Was this what it was like for all the poor souls ready to depart for the afterlife?
Dull, throbbing pain filled Ereshkigal mind. Soreness crippled the goddess' body even as she laid there, terribly weakened. Among the devastated ruins of her Underworld, she laid on her back, staring upwards as her mind beckoned for tempting rest. With whatever energy she could manage, she fought against it. Though she was physically motionless, her mind thrashed against the shackles of her fate, if only to stare upwards just a bit longer.
Above the massive crater where a portion of Uruk had collapsed into her realm, the heavens smiled in all their glory. In her eyes, even the titanic finale of Gilgamesh's mighty attack paled compared to the sight above. The lahmu had vanished with their mother's demise, but Ea's strike also sundered the clouds that tried to hide this star-kissed canvas. Their celebration had ended, but her heart remained filled with relief and wonder.
"It's beautiful…" Her voice was a strained whisper in the wind.
Mashu stayed knelt beside her and the unconscious Gudao, who Helena and Gabrielle watched over. The other servants kept their comfortable distance. Gilgamesh's strike force had just returned with the grail, but they remained silent as they approached the encircling group. Even so, she stared above with fading breath and a tiny, awestruck smile. Her eyelids felt heavy, but she mustered every ounce of strength to keep them open. Wielding the entire might of the Underworld and keeping the others safe had taxed her energy to the end.
Though Inanna's expression was composed and blank, Ishtar's eyes glinted with sorrow as the first shimmers of golden light appeared around Ereshkigal. The Goddess of Death and Ghosts had committed all she had, but she wished for just a bit more of this beautiful sight. She wanted to stare at those pretty stars that were so different from the dark abyss of her realm. As her body groaned and the tendrils of rest tugged at her consciousness, she winced briefly, and dared to raise her hand.
"So… beautiful…" It was out of reach. These beautiful sights were always out of her reach, but they were before her now. She dared to try.
No matter how much of her believed it could never be, Gudao was right, and she held that small slither that dared to hope. She dared to reach her shaking hand towards those beautiful stars, ever out of her reach; They'd never looked so incredible when seeing through Ishtar's possessed and blurry vision. They felt so real… so vivid… so reachable now…
Her shaking hand tried to reach higher, but she gasped lightly as Mashu gently grasped it with her own. Slowly and painfully, she turned to look at her, and she smiled with a whirlwind of emotions that stunned her. The young girl's pretty eyes were sorrowful and sympathetic, but held optimism and hope… the same glint that she saw in Gudao's eyes when they talked days ago. As the goddess' body threatened to disappear, Mashu offered a sad, but promising smile.
"Thank you for everything... We'll be waiting for your arrival, so please don't take too long," Mashu quietly whispered as she squeezed her hand gently.
She smiled, and Ereshkigal felt the tears welling in her eyes again; The goddess couldn't control it, nor would she, even if her image as a strong and defiant goddess could be ruined. No, she didn't care. Her weak lips slipped open, "…Gudao's… promise…?"
Though a hint of protective jealousy flashed briefly in Mashu's eyes, she still smiled and nodded. "We'll make sure of it… We'll make sure you'll be happy! I promise!"
Ereshkigal's smile widened, even as her body felt lighter in the glowing, golden cloud. "This goddess… hold you… it…"
Mashu only squeezed her hand tighter as her vision began to fade. Gabrielle quickly scooted over with a hopeful smile of her own, and joined Mashu's hand in holding hers. Seeing her teary eyes made Ereshkigal smile a bit wider, "You'll love Chaldea, Ereshkigal! I promise too!"
"Chaldea…" the goddess whispered quietly as she gazed up at the night sky. Even with her blurring vision, she defiantly held on. As the golden haze blurred the fringes of her vision, it framed that wonderful sky, and her outstretched, disappearing arm that held desperately onto Mashu and Gabrielle's. She didn't want to forget this moment, the first sight of a promised future she hoped was no lie.
As a tear finally fell down her fading face, Ereshkigal voiced her last words as her body faded into the night. "…Thank you…"
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Fragment 75: Promises Worth Fighting For
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Her actions were regretfully humiliating, but she couldn't help herself back then. Barely a blink ago, or what seemed like it, she had succeeded in embarrassing herself in front of Chaldea… multiple times. Ereshkigal had let her emotions overwhelm her usual resolve. It was unlike her, or was it actually her? Was it a consequence of her host's merged personality that she'd so easily shatter her own divine elegance?
There hadn't been much time to think about the possibilities, or if there were other quirks of the host's form she was still unaware of. She'd only managed a silent curse at herself for breaking her image, and resolved to keep up her appearance this time. Without a doubt, after accepting the unspoken question and reaching for the light, she had been summoned. She would act like a true, powerful goddess this time, regardless of who her master happened to be.
The human would be reminded of their status compared to her, and she'd make sure it was followed. She even knew exactly what she wanted to say. "I am the Mistress of the Underworld, Ereshkigal. I've come in answer to your summons. I'm reluctant to lend my power to any one individual but since I've been called… I'll help you out. Be thankful."
However, her vocal chords froze as soon as the light had faded. Her slither of hope, which drowned in a sea of her usual, jaded pessimism, had proven true. She had not misheard the bodiless request in that endless space… that she was asked to help save humanity in its time of need. There was only a small slither it was them, but lady luck smiled. When the light faded, though the large room was unrecognizable, the two approaching individuals were.
Ereshkigal could never forget them, and they were both alive and well!
Every one of her initial plans shattered. Her resolve to make a powerful, intimidating first impression was gone. Instead of righteously defining her divine authority and position, she had practically stumbled forward hastily like a lost child. Overcome with emotion, she had thrown herself at the silver-tongued master who relit a fire in her heart's tundra. Her elegant battle dress would likely get wrinkled in her emotional mess.
The tears flowed out, and her words were mushed and inarticulate… but she didn't care!
Ereshkigal didn't care what she looked like right now even as she felt Mashu join their hug. She only continued to sob with closed eyes and a goofy smile as Gudao gently rubbed her back. "We missed you too, Ereshkigal! ...Welcome to Chaldea, your new home."
'Home…' That was what the Underworld was, but she supposed this was her new home now, wasn't it? "Your… p-promise…!"
"We promised! Senpai, Gabby, and I will definitely keep it!" Ereshkigal cracked her eyes open, and peered at Mashu. She was a little surprised the shielder had hugged her, but it felt nice. Those purple eyes looked more fatigued than she remembered, though they remained filled with the girl's warm resolve. There was also a hint of jealousy she'd glimpsed a few times before.
As Ereshkigal gently pulled away from them, she quickly tried to reconstruct her composed elegance. She glanced at the wet spot on Gudao's uniform then at Mashu's own Chaldean uniform while she smoothed wrinkles and wiped her lingering tears. She was grateful for the moment to calm herself, even though her eyes threatened to spill further happiness for all to see; Her tiny, persistent smile said it all anyway.
Her mind scrambled for something to change the growing silence. Things were getting a little awkward, and it was making her uncomfortable for whatever reason. The last thing she needed was another small window to embarrass herself in some other fashion. Geez, what was with this host!?
After one last sniffle, and a quick glance around the Summoning Chamber, she asked, "How much time passed since you were guests in my domain?"
"Four months," Gudao quickly answered, and she found her opening to possibly salvage part of her divine image.
She huffed lightly, narrowed her eyes, and crossed her arms. "You kept me waiting that long? Such gall… Have you no respect for a goddess' assistance?"
His apologetic and sweet smile quickly hammered her composure into dust again. "I'm sorry… We weren't trying to be rude, Eresh. The system is… not exactly the most accurate means to summon a servant."
She raised an eyebrow curiously, and it rose further as an unfamiliar in a recognizable uniform woman approached. The goddess stared as the Indian master gently bowed to her with folded hands. "The Fate System is like the lottery, Goddess Ereshkigal. Please forgive us… but if Chaldea could have summoned you sooner, we would have taken every step to do so."
"…Chaldea has another master…?" she quietly murmured to herself, but due to her proximity to Gudao and Mashu, they overheard. She saw them nod in her peripherals, but her eyes remained locked on Anishka. "…You're very respectful… This goddess appreciates that. What's your name?"
"I'm Anishka Sharma, Chaldea's newest master," she responded politely with another bow. "I'm grateful to be able to work with you in the future."
Even after that waterworks festival she put on, this third master was still being very deferential. Yes… this could work out just fine. Ereshkigal found herself smiling proudly, though her attention was snagged by nearby chuckling. She turned to the console and noticed one of the servants who had fought beside her in Tiamat's final hour. Rama quickly jogged over.
The lancer eyed the saber's ornate ivory Sherwani as he grinned proudly at her. "Long time no see, Ereshkigal!"
"You could at least be more respectful to another divine, Rama," she lightly chided, but to no effect. Truth be told, Rama had more than earned her respect with his shows of battle prowess. His skillful defense had helped stem the tide of bal-lahmus, and it all but confirmed the man's ability to single-handedly defeat entire armies by himself. She was glad he was an ally, and secretly intimidated her a bit. "…However… I suppose I could let it slide."
"You have my thanks," he bowed lightly with another chuckle, then patted Anishka on the back. "Well, if you don't mind, I'll be taking my leave! I've left Sita alone for far longer than I wished!"
"…It's been five minutes," Mashu practically deadpanned, but the saber nodded feverishly and made a beeline for the door.
"Five minutes too long! Have fun on the tour, Ereshkigal! My apprentice will make a great guide! Oh, and feel free to come talk to us whenever you wish!"
As the door slid open and Rama ran out, Anishka sighed as Gudao chuckled. Ereshkigal merely blinked incredulously as the Indian woman bowed again. "Please don't mind Shri Rama. He and Shri Sita have spent far too long away from each other."
She knew enough of the Ramayana to understand, so she didn't think much more of it. On another note though… "Where's Gabby?"
"Only two masters are usually present for summonings," Gudao smiled apologetically. "It's Gabby's day off, but we'll see her sooner rather than later."
"Word spreads quickly in Chaldea… doubly so if Marie catches wind," Mashu giggled lightly. "You'll be greeted by many in no time."
Ereshkigal nodded slowly, holding back her growing enthusiasm and eagerness. All this talk, and she just wanted to see what this place was like. She'd be fighting with other heroes… who could possibly be her new friends, provided they remembered where they stood before a goddess. There's also some faces she'd rather not see, or more realistically, hoped she didn't have to deal with often. Most of all, she just wanted to experience the surface world for herself!
It was going to be a good vacation, even if her body was a bit restless to continue working; It was a habit that would be difficult to shake. She'd manage though! She was excited that her wish was now right in front of her!
As if he sensed her brimming hidden enthusiasm, Gudao smiled at her. "Since you came on today's last attempt, we don't need to wait… so shall we start the tour?"
She smiled back. "You have this goddess' permission. Make the first impression worth her time, Gudao Fujimaru!"
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"Where are you taking me now?"
Gudao, Anishka, and Mashu chuckled at her bright smile. Mashu giggled, "We're going to the Roman Theater."
Her eyebrow perked up again. "Oh? Is it actually built to Roman standard?"
"It was built by our Roman residents, so I really hope so," Gudao jested, and Mashu giggled again.
Only ten minutes into the tour, Ereshkigal had flat out given up trying to keep up her flawless image. Her divine grace had been slammed aside by ever-growing enthusiasm for this bright and curious surface. She'd even encountered these metal beings that didn't have souls, but talked like they did! They also did all the chores without complaining? That was true royal service she could appreciate!
As they turned down a new corridor, she continued to glance around curiously, wondering who or what she'd see next. They'd already encountered one of Chaldea's "usual antics" in the form of some children playing a scavenger hunt in the hallways. She'd also met quite a few heroes, though some were more irritating than most; She didn't like Hijikata's stern and rather dismissive tone… or at least, she saw it that way.
On the other hand, many were at least polite to her, even though she wished they'd be less casual about addressing he- "Hey Ereshkigal!"
Though she would have been irritated at yet another servant addressing her so casually, this voice felt familiar. This presence felt nostalgic, and she found herself turning instantly with the other three to look down the newly reached intersection. That's when her eyes locked onto long, green hair she hadn't glimpsed in forever. By the bright smile on the androgynous person's face, there was no worry this may be an imposter either.
Her eyes widened as quickly as her smile. "Enkidu!?"
It was strange seeing Enkidu in anything but traditional Urukian attire, or that favorite white garb of his. He quickly jogged towards them with his cord of friendship flailing against his white button-up shirt and jeans. She swiftly walked towards him to help close the gap. They stopped before each other with bright smiles. Ereshkigal beamed as the others approached, "It's been so long! Gudao told me you had arrived, but I didn't know if…"
As she trailed off, the androgynous man merely chuckled. "How could I forget you? We had fun when I came to visit, and I even promised we'd meet again! I'm sorry it took this long!"
That had been one of the few actions from Gilgamesh she could consider a gift. If he hadn't dropped that precious treasure into the Underworld, Enkidu might have never come down. It had been one of the rare interactions with anyone, but she savored every moment of it. They had only talked for hours, but it relieved her of isolation for what felt like years. Then he left, with just that one promise and a rather innocent smile.
It was the same innocent smile he beamed back at her. "I see you're on the tour? I didn't get one from the masters when I arrived."
She blinked curiously, but Gudao chuckled as the three closed the distance. "I wanted Gilgamesh and Enkidu to reunite as soon as possible… and I figured he'd be the better tour guide for Enkidu anyway."
"Is he close behind?" Ereshkigal asked with slight exasperation as she glanced around Enkidu.
The androgynous lancer chuckled. "Don't worry. He's talking with his friend in the Pyramid."
Ereshkigal breathed a sigh of relief… before her face quickly turned completely skeptical. "That rude king got more friends!?"
In an instant, she realized what words she spoke in front of the arrogant king's best friend, but she was relieved the others laughed. Enkidu smiled brighter, "With my help!"
So even Gilgamesh could make more friends… she had to wonder if the same would be the case for her. The goddess was mostly introverted, but it's not like she had an option about that to begin with. The spirits were there to listen, but none really talked to any extent. Even if she did wish to make true friends... could she?
Ereshkigal barely knew anyone here, and if she were honest... she was secretly a touch nervous many wouldn't approach her, whether she held herself properly or not. However, she did have her reputation to salvage and an image to uphold, so that made things difficult. Nevertheless… besides the masters and Mashu, there was another possibility before her. He was still pleasant to her, after all.
To her surprise, Enkidu spoke up first. "Gudao, Anishka… May I join the tour? I never got one from you, so I want to see how you do it."
"You're more than welcome to," Anishka quickly responded as Gudao nodded.
The green-haired lancer turned back to her and beamed. "Sorry for not asking you first, but do you mind? I'd like to catch up with you."
Her smile only grew that much bigger as yet another person upheld a promise.
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It was one of Chaldea's lightest snowfalls to date. The flurry-filled skies looked more like a winter wonderland than the usual snow haze, though passersby still only tossed brief glances if anything. A few employees walked down the windowed hallway, but slowed down as they came near the tour group. The three staff waved to the masters and demi-servant, who quietly returned the gesture before they all glanced back at Ereshkigal.
Enkidu chuckled lightly behind her as the goddess' hands remained glued to the window in awe. Her crimson eyes shimmered like the softly falling snow as they gazed out at the distant mountains. She wasn't aware how long it's been since she ran down the hallway. Maybe she stood there for far longer than appropriate, since they were on a tour, but her guides were obviously content to leave her alone.
Compared to the dry plains and craggy mountains of Mesopotamia, this landscape left her speechless. She'd seen blurry glimpses of lush forests and the vast sea, but this was her first time seeing a wonderful landscape through her own eyes. It felt like she could stand here for hours just watching that white powder fall from the sky. They were reminiscent of the flickers of souls in her domain, but it was so much brighter! And prettier! And, and…!
"It's calm today. The snowfall is usually heavier," Enkidu hummed quietly.
"Why aren't more people stopping to look?" Ereshkigal found herself asking. She managed to tear her eyes away for a brief few seconds to stare at passing staff member, then the masters. It was only her that really gazed outside. "It's so beautiful~!"
"I guess we've just taken this sight for granted," Gudao offered as he scratched his head. "We see it so much it kinda grew old."
"Most grew bored of it," Mashu mentioned, and Ereshkigal quietly huffed at the idea. Grow bored of this? Maybe she was biased, but after spending too much time in the Underworld, nearly anything could be a scenic improvement. Then again, she supposed she could see how this got boring… maybe after a hundred years.
"The library and Salon de Marie have windows so you can still watch the snow," Anishka offered with a bright smile. "Whenever you're ready, we can continue."
Upon hearing that, her feet seemed to unlatch themselves from the ground. "…If that's the case, then I permit you to lead me further."
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She was aware that some rooms in Chaldea had a makeover for certain groups, but like the theater, she felt like she just took a step into another world. Traditional Egyptian music wafted through the air thanks to a new music player, carefully disguised as a miniature pyramid. Compared with the calm and elegant serenity of both the library and Salon de Marie, the Pyramid felt like a prestigious royal room of another era.
That was, of course, only amplified by the presence of two conceited kings. After Enkidu quickly strolled into the room, Ereshkigal quietly walked in, only to be met by familiar, prideful laughter. She winced at the sound, then met the eyes of the man who gave the Mesopotamian pantheon so much trouble. Gilgamesh merely smirked at her as he lounged on one of the fancy chairs. His black formal attire would have been fine, but that leopard-print suit jacket looked awful… not that she'd voice it just yet.
"So you finally arrived, Mistress of the Underworld," Gilgamesh noted rhetorically as he reached for his golden cup. He paused as Enkidu reached for a jug on the table, and quickly refilled the wine. "Thank you, Enkidu."
"I suppose I have to work with you again…" Ereshkigal replied quietly with an unamused tone. Truthfully, she didn't really like the idea, but it was better than fighting him. She wasn't even too sure what she was capable of since she was outside the Underworld. "I guess it didn't end with Uruk, did it?"
There was no question being so forward with Gilgamesh was asking for trouble. Of the many who have come to deal with him, the divines were the only ones who consistently did so without fear. However, she felt uncomfortable and unnerved as opposed to her usual booming confidence when she interacted with him. She was outside her domain, and therefore significantly weaker without her grand authority. By all means, Gilgamesh could likely squash her like a bug on the surface.
Still, she dared to keep her façade. Even if her enthusiasm overwhelmed her, there were some situations where her pride and prestige needed to be upheld. In front of the King of Heroes, another from her time, this was a definite. She would not yield or falter here. Gilgamesh needed to know she was still in-
"Drop the act, Goddess Ereshigal… You have atoned for your actions and have nothing further to prove to I, the King." Gilgamesh narrowed his eyes slightly, but took his cup gently. He chuckled along with Ozymandias and Enkidu at her sudden shock. "After what you've done for my people, you have cleared yourself of your wrongs. We are merely allies by coincidence now… Think nothing more unless you cross me in some manner."
"… Easy enough, then. Do not cross me either," she finished firmly, and though he huffed, he nodded briefly in agreement. Gudao and Anishka released relieved sighs. Secretly, she was relieved this Gilgamesh seemed… civil. At least he wasn't being completely arrogant and forceful.
Though she only gave the other king brief glances before, she finally had an excuse to look at Ozymandias since he chuckled at their exchange. He sat across the table, dressed tastefully in his own black formal attire, though his shirt remained completely unbuttoned. She nodded, "Pharaoh Ozymandias… This goddess looks forward to working with you again. You fought well alongside my Garula spirits."
"Of course! A pharaoh fights with his entire might so no doubt rests on their glory!" Ozymandias declared with a small smirk. "You fought well yourself, Goddess of Death, though my curiosity about your personal fighting skills remains… unsated. I trust this will be answered?"
"How forward… to even question a goddess' capabilities is sacrilege," she huffed lightly, but it only made him and Gilgamesh look to each other as Enkidu chuckled. "If the Underworld didn't need my control and guidance, my full might would have shocked you into silence!"
"I hope you're still just as capable, Eresh," Enkidu pointed out with a friendly smile. "No one doubts your strength in the Underworld but…"
"The surface is no Underworld," Gilgamesh finished for him with a simple wave of his hand and a strangely raised voice. "However, Goddess Ereshkigal… I trust you'll be at leasta bit better than your bungling sister?"
"What the hell do you mean by that, you arrogant fool!?"
Ereshkigal's face soured quickly as Anishka, Gudao, and Mashu practically leapt out of the doorway to let Ishtar burst through. Gilgamesh merely smirked as Ozymandias laughed, but the floating goddess in a form-fitting, red halter dress fumed. Her expression only lightened briefly as the black-haired archer glanced at Ereshkigal. Anishka and Mashu looked at both of them uncertainly, but Gudao merely scratched his head and sighed.
Ishtar quickly turned back to Gil, though Ereshkigal didn't know whether she should feel insulted or relieved her sister seemingly ignored her presence. The floating archer growled, "You said that louder on purpose! You knew I was coming!"
"I, the King, only spoke the truth," Gilgamesh replied calmly as he took a sip of his wine. "Whether or not we're civil does not change the fact your track record for mistakes is… inspiring…"
"At least they turning out as good mistakes," Enkidu offered, though it only made Ishtar cross her arms, pout, and blush in embarrassment. She quietly mouthed for him to shut up, but Enkidu only chuckled.
Finally, Ishtar turned to her, but her frown lightened a bit. "…So you're finally out of that gloomy hole in the ground."
"My Underworld is not just some hole, as you should easily remember," Ereshkigal retorted back, making Ishtar narrow her eyes and grumble. "Hello to you too, Ishtar… I'll stay out of your way if you stay out of mine."
"We can agree on that at least…" the black-haired sister huffed. "And after everything I did out of concern for your loneliness… Have you at least stopped working so hard?"
"As if I had any choice on that matter like you, Ishtar…" she spat back. She had so many souls to manage, meanwhile her sister just flew around happily being a spoiled-brat divine and getting whatever she wanted. Maybe she was still a little spiteful of Ishtar, even if her personal humiliation in the Underworld helped remedy most of it… Still though! It was justified! And at least she didn't work as hard as Gilgamesh did in his later years!
Though, just the thought of doing extra work made her body restless again. It wasn't out of fatigue or irritation, but habitual instinct. She'd worked so hard for so long, it felt strange not having actual responsibilities on a jam-packed schedule. Her body just wanted something to do, just like she wished to enjoy this beautiful surface world personally. She could tell it might be a problem if this place was as relaxing as Gudao and Mashu swore it was.
"Sheesh… Just the mention of work has your fingers twitching? You're a worse workaholic than Gil!" Ishtar chimed in as she pointed an accusing finger as Ereshkigal.
Though Gilgamesh fumed at the comment, Enkidu smiled apologetically at his best friend. "It was the truth though, Gil."
Ozymandias laughed as Gilgamesh grumbled lightly. Even as the King of Heroes lightly complained to a still smiling Enkidu, Ereshkigal and Ishtar kept their eyes trained on each other. Mashu looked between the growling goddesses, then around at the floor; Bickering heroic spirits was nothing too disconcerting. She finally glanced at the black-haired sister. "Ishtar? Weren't you playing with Gugalanna today? I thought he'd still be with you?"
Ereshkigal's eyes widened and shot to Mashu. "Gugalanna is here too?"
Gilgamesh and Ozymandias quickly laughed loudly at the question, which reignited Ishtar's anger like a wildfire. "SH-SHUT UP!"
"He's here," Enkidu chuckled as he shot a curiously apologetic smile to Ishtar; Ereshkigal made a note to question how the two were somehow getting along later. "He's not quite how you remembered him though."
Ereshkigal blinked. "…What do you mean by that?"
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"Can we play lots, Ereshkigal? I like playing!"
She could only nod quietly in response as she cradled the small Gugalanna in her arms. They had picked him up from the empty Camelot Room, where he had been happily snoozing. Ereshkigal hadn't been able to pay much attention to the Recording Studio's small introduction since she was so… incredulous at her first 'husband's' strange appearance; That 'marriage' had been a divine peculiarity that barely resembled one to begin with. That didn't change the fact she at least cared about this… now tiny bull.
Gugalanna, the Great Bull of Heaven, reduced to a tiny, squeaking little infant… She had half a mind to relentlessly berate Ishtar for such a massive summoning blunder had she not left them before they walked to the resort: the final destination. On the other hand, this Gugalanna was really adorable, and she couldn't help but cradle him in her arms as he wiggled his legs happily. "Oh! Oh! You'll love the resort~! It's really warm and toasty! Not cold like your Underworld!"
"Shhh!" Mashu quietly shushed with a friendly smile and wink. "You'll spoil the surprise for her!"
"Oh! Sorry!" he quickly squeaked, and Ereshkigal squeezed him just a little tighter. Enkidu reached over to pet him, and he squeaked again. Who knew the mighty beast could be so cuddly and cute?
As they approached the last set of doors in the hallway, Anishka strolled a few steps ahead of them, then motioned to the doors with her arms. "This is the entrance to Fantasia resort. It's one of the farthest places in Chaldea, but it's worth every step!"
"The lobby isn't much, but it's what lies beyond that will definitely catch your attention," Gudao practically promised as he smiled at her. He took a few steps to the door so it would open, then motioned with his hands. "After you."
"How kind and proper," she commented to Enkidu, and he chuckled lightly. "I trust this will not be a letdown."
"Never has been," Mashu answered with a giggle as the group followed her through the doors. After a few brief directions, she strolled into Club Cove, and her eyes immediately shot to the open-air windows. The group laughed as Gugalanna leapt out of her arms and bolted for the doors leading to the beach; Ereshkigal was not far behind, and she ignored the other servants who watched her happily escape. The squeaking little beast pranced around Ereshkigal as her feet slowly froze on the boardwalk.
"…What… Where...!?" she found herself crying out incredulously, but the smile wouldn't leave her face. Beachgoers were scattered about the sandy shore, and there were a few sailboats in the distance. Her eyes couldn't soak in everything; It overloaded her senses, but she still felt only happiness and excitement. Like the snowy mountains, this was far more beautiful than anything she had glimpsed from Uruk. "Is this still Chaldea!?"
"Hard to believe it's artificial, huh?" Gudao chuckled. "Now you know what our favorite place is!"
She wasn't sure how other servants first saw it, but it was only as impressive to her as the snowy mountains. She was definitely in awe, but that was a given. She hadn't seen even a tiny slither of the outside world, so everything that didn't remind her of the Underworld was going to be incredible! Her only remaining issue now was how to divide her time between enjoying all these beautiful things!?
It was just too bad this beach wasn't 'real,' or else she would have liked it that much more. She'd give credit where it was due though; This was definitely seemed like no easy feat. There was no doubt she'd enjoy this spot as much as gazing out at the snow-filled wonderland, but this forged copy honestly made her more interested in seeing an actual tropical beach. Maybe she was being a bit picky, but would she be a goddess if she didn't desire the highest quality?
"You should try dipping your feet in the waves some time!" Enkidu suggested as he strolled up to her. "It's very refreshing!"
She turned to look at him, then spotted the beautiful tropical flower garden in the distance. She gasped lightly at its majesty. Though it partially reminded her of Merlin's actions in her Underworld, these were in a rainbow of colors that attracted her eyes like a magnet. Enkidu glanced over to the flowers, then back at her and chuckled. "The flowers are lovely too! There's even butterflies that will land on you!"
Gugalanna eagerly bounced at her feet, but then quickly looked back at Club Cove's doors. He scooted away quickly, making Ereshkigal glance after him. Her eyes quickly landed on her sister by the doorway, who floated by two children she instantly recognized. As if to help jog her memory, Illya and Kuro wore their battle attire and smiled at her. They'd been surprisingly difficult to fight, but the one who really gave her the shivers thankfully wasn't here.
"See, Kuro? Illya? She's here," Ishtar pointed out as if she was an object. Ereshkigal made another note to reprimand her for that later.
"Hey, Death Goddess! Long time no see!" Kuro waved casually as Illya joined her. Ruby mimicked the motion in Illya's hand.
The young caster fiddled with Ruby. "Um… No hard feelings, I hope? You didn't give us any options…"
"Well it's not like you could have actually killed me… so you're forgiven." In truth, there were two who may have actually been able to kill her. She'd already passed by King Hassan earlier, and his steady gaze still openly terrified her, even if she was thankful for what he did for her; She wondered how anyone could sleep with a former grand and that tiny, white beast in these halls.
However, her gaze fell back to the two children. She never understood, nor asked, why they looked at her with familiarity in their eyes. Judging by some of the things they said, and how they acted around Ishtar, perhaps the host body had something to do with it? One way or another, she'd get those answers, but that could be addressed in a scheduled fashion. Her list of things to do was starting to get grossly large, but it didn't intimate her; She was used to juggling a hard-working routine.
"I'd like to talk with you two about some things, but it can wait," Ereshkigal notified, but they didn't seem nervous.
"They were probably going to ask if you didn't," Ishtar stated. "It'll be a group session."
"You're just going to join in?" the blonde lancer grumbled as she narrowed her eyes. Enkidu looked between them in amusement.
"Not just me," Ishtar huffed back as she glanced back. Emiya soon walked onto the boardwalk to join his sisters at the doorway. The man in a red polo and black slacks had this eerie sense of familiarity about him, unlike the other two... like he'd been a part of her life. It had been the same deal when she looked at a passing Nursery Rhyme. It bothered her this nostalgic feeling felt rough and disconnected, but she had no doubt her host body met them in some way.
Ishtar shot a smug smile at Emiya. "Now do you believe me and Saber?"
The tanned archer merely sighed and scratched the back of his head. "Good grief… This is getting out of control…"
Ereshkigal scrunched her eyebrows. "What's getting out of control?"
"Nothing, nothing…" he waved off before he smirked at her. "Goddess Ereshkigal, right? Pleasure to meet you. I'm Emiya."
"He and Sab- …Arturia, will want to talk to you too," Ishtar explained. Arturia rang a bell because of her assistance in the Underworld; She and Arthur's combined attack was awe-inspiring. "They know my host on a very personal level. Maybe if you play your cards right you'll have some more friends?"
Her eyebrow twitched. "Are you saying I'm incapable of making friends?"
"Will you stop taking everything I say like it's an attack on your being!?" Ishtar spat back, and they quickly growled at each other.
"We're still on the tour, Ishtar. Can it wait until later?" Gudao reminded with an exasperated sigh.
"That's fine by me!" They both huffed at the same time, which made Illya and Kuro giggle. As much as she was looking forward to enjoying this place, and the strange new company she'd likely have, Ishtar was going to be a sour patch. The feeling was likely mutual though. So long as they didn't have to be around each other too often, Chaldea was going to be nice and relaxing…
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The rest of the tour flew by quickly, and the masters and Mashu left her in the final spot they introduced. With Enkidu still happily keeping her company, Ereshkigal walked another lap around the nearly empty Memorial Hall. There had been others enjoying this beautiful place, but they had departed soon after the masters.
"A Hall dedicated to preserving many of Chaldea's most precious treasures…" Ereshkigal found herself mumbling again as they passed the entrance. A plaque with those exact words was placed beside the door. She started yet another lap with a bright smile as Enkidu quietly followed. The first time, they'd only made small talk about the various sections, but now she was curious. After seeing so many smiling faces and memories, she wanted to know more.
She was getting excited to see her own image among these many others.
"Do you know the story behind this one?" she asked. The goddess pointed at a larger photo under an unnamed singularity. It showed Fergus and Arturia facing off in a food eating contest.
Enkidu smiled and shrugged. "I only know it was a total defeat for Fergus. One does not simply challenge King Arturia to a food eating contest."
She giggled, then jumped to another large photo nearby. She nearly burst into laughter. "Gilgamesh looks so angry here!"
"Ah! That's when the Egyptians lost the volleyball match against us! Gil doesn't like remembering that one!" Enkidu chuckled.
She looked around again, in awe of the sheer number of memories that were posted. There were still plenty of space for new ones, and it brightened her smile. There were so many stories still waiting to be written, and now she got to be in some of them! She'd just make sure they weren't embarrassing.
"Enkidu! Are there any humiliating ones of Ishtar? I'd like to see them!"
The other lancer's smile turned into a small smirk, and Ereshkigal couldn't help but chuckle. "I'm glad you asked! Come this way! I think you'll like Quetzalcoatl after you see this!"
They swiftly came to a stop at the sound of softly chiming bells. Ereshkigal turned back to the large doorway as two Sphinx kittens came prancing in. The adorable beasts looked towards them and made their approach. Ereshkigal couldn't help but coo in excitement since Marie's Sphinx Kitten had made such a wonderful impression. The goddess bent down as the kittens approached, and one with a tiny bell around its neck chose to greet her.
"These are Nitocris' kittens," Enkidu explained as he bent down to pet the other one. Ereshkigal giggled as hers gently rubbed against her leg affectionately as she tried to pet it. "She should be close behind, but I thought she was still baking."
"I am still baking, but our Urukian allies have a new companion, so it's only proper of a Pharaoh to introduce herself personally!"
The two turned to the door as Nitocris strolled to them pridefully. She briefly pulled out a brass pocket watch from her golden purse, checked it, then placed it back. Every step and movement in her off-shoulder, white evening dress painted her figure with prestige and elegance. Her strut was magnificent and graceful, yet her expression coupled no superiority with her friendly smile. As her kitten quickly pranced back to her, making the pharaoh giggle, she looked to Ereshkigal. "I am Pharaoh Nitocris. I'm happy I could finally meet you, Mistress of the Underworld... Ozymandias and Gilgamesh spoke very highly of you."
"Gilgamesh spoke highly of me...?" Ereshkigal blinked in surprise, and Enkidu simply nodded.
"Like Ozymandias said earlier, Nitocris was really eager to meet you!" the androgynous lancer replied, and Nitocris fidgeted slightly.
Her kittens gently pawed on her bare legs and mewled as the caster straightened herself subtly. "As a humble wielder of some of its might, I feel like we may have a lot in common, Ruler of the Underworld. I'd like to get to know you better."
She could appreciate this respectful, though a little stiff, greeting. The caster's authority also intrigued her, and she certainly wouldn't mind becoming friends if that was a possibility. However, most of her current interest remained with the adorable kittens at her feet. Ereshkigal smiled, "This goddess would like that too. Though I must ask... are these kittens part of your authority as well?"
"The Children of Wehem-Mesut are precious gifts from the mighty Pharaoh Ozymandias!" Nitocris happily chimed as the kittens mewled at her feet. They seemed a bit more... desperate than before? Nitocris glanced down at them quickly, but kept her composed grace. "If you find yourself in his favor, he may grant you one too."
Ereshkigal's eyes quickly sparkled. "Really!? They're so adorable!"
"Aren't they!?" Nitocris finally beamed as her solid grace melted away in an instant. Enkidu chuckled as Ereshkigal silently blinked in surprise. The caster swiftly knelt to the ground and scooped them into her arms. "What is it, babies? You're being terribly rude! I'm trying to have a nice conversation with our new ally!"
The kittens swiftly began pawing towards the small, golden purse at her side. "You want some... treats...?"
Nitocris' eyes slowly filled with concern. In a hasty hurry, she quickly pulled the pocket watch back out of her purse and checked it. She paled quickly; The clock face read the same time it did only two minutes ago. The kittens gently pawed the watch and mewled as Nitocris' headpiece twitched. Enkidu smiled apologetically, "You keep forgetting to wind that watch, don't you?"
"MY COOKIES! How long has this watch stopped!?" Nitocris screamed in panic. She stashed her pocket watch in a hurry, fumbled with the zipper, and practically stumbled away. She squeaked and skidded to a halt, quickly turned back around with a terrible attempt to compose herself, then bowed slightly. "Please forgive my rude exit! We'll talk again soon, I promise!"
As she floundered out of the room in a haphazard sprint, Ereshkigal barely contained her growing mirth as Enkidu chuckled. "That's just how she is! Isn't she something else?"
There was no question about it: She really wanted to be friends with Nitocris now. She seemed like a lot of fun to be around, and maybe tease!
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Ereshkigal pondered. "And the magazine will be in my room like Annie said?"
"Yup! Naomi and Medea are amazing, so you might even get the first ones in two days! They're even experimenting with a plushie line!"
With her key card in hand, Ereshkigal blissfully walked down the hallway. Enkidu left to rejoin Gilgamesh, but she was never without company it seemed. The off-duty master in an orange sundress joined her on her walk since she had to get something from her own room. They turned down a corridor towards the residential hall as Gabby quickly added. "Oh! But if you can't wait a few days to swim, there's some swimsuits to rent at the resort."
That's something she was definitely interested in. A swim sounded lovely. "Are they near the changing room?"
"Yup! You just need to sign it out! Just ask the nearby robot next time you're there!"
"A goddess never needs to ask permission, Gabrielle." The twin voices spoke up behind them, and resonated from an intersection they barely passed. The two turned around as Euryale and Stheno stepped slowly around the corner with amused smirks. They matched perfectly in their white, frilly evening dresses. Even their giggles chimed in perfect unison before they spoke, "I see. So this is the new goddess in Chaldea."
"I've heard much about you," Euryale noted as she eyed the lancer. "I was going to toy with some employees, but you're much more interesting."
"A shame I couldn't see you fight in person, but that could change soon enough," Stheno replied smoothly as her smile turned a touch scrutinizing.
Ereshkigal looked between them and blinked, making Gabrielle giggle and state, "This is Stheno and Euryale, the eldest Gorgon Sisters!"
"Always taking my presence so lightly, Gabby…" they spoke together. "You should show more gratitude since we let you speak so freely."
Ereshkigal studied the two curiously. They had a synchronization that even made her and Ishtar look shoddy… then again, she never really got along with Ishtar to begin with. They were a mirror, and she could tell they even referred to each other in a similar fashion that she would with her sister; They acted like they were one and the same.
However, they were other divines, and this would be the biggest case where she needed to act properly. To embarrass oneself in front of other deities was self-tarnishing that could never be erased. It was an unspoken understanding that simple slips would not be lived down so easily among gods and goddesses. That's why she carefully picked out her words, and resolved herself to speak proudly to protect her respectable image.
"So Chaldea has more divines this goddess wasn't aware of…" Ereshkigal noted to gain their attention. "I am the Goddess of Death and Spirits, Mistress of the-"
"Oh, we know who you are, Ereshkigal," they giggled deviously, and their eyes filled with dominating thoughts. This was just another act between divines, to find where they stood on the order! She would not fail this! She would show her superiority and make them understand she was not just- "If the tales are true, you're quite the babbling mess like Ishtar. Are we wrong?"
'…I'm going to kill Ishtar again.' Though her face didn't show it, she was both furious and in a small panic. Being so exactly close with another divine meant what they did reflected on the other. In this case, her idiot of a sister likely screwed everything up well before she arrived. She could only try to salvage her image to other divines, and prove she was something different from that flying, hot mess. Regaining her composure, she smirked. "Do not compare me to that inept buffoon. This goddess carries herself to a higher standard than that one!"
"Huh? But I thought Gudao said you had quite a few pretty adorable meltdowns," Gabrielle noted, and Ereshkigal's face quickly lit up. Quick excitement turned her into a gushing mess.
"Gudao thought I was pretty and adorable!? Why didn't anyone-!" She silenced herself, but it was too late. Whether intentional or not, Gabrielle had lead her into shattering her own composure. Euryale and Stheno only laughed at her expense as she fumed.
"Carries herself to a higher standard…" they reiterated together, but Ereshkigal had no response. She just wanted to wipe the smug smirks off their faces, and the blush off of her own. "My, my… There's no need to feel angry. Not all goddesses can be as perfect as-"
"ORION, LOOK! OH! DON'T THEY LOOK SO CUTE!?" The Gorgon sisters' expressions quickly fell as they suddenly tried to scramble away. However, Artemis was a rocket, and she had sped down the hallway with blinding speed. The twins were instantly scooped up into the floating archer's arms as she happily hugged and swung them. Their arms flailed to no avail as the white-haired woman kept them pinned against her rather ill-fitting red sundress. Orion clung on to one of Artemis' dress straps for dear life.
Artemis beamed at her two prizes as Gabrielle laughed. "Oh! Are there new dresses!? They're cute, cute, cute! Oh so cute! Don't they look lovely, Sweety!?"
"Let go! Asterios! Help!" "Orion! Do something about this cow!" "You think I can actually do anything!?"
Gabrielle leaned towards the bewildered Ereshkigal as she watched the scene. She whispered, "You didn't mishear them. That woman is the Goddess Artemis!"
Ereshkigal watched as the shameless goddess happily hugged them while the twins tried in vein to escape. Her smiles lowly crept back onto her face. If this was how the divines acted here, her worry that she may embarrass herself was quickly slipping away; This was far more embarrassing for them than a simple happy outburst was for the Mistress of the Underworld.
Artemis stopped happily spinning and finally noticed Ereshkigal. The white-haired woman's expression brightened, and for a split second she was afraid the bubbly goddess would 'attack' her too. "Oh~! Hiiiiiiiii~! You must be Ereshkigal! Jaguarman and Quetzalcoatl couldn't stop talking about you!"
"If you're going to talk to her, let me go first!" the twins groaned and flailed. What amused Ereshkigal more was that they still seemed unable to break free from a lax hug.
Taking on a devious smirk of her own, she asked, "Stheno, Euryale… Is something wrong? Two goddesses should easily be able to overpower another."
"Wipe that smirk off your face and help us!" they yelled together, and it was music to Ereshkigal's ears. Suddenly, her worries of how she may appear seemed rather insignificant. If such a prominent goddess was flying about, allowing herself to look rather ridiculous and tactless, then one of her little slips could be easily waved off.
This new home was certainly looking more promising by the minute, but she had much to do still to get herself properly settled!
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Like the master of scheduling that she was, Ereshkigal had met up and talked with everyone of notice she met during her tour. The most curious had been saved for last, and dinner had been surprisingly civil even though she and Ishtar shared a table. They bickered, which was a guarantee, but it felt far more controlled than their previous bouts.
Thanks to that, she had some budding connections with Arturia, Emiya, and his sisters, but it was nowhere near as strong as it was with Ishtar; She was Rin Tohsaka, as her host was named, but her memories were from a different timeline than Ishtar. Though they called her sister by chosen names, they didn't even ring a vague bell in her mind. She'd have to talk to others more to get her bearings, but at least she was now aware this host had participated in the Moon Cell War, or something along those lines.
All that info she learned in the past two hours had just been another set of countless she had to absorb over the course of the day. There was a lot of information to digest, even if the throne gave her a bunch of useful information like personally accumulated knowledge and wisdom. She was experiencing the outside world for the first time, and it was already taking its toll despite her trained management skills. It had been a long day, so maybe sleeping would help everything settle?
Watching the distracting snow fall gently outside definitely wasn't doing wonders for her thoughts, but it soothed her soul.
As she gazed out into the nighttime scene, she could still make out the distant mountains with perfect clarity; A benefit of spending countless time in a dark world. The delicious food Emiya had cooked for them still resonated warmly in her stomach as it was absorbed. Combined with the plush couch she sat on, she might doze off if she wasn't careful. The snoring Hector a few couches down already did just that, so she was at least comforted by the idea it was publicly acceptable.
"Um, Miss Ereshkigal? Sorry to bother you."
The goddess turned around curiously to eye Mashu. The shielder kept her hands folded in front of her white sundress that she changed into for dinner. She fiddled with her fingers until Ereshkigal decided to break the awkward silence with a smile. "You wanted to say something, Mashu? I permit you to speak."
"May I have a seat too?"
"You're starting to ask for too much from this goddess," she joked, but gently scooted over on the couch. Mashu quickly smiled, nodded, and walked over to sit. The polite and curiously shy girl had grown on her ever since she helped valiantly defend her and the masters against Tiamat's minions. She was very determined and sincere, but she also had jealous moments that were clear as day. This was probably about Gudao, and how she showed plenty of interest during the singularity. "What's on your mind?"
Mashu looked around to make sure the lingering after-dinner guests weren't listening in. She turned back and smiled lightly, "…How do you like Chaldea so far?"
"I love it! …As much as I can with my Ishtar's presence, I mean."
They both giggled. Mashu nodded with a fond smile. "That's good to hear. We promised you happiness, so I was hoping it was off to a great start."
"I'm happier than I ever have been just being here," she replied proudly as she glanced out the window. "I've seen so many beautiful things and it's only my first day!"
"I'm glad," Mashu nodded again, and Ereshkigal turned back to her curiously.
"Is that all you wanted to ask? Nothing else? No concern I'll try to claim Gudao from you when you're not looking?" she decided to tease and poke.
"No, there's something else, but none of that," Mashu stated firmly with a slight glint of jealousy in her eyes; That devotion to Gudao was cute, even if she was jealous the shielder was in a relationship with the master. "I… I wanted to know if we could be friends."
…Huh? She was expecting a far more serious conversation, not a simple request for friendship. Granted, it was nice a human, or demi-servant, knew their place to ask a goddess for such a bond, but it wasn't necessary. She was definitely looking to make more friends, even if she would put on airs to make it seem like she wasn't desperate… which she was partially. She wouldn't say no to the kind-hearted and dedicated shielder though.
"Of course we can. I'll allow it," Ereshkigal stated matter-of-factly. "But why did you feel the need to ask? I thought we were on fair terms since you made that same promise Gudao and Gabby did."
"That's part of it," Mashu pointed out with a small smile. "I promised you'd be happy, so I thought it would be nice if I could be part of the reason...?"
Mashu looked out the window, and her eyes flashed with a brief, nostalgic look. It perplexed Ereshkigal, but she remained silent. "I know it's nothing compared to what you've been through… but I was trapped and lonely too… Watching you looking at almost any new thing with wide eyes like no other servant had before reminded me of how I was like... I felt like I could relate with you a little bit."
"…Is that so?" Ereshkigal mumbled. Mashu was isolated for a time? That piqued her curiosity, but by the glint of sadness in her fatigued eyes, it was probably something she didn't want to talk about. Maybe she'd learn it in time, but she didn't need to know now. "I guess you'd understand better than Ishtar."
"Maybe… I'm not a goddess like her." Mashu smiled gently at her. "Thank you, Ereshkigal. I promise I'll be a good friend! I'll do my best!"
Curious she would phrase it like that… but Ereshkigal didn't mind. She only nodded, smiled happily, and briefly gazed out the window again. She'd made quite a few leaps with friendships today, so she was more than content she wouldn't be lonely anymore. Mashu would just be another who could keep her company whe- Oh! This might solve one of her current predicaments!
Ereshkigal was eager to create something new for herself on the surface, but she had no idea where to start. A hobby would be a great idea to slowly subdue any lingering workaholic tendencies. There could also be fun activities she didn't know about that she'd enjoy; What better than to ask an ordinary girl for suggestions on mundane things? She turned back and asked, "Mashu? To start off our friendship, I've got a few questio-"
"Kyuuuuu?" Ereshkigal's eyes quivered as they landed on Fou, who had somehow slipped onto the shielder's lap when she wasn't looking. Mashu stopped petting Fou gently as they both stared at the partially petrified goddess. Even if it obviously never made an attempt at her, and only stared in every past encounter, the cold uncertainty instinctively filled her body.
"Is something wrong? It's only Fou," Mashu tried to reassure as she gently picked up the fluffy critter and held it towards Ereshkigal. She nearly paled in surprise, and couldn't voice her concern that Chaldea somehow didn't understand exactly what this… this cute monstrosity actually was! "He likes being pet!"
"Kyuu, kyuu!" She swore, that little thing showed a smug smirk for a split second. Regardless, after seconds of hesitation, she dared to reach out cautiously and pet it. It was as fluffy and soft as it looked, and though she remained gripped with concern, some of it leaked away with every stroke of its fur. "Kyuu! Kyuu!"
"See? Fou's nothing to be afraid of!" Mashu giggled as she placed Chaldea's fluffy mascot between them. Slowly, Ereshkigal's confidence inched forward as she joined her in showering Fou with pets and scratches. A smile slowly wormed its way onto her lips as they fell into small talk.
A bit further away, they didn't see Lancelot and Roman glancing their way with warm smiles.
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Ereshkigal didn't want to sleep in her room on the first night, no matter how inviting it looked. Instead, she had spent plenty of time after dinner frolicking in the snow at the training grounds. She made sure no one saw her, since she looked like a complete child, and hardly an elegant goddess, as she relished in the beautiful kiss of winter. Among the snowbanks and falling flurries, she had danced until a bit after midnight, then she finally walked back inside.
However, her room was not the destination. Instead, she found herself back in the resort to enjoy its own blend of beauty. She waded out of the ocean waters for the dozenth time that day. The cool waves splashed one last time against her feet and ankles, making her giggle gleefully in the empty resort. The goddess walked a bit further away from the crashing waves, then plopped onto the beach. She relished the warmth of the warm ground against her back, and the sensation of sand as it clung to her legs.
Every ounce of her being swelled with relief and joy. It felt like her natural pessimism was being eroded by the waves. Though she was alone, she knew that was far from the case now. She could still enjoy some time alone if needed, but at least it was a personal choice now. She giggled freely.
The stars smiled down on her from above, and she looked up with a warm smile. A lone tear threatened to form again as her emotions welled within. She let it fall, for it was not a drop of despair. After so much time alone, she was finally getting everything she hoped for, and she couldn't be happier. Everything was falling into place after a seeming eternity, and all she had to do was enjoy it.
"My new home…" She found herself whispering to herself, then giggling happily.
The last remaining hurdle was going to be shifting her work-heavy mindset so she could fully appreciate these new circumstances. However, though it was habitual, she could already feel her jitters being hammered away by her enthusiasm. She'd cleanse the strongest, restless feelings in potential hobbies Enkidu and Mashu recommended. One way or another, the last of her tiny obstacles would be knocked away so she could relish Chaldea for what it was.
Ereshkigal laid on the beach quietly for longer than she thought. She stared at the beautiful stars and listened to the crashing waves for minutes, or maybe hours? It was too mesmerizing to move, nor did she even consider it. She just rested for the first time since forever and smiled.
"I should see where those birds are sleeping…" Ereshkigal mumbled to herself happily. They looked so interesting flying about, but she'd have to make sure not to disturb them. She could surely manage that much! She sat up, but quickly groaned upon feeling some sand worming its way between her clothes. She sulked as she stood up, feeling the tiny grains in places she hadn't expected. This was probably the first downside of the beach she'd encoun-
"Beautiful night, isn't it?" Ereshkigal glanced back, then stared curiously at the beautiful woman in a white kimono, who had somehow approached within a scant few meters. Lingering fear and bad memories initially gripped her, but the unbelievably beautiful smile slowly melted her concerns. Striking blue eyes that filled her with fear and nervousness, now only voiced an unbelievable beauty that could rival the divines.
She recognized Shiki, though not her long hair that blew in the gently sea breeze. The assassin had been nearly unstoppable against her ghosts, and the goddess had to consider using her authority to win the fight… had King Hassan not intervened. Shiki looked different now, and that smile on her face was far more serene and entrancing than the smirk she often saw back then.
"I prefer the snowy nights myself, but the ocean is lovely too," Shiki commented as she gazed up at the stars, then back to her. "It's been a long time, Ereshkigal. I hope you don't hold any grudge against Shiki? She only did what she had to for our friends' safety."
Though her sudden way of addressing herself was peculiar, she discarded it. "This goddess understands. Hopefully we won't need to fight again."
"That would be unfortunate, but if it came to it, I'll do what I must for the masters' protection." The promise in her voice was chilling, yet serene and lovely. Shiki only continued to wear that tranquil smile as she gazed out at the waters. "That's enough sad talk… I don't want to stain your first night."
Ereshkigal nodded lightly in appreciation. "I don't think you'd ruin it like Ishtar could."
Shiki's laughter was like wind chimes on a Christmas night. "I suppose so."
They stood there, staring at the gently lapping waves in silence. Ereshkigal occasionally glanced to the mysterious woman nearby, who emanated a strength and tranquil prowess that left no doubt. She was powerful, and held a killing capability similar to King Hassan. Watching her work so flawlessly was unnerving, yet seeing her here so peacefully presented a sense of duality. That gentle, caring smile hid such frightening killing potential.
"Are you always up this late, Shiki?"
She nodded quietly. "I can't sleep, so sometimes I take a walk… watch the snow fall… See the gentle waves… They help calm my mind."
"This goddess can understand that," Ereshkigal replied as she felt herself getting lost in the beautiful scenery again. She wouldn't mind doing anything more than this. Once more, they fell into another peaceful silence, and she found herself enjoying the pseudo-servant's surprising company; Anything was better than loneliness. Regardless of how long they just stood and stared, it eventually had to end though.
"It was nice talking to you, if only briefly. If you wish to speak again, I wander the halls in the early morning… you will find no other time would work," Shiki offered as she began walking away, leaving a confused goddess. "Have a pleasant morning, Ereshkigal."
As silently as she arrived, Shiki vanished into a shower of golden dust. Her words confounded her, and added yet another pile of information she needed to process. However, she wasn't worried in the least bit. The future was as promising as ever now that she was finally here. There was no rush to understand all the specifics and peculiarities in a day, or even week, so she was content.
Ereshkigal had all the time in the world now.
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It was funny how a few hours could change everything.
Chaldea was in a sudden state of readiness. Servants marched about the hallway in full battle attire. The summoning attempts and supply sorties that had been planned for the near-future had all been cancelled. The staff were unnerved, but surprisingly calm given the announcement that had been released that morning; After she gave Naomi her clothing order, the supervisor had kindly shown her the memo.
Roman and Da Vinci had attempted to send an information probe into Solomon's supposed singularity, but it had caused it to collapse completely; It had been a trap. If Chaldea had sent any servants or masters in to investigate, they would have been lost. Only an hour after its collapse, Chaldea had found the true location of Solomon's whereabouts, but that's what had Roman in a state of uncertainty and suspicion.
Solomon had broadcasted his position clearly to them: He had done the equivalent of opening his front door.
The once calm and peaceful air of Chaldea had evaporated, and an undercurrent of tension ran throughout the facility. Solomon revealing his location to Chaldea could mean any number of things, including an attack. He could hit them at any moment while Chaldea prepared a proper offensive based on the new probe leyshifted into his viewable singularity. It was all too suspicious for most, and there were very few who didn't think this was also another trap.
Sighing at the situation, Ereshkigal leaned against the boardwalk railing. She glanced out at the empty beach, where carefree employees and servants had enjoyed themselves just yesterday. Now there was only an occasional, vigilantly patrolling servant. She could still enjoy the birds flying about, or the gentle breeze that lovingly tickled her skin and hair, but it wasn't the same as yesterday. This beautiful place had lost some of its shine... and she hated it.
She just got here, and now this place was being threatened? After being told of many activities and events that happened in the past few months alone, she was excited to experience all of it! Suddenly, all of her promised freedom and happiness was dangling over a cliff… but she couldn't blame Chaldea. They had no control over what could possibly happen. If there was anyone to blame for the current state, it was definitely Solomon!
"Nice day for a swim, isn't it~?"
"If Chaldea wasn't in lockdown…" Ereshkigal grumbled as she turned around to look at the offender. Merlin's irritatingly bright smile remained plastered on his face as he strolled over. She narrowed her eyes as he quickly looked her over, then tried to play it down with a laugh.
"Easy, easy! I just want to chat with someone! You don't mind that, do you, Miss Goddess?" Merlin chuckled as he looked around at the beach. He glanced back and noticed her unamused expression, then smiled sympathetically. "Not quite the welcome you were expecting, I imagine… Sorry it's come down to this."
Though she remembered Arturia stating Merlin could be genuinely considerate at times, she still kept her guard up just in case. She sighed, "Yesterday looked so promising too…"
"And the future doesn't?" Merlin asked flatly, though he smirked. "You're out of the Underworld. You should be smiling freely like you always wanted."
"How am I supposed to do that when this atmosphere turned so serious!?"
"Chaldea always finds a way. Moments like these don't last too long," Merlin reassured with a chuckle. "Once Arthur and the others help the masters make a proper battle plan, I'm willing to bet we're going to have a big party~! You should look forward to that!"
She blinked. "…Celebrating? While Solomon is ready to attack?"
"If not Leonidas, there will be others who will suggest it. Raise morale… Psyche the spirits, or however they want to call it!" Merlin grinned, and stared at her skeptical, yet hopeful, eyes. "Just trust me on this~! I guarantee Chaldea will hold an absurd party even with all this pressure! Then you'll really understand what kind of fun future awaits you after we win!"
Ereshkigal's skepticism remained, but she at least hoped. She glanced out hopefully over the empty beach, whose echoes of yesterday's laughter and play still resonated in her mind.
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Ereshkigal sat at the back of the theater and gazed over the entirety of Chaldea's residents. Though the employees had no need to know the battle plan, they gathered for the sake of their protection; If Solomon launched a preemptive attack during this meeting, the safest place would be among the servants. She could see and sense the lingering concern among them, but the fact none of them were outright panicking or crippled with fear still impressed her.
Chaldea's staff were made of sterner stuff… or perhaps they've just grown so accustomed to this entire mess.
Though she sat next to Ishtar, the seriousness of the situation hampered their usual squabbles. Their small talk, which often involved Enkidu at her other side, was short and to the point though. The tension in the room was thick, and only waned slightly as the uniformed masters, Roman, and Da Vinci walked onto the stage to join Tesla and Edison. A massive projection screen rolled down from the top of the stage as a machine hummed to life above the theater entrance.
Without any delay, murmurs spread through the audience as the lights dimmed and the projector flared on.
The crystal clear image depicted an unusual construct seemingly floating among the stars. The unnatural ring of energy, one of Solomon's Noble Phantasms, spun brightly in the back. In front of it was a slowly writhing mass of ebony tentacles, dotted with crimson-energy. They were tangled among each other, resembling malicious roots that held up a nearly-complete ring of shattered land and ruined structures. Among them, writhed several large demon pillars that fed energy to their core.
Within the very center of the horseshoe perimeter stood a platform with the largest ruin. Supported by the thickest unholy roots and surrounded by a purple barrier, there was little doubt who rested within. Small pulses of malevolent energy occasionally shot from the pillars towards the barrier; It was obvious what their first target would likely be, even before anyone spoke to shatter the tension.
Finally, Gabrielle thrust a hand into the air. "Listen up, everyone! We're starting the briefing on Operation Kick Solomon's Panzy Ass!"
"Gabby! That was not the operation name we agreed on!" Anishka gawked in disbelief as light laughter fluttered through the audience.
Da Vinci hummed and giggled, "I thought it had a nicer ring to it than Operation Crescendo~! What do you think, Roman~?"
Roman merely looked between all of them in disbelief, placed a hand against his face, and sighed. Enkidu chuckled beside Ereshkigal as she blinked in surprise. She looked around in shock at how quickly much of the tension seemed to break by one simple action. The seriousness of the situation lingered, but she couldn't feel the strangling grip of uncertainty. Instead, she could feel the optimism and confidence that had been hidden beneath. It was inspiring and comforting.
As the chatter rose ever so slightly, Roman waved his arms. "Everyone! Everyone, please! We must continue the important briefing!"
"We can talk happily at the party later!" Edison declared proudly as he thrust a fist into the air. That only served to make the crowd's chatter a bit livelier.
Roman gawked at Edison, but Tesla fumed. "You short-sighted fool! Now how is anyone going to concentrate!?"
Ereshkigal blinked as the two inventors started bickering on stage, all while Da Vinci tried to calm Roman's visibly growing, incredulous anxiety. Enkidu chuckled at her expression. "You seem surprised, Eresh!"
Before she could open her mouth, Ishtar giggled. "Is Chaldea always like this in serious situations? Unless it's a critical battle…? Usually yes."
Ereshkigal could only stare between them, making them both fill with mirth as Roman attempted to get everyone's attention again. Spartacus stood up on a far side of the room and began loudly complaining everyone's mirth was oppressing Roman's briefing. Okita was trying to get Hijikata to sit back down as he began yelling at everyone to maintain their discipline. Gilgamesh groaned incredulously beside Enkidu, but summoned a portal with his favorite wine to likely help pass the time.
A little smile quickly found its way back onto Ereshkigal's lips as she giggled. Chaldea sure was something else.
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In a surprisingly timely manner, they'd made it through the briefing. The operation would start tomorrow morning, but they would still keep watch in case Solomon struck at night. Even with the danger, the word was kept, and the Chaldean robot workforce set up a party at the rest while the briefing took place. To celebrate prematurely was an absurd notion, but Ereshkigal found she was already liking the idea.
It certainly put her spirits and concerns on the backburner while she wandered around the boardwalk. The smells of quickly cooking barbeque mixed with the mirth and laughter she so desperately came to miss in the hours of absence. Though the servants remained combat-ready, it hardly affected the renewed, comfortable atmosphere that filled the resort.
"It's so lively here!" the goddess exclaimed as her approaching friend giggled.
"This is one of the biggest parties we ever had!" Mashu chuckled as she sat down on a bench beside Ereshkigal. Their plates held some of the first shish kebabs fresh off the grills, and the smell alone made her mouth water. After she finally took the first bite, and the meat practically melted in her mouth, she understood why the weekend barbeques were so acclaimed. Mashu giggled at her expression. "This is just the first course!"
She'd never been so glad that servants could eat as much as they want to sustain magical energy. Even so, she resolved to at least not look like some pig! She daintily dabbed her mouth with a napkin before happily taking another elegant bite. As Mashu chewed on her own food, Ereshkigal quickly glanced around and took in the sights of her reinvigorated home again.
Her eyes saw the towering figure of King Hassan move calmly through the talking crowds without disturbing anyone. He stopped momentarily to allow the group of children to run across his path while laughing. Mozart, Tristan, and Phantom's music could be heard by a group of gathered spectators. Jaguarman and Quetzalcoatl were having another dance off closer to the grills as Tamamo and Kiyohime were trying, and failing, to show Osakabehime how to properly cook food.
As Kintoki, and Fuuma walked past in bright conversation, Ereshkigal sighed in bliss. "Everyone looks so happy."
"You look so happy," Mashu commented with a smile as Fou ran over to them. Ereshkigal eyed the powerful entity, but didn't flinch as it clambered onto the bench between them; She'd grown more comfortable around the surprisingly friendly being, though part of her was still a bit unnerved at its presence. She reached out and pet it gently as Mashu smiled brighter.
The beach's loudspeaker turned on, causing her smile to partially fade in curiosity. After a brief moment of a fumbling microphone, Tyler's voice rang out over the system. "Hey, everyone! I know everyone's busy enjoying some sunshine and awesome company, but Roman insisted I give a speech on behalf of the staff."
Conversations died down ever so slightly in the small pause Tyler took. "Well... I'm supposed to be giving a speech, but Roman chose pretty badly if you ask me. I'm horrible at them… so I didn't actually prepare one?"
Da Vinci's laughter could be heard over the microphone, alongside Roman's incredulous but muted commentary. "Hey, hold up, Roman! I got this still! Truth is, there's nothing we staff can really say to show how thankful we are to all of the servants. But, I guess I can try, right? Thanks, everyone, for being so kind and protective of all us regulars! Stay awesome out there, and kick Solomon's ass quick so we can all party again much sooner! Right, so… I'm gonna go ahead and drop the beats now! You can thank Liz for this first cover!"
The microphone was quickly shut off, but Roman's scolding could be heard from within Club Cove; Most within earshot laughed as the curiously soft music began playing. Since she never got the chance to listen to… well, much of anything, her ears picked up the first few lyrics eagerly.
~~ Like a small boat… On the ocean~~
~~Sending big waves… Into motion~~
Mashu giggled happily. "I don't know why he didn't choose Val or Naomi. Roman knew Tyler usually winged things."
"I thought it was a nice speech… Right to the point," Gudao noted as he approached with a smile. He waved to both of them with his free hand, but leaned down to kiss Mashu on the cheek before taking his seat; A bit of jealousy flared in Ereshkigal's heart, wishing to be in Mashu's place, but they had talked about it last night. Gudao was hers, which was a shame. Her heart would still flutter for him, and she'd still hope he'd be hers one day; What was a goddess without some greed?
He turned to her and smiled apologetically, "Sorry Eresh, but I guess we'll have to see what you can do in a live-fire."
"How rude to even doubt me… I'll showcase my prowess well enough! A goddess never disappoints," Ereshkigal smirked back easily, before taking another nibble of her shish kebab. Fou stared at Mashu's plate, but before she could offer food, Gudao tossed one of his shish kebobs instead. The fluffy critter quickly caught it like a stick, placed it on the bench, and began eating it happily. Ereshkigal swallowed her bite. "With my aid, Solomon will be defeated in no time!"
"I hope so. I can't wait to see my family again, or actually get some more modern stuff in Chaldea," Gudao chuckled easily.
She couldn't help but admire that confident optimism that bordered on arrogance. It was mirrored on the expressions and conversations of the many around her, and if she were honest, she grabbed ahold of it too. She had just a taste of what Chaldea offered, and a glimpse of the contagious fun that filled its atmosphere, but she was happy. The surface was even better than she imagined, and Chaldea served as a wonderful ambassador for what's to come.
Nevertheless, there was one final task… One more obstacle in her way to fully realize a beautiful dream in arm's reach.
The decisive battle had arrived, and though she'd barely been here a day, she would be fully committed to one final war. Though she's waited for so long already, she'd gladly give it a hundred and ten percent for this final push. Her instincts still felt the worst would happen, but that pessimism was now rivaled by newly forged and growing hope. This world would be saved by the last bastion of humanity, and then she'd return to enjoy the wonderful world she wished to see for so long. She'd been here only a day, yet she already understood why many would dare smile so arrogantly and swear to defy the overwhelming odds.
For the sake of Humanity and herself, Ereshkigal was more than happy to fight for such a promising future.
~~'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me~~
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CONTINUITY NOTICE: Fragment 76 isn't next chronologically
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The next piece in chronological order is supplemental story "Who We Are", followed by supplement story "Equilibrium." They're back to back entries necessary for ending Fate/Grand Order Part 1 and reseating Chaldea back in the real world. It is almost completely required to read them next due to their plot significance and massive developments. As stated before, this is a Short Story Cycle (Interconnected One Shots), with every supplement story counting as a giant entry. They are separated only because of the thematic shift and length.