Central City, Amestris, April 14th 1914
The sound of a bell resounded through the halls of three floor, brick school building. It was now the end of recess—And the beginning of the final forty-five minutes before the students of Xavier Elementary were free for an entire two weeks, the last class they had to sit through before Spring Break.
“Welcome back class I’m---“
While the majority of the children bounced of the walls with enough energy to nuke a town, one girl was more fixated on the different scenes outside. They were on the second floor, and the way the classroom was positioned, right on the front wall of the school, a student with a window seat (such as her) could easily get lost in the hubbub going on below. –And Central had plenty of hubbub.
Normally, the last day before spring break tended to be a joke. Sit around, play some games, and laugh with some friends. This girl though, unlike her peers, was set on staring right outside of the window, watching as this spotted Dalmatian left its mark on a red fire hydrant that was conveniently placed inconspicuously, and not at all close to her direct field of vision. This girl had been fascinated by the ritual in which the puppy proceeded to relieve himself. First, it sniffed the red monument, developing a trust with it. Second, it circled the object, checking it for defects. Lastly, it stopped, right at the spot from which it began its circling around the thing in the first place; and finally…it let itself go.
Despite this enthralling saga unfolding before her, the student was pulled away from it by the sudden and unanimous silence among her classmates. The grey eyed, brown skinned elementary-schooler turned her head away from the window, and towards the front of the room, where all of the other student’s attention was also directed. It was then that she realized what they were all so startled about: it was a substitute.
The man was as tall as he was frightening looking, at least by the girl’s standards. He was built like a hero of myth, tall and muscular with dark skin, and a body covered by beige colored tattoos. The substitute’s hair was cut into a buzz, with platinum blonde hair, giant sideburns, and a goatee for facial hair. His eyes were a bright gold, and he dressed neatly in a dress-shirt [rolled up sleeves] and black vest, with matching slacks. He looked like he was about to rip out of the undershirt though.
“H-hello class. Mrs. Pym had to go attend to family business…s-so I’ll be t-taking over until the bell.” The newcomer gripped a single sheet of paper, looking over the article closely, he began to rifle off names of those in the class.
“Smith?” The students stared blankly at the giant of a man as read their names, his voice shaking the whole time. One by one, the students raised their hands to identify their presence. Finally, the man came to the name of our particular child. “Wallace?” He looked around frantically for the student’s hand, only to see nothing there. So with a shrug, he continued on, “Jacks—“
“She’s back there!” One of the girls pointed, prompting everyone in the class to turn their bodies towards the back of the class. Lo and behold, there was the girl, head resting on her chin, grey orbs staring dully into the distance, to her dismay, the dog was long gone, leaving only a dark puddle around the object of its previous obsession.
“Oh, there you are. Aliiiiisha,” The man chuckled at his difficulty in pronouncing the name, however his amusement was not shared. With an awkward rub of the neck, he proceeded to other business “Well then, that’s everyone. So, let’s get on to the lesson today. Your teacher Mrs. Pym left me a game for you all to watch, but you all wouldn’t be interested in that, now would you?” A mumble traveled through the classroom. Just who was this guy? “Instead, I’m going to tell you all a story my parents passed down to me,” He grinned, “The story of the Two Kings—by the way, you can call me Mr. Sazh.” ‘Mr.Sazh’ quickly turned around to the board, writing his name in some type of illegible chicken scratch of symbols.
Alisha had heard a decent amount of the story of the Two Kings, her brother had mentioned it a few times. This fellow, Sazh, appeared to have held some serious respect for the tale as his eyes lit up with excitement the moment he began to relay the story to the children, who were all devoid of interest.
Once upon a time, in a world completely different from ours to today, there existed a grand nation called Xerxes. Its streets were paved golden, the alleys were bathed in music, and the sun always shined on her people.
In this beautiful city, there resided two Kings. They were brothers.
The Eldest Brother had a mind unlike any other. The people loved him for his vision, and innovative way of problem solving. He knew how to rule, but had a short temper, and sometimes that temper was unleashed on his people.
The Younger Brother possessed a heart large enough to cover the entire nation itself. His heart kept his feet to the ground, despite being placed on a pedestal that was so high above it. It was for this reason that the Xerxian people loved him. But the younger brother was also naïve and green, and sometimes, the nation faced the consequences that came from that naivety.
All and all though, under the rule of the two Kings, the nation of Xerxes prospered, entering what they call a Golden Age. But, as all things do, that age came to an end. A crippling plague struck the nations people. Death had taken hundreds in its embrace already, and the two Kings were helpless to stop it.
The Eldest Brother had a plan though. Although dangerous, he would make a deal with the devil. He would give not only his status and fortune, but his very soul in return for the safety of his people. As the eldest left for the devil’s lair, the Younger Brother appeared.
“I won’t let you go alone!” He said. Xerxes was both of their responsibilities, and as such, both of them should give their souls. The Elder Brother protested, but the younger would hear nothing of it.
When the two of them reached the devil’s lair, they made the deal. What the didn’t realize as they shook the demon’s hand in agreement though, was the sly smile across his face, and the intentions of betrayal he harbored.
The devil had tricked the two Kings. That night, not only did the devil take the soul of the two brothers, but he also took the souls of the entire people of Xerxes.
As Sazh finished his story, he leaned up against the chalkboard on the wall, letting out a dreamy sigh as he did so. The man was so overcome with his recent flight on cloud nine that he failed to realize the trail of chalk on his back from this endeavor.
“Before their lives slipped away, the eldest brother turned to his sibling and said this…” The substitute waved his in a grand motion as he recited the quote;
"What was the start of all this Brother?
When did the cogs of fate begin to turn?
Perhaps it is impossible to grasp the answer now,
From deep within the flow of time and beside the doors of truth...
But, for a certainty, back then,
We loved so many, yet hated so much,
We hurt others and were hurt ourselves...
Yet even then, we ran like the wind,
Whilst our laughter echoed,
Under cerulean skies... "
At that moment, the bell rang, dismissing the students to officially bask in their spring. A wave of joyous excitement rushed through the student body [in every room, all at once] and the halls erupted with chats about what to partake in over the springtime. As usual though, Alisha was the last of the kids to leave out, but as she made her way for the door the odd Mr. Sazh called out to her.
“Ah, Alisha Wallace right?”
She turned away from the doors to freedom to make [strained] eye contact with the substitute. “Yes?” Alisha answered, trying her best to hide the agitation in her voice.
“Are you by any chance related to the…”
“Fuhrer? Yes, he’s my dad.” The girl answered dryly. Sazh’s eyes widened just a bit from the answer.
“Oh really now? Well, I was just curious…carry on! And enjoy vacation! Youth is fleeting after all! Haha!”
Alisha did not like him. Should this man ever be his substitute teacher again…which he hoped she wouldn’t, Alisha was sure to have an unpleasant experience. With a final wary gaze at the giant substitute, she exited the room, and quickly made her way out of the building—ready to head home.
- -
Later that day…
Central City – Central Command – 3:47 PM [13 Minutes To The Summit]
The Amestrian soldiers scrambled to get their posts in order. Custodians were hard at work making sure the windows sparkled as bright as the sun from outside that shined through, and that the marble halls smelled like fresh pine, instead of the usual sweat shoppy aroma. Commanding officers were hard at work inspecting their platoons to make sure they were in tip-top shape.
There was a collective tenseness in every soldier’s being today. Today was a day valuable to each and every one of them. Today held a chance for peace. For today was the day of the First World Summit. The powers of each nation would be meeting here this very day, in Central Command’s audience chamber to discuss a peaceful end to the Great War in a the form of a treaty.
It was up to the men and women of the Amestrian Army to make sure everything runs smoothly and as planned. Each man knew this well, and had vowed to strive for 110% excellence on this day. The snipers lined the rooftops, foot soldiers patrolled the streets, and the State Alchemists were on march. The protection of the perimeter of the command building was priority; and as such each wing was being guarded by a duo of skilled and trusted State Alchemists.
And it is here that our story begins, just moments before the curtain on the Summit lifts and the first guests start to arrive. There wasn’t a cloud in Amestris’ cerulean sky, and her sun was oh so high. The blocked off streets of Central were stagnant, the only movement belonging to the patrolling soldiers.
Indeed, it was something like the calm before the storm.
Colonel Demetri Maverick had himself propped against one half the double front gates to the fortress that was Central Command, smoking away at what would be sure to be his final cigarette of the day. He savored every last bit of the poison he could before the inevitable dying out of the embers.
“Hrmm…” The soldier grimaced as he squirmed against the cool bronze gate. “This new uniform is too tight…” The brown-skinned man let out a deep sigh before he removed the cigarette from the corner of his mouth, “My swimmers can’t even breathe man. I literally hear them crying out for air Wei. I kid you not.” Demetri shook his head, why did the shitty luck always fall on his end? He shrugged as he gingerly placed the white stick back against his lips.
A trail of gray smoke exited from the man’s nostrils. “Check it out,” The Staccato Alchemist said to the Steel Earth, as he nodded towards a mass of silver colored flecks on the horizon. “Looks like…Aerugo?” He narrowed his golden eyes to try and enhance his vision somehow, “Better get rid of this.” Demetri flicked the charred remains of the cigarette onto the cobblestone below, quickly grinding it out with the sole of his white gators.
“We’re the welcoming committee right? Gotta remember to look hospitable.” The Colonel grinned goofily to his friend, and quickly tried to pull himself together. This included tying his mass of wild dreads into a somehow more tamed looking pony tail, he still let two bangs drape over either side of his face though. The whole time he was tugging ferociously at his uniform.
- -
Central Outskirts - 4:01 PM
Miles outside of central, hidden from the sight of any passerbys another army gathered. Though, unlike the other platoons headed for Central, these were soldiers of the damned. Soulless dummies, marching with a zombie-like tempo to the commands of their immortal superiors.
These were the Homunculi.
Pride, Lust, Gluttony Sloth and Envy. These were the lifeless dummies’ Generals. The dolls stood at the ready, awaiting their master’s commands. They were on stand-by, for now. They would wait until things properly got underway. Let them get comfortable, just before they strike.
Envy sat on a grass mound, just beneath a tree. Away a bit from the other Homunculi. In his base form as Arcade, the Homunculus clinched his fists. His entire body was shaking as a result of his anxiousness. He couldn’t wait to attack the humans.
The ones that he loathed so much.
“Not much longer now…” The ‘immortal’ clutched his ribs, bracing himself for the burst of maniacal laughter that would soon escape his body.
The sound of a bell resounded through the halls of three floor, brick school building. It was now the end of recess—And the beginning of the final forty-five minutes before the students of Xavier Elementary were free for an entire two weeks, the last class they had to sit through before Spring Break.
“Welcome back class I’m---“
While the majority of the children bounced of the walls with enough energy to nuke a town, one girl was more fixated on the different scenes outside. They were on the second floor, and the way the classroom was positioned, right on the front wall of the school, a student with a window seat (such as her) could easily get lost in the hubbub going on below. –And Central had plenty of hubbub.
Normally, the last day before spring break tended to be a joke. Sit around, play some games, and laugh with some friends. This girl though, unlike her peers, was set on staring right outside of the window, watching as this spotted Dalmatian left its mark on a red fire hydrant that was conveniently placed inconspicuously, and not at all close to her direct field of vision. This girl had been fascinated by the ritual in which the puppy proceeded to relieve himself. First, it sniffed the red monument, developing a trust with it. Second, it circled the object, checking it for defects. Lastly, it stopped, right at the spot from which it began its circling around the thing in the first place; and finally…it let itself go.
Despite this enthralling saga unfolding before her, the student was pulled away from it by the sudden and unanimous silence among her classmates. The grey eyed, brown skinned elementary-schooler turned her head away from the window, and towards the front of the room, where all of the other student’s attention was also directed. It was then that she realized what they were all so startled about: it was a substitute.
The man was as tall as he was frightening looking, at least by the girl’s standards. He was built like a hero of myth, tall and muscular with dark skin, and a body covered by beige colored tattoos. The substitute’s hair was cut into a buzz, with platinum blonde hair, giant sideburns, and a goatee for facial hair. His eyes were a bright gold, and he dressed neatly in a dress-shirt [rolled up sleeves] and black vest, with matching slacks. He looked like he was about to rip out of the undershirt though.
“H-hello class. Mrs. Pym had to go attend to family business…s-so I’ll be t-taking over until the bell.” The newcomer gripped a single sheet of paper, looking over the article closely, he began to rifle off names of those in the class.
“Smith?” The students stared blankly at the giant of a man as read their names, his voice shaking the whole time. One by one, the students raised their hands to identify their presence. Finally, the man came to the name of our particular child. “Wallace?” He looked around frantically for the student’s hand, only to see nothing there. So with a shrug, he continued on, “Jacks—“
“She’s back there!” One of the girls pointed, prompting everyone in the class to turn their bodies towards the back of the class. Lo and behold, there was the girl, head resting on her chin, grey orbs staring dully into the distance, to her dismay, the dog was long gone, leaving only a dark puddle around the object of its previous obsession.
“Oh, there you are. Aliiiiisha,” The man chuckled at his difficulty in pronouncing the name, however his amusement was not shared. With an awkward rub of the neck, he proceeded to other business “Well then, that’s everyone. So, let’s get on to the lesson today. Your teacher Mrs. Pym left me a game for you all to watch, but you all wouldn’t be interested in that, now would you?” A mumble traveled through the classroom. Just who was this guy? “Instead, I’m going to tell you all a story my parents passed down to me,” He grinned, “The story of the Two Kings—by the way, you can call me Mr. Sazh.” ‘Mr.Sazh’ quickly turned around to the board, writing his name in some type of illegible chicken scratch of symbols.
Alisha had heard a decent amount of the story of the Two Kings, her brother had mentioned it a few times. This fellow, Sazh, appeared to have held some serious respect for the tale as his eyes lit up with excitement the moment he began to relay the story to the children, who were all devoid of interest.
Once upon a time, in a world completely different from ours to today, there existed a grand nation called Xerxes. Its streets were paved golden, the alleys were bathed in music, and the sun always shined on her people.
In this beautiful city, there resided two Kings. They were brothers.
The Eldest Brother had a mind unlike any other. The people loved him for his vision, and innovative way of problem solving. He knew how to rule, but had a short temper, and sometimes that temper was unleashed on his people.
The Younger Brother possessed a heart large enough to cover the entire nation itself. His heart kept his feet to the ground, despite being placed on a pedestal that was so high above it. It was for this reason that the Xerxian people loved him. But the younger brother was also naïve and green, and sometimes, the nation faced the consequences that came from that naivety.
All and all though, under the rule of the two Kings, the nation of Xerxes prospered, entering what they call a Golden Age. But, as all things do, that age came to an end. A crippling plague struck the nations people. Death had taken hundreds in its embrace already, and the two Kings were helpless to stop it.
The Eldest Brother had a plan though. Although dangerous, he would make a deal with the devil. He would give not only his status and fortune, but his very soul in return for the safety of his people. As the eldest left for the devil’s lair, the Younger Brother appeared.
“I won’t let you go alone!” He said. Xerxes was both of their responsibilities, and as such, both of them should give their souls. The Elder Brother protested, but the younger would hear nothing of it.
When the two of them reached the devil’s lair, they made the deal. What the didn’t realize as they shook the demon’s hand in agreement though, was the sly smile across his face, and the intentions of betrayal he harbored.
The devil had tricked the two Kings. That night, not only did the devil take the soul of the two brothers, but he also took the souls of the entire people of Xerxes.
As Sazh finished his story, he leaned up against the chalkboard on the wall, letting out a dreamy sigh as he did so. The man was so overcome with his recent flight on cloud nine that he failed to realize the trail of chalk on his back from this endeavor.
“Before their lives slipped away, the eldest brother turned to his sibling and said this…” The substitute waved his in a grand motion as he recited the quote;
"What was the start of all this Brother?
When did the cogs of fate begin to turn?
Perhaps it is impossible to grasp the answer now,
From deep within the flow of time and beside the doors of truth...
But, for a certainty, back then,
We loved so many, yet hated so much,
We hurt others and were hurt ourselves...
Yet even then, we ran like the wind,
Whilst our laughter echoed,
Under cerulean skies... "
At that moment, the bell rang, dismissing the students to officially bask in their spring. A wave of joyous excitement rushed through the student body [in every room, all at once] and the halls erupted with chats about what to partake in over the springtime. As usual though, Alisha was the last of the kids to leave out, but as she made her way for the door the odd Mr. Sazh called out to her.
“Ah, Alisha Wallace right?”
She turned away from the doors to freedom to make [strained] eye contact with the substitute. “Yes?” Alisha answered, trying her best to hide the agitation in her voice.
“Are you by any chance related to the…”
“Fuhrer? Yes, he’s my dad.” The girl answered dryly. Sazh’s eyes widened just a bit from the answer.
“Oh really now? Well, I was just curious…carry on! And enjoy vacation! Youth is fleeting after all! Haha!”
Alisha did not like him. Should this man ever be his substitute teacher again…which he hoped she wouldn’t, Alisha was sure to have an unpleasant experience. With a final wary gaze at the giant substitute, she exited the room, and quickly made her way out of the building—ready to head home.
- -
Later that day…
Central City – Central Command – 3:47 PM [13 Minutes To The Summit]
The Amestrian soldiers scrambled to get their posts in order. Custodians were hard at work making sure the windows sparkled as bright as the sun from outside that shined through, and that the marble halls smelled like fresh pine, instead of the usual sweat shoppy aroma. Commanding officers were hard at work inspecting their platoons to make sure they were in tip-top shape.
There was a collective tenseness in every soldier’s being today. Today was a day valuable to each and every one of them. Today held a chance for peace. For today was the day of the First World Summit. The powers of each nation would be meeting here this very day, in Central Command’s audience chamber to discuss a peaceful end to the Great War in a the form of a treaty.
It was up to the men and women of the Amestrian Army to make sure everything runs smoothly and as planned. Each man knew this well, and had vowed to strive for 110% excellence on this day. The snipers lined the rooftops, foot soldiers patrolled the streets, and the State Alchemists were on march. The protection of the perimeter of the command building was priority; and as such each wing was being guarded by a duo of skilled and trusted State Alchemists.
And it is here that our story begins, just moments before the curtain on the Summit lifts and the first guests start to arrive. There wasn’t a cloud in Amestris’ cerulean sky, and her sun was oh so high. The blocked off streets of Central were stagnant, the only movement belonging to the patrolling soldiers.
Indeed, it was something like the calm before the storm.
Colonel Demetri Maverick had himself propped against one half the double front gates to the fortress that was Central Command, smoking away at what would be sure to be his final cigarette of the day. He savored every last bit of the poison he could before the inevitable dying out of the embers.
“Hrmm…” The soldier grimaced as he squirmed against the cool bronze gate. “This new uniform is too tight…” The brown-skinned man let out a deep sigh before he removed the cigarette from the corner of his mouth, “My swimmers can’t even breathe man. I literally hear them crying out for air Wei. I kid you not.” Demetri shook his head, why did the shitty luck always fall on his end? He shrugged as he gingerly placed the white stick back against his lips.
A trail of gray smoke exited from the man’s nostrils. “Check it out,” The Staccato Alchemist said to the Steel Earth, as he nodded towards a mass of silver colored flecks on the horizon. “Looks like…Aerugo?” He narrowed his golden eyes to try and enhance his vision somehow, “Better get rid of this.” Demetri flicked the charred remains of the cigarette onto the cobblestone below, quickly grinding it out with the sole of his white gators.
“We’re the welcoming committee right? Gotta remember to look hospitable.” The Colonel grinned goofily to his friend, and quickly tried to pull himself together. This included tying his mass of wild dreads into a somehow more tamed looking pony tail, he still let two bangs drape over either side of his face though. The whole time he was tugging ferociously at his uniform.
- -
Central Outskirts - 4:01 PM
Miles outside of central, hidden from the sight of any passerbys another army gathered. Though, unlike the other platoons headed for Central, these were soldiers of the damned. Soulless dummies, marching with a zombie-like tempo to the commands of their immortal superiors.
These were the Homunculi.
Pride, Lust, Gluttony Sloth and Envy. These were the lifeless dummies’ Generals. The dolls stood at the ready, awaiting their master’s commands. They were on stand-by, for now. They would wait until things properly got underway. Let them get comfortable, just before they strike.
Envy sat on a grass mound, just beneath a tree. Away a bit from the other Homunculi. In his base form as Arcade, the Homunculus clinched his fists. His entire body was shaking as a result of his anxiousness. He couldn’t wait to attack the humans.
The ones that he loathed so much.
“Not much longer now…” The ‘immortal’ clutched his ribs, bracing himself for the burst of maniacal laughter that would soon escape his body.
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