The Truth Within the Truth: A Fullmetal Alchemist RP

[Redryhno]

"Very well, let the pain begin then, Krant. I have to ask you, are you sure that refusing to speak of your employers is worth the cost of your hands? They will go first, of course."

Kallu stepped up the solid stone encasing the brother. With a sigh, he reached out towards the man's left hand, and transmuted. It was a slow transmutation, a slight tightening at first beginning at his wrist, progressing to numbness, and finally slowly crushing his bones. The bones would then continue to be crushed until they began a powder and his flesh had been shredded completely. The man's slight grunts quickly progressed to screams.

"Are you still sure that this pain is worth your silence? Were you paid enough to never again practice what you so obviously love? This will continue until you must live in a wheelchair, assisted by either your brother, or a specialist. The former is less likely, as he is likely receiving much the same treatment at the moment. Save yourself and your family the embarrassment and pain this will certainly cause. Automail can only replace so much, Krant."

 

[Jedoro]

Elias lost sight of Tasha right after a nurse brought him a large first aid bag, which prompted his vision to be filled with the walking wounded he was to treat. Men and women would point out their own injuries, and parents tried to draw his attention to their children's. After swatting away an arm that reached out for the bag, Elias drew his sidearm and fired once into the air.

"Thank you all for your patience during this crisis," he began as he holstered the weapon, "but I feel the need to establish a few things. First, if you are standing around me, it means you're not going to die anytime soon, so calm down. Second, I am a Sergeant in the Amestris military, more specifically the infantry. I am one of those dogs who are out in the desert murdering those 'poor Ishvalans.' If you have a problem with receiving treatment from me, walk away now." A handful of adults stepped away, but no parent would dare to let their child go without aid, no matter the source. Elias dug his hand into the bag and tossed a roll of gauze at those who left, which gently struck a man in the back.

"Now, the order of aid is all children, elderly women, elderly men, all other women, and then all other men. If you cause problems, I will give the doctors another gunshot wound to treat. Form an orderly line, and if anyone actually feels like they're about to pass out, bring them to the front at any time. Lie, and you go to the back." He knelt down and began setting up a small aid station as the remaining wounded nervously formed a line for treatment. When he looked up, he saw a young boy with a blood-soaked cloth on his left arm.

"Mister, you don't look like you're in the army," he began as he extended the arm.

"I'm on a special mission right now, so I don't have to wear my uniform." Elias gently moved the cloth to get a look at the wound, then began to fold some gauze to put on it.

"How many people have you killed?"

"Ryan!" his mother exclaimed before giving Elias an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, his father's in the artillery, and he just says 'I don't know,' so Ryan asks every soldier he meets."

"It's fine," Elias replied, placing the gauze on Ryan's arm. "Hold this real quick." Ryan brought up his good arm to keep the gauze steady, while Elias began wrapping it to keep it in place. "Too many, but not enough."

"I don't get it," Ryan commented as he removed his hand so Elias could tie the final knot. Once it was in place, Elias shifted his gaze to Ryan's eyes, then to those of his mother.

"Honestly, I don't, either."

 

[sage42]

Tasha worked her way through the crowded hospital. It took her a lot longer than she would have liked, but with a combination of doctors and nurses rushing everywhere, and her tool pack that she had retrieved from her room had slowed her down considerably. This is madness, you think hospitals would ave an emergency protocol or something for a situations like this. she thought as she finally reached Victors room.

She walked in a smile on her face. "Well sorry about the quick ex-" She began before noticing the empty bed, the sheets thrown back like it's occupant had gotten out of bed. She knocked on the bathroom door to check if it was occupied, when no response came she checked inside. Nothing. The red flags were going off in her head. Something wasn't right, a man who had just lost an arm wouldn't be discharged so early. Nor would one who had just been attacked be gone either, moved to another room maybe. But then this one wold be occupied by another patient already.

Tasha poked her head out the door, hoping she was wrong and just over reacting. She stopped a nearby nurse. "Excuse me, do you know where Corporal Victor Kendral is? He's not in his room?"

 

[Fragrance of Mtn Dew]

Marlin froze in place for a moment as the room erupted into chaos around him. He had fully expected his life to end soon and yet he had been saved at the last minute. "...Impressive..." He muttered in awe as he watched the Banagher's dispatch two of the chimera in a fierce display of force. He had no idea the two were so skilled.

"Um, I'm gonna run out of ammo eventually, sir! Your jar??"

In his awe and relief, Marlin had almost forgotten that a battle was still going on. Now that Lila was free and had run to safety, there was nothing holding him back anymore. "... Right. Sorry. Keep them pinned down while I retrieve my jar. I'll circle around their flank and catch them from the side." Marlin called back before hurrying over to where he had tossed his jar.

Once armed again, he dashed around to the right side of the chimera before the Lieutenant had to reload. When he had a good view of the creatures, he set the jar down and filled it. These creatures would surely suffer more at the hands of the military if captured again... But after all they've been through, killing them would be far too cruel. I suppose I'll just have to hope for the best.

It wasn't an easy decision to make, but Marlin felt that the best thing to do right now would be attempt to capture the chimera for now and worry about the rest after tonight's crisis was over. Marlin unleashed the water on the chimera closest to him in a raging torrent, and froze it on contact in an attempt to immobilize it. He doubted it would be as effective as it had been on the gangsters from a few days ago, but it would at least give him some time for a better plan of attack.

 

[Pappytech]

Despite the mercenary's inane appearance and bizarre mannerisms, Kallu was forced to admit that he was a tough bastard. The number of people who could take that kind of pain and still remain resilient...

As the stone finally finished crushing Krant's hand, the bloodied brother's screams of pain finally fell away as he began to pant heavily. Slowly, the man's eyes locked onto those of his interrogator, the lethal mirth that had once filled them replaced by sheer, unhindered rage. "Well, lookie at what we've got here! A damn dirty dog who thinks he's got the world figured out.

"I know how this works," Krant continued to growl. "You hurt and threaten me until I spill my guts, all while you promise me leniency and aid. Then, once you've milked every damn bit of info you can, you slit my throat and toss me in the furnace. You army bastards are all the same!"

Dropping his gaze, the bomber stared at his stone restraints, as though attempting to peer through the rock to his ruined hand. Even if he had endured the loss of his left arm, he had to be nearing the end of his rope after such an experience.

[hr]

"Excuse me, do you know where Corporal Victor Kendral is? He's not in his room?"

The frazzled looking nurse blinked as Tasha stepped in front of her, her armload of gauze and tape nearly falling to the ground as she suddenly stopped. Shooting an irritated glance at the alchemist, the woman quickly stepped into Victor's room, dropping her cargo onto the vacant bed.

"Hmmm, doesn't look like Corporal... Kendral's been discharged yet," the nurse muttered as she scanned the chart hanging from the wall. "Look, he probably just got shuffled around somewhere in this mess, alright? God knows we've got more patients then we can handle; it's a miracle half a dozen haven't already been stuffed in here.

"Look, I'm sorry," she continued, scooping the bandages back up, "but I've got to get these downstairs before they run out again. If you want to find your friend, then you're best bet is probably just checking every room you can; he's got to turn up eventually."

[hr]

Marlin's torrent of water soared through the air, arcing towards the lion-maned chimera with deadly accuracy. Distracted as he was by the Banaghers joint assault, the hybrid didn't notice the swirling projectile until it was too late. Roaring out, he struggled against Marlin's attack, attempting to bat the water away, but only managing to awkwardly trap his arms as the liquid rapidly froze around his limbs.

The lion chimera subdued for now, Lt. Banagher focused his fire on the pillar shielding the wolfish one. Bursts of bullets tore through the air, slowly chipping chunks of stone off the column and keeping the enemy pinned down. At least, until Banagher's sub-machine gun clicked empty.

Cursing to himself, the soldier quickly ejected the empty magazine, scrabbling for another one strapped to his leg. His foe, however, was too fast. As soon as the spent magazine clattered to the ground, the wolf-man tore out from behind his cover, a snarl ripping from his snout as he cleared the distance between them in an instant. His hands shot out like lightning, razor-sharp claws ready to tear Banagher in half. Moving quickly, Banagher lashed out with his hands as well, his left fist bare while his right clutched the still-smoking gun. The two combatants clashed together, their open fingers locking in between as they grappled for dominance. Both were giants among men, their muscular bulks almost perfectly matched as they struggled back and forth, man against beast.

The chimera howled in pain as his palm wrapped around the gun's barrel, a sizzling stench filling the air as the hot metal burned his hide. Meanwhile, the lieutenant grit his teeth as his foe's claws scrapped along the back of his left hand, tearing through his skin and muscle like scissors through paper. Nevertheless, neither of the combatants refused to give ground, straining against each other with everything they had.

Finally, with a roar, the wolf hybrid ripped the sub-machine gun from Banagher's grip, tossing the weapon behind him and lashing out at the soldier's throat with unbelievable speed. Banagher managed to catch the blow, but just barely, halting the razor claws mere inches from his jugular. The sudden assault forced the lieutenant to step back, slowly sliding backwards as the chimera powered forward, his feral eyes gleaming with victory.

"Need some help there, honey?"

A combat knife, already stained with blood, flew through the air with breathtaking speed, slamming into the wolf-man's shoulder with a spray of blood. A howl of agony escaped the creature's snout as the blade dug into him, his grip and strength faltering from the blow. "Thank you, deeeeeeeear," Banagher shouted out as he charged forward, pushing the chimera across most of the room and slamming him into the far wall with a huge crash. In addition to the crack and crunch of bones, the impact also served to drive the knife entirely through the beast's body, a good three inches of bloodied blade suddenly emerging from its chest.

With a whimper, the chimera slowly slid to the ground, blood pouring from the grievous wound. Panting, Lt. Banagher turned about, shooting his wife a smile. She responded in kind, holding her awkwardly positioned foot as she sat on top of the bird chimera's corpse, its throat slit and bloody.

 

[Redryhno]

"You made your choice, and I made mine. You believe you protect the Amestrian population by attacking civilian centers where soldier may or may not be. I believe that by getting rid of your employer, I can actually make them safer. But I can't take care of him, her, or them unless you tell me something. You've had bad dealings with the military, and I won't argue that there are men out there that disgrace the uniform daily.

"However, you disgrace your cause by blowing up innocents, you weren't conscious when I carried you in here, but there are children, women, shopkeepers, carpenters, and parents crying over lost siblings, children, and limbs because of what you were told to do. Is that really the Amestris you want? A place ruled by fear of both certain members of the military and their self-proclaimed protectors? I have done things that I am not proud of in my life, but when I give my word, I keep it. I have seen most of the world, and Amestris is the one place I have been able to call home, and I intend to keep it safe, from enemies both internal and external. I gave my word that you would be given leniency, and I will do everything in my power to make that promise come true."

He looked the man over, and thought he saw a glint of hope in his eye that winked out as soon as he recognized it. The man kept silent however, and Kallu sighed and shook his head again. He opened his eyes and they were again just as hard as granite.

"But... I also gave my word that I would protect the true citizens of Amestris, and you have proven yourself an enemy of them, therefore it is my duty to take the information you have of your employers by any and all means. For mercy's sake, I won't take your other hand, but your foot now. You will still be able to feed and mostly care for yourself when you are released, but a prosthetic or a wheelchair is now going to be your mode of transportation."

He knelt down and gripped the stone encasing the foot, he looked up and studied the man,"Are you sure that what you are doing is the right and true thing to do?" He received only a face ready to bear the pain that he knew would be coming. The Stone Alchemist again looked down at the foot he held, and quickly switched to the other foot, the one on the same side as the crushed hand and transmuted. It would again be only a slight tightening, progressing to the complete and utter destruction of the foot. He set another bag on the IV, this one filled with blood that matched his prisoners type.

"Tell me what I ask of you and I will leave you just as intact as you are now, I can stop it before you lose everything. Please do not throw your life away for an organization that disregards the sanctity of life this easily. Think of your brother, he is most likely going through the same, if not worse, torture as you are. You can save both yourself and him from anymore pointless pain, but only if you reveal what you know."

 

[Fragrance of Mtn Dew]

While the Banagher's were handling the remaining chimera, Marlin took the extra time to secure the one he had ensnared. He absorbed more water into the jar and used it to fully encase the creature from the neck down in ice. That would ensure that it wouldn't be escaping anytime soon, though he wished he could let the poor creature go if it weren't a threat to the peace.

Once he had finished, he turned his attention to the Banagher's. His gaze swept across the room, taking in the gruesome results of the carnage that had taken place. The sight made him a bit queasy and the idea that it could have easily been his blood that was spilled did not diminish the feeling any. If anything, the experience confirmed that a battlefield was truly not the place he belonged.

His saviors seemed much more comfortable with the situation than he, though he would never fault them for that and refused to allow any disdain for the violent acts committed show on his face as he approached. ".... Excellent work you two, though we aren't finished yet. Their leader escaped and has some rather nasty plans for the other State Alchemists. There's also a civilian we'll need to escort to safety... But first, I have to tell you both something..."

He paused for a moment to gather his thoughts as his gaze shifted back and forth between the Banagher's. He became vaguely aware that his hands were trembling, causing him to almost drop his jar, though he couldn't quite place why. Having accepted his death only to be saved at the last minute was an odd feeling indeed and was making it harder than normal for Marlin to put his thoughts into words. ".... Thank you.... So much...." He finally said, barely managing to keep the trembling out of his voice. "You've saved my life and the life of another in the process... I can never truly repay you for this.... But should you ever need my assistance, know that I am in your debt and will do anything in power for the two of you...."

 

[JokerboyJordan]

"I di-didn't want t-t-to hurt anyone! They s-s-said t-they-they'd kill me if-if I didn't--"
P-p-please, you ha-have to help m-me! I c-can't go back to them, they'll--they'll..."

Roland's expression changed from rage to solem, as his hand stayed his whip from being launched at Chartrisse yet again. His stance remained planted as he anticipated her trying to lower his guard, before softening as he genuinely became intrigued in her plight.

"Oh really? Who are 'they'? What do they want with me? Answer me!"

Roland's hand cocked back, before springing forward and crackin his whip on the ground in front of her.

 

[Pappytech]

"You can save both yourself and him from anymore pointless pain, but only if you reveal what you know."

As the stone around the bomber's foot continued to compress, Krant's screams of agony gave way to shouts of rage, as he stared at Kallu with nothing but hate in his one good eye. "Damn you, you filthy dog! I'll kill you, I'll kill you, I SWEAR TO GOD I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!"

The crack of bone was audible even over the man's frantic cries, as his limb was ground into shreds of flesh and crumbled bones. Krant's threats once more devolved into mindless shrieks, tearing the mercenary's throat and piercing the alchemist's ears. Finally, the prisoner allowed his head to fall forward, his shoulders bent and trembling, little more than ragged gasps escaping his mouth.

"Damn you to hell..." Krant no longer shouted, his voice cracked and horse as he whispered. "Dublith. That monster found us in Dublith; that's where he recruited us. Took us back to his base, gave us the tools and materials we needed...

"Just... just let Kren go. You promised."

[hr]

"But should you ever need my assistance, know that I am in your debt and will do anything in power for the two of you...."

As Marlin finished thanking the couple, he felt the weight of Lt. Banagher's hand upon his shoulder. The soldier offered the alchemist a reassuring smile, his kind eyes full of strength and determination. "Sir, we'e just doing our jobs here. There's no need to thank us for doing our duty."

"Oh, let the guy say what he wants sweetie." Mira turned her back on her husband and Marlin, hobbling around the large, mostly destroyed room, looking behind pillars and examining the chimeras' corpses. It was obvious by the way she favored her right leg that she'd injured the limb; nevertheless the hardened woman continued to examine the scene.

"Besides, it's always nice to have someone owe you a favor," she continued as she retrieved her knife from the wolf-chimera's shoulder. "Especially when they're an alchemist," Mira finished, wiping the blood from her weapon off on the creature's fur.

Lt. Banagher weakly grinned at his commanding officer, whispering a quiet apology. "I promise, she's much nicer once you get to know her. Now," the soldier turned around, methodically scanning the room, "where's that civilian you were talking about?"

[hr]

As the whip cracked against the floor, Chartisse flinched back a bit, her sobs continuing unabated.

"He-he t-t-told me that if I j-just did what he said they'd le-let her go..."

Looking up at Roland with eyes full of tears, Chartisse begged the alchemist, "Please... if I don't beat you, then he'll k-kill me, and make her j-j-just like him! He's going to turn my sister into a m-monster!"

The woman let out another loud sob, tears freely running down her cheeks as she stared at Roland, despair painted across her face.

 

[Redryhno]

"Just... just let Kren go. You promised."

Kallu walked to the man, and gently raised his head, and looked the man in the eyes as he spoke,"Thank you. But do you know the man's name? Or what he looks like? I need every piece of information you can give me.We are done for now, you will receive medical attention. And yes, I will do everything in my power to make sure that both you and your brother are treated well. I will not promise that you are both let go, but I will say that once you are sent to the prisons, your chances of escape are much better than they are now."

Kallu set the man's head against the stone again and opened the locked door to a gathering of doctors, orderlies, and nurses standing by.

"The man in there is extremely dangerous, but weak. He needs medical attention now."

Kallu walked back in, the group behind him rushing in to take care of him as the alchemist put the stone encasing the man back into the wall, back where it belonged. The man's leg and arm ended in gruesome, broken ends. After being taken off the adrenaline, he quickly fell into an unconscious state, and carted off to the nearest operating room.

Kallu grabbed one of the orderlies by the elbow,"Do you know where his brother is?"

"Yeah, he's down the hall, third door on the second corridor on your left."

"Thank you, make sure he's taken care of, I need him able to speak again in a few hours. And make sure you take every precaution, he may be a prisoner, but he's still dangerous."

The Stone Alchemist was left alone in the room then, well aware of the glares and looks he'd received from the medical staff, and gripped his eyes in a hand and sighed before heading off in the direction indicated by the orderly. He arrived to find Armstrong, still in a tattered shirt, standing forlornly with an angry red vein throbbing staring at the door to the room.

"Major? What's the matter?"

 

[CJ1145]

"Now," the soldier turned around, methodically scanning the room, "where's that civilian you were talking about?"

Banagher's words echoed a bit in the silence of the nigh-motionless room. On the far side, a collapsed tapestry shifted, and Lila's head poked out from under it. "I--I'm here. Is it over? Did those things leave?"

[hr]

The two men simply glared at each other for a time, before Isaac finally broke the stare, collapsing back to the ground, his body exhausted. "Look... I'm having a bit of a rough night, what with you trying to kill me and being told that my superiors have been lying to me for god knows how long. Just... tell me why you did it, alright? I'm in no mood for secrets and half-truths; just rant about your damn manifesto or whatever, and I'll make sure you get executed, alright?"

Rai laid there in silence for a while, letting those last words stew in his mind. Then, wheezing, he let out a laugh. "Ahehe... manifesto, huh? What, am I not the first to let you in on the little secret? How you've been playing the bad guy all along? I--*koff*--I heard you talking with the charming young lady over there... it was her, right? She started you on this path of self-examination, am I aiming for the right target?"

Visibly straining himself, the man called Rai pushed his back up to lean against the pile of rubble a bit more upright. "Then she must know. All the horrors of this nation. A creeping sensation crawls through your skin just walking its streets. When I say your alchemy is tainted, I--*ngh*--I mean it in the most literal sense."

He could see the look of confusion on Isaac's face and groaned, this time out of frustration and not pain. "All right, it's not hard. Listen carefully, because I won't explain this twice--your guards would likely show up before I got to explain it twice anyway. Imagine a font of water. This water, beginning in a reservoir, flows out in streams to all living things, connecting them all through it. This is called the Dragon's Pulse, and it's where alkahestry--real alchemy--draws its power. I'm no expert, but, best as I can tell you get it from somewhere different. Perhaps a lake of fire might be a suitable visual?"

He threw up a hand, shaking violently from the attempt. "Is any of this even getting through to you? You--*kooooff, koff*--you want my manifesto? Here. Your country is tainted, and mine's trying to kill me. So I became a mercenary here to make a living. When my employer told me he would hire me to overthrow the government--responsible for the taint--and make a better nation, well, how could I turn that down? All right? So now you've got my life story, are you going to kill me or what?"

[hr]

"Major? What's the matter?"

Armstrong's eyes gleamed a bit, hearing Kallu, but he did not remove his gaze from the door. "...The Projecting Alchemist has ordered me not to interfere with the Vampire Alchemist's 'interrogation' of our prisoner, at penalty of my family's disgrace. I made a vow never to let myself become the monster all of my comrades did... and instead I'm here watching yet more make that change instead. I reject one torture to have another placed upon me, it seems."

 

[Jedoro]

"Alright, that should do it," Elias commented as he finished another child's bandage on her leg. "Just be careful and don't get any of this dirty while you're playing, okay?"

"Okay. Thank you, Mister Sergeant!" she replied as she surprised him with a hug. Elias smiled and returned the hug as he shifted his gaze to the girl's mother, who had a smile of her own. But as he got a better look at her, she seemed more tired than the rest of the crowd.

"Ma'am, are you alright?" he asked as his eyes moved to her damp sleeve. "How long has that been bleeding like that?" He followed the long sleeve down to her wrist, where blood was dripping off of her fingertips. Elias and the girl released their embrace as she turned to look at her mother.

"Mommy?" the girl asked, a clear sound of worry in her voice.

"I'm alright, sweetie," the mother replied as she slowly raised her good arm to the tear in her sleeve. "It's just a piece of-" Elias shot his hand out to stop her, fully aware of what she was about to do.

"Let the medics do that," Elias suggested as he lowered her arm. "Okay, anyone feeling faint, get up front." He tore off her sleeve to reveal the piece of metal embedded in her upper arm. "If you've got shrapnel in you, do not- I say again, do not- remove it."

"Ah, crap," a man in the group moaned as Elias was about to stabilize the metal in the mother's arm. Elias just sighed as the mother stifled a giggle in her giddy state induced by the blood loss.

"Okay, idiot, get up here."

 

[Redryhno]

"I reject one torture to have another placed upon me, it seems."

"I've started to get some information out of his brother. Something about Dublith, I'm going to ask him later about the man who employed him. All he's saying right now is that he's a monster."

Kallu tapped his arm after taking off his gauntlets, leading him away from the door and to the railing, where the main area of the hospital was filled with people, from the front doors to the stairs, where they were bunched in a group.

"I'm not going to pretend to understand this country's obsession with family honor, Armstrong, but the only way to see what we do is that we have to. Each and every one of those people out there,"He waved his hand around the hospital, "were harmed in some way by those two brothers and a handful of others. Family was lost, friends killed, and the only way we can get to the bottom of it is through interrogation. Torture and pain if it has to be done, but they aren't supposed to see or hear that. The people don't know the sacrifices we must often make to keep them protected. But we have to make them, or else they become involved in military matters, a place no civilian, however skilled, has no place."

He looked up to see the man openly weeping, staring out over the crowd gathered for medical attention. Kallu sighed, of all the people he had ever met and the cultures he had been received in, this man was by far the most emotional of them all. There was more than a hint of anger as well, but the worst of it had passed, he believed.

"The lives of a few men and women who would do something like this mean nothing beyond the information we can garner from them, so that it doesn't happen to another family, friend, sibling. Be Thou for the People,"He quoted,"We are soldiers with skills above the average grunt, and as such, our responsibility is first to the Fuhrer, but more importantly, we're a tool of the people, and as such, they deserve every shred of protection we can offer to keep the civilians safe. This is simply one of the darker days and things we must contend with. Nothing more, and nothing less."

 

[Pappytech]

"So now you've got my life story, are you going to kill me or what?"

"Eh, screw it," Isaac muttered, allowing his head to rest against what remained of a nearby wall. "This is, without contest, the worst day. As in, ever. I almost get my head cut off by you, get my ass saved by the 'traitor' that I psychologically abused to wring information out of her, learned that the government that I've spent nearly half my life defending and risking my life for is probably evil, and now you're telling me that one of the few things I'm actually good that, the one skill that sets me apart from the masses, is based on hellfire and is apparently an affront to nature!

"And despite the aforementioned fact that you tried to kill me," the alchemist continued, "I'm inclined to take you at your word, because it seems that everything I believed was A GODDAMN LIE!"

Thrusting his arms skyward, Isaac shouted out to the heavens. "Alright, I get it already! I'm the bad guy here, I'm the one who screwed up! For crying out loud, will you leave me alone already!?"

His outburst finished, the exhausted soldier allowed his arms to slump back down, his anger and frustration finally spent. When he spoke again, his voice was weary, defeated, empty. "Never dispute an order. Never seek an explanation. Just obey. That's the nature of the military. As soldiers, we aren't supposed to seek our reason to exist. It's our duty to act as tools. It never used to be a problem before, but now... I kind of really don't like it.

"I think I'm done. Done fighting, done caring, just done. No, I'm not going to kill you. No, I'm not going to try to arrest either of you. No, I'm not going to do anything."

Unsteadily, Isaac forced himself to his feet, staring past Frieda and Rai, looking at nothing in particular. "I'm just gonna go back to my hotel, get into bed, and sleep for a while. That sounds nice."

Resolute that this course of action could not possibly worsen his situation in any way, Isaac stepped forward. He immediately stopped as the world flipped 180 degrees, and began to slowly spin around and around and around. "Huh. Did not think I lost that much blood." Eyes lolling into the back of his head, the alchemist fell forward, passing out before he even hit the ground.

 

[sage42]

Tasha's worry had subsided when she had left Victors room an hour ago at least, she had been checking on every room she could and still no sign of Victor. After hearing he hadn't been discharged and and probably just moved to another room she had relaxed and moved through the crowded hallways quickly trying her hardest to stay out of everyone's way. She was unsuccessful. Every time she turned a corner a nurse or doctor was on their way in the opposite direction.

Tasha sighed It's no use, things are too busy and I'm just in the way. We'll have to check on Victor when things are a little less hectic. She thought as she made her way to the exit. A few minutes later she was outside, though it was no less hectic. She looked around and made her way over to Elias. "Hey there Sergent. no luck with finding the Corporal. A Nurse said he hadn't been discharged so he probably just got transferred to another room." She explained looking down the line of wounded. She winced looking at a few of the injuries. "I'll make you and offer Sergent, let me go take a shower real quick then I'll be back to take over for a bit. After earlier you could probably use a break." She offered looking back to Elias.

 

[JokerboyJordan]

"Please... if I don't beat you, then he'll k-kill me, and make her j-j-just like him! He's going to turn my sister into a m-monster!"

Roland looked at her with a mix of anger and pity. This poor creature before him, stuttering and taking deep breaths between terrible sobs, made him question himself on what to do with her, he would normally take such an attack on himself as a personal offence, something that in his mind, he could not forgive.

"So that justifies you trying to kill me?!"

His voice grew louder, growing increasingly frustrated at the women who stood before him, Roland cracked his whip against the floor next to him in frustration, his other hand clenched tightly as he continued to shout at Chartrisse.

"And you think it's okay to harm an innocent boy, as long as it serves you?! You're trying to save your family, that's understandable, but to do that by harming someone else, that makes you one of the worst kind of people in this world. A hypocrite. And I detest hypocrites!"

As he saw her shrink at each word barked at her, Roland began to relax a little, letting out a long sigh whilst he holstered his whip to his hip. He approached her slowly wary of any possible ploy she was trying, if she was even still capable of such a thing. He extended a hand to her as slowly as he could, trying not to frighten her any further, she still flinched as he offered to help her up.

"There's no way that I'm letting you beat me... so why don't you tell me who 'he' is? That's the only way that anyone can save your sister"

 

[CJ1145]

"We are soldiers with skills above the average grunt, and as such, our responsibility is first to the Fuhrer, but more importantly, we're a tool of the people, and as such, they deserve every shred of protection we can offer to keep the civilians safe. This is simply one of the darker days and things we must contend with. Nothing more, and nothing less."

Major Armstrong's eyes were focused, even through his barely-restrained sobbing, as Kallu spoke with him. He could tell that the Strong Arm Alchemist was hearing every word he said. And yet, none of it broke through. When Stone finally seemed to be finished, Armstrong bowed his head and closed his eyes. What he said next was more reserved than expected.

"Major... I understand what you're trying to tell me. But I fear that you do not understand my position. You are right what you said. We exist for, and we serve the people. THAT, is the Alchemist's creed! But... I'm not."

His eyes opened again, and looked downward. Kallu followed the Major's gaze to see them resting on his hands, palms up, trembling quite visibly.

"I'm supposed to guard the people! Their lives, their SOULS! But I've done the opposite! I've killed innocents with these hands, Major... I see their blood every time I look at my palms. And it was done by the orders of the military! An organization, by definition, meant to guard the people we've slaughtered! I came back from my tour in Ishval, and I swore to myself that I would never let another innocent suffer when I could stop it. I would NEVER become the monsters I saw in Ishval. And now... now I've arrived too late to stop all of this pain, and I've been forced to stand aside and watch as we commit the same atrocities I swore to stop. I beg you, Major, tell me what I'm supposed to do!"

The tears were streaming down Armstrong's face again, silently sobbing as he pleaded for some form of consolation.

[hr]

Rai watched, eyelids heavy, as Isaac's frame hit the wet ground. The rain was picking back up again; the Xingese prince groaned to himself, and dragged a soggy palm across his blood-spattered face. That idiot was going to catch his death if he was left there. "You!" he shouted, pointing at Frieda. Up until now, the woman had watched on silently. "I thought you bandaged this chump?"

"I did!" Frieda snapped back, kneeling by the State Alchemist's side to inspect the wound. "He's bled through it; you hurt him a lot worse than I'd thought."

"Good to know I haven't completely lost my touch." Rai chuckled to himself; this was cut off by a dagger of a glare coming from the rogue alchemist several feet away. The chuckle died, and Rai groaned in frustration. With a considerable effort, he hoisted himself up from the rocks and shakily rose up to his feet. Family swords a wreck, contract completely ruined, goal for a better nation postponed at BEST, and now the closest thing he had to a friend in Amestris was a man who he had been trying to kill--and vice versa--several minutes beforehand. Well, him and his weird stalker.

Rai shambled over to Frieda's position and collapsed to his knees, letting out a weak chuckle. "So, looks like you're attached to this guy, huh?" A weak cough escaped his lungs. When in this much pain, there was simply no time to care about formal dialect.

Frieda glared at her pseudo-foe, and gave a curt nod. Rai nodded back, and gave his best attempt at a cheesy grin. "Well, as it happens, this man's sparked my interest, too. Might be the first Amestrian I've met who isn't dumb as a sack of bricks." Frieda glared at him, waiting for him to make some kind of point. Rai stared back, and said "Sooooo, we should probably get him to a hospital?"

The Alchemist nodded and hefted Isaac up onto her shoulder, dragging the Xingese man up by his forearm. "Hurry up." she stated shortly. "He'll bleed to death if we don't start moving now."

"Yeah, yeah, I heard you..." Rai muttered as he matched pace with her. In a nearby alley, a shadow watched them gleefully. His form obscured by the night, the young man was joined by a curvaceous figure from behind.

"So, then, Envy." Lust began. "Found where our other potential sacrifice has wandered off to?"

"Just look at 'em!" the other homunculus exclaimed. "It'd be so easy just to waltz right out there and kill him. Crush him like an insect! Such a waste of meat..."

"Calm down, Envy. These humans aren't so bad; they gave you that charming little skin you're wearing now, right?"

Envy glanced back at her with a wicked grin. "Yeah, I guess there's that. Not quite as stunning as the real me, but it'll serve Father's purposes pretty well. Gluttony found those sacrifices Father nixed yet?"

"Actually," Lust told him. "Pride's working on that..."

[hr]

"There's no way that I'm letting you beat me... so why don't you tell me who 'he' is? That's the only way that anyone can save your sister"

Mascara stained Chartrisse's cheeks as she struggled to speak through her sobbing. "H-he never gave me his name! He's a monster!"

"Monster?"

"I-I don't know! He called himself a chimera!" the thief sputtered. "He looked like a snake, or something! H-h-he hired me i-in Dublith... He, he said he came from a place called Devil's Nest!"

Roland couldn't help but feel a wave of self-pity roll off the thief's every motion as her wobbly legs threatened to topple again.

 

[Redryhno]

"I beg you, Major, tell me what I'm supposed to do!"

"What you are supposed to do,"Stone began,"Is to ask yourself if the chance of becoming a monster is worth the risk when compared to protecting the lives of countless thousands. In my case, there is no question, Amestris is my first true home, and I intend to protect the people within it, no matter the cost to myself. If it helps at all, there are many religions I've found around the world that the protection of the soul is pointless, the soul knows it's path from birth and that many know the way back to life from the other side."

He stepped away from the balcony. He began walking away when a thought occurred to him.

"Armstrong, maybe you should take some time off, you have to have some leave saved up. Spend some time with your family, and ask yourself the tough questions, if it is still worth it or if you need to resign your commission until this war is over. Travel around and see the people of Amestris."

Kallu walked back to the balcony and stood next to the Strongarm Alchemist. He intended to stand by him until he either made his decision or he left, whichever came first.

"Do whatever you feel you need to, I've got no place to be for a while now, so I may as well just stand out of the way up here."

 

[Jedoro]

"I'll make you and offer Sergent, let me go take a shower real quick then I'll be back to take over for a bit. After earlier you could probably use a break."

"Tempting," Elias began as he tightened the tourniquet around the man's thigh, "cause I am pretty worn out. Tell you what," he pointed at the group who refused his treatment, "if you can sit over there and watch me patch these folks up for half an hour," he paused to yawn, "I'll take a break." Elias began packing gauze into the man's wound on his lower thigh.

"Believe it or not, an infantry combat medic is the highest form of helping people," he began. "It's doing whatever it takes to help, whether it's shooting up bad guys or patching up good guys. People think the ultimate sacrifice is to give your life, and I wish they were right." Elias began wrapping the gauze to keep it from moving. "The ultimate sacrifice is to give up your soul, to kill a human being so that another may live. To weep at night, knowing that a part of you died with that man. To return to your family, so they can see the monster you've become. Father, mother, and sister all see a different man, and less of him is left as time goes on. You're all set, just go find a spot to sit." A woman came up to help the man find some space, while Elias turned to Tasha.

"The ultimate price is to watch yourself die inside. Most run, leave after their first few deployments while they're still mostly intact. Some give in, can't take it, and sooner or later they eat a bullet so the pain stops. Some of us can take it, can take anything, and go on to be the sergeants that the privates can look to. Officers are good, but most haven't seen what we see. A little more mental trauma and some fatigue are small prices to pay to keep helping. So," he put a hand on her shoulder, "you go get that shower, then you come help me help them." Spotting movement out of the corner of his eye, he turned to see some of the wounded who had refused his help, move to the end of the line.

"You know, you yell at privates enough, you forget how to lower your voice." Elias patted Tasha's shoulder twice, then moved to the next civilian in line.

 

[sage42]

"You know, you yell at privates enough, you forget how to lower your voice. Tasha chuckeld at this statement. "I wouldn't know Sergent, Never had to yell at oe of the privates before." she said with a smile. She watched as the ling grew longer. This was going to be a long night.

"For the most part, Elias, we agree. If we all shared that sentiment, there would be fewer rifts between people and us alchemists. People say we're dogs of the government, but even dogs with bad masters still know the meaning of sacrifice. We give up much to get our positions. That comes to light especially in times of war. Those who's alchemy permits them to use long range combat are much like any other soldier. But those of us whose alchemy relies on being close.....we get to watch the life drain from our enemies faces, to see in their eyes the knowledge that they're about to die."

Tasha said staring along the line. Seeing the pain in the faces of people young and old was something he would never grow accustomed too. "That's another reason I plan to stay on as an alchemist once this whole damn thing is over. I have to at least try and make up for what I'm going to have to do. Even then I doubt it will be enough."