Chapter 1: The Departure and The Deed
"Isaac...I'm sorry but I have to leave. I wish I could stay and watch you grow up and become the man I've always wanted to see you become but alas, it seems that the time that God has given me has run out," his mother said while her voice was growing weaker after every word. "Mom! Don't say that! The doctor said you have a chance.. even if it is extremely small," the boy said with some reassurance. "Oh Isaac, I had more time to give you everything I wanted to give you... but I suppose there is no escaping what will inevitably happen. Go up to your father's room. He left all of his weapons and alchemical notes up in his trunk. It's been left virtually untouched so they should be in top condition. And Isaac, please promise me one thing before I leave." Her breathing became labored and she struggled to whisper her last thoughts. "I want you to...to...to become a State Alchemist so that one day, you'll be able to help everyone like you so long to do." With those parting words, Isaac Carter's mother, Grace Carter closed her eyes for the final time. "Damn it all! Why did this happen to her?" Isaac's face remained in shock for two bell tolls as he still failed to understand why something like this could happen. "AHHHH," he screamed at the top of his lungs hoping someone would here his cries for help. "Aunt Julia, did you hear that? It sounded like Isaac screamed!" Saying this was a girl of fifteen who though average in stature, had intelligence and maturity surpassing her own late parents. "Kara, we mustn't be rash and do this without thinking," the older woman said sternly. "But... Aunt Julia! Isaac could've had something serious happen to him!" Julia's face grew less solemn and she let out a little sigh. "Fine.. I suppose we can check on him in a few weeks. My goodness I hope that that boy hasn't gotten himself into a situation he can't handle." Kara simply glared at her aunt as if she had lost all common sense.
(About a week later) (Isaac's basement)
"Mother... please come back.. don't leave me alone!" This sentence kept coming out of Isaac's distraught mouth. Even though midway into his teenage years, Isaac couldn't help but sob maniacally. "Fine.. I'll just have to take all of Dad's alchemy texts that he left me and see if that'll help me in anyway." After spending the week reading all of his father's notes and looking at what ingredients to use, he felt ready to try his dastardly experiment. He drew the transmutation circle to the exact specifications he deemed necessary. After readying all of his ingredients and placing them into the center of the circle, he then clasped his hands together and then on the circle. At first, the circle looked as though it merely was staying there as if nothing had happened. Suddenly however, the transmutation circle started glowing an eerie orange shade and the chemical reaction backfired. Was it the blood or any of the other ingredients he used? Was it an error in his calculations? No, none of these things could have been possible because he made absolutely positive of the measurements and ingredients countless time beforehand.
Suddenly, Isaac started being drawn to the circle not by his own willpower, but by the sheer force of the reaction. He grew desperate searching as fast as his eyes knew how to find something to grab but it was no use. His could no longer feel his legs realizing that the sheer strength had severed them. Though he knew that this was no time to complain about the pain of that. Desperately clawing at the ground, Isaac suddenly felt the reaction slow and stop. He opened his eyes to see that he was alone in his dark basement with the only source of light being the fierce fire that had been created.
Was it over? Was his life going to end here due to some stupid action? No. No matter what happened, even if he lost his arms and legs, he would be determined to survive by any means necessary. He somehow was able to find strength within him to climb the stairs with his arms and then reached the front door. All he could do now was yell and hope that someone heard him. He waited for what seemed like an endless eternity in hell, but finally the next morning, Kara and Julia realized that they needed to see how Isaac was doing since he hadn't telephoned in a while. They opened the door slowly and were utterly dumbfounded by what they saw.