Chapter 10: Fading Innocence

Why?

Why am I so helpless? Why am I so weak? Why can't I protect anyone?

I'm always the one needing protection or saving, and all I can do is watch, helpless, from the side. If only I were stronger, I could protect those I care about. If only I were stronger, I would not always need to ask for help. If only I were stronger, I…

If only I were stronger…

Riza's eyes snapped open. The forest and the Drachman soldiers had vanished. However, Roy was also gone. Riza glanced around nervously at her new surroundings or, more accurately, her complete lack of surroundings. Replacing everything was an infinite expanse of pure white as far as her eye could see. She reached a hand up hesitantly to her head where a gun's barrel had been placed just moments ago. No wound. No blood.

I guess I really am dead. But where am I?

"Hello?" Riza called out as she got to her feet. "Is there anybody there? Roy? Are you out there?"

"Hello." A girl's voice echoed from behind her.

As Riza turned around abruptly to see who had hailed her, she saw a pure white, formless being, only distinguishable by a shadowy outline, standing several meters away. There were absolutely no physical features present on the formless being. However, that did not stop a nervous chill from creeping up her spine. It was like she was looking into a mirror and seeing her reflection.

"Umm…who are you?"

"Who am I?" Riza's formless reflection giggled with amusement. "Now that's a funny question because I am called so many titles. Some call me the Gatekeeper. Others call me the Ferryman. I am Death, and I am Life. I am One, and I am All. I am what some humans call God, the World, or the Universe. I am also You."

"You are me…?"

"Yes, in a sense."

"How is that possible?"

"I know your desires, your fears, and your feelings."A small smirk appeared on her reflection's face. "I know that you feel guilty for making your father break his oath. I know you hate being helpless. I know you want the strength to protect those you care about. I know you fear that someday your helplessness will cause you to lose those you wish to protect but cannot. Am I not right? Riza Hawkeye."

"I think you may know more about me than I do about myself." Riza replied grudgingly.

"Being who I am, I know the truth behind all things. That is why some people also call me Truth, and you may address me as such."

"Truth, where am I?"

"You are currently in my world, the plane between life and death."

"The plane in between?"

"Yes."

"I'm not supposed to be here…you know, in between, am I?"

"You are quite perceptive. You are not supposed to be here. Many humans have passed through here after they die, but I hardly have visitors. Any visitors are usually alchemists who foolishly think they can play God. However, you belong in neither group."

"Neither groups?" Riza gasped with sudden realization. "Wait! Are you saying that I'm not dead?"

"You are correct."

If I'm not, maybe Roy isn't either! After everything that has just happened, anything is possible, right? It couldn't hurt to just ask…

"Umm…I was with someone before coming here. Is he okay?"

"I assume you are asking about that friend of yours Roy Mustang. I assume you meant to ask me if he is alive, and my response would be that he is. He is just as much alive as you are."

"Thank you." Riza breathed a sigh of relief.

"Is he someone special to you?"

"Yes, he is." Riza allowed herself a small giggle after realizing how strange Truth's question really was.

"And you laugh…?"

"I just think that it's a little funny for you to ask me that since you claim to know what I feel so well. You should already know he is someone special."

"Spare me, Riza Hawkeye. Being in this realm, I do not have many opportunities to talk with anyone, and even deities get lonely sometimes. Even though I already know the answers, allow me to enjoy my attempts at conversation."

"You know, Truth. For being such an omnipotent being and all, you really aren't all that intimidating. On the other hand, you are really kind of silly."

"And now you are mocking me?" Truth let out an echoing laugh. "After being in this realm for so many countless years, this has never happened before."

"There is always a first time."

"And to think a puny little human dare talk to me like this." Truth's laughter grew louder, forcing Riza to cover her ears to dampen the uproarious laughter. "I must say, Riza Hawkeye. For a human, you are most interesting."

Now that her most pressing concern was cleared, Riza could now worry about her current bizarre situation. Although she knew that she did not belong in this world, she had no idea how she even entered it or how she could leave.

"Truth, how did I get here?"

"You are here of your own accord. You wanted to be here."

"I did?"

"You were tired of being weak. You want to be stronger so you can protect others. Who better to grant your wish other than what you perceive as God?"

"You can do that?" Riza asked in disbelief.

"Yes, I can. However, nothing comes without a price. I'm sure you are aware about equivalent exchange from your alchemist father. The power you seek will come at a cost. I suggest you forget your foolish ambitions. If you do, I'll send you back to your world the way you are. How will you proceed knowing this?"

"You should already know that I will not turn down your offer. Truth, you above all should already know the answer to your own question. You don't need to feign ignorance when you already know what I will decide."

"Riza Hawkeye." A small smile appeared on Truth's face. "For a human, you are indeed very interesting. However, what you have chosen will have its consequences in your future."

"I've made my decision. Name your price, Truth."

"Since you are not here through alchemy and an act of hubris, your payment will be different from what I normally take."

"Which is?"

"Your innocence. The woman you would have become and the life you would have lived. That carefree future will no longer be yours. That should be payment enough for what I intend to give you."

Riza stood silent for several moments. My innocence? What does that even mean? How will Truth even take my future? However, I do not want to always be protected in the future. I do not want to watch helpless anymore. Riza took a deep breath.

"It's yours."

"Then, we have an agreement." An eerily wide grin appeared on Truth's face. "Although you are no alchemist, I can still give you the power you seek but in a very different form. Even for a weak human such as you without alchemy, I can still give you the power to protect."

Riza suddenly felt an ominous aura from behind and turned around to find herself dwarfed by a giant pair of stone doors. The stone doors were engraved with a mural of an angel with its magnificent wings wrapped around a tiny source of light, glowing before the heavenly being.

"The power you seek is behind those gates. You may turn back now or you may have your power for a price. I suggest you leave this offer and return to the life you will have without seeing what is inside."

"Show me."

"As you wish. I did warn you..."

As the doors began to slowly open, a single large eye from within the gate appeared and several shadow-like hands emerged and slowly crept towards Riza. She felt the icy grip of the ethereal hands wrap around her and pull her towards the gate. Riza found herself engulfed in darkness as the doors of the gate closed behind her. Suddenly, the darkness was replaced by a brilliant flood of light.

Riza felt the shadows holding her loosen their grasp. She fell down and down, plummeting deeper into the blinding light. As she fell, millions of images flashed across her eyes. She wanted to look away, to close her eyes, but she could not. However, she had no control over her body. Riza continued to fall as her mind painfully imprinted everything shown before her.

"No! Please stop it! No more! Roy! Father! Somebody! Stop!"

"Equivalent exchange, no?" Truth's laughter echoed around her as Riza felt herself lose consciousness and fade into darkness. "It is time for you to return to your world. We'll meet again. I guarantee it, Riza Hawkeye."

Note: So I wonder how Riza's encounter with Truth will play out later? Heh heh. You'll find out later. I promise. Thank you everyone for their continued despite the long delay and -HoPeLeSsRoMaNtIc-29-, BlackBrightField2007, Red Walrus for your reviews! Suggestions, criticism, and comments are always welcome.