The Fallen Kings [M]

[Gilgamesh]

Gilgamesh eyed the homunculus up and down a few times, admiring the craftsmanship that she must have required. The servant stood before him, completely placated and awaiting his orders. Gilgamesh bent over to inspect the servants red, hollow eyes before speaking to himself, “A homunculus...Well made too. Someone must have used a fine mold to create you.” The servant responding by turning her head to meet Gilgamesh’s gaze.

“Shall I take you to your room then, sir?” Her voice carried a monotonous tone, with a seeming forced smile on her face. Gilgamesh nodded his head and followed her as she began to walk outside into the Villa. While Zanzibar’s home was nothing to scoff at, it didn’t seem to meet the King’s usual standards. Gil, however, was not picky seeing as he had been sleeping on the floor for quite some time. Sporadic trees and greenery decorated the outside of the Villa, which must cost a fortune to maintain. Not long after their initial departure they came to a small cottage.

Levem opened the door for the King, inviting him in. The room itself was fairly nice, there was a bed! Gilgamesh took a second to shudder as he realized how low his standards had become. Ornate pillows blanketed the bed and the room had paintings of interpretations of their lord and savior Diablo. Gilgamesh smirked, this room was meant for no gladiator. The King waved his hand at Levem, urging her to leave his presence. It had been so long since he had washed himself, he had assumed that the red soot would be forever apart of his clothing and skin. Gil had eyed the indoor bath with some fervor, the warm water and steam inviting him to relax in it.

Gilgamesh began to undress, throwing his clothes on some chair in the room. He should summon a new outfit, washing his current one would be so much effort. He rolled his eyes and turned around, slightly startled that Levem was still in the room. Regaining his composure, Gil smirked as he attempted a witty comment, “You’re still here I see. I’m sure even a homunculus like yourself can admire the body of a King.” He smiled a toothy grin, confident in his body.

Levem smiled and tilted her head, “Oh is this your request? It is slightly unusual but I will obey.” The homunculus began to take her top off, Gilgamesh was no longer amused and pulled Levem’s shirt down. His smile was gone but a quick rush of blood to his face caused his cheeks to blush slightly. Gilgamesh grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist before heading outside. Levem continued to follow him despite no orders to do so.

“Yes homunculi. What do you need?” Gilgamesh’s tone was anything but polite. Levem quickly followed behind, no hesitation in her step.

“I am here to assist the master’s guest. I should always be near so you never need to find me.” Gilgamesh felt as if that wasn’t it. Maybe she was making sure the King wouldn’t run and that he could not escape. It made him uncomfortable that he was unaware of her true intentions. Twisting and turning around the Villa, Gilgamesh eventually made it to the indoor Bath House. The red-purple light from the sun’s setting melded with the warm steam from the bath and gave the house a pleasant atmosphere.
Gilgamesh dropped his towel and walked into the warm water. He sat down and let the water caress the dirt off of his skin and sunk into the bath with bliss. His weary muscles and bones for once began to relax and he sunk deeper and deeper into the water. Gil’s eyelids drooped and he gave no struggle to stay conscious and fell into a deep sleep.
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The King was back in Nippur, the marketplace was completely dead. Booths lay unoccupied, with fresh produce laying there unguarded. Gilgamesh walked around aimlessly, “Hello?” he shouted, his voice echoing into the void. Suddenly, a loud crash was heard over onto the next street, Gilgamesh ran to find the source of this calamity. He paused as he saw a version of himself fighting off the ProtoMouse. Opaque shadows ran away from the onslaught, their piercing screams scratching at his eardrums. The shrieks of terror forced him to the ground, clutching at his ears.

The other version of himself was firing weapons with glee, golden armaments flying with flurry. Many never made their mark with the robotic mouse, but instead sheathed itself into nearby buildings and the vague shadows. Gilgamesh watched as buildings crumbled and the vague shadows dissipated into the floor, leaving a small bloodstain on the floor along with their dispersal.

“No! No! No! This can’t be right! I would never destroy my city.” His wails of despair fell upon deaf ears. The fight was just about to end, Gilgamesh remembered the following events. The other Gilgamesh watched in horror as the ProtoMouse unleashed a bomb upon him, throwing him against a building, having the rubble fall on top of him. The blinding light of the bomb forced him to shield his eyes. The ProtoMouse pulled the faux-Gilded King out of the rubbed and tossed him on the floor. The robotic mouse raised his arm as the two mouthed words silently to each other. A dark ball of energy began to collect in the mouse’s cannon as his words distinctly mouthed, “Banishment Buster!” The other Gilgamesh turned his head to make eye contact with Gil. For the first time, voice escaped the illusions lips.

“It’s all your fault.” His words dragged through the air as he burned away into dark dust. Time seemed to speed up. Seconds seemed like hours and hours seemed like weeks. A shrine of him was built and then quickly destroyed. Visions of guards passing through became less and less frequent. He couldn’t help but see thieves steal from the marketplace and the guards taking bribes. The city became less active and eventually. It died. The sand had worn down the beautiful palace and his city had become what it originally was. A ghost town. Tears flowed down his face. His accomplishments and his people. Gone. How long had he been gone? A week? A few weeks? Two years? He wiped the tears off of his face. He was going to escape this hell. Not for himself but for his nation.

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Gil gasped for air, splashing the bath water around. Levem looked up casually and smiled at the King, “I see you are now awake. Do you need anything?” Gilgamesh glared at her with a scowl. The sun had set and this places’ ‘night’ had begun.

“Why was I allowed to sleep?” His voice had a hint of anger, yet it was held relatively back. He furrowed his brow and glared at the homunculus.

“You seemed content in your sleep. I didn’t need to disturb you.” She said with an upswing in her voice.

Gilgamesh looked at his pruney fingers and saw that the sun had fully set outside. Gilgamesh stepped out of the water, drying himself as Levem eyed his every move. While Gilgamesh may have more modesty around other maidens, this soulless shell doesn’t deserve his embarrassment. He finished drying his hair with the towel before speaking solemnly to the homunculi.

“I am finished with my bath. Take me to my room homunculus.” Gilgamesh began to exit the door, with Levem trailing behind.

As the two entered back into the cottage, Gilgamesh saw his clothing freshly washed and left to dry on a clothesline outside. A pair of pajamas was sitting on his bed with a little night cap sitting playfully on top of it. Gil rolled his eyes as he donned the clothing he was given, Levem waiting there like a little butler the entire time.

Gilgamesh walked over to the entrance of the cottage and opened the door. “Leave.” His face clearly stating that he had no patience for her. She smiled and obliged walking out of the door before stopping nearby the door and taking a seat. The King rolled his eyes, this servant wasn’t going to let him out of her sight. Fine. With that Gil shut the door and locked it, heading to his bed and crawling to sleep, dreaming of better days.
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Gilgamesh awoke to the polite knocking of a door, the intense brightness of the Underverses sun blinding him as he woke up. Gilgamesh stepped out of his bed, his back practically thanking him for actually sleeping on something that wasn’t dirt. He groggily walked out of bed, opening the door to see Zanzibar awaiting him with a smile. Levem was still sitting in the same place she had been all night.

“We have quite the day ahead of us your highness,” Zanzibar said with a peppy tone. Gilgamesh raised his one of his eyebrows in suspicion. “Scripper’s owner replied to my letter and agreed to a rematch for you two.” A smirk rose to Gilgamesh’s face and he leaned his weight against the frame of the door.

“Oh is that so,” his cheery grin making his contentedness known to his master. “I shall slaughter this Scripper, and we both shall reap the benefits.”

Zanzibar gestured the King to step forward before speaking, “Shall we take our leave then? It is quite the ride to the city.” Gilgamesh snapped his fingers, his golden armor forming around his body before the demon’s eyes. The demon himself seemed impressed by the King’s armor and his eagerness to fight. Gilgamesh stepped forward, taking a deep breathe before nodding. It was time for Gilgamesh to get out.

“Let us go.”
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Gilgamesh was brought to the all too familiar holding area with his favorite Goblin Guard. “What is he doing back here? He just left! I said no take backs!” The goblin protested with his might, praying that the King wouldn’t be thrown back into the cell where he had frequent temper tantrums. Gilgamesh’s bright red eyes glared down onto the goblin, causing the creature great discomfort. Gil’s presence seemed much more confident and Kingly than before. Between the access to his prime powers, his golden armor, and his intimidating demeanor, Gil gave off a threatening aura.

Gil sneered playfully at the goblin, “You will not need to shock me. I am not missing it’s sting and I will not be so accommodating if it happens again.” The goblin couldn’t help but instinctively grasp for his taser at his belt, sweating bullets at the King’s threat.

Zanzibar spoke up with an apologetic tone, “I am sorry my Liege that we would have to return here. I am sure it brings you no fond memories. However, the master of Scripper was very specific about his conditions and I was sure you would be gracious to oblige.”

Gilgamesh turned his head to meet Zanzibar’s eyes before narrowing his own, “Do not take my patience for granted Zanzibar. I am being pleasant to you for you have done me a great service.” The goblin snickered before muttering just loud enough for the King to hear.

“If this is what you look like when your pleasant then I wouldn’t want to get on your bad side.” Gilgamesh glared the the prison keepers snide remark before speaking with confidence and venom.

“No. One does not want to get on my bad side. For you see, mongrel , I can now step my foot down as King. He slouched down to get to the goblin’s eye level, each word more sassy than the last. He gave the goblin a soft smile, letting up as he regained his full stature. He remembered to treat the little guy with some semblance of respect. The Goblin did try and help Gilgamesh despite his tyrannical outbursts.

Gilgamesh outreached his hand to the goblins, “My name is Gilgamesh, King of Heroes I am glad I gave you the pleasure of my presence.” He gave the goblin an earnest smile, to ease his suspicions.

The goblin eyed the King up and down to see the validity of the King’s expression. Before long the goblin shook the king’s hand and responded on his own, “The name’s Blog. I hope I don’t see you here in a while Gilgamesh. I mean that in a good way.” Blog sat back down in his chair shooing away Gil. “You know the way, I am sure the arena is expecting you.” Gilgamesh nodded and walked with Zanzibar to the elevator. Gilgamesh headed into the chamber, with it slowly rising he nodded his head at Zanzibar.

“Knock him dead my liege. Literally.” Zanzibar joked as Gilgamesh disappeared into the ceiling and into the arena.

Gilgamesh smirked as he rose into the arena. While he hated fighting for people’s entertainment, he was going to enjoy distributing public humiliation. The cheers of the people were louder than he had ever heard before. The crowd was split into two, he could hear the distinct chants of “Goldy” and an opposing “Scripper”!

Gilgamesh reached the top of the arena and stepped off the platform, the stadium was completely filled and then some. The feed system however was unusually quiet. The announcer usually makes a quick, obnoxious introduction before the fight starts.

Gilgamesh spoke too soon, “Ladies and Gentlemen. Instead of your normal entertainment announcer today, I Allanon, Commander of the Hellhounds will be shoutcasting the match today.” Gilgamesh grit his teeth as he looked up to see the totally friendly, non threatening Allanon spectating from above.

“Tonight the Golden Princess will be fighting the metal monster, the mechanic murderer, Scripper!” Gilgamesh darted his vision to across the arena to see his first arena murderer. The amalgam of flesh and steel grinned happily at the sight of Gil.

“Begin!” Allanon’s voice echoed through the arena and Scripper immediately began charging at Gilgamesh. A portal opened up next to Gil as he retrieved a golden sword from the it. The monster gave out a wicked laughter as he brandished his sword-arms. The monster scratched at Gilgamesh’s face, however three swords emerged and blocked the creatures strikes.

His raspy, jagged voice spoke in between manic laughter, “Just because you learned a few party tricks doesn’t mean I won’t get to enjoy tasting your flesh.” Scripper swung again and again but his bastardized arms weren’t able to penetrate Gil’s treasures. The swords in front of Gil dissipated as he spoke with a grunt.

“My turn!” Gilgamesh struck down with his blade colliding hard with Scripper’s blade-arms. Each swing of his blade caused sparks to fly as they were blocked, his move on the offensive felt amazing but lasted for a short time. Scripper caught his blade inbetween his arms and tossed it to the side leaving Gil unarmed.

The King hopped back a few steps as the monster advanced. He quickly opened a portal to the side, letting gilded weaponry fly towards his opponent. Scripper batted away many of the blades with his arms, but a few weapons made it past his defenses. Those that did however, bashed against his metal, having his swords fall to the ground harmlessly. By the time Scripper recovered from the barrage Gilgamesh had already pulled out another sword.

Gilgamesh continued to parry each other the monster’s strikes, Scripper getting more and more anxious as his blades longed for Gilgamesh’s blood. Scrippers blades pressed against Gilgamesh’s sword, pushing inwards. Gilgamesh flexed his muscles, pushing the blades outwards and pressing forward with a determinate slash to the fleshy chest. Gilgamesh then made a thrust into the beast’s chest, and pulled it out. The monster stayed standing, his heart no longer where it used to be.

A trickle of blood crawled down the amalgam’s chest. The monster fell into a bloodthirst, flailing aimlessly at Gilgamesh. The monster’s speed and strength, misdirected by every swing of Gilgamesh’s sword. Gilgamesh twirled the monster’s blades aside before pummeling his hilt of his sword into Scripper’s head. He slashed twice into each of the creatures exposed thighs forcing the monster to kneel on the ground. Scripper screamed out in frustration.

“Don’t think you’ve bested me asshole!” Gilgamesh smiled before slashing and retreating a few steps back.

“Well then go on worm. Show me what you got.” The monster rose up and charged at Gilgamesh, his blades going wide to slice Gil into ribbons. As the monster was atop of Gil, he simply stepped to the side, avoiding the monster’s rapid fury. The urge to say “Toro” passed and he opened up his Gates of Babylon shooting luxurious weaponry at his opponent. The onslought of weapons was too much for Scripper, his eyes widened as he attempted to flee. Swords and spears pierced through the monster’s squishy flesh, pinning him to the floor.

Gilgamesh walked over casually, his footsteps growing louder and louder than the metal amalgam’s ragged breathing. “You ass. This was supposed to be another easy fight where I rip you to shreds.” Gilgamesh didn’t give him the pleasure of answering. He instead looked up to see Allanon scowling, he stuck out his thumb, pointing towards the middle. The crowd shouted, “DEATH DEATH DEATH!” Allanon frowned at the arena, before turning his thumbs upwards. The crowd booed at Allanon, wanting blood to be spilled.

*SHKT* Gilgamesh’s blade jabbed at the monster’s throat, Scrapper’s final breathes choking on his own blood.

15133 words done