The alchemist is working away in the basement of his home -- next to a table lined with various potted plants and an assortment of scientific tools. Dark circles are visible underneath Hohenheim's eyes -- a sign that he has not slept well lately. Multiple sheets of parchment with the man's handwriting lie scattered about on the work table. Scribbling sounds could be heard as the pencil in Hohenheim's hand travels back and forth on the paper.
After completing his thoughts in written format, the alchemist holds up the sheet of paper in both hands. His eyes travel the length of the page as he read over the text in detail. Suddenly, an astonished look appears on Hohenheim's face -- accompanied by a sharp intake of breath. The expression is quickly replaced by a beaming grin. "I've got it! I've got it!" the alchemist eagerly exclaims. He jumps out from his chair and makes his way upstairs.
***
"So have you given it any more thought, Ed?"
"About what?" was Edward's reply as the blond flexed out his arms from his seated position on the lving room sofa -- draping them on the back of the furniture.
"About what I told you before. Don't tell me you've forgotten," Alphonse responded incredulously from his adjacent seat.
"Well how can I know if I forgot something if you won't tell me what it is I might have forgotten?"
"It's about what Big Brother William told me the other day -- the occasion coming up next month. I had asked if you had any ideas. Remember, Ed?"
A sudden recollection of having to make repeated trips to the bathroom popped into Edward's mind -- not exactly what Alphonse had wanted his sibling to recall as the older blond furrowed his brows and looked away. "Oh...that..." Edward seemed to be on the verge of remembering.
"So...what do you have in mind, Brother?"
Before any type of response could be given, the basement door bangs open -- startling Edward and Alphonse from their seats.
"Dad, what's the matter?!" Alphonse cries in alarm -- seeing his father emerging in a restless state from behind the door.
The man eyes his sons fervently.
"Boys, I've figured it out! I've figured it out!" Hohenheim places both hands on his hips and lets out a loud, long, and hearty laugh - the piece of paper still in his hand.
The brothers look at each other, then at their father. Their expression is a mixture of concern, cluelessness, and embarrassment.
"Um...what did you figure out?" Alphonse inquires.
Their father stops laughing. "I'll explain everything later." He glances around. "Where's William?"
Unbeknownst to Hohenheim, his second son looks annoyed. It was his third son who answered, "I think Big Brother William's out front."
"Ah..." Hohenheim strides toward the front door. Edward and Alphonse watch his receding back, wondering what mystery their father had unraveled.
***
About five minutes later, Hohenheim came back. He was holding Envy by the wrist. The two of them walked past Edward and Alphonse without saying a single word, and headed towards the basement. As the door closed behind them, the brothers looked on in blinking curiosity, wondering what was going on.
***
Envy stood patiently listening to his father, absorbing his every word. When the latter was finished, the Homunculus's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Is such a thing really possible?"
"If you had asked me this question yesterday, my answer would have been 'no'. But now, I have faith that this will work," Hohenheim said reassuringly. "Come." He guided his son to the center of the basement, where a transmutation array had been drawn on the floor. "Sit."
Envy sat cross-legged in the middle of the array.
"Now take a deep breath and close your eyes."
The latter complied.
With both hands holding an open book, the alchemist stood before Envy and began to chant. Within a matter of seconds, the transmutation array sprung to life with a bright glow.
***
The Homunculus felt something strange about himself. It was as though he were in the basement, yet not really there. He felt a lightness in his body weight -- as thought he were being uplifted and suspended in the air.
Soon after, Envy opened his eyes and found that the basement had completely vanished -- replaced by a fog-filled void. The boy stood up and looked around for anything that might be familiar to his eyes, but the white mist was all there was to be seen. Deciding that it was no use just standing around, Envy choose one direction and began walking straight ahead -- not knowing what he would find.
***
The giggling sound of a child cut through the air.
Envy stopped.
A toddler with shoulder-length blond hair dashed across the Homunculus' vision -- causing the latter to gasp in wide-eyed astonishment.
The Homunculus hurried in pursuit of the child.
***
The fog lifted -- revealing a countryesque setting with a grand manor in the distance.
Envy continued after the child -- running up a grassy slope. The toddler seemed oblivious of Envy's presence.
At the top of the green-grassed hill stood a man.
The dark-haired boy paused -- watching the child run up to the man.
The man held out his arms and bent down to scoop the child up.
"Father!" The toddler giggled with delight as his parent spun him around and around in the air. Likewise, the man was beaming from ear to ear and laughed alongside his son.
Soon, the man stopped twirling his child around -- holding the latter close and planting a kiss on the top of his forehead.
The blond-haired boy grinned at his father.
Within seconds, the smile slowly faded. The boy turned...and stared right at Envy, a look of curiosity in his amber-colored eyes.
***
The countryesque scene faded into smoke before the Homunculus' eyes -- soon to be replaced, one after another, of various scenes depicting days gone by.
Envy could only stand by and watch as the events unfolded before him.
***
The child was given a violin by his father on one of his birthdays -- the latter teaching him how to play it. When the boy was not practicing his violin, he was at the piano under the guidance of his parent -- who taught him how to play a variety of instruments. The child had a talent for music.
Often, the boy's mother was there too -- sometimes watching from one side -- other times standing close to her husband and son or joining in with them as the two dabbled in various games. When it was time for rest, she read stories to her one and only child before tucking him into bed at night -- gently stroking his soft, blond hair as the latter drifted off into sweet dreams.
***
Envy swallowed a lump that had formed in his throat.
***
Another scene showed an immaculately dressed, elderly gentleman with the young child -- the boy's grandfather. The two would walk hand-in-hand as they passed by various establishments in a crowded city -- with the boy's curiosity and excitement making him dash over to stare at the latest offerings in the storefronts. Whatever the child's eyes fell upon, the elderly gentleman would send in an accompanied servant to purchase the trinkets -- the man was a doting grandfather who loved making his only grandchild smile.
***
A young man in the first of his teenaged years, with golden-colored eyes and fair hair, traversed through a field of summer grains with his sweetheart by his side -- the fingers of his hand intertwining with the young lady's. The couple smiled and giggled as they walked hand-in-hand under the bright, blue sky dotted with white, puffy clouds.
The two sat atop a clearing in the field -- reading poetry underneath the sun and admiring the musical sheets that had been drafted by the young man. There seemed to be all the time in the world for them.
***
The scenery changed yet again, and Envy found himself in a laboratory. Before him stood two individuals -- two people that he knew all too well.
"We're
getting closer to completing the Philosopher's Stone, Father! I can
feel it!" exclaimed a blond-haired youth in his late teens -- the
excitement written all over his face.
The
father gives a faint smile, but a worried expression creases his brows.
"Son, there's no need to push yourself so hard. After all, these are
just my theories. It's never been proven that a Philosopher's Stone can
be created, or even exist for all that matters."
"That's why we're going to be the first alchemists to create a Philosopher's Stone. Now, if I can only figure out what those remaining ingredients are..."
"Son..." The older man's brow unconsciously twitches.
"Father, both you and Mother have worked so hard and have done so much for me. Let me help you make the Philosopher's Stone so I can repay you two for all the years that you've raised me."
The older man's face brightened a little. "Silly child, just seeing how happy you are right now is all the repayment that I need from you." The father places both hands on top of his son's shoulders. "You have a bright future ahead of you, one that I'm sure will outshine mine."
The young man smiles at his parent's hopes for him.
From the background, Envy silently sheds a tear.
"That's why we're going to be the first alchemists to create a Philosopher's Stone. Now, if I can only figure out what those remaining ingredients are..."
"Son..." The older man's brow unconsciously twitches.
"Father, both you and Mother have worked so hard and have done so much for me. Let me help you make the Philosopher's Stone so I can repay you two for all the years that you've raised me."
The older man's face brightened a little. "Silly child, just seeing how happy you are right now is all the repayment that I need from you." The father places both hands on top of his son's shoulders. "You have a bright future ahead of you, one that I'm sure will outshine mine."
The young man smiles at his parent's hopes for him.
From the background, Envy silently sheds a tear.
"You
know...I've been thinking," says the young man as he strokes his chin
with his thumb and index finger. "Once the stone is complete, I want to
give myself a new title."
"Oh? Don't you like what people call you now?"
"I do, but it doesn't have the same flare as yours."
The older of the two alchemists gives a chuckle. "I see. Well then. What would you like to call yourself?"
No comments:
Post a Comment