Chapter Two: The Purification Arts
Alphonse
Friday, August 14th, 1917, 3:10pm
Brother told me the journey through the desert would be perilous. And boy was he serious. I can't tell you how happy I was when Zanpano, Jelso, and I reached the Xerxes ruins. It took us almost three days to get here, but we finaly made it to Xing. I'm just glad I don't have auto-mail! I wouldn't be surprised if Ed hasn't broken his yet! I'm really excited about learning the Purification Arts from May Chang. Maybe I'll learn Xingese martial arts for Brother's sake. We all know he needs it. And I do mean all of us. I hope Lin is doing okay. Can't wait to see what he's accomplished as Emperor. Still, I can't help worrying about Brother. He won't admit it, but he needs me. It's still weird thinking of him not being able to use alchemy. But it was worth it.
End of Entry
Alphonse closed the leather bound journal he bought from a store in East City and slipped it and the ink pen back into the folds of his coat. He gazed at the now visible nation of Xing. As of now he, Jelso, and Zanpano were resting at the final stop before they officially entered Xing.
"Hey! Alphonse!" He turned to see Jelso and Zanpano walking up with their three horses. "Are we supposed to stay here and wait or continue on to Xing?" Jelso asked.
"May said she'd meet us at the last stop before we reached Xing. So we wait here."
"Well, the little pipsqueak better hurry. I'm desperate for a nice hot bath." grumbled Zanpano.
Alphonse laughed. "You guys are really whiney for a couple of chimeras."
"Alphonse!!" came a young girl's voice.
Alphonse turned around to find May Chang riding sidesaddle on a horse. Walking beside May's horse was who Alphonse recognized as Lanfan wearing her Xingese warrior's costume and mask.
May hopped off her horse, ran over, and almost knocked Alphonse over with the force of her hug. "I've missed you so much!"( A/N I really didn't want to put that but I couldn't think of anything else)
"It has been quite a while." Alphonse smiled down at her.
"Emperor Lin said that you are to study the Purification Arts in the palace." said May.
Alphonse nodded and turned to Lanfan. "Lanfan, I was wondering if you would teach me Xingese martial arts so I could teach it to my brother."
"Of course. He could make good use of our art, considering he no longer has the ability of alchemy." she responded.
"Now that we've got that all sorted out, can we go?" Jelso asked crossing his arms.
With that, they road off to Xing with Lanfan walking beside them. Good luck out west, Brother. Don't get into too much trouble...( A/N Yeah, right)
