Disclaimer: Anything Fullmetal Alchemist is owned by Hiromu Arakawa and anything from the Harry Potter universe is owned by JK Rowling
Two sets of ears perked up at the statement. Like bloodhounds on a scent.
"I don't feel like answering questions today, though. Why don't I tell you a story instead?"
The glares the brothers sent Era could have a grown man plead for mercy. However, Era just looked at them for a moment before continuing.
"Once upon a time, there was this wizard. As he was a rather charming and talented individual in his youth, the people he grew up with treated him as a prodigy. Because of this, he grew up as an arrogant man, seeing everyone beneath his notice.
He would always say: "There is no good and evil, there is only power, and those too weak to seek it….". He actually believed it too, in all honesty. Being the arrogant man that he is, he failed to discover a very important part of the adage. Its complete version says: 'There is no good and evil, there is only power and those too weak to seek it'" Era paused for effect, 'and those willing to pay the price''. If he were aware of this, things may have been different, but then again, that is not the case.
He started delving into obscure branches of magic that was forgotten by time. Little did he know, those branches were forgotten for a reason: wizards of old saw the price of the magic too high for their tastes, so they left them to obscurity.
Again, being the arrogant man that he is, he refused to heed the signs and went ahead with his plans. In order to obtain immortality, he used the blood of innocents to split his soul and bind them to several inanimate items. This way, his soul is still living even if his earthly body reached its end.
However, as you both know, this type of magic comes with a price befitting the man's arrogance.
Firstly, splitting his soul caused him to lose his humanity, and later, his sanity. Insanity made him see himself as god, tasked to rid the world of impurities. All he managed to do though is create a cult bent on mass-genocide. But that is a story for another day."
Era then paused for a sip of tea "What's with wizards and pumpkin? Pumpkin pies, Pumpkin pasty, and even Pumpkin juice, for crying out loud! Thank heavens for Darjeeling." she addressed the brothers, changing the subject altogether
"I know I love hearing myself talk, but this, my dears, is good Darjeeling. Best enjoy it while hot." Era said, taking another sip of tea
"And what does it have to do with anything, Armstrong?" Edward asked brusquely
"The Darjeeling? None whatsoever, I just feel like having it today." was Era's answer
"What the fuck, Armstrong! Are you fucking shitting me?" Edward then blurted out, slamming the teacup down, rattling the table.
"Dear me, Colonel, of course not! Why would I even do that?" Era replied in mock horror, "I remember to have promised you answers, but I did not promise a specific method of delivery, did I not? So, shall we?" she continued, setting down her cup gently as she continues with her story.
So, to continue. Not to say that the wizards did not fight back, however, they were led by a pacifist who believes that everything can be solved with soft words and kindness. Needless to say, those were dark days.
Then one day, both parties received word that a child will be born and this child will end the war altogether. With this, the madman planned the demise of the child whom he considered the threat.
To be fair, the pacifist did his best to protect the family of the child who would fit the criteria, however, that proved to be not enough. They were not able to protect themselves to a traitor, a rat who sold them to the other side.
As usual of the madman, he failed to realize that the word he received, yet again, is incomplete. The part he missed? It was he who will choose the child of his downfall. If he just left the matter alone, then his reign would have been left unchallenged, but then again, sanity was something he lost long before. He attacked the child one night, and this provided an opportunity for the Universe to balance itself out. A reckoning, if you will.
On the night of the attack, the child's parents were brutally murdered. This provided the sacrifice needed to open the gates, so to speak, and for the universe to do the needful to achieve equivalence.
His physical body was decimated, the remainder of his soul split in two parts: one part embedded itself to the poor child and the other, the part containing his consciousness was left behind to wander as a wraith, unable to do anything in the physical realm. With four parts of his soul trapped in different relics and another trapped in the body of the child, we can say he is now immortal. The boon and the price. Equivalence. The end."
It took a couple of minutes for the brothers to absorb the story while helping themselves to the tea service. Alphonse was about to ask a question when Era started speaking again.
"Only the madman did not learn his lesson. Not that he has enough understanding in him to learn the lesson though. Even as a wraith, he managed to secure an accomplice for his plans. Last year, using another old magical method, he managed to create a corporeal body to contain him. No fair. No fair at all. Hence, I was sent to deal with it. Find all the soul pieces and bring the madman to the Gates for the final judgment. Apparently, subtle methods do not work with him."
"And what does it have to do with us?" Edward asked
"I'm not an alchemist. I cannot just bring a living, breathing person to the Gates." Era answered matter-of-factly. Seeing the disbelieving look from the brothers, she added "Well, with certain exceptions of course."
"Great. Glad to know we are that special." Edward commented drily.
"Moving on.. Ah, yes, the madman's judgment. So, we know someone else needs to bring him to the gates. Pop quiz. What would be the most effective way of sending someone to the Gates?"
"Human Transmutation." was the brothers' answer
A hiss from Era. "Not the answer I was looking for, but we can work with that. We all know there is no such thing as a successful human transmutation. With that, we can say that all recorded human transmutations are failures. With that, what we can infer?"
"All of them are rebounds." Alphonse answered
"But not all rebounds send the alchemist in question to the gate right? What makes a rebound from human transmutation different from others?" Era continued, waving her hands in a 'go on, continue' gesture.
"The gravity of the transmutation. Human transmutations needs more of everything. The arrays are more complex, the formulae are much more detailed. And the prices are much graver than normal rebounds." Alphonse then continued, slowly making the connections.
"Now we are on the same page! Now, considering the things we have just established, what would be the most effective way of sending someone to the Gates?"
"A powerful rebound." Alphonse answered, realizing what Era is leading them at.
Ever the over reacting brother, Edward shouts, "You want us to create a rebound that powerful? Are you insane?"
"No." A pause from Era, "And uh, I'll get back on you on that."
Edward then lost whatever cool he had. He stood up and charged at Era, almost toppling the tea service in the first place. "Wait, you'll get back to us whether you want us to do that rebound? Why you"
"Oh. Oh! The second question was rhetorical! I'm so sorry! I thought it was an actual question! Of course not! I'm not asking you to do a rebound! Well, not a rebound-rebound!" Era then exclaimed, calm as you please, as if only Alphonse is the only thing between her and a very angry Edward Elric.
"Then you better start making sense, Armstrong." Edward then growled, going back to his seat to again listen to the girl.
"Fine. No more games. You're no fun Colonel." Era said, sitting down and pouting like a child. "I'm not asking for a rebound. What I need is a reaction so unstable so the scales can be tipped. Remember when the Colonel here punched a hole through that guy? The one going by the name Homonculus? Well, he like to be called as Father, you might remember him with that. Anyways, a body as damaged as that cannot hold the power he had acquired, hence, he achieved critical mass and was immediately sent to the gates before any irreparable damages can be done. That is what is needed. The madman needs to achieve critical mass so he can be directed to his judgment."
"And where do we fit in all this. Are you asking brother to fight this war as well?" Alphonse asked Era, anger tinting his usually calm tone.
"Calm down, Mister Elric. I'm not asking any of you to fight. Remember the child? The one, for lack of a better term, 'destined' to become the madman's downfall? He's the one who can best send the madman to critical mass. At least, if we are not to make that much of a change, that is. The child survived, to be raised by distant relatives who would rather forget the existence of the said child. The child then grew up unwanted and unloved, ignorant of the world he belongs to, and the responsibility on his shoulders. Why, one may ask. It was the pacifist's idea. With all the responsibility heaped upon the child, he only saw just that, a child. And as far as the pacifist is concerned, innocence should be kept for as long as possible. Forever, if one can help it. This meant he is currently keeping the child in the dark of his role in this whole sorry mess."
"So we find the child, and then what?"
Looking at her watch, Era's eyes became wide and then she swore, "It's almost time for Potions! We should get going before Professor Snape skins us alive! Just go straight to the dungeons, third door from the right!" she shouted running towards the kitchen door, leaving the brothers no choice but to follow her.
A/N: And this is for my November installment. (wow, the second longest chap after the first chap)
Firstly, thank you all for the love! I really appreciate the Favorites and the Follow! Please accept my humble offerings of gratitude and virtual cookies . And love as well. Lots and lots of love! :)
Second, please accept my apologies as this might be last update for the year. December is a hectic month for me (don't get me started on my to do list, I doubt you'd hear the end of it). Let me also get my bearings as to how do I want to get to the ending from where we are right now in the story. I can't just time skip and just go straight to the big boom, that would be cheating. If you want to see something while I direct them to the big boom, don't hesitate to shoot me a PM!
Third, I only have microsoft word to proofread the words I crunch out. Please, a beta would make a very lovely christmas and birthday gift (yes, my birthday is in december). Please, please?
Fourth, I forgot to give credit to Amiyrasmom for the term 'lunalove'. Sorry. Thanks for letting me borrow the name! And also, the direction to Snape's classroom? I just made it up. If anyone can give me the directions to there from the kitchens, I'd be very much obliged.
Lastly, this is cross posted in AO3. Same penname, same title. See you there!