As I rest my head, I am immediately swept away into a white pane of existence. In front of me sits a silhouette of myself, only noticeable by the silver outline. Staring into me with it's nonexistent eyes, the white figure speaks out to me.
"I can make you strong. I can teach you the ways of your Ancestors. It will merely take a sacrifice on your behalf. This power, however, might help you save your mother from the Tainted Ones."
"What must I sacrifice?" I asked.
"Nothing as big as your life or anyone else's, just step through that door behind you and I will begin judgement." As he says this, I notice a giant pair of black doors, trimmed with gold. Taking a risk, I open them, only to see a massive black surface, which sends out arms of darkness to grab me. The last thing I remember of it are the eyes looking at me, judging my self-worth.
After what seemed like eternity, I appear again in front of the Truth.
"Have you found your sacrifice... Fitting?" He says, calmly, with a smirk on his face. Something was different about him, which I didn't notice immediately. He now had a human arm attached to his silhouette, aswell as a leg. His shape was mixing a body with his previous one... It took me a moment to realize those limbs were mine. Replaced in their sockets were mechanical replacements, with the occasional Alchemical Circle.
"No... No, no no! Why?" I complained.
"Limbs aren't necessary to survival, or even alchemy. Now, we must begin with teaching you. Put your hands together, as if you are praying. Then focus your energy to your hands. Open them now."
As I separated my hands, a web of lightning appeared, like spider silk attached to my hands.
"You don't only have to focus on Storms." He placed his hand on the ground and the floor turned into solid stone. "Do the same as before, but keep your energy inside your hands. Then touch the rock floor with each palm. Once done, pice what you wish to create." Following his orders, I put my hands on the ground and imagined a giant fist to my right. When I turned to look, there it was. However, the ground felt weaker, somehow less solid.
"You must remember that Alchemy must follow the Laws of Equivalent Exchange. What you create, you must spend. To make that hand, you were forced to loosen the surface, sparing as many atoms as you could to keep the floor solid while making your construct. It is more noticeable with metal, but this is fine. Your next lesson will be defensive. Draw a circle on the ground with the edge of your finger, then make five points on it, each equidistant from each other. Then form a line for each one at 30 degrees in the right direction, if a line from the center is zero degrees. Once done, stand in the center."
Following his orders, I proceed to draw out the complex figure. As soon as I step inside, a ball of energy is created by the Truth and shot towards me. Luckily, my circle stopped it, I almost a force field style.
"That is the Protection Circle Spell. For your last lesson, you will make a Storm Construct. Only you can make this, as it is your element. First, bring a host of sorts. Perhaps a pile of rocks with pieces that resemble limbs or features. Even a dead body will work. Then, use your own blood to draw a small circle on what you wish to be the chest of the construct. Make an Eight pointed star within the circle, it's points touching the rim. Now, focus your energy into it."
Again, I followed his instructions. A small tornado appeared,followed by sparks and crackles. Soon enough, my test dummy started to float, with swirling bits of storms circling where it's joints would be, as well. as a small aura around the limbs.
"You make return to the Human World." The Truth stated, as I began to awaken.
"You alright?" Chris asked.
"I'm fine... Is my arm still-" I began, only to notice my mechanical right arm.
"Yeah, your leg is the same way. I wasn't as lucky when I had to sacrifice my body. To out it simply, my joints are that of an old man. I can barely walk, let alone run." Chris explained. "Don't forget, Steven had to sacrifice his ability to hear."
Practicing what I was taught, I was able to summon several strands of lightning.
"Who are we picking up anyways?" I asked.
"This one kid named Deus. I think you can see him up ahead, over on that curb. Steven'll get us to him. Then we've got a kid named Harry to pick up." Chris explained.
(Sorry for the long one :/)