Moments passed, until Enkidu rested atop the finest royal bed in Uruk. The king remained over that bed, taking one of his companion's hands as it reached out to his cheek. "My brother," Enkidu spoke. "Dear as you are to me... they will take me from you." In that single sentence, everything that could be understood about the situation, was understood. They, Enkidu said. One could only presume 'they' was meant to imply the gods. Who else could curse Enkidu? To do that, one had to be capable of cursing... Oh. One had to be able to curse Gilgamesh himself to some extent. Those beings above would go so far to tear him down? How laughable. It was so laughable, in fact, that Gilgamesh... wept. There was nothing else he could manage. Decades upon decades were spent in this world, gaining everything it had to offer, and eventually discovering even the majesty of friendship truer than any bond one could ever imagine.
Now, that body sculpted as flawlessly as his own had been, was beginning to crumble. This was... death? Death was possible in this world, for people like them? Ten days, it took. Over ten days, Enkidu traversed multiple stages. They cursed a great many things, even including the Sacred Prostitute who gave them the true spark of humanity. Of course, they rescinded that final curse and replaced it with blessing in the end. Moments leading to death were harsh, and reacting to it all was quite difficult. In the end, there was but a final clause to offer Gilgamesh. "My friend, the great goddess cursed me, and I must die in shame. I shall not die like a man fallen in battle. I feared falling, but... happy is the man who falls in battle. I must die in shame. That is fine. Do not hate, my brother. I was just a tool." Those words were the final thing offered to Gilgamesh by his companion. As he wept, the king became outraged by that foolish thought.
"No. Hear me, Enkidu. You have been no tool, but a friend... of which I will never have another," the king insisted. To this, though, Enkidu shed tears as well. What sort of ridiculous proclamation was that? "My friend, why do you weep?" asked Gilgamesh. "Because, brother... Who would understand you after I die? Who else would march forward by your side? My friend… when I think that you will live on all alone henceforth, I can’t help but shed tears…" And so, those tears proved to be all Enkidu had left. A hand fell to their side, and the King of Uruk froze where he sat. Silence fell for minutes on end, until Gilgamesh finally stood, trembling through his every word.
"Hear me, great ones of Uruk. I weep for Enkidu, my friend. Bitterly moaning like a woman mourning, I weep for my brother. Enkidu, my brother... you were the axe at my side. My hand's strength, the sword in my belt, the shield before me... a glorious robe, my fairest ornament. Fate has robbed me. The whole of this world will weep for you, my friend... but none more than me. The young men of Uruk, your brothers, will go long-haired in mourning as though they were women." He shook further, reaching out with a hand that could not be stilled to touch the green-haired individual's cheek. There was no warmth to be found there, why? "What is this sleep that holds you now, Enkidu? You must be lost in the dark... and cannot hear me," he surmised. Yes, that was it. Enkidu was merely resting and playing another foolish prank like the days of old between them, right? They would wake eventually, he was sure. A veil overhead, as if veiling a bride, would send his friend off to a peaceful rest for the time being. Damned be those who came to collect the body for burial. Enkidu would wake, surely. But... why then, when the king touched his heart, was there no beat to be found?