free time, but you sir's and lady have good luck." Serah walked beside Ed with Al behind them with Rose in front next to Cray, the Brother led them to a large room with a raised platform with stairs on either side of the platform.
"Sorry, I don't plan on talking to him for too long."
"Yes, we'll end this quite soon. Just like this!" The Brother pulled out a gun and fired a shot at Al's head, Ed and Serah stared at Cray in disbelief and anger while Rose looked scared and confused. The young Alchemist and Ishvalen girl watched as Al's body fell to the ground and his helmet landed a few feet away. Two of the other men held Ed back as they held a staff against his neck in a cross, the last two Brothers grabbed Serah's shoulders tightly. They have made sure to keep Ed and Serah away from each other, Cray grinned.
"Brother! What is the meaning of this!" Rose demanded to know, as she turned to Cray.
"Rose, these people are heretics that were going to trap the Father. They are Demons!" Cray calming told the two-toned-haired girl.
"No! If that's why the Founder surely would not have allowed th… "seeing the smirk on Cray's lips, Rose trailed off as her confusion and fear grow. The Ishvalen rolled her eyes, how annoying this is. She shifted her weight slightly; Ed had kept his glance at her the entire time. He tensed as he noticed the slight shift.
"The Founder has allowed this!" Cray told Rose with a smug look in his eyes, as he pointed the gun at Ed's head.
"The words of the Father are the words of God… this is the will of God!"
"Oh? That's a mean God." Al tightened his fingers on the barrel of the handgun as he stood up, Cray turned to the Armor in confusion and fear.
"Wha…!?" He started to scream, Ed grasped the wrist and a handful of fabric of one of the disciples and threw him onto the ground as Al punched Brother Cray, knocking a tooth out. The other disciple turned to run away in fear while screaming, Ed picked up Al's helmet and tossed it at the disciple, knocking him to the floor. Serah dropped down and leaning on her hands as she kicked her feet up at the Brothers' jaws, knocking them unconscious.
"Strike!" The Alchemist grinned, the Ishvalen stood up as she dusted her hands off.
"My head!"
"Wh- wh- what-! What is going on…!?" Rose pointed at Al in fear and horror, Serah moved over and bent over, picking up the helmet. Dusting the top of the helmet off, she walked towards Ed and Al.
"It's always been like this." Ed knocked his fist against the breastplate, the sounds gave a hollow echo, Serah handed the helmet over to Al.
"Th-…! There's nothing inside… It's hollow!?" Ed took Serah's hand and locked their fingers together as Al placed his helmet back on. Rose looked sick and her eyes teared up a little, Serah tightened her fingers around Ed's before letting go of his hand. She reached up and straightened his red coat.
"Oh this, this is someone with the sin of trespassing into God's forbidden domain. Just like me, and my brother too."
"Edward… too?" Rose asked uncertainty, staring at the Blonde's back before turning to Serah, wondering if the girl also…. If she was like Ed and Al…
"Okay, let's stop this topic. You saw God's true nature, didn't you?"
"No! There has to be some mistake!" Rose clenched her fists in the fabric of her dress, Serah sighed as she turned to stare at the older woman.
"Geez… The lady's already seen this much, and she still believes in that fraud of a Priest." Ed mumbled annoyed, as the white-haired girl stayed quiet for a moment.
"Do you have what it takes to know the truth?" Serah looked straight at the other girl, wearing a blank expression. The question left Rose speechless, staring at the Ishvalen and the brothers in shock and helplessness.
Sometime later the trio walked through a long hallway, Ed and Serah stood next to each other. Al was behind the pair, Ed turned to stare at the Ishvalen for a spilt second before they stopped in front of a large entrance.
"So, this is the Priest's room, Rose told us about?"
"Oh well." One of the doors opened, allowing the trio to step through the doors.
"I guess that means come in…" Serah mumbled, the corners of her lips curled upwards in a half smirk before she turned her expression neutral. As the trio walked closer to the middle of the room, the doors closed behind them. A bald and large man with black and white robes stood on a platform, holding a cane.
"Welcome to our holy church, did you come to learn our teachings?"
"Yeah, I want you to tell us a bunch. Like this rule about tricking your believers with cheap Alchemy!" Ed spoke to the Priest as Serah narrowed her eyes, hating that he was taking advantage of the people's belief. It is wrong, no person should never have their belief or faith be used like that. Why can't they see that they are being manipulative by their so-called Founder, that man is just a fraud, filling the people with lies for his gain.
"…Hm, I wonder what you might be speaking of… Grouping my 'power of miracles' with alchemy would pose a bit of a problem. If you saw it once, you would understand…" Cornelle smiled falsely at the trio, Serah glared at the bald man. Ed grabbed her arm, stopping her after taking a step towards the old man. They needed to know if the Father is using a philosopher stone or not, and because of that Serah can't go after Cornelle for the moment. He gets the reason why she is angry with the fraud, but for the time being, they need the truth.
"I've already seen it, the thing I don't get at all is the thing about how you were able to transmute something while ignoring the laws." the Founder stretched his temple, still looking at the trio, not at all worried about them ruining his plans. They are just a bunch of teenagers, what are they able to do?
"That's why I said it wasn't alchemy."
"I thought so, the 'philosopher's stone.' You're using that, aren't you?" Ed smirked, letting go of Serah's arm, and placed his hands on his hips. Serah rested a hand near her thigh, a small pouch was half hidden on the belt around her hips. The holster held a few throwing knives, given to her by Hughes.
"It's the ring, isn't it?" The fake smile disappeared; Cornelle frowned down at the trio.
"I expected no less from a national alchemist, it is exactly as you said. You are correct! This is a mysterious power amplifier that was said to be found only in legends… If we alchemists use this, we can perform tasks of great magnitude with little cost!"
"...I've been looking for that!" The young alchemist spoke sharply, glaring at the Founder with a look of determination in his eyes. Serah sighed as she heard the tiny hint of greed in his voice, she got where Ed was coming from. The Elric brothers have told her about their desire to get their bodies back, Ed just wants Al to have his body back, it doesn't matter if he gets his arm and leg back just as long as Al gets his body back. Serah in return shared one of her secrets. An equal trade, she told him that she doesn't remember much from before the war between her people and the Amestrian soldiers. It terrifies her with what she saw during the Ishval Civil War. Ed had promised her that he would help her to find out the truth, and she promised to help him and Al to find a way to get their bodies back.
"Hmph! Why do your eyes look like they want it!? What would you wish for by using this stone? Money? Fame?"
"You too, you've made a religion through fraud, what do you want? If it's money, you can use the stone to get as much as you want."
"It isn't money, no I want money but even if I remain silent. It will enter my wallet in the form of donations from my believers, you see." Serah and Al stayed silent as Ed and Cornelle talked, Serah got a knowing look in her eye as she crossed her arms. The fraud is telling quite a lot about his plans for the people of the city, what a moron; how can someone be so stupid to reveal their plan?
"On the other hand, I need obedient believers who would be happy to throw their lives away for me. It's wonderful! The greatest army in the world! One which doesn't fear death! I've steadily advanced my preparations! Behold! After several years this country will be mine!" The Cornelle grinned wildly with a loud laugh; Serah smirked as she gazed at the Priest before shaking her head.
"You're wrong, we don't care about your plans" Cornelle turned to her with a confused expression, he didn't understand it.
"What!" he spat as he gripped the railing tightly, "Don't just say a couple of words about my plans like 'don't care! You…aren't you from one of the surrounding countries… no, in the Army?!
"I am, but I still don't care about your plans. I am only here because of this guy." Serah gestured to the young Alchemist with a hand as she brushed the Father's words off with a wave of her hand. She was only half lying to the Priest, in truth, she could care less about his plans, but she refuses to let him get away with manipulative and using his believers for his gain. That is one of the things she will not tolerate.
"I'll get straight to the point! Gimme the philosopher's stone! Do as I say, and we won't anything about your fraudulence to the people in this city." Ed pointed at the Priest, Serah looked to the side, sensing something coming near. The Ishvalen doesn't like the feeling she got from whatever is behind the side door.
"Ha! You've trying to bargain with me… My believers won't believe a word from the likes of you! I am loved by them! They are my faithful servants! No matter how many times you yell, they won't listen! That's right! Because these stupid believers have been fooled by me!" Ed smirked as he clapped slowly while appearing to be impressed, Serah rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms while holding a throwing knife loosely between her fingers.
"Well, I didn't expect any less of the Fraud! Thank you for letting us hear such a splendid speech," The young Alchemist turned to Serah and gave a nod.
"We already knew that your believers wouldn't listen to a group of travelers, a trio of outsiders, but I think that they would listen to one of their own, don't you?" While Serah was talking, Al took his breastplate off, placing it on the ground. He held the breastplate with one hand as his other pulled the chain mail to the side, showing the Founder Rose sitting inside Al's armor. The girl had been inside Al the entire time, hearing every word the Founder said.
"!? Rose!? What is the…" Rose stepped out of Al's armor.
"Father! Is what you just said true!? Have you tricked us!? The power of miracles, God's power… you weren't going to grant me my wish!?" Tears formed in the corners of Rose's eyes; she couldn't understand… All she wanted was to get her lover back. Why would the Father lie to her, why couldn't he bring her lover back? He had nothing to gain from it in her mind, Rose didn't believe that faith can be a dangerous thing when someone is desperate enough.
"You weren't going to bring him back at all, were you!?" Cornelle started to sweat for a moment before he got an idea and smirked while looking at Rose. Serah turned sharply to Rose; something didn't feel right, Cornelle felt all confident and arrogant suddenly. Ed and Al noticed the action, the trio tensed before Al fastened the breastplate back on his armor.
"Hm… perhaps being a messenger of God was a lie… but with this stone, as well as the transmutations of living organisms that countless alchemists have failed at… There is the possibility that your lover can be resurrected!"
"Rose, don't listen!" Al looked at the two-toned-haired girl.
"Stop filling her with lies!" Serah snapped at Cornelle, outraged at the man at how he dared still to manipulate Rose. Just how deep is the naïve woman's faith, how desperate can a person be?
"Be a good child and come here."
"If you go, you won't be able to come back!"
"What's wrong? You are one of us."
"Can't you see what he is doing!?"
"Rose!"
"Am I not the only one who can grant your wish? Remember your beloved!" Rose only became more confused and desperate; she had no idea of what she could believe in anymore. She only wanted her lover back, to be in his arms again, she started shaking as her thoughts raced through her mind.
"Well!" In a split second, Rose made her choice. Her head was hanging low as she walked towards Cornelle, the trio stared after her. Serah was shaking her head as Ed sighed, but they could understand Rose's choice.
"I'm sorry, you three. But this is the only I can… this is the only thing I can rely on." Rose gazed at them over her shoulder with a sorrowful and regretful look in her eyes.
"Good child… Really…" The Father smirked with a dark glint in his eye as he stared at the trio, Rose had moved close to the stairs as Cornelle pulled a handle down. It caused a door to open, the trio stood waiting like they were bored. Serah gazed over to the shadows as she moved a bit away from Ed and Al.
"The philosopher's stone is a really impressive thing. It can make things like this; is this your first time you've seen a chimera? Hm?" A lion with a lizard's tail and bird-like hind legs moved out from the shadows, the trio didn't look impressed by the chimera. Ed clapped his hands once and placed them on the ground, Serah took a step closer while keeping her eyes on the Chimera.
"It's a little hard to fight unarmed, so." Blue energy danced in the air around Ed, as he lifted his hand while getting to his feet. A long spear and a sword appeared under his palm; he threw the sword to Serah. The Ishvalen at once tasted the sword's weight by swinging it around once, her eyes showed her appreciation. Ed gazed at the Ishvalen, giving her a nod. "Why you! To transmute weapons from the pavement without an alchemy circle… I see that national alchemist isn't just a fancy name! But that won't be enough!" The chimera went after the person closest to it, the chimera swung its claws at Ed's leg, the spear was sliced into a few pieces and the fabric of his trouser tore as he was slow to move away from the chimera's jump. Serah tightened her grip on the handle of the sword but didn't move in front of Ed, knowing that he could handle it even though she was his bodyguard.
"Hahaha! How is that!? how do claws that can cut through steel feel!?"
"Edward!" Rose yelled in fear and horror, Ed had placed a hand near his knee. He appeared like he was horrific, Serah sighed. The Ishvalen girl knew better, Ed was only acting like he was in pain.
"… What was that!?" The young Alchemist grinned as the chimera lifted its paw and its claws were cut clean as they fell off, Ed lifted his left leg and kicked the creature back hard.
"Sorry, but it's made a bit special." Ed held his leg up and where the fabric was torn, was steel metal.
"What happen!? If the claws won't work bite him!" The chimera lunged at Ed as he brought his right arm up, as he was prepared this time. The chimera tried to bite into his arm but seconds later it became confusing as it couldn't. Ed glared at the chimera, tightening his fist. Serah stood ready if he needed help, holding the sword with a practiced grip.
"What's wrong, you stupid cat? Get a really good taste." Ed swung a leg up and kicked the chimera under its chin, causing it to release its grip on him. The chimera managed to rip the fabric of his coat apart, showing parts of his auto mail underneath.
"Rose, take a good look. This is human transmutation, the bodies of sinners that have breached God's domain!" Ed pulled the rest of his coat off, allowing Rose to see, to understand what human transmutation does to a person. Serah closed her eyes, feeling the air grew heavy and tense.
"… Artificial limbs of steel, ' auto mail'…. The Fullmetal Alchemist!" Cornelle shouted in disbelief, the Alchemist is just a kid, a teenager.
"Come and get some, you third rate. I'll show you what's different between the two of us!" The young Alchemist challenged the Priest with a hard look in his eyes.
"…. I see I see…. It was quite the mystery as to why a brat was called 'Fullmetal,' but… so therefore… Rose, these men, they have done something that is forbidden to Alchemists. They have performed human transmutation…. They've committed the greatest crime!" The Father grinned evilly as he looked at the Elric brothers; seconds later he slowly turned to the side. He saw the sword impaled in the wall; a small line of blood appeared on his cheek where the sharp side of the blade cut him. Cornelle turned sharply back to the trio, his eyes landed on Serah, the Ishvalen girl shrugged her shoulders while holding her hands up in an innocent motion.
"We were positive that we could create life, she was kind…. She was a kind mother. All we wanted to do was to see our mother's smile, just once more time. Even if that alchemy was forbidden, we learned alchemy just to be able to do that one thing… The transmutation was a failure. Brother lost his left leg in the transmutation; I lost my entire body then I lost consciousness. When I opened my eyes again, I saw this armored body and amidst a sea of blood. While Brother was suffering from the loss of his left leg, he traded his right arm to transmute my soul into this armor." Al told Rose and the Founder; Serah had moved back to Ed's side.
"Hm… This is the mess that happens when two people try to resurrect a single human being. This is what resurrecting a person means, Rose. You got the guts to do it? Do you!?"
"Hahaha… Edward Elric! and then you joined the national Alchemists! Don't make me laugh!"
"Shut up! Without that stone, you can't do anything, you ultra-third rate!"
"Again, with the insults…" Serah murmured under her breath while shaking her head, Ed placed his hands on his hips, still glaring at the Founder.
"I see, I see. And so, you want the philosopher's stone? If you use this, your human transmutation will probably succeed, huh?"
"Don't get me wrong, baldly! We just want that stone to restore my original bodies. What I want the most is to be like I was before!" Ed gripped his arm with his hand, Serah moved to stand a bit behind the young Alchemist. Pressing her fingers firmly onto his spine, offering him her support and understanding.
"Mr. Founder, we'll say it again. Give us the stone, while you're still not hurt." Al spoke to the Founder, Serah at once tensed as the air changed fast around them.
"Hehe… you stupid fools who came too close to God and fell to the Earth...-" Serah groaned as she slowly stiffened her position. Cornelle lifted his cane into his hands as red energy moved around the cane and his hand, slowly transmuting into a machine gun.
"This time, I will have to… send you to God myself!" The Priest started firing at the trio, creating dust around them. Cornelle started laughing loudly as Rose shielded herself from the dust. Ed made a wall from the ground and another sword for Serah as they leaned against the wall for a moment.
"You just couldn't help yourself by throwing that sword, could you." Ed gazed at the Ishvalen girl, who shrugged her shoulder in response.
"He got on my nerve." The young alchemist shook his head as the firing slowed to a stop.
"Nope, God hates us. Even if we go, He'll send us back!" Ed smirked from behind the wall, as Al ran over and pulled Rose into his arms. He shielded the girl from the bullets as Cornelle started firing again. Rose screamed as she pressed her hands over her ears, Ed and Serah moved away from their hiding spot and ran towards the doors.
"Al! We're getting out of here!" Ed called out to his younger brother, Serah gazed over her shoulder as Al neared her and Ed.
"Fools! That exit won't open unless I command it to from here!" Cornelle grinned, Ed's gaze landed on a spot next to the doors, clapping his hands right before pressing them against the wall with a grin of his own.
"Oh!?" Blue energy crackled around as he transmuted an exit, Ed and Serah pushed the doors open with Al and Rose right behind them.
"If there isn't an exit, I'll make one!" A group of disciples stood near the original entrance. The trio and Rose darted right past the group as they weren't expressing a new entrance to appear, it allowed them to get some distance between them and the disciples. As they ran through a hall, the trio and Rose neared another group of disciples. Ed turned to Serah with a smile, the Ishvalen girl gazed at him.
"You got this?" Serah smirked as she pushed herself to run faster, she lifted her sword, holding it backwards in her right hand. She lunged at one of the disciples and threw him to the side before grabbing another and pushed him against the wall and impaled her sword through the fabric of his long tunic and into the wall. It kept him in place as she kicked the third disciple to the ground before darting after Ed and Al as they had run past her and the disciples. Serah grinned as she came closer to the Elric brothers, the next group of disciples. Ed gladly took care of it while Al simply kicked through the third group, a little while later, they ran almost past an open room. They managed to stop and stepped inside of the room, Ed looked around, it was a large room with a few bookshelves and a desk.
"Oh? This room is…?" Ed trailed off; Rose gestured to the room.
"This is the broadcast room; Cornelle uses this radio for his sermons…" Ed grinned with an evil glint in his eye causing Serah to sigh as she placed her hands on her hips.
"You got a plan?" The Ishvalen girl asked the young Alchemist, just knowing that he had something planned in mind. Ed nodded with a smirk, looking at Serah for a moment before turning to the room.
The young Alchemist immediately turned back around to Serah, ignoring his brother and Rose for a moment.
"Serah, you go with Al and-"
"No." The Ishvalen girl flat out refused, causing Ed to sigh softly, he reached out and took her hands.
"I am not leaving you with deal with that fraud by yourself." She spoke softly to Ed; she didn't want to leave him on his own. It is not often that they are apart from each other in the years, they have known each other. She isn't comfortable with it, and either is Ed, they normally work together. But sometimes one of them had gone with Al or they went out on their own but it's rare for the Trio to leave each other's side. And besides she wants to throw a punch or a kick the Fraud for fooling around with the citizens of Reolo.
"I know, Serah, but I need you to help Al with his part." Serah looked down at their hands, she studied their hands for a moment, lost in her thoughts, going over the pros and cons. The Ishvalen sighed and lifted her head before giving the Alchemist a nod.
"Fine." Ed let Serah see the gratitude in his eyes as he squeezed her hands before letting of them, he turned to Al and Rose.
"So, this is the plan." The young Alchemist smirked, placing his hands on his hips.
A little while later, Serah was helping Al with getting the bell for their plan. Al placed the bell on the ground while Rose stood next to him.
"I still can't believe what you were talking about earlier, you can't transmute unless you do that much…" Rose trailed off, staring at Al.
"We said it before, the basic of Alchemy is 'exact change'" He calmly explained as he kneed down, Serah held a core towards him. Rose turned to the girl, wondering if the Ishvalen girl is an alchemist like Ed and Al.
"If we want to do something, we have to pay a cost. Brother is called a genius, but he paid the cost through effort. So, brother is like this now." Serah tightened one of her hands into a fist, Rose looked a bit hopeful at Al's words.
"But, because you paid that sacrifice, your mother had to have been. -"
"The body couldn't have been called Human." Rose's expression turned horrified; Serah placed a hand on Al's shoulder. The Ishvalen girl had learned over the time, she has been with them; about the brothers' past and the choices they have made, and they know most of her own past.
"We quit working with human transmutation, but Ed wants to return me to my original body. And I want Brother to go back to the way he was before, but it's as risky as I've said… We'll probably pay for it and lose our lives. But this is the road we have chosen. Rose… that's why…. You mustn't be like us." Al finished the transmutation circle as he spoke to Rose, he stood up and turned to the two-toned-haired girl. Serah smiled softly as she rested her hands on her hips, staring at Al.
"…. But you aren't alone, either of you." Al turned to the Ishvalen girl and gave a nod; it was about a year ago when the three of them had a conversation, it was after the Ishvalen had visited her foster parents for a few days. Al remembered his brother was acting a bit weird until Serah returned to the hotel room the night before they had decided to leave Central; it was because of his brother's concern that caused them to have a conversation that was probably long overdue. Serah promised him and Brother that no matter what she won't leave them, they had become important to her. With everything they have gone through in the past years, they understand each other. Well Ed and Serah more than him and Serah, after all, Brother and the Ishvalen; have a unique relationship. Sure, when they first met in Central, they got a lot on each other's nerves as they argued about almost everything and after Serah was ordered to keep Brother safe by Colonel Mustang. But over the years they have been travelling together, and as Brother and Serah got to talk more about their lives. The arguing lessened and turned to playful bricking instead.
Al transmuted the bell into a large speaker, he lifted it up and rested the bell on his shoulder. Serah leaned against the railing with closed eyes and crossed her arms. Her back was facing the city, Rose stood nearby, staring at the Ishvalen. She was still wondering about Serah, as the white-haired girl is mysterious, she hasn't said much about herself in the time since they were in the Cathedral. They listened as the Founder explained his plan, his and Ed's voice came out through the bell speaker. Cornelle explained how the people were just pawns for the wars he wanted to create in the coming years, and that they would be happy dying for a good cost. Cornelle continued with the difference between Alchemy and the power of the miracles is that he can get more believers and pawns for his plans. And as if Ed, Al, and Serah could stop his plans so easily. Serah hummed softly as she heard Ed's laugh through the speaker, with a sigh she turned her eyes to the blue sky. She rested her hands on the railing beside her thighs as she leaned a bit back over the railing, as Cornelle probably realized that the switch is on in the broadcast room, his screams could be heard loudly through the speaker. Seconds later fighting and low voices could be heard, Serah tensed as she pushed away from the railing. She disliked the fact she isn't there to help Ed with the Priest, but she also knew that he could take care of himself.
"Are you an alchemist like Al and Ed?" Serah turned to Rose with a neutral expression, leaning back against the railing with her thighs. Her hands rested on top of the railing, holding her steady.
"No, I am not. I never had the desire to learn how to use alchemy, years ago after I arrived in Central. I was taught combat and fighting instead." Rose stared at the Ishvalen girl, confused as she frowned.
"Why?" Serah sighed before she turned around and stepped onto the railing, folding her arms over her chest. Her silver hair moved a bit due to the wind, Rose gazed up at the Ishvalen as the older woman came to stand beside the other girl. Serah gazed over Reolo for a long moment in silence, Al glanced at his friend from the corner of his eye. Serah's reason for not wanting to learn how to use alchemy is understandable, but she has a desire to learn about alchemy and the different kinds of alchemy that exist.
"Sure, alchemy is a useful skill to have but alchemy can be dangerous when you think about it, to alchemy is a weapon. A weapon that can be used for good and bad, it depends on the person." Rose shook her head in disbelief and confusion, she didn't understand what the Ishvalen were talking about, it can't be right. Alchemy isn't a weapon, it is a gift, a blessing.
"Rose, I see that you don't believe me. So let me ask you something. -" Rose turned her eyes to Serah with a frown between her eyebrows.
"Do you know about the Civil war in Ishval?" The older girl's eyes widened in shock; the question left Rose speechless as she never expected Serah to ask that.
"Not much... just that the country of Ishval was completely wiped out." Rose spoke quietly, Serah lowered her gaze to stare at her feet.
"It was due to an Order made by the Fuhrer of Amertisian military, State Alchemists was ordered to help with the war and countless of Ishvalens lost their lives due to that."
"They were ordered! It's not like they had a choice!" Rose angerly snapped at the Ishvalen, she clenched her hands tightly. Serah turned around to stare down at the older woman, the silver-haired girl shrugged her shoulders; not bothered by Rose's anger.
A loud crash was heard from inside the broadcast room. Serah shifted her weight, staring over to the room. Al placed the speaker bell on the ground as Serah jumped down from the railing. The young Elric and the white-haired girl walked over to the room where Ed was. Inside Ed was standing near the windows and Cornelle was lying on the ground, knocked out. Serah immediately stepped over to the older Elric, resting a hand on his shoulder as he let out a deep and disappointed sigh. Al walked closer to the pair while Ed turned to Serah, she noticed the different emotions in his eyes.
"It was a fake?"
"Yeah, just another dead end." Ed took a seat on the ground with Serah right beside him and his brother nearby them.
"And I finally thought I could restore you…" The State Alchemist mumbled with a sigh.
"I'm more worried about you, automail causes a lot of problems."
"This isn't a complete dead-end, Ed-" Serah leaned against his metal shoulder, pulling her legs to her chest.
"We now know for certain that the philosopher's stone exists." The young Alchemist smiled softly, knowing that the female Ishvalen are right. This isn't the first time that Serah has told them to lighten up and to believe that is a way for him and Al to restore their bodies. If you work hard enough, then you'll figure it out. Ed stood up and dusted his pants off before he held out towards Serah who took it. He pulled her up from the ground, she stretched her arms over her head.
"Guess we'll look somewhere else."
"No…" The traveling trio turned to Rose who was sitting on the ground.
"This has to be a lie...because… he said he could bring him back…."
"Rose, give it up…." Ed placed his non-automail hand into his pants pocket, staring at Rose.
"...Why does it have to be like this….?" Tears started to roll down Rose's cheeks, everything she had believed in for the past year was false. Cornelle lied to her about being able to bring her lover back, and to the rest of the people of Reolo. She had put her faith and trust into a fraud, she was desperate and filled with grief after losing her fiancé. What else could she do…?
"What am I supposed to do now!? How am I supposed to live no!? Tell me! PLEASE!" The Elric Brothers and Serah stared at the sobbing girl.
"Think about that on your own." They started to walk towards the girl sitting on the ground.
"Stand up and walk, move on. After all, you have perfect legs to stand on." The traveling trio walked past the older girl, leaving Rose behind on the ground.
"You have to make your own path now, Rose. No one else can tell you how to live your life, that's up to you to figure that out." Rose tilted her head backwards, staring at the darkening sky with tears down her cheeks.