Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Eye of the Beholder ❯ Chapter Twelve ( Chapter 12 )

Eye of the Beholder

 

LadyMad

 

Twelve

 

She laid curled up in his arms the water getting colder by the minute. She sighed letting her eyes flutter open for a moment before closing again. Her inner thighs pounded and ached but she didn't care. His lips touched her forehead as his hands swept back her hair. He still lay beneath her, nestled inside her. The water had long ago calmed but much of it was now on the floor around the tub. The cool air touched and caressed their warm skin. Some of the feathers from Xandyr's wings were in the bathtub with them. Edward suddenly sneezed. Xandyr looked up at him.

 

“Your hair was tickling my nose.” He said softly. Xandyr reached up, but not far, and gently kissed his lips. He kissed back, his hands now resting on her waist. He now understood everything. Alphonse had been his living angel and after he died, Xandyr was given to him. If Alphonse had lived, Edward would never have met Xandyr. “Did you…wait; did my brother see you before he died?” Xandyr's eyes met his.

 

“Why?” She responded.

 

“Because. I just…”

 

“Yes. He saw me right before Death took him. He seemed to know what was going to happen and who I was because right before he went, he told me to take care of you.” Edward sighed and looked around the room.

 

“Suppose we should get out of here at some point, huh?” Xandyr smiled.

 

“Yeah.” She stood up first, stretched and let her wings fall to her side. Edward then stood up, smiling when Xandyr wrapped her wings around the both of them.

 

“I love you.” He whispered gently. Xandyr mouthed the words before letting her wings fall again and then stepped from the tub. Edward followed her. He grabbed one towel, dried himself off quickly and then slowly dried Xandyr, starting with her arms. She smiled as he rubbed the towel from her hand to her shoulder and then dried the other one. He then dried her stomach, slowly, then her legs one by one. He lastly ran the towel through her hair and gently over her forehead and cheeks. “So, how were we drying your wings?” Xandyr smiled.

 

“Like this.” She lifted them into the air and beat them quickly. Water flew all over the room getting Edward wet all over again. He sighed with a light smile. Xandyr pulled a towel from the rack and wrapped herself into it while Ed dried himself off for a second time and wrapped the towel around his waist. Xandyr opened the door and walked into the bedroom. Sitting on the bed was a dark figure, black wings folded gently behind him. His dark eyes were closed, his black hair falling down his handsome face. He was utterly drenched in black. When she came into the room, he looked up. Edward walked in after Xandyr but stopped at sight of their visitor.

 

“Zaine? Wha…” He rose to his feet and walked to her, taking her small hands in his.

 

“Xandyr, you must leave.” Her eyebrows came together. “He's coming for you and he's not happy.”

 

“Who?”

 

“Don't play like you don't know. Venkia. I hope he's planning on giving you mercy but I don't think that's possible. I know of several mortals who, when asked, have given him nearly the same story but there's just enough difference in each of them to set him ablaze. You must come with me. Now.”

 

“Wait a minute.” Edward butted in stepping up to Xandyr's side. “Who the hell are you and what the fuck is going on?”

 

“Edward, this is Zaine.” Xandyr looked up at Edward. “He's Death.” Edward quickly looked back at the man.

 

“The head Angel Lord, Venkia, knows she's doing more than staying in the shadows behind you but he can't find the proof for the council. He's searching for Xandyr and if he finds her…he could kill her.” Edward's eyes darkened. “Yes, I feel the same way.” Edward ran to the dresser and pulled an outfit out. He quickly began dressing not caring that Zaine was there. Zaine looked directly into Xandyr's eyes. Edward walked over to them, pulling on a black shirt over a black tank top. He zipped the shirt and sat down long enough to pull on his boots.

 

“I'm not going.” Edward stopped and looked up. Zaine looked deeper into her eyes. “I won't run from him.”

 

“Then you condemn yourself to an eternity in Hell.” Zaine said. “Hell is not kind to Angels, Xandyr. Think of Edward.” Xandyr looked from Zaine's dark eyes to Edward's golden orbs. He finished pulling on his boot and stood.

 

“Xandyr, I won't let you condemn yourself.” Edward said, resting his hand on her arm.

 

“That's not exactly your choice to make.” Xandyr turned to face him and kissed his lips. “I love you but this is my battle. Venkia has never respected me. This might be my only chance to get that respect from him.”

 

“You don't know how vial this man is, Xandyr. He's killed angels in cold blood before and then at the funeral he shows a great amount of respect for them. He won't ever respect you until he lays you in your grave.”

 

“You don't have anything to prove to him, Xandyr.” She looked up and met Edward's eyes again. “Please, come with me. I need you.” She sighed and looked down.

 

“Either way I go, I need to be dressed.” Zaine nodded and went to stand on the balcony. Ed sighed. Xandyr went to the dresser, pulled out an outfit of white pants and a black shirt. The pants were tight on her thighs but loose on her calves. She pulled on the clothes and then went searching for her white boots. After she found them, she pulled them on and then pulled the trench coat over it all. Xandyr quickly brushed her hair and called out to Zaine that he could come back in. “Zaine.”

 

She called out to him several more times before finally going to the balcony and stepping out on it. Zaine was nowhere to be found. Her thin brows came together. A black feather suddenly fell down from the sky before her. She reached out her hand, catching it in mid air. Her heartbeat sped up.

 

“Edward. Let's go.” She walked back into the room and looked at him frantically. “Leave everything. We don't have time.” She took his hand and led him out the door.

 

“Wait, what's going on Xandyr?” He wanted to stop and talk to her but she seemed too worried to stop and he really didn't want to fight with her. “Xandyr?”

 

“Venkia. He's…” She stopped and turned to face him. “You heard everything that Zaine said. Venkia isn't going to stop until he's either killed me or banished me. I'm guessing more than anything that he wants me dead.”

 

“Why?”

 

“For loving you.” Edward looked away at the white walls of the hallway, a distant look in his eyes. Xandyr put her hand on his cheek and tilted his head back toward her. “I would give anything for you that includes my life.” Ed's eyes were suddenly filled with fire.

 

“You won't give your life for me. I refuse to let you.”

 

“It's not your call. Chances are that if he finds me he won't go looking for you.”

 

“Then I'll find him.”

 

“Stop it.” Her thin brows came together in rage. “You won't put your life in danger for me.”

 

“Then you can't do the same, either.”

 

“I'm your guardian angel. That's my job.”

 

“Staying by my side so I know your safe…that's your job.” When she looked away angrily, he tilted her head up and kissed her lips softly. “I want to know that you'll stay safe. I don't want anything to happen to you.”

 

“Do you think I don't want the same for you? Edward, if anyone is going to stay and fight it will be me. This is my battle and I don't want you fighting it for me.”

 

“I won't fight it for you but I won't let you fight it alone, either.” An older couple came into view and smiled at them as they passed. Xandyr smiled back but Ed's eyes were still on her. He sighed and looked down at the floor for a moment. “Xandyr,” Her eyes shifted back to him. “I can't lose you. I won't let this guy take you from me. Angel or not he won't take you.” Xandyr put her hands on his jaw and got on her tip toes to look straight in his golden eyes. She kissed his lips and then the tip of his nose.

 

“He won't.” Was all she said.

 

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

 

Roy walked out of his office and looked at Riza who was standing next to her desk. They smiled at each other for a moment and then Edward and Xandyr rushed in.

 

“Roy, we need help.” Edward said quickly.

 

“With what?”

 

“Do you remember earlier today when you told us you'd do anything in your power for us?” Xandyr asked.

 

“Yes.”

 

“We need train tickets. We need to get as far away from here as possible.” Ed blurted.

 

“Alright. I'll need a bit of time but…”

 

“We need them now.” Xandyr said in a rushed voice.

 

“That's kind of short notice, guys. I'll need at least a day.”

 

“Sorry, Roy, but we really can't wait that long for tickets. He might be right on our tail.”

 

“Who?” Riza asked.

 

“The Angel Lord who's hunting Xandyr.” Ed responded, forcing himself to calm down.

 

“Hunting?!” Riza all but yelled. She looked quickly at Roy. “Roy, we need to do something! We can't let Xandyr be hunted!”

 

“I know! But there's nothing I can do until I get the tickets and it will be a while. I'm sorry Edward, but I need time.”

 

“Roy, you're condemning her to death.” Edward said coldly.

 

“Ed!” Xandyr yelled. She pushed him back up against the door and glared at him. “He's not condemning anyone. If we have to wait a day then we will.”

 

“You're just putting yourself farther in danger.” Xandyr nodded and backed away from him.

 

“I know. But, this is all we have. If we don't take this…then we'll both die.”

 

“Xandyr, I know I'm not going to Heaven.” Edward said, his eyes misted. “Apparently this Venkia guy will keep you from going to Heaven. So…if we die, we'll still be together.”

 

“I wish it were that simple. In Hell, Angels are condemned to an eternity in the true Hell. Mortals know nothing of Hell compared to what Angels down there go through.” She sighed and put her arms around herself. “I won't ever see you if we go to Hell.”

 

“Then we do need to leave as soon as we can.”

 

“No. If we can wait a day, then we will. Besides, I don't think he knows we'll come here so…let's just play it out until we can get the tickets.” Ed sighed and turned his head down. His hair fell over in front of his face, hiding the tears that were falling. He didn't want to lose her. If Venkia knew that Death was helping Xandyr, he'd know where to find her now.

 

“I can probably get you guys the tickets by tomorrow morning if I call it in now.”

 

“Exactly why will it take so long to get tickets?” Xandyr couldn't help but ask.

 

“There's only one place I know of that's far from here. It's really crowded so looking there would be pointless but tickets sell like mad.” Roy took a breath and continued. “It's to the far east near the edge of the continent. It's called Mermaid City. You'll be safe there. The only tickets you can get for it anymore are reserved tickets called in at least a day ahead of the planned trip.” She nodded.

 

“If we tell hem that you're there on a military stay, you could probably get a major discount on everything but you'll need a badge or at least some way of addressing a military rank.” Riza said. “Edward, there's a spot for a State Alchemist.” He looked up.

 

“No.” Was all he said.

 

“You obviously won't be the Fullmetal Alchemist but still, State Alchemist is a military rank.” Roy said.

 

“Roy, I can't. I've strayed away from alchemy.”

 

“He might follow the military trail, anyway.” Xandyr said. “He knows of our involvement in the military.”

 

“True.” Roy sighed. “Well, I'll think of something.” A knock on the door made Xandyr slightly jump. She quickly turned her head to the door. Roy put a finger to his lips as he walked to the door and pulled it open. It was a man in the typical blue uniform.

 

“Um, Sir, a man is here to see your guests.” He said gently.

 

“What's his name?” Edward asked.

 

“He says is name is Zaine.” Xandyr sighed and nodded to Ed.

 

“Thank you.” Roy said. He then turned to Xandyr and Edward. “Who's Zaine?”

 

“Another angel who's been helping me. He's Death.”

 

“Death. Are you sure you want to be hanging out with Death?” Roy asked.

 

“Yeah, he's fine. He's gay.” Roy's thin brows suddenly came together.

 

“Death is gay?”

 

“Yeah. That's why he's no longer an actual angel.” Xandyr opened the door the rest of the way and walked out, her hand in Edward's. He let go to speak with Roy as Xandyr continued on. She turned her head and looked back at Edward for a moment and then turned to face in front of her. The hallway was almost deserted except for a few officers and a figure standing several feet down the hall. She looked down at her feet, seeing the black feathers no one else would. When she looked up, the dark figure melted away to reveal the shimmering white hair and robes of Venkia. She stopped in her tracks as he turned around to face her, a smile curled on his lips. He mouths the words `goodbye' to her and thrust forth his hand.

 

A white light engulfed her, throwing her backward. She landed harshly on her shoulders, rolling to a squatting position. Edward turned around to catch Venkia's eyes before he was thrown back by the same white force. He rolled over several times and looked up through locks of his blond hair. Xandyr jumped to her feet, pulling from her side a gigantic silver sword with an angel on the tip of the hilt. She screamed loudly her eyes turning gold and her wings becoming visible. Thrusting the sword down, she nipped at Venkia's shoulder receiving a growl from him and then the back of his large hand to her stomach. She flipped in the air, catching the wall with her booted feet, thrusting forward and driving the sword nearly through Venkia only for him to disappear. The sword was suddenly embedded into the opposite wall, Xandyr falling to her knees. She was breathing heavily, tears streaming down her heated face. Her teeth were clenched tightly in anger. Edward got up and stared at her in amazement.

 

“Xandyr?” He asked softly. “What's wrong?”

 

“Look at the floor.” She whispered. He looked down.

 

“I don't see anything.”

 

“LOOK at the floor!” She screamed. He looked down again, focusing trying to see what she could see. He thought of seeing Venkia and Zaine and suddenly it appeared. His eyes widened in disbelief. Scattered all over the floor were black feathers drenched in a dark red blood.

 

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

 

Author's Note: Sorry it took me so long to post this chap. I could find time to write anything. Anyway, what do you think so far? Was the fight scene good? Short and sweet but to the point.