The next day, the people of Uruk prepared to build grand temples for Anu and Ishtar. These temples' exterior designs were meticulously drawn by Gilgamesh on a clay tablet, with detailed explanations inscribed beside them. Using a dagger as his writing tool, Gilgamesh made history by recording both text and images for the first time. Skilled architects were chosen from among the people, and the precious clay tablet was entrusted to them. They were tasked with overseeing the monumental project.
Among the laborers was Edward, who was forced into this project. The compulsory labor to build a temple for the cruel gods made him feel like a slave. Edward found himself in a dire situation, constantly contemplating how he could escape this predicament. He also felt a burning desire to complete Gail's unfinished mission. But how? He was alone in this ancient world, with no allies.
A vast number of bricks were prepared for the construction. Two massive structures were to be erected, and Edward was one of those who had to transport the heavy bricks to the construction site. One day, while passing by Gilgamesh's command tent, he noticed a representative of a neighboring tribe, along with his companions, arriving to meet Gilgamesh. Driven by curiosity and a need for information, Edward pretended to stumble and fell near the tent, hoping to overhear the conversation.
As officers rushed to check on him, Edward listened intently to the exchange between Gilgamesh and the tribe representative.
"My lord!" the tribe representative began, bowing deeply. "We have come to serve you on behalf of our chief. I was here when you were sent by the gods to save us. I conveyed your greatness to our tribe, and now we seek to join you and settle in Uruk."
Gilgamesh, sitting proudly on a woven mat, responded, "As I have decreed, you must be entirely under my command. To live in Uruk, you must work for me, worship Anu and Ishtar, and contribute to building their temples and our homes. Only under these conditions can you be part of this civilization."
"We accept your conditions, my lord," the representative replied. "But what position will our tribe chief hold?"
Gilgamesh leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "Your chief will become one of my representatives. He will not toil as the others do. But the rest of your people must labor as the citizens of Uruk do, to hasten the construction of our grand city and temples."
Pretending that one of the bricks had fallen on his foot, Edward continued to listen until the tribe representative accepted the terms. Once the conversation ended, the representative left to relay the message to his tribe chief. Meanwhile, Edward was taken to a nearby house to rest and recover from his "injury," preparing to resume work the next day.
The following day, the new tribe members arrived in Uruk. They were immediately put to work, their tribe chief appointed as a representative, though Gilgamesh treated him with distant pride. Days turned into weeks, and more tribes joined Uruk, swelling its population and workforce. In total, five more tribes integrated into what was rapidly becoming a bustling city. New houses sprouted up, but the main focus remained on the temples.
The construction of the temples progressed swiftly. The influx of workers ensured that everything proceeded according to Gilgamesh's grand vision. The structures began to take shape just as depicted on the clay tablet.
The ziggurats, made of the finest bricks and clay, were magnificent. They rose like sacred mountains, with several tiers diminishing in size as they ascended. The highest room of each temple was perched at the summit, symbolizing a peak in honor of the gods. Gilgamesh's respect for the gods demanded that their temples be elevated, grandiose, and awe-inspiring.
Watching these ziggurats rise from the earth was akin to witnessing a living entity grow, majestic and proud. The sight captivated all who beheld them from afar.
Months passed, and more structures were completed, transforming Uruk into a bustling and vibrant city. The ziggurat dedicated to Anu, towering and majestic, was nearing completion. Its intricate carvings and the meticulous placement of each brick reflected the reverence with which it was constructed. More magnificent than the ziggurat of Ishtar, known as the House of Heaven, Anu's ziggurat stood as a testament to Gilgamesh's vision and ambition.
Gilgamesh's power grew with each day, his self-perception inflating to that of a demigod chosen by the Anunnaki to rule this nascent civilization. His pride swelled, and his commands became increasingly tyrannical. No longer was he merely a king; he believed himself to be the embodiment of divine will, untouchable and unquestionable.
The people of Uruk, who had initially felt a sense of pride and excitement to be part of this grand civilization, now found themselves under the harsh rule of a despot. The workload was relentless, and the punishments for failing to meet Gilgamesh's exacting standards were severe. The sense of unity and shared purpose that once bound them together began to fray. Whispers of dissent echoed through the ranks of the laborers, and discontent simmered just beneath the surface.
Among those feeling the oppressive weight of Gilgamesh's rule were the members of the newly joined tribes. They had come to Uruk with hopes of better lives, only to be thrust into servitude. The representatives of these tribes, who once enjoyed the support and respect of their people, found themselves marginalized and powerless. The realization that they had traded one form of subjugation for another began to dawn on them, fueling their resentment.
At the heart of this growing unrest was Edward. His forced participation in the construction and his growing awareness of the injustices around him had ignited a fire within him. Edward, who had arrived in this ancient world by system, felt a profound sense of responsibility to the people he now lived among. His mind often wandered to thoughts of Gail and the unfinished mission that still weighed heavily on him.
Edward's days were filled with the monotonous toil of transporting bricks and materials, but his nights were spent in contemplation. He thought about the stories he had heard of heroes who stood against tyranny and how he could rise against Gilgamesh's oppressive rule. But Edward knew he couldn't do it alone…