Prologue

I have seen more than anyone should see. I have heard what no one should have to hear. I have tasted the forbidden fruit. I truly wish for death.

Is there more to life? One would hope so. But in all my sixteen years, I have found only sorrow.

I lay here now, bleeding out. Still silent, not a word from my chapped lips. I truly live up to my name.

I regret everything, everything I remember at least. I regret taking in the stone, running from my father, finding and helping the old lady that turned out to be Envy, and most of all; I regret joining this family. Regret, that is the name they gave me. My title if you must. I'd hate it if it weren't true. I regret the deaths in the Ishvalan War, even though I was merely a child when it happened. I sometimes regret my father making a deal with the Dwarf in the Flask, although if he hadn't I never would have been born.

You might think that my wish shall be granted, for I am bleeding out. But alas, no. I am cursed to survive, always survive.

I long for the warm embrace of death, people say I'm mad to wish it upon myself. For they fear it. They fear death, the only true sign of mortality. I will someday die, it's not as if I am truly immortal. When my stone is used up, when the souls within it have disappeared, I will cease to exist. That day cannot come soon enough, though I have time to make things right.

My brothers, they must hate our father. He left them, left them without an explanation or reason, and it's all my fault. My sickness, that incurable sickness, was why he left them. He left them, taking me with him to find a cure. They must hate him for that, they should hate me. I doubt they remember, I was never really part of their lives. My sickness kept me locked in my room, and Father in his study trying to find what did not exist. I wish he'd of just let me die, I don't deserve a second chance at life. I ran from Father, I ran from him for no reason.

Days ago I lay bleeding out to a false death, an empty promise that was never even considered. Now, I am well again. My wounds have healed to a faint scar that could have happened years ago. I disappeared from the hospital I was taken to, they will forget about me soon enough. They always do. I continue my journey to find my brothers, to watch over them in secret. The others speak of them with hate, that alone makes me smile. They are alive, they are fighting. They fight the same battle as I, it is a good feeling to know I'm not completely alone. I regret that others must fight, I wish to be the only sacrifice. The only one whose blood is spilled in this secret war. The Homunculus are gaining power, they rise through the the ranks of this country's corrupt military. One is already Furur, I hope they realize soon. I fight from the inside, and each battle won is too small to count. I cannot risk losing my cover, it could mean the death of those I watch over. My brothers, my father, the people walking the street. I watch over them all, hoping that my efforts will not be in vain.

My story is long, and a bit confusing. I already regret any discomfort it may cause to you. I don't know where to start. The beginning is too far back, and would take forever to explain. Honestly, I'm not sure where the beginning is. The day I swallowed the stone is as good a place as any, so I'll start there.

It all started with a mistake made long ago….

(End Chapter)