The Fallen Kings [M]

[Gilgamesh]

Gilgamesh eyed the demon warily, escaping this place seemed too good to be true even though that was exactly what he hoping to find. It had been some time since he was treated with the proper respect of a King and Zanzibar knew exactly what to say to placate him. Gilgamesh could grow to like him, with time.

Gilgamesh extended his hand to accept the glass of wine before speaking with a smug grin on his face, “I accept.” The two clinked cups before Gilgamesh began to sip from the wine. “While this may be acceptable wine, this is nothing compared to that stored in my treasury.” Gil made a sour face as he continued to sip from the wine, his taste buds being assaulted by the swill that commoners drink.

“Why of course my liege. I assure you that we will find much better wine for thee.” Zanzibar continued to try and appease his new acquisition.

“That is not necessary, I have plenty in my own collection.” Gilgamesh pondered for a second before continuing, “Speaking of. I have been having a hard time getting it up. My Gates of Babylon that is. If you want access to my power, you’ll need to find a way to let me access it.”

“Oh I see. That fortunately is a common problem for some primes as yourself. There is a solution, but your majesty will not be pleased.” Zanzibar gave him a sheepish smile. He finished off his glass of wine before standing from his seat, “Shall we head to the market then?”

_______

“I will not be collared as if I were a dog! You will not play some sick joke on me.” Gilgamesh screamed at the shopkeep, the poor man’s collar in the King’s fist.

Zanzibar put a hand on Gil’s shoulder speaking in a calm voice, attempting to soothe the ireful King, “Lord Gilgamesh I assure you, this is not a joke. As I said you would not like the solution, however this is the only way.” His silky voice washed over Gilgamesh’s anger, yet the King still was upset.

“I refuse. I will not be humiliated like this.” The King dropped the shopkeeper’s shirt before crossing his arms and lifting his head, in an attempt to feel superior.

Without pause, Zanzibar knew exactly what to say.He walked behind the King, rubbing Gil’s shoulders while giving a sly grin, “Well I suppose then King of Heroes that you will just have to stay in the Underverse forever.” Zanzibar gave Gil a pat on the back as he enunciated ‘forever’.


Gilgamesh rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration, obviously aware that he was going to have to make some small sacrifices. He let out a deep sigh before slumping over in resignation. His voice had a tone of defeat and sadness as he spoke, “Let’s get this over with.”

“I appreciate this my lord.” Zanzibar looked up towards the shopkeep and snapped his fingers, “Shopkeep. My liege will take a Golden Prime…..Circlet.”

The shopkeep raised an eyebrow in confusion, “ You mean a Prime Collar, we don’t carry those in gold.” Zanzibar sighed in frustration. He was hoping to avoid the word collar, Gilgamesh was a little too sensitive about this matter and the shopkeep was making it worse.

“We’ll find one in gold and I’ll pay you extra.” Zanzibar turned his attention towards Gil, “I apologize for the inconvenience my liege, for the shopkeeper’s blunderances we shall purchase some luxury items for yourself.”

“I hope you are not making the mistake of insinuating that I am a spoiled child,” Gilgamesh spat back with venom revealing that a spoiled child was exactly what he was.

Behind the counter Zanzibar saw the shopkeeper bring up a iron collar along with a bucket of gold paint. Zanzibar quickly tried to divert the attention of Gilgamesh, “I would never dare insult you my King. I am merely trying to make your stay here more comfortable. Now what would you like my liege.” He glared over to the shopkeep who was taking his time painting the collar.

“I require nothing, however I have not had actual food in quite some time.” Gilgamesh was still acting haughty, with his head held up high.

“Why of course my lord.” Zanzibar nodded his head to urge the shopkeep to hurry up. The man ran up with the collar and a brush, cleaning Gil’s neck. “Now this may pinch a bit,” Zanzibar warned Gil as the collar was being put on. The “golden” clasps were brought around his neck before it slammed shut. Gilgamesh reached towards his neck, the collar slightly choking him before settling in a semi-comfortable position.

Gilgamesh reached out his hand, trying once again to summon his Gates of Babylon, however this time there was success. Gilgamesh brought out an ornate sword and examined his treasure carefully. He quickly turned around and pointed the sword at the shopkeeper’s throat, both surprising him and Zanzibar.

“If you think I am that dumb to not notice you using paint on this collar, you should be put to the death.” Gilgamesh’s brow furrowed at the man before him. The tip of the sword poking into his throat, causing a trickle of blood to flow down.

The shopkeep’s voice trembled and his hands were up in a disarming manner. “Please have mercy….your...highness.” The words were forced out of him, as if it were painful to say.
Gilgamesh retracted his sword allowing a breath of relief to escape., “Very well, however as you do not know your place I will have your tongue.” The man’s face quickly became of fear once again as Gilgamesh pulled the tongue from his mouth and sliced it off with his sword. Gil dropped the wet, bloody tongue onto the floor before wiping the mixture of saliva and blood onto the merchant’s shirt. The shopkeep dropped to the floor grabbing onto his detached tongue.

“Pay the man Zanzibar. Let’s go I am hungry.” Gilgamesh turned his back towards the screaming, mumbling merchant. The man raised his head towards Gilgamesh’s master, looking for some sort of rebuttal, but was rewarded instead with a few gold pieces. Zanzibar followed the King of Heroes out of the door.

Gilgamesh wait impatiently outside the store, tapping his foot and adjusting his collar, awaiting for his master’s arrival. As Zanzibar exited the store, Gilgamesh breathed a sigh of irritation, “Liars like that get on my nerves.”

Zanzibar smiled earnestly before speaking calmly, “Let’s go my King, I know just the place to eat.” Gilgamesh nodded and let Zanzibar lead the way.

________

The two didn’t travel through the marketplace very far, eventually arriving a small hole in the wall. Although only a small sign labeled “Diablo’s List” and a small menu of items outside the small door. The two walked into the small restaurant to find it nearly deserted, a small woman with two goat like horns walked up to them with two menus.

Her sweet little voice spoke up, “Table for two? Follow me.” Zanzibar followed the woman while urging Gil to follow him. The two were brought to a booth that was more comfortable than Gil would have liked to admit.

“Isn’t this place supposed to be hell? Why is there a quaint place like this doing here” Gil raised an eyebrow, confused by the contradiction. He was looking at the menu, seeing normal meals such as Roast Beef and wondering how it has been tainted.

Zanzibar waved his hand at Gilgamesh, “Primes here look for big flashy places and those have the torture and all that fun nonsense. These little places are where actual food is served.” Zanzibar waved the waitress over, “Can we look at your wine menu?” Gilgamesh then scoffed at his master. Waving his hand, opening the gates of Babylon, he brought out a pitcher of his own wine.

“Excuse me sir, outside food isn’t allowed,” the demonic waitress commented with a hint of sass in her voice. Before Gilgamesh could comment, Zanzibar had already spoken for him.

“This King has just cut the tongue off a disrespectful man. He can do what he wants.” The waitress eyes widened before letting Gilgamesh pour his wine into his own glass. Gilgamesh looked up at his master before pouring him a glass as well.

“I suppose you should have a taste of real wine,” Gilgamesh dismissively commented. His eyes averted the gaze of his owner, while twiddling his thumbs on his glass he took a slip. An uneasy silence fell between the two before Gilgamesh spoke up. “As for my first battle I don’t suppose you could set me up with the gladiator who first murder me, could you?”

Gilgamesh swirled the wine on his cup before taking a sip, his eyebrows raised as the premium wine touched his tongue. “I suppose I could arrange that if you wished it.”

Gilgamesh smiled before speaking casually, “If you keep this up I might grow fond of you. Tell me about yourself.”

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