Chapter 5: The Birth of the Homunculi, The Eternal Empire
[Edited]
Chapter 5: The Birth of the Homunculi, The Eternal Empire
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Late 1970s – New York City
The world was changing, and with it, so was the battlefield. My enemies were no longer just rival businessmen or crime families. I had seen glimpses of the supernatural lurking beneath the surface—vampires influencing conglomerates, mutants growing bolder, and whispers of eldritch horrors manipulating events from the shadows. I needed more than wealth and power. I needed warriors.
And for that, I required a Philosopher's Stone.
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~The Weight of Knowledge~
Alchemy was a science of equivalent exchange—nothing could be gained without sacrifice. I had long since accepted that truth, but now I stood at the precipice of something far darker. A Philosopher's Stone could grant limitless energy, sustain homunculi, and push my alchemy beyond its natural limits. But to create it required human lives.
Evelyn could never know. No one could.
The criminals of Hell's Kitchen were vermin—murderers, traffickers, and scum who preyed on the weak. No one would mourn their disappearance. It was a necessary evil, one I had no qualms embracing.
I spent months refining the process, ensuring every step was perfect. Using the underground network of Golden Enterprise, I had my men abduct only the most wretched criminals, those whose sins had long since condemned them. I built a secret laboratory beneath one of my private estates, warded against any possible discovery.
And then, the ritual began.
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~The Philosopher's Stone~
The air was thick with the scent of blood and burning incense. Alchemic circles, meticulously drawn with my own reinforced blood, pulsed with crimson energy as the final preparations were completed. The chamber was soundproofed, ensuring no soul outside these walls would ever hear the screams.
As I placed my hands on the transmutation circle, power surged through me. The bound criminals writhed, their life force siphoned away, condensed into pure energy. Their bodies withered, turning to dust, and in their place, a brilliant, blood-red gemstone coalesced at the center of the circle.
The Philosopher's Stone was complete.
I picked it up, feeling the warmth of pure power radiating through my fingertips. This was the key to my next creation—the homunculi, my perfect enforcers.
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~The Twelve Homunculi~
Using the Philosopher's Stone as the core energy source, I began the next phase. Each homunculus would be designed for a specific purpose, a warrior crafted to be the perfect soldier.
Inside specially designed alchemical vats, twelve humanoid forms began to take shape. Their bodies were infused with reinforced tissues, and enhanced strength, speed, and reflexes far beyond normal humans. I spent weeks fine-tuning their alchemical circuits, ensuring absolute loyalty. Unlike human soldiers, they would feel no fear, no hesitation. They would obey only me.
The first to emerge was Leo, the strongest, designed for tactical and commanding, his body reinforced with layers of alchemically enhanced Kryptonium plating. Next was Sagittarius, the fastest, moving like a phantom through the battlefield. Each homunculus bore the name of the 12 zodiacs, a testament to their superiority over mankind.
As they stepped from their vats, I felt something I had not experienced in years—a sense of true accomplishment.
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~A New Force in the Shadows~
The homunculi did not need training. Their minds were already programmed with combat tactics, strategies, and absolute obedience. But I wanted to test them.
The first mission was simple. A rival conglomerate backed by vampires had been making moves against my businesses, spreading their influence through underhanded deals. I sent Leo, Sagittarius, and Scorpio, my stealth specialist, to dismantle their operations.
It was a massacre.
Surveillance footage showed Leo tearing through guards like paper, bullets bouncing harmlessly off his reinforced body. Sagittarius moved unseen, eliminating targets before they even realized they were under attack. Scorpio ensured no one escaped. Within an hour, the entire facility was wiped from existence.
The message was clear—Edward Lin was no longer someone to be challenged lightly.
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~The Future of My Empire~
With the homunculi at my command, Golden Enterprise's reach expanded further than ever. Our security firm became the most elite force in the world. Our mercenary division operated globally, securing rare resources, eliminating threats, and ensuring that my empire remained untouchable.
But power invited greater enemies.
I knew that one day, the truth about my homunculi and the Philosopher's Stone would surface. The supernatural forces in the world were stirring, and soon, I would be forced to face the consequences of my actions.
But for now, I stood at the peak, a king among men.
And I had no intention of stepping down.
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Spring 1979 – New York City
A decade had passed, and the world had changed, but my reign remained unchallenged. Golden Enterprise had expanded into every conceivable industry—technology, pharmaceuticals, security, and energy. My rivals had been crushed, bought out, or left clinging to scraps. With my wealth surpassing $50 billion, I was no longer just a businessman. I was a king in all but name.
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[Proficiency Panel Update]
Name: Edward Lin
Age: 52/85
[Alchemy (Fullmetal Alchemist)]
Alchemy Proficiency: 90% (Level: Master)
Transmutation: 92% (Level: Grandmaster)
Reinforcement: 91% (Level: Grandmaster)
Creation: 87% (Level: Master)
Physical Condition: Peak Human
Enhancement: (Enhanced through alchemical reinforcement)
Strength: Half-step God-King
Status: Chairman of Golden Enterprise, Head of the Lin Family,
Mood: Excited
Wealth: Estimated Net Worth - $65 billion
Property: Private estates, corporate buildings, hospitals, research facilities, manufacturing plants, and mineral operations
Security Force: Golden Security & Golden Mercenary Division
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Yet, power alone wasn't enough. Time was the greatest enemy of all, and I refused to be shackled by it.
And so, I created the Elixir of Life.
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~The Key to Immortality~
Alchemy had granted me many secrets, but none as profound as the ability to extend life. Through years of research, experimentation, and refinement, I developed an elixir capable of halting the aging process. Different tiers existed:
10 years – The common version, available to the elite under strict conditions.
20 years – Given to key allies, corporate executives, and trusted individuals.
50 years – Reserved for politicians and high-ranking officials under my influence.
100 years – Granted only to the most loyal and irreplaceable assets.
200 years – Offered only to those who had proven themselves beyond measure.
500 years – Exclusive to my family alone.
The elixir wasn't just a commodity—it was control. Those who received it owed me their continued existence, and in return, they became instruments of my will.
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~A Man in the Council~
Politics had always been a dangerous game, but one I had mastered. Senators, governors, and even Supreme Court justices had found themselves in my debt, their campaigns fueled by my financial backing.
But my greatest achievement in this arena was securing the allegiance of a member of the World Security Council—a powerful figure without Hydra's grasping tendrils wrapped around him.
His name was Jonathan Caldwell, an old-school strategist who saw the shifting tides of power and knew where to place his bets.
"You're making enemies, Edward," Caldwell warned as we shared a private meeting in one of my secured penthouses.
I smirked, pouring him a glass of 30-year-old whiskey. "Enemies are inevitable. But allies… true allies are rare."
He accepted the drink, studying me with the sharp gaze of a man who had survived more than one political war. "And what makes you think I'm your true ally?"
"Because I offer something they never will," I said, setting a small vial of the 100-year elixir before him. "Loyalty is fleeting, but time? That's invaluable."
Caldwell took the vial, rolling it between his fingers before giving a slow nod. "You truly are dangerous, Edward."
"That's why you need me."
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~The Shadow War~
With every move I made, the old power structures fought back. Rival conglomerates, fueled by supernatural backers, sought to undermine me at every turn. Vampires, secret cabals, and ancient orders that had ruled from the shadows for centuries began to take notice.
A midnight attack on one of my pharmaceutical labs confirmed my suspicions. My security forces responded with lethal precision, but not before we captured one of the attackers.
Bound in reinforced chains, the creature snarled at me from the shadows of my interrogation chamber.
"You don't understand what you're interfering with, Lin," the vampire hissed, its fangs glistening under the dim lights.
I crouched before it, unshaken. "I understand more than you think. You and your kind have controlled humanity for long enough."
It chuckled darkly. "And you believe you can change that?"
I smiled, retrieving a silver dagger infused with alchemical runes. "I don't believe—I know."
The vampire's scream echoed through the chamber as I drove the blade into its chest, sealing its fate.
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~The Future is Mine~
With my influence in politics, control over life itself, and a growing military force under my command, my empire was secure. Yet, I knew this was only the beginning.
There were still greater forces at play. Mutants, gods, and ancient horrors, that lurked beyond the veil of human understanding.
But I was ready.
I was no longer just Edward Lin, the businessman.
I was the architect of a new world order.
And nothing would stand in my way.
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To be continued...