Finis Chaldea

[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.