Disclaimer: I own nothing of Full Metal Alchemist. Like every writer here, we own nothing of importance.
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Dear Lillian,
If you are reading this, I'm probably dead or not able to tell you myself. I'm sorry if I ever scared, hurt, or saddened you by my untimely demise. I don't know how old you are now, while reading this. You may still be a teenager, or forty years old, or on your death bed. I just...have to tell some things I regret not telling you. My life. My part of the story I didn't want you to know. It's a long story, my dear child, but I hope you will bear with me and keep on reading.
I don't know where to begin; maybe around the time I met her. She was very beautiful, very caring, and showed me the light in the dark tunnel I called my life. Her name was Alana Cyrus. I was around twenty-five or close to it—the years sometimes blur together. I was fresh in the military, the youngest recruit .My heart was colder the ice itself. I would do what the military wanted, even kill someone, which I took pleasure in. I had loved the blood splattering on my face as I struck him or her down. I had no friends, period. Not when I was a child either.
I had just finished a job concerning a matter in the East. I was on my way to my crappy little apartment when I stopped as I heard a loud crash to my right. Pushing past a crowd around the scene of the noise, I stopped dead in my tracks at what I saw. It seemed an elderly lady, almost blind as a bat, had crashed into a cart of fruit. A figure of a woman was bending down and helping the old woman up and putting the fallen goods back on the cart, a smile on her face. The cart belonged to her and she wasn't getting mad or upset at the old lady, unlike a few guys I knew. Instead she was helping the old hag. Once she was done, she stood up from the ground, her chocolate hair falling short of her shoulders; she turned her head and her coffee eyes found me. We stared at each other for what seemed like forever until she turned her head back, cutting the stiff moment. She pushed the cart away as the crowd separated, finding other things that could amuse them. I stood there, staring through the spot where she once stood. I had to know everything about her!
I was able to get the information from a few nearby shops about the girl. They told me that she ran a flower and garden shop a few blocks down. After that, I went to get her file in the military records. Her name was Alana Lillian Cyrus, age twenty-two, born and raised in a town named Raislen, and she had come to Central after her parents closed their garden store. A few days later, I found myself standing near her store ever day, like she had me under a spell. She was someone I had never met before. She would give out money and even food to the beggars that came by. I almost lost my job watching her. I couldn't help it, she had me completely in a trance. I hardly ate or slept; I was losing weight and (God help me) my hair. Thankfully, the latter came back.
I remember how it happened, how I got the chance to talk to her. It was pouring sheets of rain, and I had nothing on me to cover myself. Only my casual clothes, which were paper thin. I forgot when I last ate something or even slept. But I knew I had to talk to her that day or my life would be over forever. Just as she was closing shop and walking back home, I got off my spot and tried to reach her before I collapsed on the cold, hard ground. Just before my eyesight went, I saw her running towards me.
When I awoke, I found myself in a strange place and bed. I was alone in this room, only the soft sounds of rain escape the silence. It was not much decorated but had one book shelf, a dresser, a desk, and finally the bed I was not resting on. Reaching my hand towards my head, my hand hit white bandages around my skull. Where was I? What happened? Who brought me here? Three things I wondered were soon answered when the door opened up and my angel—my obsession—came into the room. Wearing a pale blue dress with a white apron, she approached me. She carried a towel and a pitcher of water. She grabbed a chair and, dragging it towards the bed, she sat down beside me. She poured water on the towel and dabbed the wet rag on my forehead, where the bandages didn't cover. We had a long silence before I found my voice and spoke softly; if she wasn't so close, it would be very hard to hear.
"Why? Why are you doing this? You don't even know me."
She finished her task and placed the pitcher and rag on the ground before she spoke. "Because God has a plan for all of us, and I can't let His creatures fall to the ground in a weakened state, such as yourself. And besides, you did fall near my shop and if you died, I would lose a lot of business," she smiled.
What a smile! It was a true heart warming smile.
She continued, "A State Alchemist dying near a small flower shop would make anyone suspicious, and I would lose my job."
How did she know? I hadn't told her my name or anything. As if she was reading my thoughts, she plucked my pocket watch from the front of her apron and held it in front of me, letting it swung back and forth.
"It does not take a genius to know an Alchemist pocket watch from a normal one."
Placing the pocket watch in my hand, she leaned back in her chair.
"So, Alchemist, what may be thy name?" she asked.
"Viktor...Viktor Marshall." I answered.
"Well, Mister Marshall, you shall call me Alana Cyrus."
For the next few months, Alana and I got to know each other as friends. When I was off duty, I would help her around her shop—I was known as the Earth Alchemist, after all. Though sometimes, when I tried to use alchemy to help her plants, they ended up exploding in my face. Alana would laugh and smile as I washed the dirt from my face. She had such a wonderful laugh; it was an choir of angels singing to me. I was outraged that an Alchemist like myself could resort to having dirt on my face, when I was known for having skills with plants and the ground! But, around Alana, it felt like I was...normal. I wasn't Viktor Marshall the Alchemist, the State's dog, the Earth Alchemist, I was...me. Just Viktor Marshall, no title to my name.
The next two years after that, we got even closer. I realized that my relationship with her wasn't based on a crush or friendship: I was falling in love with her. God damn it, every moment, thought, dream, and waking moment was about or with Alana. She was my savior, my angel sent down from heaven to show me the light. I finally got the courage to ask her out, and with a smile and a nod, she agreed. That night was truly magical. We danced the night away, had a big and delicious dinner, and finally laid on the ground, looking at the stars. We shared our stories of our childhood and our different sides of the track. Me, a rich boy coming from a family of known alchemists. And Alana, coming from a town that not many heard about, surviving her week's takings of flowers and vegetables, and nearly living in poverty. We were both in love with each other, we both knew it, and nothing could stop our love. Except one thing. My parents.
They despised her, saying she wasn't a proper lady, that she was lower then the dirt she took care of. They wanted me and Alana to never see each other and forget about our love. Mother said that she was going to marry me off to a family friend of theirs, the Armstrong's. By Gods, their daughter was hideous! I couldn't stand one second in a room with her without gagging. She was dull, not too bright, and not passionate. I didn't want to marry a woman I hardly knew or loved. I wanted Alana. Alana was the only one I could love and marry. So we did the only thing we could do—we ran. We ran and we never looked back.
We went to Alana's home town of Raislen. They welcomed me with open arms, like they had known me all their lives. I felt wanted, and with Alana at my side, I knew I was finally alive. There were valleys of green instead of the cold concrete of Central, woods where wild animals ran free instead of busy streets and noisy sidewalks. This was paradise. Alana's parents had died a few years prior to our visit so we stayed with her uncle who was the mayor of this fair city. We stayed there a few months, me trying to get a job and affordable home for Alana and I. When we finally got those things, we moved out of her uncle's home and into a small house on top of a hill, looking over the city. As the time passed, the house grew, and so did our love. Alana and I started to grow herbs right outside our house and giving them to the doctor to make medicine. I had gotten her a diamond ring, and I was planning to propose to her that following evening. Before I could utter a word, she turned and proposed to me. I happily agreed and kissed her with all my love for her. She almost fainted at the force of the kiss. We soon laughed about it when I told her I was going to propose to her before she did. We were happy, in love, and enjoying our lives together. Just when I thought I was done with my old life in Central, my new life ended. They found us.
I remember it was pouring down outside. Me and Alana were sitting near our fireplace reading when a knock came at the door. I was closest to the door, so I got up from my chair and walked over, thinking it was one of the villagers asking for something. Instead, I came face to face with a man dressed in military clothing, covered by a rain coat. It was Luke Darkco, a buddy of mine while I was still in the military. I remember our conversation and I will try to write it out for you. It went something like this:
"Marshall...It's good to see you," he breathed, a smile on his face.
"What do you want, Darkco? How did you find us?" I snarled.
I felt Alana's hand on my shoulder, easing my anger. "Mr. Darkco, was it? Viktor has told me much about you. May I ask what brings you here?" she asked.
"Actually, I needed to talk to Viktor. It's about his parents." The look on his face, I remember, was sad.
Of course, this got my attention. I sighed in defeat and let Luke walk past me and into our home. Alana took his wet coat from him, putting it on the rack nearby and offering him a seat at the kitchen table. Luke and I sat across from each other and stared at each other as Alana went to fetch some hot tea for him. Once she came back, putting cups of tea in front us, Luke began to speak. Alana sat next to me, holding my hand the whole time.
"I will get to the point, Viktor. It's your parents, both of them. Last month, your father suffered a heart attack and died. Your mother went in denial—she stopped eating and sleeping. Her skin became shallow, and her eyes are now dull. Just the other week, one of the maids found her on the floor, suffering from a stroke. They rushed her to the hospital and she is still alive, just barely. Viktor...she is dying right now, as we speak. She...she wanted to see you, even Alana, before she dies," Luke said.
"I'm not going back to that bitch again! I don't care if she is dying right outside my front porch! I know my mother, Luke, unlike you. Once she sees Alana, she would go into a rant, no matter how sick she is, and could hit her. I'm not letting the love of my life get hurt by the woman who dares call herself my mother." I yelled, standing up from my chair.
"Viktor..." I heard a soft voice speak behind me.
Turning my head around, I saw it was Alana, a look of sadness on her face.
"Viktor...she is your mother, whether you like it or not. She is dying and all you can do is yell. If we want to get married, I…We have to see your mother again, and get her blessing. Apologize to her for running away, and ask for her blessing. That's all I want right now. Please, don't do it for Luke, or for me, but for your mother. She is sick and alone right now, and she needs someone to look after her, someone she loves." Alana said softly.
I sighed. "I can't believe I'm doing this..." I turned back to Luke. "Fine, we will go back to Central."
We packed our bags and got the earliest train to Central. I didn't really want to go see my mother, but Alana told me everything would be alright and gave me a kiss on the cheek. How long has it been since I last seen her? Or Central, for that matter? A month? Six months? A year? A year sounded better. As we rode the train towards Central station I began to wonder how much Central and mother had changed. Maybe my mother had changed since we'd last seen her; she could've forgiven me and Alana a long time ago but she could've still hated us both. Why did she call for us?
The military was going to be angry at me for sure. Running from the military for a year just for a girl. I could hear Führer Kingsley yelling at me, telling me I should be set in flames, and hitting me a few times in the head. I would probably get stripped from my rank and title. But it didn't really matter. I had a job back in Raislen and my future bride next to me.
Once the train stopped, Luke escorted us towards the front where a fancy car was waiting for us to go to the hospital. The closer we got to the hospital, the more I wanted to go back and run like crazy person, but Alana kept her hand in mine, stopping me from going. She had a strong grip for a small thing. I gave up when I felt my hand turning numb.
When we got to the hospital and walked inside, a doctor was already waiting for us and escorted us to my mother's room. It was the second floor and across a great window to our side. We walked in, the doctor dismissed himself, and I stopped in mid stride, my breath being caught in my throat, as I gazed on my mother. She looked so fragile, like a little china doll. Her skin was one tone from matching the white sheets and gown she wore, her hair white instead of gray. I walked towards her as if in a trance. Taking her hand in mine, I spoke like I was a child again.
"Mother? Mommy? Are you alright?"
She turn her head towards mine. "Do I look alright to you?"
I almost chuckle out loud—even if she was dying, she still had her bite. I pulled up a chair and sat beside her, not letting go of her hand.
"I'm sorry...I'm so very sorry, mother. For leaving you and father alone to be with Alana. You must understand, I had no choice. I didn't want to marry that God awful Armstrong woman, Alana is my only choice and forever will be," I said.
"I understand, Viktor. I also had a love before your father."
My head perked up at this. "What? What do you mean?"
She looked out into space with a dreamy smile on her face.
"He was my first love. We met while we were children. He was one of my family's servants. He and I played together until my mother saw us and told us to stay away from each other. We still met in secret from time to time until my father took him and his family to a different family to serve. I was eighteen at the time. The last I heard was that he married a woman named Ava Jordan."
I heard an intake of breath behind me. Turning, I saw it was Alana.
"Alana?"
She ignored me and walked towards my mother.
"Excuse me, Mrs. Marshall, did I hear you correctly? Did you say Ava Jordan? That's...my mother's maiden name..." she breathed.
My mother nodded. "Yes, that is right. Ava Jordan married my first love, Thomas Cyrus, and that is how you were born, dear Alana. I was surprised to see you at first but I didn't let that get to me. Viktor," she turned to me, "Please don't make the mistake I did. Marry this girl here and never let go of her, no matter what. I made a mistake of not marrying a Cyrus."
"You mean you'll...?" Was I hearing what I thought I was hearing?
"Give you two a blessing? Yes, I would believe so. I know your father wouldn't want that but he isn't here now is he?" she smiled weakly.
"Thank you, Mrs. Marshall." Alana was on the verge of tears. So was I.
"Mother..." I breathed, "We will not forget this. Thank you."
We stayed there for a week at the most. I spent the time with my mother. I was trying to catch up on what I missed. I told her about Raislen, my job, the house Alana and I shared, and our plans of marriage. It was on the seventh day when Luke came by and told me that the Führer wanted to see me. I felt my palms sweat as I looked towards Alana for help; she only gave me a shrug of the shoulders and a small smile. I got up and followed Luke towards Führer Kingsley's office. We walked in complete silence. Once we were there, Luke stood by the door and let me in. As I walked in, I noticed Führer looking nearly eighty, was I gone for that long? He didn't notice me as he looked over some documents. When I got to his desk, I cleared my throat.
"Ah, Marshall, I was wondering when you would arrive. Please sit." He gestured to a seat next to me.
Taking it, I let Kingsley finish whatever he was reading before I spoke.
"Kingsley, sir, may I ask why you sent for me?" I asked.
"Well, seeing as how you took a year off from the military without warning...I would discharge you and take your pocket watch but...I had some friends visit Raislen to check up on you and from their report, it sounds like you have been growing plants and flowers. I also asked First Lieutenant Darkco to get you so we could talk about your work. As luck would have it, I recently got a request saying that most young soldiers who are working in field work are getting hurt and, well...We need your help. Make some new age medicine that is cheap and will not take too long." Kingsley said
"You mean if I make some medicine for the wounded, you will not fire me? But I only grow the herbs and give them to the doctors."
"Well, just grow the damn stuff anyway! I will just have to hire a doctor who can use them." He thought for a second before speaking to himself, "I could always hire that Richard Master character."
He turned his attention back to me. "I will let you have a week to get ready and find a place to live, because you will soon get to work on those medical herbs."
He held out his hand and shook mine. "Welcome aboard, Lieutenant Colonel Marshall," he smiled.
I was stunned, really! I thought I was going to get my ass handed to me and then the Führer decided to spare my life and give my job back along with a promotion. I promised I would do a good job and he asked me to join him for a drink one of these days. After that, I went to go back to the hospital and tell Alana and my mother. When I got closer to her room, I notice Alana sitting outside looking sad. I ran up to her, and when she noticed me, she launched out of her seat, grabbed me around the middle and buried her head in my chest, sobbing her eyes out. I used my fingers to ease her head up to look at me, tears running down her cheeks.
"What's wrong, love?" I asked.
"Your...mother is gone."
"You mean she jumped out of a window or ran off while I was gone?" I didn't understand what she meant.
"She is gone...gone to the after life. She is dead, Viktor, she is dead," she sobbed.
I hugged her against me and looked at the doorway to my mother's room. I couldn't bear to go in with Alana like this and having no idea what would happen to me as well. One of us had to be strong for the other and this was my turn to be the stronger one.
The funeral was quiet and small. We barely cried as my mother's body was lowered into the ground. We followed her last wishes and buried her next to my father. After the funeral, Alana and I stayed in my parents' old home. We shipped our belongings there from Raislen. Alana set up a place on our roof, thankfully somewhere that was flat, for our garden. It nearly covered the whole roof with little room for a shed and a little water fountain in the middle of the huge garden. I promised Alana that we would be happy here.
Over the next nine years, Alana and I grew old with each other. We got married a month after my mother's funeral. It was a Spring wedding and very beautiful. I had reached at least six ranks in the military and I was the youngest General at 37. There was even talk I would be the next Führer. Alana had already started her old job back up again, with a bigger workplace and more money coming by the hundreds. We were both happy and loved each other very much. I wish that what was coming up next was all a dream, a very bad dream.
I was coming back home when I heard weird sounds from our bedroom. Slowly easing myself inside, I found the room was completely empty. No maids tending to the room and no Alana. I was about to venture to another room when the weird sounds again and it was coming from the bathroom to my side. Opening the door I was surprise to see Alana hunched over the toilet, her hair tangled up in knots, her face greenish, and vomit around her mouth and on her shirt. I fell to my knees beside her and grabbed her against me.
"Are you alright, Alana?" I asked. Of course she wasn't, but I couldn't help but ask.
"I'm fine, Viktor. Just ate something bad," she replied weakly.
I looked towards the toilet before back to my wife.
"That does not look like anything you ate. Come on, I'm taking you to the hospital before you vomit on my shirt." I order, getting Alana up on her feet.
We arrived at the hospital a few minutes later. I waited outside as the doctor, by the name of Doctor Nicholas, took Alana to his examining room. I wrung my hands together as I paced back and forth, hoping Alana was okay and it was nothing serious. It had been hours, nearly midnight, when Alana and the doctor reemerged from his room. He asked Alana to sit next to me as he cleared his throat.
"From the tests results, I can only say one thing for this. I'm happy to say your expecting a child," Dr. Nicholas said.
I looked towards Alana, she looked sad for a brief moment before smiling widely. She took my hand in hers as she looked up at the doctor.
"How far along am I?"
"A month and a two weeks at the most. My assistant can give you some papers to read. Please, get plenty of rest, eat a lot of food, and make sure you get ready for morning sickness," he joked.
"Don't worry, I will," she smiled.
If it wasn't for the fact that Dr. Nicholas was near by, I would kiss Alana hard on the lips. I felt blessed, really, for The Powers That Be to bless me and Alana with a child. I tried to imagine what she or he would look like, which one of us would show more in our child, and how they would grow up to be. After we got back to our house, I showed Alana how much I was pleased—and the next morning I got complaints from our workers and some of the neighbors.
It was about a few months later, seven months to be exact, when it happened. I was asleep in my room, next to Alana, when I heard sounds of pain coming from by my side. Opening my eyes, I saw that Alana was in the fetal position, her hand rubbing her stomach.
"Viktor...it hurts, it hurts so much," she mewed.
Throwing over the covers, I cursed loudly as I saw blood circling Alana's stomach and going down the legs. I yelled for a maid to come and get Alana to the hospital. The small ambulance truck finally reached us and took us to the hospital. The doctors rushed Alana to the operating room. I went back to pacing and wringing my hands that I'd experienced seven months prior. I had a cold feeling I my gut; I wished that I could be with Alana as the doctors worked on her, to hold her hand. I prayed to all the Gods I could think of, wanting Alana to be all right.
It was nearly the next morning when Dr. Nicholas came to see me. He face was ashen and his eyes dull. He took me into his office and sat me down as he sat in his own chair.
"Is Alana all right?" I nearly yelled.
He sighed. "Yes, she is and is recovering. It was a long operation but she is going to be all right."
Why was he still sad when Alana was all right and going to make it? What...It suddenly clicked in my mind. The baby, my unborn child. I buried my head in my hands as I sobbed. He still continue to speak, already realizing what I knew.
"The child however, didn't make it. Alana had a miscarriage, I'm afraid. Usually a miscarriage would happen in the first few months, not two weeks before the due date. We tried our best but still, we couldn't save her."
Her! My and Alana's child was a girl. I sobbed even harder, thinking of what Alana was going through. She was the one carrying our child and suffering the pain of losing her.
"I also have some more bad news..." I lifted my head.
"After the rough miscarriage, I'm afraid to inform you that your wife won't ever be able to have a child again."
I wiped my tears with some tissues on the doctor's desk. When everything was cleaned up, I looked at Nicholas.
"May I...see my wife?" I asked.
He nodded and led me to my wife's hospital room. He excused himself and left me alone with Alana. She was barely awake, almost drifting out of a conscious state. I would let her sleep and talk to her when she was able to keep her eyes open. I also let myself sleep; we were both tired. I feel asleep in the chair next to her bed. There was going to be a long talk later.
I woke up with the soft sound of someone calling my name. Opening my eyes, I looked up to see Alana starring back at me. She looked so fragile at the moment, like a puff of wind could break. I have seen this sight before but with the first I saw my mother nearly a decade ago. Picking myself up from my chair, I walked over to my beloved and took her hand into mine.
"Good morning." I tried to put on a smile.
"Viktor...What happened? Is the baby all right?" she asked softly.
I couldn't hold it any more and I cried like a child who got his toy taken away. In the mist of my babbling I told Alana what had happen. The miscarriage, how they couldn't her, that my beloved wife couldn't have another child, everything I got from the doctor, I told Alana. She was silent and hardly moved during it. Finally I had cried all I could, and Alana lifted my head, using only her finger tips. She kissed me gently on the lips.
"We will work this out, Viktor. Every thing has a silver lining," she said.
I slowly nodded and held onto her for what seem like hours.
After Alana got out of the hospital, we set up a little funeral for our unborn child, just like we would have done if she were really alive and had died for real. We placed a name on the tombstone, a name Alana wanted to give to our child if it was a girl. Lillian Anne Marshall. If Alana couldn't have a child again, we had another plan in mind. We would adopt a child and raise them as our own. Too bad that never happened.
I thought my Alana was going to get better as the time went by. I was stupid for not seeing it sooner. I would come home late, having to resort to eating dinner at the Mess Hall and I just fell asleep later. A few months after our ordeal one of the maids pulled me aside and told me Alana was hardly eating anything during her meals, strange sounds came from the room, and she hardly went out of our room. Of course, being a busy man, I had barely noticed. I decided to come home early the next tonight and talk to Alana.
Using the back entrance, I made my way up the flight of stairs, my feet barely making a sound. I made sure my shadow could not be seen under the crack of the door. I got several stares from my servants. I had my back against the wall near the door, turning my head slightly I pushed my ear up to the wooden object. My eyes went wide when I heard two voices, one was Alana and the other was male...it sounded familiar but I couldn't place from where. Turning the handle I jumped in the room, scaring the occupants. I found Alana sitting up in bed, fully clothed and Doctor Nicholas sitting on a chair beside her.
"What the Devil is going on here! Why, Dr. Nicholas, are you in my wife's room!" I yelled.
He rose from his chair, his hands up in surrender. "Please, Mr. Marshall, I mean no harm. I only came here by Mrs. Marshall's wishes."
I turn to Alana sharply. "Alana...What is going on here, then?"
"I'm sorry, Viktor...I'm so sorry...I couldn't bear to tell you..." she pleaded with teary eyes.
Before I could ask what she meant by that, Alana started to cough uncontrollably. Even though she had her hands covering her mouth, something spilled away from her grasp. Blood. Red blood stained the bed sheets Alana now sat on. Dr. Nicholas was the closest and helped Alana, giving her a glass of water and a towel to wipe the blood from her mouth.
"Sorry..." was the only word she spoke before fainting in the doctor's arms.
Here I was again, the hospital, waiting for a member of my family to come out. Once for my mother, not including the whole week, and now twice for Alana. I couldn't stand the wait anymore! When I saw Doctor Nicholas come out, I quickly ran to him. I pulled him by the collar of his shirt and shoved my face into his.
"What. Is. Wrong. With. Alana?" I breathed.
He looked frightened at first before pulling me gently off of him.
"I'm afraid, Mr. Marshall, that your wife is not going to make it. For the past several months or maybe years, she was falling into a terrible sickness. We think that caused her miscarriage. A virus, most commonly found in small children. If treated quickly, a person could be saved. As it would seem, Alana's parents never noticed it, nor did she know about it until now. It attacks the lungs and the kidney. If we could've seen it sooner, we would've treated her. Unfortunately for her, we have just found it now. She does not have much time to live."
"How...long?"
"By this time tomorrow."
"May I see her?"
He once again took me to my wife's room. I sat down beside her on the bed and took her in my arms.
"Why...Why did this had to be?" I spoke into her hair.
"I don't know, Viktor."
"Did you know about this?" I asked
She nodded. "Yes, I've known for several months. I promised myself I wouldn't tell you because I feared you would get angry and depressed. I didn't want to see you cry, love."
I pulled her tightly towards me. "I would never get angry at you. If we had known this sooner, you would not have to die like this."
She touched my arm slightly, "I'm sorry, Viktor. For all the trouble I have caused. Viktor...can you do me a favor?"
"What?"
"Can you lay down beside me, one last time?"
I nodded and took her in my arms and laid down on the hospital bed.
When I woke, I didn't hear the gentle breathing of my wife beside me. Opening my eyes, I saw her lips were blue, her face pale, and her not moving. I knew she was dead now. She died in her sleep. I hope it was a gentle death, I didn't want her to suffer any more pain. I kissed her on the lips before speaking one word to her.
"Sorry."
It just so happens Kingsley had retire a day after that. They offered me the job of Führer but I declined. I didn't want to be in the military anymore, although I still kept my pocket watch with me at all times. I took Alana's body and my personal belongings and went to Raislen again. I had her buried next to her parents and our small child. I moved back into our old house and got back to my old job. I hardly slept more than an hour a day, only ate one meal in the evening and spent most of my time picking herbs for the local doctor, Mark Edwardson. I spent two years doing that.
I heard of a rare herb that only grew at night and was deep in the forest. It was used in strong medicines for the badly wounded. Taking only my basket for the pickings and a small lantern. I had just gotten a basket full of that special herb when I heard a loud scream of a woman. Dropping my basket I ran towards the source of the sound. I saw a figure of a woman on the ground and three large animals on her back. She seem to be in pain. I quickly made a transmutation circle and watched as the blue sparks traveling the ground and finally hitting one off the woman's back. The other two ran away as I ran up to the woman, they fear for their lives as it would seem. Her back was scarred and bloody. Turning her over, I saw her pregnant belly with a large cut across it. I lifted her in my arms. I had to get her to the doctor! I stopped when she spoke, asking my name, which I told her only to follow by telling her that she needed to see a doctor.
I ran with all my might towards the closet house I could find. The Old Widow Maggy Rowe. After several bangs, the old lady let me in and escorted me to the spare bedroom. I told Maggy to fetch Mark, fearing the strange woman might die. Pulling the cloak that she wore, I gasped inwardly. If it wasn't for the fact that this woman had different hair color, I could've sworn I saw Alana again. I nearly fell on my ass, only the chair behind me catching my fall. I shook my head, Alana was dead and this woman was alive and looked nothing like her. I hardly noticed her looking at me until she spoke up again.
"Are you a State Alchemist, Mr. Marshall?" she asked.
"Yes," I said, surprised she knew that, "but I retired a few years ago." I pulled out my old pocket watch.
"Good, then I know you can protect my child after I'm gone," she whispered, her eyes closing.
"No!" I ran to her side and shook her form, "Don't you dare die on me now!" I yelled.
I turned my head when Mark returned with a doctor's bag at his side.
"Mark, you have to hurry, the woman is dying!" I yelled.
"Alright," he nodded and began to take out his supplies.
"She is about eight months pregnant and it seemed her water already broke a few hours ago. It'll to be difficult to operate," he said a few minutes after checking over her.
"Maggy, get me some towels and hot water," Mark ordered.
I watched Mark operate on the poor woman. I prayed to any Gods to save this child and this woman—they owed me big time! Mark asked me how she came to be there and I told him, rather snappishly, ordering him back to work. It was tough to get the baby out with the woman not being awake during the ordeal. After several tries, a small infant popped out. There was no cries and we almost thought the infant was dead until suddenly, by some miracle, we heard the cries of the young child. I went to tell the mother that the child was safe and alive only to find her cold as a rock. I sighed and pulled the blanket over her head.
"But she died and saved her child from having the same fate," Mark said.
I only nodded. Maggy then handed me the child and asked me what I should name the child. It was a girl so I could only think of one thing.
"Lillian. Lillian Anne Marshall."
Yes, my dear Lily, it was you that was born that day. I'm sorry I had to tell you that. The black book you have (I hope it's still with the letter) was your mother's. I found it on her person after your birth. I believe it is her journal or something special to her because it's greatly locked shut, that all the locksmiths in the world couldn't open. I pray you open these secrets and learn what I have not.
Now that you have learned of my life before you, I hope you can forgive me if I have caused you pain. I know I'm in a happy place and standing next to my beloved wife, Alana. My life began with a person with the name of Lillian and it shall end with one.
With My Love,
Viktor Marshall.
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Autho's Notes: I'm sorry for posting this late but I'm using the computer someone else's house. Pain in the butt! I hate freaking flying! But, anyway, the next chapter is probably going to take awhile and then...THE BEST CHAPTER EVER WILL COME!