Standing atop the palace, Ophis gazed at the city of Uruk below, lost in thought.
Enkidu's death was her own choice, yet it was also a consequence of fate. Ophis wondered silently if she could have done something to help Enkidu defy this fate. She knew that the chances of success were slim, but she had never truly tried.
Despite her reasons—Enkidu's choice, the gods' power, and countless excuses—Ophis couldn't escape the reality that she had witnessed her friend's decline and had done nothing to stop it.
[You didn't struggle, you didn't resist, you just passively accepted this outcome. Have you ever regretted it?]
Ophis sensed Qi's presence when she was saying farewell to Enkidu, though Qi had remained silent at that time. Now, Qi's question echoed in her mind.
"That's all."
Ophis's response was final.
[You are a bit pathetic.]
The excuse of "this is better for the other person" was just a way to avoid challenging fate. It was the inertia and sadness of the Ouroboros, a tendency to isolate oneself from the world. Ophis embodied this tendency even more deeply.
Qi knew that Ophis isolated herself from the world, unwilling to interfere or rebel against fate. This isolation ultimately bound her to what was deemed as destiny.
Ophis had never truly believed she could defeat the Great Red and reclaim her silence. Despite this, she continued to strive for it, as it was the only goal she held close.
When Enkidu first met Ophis, she felt that Ophis was pursuing a goal she didn't think she could achieve.
Qi had initially intended to defeat the Red Dragon God Emperor to change Ophis's perspective. However...
[Although I don't want to admit it... that figure did what I always wanted to do.]
There was no need to defeat the Red Dragon God Emperor. With any interaction with the outside world, even Ophis would eventually change.
Even now, Ophis had a genuine goal, different from her previous illusory persistence. Although it was given to her by others, it might grow and evolve over time.
"I don't understand. Ouroboros is supposed to be a completely self-contained 'perfect' existence, detached from others and unaffected by them. Why do Qi and Enkidu want to change it?"
[Haha... Although this is indeed a racial trait, not every Ouroboros is isolated. Racial traits express external abilities, not the way one truly lives. What one desires from the heart can vary greatly.]
"…So, what do I really want?"
[You should ask yourself that question. I may not be able to read minds, and even if I could, it's not easy to uncover what lies deep within the heart.]
"Yeah..."
[As for why I want to change you... Isn't it simple? To help you become stronger. But if you don't understand what you truly want, you might end up as a puppet of empty power, or even controlled by it. That's not the power I believe in.]
"…Thanks."
[Understanding your true nature will be helpful for the future, but exploring your inner self is a discussion for another time. You have more pressing goals to focus on right now.]
"Yes."
Ophis looked down at Uruk, a smile on her face. Her smile had not faded since Enkidu's departure. This was Enkidu's final request.
"Uruk..."
It was Enkidu's favorite city, and therefore, Ophis loved it too. She was also its ruler.
[You should understand this, right? You are not suited to be a king. Compared to a king, your perspective is more akin to that of a deity. You should act according to the role of a deity.]
Qi spoke suddenly.
Ophis was not human; she could not fully understand human nature. Instead of being a king, she was better suited to protect humanity from a divine perspective. It wasn't about being more noble; it was simply more appropriate.
Rather than arrogantly comparing herself to a god, this was a fundamental flaw of Ophis—her lack of humanity.
The "god" Qi referred to was not a real deity but a superior being devoid of human nature. Instead of leading people as a king, Ophis was to protect them from a higher, inhuman perspective.
"Perhaps that is true."
Ophis acknowledged Qi's words. But...
"But for now, while Uruk still stands, I want to rule here as its king."
[Oh? Why? Is it because of Enkidu's request?]
Ophis nodded, then shook her head.
"Enkidu told me that I cannot shirk my responsibilities."
She extended her hand toward Uruk below.
"I have accepted the king's fate, so it is my responsibility to rule Uruk as its king."
[Is that so? I didn't expect you to be so aware. Since you've made up your mind, I have no right to argue. But I do have some unfortunate news, which is why I've awakened.]
"What is it?"
[In the near future... Uruk will be destroyed.]
A moment of silence followed. Seeing that Ophis didn't respond, Qi continued.
[It is an inevitable catastrophe with no chance of avoidance, no loophole to exploit. It cannot be resisted, even with all the resources of this era.]
[So, what will you choose? What will you do, King of Uruk?]