Finis Chaldea

There was a mighty, and perhaps even meaningful exchange between the two monarchs of the Nexus. From that back-and-forth exchange came a fit of laughter from the former assassin. Did she think his claims ridiculous? Well, then they were both total fools. Each of them had an unwavering resolve, and goals that would be taken to the end of all creation. Both made a decision that would be held onto for an eternity, and strangely enough, those decisions did not clash with one another. Artoria was always free to seek the death she desired, but even in the wake of that death, Gilgamesh would be there to grant the life she deserved─ the life he desired. The time had come to settle, and settle, he would.

Gilgamesh did not dream in the conventional sense; Gilgamesh prophesized. Little did he know, that glimpse of a life he had before this one was very much a dreamer. All of those raided livestreams were an act of reaching for a dream, an innocent wish to be realized and accepted by an absolute star. Little did he know, his current reference for Artoria Pendragon was one he thought up in another reality. She, like himself, had been a star in the colloquial sense to all gamers, yet in a more meaningful way to... whom? Ishigami Daisuke, she said. It was so strange that she even knew that name. Gilgamesh himself had forgotten it some hundreds of years ago, before he even became a man. He became the boy who would be king, and he embodied that fully until the fated day came. So then, how was he to react after the sweet melody of the queen's mirth? How would he accept being called by a name long since lost, and referred to as ridiculous in a life he'd lost all attachment to? Well, he'd take another sip of wine before snorting a mock laugh over his grail. "Ishigami Daisuke, was it? Such a foolish name. It surely could not have been mine."

Artoria's mood was strangely good considering she'd just had a massive heart to heart. She considered that this version of the conversation went way better than a similar one she'd had with her sister, around the time she'd discussed her ability to slay her. It made her feel light and kept the smile plastered to her face. Some hundreds of years of his own lifespan before now, the man known as the King of Heroes had been Ishigami Daisuke. She knew this as fact for a few reasons. As mentioned by Pharaoh Ozymandias he was the flagship representative of the gaming community of Age of Eternity, he was always raiding her streams with her younger sister, and to that last end she'd once looked him up directly to threaten him with violence, though she'd been talked out of it. "It really was, I would know, between your being famous and looking up your address so I could threaten you with violence I am uniquely certain..." Artoria admitted without the slightest inkling of shame. She'd already admitted to being abnormally violent as an individual. Initially she thought this man to be hitting on her sister, and thus she was going to kill him to end anything sketchy about his behavior. It had been Emi herself to point out that all of his messages were aimed at Eri. And as such, she'd let him go about his life, while harboring a great amount of animosity about his visits. "Though if it is your preference, I can continue to call you the King of Heroes. I strangely felt compelled to use that name, just then..." she mused as she sipped from her own cup. Here they were comfortably conversing. Sure of the dreams of each other that were strangely not conflicting at all. And beyond all of that drinking and enjoying each other's company, what an absolutely adorable couple. Artoria's eyes would flicker over this man a time or two, did she truly like him? She liked his personality, and the sound of his laughter was growing on her. His diligence and attention were also things to like. But was that enough to define as liking? Well, there was also that kiss... she didn't dislike that, oh she was staring at his lips now. Why was that?

"Famous, eh? Well, I suppose that was me after all. And, of course, it is only fate that you would always approach me with violence and contempt." Another swig followed these words by Gilgamesh. He mulled over the thought of Hoshimi Eri looking him up in the other world, hunting him down and being at his bedside with weapons at the ready when he greeted the morning. He probably shouldn't have found that attractive, but it certainly set fire to his loins. Maybe his view of it was taken from a slightly skewed perspective? Yes, that was likely the case.

Whether Artoria referred to him as Ishigami Daisuke, Gilgamesh, or some other random phrase, he didn't particularly care. Only she could greet him with anything shy of reverence, and earn something other than his ire. What she chose would simply be the trigger for whatever type of meeting they would have thereafter. Artoria's compulsion to address him as that old human name was interesting in its own right, though. What caused such a thing? Perhaps the King of Heroes was making more headway than even he anticipated. Of course, it would even become obvious to him that she was watching his mouth each time the grail he drank from lowered. Surely Artoria didn't think he would go without commenting upon noticing this. "H'oh? And suddenly, the circle completes itself again. Don't tell me you've decided the time has come. The timing would be far too perfect, and reality itself may shatter. Or, did you think you could successfully avoid my gaze this time while gawking at me so brazenly?"

Would Artoria always approach him with violence and contempt? Well, he made it easy to do, "Violence is the way I approach most things, especially those I do not understand... But I am not particularly contemptuous," she said these words but there was a smile on her face. To be honest, she only did not follow through on that particular action because it was obvious to Emi that the man wasn't interested in her. Hoshimi Eri would do anything for her family and was definitely the type to kill over her little sister.

Whatever the case, she'd managed not to slay Ishigami Daisuke, she'd managed not to slay Gilgamesh and she was now sitting alone in a room with him, finishing her eighth cup of wine as if this was an excellent idea. That body of hers though was still acting of its own accord, and of course this snippet man would take pride in the fact that she was watching him, and bring attention to it. When they were alone her reaction wasn't quite so starkly negative, but it couldn't be given her own personality, "Brazen gawking? Is that what we would call it? This room is empty and white, we are speaking, quite peacefully I might add, where else would I look?" Ah yes, deflection! That always worked. A bit snarky too... she'd be able to hold her own as long as he wasn't berating her mind with images she didn't need it holding. Of course, she knew it wouldn't last long this confidence of hers, but that was about the best she could come up with on the spot. It was a bit annoying to be caught like a kid with their hand in the cookie jar. Even so, she couldn't really stop what she was doing either. This whole attraction thing was strange, surely, there was a logical explanation for her wandering eye. It couldn't have been something ridiculous like a desire to kiss a man who annoyed her to no end. That would make no sense.

"Hmph." Not contemptuous, eh? What an interesting thing to admit just then and there. The layers of Artoria Pendragon were peeling away piece by piece. The toughest, crunchiest part was all but gone in moments like these. Here and now, all that remained was the soft interior, though even that was littered with brittle chunks. For instance, who in the world did she think she was deflecting against? Yes, they were the only ones conversing in an empty, white space. She wasn't simply looking at him, though; something that simple would have been ignored with ease. No, the part of Artoria's mind that she would rather shut away was at work. She'd woken the part that would one day become his bride, and failing to smother it beneath the pillow. Even her little excuse could have been passable though, if not for the fact that she had nothing but more ammunition to grant the King of Heroes. Another snort escaped the male, and another sip of wine passed his lips. Once that was taken care of, he began staring her down properly. They'd danced this dance before. If Gilgamesh had his way, they would dance it a million times more. "It would be all too easy to show you a better place to look. Magnanimous as I am, I would even be willing to do so even though I've been offered nothing from the likes of you. That is the altruism of a king, is it not?"

Artoria didn't like the sound that escaped Gilgamesh's lips. Why? Because it implied a surety that would only end with her embarrassment. Ah, he was still drinking out of his cup. There was a moment or two of silence, oh but he wasn't done. Apparently, he'd held this off just for the sake of turning his eyes towards her. Did she like that? Did she not like that? She wasn't entirely sure. She had an almost innate desire to stare back. Why did this feel like fighting? Was it her fault? Was it violence that was buried deep in her soul? did she not really feel anything else? She wouldn't be surprised, but it wasn't always about violence when she was talking to him... she could at least admit that. 'Why? Why am I always so out of my depth while talking to this man? I am a murderer, this shouldn't be so fucking hard!' Artoria's mind was always full of strange sentences in reaction to the things the King of Heroes said. Why was he always so difficult? "I..." there was a pause.

What did she say that didn't end her up in some strange situation she was not yet ready to face? He said he would show her something she should look at and all she could think is that he was going to take off his clothes. She didn't want that, right? Yes, right... she'd seen him naked. It wasn't necessary. Of course, she also realized that it was much easier to ignore a naked person when you were certain of your lack of interest. No, she definitely did not want him removing anything from his person. All while she thought there were gears turning in her mind, the flames of her eyes flickering as she tried and failed to come to a conclusion. "I have no reason to offer a man who has everything, anything. Especially not on the day he orchestrated a celebration I did not ask for." she said. "Also it cannot be counted as altruism if you are obviously teasing me for your amusement." Yes, that sounded firm. Too bad her eyes hadn't moved at all from this man's mouth since his cup did. Where else would he have her look. If he got naked she should react with anger, as she did the first time, but now she did not trust her body to do the right thing and act as expected. No. She could not risk any of this. She should leave. And place so much space between the two of them it would be a hassle for them to cross paths. Still staring at his lips though, would it hurt anything to go for another kiss? Whose mind was this?

Silence fell. Well, it wasn't quite silence. Artoria spoke a single word, and then there was nothing for some time. All the while, he was most casually sipping wine from the grail. Would she take the bait? He wondered. It was all too easy to plant things in this woman's head, but she tended to avoid being reeled in fully each time the bait was taken. Just once, he'd managed. Even then though, she broke free just before the catch... but what a fight it was along the way.

Speaking of a fight, there was almost one happening right here, right now. He could almost feel the tension of Artoria's very soul as she struggled against him, and struggled against herself. Some time ago, he imagined she would have already assaulted him. Now, the situation was quite unpredictable while he wasn't utilizing the power of his eyes. Now then, what was this about a celebration she didn't ask for? "A celebration you've enjoyed nonetheless. Eight chalices," he counted. More importantly, though he may have been teasing her for his own amusement, there was far more to it than the present moment. She was already right back to playing that little game of chicken they participated in earlier this day. The outcome could be anything, he thought. "Oh, but it can be. I take only a moment of amusement, all to organize the heavenly bliss both of us will know the moment you cease your defiant behavior. Even now, you struggle. I make an offer, and you question its generosity instead of denying it outright? That is a far cry from what I expected of you only a few hours ago, which leaves open many new possibilities. What sort of dance will we have this time? I'm rather excited to find out."

Artoria was at war with herself. Everything about her, her words, her reactions and even the count of drinks she'd consumed was being watched with more acuity than could be offered by a hawk. Artoria had a moment of silence all the while she was watching the King of Heroes. Was she interested in him? It didn't seem like that was the right phrase. Ah, but what was this, she'd drank eight of these chalices full since the start of her party? And that was truly the showing of her happiness with this situation. What could she possibly say to something like that being pointed out. "Shit," her eyes widened. "Oops. Look do not tell anyone I said that. And no one can know I had eight cups... I can already hear Lancelot clucking like a mother hen about my bad decisions," Artoria had a single hand on her face but knowing she was already in trouble she went ahead and began drinking from her cup again. 'In for a penny.' The truth of Artoria was that she was always so busy suppressing her base self, that when she was alone or in trusted company she started to crumble. She had sworn more in the King of Heroes presence in the last day, than she'd actually sworn even in her own head in about a decade. "In fairness, I have not disliked today..." she admitted as she was always going to, though she'd wanted no party she could not deny she'd enjoyed the gathering, and the company of the King of Heroes.

Now though she was sipping from her cup and hearing the words of the King of Heroes. He would offer heavenly bliss if she stopped resisting? He was watching her struggle? Her behavior was already outside of her norm? "No one knows more than me how far outside of the norm my behavior is King of Heroes," she nearly snapped. That was like the most obvious statement in the world. "You provoke me at every turn, and it makes me want to fight but you do not simply die or back down. I am not used to being defied!" Artoria could have neared outrage but she also could not. "But I do not dislike such a personality and when I am given honesty as clear as yours, I find myself replying in kind," she mentioned. Her eyes ended up back on this man and they would not move. "Everything about you confuses me but I do not find it to be all together negative. So of course, struggle is inevitable," she mumbled into the rim of her cup. "It is a problem to be this way! And defiance is all I have left," she declared at the end. It had all been much simpler when she'd just kissed him, but she wasn't sure she could win such a battle nor was she sure she could stop her own body from reacting to him. Treacherous beast that it was, she could hardly take her eyes off him already. If he moved for her and she did not back down she'd find herself in another strange predicament. And, if she called his bluff and approached him it would be worse, right?

Once more, the Queen of Knights had only a swear to offer. She made it clear yet again that she wanted none to hear about that, but Gilgamesh's concern was in regards to how he could make those a frequent and purposeful reaction. Surely he could manage that within a matter of minutes, given the right situation. Ah, but this time, it wasn't simply her sister's reaction to be concerned about. She spoke of the knight Lancelot, comparing his behavior to a mother hen. "Fufu... ahahahaha!" he guffawed, having to force himself to stop just to finish his own drink. While he did so, he heard a very familiar phrase from the queen. Infinitely intriguing was the fact that she always claimed to not dislike things, but never claimed to like them. "How reserved. Soon enough, you will have an experience too magnificent that you cannot be silent about loving it," he declared.

Artoria was not used to defiance. In that regard, they were on the same page. Just as he was bothersome for refusing to back down or fall, she was bothersome for refusing to give in. Overall, Gilgamesh could call it the most entertaining courting experience in the world. Yet again, Artoria spoke in regards to her lack of distaste. All in due time. "Your struggle is of your own creation. You needn't be confused. That, too, is something in your path that I intend to destroy." There was again a strange amount of weight behind his declaration. He even stepped forward while she claimed this demeanor was a problem for her. While Artoria was concerned about the outcome of this conversation and the accompanying feeling within, he was in the process of removing the need for consideration. Brazen as he was, there was no hesitation in his effort to snatch the woman by the back of her head, forcing their lips together once more. The first time, he'd allowed her choice in the strangest of gambles. This time however, her desire was not to be questioned. Consent? He received that hours ago, and had no use of it here.

Another laugh, Artoria's eyes flickered. His laugh was definitely much better in these sorts of contexts. When did she start liking that laugh? She truly remembered it as being an annoyance before. Perhaps she changed her mind after getting to know him a better? Or maybe this was that biology thing her older sister mentioned? Perhaps it was less annoying overall because... he was appealing to her? Is he attractive? Maybe? She didn't dislike the way he looked she was certain of this. But did she like this? "It is not a matter of reservation, King of Heroes," she managed. Maybe one day she'd figure out how to avoid these sentences which made her stumble over words and not be able to keep straight in her mind moments.

According to Gilgamesh, all manner of her current struggle was her own doing, and he would be breaking it. Her eyes went wide for a moment. What was she supposed to do with this information? Well, there was nothing to be done for her. He was approaching her, even as she told him he confused her and what would he do upon reaching her? He grabbed the back of her head and pulled her in. There had been no bluff, no preparation, he truly just wanted to kiss her. And soon enough their lips were just brought together. What was she supposed to do? She kissed him back once their lips met. Apparently, her body understood its desires even if Artoria herself was unsure of what to do about it. He was so much bigger than her in a moment like this. Men standing over her in such a way was quite normal but why was this making her heartbeat faster and her face heat up? Did she like being held this way? Her empty hand was brought up, she shouldn't allow this right? So why then was her hand currently resting against his chest? Fuck! She didn't understand herself at all.