The First Day

As Edward and Alphonse depart for Liore by train, their childhood is shown in flashback. They had learned rudimentary alchemy from their father's books, and, upon their mother's death, had attempted to revive her by performing human transmutation, a practice officially considered taboo among alchemists. A dark mass of shadowy hands then proceeded to disintegrate Alphonse's physical body, while a disembodied figure named Truth showed Edward the secret behind perfect human transmutation in exchange for his left leg. Cursing his actions in causing the loss of his brother, Edward bonds Alphonse's soul to a suit of armor, sacrificing his right arm to complete the process. Elsewhere in the present, Colonel Maes Hughes shows Mustang the paperwork concerning the McDougal incident, which states that McDougal used a Xingese art known as alkahestry, unknown to the two of them. Back in the past, Edward's skill in both surviving the attempted human transmutation and anchoring his brother's soul attracts the attention of Mustang, who suggests Edward become a state alchemist. Edward later takes and passes the state alchemist examination, and is given the title of "Fullmetal Alchemist."