Chapter 4: Equivalent Exchange
"The law of equivalent exchange is a fucked up theory…why the hell alchemists have to follow shit like this. There is something called a philosopher's stone, right?"
Murder, the 8th sin
Dante informed me about a pair of boys who are quite skilled in alchemy at such a young age. She believed that they would have the potential to create a philosopher's stone for the first generation homunculi. She also informed me they had a will to bring back their mother, which obviously brings another homunculus. I took a guess she will replace my position as Sloth, but I had a chance to become Greed. "Could Lust be my partner on this job?" I asked because I wasn't just in love with her, but I was infatuated with her.
"No, she is a developing homunculus. She is designated to our next Lust," Dante ordered. "But she will come at a later time."
"Yes, mother." I addressed her as my mother because she adopted me when I was a developing homunculus.
I walked away wishing to be unleashed to my maximal potential. I'm still a toy soldier; again, I had to follow orders from a bigger douchebag. I packed up thinking what will happen when Lust is lost without me. She came in and walked at a slower pace. "I heard you've got another errand."
"I'm glad you are still mine. I'm afraid I can't influence you anymore."
"Darling," she paused. I came confused after calling me that. There was a pause, "I…have to be something different now."
I walked away and gave her a kiss in the cheek and faded into a gaseous mass. I drifted in several hours reaching Resembool. It was more like a small village in the rural landscape. Resembool was quite small; it only had a few important buildings and a river supplying water to them. I landed on the Rockbell's doorstep as some homeless person and knocked on their door. A small blond girl came out and screamed at my appearance. After, an old woman and two small boys came out to see what was the ruckus. "Ah, this is the Elric brothers. Seems that the younger one is taller than the elder brother, what a cocksucker!" A thought ran through my mind. "Um, I'm one of the Elrics' father's old college friend. Their father requested that I would watch over them," I lied. Funny thing was that they all bought the obviously stupid lie. The only reason was that I knew their father was through another homunculus, Envy. The Elric brothers tagged along with me to their family home. "So what is your name?"
"Alphonse, sir." The taller one spoke, "Edward," the short blond answered.
"Funny, my name is Edward also." I smiled. Man, I'm good liar, "Let's just say I'm your long time babysitter."
They gave me a short tour around the home. I was surprised that they always studied alchemy at a young age. They also explained about their teacher Izumi Curtis and how they expanded their knowledge. I asked why do they need to study alchemy at a young age. They fell silent. "Because we need to bring back our mother!" Edward yelled and covered his mouth.
I smiled, "You are a pair of talented children, but I'm afraid a human transmutation is difficult and dangerous. I pulled one off and, uh, I almost died." Alphonse just grits his teeth at the thought of dying.
It rained again and I went to the attic and transformed into a ghost again to witness their foolish transmutation. I passed into the gate awaiting their equivalent exchange. There was a giant flash of gold and then purple. That was their transmutation. The body of Alphonse Elric was engulfed with some sort of dark tentacle and weird black bodies took in the arm and leg of Edward Elric. A homunculus sprang up and became of another homunculus. I didn't want another homunculus because they would automatically boot me off and I would be where I started. I decided to fight the small child. He was a quick, little asshole. "Jesus, nigger, you've got game, but you better watch papa how he does it." I took quick slashes all over the place. A tentacle captured me in a headlock and the child broke free of the gate and ran away. "God dammit, father. Why do you forsake your son like this?"
"You are the most damned creature who ever lived. You mustn't live upon the Earth. You are the cause for war, sex, and abuse. You are the influence, Hatred1," a booming voice came, "You are far too powerful for mankind."
"How 'bout this, father. I get the little twerp and bring him back to the gate where he belonged and I could stay on Earth. Oh, I need my power for this job and this could take a long time, but I promise Father." Father let me go and I went to the room where the Elric brothers transmuted.
The children were gone and went to the Rockbell's. A woman's body was somewhat like Lust's, but was more undeveloped and less sexy. I crept to the mess to flesh and blood. I gave her the stones, which strengthen any homunculus. She rose up and I did whole declaration and crap. I sent her to Dante and quickly back to Resembool. On October 10, they burned down their home and I tagged along. I think this could be an easy assignment.
1 Hatred was Murder's original name and was heralded as a god of the damned.