The Age of Fairy Tales:
World of Remnant:
Gilgamesh
Oh boy, this guy.
(The screen starts out dark before a red armored figure is shown, wielding a spear in one hand and a sword in the other.)
I can tell ya, this one is a real headache. I mean, talk about someone who likes the sound of their own voice.
Who is he, you ask?
The great warrior Gilgamesh.
Everyone likes to start out with their share of humble origins. This guy? He popped out of nowhere, proclaiming himself the greatest warrior to ever live and proves it by challenging anyone who catches his eye.
(A man in armor with a sword and shield is shown facing Gilgamesh as the red themed warrior lunges at him)
Anyone with a reputation for being at the top in the field of combat, he is there waiting for them. He likes challenging the best of the best and he doesn't stop until he gets what he wants.
(Blood is shown on the ground with the hand of the warrior shown, his sword next to it. A red arm comes down and picks the sword up)
If that's not enough, his favorite hoppy aside from fighting everyone is collecting the weapons of the ones he's killed.
(Swords, spears, and axes are shown lining the walls of what was presumable Gilgamesh's trophy room)
He loves weapons and he loves collecting them, especially from the ones he's personally fought and killed. Really a good way to get your blood boiling, to know if your weapon has been taken from your cold dead fingers and displayed as a trophy. The guy is literal walking armory, and he accepts any mission handed to him that involves facing a strong fighter.
(A woman in a skull mask is shown, her eyes flashing. She is then replaced by a woman in a white cloak, followed three more warriors surrounding Gilgamesh.)
He is almost always receiving requests to kill a certain target of interest, but he always turns down the ones that don't involve someone who might be strong.
For as much a monster he might be…
(To the horror of the surrounding Huntsmen and Huntresses, Gilgamesh's two arms suddenly become six.)
He's as much a warrior as the people he fights and carries a sense of honor not many people have these days.
Aqua was walking through a forest on her way to find Ozma. She was hoping her friend was not too distraught after what happened with Salem. She noticed several villages that seemed to be doing okay with very few Grimm lurking around.
Either the Grimm attacks have gone down since she imprisoned Salem or something else was keeping them away.
'I wonder how Poppy will feel if I come back, looking the same age as when we first met.' Aqua smiled but then frowned. 'Actually, I have no idea how long it has been.'
It could have been weeks…
Months…
Or even years.
Would Poppy and the others still even be alive at this point?
Aqua didn't want to believe the friends she had made were all gone while she had been reset back to her age when she began. That would be a form of cruelty she might not be ready to handle.
'And I'll be doing this over and over again for who knows how long.' Aqua's eyes widened.
She knew all along but perhaps the implications had never truly sunk in until now. She would definitely outlive many of the possible friends she would make on this journey. People to connect with so she wouldn't be lonely while being forced to travel this world's history to stop its destruction in the future.
That was the true strength of a Keyblade Wielder.
It was not in the magic they wielded.
Magic was just the thoughts and feelings of a Wielder's power manifesting themselves.
It wasn't the Keyblade itself.
The Keyblade is powerful but it is only a tool compared to the hand that wields it.
A Keyblade Wielder's true power was the bonds forged between their heart and the hearts around them.
Friends.
Family.
Mere labels but the bonds forged from them could create the greatest power of all.
Any thoughts she had after that were immediately halted when she sensed something strange and yet powerful. Its energy was like darkness but oddly different and it's closing its distance on her.
"I have found you at last."
Aqua watched as from the shadows of the surrounding woods emerged a man who jumped up, somersaulting through the air and landed perfectly in front of her. Aqua stepped back, summoning her Keyblade as the man straightened himself. He wore red and orange armor that covered him from head to toe and there was a red scarf wrapped tightly around his neck and head but she could see grey skin. He wore grey pants and golden metal boots on his feet that seemed to heighten his visage.
Aqua almost felt her heart stop when she noticed this man had an uncanny resemblance to the ancient warrior she had read about in the library back in the Land of Departure.
The greatest swordsman in all the worlds: Gilgamesh.
"Summer!"
Taiyang Xiao Long punched away a Beowulf before turning to his teammate and leader. Summer Rose flipped through the air, leaving white pedals in her wake, landing on the ground and aimed her weapon, Sundered Rose as it shifted into its rifle mode before pulling the trigger and fired a single shot that took out an Ursa.
"We need to fall back." Taiyang stated, reloading Fire Dust into his gauntlets that were appropriately called 'Lóng xī'.
Or Dragon's Breath.
"We can't." Summer said as her sniper returned to its axe form. "Not with the security network down."
"Summer's right." Qrow said, landing next to her as his sword, Harbinger shifted to its scythe form.
"'Summer's right'." A mocking voice came from Raven as she killed three Beowolves with her sword, Omen that glowed red as she sheathed it. "Oh please, Little Brother. If she told you to jump off the top of Beacon Tower, you'd more than likely do it. Will you get a room already?"
"What was that?" Qrow hissed at his twin sister.
"Will you two please-GAH!"
CRASH!
Whatever Summer was about to say was cut off as something slammed into the ground in front of them, kicking up dust in all direction and leaving a massive crater.
"There you are."
Rising from the crater, was a man covered head to toe in orange and red armor. A red scarf wrapped tightly around his neck and head but the four could see grey skin. He wore grey pants and golden metal boots on his feet that seemed to heighten his visage.
He rose up and smiled under his scarf when he saw them, his white eyes glowing as he reached into his armor…
Team STRQ readied themselves for battle…
And pulled out a piece of paper.
"Let's see here…White cloak? Check. Wields an axe? Check." The man first looked at Summer and then at Tai. "Blond hair? Check. Tan skin with a tattoo? Check."
Summer and Tai blinked as the man then looked to the Branwens.
"Dark hair? Check. Red eyes? Check." The man listed off. "One wields a long katana, a nodachi no less. Check. And the other is a sword that turns into a scythe. Check."
He put the paper back into his armor and took one step forward…
"You four wouldn't happen to know where I can find Team STRQ, would you?" The man simply asked.
Summer stumbled a bit, Tai just stared, and Qrow just looked at Raven who raised an eyebrow and stared at the man like he was some kind of idiot.
"Huh…What for?" Summer slowly asked, deciding not to tell him that he had found the very team he was apparently searching for.
"Ah, sorry it's a bit of a confidential thing. Still, if you could point in their general direction, I would very much appreciate it." The man waved off the question.
"…Are you sure you read that paper right?" Qrow gestured to himself. "We're Team-OW!"
His sentence was cut off as Raven elbowed him in the ribs. "Shut up, you idiot."
The man looked at Raven and pulled out the paper again. "Ah, right! A perpetual scowl on the red eyed woman's face! That's the last thing I needed to confirm you are Team STRQ!"
Raven just glowered at the man, Summer blinked, and Tai just stared blankly at the man as Qrow finally asked the question. "Who the hell are you?"
"Ah, introductions! One moment!" The man held up a finger and turned around, walking out of the crater and let out an annoying whistle.
"Can I kill him?" Raven whispered to Summer, becoming very annoyed by the whistling.
The man stepped out of the crater and walked a few feet away until he was on relatively undisturbed ground.
"HA!" The man spun around, doing a kabuki pose as he proclaimed in a dramatic voice. "For eons, I have fought and bled, searching for worthy opponents in this world and beyond! Today my quest brings me to you, Team STRQ!" He pointed straight at Team STRQ for emphasis. "For today, you face the greatest swordsman in all the realms:-"
"Gilgamesh!"
The armored man strangely didn't attack Aqua, instead choosing to make a grand appearance and introduction. She doesn't know what she was looking at but she could see it was a person but she sensed divine energy from this one like with the Relics but it felt like it came from both sides of the Brothers. This means this one must have been sent to her after she rendered judgment between the Brothers.
This person may be the brothers' acolyte.
And there is the name…
Although his appearance had completely changed, she could still sense some familiarity from this person she knew long ago. During the reign of Surtr she met a warrior named Gilgamesh and noticed he had the same name as the legendary warrior.
Of course, she waved it off as a coincidence and because she didn't have the time to think about it.
But now…
"Wait, did you say your name was Gilgamesh?" Aqua asked.
The man looked annoyed with her now, his glowing white eyes glaring. "Did you not hear my grand introduction?"
"As in the legendary warrior Gilgamesh?" Summer quickly asked as a giddy and excited smile appeared on her face. "As in the warrior who has collected a thousand weapons?!"
Gilgamesh flexed an arm and from his hand exploded darkness, forming into a naginata. "Does this answer your question?"
Summer had a starstruck look on her face as she pulled out a pen and notebook. "Can I have your autograph?"
"Hm? Oh yes!" Gilgamesh put his naginata away, took the notebook and signed his name on it. "Gil-Ga-Mesh. Add cute little sword here and…done! Here you go."
Summer squealed as she took the notebook back and looked at the name and weapon drawn on it. "This is so cool!"
Tai, Qrow and Raven just watched as Summer literally skipped back to them as if she was a little girl with a big stupid smile on her face as she clutched the notebook closely to her chest, unable to believe what they just saw.
"This is really Gilgamesh?" Raven muttered.
"The same one I fought alongside against Surtr?"
And Aqua couldn't believe this was actually Gilgamesh, the great warrior who fought across countless worlds. They must be planning on using him to fight against her since they are acting so paranoid.
Likely because her powers of a Keyblade could harm even them.
In the meantime, Gilgamesh heard her saying his name which also surprised him as he wasn't expecting her to know who he was or to possibly recognize him. The Brothers did warn that her powers are perpendicular which left him more interested in challenging her to have the greatest opponent. The Brothers also told him how Keyblade Wielders are the greatest warriors known throughout the worlds that he traveled.
Which gave him another good reason to challenge her.
Even though they were allies against the demon king, right now in his new life, he was beyond grateful for the Brothers giving him this chance to not be limited to one world anymore. He fought many warriors and excelled his skills beyond what he once was and the day has finally come.
His ally Aqua, now possibly his rival.
He wouldn't pass up a chance to fight a great warrior like her.
"Here me, Keyblade Wielder Aqua." He shouted, summoning a weapon from the darkness now surrounding his hand. "You are to be my chosen opponent! Let us begin!"
The darkness revealed a blue sword, seemingly composed of flowing water while resembling a curved scimitar. She could even see a blue aura surrounding it, instantly realizing that the sword was magical in nature.
"Fight or die, Aqua! The plot demands a decision!"
"Is this someone's idea of a joke?"
Raven Branwen wasn't someone who impressed easily but even she had heard of the legendary Gilgamesh.
Only this was nothing like she had been expecting.
From Summer acting like a lovesick teenage which was even more embarrassing for Raven since this was the team leader but to see the legendary warrior himself…
"This idiot is the great Gilgamesh?" Raven just couldn't hold back.
Gilgamesh stuttered and a dark cloud seemingly appeared over his head, starting to rain. He crossed his arms and huffed. "You children truly have no respect for your elders! To say such insults to my face! Didn't your parents ever teach you manners?"
"Never heard of them." Raven placed a hand on the hilt of her weapon. "Can we get on with this now?"
Suddenly the dark cloud vanished and Gilgamesh pointed his naginata at the team. "Very well! The time for banter is over!"
Aqua knew she couldn't convince Gilgamesh to stand down because she doesn't wish to fight him. But he was quite persistent in wishing to challenge her even the behalf of the Brothers to test the powers that were granted him. Even back then during the battle with Surtr Aqua saw that Gilgamesh was honorable, and he wished only to challenge her and no one else had to be involved. He stood for his noble line as a warrior.
If she ignored him, he would just keep on persisting in challenging her. So, she decided to accept his challenge.
"All right." Aqua sighed. "You want your fight? You got it? But let's move out of the woods. I don't want to cause too much damage here."
"Yes. A more appropriate battlefield should be chosen." Gilgamesh nodded in agreement, accepting her terms rather easily. "I shall await you outside of this forest for glorious battle!"
He bent down…and jumped so high up into the air he was almost a dot in the sky before he landed outside of the forest, causing the ground to shake. Meanwhile Aqua simply walked out of the woods to their battleground. As she walked, she thought of the Brothers and how they seemed to be trying every possible plot hole in their agreement to continue interfering with her and her quest.
They obviously chose Gilgamesh because he was skilled and had experience in magic.
Aqua won't be able to have a normal conversation with her formal ally like when they fought against that dark demon. He'd always been a fighter to seek out great warriors and tight now she fit the description. Keyblade wielders are one of the greatest warriors known throughout all the worlds that know about most of their existence. For this moment she will have to give Gilgamesh the greatest fight he ever has.
So as soon as she was out in the clearing, seeing him waiting for her she didn't bother to wait.
With her Keyblade in one hand she faced him down as he held up his sword and charged.
"Time for glorious battle, Aqua!"
(Final Fantasy V - Battle on the Big Bridge(Gilgamesh Theme) Begins)
As usual, Raven was the first to make a move.
Her Omen shot out of its sheath straight to Gilgamesh who hastily blocked with his spear. Raven charged forward and jumped up, catching her weapon as it rebounded off of Gilgamesh's weapon. Somersaulting through the air, Raven held her sword in both hands as she brought it down on Gilgamesh's head.
CLANG!
Only for it to be blocked as Gilgamesh raised his sword and blocked her strike in time, sparking flying from the impact.
"Good show, Raven Branwen!"
With an impressive amount of force, Gilgamesh shoved his spear up and sent Raven flying back. He moved to pursue but stopped and raised his spear to block a sniper shot from Summer while Taiyang shot forward with a battle cry, his raised fist engulfed in fire as he sent it forward. Gilgamesh, to his surprise caught the fist, even as the Fire Dust in the gauntlet was shot forward.
BOOM!
Tai was knocked back by the force of his own attack, hitting the ground but managed to get back. He watched as the smoke cleared, revealing Gilgamesh was unharmed even though his hand was smoking.
"If not for the fact that I am challenging an entire team, I would have considered that a coward's gambit. However, since we made no formal agreement that I fight you one at a time, I suppose this would be acceptable." Gilgamesh muttered. "Still, I wish to move past the warm-up phase of our battle and fully commit myself to glorious combat."
He held up his spear as it began to shine.
"Behold, the power of Gae Bolg, the Spear of Light!" Gilgamesh proclaimed; the spear now engulfed by a bright light.
He aimed to throw it at Tai just as Raven swooped in, placing her Omen in the Dust Chamber of her sheath and then plunged it into the ground, causing a wall of earth to rise in front of them, blocking them from Gilgamesh's sight.
"Such theatrics cannot stop the Spear of Light!" Gilgamesh shouted as he threw his spear.
Luckily, Summer seemed to catch onto that as her form was engulfed by white pedals and she shot forward. Her pedals engulfed Raven and Tai, forming into a white tornado just Gae Bolg pierced the earth wall Raven had erected and seemingly passed through the white pedal tornado. It shot up and landed several feet away, reforming into Summer with Tai and Raven kneeling next to her. The glowing spear pierced several trees, not seemingly stopping at all as the trees then fell over.
And then to shock of Team STRQ it spun around and flew back into its owner's hand.
"You cannot disarm me so easily!" Gilgamesh proclaimed. "Now come, Team STRQ! Show me the skills and power that has allows you the honor of being the best Huntsmen Team of Beacon!"
He charged forward…
And Aqua barely dodged the blue sword that easily cut through her Aura. 'His blade can easily pierce Aura!'
"Curses! I missed!" Gilgamesh groaned but then chuckled. "Still, it is not often one can dodge Zantetsuken! You have my praise, Aqua!"
'Zantetsuken? That's the same name as Terra's technique.' Aqua narrowed her eyes, having recognized the move on instinct and cartwheeled out of the just in time…
However, he still managed to leave a cut on her shoulder which she immediately cast a healing spell on it.
Only it didn't heal immediately, shocking Aqua.
"A sword that cuts through anything. Passed down from abroad a long time ago." Gilgamesh held up his sword for Aqua to see. "Be fortunate I was not using it at full power, or you might have died."
Gilgamesh then vanished, moving at such speed seemingly teleported behind Aqua, ready to strike her with his sword. Aqua immediately spun around and her Keyblade, Ocean's Apart met Zantetsuken in a shower of sparks. Aqua then immediately retreated, spinning back as Gilgamesh moved to his blade forward but end up stumbling. Only by his quickly reflexes was he able to dodge a slash aimed at his head. Gilgamesh then kicked out with one foot and Aqua was forced to jump back, just in time avoiding the foot hitting her in the head.
Gilagmesh followed up, slashing at her in wild, unpredictable style that caught Aqua off-guard as she barely managed to block or dodge each strike. He was so random that Aqua couldn't make heads or tails of what he was about to do next and each time she was about to try something he completely changed at the last moment, attacking in one second, defending in the other and then dodging or spinning the last one.
Aqua realized she couldn't defeat purely on swordplay alone.
She had to get creative.
That was three pillars of fire surrounded her, halting Gilgamesh as he prepared to attack again. She shot forward, attacking him and pushing him back as he worked to avoid being burned by the flames as well as defending himself from her assault.
"Impressive, Aqua!" Gilgamesh praised. "Use the magic of the elements to your advantage! Haste!"
Aqua's eyes widened as she felt his knee slam into her stomach with such strength that her spell dissipated and she crashed into the ground.
'He can use that spell?!' Aqua quickly cast a Cura on herself. 'Damn it!'
"Don't tell me this is it." Gilgamesh looked over his shoulder. "I will not…"
"Allow it to end so soon."
"Raven!" Tai shouted.
"Rae!" Qrow cried out.
Raven barely had the chance to blink when Gilgamesh moved so fast she didn't see the foot slam into her back after she was kicked in the ground. The pain was so great that Raven was left in shock as she hit the ground, barely able to move at all, let alone focus as she coughed up a great deal of blood and saliva.
"Damn it." She cursed as she looked upwards to see Gilgamesh slowly approaching.
"This is it, Team STRQ." He said as he held up his sword. "Time…"
"…for the grand finale!" Gilgamesh proclaimed as he prepared to stab Aqua through the chest with his blue glowing sword.
