It was a beautiful and deceptively peaceful day in Gallia. On a hill not far from Randgriz, running into a pool of cold fresh water, was a small waterfall. A Gallian Military Uniform, a Dark red cloak, and a headband of the same color with a white, spiral shaped pattern drawn across it, lay on the ground, and under the waterfall, a man could be seen wearing only a blue pair of pants. His eyes were closed and his arms were at his side. Slowly, he rose them up and pressed them together in front of him, holding them up as though praying as he took a deep breath and exhaled it.

"There you are," a voice called from the shoreline catching the man's attention. He emerged from the waterfall and looked at the shore where a tall, handsome looking man with tidy, light brown hair stood clad in a Gallian military uniform.

"Faldio, what's up?" the man asked as he walked towards the shoreline.

"We just got word from headquarters," Faldio replied, "it's officially begun now."

"I see," the man replied as he pulled on the shirt of his uniform, "so… where did they strike first?"

"Hard to say. Dozens of small border villages fell to them within a few hours. I think the town of Bruhl was among the first at least," Faldio replied as the man pulled the cloak over his head and tied on the headband.

"I see. Figures, those towns would have been easy pickings since the regular army doesn't consider them important enough to garrison," Vine sighed.

"Thanks to local town watches, civilian casualties were kept low, but the town watches themselves suffered quite a few casualties," Faldio revealed, "it looks like Gallia's in for a long and difficult fight."

"Of course, we'd be fools to think otherwise," the man replied, cracking his knuckles and his neck as he did, "any word from the mother country?"

"Troops are on their way from Amestris already. They'll arrive in Randgriz in just a couple of days," Faldio replied, "no State Alchemists, though. Just regular soldiers."

"Guess we should be grateful for that, although something tells me the higher ups aren't going to see it that way."

"I honestly prefer it this way," Faldio replied, "I don't mind our alliance with Amestris that much, they don't bother us and we don't bother them except for supplying additional troops for the occasional border dispute and uprising…"

"If you're calling Ishval a simple uprising, I'm gonna dig a hole and bury you in it."

"Right, and the occasional civil war," Faldio quickly corrected himself.

"That's better. So, any word yet on what they're doing with you in the militia?"

"I got my orders just a little while ago," Faldio replied, "I've been promoted to Lieutenant and I'm going to be the squad leader of Squad 1 of the Militia."

"Is that right? Haven't even been in the Militia a day yet and they've already got you leading, huh? Someone sure has faith in you."

"I was top of my class in combat exercises in High School so I guess that makes me the best choice," Faldio replied.

"And he's humble too."

"So what about you? Any word yet on your orders?" Faldio replied.

"Not yet. I'm sure they'll decide where to stick me before too long though. Though I guess I'd better get back to base just in case I do happen to get a call," the man sighed, sounding rather disappointed.

"You'd better. It wouldn't make a very good impression if the mighty Raging Blast wasn't there when he got called in for his Squad assignment.

"Raging Blast? What the heck is that all about?"

"It's a bet I've got going on with a friend," Faldio replied, "I'm betting that when you're made a State Alchemist, your nickname is going to be the Raging Blast Alchemist."

"The Raging Blast Alchemist, huh?" the man asked as the two men started back towards Randgriz, "so what's the other guy betting on?"

"That you don't become a State Alchemist," was the reply.

"That figures. Well, at any rate, it doesn't matter right now. For now, I'll just be Corporal Vine, Unknown Squad of the Gallian Militia," Vine replied as he and Faldio continued towards Randgriz. Neither was aware of the adventures and battles, of the joys and the heartaches, that would greet them along the road that lay ahead.

Fullmetal Alchemist

EUROPA WAR II