"I'm sorry if I have burdened you with unnecessary pain. I thought myself dead too. What happened to me after we parted ways, I do not understand it myself. It felt... similar to a long slumber. Never truly conscious nor really awake. I simply wandered in thoughts for a period. I could tell time was passing but I had no way to tell how much. I was not master of my own body, only fated to stay in this state without the possibility to interact with the world beyond my own mind. My only wish was to meet once again my precious friend."
Gilgamesh's grin was wide as the two clasped forearms, like they had in the olden days.
"And I as well, Enkidu. It is good to see you standing once more."
A moment of silence passed where the King was assaulted with the memory of the last time he had seen his only friend - weak, pale, crumbling away in his arms. With a shake of his head Gilgamesh pushed the memory away; his friend was here now, and that was all that mattered.
"I woke up recently in this strange town, in an age where gods have ceased to exist. What were the odds that our paths would overlap in this day and place? I do not know why we could meet again but, I entertain the idea that our bond was stronger than concepts of time and death. In the end, there is nothing anormal about a treasure to go back to the one it belongs to?"
"You are not a tool or a treasure for me to wield. You are my
friend, an equal to stand beside me - but I am glad that we can meet once more." The King made a dismissive gesture through the air, still grinning at Enkidu. "We will have time to talk at length after this. Who are your companions?"
"This dragon is a companion of mine, he proved to have a strong will and noble heart. Sadly, I cannot understand it for the Unified Language does not seem to be used these days. Still, he proved its valor and fought by my side. Although I do not know its name, he's worthy of praise." Enkidu then spoke to the wyrm directly. "Wingless One, this is Gilgamesh, King of Uruk and my old friend."
Gilgamesh barely spared the wingless dragon a nod, but the fact that the King of Heroes had acknowledged the small dragon was, in his mind, recognition enough. That Enkidu had praised the creature did speak of something to the King, and he marked the appearance of the wyrm for further notice.
"This one joined as well. I am not sure why, but it looks somewhat familiar."
Gilgamesh let out a short laugh, and patted the sunbird on the beak.
"You may not remember it, my friend, but this phoenix roosted at our palace, once. We played many games with it, as I recall, and it left with joy... but those are older days."
He frowned, though it was not directed at Enkidu (it could never be), but rather something the Original Hero had thought of to himself.
"You may have noticed it, Enkidu, but many things walk these streets that should not. This city is strange, and winding, and for it's strangeness all manners of creatures have begun to surface, both good," He gestured to the phoenix. "And bad... tell me, have you seen anything strange as well? I have not observed the depths of the city in some time, now."
-----------
"This one seems to do a lot of that."
The gentleman let out a quiet chuckle.
Ah, indeed. It
is rather rude, isn't it?"
"He does seem to be violent to nearly anyone he meets. But, forgive me for saying this for clarification's sake, you don't have an idea why he attacked you?"
The white haired man shrugged his shoulders with an almost noble sort of carelessness, if such a thing existed.
"Not at all. It appeared before us through a portal of some kind, and preceded to rudely interfere with our meal. A careless word from a companion of mine
may have-"
The redhead's head had regenerated from the impact of the stake, and he immediately snapped at the cultured man.
"A careless word!? You
shot me in the he-!"
The white haired man waved his hand in an idle, dismissive gesture, and Lucas's body was filled to the brim with stakes from every angle, of every size, skewering him so throughly that it was hard to tell where the stakes ended and his flesh began. The elemental slumped over, the spears that protruded through his body keeping him mostly upright. The gentleman's eyes narrowed.
"Do not interrupt me while I am speaking."
He cleared his throat in a polite, refined way, as if the violence that he had just inflicted on the other man had been of no consequence at all.
"As I was saying, a companion of mine made a mere, careless remark, and this beast mediately attacked us. It not only destroyed some of our property, but interrupted our otherwise pleasant meal."
The man refocused his gaze on Forest, strangely, not even seeming to notice Archer's questions. It was evident to those sharp enough that something was amiss, but the amiable gentleman that had so cruelly impaled Lucas from head to toe still looked on innocently.
"As I have stated, we request its deliverance from your household to administer a necessary sentence upon the beast. Forgive me for the imposition, but I do believe it would be wise of you to agree to our...
request."
----------
"You have guessed correctly. I make no attempt to hide my nature, but few can easily recognize it. Sharp wits about you, I see. But... however you have discerned what I am, you would deign to know already who I am? I feel slighted."
Wanderer dispassionately nodded his head to the spirit, still holding Cina in his arms.
"Pardon me, Curse Master. I meant no offense. Most do not always grasp the complex nature of things unless they are easily presented."
"Well, in this case the two are not far, but I ask that you do not mistake my singular being as the representative of an equally singular personality. Besides, I wish no harm to the girl, and in fact am concerned for her health at the moment."
"I hope that you will forgive me when I say that I do not trust you. Of course, this decision rests solely on her judgement. To steal her choice ways would be too much interference as it is, I suppose..."
“I-I don’t...” Cina started to say before she trailed off.
Wanderer looked down at the redheaded girl in he was holding in his arms, and quietly spoke to her.
"You see, this spirit wishes to heal you, which I cannot do. I do not trust it, but it will heal you, though the results may not be what you desire. I will not interfere further on that, however - the choice is yours, Cina."
The girl had not told him her name, but he knew it already. The being that took the shape and complete form of a man knew the names of every being that had been involved in a war, and the girl that it held in it's - in his arms was no exception.
