Ling is one of the numerous princes of the Xing, a large country to the east. He is the successor of the Yao clan, and he wants to become the next emperor, and in order to do so he has to fufill the current, dying emperor's wish of immortality. So, along with his two bodyguards Ran Fan and Foo, Ling is on a mission to find the key to immortality - the Philosopher's stone. This mission leads him to meet up with the Elric brothers, chase the homunculi and eventually become one. Ling appears very goofy at first, joking around, annoying Ed, eating vast amounts of food and then fainting when he doesn't eat enough. However, as we see more of him, we see that he has a serious side, impressive fighting skills and how determined he is to become the emperor and protect the people of his country. Over all, Ling is a mischievous, daring, reckless, determined, stubborn and caring character who's future remains uncertain.

Edward is the main character of the series, and is an Alchemist from the small town of Resembool in Amnestris. His mother died when he was a small child, and he and his younger brother, Alphonse, decided to try and resurrect her using alchemy. After enduring tough training with the alchemist Izumi Curtis, they thought they had figured out how to bring their mother back, but their attempt failed and Edward lost his arm and leg, and Alphonse lost his entire body. After binding his brother's soul to a suit of armour and getting automail, Edward and Alphonse began their journey to try and get their original bodies and find the truth. Although Edward is very intelligent and a gifted alchemist, his is also very stubborn and hot headed, and becomes enraged whenever anyone mentions his height. He is often mistaken for being the younger of the two brothers because of his shortness, and sometimes very immature attitude. However he also cares alot about his family and friends, and goes to great lengths to protect them, always thinking about their safety over his own.

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