He became a State Alchemist at the age of 12, after making a mistake that almost cost the life of his brother. He embarked on a journey to recover the body of the only close relative he had left. During which, he managed to save his country, Amestris, from total annihilation. He fought beings called homunculi, who were trying to forge a philosopher’s stone out of human lives and also managed to beat one of them in the midst of its transformation to God. Now, at 18; the Fullmetal Alchemist, Edward Elric, is the only state hero that cannot use the power of alchemy and also the only person in the world that has managed to make a perfect human transmutation.
After a slight inconvenient involving a wounded guard and the word “short”, we sat in the Resenbool train station to talk about the events that have occurred since he was 12.
I cannot believe I’m finally talking to you, I must confess that you are one of my idols. I know all about you.
So why interview me?
Eh… Let’s say it’s my job.
I understand. Well, work is work. So shoot.
We all know (or at least I do) you undertook your trip with your brother following an accident that claimed the body to your brother, and your right arm and left leg. However, no one has clarified to the media what was this accident; would you tell me something about it?
I figured you would ask that… -pause- we tried to do something stupid, and as a result a being that some would call “God” took the life of my brother and my left leg. When I awoke, I realized that Al was nowhere in sight and understood what had happened; so I took a suit of armor and drew an anchor seal with my blood because I was somewhat in a hurry, then gave my arm in equivalence for his soul, and pasted it to the armor.
You have yet to tell me something new.
Law of equivalent exchange, depending on how much I like you, I’ll tell you what happened that day.
Right after Inuyasha almost killed me… Lucky me…
Who is Inuyasha?
It doesn’t matter. It is the second time you mention this “equivalence”, what are you talking about?
Man cannot obtain anything without first giving something in return. To create, something of equal value must be lost. That is the first law of alchemy, “Equivalent Exchange”. That is perhaps the only true rule to this world. Absolutely everything has a price, even mistakes. So humans can’t play god. It is like worshiping the sun: if you get too close, it’ll only burn you.
I guess you speak about mistakes because of your case, am I right?
Right, indeed. As I said, ours was a mistake that was charged non the less.
What about your brother? I know he’s got his body back, but has not yet fully recovered. Will he recover?
We have overcome many problems. I promised Al I would recover his body, and I did. All our suffering was my fault to begin with, he was not sure it was a good idea and I convinced him. I got him into it, so I had to get him out. Many things have happened, so I’m sure he will recover. He’s strong and though his legs still do not work quite right, he does have them. So he will find a way to get up and walk, it’s what we’ve always done.
I am glad to hear he’s recovering. Speaking about what you’ve managed, who did you bring from the dead?
Alphonse.
Your brother?
Yes. It was he who gave me back my arm, and did it in exchange for his life. So I had to give him what I had promised, I had to return his body, his life.
How did this happen? What led you to make this mistake?
Good question, -laughs wryly- Hohenheim. I can’t blame him for our mistakes, but I can and will blame him for not being there.
Hohenheim? Your father?
I see you are very well informed, but I do not consider that bastard my father. He left us and when mom fell ill we tried to contact him in all the ways that we could think of, but even after she died he did not show up. Then he died, just like that. Without giving me the opportunity to punch him again.
Then; your father is gone, your mother died, and you are alone. No one to stop you, from making a decision that robs your brother from his body and you from your limb. So you become a State Alchemist, under the tutelage of Roy Mustang…
This man does nothing but annoy, even today. He appears occasionally with Risa to make my life miserable because I’m not being able to use alchemy. -he sounds knuckles- Maybe I should kick his ass for him to understand that alchemy is not everything. -he smiles perversely.
Eh… Hum… -I walk away slightly and smile nervously- Better change the subject, why can you no longer use alchemy?
That was the price to bring Al back, -smiles proudly- it’s the price of human transmutation.
How Can alchemy be a price?
There are two factors, to begin with an alchemist can only revive another alchemist. This is because each alchemist has a door connecting him to a void of infinite light where that so called God is, and that door is what allows us to use the science of alchemy. As the price is the door that allows you to use it, you can not get out from the door you entered. So you need to get out through door belonging to the alchemist you are resurrecting, with him, or you will not be able to come back.
I see, and that’s how you found a solution to the taboo.
It’s not that hard. Once you think about it, you notice this is a matter of pride. Humans are very proud, we think that just because we’re able to use alchemy, we’re a god’s level. But we are not gods. We are scientists, just that. To challenge death, we must be able to swallow our pride and lower ourselves to a harder life, and that is the only way to get our loved ones back.
However, you are not only recognized for being the first and only one who has managed to make a perfect human transmutation. You are also a national hero.
Don’t call me that way, I’m not any hero. Everything I did, I did for my own reasons. The person I loved refused to leave Amestris, so I needed to save the country in order to save her. That’s all there is to it.
But you saved it anyway. What was happening? How did you do it?
There are, or were, strange beings called homunculi. I do not know where they came from, nor am I interested. But they were extremely strong and wanted to forge a Philosopher’s Stone. When Alphonse and I started our trip, the plan was to forge one in order to restore our bodies without respecting the equivalent exchange. In our search, we discovered that to create a Philosopher’s Stone lives were needed in large quantities, so we gave up. But they had other plans. I ended up fighting against something that was more like a god… Anyway, I saved Amestris. I don’t think it’s a big deal.
No big deal… Well, that’s your opinion. Will you tell me what your mistake was?
Equivalence. I’ll tell you what you want to know.
Really?
Yes. Now, the truth is that I’m not proud of this. Only Mustang knows, and that bastard’s blackmailed me to death. I’ve had enough, I’d rather you posted it. Anyway, I convinced Al to resurrect mom. The transmutation failed, and I almost lost him… Which reminds me! I need to go home and help Winry and Al with dinner.
Winry’s your girlfriend?
Yeah … Anyway, -he gets up and stretches- I hope the interview helped you.
Yes, of course, don’t worry. Thank you very much.
It’s been a pleasure.
Luna von Schmilinsky
P.S.: There is a poll at the inteview page, there you can vote who will be in my next interview. Feel free to comment and ask for other characters as well. Have a good night!
The Moonmedia 