I was genuinely surprised and proud when Al finally chose to wield the philosopher's stone, knowing full well what it meant to use those souls. My heart ached for him, realizing the immense burden he was taking on, especially after how long he and Ed resisted that path. This decision isn't just a step; it feels like him fully embracing his own power and sacrifice for the greater good, a far cry from the boy who refused even a small part of it earlier in the series.