Chapter 10: GOD/TRUTH

Chapter 10: GOD/TRUTH

~Rou POV~

Before I knew it, I suddenly find myself in a void-like space…

Very god-like area, I guess.

I was suddenly outside in a white void seeing the appearance of a being with my figure but also a with smile completely white only a black color of his shading lines appeared as he sat cross-legged glancing at me.

Just by looking at it my instincts suddenly screamed at me to be wary of him as I uncontrollably sweat at this…

It was then TRUTH, GOD, or EYE OF GOD that began to speak to me.

"Hey, thanks for taking an interest."

"Even if you are from another world human…"

"Although your appearance of yours is different your soul is definitely human."

"Ah! Where are my manners."

His voice was static and blurry as he spoke to me happy even as he began to talk while pointing at me, "I'm the creature that you people would like to call the world. In other words, I'm the universe. Or GOD if you like or the TRUTH. Or really the one I like I'm EVERYTHING."

Nodding at that seeing the Gate behind is not as nice as it was before showing roots growing with symbols that I'm unaware of I began to trade with Truth, "Of course. But I came here to bargain TRUTH."

Smirking happily at me the being spoke to me in curiosity as I felt some chills coming from it as it spoke, "Oh… very well then Human what would you like to make an equivalent exchange for me since I have taken your Toll of your Philosopher Stone?"

Taking a huge leap of fate here I began to get what I want from TRUTH taking a deep breath while offering up the last stone I have, "I want everything that Edward Elric Gate contains all his alchemic knowledge and memories into my Gate for a trade of this philosopher stone."

That was the whole reason I attempted to use the Human Transmutation Circle to cross into God's Gate to trade my own Gate with FMA MC Gate since I would essentially obtain everything Edward has done with his alchemy including his years of knowledge.

But to even meet God you must pay a 'Toll' to do it.

Any alchemist who attempts a Human Transmutation is summoned before the Gate by the transmutation's rebound and is confronted briefly by the being known as Truth before the Gate itself pulls them through its doors.

Inside, pure knowledge about the world, the universe, alchemy, and everything is forced into the alchemist's mind as they begin to break down both physically and mentally, becoming part of the flow.

However, the alchemist is only granted as much knowledge as proportionate to what is being given up as a 'toll' through the Gate through the rebound effect.

That was why it took the Philosopher Stone in my place as I had something to pay for the 'Toll' used for it.

What price is worth for a human soul?

The answer is… none.

Because one can't put a price on a soul for something that is universally priceless hence why the Gate accepted the toll because it's priceless that allowed me to view more information into my brain and survive.

And I'm willing to pay Ed Gate using my remaining one because I wasn't too sure if swapping my Gate with Ed's would mean I lose my memories because of it.

This was ultimately the safe bet to place this trade offer to TRUTH here in this case.

Holding out the Philosopher Stone in my hand TRUTH gave me a frown as I can't tell what the hell his thinking as I explain the equivalence of the deal to further explain, "What I want to be exchanged for this Philosopher Stone with a human soul is for Edward Elric Gate. This would be a fair exchange as the life here is returned to the natural order and laid to rest for the knowledge I seek."

TRUTH merely kept that frown on that face thinking or not as I see if this would work or not making deals with him like this.

As he said or at least the media has said before what exactly is the price for a human soul that could be used to bargain for practically anything to a degree that is equal to the trade needed because of how priceless it is and valuable to life.

Within the next moment, I see a black tendril hand coming out from TRUTH's Gate I calmly see the stone I had taken inside as I kept staring at TRUTH as the process goes on with its Gate taking the stone.

At this TRUTH finally responded seemingly like the deal was accepted as he spoke to me in a curious tone, "It looks like your deal has been accepted if only due to unforeseen circumstances… but this will be the only time you get off with this foreigner."

Grinning at this Truth nods its head as he began to tell me what he already took when I entered the Gate of Truth, "Hehe. Very well Human. I'll take the trade but for what I got as the toll to summon you here and for his Gate at that? Very intriguing. Truly a foreigner from another world. How intriguing!"

*Snap*

*Swoosh*

Next before my very Gate was Edward Elric Gate mine opened up taking Ed Gate inside as I felt a change as well as the clash of memories entering inside my head and an instant understanding of how proficient Ed was at Alchemy.

The knowledge and experiences of the Full Metal Alchemist entered my head as my Gate absorbed his.

For Edward Elric, who has passed through the Gate no less than four separate times, the mural is a relief of the Sephirothic Tree of Life, which originates from a mystic branch of Judaism known as Kabbalah.

Whoa….

And the memories that came along with the Gate as the shadow tendrils in my Gate poured into my head as I felt no more like eating the knowledge obtained from it entering my head processing the information.

Alchemic knowledge information was inserted into my head along with the know-how of operating Alchemy how Edward used it along with chemical equations and elements needed to produce firearms and countless studies into different fields of Alchemy.

All of them were as if I had lived through them and perfectly memorized them by heart and soul effortlessly as well.

At first, it was overwhelming but now though?

With Edward's memories entering my head and the Eye instantly granting me access to Alchemy knowledge I can somehow instantly know the equations and studies that Edward has gone through to do it.

Just by passing through the Gate unlocking my own Alchemy know-how only made it easier for me to understand…

And I'm only just beginning to truly tap into the power of Alchemy, now don't I?

My brain is trembling with all of this info and I couldn't help but be excited about such an outcome.

How does one define an Alchemist?

That was one question entering my head processing the information I received through everything I obtained.

An Alchemist is an individual who specializes in practicing and studying alchemy it's simple at best yet frustratingly complicated at the same time.

As the craft of alchemy requires a full understanding of chemistry, physics, and ancient alchemical theory, alchemists are closer to scientists than magicians, but the ability to perform alchemy is also tied to an inherent talent for manipulating matter and energy, so not all people can become competent alchemists merely by studying.

Though essentially scientists, alchemists' abilities are incredibly practical and can be applied to the simple enhancement of normal life in the form of quick, relatively effortless repair of objects that ordinarily take a good deal of time and energy to fix.

As such, alchemists are revered as productive members of society and hold the concept of Be Thou For The People as their unofficial credo.

This creed dictates that alchemists use their abilities for the good of the public rather than for personal gain or political reasons, a creed generally rejected by alchemists who opt for government licenses and funding as State Alchemists.

Despite their obligation to the people, alchemists are also careful to keep the secrets of their research out of the hands of the general public so as to prevent abuse of that knowledge and power by those with less-than-noble intentions.

As such, alchemists generally keep their research notes coded so that only they, or other like-minded alchemical geniuses, may understand them.

Tch.

I could only click my own tongue when I compare Edward's knowledge to my first-time attempt at trying my luck.

I got fucking lucky because I happen to know the circle along with my basic understanding of chemistry and physics to get my Alchemy to activate.

After that point, I was stuck trying to combine more elements as they need different alchemic runes needed for it to work.

Something I couldn't replicate straight from memory other than the iconic one's that I know like the basic Transmutation Circle or Human Transmutation Circle since they pop up more in the show.

At best I was a fucking amateur joke compared to the real deals and none get more real than Edward Elric.

That MC is a real prodigy viewing his memories entering my own.

All I have to say is Edward really is a prodigy in his own field.

And all his adventures in the manga, anime, and even game counterparts all entered my head as I saw with his own eyes in first person perspective seeing all of it happen.

Whoa.

Guess people don't give Edward enough credit and his genius prodigy-level intellect in Alchemy is what I needed right now in my situation.

TRUTH grins at this as me as I get my bearing together after processing everything it began to talk to me, "Despite knowing Alchemy is not a powerful art you will be placed in a very dangerous situation regardless. Even in my wildest ideas that you from another world came here with the intent to use Alchemy in a world with one so different is… intriguing. Breath-taking even."

Blinking at that and the pounding of my head being hurt from the info lodged into my head I replied why he didn't take more, "Ow… still a massive headache on my end. But thanks for the help."

At my confusion of this TRUTH merely grinned as he spoke finally as he turns away returning to his Gate of Truth, "There my part of the deal is done. Let this be known Humans certainly are interesting individuals. And I speak from experience of a certain one you know all too well. Hahaha!"

But that was when his laugh ended as he gazes at me with a frown on his face before smiling at the end giving me some creepy vibes, "But do know this you won't get an offer like this again. This will be your first and ONLY warning but otherwise… Be well in your safety Human you'll need it. After all some beings took a great interest in you. Whether they act or not is all on them. Hahaha!"

*THUD*

The door to TRUTH's Gate closed as he enters inside leaving me to sigh at the underlying message, he gave me.

Maybe I should've worded that a bit better since this could be seen as TRUTH's way of teaching me a lesson with me trading with the GOD in question with the knowledge I seek.

At the very least though Edward's knowledge along with me seeing the Eye of God already helped improve my understanding of Alchemy tremendously along with Ed's memories helped the better process.

Sighing at this I turned around as my Gate opens up leading me back to my own world again as I let the tendrils drag me inside again.

*Shiii*

/////

*Shiii*

And like that, I find myself back at the homemade, shelter along with me the Alchemic knowledge I obtained from this small endeavor as well as actual combat experience to help me out.

But first…

Seeing in the complete darkness of my shelter I see Mavis is still asleep sleeping soundly making me smile at her.

Hopefully, things will settle down easier in the future and what we need to do.

For now, though I try to go back to sleep after meeting a literal God, and possibly others now have their eyes on me.

Just great…

I need some shuteye...

/////

~Third POV~

In the vastness of Earthland there lies a certain magical species of deities known better as Gods residing in the land.

Each residing in their plane of existence in Earthland represents their own respective element or aspect of life.

Gods are a species of magical beings that, according to their followers, are known to be the strongest among all species in the world, surpassing the previously believed strongest species of Dragons.

But on that certain day on a certain island the Gods of Time, Life, and many others felt an unknown prescience enter their dimension with some emotions varying of the GOD being summoned.

Some of the Gods of Earthland merely waited for the God to come down assuming they were being summoned by completing the conditions met.

An example of such times is when The fabled Yakuma Eighteen Battle Gods of the extinct Yakuma clan were passed down as 18 different Magics that summon the specific Battle God of its very name.

When acquired it gives the caster the ability to utilize it at their discretion depending on the condition of the summoned God. Other Gods, however, are known to appear when an obligation or a certain method has been fulfilled by a person.

Alas, the majority if not almost all of them ignored the call when the Human Transmutation have been done leaving why bothering once they felt no magical presence thinking it to be a botched summoning and losing interest…

Unaware of them Ankhseram the God worshiped in Mildian who rules over life and death felt someone violated his rule and yet not at the same time using Magic to do causing for a very long time in a while to be confused about the situation it looks upon.

Ankjseram stares at the unconscious form of the boy in the form of black waiting for the World Will to decide to punish him after judging his crimes through it... yet no answer thus making the God of Life and Death ultimately relentingly go of the matter since the World Will doesn't see a need to do so.

Ankhseram's role as life and death is to preserve it and punish those that contort or disrupt that cycle but unfortunately, the matter it sees now is out of his realm or jurisdiction to judge the boy in bed asleep for playing as God with life or death.

The reason Ankhseram couldn't at this current act at this time didn't know the process of bypassing him.

How Rou did it was purely reasonable and logical as the boy used the Human Transmutation as using the flow of the world's energy since the Transmutation Circle itself is a conduit which focuses and dictates the flow of power, tapping into the energies that already exist within the earth and matter representing the cyclical flow of the world's energies…

Thus if the boy Rou failed he would've been punished by TRUTH/GOD for failing but that wasn't the case anymore and any attempt to make a stone will be seen as right using the world's energy residing in Earthland making Ankhseram has no say or actions against him.

Ankhseram could only do nothing as it couldn't do anything to the boy, to begin with how the process was done since using the circle to connect to the world's energy is the same as World Will allowing him to manipulate life and death freely without seemingly no consequence.

Thus, Ankhseram left leaving to whatever God the boy summoned to deal with in its own set of rules if it broke its rule or not.