Heart of a SIN - FMA Envy Fanfic [Edited]

37 - Xenotime Red Water

Arisa pov:

"Good, a job well done just as expected of you, Arisa."

"Thank you, Gen. Haruko. I just had Leo follow the chimera and we were led right into the thief's hideout. I'm sorry that we couldn't catch him though," I said over the phone.

"No, no! If he this was doing all this just to meet you and tell you about your past, I suppose it's not a grave crime. Besides, none of the artifacts were damaged and most of the ransom money taken was returned too. But it is good that he told you about your past, isn't it?" I heard the General chuckle on the other side. Despite having the arrogance because of his title in the military, he was a nice man to those who didn't oppose him. He was much better than Col. Archer anyway.

"I guess." My answer was halfhearted. Knowing about my real past gave me mixed feelings.

I had given Gen. Haruko all the information Krystal had told me, save for the matter of the Gate and the non-alchemy world. I had not given out the real name of Saul as I was unsure of what action the military would take against him if they ever found him. Despite being angry and reluctant to believe a word he had said, I just couldn't bring myself to completely shun him or his words. I had even lied about not getting a chance to see his face because it was fully covered.

"Now that you mention it, you did say mercenaries, right? I think we may have records on some group. I could ask Sheska to look it up for you," said the general, breaking my train of thought.

"Oh, sure, I'm sure that would be a great help. Thank you, General. Could you also inform Col. Mustang of the update? He used to worry about me a lot so I'd like it if he knew about my past too," I asked gently, giving a very small smile.

"Of course! I will send in a briefing to him as well."

"Um, General," I spoke before he could end our call, "would it be alright for me to go to Xenotime City? Edward and Alphonse wanted me to drop off some books that belonged to one of the residents there – apparently, they had borrowed them when they had gone there on a mission."

I mentally cringed, for my lie sounded so lame that even I found it hard to believe. However, it didn't stir any suspicion in the general and he agreed to let me go to Xenotime without any questions. There were no important missions at the moment so a few days delay in my return to Central was alright.

With a word of thanks exchanged with Gen. Vance, Leo and I then left the headquarters. Since Xenotime wasn't too far from here and a military platoon was heading there, they offered to take me in one of their jeeps.

Leo and I waited a while in the parking lot as all the cargo and soldiers gathered there. Most of them were new recruits being stationed in Xenotime City. Some were excited, some were nervous. But in all, the chatter seemed oddly comforting. Upon departure, Leo and I got onto one of the jeeps with a dozen soldiers and the three hour journey to Xenotime began.

All the soldiers were really nice. They offered me snacks and water and didn't mistreat or say anything bad about Leo. I was happy to see that there were still some people who were unbiased in thinking of other people.

Most of the way though, I was lost in thought. I kept thinking about what Saul had told me – even though I did say that I wouldn't believe him, many of the facts he told me inclined to the truth side. I mean, I was an alchemist but alchemy wasn't supposed to exist in anyone as an ability on the other side of the Gate. So, what made me special? How come I was the only one in that world, well as far as I had seen, had this ability?

"You were born in Risembool."

"When the mercenaries came, we were thrown through the Gate to the other side."