Chapter 10: Glass and Flame
Six months had passed. Festa was not prepared.
She had looked further and found promise but it was not what she had hoped. She had devised a transmutation circle, but it was not consistent.
Two months earlier Festa had experimented with a circle, trying to make an illusion. There was some evidence on optics which she used and also combined it with her glass alchemy. The walk with the Fuhrer had given her hope that she would find an answer somewhere. Though that night was still strange to her, she kept continuing her late night studies after work.
She tried imagining an image. Something simple, like a circle. After it worked she decided to be more complex. She imagined a face. She thought of Horace. The first try showed little promise. She only saw a general shape but no clear indicators, such as eyes or hair, so she drew the circle over and over in different ways, trying to distort the image to be what she imagined.
But the day had come for the review and she knew that she had still had not perfected it. She was at a point were and image was clearer, you could tell it was a person. But the image did not move, it was just a still image. Though this was very little research to present, she thought that she had an idea. She could at least present an image and create it by using the glass and her mind to think of it.
Ben knew something was odd about Festa and her late night "overtime". He mostly thought that she was enjoying her position at the investigations department. She always locked her bedroom door when she got home. Festa did this to avoid having him see the attempts in transmutation circles. She commonly copied information that was useful onto sheets of paper and brought them home, so that no books were present. Ben had thought she needed space. He would ask if the photographs were becoming too much, and she would say it didn't bother her. But he couldn't tell if she was lying. He had taken most of the pictures himself, and he still had trouble escaping them.
Her combat skills had improved. Festa sometimes got board at the library and to make things interesting she would do hand stands while reading through her research. She would also time herself. She was able to draw a transmutation circle in under five seconds. This practice was all because Festa knew that she would not have the amount of research that was expected. So, if she had too, she read a rule that allowed alchemists to challenge another to a duel, and if she had to face the Flame Alchemist, she had to be able to dodge his attacks.
It was the day of the review and she felt that she needed to be sure of herself. She put her hair in a bun, trying to look older. Festa wore the scarf as usual. She brought a small bag of sand and a piece of paper with the circle she had created. But she made the circle and had no citation of her influences. It made her nervous to not be fully prepared, but it was better than having absolutely nothing.
Major Hughes had given her a pass for the day. This would be her first day off since she started. And Festa was pleased, because she would be doing what she loved.
She walked to the office of the Colonel. It was strange that a year ago she was waiting to hear if she had passed the exam. The watch was pressed against her side hidden inside her coat. She remembered how the Colonel said not to forget it again. She had kept it hidden, concealed in case Ben were ever to break into her room.
She knocked and the door opened. There was a woman, a Lieutenant who Festa saluted, and then did the same to the Colonel. The Lieutenant shut the door and stood outside of the room. Festa stood in the middle. She let the Colonel speak first.
"You're taller." He said.
"I guess. I haven't noticed." Festa hadn't paid attention to her looks besides keeping her hair in a bun. She had actually missed her own birthday because it wasn't a big deal for her this time. There were other things to think about.
"So, what do you have to present?" He sat with his elbows on the table, hands folded.
Festa was still. She didn't know how to begin. She had only discovered that she could make an image on glass. She took a piece of paper and drew the circle on it. She called this her Perception circle. The image was opposite to the Glass transmutation circle which involved overlapping diamonds. The circle had more swirls and a square in the middle with a dot in the center. She handed it to the Colonel.
"What's this?"
"I created it." Festa said. "I can create images with it."
"Then show me." She nodded and opened her bag of sand. "May I?" She asked before drawing the glass transmutation circle on his desk and pouring the sand on top. She made a sheet of glass, about the size of a piece of paper. She then drew the circle on the back. She pondered on someone he would recognize. She thought of Major Hughes. The image appeared clear enough but she couldn't quite get the glasses right.
"Impressive." The Colonel said.
"Thank you…"
"For an amateur." Festa was shocked. The Colonel rose from his chair.
"Why, what's wrong?"
"You've had a year to prepare and all you can present is an image on a piece of glass." Festa felt that was true. But it was hard when she was only given late nights to research, where others got full days to spend in the library, and didn't have to conceal the fact they were alchemists.
"I tried my best. It is hard when I have to keep it secret from everyone."
"Don't blame this on others. You agreed to this." Festa was growing angry, she didn't want to challenge him to a duel. But with one more comment like that she would.
"Yes, but this is what I have researched. I'm sure with more time I can expand on it."
"You've had a year." He said and stopped. "Obviously you weren't working as hard as you thought." He began to walk towards the door. She had to challenge him now. If she could not prove her work civilly, maybe she could in battle.
"Then let's duel." She said and he turned. He let out a light chuckle.
"You can't be serious." He turned around. "You're that determined to fail?" Festa wasn't sure if she would doubt this decision, but right now she had to stand her ground.
"I don't know. But I hear that there is a hot head who may need to cool down." She was proud of the comment she just made but had to keep her composure. Festa gave him a look, one he wasn't used to, one of retaliation. Festa wanted a fair chance to prove her worth. And she would not back down.
"All right." He said. "At one meet here. The Fuhrer will join us at the location, and then we can duel." Before he left Festa thanked him and he chuckled lightly. She did not know what she had just done, but this was vital to keep her license.
After lunch she returned to the office. She didn't eat anything, she didn't want to focus on strategy. But, she didn't know exactly what they were going to do. She hoped that he would not take the battle seriously, that way she could prove she would be a challenge.
She sat on the floor outside his office. Festa rested her eyes for a little while. She was then startled by a hand on her shoulder.
"Private Farlock." It was the Lieutenant. She saluted and was then at ease.
"Where is the Colonel?" Festa wanted to make sure they were alone. She was unsure about his Lieutenant. She seemed nice, but heard that her loyalty to Colonel Mustang was unmatched. If something were to happen to him in this duel, Festa would surely get a bullet to the head.
"He went to reserve the space. I will escort you down stairs." This was a relief. She felt that it was better. Festa experienced too much testosterone on a daily basis; and, it was nice to finally meet another woman. Especially one with such a high rank.
They began to walk and it was silent for a moment. She mostly followed her down stair cases that she didn't know existed. Once they were below ground level, the Lieutenant spoke.
"So, you live with Sergeant Maccabi?" Festa was taken off guard.
"Yes, Lieutenant." Festa then inferred what she was asking. "We're just friends. And we work all the time."
"I always see him in the investigations department." Hawkeye chuckled. "We fought together in Ishval."
Festa recalled Ben saying he could shoot. He could have been a sniper if he wanted, but decided taking photos would be easier.
"He told me he was a good shot." They continued walking. They were now in a hallway Festa did not recognize. It had no windows and was made of concrete. There were no doors except the one at the end of the hall. They continued the conversation.
"He was. But I put him in his place." Festa had a questionable look.
"What did you do?" Hawkeye chuckled again.
"We had a shooting match. Both of us had a reputation, but I won." They smiled. Festa could imagine the look on Ben's face after losing.
"He's probably still bitter." They laughed and the Lieutenant stopped.
"Colonel Mustang will meet you inside."
"Thank you, Lieutenant." Before she entered, Festa took off the scarf and left it with the Lieutenant. She did not want it to get burned.
Festa entered the room and the Lieutenant closed the door. It was a large dome with only a sky light at the top and various ceiling lights illuminated the room. There was a glass balcony where the Furher stood, surveying the grounds. The ground itself was a mix of dust and sand which would work with her alchemy. Colonel Mustang stood in the center of the circle, where the light was brightest, and she couldn't wait to fight.
"I am ready if you are." She said.
"There is still time to turn back." She couldn't do that. She wanted this, to prove herself. Even if she was in over her head, she at least had given it a chance.
"No, I didn't come here to retreat." The Fuhrer interrupted them. He was to be the judge for this match.
"Good answer." He said, standing above them. "Now this is to be a fair fight, no deaths. Only injuries. If knocked unconscious, the other will declare victory. Understood?"
They both replied, and the Fuhrer waited as they prepared themselves for the duel. Mustang tightened his gloves as Festa took off her coat.
"It's going to get hot." She prepared herself. The Fuhrer had waited, then gave the order.
"Begin."
Colonel Mustang made the first move and Festa back flipped away from the flame. She drew a circle and put up a stone way. He made another blow and Festa ran from it. She wanted to wear him down. She thought as long as she could dodge the flame with ease it wouldn't be a problem.
The cycle continued and Festa kept flipping and dodging the attacks. But he still smirked. Mustang knew her strategy and could keep up the offensive for as long as he wanted. She was easily irritated, which meant if he got her angry, that would throw her off.
"You're supposed to be an alchemist. Not an acrobat." Festa decided it was time to attack. She drew a glass transmutation circle and when the flame came for her she used the circle to direct the reconstructed glass back at him. He had not moved from his position until now. But before the glass was going to hit him, he veered left. If he had stayed in position his shoulder would have been sliced. Festa had to get closer so he had less time to react.
By this point the room was getting increasingly warmer. There was no ventilation, but the heat could not distract her. She had to focus on getting closer. Preventing him from firing.
She used the circle again and created the wall as a barrier.
"You said you had other research. Why won't you show me?"
"I can't." Festa was afraid, she knew she could make an image, but it would have to be something he wouldn't be prepared for, one that would haunt him.
He began firing along the wall as she ran beside it. Once Festa reached the end of the glass fence, she drew a circle to project a stone spike at the Colonel. She spun around to the other side to hopefully trip him, but he expected it. She had gotten his left shoulder with the spike. She lunged forward to press on the wound with her left hand, but he was ready and spun her around to strike the spike. The spike cut her upper right arm and she fell to the ground. She didn't want to look at the cut, it would only break her focus. She already felt his blood on her hand, the texture was enough to make her think of the pain. He began throwing sparks and Festa crawled backwards.
"I thought you had more research to show me. This is pathetic." She remembered what happened before with the image. But she had to think of something that would scare him. Festa saw very few photographs of Colonel Mustang's actions in Ishval; but there was enough she could recall from memory. Festa wasn't sure if it would work. But it was her last resort.
"Had enough?" He said it, feeling he had already won. Festa stood, then spread out her arms and began to draw a transmutation circle with her foot as she spoke.
"Burn me." Festa said. His look was one of concern. "You've taunted me enough with your fire, if you are going to burn me then do it." He waited a moment. If she truly wanted to die he could take her life. But she had dodged his attacks before, this could be a trick.
"Do it, Colonel." The Fuhrer had kept to observing, but interjected because the outcome did not matter. If Festa died, then she was not worthy to be a sacrifice. And if she lived, then there may be more potential for her future. The Colonel nodded and positioned himself to aim at her.
By this time Festa had drawn a complete circle. This was it. Her only chance to prove her research.
The Colonel fired. Festa jumped back and transmuted a glass wall. The fire surrounded her and the glass wall became hot. She drew the perception circle and placed her left hand on the glass. She held her breathe but her hand began to sting from the fire and she let out a scream as the heat rose and the fire began to dissipate.
Festa thought of the pictures. Colonel Mustang had been responsible for many deaths, and his victims had a painful end. She thought of herself, burned all over. Her skin crisp and flaking, with a face that was barely recognizable.
Mustang did not see this. When the fire cleared he heard a scream. What he saw was Lieutenant Hawkeye, burned. Ishval and begun to creep back into his mind, he did not know what to say, one of his worst fears had come to life. He fell to his knees in shock.
Festa stayed behind the glass with her left hand on the transmutation circle. She was unsure of what was going on.
"Let's call this a draw, shall we?" The Fuhrer announced and left through an unknown door in the balcony. He had seen the image, and was satisfied with the potential in this young alchemist.
Festa felt she could emerge, leaving a bloody hand print on the transmutation circle. She saw the Colonel kneeling, staring into the ground.
"Colonel?" She said, about to reach out to him.
"Get the hell out of my sight." He only whispered it. She stepped back but remained in the room. It fell silent.
"Colonel, I didn't mean to…"
"Leave!" Festa didn't know what she had done. What did he see? She thought he'd be relieved to see her okay, but that was not the case.
Festa grabbed her jacket and put it on.
"I'm sorry." She ran outside the room.
"Colonel Mus…" Lieutenant Hawkeye was prepared to greet him. She had heard a scream. Festa felt the blood running down her arm.
"Private Farlock, you're bleeding." The Lieutenant noticed. She reached out but Festa stepped back.
"The Colonel needs you. I'm sorry." Festa grabbed her scarf as the Lieutenant entered the room and closed the door.
Festa ran down the hallway up, the stairs to the main hall. She thought it would only shock him enough to give her the upper hand. But he was in tears, enraged. Festa stopped in the middle of a stairwell and to breathe, try to digest what had happened. She did not know what she could to but say sorry to him. It was the only solution she could think of, she went home without being noticed, and thought of how she could get him to accept her apology.