Chapter 8: The Amethyst Wolf

"Is there anything else to the resurrection choice?" Alphonse asked.

"Of course, I mean there have to be some negatives to balance the positives, at least a little." Koyuki said in her monotone voice. Alphonse looked around a bit, unsure of which option to pick.

'Obviously the better option is to resurrect, right? I mean dying would end this torture, but living is appealing, it's rather addictive, perhaps?' Alphonse thought to himself. After a few moments, Alphonse looked to the small girl and said. "I will resurrect." Koyuki looked at him.

"Of course you will, just like the rest." She said as Alphonse's vision darkened. Next thing Alphonse knew, he was waking up, shivering with burns and frostbite as his mother healed him. Alphonse realized now that he was actually quite talkative mere moments before resurrecting. 'Maybe it was because I was dead Alphonse thought as sleep encroached his mind.

Alphonse woke up feeling much better than he had previously and began his day again. He looked at Cedra's bed to check on her, but what Alphonse saw was unexpected. Cedra isn't there, he walked over to check more, but she really wasn't there. Alphonse became a bit uneasy and walked downstairs looking for Cedra, though he couldn't find her anywhere, and he also noticed his mother was gone as well as Aila, he has no idea where they are.

'Maybe they went shopping? I mean, I heard there is a festival coming soon.' Alphonse thought to himself, trying to calm down. Alphonse didn't bother asking anyone as he knew the answers he was likely to get, so he just continued with his day.

...

Alphonse heard a knock at the door and Raeloph stopped the training and went to answer the door. 'Aila and Cedra returned earlier, though mom wasn't with them, now that I think about where is mom?' Alphonse thought to himself as Raeloph answered the door.

"Found yer wife, she seemed to be spreading some nasty rumors 'bout ya as she pleaded for someone to help, saying somethin' about someone nearly dyin', figured I'd let ya know and bring 'er here." A man said. Raeloph's expression didn't change and he said.

"Ah, it's fine, I'm sure no one is gonna believe those rumors anyway. Well, you'd best be off Grett, else your wife'll be upset." Raeloph motioned Edrit inside and began closing the door.

"Alright, hope that ruckus doesn't happen again." Grett said as he left. Raeloph looked to Edrit and an angry expression was on his face.

"I-I won't... N-not again..." Edrit said as she began to walk back. Alphonse, the sole onlooker of the situation was unsure of what to do. Raeloph began walking closer to her, the same angry expression on his face. "I-I swear, n-no I-I pledge on the Amythest wolf!" Edrit said to Raeloph.

Raeloph, though still angry, walked away and looked to Alphonse. "Training continues now." He said. Edrit walked away slowly with a defeated expression mixed with despair. Alphonse and Raeloph began walking to the dojo.

'It makes sense that she would try, I mean no sane parent would want their child or themselves to be in this hell hole.' Alphonse thought as he walked. After training, Alphonse went to his room and saw Cedra, who seemed to be waiting for him.

"Brother, we have a plan to stop father." She said. Alphonse looked at her in with an expression of confusion. "Erm, it'll take a while to complete..." Cedra followed up on her previous statement.

"Just... be careful, and don't do something to get yourself hurt..." Alphonse responded. Cedra looked at Alphonse.

"Of course I won't..." She said. "I just don't like seeing you in pain, and mom is sad she can't do anything about it..." Cedra said.

'I don't know if the scene earlier was in their plan, but I hope it was, because if it wasn't, well...' Alphonse thought to himself as he climbed into his bed. 'I didn't realize it, but I've gotten used to this life, well other than the freezing chamber, but I can get used to that too... I still hope their plan works...' Alphonse thought before his vision completely darkened.

(One week later)

"Again?" The girl said in her monotone voice. Alphonse just looked down in shame and didn't respond. "Ah, whatever..." She said. Alphonse looked around the room and took in more of his surroundings than he previously did, he noticed that there is a birdcage with a large bird in it, a bookcase with many books a nice rug and several paintings of the same person in different settings. inside of the birdcage is an icy bluebird, that seems to be on fire.

"Erm, what is that?" Alphonse asked.

"Well, since you keep dying from the cold, I decided to get an Ice Phoenix, figured it would be some nice symbolism." She responded simply.

"Ah... Well, am I able to resurrect again, or no?" Alphonse asked.

"You can still resurrect, though the negative will become bigger." She said.

"Wait, what is the negative of resurrection?" Alphonse asked as he realized he never asked.

"It's random, it could be some major enemy will appear later in your life, or something more emotional, it's like giving you bad luck at certain periods of time, something terrible will happen, and the more you resurrect the worse it'll be." She said as if it was nothing.

"Oh... Well, will resurrect and try not to die again to minimize that then." Alphonse responded with hope.

"Alright, you know the drill." She said as she pushed a piece of paper forward. Alphonse took it and got ready to sign.

"Hey, why are you here?" Alphonse asked. Koyuki's expression changed for the first time.

"W-well... Hey! That's none of your business!" Koyuki responded as her face became one of embarrassment and anger. Alphonse signed the paper as he saw her face.

"O-okay..." Alphonse responded as his vision faded.

"Finally, some peace and quiet." Koyuki said right before another person appeared. "Frick." She mumbled.