Chapter Two

There was banging on the door. Edward bolted out of sleep with a shout. The sudden noise startled Alphonse as well, being so early in the morning startled him as well. Edward snarled and growled as he marched to the door and threw it open.

"WHAT!?" he snapped.

At the door was a soldier with tan skin and white-gray hair. Edward's eyes widened when he noticed the man's own widened eyes. They were red. An Ishvalan! The soldier pulled a cigar from his mouth and blew a smoke circle over Edward. He frowned, and he leaned over Edward into his face.

"Huhhh? What are you doing here kid? I thought this was the Fullmetal Alchemist's room?"

"I am the alchemist," Edward growled. "Who are you?"

"For real?! You're a damn pipsqueak!"

Alphonse groaned. Edward snapped.

"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU CALLING A PINT-SIZE MIDGET!"

"I DIDN'T SAY THAT, PUNK, BUT GOOD FOR YOU, YOU'RE AWARE OF YOUR SHORTCOMINGS, HA!"

"YOU BASTARD!"

Edward clapped his hands and he formed a bat with his face and hair. The rude Ishvalan jumped back. A glint in his eyes as he realized that Edward didn't use a transmutation circle. The soldier bit his finger and a thread of blood unraveled from his cut. The blood grew thicker and formed a barbed sword made of his red blood. Their weapons clashed against each other.

"Holy shit! Red jacket, no need for a transmutation circle…" He glances at his arm. "And complete automail arm. Wow, so you're the Fullmetal Alchemist. Great, Central is hiring kids! Tch."

"Who are you calling a brat!?"

"I didn't say that, dammit!"

"Brother! Please, calm down! Before someone sees. We're on the same side!"

Edward snorted and stepped back. The Ishvalan put away his blood.

"Wow, that was amazing!" Alphonse praised.

The man shrugged with a smirk. Looking at his hand, there was an intricate scar of a transmutation circle. It was bright and red over his skin.

"Whoa, tattoo scarification. I've read about that! There are cultures that scar designs into their skins. Wow, you use it for your blood alchemy!"

"Yeah, I brought the idea to these guys. The alchemist that use their blood has their own scar designs. Name's Sergeant Zapp Renfro. Usually how scarification works is that the design turns white and rises. But, because we use are alchemy quite often it stays open and red. It doesn't take much concentration to keep the wound open with our blood."

"That name doesn't sound very Ishvalan." Edward pointed out.

Sergeant Renfro clicked his tongue, "… Ya' hungry?"

Zapp took the Elrics to Dianne's Diner. It was a restaurant on the corner of an intersection, practically in the heart of the city within walking distance of headquarters. A man and a woman owned the place. The woman was the daughter of the man. She greeted and told them to sit anywhere. Zapp had the brothers sit with him at the barstools.

"Sergeant, how did you become a blood alchemist?

Zapp sighed, "As you know-it-alls are aware, Isvhalans are wholly against alchemy. Perverted science. Basically, I didn't have anybody to raise me to be a proper Ishvalan. I was found by some old traveler who was a master blood ritualist. Long before the colonel became one. He could use two-attributes, fire, and wind. He decided to train me and that was that. Now, I don't need your pity, tin man! I can feel you pitying me! Besides, I'm not completely breaking my beliefs. I use the blood alchemy to weaponize my own blood. I'm not creating anything. I'm not an artist to be creative or a scientist. I just follow my gut and my natural talent."

"And you joined the military?" Edward asked.

Zapp sighed, "You two ask a lot of questions. How I became alchemist is enough for ya'!"

"Fine, then what about the vampires?"

"Mmm, about that… I guess you'll be taken to the crime scenes, but I can give you some info. The first murder was two months ago. They've been steadily increasing since then. Along with the murders, there have been disappearances."

"Do you think they've just been killed somewhere else?" Edward sipped his coffee.

"That what we thought when the murders first started. Alright, did you eat enough… Hey, tin man! You didn't eat at all!"

"Um, I'm an early riser… I had breakfast at headquarters!"

"Fine, c'mon, let's go!"

"Hey! Pay before you go!" Yelled Vivian the waitress.

Zapp patted his pockets and winced, "Oops, forgot my wallet! Hey, you State Alchemists get the big bucks, right?"

Edward growled. Alphonse put a hand on his brother's shoulder to keep him calm.

The neighborhood that was wide awake for so early in the morning. A building was blocked off by a combination of police and military. Lt. Col. Starphase was speaking to a less than tall man with a swoop of hair covering one of his eyes. He appeared to be barking up at Steven, while the Lt. Col. just calmly stood over him. Steven noticed Zapp and the Elrics and waved them over.

"Zapp," his voice was light, and his smile was warm, but the air felt frigid. "Why are the Elrics here?"

"I thought it would be better for them to see a fresh scene," Zapp grinned.

"Why is a kid here? This is a crime scene, not a damn playground!"

"Detective Daniel Law," Steven held his hand out to Edward, "This is Edward Elric the Fullmetal Alchemist sent directly from Central."

The man's eye widened, and he gapped at Edward, "What?! This guy's a state alchemist?! Goddammit, damn you dogs!"

"Mr. Elric is fully capable to handle this situation."

"THIS situation?!"

"He was sent from Central specifically for this case regarding the murders. This happened just last night. It's a mess."

All looked at the entrance. There was a puddle gather on a step. As it pooled there were dribbling streams that slid down and was creating another pool on the street. Edward could smell the tinge of iron in the air. Fresh blood.

"It isn't pretty in there," warned Steven.

"I want to see it." Edward insisted.

Daniel sighed and waved at another officer to let them pass. Edward winced as they entered the building. The scent of blood had become heavier. Alphonse gasped as they took in the scene. Zapp was right. The entire room was painted red with blood. There was no surface left untouched. Throughout the room, were bodies and parts of bodies strewn about. Edward took a deep breath and crouched down to hand and wrist. It was a very clean cut. Incredibly clean. Uncomfortably clean. All the body parts had been cut. Zapp clicked his tongue, muttering that Edward didn't hurl. Daniel sighed.

"This is the base of the Lazloro Family. One of the top mafia families in the city, the most dangerous, and for years we could never pin them to their crimes. Their ancient leader… that wrinkled red prune over there… that's his head, was Francesco Lazloro. According to their roster, every member has been killed. Except for one. Some two-bit thug that recently joined for a few months. Some guy named Tonio. Didn't even have a last name."

"Whoever did this must have taken the guy," Edward confirmed.

"Why kill everyone and take him?" asked Alphonse.

"Yes, as we had explained. There had been killings, but recently, there have been people disappearing," reminded Steven.

"This city has become more than just a feeding ground for the vampires," muttered Edward, "They're also increasing their numbers."

Daniel pulled out a cigarette and lit it. Taking a drag, he cursed under his breath.

Unbeknownst to them, they were being watched by a little white monkey. The white monkey that belonged to Leo. His large eyes took in the scene. Overlaid over his eyes were blue rune creating eyes. Sonic turned his head left and right. The runes spin as they adjusted their focus. His owner was in their hotel room sitting on the bed with his eyes opened. He shuddered to see the room of bloody horrors. Leo fought hard to keep his breakfast down. He explained the sight to his sister, insisting to know what he was seeing and threatened him not to withhold anything.

"Edward was sent to figure out the murders happening in the city."

"Wow, he must be very amazing."

"He may be amazing, but, it doesn't tell us whether or not we should get close to him. I don't want to be a part of whatever is going on in this city, but I am supposed to witness something that surrounds Edward. Something big is coming. I see it. I see all the lines pointing to Central, deep in the earth."

"I think Edward and Alphonse might be good."

Leo sighed with a smile, "Ever hopeful, Michela."

"I understand you being cautious. But even now, we're are in danger. We've always have been for three years."

"We should have never come here in the first place, but our parents wanted so badly for you to walk."

"Shhh, Leo. Hey, you're not pushing yourself too hard? Don't look too hard. Just have Sonic keep watch and check on them every hour."

"Yeah, yeah. I've seen enough."

Leo closed his eyes. Michela made a good call. The slight hint of a headache was coming on. He stretched and stood up.

"Hey, why don't we visit Patrick and Neyka."

"Yes!"

Leo and Michela go to Dianne's. Vivian was overjoyed to see him, leaving from behind the counter and gave them each a big hug. She offered to make them a lunch special on the house. It was a tempting offer, but they really wanted to see Patrick. Vivian winked in understanding.

"Hey, Dad, remember that Leo has some dishes to wash."

Her dad nodded in understanding and thumbed over his shoulder to the kitchen. Leo pushed his sister around the counter, Vivian promised to make their favorite dish when they finished their work. There were dirty dishes waiting to be washed. The dishes were passed over for the pantry. In the pantry were crates of fresh produce and a huge icebox where meat and other items needing to be kept chilled. Leo opened his eyes. Through them, he could see a symbol of a great tree within an outline of a circle. A language that wasn't spoken by human tongue was writing around the ring. It was drawn on a wall that was cleared of the crates. Leo reached into his coat and pulled out a small glass vial. The vial is uncorked, and a slimy, sparkling blue substance coats his two fingers. Leo draws four characters in the language that matched the wall. Now, one would think that such a manner of decoding would be easy. However, the language as previously mentioned wasn't human and the characters changed based on the person that was deciphering the language. Each character was drawn in the four corners of the circle. The characters glowed on the wall and slid into the symbol of the tree. A seam sliced the wall down the middle from floor to ceiling. The walls pull apart revealing the hazy fog from above. There were floating chunks of earth. Plush green grass grew on top of the earth. Some had small trees growing. From the opening of the pantry was a concrete footbridge. It was very old, practically ancient with twisting, gnarled vines twisted around it. At the far end of the bridge, there was a great tree. Within its roots as thick as pillars, a door. A wooden door with a heavy ring for a door opener.

"I really wish I could see what you're seeing, Leo. With these eyes, I only have a hint, just a glimmer of the magic in the air. I see the door that leads to the Beyond. I wish I can see the Yggdrashiad tree entirely."

"I won't lie to you. It is quite a sight. The doorway to the Beyond."

Crossing the bridge, they entered through the door. On the other side, there was bustling life with strange lifeforms. Beings of dreams and of nightmares. Beings that had been imagined from the imagination of human artists and storytellers. Clothed creatures, some with multiple eyes, multiple limbs, claws on their hands, and tentacles for mouths. Beings with bulbous heads without eyes and steel-plated faces with glinting colorful glass eyes built-in. The city life here in the Beyond was like a strange mirror-image of the world Above. Amongst these incredible beings were speckles of humans in their midst. Humongous beasts with only two muscular arms, crawled on the streets pulling streetcars on tracks. In the foggy sky, flying giant centipedes undulate and strange flying things somewhat birdlike and eyeballs with flapping leather wings. Amongst the weird, there were speckles of humans walking alongside such strangeness. Much like what Leo and Michela were doing now. When Leo received the eyes, his eyes were open to the otherworld, the Beyond.

One of the streetcars pulled by a monster is caught by the siblings. After several blocks and a turn or two at a bus stop. A walk past a block and they were in front of a dark three-story building. Leo opened the door for Michela to roll herself in. The bell on the door jingled and signaled a between their age. The girl's sleepy blue eyes widened, she smiled with delight.

"Neyka!" Michela cheered.

Neyka jumped out of her chair and rushed around the counter. She nearly tackled Michela into her own chair. Michela laughed and hugged Neyka in return.

"It's been too long!"

"Hey, Neyka!" Leo waved.

Neyka waved at Leo. Pulling away, Neyka ran back behind the counter and disappeared through an open doorway. In less than two minutes, there were thundering footsteps and a roar of deep laughter. A large man with a thick, dark mane and dark skin nearly crashed his forehead on the beam of the doorway. His joy pierced through his shades.

"LEO! MICCHY! HEEEEY!"

Leo yelped as he was swept into the man's thick, burly arms through the man's sweater. The man jumped up and down and swung Leo about. Michela and Neyka laughed.

"G-good… ach, to see you… oof… too, Patrick! Please… put me down!"

"Wow, this is great," Patrick dropped Leo, "I didn't think you would come back the Lot. Or rather, I didn't think you would come down here! I mean, I heard is crazy up there," Patrick pointed to the ceiling. "It's also worse down here. The vampires! We already know that some upstairs mafia had been sliced and diced last night!"

Neyka nodded.

"So, what brought you guys back?"

Coffee was passed around the gathering by the display window. Patrick listened with raised eyebrows at their explanation. When finished with their story he is silent as he smokes his cigarette. He hums and looked at Leo.

Patrick nods in understanding, "Alright, I got just the thing. Also, a bit of warning. There have been sightings of homunculi. Now, they could be here for several reasons. I heard of this Fullmetal. He had his run-in with those things. They could be here for him."

"Or they could be here for us. It's been some time since our last visit." Leo ran a hand through his hair, making it messier. "Dammit!"

"Leo, it's going to be fine. We're ready for them this time."

"You will be with what I got for ya'," grinned Patrick maliciously. "Stick around, it will only take me a minute to find it. I've been tinkering since we last saw each other. Relax, I know how you both feel about guns. You rather maim or hinder your opponents than kill them. Anyway, what's the plan?" Patrick looked at Leo. "Will you help the state alchemist, a dog of the military?"

"There's so much at risk though! With these Eyes, what if I become the property of the military? While at the same time, the homunculi are after me for them! They'll kill me…"

"On one hand, if you side with the military, you will be protected by them. You would be a very valuable case study. But, you don't want to be strapped to them… hmmm, let me talk to the Colonel."

"Colonel?" Leo tilted his head.

"He's a good guy. He runs the city, this post, as he sees fit and the people like him. He and his unit take no crap from Central and Central can't really do much because they don't understand them. Well, do you want me to set up a meeting, Leo?"

Leo thought really hard for about a minute. He looked at Patrick and nodded.

The investigation continued as Edward and Alphonse were taken to the Bradbury Hospital. It was a unique place where the army medics worked with the civilian staff. The head medic was Lieutenant Luciana Estevez, another loyal follower of Col. von Reinherz. She was a very busy woman being all over the place, checking in on staff, patients, and helping Edward in their investigation. In the hospital basement, the vampire victims' corpses were kept under lock and key and guard. These corpses were drained completely of blood just like the reports. Their attackers were brutal about it. It appeared that most had their neck snapped. Luciana deducted from the autopsy, that their neck was yanked to the side before the vampire sunk their fangs in. Hopefully, they were killed instantly.

"All the attacks happened at night?" asked Edward.

"Yes, and are found the next morning or later in the day," Luciana confirmed.

"Then it looks like we'll be patrolling the streets at night."

Alphonse nodded in understanding. Sonic has continued his watch over the Elric brothers from the ledge of a building. Several floors above him, luckily, he was out of sight, there were three beings watching the brothers as well. All dressed in black were a curvaceous female, a wide-short male with a bald head, and a being of undetermined gender.

"Well, well," murmured the female. "What a coincidence. We were tracking the Watches and happen to come upon our dear friends, the Elrics."

"This isn't good," grumbled the other. "Father won't be happy if the Beholder of the All-Seeing-Eyes of the Gods allies themselves with them. He'll spoil the big surprise."

"Which is why we must find them and killed them," the female purred.

The short-wide man grinned. Drool flows out of the corner of his mouth like a dripping faucet.

"I get to eat them, yes, Lust?!"

"Everything, but the Eyes," Lust reminded him gently. "Father wants the Eyes. Hundreds of years ago there was a Witness when Father was first born and the Fall of Xerxes. The Witness was a friend of the Elrics' father."

"Yeah, yeah, I know the story. After the fall, the witness gouged out his eyes and crushed the Eyes. Riga

Zapp returned the Elrics to headquarters and promptly left them on their own. Until mid-afternoon, the Elrics gathered every piece of information regarding the vampire creator. They read through all the reports regarding those murdered, who was missing with photos provided. Edward noticed that most of those missing were healthy and young individuals between their early twenties to early thirties. They were beautiful and handsome people. The military and the police had increased their numbers in patrolling the streets, but none of them had encountered any of them. Yet.

Klaus was at his desk when the phone rings. He picked up the phone and was greeted by a friend.

"Patrick, it's good to hear from you, friend… Yes… yes, your work on the car is exquisite. Gilbert takes very good care of it. Hm, no, we haven't gotten into a situation to use its extra features… Now, now, don't be sad. Hm? A favor for a friend. He would like to meet with me. Our doors are open to the public, we… Yes… I see. I understand your friend's hesitation. Hmm, mostly with the Fullmetal Alchemist from Central. Yes. They do seem like good people. They have been eager to figure out the murders. We can set-up a meeting with him and myself. It would just be me and Steven. We will come to you. Tonight? I'm sure Steven and I can get away for the night. See you tonight, Patrick."

"Going out tonight, sir?"

Klaus looked to his butler, who stood in the doorway of the office.

"Yes, meeting with Patrick and an old friend of his."

"An old friend of his?"

"Don't worry about giving us a lift. We're going into the Beyond."

"Understood sir, please, excuse me."

Gilbert bowed and left the office. Just as Gilbert had stepped outside the gate and disappeared around the corner… Gilbert rolled in from shopping in the car.

Zapp returned the Elrics to the garrison by sunset. He absolutely declined to join them in their night patrol. The sergeant told them that solving the murders was their mission since they were big shot alchemists from Central. He had more important things to do during the night! Edward was relieved. The sergeant took them all over the city to other crime scenes and would at times get sidetracked by some attractive woman every few blocks or got hungry every hour! They would rest before and during dinner to allow the night to fall.

"KLAUS! STEVEN!" Patrick greeted the two officers outside his shop. It was dark with only a few people. With the murders and disappearances, the citizens of Hellsalem's Lot were being very cautious. Heading straight home before the sunrise. There was an increase in police on the streets. A few had acknowledged them as they had passed Klaus and Steven.

They both smiled and shook hands with the tall man, who was close to Klaus's size.

"Patrick, it's not that late, but still, your voice," Klaus warned.

"Heh, then let's go inside, I got drinks ready! Did you eat? I'm sure Gilbert insisted you had a hot meal before heading out."

"He did," Klaus confirmed.

Inside, Neyka waved from the front counter. Patrick nodded to her and she left to the back. Steven looked around. On the wall were many weapons, going from small pistols behind the counter on the wall. The second wall had slightly larger pistols and long rifles, and the final wall had incredibly huge guns that only people like Klaus and Patrick could carry and operate. The three men followed after Neyka into a small kitchen with a large crate with wooden chairs around it.

"Business still going?" asked Steven.

"Can't complain, especially with all these murders… oh, uh…"

Klaus sighed, "We're doing our best, but it isn't enough…" he took a seat. "They sent a state alchemist directly from Central."

"Yeah, I heard about that about town and from the guy that wanted to meet ya'. Neyka went in the back to get him. He has some concerns about him. Told him he could trust you to protect him and his sister."

"Protect them from what?"

"Listen, I've known these kids for a while. We were introduced by another old friend. They've gone through a lot. But, my main concern is with one of them."

Footsteps are heard and Neyka led a young man into the kitchen. The man stood before them and stood nervously. The man looked at Patrick. Patrick smiled and nodded with a thumbs up. He took a shaky breath.

"M-my name is Leonardo Watch. I… I have some questions about the Fullmetal Alchemist. I want to know if he could be trusted with a secret of mine. If it is safe for me to help him."

"Help him?" Steven frowned.

"Mr. Watch, we've only known Mr. Elric for a few hours. But, personally, I feel that the young man can be trusted. He isn't a true dog of the military."

"Yes, we reviewed reports of his past missions," Steven confirmed. "He gets the job done on his terms. He mostly helps the people, for their sake. His most famous mission that made him well known was back in Reole. He revealed to the entire city that their religious leader was a fraud manipulating them through his alchemy he was passing for 'miracles'."

"Oh! I've heard of that! That was him?"

"Yeah, really," Patrick was impressed along with Leo.

"Then there was a mining town where he revealed a greedy officer in charge to be taking money. He's currently AWOL and on the run."

"So, the Fullmetal Alchemist… is a good guy… that's great!"

"Young man, why do you need to be sure you could talk to the Fullmetal Alchemist? What secret do you have? We gave you the information, I think you should do the same." Steven insisted.

Leo looked to Patrick once again, "It's okay, Leo, you can trust these guys. They're just like the Fullmetal kid! I wouldn't work for them and give them my best weapons and skills if they weren't!"

"Well, it happened several years ago…"

"My family was a normal family that lived in the countryside, outside of Hellsalem's Lot. My father was a doctor and he served in the war. He was one of the lucky ones who survived. Dad never talked about the war. He used to have nightmares. Other than that, we were just a normal family. It was in October on the third, year eleven. A god appeared before my sister and I. Yes, a god. A god with many eyes. In one of his hands, he held out a pair of eyes and demanded that we choose who would bear witness. I was terrified out of my mind! I couldn't move or speak. Then, my sister, Michela spoke up and volunteered to give up her sight. In doing that, I became the witness. To bind the contract, my sister's eyes were taken. I guess that's what you alchemist call… equivalent exchange.

Our parents were shocked and…. well… anyway, it took some time with but eventually, my dad started to help me with my Eyes…"

"I'm sorry to interrupt," Steven raised his hands. "Your eyes? Your eyes were given to you by a god?"

"Steven, let's hear the whole story first…" Klaus nodded to Leo. "Please continue, Mr. Watch."

"… It provided a distraction for my dad, he began to study my eyes and doing experiments, to see what I can see through them. I've seen so many things. Some amazing and some horrifying. Then, I started seeing the lines. Red lines… when I started to notice lines… When I stared at the lines, my Eyes would follow the lines to different points in the world. One of them being Ishval. All the lines were being connected and they all pointed to Central and when I looked deep under Central I saw him… I saw a man that was as horrifying as the god that gave me the Eyes! …and he saw me! I told this to my dad and he began doing research and he contacted old army friends who were alchemists. He realized something and became scared. By the time he had figured out what was going on, we were found by homunculi. Dad stayed behind. He made us and our Mom leave our home at night. The plan was for us to hide in the city. We never heard from him ever again. We were on the road and by morning they caught up to us and attacked us. They caused the car we were in to crash. It killed our mom and crushed Michela's legs. They wanted me. They said that their father wanted my Eyes. It was at that time when Patrick and Neyka arrived on the situation and fought the homunculi off. They took us in and took us to Hellsalem's Lot and hid us in the Beyond. Patrick had friends who helped Michela."

Leo was sitting now. He sniffed and hid his face with an arm.

"It was my fault! It's my fault! I should have… left home and did as the god said! But I was too scared to leave home! It's my fault that our parents are dead! My fault that my sister got hurt so badly… she lost her legs!"

"Mr. Watch," Klaus spoke up. "Leonardo… the actions of these homunculi are not your fault! It is clear from what you had witnessed, what your Eyes revealed to you is something the homunculi don't want anyone to know about. They have ill-intentions for this world."

Klaus stood up and put his hands-on Leo's shoulders, "We'll help and introduce you to the Fullmetal Alchemist. You and your sister will be placed strictly under our protection!"

The door at the front jingled. Patrick frowned.

"Whoops thought I locked it! I'll be back!"

Patrick stood up, "Hey," his voice boomed. "We're close! I didn't lock the door, but the sign does say close…right?!"

Leo looked in the direction of the front door. He gasped and jumped to his feet.

"PATRICK! It's a homunculus!"

There was a curse and a crashed. Then gunfire!

"Neyka!" Patrick roared. "Take Leo to the BEYOND! AAAAAAAGH!"

"Steven, escort them to the Beyond!" Klaus was on his feet. The decorated wound of a cross on his hand glowed.

"Klaus!"

"We can't let them get their hands-on Leonardo!"

Steven gritted his teeth, sighed, and nodded. Neyka grabbed Leo's hand and the two ran with Steven on their heels. A thought came to Steven. How did Leo know there was a homunculus? Did his Eyes allowed him to see him through the walls?! What other powers were his Eyes capable of?

From a distance, Edward and Alphonse heard an explosion. A section of the city was bathed in red light. Without saying a word, the brothers raced to the blood-red light show!