1 The Meeting

My eyes opened to see nothing but a pure white space, my feet touching whatever passed for a floor in this room.

Where am I?

Why am I here?

Actually…who even am I?

Did I die? Is this the afterlife?

Before I could think further though, my mental questioning was interrupted.

"Welcome." A voice greeted me from behind, my entire body turning around to see who was speaking.

It was strange. I seemed to be looking at a white silhouette that was surrounded in a bit of a black haze in order to distinguish the figure in the middle of the endless white of this space. And for some reason, I can't help but to find that it was familiar somehow. Not only did it possess a familiar shape, but I feel like I should know it from somewhere.

"Who are you? What are you?"

"Who or what am I, you ask? One name you might have for me is The World, or you might call me The Universe, or perhaps God. I am all and I am one, so of course this also means that I am you. But if I were to have a name, I suppose the one that suits me is-"

"Truth." I interrupted, my eyes widening in surprise as I looked at the thing known as Truth. I knew it was familiar. "But that's impossible. Aren't you from-"

"Fullmetal Alchemist?" Truth interrupted in turn, a small grin on his, or its, face. "I suppose you can say that I am from there. Or maybe it can be that I exist everywhere, just under different facades. But to answer your question, just like I am you, I am also that Truth as well. But enough about me, young soul. We're here to talk about you. I'm sure you've come to the conclusion of why you are here, after all, I am you, and you have always been one to get to the point."

So I am dead then. Maybe that's also why my memories were taken then, while my knowledge remained. In order to disassociate myself from the fact that I'm dead. And it seems that my emotions seemed to be a bit muted here, probably to help with the same. But that begs the question of why I am here. And as such, I voiced it to him, and he provided me with an answer.

"As you can very well guess, those worlds you once believed to be fiction are in fact real. Whatever form of media they were introduced as, most, if not all of them, are real in some form or fashion, and even then, each of those worlds contain their own multiverses, as you can probably imagine."

Yeah, I can kind of see where he's going with that. Just like how there were two Fullmetal Alchemist anime, there are also branching routes of events in some media such as Fate/Stay Night which probably comprised their own respective universes. But for him to bring up such an answer as to why I'm here…well, I am at least aware of the tropes.

"Am I being reincarnated? Why me though? While I may not have any memories of what my life was like, I at least know that there was nothing amazing that I could have done to deserve a second life." I said to Truth, only to receive a chuckle as an answer. What seemed to be so funny about that answer.

"Call it…a curiosity. I have seen your life, and while I may not divulge any details, it has brought up the constant question of whether or not one was simply born in the wrong place and/or the wrong time. And I suppose it's something I finally decided to act on. Call it a selfish act on my behalf, one where there are winners on both sides. You get a second chance, and I get to satisfy my curiosities regarding you humans. As for you personally…who knows? It may be fate, or perhaps luck was on your side. That said, it is your choice."

It is, isn't it? In spite of the Fullmetal Alchemist's version of Truth's actions, the being is for all intents and purposes fair. He wouldn't merely force me to do it for his own amusement. And I couldn't help but to think about what he mentioned earlier, about being born in the wrong place and time. Was I such a person? And if so, will this second chance allow me to have a fulfilling life by being born in the right place in time? Who can say, but what would I have to lose from agreeing.

"Very well, Truth. I decide to be reincarnated. But…before I go, can I make a wish?"

"Oh? And what wish might that be? Don't tell me you are going to ask for something ridiculous? You know that you will have to pay a toll. After all, I am still a firm believer of equivalent exchange." Truth asked me, his featureless grin turning a bit menacing, but I was calm in the face of that grin, a small smile on my face. After all…

"You are me, right? You should know the kind of person I am and what wish I will make." I answered, Truth's grin going down to a small, yet equally genuine smile as he nodded his approval, giving me the signal to continue.

"No matter where I end up, no matter where I am sent to, I want to be able to remember this conversation in order to remember the person who gave me a second chance in this life. And when that life ends, we can meet here again and talk about it. That is my wish and the toll. A conversation for a conversation. Our exchange."

When I finished, I could see a bright light surrounding myself, probably a sign of my reincarnation as my body began glowing, but before I could allow myself to develop any thoughts as to what would become of me, I heard laughter that seemed to be echoing in my own voice as well.

"The price has been paid and your wish has been granted. I look forward to our future meeting. Goodbye, young hero!" Truth yelled out with a grin, my eyes widening once more in surprise, my mouth opening to say something before I was enveloped in that light, unable to say anything.

Young hero, huh…? While I may not have my personal memories, there was something that stuck out to me. A character from a mobile game who became a hero, and while there was not much lore on him, he died with the wish that his death would 'bring a bright future for the children.' And call me silly, but if I were to die, I would have wanted it to be similar in nature to his. Dying for the sake of others.

What was his name again? Right…it was…

[Truth's POV]

To think that his wish was to come back here and talk to me again...how interesting for a human to want to come back just to have a conversation. He doesn't even know what his fate will be following his second death, yet he decided that he wished to be able to speak to my if I found my answers to be satisfactory. How interesting indeed...

Though, I must admit, even I'm surprised that I decided to give a human a second chance simply on a whim. I suppose it was my curiosity to learn more that got the best of me. In any case, I look forward to seeing how this life turns out.