Finis Chaldea

[Bloodedge]

Without immortality, Gilgamesh had but one thing to take from this journey. An herb to restore youth was quite close to what he originally sought, was it not? The old could become young again; it was even better than eternity in a single state, in a way. He looked to Utnapishtim, thinking of how bitter the situation would be if one obtained eternal life during one's decrepit years. So then, he'd follow Siduri Washing would not come first, though; he had to collect his bounty before reaching the alleged washing-place. With this information fresh in his mind, Gilgamesh opened the sluices, that a sweet-water current might carry him out to the deepest channel. Heavy stones were tied to his feet, dragging the king down to the water-bed. There, he saw the plant growing. It prickled him as warned, but that was the last thing capable of stopping him. Gilgamesh took the herb in hand and cut the heavy stones from his feet. The sea carried him from there, throwing him onto the shore. At long last, there was a smile on the king's face as he addressed Siduri, herb held tightly in his grasp. "Come here, woman! See this marvelous plant! By its virtue, a man may win back all his former strength. I will take it to strong-walled Uruk, and there..."

What was Gilgamesh to do when he carried this plant home? Well, after discovering that the gods were holding immortality to themselves offering it only under trials that could only be completed after an impossible journey, Gilgamesh thought this was a victory not just for himself... but indeed for all mankind. Restored youth was not immortality. One could be killed, but one could not die of aging. All could benefit from this, and the gods' reign of terror would be brought to a halt! "I will grow it. I will give it to the old men to eat. Its name shall be 'The Old Men are Young Again'; and at last I shall eat it myself and have back all my lost youth." Content at last, Gilgamesh continued after Siduri. Thirty leagues they had to travel after returning by the gate through which they came. Luckily for Gilgamesh, there was no way to take the same path he'd taken before discovering the wine-maker. Thirty leagues, and they would stumble upon a well of cool water─ a fitting pool for the king to bathe in before his magnificent return to Uruk.

[Apollymi]

The King did not wish to leave or bathe first. Instead, he went after the bounty of that mysterious herb. Of course, Siduri was by his side for the entirety of this situation, watching as he prepared himself to submerge wondering what drove him truly. She waited by the shore for his return to the surface and when he did he addressed her directly. She looked towards him, prepared to correct the use of the term 'woman' to refer to her in general. They'd been traveling together for quite a long while, and she'd been banished from the place of her birth, the least he could do, was use her name to address her at this point. Ah, but that was something that could wait, because for the first time since she'd known this man he had a smile on his face. That was surprising. He was excited to have it, happy to have it. And he didn't even wish to immediately use it himself. Instead he wanted to take it home with it, and spread it out among his people "Hm, that... is noble, a fit choice for a king," she said acknowledging his choice. "And Siduri. It'd become strange for you to keep calling me woman all the time," she said and from there she carried on.

How long did they travel back towards the world from whence he'd come? Very far, leagues and leagues until he came across a place he actually wished to bathe. Good for him. And Siduri would keep watch, brown eyes large and alight as she kept with her own hopes. What would the world be like. What was his city actually like? She'd stand to the side, waiting for the dismissal she figured was coming so she could leave him to his bath.

[Bloodedge]

Ah yes, that woman was sure to have a name, wasn't she? Gilgamesh took pause upon hearing her correction. It had been such a very long time since he even considered a name other than Enkidu's. He walked among beasts and monsters alike, none having names attributed to their identity. For decades, that went on. Now, he was experiencing his first introduction in quite some time indeed. "Siduri. You have been banished from the garden where you were the maker of wine, the ferryman, and the watcher of the shore. You have aided me as a midwife would. In Uruk, the great-walled city, there is a home for you."

No more waiting. In his satisfaction, Gilgamesh would strip himself naked and toss aside the beast skin that adorned him for so long. Those makeshift garbs would not do for a king's glorious return, and he was due for new garments anyway. He brandished his golden body as one would showcase the finest heirloom, as it was the most immaculate form in this world. Even in the filth of previous hunts, his magnificent form boasted the glow of the heavens themselves, and with it, he blessed the waters that would in turn cleanse his flesh and hair as no other water ever had. Ah, how wonderful! The water soothed his skin and soul. This should be the water he bathed in always, and perhaps he would one day make it so. Something had to be done with eternal youth, after all. "Come, Siduri! I deem these waters the most glorious of all. You are welcome to join this experience!"

[Apollymi]

Siduri's correction to her name had the king, singing an interesting tune. He pointed out that she'd been banished from her own, her noted skills and made the claim that she'd aided him in the ways of the midwife. The king of Uruk gracious as he was, made the claim that she could find her home within the walls of his city. "Oh? I should thank the king for his kindness. It would be quite helpful to see something new," she said. It seemed she bore no lasting attachment to the place she'd called her home for most of her known life. Instead, Siduri was more than ready to leave the shore and see what the world had to offer. Ah, a naked Gilgamesh. Shameless as he was, the King of Uruk stripped himself without a care in the world for the wandering eye of the wine-maker. In fact the sight took her quite by surprise and had her turning her head to the side to avoid catching any more random glances at his nudity. All was fine and soon enough he was as covered as he could be, steeping beneath the calming waters. Siduri coughed lightly freeing herself of any obligation but beneath her veil her face was exceedingly red. An offer to share a bath with the king was something many women would dream about, but it wasn't a dream Siduri shared. Though he given his own state, likely meant no harm by it, the flustered lass had no choice but muster a flustered response. "I do not think that necessary... I can just bathe later," she said turning on her heels to truly face away. The first Hero of this world would not be getting beneath her skin this day.

Ah, but something else lurked in this area. Beneath the cool sweet waters a white snake moved about. The scent of that lovely herb drawing its attention. It was slithering up gently, waiting for its time to strike. It's prey unaware and those he would steal from also wouldn't know. This creature once belonged to a goddess but now, it had fallen to a lowly status. A single sweet meal, one last declaration of its life before it all came to an end. Surely, that was fine. The snake aimed to swallow up that herb, gently taking it into itself letting that magic work upon it. And when it was finished, it would simply shed its skin and slither down stream. But there would be quite a few lasting effects to this tiny snakes actions.

[Bloodedge]

Over and over, King Gilgamesh splashed and wiped himself in the cool waters. Already glistening, he was made clean bit by bit. His hair regained its luster and golden sheen, and his body sparkled like freshly-polished jewels. Such a great moment this was, and yet, the wine-maker refused his offer to partake of the bath. Long locks draped over his face, the king laughed, that crimson gaze peering through the beads cascading down that mop of hair. "H'oh? What is this?" he wondered, taking in the sight of her seemingly flustered form and finding it greatly amusing. "O wine-maker of the garden of the gods, Siduri; does embarrassment seep up through the ground and take you by the ankle? Fear not, for you have been blessed with radiance of which there is no shame to be taken. Take pride in it," he insisted, carrying on as if she felt embarrassment for her own sake.

Content, relaxed, and unawares, Gilgamesh was fated to suffer one additional loss during his highest point of the last several decades. That rejuvenating herb was the one thing he'd gained from this journey. He was to use it for himself, but also for his people. He was to... lose it before even making it halfway to the strong-walled city of Uruk. His eye caught a glimpse of the fleeing snake, herb hanging from its maw and its skin left behind. Before he could even react, the creature was gone downstream. Gilgamesh... was stunned. He'd done all of that, and for what? To have the youth of a common serpent restored? Already, his bounty was likely back to the channel from whence he collected it. Gilgamesh sat at the water's edge, staring out into nothingness until... he laughed. "Fu-... fufu-... fufuhahahahahahaha! Ahahahahahaha!" Cracked from his core, he couldn't restrain the laughter which built itself from nothingness deep within his lungs. It forced its way out once, twice, and for a third time without halt. It had all been for naught in essence. For decades he wandered the world in search of something, and now, the weary king was ending his journey with no more than what he'd started with. The bitter irony alone was enough to drive men mad, as some cruel satire crashing down upon the silence of an otherwise blissful moment.

[Apollymi]

Oh, the king took amusement from Siduri's embarrassment? Of course he did, he was the type of man who saw such things often and after journeying for decades likely saw the novelty of her in a moment like this. "It's nothing like that... someone has to have some modesty," she claimed her face still burning as a result of his jabs and having caught sight of his nudity. Ah, poor lass, it would likely be ingrained in her mind for far too long. Maybe the image would eventually replace itself, disappear into the folds of her cortex long before she ever properly remembered seeing it. Yes, that was it, the exact thing to go for.

As she pondered over this point, that little serpent stole the fruits of King Gilgamesh's labors. It ran off with all that he had accomplished in decades. And in the face of that irony, the king, laughed. Oh but it wasn't a pleasing sound, it was the laugh of one broken and spit upon by the world. Over and over again, this man had tried and failed to catch hold of an ounce of hope. Or at least... that would be his thought... that snake lowly as it was, was once a creature of deep meaning to the world. Its caretaker once a goddess of Wisdom called Metis, who'd named him something like...Gandr? Yes, that was it, the snake once called Gandr. And Gandr's last vestiges stretched much wider and longer than any could know. By taking in that herb, the world would be affected, but in what way? Well, the snake was so pleased by the meal that it deemed it would not let it escape, as it was carried down stream it bit its own tail becoming endless in its cycle of renewal. A ring, this snake would now take on, but the meaning of its name was lost with its goddess. Gandr? Gandr? Jormungandr, the World Serpent. It's care given by wisdom determined the length of life, but in grasping its own tail, life became a cycle to start anew at its end. This, was what King Gilgamesh wanted for his people, but not something he would actively give, no... it would be through his failures that he finally gave to the world. The snake which found its resting place in the depths of the underworld, would change the world for the better by Gilgamesh's own hand, but never would he know of it. And on this unknown note, would end the Epic of Gilgamesh.

[Bloodedge]

Modesty? What a wasted effort. When one had, one should flaunt as the unique possession it was. Gilgamesh could, however, take solace in the fact that there was such a woman. In hindsight, women who brandished their beauty as a cornered hound bore its fangs were quite... disgusting. It gave him a memory of that goddess who had nothing to offer but a divine form, no capacity, no merit whatsoever. He never thought he'd develop a type while being capable of bedding women in every corner of the world on a whim, yet here he was... having a revelation.

He was prepared to accept Siduri's refusal of bathing. He was prepared to finish cleaning himself, and to let Siduri have the pool while he basked in glorious victory. Indeed, he may have even been prepared to properly absorb the sight of the wine-maker in bathing, but now... he was slighted by a beast. The king laughed like a maniac as his head fell back, dripping locks weighted and hanging into the water at his rear. "Was it for this that I toiled with my hands and wrung out my heart's blood? For myself, I have gained nothing. The beast of the earth has joy of it now. I found a sign, and now I have lost it. Hahahahaha!" He could do nothing but laugh at misfortune. In a way, he felt... empowered. The massive weight of this entire journey was now beneath him, and most importantly... he'd been throwing his life away in search of immortality for decades now, and in spite of letting his own life be in the hands of fate, fate could not claim it. In that case, was he not immortal by his own capacity? Could he not fell every attempt at his own life with a bit of effort put forth? He'd been doing so for his entire life thus far, so what was to stop him from continuing? Nothing. Strangely, there was a great satisfaction deep within the King of Uruk, if only because he could just... give up now. "Let's go. My long journey is over. Where are those garbs Utnapishtim spoke of?"

[Apollymi]

"Hmmm..." Siduri was in deep thought. The King of Uruk seemed somehow better for losing that plant he had. She didn't know why but it was almost like he'd found some sort of peace during this journey. She supposed that was best and if he wasn't throwing his life away, then maybe he'd learn to enjoy it eventually. She'd be in Uruk maybe for a time, she'd eventually come to know what kind of man he was after his despair. Ah, what was this now, he wanted to know about his clothing. Of course, she had it, she turned, her eyes up to avoid more unnecessary looking upon his unclothed glory. "It's here," she said. Though the lass would have enjoyed a long bath, she was more of a lover of warmer waters and these didn't look that. But with the end of Gilgamesh's journey she could go along with him for a bit if he'd prefer not to dwell on this place. He should at least return to a kingly visage, if he was going home to greet his people. But when they left this place, where would they be...

In the time since Gilgamesh began his journey, several other people had begun popping up all over the continent. They were busy individuals, garnering the faith of others, protecting the masses, or any other random thing. Of course, one such individual was in place just watching. A long blonde ponytail move about in the breeze and her body was carefully armored. She held with her the flag of France and had large blue eyes to boot. Why was she here? Well, there was a rumor about the Holy Grail and she was coming to claim it. She wished to use it to help her people and to that end, she'd been working. Doing what? Investigating some disturbance of space, she found in the middle of this place. It was wide spread encompassing a large area, but it was not solid yet. She'd be making sure she was inside before it solidified because it was thought this barrier was created by the birth of a Holy Grail. She felt no bad energy from the barrier so she felt it trust worthy enough, maybe it was here to keep the damage to nearby areas low, that was thoughtful for all potentially involved. Still, it was in a strange place, a disputed stretch of land, between several kingdoms and empires.

[Bloodedge]

Gilgamesh went on to dress himself in garbs that would not wear and tear with age. Though he was without his royal jewels, that was all fine. As he preferred, the majority of his torso was exposed, bar the golden pauldron-like shawl thrown over his shoulders. With that, the two were on their way to what Gilgamesh presumed would be Uruk, or at least the realm of Chaldea. Where they wound up instead, was somewhere... lower in the world. Why? Could they not be brought to the realm above? Oh well. "This is not Mesopotamia, nor is it Chaldea. Wine-make─... Siduri, why have you brought us to this level?" he wondered.

Little did the king know, the two of them moved as normal, yet they appeared in this realm as a golden glow falling from the sky like an incoming meteorite. Where they landed was within the confines of this barrier. They were but one of a total seven who were being dragged into this bounded field by a power equaling the world itself: The Holy Grail. At least one individual here had been keeping count of the stars breaching the barrier; he was one who knew why they came. Vermillion hair adorned his head, matching the stubble of his face and the three claw marks over his right eye. "Five," he counted. Another male, far more muscular than a human should be, looked up as well. Wild, black hair was moved from his gaze as he observed the falling star prior to Gilgamesh's query.

[Apollymi]

Ah, they were now somewhere strange, Siduri looked up from where they'd come and saw with her eyes, a magical barrier around this thing. "King Gilgamesh, I am hardly responsible for this..." she said her brows furrowing. "The layers in the world aren't exactly even, it isn't easy to get directly from one place to another, as you already know," she said with a minor scoff. "This is almost a completed barrier, or a reality marble but it's not done yet..." she mentioned of her own analysis. Why they were here, was a question up in the air, but the former wine-maker had done nothing but make the path, he'd been the one to determine the direction. Besides all of that, there was a huge barrier forming around them.

At the same time a different woman was riding into the barrier altogether. She dropped from the back of a winged horse that disappeared from sight after she landed. Her hands touched the ground and her covered eyes traced the whole of the lands. Oh, there were people here... "Hm, I wonder if I'm going to have to fight," she mused to herself. Six others besides herself wasn't a large number of people... and she could in fact kill a great number of people without real effort. What did she want? Some place to call home, she was done wandering about in the world, being treated as a monster. Oh well, what were a few more lives on her hands to disappear somewhere into the world. Ah, but the barrier still wasn't complete just yet, some criteria had yet to be met.