An Alchemist's Envy

Chapter 4: Wilting Rose

"Finally..." I slumped down on the stool at a small restaurant with a large sign that said 'FOOD', "Long train ride plus long walk through desert equals tired Lindsey..."

"Well, if you're going to travel with us, you better get used to it." Edward joked as he slapped me on the back and sat on the stool next to me. Alphonse sat next to him as a man with a black mustache wearing a hat and apron walked over to us.

"What can I get ya?" He asked with a smile, which soon faded slightly when he saw Al.

"I'll take a glass of water, please." I asked, pulling his attention towards me.

"Same here, along with your lunch special." Edward pipped up.

"Sure thing." He nodded and walked towards the back.

"What are they listening to...?" I heard Alphonse ask quietly as he glanced up. Near the sign was a small radio, a man's deep voice echoing from it.

"Children of God who dwell on the Earth... There is no salvation without prayer and faith. The Sun God Leto will illuminate thy path. Behold! The Lord hath descended from His heavenly throne to save thee from all thy sins. For I am thy father... I am the emissary of the Sun God..."

".... A religious broadcast on the radio?" Alphonse questioned as the man brought over our drinks and food. Edward had already shoved most of the food in his mouth before the poor guy could set down the plate. Ed took a quick drink through the straw in his glass before he chimed in.

"'Emissary of the Sun God'? What the heck is that?"

"I was just about to ask the same thing about you three..." Said the man as he cleaned out a glass with a cloth, "Are you guys street performs or something?"

Edward's face twisted and spit his drink everywhere. I couldn't help but laugh as he went into a rant.

"Hey, wait a minute, pops! What is it about us that makes you think that?!"

"W-well, I, uh... What else could you be?" The man stuttered, "I mean, I haven't seen your faces around here before. On a trip?"

"Yeah, we're trying to track something down." Alphonse said.

"So who's the guy on the radio?" Ed asked, finally calmed down with his head resting on the bar.

"You've never heard of Father Cornello?"

".... Who?" Ed asked grumpily.

"Father Cornello is the Sun God's emissary!" The man stated, causing a few men around us to gather at his name.

"Father Cornello is the founder of the Church of Leto. He can work miracles!" Said a man next to me.

"He's a wonderful man who came to this town a few years ago and showed us the way of God." Spoke another.

"Yeah, he's amazing!"

"They're real miracles! It's the work of God!"

".... You're not listening kid, are you?" Asked the restaurant owner.

"Nope," Edward announced, "I'm agnostic."

"Edward..." I hissed, "Don't be so rude!"

Edward stood, "Whatever, thanks for the food, pops." He handed the man some money and said, "Let's go."

Alphonse nodded and stood, but as he did he accidentally knocked into the roof that stood over the bar. This action caused the radio to topple over and shatter onto the ground. The men around us gasped in shock and the restaurant owner flipped.