Veritas
Hello everyone! This is my second fanfic, again for FMA. Veritas takes place about ten years after my first story, Solitude, but you won't need to read that one to figure this out. Just so we're clear, Edward is the son of Olivier and Miles from my last story. Anyway, this is Part 1 of a three-part trilogy I've decided to write. So enjoy!
Chapter 1: Father
"It's so good to see you again, Pride. I must thank you for your hospitality."
"I prefer Selim these days," answered Selim Bradley.
"Very well then." The man in the white suit took a few steps over the rocky landscape. "Ahh it feels so good to be in a body again. It's as though I am truly alive!" He stretched his arms toward the cold sky.
"I'm glad you feel that way. Now can you help me come up with an excuse?" Selim motioned to a charred area of earth. "In case you haven't noticed, Anna isn't exactly here anymore."
"Just tell them the truth."
"What, that I used her for a sacrifice? They'd never believe me."
"No, they wouldn't want to believe you. But you are Pride after all."
"Tch. I told you not to call me that."
"You'll get used to it, in fact, you used to find it much more suitable than the human name you're calling yourself by now." Selim smirked. Human name. That would still take some getting used to.
"Hey Selim!" The twenty year-old spun around to see a girl making her way up the rocky hill. A boy with white hair followed her closely.
"Hello May," said Selim carefully. May stopped once she noticed the man standing close by. She gave a curious look.
"Who's he?" Asked the boy, suddenly defensive.
"A pleasure to meet you both. My name is Solf J. Kimblee, better known as the Crimson Alchemist," he said eloquently, making his way over to the two newcomers. Kimblee held his hand out to May.
"Get away from me! You're dangerous! How are you even alive?" She gasped, darting over to Selim.
"That's a good question," added Edward, reaching for his sword.
"Why don't you ask him?" Said Kimblee, motioning to Selim. May and Edward both glanced over to their friend. Selim suddenly felt very self—conscious. He stared at the ground.
"I… well…." He looked over to Kimblee, who looked away. Well, he wasn't going to be any help. "I transmuted him back to life using Anna as a sacrifice." There. He had said it.
May and Edward looked puzzled, unable to fully comprehend what had just been said. Selim remained emotionless.
"You're serious, aren't you?" Whispered May. Tears came to her eyes and her hands flew to her face. "Selim! How could you?" Selim felt pangs in his heart as seeing May so scared. He moved closer to her.
"May…"
"Get away!" Selim felt a sword on his shoulder, and glanced up, surprised to see Edward staring at his with fury in his eyes.
"Unforgivable," he began.
"Oh, look at the time," said Kimblee. "We should go." He clapped his hands together and pressed down to the earth. Immediately, earth flew up all around them, red light intertwining between the rocks. May screamed. Selim and Edward fell through the air. Selim breathed a sigh of relief when he no longer felt Edward's sword.
But what was Kimblee doing? Were they all going to die?
Three years earlier…
"Goodbye Selim! Have fun at the party!" Selim smiled as he walked out the door of the manor. He waved.
"Bye mother! Have fun at your garden party!" Then, as quickly as he could, he closed the door behind him.
Too much of his mother wasn't easy thing to bear.
Today was May's fourteenth birthday. They had been friends for as long as he could remember. Selim smiled the entire way to the street, happily thinking of all the fun times they had had together. It was hard to believe they were so old. He was seventeen after all. And Edward too! They were also famous, but as if that actually mattered. The daughter of Riza Hawkeye and Major General Mustang? The son of the legendary Miles and Olivier Armstrong of frigid Fort Briggs? And then he himself, the son of the former leader, killed in the attempted takeover of Amestris? They were an invincible trio.
The negative side to this was that the media tended to take great pleasure in following them.
"Selim! Are you attending May Mustang's birthday party?" Asked a reporter, suddenly right in his face. Selim smiled awkwardly and held his hands in front of him.
"Please go away," he said, looking around for his car. Selim made his way over to the side of the road, listening to this damn journalist.
"What brand of cake do you think there will be?"
"Why does it matter?" Asked Selim.
"It's vital that we know the brand of cake!" Selim stared quizzically at the freckle-faced woman.
"No." He slammed the door of his black car shut and sped off down the road.
"Welcome, Selim," Riza Hawkeye greeted him as he entered the large house.
"Hello," smiled Selim. "I have May's present." He handed Riza a small box wrapped in red wrapping paper. Riza took it graciously.
"Thank you. I'm sure May will love whatever it is." She leaned in closer to Selim. "But if it's an engagement ring Roy will probably burn you into next week." Selim smiled.
"Trust me, it's not!" In truth, though Roy was nice, he was a bit intimidating—not to mention extremely protective about his only daughter. He made of a point of letting Selim and Edward know this too, nearly every time they were in the same room.
Selim found his way into the living room. Everyone was very relaxed and jovial, gathered around the radio or sitting on the couches or just standing up and talking. There were lots of influential people here. Mustang apparently got his invite list right. There was Fürher Grumman standing next to a couple of high—ranked officials. Selim spotted Olivier and Miles next to the bar, drinks in hand. Where was May?
"Selim Bradley. Glad you could make it." Selim turned around, only to find Roy Mustang behind him.
"It's not an engagement ring," he said right off the bat. Roy laughed.
"Of course it's not. I taught you better than that." Selim managed an awkward half-smile. Roy stopped laughing. "But seriously…"
"Ignore him," said Riza, appearing by his side. "He's becoming senile." Mustang glared at his partner.
"Whatever. Have a good time Bradley."
"Thanks," said Selim as the two walked away. He stood still for a moment.
You must be so lucky, in a room with so many powerful people.
What? What was that voice? Selim glanced around. No one else acted as though they had heard anything.
He must be crazy.
You're not crazy. But you're different, which is why you can hear me and no one else can.
"Thanks," muttered Selim, still sort of confused. This random voice sounded dark, and there was a hint of laughter to his voice. Suddenly, he spotted May in the crowd.
"I'll talk to you later," he said quickly, heading over to her.
May looked beautiful. Her hair had grown longer, to her shoulders, and she wore a pretty pink dress. It was hard to believe that Riza was her mother when it came to clothes.
"May!" Said Selim. The raven—haired girl turned to face him.
"Hi Selim! Glad you could make it!" She pulled him into a tight hug. A camera flashed as Selim returned it.
"Hey how did you get in here?" Someone yelled.
"Damn media," said Selim as the photographer was shuttled out of the house.
"I'm not a huge fan either," said May.
"You know that's going to be all over the tabloids tomorrow," Edward Armstrong said, walking up to the two. "Selim Bradley and May Mustang, a couple?" Selim smiled at his friend.
"Hi Edward!" May said, giving him a hug as well. Selim felt a sharp pang of envy, even though he just had a hug. Sure, he himself wasn't that bad looking of a guy. He was tall, somewhat strong, and had an attractive face, but Edward was ridiculous. He was only sixteen but he took after his father with a powerful build and broad shoulders. He kept his white hair tied back as well. Besides, how could Selim compete with Edward's blue eyes and tan skin?
It was time to hit the gym.
"You're going to love my present!" Said Edward, not letting go of May.
"That's great Edward, but I can't breathe."
"You know Roy's going to flip shit if he sees you," added Selim.
"Oh yeah right…"
"Let go of my daughter Armstrong!" Came a shout from the other side of the room. Selim laughed.
"Shut up," smiled Edward, letting go of May.
"So," said May. "I hear you have a girlfriend Edward." She winked. Edward blushed.
"No. She's more of a good friend." Selim laughed.
"That's rich."
"It's true," said Edward indignantly. "Even if she thinks differently."
"So how's the north been?" Asked Selim, changing the subject away from girls. Edward glowered.
"It sucks. It's so damn cold. If I have to go back I think I'll die."
"Don't let your mom hear you," said May. Their voices dimmed to whispers. "She'll probably kill you," she continued.
"No shit," said Edward.
"Why are we whispering?" Asked Selim.
"I don't know!" Giggled May.
"I'd like to propose a toast!" Roy Mustang's voice rang across the room. Everyone become quiet.
"Here," said Edward, handing May and Selim glasses of champagne from a caterer before getting his own.
"Thanks," said Selim.
"I'd like to start out by saying how wonderful it is to have you all here today." There were a few murmurs of approval from the audience. Selim smirked. Of course, he had to thank the higher ups, which mostly consisted of Grumman.
"To continue, I want to wish my lovely daughter May another happy birthday. To another great, boyfriend-free year!" There was laughter as everyone raised his or her glass in toast before drinking.
"Your dad is ridiculous," said Edward.
"I know," said May, taking a huge gulp of champagne.
"Did you drink the whole thing?" Asked Selim in awe.
"May! Holy crap!" Said Edward. May shrugged.
"It's not like anyone's going to care."
"Still," said Edward. "How very un-ladylike."
"Shut up," said May.
"Hey May! Come here!" May turned to see a couple of her friends. She put her empty glass back on a caterer's tray.
"I'll see guys later! Have a good time!" Selim smiled as she ran over to her friends.
"Her dad has to let up someday," said Edward, drinking.
"He better," Selim laughed.
"I will be right back," said Edward. "I'm going over to the bar. You want anything?" Selim shook his head.
"I'm good." He watched as the sixteen year-old headed over to his parents.
Again, he found himself alone with the voice.
If your father was still alive, what would he say?
"How am I supposed to know?" Asked Selim. "He's been dead a long time."
I have a feeling we're talking about different fathers. Selim's interest piqued.
"What do you mean?"
Your parents aren't really your parents—that's what I'm trying to say. Selim was confused. He'd never heard that before.
Want to know more?
"Yes."
Then you'll have to do a little research. Go to the library tomorrow and we'll discuss this more thoroughly.
"Ok," said Selim. The strangeness of the situation was beyond him. Sure there was a voice talking, but schizophrenia? He doubted it. This seemed like something different. It was too real.
"One more thing," said Selim. "Just who are you?"
My name is Solf J. Kimblee, a person from a time you've forgotten. It's a pleasure to become reacquainted, Selim Bradley.