On a calm and warm morning, Enkidu returned to the place where the old carcass of Uridimmu was present. He sat down next to this and began to cuddle that skull, like a child.
« I wanted to save you from yourself, I was naive to the end, I didn't want you to hurt yourself ... that's all, I wasn't asking too much. »
« Enkidu! » It was Fujimaru's voice.
Enkidu turned and saw his Master running towards him holding a blue flame in his hand.
« That's ... »
« I got it, Enkidu! I managed to get it! This is the soul of Uridimmu. »
« How did you do? » He asked, surprised.
« I had to ask Ishtar for help to be able to return to that place, then I went to the water and I did as you told me to do: I wasn't afraid and I stretched out my hand over the water and there I found his soul. You wanted this, didn't you? »
« I ... I don't know what to say, Master, I'm ... I'm really impressed, I never expected such a thing. You did something really good, I don't know if you realize it. You have forgiven your enemy and given him the opportunity to redeem himself in the underworld. »
« Now what will you do, Enkidu? »
« I have to bring the soul to Ereshkigal, she will know what to do with it. Do you want to come with me? »
« Sure! »
Enkidu and Fujimaru brought the soul of Uridimmu to Ereshkigal who welcomed it into her kingdom ensuring that it would find peace in the world of the dead.
On the way back Enkidu thanked Fujimaru again, he was happy to see his Servant smile with joy and didn't hesitate to express his happiness:
« Finally I see you smile, Enkidu, I'm happy that you feel well, now. »
« And I'm happy to have such a kind Master. »
« But ... can I ask you a question? »
« Of course, what is it? »
« I understand that you care a lot about defending animals and all forms of life, but yesterday's sadness seemed to me to hide something deeper. Maybe I'm wrong ... »
« No, you're not wrong, Fujimaru Ritsuka. The truth is that I ... I was like Uridimmu and like many other children of Tiamat: I was born only to fulfill my duty, I had no freedom of choice, I was only a weapon ... nothing but a weapon. It's sad not to be in control of your destiny, it's like not being alive. To live means to choose, whether they are right or wrong choices, you have to have that possibility otherwise you cannot live. Only beasts and gods live outside of civilization, and the latter always want to use the former to accomplish their devious ends. I am proof of this. »
« But there's always the possibility of fighting and freeing oneself. »
« This is true, but only those who are strong enough can do it. The others need a hand, they need someone to reach out and help them choose. Reaching out, Fujimaru, means choosing to give someone the opportunity to make choices. It's a risky thing, I know, nobody wants to give too much freedom to the neighbor ... Gilgamesh, my dear friend, is a proof of this distrust in the human being, but ... it's sad when someone doesn't realize his full potential just because someone has forbidden him to do this It's really sad and it happens often. »
« So ... Uridimmu has never been in control of his fate. »
« Exactly. »
« I had never thought about it before. I simply saw him as my enemy but now I realize that perhaps he too must have suffered. I feel guilty. »
« Suffering is part of things, Master, but when someone forces you to suffer then there is an injustice. Uridimmu is for me a victim of injustice, as I have been. »
Fujimaru finally understood the goodness of Enkidu's heart, that mysterious creature made of clay gave affection to both the good and the sinners, not out of naivety but out of love for life. Clenching his fists, the boy swore aloud like a knight:
« I promise you that I will never be like this. I will always extend my hand and I will never regret giving that neighbor freedom. I want to believe in the choice like you. »
Those words so strong and full of ardor made Enkidu smile, he then caressed Fujimaru's face with the same affection of a mother, then uttered these words:
« Never lose this purity of yours, Master. Don't let the world tell you who you need to be or what you need to do, you are fine like this and one day your enemies will understand that this is your power. »
END