The Garden of Eden, Class A canteen.

“Do you have to bring your new pet everywhere? C’mon, I’m trying to eat…” Tariq said, then pulled out a long, white hair from his burger. A deep frown crept into his eyebrows. “You’ve gotta be kidding me, man.”

“It’s not my fault. She won’t leave me. Isn’t that right, Mifflepuff?” Markus tickled her velvet soft fur. She was cradled in between his steel wire-like arms.

“I wonder how Alphonse is doing?” Felecia asked.

“Don’t worry about him, if anyone can survive in an unknown place… It’s him.” Haydon stabbed his fork into his food.

“With the way you’re playing with your food, seems like you’re also worried about him.” Tariq chuckled. “Guys have a bit of faith in him. He’s a damned monster.”

“Tariq…” Felecia scowled.

“Hang on, I didn’t mean it like that…” Tariq shook his head. “All I’m saying is, Haydon is right. He has the skills to survive, so just believe.”

Felecia bit her lips. “But I heard it was another extreme difficult gateway.”

“I thought that was just a rumour?” Markus asked.

“I thought so too.” Tariq said. Then they all turned to Haydon.

“What?”

“Well, if anyone knows, it's the person who lurks behind the shadows.” Tariq said.

Sweat began forming on Haydon’s forehead, his hands fidgeted.

“You know something, don’t you?” Felecia grabbed hold of his arm. “Say something then!”

Haydon sighed. “That's why I was worried. If it was a medium or even a hard gateway, I’d know he would be okay.”

“Oh god, it’s true then?” Felecia shot up to her feet.

“Alright, calm down, will you? What can we do about it?” Tariq yanked her back into the chair.

“I don’t know how much more I can take of this…” Felicia said.

Haydon shushed her words. “Don’t say that. After all we’ve been through, do you think our parents, or even Alphonse, would want us to give up?”

“He’s right.” Markus said. “We’ve got to make it back… for our families. I want to taste my dad’s cooking once more.” A smile fluttered onto his face.

Felecia took a breath and nodded. “You’re right, I want to smell my mother’s homemade pancakes again…”

“Homemade cooking is the best.” Haydon nodded.

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

“I just want to return and apologise to my mum…” Tariq said.

A rumbling blast interrupted them, followed by the entire ship emitted an ear piercing siren. Red lights flashed around the canteen area. Everyone was looking around, wondering what had just happened.

“Did it just come from the officer's barracks?” Looks of confusion marred their faces.

***

“This damned sun.” Julian spat, wiping the sweat from his forehead as it drenched his jacket.

“You keep complaining yet, you’re still wearing that long jacket.” Alphonse said. “Don’t you have a potion for it? Like sunscreen or something.”

“Alright, let me just summon sun-lotion out my ass then, shall I?”

“Does crankiness come with age?” Alphonse said.

“You f–” Julian stomped on the ground, finally taking off his jacket. His potions rattled together. “Not everyone can magically grow scales of the Fire Branded Tiger.”

“Give it a rest, will you guys?” Dior said. “It’s been hours and you’re still at it.”

“It’s his fault for getting grumpy all the time.” Alphonse jumped over a felled tree. They approached the house that was submerged within the jungle vines. The one Mahir had blasted him out of. The house was in tatters, but it at least provided some shelter from the harsh sun rays.

Julian placed a blanket on the floor of the house.

“What’s that for?” Alphonse asked.

“That’s your bed.”

“What’s wrong with the bed upstairs? Well, it's mine and Dior claimed the couch.”

“Ah whatever, I’m exhausted.” Alphonse lay on the hard floor. Anything was better than sleeping in a dark, cramped hole.

***

Several days had passed. Alphonse cradled a pot of peanut butter in his hands. “Dior, how many days left now?”

“Tomorrow we’ll be returning.”

“Finally.” Alphonse said. “So, what are we expecting when we arrive?”

“A fight, most likely.” Dior polished his blade as he sat on a chair. “We have reinforcements planned.”

“You’re really going all out, then?” Alphonse said.

Dior nodded. “When we get back, the plan will immediately take effect. Whether you live depends entirely if you stick by my side. We’ll be making our way through the ship. You need to keep up.”

Alphonse nodded. What was he getting involved with?

“I’ve prepared some potions.” Julian said. He sprawled filled bottles across the table. “One each, three types. Red will restore any wounds that you have, use it with care, it will save your life. Blue will increase your power and the yellow will kill anything it comes in contact with.”

“You really went all out, huh.” Alphonse picked up the potions and stored them within his ring. “What’s the purple one?”

“That’s for emergencies.” Julian’s face turned grim as he stored it within his coat.

***

It was turning dark. Alphonse peered out at the open stars. He wondered how many planets were out there.. Just like this one.

“Finally, I have some time to myself.” A giggling voice tingled his mind.

Alphonse sighed. “Gluttony.”

“Yes, my apostle.” He giggled. “Bad news or good news?”

“Why do I feel like both are going to be bad news?”

“Hey, when have I not given you good news?”

Alphonse frowned.

“Alright, damn. I’ll give you the good news. I know you’re all down in the dumps about not knowing your family, past, childhood… blah blah blah.”

Alphonse clenched his fists. He wanted nothing more than to cave the demon’s mouth in.

“So…” Gluttony giggled. “For the next Apostle war, I’m glad to announce that you, my apostle, will fight for my honour… on Earth!”