Stand Up and Walk

We're Still Standing

"I still have too long a life ahead to get rid of these feelings, right? I want to try doing over the things I've left undone. I thought I was running after something carried over from my dreams, yet I'm stumbling into people on this narrow, winding road. It's not like I want to go back to the way things were back then; I'm just searching for the sky I've been losing. Here's hoping you'll understand. Stop making that sad face as though you were a victim. Sins don't end in tears; you have to carry the pain forever. Who am I waiting for in this maze of emotions with no way out in sight? I want to purge myself more simply, as if writing in a blank notebook. What is it I want to escape from? ...Is it reality? It makes me want to scream that we're alive for things to come true. Can you hear me? I can't put up with playing it safe. ...I've got nowhere to go home to! I'm always grateful for kindness; that's why I want to grow stronger (I'm on the way). I even welcome this pain for the things I miss."
—Yui, Again

※※※

Greed lunges at the man before him, throwing everything he has into the punch. His opponent, Führer King Bradley, dodges to the side, and the homunculus' shielded fist glances off the side of his head, severing the strap of his eyepatch. In one swift motion, the older man sends the blades of both of his swords through the other's throat.

"I understand why you'd think you have an advantage over a man like me," he begins, almost amicably, "since I possess neither your impenetrable Ultimate Shield, nor an Ultimate Spear that can pierce any substance." His tone changes sharply, dropping to a growl, low and dangerous. "But I'll tell you a secret." He leans in close to the homunculus, faces inches apart. "Do you know how I managed to distinguish myself amongst the storms of bullets on the battlefield time after time; to rise to my current position?"

As he digs the blades in deeper, blood gushes from Greed's mouth, dribbling down his chin in a hot stream. "Y-You're—!" he gags, choking on the blood filling his throat and lungs.

Slowly, the Führer tilts his head up, revealing the ouroboros tattoo emblazoned on his newly uncovered eye, the red mark in place of where his pupil should be.

"I may not have the protection of your Ultimate Shield..." he growls, digging his blades even further into Greed's throat. "...but I clearly see your weakness with my Ultimate Eye." He yanks his blades free from the man, who collapses to the floor, a puddle of blood quickly pooling around him. "Now then, Greed; how many times am I going to have to kill you before you stay dead?"

Greed looks up at the man looming over him. He is shrouded in shadows, his left eye burning red. Hot, metallic blood spills out from behind his clenched teeth, and for the first time in his long, long life, he learns what fear feels like.

※※※

The sterile scent of antiseptic hangs heavily in the air, mingling with the muted sounds of bustling nurses and the distant beeping of machines. You're sitting on the edge of Ed's hospital bed, the stark white sheets contrasting sharply with the deepening bruises that mark his skin. Your bed is in a different room, but fortunately you aren't bedridden anymore, so you choose to spend most of your time in here with him. The rest of the time, he's in your room with you.

You've been in this hospital for too long, and you're getting antsy.

"Stop fidgeting," he grumbles, attempting to swat your hand away as you absently trace the edge of the bandage wrapped around his arm.

"I can't help it," you shoot back, unable to suppress a smirk. "You're the one who looks like he got hit by a train."

He huffs in response, turning his head to glare at the window. "You don't look much better," he retorts. "Besides, we'll be out of here soon enough. It's not like we're going to stay cooped up in this place forever."