The Blade Alchemist

by Greivous166

A soldier in the military has been having the same odd dream for months. A white void, a large door, and a creepy looking fellow who calls himself "Truth". He doesn't understand at first, that is until he is killed in action. When he is taken to the gate, a new journey begins for him as he learns about his new home. Follows the FMA Brotherhood series with slight twists. ExW, OCxOC.

10. So This is Alchemy

The Blade Alchemist

So This is Alchemy

Drake POV

I watched as Ed grabbed a stick and came back. "As I explained before, alchemy is the science of understanding the matter you are using, deconstructing it, then reconstructing it as something else. But you have to follow the basic laws of alchemy. In order to obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is the law that we alchemists call 'Equivalent Exchange'." I held up my hand to stop him a minuet. "Okay, so if I want to make something, I have to give up, or 'sacrifice' something that is equal to what I want to make?" He nodded at me and then continued.

"Yes. The object you want to make has to be the same mass and density of the object you started out with. The anatomical matter has to be the same as well. And you can't change animate objects into inanimate objects, or vice-versa. So you can't change a rock into water, or paper into metal." I thought for a second, then asked. "So I can change a rock into a stone sculpture, or metal into a bucket, as long as the end item has the same amount of matter as the start item. But I can't change a rock into a flower, or a tree in a car, correct? He smiled at me and nodded.

"You learn quite quickly, huh?" If only you knew Ed. "Okay then." He used the stick and drew a diagram with a circle and a few lines. "This is a basic transmutation circle. You can use it to change the shape of an object, but only to a simple object. And unlike more complex circles, you cant add other materials to the end item." Ed grabbed a small rock and placed it in the center of the circle. He then placed his hands on the circle and a blue light began to glow and small sparks erupted as the rock began to change shape. After the blue light and sparks disappeared, I looked and saw a small stone horse where the rock used to be. So, this is alchemy? Amazing.

"So, with this circle I can only use a single material in the 'transmutation'. I can't use wood with rock and so on?" Ed picked up the horse figure. "Correct. But by reading books and training, you learn more complex circles and arrays. This allows you to perform more complex alchemy. Watch." Ed drew another 'array' and placed a few twigs on it. He stretched out his hand. "May I see one of your bullets?" I thought it over a second, then grabbed one of my magazines gave a bullet to him. He placed it with the twigs in the center of the circle and pressed his hands on the array.

Again, a blue light shown and sparks emitted. The objects morphed into one and changed shape. The blue light disappeared and in the circle was a small pile of gun powder and a small throwing knife. Alchemy can even finish with multiple end items? "As you can see, this circle has a bit more detail to it. It would take a while to explain what each detail is and what it does, you will have to read up on it. We only have the time to get you into the 'feel' of alchemy, and get you to where you can perform it yourself. So here." He gave the branch to me. "Draw out your circle. Just like the one I showed you."

I nodded at him and begun to draw a 'crude' circle with lines. (Hey, I never said I was good at drawing!) I looked at Ed. He grabbed the horse figure, grabbed my hand, and made a slight correction to the circle. "It really doesn't have to be perfect. But if the circle is not right, it will most likely fail." He placed the figure in the center. "Okay. Now place your hands on the outer rim of the circle." I did as such.

"Now, picture in your head what you want the object you are transmuting, as what you want it to be. Lets go for a human shaped figure." I nodded, and closed my eyes. I pictured the horse figure turning into a human figure. "In your mind, look 'into' the object and see what it is made of. Now through your body, grab the item in your mind. Change the object into what you want it to be." I reached through my mind and morphed the figure. A small blue light began to glow. I could hear the sparks dancing around me. I saw the object in my mind change form into a blob, then into a small 'somewhat' human shape. The sparks and light disappeared, and I open my eyes.

There it was a 'crude', but still human, shaped figure in the center of the circle. I did it! I performed alchemy! "Well, well. Not bad at all. I'm really impressed for it being your first time." I looked up to Ed and gave a slight smile. "Whew. Thanks Ed." I grabbed the figure and sat up as I looked at it closely. "This is defiantly not what I'm used to. Alchemy is no short task." Eds' eyes twitched and immediately Al grabbed Ed around the midriff. "WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO MINIATURE, HE GETS RUN OVER BY A BICYCLE?!" "Brother, that is NOT what he said!" Ed continued to rant as I turned to Al confused. "Uh, is he always like this? Al nodded. "Yeah, you have to really watch what you say around him when referencing anything small." At that, Ed really lost it. "AL! MY OWN BROTHER CALLING ME SHORT!? HOW COULD YOU!? YOU TRAITOR!" Al released Ed and held his hands up in surrender. "Brother, that is NOT what I said!" As weird as it was, I could only laugh at them.

"Hey guys! Lunch!" Winry called to us. Al walked over to me and picked me up. This is really annoying. A 26 year old man, having to be toted around by a kid. This sucks. I can't wait to get new legs. "So Drake." I turned to Ed. "Check on learning. What is the first law of alchemy?" I had to think back a minuet. "In order to obtain, something of equal value must be lost." Ed looked at me impressed. "Okay. What is another law?" Again, I think back.

"Everything you make must have the same mass and density and the object you started with. And the end result must be of the same characteristic. No rocks into flowers and such or vise-versa." Now Ed was surprised. We continued discussing the other things he taught me. "Wow, I can't believe you can retain everything so easily! Even I had some trouble learning so many new things at a time." I just shrugged my shoulders and looked towards the house as the three of us went inside.

Edward POV

I can't believe it. Even I had some trouble remembering some things after learning so much in a short time. But he just seems to lock everything in his mind! We all sat at the table and chowed down on some sandwiches. There was silence until Drake spoke up. "So Winry. When do you think I can get my legs back?" Winry thought for a moment. "Hmm. Well your wounds were decently healed when I checked them yesterday, but I would like to let the skin recover a bit more from closing the wounds up. We can do the surgery the day after tomorrow." Drake nodded at her. I spoke up. "Drake." He looked at me. "You need to ask yourself if you truly want to do this. Automail is good and all, are you really sure you want to go through with this?"

Drake put his sandwich down and looked down at the table. A moment passed before he spoke up. "Yes. This is what I want. Without legs, I'm only going to a burden to others. I was raised better than that. I'm going to get this surgery, get my legs back, and continue on with my life. Perhaps even enlist in this countries' military. I am making this decision on my own accord. And nothing you say will change my mind." Everyone looked at Drake after he said that. Al placed his hand on his shoulder. "Well then, I'll be cheering for you Drake." Winry followed suit. "Same here." I looked at him, and he looked at me. "And me as well. You get those legs, and walk forward on them." I held my fist out to him. Drake smiled and brought his fist to mine. "Will do, Ed!"

Drake POV

That evening, we all retired to our rooms. I layed on my bed looking out the window at the clear sky. Enlist in this countries' military huh? That really isn't a bad idea, considering that I am already a soldier. I just need to get the surgery and rehabilitation done. Ed says 2-4 years, but does it really take that long? Or is that just the average person. I don't know what the rehabilitation consists of, but I can work on that during the day, and improving my alchemy at night. Huh, only time will tell. I roll over to my side and close my eyes. No. 8 months. I will be done in no more than 8 months. I have to!I let the quiet and calmness of the night take me into deep sleep. Only time…..will tell.