After getting off the train when it stopped in Dublith, Serah called out to the brothers. Ed and Al stopped and turned towards the Ishvalen; both shared a questioned look. A moment passed before she lifted her chin so she could look at them.
"I need to go back to Central." Serah spoke as she clenched her fist around the strap of her bag, Ed frowned, confused, and worried.
"Why?"
"That, I cannot fully explain. I just feel like that I should be on the way to Central." The Ishvalen glanced to the rail tracks, the brothers looked at each other before turning back to her.
"Then we will go to Central-"
"No, you are already in Dublith. Go see your teacher, and I will go back to Central alone." Ed immediately shook his head while Al stared at the Ishvalen, the younger Elric was concerned about Serah. The Ishvalen sighed, giving half a smile to the brothers.
"You two had decided to get stronger with the help of your teacher, please stick to it. And we will meet up in Central after you are done in Dublith." Ed narrowed his eyes at her, trying to figure out what she is thinking.
"Are you sure about this?" Al asked, the Ishvalen nodded.
"I am, the two of you have something to do here and I have something in Central that I need to do."
"Alright, then we will see you when we return to Central." Ed turned to his brother, with a frustrated expression.
"Al!"
"Al, give us a moment, I will send Ed your way when we are done." The younger Elric nodded, before he turned to walk to the exit of the train station. Ed's shoulders were tense as he stared at the Ishvalen, Serah sighed heavily, reaching out and taking his hand.
"We will see each other again,-"
"I know but when did you decide this?"
"Just now, I thought that I would be able to wait so we could go together but I cannot stop thinking about Gracia, Maes and Elicia. I am worried about them; I need to be certain that they are alright."
"I get that, Serah. But I don't like this, that we are spitting up." Serah leaned her forehead against his, smiling gently at the Alchemist.
"Either do I, but it is needed for now."
"Just be careful, and you better call when you get to Central." The Ishvalen nodded with a thankful smile, pressing her palm to his cheek.
"I will, you have to be careful as well, I do not want to find out that you got hurt."
"This train is now boarding for Central City; the train will leave in ten minutes." The conductor called out; Serah stepped back, still holding Ed's hand.
"I better go and get a ticket for Central." Al returned to his brother and friend, holding out a ticket.
"Here, Serah."
"Thank you, Al."
The brothers watched as the train left the station, soon it disappeared from their view.
"Do you think that she will be alright?"
"Yeah, somehow, after all its Serah."
The train pulled into Central Station, Serah grabbed her bag and got off the train. She walked through the streets, passing the cemetery almost before she stopped. She felt uneasy the longer she stared at the cemetery, it felt like she should enter. The Ishvalen took a breath, letting her feet guide her into the Cemetery. Serah noticed a gathering, the crowd wearing black clothing and military members wearing their formal uniforms. She started to frown, seeing Armstrong first than Roy, Riza, other members of the military that she recognized. Fear and terror started to settle in her bones, she moved closer. Armstrong noticed her, he took a step back as to let her pass. Riza grabbed Roy's arm, forcing him to step back for the Ishvalen. The others around them followed suit, letting the oldest daughter of Gracia and Maes Hughes, walked through the crowd. The Ishvalen's eyes immediately found the casket with the military flag laying on top, she froze before glancing up. Her gaze fell on her mother and sister, Gracia pressed a hand to her mouth as Elicia noticed the Ishvalen and immediately went over to her. The little girl grabbed hold on Serah's dark brown tunic, causing the Ishvalen to look down at her sister.
"Sissy, why do they have to bury Daddy?" Serah inhaled sharply, able to sense the despair and deep sorrow from her mother along with the sorrow from those around them. She didn't know what to say, for the first time after meeting the Hughes'. The Ishvalen felt utterly helpless, all she could do, was hold her little sister.
"Why are you guys burying my daddy?" Gracia stepped over to her daughters, Serah kneed down and brought Elicia into her arms. The Ishvalen held her sister close as Elicia continued to speak, Gracia felt tears gathering in the corners of her eyes while the widow stared at her daughters.
"No, no, if they do that, Daddy won't be able to go to work anymore." Tears rolled from Gracia's eyes, Serah tried her hardest to hold herself together, she couldn't afford to break, not now, not here in front of strangers. But it was difficult with the high emotions around her, the mental weight of it along with her own sorrow and grief was crushing her. Breaking down the walls that she had built over the years to protect herself. She thought that she was done losing those she cared about, it hurts more than she thought it would. To lose the man, she considers a father, is breaking her. And what hurts even more is that she can't allow herself to break down, to let herself cry over this loss, not until she is inside the privacy and safety of her room in the Hughes' household.
"Daddy said he had lots of work to do! No don't bury him! Daddy!"
Serah knelt in front of the gravestone, staring at the name. She let out a shakily breath, pressing lightly a hand to the stone.
"I never got to tell you how much I appreciate everything that you have done for me, Father. If there is one thing that I regret more than everything, it is that I will never be able to tell you that I do love you and the family you gave me, by just taking me under your wing, raising me as I was your own. Thank you, Father." The Ishvalen let out another shaken breath before standing, sensing Roy and Riza standing behind her. Serah turned around and walked towards the Colonel and Lieutenant, the Ishvalen stopped beside the flame alchemist.
"With whatever you are planning, Colonel. I want in, I want the person that have taken my Father from us, hold accountable."
"Phoenix, are you prepare to do what is necessary?" Roy saw the pained, sorrowful and angered gaze the Ishvalen wore over the edge of her shades, her lips formed a thin line before she spoke.
"I would not have offered my help if I was not, Colonel."
"I will see you tomorrow, Colonel, Lieutenant." With the parting words, the Ishvalen walked towards the exit of the cemetery.
"Do you think that it's a good idea to bring Serah into this?"
"It doesn't matter what I think, I won't be able to stop her. Either I work with her or she will do it on her own."
Serah opened the door to the Hughes' household, stepping inside as she pulled the shades off. Gracia lifted her head; she was sitting on the couch; holding Elicia who had fallen asleep. The Ishvalen closed the door behind her, letting out a sigh. Gracia lifted a hand, holding it towards her oldest daughter. Serah took a seat next to her mother, letting Gracia pull her close. The widow wrapped an arm around the Ishvalen's shoulder, holding her daughters close. Tears gathered in the corners of the silver-haired teenager's eyes, tears that she refused to let fall. The small family felt the hole that Maes' death had caused, Gracia felt at a loss, since learning of her husband's death. It has been difficult to get out of bed every morning, Elicia, until now, had been the only reason for her to get up every morning. Now that Serah is back, she is also a part of that reason. Serah glanced at her mother, sensing the defeat and loss, and hurt from her. The Ishvalen reached out and placed a hand on her mother's, it caused the widow to look at her daughter. The mother is even more terrified of the thought of losing her oldest daughter, it is difficult to understand just what Serah is doing, it doesn't help that she won't say everything about it.
"Mother." Gracia shallowed, tightening her fingers slightly on Serah's shoulder. it caused the Ishvalen to glace at the pale fingers resting against her tanned skin with a slight frown.
"Serah.-" The widow closed her eyes, not really knowing how to ask this of her daughter. And yet knowing that Serah would not like it, that she would say no.
"If I asked you, would you stop travelling with the Elrics?" Serah's eyes widened in shock and disbelief, she pulled away from Gracia.
"I- we can't afford to lose you too." The widow turned to her oldest daughter with tears in the corners of her eyes, forest green colored eyes stared into crimson red colored eyes. Serah tightened her fists; silence filled the room for a long moment.
"Mother, there are much that I would do for you and my sister but this is not one of them, please I beg you, to not tell me to stop travelling with Ed and Al." The Ishvalen stood up and walked over to the window, staring out at the darkened night sky. Her arms crossed over her chest, Gracia stared at her with sorrow and understanding.
"I know that being with these brothers have made you happy, Serah. Just try to be careful, I don't want to see you hurt or worse, dead."
"I know, Mother. Unfortunately, I cannot promise that we will always be safe, but I can promise you that I will do my best to stay alive." Gracia sighed, knowing that this promise is the best that she can get from Serah, the Ishvalen would never promise anything that could be broken one way or another. Her daughter is very serious about the promises that she makes, and she would anything to keep a promise.
"Curtis' household, you are talking with Izumi" Serah held the telephone to her ear, Elicia and Gracia were sitting on the couch. The mother was reading a children's book to her youngest daughter, Elicia pointed at the page.
"Hello, miss Izumi, my name is Serah and I was wondering if Edward and Alphonse Elric are staying with you? I am a friend of theirs."
"Yes, they are,- stop trying to hog the phone! You dimwhip!" Serah glanced over to her family, with sadden eyes. The Ishvalen could voices in the background from the other side of the phone, Ed shouting with Al trying to calm him down while Izumi shouted at the older Elric. A couple of minutes later, Serah heard Izumi telling Ed to take the telephone with Al apologizing in the back to Izumi.
"Serah!"
"There is no need for you to shout, I can hear you clearly." She spoke softly, with a glance on her remaining family.
"… Are you alright, Serah. You sound a bit off."
"I am fine, I am just a bit tired after all it have been a long day."
"If you are sure, are you staying with the Hughes'?"
"I am." The Ishvalen could hear the concern in Ed's voice, it made her happy to hear his voice. No matter how much she wants the brothers here with her, she cannot let them stray from what they are researching at the moment. She feels like that this, her being apart from the brothers, was supposed to happen. But she can't understand why, since she never wanted to learn of her father's death without them by her side. It hurts more than she is willing to admit, not even to herself, to not be able to take in the comfort, they can give her.
"Alright, just say the word and we will be on our way."
"I could never, you and Al are in Dublith to be trained by your teacher." The Ishvalen turned her head after Elicia called for her, she could hear Ed sigh through the telephone.
"I know that you wouldn't, but still."
"Sissy, come, read a story to me." Gracia shushed her youngest daughter, telling her that Serah is talking on the phone for the moment.
"A moment, Ed.-"
"I will be right there, Elicia." Serah smiled slightly at her little sister; Gracia looked at the Ishvalen. The silver haired teenager could feel the happiness and gratitude from her mother.
"I am sorry but I have to read Elicia a bedtime story, please stay in Dublith for as long as you and Al have to."
"It's fine, Serah. I- we will, we will finish things here and then we'll be on our way to Central."
"I know, you will. I will see you two soon, and please do not cause any trouble for miss Izumi."
"I'll try my best, goodnight, Serah." Ed grumbled, sounding a bit annoyed.
"Good, goodnight, Ed. And please tell Al goodnight from me."
"I will, Serah. See you soon." The Ishvalen hung up the telephone, letting her hand rest on the phone for a moment before she turned to her family.
"Which kind of story do you want me to read, Elicia?"
The next morning, Serah was sitting in the large window seat in the living room. The Ishvalen were glancing out the window, holding her journal in her lap and a pen in her hand. The sun had barely raised over the tall rooftops when Gracia stepped out from her bedroom. The mother stopped in her tracks when she noticed her oldest daughter, already up and probably have been for some time by this point.
"You are up early, Serah." The mother walked closer to her oldest daughter, the Ishvalen turned to her.
"I could not find rest, too many thoughts in my mind."
"Serah,-" Gracia sighed lightly, learning against the wall, facing her daughter. Serah stared at her mother, able to sense the worry and concern from Gracia.
"I know, mother." Serah moved so she was leaning against the edge of the window seat, placing her journal beside her on the seat. Gracia stared at the Ishvalen for a long moment as silence filled the room, the mother felt a worry and a concern for her oldest daughter.
"Just come home at the end of the day and please be careful." Serah stared at her mother for a long moment before nodding, giving a slight smile.
Serah opened the front door of the apartment building and noticed Lieutenant Ross standing to the side, by the fence. The Ishvalen shifted her weight, as Ross saw her. The female officer stepped over to her, wearing a grim and sad expression. The silver-haired teenager felt the sadness and worry coming from Ross, Serah glanced to the side, inhaling deeply, her finger tightened slightly around the strap of her traveling bag.
"Good morning, Captain Hughes" The Ishvalen's eyes widened as she turned back to Ross, the dark-haired woman shifted at the expression, the teenager gave her. Serah closed her eyes, hating that she got promoted without her knowing. Ross started apologizing to the Ishvalen, Serah waved it off.
"Good morning, Lieutenant Ross. Why are you here?"
"I've been assigned to you, as your guard during your stay here in Central."
"I see, than you better keep up, there are quite the stops I am going to make." Ross nodded right as Serah started walking, the female officer stayed a few steps behind the Ishvalen. It made the teenager slightly weary and anxious; she isn't comfortable with people that she don't know walking behind her. Somehow being on her own without the brothers is worse, she feels valuable in a completely different way than she is used to. The Ishvalen don't like that feeling, forced to be valuable and completely on her own, without support. Serah stopped in her step, tilting her head back as she clenched her eyes closed. She feels like she is drowning in sorrow, grief, and pain, like she can't breathe. And completely alone, Ross stopped walking and stared at the teenager in concern and worry. Serah opened her eyes, she just stood there, looking up at the sky. To lose someone is always difficult, and she never truly know just how much she loved Maes for being in her life, taking her in, raising her as his own, simply for being her father. Serah never understood how much she cherished him until he was gone, until she would never talk to him again. She never thought that the last time, she saw Maes; that it would be the last. She dared to allow herself to hope and believe, that she would have years with Maes being in her life as her father. There will always be an empty space in their lives and hearts where Maes should be, and now she and her family must learn how to live without him in their lives. She honestly doesn't know how they can, Maes will always be missed. The Ishvalen felt like crying and screaming at the same time, and yet numb.
Hello, I know that it has been awhile since I had updated. But here is the next chapter, I hope that you all will enjoy this one. I know Maes in the manga and anime, dies the night that Ed and Al leaves Central with Winry. But for this story, I have changed it slightly; so it fit with Serah's return to Central about five days later, after they left.
Serah will have a hard time, with losing Maes and everything that have happened in her life lately. Her life has been turned upside down completely, and those around her, will be/is worried and concerned about her.
There is going to be a lot going on in the next few chapters, I have decided to focus on Serah and her time in Central without having Ed and Al by her side for the first time since they met. Truly for the first time in three years, she and the brothers are apart for more than a few hours.
Take care and stay safe, till next time.