Ed is overjoyed to be back in Central, and can't wait to begin his search for Marcoh's notes in the Central Library's First Branch. Unfortunately, they learn that the First Branch was completely destroyed the night before. To add to their troubles, witnesses had seen Scar in the vicinity before the fire. Now, coupled with a new pair of guards (one of whom is insistent that they go somewhere safer) the brothers must find another way to discover the secret of the Philosopher's Stone.
'Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is Alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth'.
-Alphonse Elric
Edward and Alphonse Elric are two brothers gifted with the ability of alchemy, the science of taking one thing and changing it into another. However, alchemy works on the theory of Equivalent Exchange - for something to be created, something else of equal value must be sacrificed. When their mother dies, Edward decides to do the unthinkable - bringing her back to life by breaking one of Alchemy's biggest taboos and performing Human Alchemy. Thinking they have nothing more to lose, he and Alphonse make their attempt - but something goes horribly wrong. In the process, Alphonse loses his body and Edward loses his leg. Ed manages to save Al by attaching his spirit to a suit of armor, but at the cost of his arm and leg.