Chapter 1: The Ishval War of Extermination

The air hung thick with the smell of human decay and suffering. The heat of the wind offering no cleansing breeze or reprieve from the haunting odor of death. It was impossible not to feel the searing quality of the sand against the soles of one's shoes, heating the rubber and adding to the unrelenting brutality of the war scarred land. Buildings in sight had fallen into disrepair and commonly had walls punctured or missing from the ruthless attacks by the Amestrian military. The Ishvalans were losing the war; though now it had become more akin to a genocide.

Among the rubble, countless of the white-haired and red-eyed Ishvalans still clung to life and the prospect of victory. Many of the monks trained in combat were capable of out-matching a common soldier within their enemies ranks. But found that closing the distance in open desert terrain proved impossible when staring down the barrel of a gun. Hence why the Aerugonians offered their support from the south.

"The caravan is here! Quickly, grab as many arms as you can!" Called one of the Ishvalan elders, his brow caked with crusted blood from a wound. He ushered the men behind the shelter of the chapel, in which a wagon filled with supplies and weapons awaited them. Driving it were three Aerugonians, handing the items with prompt necessity to the gathering crowd.

Caravans such as this one have been arriving for months from Aerugo; as it is the country with the most prosperous economy. Hoping to sway the tide of battle in favor of the Ishvalans, considering the long known rivalry it has had with Amestris.

"Idril, can you take the medical pack to their infirmary? It's a block from here, but this side of the city is quiet for now." Called the main driver of the wagon, his order directed at the young woman who'd been charged with keeping a lookout for any signs of danger.

Giving a nod in response, she grabbed the labeled bag and slung it over her shoulder, glancing over her shoulder at her leader. "Keep a lookout while I'm gone. I'll be fast." Jumping from the side of the wagon, she slipped her hand around the handle of a pistol. Better safe than sorry in a warzone.

She took off in a sprint, aware of the sensation of her heart pumping rapidly in her chest, aware that danger might well be behind every corner. Her knuckles turned a gruesome shade of ivory as she clutched the handle of her weapon with caution. However, she forced in a steady intake of dusty air, needing to calm herself as she slowed against the wall of one of the buildings. Recognizing the path from previous visits, she slipped around the corner and instantly raised her hands to show that she meant no harm.

As expected, two monks had been standing guard by the door and had aimed their weapons at the female. Fortunately, one of the males cracked a smile as he recognized the woman and lowered his weapons.

"Idril! You are a sight in these troubled times. More supplies for the Rockbells?" He inquired, signaling his friend to lower his weapon as well.

She nodded and stepped forward, handing the bag to the monk. "Yes. I wish I could send them my regards, but I must return to my post. It is getting harder to remain for extended periods."

He grimaced and Idril caught sight of the despair visible in his gaze. "We're aware. Is this to be your last trip?" The question sounded desperate, as though he knew the answer but wished for the alternative.

A guilty expression seized Idril's features and she dropped her gaze. "I believe so. The Prince no longer thinks it is safe for us to be associated."

The monk moved forward to place a hand on the woman's shoulder, causing her to raise her eyes in a startled manner. At this proximity, she could clearly see the bandages hidden beneath his loose wraps and the more recent cuts and bruises that were scattered against his tanned skin. "Ishvala owes Aerugo a great debt. Thank you for your help."

She met his eyes with her own, before returning the same gesture with her hand upon his shoulder. "And when Amestris pays for their atrocities, we will consider that debt repaid, my friend."

He smiled hopefully and stepped back, wincing slightly at the motion. "I'll let the Rockbells know that you wish them the best. Take care, Idril."

Mustering her sense of responsibility and courage, she turned around and swiftly snuck back around and onto the street. Crossing the way and hurrying back to the caravan at a sprint. Her grip on her gun had relaxed during the conversation with the monk, but as she recommenced her duty, the grasp on the handle rekindled. Catching sight of a few Ishvalans carrying crates of food and resources making their way back to the shelter were a comforting vision. The men holding the rifles, ammo and grenades were less pleasant to think of.

Eventually, she skidded around the last corner and breathed a sigh of relief as the wagon sat nearly empty at the back of the chapel. The head driver caught her in his peripheral vision and offered a wave. She smiled faintly and closed the distance, hopping back into her position at the side. "No incidents while I was gone?"

The driver shook his head with a thankful smile, "None. Let's get going and make it as far as we can before we lose daylight." He snuck into the front seat of the vehicle and slipped the key into the ignition as the last few supplies were removed from the back. The other Aerugonian man moved to the other seat, while Idril would stay in the back and keep an eye out.

They drove out from the back of the chapel and the shade of the wall, and out onto the blazing sun. She certainly wasn't looking forward to the long heated trip back. But it was certainly better than remaining in the front of battle. Grabbing the side of the truck and steadying herself as it bumped along the road out of the city, she narrowed her eyes on the horizon, irritated that the mirage of heat at the edge of it was obscuring her sight for the most part. Her hands fumbled into her pack and she pulled out a pair of binoculars, adjusting them to the according distance before settling them on her nose.

A man adorned in Amestrian garb stood on the sand, thumbing a glistening stone in his palm. However, she also managed to make out the shape of a silver pocketwatch swinging from his belt.

Needing no other incentive, she dropped her binoculars and yelled at the driver, "Alchemist to our right!"

Without hesitation, the driver stepped on the gas with all his might and floored it, speeding off into the distance. Yet Idril found herself flung backwards as the car lurched forward, having forsaken her grip in order to peer through her binoculars. She tumbled over the safety ledge at the back and landed roughly on the hot sand. Coughing out as she peered at the speeding car in horror, a strangled scream of desperation trying to leave her throat; but it only resulted in more wheezing.

In the distance, Solf J. Kimblee watched in growing amusement as the car distanced itself from him. He flashed a knowing smile and lifted his hand, now glowing with the might of the Philosopher's Stone.

A crackle of crimson energy erupted from his palm and unleashed itself into the ground. It traversed through the terrain before erupting in front of the vehicle, causing it to smash against the rock obstacle at full speed. Rupturing the engine and gas tank, sending an explosion of fire and metal into the air. Alongside a laugh from Kimblee as he reveled in the symphony of destruction.

Idril's grey eyes widened in shock as she watched the car explode, leaving no chance that her friends had survived. She glanced back at the Alchemist, unable to move as fear gripped her. But she also knew that standing up or moving would only alert him to her presence. Yet, she also found herself unable to look away. As though staring plausible death in the eye was more comforting than looking away.

A figure joined Kimblee at his perch, someone she didn't recognize and couldn't distinctly identity as Amestrian. She blinked as she felt a tingling on her left hand, and glanced to see a yellow scorpion crawling along her palm. Stifling her reaction, she calmly allowed the insect to crawl across, before gingerly gripping it by the poisonous tail and flinging it elsewhere. She'd spent enough time in the desert to know how to deal with them. But the action brought her gaze slightly to the left, where she saw her binoculars laying partially buried in the sand. If she did survive this, she wanted to have no regrets.

Hopefully this decision wouldn't be one.

Holding her breath, she crawled along the searing sand towards her binoculars. Her head angled to the side as she tried to watch the Alchemist and the other person; hoping they weren't aware of her presence. Time seemed to stretch on and on, aware once more that her heart had commenced beating frantically in her chest, adrenaline starting to pump in her veins as danger lurked nearby. The wreckage of the smoking car added to the heat, considering she could feel the burning flames even at this distance.

Fortune appeared to be on her side for a moment, though. And her hand outstretched to grab her instrument. Wasting no time as she shook them free of sand and then turned her head back to catch sight of the Alchemist.

Now that she was no longer in a moving vehicle, it was far less of a challenge to focus on the identity of the one who'd just murdered her friends. She adjusted the settings slightly before resting it on the man's face. Raven black hair tied back in a tail with two long strands framing his face, he stood with a poise of malice and condescension. Idril knew she was scowling at the sight of him, but once she turned her attention to the shorter figure beside him, she was petrified.

His hair was oddly separated into distinct strands and he bore a smile that would rival the grin of a maniac. His outfit was different as well, nothing comparable to what the soldiers or officers of Amestris normally wore. It almost looked as if he were here to have fun, not take part in a war. She angled her binoculars down to the sand, not wishing to watch any longer, as her stomach was starting to lurch from the ordeal. But as she was lowering her gaze, she caught sight of a strange mark on the odd boy's thigh. A red symbol that was difficult to make out and held no significance to her. But then another crackle of crimson rose around him, like the one she'd seen destroy the car.

Idril securely angled the binoculars back up, trying to catch sight once more of his fa-.

Her face.

He had... He did... He changed... It was her... That was her...

Idril found herself staring into her own eyes and then watching her face smile with gruesome intent. She saw another beam of the crimson light, but this time coming from the Alchemist. Yet she couldn't look away. Too stunned and mortified.

She looked into her own eyes when everything went black.