Ed and Al arrive at the city of Lior, hoping to find the legendary Philosopher's Stone so they can return their bodies back to normal. There, they meet a priest named Cornello, who is able to perform "miracles." As Ed and Al investigate, they find out the truth about Cornello.

Ed and Al become interested in biological transmutation after witnessing a chimera in Lior, so Colonel Mustang introduces them to an expert in the field, Shou Tucker, the Life-binding Alchemist. Meanwhile, a serial killer whose targets are only State Alchemists is on the loose in Central.

Ed is now in a hospital recovering from his wounds and Al is unable to let go of what Number 66 told him back at the Fifth Laboratory. Meanwhile, Winry agrees to make a trip to Central in order to repair Ed's automail... again!

The Elrics scuffle with Ling Yao and his attendants, Lan Fan and Fu, visitors from Xing seeking the Philosopher's Stone. Ed may not like him, but Ling Yao's not leaving until he gets what he wants.

May and Marcoh's efforts to decode the research of Scar's brother yield progress, but it might be too late to prevent catastrophe. Violence is spreading across the land, and it will soon reach the northern border.

Ed's crew faces a horde of ravenous mannequins, abominations powered by human souls. The twisted creatures aren't the only unstoppable force on the battlefield -Pride, Sloth, and Envy are on the move.

As the light of the sun vanishes, Mustang learns the loss which comes from seeing the other side of the Gateway - and five sacrifices gather in the dark presence of the Father.