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Chapter 17 - Gilgamesh Journey

King Gilgamesh, the famed and formidable king, renowned for his unmatched prowess in combat, stood resolute and ready to engage in a fierce battle against Fujimaru and Mash. His towering figure exuded an aura of power and determination as he prepared himself for the impending clash. His mind was focused, and his muscles coiled like springs, ready to unleash their force. However, his anticipation was abruptly interrupted by the sudden appearance of a loyal soldier, breathless and agitated, bearing urgent news for the king that bore the weight of grave importance. The soldier's urgent report, delivered with a sense of urgency and concern etched on his face, detailed a chilling revelation: "Sir, she is heading for Uruk at high speed; it's one of the members of the Three Goddesses Alliance, Goddess Ishtar." His words echoed through the chamber, filling the air with an ominous foreboding that sent shivers down the spines of all who heard them. The soldier's words sank in; a sense of impending doom hovered over the palace grounds like a heavy shroud, casting a pall of uncertainty over the once bustling courtyard. The King's expression darkened as he contemplated the gravity of the situation; his brows furrowed in deep concentration as he pondered the implications of Ishtar's sudden and unexpected arrival.

 

 

 

In a sudden whirlwind of motion, the very air seemed to tremble with the approaching presence of the goddess herself. Ishtar, with her divine beauty and commanding presence, descended from the heavens with an air of majesty that bespoke her unrivalled power. Her eyes blazed with an otherworldly light, and her features were a perfect reflection of her divine status as a goddess of unparalleled might and beauty. With a single glance, Ishtar focused her attention on King Gilgamesh, her gaze like a laser beam of pure intent, her expression unfathomable and inscrutable. In that fleeting moment, the very atmosphere quivered with tension as they stood poised on the brink of confrontation, the clash of their energies crackling like lightning in the charged air. Ishtar raised her hand in a gesture of profound significance; a surge of mystical energy crackled around her like an electric storm, signalling the imminent unleashing of her divine wrath upon the unsuspecting King, saying, "I will destroy it all." But just as her attack was about to be unleashed, a sudden shield materialised in front of Gilgamesh—a barrier of shimmering energy forged by the unwavering will of Mash. The shield, glowing with an ethereal light, stood as a formidable bulwark against the goddess wrath, a symbol of defiance in the face of overwhelming odds.

 

 

 

The goddess aggressive stance diminished as she locked eyes with Fujimaru, the individual she had previously crossed paths with, sensing an inexplicable aura of special significance emanating from him. The goddess walked towards Fujimaru, saying, "Okay, that's it; it looks like things are getting complicated. I'm done here." Deliberating on this new revelation, the Goddess, Ishtar, made a conscious decision to retreat from the city of Uruk, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of the enigmatic human who had caught her attention. Before departing, she spoke to the priestess of Uruk, saying, "Citri, when Gilgamesh dies, it's not like I won't step in to save Uruk, so keep a white flag ready, alright?" Meanwhile, seizing the opportunity presented by Ishtar's departure, Fujimaru initiated negotiations with the revered King Gilgamesh. Articulating a plan that involved himself and Mash confronting and subduing the formidable goddesses from the three goddess alliances. In that crucial moment, Fujimaru proposed a daring exchange with the King—the coveted Holy Grail held by the King—in return for their successful vanquishing of the divine adversaries. Destiny began to take shape, setting the stage for an epic clash of mortals and immortals.

 

 

 

As the party departed the palace, accompanied by Merlin the mage and Anna, they all walked on the streets of Uruk, where they were taken to their quarters to rest for the day. Fujimaru and Mash contacted the professor and explained the entire situation. The next day, the party headed for the street of Uruk as Merlin the mage decided to introduce them to the other warriors who were also summoned by King Gilgamesh. King Leonidas, Musashibou Benkei, and Ushiwakamaru were all summoned from different eras. As the party decides to return to their quarters, Fujimaru encounters a starving beggar at the side of the road. While approaching him in order to give him food. Handing the food to the beggar, Fujimaru watched as the man graciously accepted the gesture with heartfelt thanks and gratitude. In a humble manner, the beggar expressed his intention to reciprocate their kindness, insisting that it was essential for them to heed his words. "Three storms will soon sweep over Uruk," the beggar prophesied, his voice carrying ancient wisdom. Empathise not with the hateful one, celebrate not with the joyous one, and extol not with the pained one. It is a fool's errand to decipher the complexities of humankind when engaging with a deity," he declared, his message profound and enigmatic. With those cryptic words lingering in the air, the beggar vanished into the ether, leaving Fujimaru to ponder the mysterious guidance bestowed upon them.

 

 

 

As they made their way back to their designated quarters, a whirlwind of emotions enveloped both Anna and Fujimaru, leaving their feelings in disarray. It was during this tumultuous moment that an intriguing conversation unfolded between the two. Anna, with a sense of urgency in her voice, revealed to Fujimaru the harrowing truth about how she had been forcefully summoned by the corrupted Holy Grail and inexplicably materialised within the depths of the eerie woods. To sustain her fragile existence in this unfamiliar realm, she recounted the grim task bestowed upon her—to vanquish malevolent spirits and harness their potent magical essence. In a noble gesture of camaraderie, Fujimaru extended a heartfelt offer to forge an unbreakable bond through the ancient ritual of forming a Master and Servants pact, a pact that would grant Anna access to the vital magical energy she craved. However, much to his dismay, Anna graciously declined this generous proposal, steadfast in her determination to face the trials ahead alone. The following day dawned with a solemn summons from the King, beckoning the intrepid party to assemble at the majestic palace. With a commanding presence, he issued a directive for them to embark on a crucial mission, the destination of which lay in the mysterious city of UR. Their quest was clear—to investigate the unfolding enigma that shrouded the city in an unsettling veil of uncertainty.

 

 

 

As the party embarked on their journey to UR, Merlin, the skilled mage, shared with Fujimaru, stating that "the Holy Grail, owned by King Gilgamesh, is different from the one you are looking for." Fujimaru pondered the idea that, in the current era, there could be multiple holy grails. While they approached the city of UR, they encountered a goddess named Jaguar Warrior, who declared that the city was under her divine protection while stating, "This world belongs to us, begone humans, you who are devoid of God's grace." Despite Mash's valiant attempt to attack the goddess, she remained unscathed due to her inherent divinity. Recognising the gravity of the situation, Merlin advised the group, saying, "She may not look like it, but she is a divine spirit, which means she is a proper goddess." They strategically retreat into the nearby woods to devise a plan to confront and potentially subdue the powerful goddess. The ethereal presence of a true deity among them added a sense of urgency to their mission, forcing them to contemplate how they could navigate this unforeseen obstacle. In the midst of the lush forest, Merlin began to weave his magical expertise into a plan that would hopefully enable them to overcome the formidable force of the goddess.

 

 

 

A young lady hailing from the city of UR, whose eyes bore witness to the unfolding events, trailed behind the party with a sense of urgency in her step. Her sole purpose was to disclose a startling realisation to Fujimaru and his companions: the enigmatic Demi-Goddess Jaguar warrior was not acting autonomously but was, in fact, in allegiance with one of the three esteemed goddesses united in the alliance. This revelation shook the very foundations of their understanding. The young lady's tale unfolded with gripping intensity as she detailed the pact struck between the men of UR and the formidable goddess. In an unholy covenant sealed amidst the shadows, the Goddess offered her divine protection against the menacing Demonic Beasts that lurked on the outskirts of UR, demanding in return the labour and toil of the citizens within the treacherous confines of the mines. The weight of this revelation hung heavily in the air as Fujimaru and his party grappled with the grim reality. Ultimately, a unanimous decision was reached as they resolved to journey back to the grandiose city of Uruk, carrying with them the burden of this unsettling truth so that they may present their findings to the discerning ears of the King.

 

 

 

Upon their arrival at Uruk, the King graciously welcomed Fujimaru and his companions, eager to hear their report about the situation unfolding beyond the city walls. After sharing their findings, they retired to their quarters to rest and prepare for the tasks ahead. With the break of dawn, King Gilgamesh summoned Fujimaru and Mash once again, informing them that they would be joining him on a journey to visit the resting place of his beloved companion, Enkidu. Along the road trip, the King shared tales of Enkidu's significance as a creation of the gods, detailing how he was both a weapon and a loyal friend. Their path towards the mountains was soon met with unexpected danger as they were ambushed by a vast number of Golden Chains, controlled by Kingu, who had taken possession of Enkidu's body. In this critical moment, a surge of conflicting emotions overwhelmed King Gilgamesh upon seeing the form of his dear friend. Kingu unleashed another onslaught of Golden Chains towards them, and Mash swiftly summoned her protective shield in an attempt to shield the King from harm. Despite her efforts, King Gilgamesh resolved to face the threat alone, determined to confront Kingu and protect his companions at any cost.