Author note: This chapter will give us the opportunity to discover the past romantic adventures of Ishtar and Ereshkigal. I wrote this chapter based on three ancient Mesopotamian texts:
The descent from Innana to the underworld (Sumerian text 17th century BCE)
Ereshkigal and Nergal (Akkadian text of the second half of the second millennium BCE)
And Ishtar and Dumuzid (Babylonian text of the 12th century BCE).
I am sure that many people will criticize my interpretation of Ishtar and Ereshkigal.
Anyway, when I put my work online, three-quarters of the reviews are negative. When you write Fanfic, you upset those who would have wanted to write the same thing but in your place. You upset those who would have wanted you to write things differently. And you upset those who would have liked you to write on a completely different story. The only people who say nice things are those who are happy that you have written this text the way you wrote it on the subject you have chosen. Basically, the person that already like you... and the truth is the people that like you are few and far between.
So an author receives practically only mean comments.
Check
Technically, the Castello Cicogna-Mozzoni was in Piedmont. But the landscape surrounding the castle looked like Tuscany. The small village of Terdobbiate was in a very green area, alternating fields and woods. It was bucolic.
Gathered for breakfast, Ishtar, Ereshkigal, Hakuno, and Shirou sat under the pergola covered with roses and looked at the small lake surrounded by cypresses and bushes.
In trees, birds sang. One also heard the song of crickets. As it was still the beginning of the morning, it was still cool even if the summer temperatures in Italy were often hot. Lord Salvatore Doni had settled in the shade with his fishing rod and daydreamed, his eyes stuck on the surface of the lake.
It was the beginning of a beautiful day.
Hakuno was eating a Veneziana brioche... actually, a croissant covered with sugar grains. A member of a local magical society had come to serve coffee, creamy brown, in a chrome metal coffee maker.
Next to the Last Master of the Moon, Ere was watching her sister sewing a red garment.
"Do you need help?"
Ishtar flinched and pricked her finger. Holding her forefinger to lick a drop of blood, she turned to the Queen of Kur. She seemed stunned.
"Want to help me with Shirou's coat? Can you sew?"
Ereshkigal put a hand on her chest before smiling arrogantly.
"I'm a great seamstress, I've trained a lot."
This statement seemed surprising to Ishtar. Uncertain, she turned to Shirou. He smiled at the Mistress of the Dead.
"That's very kind of you, Ere. Thank you," replied the redhead.
Blushing, the Goddess of the Underworld turned her head away, and with one hand she fondled nervously the braid of her cape. Her voice sounded like a murmur when she answered.
"We are... one... one family. Ishtar... me... but also Hakuno and... and... you, of course."
Shirou nodded.
"I also consider you a member of my family."
There was a little sadness in his response. The scene reminded him of his first encounter with Sakura. She had insisted on coming to help him clean and cook after he was wounded in the arm... His heart tightened brutally. And he felt his sight blurred. He forced himself to smile.
"Thank you for being in my family, Ere."
Now as red as a beetroot, the Sumerian goddess of the dead tried to hide her burning cheeks behind her hands, looking away.
Ishtar stopped sewing and looked at them smiling, visibly happy that her sister and Shirou get along well.
She was about to talk when a Magus approached her.
"Excuse me, Noble Goddess, Black Prince Alec would like to speak to you."
The Queen of Venus suddenly remembered the end of the evening last night. The meal ended very early because Hakuno had fallen asleep during the meal... the combined effect of fatigue due to a long trip and Limoncello (1) served as an aperitif.
Ishtar who was sitting next to Alexander Gascoigne had begun a strategic discussion with this Campione. However, it had been cut short. Being also tired, the goddess decided to follow Hakuno's example by going to bed. At least that was her excuse to end the conversation.
In fact, the Mistress of Heaven did not want to discuss strategy without the advice of Hakuno Kishinami. At first, Ishtar made fun of her sister because it seemed impossible that a mortal human (or rather an NPC copied on a mortal human) deserved the rave compliments of the Goddess of the Underworld. But Hakuno really had an unparalleled talent for finding the tactical weaknesses of an enemy... or an ally. Though arrogant enough, and very proud of her own tactical abilities, Ishtar was too smart to neglect an asset like the Last Master.
The Queen of Venus sighed.
"I follow you." She put the red shroud on her chair. "Ere, you can continue if you wish."
After the Goddess of Love and War entered the castle, Kishinami turned to Shirou.
"You no longer quarrel with Ishtar? Reconciled?"
The red-haired boy scratched his cheek.
"Yes, in a way... I mean..." He sighed. "It's just a full-time job to stay mad at Rin. At some point, she yells at me like it's my entire fault. And then she acts like I betrayed her, like I was being unfair to her. Then, half an hour later, Rin changes tactics again, using all her charms on me... it's exhausting... She never stops. She never leaves me alone. She always wants to have the last word. And it's so convincing that... well at times I almost want to punch 'the Wicked Shirou who is so mean to poor Rin, unfairly treated'. Except... oh yes it's true, it's me Shirou. So... I rather let it drop before Rin drives me crazy."
He was interrupted by a peal of hysterical laughter. Surprised, Emiya turned towards Ereshkigal. The goddess was bent in half and held her belly in one hand. Putting down the coat she was sewing, the Queen of Kur stood up to give a friendly slap on the shoulder of the redhead while wiping her eyes.
"That's my sister for you. You know, Shirou, she spent over six thousand years stealing, lying, deceiving, manipulating... not a Mesopotamian god was spared by her schemes. After everything she did, Ishtar should have been kicked out of the pantheon a long time ago. But she always got off easy because... well... it's Ishtar and Ishtar always has the last word. Have you ever heard of Dumuzid?"
Shirou smiled awkwardly.
"The name rings a bell."
"He was Ishtar's husband. He's... dead now... Well, half the time." She waved seeing Shirou's mimic of misunderstanding. "Mythology, as always, is complicated. But you know he was a mortal? Ishtar fell in love with him. Love at first sight. But of course, Anu the god-king of the Mesopotamian pantheon absolutely didn't agree. A goddess marrying a mortal is impossible! It would be a disgrace. So Ishtar started screaming at top lung... insulting Anu... scaring away all the gods with her screams... shaking the skies... threatening to fill all the irrigation channels of Sumer and Akkad, raze the mountains of Zagros, to move the course of the Tigris and the Euphrates in order to turn Babylonia into a desert, to free the dead from the underworld, to plunge the world into an eternal war."
Shirou was bug-eyed.
"Wow... I don't know what to say... maybe it was a little exaggerated, right?"
"Indeed" Ereshkigal had a mocking grin. "Ishtar is not the type to use a spoon if there is a ladle nearby. Anu hid behind his throne to escape the wrath of his daughter, but Ishtar continued to add insult while kicking him! Finally, Anu promoted Dumuzid to the rank of deity of the flocks, which made marriage acceptable to the gods... on the surface, morality was safe (2)."
"Anu... uh... he gave Dumuzil immortality and divine powers because of Ishtar's whim?"
"Right, Shirou even the King of the Gods never had the last word."
"Gilgamesh" interjected Hakuno, bobbing her head sagely
Ere had a smile that looked a lot like a grimace.
"Yes... Gilgamesh is the only person who has never yielded to Ishtar."
Silence had returned. One could hear the sounds of the village of Terdobbiate.
Shirou and Hakuno were looking without speaking Ereshkigal was still busy sewing. After a while, a wrinkle appeared on the blonde goddess's forehead.
Uncomfortable, she took a quick look at them.
"Mm..."
Then she tapped her foot on the ground.
"Mmm..."
Finally, she laid the scarlet shroud on her knees before crossing her arms on her chest.
"Well, how long are you going to stare at me like that? I know I'm a great, beautiful goddess but... but you embarrass me! Say something!"
Shirou laughed, as embarrassed as the goddess, rubbing his neck.
"Oh... it's just... well... I don't know how to say it. That the Great Queen of Kur, the Mighty Goddess of the Underworld knows how to sew is quite unexpected... It's not really a skill that someone would spontaneously associate with a goddess of death."
Looking up at Shirou and then Hakuno - who nodded, approving the redhead- Ereskigal sighed.
"Well, I thought it was useful to a good wife."
Hakuno Kishinami blinked several times and leaned forward:
"Getting married?"
The goddess had a bright smile.
"I have always dreamed of meeting a god who could reign with me over the underworld." She put her hand on her cheek. "As you probably know, I was not invited to the annual banquet of the gods. But Namtar (3) my vizier would get my share of the feast. I asked him every time to look around to point out a god who could fit... Alas, he never found a suitable husband."
Hakuno was a girl and, of course, she was very interested in this kind of conversation.
"What if you had found a suitable husband?"
"Ah, I planned it all."
Ereshkigal spoke while still sewing.
"For starters, I had planned to ask Namtar to return to heaven claiming that this god had offended me. I would have asked Anu to send him to me so that he could apologize to me in person. Then, after accepting his apology... well... I would have arranged for... uh... "She blushed. "... that he 'surprised' me while I was taking my bath. I would have taken the opportunity to seduce him. If it had worked, it would have been easy for me to request to Anu that he send me this god to reign with me on the Netherworld, arguing that he had taken advantage of my innocence and that he had to take responsibility (4). What if it didn't work? I would have given many gifts to this god, after all, Kur is rich (5) or I would have sent my armies to come and get him, giving him the choice between beheading, and marriage..."
Ishtar who returned under the pergola had heard the end of the story. Arriving behind Ere, she hugged her affectionately, while placing her chin on Ere shoulder.
"I'm very proud of you, sister. I see you've learned how to win a man's heart! Bravo!"
Shirou sighed while massaging his temples. So Ereshkigal was the Mesopotamian version of a Jirai-anna ('Land mine woman'... a woman who appears as adorable, sweet, and pretty... but who is a source of problems for any boy who would like to go out with her).
"A certain goddess, whose name I would not mention, has a very bad influence on the other Mesopotamian goddesses. This is really not an example to follow."
Hakuno approved, shaking vehemently her head.
"Absolutely not!"
Astonished by their intensity, Ishtar and Ereshkigal exchanged confused looks. Then the Mistress of Heaven changed the subject.
"The Devil King Luo Hao has just arrived with John Pluto Smith. We will be able to start our strategic meeting!"
The meeting took place in the dining room of the castle, transformed into a conference room for this occasion.
With the exception of Madame Aisha (who had gone on a journey to another world, or in the past), all the Campiones were there: Luo Hao, Black Prince Alec, John Pluto Smith, Lord Salvatore Doni, and Godou Kusanagi.
Apart from them, there were dozens of knights, and magicians belonging to various societies.
Ereshkigal advanced towards the white plastic board that had been installed against the back wall.
The Mistress of the Netherworld was dressed in her 'royal' outfit. It was a garment that looked a bit like a one-piece swimsuit, with a detached sleeve covering her left arm up to the top of the elbow and has long stocking covering her right leg up to the top of the knee.
The garment was adorned with gold jewelry sometimes worked to look like bones.
In addition, Ere had a black tiara and a long red brocade cape that masked her right arm, hung on her left shoulder by a strap and a skull-shaped gold adornment.
She has a twintail hairstyle knotted by two red ribbons. The goddess also had a pair of gold earrings, shaped like 8.
Although she was trying to stay calm and behave like 'a great goddess', she was clearly nervous. Not used to the crowd, Ereshkigal was afraid of making another blunder.
She smiled a little tensely and turned to the audience before clearing her voice.
"Mortals, you are very fortunate that this goddess has moved to share with you her wisdom. But more than that, you can thank Hakuno Kishinami for being here with us. My friend is the personification of innate talent. Her ability to coordinate her allies in combat is unmatched."
She waved and Hakuno joined her... the teenager was very nervous.
Initially, the Campiones and especially the Magi had been reluctant to leave strategic planning to an 'inexperienced girl'. But Black Prince Alec had supported Ereshkigal's proposal. The British Godslayer reminded the whole assembly of his defeat against the Mistress of the Netherworld and the Inheritor of the Moon.
Getting up, Godou joined the Queen of Kur and the Japanese teenager.
"As you probably know, Athena sacrificed her life while fighting Rama. But before she died, the Goddess of Wisdom taught me much of the King of the End's ability."
"Once this is done, Hakuno Kishinami will explain the tactics we have devised to counter the capabilities of the Strongest Steel," added Ereshkigal.
The Queen of the Underworld turned to the Last Master, and the teen with long hair in caramel color nodded vigorously.
During the flight, the two goddesses and their mortal companions had long discussions with Godou and his harem. This led to some ideas to fight Rama. The Indian Heretic God was undefeated until then... but that didn't mean he was invincible. There was no one - even among the gods- who was without vulnerability.
Hakuno's talent allowed her to discover such weaknesses in the blink of an eye (like some sort of precognition) and imagine a way to exploit them to their advantage.
The light had changed in the last few hours. it was now in the afternoon. The humming of the air conditioners gave an idea of the outside temperature... one could probably cook a fried egg on the hood of a car parked in full sun.
The whiteboard against the wall was now covered with names of Divine Authorities and tactical schemes with arrows in all directions.
Black Prince Alec had just heard a long explanation about Arrows Album, Rama's ability to turn any God of Steel dying near him into a weapon that he added to his arsenal. The English Godslayer spoke.
"So, if I understand correctly, Rama can use these Divine Authorities as weapons, mainly arrows, right?"
Hakuno nodded. As always, acting as her friend's interpreter, Ereshkigal said:
"Rama is mostly an archer."
Alexander Gascoigne hesitated briefly, turning to the other Campiones to watch their reactions. All were focused... or even as worried as Alec himself.
"Sublime Goddess of the Netherworld, I think I am making myself the herald of the other Devil Kings by saying that it will be difficult for us to fight Rama from a distance... only other Authorities can counter the power of a Divine Authority. I should not insist on the fact that the Campiones have limitations on the use of their own authorities, in particular on the number of possible uses in a fight. Of course, we hope to be able to get closer and fight the Strongest Steel at close range. But I think it's worth planning a strategy in case The King of the End chooses not to approach us."
Kishinami turned her head towards the redhead with a white strand seated in the last row.
"Shirou."
Ere nodded to show agreement.
"Right, Shirou Emiya would be our main asset in case of a battle within bow range against Rama."
Alec seemed surprised.
"Excuse me, Noble Goddess, I have heard of the young Shirou's abilities. Nevertheless, we are talking about countering Divine Authorities by using a form of magic created by a mortal. Don't get me wrong, but I admit to having some doubts... especially about the safety of young Shirou."
It was the Ruler of Martial Art who answered.
"This Luo Hao has trained this young warrior and is a true fighter."
Doni agreed.
"We trained yesterday. He's very good. I only had a magic sword the day I killed my first god and he creates as many as he wants. So why not..."
This time Alec was really uncomfortable... he saw Luo Hao and Salvatore Doni as Battle Maniacs incapable of any sensible strategy (and he was not really wrong). On the contrary, he had always perfectly planned the battles against the Heretics Gods. So the idea of giving such a vital role to a... kid... horrified him.
But before he could speak again, Ishtar intervened.
For once sitting on a chair like the mere mortals - having given up floating above their heads- she was still sewing. During the conference, Saint Raffaello, Erica Bandelli, and Liana Kranjčar joined the Mistress of Heaven to help create the 'Mystic Code' intended to Shirou. On the sidelines of the strategic conference, other participants could hear whispering incantations while they engraved metal with their spells. Every time the Queen of Venus came to the board to explain some points of the strategy, she was replaced by her sister. The work on the red coat did not stop for an instant.
"Black Prince Alec, I also understand your concerns... and I share some of them... "
Raising her eyes from her sewing work, she turned to Shirou. The redhead nodded, crossing her eyes. During the plane trip, it had been very clear... if she used Potnia Theron: Conception of All Animals' slavery to force him not to participate in the next fight, this time the redhead would never forgive her.
"... but Shirou is simply our best chance of countering Arrows Album. Like Rama, Shirou Emiya has a collection of weapons in a kind of 'library'. And like Rama, he can turn his weapons into arrows. Since the weapons stored in Shirou's Reality Marble are Noble Phantasms, that is, weapons belonging to legendary heroes, he can even counter Divine Authorities."
Although a wrinkle had appeared on her forehead as a sign of her frustration, Ishtar shook her head.
"I have no desire to see Shirou fight Rama... the very idea terrorizes me... but we have no choice. He is indeed the only one who has the power to counter Arrows Album. Over the past few months, Her Excellency Luo Hao has prepared Shirou to fight against Heretic Gods. We have no choice but to trust the Ruler of the Martial Art."
Hakuno Kishinami nodded keenly.
"Lancelot."
As the official translator of the Inheritor of the Moon thoughts, Ereshkigal explained what the Japanese teen girl meant.
"Hakuno is right. Shirou has already defeated Lancelot du Lac in a duel. He is now able to face Heretics Gods"
The various magical societies that existed around the world had obviously relayed news of the fight that had taken place a few weeks earlier in the Nevada desert. But the details were not well known. So John Pluto Smith took up the matter, the California Campione explained that Shiro had defeated a reflection of the real Lancelot du Lac and not the Goddess of Steel herself, but it was already an impressive feat.
Alexander Gascoigne remained for several long seconds to think and then sighed.
"I hope, however, that Shirou Emiya will remain cautious and expose himself to a minimum. His task is to counter the arrows of the King Who Rule at the End of Time, and create an opening that we can exploit. The fight against Rama is the task of the Campiones and Goddesses."
"This is also how I see it," Ishtar confirmed.
She turned to Shirou to give him a warning look.
Shirou who didn't behave recklessly, who didn't put his life in unnecessary danger? Unimaginable... and he had repeatedly said that he would protect her... a goddess... she felt herself blush. So sweet... but above all perfectly stupid, dangerous, or even suicidal! Ishtar couldn't help but be concerned. She was sure that their plan would go off the rails at some point and that it would be his fault... this moronic red hair idiot!
Moreover, it was very rare for a battle plan to be implemented exactly as planned.
But at least, thanks to Hakuno, they had imagined a way to counter each power of their enemy and... each power?
Ishtar frowned.
But in fact, they did not know all the powers of their enemy!
Athena died before the end of the message she had sent to Goudou Kusanagi. This could give Rama a decisive advantage when the fight started.
The meeting had ended, and Shirou had left the small Italian castle to do some exercises. He was wearing his new Red Plain Mystic Code. This version of Archer's signature cloth differed from the original in only two details. The first was that the agemaki knot linking the two sleeves of his coat. Instead of being white as in the EMIYA version, the knot was golden. It was actually... a strand of Ereshkigal's hair, elongated and magically woven into a drawstring.
The second detail was the tenugi holding back Shirou's hair. As the young man's hair was longer than Archer's and there was some tissue left, Ishtar cut and sewed a strip of the shroud into a bandeau knotted on the redhead's neck.
At the lake shores, Shirou Traced Kanshou and Bakuya, training with the Twin Blades.
Suddenly a noise startled him.
Instantly on alert, he turned to see...
"Sir Lancelot!?"
The lady knight was before him as if fallen from heaven. He was surprised by the impassive expression of her elegant features. Without a word, she walked towards him. He put himself on guard but... hesitated... Shirou, whatever his incarnations, had never been the type to attack without warning a person who did not seem hostile. Besides, Lancelot wasn't even armed.
"Sir Lancelot, why are you here? What do you want?"
Lancelot du Lac... or rather the White Queen... did not stop until arrived right in front of the young man... Then she kissed him so suddenly that he remained frozen on the spot, the brain transformed into cottage cheese by the suddenness of the action and its embarrassing nature.
The kiss had been brief and already the White Queen was stepping back to see the effect of the... Divine Authority she had just used on Shirou.
Because it was of course an attack (it's unfair... why it's always Shirou who is attacked!)
Insane Rush was one of the Divine Authorities of Lancelot that drive others (or herself) into an intense lust for battle, erasing their limitations but also making her target also more permeable to the domination of Lancelot... because all Heretic Gods have the power to dominate mortals(it's an archetype power).
In other words, Shirou had just received the equivalent of the Mad Enhancement skill of the Berserker-class Servants! With just a little... tiny difference... Insane Rush also affected libido.
As to the reason for this sudden attack, it was easy to understand.
Rama had felt that the Campiones were all gathering in the same place. And he wasn't naive. It meant they were preparing to attack him. So he took the lead, targeting... Shirou because the Strongest Steel understood very well that Tracing could be used to counter Arrows Album.
As a footnote, one might notice that Rama had just demonstrated that his tactical sense was an asset as formidable as the power of his Divine Authorities. From his first attack, the King of the End had broken the strategy devised by Hakuno, turning the cornerstone of her battle plan against the Campiones and goddesses' alliance.
A bit as if at the first movement of the chess pieces on the chessboard, a player had already put the king in check!
Appendix
Red Plain Mystic Code
(Moonchild Version)
Shirou's Red Plain Mystic Code version differs little from EMIYA's version... at least in appearance.
Archer created his own version using a Holly Shroud. But, let's be honest, EMIYA had only a rudimentary understanding of Magecraft, apart from the Tracing. Even with a base material that is literally sanctified, the result isn't anything extraordinary is a simple Specialized Mystic Code.
On the contrary Moonchild, version was created by two goddesses and three Magi, including Saint Raffaello. It's a Miscellaneous Mystic Code... everything it needs to become a Noble Phantasm is a legend!
Powers:
- [Refined control of Magecraft]: Shirou uses less Prana unnecessarily, as the Od in his body is more easily refined by his Magic Circuits. This is the original power of the shroud of Saint Sebastian of Padua.
- [Indestructibility]: In other words, the Mystic Code will repair itself from any damage and can be reconstructed limitlessly. It is a power given by Saint Raffaelo to the Mystic Code (it's a knowledge drawn from the Book in the Praise of David's).
- [Melody]: A power found only in Ereshkigal's hair knot. This part was created by the Goddess of the Underworld with the help of Saint Raffaello. Fundamentally, it is a protection of Shirou's mind against interference (illusion, control spells).*
- [Benediction of Venus]: gives the coat protection comparable to an armor capable of stopping (or at least weakening) any physical or magical attack. The headband has the same enchantment and protects the head. This part was of course enchanted by Ishtar.
Let's also not forget that Shirou wears his red coat over a kind of Kevlar armor...which also was created by Ishtar, and already protects him against physical damage and magic.
* I don't need a self-proclaimed genius pointing out that I forgot this power as soon as I added it, since Lancelot controls Shirou's mind. No difficult explication is necessary to understand. When two divine powers come into conflict, the strongest always prevails.
(1) Italian alcohol obtained by macerating lemon peel in 90° alcohol. Being Franco-Italian, I know this alcohol well (I even know how to make it). And I can tell you that it is a treacherous drink. One could drink it like syrup... but it's 28-degree alcohol!
(2) I do not invent anything; I summarize a Babylonian poem of the 12th century BC. And yes, Ishtar made the gods flee by screaming, before kicking Anu, who had taken refuge behind his throne and trembled with terror... Ishtar is so adorable!
People of antiquity also had humor, and if you don't believe me, this is a Sumerian joke found on a clay tablet.
"Do not fear death, it comes only once. The tax collector never forgets you."
(3) Stillborn children were considered by the Sumerians to be the children of Ereshkigal. Unlike other souls sent to the underworld, they were raised by the Queen of Kur and grew up to become Arali's guardian spirits. Namtar was the first of Ereshkigal's children. Sometimes called the high priest of Ereshkigal, he was a minor god who spread diseases among mortals.
(4) I your daughter (Ereshkigal speaks to Anu) I was young;
I didn't know the girls' game...
That god you sent me,
And with whom I had intercourse_
Send him to me, that he may be my husband,
So he can live with me.
Excerpt of Ereshkigal and Nergal (Akkadian text of the second millennium BCE).
(5) The descent from Innana to the underworld(Sumerian text) as well as Ereshkigal and Nergal (Akkadian text) both mention that the dead are employed in the mines of Kur/ Arali. Indeed, Ereshkigal is the goddess of the dead, but she is also a goddess of the mines (but it is Ea who is the main god of the miners). The river that crosses the underworld is described as hauling gold nuggets. It was noted that the Greek god Hades also has this double role of god of the dead and of riches. One of his nicknames (at the origin of his Roman name) is Πλούτων (Pluto, which literally means "the god of wealth").