Fullmetal Alchemist. Vol 3

Arakawa, Hiromu. Fullmetal Alchemist. Vol 3. 2002. 185p. ISBN 978-1-59116-925-3. Available in the graphic section of the library.

Following the battle with Scar that destroyed Edward’s automail arm and severely damaged Alphonse, the Elric brothers head back to their small village where their childhood friend and mechanic, Winry Rockbell, still lives. Accompanied by Major Armstrong, their bodyguard, they spend some time healing, while Armstrong hears their story from Grandma Pinako.

Once they are back in fighting order, they return to Central so they can hunt the secret of the Philosopher’s Stone. Unfortunately, Lust is also seeking this formula, and gets to the library first, burning it to the ground. Nevertheless, Edward eventually locates the formula thanks to a librarian, and discover the shocking secret of the Stone. It requires a human sacrifice.

With the state alchemists now concerned that there is a rogue element within them working in a secret laboratory, Edward and Alphonse promise to remain in their hotel room and not set out to investigate on their own. This promise is quickly broken, however, but once on the scene of the secret lab, the Elric brothers confront a threat they were not expecting...

The story continues in Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol 4.