World Undone
Summary: Winry's parents are confronted with a war that no one is ready to fight.
No one spoke as the radio cackled, the announcer's deep baritone increasing the already ominous news. The weight was crushing down around them; an unbearable truth had finally begun to sink in. It was the first real news they had received since rumors had started passing around the countryside. Sara held a hand over her mouth, her head shaking back and forth in disbelief. Urey exchanged a look with his mother as he rubbed his wife's back. War, the very vocabulary of which calibrated men and machines for destruction, was upon them.
His mother took a long drag of her pipe, her eyes weary. "So it's begun."
"This is madness…" Sara protested in disbelief, "War against Ishval? How can Bradley possibly blame an entire civilization for the death of one child?"
The three adults stood in silence, the news sinking in with a growing apprehension. His mother switched off the radio, her eyes on the window as if she might see this very war on the horizon. "No use in worrying over what's already been done. The question is what will you do?"
Urey rubbed the back of his head, his thoughts running rampant through his mind. Ishval was a peaceful country, one of hunters and gatherers, living off the land and trading by necessity. Besides land, there wasn't anything of real value for Amestris to gain and by no means did these sorts of people present a threat to their borders. Simple hunting weapons just couldn't stand against the sheer force of gun powder and machines.
"They've got an ulterior motive that's for sure, but if they are serious about this war, it won't be long before they call up the reserves." He felt his wife's hand touch the small of his back. "It won't be long before my name comes up."
Winry was still fast asleep when they peaked into the nursery, both of their hearts heavy for her future. To raise a child during wartime wasn't something they had dreamed of when they brought her into this world.
The night brought them to their bed, but sleep was hard to find. He stroked his hand over Sara's head, his fingers running through the soft strands. Her warm breath coasted across his bare chest as she stayed in his embrace. He knew they were thinking the same thing as he wiped the tears away from her damp cheeks. It wouldn't be long before that single shot against an innocent child turned into a massacre.