"Fire was not forged from magic's source. The Elder Gods did not create it; it was created by something far more ancient than even them."
"Are you talking about the ancestors?"
Ninsun nodded, "This is something that only the Elder Gods know about, so promise me that you will never mention it to anyone else. If they find out I've told you these things, they may attempt to break their own rules and come after you with everything."
Gilgamesh nodded.
Looking at this memory, Gilgamesh could not help but laugh wryly.
"Good. Now tell me, what is the truth about fire that we can observe, based on what I've just said?"
"Fire is something all mortals can create, so it probably wasn't created by the Elder Gods."
"Yes. In addition to that, the Elder Gods can utilize fire, and with their own divine power, can manipulate it in different ways. If both mortals and gods have equal access to fire, then it means that fire itself is something they cannot keep for themselves; they did not create it, after all."
Gilgamesh nodded.
"So, based on that observation and a few inferences- er, educated guesses," Ninsun saw that Gilgamesh had not understood the word 'inferences,' so she worded it differently for his sake.
"It's not unreasonable to think that maybe fire was created by someone or something greater than the gods."
Gilgamesh was struck with some realization. "The only things greater than the gods are the ancestors. That's why they can't change the nature of fire, right?"
"Yes, that is precisely why. Fire is more than a law or concept, it is part of this existence. No matter where even the gods go, the precondition for fire is, somehow, already set in place. If it is impossible for fire to thrive somewhere on its own, its not impossible for it to thrive with a little help."
"Fire is one of the greatest mysteries we are faced with. What is it? Where does it come from? Well... No one can say. Perhaps the truth is out there, somewhere. It may even exist there, in that place..."
"Hm?" Ninsun had started murmuring to herself, and Gilgamesh hadn't heard what she said at the end.
"Oh, I'm just rambling. Anyway, do you understand now, Gil?"
"Mhm, I understand."
Thus ended Gilgamesh's recollection, and he returned to himself as he was in the present, fully conscious. When he came out of it, he realized that, if he were to receive a surge of memories during a crucial moment, he might end up in serious danger if he could not suppress it.
When he was in that state of remembrance, he was completely vulnerable.
As he thought about this, he slowly felt a wave of drowsiness come over him. He did not expect it, and as he drifted off into sleep his mind struggled to reach a conclusion.
He guessed that it was because his spirit was so weak that recalling a single series of memories had drained him, and that was his last thought before he fell asleep.
In the morning, Gilgamesh woke to a sound he had never heard before, like a chime, followed by a placid, genderless voice.
"Spirit potency increased by 0.01%. Amalgamation completed. Skill points revoked -> Titles awarded -> System Variant created."
Before his eyes, a screen had appeared on which were written the same words that the voice had spoken. There was also another set of text encased in a rectangle and separated by a thin, slanted line, 'Accept/Refuse.'
"What the hell..."
Ishtar turned over, "What is it?" Though she was still asleep, it was only superficial. She only slept because she liked how it felt; she didn't actually need sleep, nor could she actually sleep the way mortals do, so she could instantly wake up like this.
"Do you see this?"
Ishtar looked, but she didn't see what Gilgamesh saw until she used her spirit. Even then, she could only see the screen. The words on it were impossible for her to read; no matter what she tried, they just looked like scribbles.
"What is that?"
"It says that the amalgamation is complete, 'skill points' were revoked, titles were awarded and some 'system variant' has been created. Then I guess it's asking me if I want to accept it or not."
"Might as well," Ishtar shrugged.
Gilgamesh nodded and said, "I accept."
That screen vanished, and a larger one took its place. The voice then spoke once more and, at the same time, more text was appearing.
"System Variant accepted. Would you like to start the tutorial, or skip it?"
"I guess I shouldn't skip it." Ishtar nodded her agreement.
"Very well. Starting tutorial."
That singular screen exploded into almost fifteen other screens, all of which displayed some form of information or diagram.
"Greetings, Gilgamesh. I am the unique system and user interface created for you, as per the rules of this world. Since this world has recognized you as an abnormal existence, it has altered some of the rules and crafted a system better suited to you."
Gilgamesh narrowed his eyes, "What are skill points and why were they revoked?"
"Skill points are mastery rewards attained by perfecting the usage of a skill, and can allow said skill to be developed further. Your skill points were revoked by this world before I could be created, so as to prevent you from relying on those skills. This is due to your desire to traverse a new path toward absolute power, which was detected by my Creator."
"Your creator is the world itself?"
"Correct."
Ishtar hadn't been able to understand anything the voice was saying either, so Gilgamesh had to relay all of the information to her.
"That's incredible. No other world that I know of possesses this kind of sentience. As far as I know, only our home world possesses some form of intelligence, but it can't even take charge of laws like this one has."
"I figured as much..."
"If there are no more questions, I shall continue the tutorial."
"This is the User Info screen. It shows you a real-time representation of your physical and spiritual bodies, and will indicate whether or not you are taking damage or exhausting your spirit. In the case of the latter, an estimated time period before complete and total exhaustion will be provided."
"This is your inventory. For Level 0 users like yourself, 30 inventory slots are provided in which you can store anything you are able to move with your physical or spiritual strength. Once inside your inventory, items will not experience the passage of time and so will not deteriorate. To add an item to your inventory, simply touch it and give a command of your choosing, for example, 'add to inventory,' and it shall be added. The system will detect even your thoughts and act accordingly."
Gilgamesh was fascinated by the way the system described the inventory's function. It functioned almost the same way that Ishtar's pouch did, except for the limitations on the pouch. Ishtar could put any object she wanted into the pouch, even entire galaxies if she wished, as long as her control over space was sufficient.
That was the only difference between them, which was amazing enough.
"This is the skill tree, where you can view all skills and skill points you possess, as well as a description of what those skills are based on your own knowledge and experience regarding them. The system can only display knowledge of skills that you yourself possess, it does not function as an encyclopedia."
Gilgamesh saw naught but a single icon on this screen, and it was emitting a blinking glow. He saw the image of a flickering flame on that icon, and when he looked at it he felt nostalgic.
"What is that? Is that a skill?"
"Yes, it is the only skill you currently possess." As the system answered, the skill icon was magnified, and a separate window dropped from it, giving its information.
"After recalling the memories of your mother and her teachings regarding the truth of fire, the skill 'Knowledge of the Obscure Spark,' was added. It heightens your senses, and causes you to enter a perfect state of perceptive meditation as you focus on the essence of fire."
Gilgamesh was astounded by this, and instantly recalled how fatigued he had gotten after recalling that memory.
"The fatigue was caused by the strain on your spirit after pondering the 'Obscure Spark.' Your spirit potency was increased; no other advancements have been noted."
Gilgamesh's brows knitted together and he sat back in the bed. He had been keeping Ishtar up to date with the System's info, and they both pondered the situation together.
"The Obscure Spark. I've never heard anything about that before. You said Ninsun was the one who told you about it?"
"Yes, but she never called it that. I have no idea what the Obscure Spark could be, but it must have something to do with the truth about fire- that's what she was trying to teach me."
Gilgamesh's attention returned to the screens as the system continued explaining its functions, and finally ended the tutorial. Once the system went quiet and the screens went away, Gilgamesh picked up the Demiurge Blade and spoke a command in his mind.
It disappeared in a sparkling flash, and when he opened his inventory he could see it there in one of the slots. Giving another mental command, the sword left the inventory slot and appeared in his hand once more.
For some reason, the sword felt warm in his hand now. He tried the same thing with a nearby glass, but when he brought it out it did not feel warm. He guessed that it was a unique reaction that the sword had, and disregarded it.
"This is quite strange,' Isthar said as she leaned over Gilgamesh's body.
"Yeah, it is. You said Anu nor any of the Gods of Heaven were able to set foot on this world, right?"
"Mhm. I still don't know why I was allowed to, but if this world is really that intelligent, maybe my theory from before is correct. Maybe this world sensed my intent and allowed me to come here because of it."
"Perhaps," Gilgamesh shifted and got off the bed, then stretched a bit.
"Regardless, we're wasting daylight. This world is huge, and at the rate we've been going it could take us years just to leave this continent."
Ishtar groaned, "That's fine. A larger world just means more to experience; we should experience it all without rushing through it. Wasn't that one of the things you were never able to do back home? You barely even noticed the beauty of that world before you began seeking vengeance."
Gilgamesh was going to say something, but he stopped once he realized she was right. His sense of urgency from before was essentially gone, but he still felt like he had to gain strength as fast as possible.
Although he knew it was good to feel driven toward his goal, he also knew from experience that it was not ideal to let that drive turn into impatience and disregard for anything but his goal.
He had been there before, and had experienced what living that way did to him and the people around him. Before he knew it, his parents and his best friend were gone. That had awakened him to the reality of how he was choosing to live his life, and was the catalyst for his drastic change in character.
"I suppose you're right. I'm only just starting to experience the laws of this world, and there seem to be a large number of intelligent beings here. If what you said was true, then we should eventually meet the armed forces spreading through this land in hopes of conquering it."
Ishtar gave a smile.
"We should keep moving, but I suppose we can take some time to properly experience things."
After that, they had breakfast and left, travelling along the stream toward that massive structure in the distance.
As they walked through the tall grass, they heard loud cries from above. Ishtar had not been observing their surroundings, so she did not notice what was going on above them.
When they both looked up, they saw two giant hawks engaged in an aggressive battle. More shocking than this was the fact that there were people riding those hawks, and attacking each other as well.
From where they were, Gilgamesh could not properly see what these people looked like, and Ishtar decided not to use her perception to see for herself. They both watched with interest as the battle ensued.