A:N/ TheFoxKnight all I can say is: maybe or maybe not, but definitely good eyes for noticing how close I'm trying to put as much as I can of Gilgamesh's story into mine. I promise you though that you'll be in for a crazy ride!
xenocanaan hehehe, like I said, we'll see what happens (I'm evil, I know.)
Forgive me for the sudden slowness of updating, but priorities in real life do come first!
So much love for this story and I'm so happy! Your input makes me want to spill out my whole secret plotline! I'll tell you my estimated chapter number for this story is at least 30-35ish, so it's going to be a long ride, guys! Another chapter for you awesome people!
It was a hot and sunny day in the kingdom of Uruk. Half-naked and clad in a bottom white cloth, Gilgamesh sat in his throne, petting his majestic lion. Scientists and writers were as busy as ever with their research as their workshops adorned the sides of the throne room. Enkidu sat on a large and open window and was leaning on the side, his face towards the sky in concentration.
"Enkidu, what is on your mind?" Gilgamesh questioned, noticing his friend's peculiar quietness and smirking at the expression of Enkidu's slumped body language.
"Aria won't talk to me." Enkidu sighed, sadly. Gilgamesh chuckled.
"Well, we're on the same page." Gilgamesh said, clutching his gold cup.
Enkidu placed his head on his knees and faced Gilgamesh, grimly. "Aria is different than these women, Gilgamesh." He warned his friend.
Gilgamesh chuckled and waved a hand as if to erase his friend's worries away. "Your sister is…priceless, Enkidu. I would be a fool to demean her value."
Curious, Enkidu asked Gilgamesh, "Then, what are you planning to do with her?"
Gilgamesh placed a hand under his chin, in deep thought. "I don't know actually. I thought I was winning against her crude thinking of me, but she refuses to acknowledge my amazing kingdom and rule. After I win, she will probably turn into someone that no longer interests me. No offense, my friend" He said, with nonchalance.
Enkidu shrugged at the apology. "I just want her to realize that the gods have made her into a puppet. But, I must warn you, Gilgamesh, my sister will never turn into any definition of uninteresting. She is my sister, after all." Enkidu chuckled at the last part while Gilgamesh smirked at the comment.
"Well, let's hope she comes around then." Gilgamesh intoned, motioning a servant to come forward. "It's time for her to come out of hiding."
Aria was busy thinking as she stood outside on the balcony with long hair blowing in the warm breeze. She had just woken from her meditation with the gods. With a sigh, they were understandably impatient and angry.
Anu had paced the floor, slowly, while the gods attacked Aria, verbally.
"Why are you taking your precious time? Finish him!"
"We thought you could do this."
Aria was tuning out the gods' insults at this point and just stared ahead, blankly. It was the same insults over and over again. Sighing inwardly, she waited until it was time to awaken.
"Aria." Anu's deep penetrating voice broke through her silent tuning out. She looked at the leader with curious eyes.
"Don't let your brother cloud your judgment. He was sent down to do a job that you're going to finish for him. Is that clear?" Anu intoned, staring at her, monotonously.
Aria gave a sharp nod.
"Good. Now, do what you're told. You never know what might happen if you fail." Anu warned.
Aria narrowed her eyes, "Is that a threat?"
Anu gave a disarming smile, "Now, why would you think that? I'm just warning you of the consequences of disobedience. You, of all people, should know that, Aria."
Gritting her teeth, Aria nodded once again.
"Now, awaken."
Scoffing, Aria shook her head as if to get the annoying conversation out of her head. She began to walk back inside her room and noticed the shine of her sword as the sun set behind her.
Approaching the golden sword, she ran her hand across the surface, gently.
A knock on her door broke her trance and she cleared her throat, "Yes?"
"You are being summoned to the throne room, mistress Aria." A servant intoned, clearly.
Eyebrows raised, Aria was slightly surprised. Wasn't she supposed to be in hiding? But, then again, she did break the protocol a few days ago. This must be Gilgamesh calling her to tell her of her awaited punishment.
With another sigh, Aria got up and started the walk to the throne room, about to face another headache.
Gilgamesh watched as the last petitioner left his throne room. With a yawn, he got up from his throne to stretch a little. Enkidu had excused himself and retired early. Sighing, Gilgamesh understood his friend's newfound tiredness. Aria's unusual disappearance was something new. As Gilgamesh stretched, the golden doors opened, slowly. He turned to face the newcomer and his breath caught for a slight moment.
Adorned in white once more, Aria walked in the throne room. The servants, guards, researchers, and consorts stared and whispered as they were also awe-stricken by the ethereal beauty that walked in.
For Gilgamesh, his life was always filled with his kingdom and women. There was no need for more than he already had, but Aria, seeing her after just a couple of days of her not showing her face, represented a newfound thirst of challenge and adventure. Her beauty was one filled with burden and sorrow. She walked without confidence, but a born graced elegance.
Women in his kingdom knew they were beautiful. They walked with confidence and allure. But, Aria, oh, Aria, she was as unreadable as the vast desert unknown regions.
As she stopped in front of his throne, she gave a little, quickly too, he noticed, bow with a slight, maybe gritted, smile.
"Your highness." She greeted, softly.
One eyebrow raise, Gilgamesh acknowledged this turnabout in Aria's behavior.
Hmph. Maybe the gods talked to her about some obedience rules. Finally.
Let the gods be damned.
With a wide smirk, Gilgamesh decided to test out this interesting change.
"Attention, I want to introduce a lovely woman who's going to be a significant part of my kingdom." He announced to the people in the throne room.
Going down the pedestal, Gilgamesh placed his hands on both of Aria's noticeably soft shoulders and faced a reluctant Aria to the crowd.
"This is Aria. As most of you have noticed, she has a different air about her. Well, this is why she's interesting. It seems the gods have decided to send one of their own to serve me as a gift." He continued.
Aria expected them to bow down to her. For if she was one of the gods, the people should be kneeling.
As Gilgamesh finished his announcement, Aria was in shock. No one had bowed. They had gave her a nod and continued to do their work. To the consorts' credit, Aria noticed that they looked stricken at this newcomer who had been touched by their beloved king.
"Don't be so surprised now, Aria." Gilgamesh whispered in her ear, "Being a woman does have certain disadvantages."
Angrily, Aria pushed out of Gilgamesh's hold. "I'm a goddess. I'm not a simple woman. I rule above men also."
Crossing his arms, Gilgamesh stared at Aria with an amused expression.
"Oh? And what can you possibly benefit for this kingdom?" He questioned, baiting her.
Aria clenched her fists.
"What was that, Aria? Oh, that's right. You can't. You don't have any sense of justice or how to rule a kingdom. You're just a pawn. You're filled with ideals and knowledge that are not of your own." Gilgamesh continued, mercilessly, but with a smile on his face, he bent down and whispered in her ear, "But then again, you can serve me."
A slap echoed throughout the room.
Everyone turned and was horrified by what they saw.
Aria had slapped the almighty King Gilgamesh. Hard.
"Don't you touch me ever again." She hissed. With that said Aria walked out of the room and slammed the golden doors.
Gilgamesh brought a hand to his cheek and began to chuckle. His face was the picture of amusement. He walked back up the pedestal and sat back on his throne.
With a wave of his hand, the people, reluctantly, turned back to their work.
He cradled his cheek in his hand, with a smile on his face.
Gift from the gods, she certainly was.