I hold my breath as this life starts to take its toll...

It couldn't end like this, not with him alone in this world, not without them...

I hide behind a smile as this perfect plan unfolds...

Blood trailed down his skin in a steady flow, dripping, down the wood and collecting in a crimson pool.

But oh, God, I feel I've been lied to...

The air swirled with the scent of death. Death and blood. Death and tears. It hung heavy around him, thick and hot, rasping dryly in his throat, its taste tinted with iron.

Lost all faith in the things I have achieved...

Edward Elric

Alchemist of the People

Carved above his head..

This is where Edward hung, bloody and defeated. It was horribly ironic, living himself what he didn't believe in. He hated them for it; it was torture enough having them torn from his own grip, it hurt enough to be beaten by him. And he couldn't do anything about it. Somehow, he had lost his grip on reality and slipped away into the dark, and when he had awaken, he was on this damn cross...

The wood was now a dark red, already soaked in his blood, still snaking down it in random patterns. Twisted pieces of metal had been pierced into his skin at his crossed ankles and at his wrists, attaching him to the tall cross, the weight of his body straining on him making the metal slowly tear through his skin. Dark chains further kept him on the cross, wrapped around his legs, torso, neck and down to his arms until it ended at his heart where it was buried into a bloody, mangled hole. His head was bowed, his golden woven hair stained with red, ragged and damp, hung over his face and hid his eyes behind shadows. A misshapen wreath of bleached bones sat atop his head, made from the bones of the corpses that lay stripped of flesh near him; of his brother and friend. His mouth hang open slightly, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. His breath came out ragged and shallow, his chest barely rising to fill with oxygen before it hurt. Slowly dying in an almost never-ending torture...

How dare they...

How could Sins like them mock him like this? What sick pleasure could they possibly have for tormenting him this way.

Minutes, hours, days could've past, he wasn't sure. He was lost in the pain and depression, no longer aware of the world until he would come and further the pain. The Sin, Envy, wearing his brother's face would come and strike him with sharpened whips. He'd come as his friend and slash his already beaten skin. And the others would come too, Lust cutting, Gluttony eating away what was left of the fallen, Wrath beating him, Sloth, who was torture enough with just her face, making more of his blood shed.

They all stood before him now, watching him sob, tears and blood running down his frail, broken face that was still hidden in shadows. This broken alchemist, once so strong, now would beg in an instant for them to stop. Malnourished and weak, he spent the few times he had conscious to cry if he wasn't being beaten.

It had to be time to end it...

"How pathetic. I thought you'd put up a better fight then that." Envy had sighed as he gazed up him. Ed finally lifted his head, his once bright golden eyes now dark and empty, warped with pain and despair. Envy blinked at the change but smirked anyway. "Heh...given up already, huh?" He wasn't answered. He chuckled, throwing his head back to stare at the far off ceiling. "Never would've thought..."

"...why..." Edward croaked, dragging his eyes away to stare at each homunculus. "Is this finally a punishment for my sins?" He asked slowly, finally focusing on the one that wore his mother's face. She smiled gently at him. "I'm sorry it had to end this way."

"I've...been abandoned...why...am I alone...why...?" Hs head suddenly drooped low, his empty eyes hidden once more. Sloth looked slightly surprised until hearing him moan slightly, shaking his head slowly.

"This is it...there's nothing...to live for...anymore..." He rasped out faintly, letting go of the slight hold of his life he had. He went limp, straining more on his chains. The room went silent, a strange breeze blowing in for a moment before stopping.

"Is he...really dead?" Wrath finally questioned, stealing away the silence. Envy nodded. "It's time to start."

---

This is based on a Pride!Ed picture I saw and of course, the Crucifixion. I like how it's turning out, actually...X3 Smexy images, ooh-lala!

Please review!

© Copyright 2007 Ayumi Elric (FanFiction ID 1136837 ). All rights reserved. The series Full Metal Alchemist(Hagane No Renkinjutsushi) belongs fully to Himoru Arakawa; usage of her series and character is entirely borrowed. All rights reserved for plot, not to be stolen, copied or reproduced without the permission of Ayumi Elric