The Ishval War 8: Like Cattle
Dante… that was her name… or was it his name. You didn't know, but you did not care, for all you knew, you were tied up in chains, bound with your hands separated by both wood and steel...
The coldness of the chains was quite evident. But her smile was what made you feel cold. It was like a sweet grandmotherly smile that was without… anything. Not malice, empathy, even a grace.
It was just empty.
"Hello dear… you have caused quite some trouble since you have arrived." She stepped forward, pulling a chair in front of you. "Do not try to move… seals can be easily broken by… swift movements." She then placed a hand on your face, slashing it open with her long nails.
She then licked the blood from her fingertips, before spitting it out. "Innocent blood… it seems you were worth the trouble. Most who partake in human transmutation are… guilty of many things… some wish to see their beloved… others to bring back another that was lost in a cluster of confusion. But all were guilty of breaking the Laws of Equivalency exchange."
This lady is insane… what the hell is wrong with her!? Exchange means nothing when one has nothing to offer in exchange for anything else… is that?
"But you did so out of a wish to trade a life for another. Soul for a soul, one you were fully capable and willing to pay." Dante smiled. "Tell me a tale young Alchemist… tell me a tale of why-"
The world went black, as your eyes rolled into your head.
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You were back in Central… in your home's basement… but this time you faced a baby. Your baby sister.
She was exactly as you saw her when she was… gone. Unmoving, unflinching. You had stolen her body away from the coroner and the morgue… you wanted to do anything… to show her the life that she could live.
You carved the seal into the nursery and placed her body in her crib, the same one you had made for her, by hand, not by Alchemy.
The last words you spoke to the world were a prayer… and hope. "Let's live, for life is for the living."
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"Not just innocent… but a sacrificial lamb for anyone whom he considers a friend or family." Dante smiled. "It must burn for such a betrayal to occur from a man you had known. You may not have trusted him, or enjoy each others company, but he did share a common cause… finding the truth."
You sweated but tried to breathe, but the chains seemed to get tighter. Crushing you.
I just wanted to give her life.
That was when you felt a pang… pain but something else…
"Parents died soon after… childbirth is dangerous… your father disappeared in mysterious circumstances… and a brother died in the line of duty." Dante smiled.
"Would you like to see your brother again?"
What… That's… Did you see him die… or was that just a memory of what you hoped… disappearing into the night before the battle, alive, but a traitor…
That was when she opened a box and revealed a red stone… glowing bright in the dark night… it was filled with energy. "Your father wailed when he found out… he begged to die… Well now he can… watching you suffer… all you have to do for him to be released from this hell he is in… you only need…"
She stood. "To surrender."
She than waved and the chains brought you out of the world.
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Unknown Internment Camp, Ishval, 1901.
"Alfred… wake up." The voice was familiar… so familiar that you dared to hope.
And then your eyes opened, and your hope was… answered.
Your father was alive?
Why was he… How was he?
But then you showed your hands… you wanted to… say something to him.
What do you ask:
[]Write in
AN: Enjoy.