In the original manga and the Brotherhood version, the original Homunculus is a mysterious being created from the blood of Van Hohenheim. For the beginning of his life, he was kept inside a flask, having no real solid form to assume. He appeared as a black, shadowy orb with one large eye and a very wide smile. Forming a friendship with Hohenheim, Homunculus granted the man knowledge of various academics, including math, science, and alchemy. King Xerxes, the leader of the region where Hohenheim lived, strongly desired immortality, and commanded Homunculus to explain how to achieve immortal life. Homunculus instructed him to form a transmutation circle around the country, with a large massacre at every point. King Xerxes followed the directions of Homunculus, and was, then, instructed to st