Their delay was working, but it was a definitive stalemate.
With every step, Tiamat had remained focused on Uruk. The fleet had made first contact with her guarding bel-lahmus by nightfall. While the lahmu hordes moved to assault Uruk below, the Chaldeans engaged from the cloudy skies above. With Drake's first volley from all cannons of her fleet, Tiamat's attention was snared; It was guaranteed when Arjuna used Pashupata to annihilate all her children in the vicinity. The gargantuan opponent clearly decided swatting the flies was now paramount for slaughtering her children.
Since then, their delaying effort was an intricate dance where a single mistake meant their complete destruction.
One of her scything talons swept through the air slowly on a collision course with several ships. From the command squadron much further behind, Drake quickly redirected the four, but their groaning hulls could only move so fast. Watching Tiamat's massive, lumbering form move was like slow motion, but the large, heavy arm missed the ships and took several of her newborn, tiny children that failed to evade. With a colossal splash, it slammed into the Chaos Tide below and shook the earth.
With every miss, it would take the giant goddess a minute or two to reposition herself. Her slow, sluggish movements were hampered by her titanic form, but any attack spelled doom for everything in its path. Nearly six dozen ships had been lost since the battle commenced, with casualties slowing only when Drake and Lord El-Melloi II managed to grasp her telegraphs. Since the first hour, the ship casualties have dropped significantly… but then there were the thousands of her newly born, flying children.
They were mainly attracted by the many, circling ships that threatened their mother. The dwindling number of pterosaurs assisted the many flying riders in hampering their assaults on the vanguard fleet; If they harassed the unmanned ships, the command flotilla out of Tiamat's reach had less assaulting them. Should Drake's Golden Hind or Blackbeard's Flagship fall, it would be game over for the Chaldean force.
A bel-lahmu screeched as a lightning-wreathed arrow tore through it like paper. Several behind it also fell, but Arjuna was already on to the next target. He fired his next shot, as Arash and Tota continued their own volleys on the other side of the Queen Anne's Revenge. Elemental spells careened among the chaotic skies to join the defensive bombardment while Tamamo prepared to use her noble phantasm for one last boost for those nearby. Gabrielle called new targets from the quarterdeck to waste no time.
On the few adjacent ships, the other servants kept the defensive operation. Energy was being expended at an absurd rate, but if it helped keep the bel-lahmus from landing on the ships, it was well spent. Still, an occasional enemy would slip through the cracks from odd angles; They had grown a touch smarter with their evolution.
One bel-lahmu dodged every projectile and managed to land on the Golden Hind. It raised both its talons to strike at Atalanta, who was bombarding another incoming group. Arash aimed towards the higher altitude ship, but his concern vanished. He smiled and redirected to a different target upon seeing the abomination quickly dissected into pieces. While Jack happily returned to her, Nursery Rhyme froze another two midair from her spot beside her adopted mother.
Gudao observed from his position on the Golden Hind nervously, ready to use his last command seal only if necessary. Drake stood at the bow, tense in concentration as she maneuvered her vanguard properly. Even with the vanguard fleet holding against the swarms, it was a painstaking process. She shifted another squadron of ships upwards as the goddess lashed out at them. Most made it past, but one exploded into golden debris as the goddess caught its starboard side.
"Shit…" Drake cursed. She manipulated the cannons on the maneuvering group to fire at Tiamat's eyes. The golden beams slammed into her face, making her roar in fury. The pirate smirked. "I got plenty more of that, you oversized bitch!"
Gudao nodded in satisfaction as his eyes panned across the skies. Two hours they've held, and that was a miracle thus far. The servants were giving it all they had, and most had expended their lone use of a noble phantasm. Drake and Blackbeard were spending the apple supplies wisely, though they were nearly depleted. They might be able to hold for another hour before they were forced to play Quetzalcoatl's card. If that was the case, he hoped that would-
Three of Drake's lowest ships exploded into clouds of golden debris, making the rider curse. Two more followed suit, making the rider growl in fury. Gudao, Mashu, and Fou ran over from the deck to stand on the forecastle with Drake. Atalanta quickly moved over to see what was happening as two more detonated. The archer narrowed her eyes before growling.
"It's the corrupted Ushiwakamaru. They've coordinated the bel-lahmus as stepping stones."
"Just what we need…" Gudao grumbled as he prepared to send a telepathic message to Gilgamesh. He stopped upon noticing the bel-lahmus' makeshift ladder was making a hole through the lower vanguard galleons. Their path would bring her right to the flagships.
:¦:ЭЖФЖФЖФЖЄ:¦:
Chapter XIII: Our Swan Song
:¦:ЭЖФЖФЖФЖЄ:¦:
"Just be quick about it, Iskandar. This is no time for sightseeing," Gilgamesh declared as the rider's chariot tore through the lahmu-filled air.
After firing a few explosive greataxes towards Tiamat's head, Gilgamesh banked his Vimana back towards the fleet's core. The circling vanguard wave of Drake's ships was what kept Tiamat truly distracted, but they couldn't lose their admiral. The thrusters roared as the archer cut himself a path through the flying swarms. As strong as they were, it was a blessing they weren't throwing themselves sacrificially at the ships; They had grown a degree of self-preservation.
However, no matter how many they killed, more would just be reborn from their mother's will. The pterosaurs' massive numbers had diminished greatly, but just having them made dealing with the abominations easier. It allowed Iskandar that temporary opening to investigate the roiling sea below, seeing something he deemed important. Though he had some doubts about what could be that important compared to the fleet, he trusted Iskandar's judgement.
The Vimana banked downward as he spotted the swarms of corrupted riders. The Ushiwakamarus paid him no heed in their number, so he let the rain pour. Dozens of golden weapons flew through the air, slamming bel-lahmu and rider alike with vicious precision. He flew past as the portals turned to continue their hailstorm as he repositioned. Scores of enemies fell, but some had already managed to reach one of the lower ships of the command section.
In particular, one exceedingly fast corrupted servant was giving Kuro, Illya, and Heracles a run for their money as she ravaged the deck. Gilgamesh couldn't aid the embattled ship against the real corrupted servant without collateral damage. His volleys were best used to keep the less-agile clones from reaching them. Dealing with the real one, which could resurrect infinitely from the mud, would be best left to someone else; Possibly Medb and Scathach, who had flown down to get Irisviel out of danger.
Tiamat's song rang into the air, shaking his vessel as he dodged a strafing bel-lahmu. He speared two with golden weapons as a fourth was rammed aside by Ishtar. Inanna followed behind her closely, firing gem volleys as they soared towards the vanguard decoys. He grunted and turned his ship to strafe the bel-lahmu ladder of Ushiwakamarus once again. At least he could take some frustration out on a bunch of worthless fakes.
:¦:ЭЖФЖФЖЄ ( -III- ) ЭЖФЖФЖЄ:¦:
Gudao blinked in surprise as a dark-skinned rider, likely the real Ushiwakamaru, appeared on the deck of the Golden Hind in a blink. She locked eyes with Gudao and sneered. Before she could dash towards him, she raised her katana and spun, stopping Jack's sneak attack instantly. The assassin yelped as the rider swiftly kicked her backwards, knocking her into Nursery Rhyme as Drake turned around. The pirate quickly fired a volley of rounds, but the enemy leapt up to dodge.
"I kill you or Gabby, this all fails!" Ushiwakamaru cackled as she fell towards Gudao in a downward-
The rider grunted as Mashu slammed her shield into her, knocking her away from the master. Quickly, she repositioned herself on the quarterdeck between them. The rider merely smiled as she disappeared and reappeared behind the master. She thrusted her katana forward, but Gudao had wrapped his arms around Mashu and spun both of them, allowing the shielder to deflect the strike. She growled in discontent as Fou dared to kick behind her kneecap to force a flinch.
"Just die and stop stalling the end!" the rider snapped as she pulled the same maneuver. Once more appearing behind Gudao, she moved to strike, but the attack was blocked by a silver arm. The rider paused momentarily to stare at the peculiar, silver individual. It was definitely no servant, but this closed-eyed maid had managed to halt her-
"Volumen. Please take out the trash." With a vicious kick, the silver golem sent Ushiwakamaru flying off of the ship. Lord El-Melloi II snapped his fingers, which consumed the enemy in fiery explosion when the spell ignited. The male caster's scowl deepened as she simply blinked back onto the quarterdeck. Her burned right arm was quickly refabricated from mud that poured from her stump.
With a snarl, her arm was as good as new. "Rapid regeneration… a gift from mother to child."
She charged again, but was hit by an arrow that froze her leg on impact. Atalanta smirked from her new spot on the mast. "Ice arrow. A child's gift to a better mother."
Another, cartoonish arrow formed in the air beside the archer. She took it and quickly prepared a strike as Jack appeared behind Ushiwakamaru. The rider sliced her own leg off and blinked away to gain distance. Her leg regrew as Mashu and Gudao made a break for the lower deck, but she quickly followed. Despite the attacks, nothing was halting her tunnel-vision on Gudao. To make matters worse, the Chaldeans' focus allowed several bel-lahmu to land on the deck.
Gudao's mind raced for an answer. His eyes glanced on Ushiwakamaru's focused eyes as the bel-lahmus tied up the other servants for their fellow child. He grit his teeth as Mashu jumped in front of him to slam her shield into the rider. She blinked behind the master again, and he knew this dance would only continue. He needed to get this corrupted rider away before she brought Drake's flagship down through anarchy.
It clicked. If she was going to follow him, then- "Gilgamesh! I need you to pick me up! Are you nearby!?"
With a roar, the Vimana flew into sight further behind the ship as Mashu blocked the next strike valiantly. She grunted as Gilgamesh made his swift approach, but the rider continued her assault. Gudao hissed as he was nicked by her blade, causing blood to gently soak his upper left arm. The rider cackled, and Mashu gasped in despair. She turned it to rage as she slammed Ushiwakamaru on the side of her head.
"Everyone! I'll be fine, I promise! Keep up the assault!" This was the only chance he would get. He ran towards the railing of the Golden Hind, dodging a swipe from a bel-lahmu as he did so. Grabbing his throbbing arm, he quickly leapt onto the railing and jumped off of the ship to the gasps of many.
:¦:ЭЖФЖФЖЄ ( -IV- ) ЭЖФЖФЖЄ:¦:
"You're learning bad ideas from your best friend…" Gilgamesh grumbled in his mind. To be fair, he did too.
The Vimana came to a halt beneath the Golden Hind to catch the falling Gudao. The master tumbled on the bow, just as a much smaller seat unfolded before the king. Gudao quickly scrambled to it, but did not hide his surprise. He sat down as two golden straps materialized. After quickly attaching them like a seatbelt, the Vimana accelerated rapidly. "I can't go as fast with you onboard, Gudao. Just be aware."
"That's perfect. As long as we get her away from the fleet," Gudao quickly explained as he pointed backwards. "Don't kill her though, so she remains tied up!"
Gilgamesh scowled as he looked back, noticing the corrupted rider pursued them with fervor while she dodged projectiles. It was absurd watching her using bel-lahmus as her personal mounts. He sent a golden blade flying towards one, smashing it instantly, but the rider already blinked to safety on the next. More and more bel-lahmus were arriving, making it a tedious task to keep destroying them.
But he had to, because she was using them to try and get closer, meter by meter. Gilgamesh scoffed. "Your plan is working, but I detest being used as a decoy, Gudao..."
"To be fair, I'm the decoy, your majesty," Gudao offered with an apologetic smile. "I'll make it up to you somehow, I promise."
"Somehow, I don't doubt that," Gilgamesh stated as he sent another wave of projectiles back at the pursuing rider. Gudao fell into a quiet state, holding one hand to his head in concentration; The usual sign he was trying to telepathically communicate under pressure. Gilgamesh merely kept any bel-lahmu off of them as they soared through the chaotic skies.
The Vimana banked to avoid a pterosaur taking out three abominations. They dove beneath one of Drake's vanguard ships, but it did not shake Ushiwakamaru. They weaved past more, and Quetzalcoatl even made a pass at the corrupted rider on her personal mount. After that failed, they swooped by Tiamat so he could send a few spiteful halberds into her eye, just to send a message, but Gudao remained concentrated.
Whoever he was talking with, it appeared important. It better be a strategy for dealing with this damn- Ishtar flew into sight behind the maneuvering bel-lahmu. Gilgamesh kept his evasive maneuvers and counter-fire as Ishtar opened up behind them. Inanna joined in to assault any reinforcements that were headed their way, but it was difficult with the skies choked with abominations. Thankfully the remaining pterosaurs ensured it didn't get worse.
Gudao opened his eyes as Gilgamesh looked back towards him. "Gilgamesh! Please fly us to Iskandar! He's picked up an injured Benkei!"
That deserting servant was still alive? He had forsaken his duty, which brought doubt onto their own Benkei. Iskandar must have had a decent reason to pick him up. Gilgamesh huffed, trusting the master knew what he was doing. The evasive maneuvers were getting frustrating.
Gilgamesh banked the Vimana towards the distance Gudao pointed with his good arm. Iskandar's chariot tore through the air towards them, an unmistakable sight in the bel-lahmu and pterosaur filled air. Maneuvering and firing accordingly, the archer sped towards the lightning-coated Gordius Wheel as Ishtar and Inanna kept up their assault. They would meet within the next minute, and Iskandar's mount was already slowing down in preparation.
Still, they were in midair. Benkei was near useless when not fighting on solid ground as far as the archer was concerned. Add his unknown, injured state, and that made it a pointless gesture. However, he's seen retainers do some fanatical things for those they followed. Perhaps there was something he didn't know that could be just as effective, but that still left one lingering issue as they finally approached.
The king looked down at Gudao, with one raised eyebrow as he blindly shot a bel-lahmu pursuing them. "How do you intend on getting Benkei to fight her?"
The master reached into the recently built, enchanted satchel at his side and pulled out a bronze apple. With a confident smile, Gudao turned to the archer and pointed up. "Please pull upward sharply and slow down! I'll handle the rest! It'll be a good show, I promise!"
"Vague answers irritate me…" Gilgamesh growled, but silently agreed as the master began to eat. The Vimana banked upwards. As it shot into the sky, it slowed down as requested. The king looked back to see Ishtar and Inanna had broken their pursuit to annihilate any bel-lahmu in the area. However, they left Ushiwakamaru closing in on them on the last one. Gilgamesh stared incredulously. "…What are those goddeses-!?"
"It's alright, I requested it! Thanks for the ride, Gilgamesh!" Gudao yelled as the archer turned back. He stared in total astonishment as the master jumped from the seat and fell towards the crimson seas below, just as Ishtar dealt a fatal strike to the corrupted rider's mount.
Gilgamesh stared back at Gudao, but he only kept smiling as the archer yelled. "You've learned a foolish idea from your best friend!"
:¦:ЭЖФЖФЖЄ ( -V- ) ЭЖФЖФЖЄ:¦:
"Benkei is ready! Don't be tardy on this, Gudao!" Iskandar warned telepathically. Gudao smirked as Ushiwakamaru corrected her tumbling to spot him. She was confused at first, but quickly snarled in delight. In a blink, she was before the master with her katana poised to strike. With a wince, he quickly raised his injured arm and fired the stun spell with the help of his suit.
Ushiwakamaru flinched and contorted as the two fell, but Gudao wasted no further time. With his first phase complete, he lifted his arm towards Iskandar's nearby chariot. The injured Benkei, whose center torso was a bloody clump, stood on the rail with spear gripped tightly. With a swift firing of his swap spell, Gudao replaced himself with the lancer. Iskandar quickly grabbed the master and yanked him safely inside the mount.
"That should do it…" Gudao winced happily as Iskandar bellowed in laughter. While the rider patted him on the back, they stared towards the falling duo as Benkei aggressively embraced the stunned, corrupted rider. "Here's hoping Benkei gets what he wants. Good thinking, Iskandar."
"A shame we didn't think of this earlier and brought our Benkei. This one will not survive his noble phantasm activation with so little od," Iskandar noted as Ushiwakamaru managed to impale both of them with her katana. Benkei held his firm grip, even as a bel-lahmu flew by and tore off one leg. The male rider smiled faintly. "Yes… perhaps he will get what he wants."
"Thanks for your efforts! Please assist the vanguard fleet again!" Gudao looked down as Iskandar's chariot circled the falling duo. Gilgamesh and the Ishtars flew away to rejoin the stalling fight, but the master kept his eyes on the pair. He couldn't tell what they were saying, but with the close bond those two shared, Benkei was likely letting his soul out. They fell from the high altitude, but approached the corrupted sea rapidly.
As the conceptual glows of the lancer's noble phantasm filled the air around them, Gudao nodded to them. It was safe to stay and ensure this would work, but he was well aware of how his noble phantasm operated. The two were likely there only as witnesses, for this corrupted servant could not possibly pass the test his noble phantasm incurred. Ushiwakamaru would be purified, even if it meant both of their deaths.
:¦:ЭЖФЖФЖЄ ( -VI- ) ЭЖФЖФЖЄ:¦:
"N-No! Why!?" the corrupted clone gargled out as it vaporized into thin air.
Gabrielle sighed in relief as the other Ushiwakamaru clones that boarded the Queen Anne's Revenge disintegrated. Nothing was left after the purple mist vanished. Scathach turned her guard towards the last bel-lahmu as a bloodied Heracles smashed it off the deck. Its crumpled heap slammed into another one, slicing both of them unintentionally as they coupled. Satisfied with his job, Heracles ran back to the mess of injured servants behind the master.
"Good job, Berserker…" Illya muttered weakly from her spot beside Kuro. Her unconscious sister was being treated by a tearful Irisviel, but she was not in a life-threatening condition. At Medea and Helena's quiet beckoning, the berserker continued to keep guard as the medical group stabilized their patients.
"Those Ushis caused one hell of a mess," Scathach scowled as Gabrielle looked over the many injured. "We cannot safely stall for much longer."
Only one extra, abandoned galleon from Drake's original command section remained, and it was all that protected the Golden Hind and Blackbeard's flagship. Three fourths of Drake's remaining vanguard had fallen in the chaotic mess, leaving only a sparse thirty ships to distract Tiamat. The female master watched two more explode as the bel-lahmu began to swarm. With many of the abominations still assaulting them, a retreat was probably the best-
Tiamat screamed into the air, louder than any of her previous arias. The noise sent shivers down the master's spine, and terror back into her heart. The beast's eyes glowed a fiery red as they gazed towards the command section. Gabrielle felt frozen, like she was looking into Gorgon's eyes as Gudao described. She wanted to run, but there was nowhere to go on this ship. "S-She's noticed us!"
"Aye, but we're just lucky it took her this long!" Blackbeard called out from the forecastle. The greatcoat-wearing pirate stared curiously as the primordial goddess' eyes glowed brighter. Slowly, it grew in intensity as she glared towards them. The pirate's eyes furrowed, causing Anne and Mary to look from their spots in his crow's nest.
"Gabby! There's a spike in Tiamat's energy readings! Something's coming!" Roman's voice crackled intermittently over her wrist device.
There was no sound to it, but her eyes had formed a crimson ball before her face. She stood motionless, charging a thick clump of terrible prana. Most did not seem to notice with so many bel-lahmu threatening to board, but the master did. Gabrielle freed herself from the grasp of fear to shoot out a mental order. "Blackbeard! Drake! Pull the ships up!"
Many wounded grunted as the ships quickly rose. The wood screeched in agony as the tattered sails fluttered, but Tiamat expected it. With a proper tilt of her head, Tiamat's eyes fired the orb of concentrated prana. It formed into a beam, but Blackbeard managed to predict the new trajectory. He had brought his ship lower, just dodging the shot as it singed the mast's Jolly Roger into nothing. Anne and Mary screamed upon feeling the scorching heat so close to them, but they were saved.
The same could not be said for the Golden Hind. Its hull was caught in the blast that raked straight through the ship. Gabrielle cried out in horror as the ship began to fall, disintegrating as it collapsed into the manifested beam. At the last second, the attack faded before the deck was incinerated. With the loss of most of its structure, the ship began disintegrating, causing the boarded servants to scramble. Bel-lahmu took advantage of the situation and swarmed the ship like vultures.
"Astolfo! Medusa! We need you back here!" Gabrielle cried out without wasting time. She raised her hand, and it flashed red twice to burn through her last command seals instantly. With a flash, both riders were soaring through the skies as some pterosaurs swooped in to provide backup. She ordered, "All servants on board! Covering fire!"
Arjuna was the first to start the protective volley as the two riders swooped in. They cleared a path, but the Golden Hind had completely disintegrated, as had the last escort ship further above. With a groan and flapping of its sails, Blackbeard quickly repositioned his ship beneath the remnants of the Golden Hind to catch who they could. The flying riders began attempting to grab whichever falling servants the ship couldn't reach.
Lord El-Melloi II was caught in the talons of the Hippogriff while Medusa caught an injured Atalanta. An unconscious Drake fell into the arms of Blackbeard as he quickly rushed her over to the medical group. His torso dripped with her blood, but not more than her own from the vicious bel-lahmu attack. Gabrielle turned from the fallen rider to the vanguard fleet, which had all but disappeared to leave the remaining pterosaurs at Tiamat's mercy.
"How… How did she know!?" Gabrille asked as Mashu ran over after landing safely with a sobbing Jack, who was missing a leg. Astolfo dropped off the male caster beside her. She looked at him as he walked over to her. He walked calmly, like his lacerated arms and torso meant nothing.
The man scowled and cursed, "It must have been Ushiwakamaru. They must have shared more of a hive-mind link than they led on."
As Heracles and several others aided with the newest injuries, Gabrielle turned back to Tiamat. Her heart stopped briefly as she heard the ominous thunder from the ground. The shockwave rustled the torn sails of the Queen Anne's Revenge, but she and Scathach could only stare from the quarterdeck as Blackbeard ran back to them. Breaking herself from panic, she began creating a telepathic line; The main force was not organized to stop her.
"Gudao! Ishtar! Anyone! Drake is out of the fight! Plan B! Tell Questzalcoatl to use Piedra del Sol! Now!"
:¦:ЭЖФЖФЖЄ ( -VII- ) ЭЖФЖФЖЄ:¦:
Quetzalcoatl's escorts banked away, leaving the rider and accompanying pterosaurs alone on the rest of the dangerous journey.
Ishtar held onto her boat as the shockwave of Tiamat's next step threatened to throw her off. She wished her craft had as much stability as the Vimana or Gordius Wheel beside her. Upon firing another gem volley to help clear their own retreat path, she looked to Tiamat's massive head as Quetzalcoatl's mount soared above it. Though the rest were to retreat to safety, she was going to do this move alone.
A dozen of the remaining pterosaurs guarded her, but they were losing the battle to the bel-lahmus. The southern goddess kept hovering on her mount, even as the beast was slashed. It struggled to maintain its position, but the Southern Goddess continued her vocal chant as she began to glow brightly. Ishtar and Inanna were too far to provide any supporting fire, and Gilgamesh was keeping the abominations off them. She could only hope the rider would commence her attack in time.
Jaguarman tossed an incredibly nervous glance behind them as Quetzalcoatl's light illuminated the land. She was reborn as a nighttime sun, making the darkness vanish in her blinding glory. Even the clouds above were coated in her grandeur, which made Tiamat come to a halt. Slowly, the goddess' head peered up in confusion to look at the orb of blinding solar energy that emitted from the rider.
"Remember, for the sun shall always shine even on the other side!" Quetzalcoatl's last line boomed through the air. A light shined from her distant temple and shot towards her. The Sun Stone joined with the southern goddess and ignited her cataclysmic attack. Had Gabrielle destroyed it, this would not have been possible. Now, it was one of their last hopes. Quetzalcoatl bellowed to the skies, "Piedra! Del! Sol!"
Tiamat screeched in agony as Ishtar grunted in surprise. Even from her distance, she could feel the scorching heat starting to grate her skin. She desperately moved her arm, trying to cool it with movement, but the solar rays turned into a storm. The hurricane of heat swirled around Tiamat as her cumbersome, titanic body lit like an inferno. She was a candle wick, and a majority of her children were drawn to the flame in concern for their mother.
Swarms of bel-lahmu threw themselves at Quetzalcoatl, but most were incinerated before they got close. Those that came further behind were shielded by those closest, allowing them to inch closer to the threat. The remaining pterosaur shield, alight from their owner's own attack, suicided into the masses of bel-lahmu to hold them back. They sacrificed their last energy valiantly for the southern goddess. However, it left her defenseless when a few abominations managed to reach striking distance..
Regardless, even though Quetzalcoatl was in danger, the damage had been dealt. Beneath her feet, the swollen, desolate lands of the once fertile plains were revealed as the Chaos Tide evaporated under her attack. Tiamat didn't move, even as the goddess' light faded and the bel-lahmu swarmed her. Quetzalcoatl screamed and struggled as she fell, attacking the children of Tiamat with her weakened form. Most lost interest at the weakened goddess, but some wanted the final blow.
"Quetzalcoatl! No! I won't let you die like that!" Jaguarman shrieked as her remaining pterosaur contingent banked back towards them.
"We're going too! The others should still be alright!" Gudao ordered as she glanced towards the Queen Anne's Revenge. As they banked to follow, she saw a large number of bel-lahmus still swarming the vessel. The remaining archers and melee servants were holding them off well. Blackbeard's ship had yet to turn or move, since they were waiting for their return as escorts; They'd have to wait a little longer.
Ishtar looked at Tiamat's feet and gasped. "The Chaos Tide! It's regenerating beneath her!"
The master's head snapped downward, as did the rest of their small formation. Gilgamesh audibly cursed as he looked up at the unmoving goddess' face. Her stare continued to face Uruk, but beneath her, the chaos tide flowed from her feet. More bel-lahmu appeared from her stomach, belched from her womb in streams to replenish those lost in the solar wind-
Tiamat shrieked again as the group flinched. The solar winds picked up once more as Quetzalcoatl reactivated her ultimate attack behind her back. The orb of light evaporated the chaos tides once more. The attacking bel-lahmus were incinerated as Tiamat caught fire once more. Gudao groaned in pain as the servants were forced to hold position. Just like the last attempt, it did nothing to harm her body. It faded quickly, and the group accelerated to quickly accomplish the dangerous goal.
Jaguarman's remaining flocks tore through the skies towards the falling Quetzalcoatl, but they vanished amongst the incoming swarm of new abominations. There were too many coming at them, but Iskandar's chariot crackled with lightning to accept the challenge. The rider led the way, and with the supporting archers' firepower, the path was cut for them and Jaguarman. It allowed her to swoop behind Tiamat's legs in time to save Quetzalcoatl from a nightmarish fate.
With the objective accomplished, they quickly banked away as midnight orbs of prana formed from Tiamat's exposed belly. They formed the next wave of bel-lahmu, which quickly chased after the turning group. Ishtar prepared her next set of gems to repel the-
The conceptual birthing stopped. A low buzz reverberated through the air as Tiamat's horns shook. In response, her two, small wings unfolded themselves, but they did not flap. Slowly, the goddess began to hover. Tiamat gradually lifted into the air, but she was unbearably cumbersome to fly. Still, Ishtar's shocked expression matched Gudao's as Innana sputtered, "Tiamat can fly!?"
With her eyes glowing brightly, the goddess stared towards the Queen Anne's Revenge. The crimson orb began to form, and Ishtar shook her astonishment to charge her own shot. She let it fly, but to her dismay it was absorbed by the orb. Gilgamesh and Inanna were too busy thinning the coming swarm as it approached the trailing Jaguarman. With nothing to counter, the attack was going to devastate Blackbeard's ship if-
A colossal explosion slammed into Tiamat's head, making her scream and prematurely shoot the beam into the sky. It rended the clouds, making a small opening where it discharged. Another cannon round fired from Blackbeard's ship, shaking the goddess in flight as it slammed into her stomach. A third round exploded in the air as a thick, pursuing cluster of bel-lahmus was annihilated. The shrapnel and back blast from the detonation shredded hundreds more behind them.
There was no time to ponder on the facts. The quartet continued their escape, but the new dilemma could not be ignored. With no pterosaurs or ships, stalling was near impossible, let alone bringing down a flying goddess. It was a wonder how they were even going to ground her if Blackbeard's high-powered shots were but a nuisance. Another two rounds impacted, but the goddess only flinched as she began to birth her children again
"Gudao, we can't conserve energy and fight those things off!" Iskandar declared as the cloud of bel-lahmus quickly filled the air around Tiamat again. The first was always a defensive wave, but the ones that followed would come after them. With such numbers, they would be expending too much prana just trying to hold their ground. Ishtar fumed at the daunting task, wondering how anything could possibly-
An explosion of earth from the ground caught the abominations' attention. The charging group looked down in surprise as the smoky debris cleared. Even as she came under assault by bel-lahmu, the snake-like form of Gorgon tore through the air to grasp Tiamat's leg. Ishtar gasped at the sight. With their clear view, there was no doubt it was the composite goddess… but something was different.
Gorgon assaulted Tiamat with full fervor, even as she was swarmed by bel-lahmu. They attempted to cut at her, but her thrashing hairs sliced dozens with each beams. It was confusing yet inspiring to see her fighting so many by herself and winning. Even as Tiamat shrieked at the composite goddess, she refused to let go. Her talons seized the leg for dear life to allow her massive tail to chain itself to the primordial being. Even in the darkness, Ishtar could see the reflection of little light on her scales…
Gorgon never had such a golden, friendly aura to match her scales. Gudao yelled quickly to confirm her thoughts, "We have to help her! There's no way that's Gorgon!"
"Are you sure!?" Iskandar cried out, but banked towards her anyway. Gorgon noticed their charge and stared at them, confirming everything with the split-second expression.
It disappeared, to be replaced by a hiss. "You weaklings can't even win against the bel-lahmu! Just leave! Get out of here and flee to Uruk! I don't need any of you worthless-!"
"No, Ana! Not this time! We're coming to help!" Gudao's amplified voice shot through the air, making the composite goddess' façade shatter. "I don't know what's happened to you… But we're coming to help! We saved Quetzalcoatl and Jaguarman, we'll save you too!"
"No… No you won't! I don't know what you're talking about!" Gorgon cried out as she slithered further up Tiamat. She screamed as the primordial goddess cut into part of her own leg off to slice Gorgon's tail in half. The snake-like being screamed, but the self-inflicted damage to Tiamat had already vanished like it never happened. The wounded goddess sputtered out loudly. "L-Leave! Leave me!"
Ishtar turned to look at the wounded Jaguarman with Quetzalcoatl in her arms. The bloodied goddess was barely recognizable save for her platinum hair and blood-soaked headpiece. There was no way they could assist her and protect the wounded goddesses at the same time. She turned to Gudao, but held her suggestion back upon seeing his conflicted expression.
"I hate to say it, but we need to leave Ana…" Inanna muttered, but Gilgamesh nodded in agreement. "The swarms are off us… It's our only chance to escape."
Gorgon snarled at Tiamat as her mystic eyes glowed purple. Ishtar watched Gudao stare at them in thought before he clenched a fist and slammed it against the chariot's side. Iskandar patted him on the shoulder in recompense as the master cursed silently. As Tiamat sang into the air and raised an arm to kill Gorgon, the allied goddess yelled out one last time. "…Just once more, Gudao! Let me protect all of you! Run while you can!"
"Pull back! Get to the Queen Anne's Revenge!" Gudao ordered as he cinched his eyes shut. Iskandar immediately banked the Gordius Wheel, and they charged full speed back to the flying galleon. Ishtar glanced back one last time to see Ana murmuring to herself with a smile on her face. The archer put a hand to her mouth as their friend's last wish was granted.
"Pandemonium Cetus!"
:¦:ЭЖФЖФЖЄ ( -VIII- ) ЭЖФЖФЖЄ:¦:
Gabrielle watched with tears in her eyes as Ana's form transformed into a slithering mess of black snakes. Even from their distance, she could see their midnight forms wrap around Tiamat's legs and scatter the surrounding bel-lahmu cloud. One formed into what she presumed to be a head, and it glared at the primordial mother as she continued to rise into the air. With a horrific screech, a beam of malevolent, black prana fired towards Tiamat.
The primordial goddess' last attack slammed through the grotesque form of Ana at the same time, forcing the purple and crimson-hued surge off course. The beam managed to slice through the horn and a wing of Tiamat, causing her flight to cut abruptly. She slowly fell, even as Gorgon's form disintegrated into a cloud of beautiful, golden light. Ana's giggling echoed through Gabrielle's mind as tears rolled down Mashu's cheeks. They looked back in mutual concern.
Medusa shook and breathed erratically as she held her wounded side. Gabrielle quickly moved to comfor- Tiamat's dreadful scream made her turn back quickly. The goddess landed upon the earth, stumbling forward in slow motion due to her cumbersome size, but she did not fall completely. Slowly, the primordial goddess corrected herself as she looked up to face the Queen Anne's Revenge. The horn wasn't repairing, nor was the wing, but there was no time to celebrate.
"Gabby! Pull back to Uruk! We can't hold her off any longer!" Gudao yelled telepathically as the retreating group raced towards them.
Mourning and comfort could come after they lived through this. "Blackbeard! Turn us around, and full steam back to port! We're out of options!"
"Aye aye, Master…" Blackbeard groaned out as he walked up the stairs to the quarterdeck. The helm of his ship turned by ghostly force, and the damaged vessel rotated to starboard. With a grunt, the rider made his way to the very back railing as Gabrielle and Mashu followed him. The rider caught them eyeing his left arm, which was missing everything past the elbow. He merely shrugged. "The ship will hold. She's been through worse."
"We're more concerned about you! You're injured!" Gabrielle stated as the remaining, unfired cannons materialized on the rear hull. Blackbeard merely laughed heartily and stared down at his nine remaining shots. The ship rocked gently as it accelerated, and he grinned.
"…It will take more than this to bring the infamous Blackbeard down!" the rider roared. Gabrielle noticed him point at Tiamat, who was charging a new beam of energy to decimate them. With a smirk, Blackbeard gestured with his intact arm and a cannon roared. The naval gun disintegrated as its shot slammed into Tiamat, forcing her to prematurely fire the beam into the air. "Anne! You and Arjuna keep these flying rats off me! I got six shots left and I'm making them count!"
A rifle report from high on the damaged mast was the only reply. It tore through four bel-lahmus in a bouncing trick shot, but Blackbeard was focused. The ship had gained far more speed than the master ever thought possible. The pirate picked a golden apple from his coat, the last one, and quickly bit into it. She eyed the determined glare and defiant stance as he kept his focus on Tiamat. The skies around her swarmed with her children, but only a scarce few groups came forth.
Gudao's group approached the accelerating Galleon with new swarms of bel-lahmu in tow. Ishtar and Inanna immediately began harrying maneuvers with Gilgamesh. The Gordius Wheel pulled up alongside the damaged ship, allowing Gudao to quickly hop onto the quarterdeck. Seconds later, Jaguarman's pterosaur crashed onto the forecastle, discarding the wounded goddesses on board. As the medical group rushed them back to the others, Gudao limped over to the back railing while holding his wounded arm.
"Blackbeard! Please don't push yourself too hard!" Gudao stated as Mashu rushed to his side. Fou happily jumped onto the master while he reassured the shielder by holding her hand. "Mashu-"
"I'll yell at you later, and yes, I'm ready to use my noble phantasm," she smiled tearfully at him. She quickly pecked him on the cheek before dutifully running back to the railing. In her place, Gabrielle quickly and silently jumped to her best friend's side and began a minor healing spell.
"Ah no you don't! Not time to see Davy Jones again," Blackbeard growled as he fired two shots from his remaining rounds. One cannonball slammed into the cloud of bel-lahmus shielding her, dispersing them and shattering many. The second followed close behind to slam into the goddess' head, shattering the charging shot in an instant. The rider cackled, "The Royal Navy put up a better fight!"
Despite his bravado, Gabrielle could see his haggard breathing. The determined rider earned a lot more respect from her, but would he make it? At this speed, Uruk was closing in at a steady pace. Even if the ship still accelerated, they weren't even a quarter of the speed of the supporting goddesses. The ship shifted and turned, dodging a powerful beam from Tiamat that shook the vessel. Even as the wood groaned and the risks skyrocketed, he held firm.
Her hopes would have been rekindled, were it not for the loud collapse below them as the Chaos Tide finally broke through the Teeth of Utnapishtim.
:¦:ЭЖФЖФЖЄ ( -IX- ) ЭЖФЖФЖЄ:¦:
Ten minutes was how long it took to safely return to Uruk. Blackbeard had held the retreat firm with the help of others. With her last useable od, Helena had created a smokescreen that aided with their evasion. The last five minutes had been easier to manage without the goddess shooting at Queen Anne's Revenge. It ensured the defending quartet only had to deal with the swarms, and Blackbeard could conserve his vanishing od.
Admittedly, Gilgamesh was impressed as he escorted them on the Vimana. He had fired his last shot six minutes ago, but every single one was well calculated. There was no doubt he was Blackbeard in these pressuring moments, though he wished he'd act less ridiculous in Chaldea. Through his effort, their safe return to Uruk was ensured, but there was no welcoming party.
No one said a word as they flew over the flooded remains of the kingdom. Smoke filled the air as the Chaos Tide ate at the brick foundations of the city. A tower sizzled as it toppled and slammed into the waist-deep sea. Lahmus swarmed beneath them, racing past every building and the palace to assault the distant temple.
It was the only positive sign in the entire disaster, where dozens of staves in portals fired down on the invaders. The remaining garrison fought at the highest tier of the ziggurat to keep them from King Gil. Judging by the low count, nearly all of them had been medically evacuated already. The masters ran to the bowsprint as King Gil's voice boomed over the chaos. "You did all you could, Chaldeans. Join us in the final defense!"
The ship groaned and rocked forward as it slowly headed towards the temple's top. The descent was uncontrolled, and the ship was quickly picking up speed and losing a safe angle. Gilgamesh watched panic rush through the passengers as Blackbeard fell onto his knees at the forecastle. Gabrielle quickly jumped over and began healing him. He only chuckled dryly, "I got your back… Pirate's honor… Shit… I don't know if-"
"Out of energy?" King Gil scoffed. "Honestly… must a king do everything?"
Slowly the vessel came to a gentle descent. Its angle was righted as Gilgamesh eyed his counterpart's magecraft. He stared at the golden, cuneiform rune circles that controlled the ship's fall, slowly lowering it onto the temple's massive roof. The King of Uruk made it look easy and a trivial task, since he merely stood at the center of the flat tier with his tablet open. He smirked as Arthur and Arturia ran towards the ship to assist.
Wood snapped and gave way as the ship came to rest on the spacious temple roof. With controlled chaos, the ship collapsed on itself, breathing its last breath at the end of its journey. The deck became a crumbling mess as the ship dissipated into golden dust. The injured were left arranged neatly, allowing Mashu to quickly set up her shield in the middle of them. Gudao and Gabrielle quickly began redirecting any chosen servants to join them.
"Sorry, Gabby… I got a touch careless," Arash chuckled as he ran a hand through his bloodied hair. His left eye was closed shut, but his smile still brought a sad giggle from the master.
"It's alright, Arash… just rest when you get back. We'll win it from here, so thanks for all your effort! All of you!"
Gilgamesh paid no more attention as he began his strafing runs to distract himself. There was nowhere he could look where he would not see his destroyed city. As Tiamat's footsteps boomed closer, his peripherals witnessed the tragic landscape while he took pleasure in every chattering lahmu's death. The crimson mud covered everything, making an occasional building collapse into itself. His vision flashed momentarily to see his bustling kingdom on a sunny day, but it was only because he blinked.
Dozens more makeshift projectiles shot from beneath his vessel. His circling was joined by the two Ishtars and King Gil's stave bombardment. Arjuna ran to one of the temple's sides to assist a lightning flinging archer thin the remaining herd. Tesla nodded to Gilgamesh as he buzzed past, but the King of Heroes did not smile.
He merely watched to ensure those smiling beasts were removed from his sight. He wanted nothing more than to be done with this as he let his treasures rain down. Soon, there were no other beasts remaining. The archer was left with the steady hum of his ship's thrusters and the thick smell of smoke and destruction. He turned to the palace roof as the Vimana held position, not wishing for his eyes to engrave this sight of his kingdom.
Quietly, he observed as Mashu's shield activated and Chaldea leyshifted the dozens of wounded and fatigued servants back. It resembled an actual deployment now, with so few remaining allies. Many of the strong still remained, like the Indian Trio, but there would be no further reinforcements. It was all up to them now.
Shiki, Jeanne, and Ozymandias stood at a far corner, observing the surroundings with Arjuna and Tesla. Iskandar was talking beside his chariot with the newly landed Ishtars. Helena did what she could to treat the unconscious Quetzalcoatl and Jaguarman at the center by a stack of peculiar chests. He recognized them as some treasures of the king, but the contents were unknown. The only one he could identify was that clay box from their room that held the precious cord.
King Gil discussed with the masters and blue-tinted Chaldean physician by the chests. Further away, a bronze-skinned, Roman lancer, who was usually booming with confidence, remained quiet beside Altera and Scathach. Karna was attempting to cheer up Helena as she healed the two comatose Mesopotamian goddesses. Rama quietly approached as the female caster silently cursed. All conversations were hushed, and it left him little to distract himself with as his city burned around him.
Finally, there was Arthur and Arturia who stared at him as his ship lowered to the roof. The two sabers glanced at each other briefly before he turned away. Gilgamesh let his eyes wander over his city again, finally engraving this sight into his mind. Anger wrestled for control, but he did not allow it. He merely stared quietly as he acknowledged this was his own personal Camlann of sorts.
"No king should ever have to see this…" Arturia whispered quietly to her taller, male counterpart. The archer quietly shook his head, but did not turn around.
"Yet it has come to pass, as Fate has foretold…" King Gil declared solemnly as he walked up to the duo. He joined his counterpart in staring across their kingdom in silence as Tiamat's footsteps boomed closer. Mashu and the masters joined the two sabers, worried about the mood. King Gil huffed with pride to surprise them. "You will be satisfied to know five hundred survived this disaster thanks to the French."
Gilgamesh blinked and turned to his living self. "…Where are they?"
"The Palace Vault. Our vault," the King of Uruk answered with a small smirk. No one was ever allowed in there without the king's consent. It was… fitting. The last treasures of his kingdom were his subjects finding refuge within. "The rest were hiding here, but the lahmus killed all of them even with our defense. They ignored our palace, believing it was empty with all our defenders here… They shall last the night."
Tiamat's aria rang through the air, making the two Gilgamesh look up as her silhouette appeared in the smoke. King Gil sighed, "And so she arrives…"
With slow, lumbering steps, she walked towards the southern wall of Uruk. Her foot smashed through it, followed by the other as a cloud of guardian bel-lahmus swarmed into sight. Her upper body came next, piercing the curtain of smoke so her red eyes could gaze upon the temple. The flying abominations swarmed towards them. There were still so many of them, yet all was not lost.
However, there was a small ray of hope. With far less servants here, Merlin's lingering tampering fed mana to him at a faster rate. He knew all of them could feel it. While it was only double the regular replenishment, it would make a world of a difference. His Vimana slowly rose into the sky, followed by the Ishtars as Iskandar remounted his chariot.
There was still a war to win, and so he summoned his makeshift cannons to meet the tide.
:¦:ЭЖФЖФЖЄ ( -X- ) ЭЖФЖФЖЄ:¦:
"Give me twenty more minutes! That's all I need!" Ereshkigal cried out from the summoned mirror. It rested with the stack of chests in the center of the roof. King Gil cursed beside Gudao, but nodded anyway. Mashu and Scathach kept close guard of him and his best friend, who were crouched in the center for protection. Altera's rainbow sword whipped through the air to take out a swooping bel-lahmu, making him flinch as its remains tore past.
"Inanna! Take to the clouds and await my signal as discussed! Assist as necessary!" King Gil ordered, making the goddess glare at him. She took to the skies anyway.
The master opened his enchanted satchel, reaching into its unassuming depths to see if he had any ointment. The bag was practically empty, so he merely rubbed his wounded arm and winced. At his request, Helena conserved her energy for the servants instead of healing him. Gabrielle's tiny patch job to stop the bleeding was all he needed; The servants could use it more on the frontlines.
Less than twenty more minutes and they could finally give Tiamat her just desserts.
The last, flying allies had their hands tied assisting the King of Uruk. Their collective aerial maneuvers kept the circling bel-lahmus mostly distracted, though some still dared to land. One landed before Gudao, but the fatigued master did not waver. Fou barked at it as Scathach quickly speared it with several of her prototype weapons. Mashu batted another away as Gudao refocused on Tiamat. His eyes widened upon seeing the stopped goddess forming that deadly orb of prana.
Before he could yell the command, he smiled upon realizing Mashu was already rushing towards the front of the temple. She jumped past Tesla as she finished muttering her personal aria, letting her voice boom defiantly through the air. "Lord Camelot!"
The temple's front was bathed in white illuminations as the conceptual walls of Camelot formed around its brick face. The cross shield hummed with energy as Tiamat's charged beam crashed into the glorious walls. Mashu grunted in pain, but held the shield strong and steady. Fou barked towards her as the attack subsided, but the drained shielder collapsed to her knees with heavy breaths. Arturia quickly jumped over, grabbed the shielder, and made a hasty retreat to the center.
"Sorry… Senpai… King Arturia…" the demi-servant whispered as Arturia gently laid her down. "I think… I can do one more…"
"Rest a bit, then I'll maybe consider it," Gudao stated, earning a small smile from the shielder as Fou licked her cheek. Gudao looked around at the other servants, who were all running on their last bits of od. Even with the increased flow of energy, they were using up far too much for it to compensate. Thousands of these abominations still flew the skies, yet they needed to hold out for-
"You've all done well… Now, let I, the King, do the rest!" King Gil roared. With a raise of his hand, King Gil smirked defiantly at Tiamat and swiftly pointed towards her. Several of the chests burst behind him, revealing dozens of other tablets that floated into the air. They glowed brilliantly like candles as cuneiform shot into the air as they opened. "By the King's Royal Authority, you shall advance no further, Tiamat!"
The primordial goddess quickly channeled a powerful beam. Mashu groaned as she struggled to her feet, but King Gil motioned for her to stay. Flying tablets flared with a release of golden energy. A thick, prana shield surrounded the temple as the beam crashed into it. The temple shook, but the king smiled and laughed. Gudao stared in amazement as the shield held firm, lasting through the attack easily. As it subsided, the clay tablets cracked and disintegrated, making King Gil smirk. "…My turn."
While his staves continued to fire upon the bel-lahmu, King Gil raised his hand. An orchestra of roaring gunfire erupted around them. In total shock and confusion, the master looked around as he noticed the golden cannons of the king were firing. No one manned them, yet they roared to life at his simple beckoning. Their orange arcs painted the sky, smashing into Tiamat from all angles, but the bombardment did not cease.
As she writhed amid the grueling onslaught, King Gil laughed. "Who do you think made these cannons!? It was I! You think you won because you sundered my people!? You are wrong! For the memory of my people, these cannons will sing a part of your swan song, Tiamat!"
"Incredible…" Gabrielle mouthed as the bombardment even shredded through countless bel-lahmu caught in their trajectory. Tiamat stopped writhing, but the bombardment continued. Her eyes glared towards the temple. Gudao felt frozen as he stared back. It was almost as if she was charging-
King Gil shoved Gudao out of the way as a tiny beam of crimson practically blinded him. Chests burst behind them and the master hissed upon hitting the brick roof. He rubbed his eyes to restore his vision, trying to figure out- The bombardment of cannons doubled in intensity as Gabrielle screamed, "King Gilgamesh!"
With a snap of his head, Gudao stared at the King of Uruk, who kneeled on the ground where he had been moments before. As mesmerizing as the streams of golden light were, his eyes and horror remained on the wounded king among tarnished treasures and wooden debris. A clean hole had been shot straight through his upper chest. Blood oozed from the gaping hole as Gabrielle scrambled with a healing spell. As Tiamat shrieked in the distance, King Gil merely chuckled and smiled while blood fell from his lips.
"That's not necessary, Gabrielle… This is just a fatal wound," he chuckled confidently, making Gudao scramble over in fear. The king only scoffed in disappointment. "I didn't think she'd do this even with that level of bombardment… I was arrogant…"
"Stop the bombardment!" Gabrielle shrieked in panic, but Scathach didn't stop her. "You ca-"
"Are you saying this is too much for me? That this is the limit of Gilgamesh!? That is wrong!" King Gil roared as the Vimana roared overhead on a strafing pass. The dying ruler merely pointed up at the sky and laughed. "I must match his efforts… else I'll make both of us look bad!"
"Your majesty, you can't die!" Mashu yelled as Helena quickly dashed over to assist. "If you die… the world-!"
"The world will find an answer to my death," he stated calmly as he made a gesture to shoo the caster away. Helena stared back incredulously as King Gil stood to his full height and laughed. "I knew I would die here… but worry not. Even with my passing, I too, am unnecessary!"
"How are you unnecessary!?" Gabrielle cried out, but the King of Uruk stood proudly and laughed as Tiamat regained control under the blinding assault. Still, he continued the onslaught. As his blood dripped down his ruined form, he glared with a smirk that rivalled the archer's own.
"If I die, the singularity can still be resolved… Only the rule and kingdom of the Fifth King of Uruk shall end in tragedy, so the world will tell!" the dying ruler stated firmly. He spit out a wad of blood before smirking. His breathing was controlled, but Gudao could tell he was on his last ounce of strength. Still, he stood and laughed defiantly. "All that needs to be done… is to remove that which does not belong…! Kill Tiamat and retrieve the grail! The world is in your hands now! Do not disa-"
"King Gilgamesh!" No one could have reacted in time, but it was over before it began. Ereshkigal reappeared in the discarded mirror before gasping in horror. A tiny beam of red light tore straight through King Gil's forehead, putting the man to rest, but he did not fall immediately.
Still grasping his tablet and axe, he stood proudly like a monument. Slowly and silently, he collapsed to the ground, allowing the blood pooled around him. Mashu and Gabrielle cried as they shot to his side, but he stood defiant to the last moment; That proud expression on his half-lidded face proved that. Amid the raging battle around them, the King of Uruk breathed his last.
Gudao quickly scampered over to the mirror as Scathach attempted to recompose the two women. Ereshkigal shook herself from her stupor as Gudao's concerned eyes landed upon her. "Eresh! The cavern!"
"Five more minutes! I need just five more!" she stated, but things were looking dire. With the loss of King Gil's staves, the bel-lahmu swarm could slowly approach. The real concern was Tiamat, who now had nothing stopping her from directly incinerating the temple defen-
An angry beam tore through the sky, killing several of her children but striking the Vimana. Gudao gasped as the situation collapsed faster than the falling Vimana. It spiraled out of control with the loss of its right wing. Gilgamesh leapt free, just as another beam penetrated the disabled vessel, causing it to explode. After being shredded by shrapnel, the archer began to fall uncontrollably. Tiamat aimed for the killing blow on the last King of Uruk. The fatigued master raised his hand to fire his final command seal to save-
Ishtar flew in at full speed, grabbing the falling Gilgamesh and racing out of the beam's trajectory as it sliced through the air. Due to her uncontrolled speed, they wound up crashing hard onto the temple roof, sending them tumbling across its surface. Ishtar's boat fixed its posture beside the groaning goddess, but she picked herself up quickly. She ran to Gilgamesh's side with Gudao as the angered king struggled to even sit up in his injured state.
His chestplate, arm guards, and gauntlets had been destroyed, and his bloody, matted hair covered his furious eyes. He breathed as heavily as his chest bled from his grievous wounds. The blood covered and merged with his red lines of power, which throbbed with dwindling energy. Helena was instantly at his side trying to heal the vicious lacerations from his vessel's explosion. One hand remained grasping the bloodied cord at his waist as she worked. Ishtar stared in worry, but Gilgamesh only glared at Tiamat as she charged a killing blow. Mashu jumped in the way, ready to attempt to block the fatal-
A streak tore through the sky, ripping apart hundreds in a single pass and snagging the mother's attention. Countless, golden projectiles tore from the Chaos Tide, streaking into the sky to tear apart just as many in their charge. Gudao watched the flying figure in surprise as a thousand fell by his hands, giving them breathing room. He stood up slowly, eyeing the speeding individual. He found his voice. "…Is that… Kingu!?"
"Why is Kingu attacking them!?" Helena cried out. Gudao had no answer.
He passed by again, slicing causing the entire swarm to redirect onto the traitorous child. They chattered and twitched in anger as they swarmed towards him. Gudao looked over to the notice Gilgamesh in equal amounts of confusion. They had breathing room with the vast majority chasing Kingu, though Tiamat looked indecisive on who to focus. With a small nod to himself, he knew what had to be done as he motioned for Gabrielle to help.
"Gilgamesh. Please sit still while we quickly patch you up as much as we can."
:¦:ЭЖФЖФЖЄ ( -XI- ) ЭЖФЖФЖЄ:¦:
Kingu growled as several bel-lahmus rammed him out of control. He tumbled in the air, but managed to correct himself to land on a roof. It crumbled, and he jumped to another one to avoid the splashing, chaotic waters. He placed a palm on the brick as a score of bel-lahmus charged him. With a crackle of lightning, golden blades tore from the tide and slammed into them, cutting through dozens of their kin at the same time. He took to the air once more, but was pressured by yet another swarm.
With a curse, he changed course and shot projectiles from his sleeves. They ripped through several, and he spun, slicing through even more. His expression was angry and tense, and his eye twitched furiously. "As long as I have a heart, these things are worthless… yet humans can't even win to these mass-produced types? Pitiful… but brave…"
"You've turned against mother! Why!? Die! Die! Die, Kingu!" a bel-lahmu roared as it threw its body blindly against Kingu. The man grunted as it forced him from the air, but he broke free from its grasp. They separated as they slammed onto the palace roof, but it dash to Kingu to deal a-
Dozens of heat-seeking swords tore through the sky, raking the chasing bel-lahmus with ease. They were joined by beams of light from the sky and a charging chariot wreathed in lightning. The bel-lahmu swarmed to simultaneously deal with the new threats. Kingu's expression filled with confusion as he quickly destroyed the first wave that charged him. His eyes widened in surprise as Ishtar buzzed past him and dropped off her passenger.
A bloodied Gilgamesh skid across the ground, swinging a golden claymore into a passing bel-lahmu before opening several dozen portals. The golden chains of heaven tore from them, creating an intricate net that stopped the charging bel-lahmu. Due to their speed, the rear ones slammed into the ones caught in the wall, tearing the first wave apart by the force of their colliding talons. Even still, Gilgamesh open the gate further to help Ishtar push back more of the swarm.
"…Why are you here, Gilgamesh!?" Kingu spat as he slammed his palms against the ground. Gilgamesh stared back as the lightning crackled on the palace roof. Hundreds of prana-infused earth raked into the sky, but they purposefully avoided the chariot as they tore at the abominations.
"You drove them away… so we are helping you keep it that way. Nothing more…" Gilgamesh commented evenly with his own glare. He pulled a golden axe from a portal and used it to swiftly decapitate a passing bel-lahmu. "…at least, that's what Gudao's plan sounded like. I know better."
"What? You want one final battle then!? Now of all times while you're crippled and weak!?" Kingu roared as two golden projectiles flew from his outstretched arms towards Gilgamesh as a portal hurled three axes back at him. Neither dodged, and the weapons sailed past. The axes mangled an equal number of bel-lahmu behind Kingu. The infused-earth weapons mirrored the action.
"No." Gilgamesh nodded to Iskandar and Ozymandias as they passed on the Gordius Wheel. The pharaoh doubled his effort as sunlight rained from the clouded, smoky skies, but the archer only kept a firm look on Kingu. "I want to know why you're here... Why are you helping us now, Kingu!?"
Kingu's eyes twitched furiously. "I have nothing to say to you!"
"Then why are you even entertaining a conversation!?" Gilgamesh fired back as several broadswords skewered diving bel-lahmu. "You dare think you can lie to me!? You're here with a purpose, and I demand to know why! Is it because of me!?"
Silence followed, and the archer quickly began to lose his patie- "…I'm not your friend but… so why…"
To the King of Heroes' surprise, Kingu put a hand over his heart and grimaced. It shook as it slowly moved to the cord around his neck. Gently, his fingers ghosted over it as he breathed slowly. His eyes twitched, and frustration filled his green orbs. Gilgamesh remained quiet, but blindly assisted the flying trio with the bel-lahmu.
"…He gave him this cord… but he gave me this cup…" Kingu muttered. Gilgamesh stared back at him and knew exactly what he was talking about. The deceased ruler had stated to the masters the Cup of Uruk was consumed to bolster his energy, but in reality, Gilgamesh learned the different truth before they left. The idea that nighttime stroll had purpose was not surprising, but the gamble was. Yet here was the result, standing before him in lost composure yet willing to help.
"You were allowed to do anything with the Cup of Uruk's energy… yet you returned to help us."
"I know that! I have no other worth than to fight! I, who was supposed to be the superior human, was nothing but a sham! A filthy chimera! I had nothing left!" Kingu roared as lightning crackled around him. Another surge of projectiles soared into the sky, joined by Gilgamesh's, to tear apart the last of the current wave. Tiamat's voice sang in agony as her womb belched more into the air.
She glared towards the palace, but her attention was snared as a ferocious blast of lightning slammed into her face from the temple roof. It was followed by a small bombardment from Arjuna that had Tiamat turning back. While evading bel-lahmus, Ishtar's own hyper-charged shot slammed into the goddess, causing her to look towards the skies. The process continued, ensuring she was preoccupied and not trying to kill any group. The archer was thankful for this brief opening.
Kingu growled as his angry façade shattered. He stared at Gilgamesh, making the archer's glare falter completely. "…but Enkidu… this body! This body of his! It still had something it wished to do! It was so strong… I had to fight its wishes all this time just to follow mother!"
"So with nothing left, you've followed the body's lingering memories," Gilgamesh summarized with arms crossed over his bloody chest.
The man looked up and stared at Gilgamesh. Understanding filled his eyes as the green-haired, androgynous man clenched his fists. "All this body wanted was to see you again… to talk to you again! To be with his friend again… It wanted to share many memories after being reunited!"
Even in the dire battle, as Tiamat's attention remained conflicted between the temple and the palace, Gilgamesh's fists unclenched. He stared at Kingu as the broken man shakenly reached around his neck. He grasped the precious, gifted cord and gently pulled it off of him. One solitary tear ran down his cheek as he gazed warmly at the long necklace. He met Gilgamesh's conflicted gaze.
A small smile crept on Kingu's face as he clenched the cord. "This insignificant thing… it really meant that much to both of you, didn't it?"
After a moment of silence, he tossed it to Gilgamesh. The archer caught it gently, just as Ishtar and the riders intercepted the next swarm of lahmu with total violence. He looked up at Kingu as more tears fell from the green-haired man's eyes. "…You're right… I have no right to wear that cord… It is Enkidu's, not mine… but thank you… I feel fulfilled, and this body is leaping for joy again after such a brief moment…"
Gilgamesh looked down at the cord as Kingu turned his back. He wiped his eyes and stared at Tiamat, who roared at the traitorous child. The man only smiled further. "Thank you, Gilgamesh… but now that I think of it, there's one more thing this body urges me to do…"
Quietly, the man took his first step as Tiamat turned her attention back to the palace. She glared at both of them, finally making a decision and charging her long-ranged attack. Kingu merely smiled back at Gilgamesh without any hint of worry. "I will protect humanity one last time…"
In a state of open shock, Gilgamesh rushed towards Kingu as he rocketed into the sky, taking Tiamat's gaze with him. The archer let his voice yell to the heavens, "Enkidu!"
"Ah… to hear you say that name…" Kingu murmured joyfully to himself as he redirected himself towards the heavens. Her eyes lit up to shoot at him, but he only accelerated. As the bel-lahmus tore after the golden chains to try and kill the traitor, the archer watched. He could not tear his eyes away from the sight, but he knew what he was about to witness.
Gilgamesh fell quiet as several massive, golden chains sprouted from the Chaos Tide like rays of hope. They tore through the sky after Kingu, who glowed in a bright splendor. All enveloped him, dancing and twining around the man as he accelerated. Their charge formed a single, godly chain that raced across the clouds above as Tiamat followed. She shot a charged beam at it, but it did not yield or shatter on impact; It only surged forward, strengthened by the atrocities of its target.
Kingu's yell tore through the air, but it did not register as the hate-filled man they had encountered. It sounded just like his friend, as the golden chain dared to expend all its energy to transform completely and bind the impossible. "Enuma Elish!"
Down it came, tearing through the air on a collision course with the primordial deity. It enveloped her, hugging her chaotic form as she screamed into the night sky. Her children panicked and flocked to her, but nothing could be done as the massive chain constricted and covered her form. The perfect binds held her stiff and still, glittering in the night like the moon and stars. Even among the glowing crimson ocean and fiery kingdom, the chains overpowered all in their splendor as Kingu embraced his mother at last.
Gilgamesh remained silent and alone on the palace roof, sensing the strength of the completely formed chains. Tiamat's cries and struggle echoed in the distance, but it was all a blur. He stared blankly at the chains that wrapped her. The newfound soul and body of Enkidu were expended to produce results on the scale he'd never seen before. Though this was Kingu who did it, he had witnessed the death of his friend once more.
He breathed slowly and calmly as he lifted the held cord. Ishtar and Iskandar quietly landed behind him, but the gaze and thoughts never faltered. Kingu's final gift was more than just giving him this treasured cord. Though he now had the greatest catalyst to summoning his friend, he had a new memory to dilute an old one.
That tearful farewell would not be repeated this day. Instead, Kingu had graced him with the memory of a smiling friend who chose his own destiny against the divines. There would be no yell of agony or years of self-depreciation. There would only be focused anger and determination to give that sacrifice the meaning it deserved. It was time to end this play once and for all.
Gilgamesh opened the Gate of Babylon and stashed the precious gift.