Chapter I: The Mind of a Drachman
Major Christoph Eisenwald often wondered what went on in the mind of his Colonel. Faustus Ermundtraut was his name- he was supposedly from Drachma, though Eisenwald had never bothered to verify the rumor in the single year he had served under the man. What really made the Major curious, however, was- if Colonel Ermundtraut was a Drachman- why he was serving in the Amestrian military in the first place.
Major: Eisenwald preferred not to be spoken to as such. After all, he had only achieved the rank through becoming a State Alchemist. Rather, he took a liking to his Alchemist Title, "Living Blade". Fortunately, most of his unit referred to him as such. He was called the Living Blade Alchemist for his right arm of automail, which he often transmuted into a sword-like weapon.
At the moment, he was in a black military vehicle, en route to their new headquarters in West City. Seated next to him was Faustus Ermundtraut himself, his thoughtful violet eyes peering out the car's tinted windows. Though military protocol usually had the Lieutenant-Colonel riding with the Colonel, Ermundtraut always specified for Major Eisenwald to accompany him. Christoph guessed it was because they were both State Alchemists: the Colonel's title was the Lunar Alchemist, which represented his mastery of ice, water, vapor, and various other liquids and gases.
"Living Blade," Colonel Ermundtraut's voice cut through the silence in a hollow tone, "Are you familiar with the name Luce Winter?"
Caught of guard, Eisenwald stammered a bit before answering. "No, sir. Why?"
A faint smirk formed on the Lunar Alchemist's features. "He's a General stationed at Western Headquarters, where we're heading." His violet gaze shifted away from the car window and eyed Major Eisenwald, his head unmoving. "I've heard quite a lot about him…." His expression changed from reflection to curiosity. "May I ask you a personal question?"
"Of course, sir, what is it?"
Ermundtraut turned away from the window and folded his hands in his lap. "How did you lose your right arm?"
"Oh," again, the Colonel's question caught Eisenwald off guard. There was a brief pause before he continued, "In an automobile accident. I had been returning home from an errand when a car rounded the corner and knocked me over, crushing my arm as well."
There was an awkward silence for what seemed like an eternity before the Lunar Alchemist's mellow voice answered, "I already understand…" He shifted his legs, the antiquated machinery of his old automail leg clanging together as it moved. Reminded of the Lunar Alchemist's disability, a new thought entered Eisenwald's mind- an idea so radical that, if it were true, could change his life as a State Alchemist.
"Colonel-" Eisenwald started, but was cut off by a cry of shock from the driver's seat.
"What's the matter?" Colonel Ermundtraut demanded from the soldier in a level-headed, though grave, tone. The black military vehicle wheeled around, coming to a stop at the completion of its turn. The military automobiles that had been following behind with the Colonel's other officers screeched to a halt, their drivers astonished and confused. Peering out of the car window, the Lunar Alchemist observed the form of a black haired man who appeared only a few years older than himself.
"That man-" the driver stuttered- "I just drove straight through him!" In a slightly calmer voice, he added, "How could he still be alive?" As if on cue, the bizarre apparition walked over to a nearby house, his pace quickening with every step. His long, messy black hair suddenly turned a pale gray color as he dove through the building's wall, which seemed to ripple as the entity appeared to first fuse and then- inevitably- disconnect himself from the structure upon reaching the other side.
Major Eisenwald gaped in wonder at the inexplicable event. Never before in his life had such a strange thing happened to him, and he doubted anything quite like it had happened to any of the other officers either. "Who or what was that?"