The Multiblood Alchemist

The Journey

"All done?" Mason asks, buttoning his bag at his side.

"Sure," I reply, glancing back at the house. It was a year since Mother had disappeared, and we were abandoning home.

"Let's go," Mason says, turning from the hut. I stay behind for a few seconds, then bolt forward to catch up with him. We walk up a hill into the morning light, and see the Central City in the distance. Mason looks at me and nods, signaling that our journey begins.

We walk up and down the hilly terrain, the early morning sun beating down on us at full heat. We sit on some rocks by a pristine brook to take a break from the excruciating heat. Mason takes his raggedy shirt off and puts it on a rock to let his sweat dry as he wades into the stream to cool off. I run in, and sit down, crisp water running around me

"When will we get there?" I ask. Mason looks up at the sky, sweat beading down his strong face.

"I don't know, maybe a couple hours, but if we just keep walking, just over a few hours," he replies wearily. I decide that I would be the stupid, annoying twin, and thrust a handful of cold water in his face.
"Hey! What was that for?" Mason yells, kicking water at me. I fling more at him, soaking his pants. It turned into a full on water war. Laughing at his face being contorted in concentration, I ambush him with more water. Finally, he wades towards the shore and draws something. He turns triumphantly to me, and reveals a water transmutation circle. Before I could react, he flicks his eyebrows, and pushes his palms against the transmutation circle. I hear the sound of rushing water, and I slowly turn around.
A large wall of water towers over me. I bolt to get away, but it comes crashing down, throwing me around like a doll. I scream, and water fills my mouth. The current stops, and I emerge from the water.
"Oh, Cassandra, you should've seen your face!" Mason laughs, unaware of me approaching him. I throw a tight fist against his face.
"It was a joke!" Mason yells in defense.
"Don't you ever do that again," I snarl, ending the fun.
We get up and start walking, water dripping from us.
We've been walking for miles, and Kanama slowly get smaller, and Central City starts expanding against the horizon.

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"Wow," Mason and I say in awe as we struggle up the last hill, gaping at the bustling city. Cars drive up and down the bustling cobblestone roads, and military personnel dot the busy streets. We see a group of girls staring and giggling at a tall man with black hair. By the looks of his pocket watch, he was a State Alchemist, and he had a blue military uniform on.

"Cassandra! Quit gaping at him!" Mason scolds. I snap out of my trance, and look at Mason.

"Right," I say, and move forward. We weave through an ocean of residents, and find ourselves at the front stoop of a nice hotel. Mason looks at me, as if he were asking permission to enter. I grin, and we walk in.

The interior of the hotel was overwhelming for two kids from a slum. We gawk at the finely crafted ceiling, and the large doors. The marble floors were so shiny from the wax, that we could see our reflections. It must've looked strange to see two grimy kids without parents in a place such as that hotel, because we got strange looks from rich people in dresses and suits. They wore the finest quality jewelry and hairstyles. There was a woman at a tall desk checking people in, and talking on the telephone. Mason starts forward, and I follow.

"Uh.... um excuse me Miss, but my sister and I were wondering if we could stay the night here," Mason stutters to the lady. She towers over us and asks in a nasally voice,

"Where are your parents?"

I look at Mason, and he looks back.

"Well, our father died before we were born, and we don't know where our mother went," I respond matter-of-factly.

"Do you have any money?" She asks. Mason looks at me as if I had it. I shrug, and look at him.

"Well...... no but-" Mason starts, but is cut off by the lady.

"I'm sorry, but we don't let freeloader orphans stay in this hotel, but I know where one is that is free to stay in," she snaps.

"Where?!?" Mason and I say in unison. That's when we found ourselves in a dark alley behind the hotel. At night.

"I guess that's our first day in Central City," I grumble. Mason silently snores in response.