Post by Kawai on Feb 10, 2006 11:40:45 GMT -5
In the town of Kwynne, alchemy is a forbidden art. People feared the
Magic Of creation; they feared the secrets held. No one dared to practice Alchemy, Except for one young woman. This is her tale…
Ed and Al had been on the road for more than a week now, with nothing
But desert visas to be seen. The trip had been taking its toll on the boys, and it was showing. Ed’s stomach grumbled. “Oh, when will we see a town or city or something?!” Ed whined aloud. “I think it’s a bit further brother, maybe a mile or two off.” Al said. “I don’t think I’ll last that long.” Ed whined. Al sighed. No use trying to pacify him when he’s hungry. Ed glanced at his brother. Always so calm and peaceful, even in the face of danger. Or hunger. But Ed saw something past his brother. A house with lush greenery, and a large tree nearby. “Holy mackerel! I see a house! Sweet salvation! FOOD!!!” Ed raced off, leaving his brother behind. ‘He’d better be careful, or he’s gonna get us in trouble.’ Al thought. “Hey, wait up for me!!” he called out, as he tried to catch up with Ed.
“Filthy wench!” a man hollered from a dank stone room. He sat at a wood
Desk, looking awfully angry. A young woman is standing, with a defiant
Glint in her eyes. “Have you no sense, child?! You keep practicing the
Forbidden magic. You keep getting thrown into jail! Why do you do so?” The girl stared straight at him. “Have you no sense, foolish man? The art of alchemy is the only thing that can save us, not some foolish myth that Mynar will come back to life.” “Silence! Do not take Mynar’s name in vain, wench!” With that, the man slapped her across the face. But the girl stood, unflinching, with her piercing gaze. “Very well, then. If you so badly want to be imprisoned, then so it shall be!” The man left the room. ‘If this is the only way to save the village, then I don’t care if I have to go through hell and back to save it.
Alchemy is the only way…I won’t break our promise father… ’ the girl
Slipped out of her thoughts, as guards came in, and led her to a prison cell. When she was walking, a dull clunk could be heard. The girl had a crippled leg, and had attached a wooden brace to attempt to heal it, but with no success. Dragging her leg, she made her way down the hall, dark brown braid swinging and brushing against her back. She finally made it to the cell. The guards opened the barred door, and she willingly walked in, a stern composition upon her face. Her hazel eyes filled with a sort of feeling, mixed between Hatred, sympathy, and sadness, as the guard locked the door.
When Ed had reached the house, his brother was still lagging behind.
“Hurry up Al, or I’ll go without you!” Ed called out. Al reached Ed, panting from his run. “You’re not the one with a suit of armor running.” “Oh yeah, hehehe, sorry. Now then, let’s see if this person is home.” He knocked on the door, but no one came. He tried to twist the knob, but the door was locked. “Hello? Is anyone there?” Ed called to no one. “Hmm, no one’s home I guess, Ed.” Al tried to console. With absolutely no luck at all. “Well, there’s the town that’s nearby. We can try there.” Al informed. Ed lit up. “Why didn’t you say so, Al?” Both smiled, and began to run towards the town. Reaching the outskirts, they saw people, dressed in casual shirts and pants, sometimes dresses, bustling, carrying baskets of fruits and vegetables, farmers selling chickens, cows, sheep, and pigs, and peddlers with little trinkets, tools and toys. Children ran around people’s legs, offering sweets
And baked goods, or playing around. Beyond the village was a large,
Crystal clear lake. “It looks like a picture from a fairy tale…” Ed commented. Then they noticed a group of people surrounding three people by a (from what Ed and Al could tell) medicine shop; one a man, largely built, muscular almost, tall, and balding with a brown beard and moustache, with a painful looking club in his hand, the second and third being a middle-aged woman and a child around 12, with the woman trying to protect the child. The man called out, “Stand down, woman! This child stole from my shop!” “But you are certainly wealthy enough to at least let this child pass by without harm due him!” The
Boy whimpered, “Mother, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for this to happen! I
Just wanted sister to get better!” The boy began to cry. “That doesn’t give you the right to steal from my shop! This boy needs to be punished!” And with that, the man swung his club, but was blocked. Ed had created a wall made of stone, with alchemy. “If the woman is right, sir, you don’t need to punish that boy for stealing. Just ask for some favors or something in return for the medicine stolen.” Al suggested. No one spoke back; they were terrified of the boy who just used alchemy. “Mother, he just used the forbidden art!” the little boy cried out. Ed was bewildered. “What are you talking about? I just used alchemy-““That’s enough!” a man’s booming voice stated. The crowd
Parted, to make way for an elderly old man, with a gray moustache and
Beard, and dressed in long flowing robe of a woody brown, embroidered with gold thread, and carried with him, a battered old cane of wood. He made his way slowly up to Ed and Al. “Have you used alchemy in the perimeters of this village?” he interrogated. Ed answered “Yes, but““He used alchemy?” A hush fell over the crowd. The woman and boy had long since run from the crowd. “Alchemy is forbidden in this village. Even if you did save the woman and child, you have broken the law. We have but only one option; to put you two in prison.” “What?! But we had no idea-“ “The leader has spoken and you dare to question his authority?” he man with the club questioned. “Calm down Jerry. You have no idea whom I be?” the man interrogated. “We don’t even know where we are, let alone any people here.” Al stated. Ed gazed at the
Man. The man was very old, and wizened, leaning on the cane for
Support. But he had a sort of presence that commanded respect. “Very well, then. I am the leader of this village of Kwynne, Ben. The man with the rather distasteful weapon in hand is Jerry, my guard. He will escort you to the village jail.” Ben stated. “As for you, Jerry,” Jerry flinched. “You will have your punishment decided by the Council. Now everyone, go back to your preparations for the Spirits Festival at the end of the week.” The old man turned to the horrified Al, and perturbed Ed. “Let’s go boys.” Jerry motioned for the boys to follow him, along a forest dirt path. After walking on the forest path in silence Jerry spoke up, quite warily though. “So, what are your names?” he asked. Al responded first. “I am Alphonse, but call me Al, and he is Ed.” Jerry looked at him very weirdly. “We don’t get people in armor or alchemists too often. So the short one is Ed right? You two brothers?” Ed was enraged. “Who are you calling short one?!” Jerry smiled. “Sorry, didn’t mean to insult you there, Ed.” Al sighed. “Yup, we’re brothers. Ed is the older one.” Jerry looked very puzzled. “Okay then…” Ed wondered about something. “What is the Spirits Festival?” Jerry stopped on
The dirt path. He looked very sullen. “The Spirits Festival is a
Tribute to our guardian, Mynar. Once a year, five people are sent to pray at the temple, across the Lake Amberyl. If they make it past the lake monster, named Solence. Solence is an alchemy created fish chimera, set here by the Ceridish. Often, no one makes it to the temple, because of Solence. My oldest boy, Christopher, is one of the five to do so this year.” A silence fell upon the three. “But why do they do that, if the chosen will only die?” Al questioned. “Because people believe that praying to their Mynar at that temple will deliver this place from the terrible battles we have been through. We are at war with another village, the village of Ceridsly.” Jerry glanced from the dirt path, and noticed that they were close to the jail, a
Building made of heavy stone. He could see it, barely a rise on the
Horizon... “One more question though; why did you act like that with the Woman and child?” Ed asked. “The woman, Amanda, is a liar and a thief. Her boy, Derek, is as bad as her. He starts fights with the other children, and doesn’t do a bit of work around the village. They are actually quite well off, the heirs to the advisor of Ben, Leon, who is very disliked among the people.” Jerry replied. “I know I shouldn’t have been so harsh, but what with my daughter Cora serving as a fighter in the war, and Christopher being chosen for the Spirits Festival, I’ve been pretty wound up.” He gazed up at the stone building that lay before them. “Well, I am not appointed to go inside that building, so we must wait until a guard comes to take you two.” “Okay.” Ed and Al replied simultaneously. “You two aren’t nearly as bad as I
Thought you’d be.” Jerry spoke suddenly. “The alchemists that come here
Often harm our people and land, so we must be cautious.” “I can
Understand.” Al replied. “There is one person here though, who refuses to quit her alchemy. Quite the headstrong lass, I’m told. Constantly, she is thrown into jail, for using alchemy. She is always saying that Mynar can’t help us, that alchemy can help us. Alchemy has only brought us trouble. Mynar, centuries ago, defended this entire village alone, from a horde of Ceridish warriors, who used a magic similar to alchemy to kill our people and destroy our village. He succeeded, and the villagers are still forever grateful to him. But the girl believes that we can’t resurrect Mynar; that we must get off our asses and depend on ourselves to win the war. Some say she is a lunatic, some say she is controlled by the Ceridish, but the fact is that she is right. We can’t depend on a dead person to fight our battles for us.” Ed looked on in wonder at the largely built man with a balding head. More war, death and pain brought by alchemy. Two guards, dressed in metal armor
Came from inside the building. “These two?” one guard asked. “Yes.” Jerry nodded. “Well, I guess this is good bye…” Al said. The sky darkened, and a sprinkle of rain danced upon the ground. “Goodbye, Edward and Alphonse.” A guard turned to them. “Come on, you two. Can’t stand in the rain all day you know.” The second guard said. The guards opened the jail door, and led the two inside. “It’s sad really.” One guard commented. “What’s so sad?” Ed queried. “You two have to share a cell with the insane alchemist in there. I hope she doesn’t use you in an experiment.” The first guard snickered. “Yeah, she might turn you into a mouse!” the second guard guffawed. Poor Ed was getting insulted. Pity, really. But he kept his mouth shut, not wanting to get in anymore trouble than the two were already in. The four rounded a corner, and then the two guards stopped in front of a heavy iron door. “Well, this is your cell.” The first guard stated. The second guard sounded annoyed
However. “I’ve already been here today.” He muttered. “More nutcases
Every time.” The first guard pulled some keys from his pocket, and unlocked the door. “You two stay here until the Council has decided upon your fate.” And with that, the two guards shoved Al and Ed into the cell, and locked the door once more. A pair of large brown eyes stared at the two from a shadowy hide. “Who are you?” a girl whispered in a tiny voice. She hid her face in the shadows, not wanting to be seen. The girl stared at the two for what seemed like an eternity, before she once more, spoke up. “If you are afraid of my reputation, then I’ll stay quiet.” She voice peeped. “Oh no! It’s kind of the shock of being in jail. We are alchemists as well.” Ed stated, quite
Proudly. Her eyes widened, not in fear, but what looked like joy. “So
You two are also alchemists? I am one as well, though this township forbids it.” She stepped from the shadows. Her tanned face revealed many scars, but right now though, it held a smile. Her brown braid swung like a pendulum across her back. “I am Kira, who might you two be?” she inquired. “We are Alphonse and Edward Elric, but you can call us Al and Ed.” Al said. Kira’s eyes widened even more, and she pointed at Ed. “You are the Full metal Alchemist? The hero of the people? No way!” Ed smiled to himself. “Yup! The Full metal Alchemist, in the flesh!” “It is an honor to meet such a highly regarded
Alchemist. But tell me, what are you two doing in this small village?
“Kira asked. “ There is nothing here that interests alchemy.” She stepped from the shadows to reveal a girl dressed in a white tank top shirt, with denim shorts and knee high brown boots. A dull clunk broke the silence. Ed looked around, wondering what the noise was. He came upon Kira’s leg, on which was a wooden brace, strapped on to her left leg. Kira saw him looking at the leg, and lowered her head. “The brace is for my leg, which the guards crippled years ago, during my first jail imprisonment.” “That’s horrible...” Ed quietly stated.
“It is nothing really. I’ve learned how to manage with using my leg. It
May not be simple, but it was the only way for me to move again.” An
Awkward silence followed. “So, are you really a crazy alchemist, like the villagers say?” Ed asked. Kira smiled. “No. I earned that title when I started alchemy. People were afraid of me, for what I was. I didn’t care. I created plants, stones, even fire from what I learned from my family’s books. I didn’t always get it right, so sometimes I would get hurt, with scratches and bruises from the kick-backs. That’s why I was banished to the outskirts of town, to a house far from the other villagers.” “Wait a minute. You live in a house on the outskirts of town? Did it have a huge tree in front?” Al asked, curious. Kira lit up. “Yes! That is my home. Then you two must have come through the southern desert entrance of town!” Ed and Al nodded. “Yeah,
We came through the desert alright. We knocked, but no one came.
Doesn’t anyone else live with you?” Ed asked. “No. My mother died in a second childbirth, and my father was never found after the Ishbal War. I, and my dog, now live in the house by ourselves.” Kira said. Another silence followed. Kira broke the silence. “Do you know when you two are getting out?” “No. A man named Ben said we were to stay in the prison, but didn’t say for how long.” Al said. “Then that means you guys get out today! I do as well. Most of my imprisonments last about a day, maybe two, but this one ends today. Perhaps you would like to have lunch at my house?” Kira asked. Ed’s stomach grumbled. “Food sounds good right about now.” Ed grumbled. Kira smiled a quick grin. “Don’t worry; the Council decides things around this time. We should be getting out around an hour from now.” Ed’s face fell. Kira showed a sympathetic look. ”It may seem like a long time, but I pass
Time by practicing my alchemy on some of the stones and pebbles. It
Helps a bit. Well for me at least.” Kira walked over to the east side of the cell, and pulled a piece of chalk from her pocket, kneeled, and started to draw a pattern, on the floor. Al and Ed looked at her, very curious as to what she was about to do. Kira grabbed some pebbles, and pulled from her pocket a vial of sand. She emptied the vial onto the pebbles, and set them in the middle of the transmutation circle. Closing her eyes, she placed her hands on the edge of the circle, activating the alchemy. A glowing light enveloped the pebbles. After the light subsided, the pebbles and sand were gone; in its place were a dozen glass marbles. Kira opened her eyes, and smiled
When she saw her handiwork. “Go ahead, give it a try. If you need chalk, I can lend some to you.” Kira offered. Ed had an idea. “Give me the chalk for a minute.” “Sure.” Kira handed Ed the chalk. Just as he started to draw the circle, a guard banged on the cell door. “No alchemy in here Kira!” Kira turned her head in anger. “Is that you Ryan? Come out and say that to my face!” A young man stepped from the shadows. “Kira, you in here again? Damn, that’s the eighth time this week! Hey wait a minute, you have company! More alchemists huh. Figures. More freaks every time.” Kira sat there,
Angry, but helpless to do anything about it. Well, almost. A marble whacked Ryan in the face. He reeled back in pain. “What the hell? Which one of you jackasses did that?!” Ed was standing, clutching a handful of the marbles. “If you’re gonna come here and bother her, then I suggest getting out of here.” “What are you doing?” Kira yelled. “You’ll pay for that, shorty!” Ryan screamed. “Who are you calling short?!?!” Ed and Kira shouted simultaneously. Kira pounded the door, while Ed tried to transmute the door. “When I get out, you’re gonna be so bloody! I spare no one!!!! Remember, I am the mad alchemist here!!!!” Kira looked so wild-eyed; she looked like she would break down the door. Ed had no trouble transmuting the door, making it fall
To a pile of ashes. Unfortunately, Kira was braced against the door,
So, well, she fell. “OW!!!! Damn, that hurt!” She got up on her feet,
Stumbling a little due to the crippled leg. Ed shouted a lot, as Ryan ran from the cell. “You come back here and call me shorty to my face!!!!” Al was terribly scared of the two people. Kira was already making a run for the guard, running surprisingly fast despite the crippled leg. “Stop! If we cause more trouble, we’ll be stuck here for a longer time!!!” Al shouted. He may have well been talking to a pair of pumpkins, for neither Kira nor Ed stopped or slowed. They crashed. A humongous brick door slammed in their faces, causing them to run into the door. “Come back here!!!” Kira shouted at the door.
“Fight me like a real man!!” she continued. Al ran from the cell and
Caught up with the two. “You idiots! Now we’re probably stuck here!!” Al scolded. Kira had a cunning smirk. “Oh don’t worry. He wouldn’t take his chances of being pinned to tree with snakes by telling the leaders what happened. If we sit pretty, act courteous and act like we are actually sorry for what happened, we’ll get out of here anyway!” Al shook his head. Ed laughed. “Wow, are you really THAT scary to the villagers?” “Yes.” Kira replied, with no hint of sarcasm. “Oh…” Ed was silent for a minute, until he heard footsteps coming their way. “I have a bad feeling about this.” He spoke softly. “Quick! We have to get the door back up! Uhh… remade!”Kira quipped. Ed made short work of the door. He put his hands on the dust from the door, quickly transmuting it to its original state. Kira was confused. “Wait a minute. How did you re-transmute the door without an array?” Ed didn’t exactly want Kira to know what happened all those years ago. Why Al was in a
Suit of armor. Why he had auto-mail. “I guess practice makes perfect?”
He awkwardly laughed. She smiled. “That actually makes sense there.” The three walked back into the cell and sat down on the floor, against the wall.
After a minute of silence, Kira day-dreamed aloud. “Charlie better not has eaten the tableware again…” Al was confused. “Who’s Charlie?” “Charlie’s my dog! When we get to my house, you’ll see him.” Kira replied quite enthusiastically. “What was the thing about being called short, Kira? Usually Ed has a reaction like that.” Al said. Kira closed her eyes. “I just have a problem with people insulting my height, that’s all.” Her eyebrow twitched several times. “I absolutely hate that boy! He thinks that just because he’s Ben’s son, he can do anything he wants to. That’s why I’m leaving as soon as I can.” Ed was intrigued. “Why can’t you leave now?” “Village code forbids a person younger than 25 years of age to leave the village. No exceptions. I’m still just 16.” Silence followed. It was too awkward to talk anymore. “You two should leave as soon as possible as well. This village has a bad reputation of killing or maiming alchemists and anyone in association of Central. And since you’re a State Alchemist, Ed,
You are in the most risk.” Kira informed. The brick door squeaked open,
And several guards in armor stepped in to the room. One, clad in shiny
Bronze colored armor, stepped forward to the group. He read aloud from a scroll.
“By order of the Council, the alchemists Kira Berkley, Edward and
Alphonse is hereby released from the custody of the reformatory. You three are free to leave.” He then unlocked the door. Kira smiled. “Rob, just because we have guests here doesn’t mean you have to be fancy.” The man in bronze armor shared a small laugh. “Kira, its wonder you’re still alive, after all that’s happened. You still practice alchemy like you were born with it in your blood. Why don’t you quit that nonsense and stay with your uncle?” Kira’s face darkened. “I can’t go back there Rob. It was horrible the time that I was there visiting, I don’t want to live there.” ‘Family conflict’ Ed decided. It wasn’t unusual to see fights among families now. Rob’s face softened. “Well, I guess I’ll get out of your way now. See you later Kira.” Kira waved goodbye as Rob and his group of troops stepped aside
To allow the three to pass by.
“I don’t understand you Rob. You can talk to that girl like she’s a
Normal person.” One of Rob’s colleagues mentioned. Rob smiled. “That’s because she is normal. She just does things that no one else does.”
Ed, Al, and Kira walked out of the jail, happy to be free from the
Morbid and dull cell. Clouds poured rain on the threesome. Ed and Al couldn’t see well in front of them. Fog had enveloped the forest area they were in. And a group of teenage boys were standing in their way
Magic Of creation; they feared the secrets held. No one dared to practice Alchemy, Except for one young woman. This is her tale…
Ed and Al had been on the road for more than a week now, with nothing
But desert visas to be seen. The trip had been taking its toll on the boys, and it was showing. Ed’s stomach grumbled. “Oh, when will we see a town or city or something?!” Ed whined aloud. “I think it’s a bit further brother, maybe a mile or two off.” Al said. “I don’t think I’ll last that long.” Ed whined. Al sighed. No use trying to pacify him when he’s hungry. Ed glanced at his brother. Always so calm and peaceful, even in the face of danger. Or hunger. But Ed saw something past his brother. A house with lush greenery, and a large tree nearby. “Holy mackerel! I see a house! Sweet salvation! FOOD!!!” Ed raced off, leaving his brother behind. ‘He’d better be careful, or he’s gonna get us in trouble.’ Al thought. “Hey, wait up for me!!” he called out, as he tried to catch up with Ed.
“Filthy wench!” a man hollered from a dank stone room. He sat at a wood
Desk, looking awfully angry. A young woman is standing, with a defiant
Glint in her eyes. “Have you no sense, child?! You keep practicing the
Forbidden magic. You keep getting thrown into jail! Why do you do so?” The girl stared straight at him. “Have you no sense, foolish man? The art of alchemy is the only thing that can save us, not some foolish myth that Mynar will come back to life.” “Silence! Do not take Mynar’s name in vain, wench!” With that, the man slapped her across the face. But the girl stood, unflinching, with her piercing gaze. “Very well, then. If you so badly want to be imprisoned, then so it shall be!” The man left the room. ‘If this is the only way to save the village, then I don’t care if I have to go through hell and back to save it.
Alchemy is the only way…I won’t break our promise father… ’ the girl
Slipped out of her thoughts, as guards came in, and led her to a prison cell. When she was walking, a dull clunk could be heard. The girl had a crippled leg, and had attached a wooden brace to attempt to heal it, but with no success. Dragging her leg, she made her way down the hall, dark brown braid swinging and brushing against her back. She finally made it to the cell. The guards opened the barred door, and she willingly walked in, a stern composition upon her face. Her hazel eyes filled with a sort of feeling, mixed between Hatred, sympathy, and sadness, as the guard locked the door.
When Ed had reached the house, his brother was still lagging behind.
“Hurry up Al, or I’ll go without you!” Ed called out. Al reached Ed, panting from his run. “You’re not the one with a suit of armor running.” “Oh yeah, hehehe, sorry. Now then, let’s see if this person is home.” He knocked on the door, but no one came. He tried to twist the knob, but the door was locked. “Hello? Is anyone there?” Ed called to no one. “Hmm, no one’s home I guess, Ed.” Al tried to console. With absolutely no luck at all. “Well, there’s the town that’s nearby. We can try there.” Al informed. Ed lit up. “Why didn’t you say so, Al?” Both smiled, and began to run towards the town. Reaching the outskirts, they saw people, dressed in casual shirts and pants, sometimes dresses, bustling, carrying baskets of fruits and vegetables, farmers selling chickens, cows, sheep, and pigs, and peddlers with little trinkets, tools and toys. Children ran around people’s legs, offering sweets
And baked goods, or playing around. Beyond the village was a large,
Crystal clear lake. “It looks like a picture from a fairy tale…” Ed commented. Then they noticed a group of people surrounding three people by a (from what Ed and Al could tell) medicine shop; one a man, largely built, muscular almost, tall, and balding with a brown beard and moustache, with a painful looking club in his hand, the second and third being a middle-aged woman and a child around 12, with the woman trying to protect the child. The man called out, “Stand down, woman! This child stole from my shop!” “But you are certainly wealthy enough to at least let this child pass by without harm due him!” The
Boy whimpered, “Mother, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for this to happen! I
Just wanted sister to get better!” The boy began to cry. “That doesn’t give you the right to steal from my shop! This boy needs to be punished!” And with that, the man swung his club, but was blocked. Ed had created a wall made of stone, with alchemy. “If the woman is right, sir, you don’t need to punish that boy for stealing. Just ask for some favors or something in return for the medicine stolen.” Al suggested. No one spoke back; they were terrified of the boy who just used alchemy. “Mother, he just used the forbidden art!” the little boy cried out. Ed was bewildered. “What are you talking about? I just used alchemy-““That’s enough!” a man’s booming voice stated. The crowd
Parted, to make way for an elderly old man, with a gray moustache and
Beard, and dressed in long flowing robe of a woody brown, embroidered with gold thread, and carried with him, a battered old cane of wood. He made his way slowly up to Ed and Al. “Have you used alchemy in the perimeters of this village?” he interrogated. Ed answered “Yes, but““He used alchemy?” A hush fell over the crowd. The woman and boy had long since run from the crowd. “Alchemy is forbidden in this village. Even if you did save the woman and child, you have broken the law. We have but only one option; to put you two in prison.” “What?! But we had no idea-“ “The leader has spoken and you dare to question his authority?” he man with the club questioned. “Calm down Jerry. You have no idea whom I be?” the man interrogated. “We don’t even know where we are, let alone any people here.” Al stated. Ed gazed at the
Man. The man was very old, and wizened, leaning on the cane for
Support. But he had a sort of presence that commanded respect. “Very well, then. I am the leader of this village of Kwynne, Ben. The man with the rather distasteful weapon in hand is Jerry, my guard. He will escort you to the village jail.” Ben stated. “As for you, Jerry,” Jerry flinched. “You will have your punishment decided by the Council. Now everyone, go back to your preparations for the Spirits Festival at the end of the week.” The old man turned to the horrified Al, and perturbed Ed. “Let’s go boys.” Jerry motioned for the boys to follow him, along a forest dirt path. After walking on the forest path in silence Jerry spoke up, quite warily though. “So, what are your names?” he asked. Al responded first. “I am Alphonse, but call me Al, and he is Ed.” Jerry looked at him very weirdly. “We don’t get people in armor or alchemists too often. So the short one is Ed right? You two brothers?” Ed was enraged. “Who are you calling short one?!” Jerry smiled. “Sorry, didn’t mean to insult you there, Ed.” Al sighed. “Yup, we’re brothers. Ed is the older one.” Jerry looked very puzzled. “Okay then…” Ed wondered about something. “What is the Spirits Festival?” Jerry stopped on
The dirt path. He looked very sullen. “The Spirits Festival is a
Tribute to our guardian, Mynar. Once a year, five people are sent to pray at the temple, across the Lake Amberyl. If they make it past the lake monster, named Solence. Solence is an alchemy created fish chimera, set here by the Ceridish. Often, no one makes it to the temple, because of Solence. My oldest boy, Christopher, is one of the five to do so this year.” A silence fell upon the three. “But why do they do that, if the chosen will only die?” Al questioned. “Because people believe that praying to their Mynar at that temple will deliver this place from the terrible battles we have been through. We are at war with another village, the village of Ceridsly.” Jerry glanced from the dirt path, and noticed that they were close to the jail, a
Building made of heavy stone. He could see it, barely a rise on the
Horizon... “One more question though; why did you act like that with the Woman and child?” Ed asked. “The woman, Amanda, is a liar and a thief. Her boy, Derek, is as bad as her. He starts fights with the other children, and doesn’t do a bit of work around the village. They are actually quite well off, the heirs to the advisor of Ben, Leon, who is very disliked among the people.” Jerry replied. “I know I shouldn’t have been so harsh, but what with my daughter Cora serving as a fighter in the war, and Christopher being chosen for the Spirits Festival, I’ve been pretty wound up.” He gazed up at the stone building that lay before them. “Well, I am not appointed to go inside that building, so we must wait until a guard comes to take you two.” “Okay.” Ed and Al replied simultaneously. “You two aren’t nearly as bad as I
Thought you’d be.” Jerry spoke suddenly. “The alchemists that come here
Often harm our people and land, so we must be cautious.” “I can
Understand.” Al replied. “There is one person here though, who refuses to quit her alchemy. Quite the headstrong lass, I’m told. Constantly, she is thrown into jail, for using alchemy. She is always saying that Mynar can’t help us, that alchemy can help us. Alchemy has only brought us trouble. Mynar, centuries ago, defended this entire village alone, from a horde of Ceridish warriors, who used a magic similar to alchemy to kill our people and destroy our village. He succeeded, and the villagers are still forever grateful to him. But the girl believes that we can’t resurrect Mynar; that we must get off our asses and depend on ourselves to win the war. Some say she is a lunatic, some say she is controlled by the Ceridish, but the fact is that she is right. We can’t depend on a dead person to fight our battles for us.” Ed looked on in wonder at the largely built man with a balding head. More war, death and pain brought by alchemy. Two guards, dressed in metal armor
Came from inside the building. “These two?” one guard asked. “Yes.” Jerry nodded. “Well, I guess this is good bye…” Al said. The sky darkened, and a sprinkle of rain danced upon the ground. “Goodbye, Edward and Alphonse.” A guard turned to them. “Come on, you two. Can’t stand in the rain all day you know.” The second guard said. The guards opened the jail door, and led the two inside. “It’s sad really.” One guard commented. “What’s so sad?” Ed queried. “You two have to share a cell with the insane alchemist in there. I hope she doesn’t use you in an experiment.” The first guard snickered. “Yeah, she might turn you into a mouse!” the second guard guffawed. Poor Ed was getting insulted. Pity, really. But he kept his mouth shut, not wanting to get in anymore trouble than the two were already in. The four rounded a corner, and then the two guards stopped in front of a heavy iron door. “Well, this is your cell.” The first guard stated. The second guard sounded annoyed
However. “I’ve already been here today.” He muttered. “More nutcases
Every time.” The first guard pulled some keys from his pocket, and unlocked the door. “You two stay here until the Council has decided upon your fate.” And with that, the two guards shoved Al and Ed into the cell, and locked the door once more. A pair of large brown eyes stared at the two from a shadowy hide. “Who are you?” a girl whispered in a tiny voice. She hid her face in the shadows, not wanting to be seen. The girl stared at the two for what seemed like an eternity, before she once more, spoke up. “If you are afraid of my reputation, then I’ll stay quiet.” She voice peeped. “Oh no! It’s kind of the shock of being in jail. We are alchemists as well.” Ed stated, quite
Proudly. Her eyes widened, not in fear, but what looked like joy. “So
You two are also alchemists? I am one as well, though this township forbids it.” She stepped from the shadows. Her tanned face revealed many scars, but right now though, it held a smile. Her brown braid swung like a pendulum across her back. “I am Kira, who might you two be?” she inquired. “We are Alphonse and Edward Elric, but you can call us Al and Ed.” Al said. Kira’s eyes widened even more, and she pointed at Ed. “You are the Full metal Alchemist? The hero of the people? No way!” Ed smiled to himself. “Yup! The Full metal Alchemist, in the flesh!” “It is an honor to meet such a highly regarded
Alchemist. But tell me, what are you two doing in this small village?
“Kira asked. “ There is nothing here that interests alchemy.” She stepped from the shadows to reveal a girl dressed in a white tank top shirt, with denim shorts and knee high brown boots. A dull clunk broke the silence. Ed looked around, wondering what the noise was. He came upon Kira’s leg, on which was a wooden brace, strapped on to her left leg. Kira saw him looking at the leg, and lowered her head. “The brace is for my leg, which the guards crippled years ago, during my first jail imprisonment.” “That’s horrible...” Ed quietly stated.
“It is nothing really. I’ve learned how to manage with using my leg. It
May not be simple, but it was the only way for me to move again.” An
Awkward silence followed. “So, are you really a crazy alchemist, like the villagers say?” Ed asked. Kira smiled. “No. I earned that title when I started alchemy. People were afraid of me, for what I was. I didn’t care. I created plants, stones, even fire from what I learned from my family’s books. I didn’t always get it right, so sometimes I would get hurt, with scratches and bruises from the kick-backs. That’s why I was banished to the outskirts of town, to a house far from the other villagers.” “Wait a minute. You live in a house on the outskirts of town? Did it have a huge tree in front?” Al asked, curious. Kira lit up. “Yes! That is my home. Then you two must have come through the southern desert entrance of town!” Ed and Al nodded. “Yeah,
We came through the desert alright. We knocked, but no one came.
Doesn’t anyone else live with you?” Ed asked. “No. My mother died in a second childbirth, and my father was never found after the Ishbal War. I, and my dog, now live in the house by ourselves.” Kira said. Another silence followed. Kira broke the silence. “Do you know when you two are getting out?” “No. A man named Ben said we were to stay in the prison, but didn’t say for how long.” Al said. “Then that means you guys get out today! I do as well. Most of my imprisonments last about a day, maybe two, but this one ends today. Perhaps you would like to have lunch at my house?” Kira asked. Ed’s stomach grumbled. “Food sounds good right about now.” Ed grumbled. Kira smiled a quick grin. “Don’t worry; the Council decides things around this time. We should be getting out around an hour from now.” Ed’s face fell. Kira showed a sympathetic look. ”It may seem like a long time, but I pass
Time by practicing my alchemy on some of the stones and pebbles. It
Helps a bit. Well for me at least.” Kira walked over to the east side of the cell, and pulled a piece of chalk from her pocket, kneeled, and started to draw a pattern, on the floor. Al and Ed looked at her, very curious as to what she was about to do. Kira grabbed some pebbles, and pulled from her pocket a vial of sand. She emptied the vial onto the pebbles, and set them in the middle of the transmutation circle. Closing her eyes, she placed her hands on the edge of the circle, activating the alchemy. A glowing light enveloped the pebbles. After the light subsided, the pebbles and sand were gone; in its place were a dozen glass marbles. Kira opened her eyes, and smiled
When she saw her handiwork. “Go ahead, give it a try. If you need chalk, I can lend some to you.” Kira offered. Ed had an idea. “Give me the chalk for a minute.” “Sure.” Kira handed Ed the chalk. Just as he started to draw the circle, a guard banged on the cell door. “No alchemy in here Kira!” Kira turned her head in anger. “Is that you Ryan? Come out and say that to my face!” A young man stepped from the shadows. “Kira, you in here again? Damn, that’s the eighth time this week! Hey wait a minute, you have company! More alchemists huh. Figures. More freaks every time.” Kira sat there,
Angry, but helpless to do anything about it. Well, almost. A marble whacked Ryan in the face. He reeled back in pain. “What the hell? Which one of you jackasses did that?!” Ed was standing, clutching a handful of the marbles. “If you’re gonna come here and bother her, then I suggest getting out of here.” “What are you doing?” Kira yelled. “You’ll pay for that, shorty!” Ryan screamed. “Who are you calling short?!?!” Ed and Kira shouted simultaneously. Kira pounded the door, while Ed tried to transmute the door. “When I get out, you’re gonna be so bloody! I spare no one!!!! Remember, I am the mad alchemist here!!!!” Kira looked so wild-eyed; she looked like she would break down the door. Ed had no trouble transmuting the door, making it fall
To a pile of ashes. Unfortunately, Kira was braced against the door,
So, well, she fell. “OW!!!! Damn, that hurt!” She got up on her feet,
Stumbling a little due to the crippled leg. Ed shouted a lot, as Ryan ran from the cell. “You come back here and call me shorty to my face!!!!” Al was terribly scared of the two people. Kira was already making a run for the guard, running surprisingly fast despite the crippled leg. “Stop! If we cause more trouble, we’ll be stuck here for a longer time!!!” Al shouted. He may have well been talking to a pair of pumpkins, for neither Kira nor Ed stopped or slowed. They crashed. A humongous brick door slammed in their faces, causing them to run into the door. “Come back here!!!” Kira shouted at the door.
“Fight me like a real man!!” she continued. Al ran from the cell and
Caught up with the two. “You idiots! Now we’re probably stuck here!!” Al scolded. Kira had a cunning smirk. “Oh don’t worry. He wouldn’t take his chances of being pinned to tree with snakes by telling the leaders what happened. If we sit pretty, act courteous and act like we are actually sorry for what happened, we’ll get out of here anyway!” Al shook his head. Ed laughed. “Wow, are you really THAT scary to the villagers?” “Yes.” Kira replied, with no hint of sarcasm. “Oh…” Ed was silent for a minute, until he heard footsteps coming their way. “I have a bad feeling about this.” He spoke softly. “Quick! We have to get the door back up! Uhh… remade!”Kira quipped. Ed made short work of the door. He put his hands on the dust from the door, quickly transmuting it to its original state. Kira was confused. “Wait a minute. How did you re-transmute the door without an array?” Ed didn’t exactly want Kira to know what happened all those years ago. Why Al was in a
Suit of armor. Why he had auto-mail. “I guess practice makes perfect?”
He awkwardly laughed. She smiled. “That actually makes sense there.” The three walked back into the cell and sat down on the floor, against the wall.
After a minute of silence, Kira day-dreamed aloud. “Charlie better not has eaten the tableware again…” Al was confused. “Who’s Charlie?” “Charlie’s my dog! When we get to my house, you’ll see him.” Kira replied quite enthusiastically. “What was the thing about being called short, Kira? Usually Ed has a reaction like that.” Al said. Kira closed her eyes. “I just have a problem with people insulting my height, that’s all.” Her eyebrow twitched several times. “I absolutely hate that boy! He thinks that just because he’s Ben’s son, he can do anything he wants to. That’s why I’m leaving as soon as I can.” Ed was intrigued. “Why can’t you leave now?” “Village code forbids a person younger than 25 years of age to leave the village. No exceptions. I’m still just 16.” Silence followed. It was too awkward to talk anymore. “You two should leave as soon as possible as well. This village has a bad reputation of killing or maiming alchemists and anyone in association of Central. And since you’re a State Alchemist, Ed,
You are in the most risk.” Kira informed. The brick door squeaked open,
And several guards in armor stepped in to the room. One, clad in shiny
Bronze colored armor, stepped forward to the group. He read aloud from a scroll.
“By order of the Council, the alchemists Kira Berkley, Edward and
Alphonse is hereby released from the custody of the reformatory. You three are free to leave.” He then unlocked the door. Kira smiled. “Rob, just because we have guests here doesn’t mean you have to be fancy.” The man in bronze armor shared a small laugh. “Kira, its wonder you’re still alive, after all that’s happened. You still practice alchemy like you were born with it in your blood. Why don’t you quit that nonsense and stay with your uncle?” Kira’s face darkened. “I can’t go back there Rob. It was horrible the time that I was there visiting, I don’t want to live there.” ‘Family conflict’ Ed decided. It wasn’t unusual to see fights among families now. Rob’s face softened. “Well, I guess I’ll get out of your way now. See you later Kira.” Kira waved goodbye as Rob and his group of troops stepped aside
To allow the three to pass by.
“I don’t understand you Rob. You can talk to that girl like she’s a
Normal person.” One of Rob’s colleagues mentioned. Rob smiled. “That’s because she is normal. She just does things that no one else does.”
Ed, Al, and Kira walked out of the jail, happy to be free from the
Morbid and dull cell. Clouds poured rain on the threesome. Ed and Al couldn’t see well in front of them. Fog had enveloped the forest area they were in. And a group of teenage boys were standing in their way
