Stand Up and Walk

All Things Are Possible

"No, um, it's not me!" Al says hurriedly.

The whole crowd stops and looks at Ed. "What?" one man calls out. "You mean it's the little guy?"

"WHO'S LITTLE?!?! SAY IT TO MY FACE, I DARE YA!!!!"

...

"So, what's with this dude on the radio?" you question after having calmed Ed down.

The man who works at the food stand is still dazed. "T-that's our leader, Father Cornello."

"...there is light," Cornello drones on. "When in darkness, turn thy face unto..."

"When Cornello came to town," one of the townsfolk explains, "he started teaching us the ways about the sun god, Leto."

"He grants eternal life to those that are faithful."

"He can resurrect the dead."

"His miracles are proof that what he says is true!"

You and Ed exchange meaningful glances. "So this guy is claiming he can bring the dead back to life?" he asks.

"Well then," you continue. "That's something I've just gotta see."

...

"So that's it, huh?" Ed says doubtfully, glancing at the large crystal flower the man had transmuted. "What do you think?"

"There's nothing to think," you state. "That's alchemy."

"But he's ignoring the law of Equivalent Exchange!" Al murmurs. "He should have only been able to transmute that flower into something of equal mass!"

"He's changing organic matter into inorganic matter," Ed continues thoughtfully. "He shouldn't be able to do that. Unless..."

"Yeah, there's just one way," you declare, your eyes zeroing in on the ring the man wears. "Bingo."

...

"O merciful god," the young woman pleads to the statue above her. "Please hear my prayers. I beg of thee, please bring him back..."

"So this is the mighty sun god Leto," you declare. The woman starts and turns around to face you. Her purple eyes appraise you from beneath her pink bangs. Her black hair cascades down her back, and her long, simple white dress hides her body. "Welcome," she greets softly. "Are you interested in Letoism?"

"Nope," Ed says casually. "Can't say I am."

"We're not really the religious type," you inform her.

"Well," the girl says, bowing her head with a small smile. "I'm sorry to hear that. To know God is...to know hope. If we believe in divine grace, then through him, all things are possible. If you two believed—" The woman turns her intense gaze on you and Ed, and she brings up a fist. She sparkles with sincerity. "If you two believed, I'm sure Leto would bless you and make you grow taller!!!"

"WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!?!"

"Hey, calm down, guys!" Al gushes. "I'm sure she's just trying to help!"

You huff, irritated, and throw yourself down on one of the benches. Ed sits next to you. "What about bringing the dead back to life?" he questions the woman. "Do you believe that's possible, too?"

"Yes," she breathes immediately. You can't help but to admire her devotion, even if you don't share it. "

Ed sighs and reaches into the pocket of his long red coat, pulling out a small black journal. "Water, 35 liters," he rattles off hollowly. "Carbon, 20 kilograms." You jerk—why does he still have that? He carries it with him all the time? "Ammonia, 4 liters. Lime, 1.5 kilograms. Phosphorus, 800 grams. Salt, 250 grams. Saltpeter, 100 grams. And various other trace elements."