A Nation Reborn

[Gilgamesh]

A bright flash of light came out of the blue portal leading to the Dunes. Gilgamesh walked out as he took a deep breath of the sandy air. The dryness was a large contrast to the wet, humid air of the Tangled Green. Gilgamesh flinched as he touched the remnants of the battle between him and Guu. He sourly frowned at the thought of his loss but he would get stronger, and his Kingdom would grow. That’s right, Gilgamesh’s kingdom! A smile crept on his face as he remembered his city of Nippur and how prosperous his Kingdom would soon become. He looked down the hill to the heathen city of Carrefore. How it would soon crumble before Gilgamesh’s might. Soon.

Gilgamesh arrived at the backwards town of Carrefore and its barbituric people. The incessant chatter of the streets eventually became strong whispers and he could hear his name whispered through the street. The incessant banter was starting to get on Gilgamesh’s nerves and a vein began to bulge on his forehead and his face began to show signs of annoyance.

“Do you worms actually believe you are worthy of speaking my name?! Continue to degrade my name in such a fashion and you will die like the runts you are.” An eerie silence rang through the street and people’s eyes averted from Gilgamesh to save themselves from his wrath. A tumbleweed comically broke the silence as it forced the King to stop and watch as it breezed along. He took a deep breath and rubbed his eyes in frustration.

I already have my Kingdom. There is no point in entertaining these mongrels any longer!

He opened his eyes and continued on his path as the streets began to empty and the residents trailed along to their houses. A pair of troopers began to come out of an alleyway and their garbled talk began to become frantic once they saw Gilgamesh. Words like, “Isn’t that the King of Heroes.” and “Isn’t that guy an enemy?” They took their guns out as slowly approached him, their footsteps careful as if they were trying to sneak up on him.

“Halt! In the name of the Emperor you are under arrest King of Heroes .” Their guns aimed, shaking ever so slightly. Gilgamesh walked past them with no acknowledgement and their “collected calmness” broke.

“I said halt or else I’ll shoot.”

The King paused in the middle of the street, his back facing towards to hostile troopers. He could feel the quivering in their voices and the fear in their hearts.

“Do you really think I shall waste my precious time fighting with only two mongrels? Think wisely, who will come out alive?” An uncomfortable shift in the troopers flew by and he heard them talk some mumbled gibberish into their communicators. The King continued his stroll, unbothered by any more troopers.

As he was about to reach the edge of town several voices called out in unison. “Wait!” Frantic footsteps and kicked up dust was easily seen and heard as the King lazily turned to meet the many voices. He saw a group of men and women all eager and filled with either hope or fear, come out and greeted the King, their eyes downcast on the ground.

An older man’s voice emitted out of the crowd, “King of Heroes, us lowly villagers wish to join the Kingdom of New Babylon and we hope you will provide a Safe Haven to your citizens.” The Old Man looked up from the crowd, his toothless grin and his white beard dusty from the harsh weather. Gilgamesh peered at the man before turning his back on them.

“Very well, come along.”

Gilgamesh lead the way back to his Kingdom, a trail memorized long ago through his many voyages across the desert. As Gilgamesh came upon his Kingdom he saw a group of large men erecting a nice tavern to keep its occupants safe, their sweaty bodies pulling the rope as dusty-colored as the sand around it. His loyal servant, Anos, came to greet the King but as he approach with the new group Anos’ eyes flew wide open.

“My King! Watch out!”

Gilgamesh turned in a panic to see the Old man brandishing a silver dagger covered in a thick, mucus-like substance. His toothless grin showing and his eyes wide with insanity. A shrill laugh came along with his raspy voice.

“Die, False King!”