The Crumbling City

[Gilgamesh]

~One Year Prior To Gilgamesh’s Escape from the Underverse~

Anos paced the desecrated throne room, a wooden table placed directly in the center to turn it into a makeshift war room. A map of the city was sprawled across the table with knives pinning the corners. In the time of Gilgamesh’s disappearance, people looked to the closest thing that would bring them stability. For many it was the allure of raw power of serving bandits, or the moral high ground of rebellion against the crown. Sadly, there were still some who believed the old regime was the solution and looked for anything that slightly resembled Gilgamesh. Unfortunately, that person was Gilgamesh’s butler Anos, who had absolutely no idea what he was doing. Anos neither had the raw power nor the charisma of the banished King. Thus the city was in a three-way stalemate, which led to more chaos than if it was held by one faction.

A knock on the large wooden doors broke Anos out of his trance,  the Captain opened the door followed by his usual ensemble of soldiers. His usual grim face led Anos to believe there was more bad news, as usual. The captain walked up and leaned over the wooden table, pressing his palms into his face. He spoke, or more accurately mumbled, his voice seemed like he was in denial.

“We lost Squad Charlie?”

Anos sighed and walked over to the map, scribbled down the losses. As he was writing he looked up and dejectedly spoke. “Was is bandits or rebels this time?”

The captain removed his palms from his face to look at Anos, his eyes were filled with defeat. “Neither.” The word startled the butler, causing him to take a step back.

“What do you mean, neither ?” He spoke as if he were blaming the Captian.

“They deserted. They just left the dunes. I’m starting to think that isn’t such a bad idea myself.” The captain shamefully brought his eyes up to Anos’.

“We must not abandon Nippur! We have to restore it for Gilgamesh!” Anos proudly stated, slamming his fist on the table.

The Captain for the first time spoke up with anger, “What’s the point anymore?! Gilgamesh is gone and the Dunes consume anything that has order to it! The smart thing would be to pack up our bags and leave.”

Anos hesitated before he replied, the thought has occurred to him before as well, “He is going to come back.”

“ It’s been a year now. Do you really still believe that nonsense?”

Anos’ heart felt as if it had a fist clenched around it, “Y-yes of course. The great Gilgamesh-”

The captain slammed his fist against the table, “The great Gilgamesh my fucking ass. Nippur needs a leader and he isn’t here. You want to make sure we don’t collapse, you fucking do something about it.” Before Anos could respond, the captain motioned his fellow soldiers with him to leave, slamming the doors to the throne room shut.

Anos mumbled to himself, “I have to do something about it? Can I?”