Finis Chaldea

[Bloodedge]

This woman who spoke of Enkidu's friend and brother was... interesting, to say the least. She spoke of Gilgamesh in a way Enkidu themselves did, via some strange blend of companionship, adoration and... general annoyance at the king's antics. How dare he keep himself from the friendship of others? Who then would look upon that bright star, and see the man Enkidu had seen all those years ago? From the sound of things, perhaps there was one other who could... and maybe even did. Calling herself a queen, sitting atop Uruk's throne in Gilgamesh's absence, who was she truly? Enkidu would wonder if this woman was Gilgamesh's own queen, but there were more pressing matters to deal with. Luckily, others had rallied behind that glorious king of men. Enkidu could smile happily with at least that much solace, though that alone was not quite enough. Gilgamesh had never suffered when assembling others, whether armies or workers─ even if his earliest methods were beyond questionable. "That is a good thing. But..." Enkidu thought to ask this woman, what of herself? She spoke of Gilgamesh differently when compared to others during Enkidu's own life, bar... well, Enkidu. There was something beyond platonic companionship there, whether camaraderie of the souls or union of the bodies.

Ah, but the saddest tale had not yet been told. It did not seem Enkidu was truly here, and alive. Were they just a pile of memories tucked away in a bitter shell of almost-flesh? They would be seen lowering the hand from their face, staring into slightly trembling palm with that cracked smile of laughter and tears of remorse remaining intact. "I see. The earth feels as though hundreds of years have passed since I lay on that bed for those long nights. The way you speak to me... Has my brother not recovered after all this time? Tell me my fear is a false one. Tell me my dear brother, my king and my wielder, does not still mourn. Tell me these words, for I cannot face him as only a copy of myself. You see... my brother despises things that are fake. If I am not truly Enkidu, his brother, then I cannot take his side again."

[Apollymi]

That was good. It was, Artoria found she carried great faith in the others of Chaldea, including Siduri and Medusa. She'd even found herself a bit more tolerant of Rim-Sin of Nippur in the last couple of weeks. He was a fairly agreeable man in spite of the way he chose to address Gilgamesh when he required things. Of course, Artoria realized there had to be more questions, especially after she answered his about the state of his being. He was quite right, Gilgamesh was intolerant of copies or fakes. He might willing make an exception for this particular man, but they seemed to be similar in their understanding. If one wouldn't want to own a fake, the other wouldn't want to be one either. The tears he showed were so truthful in the moment that Artoria took a deep breath, she thought of how best to explain the current state of the King of Heroes to someone who'd known him before. "One of the women I trust the most, says recovery is something that happens not as one but in stages... one may not always be alright but one can be more often than not," she said paraphrasing gently words she'd heard from Galahad. "Those words may not set you at ease enough though, so perhaps instead of words like that I could share a tale?" she made the offer strange though it was, and Jeanne took a seat wondering if her sister was about to put on a rendition of the story they'd heard from the small child by the statue of the very person who now stood before them. "I know of the journey of the King of Heroes, after your time at his side had ended. I know how he came to be the man that stood before me in the Holy Grail War, it was a part of his epic. And I know how I... came to understand him," she explained seeming to gain a bit of a nostalgic air around her. Jeanne looked at her sister. It seemed to the Queen of Saints, that her elder sister was doing her best to be understanding to someone she knew the King of Heroes loved and trusted. It may not be obvious to others, but to her, there was nothing clearer. Her normally emotionally unavaliable sister was willingly telling a story wrapped up in her own emotions for the sake of someone else. That was progress was it not?

[Bloodedge]

Progress indeed. Just the same, this would be progress in Enkidu's understanding of the reality they'd been summoned into. There was nothing that could ease this one's troubled soul at present, but knowledge of times missed would give some insight to their brother's state of being now. From earth came an armchair, risen beneath the seated Jeanne d"Arc; she did not have to sit uncomfortably on the ground. Another rose behind Artoria herself, and Enkidu stepped just a bit closer. There was certainly an interest in this story, but even more interest in the woman who would be telling it. "You keep saying King of Heroes. In life, my brother was the Hero, but I know not what this title means," Enkidu stated, not yet realizing that they had also acquired such a title just before their final moments. "Share with me this epic, and your understanding of my dear brother. Even if I am only a replica of a broken tool, I wish to hear the tale with these ears."

[Apollymi]

Jeanne had been seated on the ground. She wasn't the type to be uncomfortable doing so, both she and her sister had been through worse in training in their original lives, even so the providing of an armchair was something she welcomed happily after it sprouted beneath her. "Aww, he gave us a chair! That's awesome. I really like this one~" she exclaimed but that was simply how Hoshimi Emi was. Ever likeable and capable of liking other people. Seeing such happiness on her face, made Artoria smile truly at her antics. "You are so absolutely and childishly kind, Emi..." she said shaking her head ever so gently. "Still, I thank you as well," Artoria sat in the way she'd become accustom since being in this new dress in Uruk. Right leg over left at the knee arm casually draped across her sword as she took a break from battle to explain. It seemed the first thing that needed explaining was titling in this world. "Ah, I see... the title King of Heroes, is one bestowed by the world. He has it likely because he was the first to show heroic deeds. Both myself and my little sister have also committed heroic deeds so we are also titled as heroes," she said firmly. "But we are also titled on our own. I am the Queen of Knights, because the King of Heroes cannot shut up when he sees the future, and she is Queen of Saints as named by the Holy Grail," she said once again nodding in her younger sister's direction. Jeanne took a minute to think about it as well and added something important. "Also, you have to be a Hero as well. My grail specifically summons those who the world has recognized as heroes, those who have done heroic acts. You wouldn't be here now if you weren't one too. The cards are Heroic Spirits... literally," she said offering a smile to the green haired being who'd sat for a tale. There was one more thing, which seemed to hit Artoria's ear the wrong way, and that was the reference this being had for themselves as a broken tool, "Even broken tools have use, I used a broken copy of Excalibur about two weeks ago to slay the White Titan. I would tell you anything I could you wish to know..." she said meaning that sentiment. It was not often in life one got to greet someone so important to someone else...

Moving on from that point. Artoria would clear her throat and start her tale. Explaining how, after Enkidu's death, his own epic spoke of him being afraid of death. She told the tale of his long walk to Mount Mashuu, in search of a way to get to Utnapishtim. She told him how the story says he approached 'man-scorpion' and his 'mate' at the base the mountain and was allowed to pass.

"When he had gone one league, the darkness became thick around him, for there was no light; he could see nothing ahead and nothing behind him.

After two leagues the darkness was thick and there was no light; he could see nothing ahead and nothing behind him.

After three leagues the darkness was thick, and there was no light; he could see nothing ahead and nothing behind him.

After four leagues the darkness was thick and there was no light; he could see nothing ahead and nothing behind him.

At the end of five leagues, the darkness was thick and there was no light; he could see nothing ahead and nothing behind him.

At the end of six leagues, the darkness was thick and there was no light; he could see nothing ahead and nothing behind him.

When he had gone seven leagues, the darkness was thick and there was no light; he could see nothing ahead and nothing behind him.

When he had gone eight leagues, Gilgamesh gave a great cry... for the darkness was thick and there was no light; he could see nothing ahead and nothing behind him.

After nine leagues, he felt the north wind on his face, but the darkness was thick and there was no light; he could see nothing ahead and nothing behind him.

After ten leagues, the end was near.

After eleven leagues, the dawn light appeared.

At the end of twelve leagues, the sun streamed out."

She said these words and had to stop herself from scoffing. Why were there so many lines on this point? Who needed to read all of this. A point of frustration made her brows furrow. Still she went on. Explaining how the King of Heroes hunted for himself, wore lions pelts and ate meat he killed. How he did not sleep but worked and worked until he met Siduri. She explained their meeting How they'd come to be companions on his journey. She told the tale all wrapped up about how Siduri ended up with him. About how he failed his test for immortality by sleeping for seven days after he needed to only stay awake for seven more. And then, how he was given the consolation prize he had to work to get. How he finally tasted success until while bathing a snake slithered up and stole it. She had told the ups and downs of this man's tale and how he'd ended up going on a journey and not getting anything he'd hoped for, how he'd laughed at his own misfortune before trying to head back to his city. "But then he ended up involved in the Second Holy Grail War," she said giving pause. That matter was one from her own perspective, it would require more thought to tell.

[Bloodedge]

Enkidu awaited a single thing: the tale of what took place during their time away from the living world. Instead, there had to be a segue in response to some commentary about being a broken tool. Artoria was an unexpectedly kind individual, they thought. How someone like this became associated with Gilgamesh was a mystery, but because that happened at all, Enkidu felt some modicum of satisfaction. Moreover, Enkidu was apparently a hero as well. Had this happened after death? Perhaps it happened just before, during the slaying of Gugalanna when they chose to fight for the people, instead of merely being utilized as Gilgamesh saw fit. Either of those things made sense. The latter was the truth, but Enkidu had been a bit preoccupied with their impending demise, and hadn't noticed the world granting a title. "I guess that makes me the second Hero then, does it? Ahaha! I hope it truly was because I threw that thing at Ishtar. That would be the best."

And so, the story was shared. Enkidu did not create a chair for themselves, choosing instead to sit on the ground and listen. From the sound of things, Gilgamesh's journey for the key to immortality had been longer than their time spent together in this world. Why? Why did that stupid king do so much in a time of mourning? "Fool," Enkidu murmured. None of that story was truly surprising, though it was... saddening. Enkidu had been taken from their brother, and that very same brother had been allowed no reprieve by the world at large afterwards. To think, he couldn't even use that unwavering resolve to turn the tide of fate as he normally did. Regardless, there was more to the story. This Second Holy Grail War was something Artoria mentioned briefly before. That seemed to be the point where her path and Gilgamesh's converged, and presumably involved the other woman as well. Enkidu sat with crossed legs, holding their ankles like an innocent child in anticipation. "Ignoring my brother resigning himself to a few centuries of idiocy, I wish I could console him. This Holy Grail War you speak of; what took place there?"

[Apollymi]

The second hero? Enkidu thought themselves to be that, and by Artoria and Jeanne's approximations it was likely true. As for his hopes of his achieved heroism Artoria at the very least, hoped it was true given all the thing posing as a goddess had been known to do. The sound of their laughter in a moment like this was heartwarming. Artoria was glad to be able to share such a moment with this one. "I hope that was the case. I do not like that... being, and find her detestable," Artoria was careful to avoid breaking her own chivalrous nature, but Ishtar for a person she'd never seen was one of few she could honestly and unabashedly hate. She knew however that the information regarding Gilgamesh's travels would likely not be 'good' but it would be good to hear with the entire picture of his rise coming up, she needed Enkidu to understand fully what his friend had been through, though she didn't understand how to properly explain her place in it. Still even though Gilgamesh had done something very stupid by Enkidu's own approximation he wished to console him. The smile on Artoria's face did not fade, how would she speak on the Holy Grail War? Well, truthfully and while explaining the nature of the grail itself.

"The Holy Grail War was a gathering of seven. One each of a class of individual, all vying for the ability to take control of a wish granting cup. I did not know it was to appear. If I am being honest, my mentor in life, is a mage I cannot stand the sight of named Merlin. After I spent years fighting the Saxons, rebelling against my uncle's rule and reuniting my kingdom by force, he took me there telling me something good would happen if I went," she said carefully. "And when I arrived, I caught sight of my little sister for the first time in decades. She wanted the cup, to make a wish to create Holy Knights for the betterment of the world. We grew up on the level below, we did not know of this place at all... until the first time a nation rose, and that was Egypt with the Pharaohs," she gave the background because it was important. "I am a big sister, and for my little sister there is nothing I will not do. She said she wanted the cup and I would not fight against her... so we took to battle together. Like old times," she explained of their work. "But before we could even choose our target, an enemy was felled. I was shocked, I am normally the type to do such a thing, finding out someone else was that ready for battle was exciting," Artoria explained with wide eyes. Her own story being told by her own words had no embellishments but all the glee of a warlord worked into their tomes. "We fought the Berserker, a giant man with hulking muscles brute strength and speed. And I felled him once as a warmup but he had more than one life," she said acknowledging the situation. "And while we were preparing our return strategy, that golden armored..." there was a pause as she tried not to swear to avoid her sister screaming at her again. "Jerk... showed up and decided to claim we were fighting over his cup. His cup. He did not even know what it was, he just claimed that all the world's treasures were his and decided to live on that hill. Even after we kindly explained that since his kingdom was already above, he had no use for it..." she explained. Artoria was strangely animated for this portion and her sister, could only snicker a bit. "Eri-nee took exception to that." Jeanne decided to embellish a bit because it was funny to remember how very feisty her sister was when the King of Heroes showed up.

[Bloodedge]

There was one thing these two could agree on above anything else, it seemed. Both found Ishtar detestable, though Enkidu would eventually come to know the difference in reason for this belief. Something was strange about the way this woman addressed Ishtar, though. That being? Such a phrase was so forced, Enkidu could feel the tension of restraint in her body through the earth. Enkidu decided to take the liberty of fixing things. "Malkin," they said, offering an alternative word they believed would not upset this woman's preferred speech pattern. Whatever her reason for sticking to it, she obviously held firm, considering how much it must take anyone to speak even that nicely about Ishtar.

Talk of this Holy Grail War came with a brief summation of history regarding Artoria Pendragon as well. Good. Enkidu had been just as curious, if not more so, about her in general as of the past few moments. As the story reached the war itself, Enkidu could almost imagine it fully. They could see their brother rampaging through a battle of seven, being a general annoyance to all in his path, all for a thing he had no use of. That part of the story was particularly amusing, given the way Artoria addressed the king, and the fact that he was so set on acquiring a useless object. Enkidu snickered behind a sleeve-covered hand. "Forgive my brother. I doubt he even remembers, but collecting treasures is the job he was born for as the Wedge of Heaven. He has no use for any of it, but as he grew from boy to man, he continued amassing valuables more out of spite for the gods than to fulfill his duty. He even began throwing them carelessly at me when I stood against him..." A few moments of reminiscence passed through Enkidu's mind while sharing this age-old information, but there was one oddity in the queen's tale. This woman had obviously come to blows with Gilgamesh, and the realization of what that meant was beginning to show itself as shock and interest on Enkidu's face. Once before, King Gilgamesh met his match. That equal was Enkidu themselves, who became the king's companion for all time. The fact that this woman, Artoria Pendragon, stood before Enkidu to tell this story... "Ho. You were not defeated. That is... different."

[Apollymi]

Enkidu seemed to be, just as fruitful for giving information as Artoria was herself in this situation. A grin crossed the Queen of Knights face as she was provided with a word she found easier to use than the swears she knew. "Assuming that means what I think it does, I shall add it to my vocabulary... finding polite ways to refer to detestable existences gives me a headache. I have had to do so far too often of late," Artoria admitted. She could see herself befriending the man before her. It was a nice thought. She found herself bearing the hope that there was actually a way to restore this man to his legitimate place in the world. Moreover he claimed that Gilgamesh likely didn't remember why he was collecting things to start with, and it had to do with his original title as Wedge of Heaven which meant it was originally a task given to him by the gods whom he detested. Enkidu wished the man forgiven for that, and Artoria pouted like a child at the thought, while her sister could only laugh.

"Eri-nee, was no such thing. She also has a problem I am sure you understand by now~" she said with a wide grin. She was here, egging on the story. Artoria sat up straight. "I did not fall in combat to such an audacious man with his ridiculous statements," she said her arms crossed over her chest. She'd returned to her unarmored state for the duration of this story, she felt no desire to protect herself in a moment like this. It was more like two new friends freely catching up. "I told him if he wanted cup he'd have to wait his turn. That the first one was claimed by the Pharaohs of Egypt. That the second belonged to her, and I would make sure it reached her hands. And I told him the third would belong to me. No exceptions," Artoria explained. This story was still animated as it always was. "And do you know what that ridiculous man then did? He laid claim to me!!" she said feeling somehow both endearing and annoyed at the same time. "I am a sovereign Queen of an entire nation, I brought to heel with my own sword and this man thought to claim me as a treasure most precious. What kind of ridiculous proposal was that supposed to be," she said with a frown. "And Eri-nee took exception to that," the Queen of Saints offered. "So I fought him. And while I did he questioned my choices in life and my own desires. I did not have much to offer as an explanation, but I told my little sister that cup was hers and she would have it," she said a wistful smile appearing on her face. "That battle was the greatest fun I had in ages. A thrill comparable to the slaying of the Dragon Vortigern. Even though he randomly threw all his clothes off in the middle like that was a thing to do in a fight. Still, I requested he redress himself as it is against my honor to fight a man so vulnerable. And the battle carried on... And I won!" she said that sentence with such pride. It was absolutely a win worth being proud over. With no understanding of the King of Heroes. Without knowing all he possessed she'd bested him in combat. "But he confused me. Most who fall to me in combat curse me... claim revenge, I have even had tales spread around about my being some sort of giant because no one wants to admit they were bested in combat by a tiny woman," she said with a small smirk appearing on her lips. "But when it was all said and done, he titled me Queen of Knights and offered no violence in return for what had been an exceptional defeat. He treated me as if I was actually exceptional... who does that?" she asked her own emotional state at the moment became clear to Jeanne and she now understood the part that came next in the story. "So when he finally fell, and lay bleeding on the ground at my feet, I hesitated to finish the job. Was it worth ending his life when the fight had been fun? Would I regret letting such an annoying and arrogant man live?" she posed these questions as if her own tale was epic. And maybe it was by virtue of her connection to him during it. "I decided to step over him, told the wine-maker to heal him and keep him out of my sight. Asked the Rider if she wished to oppose me... she did not, and that is how I won a Holy Grail for my little sister. And the first time I encountered the King of Heroes," she said with nostalgia hiding in her face. "Eri-nee, you are still good at telling bedtime stories. You gotta tell them the next part, it's really important!" said Jeanne looking just as innocent and child like as Enkidu himself.

[Bloodedge]

"It is... one of the best descriptions one can give to the goddess Ishtar, yes," Enkidu confirmed without delving into the specific meaning of the offered word. As far as they were concerned, there was no need to go into detail. It was a far more flowery term than what Enkidu would have once used, naturally picked up from Gilgamesh's eccentric mannerisms when speaking about anything.

Speaking of the way Gilgamesh spoke about things, it seemed he had a few very interesting ways of addressing the woman telling this story. Greater than the shock of hearing of their brother's defeat, was the fact that he laid claim to the alleged Queen of Knights. Enkidu's eyes widened as they glanced over the woman. She certainly didn't compare to the women Gilgamesh had been seen taking to his chambers during Enkidu's lifetime. "How strange. You don't seem his type at all," they stated, recalling the more curvaceous nature of women once commonly seen around the king. With that, Enkidu's eyes shifted toward the other woman among this group. "She does. But... you defeated him. Maybe that had something to do with it? Or maybe... my brother's journey changed him immensely." There were a great many things to think of. One couldn't be certain what Gilgamesh saw in this woman, but Enkidu had become entranced by the idea of finding out. Besides, someone who could defeat Gilgamesh should be more than capable of assisting with a slight problem the living weapon was having. How could such a thing happen, though? Enkidu could not imagine their brother being at the mercy of anyone. In time, a few discoveries would be made. There was reason to believe the story was at its end, so Enkidu stood... only for the sister of his storyteller to imply another part to the tale. "Haah? There's more? Shall I assume this involves the third war you spoke of?"

[Apollymi]

"I do not have words enough to describe, without being chided by that one..." she said pointing to Jeanne. The Queen of Saints huffed and settled back into her chair. "You know you shouldn't be swearing..." said Jeanne. "You know that is a strange sticking point to have, considering..." Artoria pointed out. There was the tiniest bit of hypocrisy in the Queen of Saints who was named a saint but carried on in ways most would consider sacrilege. Artoria herself had no problem with it, her sister was a saint and deserved to be acknowledged as such by all, but her propensity for limiting the Queen of Knights colorful language choices was admittedly in her way.

Whatever the case, it seemed Enkidu retained Artoria's own disbelief in the idea that he'd chosen to pursue her over someone like her sister. "No one is more confused by such a thing than me. I did not even consider myself a girl until he decided it was necessary to assault my entire understanding of myself with that knowledge," said Artoria. Such a thing made the Queen of Saints laugh aloud. "That isn't true, Eri-nee. He has always liked you... he was not calling out for my attention when seeing us play together before," she said succinctly. This was true. Artoria had recently admitted rather shamelessly to the King of Heroes, that she'd thought about murdering him in their previous life for his audacity when she'd thought his interest was in her younger sister. When it was obvious to Emi that he was not at all interested in her, Hoshimi Eri simply ignored him not understanding how she could be anyone's choice. "That life was so far away, and you are too trusting," Artoria said to her younger sister. Of course, having spoken to the King of Heroes she was certain that this was the case, and that he liked her specifically for reasons she still could not get. But of the extra bit of this story she could only shrug. "I won the Third Holy Grail war on my own," she said with a casual shrug. The same way she spoke of ending the counterfeit king earlier, it was simply factual. "He showed up after but that was for different reasons," such a sentence was almost evasive. Jeanne took note and her brows wiggled at her elder sister. "My sister wishes that I explain to you how I came to understand the King of Heroes being less arrogant and annoying as a person. He took care of arranging her ascension placement after her Holy Grail recovery. He was fair but admittedly busy after leaving the city for so long. I respected him working so hard for his people. And beyond that... He still claimed he wished to marry me. The Goddess of ill-repute, decided she found me threatening, even though I had no such interest in the King of Heroes. She sent a cult of rapists to my kingdom to assault me after I returned. All of whom were slayed. It was at such a time I made a decision that no such person could call themselves a god of anything while even attempting to do such harm to people. Especially not one who claimed to be a woman herself..." she said. "I may have been sleepless and tantrum-throwing and stormed to the King of Heroes for the name of this goddess. I wanted her head, but we do not worship such deities below. What she did was a threat to all... I am a warrior, but if she assumed to do such to me who could easily fight anyone from this level, what was she doing to those who could not? I heard from him directly his understanding of the situation and his tales of you. At face value we cannot get along, but he is so certain and honest I find it difficult to hate him," she said carefully. "I may have challenged him on not pointing me in the direction of the woman I wished to kill and he may have bested me in combat at such an interval. But he looked after me and respected my resolve on the point. Afterwards, I destroyed every temple of Ishtar in Mesopotamia with the King of Heroes claiming he would allow my rambunctious behavior... we technically bonded over our shared distaste for that creature." Artoria explained.

She stood then, stretching testing the healing of that wound on her person and finding it perfectly healed up. And even the dress restored by her mana. Good. It would be unseemly to be injured as such. Artoria figured this man would want to fight eventually and she'd meet that challenge though she was admittedly unsure of her own victory in this case. Something about the man Enkidu felt dangerous even to her. She was not sure what it was, but she was almost certain she could spare no skill and no weapon in her arsenal to defeat him.

[Bloodedge]

While Artoria's story continued with its next chapter, Enkidu paced to and fro. A hand was brought to chin, their eyes closing for long periods at random intervals. Many things made no sense. Everything said regarding Ishtar, her reactions, and Gilgamesh's reactions to the goddess, were perfectly acceptable. Had Enkidu been alive, they would have been leading the charge against her temples. "I'm jealous. If only I could have joined you, maybe it would have baited out the whore herself," they commented absently. Some things still didn't click. What changed Gilgamesh's views on the women he bedded? Even after coming to detest Ishtar, long before being approached by the goddess directly, his preferences had not changed. No one even resembling Artoria Pendragon had ever set foot in the king's royal chambers, yet he spoke of making this one his bride? "Ugh," Enkidu grumbled while pinching the bridge of their nose. It was no act of disgust, but one of frustration. They wished only to understand the king, yet they still could not fully understand humans. Of course... neither could the king himself. Perhaps even Gilgamesh wasn't certain of all his reasons? No; that was never the case with anything that man decided.

Whatever the case, and however she managed it, Artoria Pendragon had once felled the King of Uruk. Enkidu could not yet understand this in full, but there was at least proof enough in the replica she so recently liquidized. Now, she was standing. Enkidu wondered if she could truly be of assistance, but then... there was that odd feeling, as if they could only remain rooted to the world for so long. A question had to be asked. "I wonder. You, Artoria Pendragon who felled my dear brother... I have a request of you. Remove this replica of a broken tool from the world. My brother must not see this pitiful copy of a thing he once held."

[Apollymi]

A smile crossed Artoria's face. It seemed that Gilgamesh was not alone in appreciating her way of handling the errant goddess. "That would have been fun. I knocked over each and every one with a slash from Excalibur but keeping the damage small enough to avoid breaking everything around them," she said with a smirk. "An exercise in restraint as I walked home from the desert," she summed up the situation. It seemed that though Jeanne hated swearing, she would not bother correcting Enkidu for his use of the term whore to describe the goddess Ishtar. Actually, Jeanne didn't like that woman very much considering what she'd done to her sister. She felt similarly, that woman was a danger to other women and that could not be allowed. There was one place a girl was supposed to feel comfortable with her virtues and that was in the presence of another girl.

Enkidu paced and seemed frustrated, both Artoria and Jeanne could tell this... even so, he eventually released own nose and asked a question would she remove his replica from this world before Gilgamesh returned. He called himself a pitiful copy of a broken tool and Artoria sighed. "That request from you, is almost abhorrent to me," Artoria said. "Almost, but I am only a knight for the protection of others. And I would protect your honor as such because you asked me to," Artoria said rotating her shoulders and steeling her heart and mind for the task ahead. "Admittedly, you are not as pitiful as you think you are. I am not sure I can manage such a thing with any level of quickness. Even for me such a battle may not be completed with ease," she said these words but there was a light in her eyes, flickering like flames behind that emerald green color. Could she do it? Could he be felled by one like her? It was a great challenge. How could she not take the step towards facing it? This was a happiness her sister recognized and it made her both happy and sad. "Eri-nee, you are such a contradiction. Loving battle so much you want to face and kill him, but favoring the Golden King so much you wouldn't want to take from him again..." said the Queen of Saints. "It is both sad and happy somehow," she seemed to be on the verge of tears again but Artoria could only offer a soft smile to her sister. "I can only control my nature, I cannot change it so much. The idea of facing something new in combat is thrilling..." Her armor returned to her person and her hands gripped tightly around the hilt of Excalibur as she drew it from the ground. "It seems our next big challenge awaits us, your proving was enough of a warmup... but that was a novice. The real challenge is ahead," she said with both hands on the hilt.

[Bloodedge]

If nothing else, Enkidu could approve of this woman based solely on her reaction to Ishtar. They were kindred in their perspective toward the goddess, and perhaps in their perspective toward Gilgamesh as well... to an extent. What of her belief in Enkidu's current existence, though? If they both agreed that she should be the one to eliminate them from this world presently, many questions could be answered quite soon. She did express some distaste for the idea. They did not know one another until mere minutes before, yet there was even an ounce of restraint in an obviously seasoned warrior granting a wish for death? Interesting. Luckily though, the offer was still accepted. Artoria would put forth the effort of destroying this shell containing Enkidu's memories, even though the woman herself expressed belief in its difficulty. "It's nothing to worry about. If you can defeat my brother, you should be able to defeat me. Even if you can't..." A pause was taken as Enkidu looked into their own palm once more. The clench of a fist simply didn't feel the same. "... I cannot last here forever. I feel as when I lay sick and dying, even though I feel not the pain of death itself. Happy is the man who falls in battle. I do not wish to die a shameful death again."

Of course, this was not the sole reason Enkidu thought to face Artoria Pendragon. There was still a burning desire to discover why this one and Gilgamesh were attached the way they were. Enkidu would understand their brother, and more importantly, they would understand how this woman viewed him. Standing with an arm just slightly outstretched, hand to the sky, Enkidu kept eyes trained on the woman they thought could end this version of life. "Forgive me, my brother's lover... but I will not go quietly. Never again do I wish to die with the heartbeat of a man at rest."

[Apollymi]

Jeanne took several hops backward, knowing her sister did not wish interference in such a battle as one for honor, especially not of the King's friend. As for Enkidu he seemed to be assessing himself. There was nothing to worry about, even if she could not fell him? He could not last here forever? No... that seemed about right. He was but a summon, when those ran out of mana they should normally fade from existence. Beyond a few special cases and those connected directly to the souls of others. Even so, Artoria could look at this man and see him as she saw herself. A weapon, well-honed and ready to strike. "Men who fall in battle are strong willed and respectable. It is a choice I would make for myself as well..." Artoria said with a small smirk coming to her lips. "Even so, it would go against my honor and everything I am if I did not try and succeed in killing you... a battle is no fun if victory slips from your clutches," Artoria said those words and there it was. Just a gentle hint. A subtle reminder that in some ways, she could be considered just as arrogant as the King of Heroes. He would not go quietly? "Good, I have no wish to hand out an execution. I wish to face a challenge in glorious combat and overcome it!" she said with a smile. "You are my King of Heroes only friend, I could not face him again if I did not first try and hand you the same kind of crippling defeat I offered him," there was a smile on Artoria's face and then she exhaled a held breath. If she was going to fight this man, she would do it the way she enjoyed doing so here and now. Looking for the route to his ending with a smile on her face and full power behind every swing. She would attack with the intention of killing him in every strike and she'd enjoy the battle all the more when success finally occurred.

Artoria with both hands on the hilt of this more massive Excalibur allowed it to be pulled along with her, resting behind her as it was covered in Invisible Air. Did she truly wish to conceal the weapon? Not really, it was done more precisely for the reason of giving her extra reach, given the different ways she'd already seen the Chains of Heaven used. "Here I come," Artoria said this because it was her nature to do so. She would not attack a man unawares. She would confront this battle head on with the dignity and honor bound to her very soul by the title Queen of Knights. She'd launch herself forward at speeds most often called too fast for the eye to follow and begin to actively using Invisible Air's release to quickly lift the weapon into an upward slash, from the left hip up to the right shoulder of Enkidu. It had extra power this way and in stopping it a bit shy of its normal range, she would release the blast of wind based mana whether the sword swing was stopped or not. Normally she would have called such a thing a test swing, but, that wasn't it this time. She was leaving herself the ability to shift, to murder if she saw an opening. She had opened with all the aggression of kicking in a door.

[Bloodedge]

Enkidu had nothing more to say in terms of their existing conversation. It seemed the battle would be one against another, with no involvement from the other woman present. That would be fine, Enkidu thought. It was their intention to see what this Artoria Pendragon had to offer; nothing else would suffice. Artoria began with a forward charge. Her weapon was sheathed in something... almost magic? No, there was something quite wrong with it. Whatever the case, it concealed her sword visually as she rushed headlong into an assault. Enkidu met her charge with equal vigor and velocity, and when that wind-coated blade was swung, Enkidu's left arm was thrown out to clash against it. Energy accumulated around that hand, nearly forming a blade of pristine craft during the clash, while Enkidu slid beneath Excalibur on its upward path.

Green locks of hair were sheared and blown away by the burst of air afterwards, but Enkidu remained mobile. That little duck quickly became a high-powered spin that began with two hands held straight, each acting as mighty blades aimed at the queen's lower torso. Multiple spins took place, leaving multiple chances for Enkidu to cleave through armor and reach flesh. Ah, but that was not all. Enkidu's large sleeves would give way to the Chains of Heaven after only a single rotation. Those chains spiraled outward with spear tips at the end of each. They would extend to great lengths while whipping around, and only two rotations after they first emerged, this extension led to a rise of the chains as well. Three more rotations would be all it took for a veritable tornado of chains to surround the spiraling Enkidu. At such a point, the winds kicked up would lift the sands of this open field. The term tornado would have a very literal meaning, it seemed. . .

[Apollymi]

Artoria brought her blade in, she attacked with fervor and that fervor was met. A duck under that blade, even as the air pushed off it and a near perfect avoidance of that opening attack made the Queen of Knights... giddy. 'Fast.' A thing to note. Most did not show as much movement as she herself did, the follow up to the attacks would have her pushing forward into the same space as Enkidu. Not as a matter of arrogance but so her body could naturally follow the forward momentum and begin to spin. The first of those bladed hands did indeed meet her armor. Strong as it was there were deep gashes which did reach to the flesh beneath, leaving blood to stain her person this did not stop her movements and those same slashes became lighter scratches along their path until she spun out, in her general dancing manner. Her own foot work would have her dodge the extensions of chains. While her sword was still above her head, was now charging beneath that glimmer of invisibility. She did not know why, but her own instincts led her to believe that being captured was tantamount of heresy on her part. And she watched in awe as a vertiable tornado was created from a set of rotations no more than those she'd taken to free herself from the immediate strike range of this man. She brought down her sword dispersing the winds along with the light of her own power to see if she could stop the tornado. By her approximation she had put enough power into the downward slash that the pressure should help cancel it in part, though the Chains of Heaven themselves were still a relative unknown, that smile on Artoria's face hadn't faltered. No she was happy to be here, this fight would be glorious!

[Bloodedge]

Through the chains themselves, Enkidu felt a grinding sensation against the queen's armor, as well as the following sensation of flesh being cleaved. Both combatants were wearing a grin so early in the match. In Enkidu's case, it was because this woman had the wherewithal to escape before being sliced into numerous pieces. The rotation continued, the chains rising higher and higher to give greater force to the tornado building up. During this time, Artoria readied her weapon. A downward slash backed by mana and Excalibur's own power clashed against the tornado, bringing halt to the wind while having no visible effect on the chains themselves. Though Enkidu had the ability to wield the Chains of Heaven just as Gilgamesh did, summoning multiple segments in unison, their uses were quite different. Enkidu was the Chains of Heaven. No other could claim such absolute ability to manipulate the chains, as shown when the spiraling tool swelled against that burst of power. Artoria could do away with the tornado itself, but what would she do as the highest ends of the chains twisted downward to encompass the area immediately around her?

Enkidu's own spinning maneuver was done, though the chains continued moving as they grew in length. A spiral remained around Enkidu, coning outward as it rose into the air, then coning inward as it surrounded the blonde woman. Enkidu was left curious. If surrounded by these chains as they spun rapidly and closed in, would she have an answer? Would she be shredded to pieces, or would she prove her worth and overcome the challenge ahead of her? They remembered how Gilgamesh dealt with something like this, so what of the woman he took such interest in?

[Apollymi]

'I knew it.' Artoria's thoughts on her ability to overcome the tornado were confirmed, but along with that confirmation came extra knowledge. Enkidu the Chains of Heaven was the actual weapon of the same name. As such, his usage of these chains was masterful by comparison. They were coming in fast, and there weren't many options. The movements of them said she could be shredded to pieces if she stood still too long, her instincts determined being captured was the wrong answer. So she would do as she always did, she would push forward. She braced herself after the halt of the tornado and as those same chains descended upon her, she took a deep breath, "Ambition." A light all magical but powerful seemed to swell within her person, it was not holy specifically but more like a mana burst charging, with the effect of either pulling what was near her in or pushing it out. She held it for a moment choosing the perfect timing needed. At the same time her sword was gripped and held at her waist the as if she intended to draw it forward but she did not. Instead she forced her body's movement on the axis of her left foot over her right, and spun in place at the moment those chains would have collided. The outburst of 'Ambition' and the spin of her body and sword along with the use of the support skill 'Arbitrary Vector,' would grant her the ability to deny being caged it, the spin would grant her the window necessary to burst through those chains, dispersing them around herself with the opposing force of that ability and physical strength. As soon as her singular rotation completed, she rocketed herself more directly at Enkidu. She'd follow up immediately aiming to continue the motion of her slashes horizontally as if she intended to cut him in half across the torso. All the while she smiled at him finding this to already be fun.

[Bloodedge]

What would Artoria Pendragon do? Something truly intriguing, as a matter of fact. Enkidu stood motionless while watching the chains close in on her. Her chosen counter was one of few methods Enkidu imagined that could let her escape unscathed. Watching it reminded him of old times, though this one came with an additional use of ability. Nevertheless, Artoria burst through an opening in the chains after creating it, freeing herself moments before they closed in. "Hmm. Things are heating up," Enkidu mused. With that, there was a raised hand. Artoria's charge seemed a bit reckless when considering the chains that still spun directly around Enkidu, but... time would tell. The mobile chains shifted by their command, taking a more diagonal orientation to halt her horizontal slash and grind repeatedly against Excalibur's blade. In the moments of sparks flying between lines of sight, Enkidu raised another hand to hasten the other in-use chain segment. While the first defended, the second would attack. That same clockwise momentum left the second chain whipping around Artoria's right side, aiming to coil around her as if it were a snake. For additional certainty, Enkidu gave just a bit of slack to the first chain. Artoria's forward momentum was to be abused for the sake of subjecting her to the binding chain, which would ensnare her from ankle to neck, pinning even her sword to her body.

[Apollymi]

Artoria had escaped and rushed forward, but in doing so had rushed ever so recklessly towards... a trap? Yes, that was the case wasn't it? Her own sword sparked against chains as they clashed against one another. Artoria had fully intended to simply shift her hold and go in for a few jabbing motions but there was a lot to keep track of wasn't there? Even she couldn't see behind herself while avoiding sparks to the eyes and keeping herself trained on that which was before her. Ah, masterful chain usage was a problem, this man would have been an excellent tutor for one like Agravain. Artoria would have pointers to take home. The slack given was just enough to let her push forward and not see coming that chain snaking around her body which captured her rather handily. Oh, even her sword was pressed against her body as it tightened. 'Shit.' Though at the very least the wounds she'd taken early on had healed themselves enough for this not to be truly uncomfortable. "Oh? That is new. The King of Heroes never actually managed to capture me with these chains..." she mentioned as if commenting upon the weather. What to do? What to do? There were a few options to escape, but now that she was here, she might as well find out their upper limits and figure out if it was possible to break free in a straight forward way. If she remembered correctly that Berserker Heracles had a few problems with these... she did not possess that sort of brute strength but she'd still start by trying to move her sword arm pushing against the chains with just her physical strength. She'd need to know how much was needed just to free herself. She wouldn't want to waste too many movements. Still she didn't seem to be very upset, when meeting a new challenge she'd never actually faced before, she didn't expect everything to go off without a hitch, sometimes challenges had to be faced from within.

[Bloodedge]

Oh? What interesting news. This woman had faced Gilgamesh at least twice in her own tale, yet she had never been ensnared by these chains. Interesting though it was, it was... not incredibly surprising to Enkidu. Gilgamesh was never truly required to wield Enkidu, and they doubted he had much need to do so since those times. Speaking of time, that was a concept Enkidu would not be allowing. Artoria may have thought it in her best interest to test any ability to free herself from the Chains of Heaven, and perhaps it would have been possible. Alas, Enkidu also didn't use these chains for the same purpose as Gilgamesh. They were made specifically to bind Gilgamesh, but became a weapon for his use. Why then, would they not simply be a weapon now? Binding was too finite. While Artoria was flexing against the chains, those same chains were being tightened as Enkidu swung them about. The simple aim was to slam Artoria into the ground several meters ahead. At the same time, the chains would be pulled for leverage to fling Enkidu in the same direction. In the wake of that slam, the chains would naturally become loose enough for Artoria to work her way out of, but Enkidu was closing in quickly. From just overhead, they would aim to whip the grounded Artoria with the other chain. If she managed to escape, the strength of impact on the ground would be kicking up quite the dust cloud liable to obscure vision; that was just another thing considered by Enkidu during this approach.

[Apollymi]

Artoria was coming to a realization in these moments. The reason that Enkidu felt himself only a weapon and the reason Hoshimi Eri considered herself a weapon were the same reason. Both were exceedingly good at doing the thing they were good at without cease and had nothing but power to offer in the face of new challenges. Even though she was bound, this was no mere session of play, he would keep attacking and keep abusing well past this simple method of capture. Admittedly, he did not seem very surprised by the knowledge that Gilgamesh had not managed to capture Artoria while using his physical form. Artoria had the chains tighten against her, 'This will hurt,' she braced herself for a slam several meters away but in the immediate moment after her body slammed into the ground a burst of invisible air from her very person allowed her to immediately free herself and flip over launching herself out of the way of the coming whip from above. She knew better than to stand in a singular place for too long against something which would keep attacking regardless. The ground was being shaken up by the coming dust, Artoria would swing that shining sword of hers up into the air, to bring it down immediately after using the pressure of the sword swing to clear out the space in front of her. She'd been bashed against the ground by that was healing. Her armor had long since repaired itself of the original damage. After clearing the dust out before her she was smiling across the battlefield and laughing. "Heheh--Hahahahaha!~" she laughed nearly hysterically even after being tossed around like a literal ragdoll. She was grinning at Enkidu her body prepared for either attack or defense at this point. Why? Because she understood now what needed to be done. "Emi, return to Uruk and tell Siduri, the Queen is on a walk... Enjoy your time. I shall return!" she said.

Jeanne had watched her sister face off against this monster of a being and wondered if she was okay. And her reply made her both smile and cringe. Especially after watching her get tossed around so easily. "I... Fine, but I think I am worried that she already knows about your walks... but you are obviously having fun and I can't deny you that," the Queen of Saints said. "It was nice meeting you," she offered to Enkidu. She'd then sprout a pair of energy wings turn and fly off. Her sister had ended the real threat, and was now having a bit of fun. She couldn't deny this woman anything she wanted to do, and in truth she didn't think she could have fought Enkidu herself. Yeah, the Queen and the Chains of Heaven would be left to their battle without any further onlooking. How long would the Queen's walk take this time?

[Bloodedge]

How long would the Queen of Knights' "walk" take? Well, Enkidu would be no stranger to combat that lasted days upon days. He'd previously fought Gilgamesh for seven days and seven nights, with only three being recorded in history. The excitement on Artoria's face was matched by an equally twisted grin on the face of Enkidu, and that alone let them know this battle would not end the same day it began. Jeanne d'Arc parted ways with the pair with kindness to offer in her final statement. Alas, Enkidu was suffering a severe case of tunnel vision for numerous reasons.

The passage of time saw the sun fall, then rise, then fall again. On the second night of combat, Enkidu jettisoned themselves through the sky above, spinning like a drill as chains from their sleeves lashed out. Even from many meters in the sky, the movement of chains was expansive enough to directly shred the ground below with each movement. It seemed Enkidu thought to pass over Artoria, endangering her and the battlefield itself. Based on Enkidu's former experiences that now included this battle, there was widespread destruction. One would already fail to recognize the location of these two based on existing memory, and things would only get worse moving forward. "Tell me. Is this the power that defeated my king?" Enkidu wondered aloud. Something was still quite off. At no point thus far had they seen a display that thwarted themselves or the memory of King Gilgamesh. There were some very interesting showings of ability, but a more important feature was notably missing. Time would tell, they figured. . .

[Apollymi]

Artoria's walk so far had been been from one day through the next. She was having a good time, periodically dodging and attacking. Searching for an opening that wasn't presented. Enkidu was without question an absolute monster. Never did she have the chance to properly charge her attack and never would she have asked for the ability to do so. To call upon the power of Excalibur was to evoke victory in its truest form, before now it wasn't obvious how she would try and take such a victory. But with Enkidu over head and her a little bit of time she could make it. Besides, the battlefield was already scarred beyond belief what was a bit more... "EX-" the charge began and invisible air was shattered around the blade as light gathered from all around. The ground before her quaked as the energy gathered at the tip of the blade marred all that was in front of it. Hopes and dreams, filled this blade even as her skin felt the start of a sting. But for many Excalibur cemented the idea of victory, it showed a claim of glory and in the hands of the Queen of Knights it crystalized her Knightly qualities turning them into power in its purest form. He was passing over? He was in strike range. "CALIBUR!!" A proclamation as she lifted the sword at the moment he would have been overhead, swinging and expansive burst of one of the oldest mysteries of mankind. And in this way it was used to knock off course, the power of that weapon and aim to give Artoria the freedom to answer his question. "Excalibur felled the King of Heroes, along with his arrogance..." she said. That now visible and shining sword in her hands she did not cover it once more. She let its shining blade remain.

Right. This wasn't the same as her own. She did not have to wait so long to charge it. Perhaps she'd have a few better uses of it before the end?

[Bloodedge]

Excalibur. Enkidu heard that word before, during Artoria's battle against the false Gilgamesh. The sword she wielded was a shining beacon possessing great power indeed. That very power was being launched upward toward the living weapon as they spun, but they did not seem anything beyond intrigued. This was the thing that defeated Enkidu's friend? It was mighty, yes, but it also seemed somewhat on the basic side. How was a finishing blow landed?

While this was being considered, Enkidu spun once more. Their body began to glow as they flew downward, circling around the wave and just nearly touching it along the way. "Enuma..." A phrase this woman heard once before, would be used by Enkidu with a very different effect. Multiple chain links emerged from beneath Enkidu's cloak, converging on their body until they, and the chains, became one giant chain with a spike to match. It looked similar to a star descending to Earth, shining its own light around Excalibur's until it eventually reached the ground where Artoria stood. "Elish!" In the moment of collision, the difference between two techniques that shared a name became clear. Enkidu was a weapon made to restrain the divine. Naturally, they were bound to physically become that weapon at some point. Its truest form, even while not incanted, bore the power to puncture the world and stitch it back together. In landing, it could restrain a thousand targets within a thousand meters, as any explosion to be expected from such an impact was instead the materialization of endless glowing chains.

[Apollymi]

Enuma Elish. An attack that Artoria had seen used by the King of Heroes. The same he'd used to assist her as she felled the white titan, an epic power which seemed to match her own in destructive capabilities to a great extent. The smile on her face in response to this showing was nothing short of pure glee. Unlike the previous version the swirling winds that broke apart the world, this one looked like a shooting star twisting around that pillar of light that had been launched into the air by Excalibur. That grip had changed in the meantime as she kept her eyes peeled. He had to land and she'd follow it and in that moment she'd strike. That giant spear tip that began Enkidu landed on the ground before her and in the second before the thousands of chains erupted she launched herself forward with enough speed and moment to aim a decisive strike. If such a thing occurred against that large spear tip, it would be immediately followed by an outcry quickly "EXCALIBUR!" she cried as if it was her intent to blast this even in weapon form with all the power she had to offer in just a second. This was Artoria Pendragon, moving forward, and aiming to seize victory, even from a weapon. Besides, it was not like she had a limit to the number of times she could commit the attack, the only limit was charge time and that much wasn't needed if one had a decent enough range to give.

[Bloodedge]

The primary chain struck ground, as did all others. The impact alone would shake the continent floating in the sky multiple times over. In that same moment of impact, Enkidu would discover precisely how valiant the one called Artoria Pendragon was. Excalibur slammed against the spearhead, releasing the most potent burst of light Enkidu had seen thus far. While the other chains were appearing and striking the surrounding area, the primary spearhead saw a crack begin at the point of impact with Excalibur. That very crack lengthened and spread like branches of a tree, passing through the spearhead from one end to the other. There would be a shattering, but not quite. Enkidu could easily return to form, and so, they did. At the top of the light arc was soon the top of Enkidu's humanoid body, almost as if they were emerging from the wave itself. Their head, torso and outstretched right arm were visible, the latter of which had its hand mere inches from Artoria's face. Other chains of Enuma Elish were still produced as normal, and from Enkidu's sleeve came one more aimed right between Artoria's eyes.

In the meantime, Enkidu may have been without legs and half of their other arm. That didn't seem to matter at all. There was no blood from wounds, but instead cracks branching out from the point of severance. Enkidu was more closely related to a doll than a human, and there was even more to it than that. Well... that information would reveal itself in a matter of moments. For the time being, Enkidu's primary concern was still simply attacking. It was becoming clear why Gilgamesh had taken an interest in this woman; she was more powerful than could be expected of humankind. They could compare this output to another work of the gods, if not for the lack of divine attribute. Where though, was the aspect of romanticism that had Gilgamesh lay claim to this woman? Perhaps another thing was required to unveil it. . .

[Apollymi]

Artoria was stunned. The very continent was shaking. Was this always the power of the weapon known as Enkidu? She could easily see why when raised alone up on this upper level, when one thought the rest of mankind beneath them, why this one being in the entire world became the only friend of the King of Heroes. That spear tip body had shattered under the pressure of Excalibur but Artoria had been fighting this weapon for quite a while now, she understood that the overwhelming might she always showed simply wasn't enough. It had been fun but this one wanted an honorable death and she thought to provide it. After all it had shown, after all it had done, for standing at the side of the man who took interest in her when she did not have interest in herself... it was the least she could do. 'No backing down...' her mind was chanting.

After the biggest hit she'd mustered yet, Enkidu's body began reforming, an arm with a chain aimed directly between her eyes. He was so close, what would she do? Well? The same thing he'd done to her, in a moment with his torso back together, she saw the ability to clutch a victory, even if it cost her an injury it'd be worth taking to give this man the honorable end he so rightly sought. From this stance in a near instant she just pulled back after ducking under the chain which would have been in the middle of her face but instead found itself flying past her face and over her shoulder. She used both hands to push forward and she aimed to lodge that blade right where the heart would have been. Whether a doll or a weapon she only needed to find the spiritual core of this being to kill it and given its humanoid form she knew where it should be. If she succeeded in this maneuver her blade would be lodged within the core of his being. Would it bring them to a standstill? If it did she was well within the danger zone given the fact that Enkidu never really stopped attacking. She could only wonder... "It has been an honor, to face a smiling and terrifying opponent. So strong is the one called Enkidu, I understand why you are his only friend..." she said as she continued to push, with both hands around the hilt of her weapon to drive it home. "I am usually quite certain of my victory only you... and my King of Heroes show me such absolute defiance," If mankind did not know how far they could go, it would be her to show them. Artoria would take a step forward to force the sword more if she had to, she would do this because it truly was no fun if she did not claim her victory here and now.

[Bloodedge]

It was an honor, was it? How very... final. Very sure of herself was the Queen of Knights, yet the moment she moved under his chain was the moment of shifting tides. Enkidu was without an arm or either leg, but well within striking distance with the one limb they had. No strike would come. There was, however, a use for that singular hand. They were too similar in their methods. Too similar as well, was this battle to the first Enkidu had with their brother. Breathing room was something inconceivable in such a battle; it could neither be taken nor allowed. In this particular case though, one could say Enkidu's last breath would not be taken either. That hand grasped the queen's shoulder as she shifted her blade for a secondary assault. A pull was all it took. With a hold on that shoulder and a jerk of their own arm, Enkidu launched themselves over the queen's head. After a brief stint of rag-dolling through the air, it seemed Enkidu's missing limbs were recovering at a rapid pace. At the same time, however, the ambient magical energy of the land was draining rapidly. Enkidu landed on two new feet, tunic and all returned to form. They faced Artoria and huffed. Still, there was a wide grin on the weapon's face. "If my strength is the reason I am his only friend... I do wonder. What part of your soul calls to my brother, and what of him calls to you? My time is running short. I must find the answers."

Clearly, the use of chains wasn't going to function forever. Enkidu wasn't quite done, though. Taking a knee, they placed a hand on the ground and let their mana merge with the land itself. "I beg my brother's forgiveness. He may be upset to find out I used this on another," they said as an effect strongly resembling that of Gilgamesh's Divine Gates occurred via the ground in the surrounding area. Hundreds of weapons emerged, sculpted within the earth itself and matching the King of Heroes' own quality of tools. "Age of Babylon!" Enkidu called out, willing several dozen of those conjured weapons forward in an assault on Artoria's location. They could not find the answers through combat of their own preference, so perhaps the answers would come when they fought as the king himself did.

[Apollymi]

In a moment like this, the part of Artoria that was herself right beneath her surface appeared. Just for a moment, the absolute visage she held cracked just a little. Everything about this moment was right, her instincts said so, her intuition said so, her very movements said so... but she was pulled towards Enkidu her blade not reaching home. He was flipped over her evading what should have been a death. "Shit! This is exactly what I am talking about... defying deaths that I know should work. It is infuriating but..." she gave a pause and thought it over. "Exciting," she said. Oh, right she'd sworn. "Do not tell anyone I said that... I will never hear the end of it," she muttered as she turned once more. She turned to face him once more and thought she meant only his strength. "Not just your strength, though admittedly it outpaces my own. Someone kindred, someone viewed as both irreplaceable and equal... That is how I see you," she explained the truth of her thoughts about how she viewed the relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh. Another attack? Something more vicious. Was it actually possible to see this through in the way she was used to doing it?

Maybe not? Perhaps it was time to take a step back and become the reactionary rebellion leader? Perhaps the Almighty Queen had to remember what it was like to face someone insurmountable from time to time? That could be, but truly she did not like to taste defeat. That was the part of her that remained. No failed missions, no failed jobs, no failed quests. Even at a time when playing video games she would restart or rematch when she lost. When she aimed herself towards a challenge she fully intended to overcome it, no matter what the cost. Why did she like Gilgamesh and why did he like her? "I cannot answer a question I do not understand," she said after giving it a bit of thought. These were complicated questions, but what was not complicated was the coming onslaught. "Age of Babylon?" she questioned that with raised brows. Was this man really just created to match with Gilgamesh in some strange way? Yes. Was the answer... as dozens of weapons flew from gates. These were made out of the earth but no less sturdy than those she'd seen from Gilgamesh. She tested this initially by beginning to dance. Swatting a few back, barely missing range of a few others. A couple hit her armor pieces and she felt the rattling against her physical self. "I cannot be so bold as to speak to the King's temperament in such a case, but I can instead sink with you," Artoria made the offer while holding her sword out in front of her person. Chivalrous was the Queen of Knights, offering to get both of them in trouble instead of only one. A glowing and light round and large appeared before her outstretched sword, which she needed both hands to hold out properly. "I will show you something I have not yet shown him," she said a gentle smirk coming to her face. It appeared the winds were kicking up around her, that the space itself was denying any further interference as she chanted the name of a previously unseen skill. "Our Round Table," a phantom showing of swords would occur each placing their sword in turn. These knights and their swords spun around her. A veritable wheel of swords belonging to the Knights who pledged themselves to Artoria Pendragon and sat at her table would be visible for Enkidu alone. Artoria couldn't remember the last time she'd felt it necessary to make use of such a skill, but here she was about to show someone what came of the loyalty of Knights to Artoria Pendragon. At this point, Artoria looked around the table and chose... one of her oldest and dearest Knights the one who helped raise her, the Lady Kay. She spun into place, coming to her back the way she always did as her sword settled on top of this copy of Excalibur. "With me, Olwen..." the power of this skill was a projection of sorts on top of her own sword, making it take the size, shape and properties of a sword sworn to her service. In this case, the sword of the Lady Kay with its ice properties was now held by Artoria in one hand as she swung it around freely. A blade which looked almost to be made of light blue colored jewel with an icy pattern inlaid upon it. It shimmered magically, was lightweight enough to be wielded and small enough not to restrict Artoria's own movements against the hell of projectiles aimed towards her that was 'Age of Babylon'. They could dance and speak freely now, as she moved about the battlefield slamming sword against any weapons she failed to dodge with a speed previously unseen, those emerald green eyes of hers darting about as she kept and eye and ear on her opponent. She needed to close the distance and deal a strike more decisive than those of her previous works.

[Bloodedge]

Again with the swearing. Enkidu still couldn't fathom why so much effort was being wasted on propriety. Perhaps it was yet another human thing they didn't understand quite yet. Whatever it was, Artoria had no need to worry about Enkidu speaking of this matter, so long as the deed was done as needed. "You've no reason for concern, as long as I fall here before someone else shows up. Otherwise, I make no promises~" they joked. Artoria went on to explain the details of how she viewed Enkidu, or rather... how she viewed their connection to Gilgamesh. Irreplaceable and equal? They could believe one of those things, at least. "Unique, yes. However, despite what he says, I am not my brother's equal," they stated, not believing themselves on par with the King of Uruk after their battle ended without proper conclusion. That man never seemed to be actually giving it his all, so there was always the belief that the battle could have gone very differently.

There were few questions about this battle, though. Well... as far as the fight itself was concerned, Enkidu could say. Artoria Pendragon showed restraint, albeit not of the same variety. Hers was a form of restraint that served the sole purpose of continuing the battle, and seizing victory. Though said victory had not yet been achieved, it seemed there was yet another "tool" in Artoria's arsenal. Our Round Table, she called it. What a strange name. The chanting of that skill could have been even stranger than Artoria's lack of understanding to match Enkidu's own. Ah, but that was the most important thing here. "I cannot be certain either. He's quite fickle, my friend," Enkidu insisted while watching the rotation of numerous weapons around an ethereal round table. That table rotated, placing one of the swords atop it in the position of Artoria's Excalibur, and then... overwriting it? Interesting. Artoria proceeded with another charge, during which she knocked away numerous weapons being launched at her. Was she looking for a chance to close the distance? She wouldn't have to. Enkidu was not the same sort of combatant that Gilgamesh had become. Even while throwing numerous weapons at their opponent, Enkidu would still move forward with both arms ready to act as blades. They would engage in direct combat, swinging each hand repeatedly as if dual-wielding weapons, all while various other weapons continued being unleashed from behind them toward Artoria. "Why do you not understand? I only wish to know what my brother is getting himself into during my absence."

[Apollymi]

Enkidu still had jokes to make in a moment like this? He claimed that she would have no issues about her swearing, as long as he fell before anyone else arrived. Her eyes widened and they were filled with a strange mix of joy and annoyance. "Such well placed blackmail. I do not know if I should feel as pleased by this moment as I currently do," Artoria also found it in herself to be amused. If such words had come from any of her nieces or nephews she likely would have been proud. Strangely according to Enkidu he only saw the truth in half of her sentences, "I see... I now understand how others feel trying to explain things to me," she said coming to a realization that this man did not see himself the way others and his friend saw him. "I am a person with 'unhealthy relationships' with my weapons so I will say this. To chose something repeatedly and use it without fail and trust it to do exactly what it says it will do every time. Is a relationship of equality... even if you are not in the position to understand that trust is counted as such," she said with a smile. "As a person you put your life in your weapons hands and your goals... things intangible but meaningful. I believe you have to respect those you trust with things you cannot hold as equal to yourself. Weapons carry the instinct people cannot," she said. She believed this, her favorite gun, her favorite dagger, her favorite sword all had her implicit trust as weapons. She spoke to them, she cared for them and she mourned for them as one would a friend. This is why she trusted Excalibur and this is why she had access to all the weapons of the Knights of the Round Table, because at the end of the day, a person's weapon could carry them far, but only as far as that person let them. Gilgamesh being strong on his own wasn't the point, the fact that he chose to rely on this one and put faith in their strength that was the important part of their relationship. This might also be at least in part the reason she was able to start to see past the King of Heroes bravado, his friend was a weapon, and she was one as well... once upon a time.

The Round Table as the crux of the legend of King Arthur. All who gathered there were viewed as equal to King Arthur in some way. The access given to their weapons and their loyalty was proof of such a tie. Of course, she would have had the same things to say. Enkidu thought his friend fickle, Artoria could only chuckle. "Moody is a better word," she said of the King of Heroes. She'd not seen him change his mind about anything, but he was prone to fits of temper that rivaled her own. Thinking of his interaction with the Nexus and his issues with the King of Magecraft were things that made that point clear in her mind. Of course with fresh weapon in hand Artoria was moving and Enkidu came straight at her. With her weapon much smaller she had no problem wielding this sword to block and counter. She'd even aim a few quick jabs in with the sword point to this man's body aiming to spread the cold and chill. Sure he was a weapon but all things were affected by temperature in some way right? Olwen had the power to spread cold create crystalized ice and in the right cases freeze bodies solid to shatter. Artoria expected nothing too grand from it against something of the caliber of Enkidu but at least she could keep herself nimble enough to face him properly, even while blocking and dodging things still flying at her. While this occurred Enkidu clarified their curiosity. "Understanding people, myself included... is difficult for me. I did not know exactly the nature of your question. I cannot explain why he likes me... I have been told I do not need to understand it. That I simply have to accept it." she said. "And what I have to say about him may not make sense," she clarified. Of course if he wanted to hear such things from her while they battled, she would speak. It was much easier to speak to this one than it was to speak to other people. She could attribute that to Enkidu's status as a weapon.

[Bloodedge]

Still, Artoria was content to apply some strange amount of value to Enkidu, which they did not attribute to themselves. She and Gilgamesh were so very much alike in this respect. Both had something to say each time they spoke of only being a tool. Was the answer they sought somewhere in that? Maybe it was. Regardless, there remained a lack of clarity. They could at least come to terms fully on one thing. Fickle wasn't the best word for describing Gilgamesh, but the term "moody" was undoubtedly befitting of no one more so than he. "Ahaha! You're right; that's more fitting. Moody suits him perfectly~" they agreed.

Upholding a conversation in the midst of heated combat was not something Enkidu expected to be doing this day, unless they were fighting Gilgamesh. When facing Artoria, however, they found the same freedom of casual behavior while blades clashed. Strangely, each time that blade of hers sliced through flesh, a chill passed through the wound. Strange. Enkidu should have been healing all wounds almost immediately, but the healing process had slowed significantly. They could hardly tell if this was an effect of the sword cutting their arms and torso, or an effect of the land's mana drying up. Either way, the clash continued. More interesting though, was what Artoria had to say about understanding people... including herself. It seemed there was a full trio of such individuals now. "Haah? I guess that makes three of us. Maybe that's it," they commented, knowing that neither Gilgamesh nor themselves understood humans well enough to truly blend with them. "Go on then. What is it you have to say? I won't judge too much."

[Apollymi]

This one had nothing to say about its nature as a tool, Artoria understood that as well. She could not be pushy about something she struggled to understand herself, from the same perspective as the being she was currently talking with. One thing that did garner commentary and a laugh was the idea that Gilgamesh, King of Heroes was a moody existence. A nice laugh to go along with that point gave Artoria hope for the world. She could not explain it, but she always enjoyed the happiness of others. "It really does, I can only imagine what he'll be like when he returns," she said giving it a bit of thought. She wondered if he would actually be upset about her taking his throne in his absence. Moreover she wondered if he would actually have anything to say at all upon his arrival. She was still seething just a bit at the audacity of him to die before she returned.

Of course, there was the matter of the ongoing clash. The casual conversation taking place during it, was something Artoria had learned to enjoy while facing Gilgamesh. In normal combat she would speak and move freely because it was not as if anyone could do anything to her. In fights with those of similar or greater strength speech was a thing which was granted because it added extra to the moment. She came to understand better any foe she faced in the heat of combat and in the case of people like Gilgamesh and Enkidu her actual desire to understand drove her to a talkativeness not innate to her person. She continued clashing and slashing away. She'd take advantage of any opening while aiming to dodge any others. Though her body and armor took hits, she could still heal both of them with general ease. Even wounds that bled would not do so for longer than a few moments at a time. "I... am confused by him," she said in all honesty. "But I cannot dislike his personality," she stated, before realizing the strangeness of that statement. "Not the personality he shows by his words and gives to everyone, that one makes me violent. But instead what is beneath it. I have found him to be a man who makes a decision and reaches for it with his own hand and earnestly pursues it. He does this even while the object of that pursuit admonishes, discourages and attacks him... it is strange but I do not dislike his attitude. It is inhuman to not be discouraged by such things, but I enjoy the fact that he is trying," she stated clearly. "And in watching him try I become confused by my own reactions. I know what I want, and how I want to live and even how I want to die... I am fine but hearing such earnest words from him shakes my given understanding. So, I find myself confused by his actions and wanting to understand them," she admitted. Artoria Pendragon was inhuman enough not to understand this man's interest in her, but curious enough to be battered with his affections enough to accept them, though she wasn't yet capable of admitting that. She held a fondness for the King of Heroes that she couldn't explain well enough if she tried.

[Bloodedge]

Wondering how Gilgamesh would behave upon his eventual return was about all anyone could do. There was always an air of mystery surrounding the king's potential attitude, and even Enkidu could seldom anticipate the shifts without prior context. Sadly, they would not be able to see this new dawn alongside Artoria. They wanted for nothing more than to meet their brother again, but this was not the way it had to be. "I will take the long path. One day, my friend will surprise me with his antics again. I am sure of this," they announced.

At long last, Enkidu was given some understanding of Artoria's perspective. Gilgamesh was a confusing individual, yes. Even Enkidu had met the man with no understanding of him, and only gained said understanding after a week-long battle. Artoria would surely come to understand the king in time as well. There was already a certain amount of perception applied to see beyond all the bravado, or at least... some of it. She began describing Gilgamesh in the most flawless manner Enkidu had ever heard from the mouth of another. From the sound of things, it could be assumed that Gilgamesh had indeed located his queen. Enkidu was smiling, and their eyes were wide. "Honesty and resilience? You're right; it doesn't make sense. But... it does make sense as well. I'm not sure how that led to the two of you becoming anything, but it seems genuine. I wish you both the best," Enkidu offered, still carrying on with a combination of attack and defense.

Time would pass by the minute, then by the hour. Sunset eventually came a third time, and the moon in the evening sky was there to meet Enkidu as they landed, holding their torso and breathing heavily. There wasn't much clay left to continue producing weapons, nor to continue healing the body. Chains hanging from their sleeves were left limp against the ground. "Huh? I'm running out of magical energy. Damn. I was starting to lose myself."

[Apollymi]

Enkidu claimed they would take the long path. It was good to know, that he hadn't given up so hard on his own life, irrespective of the fact that many thought him to have experienced a permanent death. "I look forward to that..." Artoria said hoping just for a moment, she'd get to live long enough to see such a thing. Strangely, she felt she could feel better about dying if Gilgamesh had someone to keep him company when she died. She knew he wasn't the type to let anyone into his personal space or understanding truly, but if he had his best friend back, surely he wouldn't miss her when she could not return.

Moreover while their battle continued, her explanation on her thoughts of Gilgamesh were indeed still not absolutely clear but apparently Enkidu understood her meaning well enough. He seemed to find whatever was going on between herself and the King of Heroes to be genuine and claimed to wish them both nothing but happiness. Artoria's eyes widened at this news. She didn't know if they realized the sort of violence they were signing the King of Heroes up for, but somehow it was heartwarming to hear just the same. She managed to look just a bit sheepish in the interim. "Thank you... admittedly this is the strangest conversation I have ever had in combat, but I cannot truly imagine having it with anyone else," she said a smirk coming back to her face. Her efforts would double instantly. If this man wanted to die in combat it was still her job to see to it. And the minutes and hours would drag on until moonrise on the next night.

Artoria watched as Enkidu landed. They were tiring out over time. Less capable of leaning, less quick with their movements. Her own were starting to dull a bit as well... though not to the same extent. She could have conserved a bit more or wasted a bit more. She'd cycled through several weapons from the Round Table that suited her needs, but by the end of this day, she'd gone back to using Excalibur. Seeing them land as they were she knew that they were tiring. three days was a pretty hefty amount of time for a summon to last. Those words were ones she'd thought before herself just before she passed out on her feet. "Well, then lose yourself. I am still aiming for victory here!" Artoria said those words. He could be tired, he could fall apart, but none would say she let him die any way other than in a heated battle. She would not back down even as he fell to fatigue. She rushed him with that big blade, using it in an upward stab from his fore aiming to run him through in the blink of an eye. Was the width of this blade big enough? She'd find out soon enough. She did not seem to care very much about her own physique, though she admittedly had a few open wounds slower to heal than normal. A bit of blood on her cheek and a few pieces of her armor remained shattered. Yes, this day was wearing thin on both of them, but she'd still try to kill him properly this day.

[Bloodedge]

This was not looking up to be the satisfaction Enkidu sought. They felt as if they could crumble at any moment; it took no small amount of effort to hold everything together. According to Artoria though, her aim was to be victorious. Could their final moments, just this once, be in the midst of combat? The idea was comforting, and Enkidu would not purposely take this woman's desire from her when she acted in their best interest. There wasn't exactly much time offered to think about this matter either, as the queen was already en route for another assault. Still gripping their own chest, Enkidu spoke through a smirk and a grunt. "Hmph. It's nothing. I can still go on..."

Staggered movements and weakened constitution aside, Enkidu had made the decision to fight to the bitter end. As such, that thrust of Excalibur could not be allowed as the final blow. Enkidu stumbled forward, shifting aside with the aim of avoiding the blade. Still, that thick chunk of mysterious metal ran through the green-haired individual, splitting their side as the arm on that same side rose over the weapon. That raised hand formed not a blade, but a fist aimed at Artoria's face. Even crumbling, Enkidu boasted the strength to punch holes through stone, or launch opposition across the battlefield. Alas, they could already feel themselves cracking around the gash in their side.

[Apollymi]

Enkidu wanted to fall in battle and Artoria wanted that for him. She wouldn't let his ailing body be the thing that did him in a second time. No, that was something she'd take unto herself... he'd die by her hands this day, truly it was all she wanted to offer him. She was still smiling, even in the face of imminent death Enkidu was a weapon still fighting. Her blade had gashed their side though they had tried to move out of the way, but the would not let the fight end. 'Good.' Instead of a weapon a fist came towards the Queen's face. She shifted her head, taking that fist directly to the forehead instead of moving away at all. She couldn't allow herself to be knocked backwards, instead she'd braced, drawing that weapon back in an instant. That was going to give her a headache for sure, she could practically feel her brain rattling around inside of her own skull. It was a small price to pay. That would ring inside her head for a while yet, but she'd headbutted worse things before. Ah, that thing she'd once found herself resisting as a person came back into her head with its current ringing. Artoria immediately aimed to sink that blade in again and twisted Excalibur by the hilt aiming to drive the blade deeper still and adding force to an already cracking wound. She would not back down from this being she'd come to know so recently. She'd give him the honor of facing his death head on, and administer it with serenity and peace. Such was the nature of the Queen of Knights, still there was something shifting behind those eyes of hers...

[Bloodedge]

Somewhere in the world, there were apparently people willing to, and thickheaded enough, to slam forehead into a mighty fist. Artoria was such a person, it seemed. That was... quite the stupid maneuver. Reckless abandon was what it took to headbutt a force that could have obliterated the skull, but she'd done it anyway, and even while forcing sword deeper into Enkidu's body. Their fist remained pressed against Artoria's forehead while they laughed. "Hngh─ ahahaha! I see. I think I understand something now," they commented, believing they had come to see a potential reason for this one's connection with Gilgamesh. The laughter continued, even while they were breaking apart around the Holy Sword. "You're... an idiot," was the conclusion. It was no derogatory statement from Enkidu, but a mark of kinship. Gilgamesh had been an idiot, and Enkidu could also be counted as one. They would have been one hell of a trio in years past. Perhaps they would be again one day. Regardless, this one had the weapon's acceptance. Enkidu grasped the blade of Excalibur with their free hand, clutching it tightly. Oddly enough, there were tears streaming down the weapon's face once again. "I must ask one more thing of you. My brother, who took that long journey in my absence─ do not tell him of this. He must not even know that I was here as some horrendous mockery of myself."

[Apollymi]

That had worked? Knowing she'd successfully landed her blow almost made it worthwhile that her skull was definitely barely holding its shape. "Yes, I truly am. I would laugh but I am pretty sure my brain is bleeding," she said with that same gentle upturn of her lips. Whatever, Avalon could fix her it had already begun now that she was no longer funneling mana into her armor and when all was said and done she'd completed the task she'd aimed for. Such was all she really wanted out of any endeavor. "Though, I might want a helmet before I try something like that again..." she joked right along with the green haired weapon before her. Now what was this they were saying? One final request on the table for the Queen of Knights Artoria Pendragon? And with tears in their eyes no less... a sigh escaped the woman in this moment. "You truly enjoy asking me things I abhor on principle..." she said still, it was not within her nature to deny a dying being so well fought their final request. Besides all that, when she looked upon that innocent face, she could almost see her little sister, she was definitely going to do as this weapon asked and she knew it before the request was even properly finished. "On my honor, I will not tell the King of Heroes of our meeting. My sister will not either..." she said with a great deal of care. She did not normally feel emotions but at a parting like this, a single droplet of a tear welled up in the corner of the eye of Artoria Pendragon. Why of all the things that created new emotions in her, was this instance such a thing?

[Bloodedge]

One final request was made, and that same request was accepted. It was a reluctant acceptance, but also an immediate one. How strange. Enkidu chuckled once more before convulsing, the fist upon Artoria's forehead opening to palm her cranium instead. "I hoped you would say that," they stated. It had long since become obvious that Artoria had healing capabilities, so while a hand was upon her head, Enkidu offered what remained of their magical energy to speed along the process. Their body was crumbling, and just as quickly dispersing into particles. "You have my thanks. If I am to become one of those cards, burn or hide me. I would have no issue with you doing one or the other, even if I were to be summoned to your service down the line. As long as he doesn't know, I don't mind." There was much more for Enkidu to say, but no time at all to say it. They could have expressed satisfaction over the battle, or even acceptance of whatever relationship this woman had with their brother. None of it could be verbalized due to Enkidu being without even physical energy by then. It would take only a few additional seconds before the green-haired friend of Gilgamesh disappeared fully, producing a card identified as Lancer to land atop Artoria's outstretched blade.

[Apollymi]

Artoria's acceptance of the final request of Enkidu was met, by an open-palming of her recently reformed cranium. She'd come to understand this sort action was something done as a sign of understanding. Still, she couldn't help but feel a bit sad. Enkidu had done nothing to deserve his first death, and she'd handed him his second for his own honor. Even while doing something so right, she was nothing but sad to have taken such a being out of the world again. He was dispersing into particles, his body was disintegrating and he had more to say. She figured not enough had been said there was never enough time to get out everything in moments like this. "If you do not mind, I might find reason to call you to my service... be sure to answer. Sleep well..." Artoria said her goodbyes as that one tear fell from her eyes. She looked down at her sword with nothing around it anymore, and saw the card for Lancer. She now had two, one for Archer which was Gilgamesh and one for Lancer which was Enkidu. Though they had not known each other in their previous life, they would have made an incredible duo, even in the video game version of this world. How much fun they could have had had which was denied by fate. Artoria held those two cards together within her hands, they could stay side by side in her care, until such a time as they could see each other.

Both cards together, her armor dispersed and she stood and looked out over this battlefield. It was almost unrecognizable as the place she'd come to... In the middle of the night she headed back in the direction of Uruk and she'd make her way to the throne room by sunrise the next morning. She walked up those long steps, with all the dignity she had. A smile on her face no visible injuries to show for her days of combat, though admittedly she still had a rather intense headache. It would be Jeanne d'Arc who ran for her sister. And Artoria who opened her arms after planting her sword. "I swore we would not speak of them. But I took care. There were two cards I will keep both..." she said to the young woman. "I would have words with the Holy Knights later, they cannot allow cards like that to run rampant. Imagine if one of them summoned me..." she said knowing Jeanne would understand the gravity of such a situation. Jeanne looked at her sister with tears in her eyes. "That is really sad. But if you swore I will not break it either," she said carefully. "I will make sure they come to see you. I do not know what we'd do besides the same thing I did this time, if it spawned you as you could be," she said carefully. She knew her sister to be using a great amount of restraint all the time. Still, it would be sad not to share the tales of that battle with the King of Heroes. Jeanne thought her sister too selfless to agree to something like that. But the amount of care she took of the situation meant, she could not be argued with. "Siduri, I have returned. I am going for a bath and breakfast... I could use some sleep but after, I will get back to work," she said to the attendant who'd been looking after her so well. "I am happy to see your healthy return my Queen. I will prepare breakfast for after your bath," she commented. It appeared the Queen's walk had gone well enough. And with that... life would go on, within Uruk.

[Bloodedge]

And so, that continuation of life went on. Seven years it lasted, and seven years, King Gilgamesh spent wandering through the Underworld with the goddess Ishtar in tow. Enkidu wished for Artoria to say nothing about their appearance as a Heroic Spirit, but in truth, Gilgamesh may have known it would occur all along. He would likely never say whether the threat he foresaw was the spiritual version of himself or Enkidu. Oh well; it hardly made a difference. Seven years he spent seeking answers. Enkidu's soul did not appear in the Underworld, nor did any answers to Artoria Pendragon's eventual fate. The more he looked, the more it seemed he would have to tear apart reality itself to return the woman. Perhaps that should have been the choice he made long ago.

Still, Gilgamesh wandered. It was nigh time for his glorious return in a very different getup than he wore at his time of death. He had changed into garments taken from the Underworld itself. He was basically without clothes, bar a pair of harem pants and shoes, a belt of gold, earings and golden chains. Gold bangles adorned his biceps and wrists, and finally, a gold necklace and strange torso cage were in place to finish the look. Ah... but there was one more thing, wasn't there? The authority of an Underworld Judge had been flowing through him all along, and he tired of it. The king had that authority funneled into a small ruby, which he'd set into a piece that rested on his forehead. "Hmph. It seems this journey has reached its end," he commented, sweeping back his hair as he did in ages past. It had been quite some time since he last set eyes on Ishtar, though she was still being dragged around and violated by Underworld souls. A hand waved almost casually, snatching the gag from her mouth for likely the first time in seven years. "You have one final chance to be useful. Tell me, is there a method of preventing a fated death from which one will be kept from Irkalla and the cycle of rebirth?"

[Apollymi]

Seven years. Artoria sat upon the throne of Uruk for seven years, mostly without incident. Aside from that first fortnight she'd managed to keep Uruk running smoothly along with the rest of Chaldea for the sake of preserving the King of Heroes' realm. In that time, she'd become much more comfortable and more aware of herself and everyone else. She'd mellowed a bit more from warlord into ruler, and she'd done it so subtly it was hardly noticeable. "Rim-Sin is still quite busy, is this whole stack truly from him?" asked the Queen of Knights as she began sorting through a pile of requests specifically from the King of Nippur. Of course, he sent them periodically but they had a pretty decent working relationship at this point. "Yes my Queen. it seems he was serious, Nippur and Larsa both seem to be flourishing now under his rule with your help," she said with a soft smile. "Other city-states also seem to be mostly without complaint," she added as Artoria worked out what was needed. Certain animals sent from one place to another. Certain crops moved at normal exchange rates. Even making sure that things that didn't need to come from the desert didn't exclusively come from there. All in all it was being taken care of, one step at a time.

At the same time, some seven years of sexual abuse later, and Ishtar had nothing truly negative to say. Her body had been abused and she'd cycled through being upset to drowning in the pure pleasure of having her body taken advantage of. It of course would have been much nicer to have the person violating her body being the King of Heroes, but if Gilgamesh would reward her good behavior in the end obviously it would be fine. She watched as he dressed appreciated his form, experienced an orgasm and by the time he pulled that garment form her mouth she had nothing initially to offer but a moan. Gone was her idea of cleanliness she was covered in the filth of the underworld and had been for so long she almost couldn't imagine her way out of it. He was giving her a chance to be helpful? Could she though? Well... no, not really. To determine fate was the right of a god, to go against that was innately human. Those who were human and tried to go against fate were considered witches. "I... uh... there is no way to prevent a fated death. Anything that wouldn't come through Irkalla does not belong in the world. Those that go against fate cannot be. Only witches will even try and they cannot be considered human," that was the truth. The last person she knew of that tried to deny fate was the girl she'd blessed years ago, and that one had done things others thought were terrible. She hadn't heard anything about her in quite a while but made the assumption she was dead or something by now. "I'm telling the truth, it was helpful, right?" she seemed to be begging. She wanted to be rewarded, she'd put up with so much already. What was he even trying to do?

[Bloodedge]

Damn. After seven years of searching, and seven years of judging and questioning denizens of Kur, Gilgamesh had one final hope that Ishtar could be the one to answer his question. What was the point of that milt-covered wench of a goddess being here, if she could bring literally nothing but the exact opposite of his desire? "Witches?" he repeated with an upward inflection. Bypassing fate was the plan, regardless of what that required. Witches could not be considered human. Fine; he was not properly human himself. Ah, but Ishtar claimed witches only tried to go against the will of fate. In that case, all he had to do was surpass the abilities of witches; it would be simple enough.

Still, this information was not satisfying at all. He didn't want another thing to try; he wanted something that would work. Even the King of Heroes had to admit, however, that Ishtar had been useful in the most technical, mediocre sense. She clearly wanted praise and reward, and... oh. He'd made her a promise several years ago, hadn't he? "H'oh? I suppose you were of greater use than I anticipated. It is time I repaid you then, isn't it?" he asked rhetorically. Gilgamesh would step around to Ishtar's rear while the Chains of Heaven tightened around her every limb, throat included. The souls that flocked to her were sent away with haste, and once they were gone, Gilgamesh opened a Divine Gate just outside Ishtar's line of sight. The hilt of Ea was what emerged from that portal, taken into the king's hand with a firm grip as the weight of his gaze on the goddess became something tangible. "Go on, whore goddess. Speak your wish once more."

[Apollymi]

Artoria had her work carry on. She'd become quite used to the shifts in her days and the amount of work she had to do. She'd become used to moving around things within the kingdoms to make sure everyone got what they needed. Of course, she missed the days when combat was all that was required of her, but she figured there were worse uses of her skills than a bit of administrative work. Besides, she still stretched her legs on a daily basis. She still trained her knights, the holy knights and entertained any other random fighter she felt like it. It wasn't at all the sort of battle she'd come to love, the ones that marred landscapes and completely obliterated life, but it was fun or at least it had the possibility of being so.

Yes. Witches. There were quite a few peppering the world. Those who went against fate. Those who meddled with it directly, those too obsessed to leave well enough alone. To be a witch was to be the sort of individual that could try to fight against every known notion of the world to make a thing happen. "Yes, witches..." she said with a swift nodding of her head. Of course, she wished to be useful and helpful, if for no other reason than to be rewarded by Gilgamesh. If only he'd quit resisting her so much, he'd already be under her control. But that was fine, if he went along with what she wanted now, she'd have control over him. Use him to escape this underworld and then offer him a proper reward for his behavior thus far. Yes, that made sense within her twisted mind. She'd make sure he killed that boy-queen as well, for good measure. What was this, the chains being moved him telling her to speak her wish. Okay, she could do that... she couldn't really do anything else with the weight of his gaze upon her as it was. "I want the King's gift. I want to be rewarded. I, glorious Ishtar am the only one fit to receive the king's divine tool!" Yes, that sounded right. That was exactly what she wanted to receive him after all she had been through it was well worth it to her to get it. She may even be willing to completely forgive the indiscretion of him dragging her around for seven years in the underworld, it hadn't been a bad time.

[Bloodedge]

While business ran smoothly for one Artoria Pendragon upon the throne of Uruk, one particular god, Enki, had finally made his way out of AS-IKU in search of the goddess Ishtar. She had been missing for seven years, and many of her temples had been erected in that time. Where had she gone? He expected a quick return after a brief journey, but eventually discovered her location was... the land of Kur. Knowing he couldn't get away with meeting that goddess and freeing Ishtar again, he sought other means of doing so. She had his horn, so she could call him if she were in danger, no? Indeed. With that in mind, he had to shift blame to someone. That damned King of Heroes was a prime target, as always, so Enki made his way toward the strong-walled city-state of Uruk. There he would find not the king himself, but the very young woman Ishtar expressed hatred for. She sat upon that throne looking a great deal more womanly than he'd ever seen her before, but that was a matter to be addressed later. "No brat king, eh? What a shame. Welcome my arrival regardless, mortals. I am Enki, the divine one. Do not fear the presence of a god in your midst. I have questions, which you shall answer."

Meanwhile, Gilgamesh heard the only words required of Ishtar. Ea was pulled fully from the gate which held it, and subsequently had its tip aimed at the goddess' undercarriage. "Then you will receive the one tool of this world that goes beyond divinity itself. Taste the shaft of creation with your innards, Ishtar, and know the glory you deserve!" Misleading as always, Gilgamesh decided to stand in place while prodding at her backdoor with Ea's tip. This occurred only briefly, just long enough to potentially let the confusion kick in. If Ishtar made so much as a single utterance for any purpose, she would soon find all three segments of Ea crammed into her backside with all the vigor of a proper impaling. It was... quite the satisfying thing to do, frankly.

[Apollymi]

All the way through the stack of tablets from Nippur. That was good. She always tried to get those out of the way first, just in case the King came back. No need to cause undue tension on either side of that equation. With those said she'd gone on to different matters entirely. The tablet she was now reading did not require her full attention, so imagine her surprise when her reading was interrupted. The person standing before the throne claimed to be a god, and wished to be welcomed as such. A sigh escaped Artoria as she looked up from her work and took note of the man standing before her. The Queen of Knights rather instantly found herself with a dislike of this person. "The King is out, you deal with me," these were the first words spoken by Artoria Pendragon to the god known as Enki. 'I might get to kill someone today... what say you friend?' she gave a side eye and knowing smirk to her weapon. Siduri's eyes shifted just a little. She wondered if this was really an alright meeting for the Queen of Knights. Artoria was prone to fits of temper and she might actually murder this god if she was forced to spend too much time in his presence. But Artoria had mellowed just lightly and as such she would not immediately be reaching for a weapon. "I do not have time or patience for trivialities. Nor do I offer worship to gods I do not believe in. That being said I am not a rude host, state your questions that I might answer them if I can. Then you will leave." Yes, that was about all the politeness the Queen of Knights would muster. If she found out this one had any involvement in her now two decades back discomfort she might actually attack someone today. The hilt of her blade rested against the side of the throne she could pick it up at any point and be ready for combat in less than a second. She had little to fear from a situation like this.

As for Ishtar well, she was excited. It should be said that she was thrilled. The misleading words of Gilgamesh hit her ears like music. Gone were the filth and little ones who'd clung to her form just trying to get a piece. Now she alone would be taking his divine tool into her body and laying claim to him as a whole. She'd know the glory she deserved?! Yes, that was great, and now he was prodding away at her undercarriage, finding the entry he wished to take. She noticed nothing amiss and found her body gently shifting just a little, "Yes..." she started to tell him yes. To put it where it belonged in her person, but rather suddenly her body was filled in a way most unnatural. "HUUUHGFH!!!!!!!!!!!!" An utterance that seemed inhuman almost a scream but it couldn't be counted as such. The whole of Ea was shoved into her rectum, it hurt, it was painful. But somehow she did not hate it at all. No, she was being given a divine tool, it just was not the one she sought. She was sure she was bleeding in some way. Sure her body would break apart from such a violent entry, so why did she like it?

[Bloodedge]

Ah, so the King of Heroes' filth had taken another one, had it? It certainly seemed so, given this mortal woman's attitude upon receiving Enki's introduction. Oh well. Enki didn't care much if this one served as other mortals did just yet. That could all come with time, but first would come the answers to his questions. Interestingly enough, she seemed willing to acquiesce to at least that. Enki moved forward with swagger in his steps, ever so slowly approaching the stairs to the throne. "I will leave when I please, and I may even forgive you overstepping your mortal authority, depending on how things go. Where has the boy, Gilgamesh? I have reason to believe he has assaulted Celestia and taken one of my sisters to Kur. If he's gone, I do wonder if he's been taken with her."

In the meantime, there were two sounds resonating throughout the Underworld. One was the outcry of Ishtar, and the other... "Fuhahahaha!" Indeed, it was the laughter of King Gilgamesh ringing out into the depths. In this particular case, he was more than willing to sully one of his most important treasures. In felling Ishtar, it served a divine purpose indeed. Now, what would he do once it was inserted? For starters, he would pass judgment on what seemed to be Ishtar's... enjoyment? How unsightly. "Lowly goddess, do you not know agony? To scream no differently than the mongrels I've bedded, the moniker of strumpet may even be too kind for the likes of you." With that said, Gilgamesh put Ea into action properly. Three segments it had, and three segments would begin rotating in opposing fashion while lodged in the goddess' anus. It would begin slowly, gaining rapidity as the seconds passed. Eventually, it would reach the velocity that began producing the winds of creation around it. "And now, it is time I kept my other promise. Shall I tell you a tale, harlot?"

[Apollymi]

Oh? This god called Enki said words which made Artoria's brow twitch and her eyes widen. He also rather casually swaggered over towards her throne. Did he realize he was stepping into strike range? Did he not care? She looked on this supposed god from the top of the throne she sat upon and wondered if he truly understood the kind of person she was. Obviously, he did not. If he did he would not have walked so close to her, he would not have put himself in strike range and he would not have tried to tell her what he would or wouldn't be doing when he was in her presence. She'd overstepped no Authority. While Gilgamesh was gone, there was no higher Authority than her own. "The audacity of those that call themselves gods in this world really should not surprise me, but I do not have words. Perhaps the number of temples I toppled was too few," she said this after hearing the first part of his sentences. This man was working himself up to facing a crusade, if Artoria felt annoyed enough and she was well on her way to that already. He wanted to know where Gilgamesh had gone, she was a knight and was holding to her Chivalry so she would answer his questions to the best of her ability. "I know not where the King is. I have not seen him in seven years," that was not a lie she could not be sure at this point. "I would hope he would not have done something like assaulting Celestia... without me. I would enjoy the exercise," she said without missing a beat. Siduri coughed just lightly, the Queen of Knights seemed to enjoy sacrilege. Moreover she did not believe the man standing before her was anything more than someone looking for a lost toy. She'd have no real commentary for him after such a moment and would go back to her reading soon after. "I have seen no goddesses and if I had depending on what they named themselves I might not have had anything pleasant to say or do as a reaction. Those are the best answers I can give to your inquiries," Artoria finished her sentences and felt a bit relieved. She'd gotten through the whole of that conversation without breaking Chivalry. it was damned difficult given how annoying the gods of this world made themselves.

That loud moan of Ishtar's and the laughter of Gilgamesh echoed in the underworld. Ishtar herself couldn't have held an explanation for what she enjoyed, even so, the now spinning of that tool within her rear was something else entirely. It hurt in a way that made her think of death. It was not pleasant and what was more the King was picking on her reactions. But he'd done this to her. Did it mean that he liked her? Surely he was enjoying himself right? He was laughing after all. He was going to tell her a tale? As that spinning started it was building a strange pressure within her body. Was it orgasmic? Maybe... regardless she had no words to offer the man now, only strange sounds from her mouth and body as she experienced something unlike anything she'd felt before. Was she going to die, while orgasming from this massive tool buried in her rectum, was this something she'd enjoy? As winds kicked up within her, maybe not? That was pain, true pain... unrecognizable agony.

[Bloodedge]

Ishtar had nothign to say? That was a new occurrence. No matter; Gilgamesh would proceed as normal regardless. "I will tell you of the beginning. Heaven and Earth split, nothingness congratulated creation, and my Sword of Rupture cleaved the world..." Ishtar was due for a very interesting mix of things. As Ea spun and the winds kicked out, those very same winds produced the opposite effect of any normal gust. Each stratification was akin to a black hole, sucking inward while the winds themselves spread out. "Mortar of the stars, heaven's hell is the eve of creation's celebration. Now you shall die and be silent. Enuma Elish!" The full incantation of Gilgamesh's ultimate ability endangered the whole of the Underworld. Luckily for it, Gilgamesh discovered long ago that it could always reassemble itself with time. For now though, it would become a place of desolation as the winds of genesis tore through Ishtar from within. Barren would be a massive chunk of Irkalla while Gilgamesh, without looking back to see Ishtar spawn anew as a mere soul, prepared to make his exit.

Enki was growing tired of the arrogance possessed by mankind, perpetuated by that bastard King Gilgamesh. This woman had contracted the sickness of audacity, thinking herself capable of standing against the gods. "Hm. It seems more humans have picked up terrible habits. You destroyed the temples of Ishtar, did you not? Celestia has been shut-off from this world for years now. Do away with whatever remnant temples I have in these lands; it will make me no difference." There was a certain pomposity emanating from Enki as he took further steps forward, beginning to climb the stairs one after another. He was sauntering his way to Artoria slowly, but surely, while waving his right hand about in the most nonchalant manner possible. "You happen to be in luck, little woman. I am the most generous of all the gods, so I will let you see who the true evils of the world are. You will come with me to my empire. It is a far better place than this old sandy dump, and when you have tasted my divinity, you will be absolved of Gilgamesh's vile sickness that makes you believe humans should stand against us." Enki offered no options. That mobile right hand of his reached out with every intention of grabbing Artoria when he reached the throne only a few steps higher than his current location. That is, he would be grabbing her if she did not show wisdom by taking his hand herself.

Ah, but that was a mere pipe dream, was it not? Enki would have no chance of reaching Artoria with that disgusting hand of his. For each year of Gilgamesh's absense, there was a Divine Gate opening around Artoria Pendragon upon the throne. From those seven gates came seven segments of the Chains of Heaven, all of which wrapped fully around the god's arm in the blink of an eye. Their grip was so tight, Enki could not manage the movement of his fingers, even though they were unbound themselves. "H'oh?" the voice of Gilgamesh echoed throughout the citadel's throne room. "A worm claiming itself a god has the nerve to enter my ziggurat, and reach its squalid hand out to my treasures? I will teach you of Uruk's law, Jester of Heaven. The price of theft is first the hand that steals." What would Enki say; what would he do? It mattered not. The moment Gilgamesh's speech ended, the Chains of Heaven tightened and pulled until even the god's arm was mangled and shredded off. Gruesome though it was, the angle of it all was taken with enough care that no blood tainted the queen's form when it spewed. Just then, Gilgamesh stood visible in full renewed glory at the room's entrance. His eyes held that same furious glow, but it was not currently crimson─ it was golden.

Gilgamesh heard the second scream of a god this day. Enki was no less outraged than he was in agony, gripping the bleeding nub at his shoulder and turning toward the Golden King. "You! How dare you strike a god!" he screamed. Gilgamesh seemed unusually calm upon hearing this. His head tilted just slightly, the scowl on his face being just as much pity as it was detest. "You break the law and I'll punish you. There is no room for discussion," he said. The poor god of Celestia would not stand for this, it seemed. Alas, there was little he could do as well. Gilgamesh was here, but Ishtar was not? Where was she? Whatever the case, even he was not foolish enough to deal with this problem while having only one arm. He had to regroup, have something done about his missing limb in AS-IKU. Stumbling back and fading from sight, Enki offered one additional statement. "You'll pay the price for this; all of you. Soon, you will know what it means to go against Celestia!"

[Apollymi]

Was this really something that was happening? Gilgamesh was content to fully incant the release of his Sword of Rupture and murder her from the inside out using the ultimate attack. What could she do? She could scream she could cry but still at the end she would perish. In a manner akin to a popping balloon but without the mess given the way the sword itself worked. And the most shameful thing about that death? She enjoyed everything leading up to it, until that moment of terror set in and she realized that she would not be living through the moment. Never again would she die in such a way... she never wanted a death so painful and so desolate again. What was more, she didn't even see his face again... he was simply disappearing as her thoughts and consciousness disappeared as well. For a while at least.

At the same time Artoria, generally annoyed at the man still taking steps towards her. Everything she saw of him as he spoke, she hated. He thought human's picked up terrible habits from Gilgamesh, this wasn't true, not at all, she'd clarify that right now. "I destroyed the temples of a being who sent rapists to my kingdom, to defile me when I have never laid eyes on her and could have caused her no offense. It is not a matter of the King of Heroes' influence it is instead a direct response to a crime committed against humanity by someone claiming to be one of its overseers," Artoria said those words and meant them. She'd been quite angry about the entire Ishtar ordeal but it wasn't as if she picked the woman's name out of a hat and decided to point her anger that way. She'd earned retribution in acting like a spoiled child, but Artoria was starting realize maybe she wasn't the only one who'd earned such a fate. Enki claimed she was in luck, that he was the most generous of all the gods. That was not the case, she could tell in this man's face nothing about his approach was here for generosity. In fact, the way he moved towards her when she'd made no moves violent or otherwise against him, led her to believe he was the same type of man as those who'd climbed into her castle. He was entertaining the idea of physically assaulting her to make her come with him. His words held no options and Artoria wanted nothing to do with this man. He claimed to be a god... how did his divinity stack against her own? She'd never actually killed a god before, would today be the day she tried? Those green eyes of hers lost their luster for just a moment as she sank into the mindset of a coldblooded killer. Would she let him grab her and summon her weapon into her hand? Would she cut his hand off instead? She could throw that dagger instead and use the time to get into a more advantageous position... Mere seconds to decide and it would appear she'd need to do nothing.

Seven gates opened around Artoria and she managed only a raised brow as her eyes slanted in the direction of a rather familiar voice. Once again someone was stopping Artoria from well, being herself. One day, she might actually get to act on her own rage. Today was not that day, she remained seated, seemingly unbothered, how very comfortable the Queen was with the King of Heroes nearby, even with someone who would have assaulted her directly in front of her. That hand of his was rather close but held rather tightly by those chains. 'Hmphf, he has some nerve showing such an ability now,' she thought to herself. Still, she was pleased as he came into her line of sight. But, she'd seen a doppelganger of his once already, though this one appeared to be on her side, was this really her King of Heroes? The god's severed arm taken without a drop of sullied blood falling to her person said yes. Ah, but his face and body were rather young suddenly right? That was nice to look at, way better then the one who'd recently been standing before her. Oh, but he had that godawful hair she'd seen on his younger version. Ah, but there was a reference to stolen treasure, which was obviously her, since she was the only thing this god was reaching for, right? Those eyes of his were different too, not their normal crimson but... golden instead. Still in response to the scream of a god, Artoria could only nod her head. 'Gods bleed. Things that bleed can die...' she thought noting that one away for later. Ah, still she could not wait for the return of her smaller weapon, that she might actually draw it while seated. What was more this one cried over his lost arm and claimed vengeance. Artoria was almost confused, had he not, walked into a strange place, been given nothing but cordial reception and decided to break the rules of being a guest? She now knew of two gods of Celestia and both of them were horrible people. He faded from sight, running after taking such a horrific injury. Whatever, no time like the present to find out if this was indeed her King of Heroes. Artoria finally stood and began descending the steps, she would walk towards this King of Heroes, apparently unarmed for whatever reason, "I did not ask for assistance but, I still thank you. Have you truly returned, King of Heroes?"

[Bloodedge]

Had the King of Heroes truly returned? His aura was of a slightly different nature, but it was not that of another spirit. No matter; even that change was reverted along with the color of his eyes, as the king had no use for whatever ability he obtained in Irkalla. An agitated huff passed his lips during the departure of Enki. After all this time, it surprised him that one of the gods could appear in divine form somewhere other than wherever Gilgamesh himself was. That would require looking into at a later time, but not now. Oh, now there was something far grander to behold. Gilgamesh had the absolute treat of watching Artoria Pendragon descend from the throne of Uruk, clad in an ensemble more enticing than any she'd worn before. That exposed skin, all those little teases of flesh at both top and bottom had to be the work of the female pharaoh. Oh, he'd be paying her well for her additional work.

Every step Artoria took caused Gilgamesh's grin to widen further. He took up a stance that seemed inviting, arms at his sides but just slightly outstretched. "And I did not give some miserable cur of a god permission to look upon my bride. Only I, Gilgamesh, may know such pleasure," he stated, having no concern for whether she wanted or needed his assistance. That was no matter of aiding the Queen of Knights, but instead one of enforcing his own law. As for his return, there would be little to no room for questioning. There was no truer Gilgamesh than the genuine article, regardless of how well-sculpted an imitation happened to be. "My message reached you, did it not? You are free to express your unbridled joy with weeping and wailing. I will allow the privilege to you before the rest of the world has its chance."

[Apollymi]

Apparently the exit of Enki had caused some kind of agitation in the King of Heroes. Artoria recognized it. What was more, he fully reverted to his usual self. Those eyes she enjoyed, that face she'd come to know from stolen glances and even that smug grin of his. He was staring at her. She supposed she hadn't been seen in this attire by him yet. He seemed to be not using his abilities to cheat his way into her heart, nor steal views of her directly. That was strangely admirable. There was some stark difference here and now, between having this man's eyes on her, and having that male god speak to her... she hadn't figured out what it was yet, but she didn't mind Gilgamesh so much. And look he even prepared to greet her. After reaching the bottom of the steps she took only a moment of pause. "Siduri, remember to send that message please... concerning the return of the King," she said very certain that this was him. "Of course, it will be done..." Siduri said making the note necessary for the Rim-Sin. The return of the Golden King was the end of the reign of Artoria Pendragon.

"Oh, yes, that is definitely you..." she mused, she was suddenly very happy and kind of excited to see him. His early version did not recognize her, and thought her some thing to conquer. This one adored her, she was pretty certain of that now. Ah, but how would she react to that open posture and those outstretched arms? She was unarmed and after feeling the actual relief of this man appearing before her, she remembered the thing she'd been holding on to, in the depth of her stomach she felt absolute fury. That message, reminded her. "Yes, I received it," she said carefully. And when she got within arms reach instead of simply stepping into the King of Heroes arms she aimed an uppercut straight into his gut with all the fury and strength she could muster. Her aim to knock all the wind out of his person before she began a tirade against the man the likes of which she was wholly unprepared to give. "HOW FUCKING DARE YOU DIE, IN A MANNER SO UNBECOMING, KING OF HEROES!" she exploded. "I took seven fucking days. Seven. You waited 10 years to die in seven days? I was coming back you know? I asked questions, ridiculous questions, stilled my heart, raised my country and came to you. I was happily coming to you. I was prepared to go on a date and you were fucking dead?! I took over your country which is like corralling a bunch of toddlers their first day outside and I beat the younger version of your annoying self with the same stupid hair you now possess and you have the audacity to walk in here like this. I cannot fucking believe you!" there was so much fury in the Queen in a moment like this Siduri turned around immediately happy that the woman was not armed not that it seemed she needed to be. "If you are going to beat me over the head with the idea that you adore me and want to be with me, you are required to at least take care of yourself so you do not fucking die on your throne. You impossible idiot!" Artoria was furious, relieved, happy, and she didn't have words to describe how she felt right now, but it was there too.

[Bloodedge]

In acknowledging the king's glorious return, Artoria instructed Siduri to send a message. Ah, surely the people were incredibly concerned, but all would be well; the magnificent Gilgamesh was back in action! Now, he could receive his queen. There was no method in sight of properly inserting her into the reincarnation cycle after the fated battle of Camlann, but he would make things work one way or another. Artoria approached, surely for the sake of meeting his embrace after being without it for some years...

Or... not. No, this was no leaping into his arms, no weeping, and no wailing. Gilgamesh was as pleased as a child stood before a room filled with presents, then suddenly, he was curling over and holding his recently-slugged abdomen. "Huagh!" he heaved. What purpose did Artoria have in knocking the wind from him? She should have been tripping over herself to attack him in a very different manner than this! Sure, he accidentally slipped into Irkalla for a few measly years, but that was of no importance! What was she saying? It had taken him only seven days to die after that party? That foolish woman; he'd been working his way toward death for decades. "YOU INTOLERABLE WOMAN!" By the time Gilgamesh stood erect again, there would be two monarchs standing in the middle of the throne room simply... yelling at one another. Apparently, Gilgamesh had completely glossed over some mention of a date, as well as the uncharacteristic number of swears spewing from Artoria's mouth. "Seven years I spent in that damn gutter Kur, seeking a way to reverse the fated death you so stupidly resigned yourself to!" he shouted, an accusatory finger pointing so furiously that it jabbed the woman's forehead multiple times in sequence. "And where were you for all that time before?! Seven days you held the grail, after ten years of preparation to obtain it! If not for your negligence in raising that wretched country of yours, then seven days sooner I would have rested! Worse yet, the audacity it took to leave Chaldea only minutes after felling the titan! What sort of woman do you call yourself?!"

[Apollymi]

If Gilgamesh expected Artoria Pendragon to have a normal emotional response, he was sorely mistaken. The one thing she held close was the violence she gave with no thought whatsoever about why she felt violent in the first place. She wanted to run into his arms and happily engage with him, but she simply didn't have that in her repertoire of reactions. Of course she didn't expect this slight against him to go without repayment and soon enough he was spewing words at her. She was intolerable, yes, he said that a lot. Even his younger self saw her that way. So what excuse did he actually have for staying dead for so long? Apparently he was in so long to look for a way to help undo her fate? WHAT?! Artoria was having her forehead poked and her heartbeat sped up. Her entire face flushed, and she was simultaneously furious and happy. Why would he do that? No one asked him to do that! How dare he try to turn this around?! "Why? You... Ugh!! Moving on!!" she exclaimed this man's audacity was boundless, but she couldn't be upset at him for doing something like that. Still the poking was happening and he wanted to know why she'd left after slaying the Titan and why she hadn't stayed longer and why she didn't return immediately?! How it was her turn to poke and she was doing so right in his chest to enforce her points. It was rather firm... no. No distractions. "Listen here, you moody, annoying, brash idiot. I left because I did not know what it was to feel anything even remotely romantic. It was best to prepare ahead of time, to give a full effort knowing you were giving yours!" Right, she didn't feel right leaving him to be the one to try so hard when she had come to realize she liked him back. "I left to figure out what it meant to offer myself to you, even while not simply uninhibited. And to know that I would not be confused or regretful about anything I undertook knowing that I did not fully understand what it meant to like you. I was trying not to hand you my broken psyche to deal with on top of everything else!" she was outraged. Artoria stared up into the King of Heroes' eyes with burning fury but also something else, like a swirl of emotion that was not simply negative in its nature. "It only took me one day to realize I was not just drunk and impulsive. The rest of time I spent preparing to make sure my country could run itself while I spent time with you and I show up and you are dead. Do not lecture me King of Heroes, I sat here anxiously awaiting your return!"

Both of these people were so furious, Siduri was unsure if this was a greeting, the start of a fight, or the start of a breakup. Her life in this palace was bound to become very interesting she figured. After serving both of these people, for about the same amount of time, she realized they would work really well together. But she also realized it was possible for them to spend just as much time arguing as getting anything done. Even that last sentence of the Queen of Knights could have been more rightly translated as 'I missed you.' and the earlier commentary of the King of Heroes translated as 'I do not wish to miss you, ever.' Both of them were so strange, but perhaps that would be what made it alright, in the end.

[Bloodedge]

As if yelling back and forth wasn't enough, the pair were soon poking one another in different places to express their outrage at the other. Artoria explained why she left; it was a simple matter of her being incapable of reciprocating his attention. What? Had he not been dealing with Ishtar for the past seven years, Gilgamesh would call that the dumbest thing to come from anyone's mouth in ages. She had no need to waste her time figuring herself out, or whatever else she thought to do. She wanted to refrain from offering a broken version of herself? That was quite reasonable, but... Gilgamesh was not here to invest in reason. "You fool! I never said you could run from me just because your head wasn't screwed on properly! You are a thousand years too early to think of telling me what I can or cannot put up with!"

Well... apparently, the King of Heroes was willing to tolerate even the broken psyche of Artoria Pendragon. How she did not understand that initially, he had no clue. He didn't care one bit how broken or incomplete she was. She would be his, no matter the state of her being. "I will lecture you as I please, woman! The fact that you would sit seven years upon my throne without welcoming my return with every fiber of your being should be an offense punishable by flogging! Has your entire existence of these years served the purpose of infuriating me?! Perish the thought that my return be anything but glorious, but you see fit to make it otherwise!"

[Apollymi]

Yes, she was still poking him in the chest. And now that she thought about it, he was dressed quite a bit different. Right, she was mad, no inspecting his attire... well a quick glance wouldn't hurt, right? A quick glance occurred and those emerald eyes of hers shifted he really was nice looking in a moment like this, it'd probably be easier if she didn't think about the fact that he was good looking. Why did she care he was good looking? Knowing people were attractive made it way too difficult to carryon being absolutely furious. "I was not running. I was strategizing! And I will do as I please... it is not just about you!" Yes, that was firm enough right? Yes. Yes it was, as long as they were both upset this could go on for ages. She sat seven years upon his throne without welcoming him home and that should be punishable by flogging? Of course it wasn't, she'd been doing his work the whole time. "It is hilarious you think you deserve welcoming home when you died of your own stupidity!" she said seeming less outraged. She turned on her heels crossing her arms over her chest the whole of her back completely visible to this man while she held her face. "Damned be the understanding that I was doing your work so we could actually spend time together when you finally decided to show up. SEVEN. YEARS. LATER!" Artoria was absolutely furious. She was still happy to see him. Ugh, she couldn't say that... that was a terrible sentence. That wasn't at all in her own nature. She wanted to touch him more... No punch him more, right that was the better answer right? Actually...

She looked down at her hand and now that she wasn't full of unbridled fury had it... hurt to hit him like that? Just a bit her knuckles were bruised just a little. That would heal in a few seconds. How dare he act like this? She looked back at him again why was she so conflicted. This is exactly why she'd needed seven days to figure out how to talk to him. Because of moments like this that she knew played out in violence. Siduri had seen the Queen of Knights do this exact sort of thing several times, the young woman was rather conflicted about the King of Heroes. She often walked in on the young woman having whole conversations with her sword about maiming the Golden King, but also others about how much she couldn't wait for his return.

[Bloodedge]

"Is that part of your little knights' code? Turning tail and calling it strategy?" he questioned. To claim she was strategizing was ridiculous! What good was a strategy, when he laid claim to the woman as she was nearly two decades ago? She needed to be no more complete than she always had been for his acceptance, so to make him keep waiting around like this was pointless! As for dying of "his own stupidity" as she put it, the thought was no less ridiculous than any other. "Hmph! I may have accidentally let myself die, but it was no more than a minor miscalculation! It would not have been noticed, if not for my decision to scour the Underworld for answers that would bring breath back to your eventual corpse!"

Yes yes, seven years later he returned. Seven years she'd spent on the throne of his city-state, the throne above all others in this world. The yelling had only just begun; she would be receiving a great deal more immediately. Alas, the king fell silent. That exposed back was more of a distraction than he'd bargained for. It riled him up instantly, but in a way, it calmed him. Well... it would be more accurate to say, the sight of so much bared flesh on that normally hidden form caused a slight rework of his existing mentality. He breathed in deeply, crossed his own arms, and exhaled over the course of a few seconds. "H'oh?" he started, the grin of full pomposity returning to his visage. "I see. Seven years you have sat upon my throne, and you have since grown restless in awaiting your place in my lap. I will take this outrage as the inevitable result of your impatience, as you have bared so much of yourself for my viewing pleasure. Though, this animosity would serve you far better when receiving me properly."

[Apollymi]

The mocking tone of the King of Heroes was one which garnered only a scoff from Artoria. He would say something like that, "It was actually strategy... I ran headfirst into you and the world itself decided to throw a Titan in the way. I was annoyed and did not understand why. Regrouping was the best decision," Artoria was quite serious. after killing something she'd calmed down and didn't understand why she'd been doing anything she had been doing. It was bad to confuse the psychotic murderer, who is hiding very barely beneath the veil of Chivalry. Yes, the female pharaoh and her sister had done a good job explaining to Artoria why she had behaved in such a way but it was not an easy conversation to have. "Death is a miscalculation?! Do better math!" she said seeming to find this man just as insufferable as he claimed she was.

Not looking at him set her at ease a bit, but now he could see the whole of her back. Of course he would comment on the amount of skin she had showing. His words hit her ears strangely and once more her face flushed. She was fairly certain she spent more time talking to him with blood in her face and none of it flowing through her brain. "It was nothing like that!" she exclaimed finding him absolutely outrageous. "Besides, I did not do this for any particular reason. I would have died of a heatstroke in a week sitting here otherwise..." she said turning herself around lest he get the wrong idea. Actually, thinking about it, it probably wouldn't help at all, given how much skin she had showing in general. She wasn't particularly skittish about such things, dress for the weather and all of that. She simply had no conscious memory of anyone caring how she looked. The King of Heroes making it so obvious he was looking and appreciated it, made her feel strangely. Beyond that she'd turned back around and now she was looking at him. He truly was dressed different, she didn't really dislike it, aside from the hair. Whoops, she'd been looking too long and not saying anything. "You are also dressed differently," she said as if she'd not been staring. No. No... being around him was always like this for her. She did not wish to run, but she also did not know how to avoid the pitfalls of talking to this man. At the very least she wasn't actually angry anymore. He'd said some nice things again, even while he was yelling. He'd been out working to try and help her. And while she was gone, she'd begun to at least rethink the way she was spending what remained of her life.

There was a gentle chime. What was that noise. The gentle tapping of that water vial on her person. Oh... it was her sister trying to speak with her. She walked over to an empty basin and filled it from the vial. "What, Fae Princess!?" was the first words out of Artoria's mouth. A blonde with electric blue eyes emerged from the water only half way looking aghast. "First, hi. I did not know I was on the shit list today. Second I heard all that, hug your King of Heroes, no need to be confused about it. Third, here..." she said with a smile on her face. She pulled from her side the shining version of Excalibur that Artoria was used to holding. That blade so stunning it couldn't be called beautiful was now back where it belonged in her hand. The lass' eyes widened had it truly been long enough. She took hold of the sword with a bright smile on her face. "Now now... no need to thank me. You have both your favorites back. Be careful with them, yeah?" she said about to disappear she had one more thing to add. "Oh, and give the big one to Merlin he'll know what to do with it..." she said about the other Excalibur, which was still leaned against the throne. "Fine. Fine. Thanks." she offered her sister who disappeared into nothingness once again. All the while Artoria was now looking over her reforged blade with much appreciation and flickering her gaze over Gilgamesh. Were they truly both her favorites? Probably. "Hello, again old friend... it is good to see you well," she said to the sword as she inspected it. And when she was done her eyes travelled over Gilgamesh as well, it was good to see him too. "Welcome home, King of Heroes," she said walking back over to him. Somehow she felt a bit more brave with a sword in her hand and still she planted it in the ground beside her to free her hands. Could she hug him? Yes, yes she could and she would before she changed her mind about the experience she'd aim to wrap her arms around him and hide her face. She liked this.

[Bloodedge]

It took some nerve to remind him of that day the White Titan interrupted his ultimate victory. Thinking back to that time, he scoffed anew. That damnable beast would be slayed by his bare hands if it ever returned. Regardless, his math needed no further work. A few simple blinks beforehand, and he would not have slipped into Irkalla; it was all so simple. Death by overwork was not something that could claim the King of Heroes while he remained conscious of the state of his being. Ah... but now that he thought about it, there was still work to be done.

What of Artoria's exposed flesh? It was not done for his sake, but to avoid dying of a heatstroke, according to Artoria. How laughable. "Perhaps you should have let stroke take you, just a little. A seizure or two would have prepared you well for my return, and the consummation that will come soon enough," he announced. He had to admit though, there was much appeal to this little outfit of hers. He could see so many perfectly-placed openings to take advantage of on a whim. If she had something like that in place during the celebration of her Holy Grail acquisition, perhaps things would have gone quite differently within the Nexus. Oh, but Artoria had something else to comment on as she turned to him with a freshly-flushed face. He was dressed... differently? That wasn't quite right. Her words were true, but he saw in her face much more than an acknowledgement of change. "I would not wear the same old rags during my grand resurfacing. What's the matter? Does your mind implode upon itself as you consider all the possibilities?" he teased.

Suddenly, there was yet another interruption to an existing conversation between the two. This one led to Artoria rushing off to a basin, only to return with the original Excalibur in tow. Had he truly been gone so long as to let that sword be repaired? It seemed so. More importantly, he was soon to be met by something very new, and very much overdue. Whatever happened after she ran off, Artoria returned with a greeting complete with embrace. Gilgamesh's brow rose; this was not something he foresaw during their little spat. Regardless, he would meet that embrace with a smug grin, one arm of his own wrapped around the woman's torso while the opposite hand rested atop her head. "Hmph! Resisting to the bitter end, all for this to be the result? It seems seven years of Uruk has not altered the likes of you, Queen of Knights."

[Apollymi]

The return of the King of Heroes was full of sass and quippy behavior. Whenever Artoria determined why she needed to be constantly annoyed by the men in her life, she would figure out how to kill the one who determined her lot would be slayed by her own hand. Whatever the case, it seemed the King of Heroes did not take kindly to her thoughts about why she'd changed clothing. Apparently, she should have let herself be taken by heat, so that she might be prepared for their eventual consummation. "You still say the most outlandish things..." Artoria said this, but they were alone now, even Siduri had wondered off when noting that none would come to blows. After all, she did have a message to deliver to the King of Nippur. Besides all of that the Queen of Knights was a rather private person. What of his new look? Well, she was obviously thinking more things than she was saying, but of course she was... she had a strange amount of problem vocalizing things that had to do with the King of Heroes. He wanted to know if her mind imploded when she thought of him in his new clothes she managed to simply avoid eye contact. "Implode is not the right word. Do not tease me King of Heroes."

Yes, that was it, she could be firm and understanding. Of course, he did look kind of great, and what was more within his arms she could also say he felt great. He was warm and inviting and so much bigger than she was. He also looked a bit younger than she'd seen him before. Not necessarily different just less stressed in general? With a hand atop her head and one around her waist she could only scoff at his sentiment. "The world bends to the mighty remember. Things are more likely to change around me than I am around them..." she said sounding generally pouty. She looked up at him for the first time in a long time and met those eyes she'd come to enjoy quite a bit in the time before. "No one asked you to be so smug about this King of Heroes," she said as those fingers of hers danced along his back. He was definitely younger than he'd been the last time she'd seen him. That was a frightening idea, he'd come back younger that would make him problematic in ways she didn't know if she was prepared for. "Also your hair like that reminds me of the other younger, you I ran into... you are a problematic individual to have summoned, both in personality and power," she said producing this Archer Class Card in one hand while ruffling his hair with the other. Since he was holding her it would do her a world of good not to be annoyed by that haircut which reminded her of a jerk she'd stabbed to death in the desert.

[Bloodedge]

Implode was not the right word, she said. One could not avoid realizing that Artoria never rejected the overall idea of his statement. Of course, it would be Gilgamesh who brought such a thing up. "H'oh? Should I instead say explode, as your loins will do in time? Perhaps that would be more fitting," he corrected. The way she looked in combination with the dainty fingers shifting along his exposed back, told more than enough tales of her wandering mind. Ah, it seemed to be more than deviance that overtook her consciousness. Good. He would be quite disappointed if that were the only thing. "Fear not. In time, I will explode the whole of your being. Your wandering mind will not be left alone."

True enough, Artoria Pendragon was more likely to alter the whole of Uruk before being affected herself. Frankly, Gilgamesh would even be elated to see a full overhaul of this world while she dominated the whole of it beneath her boot heel. A chortle even managed to slip through the king as his hand shifted slightly through tightly-wound hair. "Do I not have the reason to be priggish? Does one not feel satisfaction when looking upon the rising sun, being greeted by its warmth as the long night's cold melts away?" The way Gilgamesh viewed a situation such as this could not be considered in high regard; that would be far too simple. The language of this world had no words that could fully express his thoughts. He would have little choice but to change that line of thought, however, as Artoria chose to do away with the styling of his hair. In doing so, she mentioned that pitiful copy of his younger self. Gilgamesh scoffed once more, turning his gaze from that disgusting card. Seven years ago, he'd seen that imitation in a vision. Of course, this meant it came as no surprise to know Artoria encountered it. "I may have been somewhat excitable in my youth. Those imitations shall be removed from their resting place. None will be allowed to summon me." As he spoke, Gilgamesh reached out to the card held by Artoria. "Least of all you. You are permitted only to partake of the genuine article; nothing less."

[Apollymi]

The words of Gilgamesh hit her ears with such aggressiveness. He really meant things like that. She knew it down to her soul, but that didn't make it better for the young woman who was not at all used to being addressed in such a way. "You really can not help yourself. So content to put strange ideas in my head," the young queen said. Of course it went without saying that she actually had no real problems with the way the King of Heroes spoke to her, when they were alone. It'd become something very obvious, she did not mind how he was, she actually quite liked it. Her dignity simply wouldn't allow her to accept such openness while she was carrying on her knightly duties.

Speaking of things she accepted when no one else was around one of those hands of his was inside of her hair. That felt kind of nice... why? Well, apparently she didn't always need to know why, but this was a strange thing to discover one liked. "It seems your realm of death still left flowers in your mouth... I do not mind though," she said that sentence and felt she would likely regret it at some point. This man literally just compared her to the sun after a cold night and she found those words strangely endearing. Whatever the case he seemed to scoff at the mention of his other self. What was more he was content to try and take from Artoria her acquired card, claiming she would only be allowed to partake of his real self. "Oh? I do not think that is a worry to have. That version of you gives me only the desire to kill. Mercilessly. Ire-inspiring you were in your youth, at least to me. Though I do understand why you should not be summoned by others. It is proof that I actually succeeded in killing you... I may not be keen to part with my trophy," was Artoria teasing? Maybe just a little. Truly she was not overly fond of the young King of Heroes, and in her own opinion he did not seem too fond of her either. Aside from some strange obsession he had with breaking down her personality. Strangely, this seemed to be somethng shared by his older self, but utilized in a different way. Still she was enjoying her time in the King of Heroes arms, she really had missed him. How young was he now? She could not tell, nor did she want to ask, lest she be confronted with the nature of her wandering eyes once more.

[Bloodedge]

"It is not so simple a matter as that," Gilgamesh insisted. Putting ideas in the queen's head was too small a thought. "I am content to put a few things in many places. All of such places happen to be found somewhere on your person," he continued as he always would. Never having a shortage of ammunition, even more loaded itself into his chamber when Artoria spoke of his flowery speech. One might wonder if she ever realized what she was setting up. "If you mind it so little, you will surely enjoy the things that will be left in your mouth. Flowers may be the least of it."

Gilgamesh's thumb and forefinger were closed around the corner of that blasted card, yet Artoria had not released it to him. She had a desire to kill him that was exasperated by dealing with his young self, so she would not be relying on that card for any summoning. However, she wanted to keep it to herself for an entirely different reason. She thought it to be a trophy that represented her success in killing him? Nonsense! Defeating some poor imitation was no mark of victory over his own greatness! "If it is a trophy for killing the likes of me you desire, then you should be capable of killing my true self," he said, forcing a grin through twitching lips and brow. "Perhaps I shall allow you the privilege of holding this atrocity when you manage to best me. A wonderful idea, no? I will be magnanimous and not limit it to matters of combat." That suggestion was about all he had to offer, but... suddenly, the existence of that card was even more of an annoyance than it previously was.

[Apollymi]

Oh? He wasn't just putting ideas in her head. She was thinking too simply? He was content to put a few things, in many places on her body? Her thoughts ran wild. What things? What places? Would she enjoy them? Her face flushed intensely at the thought and her eyes finally averted from the King of Heroes face for a moment or two. "I want to say I should be silent to avoid these moments, but I do not feel like silence is enough to stop you from saying such things..." she mentioned as her eyes came back to him. One day her face wouldn't always be red in his presence. In some ways, she would rather face an army of a thousand armed fighters than deal with the things Gilgamesh said to her and try to figure out how to respond without leaving herself more open to verbal attack. Like this last sentence? How was this taken in such a way... "I am convinced you cannot help yourself," she said of this man's constant speech. Those words that filled her head with curiosity and ideas not natural to her being were always strange.

Artoria had teased the King of Heroes just a little and she'd caught sight of it in the moment. His absolute annoyance at her words, marked by that twitching brow and lip as he tried to talk himself into claim of the thing she'd won for herself. A cheeky little smirk came to the Queen of Knights' lips. "I do not always desire your death, King of Heroes... sometimes it is more or less about the victory~" she said as if she did not know why he could be upset. "Right now, your lips and brow are twitching... does the comparison between your younger summoned self, and your self now really that upsetting to you?" she asked seeming to find amusement in managing to get anything resembling a rise out of him that he was not in control of. Of course, she'd done this before, so she knew the signs... right, when she'd hinted at the idea that the King of Magecraft could be recognized as her sovereign match. What was more, he claimed he might allow her to hold the card if she managed to best him, and it didn't even have to be in combat. "Oh? But I won the card already... you really are a hoarder trying to take it from me when I was the one who captured it," she said giving that same little smile. "No matter, if it really is so important I will relinquish it to you. Like I said I am not fond of the counterfeit version of you anyway," she clarified. Actually, that was how she got under that one's skin, she seemed to have no problem being so close to him now. She even actually let go of that card since he wished to have it. And now that hand came to rest against his chest. It was really firm and kind of nice to be against. What was with his body? Truly she should have had less of a problem ignoring him than she did. It was because she liked him that she found it annoying to try and concentrate while he was so close?

[Bloodedge]

There was indeed no way even silence would stop him. Even that sort of statement was another bayonet with which to arm the King of Heroes. "You are allowed silence. It will be made that much sweeter when you begin screaming to the high heavens," he said as if it were a matter of fact that she would be doing so. Gilgamesh never seemed to deal in conjecture with this woman. No, all that he said would happen, and neither she nor fate had any say in the matter. Well, Artoria technically had a say, but only "yes" would be considered acceptable.

It was not about the death, but about the victory, she said. Even that was presumptuous... yet somehow erotic. Yes, it was exciting to observe the Queen of Knights' resolve in action. She fancied getting under his skin, did she? Well, he'd make sure she was repaid in full, in whatever ways he thought up at the time. "Do not presume to know what I find upsetting. A forgery has no right to stand in my place unless I allow it. I would consider allowing one that would reach out to you, only under the proper circumstances," he clarified. Only in one scenario would some cheap copy of Gilgamesh stand before one Artoria Pendragon. It could be permitted only when Gilgamesh himself took his place behind her... or the other way around. Yes, that should be the law, but even that had an air of repulsiveness about it. Moving on, Artoria released that card in the end. Where would her hand go once emptied? Onto his chest as she spoke her distaste for the counterfeit. Interesting. Since she wanted to touch him so badly, he took her by the wrist and shifted her hand toward his own cheek instead. All the while, he was moving forward, the grin returning to his visage. "Save such sentiments for later, Queen of Knights. You've yet to truly know the original model. But, do not worry. You will soon know nothing more than the one true Gilgamesh."

[Apollymi]

A sigh left the Queen of Knights. She'd truly done nothing to deserve this sort of punishment from life. The King of Heroes needed very little to use as ammunition and he'd still find a way to turn any utterance into something that would leave her face heated. Still she found it more disturbing that he was always so certain of his own words. Even right now, he claimed she would be allowed silence because her screams would be sweeter later. This was not that sort of battle, but he was firm in his surety of being able to elicit some sort of response from her. "You definitely cannot help yourself..." those eyes of hers would not be dealing with the smug visage of the King of Heroes right just now. No... she allowed them to wander a bit. Well actually they wandered a lot but it would start off innocently enough. That jewel in the middle of his forehead, different earrings, not terrible she supposed. Gold... Artoria's eyes were moving around if only for the sake of having different focus, when she realized that in general this man wore jewelry instead of actual clothing. He had tattoos on his arms as well that was not bad actually. He was saying things, how a forgery had no right to reach out to her without his permission. She shouldn't presume, "I presumed correctly so I will continue to do so." Artoria had a small smile on her face as she tried to figure out why this man dressed in such a strange manner and why she found herself liking it. She really shouldn't, but she really did.

She'd freed her hand of his Class Card, relinquishing it to his control, and then placed that hand against his chest. This man's entire upper body was always so exposed. Soon that hand she'd laid against his chest would be moved by the wrist. He was moving it towards his own face. She found herself placing her hand there and her gaze finally returned upwards. 'Shit.' That was the thought, she'd definitely been staring unabashedly for several moments just trying to figure out why she liked this change in attire and coming up with no real answers. Instead she'd been ogling him instead of being much for conversation or anything of the sort. And now, he was grinning. He claimed she should save her sentiments, that she would soon know the one true Gilgamesh. Meanwhile she was going through ways in her mind to avoid having a conversation about her wandering eyes. Her hand was against the side of his face now. His skin was smooth and soft under her hand, her fingers twitched ever so slightly dancing just enough to flick one of those earrings as she traced his jaw. "You really are young right now," she murmured that little thought aloud. If she was meeting his eye perhaps she couldn't be distracted by him, but his face was nice to look at. Especially his mouth.... always talking was the King of Heroes besides those eyes she'd come to enjoy his mouth was a prime target.

[Bloodedge]

"And why should I bother showing restraint, when the mere sight of my queen sets my very soul ablaze?" he countered. He could have helped himself in all honesty, but he saw no point in doing so. He saw Artoria quite differently than she could ever see herself; that much was clear. Also clear, was the aversion of her gaze... multiple times over in the midst of discussion. This was not the first time she'd done such a thing. What of the last incident? If he recalled, she claimed there was merely nothing else to look at. In this case however, there was much to view, yet her eyes wandered only across the King of Heroes' body. "Hmph," he muttered while watching her gaze bounce about.

This time, he would grant some leeway. Artoria would have the time to continue her observation without interruption. What would she say when it was over? That was a major point of curiosity for the king. As such, he spent a rather long time staring into mobile emeralds, until such a time as she viewed his face again. The fingers upon her hand were fiddling, and her eyes still did not meet his own. Oh? Was she looking to his mouth again? Yes, it seemed she was. With that, came the commentary regarding his newfound youth. How ironic that was; he'd spent so much time, and lost so much just to have restored youth taken from him. Now that he had it, though, he had quite a few plans for its use. "Is that what claims your attention? Indeed, I have been restored to my prime. I should have Siduri make amendments to that note. As I am now, it will take more than a fortnight to leave you crippled, which you may be for an entire month at this rate. I must admit, I found no answers to the situation of your death. Not to worry. I will find the answer soon enough, or I will slay fate itself when the time comes. So... what say you, Queen of Knights? Are you prepared to finally experience life before that fated day, and before the end of fate as you know it?"

[Apollymi]

Why show restraint? The sight of his queen set his soul ablaze? He meant her?! Artoria's face was stuck in its reddened state. Why did he say that? Who said things like that? Why... did she like that? Artoria had come to several conclusions in her life, not the least of which was that being a girl and thinking like one had a strange effect on the way her mind worked. "You say things and I am surprised. And they are the kind of things I expect to be lies and then they are not lies. You are ridiculous," she was firm in her knowledge that this man was absolutely ridiculous. To be fair she did not mind that though... she was coming to strange conclusions about herself. It probably didn't matter, everyone told her such things were normal, but perhaps they would remain strange to her because she'd never experienced them before this point.

Moving on, there was the matter of her staring and her accidental utterance. She rolled her eyes slightly. He'd noticed her staring he was always going to, she realized but how would he bring attention to it. By answering that question she'd not meant to ask. He was in his prime now. That was interesting, to come back from the dead in one's prime was an interesting thing to have happen. Ah and teasing, having Siduri make adjustments to his most ridiculous claim left the Queen looking aghast. Who had two weeks to waste on not being able to walk? Why would one want to not be able to walk? He'd found no answers to the situation of her death? Well that was fine, she wasn't looking for them either... the only one who was particularly worried about her death before now was her elder sister who'd died to have more time to devote to fixing it, as she said. "It is outlandish that you can say with a straight face that you intend to leave me in such a state for more than a month like it would be acceptable," she said with a roll of her eyes. "I worry not about my death, there are enough people doing that already. And I am not actively seeking it..." she said knowing that part of her elder sister's plan to die as Morgan was the ability to use her influence and the spare time to find a better method of restoring her sister to the other side of the world. Though she'd told her she was uninterested in such a thing, there was no stopping Hoshimi Rie when she decided to work, especially when said work was for the sake of her siblings. In that way, her elder sister and the King of Heroes were quite similar. "I would tell you not to exert yourself but I see such a thing is lost upon you..." she said with a small smirk coming to her face. Those fingers of hers stopped at his chin. Was she ready to see what this was like? Yes, actually... that was a surprising thing to realize. But... there was one other thing that needed doing before she could do so as freely as she would like. "You would have me commit to a month. I ask you give me a day..." she said. Though feeling particularly selfish now, she would still be responsible. "Though I am prepared to see that which you offer. I cannot let a copy of Excalibur, with fewer restrictions than my own sit alone the world with no master... it is easier to use than my own and I would rather it be where it needs to be," she said. "I also need to lay eyes on my Kingdom and make sure the Lady Kay is fine with her continued duty, though admittedly this line of action is the only one I have ever offered that she has given her own agreement to," she said. It was still strange to her that the Lady Kay seemed so alright with her activities within Uruk and concerning the King of Heroes. She was not after the Kingdom of Camelot though, instead she simply wished for the Queen to experience things. Artoria could see that in her agreement, and none could argue with Kay when she made such a decision. "Is such an allowance within the King of Heroes's magnanimity?"

[Bloodedge]

Of course Gilgamesh told no lies. In all the times he'd spoken to this woman, only the truest of truths passed his lips. Perhaps he was ridiculous, but the fault was Artoria's to bear. The same could be said of her upcoming inability to walk, which would be a trophy Gilgamesh carried with himself for all eternity to come. A month was not to be considered acceptable? Well... tough break. There was no law to stop him, and no notion of reason that would overcome his desire. "Unacceptable would be the opposite. If you are capable of utilizing your legs when I am done with you, it should be the ultimate failure weighing on my own shoulders until the wrong has been righted."

Onto matters of Artoria's demise, she claimed it was not a thing she sought actively. Of course it wasn't! Still, there was no making up for the fact that she openly resigned herself to permanent death. If she refused to worry about the situation, however, that did not matter; others would do so in her sake, until she learned to overcome the situation. True enough, there was no point to telling Gilgamesh not to exert himself. He only recently returned from death by overwork; who could dare think he knew restraint? Ah, but none would understand the truth of that query more than Artoria... soon enough. It seemed she was apt to accept his offer at long last. It had only taken her seventeen years to resign herself to heavenly bliss. If one asked Gilgamesh himself, he would say it would take another seventeen lifetimes of the planet for her to recover from this decision. One day, she requested. He'd been waiting for seventeen years, so what was another day? She had things to do, and so did he. There was nothing wrong with a single night of preparation. As such, with a single step back, Gilgamesh stood with arms akimbo and a grand declaration on his lips. "Fuhaha! Very well. One day, I give you. Do as you must, and make peace with the loss of all you currently know about life. In one day, you will be born anew as the woman you were always meant to be. One day. Do not leave me waiting another seven."

[Apollymi]

This man was truly ridiculous. Making a claim that it would be unacceptable for her to be able to walk later. He claimed it to be a failure on his part in some way? "I feel that calling such a thing the ultimate failure is some sort of exaggeration, but again... you are not lying. Looking at you though, I doubt there is any weight too great for your shoulders to bear that I could give you..." she said seeming to find his change in mood and that declaration one that was both frightening and appealing. It was a bit odd, for her to feel any particular way but... she supposed there were worse ways to feel in general.

Her death was a topic of heaviness. Artoria knew this better than anyone. Strangely only Morgause, Merlin and Gilgamesh knew of its more permanent nature. Everyone else, was just under the assumption it would take some time for her to respawn. Those who knew the truth worried a lot, Artoria did not wish for everyone to become stuck on the manner of her return, not when there were much brighter things to be taken into account. Besides, she resigned herself to death because she the evil twin should die. Her own idiot brother would sign himself up for it, in her place without question so of course, she would not allow it. Whatever the case, she would entrust that fate of hers into others hands. Admittedly after the death of the King of Heroes and waiting rather anxiously for his return, she couldn't actually imagine doing such a thing to him on purpose knowing he was waiting for her. She had learned she cared enough to want to at least experience life with him instead of allowing herself to die, for her own selfishness. Whatever the case, it seemed to be the case that the King of Heroes was willing to give her the day she sought. In fact it came with a laugh, and a grand declaration. She was released already and a small smile came to her face. "Not to worry King of Heroes. I would not leave you waiting for me, I shall return tomorrow," she said as she walked towards the throne. She held in one hand her own copy of Excalibur remembering something important. "Break." A command which formed around it the sheathe which was actually the re-forged shield Avalon, it'd been hovering around her for the entire time she'd been in this place. If she truly did not want to be touched by that god, she could have simply become untouchable. The other version of the sword she slung over her shoulder in a manner most casual before coming back down the steps seemingly without thought. "You have been a good companion new friend. I assume your new master will be here soon. He is great, you will love him..." she mused as she walked off. Yes, this sword was not meant for her tiny form, she assumed her brother was meant to carry it and Merlin would place it where it needed to be. And off she went... knowing she would return swiftly to lay claim to what the King of Heroes offered.

[Bloodedge]

And so, there was yet another separation between king and queen. This one would not last very long, though─ such was the agreement between them. As Artoria took her leave, the king opted out of a return to his throne. Seven years prior, there was something he planned to do, and he would see it completed. First though, he would see the queen's departure. Indeed, not a single step taken would evade his gaze. "Hmph. I will be here," he assured. Away she went, and then, away he went. A bit of time was taken to catch up with Siduri about missed events in the great city-state of Uruk, as well as the world... and once that was done, he of course passed along instruction regarding that record from years prior. What would the king do then? He'd work, as he always did. A bit of personal construction around the walls was necessary for a long-term plan of his, and he would see it advanced with haste.

Meanwhile, a certain god and emperor of AS-IKU sat upon his divine throne, plotting as priests of the sky-bound sea worked toward healing his severed arm. Something atrocious had been done when it was removed, he learned. No matter how they tried, and no matter how good his capacity to heal was, the wound could only be cauterized. What power had that damned king acquired to make this happen? He was divine, infallible in every right! No one outside of Celestia should have been capable of wounding him permanently! Alas, that seemed to be the case this time... so the advanced technology of AS-IKU would be put into play. There was no use mourning a lost limb while there was vengeance to be had. Some sort of prosthetic with abilities would suffice, so long as it could hold his great divinity.

[Apollymi]

"You better be." That was the last sentence Artoria Pendragon spoke to the King of Heroes. She returned to Camelot to find her court mage and give him the copy of Excalibur that she did not need for herself, giving him the instruction dictated by her sister. Soon after she went about having discussions with the Lady Kay and found that this one was perfectly fine with a potential extra absence for the sake of being entertained by the King of Heroes. It truly was confusion how understanding this particular woman managed to be about the entire situation surrounding the King of Heroes. But in the passing moments a statement was made which stuck out in the mind of the Queen of Knights. 'There is no reason to live a partial life. If you are content to die... you should be just as content to live.' Kay had mentioned while staring at the girl who was a bit closer to the one she'd raised before she decided to become King. 'And there is no reason that life shouldn't include the ability to be a girl. Even if you cannot manage it for us, you should want to do so for yourself... it is part of growing up.' Yes the Lady Kay had been part of her rearing in this world. She took issue with Artoria's lack of personage whenever it was part of conversation. She was the first to argue against the warmongering of her, and decisions which made her appear inhuman. But the quickest to her defense in a moment where she'd been unsure. She was right to trust this place to her in her absence. A single night at home. Her morning training Knights who knew she was back at Camelot. A walk around the keep. She'd see all there was to see of her people settled in this land, before spending some time in the care of the King of Heroes.

While Enki got an arm made to do something about the damages done by the King of Heroes. Ishtar respawned in the Underworld screaming with enough power to shake it. Everything hurt! Her entire body was on fire even as it came back. Never again would she do something like that. She never wanted to experience that death again. Not ever. And where was she? Still in the Underworld. She was a goddess, but she couldn't leave of her own accord. And Kur would steal something from her again. Whatever, she'd go out by way of the judges, she'd use their bodies to crawl up if she had to, but she'd be damned if she lost anything important to her as she aimed to get out of here. "How could he?! I did everything he asked... all he had to do was give me what I wanted. And for what? Seven years he spent down here, searching for answers of fate for that dead friend of his? Or.... for the boy-queen?!" there was a pause as she came upon the Judges. She had no intention of being judged, they would always see her as guilty. "Heavenly Strike!" her desire not to be harmed, her desire to walk out of here... her desire to destroy the judges before was enough to shake the underworld for just a moment and break the automatons with a mighty burst of mana and divinity, at least temporarily. She would climb out over their bodies scoffing the entire time. "He could have at least waited for me to respawn! How dare he make me exert myself when I came here to rescue him!" she seemed cross with the King of Heroes but her obsession had not changed. No, she only wanted to possess him more now than she had before. She'd have him... he could not actually resist her. Obviously, he was just busy, and stressed. She shouldn't have interrupted his use of death. Yes. That made sense. He'd even thanked and rewarded her for the information she'd provided, so obviously he didn't hate her. It took a while, but after she finally climbed up these creatures she reached for the outside of this cave. Instead of the stairs she'd been taking the long way out. And when she finally reached the opening she tried to cross the barrier breathing a sigh of relief a bit too early. As she stepped out the hand of a Gallu reached out. To exit death she had to lose something and what it claimed from her would be most important. Her Divine Core was claimed as the price of her exit from the outworld this time. And though she felt something leave her body, she had no idea what it was. Another scream would be all that was heard from her.

[Bloodedge]

One task was given to Merlin... and what a task it was. Of all the things he'd foreseen in this world, some were far more clear than others. This was the final thing he saw with great clarity, which made the Mage of Flowers believe the time of Camlann was fast approaching. He'd always known it was a thing he would not be present for, much to his dismay. As for why, the answer was a total mystery. Nevertheless, his path was clear. The heavier copy of Excalibur, meant for another incarnation of King Arthur at a later time, was to be placed where it was to be taken. Perhaps the fall of Artoria Pendragon would leave him on another journey to raise the Future King. Perhaps something more interesting would happen instead? He'd learned a great many things in this long life, and among them was his own true name... which was quite interesting when he considered the name of another likely found in this world.

Onward he went, carrying that large, golden blade to Saint Paul's Cathedral. There would be the stone, the anvil in which the blade was to be placed. Empty was the cathedral when he entered, summoning the mysterious magics attributed to him by his name. The sword glowed with a power that could almost be taken as divine in its own right. He drove it into the anvil with no slight difficulty. Sparks flew en masse, as if a grindstone were at work. "Bydd pwy bynnag sy'n sychu'r llafn hwn, os yw'n deilwng, yn etifeddu pŵer y Brenin Arthur. Os dylid tynnu'r cleddyf hwn, gadewch iddo gael ei ddadwneud gan frenin dewisol Albion yn unig." By the time Merlin's incantation came to an end, the sword had been planted in the anvil. The outburst of mana that occurred was enough to blow a hole in the cathedral's roof. A light shined through that hole, casting itself upon the Sword in the Stone as it saw the dawn of its own legend.

[Apollymi]

"Damn that Kur! Still taking from me. I will never cross into the Underworld again! I will find a way she will stop taking from me!!" Ishtar was upset. And now that she'd come out, she was in the middle of nowhere. Some vast desert with no sign of life and no sign of water. Whatever, she'd go back to her temple and watch Gilgamesh while thinking up the way in which to properly bring him to heel. But what was this? The manner of teleportation she normally used to get back to her temple was disabled?! Why couldn't she get back? What had Kur taken? In fact whenever she tried to do it, she simply felt an ache, like something was missing from her form. "She stole my Divine Core!" she turned around and felt sluggish, her legs buckled as she looked for the entrance to the underworld but it had closed back up. The absoluteness of her form had ebbed. How dare they turn her into some lower level creature? And lock of her out of her temple? What was she to do out here in the world? Starve to death and end up back in the underworld?! Ugh. There had to be something she could do. She had to have something right? "Shit! What do I do? What do I do? If there was at least some water around here, I could call Enki. He'd come running..." she had this thought but she really hated calling Enki. She'd have to explain what happened and that could potentially get annoying. She could lie. Actually, that sounded like a good idea, she could tell him a small bit of the truth, she'd teleported and ended up in death with the King. And upon exiting she'd lost her Divine Core. She'd need another one obviously or to get hers back, she could be nothing less than perfect. And then with her divinity in tact she'd figure out how to properly capture Gilgamesh, he'd bend to her will eventually! And with that, she blew the horn always on her person. Though she hated to admit it, Enki at least had his uses.

At the same time, a certain fairy casually watched Merlin's work from the lake. For the last seven years her own emotions had been all over the place. But finally, she seemed to be calm. Seeing her younger sister happy and emotionally developing was a step in the right direction. It was also a task she could leave with her currently unaware silent partner the King of Heroes. But at the same time, the point of her personal turmoil was... Merlin. But in the last seventeen years, something attached to her had been growing, both in power and in influence. "Do you really plan to let him get away with what he did? I have the solution you know?" said the voice she could see as her own reflection in the water. A white haired young woman with those same electric blue eyes looking back at her. "You know it is a little disturbing for you to speak to me so directly. You are in my body, it's ridiculous," she said seeming to not get the point she was conversing back with said voice. "So you say, but haven't you always dealt with things this way. Both of us know what we are most capable of handling and what we are not. I've already created the answer to your problem, I know you wish to use it..." she offered like a bad shoulder angel. At the same time, Vivian swept her hand across the water's surface scoffing. She couldn't believe herself sometimes. It was strange to have two personalities, one for family and one for work. Stranger still to have both sides of herself working on the same goals, one with humanity and one with only the outcome in mind. Was it really so bad to be ruthless when the end result was desired? Was it really so good to be soft if you lost everything for morality? The duality of these questions was fixed by the effectiveness of her two rather separate but equal selves. One day... they would merge properly but for now... she needed both parts of her mind for their tasks.

[Bloodedge]

Just as Enki was about to have a new arm attached to his person, there was a horn sounding, calling to his very soul. He'd given only two of those horns, and only one was liable to call him. Surely, it was Ishtar. Shooing away the tech-savvy members of his empire, he decided it was best not to leave the goddess waiting. After all, she'd been gone for some time; surely she needed help of some sort. It was a simple matter, vanishing from one place to appear where his horn was located. Once there though, the god found himself... in the middle of nowhere at the lower end of the world. What sort of ridiculousness was this? Ah, Kur must have been thinking to punish her green-haired sister once more. "Ishtar, you wound me. Seven years, and now you call me to this lowly plane? Oh well. For you, I will tolerate this. What is it you need of me?" he asked, having a glance over her form that seemed... quite strange to him for some reason.

In the meantime, Merlin was casting his magic once more. The Sword in the Stone had to be something the people knew of, and there was no better way to ensure they knew than... to insert the idea of it into the subconscious of all who inhabited these lands. Those who harbored ambitious dreams would be drawn to Excalibur, far and wide. It was quite the low-tier enchantment that would only affect the most ambitious of them, but they alone would carry the legend into the future. They alone would be the group that caused the Future King's rise, and they alone would lay the first stone to a path of Albion's bright future.

[Apollymi]

He was quite right, it was Ishtar calling him. And yes, it was best not to keep her waiting. She was prone to tantrums as all who had once inhabited Celestia knew. Even so, when he arrived he seemed to be gazing over her form. Yes, she was dressed in the rags of Kur, but she had died so that wasn't truly surprising at all. Of course, the first words out of his mouth were about some wounds to his non-existent pride. "It isn't like I popped down here for a vacation, Enki!" Ishtar snapped. Of course she would snap first, she was in a bad mood, a bad position and now she had to deal with a person she didn't very much like his initial tone. "I might have, met an untimely end and been trapped in the underworld for a while thereafter," she said skipping over all unnecessary details because well... she wasn't about to mention having the time of her life being raped by spirits as Gilgamesh watched. Nor was she about to mention her devious plan for wanting to see him again. Oh, wait... what was this, now that she was actually looking his direction she took note of the fact that he was missing an arm? Who could have actually removed a body part from him? Did he run amok with one of the other gods? "What the hell happened to your arm? Was Anu right? Are gods just getting weak all over the place? My Divine Core is gone and I cannot get back to Celestia this way. But this level of the world is gross... take me somewhere I can be comfortable. Assuming you still have the power to do so," Ishtar was haughty as she always was. But between them they were missing a godly core and an arm. And the idea of that was annoying. Obviously her perfect form needed maintaining and that would only happen with her core.

At the same time, Merlin was spreading the dream along with ambition towards the bright future of Albion. A dream shared by the younger sister of the two fae looking at each other through the water. Artoria was a strange young woman, willing to martyr herself for a future she didn't plan to be part of, without even telling anyone that was her plan. Technically speaking the plan wasn't bad, it just lacked foresight and knowledge of people. Those who loved her, did so on an individual basis, they would not necessarily tarry from her. Besides that her new title as the Queen of Knights would leave all of them properly at her beck and call forever. She did not realize the magnetism of her own personality, but that also made her the best sort of person. It was more than a bit annoying to everyone who knew what she was up to, and this woman and her darker reflection on the water could only shake their heads. Perhaps the King of Heroes would convince the lass of the folly of her ways? Perhaps the words of one of her Knights would finally get through to her? Or maybe, it would be something else entirely? One of these visages smirked, looking up into the water, she saw the moment and it would strangely be a combination of things that showed the Queen of Knights where she belonged in the world. Whatever the other fae saw, made her frown just a little... of course she wasn't looking properly she was distracted and looking towards the one known as Merlin. "You could always have a go... one last time get him out of your system. You could even use the place I set up... and if you decide not to follow through with the plan, you can always make that choice. It is not as if it matters to me either way~" the words of this face in the water, was quite appealing now that she thought about it. Maybe she just needed to get him out of her system. In this form she wasn't randomly slaying people all the time, so obviously her confusion on what to do came from that point of view. Yes, that would be lovely.

[Bloodedge]

One would hope Ishtar didn't come to this level of the world for a vacation. What did those pitiful humans even do down here? It seemed she'd been through quite an ordeal, being trapped in the realm of Kur for seven full years. He knew she was there, but it was a far more recent discovery than that. What could she have done to wind up in the Underworld? Well, the blame would be set on Gilgamesh. "I see. Condolences, Maiden. It seems to have gotten the better of you, but... have no fear," he said. Enki had a dastardly plan in the works─ one that would rid them of those pitiful mortals who overstepped their bounds. Alas, it seemed Ishtar was without her Divine Core. That would prove quite problematic. What sort of queen could she be at his side without that? Whatever the case, Anu was indeed correct; he had to be. Nothing else could have explained the sudden fall of Ishtar, and the permanent loss of his arm. "I encountered the two-thirds king just yesterday. While trying to find out what became of you so I could be of assistance, the boy-king sitting on Gilgamesh's throne revealed that she has contracted his sickness of contempt for the divine. When he appeared, he suddenly proved himself capable of permanently severing my arm. I was just about to have a new one attached when you summoned me." With that explanation out of the way, Enki offered his remaining hand to the former goddess."Celestia is closed. I will take you to my chambers in AS-IKU. The mortals will not see you in this state, but we'll find an answer to this problem, and... those mortals will pay the price."

The dream of Artoria Pendragon, of King Arthur even, coalesced onto a single blade... now two. Merlin's work at Saint Paul's Cathedral was at its end the moment he spread another dream to the minds of humans. Even he did not know how much time would pass before it was drawn, or before its chosen wielder even appeared. Perhaps it would be days, perhaps months, perhaps... centuries or millennia. However long it was, none on this planet would be capable of pulling this Excalibur from its resting place, bar King Arthur himself. So long as Artoria lived... there could be no other. How far into the future was that fated battle, he wondered. As the Mage of Flowers left the cathedral, he even lamented his own lack of foresight. There had to be a reason he could not see so clearly beyond this point. . .

[Apollymi]

Technically speaking she'd fallen to nothing but her own stupidity, but one like Ishtar would never admit she'd done anything wrong. Nor would she see wrong in those she favored so long as they did what she wished. Gilgamesh in this case, had done something she enjoyed, right up until her death. As such, she only found fault with his ignoring of her, and his interest in the boy-queen. Of course, the mention of that same boy-queen seemed to be in Enki's mouth as well. So, that one, had done something to earn Enki's ire huh? Well, he was a god, at least he should have no real problem punishing the boy-queen. "Hmphf, I knew she was no good. I hate her! I knew I had a good reason!" she said. Yes, she'd sent rapists to the girls' kingdom. And yes, she was the exact reason the girl did not appreciate the interference of the gods, and yes she'd done it for the sole reason of Gilgamesh showing interest in her, but none of that mattered. She was the problem here, not Ishtar. Whatever the case it seemed Enki had a plan and he could at least be useful for devising such strategies, he had been the one to originally rescue her from the Underworld. She took his remaining outstretched hand, anywhere was better than this slum of a place. "As long as they pay, all will be well..." was her final word on the matter. Of course she didn't think this man could actually do anything to Gilgamesh, especially not with the idea that the King of Heroes managed to permanently injure him in anyway. But that was a problem for a different time, first and foremost she needed divinity.

What was happening with Vivian? Well, she was about to address a burning issue of her mind... and technically of her body. She finally made her way from the lake and casually strolled finding herself at Merlin's left as he looked pensive leaving the the Cathedral. "You look stressed, is something the matter?" she offered with a kind-hearted smile. She was trying really hard not to think about anything too much. They weren't a thing so it was fine. She had no reason to be mad. But... she still was... as unreasonable as that seemed. Whatever the case, this would at least clear her mind a bit right? There was nothing wrong with seeking entertainment from a willing partner, and she'd been rather busy for a while now, they should catch up.

[Bloodedge]

Whatever reason Ishtar had for hating the one called Artoria Pendragon, was not a reason shared by Enki. He did not hate that woman, but he would bring her to heel. She could be another of his trophies. Yes, the one that bastard Gilgamesh desired could be a slave to his whims. Such a marvelous plan he had. Now, with Ishtar taking his hand, Enki had the pair of them transported to the country within his empire that held her temples. Quite a few had been erected during seven years. In fact, he now had a grand temple of Ishtar at the center of all five segments of AS-IKU. Their arrival would not be in any of said temples, though. No, he had instead manifested them atop his bed set in the center of a pool that filled the room. Floating around nearby were various trays of offerings from the humans that visited him, be they harem members or otherwise. One particular tray was picked from for its date palms as Enki sat comfortably. "Rest, my dear Maiden. Let me tell you of the plan. First, we must separate those two. Gilgamesh seems to show some exemplary ability when he believes he is protecting that pet of his, and she must be shown what she deserves for acting against us. Even more important though, is your lack of divinity at present. Lacking a Divine Core may affect you over time. If you perish again, there may be no chance of returning it. I believe I have the ability to... spare you of that fate. Doing so would connect you to this empire, but... that was within the plan anyway."

Merlin thought his departure was ahead of him, but that was apparently not to be the case. Instead, he had a visitor he'd not seen in nearly two decades. Lady Vivian, the Fairy of the Lake herself decided to grace him with her presence. Was he stressed? That should not have been a thing showing on his face, but it was hardly a thing to be avoided. "H'oh. Has it been a thousand years since I last heard that voice?" he asked of the world, ever the smooth talker. "Worry not for me, my lady. I was thinking of a future I cannot see. It is... strange. This Clairvoyance is a fickle thing. I see everything happening in the world right this moment, but only some parts of the future. A future beyond burying that sword, though, there is not." Of course there was a future ahead of this moment. He somehow knew this, but the fact that he could not properly see it was almost infuriating. Without skipping a beat though, he stopped walking and turned toward Vivian. There was a smile on his face as well, though far more devious in nature. "Hmm. Maybe it's your fault? Maybe you shine so beautifully each time you appear, this resurgence after so long has blinded my mind's eye~♥"

[Apollymi]

Here in this man's terribly named empire, Ishtar found herself ported into a bed, surrounded by water and offerings. She could have felt accommodations like this were at the very least interesting, but the fact that he'd dropped her in his temple, in what could only be his bed did not sit well with her. She could anticipate the man with her trying his hardest not to just give her what she needed but to try and extort extra favor out of her. She hated men like this... Still, as she heard out his plan, she couldn't argue against it being a good one. He wanted to separate Gilgamesh and boy-queen. She wanted this too but for very different reasons. Even if Gilgamesh, considered the thing his pet, he should have been paying attention to her. Maybe if he went without her, he'd see the grand gift Ishtar was offering. She'd even let him kill Enki, after she assured her own divinity. Ishtar was propped up on her side, listening semi-attentively while scheming in her own mind. "Yes, no one understands more than me how much of a problem my missing divinity is, than me..." she said. Even being here felt slightly different than it had before and she wasn't even in Celestia. She imagined the world felt thicker than she was used to, but missing a divine core, even with the underlying status of a mage was a bit annoying. She doubted she could even have pulled off her escape from the underworld without truly exerting herself. Still, how was he to achieve this plan of his. "So you would spare me my fate of decline, but you haven't said how," Yes, she'd go ahead and include herself, it was best to make herself appear available to this sort of thing, even if she wasn't actually interested.

At the same time, a different kind of conversation was occuring. Vivian had approached Merlin directly and heard still honeyed words from his mouth. This always happened when she appeared before him, and she had to admit that she enjoyed their arrangement. Still, after seeing the declarations the King of Heroes made towards the brick wall that was her sister, these seemed almost hollow. How could she have been so stupid? Well, he was still good looking, and just being in the vicinity of him still made her loins tingle. Even if she was angry she had to admit that he was attractive. And more so than that, he was willing to do things most people would not... her enjoyment of sex was far from 'normal' and having an incubus on hand for such dalliances was truly a boon. "Oh? You do still know how to sing so sweetly~" Vivian could barely help falling into such a trap. Well, she was going to get laid today regardless what did it matter. It seemed Merlin could see everything happening on the planet right now but nothing of his own future past this point. A smile came to Vivian's face and it was genuine. "The future is fine... I have seen quite far past this moment and I can assure you it is nothing to worry about..." she said these words and meant them, though she knew what her overall plan here was. Ah, he turned towards her deviously, he always would eventually, she grinned into his face and gave him the most innocent look her body could muster. "I doubt I have anything to do with it, but..." she gave a sly smirk and gave him a cheeky wink. "I'm sure I could think of a couple of methods to save you from blinding yourself while enjoying me nonetheless~" Strangely again, those were words she meant. Her mind and body had been all over the place for literal years, but in the end, hormones won out sometimes.

[Bloodedge]

It was only natural that Ishtar be troubled by her lack of divinity. Without it, she remained no less appealing physically... but alas, a mortal was just a mortal. She could do nothing for him without all the bells and whistles that accompanied godhood. It was a shame that Kur would not accompany him instead, but if he could restore Ishtar's status without incident, that would not matter. So then, what was the male god's plan? It was a simple one. "I am getting to that," he stated while tossing a date palm into his mouth. A few chews later, and he sighed before speaking. "If I were to connect my own core to you, it would hardly make a difference. The only thing they do for us now, is ensure we gain power from worship and whatever authorities we are willing to take on. So... a sharing experience. I've been watching those humans summon copies of heroes for some time now, and they have this thing they call... mana transfer. Basically, we create an empty core for you from half of mine, and I fill it with my divine essence to keep it stable. As it functions strongly with a concept originated by you, it should be very effective."

Speaking of effective things, it seemed Merlin had not yet lost his touch. He may have lost touch with the world a bit, but that was of no importance at all. "I'm fit to sing whatever tune satisfies you, of course," he said with a bow. Hollow though his words may have been, that was simply the way of Merlin. His very nature demanded that any semblance of emotion register quite differently to the norm. After all, one could not emulate the meal on their dinnerplate. Vivian offered assurance of the future, stating that no worries need be placed in it. Merlin was not one to truly care one way or another; lacking the foresight was more an annoyance than anything. Ah, but that was also of little importance when stood against the hunger of an incubus. Charm in place, he heard the words of a promising future that held actual importance to him. She had some methods, did she? Well, she certainly had his attention. "Oh? I'm not so sure I'm against the blinding. What's a bit of sensory depravation, if not a wonderful journey of discovery? Though looking at you is a treat I will never say no to. What might these methods be?"

[Apollymi]

The words of Enki were interesting ones to say the least. He planned to give her half of his Divine Core and wished to fill it with his own essence. Of course, that is what he wanted to do. She knew at least partly such a plan would work, her own power worked based on things offered to her body. To leave an offering within the body of Ishtar was to give power to her brand of divinity. Mortals were at least useful to have noticed such a thing themselves when using summons. "I do not see a flaw in this aspect of the plan. It is rather close to the basic level of my acceptance of offerings," she concluded. Of course, to be given only half a divinity was to be forced into an entire cohabitation with a man she did not even like the look of, but it he was going after Gilgamesh and he always seemed fine with slaying random gods. It should be nothing for the King of Heroes to kill Enki and allow her to take full possession of the Divine Core he should have just offered her. "I'd rather not remain in such a state for so long, how long until we could try?" she asked. It would seem like she was quite interested in becoming powerful again, and of course she expected some dumb and random request from the man. As long as it wasn't too outrageous she supposed she'd make due with what he asked for. Besides all of that, she could definitely see the use for a summoned Gilgamesh and she was pretty sure she could easily demand one for something as simple as basking in her presence from any mortal that laid eyes on her. She was a Rider, she should have no problem controlling a summoned version of Gilgamesh. Then she could keep him until she got her hands on the real one. Yes, she could content herself with that thought, while hearing whatever ridiculous thing Enki wanted in exchange for giving her merely half of his divinity.

Vivian was being fed the same kind of words she always was. She still liked hearing them surely enough but that being said, she was always receptive to such words. "Oh aiming for my satisfaction and we've only just started, you are working fast~" she flirted without missing a beat. Of course she always would and could do exactly that. Annoyingly enough, there was once a time that she meant such things, to this man specifically. That was her own fault she realized. She should have never allowed such investment, but... when she felt she found someone she clicked with, she thought such a thing was mutual. Actually, the longer she talked to him, the more clear this whole situation became, she'd been stupid and now she should be less so, the other her was right about that. "Oh my methods this time?" she asked with a cheeky smile. "How long can you hold your breath?" she asked obviously she had plans which involved the man not breathing for a while, "I mean, I was thinking we could have a bit of fun in the lake fall through and finish up in my new place. It's pretty sweet but I haven't been able to show it off yet. Through the water would be pretty fun... " she mentioned with a wide grin spreading across her face. Actually, she truly thought she would enjoy a romp falling through the lake into the world on the other side. If it wasn't for the fact that she was emotionally broken right now, but this would be strictly for fun.

[Bloodedge]

Ah, so she understood where things were going. That was a relief; Ishtar tended to be quite lacking in the intelligence department. Moreover, the similarity of the idea to her normal method of things was something she found easily acceptable. "I figured you would agree. Just the same, the core we create will be capable of taking on a true Divine Core, if one is acquired. It seems Mother and Father have been working on ways to pass theirs along. I will make an effort to acquire something more legitimate for your sake, but for now, we must keep you from becoming one of... those," he said, repulsed by the idea of Ishtar becoming fully mortal. There was no need to waste any time before creating the core. All he had to do was something similar to Anu's plan for passing divinity to another, altering it by the principles of Heroic Spirit summoning. "Try? I do not try, Ishtar. Have a little faith. Come here; I'll give you what's rightfully yours again."

Meanwhile, Merlin was in for quite a treat. At least, that's how things seemed already. There was a semi-permanent smile on his face, exasperated by every word passing Vivian's lips. Frankly, he'd missed interacting with this woman. Why hadn't she taken a break to visit him sooner? Life on the other side must have been busy, but oh well. He was always used to being the aloof one, so it took nothing to play the other side for once. Besides... it gave him more to be excited about when she finally appeared. What did she have in store for him now? Something about holding his breath. "Aww, no fun little transformation this time?" he complained jokingly. Steps being taken anew, he seemed to already be heading in the nearest lake's direction. It didn't need saying that her suggestion was something of interest to the incubus. "If I had to guess, I'd say I could hold my breath for at least... seven," the mage said, making no reference at all to an actual measure of time. A wink was offered over his shoulder when that statement was given, as if his meaning even needed to be made clear. "Don't tell me you waited all these years because you went house shopping. I might cry~♪"

[Apollymi]

Ishtar was lacking in intelligence, unless it was something that benefited her directly. When something benefited her directly she had a unique understanding of it, in this case, it was of a benefit to her that Enki share his divinity with her, though she wanted whole divinity she supposed half would do for now. Admittedly, it would have been much more useful for her if she'd simply found out about Anu having one to give away. She definitely could have just badgered him into giving her his. Ugh, maybe Enki would do it and she wouldn't have to, he at least implied he wanted her to have her full divinity. Ishtar was to have a little faith in Enki, "I suppose you are always the one who gets things done," she said rolling over to meet him. Strangely she'd be found straddling the man initially this would be fine. She had the strangest knowledge that this would be uneventful for her if she was not in control of it in a moment like this. She supposed in a normal setting she should make him feel like she wasn't doing such a thing for selfish reasons. "Since you are giving me half your core. I will take care of this part," she said this because she would be taking control. She'd reach for his manhood between her thighs while stripping herself of the simple robe of the underworld. She was a 'Rider' after all.

At the same time, it seemed that Merlin was at least a little excited by the ideas presented by Vivian. It really was a shame, she quite enjoyed what she thought was a mutually beneficial relationship. Whatever the case he teased about the lack of transformation by her own desire, she could only smile. "What can I say, I'm feeling a little nostalgic~" she said as if that made all the difference in the world. In truth, she'd missed seeing him, and she'd quite enjoyed feeding the Incubus. Whatever the case he was already headed for the lake, it seemed at least he was completely happy about the idea of hers she'd presented so far. "Oh seven? You're sure... It's been a while. I might need a bit more than that~" she jested seven was plenty for what she had in mind. As for house shopping being the reason she'd not visited she could... technically tell the truth about that. "Oh please Merlin, I've been very busy. Making sure my sister doesn't kill her future husband. Placing the idea in her head she wants to live. Making sure to start on a method she can come back without breaking the whole of the world... my life is pretty complicated right now," she said with a smirk. "Not to mention having for forge an Excalibur and re-forge hers... That, was a headache. I had to see the Great Creator and begin dealing with a different problem cropping up from that. I am lucky I finally managed to take a bit of time just to build the thing... you know?" she explained of the situation. To be fair, she'd been very busy the last few decades, though she'd spent quite a bit of time just trying to do about a certain bit of information she'd learned about. Oh well, she was taking care of that now.

[Bloodedge]

Ishtar not only approached as instructed; she outright straddled his lap without any additional goading. Well, that was the sensible approach, after all. He had the key to all she wanted, so it was only right that she seek it herself. She'd take care of "this part", she said. "How generous," he replied smugly. As she busied herself disrobing and wresting the shaft from his trousers, he focused on his own core. Enki had to imagine some sort of opening to stream that glorious divinity through, and though it pained him slightly to do so, it seemed there was no issue. The real issue would of course come later. "Today is the day of miracles," he commented. In essence, Ishtar would soon be born into a new divinity entirely. With that, would come some sort of miracle. "Open wide, Ishtar, and let the authorities speak through you. Today will be your birthday, and by my input... that boy-queen will suffer." Should Ishtar leave her mouth agape as instructed, Enki would be quick to close much of the distance between them. His own mouth would open as well, and between them would be a wisp of divinity to enter the woman's maw. Her core would form from that, and his would close. One could presume two miracles could come of this, as Enki thought only of having Ishtar as his trophy queen and, more importantly... bringing that damnable Queen of Knights to heel somehow. Capturing her for himself would surely give him all that Gilgamesh desired, and having Ishtar would do the same for every other man in the world. Perfection.

Nostalgia was what motivated Lady Vivian to make her decision. Merlin took no issue with this; he could partake in a little nostalgia trip as well. Ah, but she joked that seven was not enough after such a long time. A mock scoff passed Merlin's lips as he turned up his nose. "Oh I don't know~. It has been so long. Maybe seven is all poor little me could manage. We'll have to find out~♥" Vivian had indeed been leading a very busy life. That she even had time for casual visits now was surprising, but he would not be looking a gift horse in the mouth. No, there was another mouth he thought to look into instead─ perhaps while letting himself be a bit artistic with the face around it. As they moved closer and closer to the lake, Merlin found himself considering a great many debaucheries. Even when answering the call of nostalgia, rarely was there anything normal between them when they met. "With you being so busy, I wonder how you managed to even remember the likes of me. I hear that Great Creator is too amazing to even look at!" he joked while being himself regarded as "too beautiful to look away from" by most. "So then, you're looking to relax? We can easily arrange that, probably~"

[Apollymi]

Enki thought she was being generous, Ishtar was never truly generous. What she did now, she did for the sake of returning her own Divinity. Making such a miracle in the world was one thing she wanted to do if only because it would get her what she asked for. In a moment like this, she realized, that the sex was hardly necessary. It was probably just how Enki chose to pose this because he wished to have her in such a way. Whatever, she'd get back at him about this later. He wanted to continue giving her orders? What made him think she... the Glorious Ishtar would take such things from him? Only now, only right just now because she needed this Divinity would she even bother. After his shaft was freed she, slid herself forward onto it, managing to have her mouth fall open as instructed. Open herself up he claimed by her authorities? She'd do that, it was always easier to accept than it was to give. What would she concentrate upon, first and foremost, regaining what was hers, all of it. And secondly? Keeping apart Gilgamesh and that damnable boy-queen. She would not have them capable of meeting, they should stay away from each other and suffer. And with that in mind, she'd easily find herself capable of accepting his Divine Essence. She'd let her eyes close, but as they did with Enki's mouth closing in upon her she decided she did not like this. Facing some man she did not want, kissing or anything of the sort. She was here for power, not some damnable romance. Next time she rode a man like this, she'd face away... She hated looking such a man in their faces, and they didn't deserve to look upon her ecstasy while not being the ones doing the work to cause it.

At the same time, Vivian seemed to be amusing Merlin. That was pretty normal for them actually... she being the sort of person she was, and he being the sort he was... they could always have a casual chat before one of these little escapades. "Oh, that'd be most shameful Merlin... to keep me from something I've not had in so long~" she was musing and not lying. If he'd suddenly become rather bad at this all decisions would be made easier. While she thought that over, she gave a wistful smile. "No nothing like that the Great Creator is beautiful. But not in the same way you are... it is almost a stark contrast," she said. In lesser terms the Great Creator was almost paternal in his way of dealing, he saw them all as children. But for the idea of sex with Merlin to have fallen off? Hell, if she'd thought such a thing possible she probably would have killed him. Rarely were things normal between them, but that was simply a matter of course, Vivian had gained a great many 'strange tastes' in her life and she had ended up with more dealing with someone who could provide her whatever she felt like taking. She needn't even speak such desires, but simply take them as thought while opening herself to this man, yes that would be fine. She imagined for this go, something long and girthy. Actually, she imagined a bit of a dance beneath the waters surface as she held him at different levels. Ride him along the surface, pull him deep into herself as she rolled them into the depths, ah, then both of them, upside down as they fell into the abyss, into the swirling lake beneath the waters surface. Perhaps after all of that she could grace him with something sweet and be graced equally while blindfolding him against the walls of her new place. Actually, yeah... all that sounded pretty fun. Maybe all of that with one of those adjustable ties around his neck so he couldn't breathe until she found release. Yeah actually that too. No breaths to be taken while she searched for her own. Vivian was full of good times such as these. Even with all that thought and feeling her body tingle at her own imagination she supposed this could be considered more nostalgic than other things. "Yes, I'm looking to relax~" she said that as they reached the water's edge. "Come on then... I know you felt it. You know the things I want~" Armor pieces disappeared as she took her first steps she wasn't wearing anything beneath that dress but it mattered little given she intended to mount him as they floated along.

[Bloodedge]

Into Ishtar's open mouth, went one of the last traces of the old world's divinity, at least in terms of what remained active. Enki could feel his own Divine Core sealing itself anew as Ishtar mounted him properly. Surely Ishtar's would do the same without issue. Whether that was the case or not, both would feel the shifting of the world beneath them. It wasn't truly the world, but instead all of AS-IKU answering to the desires of its gods as best it could. Five countries made this empire, all outside the slab of land on which Enki's home was built. Those five countries, and their current place of debauchery, had become mobile. It would be over the course of their meeting that the land itself took mana from the people, all for the sake of converging on Albion. The temples would be the cornerstone of a barrier, the likes of which the Father Anu had been constructing for himself elsewhere. Soon enough, all of Albion would be sealed off from the rest of the world, and made mobile along with AS-IKU.

Meanwhile, Merlin was stepping out unto the shore of a lake, observing the Lake Fairy herself as clothes were discarded between them. He did indeed feel her desires, just as he felt the first of them manifest on his very person. It was always a surprise to know what sort of tool he'd be working with for a meeting such as this, but he could always feel the change occurring. Upon the removal of his cloak and robes, he took a moment to inspect his own manhood. "H'oh? I almost forget this is your idea of relaxation. Well... I guess that part comes afterwards, doesn't it?" he mused. Nevertheless, the excitement was painted quite clearly on Merlin's smiling lips as he stepped out into the water. A simple bit of swimming technique, as well as a bit of magic from the Lake Fairy herself would certainly make it no great feat to float atop the lake as they began. As such, Merlin let himself relax. He floated out, phallus aimed to the sky and arms spread wide. This was going to be an interesting day, he thought.

[Apollymi]

Power restored. Ishtar took back her Divinity and with it came the extra power of her body. Nice, that surging wetness in her loins return. The absolute appeal of her form that came with magical influence also happened as she sealed such power within herself. Any Authority she could take unto herself she did but she wouldn't realize for a while yet one was missing. Her desire, was to separate two lovers, her desire was to keep them worlds apart for her own selfishness. There was nothing that could be found a greater in opposition to the Authority of Love than that. She lost hold of it and in its place settled fully the Authority of Lust. She could spark desire as always, her perfect form could inspire sexual impulse, but she lost the ability to cause love, to feel it and to even understand it. She also gained with it, a madness which was stuck to her skills like glue. Whatever the case as her hips began to move, she began to shake enjoying herself and all the power she was offered. She did not care about anything else, she was Divine again! "YES!~" she could only moan her happiness. As Albion as a country was hidden from sight, locked away forever by their own whims. This was the power of gods. That boy-queen and the King of Heroes would be finding out soon enough, exactly why they should have just fallen on their knees in prayer before her. All the while she rode Enki like he wasn't even there having a great time with every movement of her body as aggressive as they were. Yeah, she could take this amazing finish for herself and felt that one like Enki should take his own.

At the same time the Lake Fae was using magic of her own to float them across the water. Merlin had something to say about what she called relaxation and she could only chuckle. "It's best not to forget, you'll end up a bit shocked if you let too much slip your mind~" These were the words of Vivian as she slipped atop the Incubus. Always going into those rather welcoming arms she easily found herself sliding onto that manhood stretched up into the sky with an easy amount of desire. It could be said after all that Merlin was irresistable and made the loins of all ladies enter such a state even without the magic. Vivian wrapped her arms around the man as she sank into the most blissful feeling of pleasure. And around the time that his manhood reached the depths of her person, she would reach the first of many orgasms and cancel her own magic without thought forcing them to sink beneath the surface.

[Bloodedge]

Surely the outcry of Ishtar was a combination of things, no? Yes, it only made sense. Not only was her godhood returning, but she had the absolute pleasure of it doing so while she took his member into herself. It hardly took any time at all for the reborn goddess to enter orgasmic bliss. Who could claim as much influence? Only he, Enki the God of the Sea, could do so! The thought alone had him laughing as the land moved and people weakened. It was such a magnificent moment, he could hardly resist falling to it. Moreover, there was the alteration of Ishtar's original authority. Enki felt a fair bit more inclined to bed the goddess, somehow. He found himself holding firmly to her hip with his singular hand, his own hips thrusting from beneath her as the fruit of his loins spilled out. Well, that was new. Perhaps it was a simple matter of not experiencing another divine for numerous years? Yes, surely that had to be the case.

While gods were busy tearing parts of the world asunder, Merlin was busy diving into an event that would change the world in a very different way. He couldn't know that at present, of course, but he also wouldn't care if he did. As Vivian slid onto a tool of her desires' own design, the incubus knew a form of bliss long overdue. He'd have to find some way of ensuring her continued visitation, lest he fall victim to the more mundane women of this world. Ah, she'd said something prior to mounting him, didn't she? "What was that? Sorry, I seem to have let my mind slip from the shock of penetration~" he joked. Silence would fall upon the mage thereafter, as a single orgasm of the Lake Fairy resulted in the pair of them being submerged. He held his breath immediately as his arms hooked around the woman's midsection. It had been so long, Merlin thought it was high time he sampled the fairy's lips once again. What better place was there to do so, than beneath the waters of a lake receiving her enchanting aura?

[Apollymi]

Ishtar's power over men returned and it gained a bit more... purpose. She had not yet noticed the difference but at the very least, there was something interesting happening with Enki. That man had spilled himself into her offering her more power as she herself neared climax, but instead of stopping, he kept going. Good. His own hips were shifting beneath her? Oh? She liked that along with the increased grip on her hip. Her ride on this man went from leisurely to wild like flipping a switch but it wasn't him that did it. No. Strangely, it was the memory of all those clawing hands in the underworld that sparked her body to greater movement and acceptance. She reached climax by her own motions and the added roughness only to continue moving because she wished to do so. She might as well use Enki for a while... this wasn't at all bad.

Strangely, Vivian had similar thoughts. Her plans for this day were spiraling away from her. If she was to follow through on the plans of her 'evil' self, then she might as well enjoy the moments leading up to that action right? Yes, that made perfect sense. Merlin had cheeky words to say as she mounted but as they sank he held his breath arms wrapped around her. This could have been so normal well, normal for them at least. She liked looking at this man, liked sex with his man and sometimes even enjoyed his quippy nature. But no... he had to go and confuse her and thus bring about the worst parts of her nature. Whatever! Her lips met his own and that little hiccup of water occurred. She started moving properly eventually moving them about so they were falling through the water. Oh, what a great sensation, so strange and so fun. To roll her hips back against him while knowing they were sinking. To kiss and slip her tongue into his mouth knowing they couldn't breathe. This warmth and feeling was something deep. Deep enough to stir her loins and cause her heart to beat in an erratic rhythm. How could she do anything but enjoy the feeling of sexual magic as it danced across her skin, warmed her loins and pushed at the deepest reaches of her body. Even as she tightened around him again they continued to fall. If he had seven of these in him to give her, she had five more before they reached the bottom. And came up in the opposite position on the Reverse Side of the World...

[Bloodedge]

Enki had no natural inclinations of stopping, and from the look of things, neither did Ishtar. Excellent! Enki suffered increased sensitivity as fluids continued spilling from his shaft, but in the strangest way, that overstimulation made everything that much better. Even better still, was the sudden ferocity added to Ishtar's every movement. At that point, Enki was holding her hips partially for the purpose of keeping the pair of them steady while she bounced about like a madwoman. Of course, one could not argue with the sensations; he could only dive headlong into the greater thrill. And so, he did. Enki's hips continued to pivot in sequence with the goddess' movements, and he continued spewing his seed into her... which only continued passing his own energy into her body as a result, per their arranged mana transfer.

Two mana transfers were occurring at this time, though one was of a very different nature. Between Merlin and Vivian, there was an exchange more likened to a feasting that had only just begun. Over the course of this session, the incubus mage would devour this woman, knowing she above others would not suffer one bit from the exchange. They were sinking now. Lips were locked and tongues danced as they delved farther into the lake, and into one another. Merlin's entire back moved in the manner of a serpent, all to let him plunge his way into the Lake Fae's depths at an angle that shifted to and fro. She wanted a dance, so he'd give her a dance. The number seven, in actuality, would be no issue for the mage; he'd just been throwing out a random number. If anything, his own sense of excitement would passively cause the quota to be exceeded before they even reached the bottom. Maybe he would toy around with that. Regardless, moving through water mid-coitus was no familiar thing. His hands, as such, had to find something steady... so he took a firm handful of each buttocks to be found behind Vivian. Doing so would naturally ensure the stabilization of his pivoting, so of course, he expected no naysaying.

[Apollymi]

Ishtar was taking energy from Enki and enjoying a ride of her own thrill levels. Of course she'd take no issue with causing herself a bit of mild discomfort. She had no worries of what would happen to her as she undertook such an action, she knew she could handle all of this. And as fluids spilled in and added to the sensitivity, she rocked and jostled herself to glorious peaks of pleasure. All she wanted was more power so she'd take it as it was offered. If Enki only intended to give her half, she'd show him what half truly meant. She cemented herself into this land of his. He wanted to use such methods on her, he would find out himself who was in charge here. And then and only then would she take what she really wanted. How very sweet that day would be, when it was Gilgamesh pinned beneath her flesh being ridden like a workhorse while he gave everything he had to offer to her. He only needed to be kept from that boy-queen he had that unending fascination with until she perished and then... all would be well in the world of Ishtar. Eventually, she would see enough power and spillage to find herself practically brimming with power. She'd finish with a casual slam down on Enki's manhood before rolling off to relax in bed. He could not say he had not enjoyed it, she knew for a fact he'd offered much... "Oh? It's good to be back~" she said while stretching casually nude and now fit to just eat food and enjoy herself.

At the same time, Vivian was experiencing bliss the likes of which she never truly got used to, all while being someone's dinner. Well, she was strong enough to provide sustenance, strong-willed enough to control her own desires for the sake of doing the right thing. And what was more, she enjoyed this little exchange to the depth of her soul knowing that no real harm could come to her from it. She'd let the Incubus gorge himself on her desire. Hands found themselves placed on her backside gripping at her, holding her firm while their hips met and they danced in the water. And here she felt the utmost pleasure beneath the surface of the water as she enjoyed this most graceful agony, she wept. Oh well, she was underwater, no one had to know of her tears in such a moment like this. The nostalgia of such a dance could get to her. She could experience a number well over the seven promised before they emerged on the other side. The world itself would seem to tilt as their heads broke the waves and came up in a still lake. Her own magic would allow Merlin to stand and she could be carried easily while he plunged in and out of her nether before a rather graceful looking tower of magical stones which seemed to stretch upwards into the sky. Her 'pet' project.

[Bloodedge]

Sadly, having only one hand was proving quite detrimental to the god known as Enki. Ishtar was in no way a small individual, so with movements as ridiculous as those she chose, he could not keep steady as things were. In the end, Enki had to lift himself into an almost seated position, hooking the whole of his left arm around the goddess' lower back. Breath caught in his throat as ejaculation finally ceased for just a few moments. Then, while Ishtar's interior clenched against him in her own final moments, Enki was found groaning his way through a veritable explosion from the groin. What would happen thereafter? Well, it seemed Ishtar was content to remove herself from him immediately. This came as no surprise; she was certainly overstimulated just as he was. At the very least, Ishtar was able to vocalize her satisfaction after returning to divine status. "It's good to have you back," Enki stated while returning to a relaxed posture, arm behind his head. "Being the only god acknowledged by the world would be boring. Where would I be, if you were not here to become Queen of Everything?"

Whether Vivian's tears went unnoticed or not, would not be something revealed by Merlin. If he did know, he likely would have attributed it to some sort of sentiment he didn't himself possess anyway. With the passage of time and one glorious thrust after another, Merlin found himself experiencing an elation that spread through the lake, as if he were already receiving excess power that needed filtering out. Any who drank from the lake henceforth would find themselves blessed in some strange way; the world could consider it a gift for bringing Merlin satisfaction. Ah, but even the blissful lake experience would meet its end eventually. The pair soon surfaced in the Reverse Side of the World, the place known by few as Avalon. Within this utopia, only peace and tranquility could be known. Well... peace, tranquility, and the sound of skin slapping spread across flower-covered, gently sloping plains. A bit of magic, and he was even able to move them with ease, leaving Vivian pressed against the wall of that strangely-constructed tower while the assault on her own inner walls occurred with renewed purpose. Within the lake had been a fun little excursion, but now, Merlin could abuse his own weight a bit. Their tongues had been occupied by one another for quite some time now, but it was Merlin who first broke the connection of saliva between them. "You bad girl. This is supposed to be a utopia, you know? Yet you brought me here just to desecrate it~♥"

[Apollymi]

Ishtar knew some level of satisfaction but it wasn't about the sex, not really. She was pleased by the amount of power she now had and knowing that her rise to power had once again caused this man to expel the whole of his loins into her while offering her more power. It almost didn't matter that she didn't like him for a moment or two, except that he offered more words. What did this man have against shutting up post coitus? Eventually, she'd remember to kick people out of her chambers when she was done with them, oh well... she supposed this space wasn't her own. And the words he spoke were not altogether annoying. "Queen of Everything... I still really like that~" Ishtar really liked references to herself which talked her up. Surely, Gilgamesh couldn't turn down the Queen of Everything.

At the same time, Merlin found himself capable of walking on water, carrying the Water Fae and repeatedly slamming into her undercarriage. She'd missed this. Their mouths were entwined a while longer but when they finally broke apparenly he had something to say about their choice in venue. Was she desecrating her sister's safe space? A little, but there were great reasons for this. Not the least of those reasons being she was having a great deal of fun, and the utopia was something so rarely seen someone should enjoy it. "I'm not bad, just wanted to experience it a bit. Besides what's a utopia without sex?~" she said enjoying herself in a way she hadn't before. All the tears that had fallen beneath the water had washed away. Back to perfectly calm with a gentle flush enjoying the tightening of her loins aound him as he used his weight as leverage to dig into her. She had a nice feeling right now, but against the outside of this tower she seemed to want more, a gentle lifting of her leg to prop it up on his shoulder while he held her like this. Get him to exert himself and go a bit deeper still. Her fingers were pressed against his shoulders. This really was great, actually from this position she wouldn't mind that sensation of filing, the sweetness of a bountiful release to spill out of her when he withdrew would be lovely, and cathartic.

[Bloodedge]

"Good. You should get used to it," Enki proclaimed. Ishtar would be made the Queen of Everything in due time. First though, what was going on with the island they were on? Enki had been feeling the tremors for some time now, so he willed the rise of the waters around his bed, making use of them as a screen of sorts. Through this effort, he watched AS-IKU from an outside perspective. How strange... The six islands were floating very separately now, and the one they currently inhabited was above... what was that? There was an entire country beneath them, surrounded by the other five parts of AS-IKU. Now that he looked closely, he actually recognized that other structure. "Oh? That's an interesting miracle to happen. It seems our empire is surrounding the boy-queen's country. All of your central temples are active and casting magic on the land. I do believe we managed to imprison a country."

Vivian wasn't bad, according to... well, herself. Nonsense. Though Merlin would always agree that a sexless utopia had to be some sort of oxymoron, she was definitely defiling it. Of course, that wasn't going to stop him from helping her do so. If Lady Vivian's legs were open, Merlin was to be there, wherever "there" happened to be. Debasing a place like Avalon alongside her was especially thrilling. Moreover, Vivian was always prone to having desires that interested the incubus. Here and now, as he held her against the wall and plunged repeatedly into her nether, a leg wound up high enough to hook over his shoulder. Without fail, Merlin took advantage of this new position. His thrusts wouldn't come to a halt until his jewels slapped against the fairy's undercarriage, damning the idea that anything within her would stop his advance before that. He felt that urge playing through her mind. As a result, Merlin could only smile as an ethereal glow overtook his eyes. "Silly me. I treated you like the bad dog, but I'm the one not marking his territory, aren't I? Let me apologize properly," he said, planning to grant said "apology" by doing as he should. Another withdrawal of his hips was followed immediately by a hardy thrust, which heralded the expulsion of his seed in... well, whatever sort of quantity and quality Vivian's mind and loins called for. It would feel mostly the same to Merlin regardless, provided she didn't desire something that would shock even him. "Oh, and you're right. There should be no utopia without sex. We should make sure the whole of this utopia knows what it's like~♥"

[Apollymi]

Enki raised water screens around this bed of his, showing Ishtar and himself the state of the world around them. Of course, she'd felt the tremors for quite a while, but that being said, she'd not really cared much about the feeling since she was busy. But what was this he said? This country they were now towing along, belonged to the boy-queen? Someone actually let her be in-charge of a country? And they'd taken it? They were on the move and she would not be allowed to be with Gilgamesh. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA~" shrill laughter escaped Ishtar. Literally, nothing could be sweeter. Now all she needed to do was make that girl's life hell and make sure Gilgamesh knew she was more than willing to allow him to have her over that missing teen boy. "We imprisoned the whole country?! That is great!!" she seemed truly amused by the idea of it. But in actuality, it was the case that she was mostly using this as a way to get to Gilgamesh.

At the same time, it seemed different wishes were being granted. Actually, now that this was happening the way she wished she couldn't help but fall into it again. Merlin spoke words which made a genuine smile appear on Vivian's face. He should apologize properly and did by releasing himself within her. The quantity was enough to spill over after the hard thrust and the thrust itself was enough to send her over the edge again. That reddened face of hers had her tongue fall out of her mouth. "Aaah! That's it~" she moaned happily as she had every time she'd gotten such a release. No utopia should exist without sex and they should make sure the whole of this place knew about it? "Yes, we should definitely do that~" Her desire became clear and they could very well continue. All over Avalon and eventually right inside this very tower would be where they ended some hours later. How? With Vivian on top as she nudged herself internally. Her biggest desire was this particular explosion which if met would see both of them explode at the same time. She was finally satisfied some hours later and fit to relax for a few moments there after. She'd be walking out of here in a few moments.

[Bloodedge]

Meanwhile, Enki was planning to use the trapped Albion for an entirely different purpose. Ishtar wished to use the opportunity for the sake of reaching Gilgamesh, and Enki thought to lord over that same king while enslaving the woman he desired. Since he already had Ishtar, there would be only one individual remaining to affect: Kur herself. Wherever she was, she'd fall in line eventually. First though, he altered the focus of those water screens, searching to ensure the Queen of Knights was truly within her country at present. "I will make sure she's inside, not just flaunting her position around Mesopotamia. Assuming she is here, it should be easy to make her pay. Though, I would not rely on your followers. Their devotion to you aside, they are... only human."

And so, the seed of Merlin spilled out into the endless utopia of Avalon. One down, he thought. Impossible as it was to debauch the whole of Albion, as time passed, Merlin came to believe a great deal of headway had been made. By the time they reached the tower, Merlin was due for a visual spectacle. Reclined, he observed and enjoyed the shifting of her loins, the sway of her breasts, and even the contortions of her face. He was totally motionless all the while, bar his groin which flexed and swelled repeatedly within the woman. His chest rose and fell by the intensity of his own breathing, and indeed, a moment of great release was upon him. It seemed the otherwise aloof incubus was truly enjoying himself. Through all that heaving, even his fingers were curling against the flesh of Vivian's thighs. When he reached his end this time, it was sure to be a magnificent flourish with or without any input from Vivian's desire. One could almost say he was going a bit beyond his own nature. Almost.

[Apollymi]

Enki would make sure she was inside of her country and not just waltzing around in Mesopotamia? Good. He encouraged Ishtar to teach the woman a lesson but not to rely too heavily on her mortal followers. Apparently they were only human. Well that was true, she'd sent an entire pack of men after her once and that situation only resulted in a bunch of dead things. She'd even lost one of her little blessed treasures in that escapade. Oh well, she supposed it would be much easier to subdue such a woman with a better solution. At the same time, Artoria was definitely within her Kingdom. She'd been walking about at the top of the castle wall looking straight up at the giant island that had appeared atop of them. She'd never seen such a thing occur before and was now fully armored and investigating herself. How strange... nothing felt amiss on Albion itself but there was definitely a large island overhead. She'd sent a few of the faster others out on some quick missions to scout. She needed information. 'I am sorry King of Heroes. I might be a bit late...' she thought with a small smirk coming to her face. There was a dagger within her hands she was playing with it across her fingers. Where was that damn Merlin? Surely he of all people could explain the magical appearance of an island she'd never seen before overhead. There was not time for another Holy Grail to form, so surely this couldn't be. "Oh! I got it!! I send Cath Palug!" she said seemingly happy. The giant destruction causing cat, with the official title of Primate Murder. It was a Divine Creature meant to cull mankind. Surely, someone as human as the boy-queen couldn't actually put up a real fight against such a creature!. She pointed upward able to feel her summoning power for the first time in ages, and dropped the large cat who brought winter winds with its breaths and a screech down in front of Castle Camelot.

They made more than decent headway in doing harm to the sanctity of Avalon. And it had been a fun time. And as she finished up this ride. Her loins shifting, and the feeling of Merlin clutching against her thighs, would have been enough to do her in. The added sensation of the swelling of his loins was enough to cause madness. Actually, she was already mad. She screamed herself to completion slamming down one last time, nudging against the very end of herself in a singular moment which brought heat to her face and spilled tingles from the slightly pointed tips of her ears down to her toes. Everything about her body relaxed as she brought about for herself the ultimate climax and she planned to have Merlin spill himself at the same moment, filling both of them with euphoria if only for a moment or two. Her nether tightened in such a moment as well... making it that much sweeter for her. "AAaah! That fit is always so nice~" she chimed at the end. She was looking up at the ceiling when her mood shifted just a bit around the corners of her eyes. 'I will miss it.'

[Bloodedge]

Cath Palug, Ishtar planned to send. Enki remembered that one. Cath Palug was a creature of ice, of snow, of winter. From the looks of Albion, it was a cold land by nature. How would Cath palug fare against Artoria and those who pursued combat in cold climates? Enki doubted it was the best choice. Had he been choosing, he'd have sent first a beast of fire and brimstone, or perhaps even a creature of pure despair if one could be found. That Queen of Knights below them was no pushover; a plan was required to think of dealing with her. He had some semblance of a plan he could have tweaked on the spot when first meeting her in Uruk, though he hadn't expected the sudden appearance of Gilgamesh when trying to execute it. Ah, but leave it to Ishtar to do something brash while he was thinking. He didn't even get a word in before she summoned the creature and sent it toward Camelot. Leaning against his own hand, Enki sighed. "I'd wager that isn't enough. Why that one?" he wondered aloud, though the speech itself was reflexive.

Where was Merlin? He could have answered every question Artoria had about her current situation. Hell, if he'd been present or had the foresight, he could have likely prevented the ongoing event before it settled. Alas, the Mage of Flowers was lost to the world, taken by ecstasy in the form of a fae maiden. "Hnngh~!" the incubus groaned as his hips naturally thrusted upward, meeting Vivian's downward slam. It could be considered surprising that all fluid vacated his ballocks through Vivian's tight grasp, but the pressure only made things more satisfying. It took only this for Merlin's next utterance to be... nothing. He did open his mouth, but only a long exhale passed those lips. A few breaths were required before he could speak properly. "Well... haah... I don't even know what to say. I could have waited another thousand years for that, and it would have been worthwhile. Vivian..." His speech paused as previously closed eyes spread open. Her face was not visible, but he needed it to be so. Little did he realize what was going on with her expression at the time. "Come here. I want to kiss you. Let me be selfish for a moment."

[Apollymi]

Ishtar was indeed impulsive and brash. Thinking far ahead was for those who had no power. She'd simply use hers whenever she felt like it. Harming the Queen of Knights, making her suffer... making her relinquish any claims she thought she had to Gilgamesh. These were the plans of Ishtar. Meanwhile, Enki thought to wager against her. He made the claim he didn't think her plan would work for whatever reason and asked why she chose that particular creature. "They are a bunch of humans and its second name is Primate Murder. It excels at killing humans. It can slay any knights it comes across and then the boy-queen. It likes to play with those it hunts and besides brings magical snow and ice," she said this as if she was certain. And she was to an extent, but she didn't watch Artoria Pendragon fight. Actually, in general she did not watch women fight there was no point... she only wanted to watch hot men get all sweaty and blood-covered. Usually blonde and normally tattooed. Something about a battle ready buff man seemed to appeal to her quite a bit.

At the same time a giant cat dropped on the grounds before Artoria as she overlooked the castle. She nearly squealed. "Eeh!~" she started before coughing. Of course, instead of anything reasonable happening the cat immediately cried bringing down snow and ice onto Camelot. Well, Camelot was used to the snow, even as it thickened none seem to mind other than fleeing into the protection of the castle walls as the Queen descended from above. Flawless as she always was, even her armored steps didn't seem to make large imprints in the snow. This was not a gift of any sort... it was an enemy. In this moment Artoria's eyes hardened just around the edges and she chose to greet the creature. She unsheathed Excalibur and felt its weight in one hand, with a bright smile on her face. "You are big, but I have seen bigger," she addressed the creature. "It is a shame. I love cats... if you would heel, I would let you live," she said. Her imposing presence weighed down for just a moment and the cat stopped. It gave its attention only to the Queen of Knights. And strangely, it didn't move to attack. That cheeky smirk was on the Queen of Knights face, she wondered if it was possible to take control of such a creature. Maybe it simply fell down from above and was scared? If that was the case, she could accept it. But... that was not it. Ishtar let out a frustrated sigh. "You cannot take it from me. KILL HER!" that was an order from its master and the aura around the cat became ominous connected to the demands of its rider. Artoria sighed knowing she was going to have to kill a creature she would have loved not by its own volition. "Making me kill a cat, is going to make me murder someone... I am sorry your master sent you to me." she said with Excalibur still drawn. "Come old friend, we dance like the first time tonight," she said as the battle would ensue.

While Artoria fought Cath Palug, Merlin and the Fairy of the Lake, were experiencing ecstasy. Ah that was nice. So nice. Yes... she could do this. And what was this? Merlin claimed that such an ending would have been worth waiting a thousand years for? 'Hm, I could make you wait eternity and never touch you again...' Vivian's thoughts were almost vengeful now. She'd almost come to terms with leaving this man here. Of course, he would ask her for something as selfish as a kiss. They kissed a lot leading up to this, but she supposed granting the last wish of a man like this would be well worthwhile. Vivian's expression softened immediately as she looked down her body into this man's face. He really was gorgeous. It was always the case that she enjoyed looking at him. She leaned down and into him. "I suppose given all of this day, I can allow a single instance of selfishness from you, Merlin," she spoke with a small smirk before pressing their lips together. She would miss this. She would hate him! What kind of kiss did he want? She'd let him lead this once... it wasn't often the choice of such an endeavor fell to the one doing the feeding.

[Bloodedge]

Surely he was hearing things wrong. There was no way Ishtar used a name as justification for immediately throwing another beast down without second thought. Ah... she did. This was a bit more annoying when it couldn't just be shoved off onto Anu's proverbial plate. "I'm sure it can slay many of those knights, but do keep in mind the ability to mortally wound Velber's second child some years ago. Besides, its abilities are the worst type for a place like this, if I remember those knights' collective ability as I think I do." Enki did not seem fully opposed to the idea of utilizing Cath Palug, but... it was already struggling to do any slaying, and the battle hadn't started yet. He imagined something else would have to be done eventually, and it could not be more clear that he would be the one required to think up something functional.

Merlin was having to catch his breath for the first time in ages. There was always a reason this one could be a regular visit, and it was never more clear to him than it had been today. Even the most undecorated meal she offered was seasoned so well, he nearly entered a food coma. Maybe he would take rest here in Avalon for a time; moving around was not the most pleasant thought at the moment. That was something to worry about later either way, as he was presently in need of another indulgence. His "selfish" request was allowed. Vivian initiated contact between their lips without pushing any specific desire of her own forward. Oh? He was being given full reign over this moment. What would he go for then? It seemed to be something simple, gentle even, yet no less provocative than anything else Merlin did in life. He met her lips slowly, repeatedly, breathily and with an occasionally protruding tongue. In this way, he would have a tasty beverage with which to wash down the hefty meal of the day.

[Apollymi]

No, he wasn't hearing things wrong. Though she'd been considered a war goddess she was more that because she lashed out against humanity and anything else that wronged her in any way she saw fit. That jab previously made by Metis about her being dumb enough to get into an argument with a mountain over who was prettier was no exaggeration of fact. She definitely was the type to attack on a whim and deal with the consequences later. She also didn't study battles nor listen to advice. If she lost, she'd simply come back with something else later. As for Velber 02. "What the hell is that... never heard of it." Ishtar said concisely. Yes this was the person that Enki had resigned himself to being partnered with as his goddess trophy wife. At the same time she reinforced the order to kill and Cath would have no choice but to answer to it. Ominous aura had been spread and the attack on the Queen of Knights had started finally.

Artoria found herself dodging a downward swung paw which seemed to be trying to capture or flatten her. The claws themselves were met by the blade of Excalibur but she'd called this a dance and since the opportunity presented itself she had full thoughts of testing her abilities a bit. She pushed back against the claws throwing the large creature off balance. Her sword was smaller now yes, but she was also more used to this weight than that of the other. She had an easier time swinging it about. And as such she could use her full physical strength not just to wield the weapon but to empower her own strikes. Yes, she would do this instead of anything. At present she'd be seen darting around. Knocking back the creatures paws and mouth as it tried its very best to defeat her. No shining light came yet at present she was testing the waters it seemed. Such evasive maneuvering would make some think she was on the ropes. Ishtar thought as such and could only laugh. "Hahaha, you're worried over nothing. Look at her, she's gonna die to a paw swipe she can't react to," Yes this was how that goddess thought. Women had no muscles they were boring fighters. Only goddesses like herself stood any real chance in combat.

On the matter of selfishness, Vivian gave Merlin the opportunity to chose how this kiss turned out. She knew what manner of creature he was, and figured it was a rare treat indeed to be anything other than used for the fantasy of your food. Vivian had considered herself a bit generous in this aspect, though admittedly demanding in her own right... she'd never received a complaint from the white haired mage currently below her and still buried within her loins. A simple and gentle kiss, as provocative as it was used by Merlin. He was always so good at that. She could feel herself fall into the depths of such a kiss. She met those tongue strokes, with her own she would enjoy this moment for as long as he wished it to last. Her final gift to Merlin.

[Bloodedge]

Ishtar proceeded to make the most ridiculous claim a god of Celestia could ever let fall from their face. When the child of Velber was mentioned, she expressed a complete lack of knowledge regarding it. She really didn't pay attention to anything that didn't immediately concern her. "Velber is the calamity Father always spoke of. The one sworn to return every 14,000 years. The reason the world was divided, and the reasons gods such as us could not descend before we made that king. According to Mother and Enlil, that sword the girl wields was the thing used during the old times to defeat Velber's first representative. Between her and the golden boy, the second one was defeated some years ago. Father's stories really disinterested you, didn't they?" That story was probably one she should have paid attention to, thought Enki. For the longest time, it was the sole purpose of their creations in the lower world. "Being able to defeat Velber's children was the reason Anu worried for our lost power. But, who really cares now? Even humans can defeat them, and we will soon find the power the old gods once lost."

Little could they realize, humanity itself was closer to that very power. Even now, one of few shining examples from the Age of Mystery was at work, dancing around the swiping paws of Cath Palug. Ishtar laughed at the sight, thinking Artoria Pendragon would be bested by the beast. No. Enki was a truer embodiment of war, rivaled only by Metis and possibly their parents. He could see the truth. Cath Palug would not be victorious today, but perhaps... the tenacity of man was what they truly needed. "She's actually reacting perfectly. This is a warmup at most, if I were to say. Primate Murder would be better suited to this battle if it were smaller, unless the girl has reason to be heavily fatigued. . ."

This day, Merlin had all he could wish for. Seeking meals was something he did often, on a whim. Humans were boring creatures suited only to act as sustenance when he hungered, while this fairy was tantamount to home and hearth in conjunction with a meal. Such was the reason he sought this final kiss, which he felt in his gut was necessary. He didn't know why. He wouldn't question why. He'd only taste of her lips and tongue before their parting moments, relaxing enough to close his eyes until... the moment of separation came at last. "Ahh~♥" he sighed. "That reminds me of... what was it... champagne?"

[Apollymi]

Enki seemed content to spill words from his mouth that were neither praise nor things that interested her. Oh, right she'd technically stated she didn't know what, 'Blah, blah, dad's old stories, blah blah, comes around every 14,000 years, blah blah, sword goes swish, blah blah, golden boy defeated it.' That was how such words played out in the head of Ishtar. All of that information was boring and the only useful thing to come from it, was the extra knowledge that Gilgamesh was the one responsible for the felling of the creature. "They were boring and they still are. If humans can kill it then him telling that story all the time and all the time I didn't hear it was useless. Enlil barely talks and when he does its about his works and mom well no one has really heard her voice in ages, so... " she concluded. None of it was really important. Killing humans wouldn't be too difficult they were gods. And anything they couldn't kill, Gilgamesh could, he was the perfect specimen, he had everything, he could kill everything and he could give her both protection and strength. Truly he was the perfect answer to all that ailed her. All that remained was getting rid of the little boy-queen that stood in her way. "That almost sounds like you're complimenting her, Enki." Ishtar said in a huff. No her creature wouldn't lose, and even if it did... she'd just send it again.

Artoria's works against this particular creature were continuing. She was dodging swipes, clashing against claws and stopping the settling of fangs. All the while her brows were furrowed as if in deep thought. It was more than a bit annoying to her, that someone would send a large cat to her that she needed to kill. More annoying yet that someone thought this was enough of a challenge to best her. Even more still, she was annoyed by the idea that there was an island floating atop her and she did not know who it was or why they were there. It was a system of annoyance that all culminated in one sentence. She had the feeling she would not see the King of Heroes as promised the next day. Her body began to shine in the moment as the creature roared and tried to capture her in its teeth. She stood balanced on its upper and lower fangs her body beginning to glow. She was using her active ability in a peculiar way. Not shining the light of Excalibur but instead using 'Holy Queen' She would channel that down this blade instead. Shooting the creature up through its mouth and killing it in a single moment. Using such a method would be painless for the creature and what was more would detach it from the clutches of the evil goddess, since it was lust now controlling her heart and nothing so pure as love. Soon after she would flip landing at the ground and sheathing her weapon as the beast fell to its side closing its eyes. Artoria would do the humane thing and pet it as its body turned into glowing dust. "There there, I am sorry. Go in peace. I hope your next master is worthy..." she murmured with absolute softness in direct opposition to the fury of her soul. Even without knowing the exact details of her situation she was furious something like this would happen.

That kiss was something interesting even to Vivian. In a moment like this she'd sunk so deeply in she could almost regret what she was about to do. Almost. But there remained a single problem she was still ever so furious. He sighed his contentment after the kiss broke and Vivian herself lifted from his chest and groin. She sat at the bed side while he spoke of champagne? Really that's what her kisses reminded him of? That is the food he equated to such a thing? But still... her eyes closed and her visage cracked a bit more. She stood rolling her own shoulders and walked towards the outside of the tower. This time her clothes were coming back. There was no other time to think... nothing else to do. She could leave all this here and continue her journey one step at a time. Merlin would not be able to leave this place if his name was not spoken, and she would not speak it. No, she'd eventually cross the barrier of the tower and it would be complete.

[Bloodedge]

Ishtar could not be swayed by the overcoming of Velber's children. Well, she'd never been much of a thinker anyway. It couldn't truly be understood why she thought less of those calamities, and not more of human capability, because the former had been defeated by the latter. Even Enki was coming to accept the power of humankind, and in fact... the way to crush Artoria Pendragon likely began with humans themselves. "Of course they're boring; everything Father said was. Think about it, though. If there are humans who can defeat creatures of that magnitude, what will we be able to say as the gods who reared in those humans? No one could question us then," he explained. As for his alleged compliments of the Queen of Knights, it could be taken as such. "Does it? Well, defeating a world-ender is no small feat even for a god. She's earned that accomplishment. With it, she'll be all the more useful as a sacrifice to the gods' glory."

Meanwhile, Merlin was soon to be in for quite a shock. Vivian had no response to offer after his declaration. That was fine, but instead of relaxing as one would normally expect, she removed herself from him and turned away. Even the clothes returned to her skin as she walked toward the exit. Merlin rose to follow suit, believing there was something more to this exodus. "H'oh? Silence doesn't always say a thousand words, you know? What's the─" Mid-sentence, Merlin found himself walking right into a wall. Well... there wasn't actually a wall there, but instead some sort of barrier. "... Plan." Oh. Well, this was a minor inconvenience. Was Vivian playing some sort of game? Perhaps; he wouldn't put the notion past her. Still, this particular barrier seemed to have a number of layers even he shouldn't be able to crack. It looked beyond himself, beyond the King of Magecraft, and beyond even the gods. Was this some additional effect of Avalon as a realm? "What's the deal with this thing?"

[Apollymi]

Enki was content to try and educate Ishtar but this never really worked the way anyone thought it would. She only used information the way she wanted to and she only learned the lessons she wanted to in order to get the things she wanted. She saw no use in thinking about the capabilities of the boy-queen. Nor did she ever think very much of the stories once told by her father. If anything, it would make more sense for someone to simply separate her from the weapon which obviously empowered her. "It sounds like a lot of work. Humans are small they need a lot of time even these ones only made it up here in the last decade..." she said as if she was bored immediately by the idea. So what of this compliment he'd just given the boy-queen. According to Enki felling the world-ender was something even gods would have trouble with and as such she had earned that accomplishment. "Eh, but you just said she had Gilgamesh with her, and a sword that originally defeated such a thing, it doesn't sound like an accomplishment at all... and we all know the Hero King is strong so," she started to go on a tirade until of course, she took note of the fact that her pet had been felled. It was one of her favorites but she'd just return it to herself in a... "WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!" there was outrange in her. She couldn't call back Cath Palug. It was gone! "How? How did she take it from me?!"

Yes, Artoria had severed the connection between Cath Palug and the evil goddess. Technically, she did not take the giant beast, she freed it. It would respawn where it would have occurred naturally in the world. Whenever Artoria got free of this accursed place, she might remember to go pick it up. She turned and walked away soon after, seeming to be disappointed by the whole thing. Artoria Pendragon was a Knight and a Queen. Still in her heart she had a fondness for animals and none more than cats. The thought that she'd had to kill one would require reflection. She'd return to the top of her castle, while waiting for the return of her Knights who were scouting the land. Camelot was covered by a dusting of snow, but after the threat had cleared the people had started to shovel walkways and continue their way of life. They had faith it would not go too badly since their Queen had returned they could have faith she would protect them. Roosting might be a better term for what Artoria was doing presently, not like a bird but more similar to something else...

On the other side of the barrier, Vivian heard the words spoken by Merlin. Silence did not always speak? True. He should know thta better than most. "I thought I could do it... but I can't," said Vivian. That sentence probably seemed unrelated but that was fine. It seemed that Vivian was struggling still. her emotions were all over the place. She was too kind in this form. Too nice to deal with the issues presented by this moment. She was still absolutely furious at Merlin. And even with the day they'd just enjoyed together she couldn't separate herself enough from those emotions. She snapped, a cold smirk coming to her face in the moment. Those electric blue eyes of hers, hardening like ice beneath the surface. "You know, about fifteen years ago... I heard your name whispered across the water," she said that so very clearly. "I was confused. I thought I misheard so I went and looked and I saw her.... a child with your eyes saying something she should not know..." she said carefully. "And then I saw her mother... so I just need to know why? And I couldn't rationalize it even though I tried, even though it was making me angry. I couldn't even look at you for a while but it became more clear over time. So why? Why did you do it? Why didn't you tell me? You had a baby by someone else and spoke your name to them? Your real name? The ONE THAT SUMMONS YOU!" ah, there it was the fury of her words settled. And her personage switched. Those light colored clothes diappeared replaced by strappy black clothes. A dark little crown with blue jewels atop her head and ice blue eyes and the colder visage. All the while she could only shake her head. "I offered this solution because the Lake Fae wasn't sure how she wanted to deal with you... whether you can answer her questions or not matters little to me. I will not release you from that tower."

[Bloodedge]

While Ishtar was talking her usual nonsense, Enki was watching one of her favorite creatures be bested by one of the humans she considered so low. Well, he did agree that humans were lowly creatures. That, however, would not counteract the truth of things. "That sword chooses its wielder. It is still an accomplishment that she even has it, as it didn't choose any of us. That is also fine," he said, looking down at the end of a battle with curiosity. "She'd make a better slave if she learned her place. What better tool could be used to beat down the rest of humanity when it gets too cocky?" If he had his other arm, Enki would have plugged his ear during Ishtar's outburst─ at least without having to stop resting on his hand as he'd been doing. Sadly, he had only the one, so he did nothing in the end. However, there was mention of Artoria "taking" Ishtar's little pet. That was... interesting. "Even I don't have the answer to that. She did nothing to its core, so it should normally have no issues. Well... I guess a new plan is in order. Given how those mortals show themselves operating lately, what do you say to a little wait? I'd hate to see you waste more of your pets on one little girl. Why don't we do as Father once did? Two things could be done at once, I believe. Raise and bless one of the humans to overwhelm the girl. That should make it possible to put her in her place, while also seizing one of Anu's Authorities that should work surprisingly well in conjunction with your own. And, if we make sure to watch the girl's development, we avoid the problem we had with the Chains of Heaven not being up to par by the time they were ready. Roma seems fit to raise a warmonger."

There was something Vivian thought she could do. What could that have been? Something about that statement seemed off, which even Merlin found concerning as it came from the Fairy of the Lake. By the time she turned to elaborate, the first information to pass her lips was something involving his spoken name. His... real name? A brow was quirked as Merlin's head tilted slightly. Was there someone alive who knew his true name, apart from the Fae? Oh. Yes, there was that one incident. A casual feeding took place during the Second Holy Grail War, and he'd taken an additional step for the sake of freeing the witch Medea of a god's curse. Why was she so bothered by that? Before he could even think it through enough to speak on the matter, Vivian underwent a shift in... well, everything. It was no longer Vivian he looked upon, but instead... "Oh? Hello Morgause," he said before giving the woman a once-over, thinking differently of her address. "Or... Morgan. Not quite finished yet?" the mage wondered aloud. This one was problematic indeed, and with her appearance, it mattered not what situation existed between Vivian and himself. "What then, I am to be imprisoned because...? You and Vivian are upset with me for being as I must always be? Don't be ridiculous. There's no way the world needs me gone now. Even if Camlann is going on right now, there's still the future incarnation of King Arthur to be guided by Merlin. Though this explains the lack of clarity past planting the sword, both of you should stop throwing tantrums and let me out. It isn't like you can literally keep me here forever anyway."

[Apollymi]

Enki seemed to think Artoria would make a decent slave. A tool with which to beat down humanity whenever it reared its ugly head. Ishtar disagreed. Men were slaves... women were issues. Leaving one in a place of status was just permission for some man she wanted to take interest and then the whole plan would fall apart. Enki did not understand such things, he never would. "A sword that choosing its wielder is dumb. It is a tool... giving weapons free will is how one ended up with the problem of the Chains of Heaven," she said that wasn't a wrong statement, still there was obviously more to her thoughts than that. Whatever the case, it seemed that they were to wait. Raise and bless a certain individual, apparently in Roma and make sure they were able to defeat Artoria Pendragon. "Ugh fine. But it still sounds boring!" Ishtar said all that but she'd rather not waste any more of her pets either. Perhaps she could send someone to find that one and bring it back to her. That made sense. "I am not interested in watching a boy-queen grow into power... maybe I'll watch whoever we chose to raise instead."

At the same time, it seemed Merlin didn't really understand why Vivian had responded to badly to his casual feeding. That was fine, Morgan as she was currently being called understood the confusion. She and Merlin were a lot alike. "Hello, Merlin..." cordial was the other side of the Lake Fae's coin. She seemed disinterested but not cruel. "I am as finished as I need to be," she said calmly. On the other side of the wall she crossed her arms under her chest and just watched as Merlin worked through his imprisonment. "I am not upset, Vivian is. She is a Nice Fairy... I am a Good Fairy, the difference is subtle but there," she mentioned with little to no emotion present. "I am doing what needs to be done, same as you. The fact that you need to be here, and Vivian needs to punish you simply make the goals align," she said carefully. "And do not worry, your clarity will return as time passes," she said. She truly did not seem to care. They were both creatures of the World. They were both carrying on as the world willed them to, "I can keep you here as long as I wish to. You seem to misunderstand what happens when a Fae whose magic is older than the gods with knowledge our former world decides to use that power and almost two decades to make a prison. I do not doubt your magical prowess but I only know one clever enough to open this and I have not seen him in this world..." she said this with no real emotion passing her face. "Also there is no need to worry for the Future King, Merlyn will be there to raise him," these were the words of the Dark Fae who'd seen that version of the future. But now that she was in control of their body she had things to do. There was plenty that needed to happen before Camlann and both Artoria's downfall and her vessel needed preparation. There was another problem but that was one for the Lake Fae to deal with.

[Bloodedge]

"I disagree. I think it's a wonderful idea, though it could have done with less of that... free will," Enki stated, believing the Holy Sword Excalibur should never have been allowed to touch mortal hands. "If it was made for our sake, it should have been made to answer only to us. Thinking of some human wielding divine tools is repulsive," he continued. Now, it seemed Ishtar would abandon any notion of sending her beasts after Artoria Pendragon. Good; she would have lost them all as quickly as she sent them. Worse yet, she would only bring more attention to them by sending Divine Beasts out into the mortal realm. If they sent a human, however... perhaps they could redirect all blame toward Anu? "I'm sure our chosen champion will be interesting to watch. Worry not. I'll keep my eye on the girl and her development, and we'll give a lucky mortal everything they need to kill her... as long as he still knows who he should be answering to in the end. Would you like to select our champion? It's not something I would mind doing, but I feel I should be ensuring the people of AS-IKU are still breathing and capable of solidifying our power."

Oh? The other persona of the Lake Fairy was still so polite, yet so straightforward as well. She was not upset, she said. She would imprison him because it was necessary, she said. How very ludicrous! "Really now? So you believe the world decided that I, Merlin, should be imprisoned now? It frightens me to even think you could be right, but that doesn't mean I'll stand for it," he said as his hand pressed against that barrier once more. Sadly, there would be nothing he could actually do. It was such an intricate design, he couldn't make heads or tails of it... but he could understand there was a key capable of bursting through every layer he felt. What was that key? He'd find out eventually, but certainly not in time for anything of note to happen. He could even try to break this down layer by layer, but they would certainly repair one another before any headway was made. While he was working his way through the impossibility of this seal, he heard something that would become quite disturbing. Morgan claimed Merlyn would be the one to raise the Future King. In hearing that, it was only natural to experience slight confusion. "Yes, that's the point. I will be..." Ah, a pause. She wasn't talking about him at all. In understanding this world's language, he also had to understand a certain similarity between himself and... "Junko. No, that's completely unreasonable!" he shouted, pressing himself against the barrier as if he desired to push through it physically. "Let me out! I'm Merlin! I'm the one who bears the responsibility of raising Albion's king! Leave her out of this, and release me!"

[Apollymi]

"Free will isn't the big problem here... at the very least the humans have always had it. Weapons choosing humans over gods though... that sounds like a farce no matter what!" those were the words of Ishtar and she fully believed them. The problem with Artoria Pendragon is that she was a girl. And even if she did not acknowledge or know it, there was a particular power she held over men and eventually that would be a problem. Of course a man like Enki wouldn't realize it, he was the type to fall victim to it. After all, she was here in his bed now, when she'd never done a single thing for him. He did not even realize how important women were, when he'd been the only one to save her when none of the other gods bothered. He'd even split himself with her with nothing to gain other than potentially having her at his side. If any girl was allowed to fully understand the pull she had over men, she could be fa problem. Ishtar believed that, but what was this? She was being offered their choice, and the ability to look out over them instead of anything else? "I am agreeable. I'll pick someone...." she said seeming to think herself capable of such a simple task. Surely it wouldn't actually be that difficult to raise a man capable of beating such a tiny girl. Evil plots were beginning, and they would be in the works for a while yet.

At the same time, Merlin seemed to be arguing his point, and for her part in this Morgan seemed to be listening but that would change nothing. "The world's decision is for the best. We both act as agents of it. You should realize that by now," said Morgan. She was still cordial but there was no changing this outcome. Too many things had already happened. Merlin hadn't realized it just yet, his vision was still clouded around this moment, Morgan's however was crystal clear. "It is already decided! What has come to be has to be for the good of all. For your sister, for you, for my sisters, and my brother. Nothing will change it Merlin. She already decided she was involved you know what your name is... do not pretend to claim responsibility in full now." Morgan's words had emphasis but not hatred. She was not upset with him, but she also seemed to be incapable of comforting him. In order to preserve herself and her mind. She'd given all of her emotions to her other self. She'd separated them completely from her being so she was simply incapable of feeling while she worked through multiple problems. The emotional issues of what she did would be something cleared up later, for now what she did would be for the good of all. "You do not realize what all she has done already. If you are not here... neither of you will be around to raise a King Arthur. Do not misunderstand this Merlin, she has already spun the wheel. Some events are already in motion and they cannot be changed, songs already sung and actions already taken. You cannot break out and I will not release you..." said Morgan exhaling a deep breath. "If you take but a moment to think about it, to look at yourself and her you will understand... why it is necessary," she mentioned. Junko as he called his younger sister, had already applied a curse to herself one which would cause problems in the future. That girl was so sweet and soft and nice, reminding Morgan of their youngest sister, but at the same time, much more prone to self destruction, more so than even than younger sister who planned to live her extended life in Avalon and atone for crimes that were not crimes. Perhaps Merlin would hate her for this choice, perhaps he would come to understand it as his Clairvoyance grew, regardless she did as the world willed. Which is why she wasn't upset about his actions not in the same way that Vivian was... "Hold on to those feelings, Merlin. They may be all you have when you are trying to decide how to take the next step forward." And with that last utterance she turned and began to walk towards the Lake. She had things to do...

[Bloodedge]

"It certainly is," Enki agreed. Weapons choosing humans when there were gods nearby, could only be considered a disgusting thing. Something like Excalibur had no reason to choose some mortal girl when he, the God of War, existed. With Excalibur, Enki could have felled the White Titan by himself, and Velber to boot! He'd be finding out what made this mortal girl a choice over himself, and of course, he would in-turn discover how she could be properly enslaved in the future. Ishtar seemed willing to choose their champion. She could be left to that; she did have some strange fixation with strong mortal men with titles and fixings. Based on her track record, Enki believed he'd need to do some interfering with their blessings... but that was about all.

Merlin sighed. In certain situations, even he still believed the world's desire could be damned in favor of individual preference. Being sealed away in a tower for eternity was against his very nature, and resigning his sister to the tasks of Merlin was even worse. To hell with existing enchantments and all events already set in motion. He was Merlin, arguably the greatest sorcerer the world would ever know; the world itself should at least bend to his will every now and then. "I already let this stupid world take control over the rest of my life. I won't let it keep doing as it pleases with me, even with you as its emissary." Hold on to those feelings? No. If he could do nothing else, he'd find some way out of this accursed tower and realm. He'd make his way back to the world, and he'd take on the sole responsibility of the sorcerer Merlin. Even having two separate versions of King Arthur to deal with, it could only be so much of an annoyance for him. After all, he'd already been through half of it. Well... regardless, Morgan was taking her leave with those final words. Merlin was left with nothing but infinity around him, including apparently infinite time to find a way out. Little did he realize at the time, the reawakening of his Clairvoyance would finally complete the skill. Avalon was a utopia to exist at the end of the world, and contained within it the entire history of mankind as a result. He was still a creature of the world, and therefore... he could still interact with it, even if indirectly. It would take some time, but he could make something work. . .

[Apollymi]

So there would be a split between these two gods, where one would go about picking a strong human to fill the role of Artoria Pendragon's destroyer while the other, went about making sure they actually knew what she was capable of. It seemed like the perfect split of talents, though many of the world would think there would be something better for the 'gods' of the world to take interest in than ruining a mortal who'd done no wrongs against them nor this world.

At the same time the parting words of Merlin did not seem to bother Morgan very much. He though the world should bend to him from time to time, and it would but not nearly in the way he would wish immediately. With the return of his sight would come the switch in another. A young bard who sat around a campfire had her name change from Myrddin to Merlyn in an instant. And with that change came an upgrade to her already powerful magics. She was a mage by her own nature so it became easier for her to see what was going on. She heard the whispers in the dreams of others that made her stand up and walk away. This barren grass field where she stood, bloomed flowers in her wake. But not the flowers of Merlin, no... lilies bloomed around her and she took a deep breath. She saw in a moment the Cathedral at Saint Paul's some distance across the world. She saw the sword eventually being pulled from that stone and she saw herself in the company of the wielder. This part of the world had long since lost meaning for her. She'd been drowning her sorrows taking the edge off her life. Those eyes of hers pink as they were now glowing even in darkness. "Does the walker choose the path, or does the path choose the walker?" The Druids asked this question of their children and she'd once been asked the same... she started walking from this point forward.

But what of the rest. Albion had gone missing from the spot where it was once nestled in the sky. And strangely, the day of Artoria's fated return was upon them and Siduri fully expected the Queen of Knights to show. But as morning turned to afternoon, the brows of the wine-maker furrowed. She'd served the Queen tirelessly for seven years, and never when she said she would be somewhere did she not show. Even at the time period of her walk, she'd still shown herself within a few days. The King of Heroes expected her, and though she was not directly involved with the way their relationship played out... she still felt strangely. Was something wrong? She couldn't really know, actually there was one person who realized something was wrong or would in just a matter of a few seconds. Medusa was busy translating tablets for the King to look over and one said something very particular. It spoke of the movement of a floating island and its disappearance. That was strange.

[Bloodedge]

Artoria Pendragon and her knights would receive no reprieve during the time of the gods' planning. Enki needed to know every little detail of her fighting prowess, so at a minimum, he would be sending AS-IKU's warriors, clerics and the like into the barrier containing Albion. This would be something he committed to for the duration of the time it took their champion to rise. He'd be sending the skilled, the overpowering, the tricky, and even the unorthodox against the Queen of Knights, all to observe her abilities and help construct the perfect counter to her existence.

When that all began, however, there was strangeness across the land. That aura of mysteriousness converged on Uruk, and radiated from its king. Gilgamesh had not been misled. Artoria spoke of her return on the following day. That day was today, and he could not be more certain of the truth in her words. As Gilgamesh sat upon the throne, he kept a fist pressed into his cheek. It didn't seem he was very interested in any of the tablets coming his way; he'd been reviewing them and throwing them aside with utmost abandon. Of course, they were still completed as needed, but he had no patience for giving them any additional thought. Did the king have anything to say as he impatiently awaited his visitor? Not a word, actually. There was nothing that needed saying, neither to Siduri nor any other visitors to the throne room. This day, he had words for one individual... but where was she? Oh well. It could be presumed that she'd simply... what was it? Gone on a walk?

[Apollymi]

Before the real start of Artoria's proving as she was determined the individual target of two evil gods. There was a certain realization being set upon the rest of the world. The day of the Queen's return she was apparently late. All thought this except Medusa who'd just translated a tablet rather scary. She stood up from her table and began walking. 'I do not wish to tell him this. If I read it right nothing good is about to happen,' she thought to herself. She approached Siduri directly with panic in those jeweled eyes of hers. She handed Siduri the tablet and noticed the strange amount of quiet the King of Heroes was. Siduri veiled as she always was seemed curious about the amount of panic in the eyes of Medusa. She hadn't seen such panic since the last time Rim-Sin had sent a message from Nippur making some sort of outrageous demand. But this... it was much much worse. The two women stared at each other neither wanting to be the one to start this conversation and neither really knowing how to broach the subject with the King of Heroes.

Siduri had been with this man since he'd first learned the depth of the world. She was there when he lost out on what would have been his greatest accomplishment but she was also there when he set his eyes upon the Queen of Knights. She'd been there when that woman was named and had been watching steadily the progress between them. She was slated to comeback today, finally properly within his grasp. The King of Heroes would have no good response to the woman slipping between his fingers. But... it was his burden to bear just the same. Siduri took a deep breath and spoke aloud for the first time in a while. "My King this tablet has a rather disturbing report... It requires your immediate attention," she said seeming to be upset by its contents. What did the tablet say exactly, 'The island of cold winter, dominated by knights has suddenly disappeared from the sky! No traces of it are seen.'

While Artoria was set to be tested, and observed. It became clear that she could not reach the outside world. During a brief moment of peace she aimed to use the Lake Fae's magic to move at least herself and Excalibur in or out of this place. But while the sword could move in and out without problem, something about the circumstances of the capture of Albion kept Vivian from being able to properly cross through the lake herself. She heard whispers of a repeated name across the water. 'Enki' who the hell was Enki?! Vivian had not foreseen this outcome and after making sure Artoria had her sword asked her if there was anything she could tell them. "Tell my King of Heroes, I am on a walk. But that what I face here will not keep me from him."

[Bloodedge]

While Gilgamesh picked up, inspected, and moved tablets, Medusa entered the throne room. He paid no mind to the woman in her panicked state, nor did he have a care to offer Siduri when she entered the same proverbial boat. All things would move along as they always did. He didn't plan on having this much of the day spent working, but he supposed it was best to pile it up before taking many, many days of leisure for himself. Ah, but of course Medusa's appearance would result in something desiring his attention. Was it that damned Rim-Sin of Nippur yet again? He didn't need that sort of annoyance today; his mood had been soured enough by the waiting. The king sighed, not even thinking of reaching out to claim the tablet. "Everything requires my immediate attention. What makes this one so special?" he wondered. Everything was so menial, and he had only one plan worth putting much of his attention toward this day. Sighing yet again, he put aside another tablet. This was going to be something Siduri insisted upon; he knew it would be. There was no point in trying to push this matter off, whatever it was, so he chose to get it out of the way... annoying as it was to do so. "What is it? Be quick."

[Apollymi]

"This more so than others..." Siduri said. After he put down the tablet he was reading she handed over the one she'd so recently received from Medusa. How to word this without inciting panic. "It would appear that the country which our Queen raised into the sky seven years ago, has disappeared from its placement," she said taking a bit of extra care. Medusa still did not like this. It was a strange thing to hear and even stranger still another was on their way up the stairs. The Queen of Saints was here wondering about the whereabouts of her big sister. She'd talked to the woman the previous day and they'd arranged that she would come and train and test a new round of Holy Knights. But she'd not shown up. Absenteeism was very much unlike the Queen of Knights and Hoshimi Eri as well was known for being the most apt for morning activities. "Hey, Siduri is my sister here... not feeling well or," she stopped speaking noticing Gilgamesh back atop his throne. Alarm Bells that were ringing in her head seemed to ebb for a few seconds. If the King of Heroes was here, maybe her sister was welcoming him home and forgot the arrangement. "Something..." Jeanne didn't know about the return of the King of Heroes. But she wasn't upset to see him. Perhaps she was overreacting. If he was here and Artoria was here, maybe she was just finally taking a moment or two to enjoy life a bit. Except he was working... why was he working right now if her sister was here. No, it was too tense here, the atmosphere was too thick around the other women. What happened to the Queen of Knights? "What's wrong?"

[Bloodedge]

Had Gilgamesh been holding one of the tablets when Siduri next spoke, it would have fallen to the floor immediately. All things came to a quick halt. He didn't need to grab the tablet Siduri held out; her words were enough to clarify everything. He'd been waiting for so much time this day, only because the abduction of Artoria and her entire country had taken place? How could something so ridiculous have happened? Gilgamesh's teeth were grinding, the veins of his neck pulsing, and his muscles tensing. It was almost as if on cue that Jeanne d'Arc entered the Citadel of Uruk. How very convenient. She still had something of his, and he rather suddenly had use of it. Brow furrowed as if he were on a warpath already, Gilgamesh stood. One, two, three paces down the throne's steps. His eyes were on the Holy Maiden. She'd done nothing to earn his ire, but... it was not to her that he pointed it. "My map," was all he said. There were no other words to mince. He needed instant proof of something. Perhaps those idiot humans who sent the message to their king had made a mistake. That wouldn't be beyond the likes of mankind at all. Maybe someone misremembered Albion's location, or maybe it was still settling into its proper place in the sky? Surely one of those things could be possible. Yes, that would even justify Artoria's tardiness; she could have been forced to take a longer route.

[Apollymi]

The King of Heroes seemed to understand the nature of the situation and Jeanne's sudden appearance seemed to relieve the other women here. Maybe everything was just strange, or maybe the Queen of Knights was actually just a little under the weather. The Queen of Saints looked at the King of Heroes, he practically had anger wafting off his entire person. That being said Jeanne knew it wasn't directed at her, she wasn't fearful at all and seemed to treat the man about the same as she treated any of her siblings. That map of his was on her person, she kept waiting for the right time to return it to him, but he decided this in the moment. "Here you go," she said offering it up with both hands. Of course, she'd come to return this a few times and he wasn't within the Ziggurat. She'd just decided to hang on to it until such a time as he needed it again. After it was handed over she was still looking ever more curious and those alarm bells in her mind started up again. He'd have no reason to be upset if he knew where her sister was. She definitely hadn't just died in battle, that seemed like the sort of thing that would have spread like wildfire. No, whatever was wrong here it did not make sense.

Siduri had that original tablet translated and still in her hand she motioned over to Jeanne to give her the answer she sought. Jeanne approached still rightfully confused. What could have happened to have everyone in this place to tense? Oh? Albion had disappeared from the place it had been? That didn't make sense. Maybe it was settling in better or moved by her sister. Surely, it would have been noticed if someone used a spell big enough to move an entire country. Her sister's group included one powerful mage with her elder sister on standby. Now it made sense, Jeanne's eyes darted back towards the map. She also wanted to see, Albion had been settled nearby her own Kingdom when it rose. though not directly in her line of sight nestled into those mountains. It was nearby enough that she should have seen if someone ran off with her sister's country!

[Bloodedge]

No more words. Gilgamesh took the map he'd once loaned to the Queen of Saints. He was without hesitation when opening it, revealing the whole of Finis Chaldea as a single image. There was Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Holy Knights' Headquarters, and the various other islands of Chaldea. Where? He hadn't taken the time to learn Albion's location, but this map looked no differently than it did when he first showed it to Jeanne. The map had not been tampered with, yet there was no place for Albion on it. Who was to blame for this? "WHERE IS IT?!" he shouted. Already, he had a list of individuals to blame. Ishtar could have scrambled her way out of Irkalla by now with ease, according to her own methods. Enki, whom he'd taken the arm of, could have thought to steal from him once more. Which one, though? Or, could there have been a different entity proving their annoyance to him? Surely Artoria had no enemies of her own remaining, given her propensity for domination by force. "Who has the details? Someone will tell me whose head is forfeit immediately!"

[Apollymi]

A shout from King Gilgamesh let everyone present know that the Queen of Knights country was missing from the visible aspects of the world's map. That map had been in Jeanne's care a long time, she'd seen her sister's country on it. She knew where it should be, she'd even visited it a couple of times. Why was it missing now? "Well, it's supposed to be right behind my Headquarters, with my place basically being an easy cut across to here... Not that she travels that way," she said pointing to the place it should have been visible. "I saw it there last night," she said her own facing having taken on a bit of a sterner look, mostly she'd gone a bit empty in the eyes. Oh, right that was a family trait, anger caused a lack of emotion in these people. Her sister had no enemies, she knew this as a matter of course, so someone had taken a whole country without anyone knowing it would happen. And had in that same moment basically taken hostage everyone in that country. Jeanne was upset not the crying kind but the angry killing kind. So rare was it for the Queen of Saints' emotions to not be more pleasantly aligned. Still she could hear little voices of the angels, mostly that meant that the Lake Fae had something to share with her? "Rie-nee says she's spoken with Eri-nee today. She is on her way to the closest body of water here," she said that to the King of Heroes while beginning to pace. What could have made the entire country go missing and why was her sister being targeted? There was literally nothing the lass could have done wrong to anyone. Besides all of that her sister despite her prickly demeanor was actually a very kind person, no one had any reason to hate her.

[Bloodedge]

Jeanne confirmed the would-be location of Albion. Just as he thought, it should not have been very far away at all. The fury of Gilgamesh had become almost palpable. He could feel the state of another as well. In this very throne room, there were two who should never have been toyed with. Countries, even empires, could be razed overnight, and all it would take was a single word. What would that word be? Perhaps all would know quite soon. "Fate has some nerve thinking it can spit in my face yet again," he commented through gritted teeth. What was that Holy Maiden saying now? The one identifying as the Lake Fairy in this world had spoken to her. She confirmed the wellbeing of Artoria. That was good, but he hardly believed she would find herself in any true danger; that would be no queen of his. The important thing was not the state of her being, as that was essentially a given. The important thing was a location, as well as a target associated with said location. The Lake Fairy was on her way to the nearest body of water. Oh? Why was this information worth his time? "If she has time to pass along this information, why has she not found the time to be here and speak it directly? I am in no need of go-between messengers."

[Apollymi]

Jeanne was also furious enough that she knew the pair of them would easily topple anything they wished. No one was allowed this, she was the youngest but her sister was important to her, and quite obviously her favorite sibling. Still there was the matter of not needing messengers and all of that, but a certain armored fae was already walking up from inside the Ziggurat itself. "I only meant to warn that I was dropping in directly," she said having surfaced within the baths of the Ziggurat. She usually didn't take such an entrance for the sake of preserving the privacy of everyone involved but she wasn't doing anything about her current level of murderous rage either. Two of the Hoshimi women were in this room and both of them had a level of fury within their souls would let anyone know that they were both related to Artoria Pendragon.

"Besides, coming back from Albion is a bit different now... in a manner I can't truly explain just yet," she said while holding the side of her head. Jeanne looked at her sister and gave a subtle nod to the unanswered question. "The whole country is moving and wrapped up in something..." she explained of the situation. "I did not foresee this and I cannot move through it, but there is no lake or body of water in that country I can push myself through... and I was trying. It is so strange because there should not be a still body of water anywhere in this world I cannot touch," she said carefully. "I keep hearing about Enki and Ishtar. A miracle, ugh... something else... I do not know who those people are... it's giving me a headache. It makes me feel sick," mentioned Vivian. This was true, something about those names being mentioned over the water left her feeling distressed beyond the norm of knowing they had something to do with her sister being entrapped. "They trapped her and her entire country. And not even you can get in or out? Okay." That was all Jeanne had to say about the situation. Still those eyes of hers hadn't regained their luster. No, she was strategizing, finding how how to break a siege on her sister's country. Figuring out where her sister actually was, it would take a great deal of organization to hunt it down while not knowing what they were looking for.

"Since you do not like go-betweens have this message directly," she said touching her forehead she brought forth a strangely silvery liquid containing the exact memory of Artoria relaying her message for the King of Heroes before heading off to another battle. From Vivian's perspective in the lake, Artoria's words in her own voice with all the emotions such words could convey. The memories of the waters ran deep if one knew where to look for them, and none could claim to have a greater repository of such things than the Great Mother of the Lake. A little bottle strangely the same color green as her little sisters eyes formed around that memory as she passed it along. "Tell my King of Heroes, I am on a walk. But that what I face here will not keep me from him." Whenever he decided to open that bottle he'd have that little memory all for him. That message was meant for no one else, and Vivian would only share it with the man it was meant for.

[Bloodedge]

Just after Gilgamesh spoke, the voice of Vivian herself offered response. He did not care for warnings. If a warning was to be given at any point, it should have been prior to Albion's abrupt disappearance. Well, it would be worthwhile to hear what the fairy had to say at least. Of those present in the ziggurat currently, she had the only recent interaction with the Queen of Knights, and therefore the most knowledge of anyone. Sadly, what she offered was not truly helpful at all... until it was. Albion was shrouded and moving? Fine; that was the exact opposite of a helpful situation. Vivian herself could not push through the waters of the country? That complicated things even more, but made it clear that a very high-order entity was the culprit. Gilgamesh's assumption of earlier was seeming more likely, and then... Vivian spoke the names. Two names and the mention of a miracle were all he needed to understand exactly what happened. "Tch!" he scoffed. It was not one, but both the deities he thought to blame? Did they not know enough of his fury already? Well, the whole of Mesopotamia would feel it today. As he gained targets for his anger, the land shook under the weight of his mana. "The birth of divine beings creates a miracle, not unlike what the Holy Grail creates based on the will of its holder. Enki and Ishtar think themselves capable of an assault? Of this magnitude?"

The king's mind raced by the time an emerald bottle with a message was produced. Instead of taking it immediately, he shoved off the thought. He saw a great many things, and none of them were pleasant. Those gods had taken many steps in the wrong direction, though Ishtar had previously been the primary annoyance. In being so, she hardly managed to be more than just that: an annoyance. If they were willing to go to such extremes, then there was but one thing for Gilgamesh to do. "I will find the catalyst of this miracle, and when I do... I will do as a king must. Things that call themselves divine act as petty criminals, so I will enforce the law." His lips offered a speech, but his soul offered an oppressive force that spread cross the continent. Children cried, and beasts scattered and fell silent for fear of predation. Execution for immortals was no longer enough. "To be divine, is to be without mortality. Even those who kill a god cannot do so permanently, so long as they are bound to their Authorities. But... what happens when a god does not simply die? If a god is made to bleed before their own worshippers, over their own children, where then will be the belief in them? The whore Ishtar and the dog Enki; how will they be born anew when the whole world gazes upon the display of their mangled forms? I do wonder how long their Authorities will hold before they slip into the ether."

[Apollymi]

Enki and Ishtar, were gods apparently. Well, that made sense of how anyone was capable of being able to keep out the Lake Fae from her domain. The presence of prayer and the ability to confound Authority made it sensible. Even so, one of them had to be in control of Water to completely shut her out. The fact that Excalibur could still travel in the waters meant that control of that sort of mystery was still beyond them. But why take Albion at all? What did they get out of trapping Artoria? These were the questions which had no logical answers. Well the name Ishtar came up before didn't it? Artoria had knocked over all of her temples in Mesopotamia but that had been an act of retribution. That same goddess was the one who sent rapists after the Queen of Knights, surely she wasn't seeking to further provoke that girl when it was clear as day Artoria would slay anyone she set her sights on.

Crying children, fleeing creatures and the grounds of Chaldea shaking below them. None could even bring themselves to tell the King of Heroes to calm himself. He had every right to be upset in a moment like this. His thought of punishments for these gods was rather gruesome but it wasn't necessarily unfair. Jeanne was still thinking about the potential siege. If they were in motion she needed to know if there was anything else to go on. "I have someone I can get to look for it. Even if it cannot be found. Actually, that would likely make it more interesting for her, but I need a place to tell her to start..." mentioned Jeanne. Well, as far as actually planning of such events went she was always the one who was ready to put together a working action plan flexible enough to shift with new information but solid enough to be taken step by step. "According to Eri, she cleansed a beast and severed it from whoever was controlling it, because such control made it evilly aligned. She was obviously upset about it, so I assume it was a cat of some sort," she said to Jeanne who thought about it a bit more. That talent was one developed after becoming a Holy Knight so Jeanne understood its workings rather well. She'd been dealing with those effects herself for a couple of decades. "A beast cleansed by such a thing, will respawn on the lower level near where it died that would tell us where it was in the sky, and give a decent starting point." Jeanne was plotting in the best way possible. At the very least in addition to contacting her friend she could look and see if any large cat beasts had spawned that would give a proper starting place. "Fine, I will look into this on my end. Actually, I know of one other kind of hidden realm..." The Lake Fae said. Strange though it was, it seemed she'd be going to visit the Great Creator twice in less than a 100 years. "I will return when I have news," she said turning on her heels. There was an oasis nearby that counted as a sacred grove, she could easily reach the Great Creator through such means. And as she headed back in she handed off that little vial to the King of Heroes that message specifically for him.

[Bloodedge]

Excellent news at last. Jeanne had someone in her camp who could go searching for Albion's present location. She produced a decent enough plan involving this nameless individual; Gilgamesh had no negative criticism to offer her idea. "Then tell your sky-farer the importance of the task. If it is monetary reward they seek, they will have more than their wildest dreams can produce for success," he said. It would be Gilgamesh who fronted this operation, answering the demands of all who participated in the recovery of Albion. He would even be putting his own work aside; there were things of greater importance to deal with.

A beast had been cleansed, severed from its summoner. Of the two gods in question, only one of them made use of Divine Beasts: Ishtar. Context gave a single clue. Artoria's response to the task implied a creature of feline origin, did it? He knew the one. "Primate Murder: Cath Palug. It is a personal beast of Ishtar, a great creature that brings white winter to even the driest desert. Seek the abnormal winter, Witch Queen, we will know where to begin." With that said, Gilgamesh finally laid claim to that strange vial of liquid. He'd be viewing its content in his own time, but only when the plan was set in motion. For now, he would sit once more. Seething though he was, this could not be an event that saw immediate results. "Holy Maiden, you will take my ship of light to locate this person you speak of. Inform them of the task, and return with them in tow if you must. I will not allow this excursion enough time for those damned gods to presume victory. I expect I will be seeing the whore herself some time soon."

[Apollymi]

Jeanne's plan was apparently accepted without much hassle. She hadn't even named the individual she planned to give said task to, but the King of Heroes seemed to trust her judgement enough to allow her to undertake this task without negative criticism. What else did he say? If monetary reward was necessary to give, then he would front it? "If I say something like that I have no doubt she will agree. Between doing a new thing, helping me and getting paid it's pretty much guaranteed," she stated seeming sure in her own decision as well. of course, Jeanne, knew her friend to be a pirate and thus knew she would without cause do anything for the right price, but such friends were good to have on hand. Besides all of that, said friend reminded her most of her big sister, and knew of how much she cared for her favorite sibling. "A cat called, Primate Murder... No wonder she was upset. It sounds like the sort of thing she would have adored," she said with a small smile spreading across her face. "Witch Queen, I do not know if I like that better or worse than Fae Princess... off to search for answers and long winter," and just like that she walked out of the doors of the Ziggurat knowing where she would find the Oasis she sought to enter for a conversation with a certain former god.

Apparently Jeanne would be granted another of Gilgamesh's treasures to borrow for the sake of getting things done. His light speed ship would be given so she could go and talk to the person she sought. This much was good, last she checked said friend hadn't taken another voyage back up just yet. She was docked in the lower world near one of the outposts that was set up for the Knights. In a kingdom on the outer part of the large continent near the ocean. "Oui, I'll return shortly," said Jeanne. With the light ship she moved and was simply gone. All was well. And the King of Heroes was left alone with his attendants. It was still strange but a place hidden from sight was a weird thing for Medusa to hear. She was almost certain she knew how such a thing worked, in the same way she understood how to make the mystic code for the King of Heroes. It seemed a bit like her own magic, well specifically a bit like her ultimate attack which she'd recently gotten access to once more, after dying two decades ago. She'd look into it, while they searched for the Queen of Knights' lost country. At the same time Siduri could only think strange things. It was unreasonable that the Queen of Knights was caught up in anything like this. Mesopotamia had known only happiness in the seven years she ruled it. She'd heard from Knights that Albion was also a very safe place, it was ridiculous that the last vestiges of gods in this world had fallen so low as to disrupt the human order. And for what?

[Bloodedge]

At present, things were falling in line for the offense against Enki and Ishtar. Gilgamesh could not relax in any way, but he could sit and wait until progression occurred. Jeanne took her leave of the ziggurat. The king remained in the company of Siduri and Medusa, and silence fell for only a few moments. His eyes were locked onto the vial he held, finding it ironic that its content bore that emerald hue. Was that done by the will of Vivian, or was there more to it than that? Whatever the case, he would not be viewing it immediately. "You two. Leave me," he ordered. Peace and silence was needed before he opened that vial, but once he had it... he'd let loose a mist from within. Said mist would emerge to take the full visage of Artoria as she'd been seen through the lake earlier this day, delivering that message from the image of her own lips. What she faced would not keep her from him, she said. That was almost possessive. How very intriguing. Hearing that instead of her normal sugar and fire personality, how could he do anything but snicker to himself while resealing the vial? "Fool. What shall the punishment be for breaking a promise and being so candid in the aftermath? I will not give myself long to think of one," he muttered.

[Apollymi]

Apparently the King of Heroes wished to be alone for a while. A nod came from both Medusa and Siduri who went on to wander off. Well that wasn't exactly right, Medusa was nudging Siduri along with her because she had a thought process which needed testing and she could use the extra set of hands and eyes to make it obvious if she missed anything in her line of thinking. Both knew and understood the amount of care that King Gilgamesh took when it came to one Artoria Pendragon, and both would do their fair share to support him in retrieving her and her country. As the King of Heroes wandered over the words and potential future punishments of Artoria Pendragon. She fought and slayed a great number of enemies. Whatever and whomever came knocking at her door seemed to be untimely ends. Whether she needed to work to make those things happen or not. Still, she would continue because she must in her heart knowing she planned to meet the King of Heroes again.

Meanwhile Jeanne had found her friend on the lower levels of the world. In a bar at Nassau which was a pretty famous hangout for pirates. The seriousness of Jeanne could not be mistaken and she moved through this place as if completely unperturbed by the atmosphere. She was, she had things to do and she would not be waiting around to pick up her friend. "Frankie, do you have a minute?" she asked of the woman sitting at the bar. Frankie as she was called had her face in in a mug which was turned all the way up. Drinking down the contents only to cast a side eye at the Queen of Saints. For her to come all the way down here, something must be amiss. Besides all of that... the look on the girl's face didn't quite fit her normal personality. In fact, it would be safer to say, she'd seen the girl look more kind in the middle of a war, right now she had to be near murderous. "Sure thing, doll. Come on, let's get outta of here." she said dropping a couple of gold coins on the bar. She got up slinging an arm around the shoulders of the Queen of Saints, and with pink hair flowing over her shoulder and big bust exposed she narrowed a blue eye at the lass. The scar on this pirate woman's face glistened as they passed candles on their way out. Once they'd cleared the space and were outside of earshot of the normal types here she looked at the young woman directly. "I'd say you have a job for me, but it looks like you want to murder someone. I didn't know you had that kind of vibe moving in your soul..." she said seeming to find it amusing but already noting the seriousness of the situation. "My big sister is missing. Rather, her whole country just vanished without a trace from the realm above without any of us noticing. Are you interested in tracking it down?" she asked of the female pirate her eyes brightened. "Well you know I'll do anything for you, and anything else for the right price... this one has my interest how was it plundered?" she asked wondering exactly how impossible the place would be to find. "Apparently, some pair of idiot gods performed a miracle that allowed them to take it... so it's on the move and hidden. When my other sister gets back I should be able to give you a place to start your search from and... the King of Heroes is offering a big reward if you actually find it." she said those eyes of hers were still lusterless but she seemed to be a bit upset beneath it all. "Oh? Stealing a country back from someone claiming divinity sounds like a bit of fun. But, the King of Heroes? One of the big shots upstairs? He was missing most of the time... what interest does he have in her and her place?" she asked as a matter of curiosity. "He's in love with my sister and she's also in love with him," she explained simply. "Your sister the Queen of Knights has a boyfriend? This I gotta see..." she said simple as that. Capturing an unknown place? Fabulous. Hunting down a new method of payment? Great. Finding out what kind of man made the Queen of Knights heart flutter? Priceless.

[Bloodedge]

Those overly ambitious mortals scuffled about, while Enki finally had himself suited with a new arm. Technological advancements allowed him to easily replace a body part that couldn't be regenerated, but there was another issue. That robotic and armored limb he received could not properly accept his mana all the way through. He could push his energy outward to make it respond via its circuitry, but it could not become a true replacement. What the hell was done to the point of severing? He'd have to see something else done to it in due time, but first, he had to visit his war chamber. Every battle Artoria Pendragon fought was recorded and replayed in three dimensions, allowing him to view her techniques as they played out. This was a small waste of manpower for the greater end. Oh... those movements were so honed, so perfect that Enki was almost disgusted by them. No wonder the golden boy took an interest in this one. "Hmm. Ishtar's choice will need much more than blessings," he mused while looking into the tactics that proved closest to effective against this Queen of Knights.

Gilgamesh spent his time holding that vial, his thumb brushing over its exterior slowly and repeatedly. In the meantime, he stared out into the open with eyes that peered through causality. Something was out there, somewhere. No matter the difficulty, the task would be completed, and the last vestiges of Celestia wiped from this world. He could see properly the Age of Man, and the land of Albion at its dawn. Good. Albion was precisely where he thought to end the Age of Gods; choosing the path to take was therefore a thing of great ease. How long would it take, though? The King of Heroes was already visibly impatient. Why did it take so long to locate a mobile, disappearing country?

[Apollymi]

A mechanical arm restored to Enki, the battles of Artoria Pendragon, and the mobilized upper realm searching for ways to get back a lost country. There seemed to be a great era of movement all centered around Albion and the missing Queen of Knights. Included in this movement was her elder sister, the Lake Fae known as Vivian. She had not foreseen Albion's disappearance and was thus disturbed. Her walk through an oasis would turn into a casual movement into a deep forest. She was looking for a certain individual whom she knew to be planted in this hidden place. "Great Creator... I am troubled. My little sister has been taken her entire country hidden and we know not how to find her..." said the young woman. She already knew the amount of darkness surrounding the lives of her family, but this wasn't part of it. They needed to help these gods along and out of the world so they could continue with life. "I do not know these 'gods' who ruin the lives of one who has done no wrong... I do not understand why I cannot reach her and why the utterances of their names across the water sicken me," she explained of the situation. The Fae were old creatures. They'd seen a great many things, none were older than the Great Creator. Even without his 'godly' status, he was without question the best source of information she did not have. Perhaps his wealth of knowledge would come with the ability to get into Albion at least a little.

At the same time, Frankie was gathering her own charts and maps. There was a reason she was on the lower world and if she was going to strategize with the King of Heroes she would not go empty handed. Besides, the Queen of Knights was an interesting woman and the Queen of Saints was as well. There would be no slow moving explanation she had to plan attacks and the movements of her fleets. "The Age of Discovery is coming, I can feel it, doll." she said it with a grin on her face and fire in her eyes. "Don't worry though, before that we plunder this missing country and find your big sister. I still owe her for that lost bet after all..." Frankie mentioned seeming to find the whole thing funny. She never could have pulled off the kind of look one like Artoria Pendragon had, but that girl was a monster when it came to combat. Francis Drake wasn't an idiot and the last time she'd been in the prescence of both the Queen of Knights and the Queen of Saints, she'd drunkenly bet a ridiculous sum of gold on a shooting match with the former. She'd lost horrendously. How did a girl so good with a sword also have the ability of a marksman beyond belief? It was damn unfair but, the little smirk on the Queen of Knights face when she said she could pay that debt at her leisure was something one like Francis couldn't forget. She remembered thinking her princely as compared to her own descriptor of manly. So what kind of man made a Princely woman's heart beat increase? That was something worth finding out.

[Bloodedge]

Only seven years after appearing with a broken Excalibur, the Lady of the Lake made her way into the grove of Enlil. The great flower that once housed the former god was not as it had been before. Now, he seemed closer to a malnourished man in a red robe, seated atop a chair of leaves supported by vines. What could have brought the Fae Princess here this time? Nothing good, sadly. "Speak to me of your troubles, my child," he said. Of course, her troubles were the doings of his own brethren. This disturbed the 'Creator' greatly, though it did not seem particularly surprising. "I felt a miracle occur as my brother and sister were reborn. That they would do this, means they have truly fallen to the great sickness. Perhaps that is why their names plague you so." Additional vines grew out from the ground surrounding Enlil. Together, they produced flowers which bloomed and pollenated the air, spores converging to create images. He pictured his remaining siblings and the empire of AS-IKU, knowing it matched the scale of that miracle. "I sense temples of my brother and sister, of a model that should exist only in our home Celestia. If these are the catalyst, the country you speak of could be sheltered by my own methods. I fear my Authority has been claimed. But, if even you cannot enter this space, it can only be the work of... a different form of god. It would seem the worlds are converging at last, far sooner than they can. . ."

[Apollymi]

The Fae Princess spoke her troubles to the 'Great Creator' he looked different than she remembered. Had these seven years truly been so bad to him? He spoke of the rebirth of his 'brother' and 'sister' the gods who had taken her younger sister. He claimed they had fallen to the great sickness if they had done such a thing. Vivian remembered this, from their last conversation. He claimed himself to be sick, but still he'd done no such thing as what was being perpetrated by these two. He did look sick himself though, but the Great Creator was not the type to do anything but birth himself anew when he needed to do so. "I see." she said thinking over the information carefully. Pollination and flowering were used to show her, the nation of AS-IKU. Apparently there were temples set up there for those two in an organization which should have only been allowed in Celestia. "So, they created for themselves a new seat of worship but they are not the same kinds of gods, as those of nature and those of Celestia anymore..." she said seeming to understand. "I cannot go to my sister, because they are no longer aligned to the world. It is why my sister can still fight, and why she could free the beast Cath Palug of their influence. Its whereabouts are something I must search for, that creature is the key to know where to start the search for my sister," she gave it thought. "I will have my youngest sister treat my sickness, the Holy Maiden should be able to make sure I retain effectiveness," she said knowing what would be done. The audacity of these so called gods, to use powers they did not understand and do something so atrocious. Vivian was seething beneath the surface, but kept her calm as she always did, she had to find her younger sister. She had to free her, Artoria did not deserve imprisonment and one day even she would understand that herself. This convergence of the worlds did not sound like anything too good either. "If it is being hidden by your method then we would have to enter it by force. They attack the Queen of Knights repeatedly, for what reason I do not know. Great Creator, I know not of this convergence, but at least one of them has already tried to wrong my sister even before this 'miracle' they performed," she explained of the situation. "Do they even know what they are now? Do they know they can only taint the rest of the world with filth?" That was a loaded question but she needed to know, if they were truly ignorant the amount of disaster that would follow their escapade was catastrophic. To destroy their seat of power would likely change the world massively but Vivian knew, everyone involved even the Queen of Saints would do so for the sake of the Queen of Knights.

[Bloodedge]

It was easy to see how far the other gods had fallen. Ishtar had not even been the root of it all, from Enlil's perspective. No, it was the fault of each that this sickness had overtaken them. None were vigilant enough to escape their sins, and in Enlil's case... lack of vigilance was the sin itself. He thought there was no great savior who could spare them their fate, but he also believed a new generation could rise and do what they could not. "Though it saddens me to say, they are still gods of Celestia. Their status remains intact even as Celestia seals itself. These effects, however, are not the way of my creation. Rest assured, my child. If it were by my method, you would be the first one capable of passing the barrier," he insisted. There was another fear, that if those two rose to great enough power, they could inhabit Celestia anew by breaking down the barriers between realms. Did they know? He doubted they did, but it was far worse than a matter of ignorance. "I believe they do not know. Only myself, two sisters, and Mother were able to realize our ailment and make the decision to abstain from corroding the world around us. Father and those two... I am afraid, they will cause great suffering for ages to come."

There was no avoiding the troubles to the world caused by those three. Sadly, it could only be minimized. A tale needed telling. Vivian knew not of the convergence, and it was vital information to the world's future. "Long ago, there were four categories equivalent to what the world now knows as divinity. When the world was one, myself and the other Creators stood on par with the Destroyers, as well as the Spirits above and the Heroes between. Each divided with the world, but the Destroyers... Demons, I believe you would call them, inhabit the realm of nothingness that contains all things discarded. It is an infinite void of nothingness that infringes upon the material world, its infinite contents seeking a home. That is the curse that has taken my brethren. It has only a small place in this world, as the other side of you should know well; she is one such place. However, the older ones such as you cannot yet inhabit this world with its current lack of stability. One day, that much will be sustainable... but the rest must be kept away at all costs. My sister and brother are too young to know what they must fear. They are too lacking in understanding to flee their own curse, lest the world they live in tear itself asunder with nothing to moderate a new division."

[Apollymi]

From the Great Creators' own lips was information concerning the way such beings as Ishtar and Enki existed. They were both still gods of Celestia, though they had other influences now. They were releasing their negative qualities unto the world. Even Vivian herself understood this kind of influence but she wasn't the type to be taken over by it. What was more he claimed that if he was one to create such a thing she would have been able to enter and exit. It was nice to know she was still favored. "That is reassuring to know. Even though I find myself here to ask questions and discuss things of terror. I do enjoy your company Great Creator. Honestly, I will try not to come here just when things are wrong..." she said knowing it had to be burdensome to only see people when the world was falling apart. "Alright good to know there is one more errant threat besides those two. The King of Heroes will not tolerate them and now that my sister is coming to understand herself she will not either..." she said seeing to grasp how her sister would understand and judge the behavior of this pair. At the very least four of seven known gods had the decency not to harm the rest of the world with their ailments.

Whatever the case, it was time for Vivian to hear the tale of the convergence. Of four equivalent types of being with the power to subdue each other. Apparently, the Destroyers now called demons were seeking somewhere to call home, after experiencing the infinite nothingness of the Void. There were vestiges of this she was already aware of, and the Great Creator seemed aware as well, since he pointed it out. Vivian managed to look a tad bit sheepish but her own form of that power did nothing so hasty as was she was seeing here. "I see. The other me is aware of such things. She stays where she can be held, in the dream world of my sister's creation along with the others whom she could protect. Though we do not always agree and she does not tell me everything she has my implicit trust in doing what will help us all. These two do not seem to have at all anyone else's interest at heart, have they truly become the same type of being?" she questioned this part directly. Her own understanding of the Dark Fae was that the power they had simply could not be held in the world. Morgause as she was called before chose to die on this side after making sure there was a place for the rest to coalesce as well. These two fallen gods did not seem to be doing anything other than sowing descent and making difficult the lives of all others around them.

[Bloodedge]

That his brother and sister could not be tolerated, was a thing of sadness to Enlil. Though he knew they were against what this world needed, against the very flow of nature that had been imparted in the absence of mystery... they were family nonetheless. "I wish I could say my brethren should not be judged. I wish I could ask you and those at your side not to condemn them. However, there is nothing in this world that can truly cure their sickness. They, and possibly our father An, may be too far gone. If they are... even a thousand deaths will only make them worse," he explained. The Void was a relentless existence, carrying its own consciousness. It would spend the foreseeable future planting its seeds. "Once a seed has grown into a blossoming flower, the cycle cannot be stopped without razing the forest. This is the way of nature, even if it is not the way things should be."

Upon hearing his tale of creation and rebirth as it could be called, Vivian spoke of the realm inhabited by the Fae. He knew of that pocket. In fact, their current location was only slightly displaced from it, and by very similar methods. "The other side is a thing of great beauty. I hope you, she and the other children may know peace there for a time. Since its creation, it seems to have been... repurposed. The Spirit of Valiance has taken root, creating a realm of hope all its own within the pocket. I would think Mother had been born anew, if I knew no better." Enlil was beginning to ramble, but he was quite content with certain developments in the world. Alas, they were still discussing matters of his sibling divinities. "They are the same, yet very different. That which can be given a home, may be content. It is the banished who feel scorn and resentment, demanding its place in the world at any cost to others who inhabit it. That other side of you is close to the Void, susceptible to being touched by it directly, but not inherently plagued by it for never being shunned by the world. The old ways of your kind have evolved for fear of the worst, but you... are a specialty even among the original design. Never has there been another to hold both light and darkness in unison as you, my child. It is as if you were conditioned for it before your birth."

[Apollymi]

The Great Creator was saddened by the knowledge of the likely fates of his siblings. Of course he would be, family is a lovely thing, none understood that more than Vivian. Still to spare them of their torment would have needed them to be corralled before their falling. They'd already done so much to wrong those who would have tolerated their silence. "I cannot say for certain how this will play out now. My vision is not as clear in the times to come, but those two and potentially the one you call An, would be allowed to live peacefully if they did the same. My sister only holds disdain for those who do not learn the lesson given them. She is tyrannical at times, but I cannot say she is wrong in how she responds to things that harm not only herself but can potentially harm others. She saw the evil of that goddess and chose to say no, it could have ended there..." she said knowing how Artoria came to punish Ishtar for sending rapists to her castle and knowing why it was decided that she could not be allowed that much influence. "What I have seen of those two, they do not simply wish to live, or even just live happily as everyone else does," she said understanding the natures of these ones and knowing that they would find impassable obstacles and setbacks the more they tried to grab at things outside of their control. The idea of razing the forest as Enlil put it was one shared by the King of Heroes, "King Gilgamesh shares that sentiment. I cannot say I disagree either..." Vivian was still at her core a practical being all things considered.

The Spirit of Valiance, had taken root, the reverse side of the world became something more. That was good. The creation of such a being was indeed intended, though it had a strange circumstance. It was... sweet notion. "I am sure they will for a time. My sister does not believe herself a heroine at all. She fails to understand the nature of the part of herself that is light, but one day... it will be clear even to her." she said with a smile spreading across her face. She'd seen that much, she knew it was possible to once again birth the truth of Artoria Pendragon into the world, and she would make it so, both sides of her working towards an eventuality which would help everyone. Speaking of duality apparently the pair of gods now bringing shame to the world were indeed to be classed the same way as Vivian and Morgan were. A shake of her head came with this knowledge, oh well... not everyone could keep their emotions in check. Ah but what was this? The Great Creator had noticed that Morgan's darkness was so very Void leaning while Vivian remained the light to be balanced. He said it was like she was prepared for it even before she was born. A smirk... subtle as it was appeared on Vivian's face in a moment like that. Her original life had done much to prepare her for the 'darkness' of the Void. Knowing that this was the case, she worried little for her siblings as well, though admittedly she'd rather spare them, if she could she knew that darkness in some cases was best utilized by those who fully understood it. "I honestly believe, accepting all parts of ones self is the best way to live. Even if you must keep those pieces from touching sometimes... they should never feel rejected, they are all part of you." Vivian's words were why she'd gone out of her way to make sure her little sister began to experience life properly. "I appreciate your help Creator. I hope my next visit can be more joyous." Vivian truly wished to have good news to share the next time she came before this man. Regardless, she supposed it was time for her to scry, she'd find the location of Cath Palug before returning to the King of Heroes.

But before Vivian would be making her way back to Chaldea, Jeanne and 'Frankie' as she was being called arrived back in Uruk and were walking up the steps to meet the King of Heroes. The pair seemed to have been discussing a great many things concerning this job and Frankie knew of the importance of it but would rather find out from all sources information that might help her actually track down this missing country.

[Bloodedge]

Enlil understood that his siblings would not be allowed reprieve, so long as they lived and were discoverable. They had committed many atrocities, and they would only commit more as time passed. Such was the flow of causality─ the paths they had chosen for themselves. Accepting the consequences was their own duty, always. "My sweet child, you needn't worry. Your vision may not always be clear, but these are the times you must put faith in yourself. I hope only that those who elect to right the wrongs of my siblings do not lose themselves in the process. Enlightenment awaits us all in the end, but the path and its length are determined by our choices. This is the way of nature." Enlil's beliefs were those of a man, a divine being, who saw all versions of the world in the moments of their births. Everything had its time to rise, to fall, and even to transcend. Some would achieve a different form than others, and the Lady of the Lake herself was one such individual. "Accepting ourselves for all we are is a beautiful notion. Remember, child, that separation of the mind is fragmentation of the soul. Even the world must one day reach convergence. Should not the same be said of its inhabitants?" Enlil delivered this slightly cryptic message to the fairy as she departed. She would understand. If she somehow failed to see now, he trusted that she would know when the time was necessary. Even she, who bore light and darkness separately, would one day see the time it was necessary to have both at once. And so, he gave his final message. "We see through our eyes the light, and the darkness. I say unto you that they are neither whites nor blacks, but the many shades of gray. Go in peace, sweet child of the lake. May your path lead you to enlightenment."

Meanwhile, Gilgamesh remained as impatient as ever upon the throne of Uruk. He would finally see the approach of Jeanne d'Arc and her alleged companion while reviewing tablets to keep himself occupied. Eye contact was not made; he saw them without looking in their direction. If he gazed upon them directly, there was a very high chance the wrong message would be sent through his eyes... so he abstained from that for the sake of avoiding old problems. Even so, his attitude could have used a bit of tweaking. "I give you a vessel that travels with the speed of the sun's rays, and this is the time I should expect your return?" he questioned. "What else is required to see the task done? Be swift."

[Apollymi]

Vivian was always given comfort whenever she spoke directly to Enlil. His words gave her heart stillness it did not always possess on its own. His words seemed almost warning in nature. Those who would right the wrongs of Ishtar and Enki would have to find their own enlightenment with their choices determining the length of time that would take? Fine. She could not argue with nature as one who embodied it in anyway. He claimed one would eventually need to bring the pieces of their soul back together, she knew that as well. When her work was done, she planned to meld both halves of herself back together. That last statement, before wishing her farewell in peace mentioned shades of gray. It would not be Vivian to hear this clearly but her other half to peak through her eyes for just a moment. "Gray, huh?" Whatever Morgan had in mind it was locked away immediately, like a fleeting thought in the face of all other possibilities. After walking out of that place, she found herself popping up in a lake, strangely near St. Paul's. Here the cold had set in and froze the ground and air, the ice and snow were immaculate. The winds whipped through the trees and she felt even the slightest chill. Behind that line of trees and across the lake she saw a small collection of humanoid individuals. Pale in complexion with pointy ears... they would be called. "Elves? Cold... Power... Right between the Elinor Forest, and the start of a little castle town. Hm... is this what had become of this area since Camelot had risen? Loch Ness which was left behind was a bit farther south than this, but without Camelot here, a few other places had sprung up farther north. A problem for later..." she mused. Looking out over the water, she'd seen things. For a brief moment she imagined this very forest freezing over because a child of power was afraid. The beast would be ignored for the most part, it would only truly be a problem if attacked and a thriving little castle would come up here lead by a rather cute couple. Nice. Knowing where this had fallen she walked back into the lake coming out into the baths at Uruk.

In the meantime, Jeanne was greeted by Gilgamesh in typical fashion. He seemed a bit ornery but she was also in a similar mood. "I moved at light speed. Still, a pirate's life is at sea, and the lower world is one singular landmass. Considering I did not know where she was docked I wasn't gone that long. No sass..." Jeanne chided. As for the bits about what was needed to complete it, Frankie was looking at this King with a raise brow. So much force and anger just bubbling beneath the surface. Not even bad on the eyes, though someone should question the Queen of Knights taste just a bit. "First I'd need my ship set for the long voyage. You want it done fast you provide what we need. Assuming you just wish me to track it down... I'd take the reward after I complete the job, but I also need to know where to start. Riding the high winds of the skies ain't for the faint of heart. And navigating to something that is floating was already difficult. Hidden and on the move and floating is probably impossible," Frankie said. "But I like impossible," she said holding up her hands. Vivian was stepping forward seeming to feel the need to butt in without announcing herself. "You mapped the lower world recently, yes? I know the location of Cath Palug... it is North of Saint Paul's Cathedral, south of the village of Zuria and east of the Elinor Forest of Elves," mentioned Vivian, that sort of directionality would lead her to believe they were headed northwest. "Oi, bloody hell there are more of you walking around here?" Frankie said. "Yeah. My eldest sister," she said. Obviously Jeanne still wasn't pleased, she hadn't even bothered being upset about the language.

[Bloodedge]

"Excuses," the king said flatly. She'd been gone for hours, surely, but there was no point remaining upset over lost time. To do so, would only waste further time that could be used to complete this crusade against oppressive gods. This girl, Francis Drake, was the one who would be sent on the excursion? Very well; Jeanne d'Arc had done nothing to earn his outright distrust with her decisions. She needed her ship outfitted for... a long voyage. Such an annoying thought it was, but there was nothing to be done about it. It would be no great feat to offer food, drink and weaponry aplenty for the voyage. All she would need then was... the starting location and direction, which was to be immediately given by the sudden appearance of Vivian. Gilgamesh should have been bothered by the direction she'd come from, but he was in no state to even question or rationalize that much. He currently cared only that she had the necessary information, which she satisfyingly did. "Well done. There, Sea Devil, you have your first destination," he said, shifting his blood-colored gaze to the pirate while putting away the last tablet he would view for the moment.

The king stood, and innumerable Divine Gates appeared throughout the throne room, while more went out of the group's immediate line of sight outside the building. These gates produced many things, which he would name as they slid out into the open. "A machine capable of processing even the meat of a hydra into an edible state, and a lifetime of meat to fill it. Water and wine of the finest quality, set in vessels that pour infinitely. Havria's Chalice of Salt that will never empty, to never be without seasoning. Swords, spears, flails and the like that will see a thousand lifetimes without dulling. Forty Scorpion Ballistae with a hundred Dragonrazors each. The Apple of Eden. Enough raw materials to build a new fleet of ships. A fleet of sky ships with dragon scale armor to carry the emergency supplies." That was the end of his list, but not nearly the whole of what he offered. There were many things included in this offering, much of which Gilgamesh himself didn't even know. A few of the weapons alone could dig a kingdom out of crippling debt, and he casually dropped them all for a single pirate's use. "What more do you need? Speak now, and I will grant whatever it takes to set you on your way."

[Apollymi]

Excuses? The King of Heroes had an attitude as bad as her sisters. But much like in her sister's case, Jeanne would forgive. They were quite a close family and she was pretty sure he was part of it. There was no harm done, after all, and she'd still done what she needed to in order to begin helping her sister. Frankie was referred to by the term 'Sea Devil' which she didn't much mind at all. Beyond that she was given a place to begin her search. Her map opened and she placed a marker, magical as it was, which would give direction to the Eternal Compass always carried on her person. "Sounds fine to me..." she was willing to undertake this mission with just the basics needed for such a voyage. But alas the basics would be far from what was offered...

Divine Gates opened and everyone watched and listened. Gilgamesh listed dozens of things, each more ridiculous than the last. Enough to build a fleet of ships, enough to eat forever, enough to drink forever, enough weapons to fight forever, enough to run supplies and whatever the hell an Apple of Eden did. "Am I about to become a pack mule?" this was the only question of Vivian who seemed to be about ready for some level of extravagance. "Yes, yes you are..." these were the words of Jeanne still being curt, but she would be allowed her anger. The eyes of Francis Drake sparkled, then shined and then went dull a few seconds later. She could not tell if she really liked this man, or hated him simply for his material wealth. She figured she'd just get some food and base supplies out of this endeavor. "I'm a hedonist... and even I think this is almost too much... almost," she said with a cheeky grin aimed Jeanne's way. "What would make it too much?" the Queen of Saints wondered almost rhetorically. "I don't know prostitutes or something like that..." she said with a casual shrug. "I don't need more though, save something for the reward. Even impossible tasks can't be undertaken with foolhardy~" she said. Yes, definitely a hedonist, but she also had faith in her own abilities as such. "I'll cast off as soon as this stuff is equipped. I left word with my men to be ready to set sail when I returned," Francis had what she needed and Vivian was crossly putting together a spell in her mind to take all here and compress it into carriable form. "First, I am the Excalibur Taxi. Then I am the Excalibur Maintenance, next I am a pack mule. I do not like this food chain I am sliding down. I am a Great Mother Fae this is..." before she could finish her sentence Jeanne knew what would fall from her face next. "Language." A single word but with a little bit of the lighter mood applied. "Oh, and now we are calm enough to be mad. I suppose that is better than the alternative..." she griped. "I also have a warning or explanation," said the Lake Fairy. "The two gods, were reborn with Void Influence... they and one who would be called An, were apparently too blind to realize and let go of the corrupting influence. The other four have let go to avoid corrupting the world. You our Holy Maiden and anyone else with the proper Divinity will be necessary to fell such a person... though apparently they are still gods of Celestia until they lose whatever Authorities they have gathered," she explained. "They are currently within what could be called their replacement for Celestia, in an array of temples set to feed them and their influence. Set up in a manner that will hide them. The method used is similar to the one used by the Great Creator, but it is influenced by the Void, which is why I cannot cross... " she explained the technical side while she had a mind to remember it.

[Bloodedge]

An array of items, necessary or otherwise, was produced for the journey of Francis Drake. What came in the aftermath? Some pointless dribble about carrying the objects granted, including a tirade about the Lake Fairy being reduced to a pack mule. Gilgamesh's brow began to twitch. What sort of time did they all think they had for this conversation? "If you were not to be used as an ass, you should not be presenting the option!" he griped. "You, Sea Devil! Fly your fleet over the city, and your ships will be loaded directly from my treasury. You, Holy Maiden, assemble only the best of your knights and prepare them for the task of slaying Divine Beasts of all manner." Two orders were given in sequence as the king's attitude reached its peak. There was more to be said; he'd yet to address the Lake Fairy. Ah, but she had something to tell him. Those gods had been influenced by the Void, she said. An was the same, she added. They remained beings of Celestia, conquerable only by those who boasted divine or comparable abilities. Temples were what powered their hidden and mobile fortress, and though it was likened to the god Enlil's haven, its corrupt origins kept her from being able to cross into it. Useless. "You suggest plans already set in motion, Witch. I do not care what influence those wretched gods are under! Even if they find a method of persevering without end, they will be bound and slain for the rest of eternity when I lay my hands on them. Now, instead of wasting your time carrying tools, make way for Camelot. Deliver the message that your sister's tardiness will not be accepted. My patience is thin, so I will take matters into my own hands. She is to vacate her bedchambers when the fireworks begin, and I will tolerate nothing less than her finest ball gown."

[Apollymi]

Oh? The King of Heroes didn't intend to leave Vivian as a pack mule. He in fact told her not to offer, he was griping? A smirk crossed Vivian's face, what a strangely perfect addition this one would make to the family. Oh and even more just full of orders and a touch of spite. She wasn't sure this one wasn't meant to just be born into their family with this kind of attitude. Or maybe it was something else, Hoshimi Eri did not know an equal, perhaps she'd managed to find one? "Aye aye! Come on, doll. I need a ride back~" Frankie said to Jeanne after she was given her set of orders. The Queen of Saints seemed to be fine with taking orders from the King of Heroes. A bit of thought was given to her now that she'd calmed down. Vivian heard out his orders and gripes and seemed to think it over. "Back to messenger service, you really are shaping up to be a troublesome little brother~" and with that the Lake Fae walked back towards his baths seemingly without much thought about it. She knew her younger sister would understand that the extra information was for her benefit, to help her calm down and plan her own strategies. Jeanne on the other hand would give the King of Heroes parting words to go along with the message she'd heard for her sister. After hearing his rant about those gods, she realized he may have been more upset than she'd given thought to, so... she'd give him the little sister's perspective. "If you're going to say something like that to Eri-nee, make sure you are her King of Heroes when you show up. I've seen how she responds when your laugh is wrong and your disposition is off. She'll attack you first, you know?~" And with that the Queen of Saints was off. Her men would be prepared to face Divine Beasts and her friend would be dropped back where she needed to be. At the same time, Vivian made her way to Camelot and waited for her sister to deliver the message she needed to hear.

All while the side of good prepared for battle Ishtar finally found someone she thought would suit the needs of the pair of them, for raising someone to face off against Artoria Pendragon. A red haired boy with a semi-aggressive stance had caught her eye. She thought he would work well for raising into the ultimate weapon for use against Artoria Pendragon. "I finally found someone!~" Ishtar said, sauntering into the temple feeling particularly triumphant. He happened to not be her normal type, but he definitely had the look of one who could easily best the boy-queen. And Ishtar had good instincts when it came to men of strength, even mortal ones. "His name is Lucius Tiberius. He has the right attitude and drive. Besides he beats everyone so he's got a good start!~" she chimed. Of course she expected such news to be good for Enki. She expected praise and gifts, she expected to be hailed as if she'd completed the greatest task known to man. Why? Because she'd had to do something directly so it might as well get her everything.

[Bloodedge]

All seemed to be in order. Francis Drake was accepting of the offered items, and needed only Jeanne to send her back to her fleet. Their departure was assured; this was good. Alas, Vivian took her instruction strangely. A troublesome little brother, she called him. Should that be something he considered bothersome, or something he embraced as truth? Now was no time to bother with that. In the end, all he offered the fairy was a glare. She was leaving, and so were the others. It was time to move on now, no? No. Jeanne d'Arc had not yet escorted her pirate companion out, choosing instead to share words with the king. What the hell could she want now? Advice. She thought to give him advice about his approach. Rather, she pointed out the change in his disposition, and what the woman they sought thought about him appearing in the wrong state. She had some nerve broaching the topic of his fury. What would he think of it though? Nothing outright, as usual. He scoffed and turned toward the throne again, thinking to sit and mull over the situation until news was brought back. Perhaps though, the Holy Maiden was right. . .

Ishtar finally brought some good news. She had a candidate for their champion, and just in time to boot. He'd gathered enough information to have a starting point, so now, all he had to do was review this Lucius Tiberius Ishtar spoke of. He brought up visuals of the candidate without hesitation. This child resided in Roma, and seemed to already be on a warpath. He almost reminded Enki of himself in youth. Indeed, the attitude was there, and he was quite the interesting natural combatant without proper guidance. "Oh? Very nice~! He's got a good look in his eye, and a nice build for a young one. An excellent choice indeed. We can grant him the ability of growth. I will see to it he never falls in combat. He should be fitted with a weapon and a direct blessing as well. Did you claim an Authority of Enlil? If so, this would be a great opportunity to solidify it."

[Apollymi]

Mulling over the words of the Queen of Saints, the Fae Princess made her way back to the missing isle of Albion. Where was her sister the Queen of Knights? Having just cleared another battle she headed inside to rest. A bath, some food, some strategizing. While the lass did not seem tired she did indeed seem agitated. They'd come to realize that they were trapped between five floating islands with another on top of them. Agravain had captured one and found out that for the glory of their god, they would aim to take down the Queen of Knights. Strangely enough, their god had a name Artoria only recognized because it was attributed to a bow within Gilgamesh's collection. Some kind of water-based deity had taken issue with her life and decided to steal her away? No, that wasn't exactly right. That name also popped up in that story about Ishtar's descent into the Underworld. A god named Enki had been the only one to save her from the wrath of the underworld goddess. In her bath, while she thought this over a small light appeared. Vivian could not get through but the smallest vial a memory floated up on the water's edge. A color red, unnatural to the world, but one that Artoria herself recognized as belonging to the King of Heroes. "Oh? I thought we did not like playing messenger? You have my thanks, big sister..." she mentioned as she snatched this thing up in the water. What would it say? Did he know of her plight? What would he do? All things were a matter of curiosity for the Queen of Knights. She was also strangely excited, when did she begin to anticipate talking to the King of Heroes? She watched the mess in a vapor of water... Her tardiness would not be accepted? Ridiculous! Taking matters into his own hands? Interesting. Instructions for her to vacate her bedchamber when the fireworks began and... only her finest ball gown? "Oh? I do not remember telling him I would allow him to be so audacious..." she said but still a small smirk came to her face. "But I suppose, I could allow the indulgence... since I am the one tardy. I do have a new dress." But how long would it be before she donned it? Only time would tell.

In the meantime, Ishtar was being praised as she always should be. She managed no less than absolute haughtiness at the words of Enki. Of course, she'd chosen well! Her hands sat were on her wide hips as she stood rather proud of herself. In fact, one could say she was pleased. Dressed in a a white linen dress and seeming to have easily returned to her golden fitted and flowered appeal. Enki would make sure he didn't fall in battle and he would need to be gifted with growth. He asked if she'd claimed an Authority of Enlil's and she had. "I have something to that effect. I am pretty certain I can take on the aspects of a nature goddess, for the sake of giving such a blessing. He's not too far from a place which could be used for such a blessing," Ishtar said. There was no reason she couldn't consolidate a power. Maybe get a bit of extra worship from the boy as he trained himself up. "I will make sure he receives it..." she said triumphantly. Of course, she was pleased with her own work but again she had no intention of hanging around Enki even more than she had to, she did like the boy and if she cemented herself in the world again she'd not need Enki. Oh? Maybe she could use this... raise the boy that slays Gilgamesh's boy-queen and then console him with her body afterwards forgiving him for turning her away and talking back everything the woman had gotten from him already. Yes! That was a good plan.

As plans worked and things happen, the woman known as Francis Drake readied her crew and after stocking up in Uruk, set sail. She started with the location of Cath Palug, and sailed upward. It would be an interesting journey from there. After reaching the appropriate altitude she waited until nightfall. The Eternal Compass in her hands she created a chart of the stars. If she was to hunt down something she could not see... she would have to depend on things with solid locations. The earth itself moved from time to time. But the stars in the sky, the moons and the sun. These were things to be trusted. Each day she plotted courses, and ran the gambit of speed. In the upper atmosphere the density of the endless sky sea made it hard to keep track of things. But, Francis had a keen eye and a desire to obtain. Not just the gold, not just the island but the fame. She would be the greatest navigator of all time. Using the Sun, the Stars and wind and skies. Mana was suppressing things, leaving tides and wisps? It would be her to feel them on the breeze. Late in the evening some 20 years later, she found herself in a sea of fog. Mana so dense she could not move through it. Her ship seemed to skitter along it and for what it was worth it seemed almost impassable. She waited for the most opportune time then. Not all the small stars dotting the night sky, invisible by way of all this cloudy mana. No. She waited for the rising sun, that showing of light even through the densest fog and she gave her final order of this part of her voyage. Marking this thing and its current trajectory she knew it was too real to not be what they were looking for. "WE SAIL FOR THE UNSINKING SUN! GIVE CHASE BOYS!! WE WILL GRASP IT WITH OUR OWN HANDS!!" And in the end, some 30 years after the start of the Voyage, she'd finally have a message to send to the King of Heroes, using none other than their favorite messenger, the Lady of the Lake, Vivian.

[Bloodedge]

And so began the tale of an emperor, one who would become renowned through all the land. The empire of Roma would consume all things at ground level in due time, all on the back of a young male blessed by two divinities. He soon carried something akin to immortality as granted by Enki, and wielded the sword and blessing of Ishtar... or, as he came to know her, the goddess Flora. It all began as he took control of lands previously liberated by Artoria Pendragon herself. He would claim them in the name of Roma, and in doing so, he'd begin the long journey of training for a single purpose: killing the Queen of Knights herself. Such glory he would have if he felled that mythical woman. All he needed was to be told he was ready, though quite some time would come before that day. . .

Thirty long years passed. Gilgamesh sat upon the throne, no less antsy than he'd been the first day. His desires were to be met in under thirty hours, and here he was thirty years later, waiting for signs of discovery. He could see the moment of arriving at Albion, but those intrusive gods seemed to disallow any further peering. Never in thirty long years had he been able to discern Albion's location, even for a moment. Never had he been able to see anything past making footfall. Never did he have certainty of a time period, or even victory itself... but he was oh so certain that victory would come. When would he receive a message, though? Well, that time was coming quite soon.

[Apollymi]

Lucius would one day be ready to slay Artoria, this was something Ishtar knew deep in her heart. Actually, it was something she needed. She was not at all a patient person, but had been forced into the actions by the need to wait upon humans. Still, she found herself in one of her own temples watching Gilgamesh sit upon his throne. He never really seemed to be doing much of anything anymore, it was boring. What a waste for a man with a body like that to constantly be unmoving. Why? He had plenty he could be doing, the world seemed to be moving around him and he obviously wanted to do things, so why hadn't he bothered? Well, she'd find out soon enough. Another blonde young woman in a small dress with minimal armor appeared on screen. She never bothered much listening to what anyone had to say so... she didn't bother now.

In all actuality, Vivian had appeared once more from within the bath's of Uruk. Why? Well, to be fair it was the closest body of standing water she could find when moving about. Now, she stood in front of the King of Heroes with a smile on her face, but murder in her eyes. "It would seem Frankie has found what we seek, coordinates are here..." she said tossing the man another one of those strange memories, in a vial this one was pure blue like the ocean. The empire of AS-IKU was currently located over the vast expanse of the ocean surrounding the world. It was more than a little bit high up, and it'd taken Francis Drake quite a while to leave its area-of-effect enough to send the message but as soon as she could she did. Standing up on the bow of her ship with a giant smile on her face her message came thusly. "We followed the stars and found the impossible. My sincerest apologies for the wait, in an area currently known as the Devil's Triangle in the midst of the Storm and Fog, you'll find your lost jewel. We are on standby!"

[Bloodedge]

Perhaps Ishtar should have been paying attention. After all, the information Gilgamesh was fated to receive via the Lake Fairy was relevant to her getting... exactly what she wanted, in a manner of speaking. Thirty years he waited, all to hear word that Francis Drake has finally located Albion. Today, for the first time in thirty agonizing trips around the sun, a very trademark grin finally crossed the King of Heroes' face. This was not a message he would avoid claiming; he'd take it with haste and view the image it held within. As the king listened, that grin of his became rather toothy. There remained death in his gaze, but the targets were far from here. "Hoho~! O' Devil of the Sea, your reward will buy the planet five times over!" he said excitedly, almost launching himself up into a standing position. "Hear me, Witch. Go out and assemble the masses, but do not speak with the queen. We will assemble a surprise party once again! The rest of you may do as you wish with Enki, but as for Ishtar's just desserts... Well, if there is any dog allowed to chase that bitch, it shall be none other than Gilgamesh!" It seemed thirty years of waiting had done Gilgamesh the world of good. He had internalized the words of Jeanne d'Arc on that first day, and determined her rightness. An act of pure hatred was not his way. He was going to achieve victory and glory, and all things in the world for the duration of history. Why not should he do so with pomp? As he called upon the ark Vimana, he offered another message. "As for the Holy Maiden, tell her this: she was right all those years ago. It is not the way of Gilgamesh to let crawling worms sour his mood as he gazes at the stars."

[Apollymi]

The reaction of Gilgamesh to the news presented by Francis Drake was excitable as she'd seen him in quite a while. A smirk came to her face at this, of course... she was pleased enough to simply be able to see her sister for the first time in 30 years properly. Beyond that, the return of Albion was long overdue. "That's pretty hefty," she said of the payment promised to the woman known as Francis Drake, who was right now, probably the most legendary navigator of the entire world. Moving on, it seemed there were a few more orders to be issued, that didn't include knowledge to the Queen of Knights. "How sentimental, my newest little brother is such a romantic~" Vivian teased as casually as she did everything else. Of course, she'd still do as he said, because it would make her little sister happy, and first and foremost she was about making and keeping her family happy. Oh but what was this, Jeanne had said something to him in the previous decades and he'd internalized it? "The message will be delivered as such..." she said with a chuckle.

Whatever that pair had been talking about, suddenly Gilgamesh was standing. How interesting. What was the King of Heroes up to? Ishtar would watch seemingly amused by the thought. She figured this blonde wasn't anything to worry about. Vivian was nothing compared to her, no other woman would ever be anything compared to her. Whatever the case, the first stop of Vivian after her disappearance, was to her youngest sister. She had a chuckle and shared some information with a very different version of her sister. Pale haired with an almost demonic smile on her face, the Queen of Saints wasn't quite so saintly right now. In fact she was bathed in black armor and looked up from her seat as her sister appeared in a pool she kept within her office just for this purpose. "Oh? Looks like we're up. Your newest big brother had a message to share with you," instead of handing off the message Vivian produced it visually, in a veil of water before the eyes of this woman. Instead of the lovely sapphire blue they were normally, they were pale golden hued and angry around the edges. "It only took thirty fucking years... " she said standing. She grabbed up a sword and a flag the latter of which was tainted black. "Come Sieg, my sister is waiting." she said fully ready to go and not expecting to take any mount except her preferred one, the Dragon Fafnir. Besides the sheer fury the youngest of the Hoshimi looked excited, there was a battle ahead. "Honestly, with orders like that I am almost inclined to follow. Later Little Sis, oh, apparently King Gilgamesh is going after Ishtar, he says we can take Enki... if we feel like it," she said offering a wink before disappearing obviously there were a couple of other people. She'd do her fair share spreading around that message, currently not telling the sister she was after about the party they were setting up.

[Bloodedge]

In the land inhabited by the Queen of Saints, Vivian met instead with the Dragon Witch who shared the same body. Much had occurred over the course of thirty years. Now, the Dragon-Blooded Knight named Siegfried stood by the black-clad woman's seat. He seemed no less prepared for battle and bloodshed than she, so by the time it became clear there was action to seek, draconic features were already creeping up his neck. "At your service," he said, seeming somewhat antsy himself. He walked slowly, eventually taking off into a full sprint as features of the black dragon Fafnir overtook him. The knight in dragon form leapt and took flight, knowing it was nothing for the pale-haired woman to mount his back in the process, despite his own rather competent speed of movement.

Meanwhile, Gilgamesh boarded his ark and made his way toward the fleet of Francis Drake. He refrained from moving through the open sky at the speed of thought, knowing he would only become more impatient while awaiting the others' arrival. He had to take his time and steady himself for a great reunion, and besides... it was the king's intention to meet the great pharaohs of Egypt en route to AS-IKU and the hidden Albion. That woman among them had a particular deal with him quite some time ago. He did wonder if her end of the bargain was ready for him, and if he was right... it wasn't as if she would be very far from her workplace when they arrived.

[Apollymi]

Walk into a sprint only to hop out and take off in flight and Jeanne would join him, after giving a nod to her sister. They had a place to go and she now knew the direction. They were headed to rescue her other sister and she would be there to help. Churches were heresy, by association these gods were heretics, she'd take the form that would give her ease in killing things here and now. Besides, her control of dragons and the work of her Holy Knights would be fine. Seeing their Queen fly off on dragon back, a single yelled order was enough for those who could come to ready themselves. Off Jeanne d'Arc would ride seeming no less bloodthirsty than she had been a few moments prior.

Vivian showed up in the Temple of the Pharoahs and walked about finding from nearby guards that Nefertari was in her workshop. This also meant that Ozymandias was likely also there. She stood outside the door, not wanting to catch an eye full of anything if anyone happened to be indecent. "Pharoahs! It seems today is the day, and we are to throw another surprise party, our new little brother is quite keen on making an entrance. He plans to fell Ishtar but will leave the glory of felling Enki to all comers. What say you?" she offered her back against the wall. She offered to the pair. "The Fae Princess visits for no casual reason today, a grand celebration is in the making. You know somehow I feel, the Queen of Knights will enjoy this party even more than her last one~" Nefertari stated. "My Sun and Stars, it appears it's time to move," she mentioned seeming to finish up the piece she was working on, with inlaid gold and in red colored cloth. It was one of her special works again for the model of a man. All the while Ishtar was blissfully unaware that anything negative was coming her way. In fact, she was excited to see the King of Heroes moving about. What would he be going to do? What mere mortal was about to be crushed? Oh would there be a battle? She had to know. She lounged with the greatest of ease waiting to see what would come of his actions. Never once thinking about the one thing he'd actually be upset about, and how it was housed right under the island she currently inhabited.

[Bloodedge]

On an ordinary day, the pharaohs were called upon by a most auspicious visitor. Ozymandias did as he always would: watch the Queen of Egypt work. Even when the voice of a certain Lake Fairy sounded through the workshop, his eyes were fixed. Ah, but what this visitor had to speak of was of utmost importance. One of their kin had been missing in action for quite some time, and it was a thing that affected them all in a roundabout way. "H'oh. It's good to hear the Golden King is on something fancier than a simple warpath. Myself, my beautiful wife, and a party full of beaten faces. It reminds me of old times," the male pharaoh declared with a grin. Rising for the first time since Nefertari began her work, Ozymandias stepped out into view. He was sure Vivian had been quite busy, and always one to offer a kindness, he spoke to her en route to the throne. "If we are the last to receive this message, then you are in luck. Your legs must be weary. You will be escorted by the will of the Sun this day!" What did the pharaoh mean by this? Well, they would not be traveling via sphinxes or chariots. The pyramid that visitors and citizens alike reached at the top of Egypt's palace was Ozymandias' own construct, and that electrum structure itself was also his ability. With it, they would take flight the moment he reached the throne. Of course, a second or two was taken to ensure Vivian received a comfortable chair of her own within the throne room... which was just as much a command center for the flying structure.

What would Gilgamesh be doing? For starters, he flew. He waited while taking a leisurely pace atop the fastest vessel this world had to offer, and he... relaxed. Even though victory could no longer be called the only thing he knew, never did the King of Heroes question his future success in every endeavor. Now was such a time. Defeat and loss were not options. The king was at his finest, well within his element, and so clear-minded that his eyes were beginning to see things his mind normally kept from him. He could even see Ishtar watching him with interest. That domineering gaze of his shifted slightly, crimson piercing through the screen she viewed as if it were mere glass between them. It almost seemed he was looking the goddess in the eye, and in a way he was. On his face was a grin that spoke of accomplishments yet to become true, albeit not at all even potentially false in his mind. "Do not sit by idly watching me. Should not a king be greeted with ceremony? I expect nothing less than armies at my feet, with everyone including yourself floundering before me. It is going to be one hell of an entrance," he said directly to the goddess herself.

[Apollymi]

A smile was also present on Vivian's face. After all, it was good to see King Gilgamesh not simply wishing death upon others but instead finding it in his heart to be his gushing self when it came to how he dealt with her sister. "Apparently my youngest sister, shared words with him that he internalized. I am glad she could be of help to him... she always was a saint~" she said a bit deviously. Would she bother warning the Pharaohs about Jeanne's nature? Not really, Jeanne was still Jeanne, she was just a bit aggressive right now. Regardless, apparently Vivian was offered transport as Nefertari moved to join her husband. "Yes, love, take a load off. We are sure you have been doing nothing but moving around the last three decades~" she said affirming Ozymandias' generous offer. A smile came to Vivian's face. "You two are too kind. I do appreciate it though... I was thinking I'd end up just popping up in a water barrel on Francis' ship. That would have been quite the annoyance actually~" she said taking the free seat she knew to be for her. The Pharaohs were taking the big method of moving and she would ride casually along with them. It truly was a nostalgic experience when one considered the kind of gathering they were going to.

Ah, but what else was happening? As Ishtar mindlessly watched the goings on of Gilgamesh, the Golden King looked towards her. That was a little pointed. He couldn't really see her could he?! "OH SHIT!" she seemed simultaneously excited and a bit scared. He was talking to her... she could hear him, if she wished to and what she heard was a bit too much. He was headed for them? Surely not. No one could actually know where they were. It wasn't truly worth being worried about. But what if it was?! Ishtar stood immediately and began pacing. Unable to decide the right course of action immediately. If he wasn't coming and she raised the alarm with Enki for nothing it would be bad. If however he was coming and she didn't tell him that would be just as bad. But... wasn't it good to tell him anyway? She was planning to get rid of him for the slight of only giving her half his core. And he was the kind to try and show off for Gilgamesh as well. She could easily play the pair against each other, and Lucius already had everything they could give him, he only needed more time... so Enki dying now would change nothing of her plans for getting rid of Artoria. Hell... she could use this as an excuse to do that as well! Yes! That WAS GREAT!! "Enki! We have trouble.. the Golden King may have just said he's headed this way. He's never lied to me and he might have seen me through my crystal ball!! What do we do?!" Yes she'd play damsel in distress. All men wanted to protect their prizes right?

[Bloodedge]

Of course the Holy Maiden was to blame. Ozymandias had very few direct interactions with that woman, but she did always seem to be the sort who brought light to the darkness. "Saint doesn't begin to cover it, from what I've seen. I would sooner call her a messiah," Ozymandias argued. Had he been the one to name her, that would have been what he went with. Whatever the case, off they went. The pyramid they inhabited moved quickly through the sky, until it flew in-line with a particular ark with Gilgamesh himself atop it. The King of Heroes shifted his gaze to the pyramid, seeming to have been waiting for their arrival. "I've been expecting you, Puppet Pharaoh," he greeted smugly. Stabilizing his ark, Gilgamesh rose from the throne. He could always keep it moving without sitting there, but most times, what would the point have been? "Nearly four decades later, surely you have something for me by now. I have a date several years in the making. My previous best is no longer good enough," he stated, seeming to believe Nefertari had something perfectly suited to the situation.

Meanwhile, Enki continued his observation of Artoria Pendragon and Lucius Tiberius. At least, he attempted to until the sound of Ishtar's voice struck his ear. Oh? Gilgamesh was on his way, only thirty years after Albion's disappearance? He expected it to happen, but not before their champion was prepared. "Tch! And here I thought we had twice this amount of time at minimum," he complained. Why did those lowly mortals surpass themselves so quickly? None of his information implied that any member of Chaldea could find them so easily. He had to think. What would they do with this early arrival? "We should be prepared. If he is on his way, we will lose many fighters just keeping him at bay for a while. Though... I do have a contingency for dealing with the little queen. I may have to use that, and let him watch the girl become forever out of his reach. I will need time to prepare it. Enough soldiers and defenses should be in place to keep him busy for some time. In the meantime, I suppose you can do as you please."

[Apollymi]

Messiah to describe Jeanne? Hoshimi Emi could indeed be described as such. "Maybe one day~" Vivian said seeming to find her own jokes funny. Ah, but the King of Heroes was here now was he? Apparently he wished to see Nefertari, claiming that he had a date coming up and he had a wish for some new attire for the occasion. "So, I've heard Golden King. You are in luck. I just finished a set I think would be perfect for such an occasion. Assuming of course you have the proper accessories to go with it," she said offering a cheeky smile. She produced for the King of Heroes the particular ensemble with the red and gold threaded robe. In the stylings of his nation, it had a two shouldered white tunic tied beneath it and some matching white harem pants. Both made of light-weight breathable materials and of the finest quality. She'd even taken the liberty of making him some light weight shoes of appropriate type as well. He'd look fabulous. "That one suits you does it not?" she asked looking at it on the mannequin and thinking she'd done a really great job of it. If she was remembering correctly she'd given Artoria a few extra pieces which she'd likely have access to, at least one of which was definitely the kind of contrast which would make looking at the two of them together quite lovely. The attention to detail could not be understated, but Nefertari had plenty of time to spend in Uruk while the Queen of Knights was looking over it, she'd taken the time to familiarize and influence fashion there as well.

Apparently, Enki thought he would have had more time before the King of Heroes showed up? What kind of nonsense was that? He was liable to show up whenever he felt like it. Whatever the case, the plan of Enki was to use some sort of contingency to deal with the 'little queen' as he'd taken to referring to Artoria. There was something about that Ishtar didn't like, and she wasn't quite sure what it was. He claimed to use the defenses and allow men to be wasted for the purpose of preparing this method? "Really, you won't face him... isn't that cowardly?" she asked, as if disgusted. Half her plan went out the window if she couldn't get rid of Enki in this moment. Besides, she didn't really like the way he was behaving lately. Even now he was still watching both Lucius and Artoria. There was nothing more he needed to train that man for, so why did he feel the need to keep looking into both of them? It seemed to her he didn't have enough time to pay attention to her. Ah, but he told her she could do what she wanted in the meantime. "Fine. I guess I'll drop some beasts to help the men and take Maana out with me. He can't permanently separate them from me, and if we can thin out the Knights in the meantime it will be easier for Lucius to deal with the boy-queen later," she said seeming to have taken a more logical step. But she hadn't. He was seriously acting cowardly setting out right now and not doing something directly about the problem knocking at his door. "You'll lose a lot more than just the army if you take too long though... I hate exerting myself," she claimed simply. Yes, light a fire under the man... that is what she'd do.

[Bloodedge]

He was in luck, eh? Gilgamesh flew closer and closer still to the pyramid, even boarding it in time to view the mannequin Nefertari had on display. He disembarked, and gazed upon a true spectacle that spoke only of kingship. Oh, he had the proper accessories to complete this ensemble alright. From the look of this getup, there was no questioning the immediate replacement of his royal garbs. "H'oh?" What a perfect thing to drape over his own skin. These reminded him of the robes ordered to him by Utnapishtim, but were so far above and beyond that one should question Utnapishtim's presence in the assembly of the gods. These clothes were so very Uruk, yet very much above and beyond the expectancies of men. Gilgamesh reached out to touch it, and indeed it was woven beyond perfection. The king beamed at this new ensemble. Did this suit him? "As the fish breathes water, as the bird takes to the sky and the gazelle to the lush plains, I do declare... this suits me." In claiming these clothes, Gilgamesh banished the old and simultaneously donned the new, a golden glow occurring during the shift. He would appear anew, dripped in the finest golden chains, bangles and earrings, the former two of which contained rubies without flaw. "Hmph," he huffed triumphantly while turning his back to the pharaohs and the Lake Fairy. "Now then, I suppose I shall be the one to raise the first chalice."

Gilgamesh stood atop Vimana once more, taking his leave of the pyramid. They encroached upon the area inhabited by AS-IKU; he could see it even through its barrier now with those glowing optics. Nearby was the pyramid Ramesseum Tentyris to his left, the ship Golden Hind and its accompanying fleet to his right, and just overhead... the dragon Fafnir and its darkened rider. The eternally shifting key of Gilgamesh's treasury appeared in his right hand, which rose overhead to unlock the deepest section of the vault through crimson cuneiform branching out into the sky. "Hear me, dogs of Finis Chaldea! Today, you will all know wealth and glory beyond your wildest dreams! Today is the day of reckoning for the gods of this world! Today is the dawn of mankind's golden era, with my own golden form as the beacon!" Those crimson branches emerging from the Key of King's Law retracted into a blinding glow. In his hand then, was none other than the Sword of Rupture with its three rotating cylinders already moving. "Now listen, as I tell you a tale. I speak of new beginnings. Heaven and Earth split, creation scoffed at the established order, and my Sword of Rupture heralded the end of the mundane." A slight alteration to incantation meant the world of change. The stratifications of genesis that emerged from Gilgamesh's "sword" were not the typical wild variety, but instead a forward stream as he pointed to where he knew the barrier ahead was. Those blood-colored winds spread around the barrier spanning an entire large empire as Gilgamesh continued. . .

By this time, Enki was scoffing. Ishtar thought his methods were cowardly, but she knew nothing of war. "You're confusing cowardice for the better approach. A hasty approach wins battles, but loses wars, Ishtar. Keep that in mind," he said, knowing the goddess' impatience and hubris had always been her own undoing. "Let the boy be held off, and I will shake things up just enough to ensure a victory. If you're deciding to go out there, just don't let him get the better of you in the meantime. It would be troublesome if this plan had to be altered in the span of a moment." Enki's plan for this encounter was a surefire victory, but it required both timing and accuracy. Knowing this, the God of Water took up an amulet in the shape of a dragon's eye, the orb within possessing the visual of a mountain covered in thick fog and strange, ghost-like wisps. He would begin work on improving this item's enchantment with a few tweaks, leaving Ishtar and her goading to less important tasks.

Meanwhile, the barrier was in danger of being worn away during the continued incantation of Gilgamesh. "Mortar of the stars, the Age of Man is the eve of the gods' downfall. Enuma Elish‼" The stream of wind intensified in a single moment, quite literally poking a hole in AS-IKU's barrier and letting it degrade from there outward over time. Gilgamesh let himself be the first thing visible to those who waited inside, but the others would soon be seen as well... and eventually, the call for fireworks would be made. What would come before that, though? Well, the king had arrived. He did so anticipating ceremony to welcome him.

[Apollymi]

Nefertari watched as the King descended to look upon the garments she'd made. What did he think? If his first reaction was anything to go by he apparently liked them. Ah, but the King of Heroes was never really the type of man to not say what he thought. Accordingly he soon found himself answering her question, and in such a flowery way. A cheeky smirk came to the face of Nefertari and those rainbow eyes of hers seemed to sparkle. Even as he donned those clothes she took in the look after a flash of golden light. "I can say you do know how to accessorize. I cannot hate that in a man. Enjoy. I have a few more for you, but I think that one is occasion appropriate~" she said before heading back. a single hand up a couple of bangles jingled on her own arm. Vivian also took in the look giving a gentle nod of her head. Her younger sister was about to be shocked and exceedingly happy. Nice.

Soon enough there was a time of Gilgamesh explaining that the Age of the Gods ended today and he'd be the one to start the fray. Of course, it would be rather interesting to see that attack once used to divert the attack of Artoria Pendragon suck up and poke a hole in a barrier that was once it was up. Still, apparently Enki couldn't or rather wouldn't be forced into action. He made the proclamation that quick actions won battles but not wars. "Yeah, whatever..." and just like that Ishtar took off. She would step out and find herself atop Heaven's Boat Maana. A truly gaudy way of moving around it seemed to be a lapis lazuli and gold boat with two seats which looked a bit like it had double wings. It had a large eye in the middle which held it together over a big gun as well. It was armed with cannons and floated above. There were large armies on each of the islands seeming to prepare for the battle to come. As the entirety of the barrier seemed to leave a hole. "Oh? He did not come alone?" she seemed to be annoyed. A demon boar, the Nemean Lion, a floating whale, an assortment of sea horses, lots of creatures there were plenty of things to greet the coming of Gilgamesh of course, that didn't make this any better for her.

At the same time, several different groups stood at the ready, Jeanne watched from atop Fafnir seeming to find it amusing just the same. There was a smile on her face as she knew terror would soon rain down on the people who'd taken her sister and the country of Albion. Vengeance was clear in her mind and she'd have it, seeming to relish in it just a bit. Francis Drake looked around. One leg up a large flintlock pistol over her shoulder as she watched a rather ridiculous showing of power from the King of Heroes. One might almost wonder why he bothered with such a spectacle if he could manage such a thing himself. Of course all would be quiet except the shrill laughter of Ishtar, who did not seem to understand the danger as she sat in her own chair with just a single hand control to her right, in a strangely phallic looking state. Just the same the ruckus was already stirring a few of the Knights who were on duty. Artoria had to take rest when she could, which wasn't very often at all really. Now was one such time, she'd eaten, had a bath and been resting for just a couple of hours. In thirty years, she'd returned to her old habits of sleeping only a few hours per night instead of in large bursts to give others the chance to rest she did not need as much. Even so, the time did not seem to wear on her... though admittedly she'd seemed a bit antsy for a while now, waiting for whatever challenge was coming her way. Strangely, she was in for quite the surprise.

[Bloodedge]

What sort of surprise was Artoria Pendragon in for? Gilgamesh did speak of fireworks, but there was one thing to come before that. The commotion had alerted quite a few, leaving knights at the ready for a presumed assault on Camelot once again. Little did they know, today was the day of shifting winds. Whatever all that noise was, it would undoubtedly be considered reason for alertness. Gawain took the initiative of alerting the queen this time around, even with little information beyond the sound of mobilizing forces en masse. "My Queen!" he spoke after tapping her chamber door. "It seems another attack is in the works. We have word of multiple inhuman presences around Bermuda, including a vessel that is presumably of divine origin."

Was this enough to count as ceremony? Gilgamesh thought not. Ishtar, the soldiers of AS-IKU and a few measly beasts would not do much against his onslaught. Perhaps some of them would remain alive long enough to learn as Ea returned to its place deep in the treasury, and another tool emerged from within. Enki, the Sword of the End that took the form of a golden bow, was his next choice. He aimed it at the land itself, and three mana rings of cuneiform surrounded the tip of a single arrow. "Is this how a king is to be greeted? Hmph! Very well; perhaps there will still be some of you to fight. Now, behold! The inferno of destruction fills the heavens! Come forth, Surge of Utnapishtim! This is what it means to destroy the World! Wretched gods, suffer the curse that the insolence of challenging the King of Heroes has brought upon ye!" Gilgamesh loosed that golden arrow toward the ground. It alone did nothing, but it was only a tracer round. Enki was a weapon called the Sword of the End not because the bow could split into twin blades, but because the bow was not at all the true weapon. High above, there appeared to be a large star surrounded by six smaller lights. There, in truth, was the weapon Enki, honing in on the arrow's location as the arrow's light shot into the central star. "Finis Chaldea!" Gilgamesh announced. "Show them the tenacity of man! Let the heavens themselves look upon infinite potential and know despair!" A firm order was spoken prior to the seven lights high above converging their beams at a central point, firing toward the arrow's target location. In its descent, the bolt of light tore through space, its effect spreading far and wide before reality shattered. What came from that shattering was the Surge of Utnapishtim, the very flood which ended the world long ago. How fitting it was to use its overwhelming might against a single island, while expecting the volleys of others.

Though following was not typically his prerogative, Ozymandias wore a face of excitement from within the pyramid. As Gilgamesh flooded the land, he decided upon the perfect addition to it. "A flood, eh? What a shame. Behold, ye Mighty! There will be no survivors beneath the Sun! Ramesseum Tentyris! Show them the Great Lightbulb Amon-Ra!" By Ozymandias' command, the pyramid Ramesseum Tentyris charged from its primary cannon the Dendera Electric Bulb, which shot into the flood as a massive beam. It seemed improbable that anything normal would survive the flood itself, but if anything did manage to make its way up after the tsunami... well, the option of reaching the surface alive was being removed. All the while, the dragon Fafnir flew through the sky, raining its mighty fire breath from above to burn away aerial threats until otherwise instructed by its rider.

[Apollymi]

There was a knock at Artoria's door? And now the sound of Ballista. Francis Drake stood at the bow of her ship now pointing her pistol and giving an order to all the men aboard. "You heard the man, bring the fireworks!" Yes, the men of the ships loaded and fired cannons down and around. They were clearing the way and the sky would be alight with such fire. Artoria woke sitting up in bed only to peek out of her window. A problem outside, but what was this? Fires dotted the skies. A grin crossed her face in a moment like this, and those emerald eyes sparkled with newfound excitment. "Gawain, I will be out, shortly. I must dress!" she said. Ah, but the Queen had been given a specific instruction some thirty years ago. How many times had she seen that memory and how many times as she looked at the dress she thought to wear for the occasion. A gentle smirk crossed her face as she aimed, to dress, not in her simple blue dress, but in what seemed to be a modified ball gown. Short on one side, designed of lapis lazuli with black roses as fringe. It had a halter top of see-through black silk which left her back and shoulders exposed. Her legs were left exposed as well with a matching pair of heels. To be honest, after dressing as such the Queen of Knights would seem to be more ready for a night out dancing than a battle for their lives. But she realized in this kind of moment, that this wasn't a battle, it was a party. "Now this is my kind of party, King of Heroes~" she mused all alone. She picked up Excalibur and walked out with it. "Come old friend... we are going dancing~" she said as she walked out of her room smile on her face. Long gloves on her sleeveless arms. She was dressed as if she had a hot date, and in all actuality she did. There was an obvious spring in her step as she made her way forward.

At the same time, the Pyramid seemed to have a certain lavishness going on as well. The firing of a certain bulb of light after the flood started by Gilgamesh would bring a bit of a smile to Nefertari's face. "If my Sun and Stars would give death, it is only right that I take judgement into my own hands," those rainbow eyes of hers glowing as the waters of Gilgamesh crashed down upon those islands and the light of Amun-Ra shined bright as the sun. A feather was created in her hand and it would be breathed upon by this young woman, when it was, it was carried and split the same way the Medjed did. Every single person they touched would be judged by 42 their sins condemning them to the lowest ranks of the underworld. There would be no respawns here... there would be no second chances, such was the authority of the sun and sky. "I read from the Papyrus of Ani let the feather determine your guilt and sink into the Duat!" the white feathers turned black as sins progressed and those who had this happen would not come back.

Ah, but the Pharaoh Nefertari wasn't the only one bringing judgement. Jeanne d'Arc the Holy Maiden was raining down judgement as well. In the form of burning stakes which she fired with chains attached. Like harpoons each would kill and burn but snatch away bodies tossing them from the land as fires rained down from Fafnir. If there was to be such a thing today there was none more suited than Jeanne, who bore the most evil of grins on her face. At the same time the other of the sisters seemed to be content to sit but from the waters caused by Gilgamesh little droplets began to rise. This was much better for her use in general. "Rise, my little ones. Let Albion know they are not forgotten~" the return of the great Lake Fae would send a pleathora of them to the sides of each knight and member of Albion. Protections of the Lake conferred upon the masses, buffs applied the ability to move through all tides and fight unimpeded was conferred upon all who would need it. Regeneration was boosted and moral was hightened. One such little fae flickered by Artoria finding her already blessed as such. A spring was in the Queen of Knights steps as she stepped outside, the whole of creation finally visible and what she saw made her heart light. Chaldea had come so they could go home.

All the while Ishtar watched, gently moving herself around to avoid undue fire but finding the whole of this situation disturbing. Armies were falling quickly and each member of this group seemed to have quite a problem doing what they needed to. Her own divine beasts were spread out across the islands but it didn't seem to be helping as people who fell stayed down and those who did not seemed to only keep dropping. "Ugh, I am a goddess. Do not make me exert myself!" she practically whined. A powerful laser was charging in the front eye of her ship but it would take a while yet to reach the proper fortitude. The demon boar charged about with a small platoon on its back headed straight for Camelot. Artoria herself would not be spared. And a giant lion with the tail of a snake jumped at the King of Heroes' ship aiming to breathe fire unto him and poison him with fanged bites from the tail. All would be well.

[Bloodedge]

Artoria Pendragon had always been excitable when battle was a topic, but there seem to be something even greater still in her response. Gawain stood outside her bedroom door, blinking repeatedly. "As you wish," he said, electing to await her eventual emergence. Little did he know, she would not pass that threshold looking fit for combat. She stepped out as a woman ready to hit the town, so to speak, even with Excalibur in hand. "... Uncle?" he muttered accidentally. Gawain couldn't even bring himself to follow immediately behind; he was stunned. The woman who'd been his uncle when they met had never looked so stunning. Why, though? He'd find out not long after meeting the other knights outside. . .

"Fu. Haha. Hahahahaha‼" Beyond rushing water, electrocution, the screams of those judged and burned, and even beyond the explosive cannon fire, there was one sound. The King of Heroes' laughter stretched far, overtaking the battlefield as he stood in early triumph. Try though she might, there was no victory for Ishtar this day. "It matters not if you exert yourself, Ishtar! This is not a battle, nor was it ever going to be. This is what you call domination! Fuhahahaha!" Fully within his own element high above those who opposed him, Gilgamesh expressed nothing but brass even as the Nemean Lion ascended to his location. The moment that common beast opened its mouth to breathe flames upon the king, its life was all but forfeit. Massive as it was, Gilgamesh thought its mouth was best filled... with a nuclear warhead directly from Vimana itself. Aboard the golden ark, Gilgamesh would remain protected from the ensuing explosion.

Knights were en route to the battle they could all see quite clearly even from Camelot itself, but it was not knights alone who moved. They ran alongside the protections of the Lake Fairy, which one such as Lancelot recognized immediately. "Oh? It's going to be a grand show at this rate," the Knight of the Lake spoke as twin blades channeled the lake's own light throughout themselves. Enemy soldiers were mowed down with ease, with Sir Bedivere running along behind to pick off any who survived Lancelot's initial strikes.

[Apollymi]

After emerging from her room, Artoria was confronted by the obvious surprise of Gawain. How was such a surprise noted? The utterance Uncle with a look of awe. Artoria gave it only a slight chuckle and offered the man an encouraging smirk. "Come now, Gawain... we can not have you being too surprised~" she mentioned. She was quite ready to 'hit the town' as it were, but only because she was excited to see the King of Heroes. As Artoria made her way out the other knights were already moving about and she heard a noise that made her heart skip a beat. Laughter. That obnoxious laughter of the King of Heroes, which she'd grown so fond of, made an instant smile come to her face. In a moment like this even as a battle started the Queen of Knights had all the confidence in the world and managed to look happy as she approached. A Demonic Boar was headed straight for Camelot but it would be met by the casual steps of the Queen of Camelot. Who paused only long enough to raise that shining sword into the sky. "Hear me now, Knights of the Round Table. Our allies came to free us of the fog. It is our duty and honor to show them, why Albion has no enemies! Show them why trapping us here is their folly alone to bear! EX!-" that battle cry that was to come, brought light from the heavens and all around. Victory crystalized showed itself and in a moment like this her soul shined bright. "CALIBUR!!" The demon boar was slayed and cleansed in the light of the shining Queen of Knights. Dressed for a date, she truly would only show off. After all... there was someone she had to see.

"My Queen, great speech and looking lovely as ever!~" chimed the Lady Kay as ice bridge formed before them between the islands. Regardless of anything else, the sound of those little heels clicking as Artoria's visibility became known. What of Ishtar in a moment like this? Her Nemean Lion was felled and the Demon Boar like Cath Palug before it fell to the lower world free of her influence. She was getting mad now. How dare they show such resistance?! And why did the King of Heroes even bother. That bright light shining upon the world hurt her eyes and the well proportioned little queen now approaching the battlefield dressed like she had a hot date was annoying. "And what does she think she is doing?! How dare she kill another of my pets and approach the one who should be mine!?" Ishtar was furious but as always assumed that Gilgamesh would eventually be hers. In fact if he'd turned up here by himself she would have assumed he came to take her. After all, he obviously didn't come here just to rescue the flat-chested boy-queen of Camelot. All the while, the Lady Galahad with shield at her fore stood at the ready. She did not like the amount of charge time on the laser on that woman's 'boat' was too high for her to care. Artoria took in the scene of this battle in the moment and smiled. her head turned up to see, the King of Heroes atop his ship with a recently felled beast in his wake.

"My Sun and Stars, the Queen of the Hour has arrived!" exclaimed Nefertari, seeming to enjoy the dress and look the Queen had chosen for this particular battle. The Queen of Knights noted the Pyramid as well. The Knights of the Round Table that answered Artoria's words had taken off, but the Lady Kay stayed at her back as always to continue work. Meanwhile Agravain was moving about the battlefield almost hidden and crimson eyes which were being used along with her own chains to kill rapidly any who would encroach upon the Queen's walk. "I really am jealous of how well she cleans up... it makes me want to rethink my look," Vivian said almost huffily. Being a big sister was a problematic existence. Still in a moment like this she could be nothing but happy for her younger sister and the Knights they were freeing from the cursed fog. There was one among this crowd Artoria did not expect. The ship of Francis Drake was among those blasting away at the armies and the thing that had counted as fireworks. How strange. The King of Heroes had gathered many for her sake... she was touched.

[Bloodedge]

The smoke from a nuclear explosion cleared, and Gilgamesh's gaze fell upon the land below. As if she were a character from some form of fairy tale, Artoria Pendragon treaded a bridge of ice to reach the island. Oh? She truly did emerge from her bedchamber in her finest state of dress yet. "Magnificent," the king thought aloud. Sparks and spells flew in front, behind and all around, but he did not care for those sights. He had eyes only for one thing, which happened to be gloriously walking in his direction. "The Queen of Knights, tardy to her own christening! Worry not. I shall forgive it this once, and lo, I am even magnanimous enough to bring the celebration to you! Fuhahaha!" Gilgamesh laughed and laughed, until such a time as his annoyance was triggered. What was the cause? Ishtar, as always. "Be silent, Whore of Babylon. The fools shall not speak while the king addresses his queen," he said in a strangely passive manner. It seemed he had no immediate intention of dealing with Ishtar, now that there were more important things requiring his attention. Vimana lowered over time as Gilgamesh continued to speak. "I see the lapis has gone to excellent use. It's almost a shame these garments will be ripped to shreds in time."

Meanwhile, Ozymandias laughed within the pyramid of his own creation. With all the hullabaloo going on, the Golden King had time for this? Frankly, he respected the decision, and would have made the same if it were Nefertari he'd come to meet. "H'oh? I remember when you made that one. We should be prepared to be without this party's hosts soon, I think. Not that I mind," he said jokingly. The pyramid continued to fire its shots at enemies here and there, picking off what wasn't felled by Jeanne and her dragon, or even that strange pirate woman's fleet. Apart from that, Ozymandias was relaxing quite easily. In fact, he was in a calm enough state to joke around in the presence of Vivian. "Your face is the same! It would hardly be any different if you wore a similar piece," he countered after Vivian's initial observation.

[Apollymi]

The King of Heroes had words to share with Artoria Pendragon and she was keen to hear them. Yes, there was a battle going on, but it wasn't like everything required their direct attention. Besides, she'd been waiting thirty years to see him again when the time wasted was only supposed to be a day, she was allowed a bit of excitement. Of course the first words to spew from his mouth were absolutely embarrassing, but he claimed to have brought the celebration to her and she could only smile about it. obviously she could ignore that first bit. Why? Well the laugh probably did it, why did she like it? Emotional honesty probably. "I would not ask forgiveness for tardiness not my own fault..." she said her face practically beaming with a smile. "But this is more my style of celebration..." she admitted happily. Still there was now, a whining voice in the background. It sounded quite familiar too. Gilgamesh had silenced her and she to her credit she shut up. What would Gilgamesh say next? Something that had to process in the Queen of Knights mind, and when it did, she immediately went wide eyed and had her face reddened. "Can you not say such embarrassing things immediately after we meet?!" she said yes, Artoria Pendragon had returned to her normal self. Still she couldn't say she wasn't happy to see the King of Heroes. "Admittedly that is the easiest way to know you are yourself. I do not dislike your new attire either..." The Lady Kay stifled a giggle. 'That barely counts as flirting you know...' she mused, as she took the time to turn back around. Galahad only shook her head at the ice bridge, the princess fantasies of the Lady Kay concerning Artoria Pendragon always played out interestingly. The Queen of Knights finally became a girl and it was rather funny. All the while, Ishtar couldn't take being ignored this long and for what? A flat-chested boy-queen in a blue dress. "UGH! DO NOT IGNORE ME JUST TO TALK TO SOME FLAT-CHESTED BITCH!" That tone so shrill and annoying finally made Artoria turn her gaze if only just a little. That particular insult was one she'd heard before... ah she remembered now. That avatar as well... was one she knew. How would recognition play out? "Who actually made the cam-girl a goddess? Why was that a good idea?! No wonder the whole world is in ruins that is something people thought worthy of worship!?" the Queen was outraged almost immediately. Jeanne from where she was could only nod her head... it was quite true, the one who Ishtar had originally been made perfect sense of the terror this woman had been causing everyone.

The other Knights also looked up. Of those who had played that video game and ended up here, quite a few also recognized the goddess Ishtar as the cam-girl known as Mai Valentine. Well a lot of things about the imbalance of the world suddenly made plenty of sense. Nefertari found it funny as well, "Yes I do remember you saying such a thing when it was first made. I did always think it very cute and very fitted to her own style..." she said with a knowing smirk. At the same time, Vivian found herself only able to shake her head. "I mean yes our faces are all essentially the same but, she has a different sort of flair. My youngest sister as well... I think we all look fairly different, and I definitely couldn't pull off anything that innocently attractive~" she said of her younger sister's current stylings. "That really is a great look by the way~" she said to Nefertari in passing. You could always tell when passionate people did things. Every piece they made seemed to sing. Ah, and while there were barely any people living on the ground level Ishtar was an ever present threat herself, but she never acted in a normal way so it wasn't really a problem. Or rather her laser wasn't done charging yet, so she'd have to continue putting up with all of this sass. But she wouldn't forever, she'd beem that little Knight Queen clean off the planet if she had to, Gilgamesh would not ignore her.

[Bloodedge]

"Hmph. You are allowed the hubris of not seeking forgiveness, as I will grant it to you freely regardless," Gilgamesh countered. She did have a point; this form of celebration was much more her style. In truth, it was more to his speed as well. There was always something satisfying about the glory of a battle ending in victory, and this would certainly be no loss for their side. What of the embarrassing things he said, though? To that, he had only another laugh to offer. "Don't be so foolish. Thirty years in the making, why should my first sight be anything other than your fluster?" he questioned without so much as a second thought. His own change of outfit was noted, was it? Good; it would be a waste otherwise. The king spread his arms as if to grant a better view of his form and ensemble. Of course, the smugness on his face was going nowhere soon. "H'oh? For you to claim you do not dislike something, I suppose I shall take it as utmost adoration. Very well. You shall have the privilege of ripping it to shreds, if you can manage the gall to do so."

Much to Gilgamesh's chagrin, Ishtar would not remain silent for very long. She always reared her cursed head again eventually. This time, he couldn't even have a full conversation with his queen before she crammed that bristled voice into his ear. Worse yet, she had some choice words to offer regarding the Queen of Knights. He'd tack that away for later, as Artoria herself had some strange things to say regarding the goddess. What the hell was a cam-girl? "I know not what this cam-girl thing is. Shall I assume it is something like a green-dyed warthog with the laugh of a hyena?" he asked almost seriously, yet with that same cheeky grin on his face.

Ozymandias was finally leaving the throne of his pyramid, stepping down to view the ongoing battle more directly through the command room's display. In doing so, he continued watching Nefertari through the corner of his eye, until the moment he stood before the display. "You remember the rest then? I haven't seen you make something of your own for a while now, what with all those other works in progress." That comment was all he thought to offer for the time being, though the Lake Fairy had chosen to comment on some alleged difference between herself and her siblings. Did they look so different? He didn't think so, but oh well. "You could have fooled me. I thought you were all the same person, but if innocence is not suited to you, it is your prerogative to avoid the look. There is something for everyone, I suppose."

[Apollymi]

Artoria was allowed not to seek forgiveness, Gilgamesh would grant it to her regardless. "Hmphf, if you are going to say that I will do as I please..." Artoria said with a careful smirk on her face. Of course, both of them were the types to enjoy a bit of battle. Beyond this point it seemed Gilgamesh thought himself capable of doing what he wished. And his apparent wish in such a moment after thirty years of waiting was to see the flustered face of Artoria Pendragon, "You would want something like that... I suppose I have no choice but to allow it," Artoria's words hit the ears of nearby knights and some even realized the gravity with which she spoke such words. Smug visage of the King of Heroes was about par for the course as he spread his arms so she could see his new attire in full. And what was this, he even claimed to understand the nature of her compliment as subtly as it was spoken. She had a look, it would have been rude not to... until of course, the last part of his sentence was spoken and her eyes widened once more. "I asked nothing like that! You are shameless, King of Heroes!" Artoria was almost feverish as she turned her head away for the first time in a bit. Good thing that annoying woman decided to speak, it would make it rather easy for the Queen of Knights to go back to her original way of thinking.

Ah but Ishtar wasn't here to watch a happy couples reunion but what was this? The flat-chested one knew who she was, and somehow seemed to be especially hateful of her. All the girls were always jealous of her good looks and her followings. Gilgamesh was finally speaking again and this time it was about her! Shrill laughter was to follow such acknowledgement, but the words of the King of Heroes didn't properly register in the mind of the woman. They never would. Artoria however, after just having gotten herself back together, seemed to crack instantly. Normally her brain needed to process the old metaphors of the King of Heroes, but not this time, there was instant and completely genuine laughter, "BWAHA-Hahahaha-HAHAHAHA!~" in a moment Artoria was covering her mouth with light sparkling in her eyes. It was too funny, why would he say something like that?! Ishtar was confused, obviously he was comparing her to animals because she controlled them so artfully, everything he said to her was a compliment! Meanwhile this boy-queen was laughing seeming to find humor that wasn't intended. "Woooh, I should not have done that. It was too much..." she said seeming to be genuinely amused. "I feel as though I need to consult a manual, did I just break chivalry by laughing at something said by someone who would purposefully cause offense? I do not think I considered that before..." she said carefully. As for what a cam-girl was, she had her own rather colorful way of describing it that the King of Heroes should understand... "You not knowing what a cam-girl is makes it obvious you have spent too much time on your own forgetting..." she said giving a small smile. "A cam-girl would be like a sacred prostitute without blessings or life skills. She uses only her beauty and the donations of the temple to live an overly lavish life. She does not perform duties but spends her time scheming on those too naïve, young, or unsatisfied to know she has been excommunicated. She would also spend her spare time bashing those actually performing their duties while braying about how great she is while doing nothing to prove it," she explained honestly. Because what was a cam-girl but a virtual prostitute with no personality to show for all the 'sex' she was selling but not really. Actually, she'd basically described the goddess Ishtar from stories she did not know, without knowing it. "Keep talking, when my laser is done charging I will wipe you and your silly country off the map and then what will you have nothing!! I glorious Ishtar will have everything and the King of Heroes and you will die a pitiful death!" there was shrill laughter from this woman and Artoria looked up at her as if confused. "Did she really just tell us her entire plan? I was not prepared for this... I do not have words."

Meanwhile Nefertari found herself chuckling. Oh yes, she remembered what had happened the last time she'd made such an outfit, it had been quite a while since she'd made something for herself. "I suppose it has been a while. I am almost done with the King of Heroes special order though... I am sure I can work in a few new things for me~" she said with a cheeky smirk. As for Vivian she continued to sit, young love was always so interesting, but the innocence of her own form was almost a mirage. "I am sure you will eventually see me as I actually am... and understand what I mean. When such a time comes, I would not mind, a favorable new look from the best creator of clothing this world has to offer~" she said which made Nefertari smile. "Of course, I am always here to help fit someone new~" she said with a healthy humor.

[Bloodedge]

"H'oh?" Shameless, was he? The honesty was leaking through Artoria's mouth more clearly than ever. Perhaps she would one day realize there was no point to the diversions and such─ especially if she was going to have clear intentions dancing alongside clauses that could have been a little firmer. As she turned from him, his arms moved until akimbo. He leaned forward before speaking again, content to do so at eye-level and quite close to the queen's ear. "Poor, abashed Queen of Knights. You seem to have forgotten the lie where you claim it is no desire of yours," he teased.

The king's gaze shifted, redirected as Artoria let slip her own composure. How pure, how... genuine. She'd only ever been so loud while using that Holy Sword; he must have hit the nail on the head with that guess. "Worry not for your precious Chivalry. Hilarious things should be laughed at!" he insisted, reconsidering his own description of the thing they discussed. When he looked at Ishtar, that was about what he saw now. "It is accurate, no? Green, a laugh even more atrocious than a hyena's, and could be considered a sow if not for the fact that she does nothing but bare tusks and charge," he joked, even going so far as to point out Ishtar's lack of offense despite taking such offense. Either way, he was soon to learn what sort of creature a cam-girl was. Artoria's description gave him a decent enough new perspective, which made him tap his fist against his palm in the moment of brilliance. "Ah! If that is what makes it, I retract my previous words! Ishtar!" His right hand returned to his side, while his left extended fully with its forefinger pointed toward the goddess. "You should have been more clear about your identity! I did not realize Uruk's most worshipped goddess all these years was a mere goblin shark! Fuhahahaha!" Ah, perfection. She simply sat there, waiting for the moment to come all her life. Did she really let spill her entire plan before enacting it? Well... "She makes a habit of doing so. Why do you think she's been allowed to draw breath for so long? She foils her own plans so easily, it is laughable!"

Meanwhile, Ozymandias had reason to be excited. It was exciting enough to think he could watch Nefertari work her magic again, but in this case, he'd have something even more enticing to watch when it was over. He'd be holding his commentary about that for later, though it went without saying that she'd have an idea what he would say regardless. As for eventually seeing Vivian as she actually was, that was a rather cryptic statement. All of these people had something not yet known by the others, though; it didn't make much of a difference. "I think we've seen enough that no real difference will be made," he commented. All three of those sisters had enough things in common that differentiating them was almost pointless beyond their base identities. Any of them could change themselves almost completely, while those traits remained intact.

[Apollymi]

Gilgamesh continued to tease Artoria, and the closeness of their relationship was observed by all. Even thirty years later none could deny the rather obvious interest on the part of the King of Heroes. Beyond that, it was not getting harder to deny an equal amount of interest on the side of Artoria, though her natural inclinations were more reserved. No one seemed to be appreciating the truth of that more than the Golden King who leaned in to her ear to share his observation. Artoria was abashed? Always, this man had no shame. She'd forgotten to say it wa sno desire of hers? Her reddened cheeks would not be losing color any time soon as those wandering eyes of hers drifted away from his person. "I do not tell lies. So, it matters little that such a thing was omitted," she followed up immediately. Still she was not the type to step back, she simply stood there with him leaning to close that she likely should have pushed back against him, but she did not want to.

As time continued to trickle forward, Ishtar was appalled. The Golden King encouraged laughter at her expense? Surely, she was mistaken? Yes, that much was obvious... he was simply chiding someone else for not properly appreciating his joke, and the fact that was at her expense had no bearing because she was glorious and everyone else was ordinary! Artoria tried to recover from her laughter so genuine but wouldn't be allowed to properly. A smile on the Queen of Knights' face which wasn't directly tied to her killing something was rare indeed. Still the Queen of Knights tried for a description the King of Heroes would understand in relation to the cam-girl situation, and apparently he understood. This would involve him directly speaking to Ishtar again. Artoria was at a loss, could someone honestly be so stupid as to be happy they were being insulted. 'I truly do not understand such behavior...' she thought to herself while trying to get her face under control. Aww, he was laughing and comparing her to what was obviously an even greater creature! How could she do anything but laugh as well, so she did. Meanwhile, Artoria's eyes shifted to the King of Heroes, she really actually liked that laugh, "I have no idea what a goblin shark is, but I assume given the laugh that is apt as a creature to describe one such as that..." she said. Still choosing not to address Ishtar directly. Meanwhile this thing called Ishtar was a disgusting piece of work, "HAHAHAHAHA!!! I, GLORIOUS ISHTAR WILL FELL THE FLAT-CHESTED BITCH AND THERE WILL BE NO CHOICE BUT TO ADORE ME!!" she proclaimed. Artoria had visible confusion playing across her face, she knew those things were not connected at all right? No one would praise her for felling the Queen of Knights except perhaps her own allies. And she was sure if Gilgamesh wished to adore her... well he'd had hundreds of years to do so. There was also the matter of her planned attack. According to Gilgamesh this particular goddess was often the type to reveal her whole plan which was why he'd let her live so long. "Well, I suppose that strategy is reasonable, if you know your enemies weakness..." she said appreciating the tactic for what it was. Ishtar was still waiting that beam of hers took forever but it would annihilate anything it reached when it was done. She also took no notice of others, so she did not realize that everyone who heard her plan was already preparing for the counter and defense. The Lady Galahad in particular was prepared to move and erect her strongest defense at the most apt time possible. Artoria knew her own people and understood the point. "There will be a large opening when her attack is launched. We could take advantage of that..." she said knowing the fortitude of her own knights.

Ozymandias and Nefertari were making date plans, that much was clear. Vivian couldn't help but chuckle. Well, at least some people on this planet would be happily getting laid in the next century.At the same time there was hardly an army left, divine beasts were falling, there were hardly any members of anything resembling an army and even the defenses were being mounted against an impending attack.

[Bloodedge]

Every time Ishtar opened her mouth, she managed to somehow exemplify more stupidity than ever before. This must have been the sickness that Lake Fairy had been speaking of, surely. Yes, a curse of idiocy made sense when thinking of the goddess Ishtar. Goblin shark was almost the perfect descriptor. "Consider yourself lucky you've never seen the beast. Take the goddess as your only example of one, and you will at least avoid traumatization from appearance alone," he said regarding the creature. Much to Ishtar's credit, there were some ways a few individuals could potentially deal with her. "Perhaps the deaf could put up with this one. Only seeing, never having to hear the moronic dribble she spews. Just listen to that. This is precisely the reason I left her gagged for seven years," he huffed. Upkeeping casual conversation and waiting was not something that should have been allowable; he couldn't rationalize why Maana's attack had such a stupidly lengthy charge. Surely it would be powerful, but none had reason to be concerned. In fact, Artoria and her knights were planning to take advantage of an eventual opening. The Queen of Knights herself thought to inform Gilgamesh of this, unnecessary though it was. "Hmph," he scoffed. "Of course there will be. Why else should I be here, and not striking her down with haste? It is not only because I wish to see your face that I take this casual approach; there are lesser reasons as well. At the rate this is going, however, I do believe there is time to consummate our marriage before anything should be done about this nuisance."

[Apollymi]

Ishtar kept talking but it seemed she was being ignored at every turn. She did not like that, but the conversation was also about her so she did not completely hate it either. Artoria for her part in this was content to lean against her sword seemingly just as casual as everyone else, aside from the Knights who were moving about preparing for the inevitable. At the same time, Artoria was getting a lesson on a beast she apparently didn't need to see because it was traumatizing. Given the placement of that word usage, the description she'd so recently given and Gilgamesh's own humor she wasn't sure her ideations were any better. "If I am being honest, I do not know if that makes the ideas in my head better or worse than they are in actuality..." she said at a loss for words about the goddess Ishtar. The constant stupid speech of this woman was beyond anything Artoria herself would have ever put up with. Actually, she'd probably killed a few men for even beginning to speak in such unfathomably stupid ways... "I do not think I have seven minutes of patience for it, to be honest...seven years? You might want to speak to my sister about gaining sainthood... even a gag was a kindness..." she joked herself, knowing she probably would have had such a person's tongue removed or her mouth sewn shut.

All the while Ishtar was furious. How could they just be talking and carrying on. She was right here before the King of Heroes, how dare he ignore her for someone so beneath her?! She was a goddess, a beauty beyond measure! She was something to be looked upon. He should only be looking at her like that! Everyone should only be paying attention to her! The world should shake and move out of her way and every man should want her and everyone woman should be jealous of her! The words of Gilgamesh initially would only make the Queen of Knights' face tint as she averted her gaze, "You keep saying embarrassing things. Other reasons should not fall into the lesser category, King of Heroes," she mentioned sheepishly. At the time where this psychotic break was occurring in the mind of the fallen goddess, Artoria could only agree with the crazy charge time, "Truly? It does seem like a long time for one who claims to want to kill me. In the time it has taken she could have been felled five or six times depending on the method..." Artoria said easily. "STOP IGNORING ME! I AM MOST GLORIOUS, I AM MOST BEAUTIFUL, I AM ALL POWERFUL... THIS FLAT-CHESTED BITCH MEANS NOTHING BEFORE ME... ALL MEN SHOULD FALL AT MY FEET!" Ah, there it was again. That screeching insult from Ishtar. "She has many concerns about the state of my body for one who does not live in it," Artoria murmured. Was that deflection? Was she told for so long how important looks were that she felt anyone who didn't fit her model was hideous by default and thus unworthy of affection? Or was she truly so twisted she thought being physically attractive should have been enough? This gave images of high school to the mind of Hoshimi Eri, weren't girls like this usually impregnated and fat by the time they grew such crazy fallacies? Was it even worth acknowledging such an insult knowing she was trapped at an age where her body had barely blossomed at all? No. Not really. The Knight Queen was all dignity anyways as an aside being ignored seemed to bother her so much it was almost funny to keep up the calm face. In her previous life, if she'd spoken such a sentence to the face of this small blonde woman, she would have been murdered in the most vicious way she could think of, but now, she would simply be felled with all her false ideations.

"FINALLY, ALL IS READY! DIE, BITCH!" That was it, the laser she'd been charging seemed to finish up finally. She aimed to turn and immediately fire it upon Artoria Pendragon and those gathered nearby. Obviously it was no danger to the King of Heroes who was second only to her. The Lady Galahad would be in front of Artoria within the moment of the massive beam being shot off. Her own defensive and mana blocking the beam as the table which they sat around became more solid as a shield. Galahad's own mana and defense were being used currently but they would only become more obvious as the rest of the power manifested, a chant of old beginning which brought the lightest of smiles to the face of Artoria Pendragon. "I stand amid disaster..." The image of castle walls began to form in all directions around the group and before the Queen of Knights. "That which heals all wounds and grudges, our glorious homeland. Manifest yourself, Lord Camelot!" The whole of Camelot's castle walls appeared before them, with the added effectiveness of staving off evils and poisons. To that end, a shot from Ishtar even in her current form would not halt the work of Galahad; she would hold. Now it was a battle of defense holding off a laser, while doing enough external damage to knock down the ship and Ishtar in all of her glory. "Knights of the Round Table, Camelot stands... and we do not cower before evil gods!" she said these words as her stance changed and Excalibur was extended into the air. She knew her people, knew they would understand their places in this world. Her orders were barked with the surety of a King and they would be followed. "Sheathed in the breath of the planet..." The light of glowing victory burned bright as Artoria herself did while she charged her own attack of massive proportions.

[Bloodedge]

"Even if it worsens, it can always be even worse still. Such is the truth of dealing with this particular goddess," Gilgamesh complained. It was satisfying to think that something would finally be done about Ishtar after all these long, bothersome years. She'd been a thorn in his side for far too much time, but now, the sweetest end was in sight. Damned be the notion of sainthood for the amount of time he'd spent refraining from going overboard. "Sainthood is far beneath the reservation I've shown. There should be a new title created in honor of my magnanimity."

Far more important things could have been dealt with in all the time it took Ishtar to charge one attack. For all she did, he doubted it would even be very appealing to look at, much less challenging to overcome. They could have felled her multiple times over indeed, but without being able to fully slay a god of Celestia, a point or two had to be made when doing so. Ishtar could unleash her attack if she so desired, but it would mean little to nothing in the end. Of course, he'd have rather delivered that point in the immediate aftermath of Ishtar's singular insult. "Such flavorless language this one has while calling herself a goddess. Judgement should be passed for a lack of creativity." As it seemed the time was finally nearing, Gilgamesh retrieved Ea from its place in the treasury once more. The burst of energy Maana had been producing for ages was unleashed at last, and a single knight rose against it in an act of defiance. So, this was what the ultimate wall of Camelot had to offer, was it? Perhaps that was where the mold for his own city of Uruk had gotten to, as it seemed to hold its own against the impact of divine mana. With Artoria preparing to take advantage of the opening, he could only increase the certainty of their victory by doing the same. As such, Ea was held over head with one arm, the winds of creation swirling around Excalibur's light just as it had done decades before. "Mortar of the stars, heaven's hell is the eve of creation's celebration." There wasn't much required here. From what he'd seen of Excalibur's use over the years, the use of Ea was merely... a healthy bonus, or even salt in the wound. No matter; Ishtar obviously hadn't paid enough attention. She needed to see the truth of how incredibly outclassed she'd always been.

[Apollymi]

What was worse could always worsen? Artoria could see that... such was why she always stopped things before they could devolve. Some saw it as savagery but she always saw it as assurance. Instead of dealing with something or someone coming back to her face, she showed them they could be felled immediately, and they could either fall in line or stay out of her way. The choice in that matter was always their own, but she was already ready to do it again. Sainthood was below the King of Heroes? "Oh? Well, I am sure I will hear all about it whenever you find a title more suited to you~" that was all Artoria had to say about that matter with a cheeky smirk to go along with it.

Ishtar would be learning the lesson of Artoria Pendragon. Of course, the laser she blasted was a simple enough beam, green and pink in color clashing in all ways with the gold and blue boat it was shot out of. It weighed down from the ship onto the Walls of Camelot but Galahad stayed braced and as such she could hold. Seeing the light of Excalibur she braced herself further, Ea raising into the air had been a story passed along by Gawain and Lancelot. 'Oh, the blowback from this is going to sting something mighty,' she mused. 'Worth it.' Even so, she was prepared for that eventuality. "A torrent of shining life," Artoria continued, "Feel its wrath," she said carefully. "EX-" there was a preparation to be held, the pair were too release a beam very different from the one that Ishtar herself was using and of course, the complaints of that goddess continued mostly because there was another woman standing up to her in the moment. "NO! YOU CAN'T DO THAT, YOU ARE JUST A HUMAN, I'M A GODDESS, IT ISN'T FAIR! NO DEFENSE SHOULD HOLD AGAINST ME!" There was a quality of whining to this woman's voice. Maybe they were being empowered by the King of Heroes presence? Yes that made sense. It was all his fault she couldn't show him how good she was! Why would he do this? It was that little woman's doing of course, she'd obviously charmed him in some way to keep him from her. She would see, Ishtar had a glorious body she would win back the King of Heroes as soon as the defenses fell. "CALIBUR!!!" A downward swing would be how Artoria chose to handle this, from the skies and falling upon that ship, she intended to destroy it and Ishtar as well. Ishtar stood, seeming not to care, her ship was divine in creation, surely nothing as small as a little light sword could harm her. "I AM THE QUEEN OF HEAVEN! I CANNOT BE FELLED BY THE LIKES OF YOU!! WHY WOULD YOU HELP HER AND NOT ME? I AM MOST DIVINE! YOU CANNOT DENY ME!" Her whines were that of a petulent child because she truly believed that it was the help of Gilgamesh which would allow the Queen of Knights the potential of besting her. Obviously her words should make him choose her. Surely, he'd realize how important she was and how much greater she was than this girl he kept talking to?

[Bloodedge]

Artoria claimed surety that she'd hear when a title was found, but there was far more to it than that. A chortle crept through the king's nose as two elevated weapons from the dawn of time formed a beacon for all Chaldea. "You will be the first to hear it. You will also be the first to have it pass your lips as a scream," he boasted. Whether that scream was one of ecstasy or one of ire... well, only time would answer that question. At this point, there was somewhere around an equal chance of either occurring first.

Ishtar liked to think humans could not stand against her. In a way, she was not at all wrong. A human could not defeat a god; there was no logical explanation for one doing so. However... "Humans. Such mysterious things, are they not? Impossibilities occur as easily and certainly as water flows through the rivers. Whether through tenacity or sheer audacity, even an ordinary human can find a way to oppose the gods of this world and the next. Now, Ishtar... die and be silent." The cylinders of Ea shifted into overdrive, letting the winds of genesis burst widely around Excalibur. "Enuma..." he started, swinging that strange sword down in tandem with Excalibur's slash. "ELISH!" And so, Gilgamesh would once again ensure a target did not escape Excalibur. The winds he used served only a single purpose: to keep the foolish goddess from even thinking she could run away. Ah, but would she have run anyway with that attitude? She thought being the Queen of Heaven meant she could not be felled. She asked why he would help the Queen of Knights, and not herself. Such stupidity. "The Queen of Heaven is no queen of mine! A king of my magnitude shall stand by only the finest queen. Fall into obscurity, Ishtar. There is no place for the likes of you here."

[Apollymi]

Interesting words fell out of the mouth of the King of Heroes. He would say something like that wouldn't he? Well, Artoria couldn't actually argue with the potential point. She was most likely to say such a thing and his remaining in such a good humor was more than worthwhile to her, whether she'd be angry when speaking to him or something else entirely wasn't worth the extra thought presently. Still given the situation there was the lightest pinkening of Artoria's cheeks. Yeah, she wouldn't be responding to that one.

Nor did it matter if she did immediately or not. The death of Ishtar was at hand and the green haired goddess stayed in place inside of her boat apparently hoping that Gilgamesh would change his mind. Her constant bleating about fairness and the lowliness of humanity was given a lesson by Gilgamesh who explained the true nature of humanity. All while, he channeled the ultimate attack of Artoria into a single place. Of course, doing such a thing would pull against the walls of Camelot but still they would stand. "NO! NO! NO!!" there was nothing but a tantrum taking place here. Still she wouldn't have moved out the way regardless, because she didn't believe she could be felled but... Ea felled her and now she was being sucked into shining light. The oppressive concept of hopes and dreams being rocketed into her person and concentrated. And what was more, Gilgamesh claimed the Queen of Heaven was no Queen of his, only the best for him and the best was? The girl at his side? Why? What was so special about her?

Ugh, terrible. A scream of discontent as she was taken by such an attack and because of the eventual release of the vacuum pressure blown out along with the walls of Camelot. Poor Galahad would be rocketed off in one direction and Ishtar in the other. Still, Galahad was no fool, given the personality displayed by this woman she knew that her evil wouldn't stop just because she was felled. It was her duty to do more and so she would. That ship of Ishtar's had crumbled into pieces and her body wasn't in better shape either, several things had fallen off her person in the form of mystic code. Surely the fall would kill her. Meanwhile, Galahad was falling as well. Unknown to anyone else, Galahad had the tenacity of mankind and extra defense on her side, she used her mana to curve herself towards Ishtar, she would claim something from that body as they fell, and tie it to herself, within arms reach she grabbed, her necklace? Good enough she'd be found eventually as she rode her shield down, down down. Still as the dust cleared the battle was won the war was over and among the things left on the battlefield were a string of mystic code from the fallen goddess. Artoria would move forward to claim it while dishing out orders. "Agravain, start the search for Galahad. She'll survive the fall. Everyone else, be ready for secondary attacks, check for wounded," she said picking up the string of code. 'Celestial Visage?' She'd never heard of such a code before, still there was a smile on her face, she supposed she had a few open code lines it was hardly worth anything else. That ship of hers had fallen apart, pieces of it blown apart across several islands here. She supposed she'd leave those to fate, and claim just this for herself.

[Bloodedge]

This day, the cost of tearing down the goddess Ishtar, the Queen of Heaven herself, was... one. The Shielder Knight Galahad was fated to fall, but also fated to claim a particular misused Artifact of the goddess in doing so. Gilgamesh seemed to be watching this moment as if he knew the outcome, and in fact, he did. Just moments before, that eerie glow came to the king's eyes. This was the optimal path. "Do not seek her," he said. He had not seen everything, but he had seen enough. Seeking the fallen knight now did not have a positive end, as it was certain to result in success... as well as great failure.

Already distraught by the sight of Galahad's fall, Lancelot had rushed to the edge of the broken ice bridge. He seemed almost ready to leap down after the woman─ something he would have done without a second thought. Brows furrowed and teeth bared, outrage was coming. Why would that order be given? Why would anyone be expected to follow something so stupid? Well, Gilgamesh's mouth would open again before Lancelot had the chance to share some choice words with him. "Ishtar bore a necklace of great power. It is one of seven objects absent from even my coffers, and holds the power of foresight. The girl will be fine, hidden from the fallen goddess, but the rest of you will not. Do not be so foolish as to sacrifice a long-term victory for sentiment." He spoke truths. An immediate search party had multiple outcomes, most of which were negative.

Alas, another knight with medium-length blonde hair saw fit to speak from Lancelot's side. He had a particular interest in the safety and return of Lady Galahad as well, albeit for different reasons entirely. "Never have I pledged myself to the whimsy of a Hero-King," he said, a hand upon Sir Lancelot's shoulder. "I still have personal goals in the lower world. I will find Galahad myself, and I will take my Party with me. It should be no problem at all," the knight Sir Pellinore insisted.

Meanwhile, Enki came to realize Ishtar was no less idiotic than she made herself seem. This could have been a simple matter, but she hadn't even managed to save enough time. How could she not? The whole of that group gave her the full, ridiculous charge time of Maana's attack, and she couldn't make it another five minutes? That woman was no good for war; Enki still hadn't finished his modifications. Well... he supposed he had to make something work with what he had thus far. . .

[Apollymi]

Artoria's eyes shifted to Gilgamesh. The King of Heroes said seeking the one known as Galahad was unnecessary at present. The other knights did not agree none more than Lancelot. Artoria understood this, they were siblings and as clouded as sentiment could make judgement, Artoria would take up many a war-banner and an absolute amount of carnage over her own sister. To keep others from such a path she could easily take such a thing unto herself. "Lancelot," that was it, just that, Artoria understood his feelings, she truly did, but there was much truth in the words of the King of Heroes, so much she wouldn't deny his council. If Galahad would be both safe and hidden from the eyes of Ishtar, she was technically safer than anyone else would be for a while yet. Besides that claiming pieces of the goddess was among the best ways to keep everyone safe, Galahad was a knight first, she understood the risks and did not try and save herself. None understood human nature better than her, if she fell with Ishtar to take something from her, Artoria would trust her decision was made from a standpoint of necessity. That one, did not act brashly, nor should anyone be allowed to her own behalf. "Galahad does not act without reason. She understands the nature of a mind better than any. If she felt it necessary to help in such a way, we have to honor her sentiments. She would not wish you act brashly on her behalf," said Artoria. That much was the truth.

Ah, but there was a bit more dissent this time from Pellinore. Oh, it was no great secret that this particular knight had a soft spot for the Lady Galahad, whether she reciprocated such feelings or not was an unknown. She was not the type to make her personal interests so obvious. Still, Pellinore's intentions in this moment were clear before Artoria's eyes. He was quite right... he was going down regardless, if he added finding Galahad to his list it would hardly be an inconvenience. He had been on his way out of Albion to find his quarry in the first place, when they were besieged by this unwieldy fog. "You answer to me, Pellinore." Just that sentence was the statement of Artoria. It seemed to contain a certain amount of power, was it a threat or was it simply domination? Whether he cared for the words of Gilgamesh or not, there was a certain amount of agreement that Artoria had with the current line of action. To disperse completely when there was still a threat on the lose was hardly a good idea. "That being said, your search for the Questing Beast was already approved and since it is a search further looking would be no real problematic addition. Since you are going down, use Loch Ness as your base, keep an eye on it. Find your beast. Look for Galahad. Keep your party safe. Will you take that as your task?" There was a semblence of a command there. As Artoria approached directly. She knew his intentions but if he wanted such a thing added to his job, he wasn't to do so brashly. To act overtly on emotion was to lead to folly she would not allow it for any who would be thoroughly missed.

[Bloodedge]

Lancelot was not to act, according to even Artoria. It didn't need saying that he was annoyed by this decision. For Lancelot, this was among the most difficult orders to follow. He knew the behavior of his own sister. He knew that if she even expected a better outcome to not being sought, she'd have left well enough alone. Still, even though he would not outright go against Artoria's wishes, he would not do so happily. "Rgh! I know, I know..." he grumbled through gritted teeth. As much as he didn't like this, there was a reason he followed the Queen of Knights for so long. He would not go against this council, no matter how much it bothered him to leave Galahad alone in the lower world... or worse yet, in the care of Sir Pellinore. "Understood."

Also understood, was the fact that Pellinore answered to Artoria. The blonde knight himself did not question this. He answered to the queen before even his own desires, much as Lancelot before him did. "As always, my queen," Pellinore stated with a hand over his chest. He took this task upon himself not only because it was convenient to him, but because he believed it to be the best possible outcome. Would he take this task as ordered by Artoria? There was no doubt about this. Even with a smile, he'd offer his acceptance. "Loch Ness will be my base, as it will be the point of a beacon for the day I return with Lady Galahad in tow. On my honor, I will not return until she has been found and acquired," he stated with certainty. When they were done here, he would make way for the lower world immediately.

Gilgamesh observed this exchange between Artoria and her knights, seeming both aloof and judgmental. There were many outcomes he saw related to this very moment. Some were good, some were bad, most were both at various points and in various ways. This was a moment he could choose to guide one way or another, yet he chose to abstain. There were far more important things for him to look ahead to, and the outcome of this exchange was not meaningful enough in the long-run to be an acceptable distraction.

[Apollymi]

Artoria could see Lancelot's struggle. She understood it a great deal... she often acted brashly and without the slightest bit of hesitation so to force inaction on someone who would rather act was likely torment. Even so, she would do it for the best possible outcome. She did not think the Lady Galahad would forgive her, if she let her little brother tarnish his honor over something like a personal decision she made. "Good." Was Artoria's response to his notion of her order being understood. Still, there was light in Artoria's eyes. She understood more than most, and when the time was right, if she needed to, if the opportunity presented itself... she'd send Lancelot to seek his sister. Whatever the case, what seemed to also be understood was the overwhelming domination of one like Artoria Pendragon. It seemed that Pellinore did not question his place in this world. Still, Artoria posed him a question, presented him with an altered version of his mission and waited for his answer.

How would he do so? With a smile, claiming that he'd do all she'd said. There was a sincerity there, and a certainty. He put such a claim on his honor? Did he truly understand what it was to do such a thing? There was an earnestness in such a statement but Artoria wondered if he realized how much of an enforcer of such things she actually was. "On your honor, Pellinore. Live and die by it..." Artoria said. It was as if it was an acceptance of the terms. And if he failed, she would be the one to collect. It was her responsibility to preserve the honor of the Knights that would include making sure those who lost track of their honor died by her hands. Responsibility taken unto herself. "Prepare properly. Dismissed." she said to the man with his hand over his chest. Whether he did what he wanted to or not if he returned without Galahad or Loch Ness fell under his care... there would be hell to pay. Moving on, Artoria looked to her left where Agravain was now awaiting updated orders as her previous ones had been cancelled by the Queen's own decisions. "Use your methods, to point them in the right direction. Return there after... be vigilant." Artoria's last words were spoken in a moment of directness that only one like Agravain would truly understand. "As you wish my Queen." Agravain understood, Artoria was always skeptical of other people, Agravain was usually sent anywhere as an assurance that someone would be killed before being allowed to become dishonorable. Artoria had seen the truth of Pellinore's desires, but she also saw the potential fall of such things. He could potentially complete his tasks, or he could potentially be up to something regardless... it did not matter. There were other problems. That little piece of mystic code would be added to her own. And she'd hold on to her weapon seeming to give a few things thought. And with that, Artoria turned heading back towards Gilgamesh... it was where she was always going anyway. "Kay..." she said to the woman who'd raised her. "You do not have to ask..." she said giving a bow as well. Ishtar had fallen now all there was to do was return the country where it belonged in the sky and go back to her own business.

[Bloodedge]

Ah, but there was one other thing yet to be done. Enki had spent the entirety of this siege plotting, working and adjusting as necessary to avoid the entire plan crumbling in his hand. At long last, he had something usable. It was going to be costly─ incredibly costly. Was it worth it? As he looked out to that collection of mortals, watching the little queen approach Gilgamesh after the pair of them eliminated Ishtar, he thought... yes. The feeling of his own Divine Core informed him of her fall, and gave him all the information he needed to understand that the time had come. He had to act now to solidify his place, lest the whole plan be for naught.

Artoria dismissed Pellinore, which left him preparing for exodus after a single bow. He'd do as needed to complete his goals and those given to him, and it would not be solely because of an order. Now that the matters of Ishtar's defeat and Galahad's fall were addressed, Artoria approached an open-armed King of Heroes. He had his victory and the accompanying prize. Gilgamesh cared not for the fate of Enki; he'd informed the others that they could do away with the water god with this very moment in mind. What he didn't see, was the fault of his own decision. The king had refrained from viewing this exact moment in which Artoria approached him, all to enjoy said moment to the fullest. However, as she walked forward, his eyes widened. A new path had been opened, and it appeared only in the moment of taking place. Enki appeared in a flash, releasing an amulet that had been attuned to Artoria Pendragon's identity over the time he'd spent observing her. Though it had been meant to rewrite her mind in full, its incomplete state could only consume her consciousness and seal it away. Still, the attunement let that released amulet jettison itself toward her being as if it were magnetized, while Enki himself descended to the woman's rear. "Did you humans really think you would win a war against me?" the god wondered aloud as all of AS-IKU trembled. The Artifact he used was of divine origin, designed in early attempts to wrangle even the "Spirits" in the old world. Even its incomplete modifications took such massive power to utilize, which resulted in all of AS-IKU having its energy syphoned directly into the amulet during its activation. What would this mean? Well, AS-IKU would no longer be capable of floating with so much power lost. Luckily, they were not presently standing on one of its own islands... or would that be unlucky for those who went against the gods? Once Enki had his prize, he would not be foolish enough to stick around. His plan was to use one final burst of energy to transport himself to one of the falling lands of AS-IKU, where he intended to keep his new possession until he could move on to the next phase. "Have your battle, mortals. The war is always mine to take."

[Apollymi]

Artoria had turned to walk towards Gilgamesh but something wasn't right. She wasn't sure what it was but just in the corner of her eye. Her sword was always in her hand, always ready for action and she started the turn which would have let her respond to an attack from above and behind her. These were the attack methods used by those who tried to close in on her most often this was the sort of thing she'd be ready for. But... the attunement of this particular object had it fly beneath her arm with her sword in it and lock into place around her neck. In a single moment, the thing would likely activate and when it did, several islands began to shake. What was anyone to do?

The individual islands around them began to fall. And Artoria's own consciousness seemed to disappear. Her vibrant eyes gained a dulled hues and it was like she was an empty shell of a being. The lights were on somewhere in there but her personal consciousness and everything that made her, a living breathing person seemed to disappear in a moment. As this happened in her own mind, Artoria's consciousness continued. Her sword once gripped in her hand but she couldn't feel it. She couldn't lift her arm she couldn't force herself away from this strange man she didn't like. She could not call out for help. What had happened to her, why couldn't she move?! Ah, she could hear. One of these damnable gods was taking her hostage. He made the claim he'd won the war, that mortals couldn't win against him. Foolish. Artoria could not move, but she did not know the meaning of the term surrender. Just a bit a tiny bit... her hand tightened around Excalibur. Could she do it? Could she force her own movement? She would try.

[Bloodedge]

It mattered not whether Artoria retained any consciousness or ability to struggle against the amulet. Enki could see it working, and her consciousness would only be lost to the misty reality within the amulet over time. In that time, he would continue with his plans... without interference from the others. One of the final occurrences as AS-IKU fell in individual chunks, was the sudden appearance of Divine Gates around Enki's location. Treasures were to be launched at the god, but not before a flaxen-haired young man launched himself toward the Queen of Knights. It was none other than Bedivere, the most "human" of knights at the woman's disposal, who reached out only to have his arm severed by Enki's trident. The lad fell on the spot, and Gilgamesh's arsenal launched itself into... nothing. Quickly had Enki taken his leave, the same method of teleportation that brought him to this place taking himself and Artoria to another section of the empire. So... one lost, one dismembered, and one missing; that was the count as the King of Heroes' ire left him launching treasures repeatedly at a location where no one stood to be assaulted. How had he not foreseen this potentiality? Had he grown careless again?

Now then, what of Enki and Artoria's disappearance? They were within one of his temples, of course, surrounded by water and crystal structures as he reached out to take the queen's sword hand. She'd have no need of that mighty tool while the pendant was still taking effect, so he thought to wrest it from her and avoid any problems in the near future. "That stupid sister of mine. This could have gone so much better, but... I suppose I'll have to settle," he said as the land shook beneath them. They were still descending quickly, soon to crash into the land below along with five other islands. In a matter of moments, the supercontinent of the lower world would be broken by six total impacts. Some portions of AS-IKU would be taken by flood and sink to the ocean floor, including the one they were presently standing in. Oh well. Enki knew great sacrifice would be required to use this Artifact with its incomplete modifications. He'd only sacrificed a bunch of mortals and temporarily shattered his own empire; both could be replenished in due time. "I wonder, is there still enough of you in there to speak? If there is, you're free to submit now. Ishtar is gone, so you get a free promotion from slave to queen. Isn't that lovely?"

[Apollymi]

Artoria got to see in a moment as Bedivere reached out and lost an arm for his trouble. The most human of her men, the one she kept because his actions were the most human of anyone's... reached for her and all he got in return was a severed arm. 'That is an offense I take personally. He will pay.' Artoria knew in this moment she would not be free. Not immediately but she also knew something else, nothing about the trident wielding man was anything she'd ever submit to. It mattered little why he aimed to claim of her all present. He'd sacrificed an entire six countries to take her. Scum. He was evil and she knew it, she could see the truth of it. There was malice in her soul when they appeared somewhere else. She'd disappeared and she knew it would cause panic, not only for the Knights but for her King of Heroes as well. How problematic.

And now he was trying to wrest her sword from her hand. He was going to have to try. Disarming the Queen of Knights was never an easy task and she wouldn't make it one now either. Not when she still had a burning fury underneath the surface because of what was done to Bedivere. Not when she was taken from the one person outside of her family she would approach of her own accord. Not when she'd done nothing and gotten in return only annoyance from these so called gods. "I am already Queen. Your false promotion means nothing, it carries no weight. I will never submit to a false god... release me." Just that. That was all she had to say. This man could say all he wanted but nothing about him would ever satisfy Artoria Pendragon. She didn't want him touching her, she didn't want him near her, she wanted to give him nothing but a quick death. And she would even be gracious enough to do that more honorably than him, sneaking up to attack and subdue her with sorcery. Where the bloody hell was Merlin?

[Bloodedge]

Ah, so speech did not evade her just yet. Good; he could take greater solace in watching her collapse fully while considering how he would amplify the amulet's hold without breaking the enchantment. Dealing with that was going to be troublesome while its effect was active, but as he felt this country sink and sink, he believed there was ample time to find a way. Until then... well, he'd soon have a shell of a woman to stand as his trophy queen in this segment of a once great empire. Those who remained would still worship and still have a place to call home, though it seemed he would first have to manage freeing Excalibur of that damned woman's hand. She wasn't making it easy, but he was confident ease would come with time. "I can't say I'm surprised. You mortals were given too much willpower. Give up. You'll soon slip fully into the fog, and it will no longer matter how much resolve you have," he said calmly, opting to hold that sword steady in her hand until it could be taken with greater ease. None would be coming to save her any time soon. By the time someone did, Enki would have long since made himself the victor in this strange war. As the land reached the ocean floor, the god let his mana pour out to hasten the amulet's sealing properties. Talking would surely do this woman no favors, but that would be precisely the weapon he used to waste her remaining hold on her own body. "Any last words? Once you sink, you will never be allowed to return as you are."

[Apollymi]

There was fury in Artoria's soul. Being captured by such a creature was almost disgraceful. The fact that he thought to use magic to tame her, to force her hand in any way was fury inspiring. The actual audacity for such a being to try and force her into a position she now could not take from one she actually liked would inspire nothing but sheer and unfathomable willpower. He might try and close her out of herself, but it would accomplish nothing. He would not release her, content was he to turn her into a trophy. He had not yet begun to see the depth of human will. "Even if my resolve is all I have... it is more than enough for the likes of you," of this Artoria was sure. She could see the truth of this man. Even as she sank deeper and deeper into herself. Little did he know, someone like her once lived her life exclusively buried within herself. It was no great drowning she would suffer inside of herself. Instead it felt simply like doors she'd once closed being forcibly opened from the outside. That same cheeky little smirk appeared on her face as the sealing became more active. "On my honor, you will never have me!" The last spoken words of Artoria as she let that little bit of her slip through closing doors. Like a clawed hand reaching out of the darkness, there was something she'd hang on to, no matter what. She looked up from the window of herself and watched. She seethed as she was held prisoner within her own body and that grip she held firm loosened just a tad as she was 'fully' sealed behind that magic and the weight of a gods powers. But how 'fully' was she actually sealed? Only time would tell. Until such a time as she was freed of her internal depth, she would count the misdeeds of this fallen god, and eventually such a time would come that this count would be needed. How long would she be used as Enki's puppet Queen? She'd already left the King of waiting almost half a century...

[Bloodedge]

Half a century would not even amount to half the upcoming wait. It took no time at all for the denizens of Finis Chaldea to return Albion to its proper place in the sky, even as it was done on the sour note of a lost queen. No... not a loss, not quite. There was an understanding across the whole of Chaldea, and none had ever understood it better than they would be made to now. King Gilgamesh was not one who relied on others to achieve his own goals. The simple fact that he had, did not leave room for failure. In leaving Enki to the others to pursue Ishtar himself, there was a hidden stipulation. In reclaiming Albion, there was a clear goal. That stipulation and goal had not been met; Artoria Pendragon had not been acquired. As king, Gilgamesh was owed a debt by all participants in the assault on AS-IKU, and he would see it paid in full. First, Artoria's new location had to be discovered... along with the kill target, Enki.

One final declaration was the start of a long journey on both sides. Enki would never have the Queen of Knights, on her honor? Time would tell. It took only a hundred years for Ishval, their current place of residence among the fallen AS-IKU, to seem prosperous again. The very world had shifted around them, several continents settling in place as the remnants of an old empire remained tucked away with what was left of the old seal. Enki found himself atop a throne of living crystal, that shell of a woman standing to his right while the fabled Sword of Promised Victory acted as a mere cane in his left hand. How far had her resolve gotten her? She struggled well, but one hundred years in the making, Enki tested a single command used on the shell. The back of his left hand bore a trio of marks more commonly utilized to command and empower Heroic Spirits summoned through the Holy Grail. Thus far, this was the limit he could push when considering ways to deal with that incomplete Artifact. One of three seals was presently faded, having been used to order complacency and subservience in the shell. The first test would be performed out in the open, where the citizens of Ishval could see their "queen" as she was being called. "What say you, my little queen? This nation is truly great, isn't it? Go on, tell your subjects what's on your mind."

[Apollymi]

Finis Chaldea went back to searching. That much was clear. Many knew and understood the anger of King Gilgamesh, none more so than the siblings of Artoria Pendragon. Vivian for her part in this, could still hear Artoria. That water given to her by the King of Heroes was still slotted on her person, and through it, she could hear, just the gentlest whispers from time to time. For instance, she'd heard the declaration of Artoria that first day... and she knew her sister would fight or die by those words.

So what was Artoria doing? Well fighting. But the advent of those Command Seals seemed to be a way for Enki to be capable of quelling her. A mere hundred years later and she was standing at his side. The shell of her soul looking rather empty, green eyes that once danced with fire seeming to hold nothingness. With the gem around her neck closing the cap on her soul and her hand currently empty of her weapon. Well... there was nothing she could apparently do. One of those marks on his hand was missing and he'd used it to compel compliance from the Queen of Knights. What an interesting thing to try and do. Well, he would have it at least partially. "This nation is only as great as its leader and citizens." Oh. Such a statement had a little bite to it, but it could easily be mistaken for a woman who thought highly of herself and her King. How would Enki take such a thing though? It did not matter. That telling and short statement of hers, was the truth as she believed it. But she also thought Enki was the scum of the earth, not that she'd be allowed to openly say so now. And while she did not blame all citizens she did hold a particular bit of disgust for those who blindly worshiped a man like him. But perhaps that was simply the rebellious nature of a woman who'd claimed her own kingdom by force with her own hands. 'Everything about this man I hate. I see in him and his people the worst that any world has to offer... I want him dead. I want to return to my King of Heroes. I have kept him waiting long enough.' The idea that she was being held hostage by a man who claimed to be a war god but did not even think to fully utilize her talents for fear of putting her weapon back into her hands was almost shameful. She hated the idea of a trophy. She was not a thing... she was a person. A killer. She was not the type to adorn a mantle or stand by a throne, she was the type to lead by example, something this place sorely lacked.

[Bloodedge]

What did Enki think of that little response? Clearly, the first test was not quite a successful one. The answer Artoria gave was enough for the people of Ishval. It was complacent enough, but it seemed the subservience had not quite registered. Surely the fog within her consciousness was thick by now. It was wholly the fault of that wench, that he did not fully receive a properly satisfactory answer. Very well. It took only a day to let a single set of Command Seals recover, and with a rotation of three in place, he had many to test for various things. Simple actions proved less problematic than larger efforts, as expected. He could easily have her stand by the throne all day, or anything as easy. Having her behave, however, was an annoyance. A few hundred years later, the pair would find themselves in the same position again. The endlessly thickening fog around her consciousness had to be doing something to keep her mind from interfering, so the next grand test took into account that... as well as a bit of tweaking to Command Seals to strengthen their individual effects with power from the temple. This time, Enki ordered the adoration of a queen and wife. The same question he asked three hundred years prior, he asked again before a whole new generation of Ishvalan citizens.

[Apollymi]

A few hundred more years and he aimed to force the speech of Artoria Pendragon more properly. A new generation of Ishvalans. And what was more he was still forcing her into idleness. Making her stand around, keeping her weapon from her hand. Indeed, he could force her into doing smaller things. He could make her less problematic to look upon. He could even get to her say nicer things than she was used to. The fog of her mind though? Well... there was a bit yes, but it was still navigable. She was still herself. Keeping hold of her mind, even under the most strenuous of circumstances was part of her training as an assassin. The fortitude of her mind was also part of her training from Merlin to be King. Pushing past her anger, making a decision in the aftermath of a war, these were things which helped lighten the load so to speak. He could take the edge off her personality with his command spells, but he couldn't completely get rid of her personality. So in answer to his question she'd have something better to say this time, "This nation flourishes under the hand of its King. I am awed to witness his works and the faces of his citizens," Yes, that was nice, but those were not Artoria's real words. The Queen of Knights would never say something like that... strangely she still did not submit to ownership of these people nor claims of him. Her words were polite and kind and seemed adoring if a little reserved. But when Artoria Perndragon truly claimed something it was rather obvious. Would this be enough for Enki though? Time would tell. Already the number of years she'd been waiting was hefty but she hadn't let go of what she truly wished for. 'One day I will break free, and when I do... I will slay the false god and go to my King of Heroes. Only he is fit to have me,' Oh? When did she make such a decision as that? A long time ago...

[Bloodedge]

Strange. Progress, but... strange. During this test, Enki's gaze shifted toward the queen. He determined only an improvement over the first test, but nothing resembling satisfactory for him. Still, there was so much to do. Perhaps his plan would come to fruition after a few more generations. Several hundred more years would pass. Within that time, greater efforts were put into the suppression of Artoria's consciousness. It had become clear that he could not use these methods to delete her for overwriting. Perhaps he could instead keep her distance enough to make the body respond only to the amulet. Several generations passed while viewing a puppet queen, and now, he attended court with one he believed would no longer be capable of even speech. She refused to comply, so he'd have to settle for a slave-queen for the time being. One final time, he'd ask the same question. This time, with his singular Command Seal faded, he expected to gaze upon only a husk. What would he do if that were the outcome, though? His next order would be a simple one, to abandon the throne room in favor of his private quarters.

[Apollymi]

Several hundred years of silence. The will of the Queen of Knights was just as strong, but the distance between herself and her body seemed to increase. There was no real issue with this, she knew what Enki was doing. He planned to use her to keep his power. He was a god, and gods needed worship. Part of his worship was predicated upon the things he had. And right now, all he had was her, her weapon and this hidden little kingdom. So, of course what he needed was the unwavering faith of his people. It was easy enough to garner if he looked to be in control, but Artoria herself was never truly gone. In the fog of her mind, there was still that gentle crack in the door, but she could only peek up through it. She could hear him and his musings. Be annoyed by his words and hang tightly to the idea of the King of Heroes being the only one truly worthy of her. Even so, the forced compliance seemed to gain more favorable reactions as time went on. So what would she say at this man's most recent question with the Command Seal active and no light in those green eyes of hers? "This nation is a sprawling utopia forged by your own hand. It is a wonderous thing to look upon!" That was about as much as a ringing endorsement as one would get. If the order came to abandon such a post and go to his chambers, the body of Artoria Pendragon would follow as her still firm mind watched from behind the fog. 'And the darkness was thick. I could see nothing ahead and nothing behind me.' What a ridiculous notion to hang on to... one day she'd see the light at the end and she would burst forth.

[Bloodedge]

A wondrous thing to look upon, she said. These words were better than even Enki expected, even after hundreds upon hundreds of years. Now, he could finally move on to the greater test. What sort of queen could he claim to have, if not one who heralded the next generation of gods to rule over this world? With the absence of Ishtar, Enki alone would take up the position of Anu and reign over the next group of divine beings. It would take only a few years of utilizing this mortal's body to do so, and then, he could deal with that bastard king and all others who would rise against him. These thoughts played through the water god's mind as he disrobed. Apart from an arm of metal and fabricated magic circuits, Enki bore only flesh and tool before the puppet queen he acquired so long ago. He seemed rather confident as his semi-firm length was taken into his own grasp, being worked up to something usable. "It's finally time. Come here. You can start with your mouth," he ordered.

[Apollymi]

Ah, that movement into his bedroom came with the idea that he would get to bed her. Well a man like this did need more didn't he. A puppet-queen did him no good if he would not be allowed to make babies and propagate. He could have done that with any random mortal in his harem but he did not want them for that purpose, no he wanted her, his queen. That is what all kings wanted wasn't it? But he'd chosen wrong, Artoria Pendragon would not give children to a man she didn't like in place of the one she did. He was not owed her mind, body or soul. Her virtues were for the one person she'd allow to have them, and it was not him. That command to move forward got a single step out of her, just the one, but after that single step she stopped. He wished her to start with her mouth did he? Artoria's body did not move from the spot it was on. That fog the Queen of Knights lived in, the thickest of darkness spread ever so gently. That clawed hand of hers pushed just a bit and the flame of her eye flickered for the first time in centuries. "No." This man and his nudity stirred nothing about her. Did he not remember what she swore? On her honor, he could never have her. She said those words, she meant those words. She held those words so close to herself they sustained her. The Queen of Knights would not give herself to this man. False god that he was, she would not give in she would not be tamed. He'd waited hundreds of years? He could wait thousands more and she would not bed him and she would not allow herself to be forced into it. Hundreds of years of patience could fly out the window... Artoria Pendragon remained unbroken. 'The last one who tried to force such a thing, lost his manhood as the price. Tell me cowardly god, do you really wish to risk yourself?' Artoria's words were in her own mind but she wondered how hard he would push. She'd not moved and he obviously would not enjoy being defied, but she was not going to give herself to him. Those parts of her, were for someone specific she would not be sullied by a man like this.

[Bloodedge]

No. How annoying. The moment Artoria took that single step forward, Enki thought her consciousness had been properly, fully suppressed. Apparently, that was not the case. Hearing this, Enki could only assume she denied the use of her mouth. That was fine, he thought. She was but some measly girl; it was likely no one had ever bothered to make use of her maw before. Well then, he only needed to breed her like the lowly creature she was anyway. Still stroking away at his own member, Enki took a step forward. "Useless. Fine; you're probably terrible anyway. Get on the bed then," he said with a sigh, thinking he was to have his way with this woman even if she managed to reject his first order. The long-term plan still progressed in his mind. He'd use Artoria Pendragon as a veritable factory to birth new divinities into the world, and Ishval would be the center of a new Celestia for Enki to lord over. Maybe he'd even make himself chosen for that Holy Sword; that would be a decent positive to throw on top of everything else.

[Apollymi]

Annoying? Artoria had been called insufferable. He would only be realizing how many problems he had in the next few moments. He said she was probably terrible anyway and ordered her on the bed. He was very wrong about that too. She was not having sex with him. She'd taken another single step forward and stopped. He'd been holding on to her for hundreds of years had he really not thought about the nature of her oath? "No. You can never have me." Artoria's words were clear. As she fought against orders, as she held her head high. It did not matter to her if he thought her useless. It did not matter to her if he was annoyed. She would not be used by some cowardly god to bear his children. She would not give away what was hers to someone so undeserving. There was no man who could have her that she did not want to have her. And the only man she wanted to give herself to was her King of Heroes, Gilgamesh. This puny god was nothing by comparison. She felt nothing looking at him. Even now her heartbeat remained steady. There was no redness to her cheeks no desire to look nor any to look away. It was like staring into an empty glass. She had no desire whatsoever. There was no passion in her body for sexual activity with this man. He could not force her, and she would not submit. Such was the lesson that Enki was learning this day. 'The audacity of you, to think you can touch me. To think you can have what I have decided is his alone!' Oh? When did she start thinking of herself as something she would willingly give to the King of Heroes.

[Bloodedge]

Apparently, it was not simply a refusal to offer her mouth. She repeated words from many centuries before. They were words of defiance, words of opposition. Enki grimaced, his teeth grinding as he came to realize what this one's will was truly made of. "Bitch! It's been a millennium; you can't keep resisting me!" He was so tired of waiting, so tired of dealing with this woman generation after generation. Another step forward, and Enki's prosthetic arm stretched out. If she wouldn't follow this order, his aim would be to push her onto the bed himself. It didn't really matter how willing she was, or rather how willing she wasn't. Simply because she was only mortal, it should be nothing to force her down and force himself upon her. It only mattered that he could make use of her. So long as she remained complacent before the masses and could be used to further his plans for returning to divine glory, all was well. Besides... he was a god. If he could make her experience him, it was only to be expected that she collapsed to the absolute bliss, right? Naturally. "You're going to be made a breeding factory for the new Age of Gods. Your opinion holds no weight," he would declare during an attempt to hold the queen down and take his place between her legs.

[Apollymi]

A millennium, that was all? In addition to the ridiculous amount of time he'd been keeping her from her King of Heroes he had the outright audacity to refer to her so colorfully. "I will resist you forever! You are unworthy!" The words of Artoria Pendragon. He pushed her on to the bed with that mechanical arm, her body found strength drained over a millennium. He was tired of waiting and so was she. He would have no progress not with her. She simply wouldn't allow it. She would not be an unwilling participant in his plans. On her honor. Those had been her words she would not give herself to him. After being tossed to the bed her legs clamped together. Her arms were throwing concise punches at his torso. She would not allow him to force himself upon her. "I will not bear the children of a false god! IT IS NOT OPINION IT IS FACT!" Artoria Pendragon was a willful individual. She would not allow him to take her. There was fire in those emerald eyes of hers and tenacity in her person. She would not be defiled by this man, her virtues were hers to protect until the only person who deserved them claimed them. That little bit of cleared fog was enough for the realness of her personality to reach out in this shining moment. It was like her running at the door with her full body to burst out into the light. If she was fought on this she would be free then all she would need was her weapon and she'd kill him. If he wanted a breeding factory he should have left her where she was and went looking for Ishtar. The tenacity of this particular mortal said she would not be felled by some cowardly god. He could not have sex with her in any way she wouldn't allow it. 'This is a slight against me. I will not fall here. Not to him. He disgusts me. We belong to the King of Heroes.' Oh? Artoria wasn't sure when she became so sure of her taste, but physically this man wasn't attractive to her. Emotionally he was not attractive to her. And the audacity of him to try and force himself upon her made her despise him truly.

[Bloodedge]

Him, unworthy? There was no worthiness above that of the only god left in this world! She'd see, one way or another. She'd carry the children of the one true god, and she'd succumb to him while doing so. All he had to do was force her down until that happened. He managed at least the forcing part, but her legs would not offer space. Ah, that wasn't the half of it either. In addition to being incapable of sliding between the queen's legs, he was being assaulted by fists. How had she managed to develop a fire in her eyes? This was going to be far more annoying than he imagined, Enki thought as his torso was battered. It would be by Command Seal that he decided her insolence should have a price. "Stop moving!" he ordered. It was clear he could do nothing to properly force her just yet; perhaps a few more centuries would be required for any headway. For the time being though, there was something he could do. The people of Ishval had seen the king and his queen leave for the bedroom, so they would see the results. By halting her movements, he could at least make a show of things, and show that mortal the folly of her ways in doing so. How would this be accomplished? Well, he'd continue stroking his tool until he could eject himself directly onto her person. He had rather good aim, and wasn't really fond of the lack of color on her cheek. Yes, that would be a wonderful place to mark.

[Apollymi]

He enforced a stop of her movements with a Command seal. Of course he would. Her arms lost the ability to move but the fire remained behind those eyes of hers. She was not to move, but he could not have her. He would aim to mark her instead of defile her. Another slight against her, 'The false god wants things he cannot have. Regardless of his place in the world he is absolutely unworthy of me!' Artoria Pendragon was no mere human. She could be considered the pinnacle of human ability. She would not be falling to some pathetic man, like him. No, she'd already decided the one for her... She would not go silently into his abuses. No, he could not force his will upon her and every time he tried she would make sure he knew. Disgusting as he was, seed upon her face was nothing but a show for the masses. It would eat away at him inside knowing he could not have her... of this she was certain. And not even another three millennia would give him what he desired of her.

Ah, but now there was something else occurring. In strong walled Uruk a young woman with red hair and rather dazzling red eyes was making her way before the King. She seemed to have a razor's focus and was pretty decently muscled. Her clothing style was strange as she seemed to be wearing black hakama and a shirt that was torn across the middle. There were little marks on the side of a rather angular face and she in general looked a bit displeased but there was still a keen and burning intelligence behind her eyes. Whatever the case, she would find herself standing before his throne hands on her hips. She had a strange bearing like a mix of two very distinct livings were in her body and soul. But she'd made it here, and now that this was where she stood she needed to have a very specific conversation. Why? Because in the distance... she could hear him. Enki. Or rather she was always casually aware of the placement of other deities and she just so happened to know where to find the one that Gilgamesh wasn't to kill and he was in luck because she wanted him dead too.

[Bloodedge]

Would Enki be eaten away from the inside? Undoubtedly. He was the most divine being in this world presently, and the idea of a mortal resisting him over that two-thirds-blood king was repulsive. It should be he who had the power, the treasures, and the pick of all women in this world. He was a god, and this was justice for all he'd done for those pitiful humans over the millennia. He'd go on to see how long that wench could act against him while dealing with not only the humiliation of spunk on her face day after day... but the fact that he was soon recording it with Ishval's technology as well. Across the throne room, there would forever be many banners of the queen's face stained by the seed of Enki. The people would not question this, but would instead take it as a sign that their god's queen was not to be approached. That much would be enough to deal with her silent state of being when she wasn't addressed and commanded.

The passage of time was not kind. The number of years Artoria Pendragon had been absent could no longer be counted. Many times, Gilgamesh himself had scoured the world to search while Francis Drake and her ilk were on the long journey of discovery. None could find the former segments of AS-IKU, even the great king himself. Why could they not locate one of six locations across the entire world? The geography was very different on the lower levels, yes, but it made no sense. There was far too much required even to discern whether the fragments of an old empire had merely merged with other civilizations, or not. Moreover, there were the seas to be searched, but so few ways to inspect the depths. This day, though, there was a single beacon. A perpetually furious Gilgamesh sat upon the throne, looking directly upon a new visitor. Those eyes... they could belong to only one of few. That crimson hair was like a trademark to boot, letting it be known that this was no additional threat to be wiped out. Ah, but what would he have to say? "Nanshe. Your kind has made innumerable problems for me. If you have not come presenting that wet dog brother of yours, then begone from my sight. I am in no mood to see the color of your eyes, unless it is the blood of your people."

[Apollymi]

The most divine being in the world thought himself special? How ridiculous. Artoria Pendragon would not bow to such a man... never would she have done so in the first place. But as humiliations and slights against her person piled up, she remained unbroken. In the fog of her mind she knew one truth absolutely, Enki was undeserving of her. He would record her, and leave her shamed before his people? She felt none. Why? Well, the answer to that was complex, within her own mind she knew... she knew how deeply he was properly bothered by the fact that she'd rejected him. She knew that though he claimed patience and waiting he wanted to know why Gilgamesh was favored over him. In moments where Artoria's consciousness was close to the surface her eyes let her see the truth, he was envious of that man on the deepest level possible and it was bothering him that she would not cave to his wishes. 'Only one deserves me. This is but a blink...'

The years that had passed for the King of Heroes had also passed quite differently for the one now standing before him. Standing before the Hero-King, this woman he called Nanshe seemed to be recognized in a moment. What was more he made the claim that her kin had been doing nothing but causing him problems. That was factual, none knew more so than herself that her family had fallen to depravity. Strangely, she'd expected all that. Every showing of evil from one of her family members, she'd predicted from before the time of their falling. "Ara? I cannot say I have been called such a thing in a very long time," she said of that old title. She was no longer being worshiped in the traditional sense. She'd been the first of the gods to let go of Divinity, mostly based on the outrage she'd felt at this young man's treatment. "Those who possess Goddess Eyes have never harmed you, Wedge of Heaven." There was a clarification there made which likely would be unknown to most but the absolute fact of the matter was, only three of the four goddesses above had eyes like these, and none of them had a hand in the negative things that happened to Gilgamesh. Now, she stood before him for similar reasons. "I know what the one who was my brother has done to you. I do not condone his actions... He was always so very jealous of you, the taint of his soul has not helped," she said seemingly calm about the entire situation. "I know you want him dead, and because of our connections as divinities I know where he can be found," she said carefully. "I can lead you there for the rescue of your bride, on the condition that I be the one who ends the life of Enki."

[Bloodedge]

The appearance of Nanshe was fated. When the king spoke of her eyes, she acknowledged them as... Goddess Eyes, strangely enough. Repulsive. Could any of those deities claim to have done no harm, after allowing such filth to fester? It no longer mattered. There was only one thing of importance now; such had been the case for over a thousand long years. The fact that Nanshe did not condone her brother's actions meant nothing, for it did nothing. He did not care for the reason behind those actions, for they changed nothing. He did not care for the distance he had to travel, or the amount of time it would take to find the water god, for he would stop at nothing. Luckily, the former goddess Nanshe came with information regarding that cur's location. Rather, she was willing to divulge said information in exchange for being the killer upon arrival. Gilgamesh stared. There was not an ounce of concern for the reason she desired this kill in his soul. "The scoundrel god's head is mine. What purpose would you have in approaching me, if you thought to slay him yourself? I will stamp out the last vestiges of the Age of Gods with or without your guidance, and you, remnant, will stay out of my way."

[Apollymi]

The King of Heroes, Gilgamesh, once a tyrant now on the verge of something so great. His journey was so far from over, and what he wanted was so pure in the depths of his soul. So, why indeed would the one called Nanshe be the one to ask him for the kill to take unto herself? What purpose did she have in approaching him, just to make an offer like that? Well, it should have been obvious. Perhaps he'd been left too long, he was stewing. She'd seen such outrage on a child's face frequently and she knew just how to handle it. "Oh? Have you really not thought it through? Or are you that used to getting your way?" she said most rhetorically. There was one reason and one reason alone for her to take such a kill unto herself, and it was because it was best for the world. "I wished to offer you the opportunity to give a hand to your bride. The one fighting with all her sanity for you," she spoke that sentence and knew it as fact. She knew when Artoria Pendragon was chosen by the sword that she was without question the vessel for the Spirit of Valiance. She knew what such a thing would mean, and she also knew that Enki could not break her in his current state. "It is exactly because you desire his head that you should not take it," she mentioned as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. "If what you truly wish is to end the Age of the Gods, then you Wedge of Heaven can not fall prey to that which tainted us. The desire for revenge even when warranted should not be acted upon with fury in your heart. The Queen of Knights has learned this lesson already but you must as well..." she spoke honestly to the man. "If you take Enki's head, you will become a problem more massive than he can ever be. Leaving your darling wife to be the one to deal with you. We both know she will, but it will cost her more than these thousand years of silence have... is that what you wish?" she asked of him seeming to not care about the fact that she was enacting emotional blackmail on this man to get him to see reason. "I thought better of you, but if you would forsake wisdom for a wet dog and drop your own chosen queen into despair I suppose I was wrong to defend you."

There it was. The one known as Nanshe, needed this man to understand that he had to stay his hand. He was the Wedge of Heaven, so if filth tainted him only a few would be able to do anything to stop him. This of course, included the most willful of the group. That would be permanently damaging to Artoria Pendragon. After all that girl had been through she deserved happiness only the one she had chosen would provide her. But if he stepped too far out of line, that same woman would kill him and it would break her heart to do so. This is the predication that came into the mind of Nanshe when she saw this interaction play out. The taint of the soul of the King of Heroes, the defiance of Artoria Pendragon and the decay and return of the gods. But perhaps there was hope, hadn't someone else once given him a similar message?

[Bloodedge]

Words, words, words. Nanshe spoke, but all she said meant nothing. Her offering of assistance was fine, but he took issue with even that. As for him "falling prey" to what those pitiful gods did, he would find the notion laughable if he were in any mood for jest. What would happen? If he killed Enki, he would become a problem? No. Even if such an eventuality came to pass, who would stop him? No one could if he cared to exert himself. The world would be remolded under his new ideal, but therein lied the truth of the matter. None could be as firm as Gilgamesh. If he were to change himself based on the will of another entity, the one known as Gilgamesh would cease to be, along with all his ability. It was an impossibility even for him. "The future you speak of does not exist," he said as that eerie glow in his eyes remained fixed on the redhead. There were several issues that he would proceed to point out over the course of a few moments. "Why then, should I trust you? You have done no wrong by me, and are therefore free of my ire... yet you know I have nothing resembling a positive history with your kind. Ishtar and Enki, who have taken my everything. Kur, who abandoned me in Irkalla to act as its judge. Enlil the absentee. An and Ki, who enabled these atrocities by their own children in a world that had nothing but chances to thrive. What then, is the crime Nanshe must answer for?"

He asked this question, but it was offered in rhetoric. With all that said, Gilgamesh had yet to address the real issue he had with this situation. "Your demands have no place in this ziggurat. My rage aside, that bastard brother of yours has stolen from me, and will be punished by my law. Spare me your foolish assumptions that enforcing the law is something that would affect my mentality, regardless of the state I am in when doing so." He was rambling just slightly, but he'd been agitated for quite some time now. He sighed, thinking to address one final thing before ending his side of the vocal exchange. It has been over a thousand years. Tell me your reason for this tardiness, and I will determine whether you should be judged guilty of crimes against the king as well."

[Apollymi]

The King had grown into an interesting man. This was the assertion of one like Nanshe. It appeared to her that he'd been one with future sight. Such things were usually reserved but they all tended to work better with a bit of wisdom involved. Perhaps she'd been a bit hasty. "Really?" she said seemingly surprised. If he well and truly thought he was capable of resisting such a thing she was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. After all, he'd be the first man to shun Ishtar, even if not as fully rebuked as one like her needed he'd not fallen prey to her, this alone allowed him to keep Metis' favor enough to argue for him. A smirk came to her face, as she found this attitude of his to be somewhat familiar. "I did not expect you to be like this in the time I was gone..." she said. "It is quite the positive change but you are quite mistaken," she said knowing quite a bit. "I have been on your side Wedge of Heaven since before you were born, free-will was the gift of wisdom. Trust in wisdom is not misplaced and it will never be. If you require more tangible proof than that... Siduri is here is she not? That girl who is part of me and my authority which coalesced when I cast off godhood after the injustice of the Chains of Heaven... There is no one who interceded more on your behalf than me, and none among the gods trusted in your growth more," she said this honestly. Gilgamesh had been a creation of the gods and every negative thing that happened to him was something that Metis had argued against. "Kur made you a judge in Irkalla after you had a close connection to the Chains of Heaven? Then she made it possible for you to judge gods, furthering your overall goals. I do not know how you wound up in Irkalla but I predict your earnestness got the best of you. A girl better suited for love, entrenched in death felt for you and the works forced upon you as hers were upon her. She considers you kindred. I hope you were kind to her. That was a gift," she said skipping on Ishtar and Enki.

"Enlil, is a bit of a shut-in if I am being honest. He is not innately a wrong-doer. He only consented to rescinding the Divinity of the Chains because otherwise their suffering would have been greater. From what I hear, he is also the reason the Great Mother Fae had the ability to tie the Sword of Promised Victory back to its owner. Try not to judge him too harshly," she said giving the information he couldn't have had. "As for Mother... she did try to help. It was her who locked Ishtar away in her temple to keep her from further bothering you. But she could not completely sever the tie. Father always overly indulged Ishtar and there wasn't much that could be done about her by us, several of us tried and only Kur properly succeeded in quieting her for very long," she said of the Mother. Four of the gods had tried very hard. "Father is an entirely different problem I cannot speak on his behalf, and knowing what he has done already I would not justify his actions. He would not take my advice even before I doubt he has gotten better when giving filth time to ooze into his sanity," she ended that sentence. "Enki was not always such a problem but he could not see what tainted him. He deserves his punishment as it comes. Ishtar, that stupid bimbo should have never been given godhood. She definitely should have been stripped of it long before she ruined the lives of so many!" Ah, that was a moment of fury made Nanshe pull back just a little and take a deep breath. "I told them... so many times. But no one listens. They should have left her authorities as empty as her empty head. Her death will come again as well I do not doubt it, and I understand why the actions of those two cause you mistrust, but not all of use are against you," she said finishing up that bit of speech.

There were many things said but her tardiness would have her judged. According to the Wedge of Heaven, there was a certain thing he wished to do. He wished to punish Enki for stealing from him. A smile crossed the lips of Nanshe truly for a moment she was actually legitimately impressed. Perhaps he was a bit prideful but, everything she'd heard so far said... he wasn't truly misplaced in his assumption. Actually, she'd compare his pride to someone else's greed and say... it wasn't entirely a character flaw. "Alright. Wisdom learns and listens, I am agreeable, and quite used to negotiating with pushy children. If you wish to punish Enki I see the fairness in that. But I still need to kill him though. He is holding a few Authorities that need to be pushed back out in the world. And he would not let them go. I have to take them by force," she said exhaling. "You do not remember me? Strange, I have definitely met you before..." she said thinking about it. "I am late because I came here... the long way around. I cast off godhood, and fell through the darkness. I left the wine-maker as a piece of myself and I ended up on the side of the world all of you are originally from. I had to use the game as a Key to reach this side again... it was unavoidable. I was also reborn I had to live to get involved to work to get back here. It would appear the Nexus is not quite working properly... it dropped me back well past the time I was here before," she said understanding in the moment what had happened. "Ah, it did not want me running into myself. It displaced me further in time. I could not have made it back any faster, and believe me I tried."

[Bloodedge]

In the wake of his chiding, Nanshe carried on and on once more. She claimed to be on his side, stating that wisdom was the progenitor of free will. She spoke of the wine-maker Siduri, the guide who kept him on the only path that opened his own future. She was of her ilk, was she? There were no lies in that proclamation. That alone deserved much credit, and that alone would have been enough to prove Nanshe's trustworthiness. Alas, she had more to say. She defended the likes of Kur, whose appointment of him as Underworld Judge was a gift. He did not ask for that gift, though it had been of use for seven years. She defended Enlil, whose lack of action was for the better in the case of Enkidu. Precognition was a thing of great annoyance when those types of decisions had to be made. Enlil could be deemed innocent by technicality, he supposed. Ki's partial defense would receive no favorable reaction from Gilgamesh. Merely locking Ishtar away was the bare minimum; at least Kur had actively done something to cripple the wench.

Last, but certainly not least, came the center of it all. Anu, the patriarch himself was mentioned. What had he done? Precisely what he'd been blamed for; he let the darkness consume gods that were already riding the fine line between reason and idiocy. Guilty was the Father. Enki and Ishtar were unquestionably without salvation. Nothing could ever be said or done to spare them the greatest punishment. If nothing else though, they were at least cause for decent humor. Gilgamesh could almost laugh when Nanshe spoke of Ishtar's imbecilic nature. "I will retain my hatred for the gods. Beyond even that, the gods have no place in this world. The Age of Man is long overdue, as wisdom itself should understand, no? You are allowed continuation, as are Enlil and Kur I suppose. The others will face execution, whatever the intensity may be." There was an offer to be taken into account. Wisdom learned and listened, she claimed. She would not stand in the way of his punishment, though she still wished to deal the finishing blow. "I will allow as much. You will be guide, and when justice is handed to that cur, you will be executioner. I trust you will distribute Authorities with the use of your own," he said, assuming wisdom would be applied as should be expected. As for whether he remembered this woman... there was nothing worth really discussing. It could be assumed that she referenced the other world, which he cared so little for that it was regarded as some silly dream from youth. "That world is irrelevant. If you met the one who wears the face of Gilgamesh during that time, it means nothing to me. Only one memory from that ridiculous dream is worth keeping. But, very well. I will accept your descent and rebirth as reason enough for absence. Now, prepare yourself, Nanshe. While you do so, it is time I called upon those who owe me... a debt, so to speak."

[Apollymi]

In defense of herself and her better liked siblings, Nanshe got a bit carried away. Actually, that was pretty obvious by the fact that she was answering to that name she absolutely hated. But what would come from that particular explanation? A proclamation that Nanshe, Enlil and Kur would be allowed to carry on as they were? Well, that was good. Enlil given his own personality was no doubt punishing himself worse than anyone else could. Kur deserved a touch of freedom after all that had gone on in her life and Nanshe had managed to live a pretty proper and happy secondary life, but would return the Authorities to the World the way they were needed. The King of Heroes even went to go on to show a great deal of understanding, as he explained how he thought she would go about the task and they came to an agreement. He could punish, she would kill... all would be well. Relatively speaking, "Ara ara, I haven't talked to someone else so smart in a bit. Of course I will, I wouldn't leave such things to chance..." she said of the use of her own Authority. It was a shame that he thought the Mother needed to die, but time was a moving thing, perhaps he wouldn't think such things later.

Whatever the case, he was calling in debts to be collected as such and it was likely about storming wherever Enki was. That was fine. He apparently did not remember their meeting, but it hadn't happened that long ago for her. "Oh? Such a hard stance on memories is a bit short-sighted. You'll never know if you might end up on the other side again~" that was it from Wisdom. Technically speaking she had every reason to believe her own daughter was hopping back and forth, and if that girl had accomplished such a thing, it was likely the higher ups of this world would end up with such ability eventually. Whether through meeting the girl herself or through their own developed methods. He told her to prepare and she would. The use of her Authority allowed her access to all the world's current knowledge, such a thing would allow her the ability to manipulate her skills for a moment instead of having any particular set of them to work with. And if she'd seen them actively in use, she knew their usage without question. Such was the nature of Wisdom when applied to something like combat. In this case, she chose the pace of vengence and the use of chain weapons made of that concept. It would be enough to damage even a god and would allow her to avenge all those sacrificed by Enki for his envy.

[Bloodedge]

"I expect nothing less. This is not an issue I will be dealing with a third time," the king stated. A few decades was one thing, but centuries to millennia was an annoyance he would never deal with again. Assuming his speech was understood, Gilgamesh rose from the throne. It was time to collect a few debts. first, he scoffed at the idea of that other world's memories being a thing of importance. "If one were to remember their own time in the womb, would it make a difference if they were to return? There is no point in harping over childhood when the time to become an adult is long past," he declared while stepping down the stairs. A short journey would begin, with the king bearing rage in his eyes and a grin on his lips. "Now, if that is all... I am going on a walk."

A short while later, in Egypt, a conversation was reaching its end between Pharaoh Ozymandias and a gray-haired, gray-purple-eyed young man. "Just release them, Ramesses! They will do no harm if let free; they are my people!" the pale lad called out to the throne. Ozymandias, fair as he'd been, had no concession to offer. It seemed there were a great many things at work in this country as of late. "This is the last time we speak of this. We will not let them wander and perpetuate the lies of a false god," said the pharaoh. At that time, a very... angry and arrogant-looking silhouette could be seen by candlelight in the throne room's far corner. Ozymandias took note of this, understanding that it was time at long last. Such strange timing fate had, but... there was nothing to be done about it. "Leave now, my brother, and do not worry for those people. Everything will be fine," he insisted, sending the man he addressed as "brother" from the temple. "Moon of my Life, it seems we're being called upon at last."

[Apollymi]

The King of Heroes likened the exchange between worlds as entering and reentering the womb. Apparently, he thought nothing of having those memories. this woman could see several issues with that, not the least of which would be the hardcore difference in lifestyle change. But, to be young and impatient was sort of appealing in its own right. She was sure he'd figure it out eventually. Predictions bieng what they were it was almost a certainty he'd find himself on the other side again. "Hai hai, enjoy your walk~" she mused, knowing that a walk couldn't have meant what that term normally meant. But that was fine as well. Speaking of other things, Nefertari sat atop their shared throne listening to the argument being presented by Moses about his people. A sigh came from her as well. She knew he meant well, but the gods of this world caused more harm than good. Specifically anyone claiming to be the one true god should be at least vetted before allowing an entire group of people to potentially fall to havoc. After all, they'd seen a god, sacrifice the entire lower world and his own empire just to steal someone else's wife. Whatever, the glowering King of Heroes appearing in the background seemed a call to rectify at least one of those problems. "My Sun and Stars, it seems at least one problem will be solved today," she said preparing herself for what would be a rather interesting turn of events.

Meanwhile, there were others to collect. At a lake called Dozmary there was a gentle glow atop the water. There was no one visible there, but it always seemed to hold a certain level of calm. Below the surface though there was a visual of something that looked to be a bit more sinister than most would allow. With platinum blonde hair and electric blue eyes. Across the top of her chest a strange blue mark that seemed to be glowing indefinitely. In a moment like this there was much work to be done, and there was a certain stillness in the water, irrespective of the obvious things going on through it.

[Bloodedge]

Only a moment after acknowledgement came, that silhouette was gone. Ozymandias gave ample time for Moses' exit before the pyramid detached itself from the great temple, taking to the sky. "I'm not sure which thing I'd rather deal with. Luckily... I have been waiting for a chance to finish what we started so long ago," he commented. A display of their surroundings appeared in the center of the throne room, along with a window that showed the open sky ahead of them without actually opening the pyramid. It had been quite some time since Ozymandias' pyramid took flight; he rather missed the sensation of being properly airborne. "There's never going to be a moment of silence, is there? World problems, local problems, more world problems all in sequence. I could go for a nap, honestly."

Meanwhile, Dozmary Lake received that same visitor. Still as the lake was, there was only one thing for him to do. A single pebble in his hand was thrown at the still water's surface, skipping across it to create a series of ripples throughout the lake. There were no words to be shared. He did not approach the lake for any casual visit or chat; the woman within knew his purpose. As such, he threw that stone without halting his own movements, taking leave for the next person immediately. One sister had been alerted, so the other would have to be informed as well. Onward he went to Jeanne d'Arc. . .

[Apollymi]

Nefertari would also be happy to end something happening for so long. "I too have been waiting to finish up," she said. There was something about an unfinished job or project which made Nefertari a bit antsy. She understood that she had no right to be so, as she was suffering less from the missing Queen of Knights. Even so, there was a certain issue of false gods, tainted gods and other such things which seemed to be a constant problem for everyone. The cycle of world problems, local problems and more world problems seemed to be getting to the male Pharaoh. Nefertari would slide a bit closer and give a smile. "It always seems like that. But when it calms down... we have a lot of free time," she said. "And then my Sun and Stars, we could always take a break~" she said giving a cheeky wink.

Meanwhile, that work being done by the fae in the lake, was disrupted. How? By the sound of clapping which rather suddenly brought her out of her work. Her eyes widened as her heartbeat increased by a great deal. "Really? He's gonna give me a heart attack, rude little brother..." she mused. Still she knew what such a thing meant, and she was ready to see her younger sister again. Actually, she'd been pretty close, close enough to help just a little but her reach was not as easy or as long as others. She could only hope her previous actions actually helped a bit. She stood in the moment casting herself upwards and when she broke the water, instead of the Platinum Blonde who'd been sitting there was the true blonde Fae Princess with electric blue eyes instead. "I guess I'll see about a ride." with that she fell back into the lake her aim to emerge into the pyramid. "Pharaohs, would it be too much for the Lady of the Lake to hitch a ride today?" she asked friendly as she always was.

Jeanne? Where was the Queen of Saints or rather the woman more accurately known as the Dragon Witch? She was in the middle of a battlefield. There were some knights she did not grant approval running around acting without the best interests of the world at heart. She would not tolerate this filth carrying on in her sister's name. These were no Holy Knights of hers, and given what she'd found them doing upon her arrival, her sister would not have approved of them either. So much disapproval was in this young woman, she was currently running a man through with a burning stake created by her own magic while moving her sword into his heart. The audacity of these people was well beyond her current level of understanding. How did anyone think these were Knights? How many tainted knights walked the lower realm pretending to have the best interests of the people at heart? She'd find them as they came up and slay them all. This group the 'Weird Fangs' had been killing and eating people... they weren't even Beast-Kin. Surrounding her, is what they were going but it wouldn't make a difference. She withdrew the blade and sheathed it, only to spin around her flag in her hands. She had every intention of casting a massive spell in the time it took them to close in properly. "All is evil here..."

[Bloodedge]

"When it calms down," Ozymandias emphasized with a long sigh to follow. He slid down in his throne, almost yawning as his head turned toward Nefertari. He could have fallen asleep right then and there, but he could never be so callous as to abandon comrades in need. "I'm awaiting the day it actually does. In the meantime... at least it's a good bit of fun," he thought aloud. With that, there was a visitor to Ramesseum Tentyris, presumably via the bathroom considering her normal method of transportation. She wanted to hitch a ride? What a pointless question. "Welcome, ye Mighty!" he said first and foremost, taking a moment to have a magnificent chair constructed just below the throne. "You are as welcome as always. Have a seat, or even return to the baths and actually enjoy them, if you wish."

Jeanne d'Arc, in her darkened state, fought against the scum of the knights. This incarnation had no issue slaying the few to bring salvation to the many, but today was the day to slay the many for the few. As she ran her burning stake and sword through one of the pretenders, she was observed from a nearby hilltop. It seemed she was prepared to produce some large-scale spell that would undoubtedly wipe out the whole group surrounding her, but she needn't waste such energy with the day she was soon to have. None of the false knights would be allowed to come close enough. Each of them would fall simultaneously to swords, spears and the like through their torsos. It appeared to be a coordinated assault from some cavalry surrounding the masses, but... those golden tools could only belong to one person: the very same man who stood atop that hill with his arms crossed. He'd wait only until the indirect message was delivered, and then... he'd disappear to locate the final target of his collections.

[Apollymi]

"Yes, of course. First on the list for calm down all day respite..." she said with a softness having rotated her shoulders only slightly. Once upon a time, such a day would have been called, 'pizza, booze, telly' but, there was no pizza and no television unfortunately. They have to make do with other kinds of lazy day activities. "I also don't mind a bit of fun. Life would get completely mundane without something to do from time to time," she said. Granted she'd recently gotten more design choices more things to learn. Perhaps when everything calmed down she'd actually go back to that side of her creative outlet, it seemed as more people popped up, higher quality material and higher grade objects could be used to create and that would be fun. At the same time, the appearance of a sudden Lake Fae in the Ramesseum did not seem to upset the Pharaohs at all. In fact, the Lady Vivian was offered a chair. She smiled and took the chair stretching her shoulders. "Sankyuu. I really might take you up on that, it's been a while since my last Milk and Honey bath and it'd be nice to take a breather or two from working~" she claimed.

At the same time, Jeanne was having her energy saved by a certain Golden King raining down weapons upon her enemies. His appearance at a time like this could only mean one thing... her sister's location had been determined. That was good, she quite missed her big sister and would rather have her within arms reach. What was more, with this pack of strange knights wiped out she could technically leave without it being much of an issue. "Clean this mess up. Tend the rest of the survivors and report back to headquarters. Sieg, we're going!" she said. Yes, she was going to catch up with the group atop the back of a Dragon as was her regular method of transport. Speaking of regular methods of transport... Francis Drake, was moving about at sea between two of the separated continents. They'd been apart just long enough to have her keeping track of their drift patterns and what should have been relative impact zones. Still locating those fallen islands was a chore given their hidden status. If even one of them, became visible the rest could be triangulated. She'd find one she would. Here and now she was looking at her map with her eternal compass on the table as she charted her next course. There was somewhere promising to look at... a beach called Dragon Lagoon seemed to have been showing signs of mana disturbance. She was plotting a course there from her current position.

[Bloodedge]

Ozymandias would make use of travel time to relax, knowing the goal at hand was Francis Drake's fleet on the lower world. In doing so, he slung an arm around Nefertari and waved his free hand to call upon a nearby servant. Fig wine would be brought forth for the trio on a single tray, the offer starting with Vivian and ending with Ozymandias himself. A breather from work was something all could use, the pharaoh thought. Perhaps they could all manage to catch a break after this retrieval was over? One could hope. "You and the rest are always welcome. Just don't make a habit of frequent appearances just to take my wife from me," he said, having developed the slightest complex from a long period of visitors seeking only Nefertari's creations. Those were such empty days, he was actually glad to be past them in the last millennium.

By Jeanne's command, the tall, white-haired knight Siegfried took the form of a great black dragon without hesitation. It was well-known what they sought the day Gilgamesh appeared, and it seemed today was that day. A full sprint evolved into flight with wings that shook the land. Soon enough, the sea would be shaken below. Well, that was already the case in a manner of speaking. Francis Drake had made quite a name for herself. It should be considered foolish by all to be a stowaway upon one of her vessels, but there would be one this day. While she was busy charting courses, the King of Heroes stood motionless at the bow of her primary ship. This was his final stop, so he merely remained in place as if he intended to hitch a ride until the others found the Golden Hind.

[Apollymi]

Apparently, there was but one potential problem with showing up to commune with the Pharaohs, and that was... Ozymandias not wanting everyone just seeking the company of his wife. Having been offered a drink, Vivian would take it with no hesitation. She owed no one sobriety and sobriety wasn't exactly fleeting given her own personality. "I would not do that... well probably wouldn't do that. At the very least I'd hang out with both of you~" Vivian commented. This was rather true. Aloof was the Lady of the Lake but she preferred group settings over the theft of a single participant. "Well, except girls' night. I can't do anything about that," she offered, giving a cheeky wink to Nefertari. That was one thing Vivian had seen in her many glimpses of the future that she was actually looking forward to, girls' night out with her sisters and friend. "Girls' night? Don't say that too loud, Ronnie will pop up out of nowhere," she said with a knowing smile. There were about three things that moved the elder sister of the female pharaoh. One of them was men problems and the other was a bunch of women getting wasted together. Admittedly those things usually happened at the same time, but that was not worth the extra thought.

Meanwhile Jeanne had taken off on Sieg's back after he'd taken off, apparently knowing the sort of thing she was looking for and taking to the skies to find the Ramesseum as well. At the same time, the King of Heroes stood at the bow of Francis Drake's ship. Several of her newer crew members seemed to be in a panic over the appearance of a 'stowaway'. The woman stood up from her work looking at the map, she brought it up with her and began barking orders, she would deal with both problems with with the utmost efficiency. "Boys, we don't tolerate stowaways bring me a rope and..." there was a pause. Ah, it was time was it? Damn. She'd hoped she would have the glory of this find. She was almost certain she was close as well. "Never mind boys, we're plotting a course. That's not a stowaway; that's our sponsor!" that was that. On Francis Drake's ship, this woman was considered sovereign. Still in her fleet with her men she would easily give a bit for her comrade and the man funding her expeditions.

[Bloodedge]

Vivian spoke of something Ozymandias would one day dread. Girls' night? What a repulsive idea it was, even though it would not be something he spoke against if it occurred. "Why should I expect anything less?" he groaned, though seemingly not in bad humor. "You're all some sort of bloody cult, aren't you? Let's all pull the moon to earth and keep the sun's light from it! I should burn the lot of you," he continued. There was nothing wrong with a casual tirade of complaints while moving toward a goal, he figured. Oh, and it appeared another pair of visitors was to be upon them in mere moments. The dragon Fafnir flew beside Ramesseum Tentyris, granting its rider time to dismount before taking human form and landing within a newly-created opening as well. These visitors would receive no less hospitality than Vivian herself, but... Ozymandias would be continuing his tirade as wine was brought to them as well. "Welcome to the Ubermid, my wife is apparently free to be randomly stolen away by the rest of you! Go on; make yourselves at home!"

The call for rope regarding an alleged stowaway resulted only in Gilgamesh looking over his shoulder. If not for their use during the previous assault, he would have passed judgement upon Francis' crew for being too timid to deal with a supposed threat themselves. Of course, he would have judged them just as quickly for being stupid enough to assault him. It was a strange conundrum stemming from the King of Heroes' eternally moody demeanor, but of no importance presently. The emergence of Francis Drake was followed by the decision to chart a new course, for which there was a widely-known purpose. One final piece remained, as well as the coalescence of forces to take this final journey against the cursed gods.

[Apollymi]

Vivian could do nothing but laugh. The great Sun King could not bear to part with his wife one night, once in a while for the sake of girl's night. Vivian could only drink a little and shake her head. "I think the Sun protests too much. You haven't thought of the personal benefits yet~" she said knowing that delivering home random drunk women to their husbands all horny and missing them, was the crux of girls' night. At the same time, arrival to the Ramesseum meant Jeanne dismounting and being greeted by the Pharaoh on a tirade likely due to something her elder sister had said. "Thanks, Pharaohs. I'll only steal her once in a while..." she said as she walked over taking one of those cups and downing it. She'd had one hell of a morning. Actually, this personality shift in the Queen of Saints definitely fit the 'I'm a saint not a nun attitude'. All the while Vivian could only be more amused than ever, soon enough both of her sisters would be back in her company for a while and that was worth being pleased about. "It's not really stealing if I volunteer to go Ozzy~ Besides we know me, I'm definitely always coming back~" she mentioned as if it was the most honest thing in the world. In truth the Pharaohs had the sort of relationship that many would count as a goal towards solidarity.

If all that was left was getting the group together, this would not be utterly difficult. In the things being prepared by the Wisdom Goddess, a certain summon which belonged to her originally was returning to her person. She'd easily find herself leaving the Ziggurat on the back of a large white serpentine dragon with eyes a similar shade of red to her own. "Hello, Gandr. It's been a while~" she mused. The serpent itself seemed to be rather happy. It's name hadn't been called in quite a long while, but it was easily capable of moving through space in a manner quite different from regular methods of transport. The world serpent's body was said to encircle the world and to that end to ride it was to be able to appear anywhere in the world as long as one had a target location or person in mind. This time the King of Heroes was the target and so this dragon serpent would appear along side the Golden Hind as the redhead flew with it, casually lying atop it patting its head. "Hoh? People of this time are quite interesting..." she mused. She figured he had quite the group lined up, this was good in case of the offensive produced.

[Bloodedge]

Oh? The Lake Fairy thought he protested too much, and even believed he was missing the benefits to being robbed of his wife. He'd done no such thing. Some thousands of years before, he knew those experiences. Would that stop him from griping, though? Not once. "That's a rather bold assumption. Having benefits doesn't mean I can't complain about something before it happens!" he insisted. Lo and behold, the arrival of one Jeanne d'Arc would further his complaining. According to her, it would only be once in a while that she came to steal his queen away. "Once in a while, she says." With that, he comically turned his head away from Nefertari, nose in the air and a forced pout on his lips. "Hmph! Some isekai life this is turning out to be! What sort of god-king can I call myself when I only have access to my wife most of the time!"

Soon, the forces of Chaldea were in range of each other. From the bow of Francis' ship, Gilgamesh gazed up at the pyramid containing the others he'd collected. Another opening was made, and from it came a staircase down onto the Golden Hind. Gilgamesh walked up said staircase, which remained in place for the sake of Francis Drake and... apparently another member of their ranks. Newcomer aside, Gilgamesh entered the pyramid as if nothing amiss had occurred, addressing the masses immediately. "This ends today. The Sea God has had more than enough time to flail about like the slimy fish he is. Nanshe. Show them the way."

[Apollymi]

Apparently, Ozzy could complain irrespective of future benefits because he already knew what they were. Both Jeanne and Vivian could only shake their heads. "You can't actually complain if it benefits you. It's a waste of breath," said Jeanne who seemed to find the whole of the situation amusing. Of course, there were more serious reasons they were gathered but the complaints of Ozymandias about the sort of god-king he was messing up his isekai lifestyle could only cause Nefertari to chuckle. "Eh? I'd say you are a modern one... you know the type with only one very happy wife!~" she said giving him a quick peck on the cheek. Of course, the more serious of the group would be ascending steps soon, including Francis Drake and one red headed woman that would seem unidentifiable. Except, Jeanne knew who this woman was and so did Vivian though for slightly different reasons...

The redhead of the group seemed to be frowning. No that wasn't right, she had a major case of a resting face which showed only aggression and disdain for everything and everyone regardless of her own temperament. And the serpent she'd rode in on coiled itself around her after shrinking down to a more manageable size settling in around her left arm instead of doing anything else. "Hai hai, slaying of the Sea God will commence..." she said. Within her hand was a strange cube, but it was more or less a set of records containing any and everything the world had to offer as far as recorded knowledge was concerned. This included a projection of several of the new maps that Francis Drake was working on below the decks of her ship. She projected them in blue dancing flames before the Pharaoh as to not interrupt his control. "The island he is located on is called Ishval, it is over there, about 15 km below sea level..." she stated pointing it out. "Can you... use this pyramid like a submarine?" she asked a small smirk coming to her face. "Also if you'd like to keep him from moving out of that place, it'd be for the best if you broke or disrupted the obelisk at the center of it. The set up of these islands would allow him to port himself between them and that would be problematic even though I know where they all are..." she said as that cube of hers seemed to fold in on itself. She was still shuffling through all the knowledge of the millennia she'd not been on this side of the world. She it would not take her long to learn everything but to remain friendly enough she needed to compartmentalize the learning aspects of her brain.

[Bloodedge]

"It is just as much a waste of breath to say nothing at all. Mine is the voice of the sun; it shall be heard by the masses!" Ozymandias said in a seemingly joking manner. True enough, if he were one of those alleged "isekai protagonists" of any sort, he'd be of the less common, non-harem variety. Ozymandias couldn't see the point of harems in either life; how was anyone ever satisfied? Whatever the case, he could at least think of one potential benefit, in one specific scenario... but that was no topic for large groups.

The plan was to be laid out by Nanshe. At least, she was the only one holding information regarding the placement of Enki, and therefore Artoria Pendragon. She spoke of Ishval, a place some fifteen kilometers beneath the water's surface. With a depth and location determined by that strange map of hers, Ozymandias leaned forward in his seat. Could his pyramid function as a submarine? That sounded like the strangest joke. "It is a home, a temple, and a flying machine... and you think to ask if it can be a submarine?" he retorted, seeming aghast by the thought. Only a single breath later though, the pharaoh leaned back and spoke again. "Of course I can use it like a submarine!" he shouted jovially. Fully sealed off from the outside, Ramesseum Tentyris descended into the waters below. As if by magic, there wasn't even a change to the air pressure within as the pyramid plummeted deep into the ocean. While this occurred, Gilgamesh kept his eyes on the observation "HUD". "That thing claims to be an almighty god, and uses something as simple as obelisks? Pitiful. There will be no issues keeping him from making any escape. Witch Queen, I presume that is well within your area of expertise. What else fills the dog's kennel?"

[Apollymi]

The voice of the sun should be heard? He was such a jokingly happy man. All would be well, when the other man with such a personality in their group returned to such methods. Harem life had never been an ideal of Ozzy even on the other side of the world, and none knew this better than Nefertari. Even so, she wasn't at all against playing a little dress up now and again. Hell, she spent her favorite parts of her career as a cosplayer, what she wouldn't give for a few beat faces and a couple of changes in attire to make her feel completely different again. Whatever the case, Nanshe, posed an almost impossible question to the Sun King, could his pyramid function as a submarine. A round about couple of sentences and she received her answer. "Innovative with ingenuity, I can't hate that... I do like the clever," she mentioned as a point of appreciation. She knew now essentially why her daughter was so fond of this man and his wife. If they were this sort of innovative then they had to have been very interesting in every market.

"He claims authority over intelligence but he is not wise, Wedge of Heaven." That was Nanshe's simple reply to the man as she continued searching her own archive. In the meantime, it seemed they were plotting courses of attack at various intervals. Witch Queen? Vivian knew to be a reference to herself and she looked up. He asked if she could handle an obelisk and she could only smile. "An obelisk is the play of literal children, I will take care of them..." she confirmed. Actually, if she had access to one of them she could well do something quite drastic. An added punishment for daring to try and lock the Great Mother Fae out of a domain which was water. There was a distinct change in her visage in that moment almost like a shadow creeping into the corner of her eye. Oh well, it wasn't important. The little pieces of that cube in Nanshe's hand continued moving about as she searched through the archive compiling data and keeping track of all important bits to give relevant information to the King of Heroes. "Ishval is considered a technological capital. The humans there have advanced robotics, that run on mana, and use them as guardians instead of fighting directly. The Kelpie Horde that feast upon the flesh of women, in all ways one can mean that statement, because that kind of creature should be alive, and the last of the sea dragons," she mentioned as she funneled through information. Was there anything else worth mentioning. "There is also still the boy himself and the Queen of Knights. There is a lot of mention here of Command Seals and their modifications for the application to an uncontracted entity. I do not know if he would risk arming her, but it should be considered a potential threat nonetheless."

[Bloodedge]

"Hmph. It is laughable that he even truly claims intelligence. Even a common fool should know better than to make an enemy of me," Gilgamesh stated. Enki's claim of intelligence was its own form of stupidity, but that would only make his removal that much sweeter to execute. Gilgamesh kept his eye on the shifting cube possessed by Nanshe. For an empire created by a god, even this country didn't seem like much at all. Robots and water horses were things of annoyance, but not things of concern. The only thing of merit one could truly claim was the presence of sea dragons in any number. Given their own ranks, nothing presented an issue. "The Dragon Witch's place should be obvious to all. Some silly machines should be no match for the Golden Hind's cannons, and I am certain the Puppet Pharaoh has no reason to fear the assault of a wicked steed while she and her king sweep the masses that stand against us. Enki will receive punishment and then death. Then... hmph." He paused, hearing of Command Seals and knowing he had a thousand ways to deal with them himself. The king smirked. What could one do with an envious, fallen god? The answer was clear as day. "Then, I will claim my ultimate prize."

Ozymandias seemed ready and willing to deal with kelpie and soldiers alike. The former was annoying to think of as an existence alone, but he could easily dispatch the lot of them whether Nefertari found cause for concern or not. Siegfried heard of dragons fitting any category at all, and immediately began radiating an aura of hostility. Even so, he deferred to Jeanne with only a glance, wondering what her plan would be.

[Apollymi]

"To know you can do something is intelligence, to know you should do something is wisdom..." she said with a small smile. "And Celestia has not known wisdom in quite a while..." she said strangely enough those were references for herself and the power she controlled. She'd made the choice to leave Celestia first and foremost. Even so, she knew the underlying reason was her own fury building up to the point where she might have slayed the others of her own accord. Now, she could do so without abusing such a power. At the same time the things mentioned by Gilgamesh were without question just the type of things which could and would be handled by those he assigned those tasks to, "Yeah, we'll fucking slay them. I don't care about unrelated dragons... especially not those that would bend to a false god," Those were Jeanne's words. The white dragon around the arm of Nanshe seemed to shake just a bit. "There there, Gandr, you only answer to me. You have no need to fear the Dragon Witch. She is normally the sweetest girl..." she mused gently to the creature. That cube of hers finally stopped twisting and she rotated her neck. Learning about Ishval was quite the strange undertaking. "I haven't met a metal thing I couldn't fell with a cannon. The Golden Hind will crush anything like a robot," mentioned Francis with no real issues. Nefertari could only shake her head. "Horses or men... all will fall before the Sun and Sky," she mentioned. Right those two were gods incarnate, "Ara ara, existences like that aren't a bad idea at all... Might do something like that myself, and properly get rid of this horrendous name..." Nanshe thought aloud that cube of hers spun atop her extended finger. She turned to Gilgamesh directly then and had a few quiet words to share... "He command seals aside, Enki is using a modified version of an ancient Artifact known as a Dragon's Eye to suppress the Queen of Knights personality. The imagery of her in this place is undignified I could lock that away if you'd prefer..." That was an offer made to the King of Heroes as a kindness. The look of Artoria Pendragon that circulated Ishval was a lie, but still a humiliation she should not have suffered as far as Nanshe was concerned. She knew no woman would want images of her sexual assault floating around for the masses to see and condemn.

[Bloodedge]

"That is where the greatest mistake lies. Going against Gilgamesh is not simply something that should not be done. Rather, it is something that should be regarded as impossible in the first place," the king said with a strange amount of certainty, as if he truly believed himself above all opposition. The location of Ramesseum Tentyris was rather close to the place called Ishval in relation to Nanshe's map. Knowing this, Gilgamesh stepped forward as if preparing to disembark and tear down whatever barrier the country had in place. First though, Nanshe had some information to share. . .

That amulet that had frozen Artoria Pendragon in place all those centuries ago, was something referred to as the Dragon's Eye. He vaguely knew of this and its potential, but to think it had been modified from its original purpose was sheer audacity. Oh, there was imagery of Artoria throughout Ishval? It was... undignified? He thought the worst immediately. If his queen had been defiled, all of the gods and all of their influences would not see the end of this day. Patience. He could not let his attitude get the best of him now, so instead, he gave an order with whatever calmness he could manage. "Tear down the barrier," Gilgamesh stated. It was no great feat for Ozymandias to begin doing so with the pyramid's Dendera Bulb, so he started the mechanism with a simple waved hand. Whatever Nanshe and Gilgamesh were discussing was none of his business; there was work to be done. Meanwhile... "You will show me, and me alone," Gilgamesh stated to the Goddess of Wisdom, taking further steps to distance himself from the masses near the would-be exit of their shared vessel.

[Apollymi]

Gilgamesh thought that going against him was an impossibility and everyone should know it? There would be no greater showing of that than the felling of the gods. The hidden Island of Ishval was beneath them and now Ozymandias was tearing down its barrier. What was more there was a bit more of a hushed conversation between Nanshe and the King of Heroes. Knowledge about what had been plaguing Artoria Pendragon for the duration of her more than millennia in captivity was something he should know. But he wished to know it alone. There was a great deal of understanding in this for one like Nanshe. She could have simply erased it, but if one couldn't share their troubles with the one they cared for, there was not much care at all. "As you like, I'll make such knowledge forbidden to all but I am sorry for the intrusion," in the same moment that little cube in her hand spun again. All visual representations of the Queen of Knights began to disappear from sight on Ishval. Well that wasn't exactly true, they were not removed they were simply made unknowable. Basically they became forbidden. The knowledge and understanding of what those images were, was being manipulated by the Goddess of Wisdom into something unknowable. A forbidden knowledge which could simply not be seen or understood by the mind, like putting in mosasic filters on pornography. Such was one of the extensions of her power. She did this for the dignity of the Queen of Knights.

At the same time, she gave the knowledge of what she was blocking to Gilgamesh, by filtering it directly through his mind. What would he see? The grand processions and addresses to the people. Things recorded for posterity and for the further worship of Enki. The Queen of Knights, an unwilling puppet forced to appear and speak of goodness she did not believe. Claims made that she'd lost a war against this god, that she'd submitted herself and her blade to him. All lies, but spoken from her own mouth believed by the people. Those empty eyes, speaking sentences she would not have said of her own accord. She spoke of Enki's greatness, of his truth as divinity, she spoke of his magnanimity. She spoke of the greatness of his people, and their many things. As years progressed she appeared less clothed, no longer the classy and modest knight-queen. As Enki fell to his own sin, Artoria was forced to display herself in the strangest ways, strips of cloth, golden chains, a collar which had that Dragon's eye inlaid upon it. Always at his side, while he appeared with smug visage and depraved smile. Her clothing and face sullied in the Sea God's seed after exiting his chambers as she spoke of his virility. But in moments like those though the words were spoken her eyes burned frighteningly beneath the surface. The people believed their god infallible, that he alone would lead them to greatness so they believed the Knight-Queen subdued, mind, body, and soul, with her sword in the hand of another. Empty words, thoughtless phrases forced spoken by command seals. Subservience and obedience, replaced by singing praises of the sexual splendor of their god. Even so, Artoria had not experienced these things, and they were all for Enki's own benefit that he forced her to say them. The public thought he'd dominated the Queen of Knights in every way, such was the public face of Artoria Pendragon within Ishval.

[Bloodedge]

Nanshe spoke of an intrusion, which she apologized for in the same breath. That didn't do much to change the images in Gilgamesh's mind, but he would wait before making a final decision based on what was seen next. What he witnessed over the following few moments was truly describable only as... the depravity of a false god. His own chosen bride had been rendered a shell of lies, from words leaving her own mouth to the stain on her face. It was repulsive enough that her dignified form had been reduced to that of some sultry chamber slave. It was atrocious enough that the most capable woman in the known world had been stripped of her weapon. It was infuriating enough to know that Enki alone had even seen an inch of her flesh, much less enough to have her changed into this pitiful sight. Three crimes were committed by the god, all of them worth a thousand deaths. Adding to that the crime of directly staining Artoria's visage, baring his putrid tool before her and using it in any way, restraining her fiery persona, and all other things he witnessed in a matter of seconds... the punishment count was not at all quantifiable.

Well then... there was one more announcement to make, he supposed. Seething within, Gilgamesh looked out into the open country of Ishval. The pyramid settled beyond the bounded field which permitted life, and an exit with a golden staircase was created. "We leave as eight. Look upon these lands, denizens of Chaldea. When we are done here, only nine will stand. When we leave, there will be not even land to habitate. Failure is no option. Be victorious, or die with the others. All of you, go," he demanded while taking the lead down the long staircase. While the others dealt with their own tasks, he would walk directly to the palace at Ishval's center. On his way, he decided to share a few more words with Nanshe. "Be quick about your execution when the time comes. The thought of restraint seems to be evading me."

[Apollymi]

Whatever was being shown to Gilgamesh without the knowledge of the others, his orders changed as their method of downward transportation did. According to him, they entered as eight and would be leaving as nine. He did not plan to leave this island in tact at all... it was to be wiped from the face of the planet. For the King of Heroes to call for the deaths of everyone on this island one could only imagine what he had seen. Vivian gave a nod of her understanding. She'd been present at least a little given the presence of that bottle on her sister's person, the one which could not be taken from her directly. She'd heard things from that perspective that she did not like and had plans to exact her own vengeance at some later date, knowing it would never cost her anything to do so. But these words from Gilgamesh in a moment like this were a bit endearing. "Very well..." was all she said as she walked towards those golden steps. She'd disembark falling straight for the obelisk she could hear calling out to any who understood the language. At the same time, Jeanne could only shrug. Done was unwarranted mercy for the Dragon Witch. "Sometimes everyone has to die. Fine by me, come along Sieg..." she said, of course her only and immediate aim was to draw the attention of all dragons to herself so that they could be slayed by her favorite dragon.

"Razing everything is the order, it will be so..." Francis jumped from the staircase, calling to the Golden Hind which manifested within the barrier. She looked to the horizon for anything resembling a giant robot. "Come on boys, our quarry is robots. When they appear fire at will... we are here to make noise," she said with a leg up on the bow of her ship her guns pointed forward and ready to take them down. Of course, Nefertari stayed with Ozymandias even so medjed had started to form and walk forward, "Come Medjed. I know not what the Golden King has seen... but judgement will fall this day," she said. And making the assumption of what was wrong she'd stay by Ozymandias' side. Of course, the last words spoken to Nanshe, made her nod. "I am aware of your temperament Wedge of Heaven. Death will come swiftly as I can offer it, after your punishments are rendered..." and with that, the dragon around her hand uncoiled and began moving forward still. Taking herself to the temple complex which she knew to house Enki and Artoria Pendragon. Assuming the King of Heroes would either follow or grab on at his earliest convenience. This was a rescue mission, but also a slaughter and none present given their own lives would question the necessity of either.

[Bloodedge]

Word traveled quickly through Ishval to its sovereign. By the time all who would vacate the pyramid had done so, a messenger stood before Enki and the cloth strip-clad Artoria. There were invaders, said the Ishvalan who could never have imagined such a thing happening. Enki knew this invasion could be only one thing, and was more than prepared for it. He even seemed excited that the King of Heroes would soon appear while his latest trophy stood nearby, covered in his morning expulsion. His hand fiddled with Excalibur, which he still shifted about as if it were a fancy cane of some sort.

Gilgamesh would waste no time. There was a faster method of transportation to the temple he approached, so he moved to take it immediately. Once they arrived, he would be the first to dismount and enter the temple. Treasures emerged from Divine Gates, flying left, right, front and back at all who drew breath nearby. In no time at all, he could see the stairs to Enki's throne. How preposterous; only the stairs themselves were visible from the main hall. That was far too high for a throne not Gilgamesh's own, but no matter. He soon entered the throne room properly, finally able to view sheer repulsion with his own eyes. "Gilgamesh," said Enki. "Why are you and your little crew here? This thing here is mine now; I'm sure you know that by now." Gilgamesh heard those words, but he put forth great effort to suppress for a moment. His eyes fell not upon the would-be late God of Water, but upon Artoria. Her eyes were dead, but he could always see the flame hiding deep within those emeralds. "I would say I am disappointed. But, no. It seems the supposed god has failed to break a single girl."

Enki scoffed. Who did that lowly king think he was, speaking in such a way? He'd see soon enough, as Enki held out a sword he could not even wield himself. Well, it wasn't as if he needed to wield it. Why brandish a blade when one could control its wielder? "Have I not broken her? Let's see, shall we? Girl. Take this, and use it against the golden boy. Show no mercy," he ordered. What a wonderful decision made by the king of Ishval. Little did he know, the decision was not his, but Gilgamesh's.

[Apollymi]

As Gilgamesh entered and raided the temple, the Lady of the Lake stood before an obelisk. This thing was screaming a cacophony of disorder. What should have been the graceful and precise ordering of the words of the worlds oldest language, into a flow of infinity was a confused jumble of mush, stagnated. No mortal was meant to understand and no person meant to tolerate, to put it simply to those who understood nature it felt wrong. "To pervert the language of the world into such disgusting disorder should add an extra punishment to his long list," she said as she reached out for the stone. Her hand against it her power flowed out like water... not changing this one, initially. No. Vivian had a much more sinister plan than that. She aimed to send the flow of the old language to every other array nearby. Each of the obelisks on the other islands which had fallen from the sky, were being disconnected from the Sea God's temple. Order was being restored one monument at a time. Even if he tried to teleport out... she'd already taken his main temple he could not move. And every other obelisk followed behind. Truly it was child's play when one had water all around and on their side. That man truly was a fool.

Artoria stood as she always did, covered in filth with mostly empty and impassive eyes. Of course, just beneath the surface those little fires flickered as they always did immediately after one of these moments of being in a room with Enki. And they would remain as she heard the news of a coming invasion. Only a single set of individuals would be both talented enough and mad enough to seek out a fallen and lost nation broken into pieces. Only one set of people would bother trying to defame a god just to retrieve her. And only one man in the world was worthy enough to seek her with such tenacity. Those empty eyes and her mind full of fog, Artoria looked up from the depths of her consciousness past the door she just barely held open and looked into eyes that burned extra fire into her very soul. A gentle twitch of her lips and one of her hand occurred in a moment. What was this? She was to take her sword and attack him? Show no mercy, she was ordered!? "With pleasure..." a surprisingly honest sentiment from Artoria Pendragon, but there were many things one such as Enki could never understand about such a woman.

Finally her hand closed around her sword again, and she could almost feel it vibrating in her hand having been returned to where it belonged. 'I know. I do not like him touching me either...' she thought through the fog. If she was to attack she would. She'd launch herself forward with ferocity. She reinforced her body with her own mana. If she was to dance without mercy, then she'd do so, an attack of precise swordsmanship, a piercing strike with energy gathered at the tip of her shining blade aiming to leave a hole in his back, larger than the front as energy exploded from that tip. The fog in her brain remained, but this was an old dance... one which would make her happy, she could feel it. Nanshe found her way through the carnage the King of Heroes had obviously not been joking with his declaration and she saw for herself how far Enki had fallen. This woman could only shake her head, the predictions in her mind were already going, the punishments he would receive would be immense.

[Bloodedge]

With pleasure, said Artoria. Clairvoyant or not, he knew a response like that would be coming. She'd fight anyone at any time, and he was among the last who could be considered exempt. In the face of her charge, Gilgamesh remained stationary. In fact, he stared her down the entire time, looking directly into her eyes even as sparks flew from a sudden clash of metals. Excalibur's tip had met a golden shield manifest from the treasury. "Is it with pleasure that you go against your king? Hmph. I suppose it would be. Still, I don't recall giving you permission to answer the call of some two-bit god. You may answer only to me," he stated as his right hand rose, revealing a trio of Command Seals linked to himself. A contract was offered without words, as he expected an understanding. All Artoria had to do was accept said contract, wherever her consciousness was, and he would begin the process of knocking Enki down a few thousand pegs. His first command would come immediately. "Stay your blade, Queen of Knights. That is no state to be in when facing me." And so would begin a brief war between the King of Heroes and a fallen god. He knew Enki to have three unused Command Seals this day, but thought to use the first of his own three without hesitation. It was all part of the plan, but not the whole of it. He also had something to say beyond all the commands that would be going back and forth. "Certainly your eyes hold no life because the light has been burned away by the most terrible sight. Shall I arrange the repairs?"

[Apollymi]

Artoria Pendragon would indeed fight almost anyone. There were very few people who could have walked into this temple and not received a fight in exchange for basically nothing. Artoria was shown something as her blade's tip met a shield and she even from the depths of her consciousness could only allow that small smirk to slip through. What did she see in addition to those eyes she'd missed the sight of? Well, a set of Command Seals. Offered a contract was she? Well, from the King of Heroes she could and would gladly accept such a thing. He was one of a limited number of people she'd ever let call upon her as such. From the depths of her being that magical connection could settle. He didn't remember giving her permission to answer to some two-bit god, she didn't remember asking to be taken by one. The first of his commands came in an instant. Stay her blade, she was in no state to face him. She agreed and stopped pushing forward, her sword still clasped in her hand. Her body lost a bit of tension but still she was fuming. That fog in her soul not quite clear but she could now see, directly out of the crack of that door now. A bit brighter could those flames burn. "I would ask that you do... " she said. The words were tame but there was something just behind that emptiness. A desire to rebuke the one called Enki that burned all the way to the depths of her soul. He was unworthy and she wanted him made aware of this fact. The Queen of Knights looked up from the depths of her soul the fog that had lasted so very long was finally going to clear. No more would she be forced under the thumb of such an incompetent being as Enki.

[Bloodedge]

Control of that nigh-empty shell had switched with a single command, a single spell of three wasted. What came of it? Enki didn't seem too bothered. It was such a pitiful choice to come bearing Command Seals against him, especially when he still had three to use. Ah, but more important things were happening away from Enki at present, and that was the casual chat between Gilgamesh and his stilled queen. She wanted the filth washed away, after having it forced upon her? Of course, there was but one way to do so. "Then I say unto you again, as I did long ago: look upon my golden majesty!" With that said, the shield brought from Gilgamesh's treasury vanished... and so did his clothes. Every article, every metal, every jewel disappeared from the King of Heroes' body in a bright display of golden light. He stood before Artoria Pendragon in his prime, even more glorious than he'd been the day they met. The glow of his perfection did not recede, but such was the light of perfection renewed and maintained. He'd not been returned from a long journey; his journey had only been taken when the moment of victory was upon him. "Bathe your eyes in my light, Queen of Knights, and burn it into your retinas until all other things become ash!"

Enki suddenly seemed quite displeased─ enough that he rose from the throne and began yelling. Why had he done this? Well, the bare form of Gilgamesh was not only something he didn't deserve to witness; it was something he certainly didn't want to see. Who the hell made that partial mortal?! Whatever the case, he was still the clear victor here by simple mathematics. The first of Enki's seals was used with rage. "Stop that! Every part of you is my plaything; don't even look at him for another second!"

[Apollymi]

A casual conversation was a bit more than that to a clever person. To Nanshe it was like watching two people dance casually around each other while no one else in the room was allowed to interrupt. She'd participated in such dances herself, those moments of eye contact and closeness that only came with understanding on both sides. The golden form of Gilgamesh was bared before Artoria and upon realizing the intention of the King of Heroes, Nanshe rather casually found somewhere else to look. Artoria Pendragon did not look away however. Much like the first time she'd seen him she stared, but unlike that first time she wasn't staring impassively. That bright light and golden form, those perfect features and muscles, that divine tool he was so sure belonged to her alone that she was still only barely capable of fathoming... all of that spawned a single thought in the head of the Queen of Knights, 'Mine.' Her heart beat sped up for the first time in over a thousand years, a deaf man could have heard it beating in her chest. Oh? When had she gotten so possessive over the King of Heroes? She supposed it'd been quite a while since she started referring to him as her own.

Ah, but of course she wouldn't be allowed to gaze even as she used that light to guide her up from the depths of her consciousness. She'd only just reached the doors... her mouth opening as if to say something cheeky when a forcible command was activated. She wasn't to look? Every part of her was his plaything? Do not even look at him for another second?! 'The audacity of this thing... to speak to me in such a way...' she mused. So close to the surface yet so far away. The hideousness of the visage of his nudity was at least gone, replaced by the shining glory of Gilgamesh. Her eyes closed in the moment. That order was it being followed? One might think so... but a sigh escaped the Knight-Queen as the light still shined even behind her eyelids. It truly was burned into her retinas. She'd have to make sure she gave his body the same attention she gave all the tools at her disposal. "I am not yours! I have made it abundantly clear you cannot have me. I swore it on my honor and that has not changed!" her eyes opened and there was such burning fire in them, so much that they were almost clear again. Her hand tightened around the hilt of her sword, perhaps today was the day she'd personally fell a god.

[Bloodedge]

Gilgamesh could see the shifting. Every little tremble of the eyes was something caught by his own, even as they closed in the wake of Enki's command. There was something new on the horizon of this encounter. It seemed the willful spirit of one Artoria Pendragon was beginning to go beyond Enki's command seals, and even that pendant. In seeing the expression of detest upon Enki's face, Gilgamesh snorted. Did he not think this would be a loss easily handed to him? Gilgamesh had not even wasted his second Command Seal as intended, leaving them matched by number once more. "H'oh? So quick to proclaim what you are not, yet so slow to declare what you are. Perhaps I should take it upon myself to have a bit of fun? Tell me, what is it you truly crave?" he questioned, wasting an entire Command Seal as if to ensure an answer was given. Seeing this, Enki was once again sent directly into a fit of rage. This woman could not deny him. He'd now have to show her what happened when she thought she could. "Tch! Enough of these stupid games. Woman, shut yourself away again! I won't have your annoying side bleed through any longer!" Enki demanded, burning through the second of three seals. In such a brief exchange, four total Command Seals had been spent on a single body. Whether this had an effect or not seemed to concern neither of the males, but Enki harbored the thought that he would know victory if Gilgamesh used his final seal first. Meanwhile, Gilgamesh stood with full confidence in his full birthday suit. Nothing was going amiss in his plan. In fact, things were going exceptionally well.

[Apollymi]

The King of Heroes would take it upon himself to have fun? Had Artoria been too quick to proclaim what she was not? Well no. She'd been saying exactly that for ages. Her last lingering thought in a thousand years, was simply that Enki could never have her. Her virtues were for herself and whoever she chose to give them to, and to put it simply he was not worthy of her. A wasted command on a question? Such a simple thing, but the King of Heroes was no less indulgent than he always was. "What I crave is what belongs to me..." Artoria would not even be allowed to finish a sentence before she was being barked at again. Enki was the lowest of dogs to get between her and what she was trying to do. Obviously all this thing wanted was a death but none too swiftly. Enki wished for her to shut herself away again. Would she? Well, her voice had already stopped. Enki did not like being denied, it made him angry that she would not comply with the later parts of is plans. It upset him beyond reason that she would not allow him to have his way with her truly. He responded like a spoilt child being told no at every turn.

She could almost push past the fog, she was so very close to escaping this darkness. Ugh, she did not wish to delve deeper into herself she wanted to burst free. She wanted this false god punished for his offenses against her, and then she wanted the one thing she'd been waiting a thousand years for, her King of Heroes. Artoria's eyes opened again and they shifted towards Gilgamesh. She'd been told not to look, but that simply wasn't going to happen not really. She cast her eye towards him as easily as she held onto Excalibur. It was almost second nature to her to steal such a glance after so long. Why was he so confident standing around stark naked... why did she enjoy that? 'I will be released from this fog, you joyless cur. And when I am I will have what I am owed,' There was still light in those eyes of hers. She was just at the door. It was like watching part of her personality peek out just at the eyes. That little burning fire of hers would not be extinguished. She could almost reach out, she sincerely wanted to, in truth she wanted nothing more than to clean her face and be wrapped up in the King of Heroes arms...

All the while there were a great many things Enki had yet to notice. Like the fact that Artoria hadn't replied directly to any order he'd given since Gilgamesh had made his proclamation. What was more she couldn't be certain the lass was actually following the orders being laid down by either of these men. If he wasn't on the verge of a tantrum that would make Ishtar proud, he probably would have noticed that Artoria's hand had not lost grip on the hilt of her sword and that those eyes of hers, kept taking subtle glances at the King of Heroes, and were still filled with fire. That one had a warrior's spirit, how dare Enki try to suppress her? He was a war god, Artoria was the kind of person who should have been adored and doted upon by an entity with his authorities.

[Bloodedge]

Half a clause given, and silenced immediately. Oh well. The answer itself was of little importance to Gilgamesh, for he knew what it would be eventually regardless. Enki, however, would soon learn beyond a shadow of a doubt. "Pitiful. I came thinking to play a little game, but a tugging match is not to my taste," Gilgamesh stated as the final seal faded on his hand. "The rest?" he continued. When this act was performed, Enki found himself wondering how the demigod king could be so foolish. What was the point of wasting his precious seals on something so insignificant? Arrogance would get the best of him, and it would all begin with Enki's laughter.

"We relied on you to keep our place in the world?! Really? This is not war! You could have at least tried to make me expend the last seal before using yours, but now here we are... with me as the victor in this little 'game' you speak of. I could just have her kill you now." Enki's tirade and laughter warranted nothing but a raised brow from the King of Heroes. Ah... this was another time his arrogance was a matter of assumption, when in fact, it was sheer certainty. The three Command Seals he wore refreshed in unison, much to the god's surprise. In that same moment, the kingly garbs he acquired roughly a thousand years before appeared on his body. "H'oh? The gods have no memory, I see. Was it not Gilgamesh who acquired all treasures in this world? Is it not Gilgamesh who walked into your temple, needing none of these silly spells you use to break your pitiful little curse? I did say this was a game," the king announced, prodding Enki to consume his final seal. "Be silent! You, kill him now!" he ordered. Gilgamesh crossed his arms, his jovial demeanor disappearing as the more normal demanding nature returned. No further seals were used; he merely began yelling in a manner that could almost be considered his trademark. "How long do you intend to keep me waiting? I will not stand idly by for another millennium, Artoria Pendragon!"

[Apollymi]

Artoria found herself being tugged back and forth between commands. Neither of which she was answering at all. Right at the door the King of Heroes wanted his answer, and compelled it forth with the last command seal. She was honor bound to answer his honesty. She was about to open her mouth to speak again, when rather suddenly Enki was talking again. Did little dogs ever stop yapping? She could only wonder. Right at the moment she found herself incapable of getting in a word in edgewise against these two rather annoying people. Only one of these men was she willing to accept such a thing from, and even from him, she was annoyed. Enki was goaded into using the last of his command seals. After the King of Heroes returned his clothing to their place on his body. Artoria could not help but look at him now amazed and almost befuddled. He truly did look great in that attire.

Oh right, she was being ordered to kill the King of Heroes, under a command even?! A final push was necessary but she'd make it this time. That shining light at the end of a tunnel her grip on her sword tightened and it was brought up, pointing directly at Enki instead of anyone else. But her eyes those, were for the King of Heroes alone. He would not wait another millenia, she would not make him. "SHUT UP!" that was the first thing said and it was a command of epic proportions for both Enki and Gilgamesh in the technical sense. All she wanted to do was say what she needed to say. "I do not remember giving you permission to refer to me so freely," she said her mind was free of that darkened fog. She could see nothing but the light of him, this man she'd chosen as annoying as he was to her. She'd been waiting too, she hoped he realized. "Granted as the only one worthy of me, the one these eyes have been waiting to see is the King of Heroes, Gilgamesh... I suppose I can at least allow him the indulgence," she said a cheeky smirk on her face. "And if the desire to send him to the afterlife by my hand arises, it will not be because some untrained puppy pretending to be god demanded it of me! And if I do kill you, Gilgamesh you better return more swiftly than the last time or your second death will be carried out, expeditiously upon your return!" That was it. What a strange way to declare love. Well, Nanshe looked at the pair and she supposed for one of the Hoshimi that was about a ringing endorsement. A better sentiment probably could not exist in this world.

[Bloodedge]

Well, if nothing else, one thing was certain to bring Artoria Pendragon back to her senses. Above all other potential solutions, she could always be annoyed until she exploded. Good. With her sudden outburst, the game had come to an end. Ah, but of course her words of dissatisfaction were for Gilgamesh no less than Enki. Surely she didn't think she had room to order him around─ especially in her current predicament. The indirect confession would be noted, but her ire was none of his concern. He could look away from her now. To do just that, he stepped forward until his treks carried him beyond the Queen of Knights, where he faced only Enki. Now, finally... he could let himself boil over. "To speak as if you could fell me is enough of an offense. Do not add to it the presumption that you are allowed demands in your current state."

There were numerous problems in the throne room of Ishval. This unexpected turn of events could not be recovered from via strategic retreat; he could sense that much. Eventually, he would have to deal with far more than these two alone. Wait... no, it wasn't even two. There were three? One of them was the former Metis, he believed. This was not very good at all, but if he was to be backed into a corner, he would not cower. "Really, you think thi─" "Silence!" The King of Heroes spoke only once to interrupt Enki's speech. As his eyes glowed golden, he seemed to have robbed the god of his ability to speak. "The game is over; didn't you hear? There are crimes to be answered to, and it will be done with your body." Before Enki could manage even a movement, or any method of quick assault on one of these three, his limbs were bound by the Chains of Heaven emerging from Divine Gates at his own rear. He regained the ability to speak in a matter of moments, but another chain wrapped around the god, its links passing between his open lips as his head became constricted as well. "Hmph. It seems gagging gods is becoming something of a habit for me. Oh well. I will take my time with this one."

Beyond the walls of this temple, he could hear the outcry of a thousand warriors, and of a thousand innocents deemed guilty of the ultimate crime. Gilgamesh stepped in tandem with the screams, approaching Enki as several dozen golden swords appeared around him. One came directly to the king's hand as he climbed the long staircase. What he intended to do upon arrival, was slowly bury one sword after another into the damnable deity's body. . .

[Apollymi]

Oh, she was not allowed to speak of felling him in a moment like this. She supposed she did look like a Star Wars reject captive, the Queen of Knights would hardly believe herself if she wasn't currently sure. "Hmphf, it was a warning," she said, knowing she hadn't been demanding anything. Right, there were things she needed to do for herself. Sword in hand a gentle ripping would be heard as she pulled at the lower ends of that ridiculous ensemble she'd been forced into. A clean strip of cloth and that water from Dozmary Lake which was poured down first her sword arm, because Excalibur deserved to not be touched by such unclean and unworthy hands and then herself. Water ran over the Queen of Knights' face washing away the filth left there by this disgusting man. Wiped away and tossed to the side, she felt quite a bit better. Though generally unbothered by everything she truly wished for a nice bath and some clothes more suited to her tastes. "I am sorry about that friend. When I have my bath... you can accompany me as well. I have missed you after all," Artoria's relationship with her sword was very strange indeed, but now being free of at least the immediate filth she could feel better about herself. And watch with wide expressive eyes as Gilgamesh slayed a god. The Queen of Knights was far from squeamish in fact there were parts of her soul that enjoyed killing more than anything else. And the death of Enki was one she looked forward to, for a number of earned reasons. His torture was a King's decision and well deserved by her own account, she would not argue about it.

The cries of thousands of lives rang out as they were judged and dying by actions taking place all around. The three inside this place knew what would come of the man known as Enki even if he was not certain of it already. Each one connected to Enki's selfishness was causing something strange to happen around Nanshe. Within her hand a giant arrowhead was forming and it seemed to gain an intensity of spikey protrusions for every scream occurred. Nanshe was tallying vengeance accumulating it into herself for everyone who died by being connected to this man. Every crime committed every island sacrificed to take the Queen of Knights, every innocent killed because this island had to fall. All of it. Chain Links were connecting and as her body took on this hatred, red lines erupted on her face and chest. She'd allow Gilgamesh his punishment but the world demanded the lives of those he sacrificed for his selfish goals be avenged. Whenever he was done with his punishments in the moments before Enki's death settled, she would be ready to force that chain spear up through his chin and out the top of his head, that was the plan.

[Bloodedge]

Just as Gilgamesh declared, time would not be passing quickly. Slowly did he insert every blade around him into Enki's body. Screams were muffled around the Chains of Heaven, but Gilgamesh was focused on the god's eyes and how they danced with every insertion. Steps of lapis lazuli and clear crystal were stained red with running blood. Unbothered, Gilgamesh continued stabbing every possible inch of Enki's body, leaving intact only his head and core. How many minutes passed? Many. At least in the mind of Gilgamesh, and even in the mind of Enki, there was a second of thrusting blade for every year that passed. Gilgamesh didn't find it within himself to stop until he could no longer hear the screams from outside. "Ten," he said in that very moment. As he said when their group arrived, only nine would stand in Ishval by the time they were done. Many had been reduced to ten with the inclusion of Enki, so there was only one life left to take. Many minutes had passed, and now an eternity of hell would begin for the fallen god.

"How many seconds of eternity? Until time turns on itself and the universe is reborn a thousand times more, I order your suffering. I will not end you. Instead... I will be seeing you very soon." Those golden eyes of Gilgamesh's told only truth. He'd come to terms with Nanshe claiming Enki's life at the end, but... he was a Judge of the Anunnaki. What was another vacation to the Underworld to ensure another job was done properly? After all, he already had to sort through those who were slain for the crime of... well, essentially having functional eyes and living in Ishval at the time. "Nanshe," he stated while taking a single step away from Enki, whose eyes continued to tremble after hundreds of piercings. With only a name, he gave the Goddess of Wisdom clearance to do as she desired. Still, he didn't seem satisfied at all. Perhaps satisfaction would come some time later, when this was truly brought to an end.

[Apollymi]

A slow and agonizing punishment was coming for Enki and none present could even feel pity for the man. Nanshe for her part in this, could have only felt for her brother before the moment where he started interfering so hard in the lives of these mortals. The thing that ate away at him, was something which was obvious to her, it always had been. She supposed it became no more obvious than his feelings surrounding the Chains of Heaven. Those trembling eyes of his were noticed by the red haired woman but she had no real comfort to offer, after the count of ten and the step back of Gilgamesh, the end of that flowering chain shot outwards. It lodged itself straight up through his jaw and from below and through his brain, only after that did she aim to pierce his core as well, the movement of that chain coiling up and dragging out with them the Authorities which she would take from this man as his life ended. Though it would only end when every link one for each of those lives passed through his body... that was what it meant to be a spirit of vengeance. "The Authority of Justice, ones claimed from Enlil and those unneeded by one such as you..." she said carefully as the chain returned to her. When Enki died the count would be nine. What a stupid man she was... she had a realization when piercing his core, that it did not just belong to him... as disgusting as the idea of it was, his core was being shared with another. Given the state of this place and the type of thing he'd been trying to do, she was fairly certain that he was sharing his core with Ishtar. And while Ishtar couldn't front the blame of this whole thing, she was at least partly responsible for the level of depravity Enki fell to, disgusting.

And soon after the woman known as Nanshe who had officially just killed her brother began more proper work. Those Authorities that she did not herself claim would be channeled through her own Authority that of Wisdom. The serpent around her arm swallowed them whole, moving them about to the places they wished to go through the infinite space of its body. That was the right thing to do, and when it was done she could only rotate her shoulders. That chain disappeared and so did the marks on her body, "Thank you, Gandr. You were a big help~" she said while petting the serpents head. Artoria looked at that creature and felt the smallest tingle of aggression. But after watching one of the most gruesome deaths she'd witnessed on this side of the world, she seemed pretty decently satisfied by the sight. Her eyes had never left Gilgamesh during this entire time, she felt like it was satisfactory enough to watch someone else seem to enjoy a kill as much as she would have, though admittedly the King of Heroes seemed a bit discontent.

[Bloodedge]

It was not enough that Enki had been run through countless times. He should have died. For the first time, he nearly cursed the divinity which let him survive such abuses. Alas, relief would come soon enough... after even more pain that lasted only a moment, or so he would believe. Into his jaw and through the brain, the chain of Nanshe ended Enki's life before the many expansions of the vengeful weapon took place. Such relief, but sadly, he would be waking to experience that feeling in the Underworld.

Meanwhile, Gilgamesh observed every moment of the former god's downfall. He'd be meeting with that one shortly, but for now, it was all over. He looked not toward the Queen of Knights, nor to Nanshe even as the Authorities of Enki were consumed and spread to the world. This event had reached a conclusion, but could it truly be considered an end? No, it could not. There was so much more to do, the least of which was dealing with the dignity of one Artoria Pendragon. Seething no less than before, he opened another gate. "Your audience awaits. The rags of a chamber wench are scarcely befitting of a queen. Go in glory," he stated as his own golden armor emerged from that golden ripple. Despite being fitted to his form, it was a thing that could be applied to any shape or size. There were some... caveats, so to speak, but it would be better suited than the garments of a whore regardless. Artoria was one of a very, very small few he would ever give allowance to, given the unique status of his armor as the only known plate of its mold forged while Mystery ruled the world.

[Apollymi]

Enki was ended but that wouldn't make too much of a difference. The still seething King of Heroes, was not looking at anyone in particular, but produced from within his treasury his golden armor for Artoria. The Queen of Knights looked at this from the portal and her left brow raised. Was this a concern of his? Hm, she tried to think about it reasonably and she did not enjoy the Star Wars Sex-Slave look. Admittedly, she wasn't actually a sex slave it simply did not fit her own sense of dignity. Still, it was a strange thing for the man to offer. Or maybe it wasn't? She'd been told before that she did not understand the hearts of men maybe this was one such occasion? Audience awaited? Go in glory? Well, she did always feel better armed and armored, admittedly a leftover habit from her previous life but it changed nothing. "You have my thanks..." That was rather meek wasn't it? Well she reached forward to touch the armor and in doing so it was equipped to her form magically. Ah, but of course the difference between armor showing on men and women became absolutely obvious once more.

Artoria gained long golden greaves, heeled and a bit cute with a pair of panties and a small back end cape. Her entire torso was left exposed and she had the golden pauldrons and full sleeves of golden armor on her fingers, but across her chest, just the smallest wisp of a plate. In fact if she wasn't sure how things worked in this world, she might have thought such a thing was done purposefully. The Queen of Knights inspected her own form and ended with her left hand on her hip, and Excalibur held tightly in her right. This was better than Slave-Girl chic, but... "Every time I put on something else... I find myself with a new exposed piece of skin. Girl armor in video games, except for a few fleeting pieces..." she said, knowing how much trouble she'd gone through to get her armor. Just that boiling below the surface of a tantrum. She simply wasn't going to think about it. If she didn't think about it... it wouldn't be a problem right. Nanshe walked along passing the girl. "You get used to it. That wasn't my choice, so you know... " she said understanding the issue. Still with that armor being from the earliest part of the world, Artoria was certain she would not be harmed wearing it. It'd be fine so long as she made eye contact with no one. Artoria began her descent from this temple. She wasn't previously granted the ability to walk around freely but had the distinct feeling she wouldn't want to here regardless. She wanted to go somewhere less wet, where creatures had four legs and the meat was red. Whatever the case she'd exit the temple and see what amounted to nothingness incarnate. The slaughter of this entire island had taken place and she did not feel badly about it, that was probably the psychotic killer part leaking through just a tad.

[Bloodedge]

Thanks? He was in no need of thanks. All that happened here, including the offer of his armor, was less than par for the course. It was even somewhat regrettable to part with his armor, not simply because he'd done so, but because the Queen of Knights bore a stain that could not be easily cleansed. Perhaps in having her clad in his own plate, he subconsciously took part of that stain unto himself. No matter. Artoria donned that armor, which had a habit of fitting form and purpose in unison. Why was it so revealing in her case? It tended to be the same for him, unless he felt defense was necessary. As for the commentary about "video game" armor on girls, he had no thoughts about it in particular. Something in his memory registered as a video game, but no great importance was attributed to it. Instead of bothering with that blabber, he shared information regarding the armor itself. "Aegis is a thing of great power, and greater potential. It presents its coverage as needed," he stated. That armor of his was the original form of something that became a shield for Anu, not properly used until he began to act as Zeus. In his case, it was many things at many times. "Earlier, it was the very same shield that halted your blade. It is one of the most reliable things in my treasury. Do not sully it."

With that explanation given, Gilgamesh closed his eyes and crossed his arms. In his current state, he could feel all the entries to the Underworld. So many required judging, and a select number of them would be judged only by him. As it seemed Artoria was making her way outside, the king stayed behind and offered a few parting words to Nanshe. "Ensure that nothing remains of this place. I have business to attend, so inform the others of a rendezvous in my citadel. All who participated will be rewarded handsomely," he said, not excluding the goddess herself at all.

[Apollymi]

According to Gilgamesh, his armor was a thing of both power and potential. Its coverage was presented as needed... Was Artoria to take that to mean he very exposed torso was her own doing because she presently needed no protection? Probably. Did that make it better or worse? She wasn't really sure which but at least she didn't feel like a half naked slave girl. She was told not to sully it? Fine. It was his after all... her own was something very different so she'd not do anything too strenuous while in possession of something which belonged to him. "As you like, " she said. He had no idea, how much Artoria cared for weapons and armor. Nothing that could be considered sullying would happen to any such item in her care. And so she walked out of the temple while rotating Excalibur in her hand, as if its weight was something she'd missed. There was one casual glance in the direction of the King of Heroes...

"Letting the Queen of Knights wipe this island from the map, meet back at your place for payment. I'll take care of it," she said with a small smirk appearing on her face. She knew he was going to the Underworld, it was the only logical conclusion. The King of Heroes was an Underworld judge and he'd already let the slaughter of this nation happen. Regardless, the Goddess of Wisdom would be found alongside Artoria Pendragon as she headed through the country towards the Ramesseum. The eyes of several people turned to her, including that of her younger sister with those golden eyes, and the Lady Vivian who had a pleased smirk to offer when taking in the look her sister currently possessed. "Oh? Look at that, Ozzy... she's wearing his clothes~" mused Nefertari. She assumed that the Queen would be in need of a few things. And there were quite a few of hers present in the workshop she held. It would be simple enough to find her some clothes worth wearing. Francis Drake was aboard her ship which she banished back from whence it came to land atop the staircase she'd disembarked from. No robots left. No dragon serpents left. No people left. This land was sheer desolation and after the Wisdom Goddess was done with it there was also no information left. "The King of Heroes had an errand to run. He said to all meet back at his citadel for payment and the like. He also said Queen of Knights that nothing is to remain of this place so... I think you should do the honors," mentioned Nanshe as she headed up the stairs. A place this size needed to be toppled huh?

[Bloodedge]

Instruction given, instruction received. While Nanshe took care of delivering his message, Gilgamesh closed his eyes and sank into the depths of Irkalla. He found it so easy to do so, it was almost like the time he perished properly. He appeared sitting in the Underworld upon a throne, the whole of Ishval lined up before him. There was quite a bit of work ahead of the King of Heroes, including the sorting of those who were guilty... and those who simply saw something they needn't carry into the next life. By the looks of it, he could take hours, days or weeks. However long it took, he would be certain to complete the task before anything else was done.

The others had brought an end to all life in Ishval, and seemed to be awaiting the return of Gilgamesh, Nanshe, and of course Artoria. Only two arrived, though that wasn't too unexpected. The Golden King seemed to be in a rather strange state for the entire trip, especially toward the end. Strange though, was the visage of Artoria Pendragon when she arrived. That armor was not familiar to Ozymandias, but it could only belong to one person with that amount of sparkle attributed to it. Nefertari seemed to catch on quickly to its owner, going so far as to comment on the armor's transition to the queen. "Hm? So she does," he agreed. "Though I'd rather not think of why. Let's just get this over with." At this point, Ozymandias was more than willing to abandon Ishval. A great many things had been witnessed during a virtual genocide, and none of them were pleasing to the eye. One should never have their greatest satisfaction be the killing of criminals, but that was the case today. There was no justice served to be content with. They slaughtered, but all too late for change; no wrongs were righted as a result. Ozymandias could only wonder how many of the others shared this opinion, though he spoke of it no further.

[Apollymi]

Right. The destruction of such a place was daunting at best. Most would have been disappointed by such a task regardless of their own connection to the situation. One Francis Drake had not cared much aside from helping find Artoria Pendragon, but even she did not appreciate several of the things she witnessed from atop her ship. This was the sort of day ended at the bottom of a mug, irrespective of the 'victory' at hand. They were to get this over with and Artoria agreed, but first arms were opened as Jeanne made her way into them. "I cannot say I am happy to see you wearing such a face... though it does work for you," said Artoria as she patted her sister's head. "I've been like this for ages. Nothing to worry about... Now knock the rest of this shit hole over so we can go. I've seen enough of terrible humans today," Jeanne's words made Artoria's eyes widen. Whatever this world had done to her younger sister, would need to be fixed. She looked to Vivian who could only shrug. "I told you to watch your mouth around her for ages... I will take no blame for it," she said which only made Artoria shrug.

"Alright old friend... what do you say we... return the rest?" she said to her sword. From the very edge of the Ramesseum, Artoria Pendragon looked out over this place, and took a deep breath... 'One last glimmer, I hope the ones that are left do better next time...' she thought absently. She held her blade in both hands, pointed it down towards the land as the light began to gather. All the light of this world's hopes and dreams gathered at the end of her blade, and became a beam of shining light. Her own light was being added to the mix, strengthening the size and shape of it, it burrowed into the land down to its core. She didn't intend just to sink the island but cleanse it as well. She fed it power until the very lands of this sunken palace seemed to shake beneath her... "Sheathed in the breath of the planet, a torrent of shining life... feel its wrath," she fully incanted this use of Excalibur's power while the members of Chaldea's elites watched. This included the Goddess of Wisdom who felt strangely looking upon that light. "EXCALIBUR!" A cry of victory would break apart the entire island's crust, the lift of the blade would finish the job of cracking the barrier around it. A glowing blade of gold and light looked to almost match that of the armor she now wore... this was the thought of Nefertari, as that extended blade of light razed the whole of the land and the island itself crumbled into nothingness. Such would be the ending of the island of Ishval.

[Bloodedge]

And so, the country of Ishval, former subsidiary of the AS-IKU empire, was reduced to nothing by a single sword. Excalibur's use was always a thing to behold. This time though, something felt just slightly off. Ozymandias had seen the assault only a handful of times, but all other instances had shown that beam of light in a very different manner. It had previously been purely a light of hope in the face of darkness, but this one... seemed more like an oppressive hope snuffing out the last remnants of a dying darkness instead. Though it remained a thing of hope, Ozymandias turned his gaze from it midway through. Maybe this whole ordeal had simply put a bad taste in his mouth. Regardless, Ozymandias remained prepared to seal off Ramesseum Tentyris the moment all were boarded. The destruction of Ishval would undoubtedly result in the loss of that strange oxygen barrier, freeing the sea to collapse around them at any moment. He was generally beyond ready to begone from this horrendous space. Even so, there was a detour necessary before he could see Egypt again. Well then... Ozymandias supposed he'd be bringing an entire pyramid directly to the Citadel of Uruk for whatever payment Gilgamesh had in mind. Little did he realize, it would be quite a while yet before the King of Heroes actually returned to the citadel. . .

[Apollymi]

Everyone seemed to be ever so slightly off put, in the Citadel of Uruk though for however long the King of Heroes was gone, Artoria herself would at least be recovering. A decent meal a long hot bath, the burning of those rags she'd been wearing when she was picked up. Those were all good things as far as the Queen of Knights was concerned. Rarely was there a time she was seen without her sword in hand. Even so... her mental status was at least considered by a couple of the other people wandering around the Citadel. Siduri for instance was happy to see the Queen's return but wondered over the state of her mentality, until of course, she came across her alone in a room. What was the Queen of Knights doing at a time like this? Post bath in light linens, a necklace of gold seated on her collarbones. The resting state of that armor she fully intended to return personally to the King of Heroes. She was sitting in the floor, a whetstone in hand, her sword against her shoulder being held like one would only the dearest of companions. A simple chiming noise would be heard. "A thousand years without sharpening. Spending it in the hands of an unworthy cur... I feel your pain friend," she mused, with closed eyes. Were those words for herself or for the weapon? It was hard to tell. "But all was well in the end. You performed beautifully, you know? We are almost ready to see our knights again..." she stated honestly. Artoria had avoided immediately reporting back to them, because she wished time to restore the face of the Queen of Knights to its normal impassive state. A thousand years in captivity had left her lacking the calm demeanor she normally possessed outside of battle, so she'd scrub it from her face. She'd eat, she'd drink... she'd clean and practice with her sword... calming her own mind bit by bit until she felt more like herself. "How long will our King of Heroes be gone? We do not wish to leave the wrong impression but... it has been quite a while since we parted," she said carefully. "It will be nice to sleep reasonably, though... I suppose we should thank you, that I managed any sleep at all," she said to no one in particular but to someone very specific. Those chiming noises seemed to carry on for the longest time. The Queen of Knights spoke to her sword the way most people confided in a close friend. Strange though it was... it was fairly normal given what Siduri had seen of her in those seven years she'd ruled here. Perhaps now was finally the time for calming in the area... perhaps now finally that date delayed by ridiculous circumstances could finally be seen through?

Jeanne was content to hang around as well, though she traveled back and forth a bit for the sake of dealing with the Holy Knights. It would seem even in her darkened form she would want to stay close to her sister. Vivian ever aloof was around only for a little while, before she said to call her when he returned. She had work to do... "Oh?" that was strange, but that one was always the sort to disappear for no reason. At the same time, the apparent Goddess of Wisdom was content to hang around in Uruk. She'd taken up some strange interests, including one that Artoria shared, with a small child who told stories. Though the tales he spun were nowhere near factual it was for a very different reason she took interest in the child, though she hadn't specified what it was.

[Bloodedge]

The Golden King could have been courteous enough to mention how long his alleged errand was, but was he? No. Days began to pass, Ramesseum Tentyris hovered over the Citadel of Uruk in a manner that would undoubtedly create even more tablets for the king's review during his return, and Ozymandias... laughed about that fact. A few days was all it took for the male pharaoh to recover from an existential crisis, at least enough to relax a bit. Some others could benefit from a few nights of rest here and there; it would do all of Chaldea the world of good.

Those few days became a couple of weeks with haste. Gilgamesh intended to miss no soul from the slaughter of Ishval, so he kept them lined-up properly until... finally, the last of them was present before him. Enki, the former god himself, was the final one to judge. Enki was not brought forth in any normal way, but instead held by the Gallu. It seemed he had been attempting some form of escape, only to be repeatedly dragged back down. Gilgamesh stared down at the former deity with contempt, thinking it was finally time for punishment. "Enki... it would seem losing an arm did nothing to teach you why crossing me is a good idea for no one. Let me show you why dogs are meant to heel." Nothing for the eyes of the squeamish would occur in the following moments. Enki seemed so terrified after finally reaching the end of the line, it was quite satisfying for Gilgamesh to observe. Just as satisfying was the removal of his remaining arm and legs in sequence, followed by a series of burnings, lacerations, emasculations and otherwise. This judgement process lasted for several more days as the King of Heroes sought some sort of elation. He could find none, but that would not stop him. Four days of Enki's torture passed. So much occurred that the line of souls awaiting judgement became double the length it had been when Gilgamesh arrived. Then, and only then, did the king pass judgement. Enki bore the crimes of all who inhabited Ishval, as well as those committed before the god himself reigned over it. The true punishment would occur in the deepest reaches of Irkalla, where Ishtar herself had once been dragged around for seven years. Gilgamesh cared not for observing this; he had things to take care of on the surface world. As such, he'd leave the Underworld nearly a month after entering it.

[Apollymi]

A month in Uruk. The party of the King of Heroes spent a month in his Citadel while he ran his errands. Life returned to a semi-normal status for ones like Artoria Pendragon and Jeanne d'Arc. She'd not ventured back to Camelot just yet, but figured she would when the time was right. She'd even managed to get the expressions of her face back under control. She spent time with her siblings, and with the Pharaohs. She'd even come to enjoy the company of the one known as Nanshe who apparently preferred to be called Metis. Siduri and Medusa continued working both seeming to have their spirits risen upon realizing that the Queen of Knights, though she'd been gone for a thousand years, seemed to easily return to herself.

Artoria a month later would be found, taking on duties, not specifically of running Uruk but instead of her own health. Where was she in a moment like now, the Lion's Den. Sitting among big cats and having fed them already seemingly having a good time. She was petting a rather large male lion having done her part to thoroughly tucker out the youngest of the cubs. She sat with a large smile on her face sword in her lap with nothing but light and amusement in her eyes. She supposed she'd get up soon enough. She still did not like idleness even more so now than before. But at least she'd not been tortured by nightmares or the like. She'd slept fairly comfortably since coming to this place... weird though it might have been. "It might be time for me to go... I am not sure though, surely no one will miss me if I sleep here~" she mused mostly to herself. Well that wasn't entirely true, such speech was reserved normally for Excalibur but in a room full of lions it would be rude to exclude them. "What do you think? Should I hop over to Camelot for a little while?" she asked as if she expected some sort of answer.