It matters not whether you are a virtuous individual or merely someone seeking their present desires. Yet, these two kinds of people share a distinctive trait: the impulses of the moment.
A person of virtue acts without second thought, whether to rescue another or perform good deeds. Conversely, one pursuing immediate gratification always carries the notion that their melancholic end might arrive at any juncture.
As for myself, I was a young man whom everyone classified as a do-gooder, someone always aiding those in need without pondering the aftermath.
And so it was that I became embroiled in a dire situation that required the aid of a valiant soul. Thus, it was I who hurled myself into the icy clutches of the foulest beast a naïve child like me could confront without a second thought.
By "icy clutches," I mean that within seconds, my body felt cold, invaded by a frigid sense of desperation as my wounds bled uncontrollably. If only I hadn't saved that girl from the attack of that dog, perhaps I could have witnessed a new dawn.
But such matters did not concern me when I acted; it was instinctive, fueled by my desires. At least that girl would lead a life free from the scar on her face. As for me, I was slowly being embraced by darkness. Yet, after what felt like an eternity in just a few minutes, I learned that I hadn't released the dog until that girl managed to escape.
When my body weakened, I could not move; my eyes closed gradually. And from personal experience, I can tell you that the sensation of death doesn't exist. It's merely something that pulls you into a tranquil darkness without seeking permission, all while considering your desires. I could swear, as long as I have life left in me, that death asks whether you wish to join it or return. However, it's not a direct question, but rather something instinctual.
In my situation, at least, I couldn't return, but someone else could in circumstances that don't involve bleeding out. It's by wishing to live for someone else that you find your way back—such was my perception.
To die at the age of thirteen isn't what one would call life; I hadn't even experienced my first love...
At least now, I know that I cannot best a wolf in a one-on-one fight...
All I want now is to sleep...
That feeling inundated my heart; I am certain my parents will be proud...
...
In the shadows of a distant past, when the whispers of the gods still shaped the earth and sky, emerged a figure whose destiny intertwined with the threads of time.
On that very day, in the resplendent city of Uruk, cradle of civilization and wonders, a child was born whose resonance would echo through the eternity: Gilgamesh. His birth was marked by the conjunction of cosmic forces, heralding the arrival of a being destined to alter the course of intertwined fates between gods and mortals.
From his earliest moments, Gilgamesh's presence exuded an undeniable magnetism. With a curious gaze seemingly encompassing the entire cosmos, his eyes were windows to a restless soul, eager to unveil the mysteries of the world around him and pioneer advancements in the technology of his age that would revolutionize the future. Raised under the loving care of his mother, Ninsun, a wise and virtuous woman, Gilgamesh grew with an innate sense of purpose and responsibility. Ninsun regarded him with admiration, seeing in him a seed of greatness that, if nurtured properly, could blossom into a tree offering shade and fruit to her realm.
Gilgamesh's exceptional qualities became evident in his childhood. He possessed a supernatural strength and agility that set him apart from children his age, an intelligence rivaling even the most astute adults in the kingdom. Each of his movements was imbued with a grace and skill defying the laws of physics themselves. As he matured, his fame spread throughout Uruk, turning him into a figure of admiration and apprehension for where his curiosity might one day lead him to invent. However, these extraordinary abilities were also interwoven with an insatiable thirst for challenges and excesses.
Gilgamesh was known not only for his might but also for his unchecked desires. The greatness he yearned for was shaded by his impulses. He constructed colossal monuments that left all in awe, yet he also indulged in extravagant banquets and gratified his desires without restraint, leaving a trail of admiration and controversy in his wake. He immersed himself in the experience of life, often without consideration for the consequences of his actions. This duality rendered him a complex human being, a reflection of the internal conflicts that afflict all mortals.
Yet, within Gilgamesh's heart, there was more than mere impulses. Beneath his imposing and audacious exterior beat a heart that felt empathy for his people. Witnessing the suffering and needs of his populace, he underwent an internal transformation. In that moment, a fervent desire to protect his people surged within him, surpassing his own ego. This desire impelled him to confront his weaknesses and learn to channel his power for a greater purpose.
In this quest for purpose and meaning, Gilgamesh encountered Enkidu. This being, born from the heart of nature itself, was his equal and opposite. Enkidu, initially a wild and bestial man living in communion with animals, was fashioned by the gods to confront Gilgamesh and challenge his dominion.
They crossed paths before the temple of Uruk, and they engaged in a fierce battle that lasted several days. Gilgamesh was incensed that a lump of clay stood equal to him, feeling humiliated at having to use his most cherished treasures at the outset of the battle. However, he soon began to relish the fight and wielded his weapons without remorse for their use.
After a fierce battle that left them both exhausted, each warrior collapsed onto the ground, paying no heed to their location. Gilgamesh did so while laughing, remarking that there couldn't be a winner without two corpses, and Enkidu fell mirroring him, like a mirror.
Commending each other's valor, they became unparalleled friends who continued to have numerous adventures. One of Enkidu's notable achievements during that time was getting Gilgamesh to use his treasures in combat. Together, they combined their strength to defeat the guardian of the forest and the beast of the gods, Humbaba, for the purpose of protecting Uruk rather than dealing with the deities.
Enkidu remarked that people were suffering under their actions, prompting them to question the point of such actions. Eventually, Enkidu came to understand Gilgamesh's path, realizing that as a king, he would look out for humanity's future through his solidarity.
Through his friendship with Enkidu, Gilgamesh learned humility and connection to the earth. Enkidu became his companion and counterpart, challenging him to see beyond his own reflection and to connect with the deepest truths of the world. Together, they embarked on journeys and faced challenges that would be etched into history, learning from one another and forging a bond that transcended physical strength and delved into the depths of their souls.
Thus, the first phase of Gilgamesh's life was woven with threads of desire, mistakes, and friendship. His personality, shaped by his own passions and the influences of those around him, began to evolve.
The seed of greatness that Ninsun had perceived at his birth was beginning to sprout, still immature but promising. In the dawn of his life, Gilgamesh was already on the path to becoming a being whose legacy would transcend generations and even challenge the gods themselves.
But everything changed one day when a shadow of illness fell upon Enkidu. Nature itself, which had been his companion and refuge, now seemed to turn against him. The vitality that had characterized him began to fade, leaving Gilgamesh dumbfounded and filled with impotence in the face of the situation. The two friends fought against the disease consuming Enkidu's body together, seeking in vain for a cure in the farthest reaches of the land they had explored.
As Enkidu lay on his sickbed, his gaze turned to the vast expanses of the nature he loved. Through his open windows, he could feel the wind whispering ancient secrets and see the trees that had been his confidants. As his strength waned, his connection to the earth seemed to intensify, as if his spirit was merging with the very essence of the world around him.
Gilgamesh remained at his side, powerless in the face of the inevitability of death. His eyes, once filled with courage and arrogance, were now brimming with tears. The helplessness of not being able to save his dearest friend weighed on him like a heavy stone. They had shared everything, from victories on the battlefield to moments of profound reflection, and now they stood on the threshold of a farewell that not even the fiercest courage could forestall.
Enkidu, still clinging to life, found the strength to speak in his weakened voice. He gazed at Gilgamesh with eyes full of gratitude and love, his words resonating with the wisdom he had gained on their journeys together.
"Who will understand you after I'm gone? Who else will walk by your side? My friend... When I think that you will live on alone from here on, I cannot help but weep..." His words were a final gift of teaching and solace, meant to guide Gilgamesh onto his rightful path beyond all selfish desires.
Enkidu's light began to fade slowly, like the sun setting on the horizon. His breathing grew calmer, and his body, once so strong and vigorous, began to relax. Gilgamesh held his friend's hand, clinging to this last connection they shared. In Enkidu's final moment, the world seemed to hold its breath, as if even nature felt the loss of this being so integral to its essence.
When the last breath of life left Enkidu's body, a sense of silence and serenity enveloped the surroundings. Gilgamesh found himself alone with the memories of the moments they had shared, the laughter and tears that had woven the fabric of their friendship. He sighed deeply, feeling the weight of the loss but also the gift of wisdom that Enkidu had bequeathed to him.
Enkidu's death did not mark the end of his influence. In every whisper of the wind, in every falling leaf, in every sunrise and sunset, Enkidu's spirit would live on eternally. But a hatred welled up in Gilgamesh's heart as he thought of the gods who had caused him so much trouble.
...
The years that followed were somewhat uneasy for all, for something was on the horizon, and everyone could feel it.
The winds of change blew through Uruk, carrying with them a foreboding of cosmic upheaval. The relationship between gods and humans, once in balance, began to teeter under the weight of divine oppression.
The gods, blinded by their own power and desire for dominance, had forgotten the original purpose of their existence: to protect and guide humanity. Injustice and suffering spread like poisonous weeds in fertile soil.
In the heart of this tempest, a leader emerged, bearing in his spirit the echo of past generations and the cry of generations yet to come. That was Gilgamesh, the valiant and impassioned king who had battled his own demons and learned the value of empathy and humanity. His gaze, a mixture of arrogance and melancholy, fixed upon the horizon. He knew that the cosmic balance was askew and that he, along with his people, must raise their voices in defense of their freedom and dignity.
The rebellion began as a murmur, a seed of discontent that took root in the heart of every person in Uruk. The gods, in their arrogance, had started to use humans as pawns in their divine game. Their whims and decrees were law, and humans suffered under the yoke of their oppression. But the seed of desire for freedom and justice held firm, growing as more and more people realized they could no longer remain subdued.
Gilgamesh became the beacon that would guide the uprising. The flame of rebellion burned in his eyes, and his voice carried the promise of a world where humans would be free to forge their own destinies without relying on selfish gods.
The city of Uruk became the epicenter of the rebellion, a place where minds and hearts united in the struggle for justice and equality.
The outcry reached the heavens, and the gods were confronted by a humanity that had awakened from its slumber. The gods reacted with fury, sending storms and earthquakes to quell the nascent rebellion.
But human hearts were unbreakable, fueled by the conviction that they deserved more than to be mere puppets in the gods' game. Gilgamesh, along with brave leaders who had risen from the people, strategized and united the human forces under a common cause.
The struggle was titanic, a battle between divine power and human will. The gods unleashed lightning and storms, trying to smother the rebellion in its infancy. But humans clung to hope like a shield, fighting for a world where justice and freedom were more than hollow words from ancient deities. Each battle was a reminder of the tenacity of the human spirit and its ability to defy the most crushing adversities.
Gilgamesh became the throbbing heart of the rebellion. His sword, an extension of his will, gleamed with the promise of a better future. He inspired the men and women by his side with his unwavering bravery and tireless conviction. In every clash, in every trench, he reminded his comrades of the reason they fought: the right to live under human rules and to live without the yoke of the gods.
The struggle reached its zenith in an epic battle that would resonate in the annals of history. Humans faced the gods in a confrontation that shook the very foundations of the world. On the battlefield, Gilgamesh confronted the last apostle of the gods with the same passion and courage he had shown at every step of his journey. His sword rose like a symbol that humans could shape their own rules.
In a fierce showdown, Gilgamesh and the humans defied divine powers. With every blow, they recalled the human flaws and desires that had shaped them. The battle was a whirlwind of action and emotion, a clash of forces that mirrored the internal struggle of every human being for their own dignity and purpose in the world.
Finally, in a triumphant moment that resounded like thunder, Gilgamesh struck down the divine presence with a final blow. The earth seemed to tremble in acknowledgment of human achievement. The gods had been challenged and overcome by the united strength of mortals who had risen in defense of their freedom.
However, victory came at a price. Gilgamesh, exhausted and wounded from the battle, found himself alone on the battlefield where he had confronted the gods.
The victory had a bittersweet taste, tainted by the loss of countless human lives in the struggle for freedom. The land was marked by the aftermath of the battle, but also by the promise of a future where humans would be the masters of their destinies.
As the sun set on the horizon, Gilgamesh stood as a bridge between two worlds, a being who had embraced his human impulses and errors to challenge the gods and protect his people. The humans' rebellion against the gods would become a tale that transcended time, an epic of courage, friendship, and humanity's eternal longing for justice and freedom.
Exhausted and wounded, Gilgamesh collapsed, his breath faltering. Silence spread across the battlefield and eventually throughout the world, even the wind howled amid sobs.
In the twilight of his life, he found peace, knowing he had fulfilled his purpose and led his people to freedom without any god stepping foot in the human world as if they owed their existence to them.
And so, the legendary Gilgamesh closed his eyes for the last time, his legacy engraved in the hearts of the men and women who had fought alongside him.
The man who was never a God, yet had the strength to overcome them all.
A simple human who was hailed as the Emperor of humanity, the King of heroes, Gilgamesh.