Chapter Text
Humankind cannot gain anything without losing something first.
To obtain, something of equal value must be lost.
That’s the law of equivalent exchange
In search of immortality and recognition, one loses their country.
In search of her child, a mother loses fertility.
In search of love, a child pays his dues by losing his brother.
In search of integrity and justice, a man will lose his sight to protect those who he loves.
Truth is inevitable.
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There was nothing.
The familiar white space surrounded him, bringing a faint reminder of what was about to come.
“Hello Little Alchemist”
Edward sighed at the disembodied voice, concluding what happened just a few moments ago, partly grateful for this asshole to save him before he could die from blood loss.
“Alright, what do you want” Ed frowns, while checking his body for any leftover injuries despite the fact that the main problem, a huge hole in his stomach, was long gone.
“Not even a thank you considering I saved your life from dying from being impaled?” Truth grinned at him “I merely wanted to offer you something, a mission, that could somewhat help you and your brother get your original bodies back”
Ed stared with a dumbfounded expression on his face “What?!”
“There’s not much I can tell you, but this world differs from yours.” Truth continued “In the other world alchemy is considered dead arts and was replaced by a much easier form, magic”
“What do you mean the other world? There are multiple dimensions?” Ed asked with wide eyes. He figured there was more to the universe, it was always an interesting topic for him but hearing it in person made it so much more intriguing. The idea of other dimensions just- existing there sent a shiver down his spine. “Why should I trust you? How do I know you’re not just bullshitting me into something”
Truth laughed “I figured you would ask that. Well, Little Alchemist, we’ve come a long way together so I thought I would give you a friendly discount” Ed rolled his eyes at that “There’s something I want you to do, a man who wanted to play God and cheat death seems to be making quite a mess in the other world. He split his soul into multiple pieces, attaching them into things: living beings and inanimate objects to grant himself immortality” Ed’s eyes widen “I want you to show him where his place belongs” Truth grinned
“If you succeed to bring him back to me, you will gain your brother's body back, but if you fail, I’ll just throw you back into your timeline with a few years taken off your lifespan. Well? How’s that sound?” Truth asks playfully as if they already know the answer.
His head already starts hurting as he thinks of dealing with another homunculus-like fucker.
“Alright, I can’t believe I’m doing this” Ed grumbled after a moment of consideration, hiding his face in his hands “Will you tell me anything more about this world, so I won’t stick out like a sore thumb?”
“You will be attending a school for wizards” the boy creased his brows “rest assured, you’ll adjust just fine”
“Wait, what?! You’ve got to be fucking kidding me” at that Truth laughed and his world changed to black.
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He woke to the familiar sound of a moving train. Opening his eyes, he noticed he was in a big train compartment, much fancier than he was used to. Shooting a glance at the window on his left, he saw a scenery straight out of a book. Green pastures painted in a slight golden hue by sunlight, gave a feeling of peace and reminder of his hometown. Ed smiled slightly at the thought and reeled back to figuring out his shit. Noticing a suitcase, he opened it and sighed in relief as he grabbed a hold of a notebook laying on a bunch of books and clothes. Opening it he noticed a letter.
“Hello Little Alchemist,
I thought you would appreciate my gift; I left you some things that will help you survive in this world” Great
“Your suitcase contains a wand; eleven inches, ebony wood with a core of Thestral Tail hair; a creature seen only by those who witnessed death (fitting isn’t it?)
I also provided you with a bunch of books that will guide you through the origin of this world (Including your school supplies). No need to thank me” Ed groans “I wish you luck"
As he finished reading, he angrily shoves the letter in the depths of his suitcase. Ed looked at the title of one of the books ”Hogwarts: A History” That must be the name of the school. ‘Well, I’ve got time, let’s see what they wrote here.’
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And so, three hours passed.
Ed went through every book Truth had left him and figured out most of the things that would help him in the near future. What ticked him off was a mention of a very eerie artifact in one of the books- a horcrux. He reminiscences to his talk with Truth.
‘Detaching a fragment of the soul, that must be painful as hell... Who in their right mind would split their soul in half let alone multiple pieces’ he groaned putting down the last book back into the suitcase.
Standing up he flexed his muscles, getting rid of all the strains after sitting down for so long in the same position. He stood by the window; noting it was almost evening. The sky shone a bright orange, painting the hills in warm orange given by the slanted rays of the setting sun.
He noticed the window had become very cold, almost freezing to the point where fog started to appear on its surface. Aware of the fact that something was wrong he backed up and transmuted his arm into a blade. He shuddered; a weird feeling went down his spine. Ed turned to the door and heard a weird sweeping like noise. Something was coming. He took his fighting stance and focused when the door went ajar, revealing a figure in a ragged cloak. The ominous feeling of its presence choked him up, unable to move he stared with widened eyes at the stretched, almost decaying hand in front of him.
“Edward...”
A small, mutant voice echoes in his mind. He feels something crawling up his throat, threatening to choke him. He stares at the hand, its long nails nearing up, almost pressing against his skin. His heart is beating like crazy, making it seem like it would jump out of his ribcage. The sense of panic strikes, tears well up in the corner of his eyes.
“Nina...”
He can almost see the creatures face before his sight blurs and the last thing he sees before he passes out is a small source of light in the corridor.
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Coming to his senses he realizes he’s laying down. Ed tried to sit up when a hand came up onto his shoulder stopping him.
“Ugh my head hurts like a bitch...” he groans putting his head on his palm and hears the man huff out a laugh “What was that?” Ed asked.
“That was a Dementor, a creature meant for guiding Azkaban, but it seems the Ministry has other ideas for them. They’re in search of a criminal who fled from the prison” the man stood up and looked out the window. Ed noticed he was dressed in a suit, probably one of the professors at Hogwarts.
“Want some?” The man asked holding up a bar of dark chocolate. Ed nodded and took a piece. A rich flavor spread through his tastebuds “How did you find me?”
“Neville found you” he nodded towards the door and Ed realized there stood a boy, most likely younger than him, swaying on his feet looking a bit shy “You weren’t the only person that was affected, Harry had the same reaction as you”
While Ed was wondering who on earth Harry was, the man quickly bid his goodbyes and left him and the other boy alone.
“Are you alright?” the other asked cautiously sitting down on the couch in front of him.
“Yeah, just peachy” he sighed as he recalled the weird, cloaked creature “They have some guts to put these guys on a train with school kids inside” he rubbed his temples “Do you know this Harry guy?”
“Yeah” Neville exclaimed “He’s my friend, we’re in the same house. Speaking of... I’ve never seen you before, are you new?”
“I’m a transfer” Neville widened his eyes “Wow... Hogwarts hasn’t had those in like two hundred years! Do you know what house you want to go to?” the boy asked curiously.
“I don’t really care, to be honest this house rivalry you have going on is a bit weird. Wouldn’t it be better to just you know- unite?” Ed quirked an eyebrow
“I never understood this either...but that’s just how it’s done here...” Neville explained “So uhm..what’s your name? I forgot to ask...”
Ed smiled slightly “I’m Edward, you can call me Ed though”
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He stood before the lake basking in the view of the castle.
“You mean to tell me THIS is a school?! Ed stared at the massive architectural form in the distance “Holy fuck” he muttered, still in shock. Neville chuckled “Alright Ed.... I’ve got to go. Have fun riding in the boat with the first years!” he waved and strolled down the path with other students.
He stared at the children in front of him and groaned.
‘This is gonna be a long night...’