Finis Chaldea

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."

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.

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."

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.

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."

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.

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.

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...

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."

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?