The gate exuded an ominous aura. Once it was pushed open, there would be no turning back.
Noel tried desperately to stop himself from moving forward, but it was useless. His hand slowly reached out and touched the gate.
It swung open, revealing nothing—just a vast, empty darkness. The moment he stepped inside, even the gate vanished, leaving him in utter nothingness.
So this was the world beyond death? Nothing at all. Was the pursuit of such emptiness truly meaningful? Was this void the place every alchemist yearned to see? At least, Noel did not.
"Oh? Someone's opened the gate again? How delightful," a voice echoed suddenly, reverberating through the empty darkness.
"Who are you?" Noel demanded warily. In this emptiness, there should be no one else, which meant this space itself likely had a will.
"Who? Does it matter who I am? I have no name, and it's rather amusing that you even ask," the voice mocked.
"Even if you have no name, surely you have a title," Noel shot back.
"A title? Let me think," the voice fell silent for a moment before continuing,
"You humans usually call me the God of Truth. Though honestly, I have no idea why I became the god you worship."
"It's all quite laughable, really," the voice said casually.
"A god with such a twisted sense of humor? I don't believe you're a god," Noel retorted, disgust clear in his voice.
"You'd better give me back Mond's soul and body, or I won't forgive you." Anger burned within Noel, his tone deadly serious. He knew he wasn't strong enough, but he wasn't going to back down.
"That's impossible. Even if I wanted to return him to you, I couldn't. He made a trade with the Gate, offering his soul and body as the key."
"Now that the Gate is open, the transaction is complete. You're an alchemist, aren't you? You should understand this." The God of Truth explained calmly.
Of course, Noel understood. This was equivalent exchange, a contract of sorts. Once made, it could never be undone.
He was bound by these rules as well, and he couldn't break them.
"Still, I want to fight for it." Noel didn't know where he found the courage to say this, but he said it anyway.
"And what will you use to fight for it? Do you even have anything worth trading? It doesn't seem like you do." The God of Truth laughed disdainfully.
Suddenly, Noel felt the space around him compressing, his breath growing ragged, his throat strangled by an unseen force.
"Wh… what… are you doing?" he gasped.
"Nothing much. I'm just teaching you something: if you want to negotiate, you need leverage. Otherwise, you'll only ever be crushed." The God of Truth's voice was playful.
"I'll remember your lesson… but is there really no way?" Noel's voice was trembling, but he refused to give up, willing to do anything if it meant bringing Mond back.
"There isn't. Give up on that. Still, you're quite an interesting child, and I'm rather fond of you. If your request was within my power, I would grant it."
"But what you asked for breaks the laws of the world, and I can't override those laws, even if I interfere with them."
"The laws are stronger than I am, and there's nothing I can do."
The God of Truth found it amusing that an alchemist would dare to ask for something so impossible. Breaking the rules wasn't inherently bad, but even he couldn't do it, let alone a child like Noel.
"And if I insist?" Noel's voice was hard, unyielding.
"You have no right to negotiate. I've already explained that to you. But… I can let you see Mond."
Suddenly, a familiar figure appeared before Noel.
"Child…"
But the voice was strange, identical to the God of Truth's.
"Don't you dare use Mond's appearance," Noel roared, pounding against the empty darkness.
Seeing Noel's fury and despair only seemed to please the God of Truth.
"What a beautiful expression. Such exquisite art. I find myself liking you more and more," Monde's face twisted grotesquely, grinning with eerie delight.
"You…"
Noel's body suddenly stopped responding to him. Though his mind was clear, he no longer had control over his body.
"See? You have no right to negotiate. You can't resist. It's as simple as that."
"Damn it…" Noel hissed, helpless.
"But a transaction is a transaction. Since the deal has been made, you will receive your payment."
"What payment? I don't want it. I just want Mond's soul and body."
"That's not up to you."
Noel's mind went blank, and he could only hear a mechanical voice outside:
"Transaction detected. Collecting powerful body and soul for exchange."
"Granting you eyes that see the truth of all things: The Eyes of God."
"Granting you a body that can break all boundaries: The Body of God."
"Granting you a mind that can calculate the world: The Alchemy of God."
When Noel awoke, he was back in the alchemy workshop. The magic circles Monde had drawn were all shattered.
Mond himself had vanished without a trace, but Noel knew the truth—he had simply become the ticket to open the Gate.
He had chosen to sacrifice himself for Noel's sake. Such a selfish choice, taking on loss while leaving the living to bear a heavier hope.
Noel felt empty inside. Without Mond, could this place still be called home? It didn't feel like it anymore.
The cold alchemy workshop now contained only him, leaving nothing but sadness, loneliness, and isolation.
There was no longer any reason for him to stay here, and Mond had no family left. But he had once mentioned a grave.
Noel buried Mond with his wife and child, using a portrait in place of a body, holding a simple funeral.
He brought a bouquet of white flowers, standing in front of the gravestone, tears streaming silently down his face.
"I know you wanted me to live well, but all I feel now is a heavier burden. It's the opposite of what you wanted, but… thank you for taking care of me."
Noel's eyes blurred, and for a moment, he thought he saw Mond's spirit.
He had once suspected it was the God of Truth playing tricks, but the warmth he felt was unmistakably Monde.
"Child, this was my choice. Don't be sad, and don't blame yourself. This is a necessary step for every alchemist's growth."
"I hope you'll use this power well. With the Eyes of Truth, doesn't the world look different now? The world is interesting, so be happy."
"How can I be happy? What's the point of a world without family?"
"There are many meanings to life you haven't found yet. You're still young. Keep looking."
"That's all I can say now. My permissions are ending." A familiar voice spoke up, the God of Truth.
"What are you doing here?"
"Such a fierce child. I was merely helping you out of kindness. Without me, you wouldn't have seen Mond one last time. But I do find you interesting." The God of Truth chuckled.
"I don't want someone like you taking an interest in me."
"That doesn't matter. Whether you want it or not, I'll be watching you quietly. So, live well."
Mond's spirit disappeared, taken away.
"Mond, Master, answer me!" Noel screamed again and again until his voice broke, but there was no response.
Noel felt utterly empty. Maybe he really was a burden. If it weren't for him, maybe Mond wouldn't have done this.
It was his fault. They told him to move on, but how could he? It was impossible.
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