Armstrong folded his arms over his chest, watching the trio spar with each. The Major had half a thought to join in on the spar, but he wanted more to see their skills in hand-to-hand combat. And also, he wanted to see how far, the Ishvalen had come in her training. Her skills are good but she still has much to learn, the Major and Lieutenant Colonel Hughes have trained the young Ishvalen well. In the beginning, the training was only a way for Serah to get her anger in control. But over time, the reason changed and it became a way for her to grow. And she has, she became less angry and more focused to perfect her fighting style and to learn more about the different martial art styles. After a short break, Al, Ed, and Serah picked up where they left off. Ed went after Al's legs, the armored boy leaped over the young Alchemist and landed in a roll. Al pushed himself upon his knees, just as Serah came running towards him. The younger Elric crossed his arms, blocking her high kick. Al's red eyes brightened a little with laugher before he pushed Serah back, she landed on her feet in a crouch. Ed launched at the Ishvalen, he landed on his back with Serah on top as they rolled around on the ground before stopping. The Ishvalen rolled to the side, breathing heavily from the spar. Ed sat up and inhaled deeply and slowly a few times, trying to catch his breath. Serah got on her feet and stretched her arms over her head, Ed pushed himself to his feet and moved to stand beside her.
"How is your injure?" The Ishvalen gazed at the young Alchemist from the corner of her eye, with a sigh, she answered his question.
"It feels fine, there aren't any lingering pain or aching." The sky had started to darken. With grim and dirt, the trio looked relaxed as they walked towards the house with Armstrong. Ed had a towel resting on his shoulders with a grin, while Serah was stretching her arms over her head. The Alchemist and the Ishvalen walked beside each other, while Al and the Major followed behind them.
"Granny, We're starving!"
Ed was stuffing his face with dinner while his brother was polishing his helmet, Serah was slowly picking at the dinner as she didn't feel hungry. The spar earlier with Al and Ed helped her clear her mind for a bit, but a lot of things have happened lately. There is the matter about Scar… and the Philosopher's stone, she is uncertain if she wanted to learn the truth of its origin. The Ishvalen pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind, not wanting to think more about it for now as she took another bite.
"Our master used to say, 'to train the mind, first train the body."
"That's why we usually have to train ourselves like this." Ed took another bite of his dinner, while Winry pointed her knife at the Elric brothers with an annoyed expression.
"So, when you have free time, you spar? That'll break the automail right away."
"Well, I'm making money." Pinako laughed, holding a mug of beer. Serah gave a small smile, gazing at Ed from the corner of her eye.
"However, they are correct, a healthy mind lives in a well-trained, beautiful body." Armstrong agreed with the Elrics, before standing up and faxed his muscles shirtless. Ed was choking on a fried fish as he turned to Al, Winry and Pinako stared at the Major in disbelief and shock. Serah ignored Armstrong as the Ishvalen has gotten used to him faxing and being shirtless, after all, she has known the Major for years by now.
"Al, get that sauce." Serah smacked Ed at the back of his head, he turned to glare at her which she returned with a glare of her own. The young blonde Alchemist flinched at Serah's glare before he turned back to his brother.
"Please, pass me the sauce, Al." Serah nodded with a small smile, Winry blinked at the scene. She never realized or thought, that there would be someone who could handle Ed like that. But the young Rockbell can see it now, Serah does belong with Ed and Al. The three of them balance each other, Winry rested her chin in her palm. Staring at the trio as they talked with each other, Ed and Serah never push Al aside but involve the younger Elric. The young mechanic wants to learn more about Serah, after all, Winry is certain now that Serah will be a part of their lives for a long time. The mechanic guess that her and Serah could become good friends someday, once she has gotten over the fact that Ed and Al have had the Ishvalen with them for years with her not knowing. Which she is still a bit mad about, but she will get over it. After all every sibling have their ups and downs with their brother or sister, it's not different for her and the Elric brothers.
"Tomorrow, we'll get on the first train in the morning to central."
"Oh really? This place will be quiet again."
"Heh, and when we restore our bodies, we won't need Granny or Winry!"
"Yeah right, kiddo!"
"And this jerk face can't even do anything without us mechanics."
"What do you mean by jerk face!?" Serah laughed at the sight of Ed and Winry arguing with each other, it reminded the Ishvalen of her older brothers. They used to argue as well, her brothers were so different in personality, that it made them argue often.
"Well said!" Armstrong looked fondly at the loud group; Serah pushed her plate a bit away as she lifted a leg. Resting her arms around her leg, her foot rested on the edge of her seat. She wore a soft smile as the Ishvalen glazed at the small family. The air is so light and warm, it felt amazing to the silver-haired girl.
The day had turned completely to evening, Ed had fallen asleep on the couch in the living room again. He had a hand on his stomach, lifting his shirt a bit. Serah sighed at the sight along with Al, the Ishvalen was holding a blanket in her arms as she moved towards the older Elric.
"Aw, he fell asleep with his stomach again. Oh well." Al huffed, placing his hands on his hips as Serah unfolded the blanket over Ed before taking a seat next to him. The Ishvalen lifted a leg, resting her foot on the edge.
"You act just like his guardian, Al." Pinako laughed, with her pipe in the corner of her lips. Serah wrapped her arms loosely around her leg, turning to stare at the sleeping Alchemist.
"I've had enough, it's a pain to have a high maintenance brother."
"He is a pain to handle sometimes." Serah gently brushed a few strands of golden hair away from Ed's closed eyes, Winry and Pinako smiled softly at the scene.
"It's hard to tell which one of you is older." Winry took a seat on top of the dinner table, crossing her feet at her ankles.
"How old are you now?"
"I'm fourteen, Brother's fifteen." Pinako turned to the Ishvalen, asking her the same question. Serah paused in thought for a moment before looking at the older Rockbell.
"I think that I'm a few months older than Ed." Armstrong glazed at the Ishvalen, knowing that during the war. The time had blurred for Serah, she didn't… she couldn't focus on the days and months that passed. It was only after she was taken in by Lieutenant Colonel Hughes, that she managed to figure how old she was. Winry chuckled softly, while Ed rolled to lay half on his side.
"It's funny that this 'human weapon' despite being a pipsqueak is the same age as me and he sleeps like a baby." Al started to laugh a bit, Serah and the rest turned to the younger Elric.
"What I just said reminded me of the time we went to the Youswell coalmines, remember Serah?" The young Ishvalen thought for a moment before nodding, wearing a small smile.
"Those coal miners were being pushed around by their bosses and told us to help them out, brother didn't want to help them out at all in the beginning. But when brother heard the boss of the group say, ' this is our home and our coffin' he ended up helping them, he really went overboard." Pinako laughed at the short tale, Serah glanced up at Al.
"I see, it was the 'our home' part, Eh!? The pain of losing something as important as a home to go back to must have really hit you hard." The older Rockbell's words caused Serah to tighten her fingers around the edge of the couch, the Ishvalen knew that the words were meant for the Elric brothers. But she understands that feeling as well, of losing a home and the hurt it bought.
"Yeah, that's why we're always grateful to Granny and Winry for being here for us as a real family." Al glanced at the Rockbells before turning to the Ishvalen, stepping a bit closer to her.
"You as well, Serah. It means so much to Brother and me, that you are staying by us. It's just hard for me to say. Same for brother." The Ishvalen nodded in understanding, knowing that she didn't need to speak the words, and either do they, not to her.
"But still the reality is that the house, where we were born and raised in doesn't exist anymore. I don't regret burning our house down, but there are times when I want to cry. I'd probably break down if I cried just once, but I can't cry with this body." Serah watched as Al rested a hand on his breastplate with down-cased eyes.
"Al…" Ed rolled around in his sleep, causing Serah to turn to the older Elric.
"There's a dummy who doesn't cry even when he has a body he can cry with, this dummy is really just acting tough." Winry glanced at Ed from her seat on the table before noticing the lost and hard expression Serah wore, the next second it disappeared. Winry blinked a few times, gazing at Al from the corner of her eye. The Ishvalen poked Ed a few times, waking him up. With a yawn the pair left the living room, it gave Winry the chance to talk to Al. The mechanic gestured to the door leading to the backyard, Al and Winry took a seat on the ground both looking at the dark blue scenery.
"Al…. Why did Serah start to travel with you and Ed…?"
"She was ordered to, but she wasn't forced to. Serah wanted to come with us, she might have been ordered to but she went on her own will."
"Al… does she take good care of you and Ed."
"Yeah, she does, Winry."
Al laughed aloud, leaning back on his arms. Winry grinned lightly, glancing at the younger Elric for a bit before turning to the scenery.
"If you want to know more about Serah, you should ask her yourself. She is a private person, Winry."
"I know, but it will be a while before I get a chance since you are leaving tomorrow morning." The young Rockbell sighed softly after a short while, Al turned to stare at her.
"I worry about you and Ed, Al and so does Granny. We don't hear anything from you guys for a while and you didn't visit."
"Winry…" Al reached over and rested a hand on her shoulder, Winry smiled lightly at the scenery, actually happy that the Brothers finally had someone to stand by them. Someone who does care about them, the mechanic felt finally a bit more at ease.
The next morning, the trio, Armstrong, and Pinako were standing outside of the Rockbell home. Serah stood behind Ed and was braiding his hair before tiring the end with his hairband. As he fixed the glove on his metal hand, Serah quickly pulled her hair over her shoulder and tied it with a red ribbon around the middle of her hair. The Ishvalen wore a thigh long dark beige tunic with snits in the bottom, with black leggings underneath and brown boots on her feet. Ed was wearing his usual outfit, Al was kneeling in front of Dan.
"Thanks for taking care of us, Granny."
"Right." Pinako had her pipe in the corner of her mouth, looking at the Elrics and the Ishvalen.
"Huh, where's Winry?" Al asked the Granny as he stood up and walked over to his brother and Serah.
"Still sound asleep since she stayed up for work on Ed's automail, want me to wake her up?" Ed grabbed his suitcase with one hand, Serah stood right next to him.
"Nah, it's okay, it's okay. She'd blab on and on about taking care of the automail properly or something like that if she got up and came down here." Ed waved the question off before turning to the Ishvalen.
"See ya."
"Be careful, you three come back once in a while and eat some breakfast, you hear?" Serah turned a bit around and glanced at the Granny with a small smile.
"Of course, Pinako. I will make sure that we stop by sometime." The granny smirked sightly at the Ishvalen as the girl placed her shades on her nose, hiding her red eyes from view.
"You better take care of them, young lady." Serah nodded once, looking at the elderly woman.
"Who'd drop by this far into the mountains just to eat…" Ed groaned with a huff; the Major laughed a little. The sound caused Ed to turn to look over his shoulder at the tall Major, with a questioned expression in his eyes.
"What?"
"To have a family to welcome you… it must be wonderful to have a place to return to."
"We're the wandering sort that goes from a journey to journey." Serah stared ahead of her; the Major is right. To have someplace being able to return to is wonderful. The Ishvalen have the Hughes' home to return to if she wanted but she doesn't take it for granted. There are so many things that can happen and take the Hughes' from her, along with Ed and Al too. And because of that, she wants to make the most of the time she gets with them. Ed gazed at the Ishvalen from the corner of his eye, frowning a bit before a tired voice called out to the trio.
"Ed! Al! Serah!" The trio turned around and looked up at the balcony, where Winry was leaning over the railing. The mechanical was waving at them.
"See you later." Ed sighed softly, he turned back around as he started to walk with Serah, his brother, and Armstrong. The older Elric lifted his arm in a wave, Al half turned towards Pinako and Winry, waving at the Rockbells. Serah gave a small wave as well, Winry folded her arms on top of the railing, resting her chin on top of her arms with a smile. Watching as the trio along with Armstrong grew smaller in the distance as they walked towards the train station.
"Hurry up, Al, Serah!" Ed leaped off the train when it stopped in the station at Central, Al and Serah followed after him with the Major behind them.
"Brother, we don't have to hurry up that much…" he traded off as Serah hit Ed with her hand before she scolded the Elric State Alchemist with her hand on her hip. Ed actually looked apologetic as he stared back at her while stuffing his hands into his pockets, Al tilted his head to the side. Now that normally doesn't happen, the younger Elric laughed silently under his breath.
"Major Armstrong, we're here to see you." Two military officers saluted the tall Major who nodded once at the pair, Ed pointed at the two officers and asked Serah about them and if she knew them. After all the Ishvalen had spent a lot of time in Central and the command center, ever since Lieutenant Colonel Hughes got transferred to Central. The shade-wearing Ishvalen pushed his hand down before telling him and Al, that she didn't.
"Good work, Second Lieutenant Ross, Sergeant Brosh." Sergeant Brosh took a small step closer to the trio, looking at Al in awe and wonder.
"Oh, are you the Full Metal Alchemist?" The dirty blond Sergeant asked before he and Ross had moved over to the younger Elric.
"I'm Maria Ross! It's an honor to meet you!" Ross saluted Al, Ed froze in shock and disbelief while Serah shook her head as she folded her arms under her chest.
"I'm Denny Brosh! Your outfit matches your name! How impressive!" Armstrong and Al pointed over to Ed and Serah.
"Huh?"
"The small guy?" Armstrong grabbed the back of Ed's coat as he tried to launch at Ross and Brosh, Serah sighed before moving to stand in front of Ed. The older Elric blinked as he calmed down slightly, he gazed over Serah's shoulder and glared at the Second Lieutenant and the Sergeant who were quick to apologize for their mistake.
"We are so very sorry!"
"I didn't mean small, um...erm.."
"Now I shall go report to central HQ." The major turned to the trio, as he spoke.
"Oh? What was that? Is this where we part? Good job, I'm so sad, Bye-bye." Ed beamed at the Major while Serah facepalmed, god sometimes he really is a moron. Armstrong might have to leave but Scar could still be out there, Serah guessed that is the reason why Ross and Brosh are here, to take over Armstrong as their guard which is understandable since she is no match against the other Ishvalen.
"I'm sad as well! It was truly a fun journey! May we meet each other once again!" The Major had grabbed Ed and hugged him tight before letting go. Serah helped Ed standing as he stumbled slightly, glaring at Armstrong for a moment.
"Take care of the rest." Armstrong turned to the second Lieutenant and Sergeant who immediately saluted the Major.
"Yes sir!"
"What? I still have to have guards?"
"Of Course! According to East HQ's report, Scar has yet to be apprehended, and until the situation settles down, we have to act as your guards. While we are not as capable as the Major, we have confidence in our abilities, so please be relieved." The trio, Ross, Brosh, and Armstrong walked out of the station. Armstrong gets into one car while Brosh and Ross joined the trio, Serah nearly sat on Ed's lap to make some room for Al. Ed was blushing madly as he turned to glance out the window while Serah looked uncomfortable and slightly tense, not yet truly comfortable to being so close to the older Elric again after their conversion back in Resembool.
The second Lieutenant and the Sergeant took the opposition seat in the car, the engine started after Brosh closed the door.
"I guess we can't do anything about that." Serah poked Ed in his ribs, making him flinch a bit away from her.
"Be nice, Ed." The State Alchemist could see the worry in the slight narrowing of her brow, he knew that Serah is still worried about Scar, and what she should do if or when Scar decides to come after him again. The older Elric is concerned if she would try to stand between him and Scar again, to keep Scar away from the State Alchemist. And it terrifies him, that the female Ishvalen is so willing and prepared to give her life to keep him and Al alive. He doesn't want to lose her just as much as Al, the two of them have always been by his side. Even though Serah only have known him for about three years, she stood by his side.
"Brother, you're supposed to say, 'thank you.'"
"Bro…!? Er, this armored man is your younger brother?" Brosh asked Ed with shock and confusion in his voice.
"But why are you wearing that suit of armor?" The Elric brothers stared at each other for a moment before turning to the military officers.
"It's a hobby." The brothers told Ross and Brosh in union, The second Lieutenant and the Sergeant turned to each other immediately and started to whisper. Ed pointed over to Al's side, looking out the window.
"Ah! I can see it! I can see it!" Ed shouted, trying to get the attraction off his brother. The second Lieutenant and the Sergeant stepped out of the car first, after the car stopped in front of the library.
"Oh, this is the national central library, it boasts the greatest collection of books within the country. There are so many books to the point where it is said that even if you repeat your life a hundred times, it still wouldn't be enough to finish reading all of them." Ross gestured to behind her and Brosh, Ed let Serah step out of the car before him. He followed right after her with Al behind him, Ross and Brosh followed after the trio.
"The first branch that you were looking for lies to the west of it, many research files, past records, and name registries are stored there… however…." Serah inhaled sharply as she felt the air around Ed turn to horror and confusion when he stared ahead. They were standing in front of a burnt ruin of the library, Serah glanced at him from the corner of her eye.
"Just a few days ago, all the books inside were burned in a mysterious fire." Serah listened to the Second Lieutenant's words as she closed her eyes, letting her senses more open to the air around them. A narrowed crease appeared between her brow, the Ishvalen felt the lingering heat of the flames and something else. Serah opened her eyes, the unknown feeling from the air, she has felt it before but the Ishvalen can't figure out from where she felt it. The more, the Ishvalen focused on the feeling, the clearer it got. Her eyes widened as she heard faint whispers of agony and anger, Ed noticed her tense shoulders before she forced herself to relax.
After leaving the lady at the information section, the trio along with the second Lieutenant and Sergeant. They walked towards someone named Seska and her place, they were told by the lady that Seska might know about what they are looking for. Ed was in the lead with Serah beside him, Al right behind them, and Ross and Brosh at the end.
Brosh knocked on the door to Seska's house, Serah and the Elrics a few feet away with Ross a little to the side.
"Huh?"
"Is she not in?"
"The lights are on so I think she's here." Brosh opened the door, to a sight of piles upon piles of books.
"What the hell are these piles of books!?"
"Does someone really live here!?"The five of them stepped inside the building, Serah glanced around with a sight narrowed brow. As they moved further into the house, past stacks of books. The military officers called out for Seska; Serah glanced to the side. Stopping in her track, the Ishvalen listened to the sounds around her.
"I can't believe anyone can live in an environment like this." Al stopped right behind the Ishvalen, blinking a few times. He peeked up as he thought that he heard something. The younger Elric glanced around before found himself looking at a huge pile of books, the noise and sounds came from the pile.
"Brother! A person! A person is buried here!" Al shouted, All of them immediately started to dig through the book pile. A woman in her twenties was sitting on the ground, letting out a deep sigh in relief.
"Ooh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I wasn't paying attraction when a pile of books was tumbling down. I thought I was going to die. Thank you!" Serah reached out and took a book of Ed's head, closing the book, and laid it on another stack of books.
"Are you Seska?" The shade-wearing Ishvalen asked, the bookworm lifted her gaze ad stared at Serah and Ed with a tilt of her head. The question sunk in after a few seconds, Seska light up with a beaming smile.
"Yes!" The bookworm gestured to the stacks of books around them, with a dreamy expression.
"I love books, and I was very happy to be employed by the Branch Library. But because I loved books too much, I forgot that I was supposed to be working, and read books instead, so I got fired. I have to work because I want to put my sick mother in a better hospital, but I am clumsy at doing anything other than reading books and I can't get work anywhere. Yes, I'm a useless human being, the garbage of society." Serah frowned before stepping around Ed and kneed down in front of Seska, resting an elbow on her knee.
"Seska, enough of that. You are not useless; I am going to tell you something someone once told me. 'Doubt kills more dreams than failure will do.' stop letting your doubts and fears control you, you might fail again and again but we learn from our mistakes and fails." Seska looked at the shade-wearing Ishvalen before nodding with a smile, thankful for the kind words the silver-haired teenager spoke.
"There is something we need to ask you about, is there any chance that you know something about the research files written by Tim Marcoh?" The bookworm tilted her head in thought, before clapping her hands together with a small smile.
"Oh yes, I remember! I remember those pretty well since they were one of the rare ones that were handwritten among the printed books, and they were shoved into a shelf out of their genre."
"They really were at the branch… which means they are completely burned." Ed and Al sank to the floor in defeat, now they have to start over since Marcoh's files are destroyed. Serah reached out and rested a hand on their shoulder, Seska stared at the trio with another tilt of her head.
"We have to start from scratch again."
"Sorry for wasting your time."
"Excuse me, did you want to read the files?" Serah turned to glance over her shoulder at Seska as Ed and Al slowly dragged their feet to the door.
"Yeah, but since the Library was burned to the ground."
"I remember all of what was written though." The trio turned to the bookworm, the Elrics stared at Seska in disbelief and shock while Serah tilted her head in confusion.
"Huh!?"
"Because I remember everything written in a book after reading it once, word for word without a single mistake. This will take some time, but should I make a copy?"
"Thank you, Ms. Bookworm!" The Elrics shouted in unison, Serah shook her head before looking at Seska with a hand on her hip.
After the trio, Ross and Brosh left Seska's house. They walked towards the military hotel, Ross and Al went over to the front desk. The younger Elric got a key for him, Ed, and Serah, he turned around and gestured for his brother and Serah to follow him.
The days passed fast and on the firth day, Seska had finished writing the files. The trio and Brosh each grabbed a pile and walked to another smaller library or studying area. While not being an expert on Alchemy, Serah tried her best to help the two brothers with cracking the code of Marcoh's files. A few more days passed with the trio working their asses off, the door opened and Seska was let inside. Serah peeked up, Ed and Al turned to the bookworm.
"Excuse me."
"Hey, Seska."
"I heard that the three of you were here, and… Mr. Edward, thanks to you, I was able to put my mother into a wonderful hospital! I don't know how to thank you."
"I told you; it was fine." Serah reached out and grabbed another small stack of papers, flipping through them with narrowed brows. The shade-wearing Ishvalen pulled her notes to her and started to write something down, Seska blinked a few times as she stared at Serah.
"Ah, I wonder if I should have given you that much." Ed waved the concern off, resting his head on top of the table.
"Don't worry about it, we're fine. When you think about how much this data is worth, what we gave you was pretty cheap."
"Oh, so the cooking recipes are a code of some sort… have you cracked it." Ed shook his head while stretching his arms over his head. Man, sitting bent over a table all day is really starting to hurt his shoulders and back.
"Did you find a job?" Al asked the bookworm, Seska bent her head in shame.
"Well, it's time for me to leave. Thank you so much again."
"I told you to not worry about the money."
"It's not just the money… I'm happy that a useless human that can only read a lot could help out. Thank you."
"You aren't a useless human. I think that trying your best to do something is by itself a talent. You should be proud to have an incredible memory." Al told the bookworm; Serah listened a half an ear to the younger Elric's words while she looked through the papers and writing down some notes.
"Thank you!" Seska smiled softly at the Elrics, the door opened again. The second Lieutenant and the Sergeant saluted Lieutenant Colonel Hughes; Serah blinked before lifting her head as she felt her foster father's aura. The Ishvalen smiled at the sight of Hughes, placing the pen and files down on the table.
"Yo!"
"Hey, Maes." Serah greeted her foster father with a small wave, the Lieutenant Colonel leaned in over the table. He stared at the young Ishvalen for a moment, before moving a bit back with a smile.
"I heard from Major Armstrong, Serah, I told you and the brothers that if you were ever in town to at least stop by or give a holler." The Ishvalen gave the Lieutenant Colonel a sheepish look, she forgot about that.
"Sorry, Maes. We have been a bit busy."
"It's fine, I was busy too, and I couldn't get away from work as well." Hughes grinned at the trio, before stretching the back of his head.
"Lately, there has been a load of crimes. The military tribunal I'm in has been bustling and the deal with the case of Tucker's chimera hasn't been finished yet." The trio turned their gaze to the table, each of them remembering that night when they found Nina and Tucker.
"Ah, sorry. I brought back some unpleasant memories."
"Did you come here just to visit us even when you're so busy?"
"Nah, I needed a break. Don't worry about it. I'll go back to work soon." Hughes grinned at the trio.
"Damn, the first Branch had to get burned at a time when it's usually busy." The Lieutenant Colonel huffed.
"The first Branch?" Ed had to ask, resting his chin in his palm.
"Yeah, the tribunal is close by, so I would store records of old cases and registries of names in that book collection. This is preventing me from getting any work done." A second later, the trio turned to stare at Seska.
"Eh!? Well, I did read and remember military detective records too, but." Serah explained that Seska could remember what she read, word for word in a book.
"What about it, Maes. Seska is looking for work and you could probably use her." Serah grinned, resting her head in her palm.
"If she can remember that, then it will very useful and helpful for us." Hughes pushed his chair back and grabbed the fabric of Seska's shirt, waving and laughing as he dragged the bookworm with him. The Lieutenant Colonel stopped at the doorway, glancing over his shoulder and at the Ishvalen.
"Oh, Serah. You have to stop by soon, Garcia and Elicia would love to see you again."
"Sure, I will."
A few more days passed, with the trio working on cracking the code. Serah was reaching out for another stack of files when Ed violently pushed his chair back as he stood, slamming his hands hard on the table. The action frighted Al and Serah as they turned to the older Elric, both of them concerned about Ed.
"It can't be…" He mumbled under his breath, his eyes wide and filled with fear and anger. Al took the notes from in front of his brother, reading through them.
"Ed, Al. What is it." Serah stared between the two brothers, Al froze in disbelief and horror.
"Talk to me, what is it?"
"… The main ingredient for a Philosopher's stone… is human souls." Serah's eyes widened; seconds passed in silence.
"No fucking way!" Ed shouted, Ross and Brosh immediately rushed into the room. They stared at the sight of Ed bending over the table, papers fall to the ground while Al placed a hand over his eyes. Serah grew angrier by the seconds, she twisted around. Her fingers found her chair, she threw it at the nearby wall, breaking it. The second Lieutenant and the Sergeant stared at the Ishvalen in shock and a bit of fear, as she inhaled sharply. All the silver-haired Ishvalen could hear were the screams of her people, slowly the pieces gathered together in her mind, while some of what she has researched started to make sense. But it just left her with even more questions, there are still so much she don't know. In a fit of anger and frustration, she pushed the rest of the files and notes off the table and to the ground, Ed flinched. The small change in his aura caused the Ishvalen to turn to him. Serah stared at the Alchemist for a long moment before turning her head, Ed took a step towards her as she muttered something under her breath. The Alchemist's eyes widened as he reached for her, not wanting her to do something reckless.
"I'm sorry."
With the study room being on the ground floor and needing to get away for a moment. Serah ran at the large window and jumped through it, breaking the glass. She crossed her arms, shielding her eyes from the glass. The Ishvalen landed in a crouch before she pushed herself to her feet and started to run, quickly disappearing from view. Broken glass and small drops of blood laid on the concrete ground. Ross went over to the window, trying to see if she could see Serah. Ed clenched his fists in anger and hurt over the truth about the Philosopher's stone, and from Serah's expression, she felt the same, how could she not, being a Ishvalen and it was her people was used for creating a stone. He could see the way her eyes were filled with hurt, anger, and sorrow, right before she jumped out the window, it breaks his heart.
"Don't bother trying to find her when she gets like this. No one can find Serah; all we can do is to wait for her to come back."
"What the hell happened!?"
"Were you fighting? If so, please calm down-"
"No, it's not that." Al quickly cut Brosh of, Ross turned to the Elric brothers with a frown.
"Then are you angry that you haven't broken the code?"
"We did break it."
"Oh really!? Isn't that good news!?"
"Is there anything good about this!? Shit!" Ed crumbled to the ground, slamming his fist into the ground.
"'The Devil's research' is what he called it. You're despicable, Dr. Marcoh."
"Just what did you find out…" Brosh asked even though it was clear that he really doesn't want to know. For them to act like this… it has to be something evil or terrifying.
"The main ingredient needed for a philosopher's stone is living humans!"
Ed was sitting on the bed, he and Serah shared as he and Al waited for the Ishvalen to return. The older Elric stared out the window at the night sky, resting an elbow on his bent knee. A small tap could be heard from the window, Ed reached over and opened it. Seconds later, tanned, and dried bloody arms wrapped around his neck. He sighed as he breathed in her scent, tangled his fingers in her hair. Al turned around to give them some privacy, Ed pulled out the first aid kit from Serah's bag. Cleaning the scraps on her arms for dried blood and small glass shards, slowly while making sure that he got all of the shards. Before the older Elric gently wrapped her arms in cloth bandages, after he put the rest of the kit away. Ed rested his palm on her cheek, she wore a neutral expression as she stared at him. The alchemist pulled her shades off and laid them on the small table next to the bed.
"Serah-"
"I don't want to talk about it." Serah backtracked, seeing the hurt in Ed's eyes. She wrapped her arms around her stomach, while Ed pulled Serah close. The Ishvalen while she was out; had decided that her own plans would have to wait, just for a little while longer. This, learning the truth of the Philosopher's stone and possible the reason behind the war between her people and the military of Amestris is more important to get to the bottom of it. And for the time being, she came to the understanding that she and the Elric brothers need to stick together, that they are in need of the closeness, honesty and safety they have together, the three of them.
"At least not now, Ed." The Ishvalen felt Ed nodded, silence filled the room, Serah's eyes fluttered close as she fell asleep with Ed holding her.
The next day in the morning, Serah was leaning against the front of the couch while sitting on the floor. Her legs pulled to her chest and her arms wrapped around her knees, Ed had taken over the couch in the room. His hands folded over each other on his stomach, while Al was sitting on the ground to the back of the couch. The younger Elric was staring on the ground, Ed reached out and rested his hand on the Ishvalen's shoulder. The older Elric needed to know that Serah is still there with him, he sought the comfort he gets from her. The Ishvalen reached up and laid her opposite hand over his, with a sigh.
"Brother, Serah. Go eat breakfast."
"I do not want to eat anything."
"I'm not hungry."
"I'm tired of this."
"Yeah." Al softly agreed with his brother, Ed lifted his automail, staring up at the metal hand.
"It's like just when I start thinking it's within my reach, it runs away from me. It keeps going on like that." The State Alchemist tightened his hand into a fist, Serah turned her head and stared at Ed over her shoulder.
"And this time when I feel like I finally got a hold on it. I'm knocked down by what I caught. Looks like god hates those who broke his rules." The older Elric chuckled under his breath as he rested his arm over his eyes.
"Are we going to live the rest of our lives like this?"
"Hey Al… there's something I always wanted to tell you but… it was something I was too scared to say." Serah turned around, sitting on her knees before she lightly grabbed Ed's hand.
"Al… Ed, there is something you should know-" Loud footsteps marched towards their room, Serah groaned under her breath. The Ishvalen felt the Major's aura along with the second Lieutenant and the Sergeant.
"Wa… please wait!"
"They are still resting!" The Elric brothers turned to the door, only a second before Armstrong started to knock loudly on the door.
"Elric brothers! Young Serah! Are you inside!? It's I! Can you open the door!?" The Major shouted Serah got to her feet.
"What should we do?"
"Ignore him, ignore him. The door's locked and he'll think we're not in!"
"Just open the door before he breaks it down." Serah knew for a fact if the Major thought that they are in the room, he would break-in. A second later, Armstrong stood in the room, holding the doorknob in his hand. Serah groaned as she facepalmed, she freaking knew it.
"I have come, Edward Elric!" Brosh was crying, standing at the broken door.
"What a tragedy! To think that the Philosopher's stone would hide that horrible secret! It is a grave situation if this hell-like research was committed by an organization under the military! I can't do nothing and allow this to pass!" Ed turned to Ross and Brosh with a furious glare, The Sergeant blinked as he stared at Ed's metal arm.
"Huh? Oh, your right arm is automail?"
"Oh, er… during the east area civil there was a little…" Ross gasped as she finally noticed the scarlet red eyes, Serah had as the Ishvalen wasn't wearing her shades.
"You're an Ishvalen?" The silver-haired girl nodded once, Ross could see that the girl was uncomfortable with her stare, so the second Lieutenant turned to her partner instead.
"Yes, yes, and we needed the Philosopher's stone to restore his body."
"Oh, I see… it's to be it had to turn out this way." Brosh stared at the trio, Armstrong was still crying as he rested his chin in his palm.
"Sometimes the truth can be cruel." Ed let the words sink in before he remembered something, Serah noticed the change in his expression.
"The truth…" Al turned to his brother and Serah, with a questioned tilt of his head.
"What's wrong, brother?"
"Serah, Al. Do you remember what Dr. Marcoh said?"
"Eh?"
"The truth is hidden in the truth." Serah softly answered Ed's question, resting her hand on his shoulder.
"What are you thinking, Ed."
"There is still something else…" Ed narrowed his brow in thought, Armstrong along with his soldiers stared at the older Elric and the silver-haired girl.
Armstrong laid a large map over the city down on the table, Ed looked at drawings of the city with Serah right beside him.
"There are currently four locations within Central that are Alchemic research institutes that work for the military. Among these four is the one Dr. Marcoh worked for, the third research institute. This one is the most suspicious."
"Yeah, I passed through all of them after I got my State License. This one didn't look like they were doing research that was all that important, though…"
"I remember Maes once told me that once there was a firth laboratory here in Central." Serah reached out and pointed her finger at the drawing of the said laboratory.
"That's true but it is an unused building now during to danger of collapsing and entrance is prohibited." Ed stared at the spot of the laboratory on the map, he turned to Serah. The Ishvalen nodded, Ed took her hand.
"It's this one, Serah."
"How did you come to that conclusion?" The Sergeant asked, Serah sighed heavily before she started to explain their theories.
"Because right next to the laboratory, is a prison. Remember that the main ingredient for a Philosopher's stone is human lives, having a prison right next to the laboratory means that they have the human lives they need to make a stone. And besides, the executed inmates on death row don't get returned to their families and were instead while still being alive was used for experiments for the Philosopher's stone." Serah stared at the map as she explained her thought, Ross looked sick as the second Lieutenant stared at the Ishvalen and the older Elric.
"Don't you think that it is suspicious that the closest facility to the prison is the research laboratory?"
"The inmates are the main ingredient…"
"Don't give me that look, just thinking about it myself makes me sick."
"Considering that this is a prison, I wonder if this means the government also has a little involvement with this."
"That's the thing, we don't have a clue whether those involved in this, are on warden level or government level." Serah held out her arms with a half-hard expression, Ed was standing next to her. After the Ishvalen had returned after she ran off, the two of them stayed right beside each other. Both needing the grounding and comfort, they give each other. They are struggling with what they learned from cracking Marcoh's files, Ed never wants to use a Philosopher's stone to get his and Al's bodies back after learning the truth. He doesn't want to use an innocent life for his goal, it isn't right. Serah wondered about the Ishvalen civil and how many of the Ametrias Military were in on it, if those she has come to care for, if they knew about this. Serah pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind, hating herself for thinking something like that.
"Somehow I feel like we poked our necks in too far into something too big."
"That's why we told you to act like you didn't hear anything." Al huffed at the second Lieutenant and Sergeant; Armstrong folded his arms over his chest.
"However, that is ultimately speculation at present. The State may have no connection to this, the research organization might have acted independently." Serah turned her gaze to the large Major.
"You could be right, Major but there is still a chance that the military is involved.-" The Ishvalen silenced the military officers, holding her hand up as she closed her eyes.
"I'm not saying that you are a part of this, but we have to be careful with this information. What we have talked about, I don't think that a word should leave this room."
"Indeed, Serah. You're right, we speak to no one about this after we leave this room, understood." Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Who's in charge of this research organization?" Al turned the conversation back to the topic of the matter at hand.
"That would be the 'Iron-blooded Alchemist' Brigadier General Basque Gran."
"Then, we'll try talking to this brigadier general Gran and-"
"You cannot." The Major cut the older Elric of with a stern glare, Serah felt the air around them change.
"He was murdered by Scar the other day."
"Many State Alchemists affiliated with the higher rankings of the Military were killed by Scar. Among those that were killed, there might have been someone that knew about the truth." The Major started to roll the map together.
"Should there actually be anyone of high rank in the Military other than Brigadier General Gran that is involved in this research, then it is inevitable that this will become complicated. I will probe into this matter later and inform you later." Armstrong placed the folded map under his arm, turning to the trio.
"Until then, the second Lieutenant and the Sergeant are to keep quiet on this matter! And you three are to stay put!" The Major told the trio with a demanding voice and a stern gaze, the trio immediately protested the order.
"You were thinking of sneaking inside and investigating, were you not!? You will not! Even though there may be a way to restore your bodies at that place. A child should not do such dangerous things!"
"Major, we understand. We will wait for your report." Armstrong nodded once at the trio before turning around, the Major walked out the door.
The trio had managed to sneak out the window in their hotel room, Serah landed in a crouch. Leaning against the wall, Ed and Al joined her on the ground. The Ishvalen being used to sneak around, walking in front, keeping close to the shadows before they came to the streets a few blocks away from the hotel.
They stared up at the concrete wall surrounding the laboratory, barbered wire on top of the wall. When they were looking at the front entrance into the building, there was a guard, so the trio couldn't enter that way through it was a bit weird and suspicious for an unused building to have a guard at the entrance.
Al interlocked his hands, helping his brother jump up to the top of the wall. The older Elric cleared away for Al and Serah, the Ishvalen and the younger Elric turned to each other. Al gave the silver-haired girl a nod, Serah held tight onto his shoulders as he started to climb up the wall with the help of the wire. The wall didn't have anything for Serah, to do the climb herself. Ed jumped down on the other side, landing in a crouch. Once Al reached the top, Serah pushed herself off his shoulders. Balancing on the narrow wall, for a moment before she let herself fall forward. Twisting in the air before landing in a crouch, Ed held out a hand. Helping her get to her feet, while Al joined the couple on the ground.
"Argh, the entrance is also sealed shut here." Ed groaned at the sight before looking up, seeing a small air vent. The older Elric stood on Al's shoulders, pulling the cover off before peeking inside the vent.
"Looks like this continues all the way to the end. Al, wait here."
"Huh? Are you sure, brother?"
"It's not so much as being sure about this but your body won't be able to fit through the vent." Ed started to crawl inside the vent, Serah pushed herself up onto Al's shoulders. It looked like it would be a tight fit, but she would be able to get inside as well.
"Serah, be careful." The Ishvalen heard Al tell her from behind, as she crawled into the vent.
"Do not worry, Al." Her voice was muffled but he heard her.
Ed kicked a cover out before jumping down, Serah joined him a moment later. The two of them glanced around, noticing the faint lights near the floor. The Alchemist and the Ishvalen walked for a while, keeping their guard up. Once they walked inside a huge open space, Serah immediately pressed her hand to her mouth. The Ishvalen felt sick to her stomach, the air around her almost caused her to throw up. Lingering scents of blood and death sought into her very core and bones, muffled screams of horror and agony rung in her ears. Ed's eyes were widened as he stared at the transmutation circle, dried spots of blood decorated the ground around the drawn circle.
"What is this… is this what used to transmute the Philosopher's stone?"
"Correct." Ed and Serah turned to the voice; an armored person walked towards them.
"I don't know where a kid like you two came from, but you seem like you want to learn more about the stone. I am one of those that were left with the task of guarding this place. For now, call me number Fortieth-eight. I am ordered to remove all outsiders that enter, don't think badly of me, kids."
"Same here." Ed moved into a fighting stance, Serah shook the feeling off, she got from the air as she positioned herself in a low fighting stance. Ed clapped his hands together, transmuting his favorite weapon on his automail and a sword for Serah. Fortieth eight suddenly was in front of the Alchemist, in a half-crouch before the guard swung his sword.
Metal clashed with metal; Serah held her sword with both hands as she glared at the guard. Fortieth eight pushed his weight onto Serah's blade, the Ishvalen managed to leap the side, a second before the guard's blade slammed down on the ground. Ed ran at Fortieth eight, blocking the blade. A loud sound filled the air as the two blades met, the Alchemist and Fortieth eight jumped away from each other. Serah launched at the guard from behind, Fortieth eight landed a kick on her ribs. The Ishvalen landed in a crouch, with a growl passing her lips as she pressed an arm to her torso. Serah was panting from the sight pain, Ed managed to kick Fortieth eight in the stomach. The older Elric's eyes widened in shock as he stared at the guard, Serah had already felt it. Fortieth eight's aura is almost the same as Al's, the armor is hollow inside. The Ishvalen caught her breath as Ed and Fortieth eight talked for a few minutes. The guard showed the Alchemist his blood seal, lifting his hamlet. The older Elric and Fortieth eight started their fight again, Serah watched intensely for a moment before she noticed a change in Ed's body language. Something is wrong… the Alchemist kept leaping out of the way. The Ishvalen felt the familiar need to help Ed but she needed to wait a little while longer, Ed was trying to buy her some time to catch her breath. The Ishvalen got a thought… it could work but… her gaze turned to the blond Alchemist. She got a determined and hard look in her eyes… Serah took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
"You are just like a monkey."
"What did you say?!"
"I'm happy to have a worthy and energetic prey. With your wounds and fatigue, I can see where this fight will lead. Your friend outside is probably being taken care of by my companion around now. He can't come and save you. And your lady friend over there is hurt as well, she won't be able to help you."
"So, is that companion of yours strong?"
"He is strong, though weaker than me."
"Then I don't have to be worried, since way back, I've never once won. Whenever I get in a fight with him." Ed pushed himself to his feet, grinning sightly at Fortieth eight.
"Even if your friend defeats my companion and heads towards here, this building was built like a maze. Even if he does arrive here, he would waste a great deal of time."
"And your point is?" Ed's gaze turned a bit to the right, staring past Fortieth eight as a small smirk appeared on his lips.
"Now, do it!" The guard turned immediately around, just barely managing to block Serah's sword. Fortieth eight noticed the change in her eyes, they were hard, cold, and filled with fury. The Ishvalen took all the frustration, fury, pain, sorrow, and despair she has felt ever since Nina and Alexander was murdered, after learning the truth of the Philosopher's stone. And used it to Fortieth eight, she let it fuel her attacks.
The Alchemist launched at the guard as the Ishvalen leaped to the side, Fortieth eight watched as the Alchemist and the Ishvalen alternating their attacks. It was like they are used to fight beside each other; the guard noticed an opening and swung his sword at the Ishvalen, running his blade through her ribs. Serah's eyes had turned to Ed for a second, hesitating for a split second which gave Fortieth eight the opening. Ed screamed her name, as Fortieth eight pulled his sword to him. Serah collapsed on the ground, on her side. She pressed her hands to the wound as she coughed, her breathing was shallowed and short. Ed stared at the fallen Ishvalen with his eyes widened and shocked as they locked on the scarlet blood-seeking out of the wound, Serah tilted her head. Staring up at the Alchemist, mumbling his name under her breath. She coughed again, while a small line of blood trailed down from her lip.
A woman kneed down next to the unconscious Ishvalen, pulling out a crimson red stone. A boy had pulled the unconscious blonde Alchemist over his shoulder before he glanced back at the kneeling woman.
"Eh, what are you doing?" The woman smirked at the question, as the stone glowed and energy moved around the Ishvalen. The stab wound healed, the woman glanced at where the wound was, nodding to herself.
"Well, we can't let someone this important to our sacrifices die. Father's orders."
"Oh man, really. But she is an Ishvalen." The boy whined at the black-haired woman; the woman pulled the Ishvalen's arm. A small, pained groan left the silver-haired girl's lips as she was pulled up on the woman's back.
"I know, but with all this trouble we went through because of her. It's not the time for her to die."
Not a lot have been changed in this chapter from the previous one, but I feel like that it fits better with who Serah is as a person and her currant relationships with the Elric brothers.
I don't have a lot to say about this chapter other than please enjoy, till next time.
Take care and stay safe :)