Star of the Beginning, We Look Up at the Sky

So you're back, Fujimaru. Then let's begin the briefing. First, the soldiers' report.

Yes, my king!

Currently, there are 306 citizens left in Uruk. Of those, 212 are soldiers, and the rest are civilians.

Initially, the citizens refused to evacuate, but after the king spoke to them, they agreed to evacuate to the Northern Wall.

Of the citizens who already escaped to the Northern Wall, there are 157 survivors. After this afternoon's Laḫmu attack, there are now 38 surviving soldiers.

All together, there are five hundred humans left alive in Sumer.

...Huh? Five hundred... That's all...?

I'm sorry. That report must be mistaken, right...?

No. It's correct. Between the two Laḫmu attacks and the sea encroachment, the first dynasty of Uruk has fallen.

Even if we make it through this predicament, the kingdom cannot be maintained. It would only go into decline.

Wha...?

Do not despair. Even if we perish, as long as Sumerian culture survives, there will be others who will follow in our footsteps.

As for the Laḫmu, they have split into two groups. One group stops on the spot and turns into a sphere as soon as the sun sets.

The other flies back to Tiamat, and guards her surroundings.

So, Romani Archaman. You've had almost half a day. I presume you are finished with your analysis of Tiamat?

Of course. Tiamat's specs and abilities are exactly as stated in the report I submitted to you.

Fujimaru, you should also take a look at it later.

The material data on the terminal over there has been updated.

I see. This is good work. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Hummm...

Curse it! Are you on Tiamat's side or something!? There is nothing in here about her weaknesses!

Believe me, I wanted to write at least one possible method of attack! But the report is accurate!

She's just perfect, with no physical or mythical shortcomings! We're no match for her!

Hmmm... When you say that with tears in your eyes, I suppose I can't be too hard on you. Good work. You can return to your post.

But we can't lose control of our emotions here. Well, Jaguar Warrior? What's your take on Tiamat?

She was huge. Gigantic. And paws-itively awesome!

Nonsense! I am not asking for your idiotic human impressions of her! Use your animal instincts to tell me something useful!

Oh, you mean that!

At her speed, she'll reach the coast in half a day. I'm guessing it'll take her about a day to get from there to Uruk!

...Tch, that is fast. All we can do is intercept her.

？！

Because this city and Gilgamesh are the symbols of Sumerian civilization.

Tiamat sees things differently than you or I, yes. To her, humans and the land are all a single life-form.

Tiamat is after Uruk, the heart of this land, driven by her primordial instincts.

...So that's why she's ignoring my temple. Even if Mt. Ebih disappears, civilization will carry on.

But if Uruk and this golden dummy are annihilated here, Mesopotamian civilization itself will vanish.

That's right. If you wish to protect human history, you have to stop Tiamat at all costs.

...But. No attacks work on Tiamat.

I tried to create an opportunity, but I didn't think she would be quite so enormous.

We can neither stop her nor drive her back. Why is Tiamat invincible, anyway?

Oh, on that point, I do have a theory...

Tiamat... Actually, I believe all of the Beasts have individual differences.

Of all of them, Tiamat's inborn nature is to never experience death. No matter what she does, death will never find her.

Fujimaru destroying Tiamat's brain out at sea more or less proved the theory.

So she regenerated after she died. Isn't that just resurrection?

No, it's different. It's more retrogression than regeneration.

I know this sounds absurd, but stay with me: Tiamat is the mother of all life in existence.

The very fact that we're alive proves her existence. That's why there's no way to destroy her.

It's paradoxical, but as long as life continues to exist on land, Tiamat, Beast II, will never die.

She is the beginning and the end.

The only way she could be affected by the normal laws of physics, and be harmed, is as the last thing on the world to die.

B-but we definitely can't beat her! I mean, there's no point!

To defeat Tiamat, first the human race would need to... All life on Earth would have to die out!

...That's right. That's why I had no choice but to report that she's invincible.

Stop it. No more brain-teasers. I'm bad at them. Somebody, do something.

...Exactly. Brazen of you to think as I do.

？！

Ereshkigal! Ereshkigal! Ereshkigal, are you there!?

Shush. Be more respectful when you're trying to call a goddess!

I've been busy taking care of souls since yesterday! I would even take a dead man's help at this point!

First of all, I didn't lend you the Mirror of Kur so you and I could chat. It was just an apology for everything I've done...

？！

...O-oh! It's... Give me a moment.

...Ahem.

Ereshkigal, Goddess of the Underworld, is here in all of her splendor. Do you have business with me, king of Uruk?

Ereshkigal, you're being so formal all of a sudden!

Ah. You're much prettier than the celestial goddess. It looks like some soul-searching in the Underworld has made you more ladylike.

Why are you looking at me, Goldie? And stop smiling at her, Fujimaru.

You're embarrassing me two times over.

The fact of the matter is, I called you here to ask a favor.

Currently, Tiamat is heading for Uruk. She will arrive in two days.

If we don't defeat her, Mesopotamia will fall. However, Tiamat will not die as long as there is life on Earth.

Therefore, Mistress of the Underworld, I want you to attend to Tiamat.

If death cannot touch her in a world full of life, then send her down to a world devoid of life.

In the Underworld, wouldn't she be the last living thing?

!

Huh? What are you talking about? Summon Mother to my Underworld?

Wait, did you say "send"? You seriously said "send her down!"

Of course! Ereshkigal, Goddess of Kur! In the name of the king, I command you!

Open the gate of the Underworld across all of Uruk and bind the Beast of Disaster that calls itself Tiamat down in the bowels of the earth!

That is your role after wreaking havoc with the Three Goddess Alliance! Consider that to be your atonement!

Humph. What's impossible is impossible, and THAT'S impossible! Are you telling me to bring the Underworld directly beneath Uruk!?

How do you expect me to do something so ridiculous!? Ugh! I guess I have no choice!

？！

Uh... W-well, yes. After all, if I don't, Mesopotamia will be wiped out, right?

I've been listening all this time. Ever since you returned to the surface. All the time, actually.

So I know what King Gilgamesh is talking about. To be honest, I was even a little impressed.

I knew it! I knew the Underworld was the way to go. Ishtar, you should do some soul-searching so you can be less useless!

But! Being convinced and doing it are two different things, Gilgamesh!

Do you really think covering the entirety of Uruk with a hole of death is a simple task, even for me!?

Just doing it in my jurisdiction of Kutha City was a major undertaking. As big as Uruk is, it will probably take me at least ten years.

Wha...!? Ten years...! ...We don't have that kind of time...

Well, actually, um, since I hate Uruk, I miiiight have been plotting something the whole time, so give me three days and it'll be ready!

Y-you think so? Then it was worth cursing every night!

Oh, stop... Now you're embarrassing me three times over...

？！

Fwahahahaa! Brilliant, Ereshkigal! But you and I need to chat a little more later!

If we can manage to drop Tiamat into the Underworld, then defeating her may not be impossible.

But what are we going to do about the time issue?

Tiamat will arrive here in Uruk in two days. Ereshkigal needs three days to prepare the gate to the underworld.

If we defeat Tiamat after Uruk falls, we won't be able to repair the collapse of the Foundation of Humanity.

You people will have to deal with that. My hands are full preparing the gate.

...Two days... Or even one day. We need to hold Tiamat off at least that long...

But how...? The Axe of Marduk is broken...

Fear not. I already see a strategy for victory. Here is a chance for Ishtar to actually be useful!

...? Why me?

Oh...! I see. With Ishtar, certainly!

Oh, that's right, yes! It'll be a cinch with Ishtar, yes!

So that's how we'll do it! You're amazing, Ishtar!

Yes! It's just like Merlin said!

...Humph. It's not that Ishtar herself is all that.

An spoiled her rotten. I'm so much more amazing because I can set up an underworld gate.

G-good question. Why is everyone except for Fujimaru so excited!?

？！

Hahaha, you are just playing dumb. What a nice way of showing us the ace up your sleeve.

But enough of that. Come now. Call on Gugalanna.

Geh.

Yes. Gugalanna, the Bull of Heaven, who serves Ishtar! It's said to be as big as a mountain and Sumer's greatest Holy Beast!

I bet Gugalanna can stop Tiamat in her tracks!

Ah, yes. Of course. That's right. With my Gugalanna, yes. In its heyday, Gugalanna could even make the Tigris River run dry.

I heard about that from the people of Ur, yes! They all say Ishtar's servant Gugalanna is a Holy Beast to be feared!

They praised you too, Ishtar, yes!

A Holy Beast that none of the other gods could tame, but I hear that you managed to bring it to heel first by being strict, then by being more strict!

Y-yes, that's right. Gugalanna is like my...um...vehicle.

But everyone, I think you're making too big of a deal out of it. Gugalanna isn't really that great.

It wouldn't be of any use against Tiamat...

？！

(Gulp)

...What's the matter? You don't look well.

Normally we'd all have to listen to your irritating high-pitched laughter while you brag about how great he is, even though it's not even yours originally.

No... Don't tell me

...No. I don't have Gugalanna.

What did you just say!?

I don't have it! I lost it! I lost it somewhere!

I think it was in the north, but I couldn't find it anywhere!

I even searched all through Babylon, but I just can't find hide nor hair of Gugalanna!

(Speechless)

Y-you stupid, useless, bratty goddess! Why did we even bother recruiting you!?

... (Made to stand holding a clay tablet that reads, "Worst goddess.")

Well this is just perfect, and right when we were one step away from having a workable plan...

Now we're up against a wall...

All of us at Chaldea want to agree on the strategy of luring Tiamat to Uruk and then sending her to the Underworld.

But there just isn't enough time.

...You COULD go up against Tiamat and just accept that you'd die or get swallowed up by the mud, but then we'd be even worse off...

...

...

...

... (Made to stand holding a clay tablet that reads, "Worst goddess.")

...Fine. Adjourned. This war council is taking a break.

Whining will do us no good. We have no plan, but hastiness is also the height of folly.

And Fujimaru is exhausted. Let us rest our weary bones here.

？！

There isn't much time until dawn.

This will be our last chance to relax in Uruk. Everyone, replenish your energy.

But don't stop thinking. We are not going to sleep and just give up.

We're going to get through tonight so we can survive tomorrow.

Hey, I dropped in to say hi, Fujimaru! So this is the famous Chaldea Embassy! I'm a bit surprised, yes!

Yup yup. I was imagining someplace more like a paw-lace. But I like it! It seems homey!

By the way, when's dinner?

I'm expecting something like a warm Chaldean family meal.

If you're hungry, Jaguar, I'll happily make you something, yes! How about rocks, topped with salt?

That's just rock salt! Dammit! So I've gotta cook my own meat, then?

Now for some peace and quiet. Sorry for the commotion.

What else? It was your scent, of course, Fujimaru!

？！

Well, to tell you the truth I had nowhere else to go. Most everyone is dead.

And to the surviving Uruks, Jaguar and I were enemy goddesses, no?

I don't want to make them uneasy on their last night. So let me stay here, okay?

Fou, fou...

？！

Oh, you mean the cylinder seal I showed you at Eridu? Yes, I knew about Tiamat.

And that Gorgon had synchronized with her consciousness, and had convinced herself she was Tiamat's second coming.

But I was a bad goddess. So I couldn't tell you or Gorgon the truth, no.

I wanted to be Gorgon's friend, though.

That cylinder was the most I could tell you. It was my way of saying, "Be careful, there's more to come."

？！

Well...

...Yes. For that one time, I was on Gorgon's side, not humanity's.

I wanted you - no, all of humanity - to truly hate her. I wanted you all to go up against her with everything you had.

If you'd known Gorgon was a fake, and the true threat lay behind her, you would have pitied her and taken her lightly.

I didn't want that to happen. That's why I couldn't just come out and tell you.

Well, you found me out anyway, huh Fujimaru? Pathetic, no?

...You think so? Yeah, I hope not.

I may not look like it, but I am Mesoamerica's principal deity! I need to look good for my new contractor.

... (Sniff)

...No, thank you. For staying with her until the end.

Never mind! Can't get all mushy, no!

？！

Food's ready! Lamb with rock salt, cooked jaguar style!

So what are we talking about? Let me join in! Are we figuring out how to run away tomorrow?

Yes, we were saying that if we sacrificed a goddess, we might be able to stop Tiamat♡

Here, have my meat. We can't get you nice and plump if you're hungry!

Seriously? It's been six centuries since Kuku's been nice to me! Wait. Didn't I get killed around then?

Well, whatever! I'm sure it's fine! If my life can save you, that's fine with me!

？！

Huh? No way! Kuku and I are rivals! Our lives are of equal worth!

If I die and Kuku survives, that's okay. If Kuku dies and I survive, that's purr-fectly fine.

That's our relationship. Since we can't be together, we keep things balanced that way.

If the good god is strong, people turn good. When an evil god is strong, they turn evil.

We can never both be successful, no. So it's rare for us to be in a situation like this.

It's strange that Jaguar and I both want the same thing. This never happened in the myths.

No, it's not the same. I only thought of defeating Kuku.

But Kuku's different. This time around, everything she's been doing is to save humans.

？！

I already told you. I enjoy fighting, so I joined the Alliance so I could kill huma

That's a lie! Kuku joined so she could stop the other goddesses!

I mean, those goddesses weren't the sort to stop after just a firm talking-to!

The plan was to get the Uruk Grail first, so she could stop them from exterminating all humanity!

Fou, fooooou! Lucha, foou!

That's not fair. I wasn't able to be a good big sister...

B-but I did do my best, yes! If I get another chance, I want to try to get along with Gorgon better!

？！

Ishtar? Were you resting?

Yes, I was enjoying the night breeze while I watched what's become of Uruk. What about you, Mash? Why aren't you with Fujimaru?

Senpai is at the embassy. He wants to clean his room one last time.

Haha, what? That's silly. That's so like him.

By this time tomorrow, either Uruk will be gone, or you'll have beaten Tiamat and be heading back to your own era.

That's... No, I can't say for sure...

but I don't think Senpai is thinking about Uruk being destroyed. I don't think he's sad about leaving either.

It's probably just a natural gesture to show gratitude. We've stayed in this town longer than any other before.

So it's not about getting attached. It's just something normal for a human to do...

You two must have gone through a whole lot of goodbyes. You don't see them as something to mourn.

Goodbyes are always going to come. You can't get through life if they make you sad all the time.

So you send them off with as much appreciation as you can. And rejoice in the fact that you met, and that you lived to say goodbye.

...Your Order's a good journey.

I finally understand why Gilgamesh is so nice to you.

Th-thank you. But... Um, was King Gilgamesh being...nice?

That was "nice"?

Wow... Ignorance is scary... I mean, right now he's acting weirdly like a wise king,

but he was never the kind of person who'd make a plan that relies on other people.

He's a brutal person at his core. He'll kill without a second thought, without the slightest regard for someone's circumstances or feelings.

This time he's been playing the good-natured king, but when it's time to fight an opponent like Mother, I guess he turns into a proper hero.

It reminds me of when he was having fun with Enkidu.

He was, well, you know, pretty cool back then? Just like in your legends.

I see. But I think this King Gilgamesh is a man you can count on.

He's got nothing left to lose now. I guess it's true that when the chips are down, people show who they really are.

You and Fujimaru are like that too. Oh... No, you're a little different.

I mean, you're scared of fighting, right? You're still not used to killing, or people trying to kill you.

...That's right. I've been told that before. But...

I don't let it bother me anymore.

...I once spoke with a certain Servant in a place like this, who told me something...

There's nothing to be ashamed of in fearing battle. It's about taking lives. Of course it's scary.

Just as some people are more suited to certain weapons, there are those who are more suited to certain approaches to fighting.

Mash, you are not the type who can swallow fear during a fight, or get used to it.

That fear will follow you your entire life.

...I know. But I want to conquer that fear.

At this rate, I'll never be useful to Master.

...Excuse me.

Haha, I got a little overheated.

Tomorrow's the day we save Nippur. My fighting spirit is already soaring.

Anyway, back to what I was saying. You're not the type who can forget fear.

You are the type who uses her courage to hold back the fear. That's the type of warrior who I trust and respect.

Hold back fear with courage...? Um, are you that way too, Leonidas?

Hahaha. Unfortunately, I fear only the dead. I am a king, after all.

I've been trained since a very young age not to feel fear in battle.

Oh, I'm sorry... It's none of my business...

No, it's fine. It's true that I don't feel fear in battle...

But I always feared going into battle. Leaving my country behind. Even to protect it.

When I thought of the lives I was leaving behind, I gripped my spear so tightly I could crush it.

The worst of all was at Thermopylae.

The Persian enemy had 100,000 soldiers. And we only had three hundred Spartans.

We were just a tiny part of the 7,000-strong Greek alliance.

If we fought, we would be destroyed. But we were told if we surrendered and allowed the Persians to pass, they would spare Sparta.

Sparta was just a waypoint on their journey. Their true target was Athens, you see.

But if we failed to stop them, Athens was doomed.

It could only be for a single day, or perhaps a few more. But our tiny resistance could perhaps save the great kingdom of Athens.

To choose faith, or to choose life. I didn't know which was right. And I felt a fear greater than ever before.

To leave my wife and child for certain death.

I was beyond fearing my own death, but I was not used to fearing for my family's future.

...But you went to war anyway.

And somehow you held back the 100,000 Persian soldiers for several days with only a few hundred... And died.

...Was that because you went into battle afraid?

No. I only went to battle when I conquered my fear. I was given a divine message, Mash.

In my uncertainty, I prayed for guidance from the gods. And I received it.

"If you go to war, you will never return to Sparta," I was told.

...

That rid me of my uncertainty. I knew I would be able to fight like before, without hesitation or fear.

Wh-why? Even though you were told you would not come back?

I was not told that it would be meaningless to fight. And that meant that even if we lost, Sparta would not fall.

We would not return from the battlefield. But those deaths would have meaning.

I realized that even if we never came back, our battle was going to protect those who would come later.

And then I finally realized...

It gave me the strength not to swallow my fear, but to replace it with hope.

I bragged about this to my comrades: "Bet you didn't know that, did you?" I said.

"Everybody but you has been doing that this whole time. You're impressing no one."

Hahaha. All three hundred of us started laughing. I really was a bit of a dolt.

Until that last battle, I'd never realized the source of my comrades' strength.

...No. At the very last moment, I was finally able to realize.

If we - if I - caused a miracle at The Hot Gates, it was thanks to that.

Listen to me, Mash Kyrielight.

The reason you fear battle is because you know many things you care about.

The more of those things there are, the more you overcome that fear, the stronger your heart becomes.

That will be your greatest weapon. As long as your heart does not break with fear

Nothing will ever stain your shield. You will never be defeated.

...

Huh. He must've been an amazing Servant. He's like the voice of reason.

Yes. He was a wonderful man.

No, all Heroic Spirits are great people.

I'm lucky to have been able to learn so much from all those wonderful people.

...I see. So that's why your name is Chaldea, huh?

...? What about Chaldea's name?

Chaldea isn't the name of a country. It's an observatory, right? This body knew about it.

You're observing the planet. Just like the light of the stars in the night sky.

There you can see the life of another person who shined in the distant past, separated by thousands of years.

A story of the stars in the sky, and of this land. Weaving those together is what you, what Chaldea does.

I'm sure that wish is why I felt that I could work with you.

You reached out your hand not to use us, but to know us.

If the youngest generation who "lives in the now" comes asking for help, no elder could refuse.

...A story of the stars. The true meaning of the name Chaldea...

Well, I don't know how deep its creator was thinking.

By the way, Mash. Is there anyone that Fujimaru has special feelings for?

Hyah!? Someone Senpai has special feelings for!? I don't really know! Why!?

Hmm, I'm not really sure yet, but Ereshkigal seems to really like him.

I guess you could call it imprinting? He was the first human who treated her normally.

So I was just curious. We're basically sisters, you know.

I... I don't know. I don't know what Senpai did before coming to Chaldea...

...but since coming to Chaldea, every day has been so busy, so, um...

In other words, Fujimaru has nobody? Okay, this is getting fun! It'll be a three-way affair!

Ishtar!? An affair!? Between who and who and who!?

？！

Fou. Nkyu? Fou?

Are you going to the ziggurat too, Senpai?

？！

Hee hee. Me, too. It was kind of like a daily ritual, after all.

？！

Yes, with pleasure. I'll stay with you to the end, Senpai.

What? The map of the underworld doesn't match what Ereshkigal said!?

The priests have some documents on the underworld! Go get them now!

No, the Dingir can stay where they are. Keep them on the walls in all directions.

The Dingir on the south and east gate can intercept Tiamat. Deploy the remaining soldiers there.

Humph... Leave us for a moment. The Chaldean messengers are here.

This is a good time for a break anyway. Sleep for three hours or so. I'll handle the rest.

You're looking a little better. That means I can work you even harder tomorrow.

So what is it tonight? Come for one final goodbye, have you?

Heh, listen to you. You've got me there.

There aren't enough people. I never thought I'd have to run around to the temples or talk to the priests myself.

If Siduri were alive No, I shouldn't have said that. She fulfilled the duty heaven set for her.

？！

...But, hmm...

King Gilgamesh? You got quiet. Is something wrong?

Nothing. I was just thinking you haven't changed at all. You look so frail for someone who spent a month in Uruk.

The way you look, even after you go back to Chaldea, no one will believe the stories you tell them.

Tricking the goddess on Mt. Ebih. The grand battle in the jungle. Descent into the underworld. Defeating Gorgon. And encountering Tiamat...

They're all amazing stories to tell over drinks. It's truly a shame.

Fou, foou!

Well, it doesn't matter. I'll think of something for you to tell them about Uruk.

So, what is it? You didn't come here just to say goodbye, did you?

？！

Idiots. It seems you mongrels feel responsible somehow.

"Uruk fell. Many people died. It's all my fault for releasing Tiamat." Is that it?

Fools. No one's interested in your repentance. And your misunderstanding is embarrassing.

Mash. You told me that only five hundred people survived from Sumer, didn't you?

That's wrong. It wasn't "only" five hundred. It was the great number of five hundred.

After all, this present is different than the one I saw. In my vision, I was the only one left in Uruk.

But what now? It's true that the end can't be changed. Uruk's destruction cannot be averted.

But five hundred survived. Even if they die tomorrow

Here, at this final moment, that is how many humans remain. I consider that a great achievement.

I acknowledge the worth of those who still struggle against a fated death. They have passed through the terminus of this era.

...

...King Gilgamesh, you knew, didn't you?

That the end was coming. That Uruk would be destroyed.

And yet you fought anyway?

...That's right. The Mage King sent the Grail to this era, and pulled Tiamat from the World of the Void.

At that point, I foresaw the future and told my people:

"Uruk will be destroyed in six months. This doom cannot be averted."

There's no need to say what came after that. You saw all of it with your own eyes.

？！

And they still fought. They tried their hardest to survive till the last day.

That's right. I like that smile, Mash Kyrielight.

If you were to take pity on them, I would have ended your life here.

R-right! That was inappropriate. I'm sorry, king!

There's no need to be sorry. Ugh, how humble can you get?

Fujimaru. I thought that there was no need to defeat the goddesses.

Even if we did, Tiamat would still appear. I was certain that the three goddesses would destroy themselves.

But you saved the people of Uruk, had compassion for this land, and chose to fight the goddesses.

And this was the result. You saved the lives of five hundred people who were fated to die.

You should be proud of that. It is not a useless thing.

...Romani seems to be asleep. In that case, here's some unsolicited advice.

This is about Humanity and the Singularities. You've traveled through six Singularities so far.

You must have fought many battles in the Singularities.

But when the Grail is recovered and the Foundation of Humanity is restored, all the damage from that Singularity is erased

Was that what you were told?

Yes. Once the Incineration of Humanity has been stopped, everything that occurred during a Singularity is repaired...

...and nobody remembers anything that we did.

That's a lie. It's not true. The lives lost will not be restored. What happened can never be undone.

...

But But that wasn't what we were told! The Singularities are anomalies in history.

If that damage were reflected in human history, the whole course of history would have to change!

That's not it. That's not it at all. It's just made to match.

For example, let's say a dragon kills someone. And then you make the Singlularity disappear. The Incineration of Humanity is prevented.

Even then, that person is still dead.

Instead of being killed by a dragon, history will remember them as having been killed by some beast.

Uruk is the same. Even if you defeat Tiamat and remove the Singularity...

The first dynasty of Uruk will fall. All that changes is the explanation: whether it was at the gods' hands, or it simply deteriorated.

？！

That's right. It doesn't result in "it didn't happen." I told you to be proud, right?

You've truly saved many lives.

Do not be deluded by the notion that everything will go back to normal. You stubbornly, somewhat awkwardly, saved the lives in front of you.

And the result is what you see now in Uruk. All your choices had a meaning.

In nature, there's no glory without sacrifice. Loss and gain are always balanced.

Much is lost, and much is gained.

Even without the Mage King causing chaos with the Grail, something just as bad would happen eventually.

The people of that era will weigh the scales of good and evil themselves, and their value will be judged by future generations.

That is how human history is made, Fujimaru.

Neither you nor I can say what came of your battles, what you protected, or what you left behind.

Only those who come after you will know. So for now, follow the path you choose.

...Yes. We'll take your words to heart, King Gilgamesh.

？！

It's fine. Don't worry about it. You know, I destroyed my own country once, too.

Fou!?

Yes, when I was spending all my time looking for immortality. I wandered for so long, and came back empty-handed to a desolate country.

The citizens were so sick of their absent king that they all went to other cities. Only Siduri was left.

And even Siduri just said, "I wasn't going to leave until I got a chance to complain to you." Hahaha.

I realized that was unworthy of a true king, and decided to rebuild Uruk, since I was in search of a new goal anyway.

And so I came up with the idea of fortress cities, and made Uruk what it is today.

...Humph. At once, it feels like an age, and the blink of an eye. It's like a single remnant of a dream.

But I haven't repented or anything, you know. Who I am will never change.

A king doesn't live for his people. The people live for their king.

But then what does a king live for? What else? He lives for the things he finds joy in.

If anything, I ruled over Uruk for my own entertainment.

And one of the things that entertained me was your struggles.

I haven't seen the result yet, but you've done well enough.

Tomorrow is the last day. Get some rest. I'm looking forward to the last fight, you know?

？！

...So this is the Celestial Hill...

This is so stupid... Why did I...come here just before the end?

It's a place this body remembers well. ...The place where they made the first friend, and made a vow...

...It's meaningless. This place is meaningless, and so am I.

...I've lost everything. I should just shut down.

My creator abandoned me, and I never even had a place to return to. I'm just a fake, after all.

What are you doing? Why don't you stand, fool?

...!

I can't believe this. Just how busy can it get tonight? I thought I could finally rest, but now I stumble on you.

I will forgive you for dripping blood everywhere, and for falling to your knees. But I won't allow you to put your corpse on display here.

Get up, and begone. If you go, I will ignore your crimes.

Ah... Aaahh...

What's wrong? Can't you stand? Weren't you supposed to be the gods' greatest creation?

I don't know what happened, but you've got a huge hole in your chest. Talk about letting your guard down.

Wh-what gives you the right... To look down on me...! I won't let you...!

Dammit...! I can't... Let you...

I can't let you...see me like this...!

...Humph. Come to think of it, this thing's still been sitting around.

I missed the chance to use it. And it feels silly to just throw it away. You can have it.

WhaH-huh!?

Humph. I know you were using the Grail as a heart before. The Great Grail of Uruk will work just as well.

Why

Why are you doing this!? I'm your enemy! Tiamat made me!

I'm not your Enkidu...! I'm just a doll, with a different heart inside...

That's right. You're not Enkidu. You're someone else using a stolen body.

But even so, you are still worthy of my protection No, my friendship.

...

Do I have to spell it out, you hopeless fool!?

Even if your heart and soul are different, that body of yours is the one and only Chain of the Heavens on Earth!

...Humph. Once, someone insisted they were a weapon to the very end.

But if I had taken them at their word, then it's only natural for me to care for you.

After all, you're the successor to the weapon I trusted most! What's wrong with me favoring you?

Farewell, Kingu. It's the end of the world. Do as you will.

Wait... I don't understand. What do you...

I'm telling you that, no matter who your mother is or how you were born, simply do the things you really want to do.

Like we once did. You said you lost everything? That's laughable.

You still have your freedom. You can shut down your heart later.

WhatIt's too late. I never had a goal I could strive for.

I never had a will of my own to choose freedom