Temple of the Sun

Operation Defeat Quetzalcoatl begins now, Master. Let's head to Ur first.

Oh, gatekeeper. Here's the seal from King Gilgamesh permitting our departure.

Yes, thank you. Please have a safe trip.

You're...the gatekeeper that was on duty when we first came to Uruk.

This south gate was attacked by Quetzalcoatl...but are you all right?

Haha... Well it's embarrassing to say, but I wasn't even taken as an opponent.

Did you know that these past few days an unknown disease has been infecting people in Uruk?

...Yes. I hear the old and weak are the first to die.

I had the same symptoms as them. Didn't have an appetite for three whole days.

So when that goddess saw my face, she said, "Don't push yourself. Want a mango?"

Mango? You mean the fruit, mango? I've heard of it... But it existed in this age...?

Yes, and it was very tasty! Almost the instant I popped it in my mouth, I felt better! Thanks to that, I was able to resume my duties as a gatekeeper.

And you just ATE it!?

Hahaha, yes I did. That's one of the reasons I came to be stationed here at the south gate. Everyone's scared of this gate, you know.

So, um... I'm not so sure that the Goddess of the Jungle is actually evil, really.

I'm sure this is just bothersome to hear, but if you meet her, and it looks like you can speak with her...

Before you exchange blows, please try to talk to her. Maybe there's a way to solve this without fighting.

...That's what the gatekeeper was saying, but...is it even possible to speak with Quetzalcoatl?

It isn't. She WILL attack us, so be ready to defend yourselves.

Don't worry, I'll be there to fight with you this time. Just watch closely and see which goddess is the more powerful one.

Taller? Senpai, you're really not that short...

Fou, fofoou.

？！

A talk with Quetzalcoatl, eh? It's true that there may be a way to avoid battle.

She said she would eradicate humanity because her mother called her here to do so.

Which means that she's not against mankind of her own free will.

Though that does raise the question of who this "Mother" is.

...If she says, "Mother," then wouldn't it be the Goddess of Demonic Beasts, Tiamat?

Well, if you think about it, that does makes sense... How about it, Ishtar?

Did Gorgon order you two to exterminate mankind?

Huh? I couldn't care less about the Three Goddess Alliance.

Quetzalcoatl is a winged serpent, right? Maybe she's just helping out Gorgon because they're both snakes?

(...Ishtar isn't interested in the Three Goddess Alliance...? No, wait... This odd feeling, could it be...?)

Hahahahahahahaha! Meowhahahahahahahahaha! I mew you'd come back to my jungle, my prey!

If Kuku returned to the jungle, then you guys wouldn't be far behind! That is common sense!

And ambushing prey on the flank is the jaguar's hunting style! Meow it's time to snack, hup!

Senpai, it's Jaguar Warrior. Here she comes, down from the trees... as always.

Ah, your stealth abilities are to be expected in the jungle. With all the magical energy surrounding us, I couldn't detect you at all.

However, Quetzalcoatl is still the principal deity in Mesoamerican culture.

No matter how much power Gorgon gained from the Holy Grail, Quetzalcoatl wouldn't serve her without cause.

Just like the gatekeeper said, she probably has a reason. Leaving this "Mother" problem aside, it's a good idea to try and talk to her.

Yes, talk. Conversation is the best expression of human sincerity and kindness, Fujimaru.

？！

Jeez, that's not convincing at all!

Don't you see that, right meow, there's a teary-eyed goddess being ignored in front of you!?

No. After witnessing Quetzalcoatl's Divinity, you seem like no more than a paper tiger.

Aaaaaand you're dead. I'll put an end to this thousand-year war between light and darkness!

You humans have no tomorrow! Why? Because it's only natural that the weak perish!

There is no good or evil in that! If you want to live, be strong! Meow that's the paw of the jungle!

Jaguar Warrior is now in battle mode...! And what she's saying actually makes sense!

Humph, it's too late to notice meow. I'm not takin' it easy, baby! It's purrvival of the fittest here, and you're not looking too fit!

What, is that all you got? Meowhahaha! It doesn't hurt! Not a scratch!

Oh, no! I shot her. You guys told me to shoot her, so I did... But is that really okay?

Of course. She'll probably never learn her lesson unless we kill her, so we had better do it at least once.

Hey! You! You know that Servants die when they are killed, right?

As a fellow Rogue Servant, mew should know what it's like!

A once-in-a-lifetime miraculous summon, but with no Master? I am the brown-striped, cat-eared Jaguar Warrior, who dreams of getting a real job...

I'm no goddess, but I'm still a Nagual god! Shouldn't you guys show me at least a liiittle respect!?

What!? That thing is a Rogue Servant!? I totally thought she was Quetzalcoatl's minion...

I'm not a minion! Kuku and I have just been stuck with each other!

I don't have a Master, so I'm just freeloading off of Kuku for meow!

I see, so you're just a leech!

Fujimaru! The more allies, the better!

She may not be that brightor, well, altogether sanebut that Servant is good in a fight! You know what to do!

？！

I heard everything, since I have four ears! I'll CATch any kind of sound!

However, an amazing opportunity like that is impawssible! Let me make that clear!

I am a very proud wild jaguar, I will never work under somebody!

But I will give you a chance. I'll at least listen, so give it a shot.

？！

Aaand done! I'm your ally. I've just become your ally right meow!

I know, I know! Defeat Quetzalcoatl, right? Just leave it to your big sis!

This tiger will give you all the deets on Kuku, from her bedtime to when she wakes up!

Negotiations were successful, Master!

Jaguar Warrior became our ally and it only took a single sentence to convince her!

Righto! And that's how I, Jaguar Warrior, will move from the jungle to a modern environment like Chaldea!

I'll be in Fujimaru's care starting today! Nice to meet you all☆

...Fujimaru, that was the worst move possible... If Merlin hadn't said anything... I will kill him.

I look forward to working with you, Jaguar Warrior. I am Senpai's official Servant, Mash Kyrielight.

R-right. You offered a handshake with a smile, but I know you're a pretty scary girl though!

Nice to be working with you, Mash! And you too, familiar-looking loli gal!

...You brought in another noisy one...

Well, she isn't even pseudo-contracted, so we could cut her off anytime if necessary...

But she is definitely a good informant for us. The jungle is her backyard after all.

Let's have her guide us from Ur to Eridu. And she can tell us all about Quetzalcoatl along the way.

Leave it to me! To Eridu, right? I'll guide you at top speed!

Grrr. Won't. Let. You. Why. Did. You. Betray. Us. Jaguar Warrior!

...! I'm detecting multiple hostiles! You guys are surrounded!

You. Forget. Pride. Jungle! Humans. Visitors! Humans. Intruders!

Humans. ATM! We. Guide. Them! You. Taught. Us. But. You. Betray!

Teehee☆ It's the Sumerian Beastmen I've been lying to this whole time.

Sorry guys, I went ahead and changed jobs. I found a new Master.

...By the way...

Don't ya remember I told ya a million times to not touch them civilians!?

Wh-whaa!?

Miss Jaguarmura!?

Wait, why are there mafia-style modern clothes underneath your fur!?

You just do whatever you feel like don't you!? Knock it off already!

B-boss...! But. You. Fallen! Get her!

Tch... Too bad. I guess these are the tagalongs that aren't cool with me moving on... Didn't think I'd have to take out my own minions...

Sure, bring it on! It's a good opportunity to show Fujimaru what I've got.

My club can be vicious. Be prepared, 'cause you ain't gettin' crocodile meat ever again!

So, we've arrived at Ur.

I know it was a wild trip, but I appreciate Fujimaru's kindness for not asking about my minions!

？！

A-aren't you guys from the Chaldean Embassy!? Did you come to rescue us!?

Wait, you're all the soldiers Quetzalcoatl took away! You're alive!?

Even after she tossed you so far into the air, and beat you so brutally?

Y-yeah. Oh yeah, we have to explain it from there... We were surprised she didn't kill us, too...

Uh-huh. At a glance, it looked as though they were being murdered, right? But she wasn't killing them.

Well, she is actually killing them, but right after giving them a killer move, she's casting a killer revive on them. That girl.

It's Kuku's bad habit, or kind of like her policy? I personally don't get showing mercy in a match like that.

She takes on anyone who's ready to risk their lives to challenge her, but she helps those who aren't ready to die.

That's why she gets taken advantage of by Tezca. And yet she still just doesn't learn.

As a big sis, I'm worried that the other goddesses will walk all over her if she doesn't change.

So you knew already, Senpai... I'm ashamed of myself...

Oh yeah, a report delivered to the king mentioned that as well.

Besides the soldiers who were taken, there were no casualties among any of the soldiers that were involved.

？！

...But it looks like you're all locked inside Ur...

That's right. That weird goddess is preventing us from returning to Uruk.

Because you guys are our dear sacrifices! You all gotta become Kuku's soldiers when the time comes!

I see. Does that mean Quetzalcoatl is taking these men to build herself an army?

That's right. They're getting retrained in Eridu. That girl may look cheerful, but she has experience as a king.

Did you know she's super good at commanding an army? So why don't you guys stay and fight here too?

We are soldiers of Uruk! We cannot stay away from the city, not even for a day!

Everyone else is preparing for the end of the world, doing what they need to do without any rest...!

Now, now, don't say that. Ur is pretty fun too. The residents look a little down, but that's not important.

There're two kinds of people! The ones who can make it, and the ones who can't! That doesn't change no matter what era we're in.

But, that's why humans have thrived for a long time☆ If each and every person could work THAT hard, it'd be kind of scary.

"There are ones who can fight, and ones who cannot." "That difference in capacity is a trait seen only among human society."

That's what Kuku was saying. Well, it doesn't matter to me though.

...Kuku... So you were talking about Kukulkan.

Quetzalcoatl was the priest-king of the Toltecs. To the Mayans, he was the conquering king, Kukulkan.

Quetzalcoatl was a god, but also appeared at times as a king of men.

So that goddess may be inheriting all of that memory and history...

She's very busy for a goddess... I wonder if all the gods of other lands are workaholics like her...

It means she's not quite like Gorgon. She understands what human beings are, but chooses to destroy them nonetheless.

Well, that's complicated in itself, but how about it, Fujimaru? You think you'll be able to talk to her?

？！

Hmm, I think that's impossible. Gorgon is the goddess of the north, right?

Quetzalcoatl is also a goddess of war. If she shows her true self, she becomes much more terrifying than Gorgon.

Kuku is a monster who enjoys fighting. She sounds cheery, but that's because she's in a good mood.

But imagine what'll happen if the fun is taken out of it. All she'll be is a cold killing machine afterwards.

Words alone could never defeat Quetzalcoatl.

The only thing that could silence her would be a head-on battle of the soul.

？！

Good evening. On guard duty by yourself again? Here you go, something to drink. It's chilled fruit water.

？！

Sure, I might as well since I'm here. Umph.

So Ur turned out to be like this, huh. Compared to Uruk, though, the people are kind of morose.

...But this is how things are supposed to be. Not all humans are strong.

There are people who try, but it just doesn't work. That's not because they're not brave enough, or they're weaklings.

They're just not fit to do certain things.

Gilgamesh and Quetzalcoatl don't understand that. No, they don't even try to understand it.

If only the strong and glorious are accepted in this world, the weak and frightened ones will have no place.

I'm not saying you need to protect them because they're weak. It's just that some things can only be seen from their perspective.

I don't want to ignore that fact. I want everything to be fair.

R-really? I didn't realize... But it's true I don't like dirty things.

Although, I love bones... I don't like animal guts and stuff like that though.

...Jaguar Warrior, really... You recruited another new Servant again.

Well, I don't really care. Maybe just a little irritated, that's all.

？！

Well, whatever. Anyway, I actually came to adviseAh, ah,

achoo!

I came to give you some advice tonight. To plan against Quetzalcoatl.

...Hey. Were you trying to run away again when I was trying to be nice and tell you something?

That's just my imagination? The fruit water is good? ...O-okay, if you say so...

Anyway! Listen carefully to my suuuuuuper helpful advice!

Ready? She is a god of good, the apex of all things good. If you think about it, that means nothing good can work on her.

The only things that could really harm her would have to be evil. That's why if you get into battle, use an evil Servant to fight against her.

That way, you'll at least be able to fight better than before. No matter what happens, just don't rely on me!

？！

Yes, of course! I am the greatest and wisest goddess of Mesopotamia!

？！

W-well... Maybe just a little.

I'm usually at the temple, so all I knew of the outside world was what I'd heard.

I was given a job as soon as I was born, so I didn't have any freedom...

You're seriously the first person to have a conversation with me like this as a friend...

That's why I couldn't turn a blind eye, so I'm helping you out like this...

？！

!

I-is that so? I...hadn't thought about that. But maybe it's not so bad to have a friend...

(Gasp!) D-did someone just see us together!?

Fou? Foufofofooou?

...Oh, it's just a small animal... Wait, that's the Beast of Disaster again!

How could you bring that dangerous thing around...? That's a spiritual beast that feeds off of human greed, you know!

Don't you know that if you toss him into a village, he'll grow into an uncontrollable monster in a year?

If it hasn't been that long since you had him, I won't say anything bad. Hurry up and throw him into some molten lava or something.

？！

Fou. Foufoufou (Whap, whap)

Hey, don't hit my cheeks like that! Okay, I got it, you want me to get back, right!?

Anyway, I gave you my advice! I'm going to bed now!

I can't be of much help, but do your best in your battle with Quetzalcoatl, Fujimaru!

？！

Foooooou?

We made it, meow! Behind this jungle's veil lies Eridu!

I can feel Kuku's death aura just twenty meters ahead!

...It's been two hours since the sun fell from its zenith. Current time on our modern clocks: 3 PM.

It seems that Quetzalcoatl has returned from her attack on Uruk...

...What a pain. Our plan was to disable Quetzalcoatl's temple before fighting her.

Now that Quetzalcoatl has returned, that throws everything off.

The irony is, in order to weaken Quetzalcoatl, we need to defeat her first.

Hmm. It's difficult for us amateurs to move through the jungle. You can't blame us for using up half a day just to get here.

Fujimaru, now you have to decide when to execute our plan.

We can spend the night here and wait for Quetzalcoatl to head back to Uruk,

or see if there's an opening to get into the temple. What do you think?

？！

...Including today, we have only five days left before Gorgon invades. It'll be four tomorrow.

...It's true that it'd be best to save as much time as we can, but...

I agree with Master. Invading enemy camps will always come with risks.

I imagine that Quetzalcoatl will interfere no matter how perfectly we prepare...

What you're saying is, if she's going to interfere anyway, then it's best for us to engage the enemy first. You got guts for saying that, Mash.

You heard that, Dr. Roman. How are things on your end? Have you figured out the layout of Eridu?

Yes, leave it to me. Eridu is laid out much like Uruk.

I can see there's a large structure beyond the residential district. It's not as complicated as a ziggurat, but I imagine that's the temple.

If Mash carries Fujimaru and you all move through the residential district at full speed, you should reach the temple in less than 10 minutes.

But I'm detecting a large magical energy signal in front of the temple. That has to be Quetzalcoatl.

If we launch an assault now, we'll have to do battle with her. There's no getting around it.

Hmm? What's the problem with that?

Mash, young girl, pompous guy, Ishtar, and the great Jaguar Warrior.

With this many of us, we can at least hold Kuku off for a bit.

During that time, Fujimaru can run up to the top of the temple and destroy the Sun Stone, right?

Here. It's a spare of my unique weapon, the Death Claw. Also known as the "Fearsome Club."

I thought this might happen, so last night I went on a jungle adventure while you slept, and made it.

One good hit from this will reduce anythingeven the Sun Stoneto dust! That should take Kuku's Divinity down a few notches!

That's right! Unique! There's not another one like it. The second Fearsome Club!

I know, right? There's no one better at harassing Quetzalcoatl than me!

？！

Looks like we've got our plan. So let's confirm one last time.

We're going to go through this jungle and head into Eridu. With the Doctor's guidance, we can get to the temple without any problems.

No matter how we hide ourselves at the temple, Quetzalcoatl will likely detect us. So we'll just hit her head-on with all we've got.

The Servants will give their all to keep Quetzalcoatl busy. That'll get you two or three minutes.

With those few minutes, Fujimaru will enter the temple alone, and destroy the symbol at the altar.

Sound good? You know this whole plan is a long shot, and both Master and Servant could die, right?

？！

...Well, Romani Archaman, you heard him. Any objections?

It's a dangerous plan, but it's got its merits. No matter what we do, the chance of success is low anyway.

Da Vinci has been watching and complaining this whole time, but she gave the go-ahead, too.

I'll sanction the operation. Leave the backup to me, Fujimaru.

？！

Right! I will do everything to support you!

There's a large building in front of you. That's the temple! No... But that isn't like the temple in Uruk

A goddess should have her own temple reconstructed according to her own tastes!

...So that staircase-looking thing must be Quetzalcoatl's temple!

That's convenient. You won't get lost in there! The symbol has to be at the top!

I know climbing that extremely steep set of steps will be taxing, but you'll just have to put your backs into it and persevere!

A path to get closer to the heavens, huh? The concept is the same as a ziggurat, but the approach is much more in tune with nature.

I'm getting several enemy signatures from all around Eridu! From the jungle, too! There are winged serpents gathering with the third and fourth waves!

If we fight them all, it'll take all night! Break through and head towards the temple!

We've broken through the enemy and reached the temple, but something crazy is behind it!

That's Marduk's axe! I'm a little shocked myself! It's several times bigger than we were told!

Hola! Welcome to my Sun Temple!

I love the way you headed straight here without wasting time, yes! Of course, that's been the case for more than just today, yes!

You sped all the way here after my attack! It's so exciting, just like I hoped!

It was worth believing in Fujimaru and waiting, yes!

Really, I'm glad...

I'm glad you didn't waste any time outside of Eridu!

If you had done something pitiful like that, I would've had to abandon my policy and just kill you all, yes!

The enemy Servant is giving off overwhelming power!

But if we don't stop her, Master can't get to the altar!

Ay no, how silly of me! I'm being childish!

I saw a certain dummy who has no business being here, so I returned to my wild nature a little.

Oh crap. If the fight starts she'll kill me first. I just had a premonition and I'm sure of it!

Sí!☆ No mercy for you, amiga! Never! I'm going to rip the flesh from your bones, yes!

All right, let's fight! You've come to defeat me by whatever means necessary, yes?

I respect your courage and decisiveness! I shall never back down from any fight, or any challenge!

That's what I love! Humans are so fun to mess with!

You can kill them! You can let them live! You can threaten them, or protect them!

I don't have any memories left from the Cretaceous period, my first generation, but the seeds of information that are generations old tell me this!

I love you humans. I want to coexist with you.

Humans give meaning to our lives!

Meaning to your lives...?

？！

Right! Humans give you life and purpose, and yet you're trying to destroy them!

Hehehe... It makes me feel funny when you scold me like that, yes! I like it!

...But it makes perfect sense, doesn't it? This is normal in human society, right?

Purpose isn't just some hobby. It's what you have to do to live, to be you! Yes!

I'm a deity who can't exist without messing with humans, and I don't just mean the body of the person who's my host.

For humanity to survive longer, I need to help some of them, and get rid of others, so they can adapt to their environment.

Performing this cycle is what my life is about. It's why I exist.

Do you understand? I participated in this trial as one of the three goddesses because I want to play with humanity more.

As long as I'm here, humanity won't go extinct. But of course, they won't be safe or at peace either.

But smile! I will guarantee your freedom! The freedom to run from the threat of yours truly!

And I will SO enjoy watching you squirm! Like a naughty girl with ants and a magnifying glass!

...Fujimaru, this conversation is a waste of time.

There are many gods in this land, but she's on a whole other level! I've never seen a deity whose love was this messed up!

Ooh, I'm blushing! You figured out why I'm so in love with Fujimaru, yes?

It's like a traffic accident.

I don't mind a girl's personality as long as they are beautiful, but in this case, I just feel sorry for you...

Senpai, this is serious-time! Stop trying to flirt from your Spanish dictionary!

？！

Now, you're after the Sun Stone, right?

I'll give your Master a chance, for as long as you can hold me off.

It can be a game. But first, I have a request.

Fujimaru, no matter what you fight or how it goes, don't forget to feel joy, yes?

I fight because it's fun! Humans fight because it's fun, too!

If you don't have hatred in your heart, you won't kill your opponent! That's what makes lucha libre so great!

So you enjoy this danger too, okay? If you do, we can understand each other more, yes!

...Heed me, child... ...Celebrate not with the joyous one...

？！

That's what I want to hear, yes! I'm so excited!

Fighting is what brings us joy! Survival is the fundamental principle of life! It's what allows man and the gods to communicate!

Now let's fight with all our strength!

... ...Huh!?

That made me so sad that I froze stiff... You can't enjoy fighting? That's a total denial of who I am, yes...

Fine! Then I'll ask you this instead!

What is fighting to you, Fujimaru?

？！

...I see. So that's the kind of person you are.

A wonderful answer. It's so wonderful it makes me want to crush you.

Fine! Then give this fight with me your all! Oh my, oh my! This will be so much fun!

I never thought I'd see the humanity we dreamed of in your generation!

Okay, you came all the way to the top! Hurry, Fujimaru! There on the altar... That's the Sun Stone...

The Aztec Calendar...a monolith that's said to show the past, present, and future according to the Aztecs!

That's definitely Quetzalcoatl's second Noble Phantasm! If we destroy it, this temple will just be a decoration,

and we can remove Quetzalcoatl's trump card from the game! Two birds with one stone!

Fou, fooou! Roma, foou!

Mash and the others are out of the fight! Quetzalcoatl is coming!

Hurry, Fujimaru! This is our only chance to defeat the evil goddess!

？！

What's wrong, Master Fujimaru!? Why are you stopping...!?

？！

Too bad! You're out of time, Fujimaru! I'll be up those steps before you can blink, yes!

Fou, fooouuu!

Hmph. So you figured out that what Kuku wants to see isn't a Servant victor, but a display of human resolve, huh?

Jaguar Warrior!? How did you get up to the top of the altar!?

She jumped. I can fly, so I just floated up here. In my boat.

Anyway, Fujimaru, what are you going to do? You wasted your one and only chance, so what's your plan?

Jaguar Warrior and I can only block Quetzalcoatl's charge one time.

You can smash the Sun Stone then.

？！

This is one hell of a time for boasting. ...But, yes, I agree, crazy as it is.

But how exactly are you going to fight? Hit her with that club?

？！

Fou, foou!

Height... Courage... Huh!? Also, Da Vinci just burst out laughing.

Fujimaru, don't tell me you're going to use a wrestling move on that goddess!?

Heh. Nice idea, baby. That's my future high-income taxpayer!

I like your bravery. Your only hope, then, is a plancha. (Grinning)

A body slam from that height!? That's crazy! Stop it! It's suicide!

All Quetzalcoatl has to do is step to the side at the bottom of the steps and you're dead!

What the heck are you talking about, dummy!?

It doesn't matter how much higher up you are. Higher is better for a plancha, meow!

In other words, you need to go EVEN HIGHER!

？！

Leave that to me! I'll take you as high as you can stomach!

？！

All right, that should do it. We're up another two hundred meters or so.

？！

This is mostly down to your luck! I'll throw you at Quetzalcoatl as best as I can,

but if you don't think you'll hit her, use your hands and feet to adjust your path! Like stabilizers!

Think about slamming your own belly button into her collar bone. That sounds like it'll work. Yep.

Alright, off you go! GOOOOOD LUUUCK!

？！

You really threw yourself at me...!? At that height, even a lucha master like me can't save you!

And yet... And yet you're still going to try and hit me with that plancha!?

？！

？！

You're alive, yes! Just be grateful that I'm a legendary lucha master, yes!

You know the thing with flying moves?

Unless both the attacker and the target are the best at what they do, someone can end up dead, yes!

You, Fujimaru, are an amateur, so your big sis was really worried...

But why were you so reckless? Didn't you think I'd dodge?

？！

～～～～!

Aww...Fujimaru, mi amor! I'm so glad I joined the Three Goddess Alliance!

And now I'm leaving it, yes! 'Cause I'm making a contract with you!

Thank you! You beat me, Master! You're the first person to beat me so badly!

I am Quetzalcoatl, goddess of Mesoamerica! From now on, I'll use my power for you!