Finis Chaldea

[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.