Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Metal and Tears ❯ The Price Of Devotion ( Chapter 6 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: Tear Alchemist 
When Edward shows his true feelings for Homunculi, will Kiri turn on her friends and become what she truly hates?
Anime/Manga: Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure | Type: Divergence | Uploaded On: 04.05.2006 | Updated On: 04.08.2006 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.0K | Visits: 237 | Status: Work In Progress
When Edward shows his true feelings for Homunculi, will Kiri turn on her friends and become what she truly hates?
Anime/Manga: Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure | Type: Divergence | Uploaded On: 04.05.2006 | Updated On: 04.08.2006 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.0K | Visits: 237 | Status: Work In Progress
“Doctor Tim Marcoh.” Edward slammed his fist into the nightstand as she continued.
“During the Eastern War, the Military demanded Marcoh to use the fragment of the Philosopher’s Stone he had to reduce casualties by researching a warrior that couldn’t die. He had read up on creatures called ‘Homunculi’ and he had decided to create on of them. He went out one night to where he knew bodies would be that would fuel the transmutation, but all he could find was a severed arm. With a single removed finger in his possession, should something go wrong, he used the Stone to start the research.
In the end, the transmutation didn’t work, and all that was left of the attempt was an incomplete creature that would have died had it not escaped. The blob made its way into the Eastern city, Marcoh close behind, but by the time he had found it, it had begun to merge with a young alchemist that had been returning to her hotel from a late night book run she’d made. In a moment the creature had merged and Marcoh was looking at his creation, a Homunculus that could perform alchemy. He tried to destroy his creature, but in the end, he felt too much pity for the thing that hadn’t asked to be born, so he covered up all of his research from the Military and drove the thing out into the desert and left her for dead.” Kiri took off her gloves that she had been wearing and sat beside Edward as she looked at the mark on her palm as it burned. It was a long time before Edward spoke again.
“Lust, Envy, Gluttony…all Biblical sins. What are you?”
“I cannot be anything more than that which I am--“ Suddenly Kiri whipped her head around to her window. Edward stood and followed her gaze.
“What is it?” Kiri merely shook her head.
“I thought I heard something.” She looked back and found Edward pacing back and forth, occasionally glaring back; pondering what action he was to take. She hung her head and drew her knees up to her chest hugging them as she sat on the side of her bed.
“Edward?” She said softly. He stopped pacing to look at her compacted figure.
“What?” He snapped out of frustration, she jerked and he regretted the action.
“What?” He asked more gently than before. Kiri’s head rose to look at him.
“I am, or because I am? Why is it that you hate me?” Edward flushed and scratched the back of his head glancing to his left.
“I don’t hate you.”
“Yes, you do. I can see it in your eyes, even as you lie to me, your contempt of the truth.” Edward paused, but decided not to respond, instead he changed the subject.
“Then why aren’t you after the Philosopher’s Stone?”
“Two months after the slaughter, Scar began to kill State Alchemists. After that we were always on the run from the Military. Before, my life had no meaning; I only existed because I knew nothing else, but when I saw the conviction in Aniki’s eyes, I made a promise to myself. I would protect him and help him to achieve his goal no matter what. And with someone to protect, I could resist the pull from the voice in my head that told me to give in to my barbaric nature and become what I feared most.” Here she paused and picked up her watch and traced a finger over the crest.
“But I’ll keep my promise…even if it costs me my life.”
As the rain poured outside, a few soldiers crowded around a small table in a well lit tavern.
“So that girl with the runt this afternoon was the Tear Alchemist?” One scoffed taking a swig of his beer.
“Yeah, damn bitch didn’t even have to take the Alchemy Test to get in.”
“I hear she stopped a unit from killing that bastard, Scar.” The small group settled down and mulled over their miserable position. Just as they were about to order another round of liquor, the door burst open. In stepped a high ranking officer and immediately those around the table stood and saluted.
“Worthless maggots!! Get your ass out there and round up twenty trustworthy soldiers, then meet me at that run down hotel at the edge of town!” The officer turned to leave when one of the soldiers spoke up.
“Why there sir?” He turned.
“Because, we have reason to suspect that there is a Homunculus in our midst.” The room was instantly filled with chatter as the silent officer left the tavern. He paused outside the door then turned right, and into the shadows.
“Good work Envy, now where are we off to?” A disembodied voice asked.
“First, we have to make sure that the Fullmetal runt and his brother won’t bother us, that’ll be easy enough with once they're put under Military watch, but if I know Fullmetal, he'll be more than ready to get rid of that Homunculus. After we retrieve the girl, head back to Marcoh’s. The Military can’t have picked apart his place in such a short amount of time that we can’t find the finger he kept.”
The shadows shuddered for only a moment, then Envy moved on.
"So why did you two go your separate ways?" Kiri shrugged and picked at her bootlaces. She had changed back into her denim pants once she had soberd up, feeling more comfortable in an outfit she could run in, if the need arose.
"I suppose we parted because I never approved of his methods. Aniki killed so many people. I knew that these soldiers were the ones that had destroyed his home and family, but still, it did not give us any right to take their lives." Edward chuckled, a low throaty chuckle that set the hairs on the back of Kiri's neck on edge.
"You, you a Cursed Child, one without a Soul....and you dare speak of preserving LIFE!?" Edward turned harshly towards Kiri and jerked her to her feet.
"HOW LONG UNTIL YOU DECIDE TO TURN AND KILL, YOURSELF? GO AHEAD! KILL AND SEARCH FOR THAT DAMN PHILOSOPHER'S STONE LIKE THE REST OF THE HOMUNCULI!!" With eyes welling and overflowing, Kiri turned back upon her friend with a rage.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME!?" She screamed.
"DO YOU WANT ME TO GO ON A RAMPAGE AND SATIATE THOSE DARK VOICES? EDWARD, DO YOU WANT TO SEE INNOCENT LIVES LOST!" Their eyes caught in the other's stare, each flashing with anger and hurt. At long last Edward spoke answering the question that he'd never wanted to confront.
"Yes," He said quietly.
"If only to make you easier to kill later on." Kiri fell back her body limp.
"O-o-okay, Edward. If this is really how you feel. I-I guess then, I'll go. You nor your brother will see my face again."
"I should hope not." Edward started as Kiri turned away.
"For if I do, I'll make sure that I kill you. Homunculi should never be made, or allowed to live." Kiri sadly nodded her agreement as she started for the door, but as she touched the doorknob, it burst open and twenty soldiers filed in. Three surrounded Edward and the rest Kiri. Alphonse came rushing in when he heard the soldiers.
“What are you doing?! Kiri!” He started forward but a rifleman cut him off.
"Brother, help her!!" Edward just looked away as a complacent Kiri was taken forcefully out the door to a military truck that had pulled out front.
"Bro--"
"Forget it Al! She lied to us." He turned to one of the guards.
"Anything we can do to get her out of here any faster?" The highest-ranking officer of the unit turned to him.
"My, my, you want this prisoner gone, don't you?" Edward glared.
"Of course. This Homunculi is only a hindrance to our search." The officer smiled and nodded, motioning the rest of his unit out of the tiny room. When they had gone and were heading out the front door, Alphonse ran after them, pausing once in front of his brother.
"The Military didn't give you that name because of your auto-mail prosthetics Brother, it was because of that damn METAL HEART you have!! Whatever she is she is still Kiri!!" He then ran after the soldiers. Muffling an oath under his breath, Edward followed.
Alphonse burst out the front door just as the jeep pulled away. He started after them but just as he reached the edge of the town, he tripped. He stood, but was nearly knocked to the ground again by the jeep that suddenly skidded to a halt in front of him. He grasped the door to steady himself, and looked over to find the scowling face of Scar.
"Where are they taking her!?" He demanded.
"I-I don't know, Military personnel took her, so they must be going to a prisoner outpost or base somewhere nearby!" Slamming his fist into the steering wheel, Scar motioned for Alphonse to get in, and was about to take off when a voice sounded behind him.
"Why are you two so worried? She's just a Homunculus." Alphonse and Scar whirled to find that Edward had caught up to his brother.
"What are you doing here Edward Elric?"
"I think Brother may have ratted Kiri out."
“WHAT!?” Scar suddenly leapt from the jeep in a rage and grabbed Edward up by his collar, lifting him off the ground."
"Did you call the Military on her?! Did you expose Kiri!?" Edward's hard golden eyes met the rage in Scar's and his temper flared.
"No," He cried knocking Scar's hands away.
"But now I wish I had!!" Scar's face then grew unusually dark, he reared back his fist and then smashed it across Edward's face, and then pulling him close, Scar glared at his now bloodied face.
"You little bastard! Why!! She saved your ass and this is your thanks?!! In all honesty, I should kill you for what you've done, but I think given the time you've spent with Kiri, I'll let her decide your fate... and since you caused this, you're gonna help rescue Kiri whether you like it or not!!" " He dragged Edward over to the jeep and threw him roughly into the back. Climbing into the front driver's seat, Scar stomped on the gas pedal and followed what tracks he could see by headlight.
The truck rambled on and on until Kiri was sure she’d be shaken to pieces. The ride had been silent except for the grinding of sand and rocks underneath the tires and the engine rumbling like an erupting volcano. None of the soldiers spoke, in fact they all seemed to ignore her. They had all piled on one side or against the back seat next to the driver, it was as if they were afraid. All except the officer that had spoke to Edward on the way out. He continuously stared at Kiri, glancing across her face searching for something. She’d surprised the soldiers by willingly climbing into the back of the truck and drawing her knees up to her chest and settling into a corner. Since the start of the trip Kiri had left her emotions to their own devices and she had remained as stoic as when she had left the hotel, but slowly her sadness built up and she began to softly cry in her dark corner. She felt the darkness closing in, and with one last hope to find some reassurance that the God of which Scar had invoked many times before had not forgotten her, Kiri glanced behind the truck. She gasped as she saw two headlights burning out of the night. She quickly averted her eyes and hoped beyond all hope that whoever was in the vehicle that followed them, followed them to keep her safe. She fell back into despair as the happy thought crossed her mind as Edward’s words rushed back upon her with a vengeance.
“…if only to make you easier to kill later on.”
She watched peripherally as the lights veered to the right as her own ride slowed outside an old prisoner hold next to a main military outpost. The soldiers got out one by one and Kiri walked forward a rifle barrel to her back. Once they were all inside they boarded an elevator and descended to a level full of prisoner cells at which point the officer took hold of her arm and drew Kiri close, addressing the unit as a whole.
“Go outside and stand guard, I’ll take the prisoner from here.” He then led Kiri to an entrance far in the back and they passed through, closing the large steel door behind them.
At first the light blinded Kiri and she blinked rapidly to allow her eyes to adjust slowly. When she was able to finally see, she was amazed at the architecture that she saw. The room was no prisoner cell, but a huge area that had a floor tiled all in crimson. Large pillars held up a platform like second level that spanned across the perimeter almost ten feet.
“Amazing isn’t it?” A familiar voice said from behind her. Kiri jerked around to find the same green haired creature that had visited her in Central. Kiri fell back as she cried out fearing another attack. Her eyes fixed on the one before her, Kiri backed away until she bumped into something large, she again turned to find a fat, beady-eyed creature approaching from behind her.She tried to run but the thing's arms came around to wrap around her waist hoisting her into the air. Suddenly a voice sounded from behind a pillar.
"You're the Homunculus that Envy picked up aren't you?" Kiri galnced over and a dark haired woman in a sleek black dress stepped into veiw.
"Let our friend down Gulttony."
"Yes Lust..." The one holding Kiri said before the meaty hands dropped her, she stumbled forward and then regained her balance.
"Who are you people?" She asked.
"We're here to help, we heard what Fullmetal said to you and we understand the pain you must be feeling." Kiri galnced to the ground twisting her hands nervously.
"No... He had a right to what he said. I'm just--"
"Stop making excuses for him!!" She jumped as Envy charged forward and grabbed her arm tightly, Kiri winced in pain as his grip only grew tighter.
"Envy, stop it you're hurting our guest." He stopped at once and stood back looking up into the balcony.
"Dear one, " A voice said from the second level.
"Don't worry about Envy, he tends to be brash and crude towards new comers." A figure slowly appeared on the platform, and Kiri watched as a slim hand slipped inside a large sleeve and then toss a small object to her. She caught it with a small hint of flourish and then opened her palm to examine the trinket. She recoiled as if in pain at the sight of the red stone that lay in her hand, she dropped it at once grasping her wrist like it had been burnt. She fell back against a smirking Envy as the voice spoke again.
"Do not worry, The Philosopher's Stone is only a amplifier, it cannot harm you. Eat it and become strong." Kiri glanced from to the other, figure to object. At long last, she knelt and picked up the stone
Silently, Scar pulled the jeep around to the back of the compound out of the lights. With Edward in tow, they all piled out and set to work forming a hole in the outer wall as quietly as they could. It was laborious work and it only took a few minutes before they were pouring with sweat. Finally they had a hole big enough that each of them, one at a time, to fit through. Alphonse went first, then Scar shoved Edward through, following soon after. Watchtowers were posted at every corner of the base and the spotlights flicked back and forth, all three silently ran to the darkest side of the building and snuck around to a back door. Scar led the way and as the door swung shut behind them Edward turned to him glaring.
"How did you know this was here?" He asked insinuatingly. Scar smirked.
"Central isn't the only outpost I've raided." With that, he began walking down a hallway to a staircase that led to other levels. Edward lagged horribly behind, hands shoved deep into his pockets.
"It's only a matter of time before she turns on the hands that fed her." He thought.
"So why do they rush to her rescue?"
Kiri stared at the stone. She had been told it would only help her, but did she dare take that chance?
"You need not make a hasty descision." The figure said retreating back into the shadows.
"Lust, why don't you stay here and explain the Stone's benefits? Come Envy, Gluttony, we will take our leave." Both Homunculi leapt onto the platform and then shrank back to dissapear. Lust then turned to her.
"So....Kiri....Have you decided what you plan to do with your half-life?" Kiri nodded and lifted the stone to her lips.
"Yes...."
“During the Eastern War, the Military demanded Marcoh to use the fragment of the Philosopher’s Stone he had to reduce casualties by researching a warrior that couldn’t die. He had read up on creatures called ‘Homunculi’ and he had decided to create on of them. He went out one night to where he knew bodies would be that would fuel the transmutation, but all he could find was a severed arm. With a single removed finger in his possession, should something go wrong, he used the Stone to start the research.
In the end, the transmutation didn’t work, and all that was left of the attempt was an incomplete creature that would have died had it not escaped. The blob made its way into the Eastern city, Marcoh close behind, but by the time he had found it, it had begun to merge with a young alchemist that had been returning to her hotel from a late night book run she’d made. In a moment the creature had merged and Marcoh was looking at his creation, a Homunculus that could perform alchemy. He tried to destroy his creature, but in the end, he felt too much pity for the thing that hadn’t asked to be born, so he covered up all of his research from the Military and drove the thing out into the desert and left her for dead.” Kiri took off her gloves that she had been wearing and sat beside Edward as she looked at the mark on her palm as it burned. It was a long time before Edward spoke again.
“Lust, Envy, Gluttony…all Biblical sins. What are you?”
“I cannot be anything more than that which I am--“ Suddenly Kiri whipped her head around to her window. Edward stood and followed her gaze.
“What is it?” Kiri merely shook her head.
“I thought I heard something.” She looked back and found Edward pacing back and forth, occasionally glaring back; pondering what action he was to take. She hung her head and drew her knees up to her chest hugging them as she sat on the side of her bed.
“Edward?” She said softly. He stopped pacing to look at her compacted figure.
“What?” He snapped out of frustration, she jerked and he regretted the action.
“What?” He asked more gently than before. Kiri’s head rose to look at him.
“I am, or because I am? Why is it that you hate me?” Edward flushed and scratched the back of his head glancing to his left.
“I don’t hate you.”
“Yes, you do. I can see it in your eyes, even as you lie to me, your contempt of the truth.” Edward paused, but decided not to respond, instead he changed the subject.
“Then why aren’t you after the Philosopher’s Stone?”
“Two months after the slaughter, Scar began to kill State Alchemists. After that we were always on the run from the Military. Before, my life had no meaning; I only existed because I knew nothing else, but when I saw the conviction in Aniki’s eyes, I made a promise to myself. I would protect him and help him to achieve his goal no matter what. And with someone to protect, I could resist the pull from the voice in my head that told me to give in to my barbaric nature and become what I feared most.” Here she paused and picked up her watch and traced a finger over the crest.
“But I’ll keep my promise…even if it costs me my life.”
As the rain poured outside, a few soldiers crowded around a small table in a well lit tavern.
“So that girl with the runt this afternoon was the Tear Alchemist?” One scoffed taking a swig of his beer.
“Yeah, damn bitch didn’t even have to take the Alchemy Test to get in.”
“I hear she stopped a unit from killing that bastard, Scar.” The small group settled down and mulled over their miserable position. Just as they were about to order another round of liquor, the door burst open. In stepped a high ranking officer and immediately those around the table stood and saluted.
“Worthless maggots!! Get your ass out there and round up twenty trustworthy soldiers, then meet me at that run down hotel at the edge of town!” The officer turned to leave when one of the soldiers spoke up.
“Why there sir?” He turned.
“Because, we have reason to suspect that there is a Homunculus in our midst.” The room was instantly filled with chatter as the silent officer left the tavern. He paused outside the door then turned right, and into the shadows.
“Good work Envy, now where are we off to?” A disembodied voice asked.
“First, we have to make sure that the Fullmetal runt and his brother won’t bother us, that’ll be easy enough with once they're put under Military watch, but if I know Fullmetal, he'll be more than ready to get rid of that Homunculus. After we retrieve the girl, head back to Marcoh’s. The Military can’t have picked apart his place in such a short amount of time that we can’t find the finger he kept.”
The shadows shuddered for only a moment, then Envy moved on.
"So why did you two go your separate ways?" Kiri shrugged and picked at her bootlaces. She had changed back into her denim pants once she had soberd up, feeling more comfortable in an outfit she could run in, if the need arose.
"I suppose we parted because I never approved of his methods. Aniki killed so many people. I knew that these soldiers were the ones that had destroyed his home and family, but still, it did not give us any right to take their lives." Edward chuckled, a low throaty chuckle that set the hairs on the back of Kiri's neck on edge.
"You, you a Cursed Child, one without a Soul....and you dare speak of preserving LIFE!?" Edward turned harshly towards Kiri and jerked her to her feet.
"HOW LONG UNTIL YOU DECIDE TO TURN AND KILL, YOURSELF? GO AHEAD! KILL AND SEARCH FOR THAT DAMN PHILOSOPHER'S STONE LIKE THE REST OF THE HOMUNCULI!!" With eyes welling and overflowing, Kiri turned back upon her friend with a rage.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME!?" She screamed.
"DO YOU WANT ME TO GO ON A RAMPAGE AND SATIATE THOSE DARK VOICES? EDWARD, DO YOU WANT TO SEE INNOCENT LIVES LOST!" Their eyes caught in the other's stare, each flashing with anger and hurt. At long last Edward spoke answering the question that he'd never wanted to confront.
"Yes," He said quietly.
"If only to make you easier to kill later on." Kiri fell back her body limp.
"O-o-okay, Edward. If this is really how you feel. I-I guess then, I'll go. You nor your brother will see my face again."
"I should hope not." Edward started as Kiri turned away.
"For if I do, I'll make sure that I kill you. Homunculi should never be made, or allowed to live." Kiri sadly nodded her agreement as she started for the door, but as she touched the doorknob, it burst open and twenty soldiers filed in. Three surrounded Edward and the rest Kiri. Alphonse came rushing in when he heard the soldiers.
“What are you doing?! Kiri!” He started forward but a rifleman cut him off.
"Brother, help her!!" Edward just looked away as a complacent Kiri was taken forcefully out the door to a military truck that had pulled out front.
"Bro--"
"Forget it Al! She lied to us." He turned to one of the guards.
"Anything we can do to get her out of here any faster?" The highest-ranking officer of the unit turned to him.
"My, my, you want this prisoner gone, don't you?" Edward glared.
"Of course. This Homunculi is only a hindrance to our search." The officer smiled and nodded, motioning the rest of his unit out of the tiny room. When they had gone and were heading out the front door, Alphonse ran after them, pausing once in front of his brother.
"The Military didn't give you that name because of your auto-mail prosthetics Brother, it was because of that damn METAL HEART you have!! Whatever she is she is still Kiri!!" He then ran after the soldiers. Muffling an oath under his breath, Edward followed.
Alphonse burst out the front door just as the jeep pulled away. He started after them but just as he reached the edge of the town, he tripped. He stood, but was nearly knocked to the ground again by the jeep that suddenly skidded to a halt in front of him. He grasped the door to steady himself, and looked over to find the scowling face of Scar.
"Where are they taking her!?" He demanded.
"I-I don't know, Military personnel took her, so they must be going to a prisoner outpost or base somewhere nearby!" Slamming his fist into the steering wheel, Scar motioned for Alphonse to get in, and was about to take off when a voice sounded behind him.
"Why are you two so worried? She's just a Homunculus." Alphonse and Scar whirled to find that Edward had caught up to his brother.
"What are you doing here Edward Elric?"
"I think Brother may have ratted Kiri out."
“WHAT!?” Scar suddenly leapt from the jeep in a rage and grabbed Edward up by his collar, lifting him off the ground."
"Did you call the Military on her?! Did you expose Kiri!?" Edward's hard golden eyes met the rage in Scar's and his temper flared.
"No," He cried knocking Scar's hands away.
"But now I wish I had!!" Scar's face then grew unusually dark, he reared back his fist and then smashed it across Edward's face, and then pulling him close, Scar glared at his now bloodied face.
"You little bastard! Why!! She saved your ass and this is your thanks?!! In all honesty, I should kill you for what you've done, but I think given the time you've spent with Kiri, I'll let her decide your fate... and since you caused this, you're gonna help rescue Kiri whether you like it or not!!" " He dragged Edward over to the jeep and threw him roughly into the back. Climbing into the front driver's seat, Scar stomped on the gas pedal and followed what tracks he could see by headlight.
The truck rambled on and on until Kiri was sure she’d be shaken to pieces. The ride had been silent except for the grinding of sand and rocks underneath the tires and the engine rumbling like an erupting volcano. None of the soldiers spoke, in fact they all seemed to ignore her. They had all piled on one side or against the back seat next to the driver, it was as if they were afraid. All except the officer that had spoke to Edward on the way out. He continuously stared at Kiri, glancing across her face searching for something. She’d surprised the soldiers by willingly climbing into the back of the truck and drawing her knees up to her chest and settling into a corner. Since the start of the trip Kiri had left her emotions to their own devices and she had remained as stoic as when she had left the hotel, but slowly her sadness built up and she began to softly cry in her dark corner. She felt the darkness closing in, and with one last hope to find some reassurance that the God of which Scar had invoked many times before had not forgotten her, Kiri glanced behind the truck. She gasped as she saw two headlights burning out of the night. She quickly averted her eyes and hoped beyond all hope that whoever was in the vehicle that followed them, followed them to keep her safe. She fell back into despair as the happy thought crossed her mind as Edward’s words rushed back upon her with a vengeance.
“…if only to make you easier to kill later on.”
She watched peripherally as the lights veered to the right as her own ride slowed outside an old prisoner hold next to a main military outpost. The soldiers got out one by one and Kiri walked forward a rifle barrel to her back. Once they were all inside they boarded an elevator and descended to a level full of prisoner cells at which point the officer took hold of her arm and drew Kiri close, addressing the unit as a whole.
“Go outside and stand guard, I’ll take the prisoner from here.” He then led Kiri to an entrance far in the back and they passed through, closing the large steel door behind them.
At first the light blinded Kiri and she blinked rapidly to allow her eyes to adjust slowly. When she was able to finally see, she was amazed at the architecture that she saw. The room was no prisoner cell, but a huge area that had a floor tiled all in crimson. Large pillars held up a platform like second level that spanned across the perimeter almost ten feet.
“Amazing isn’t it?” A familiar voice said from behind her. Kiri jerked around to find the same green haired creature that had visited her in Central. Kiri fell back as she cried out fearing another attack. Her eyes fixed on the one before her, Kiri backed away until she bumped into something large, she again turned to find a fat, beady-eyed creature approaching from behind her.She tried to run but the thing's arms came around to wrap around her waist hoisting her into the air. Suddenly a voice sounded from behind a pillar.
"You're the Homunculus that Envy picked up aren't you?" Kiri galnced over and a dark haired woman in a sleek black dress stepped into veiw.
"Let our friend down Gulttony."
"Yes Lust..." The one holding Kiri said before the meaty hands dropped her, she stumbled forward and then regained her balance.
"Who are you people?" She asked.
"We're here to help, we heard what Fullmetal said to you and we understand the pain you must be feeling." Kiri galnced to the ground twisting her hands nervously.
"No... He had a right to what he said. I'm just--"
"Stop making excuses for him!!" She jumped as Envy charged forward and grabbed her arm tightly, Kiri winced in pain as his grip only grew tighter.
"Envy, stop it you're hurting our guest." He stopped at once and stood back looking up into the balcony.
"Dear one, " A voice said from the second level.
"Don't worry about Envy, he tends to be brash and crude towards new comers." A figure slowly appeared on the platform, and Kiri watched as a slim hand slipped inside a large sleeve and then toss a small object to her. She caught it with a small hint of flourish and then opened her palm to examine the trinket. She recoiled as if in pain at the sight of the red stone that lay in her hand, she dropped it at once grasping her wrist like it had been burnt. She fell back against a smirking Envy as the voice spoke again.
"Do not worry, The Philosopher's Stone is only a amplifier, it cannot harm you. Eat it and become strong." Kiri glanced from to the other, figure to object. At long last, she knelt and picked up the stone
Silently, Scar pulled the jeep around to the back of the compound out of the lights. With Edward in tow, they all piled out and set to work forming a hole in the outer wall as quietly as they could. It was laborious work and it only took a few minutes before they were pouring with sweat. Finally they had a hole big enough that each of them, one at a time, to fit through. Alphonse went first, then Scar shoved Edward through, following soon after. Watchtowers were posted at every corner of the base and the spotlights flicked back and forth, all three silently ran to the darkest side of the building and snuck around to a back door. Scar led the way and as the door swung shut behind them Edward turned to him glaring.
"How did you know this was here?" He asked insinuatingly. Scar smirked.
"Central isn't the only outpost I've raided." With that, he began walking down a hallway to a staircase that led to other levels. Edward lagged horribly behind, hands shoved deep into his pockets.
"It's only a matter of time before she turns on the hands that fed her." He thought.
"So why do they rush to her rescue?"
Kiri stared at the stone. She had been told it would only help her, but did she dare take that chance?
"You need not make a hasty descision." The figure said retreating back into the shadows.
"Lust, why don't you stay here and explain the Stone's benefits? Come Envy, Gluttony, we will take our leave." Both Homunculi leapt onto the platform and then shrank back to dissapear. Lust then turned to her.
"So....Kiri....Have you decided what you plan to do with your half-life?" Kiri nodded and lifted the stone to her lips.
"Yes...."