A painless lesson is one without any meaning. One who does not sacrifice anything, cannot achieve anything.

From Lead to Gold

We'd been traveling for days, with no end in sight. It didn't affect me: my iron body had no need to rest or drink. Edward, however, was extremely fatigued. But every time I would ask to stop, he would start ranting about how I thought he was weak because he was small. He's always been like that: I sometimes think his pride's the only thing that's kept him going all these years. It's all he has left to hold on to, to protect.

But in a way, it's also because of pride that we are the way we are. A different kind of pride, though. Hubris, I think it's called.

Thinking you are God's equal, crossing into his domain. My brother says he doesn't believe in God, but I think he acts more ignorant than he is. He knows, deep down, that something punished us for what we did, trying to do the work of the "creator." Maybe he chooses to ignore God's existence, in order to spite him for not letting us take back what we held most dear. Or perhaps, he just can't force himself to believe that a righteous God would be so vengeful.

As for myself, I try not to think about things like that. Since the incident with Cornello, I've never looked at religion the same. I've never worshiped or praised God, but I suppose he could exist. I don't know. All I know is, as we lie here under these night stars (resting for the first time in days), my mind cannot help but wonder into the big picture. We can't just exist out of coincidence, and we aren't the only one responsible for our fates, like Ed thinks. No, as I stare into the stars, I am sure there is something out there staring back.

"Al," my brother is lying on his side, facing away from me. "Do you think-do you think if there is a heaven, would we get in?"

I pause a minute before answering. "I hope so," is all I can say.

"Do you think you have to have certain beliefs to get in? Do you think you have to have faith?"

"I wouldn't think so. If God is as good as people say-," at this, my brother laughs. "-then you should get in if you are just a good enough person."

It is my brother's turn for silence. "But after all we've done, could we really be described as "good people"? Even now, we are trying to escape God's punishment, and I'm sure he wouldn't like that."

I give him a puzzled look. Or, I would have, if I was properly equipped to do so. "What brought this on, Ed? You've never thought about this kind of thing before."

Ed then smirks. "It's nothing, really. Just a thought I had. No big deal." He stands, absolute, the fire of determination apparent in his eyes. "You're right, Al; no matter what anyone thinks or says, we are good people. And we're gonna keep doing what we want, and taking down anyone that gets in our way."

I stand up also. This is the brother I really know. Pride, hubris, it's all he really has left to protect. But his drive, the thing that keeps him going isn't his pride: it's sheer determination.