Chapter 791 The Second Clay Tablet: The Beginning and End of an Epic
The British lineage, the Roman lineage, the Macedonian lineage, the Apocrypha lineage, the Emiya lineage, and countless other Servants who crossed paths by chance or even remained strangers yet still lent their generous aid... Under the protection of the Lunar Spirit King's Authority, the tide of this war had completely turned. As Iskandar laughed heartily and charged through the Lahmu's defenses with his Army of the King, the Mother Goddess Tiamat finally let out a pained cry!
How could the heroes fail to notice the lingering lines of death still visible on Tiamat's form?
Every strike, every technique—all aimed precisely at those lines!
The barrier of [Nega-Genesis] had long been shattered by the combined efforts of Sakatsuki and the others. In her weakened state, Tiamat could no longer withstand the onslaught of so many heroic spirits. Nero and Draco led the charge, severing Tiamat's wings as she attempted to flee. Enkidu and Kingu transformed into the Chains of Heaven, binding the Mother Goddess, while Artoria and the Knights of the Round Table joined forces to unleash a radiant blast, shattering Tiamat's protective shield. Thus, the battle naturally drew to its conclusion.
Yet, even grievously wounded and on the verge of death, the Mother Goddess Tiamat struggled fiercely, refusing to meet her end.
Those crimson eyes remained fixed unwaveringly on the direction of Uruk.
So sorrowful, so resolute.
"Even now, you refuse to let go, Mother?" Gilgamesh appeared beside the throne, locking eyes with Tiamat. As the regal adornments of the Wise King dissipated completely, a storm of gold and scarlet surged skyward. What manifested beside the King of Heroes, Gilgamesh, was none other than the divine sword capable of cleaving heaven and earth.
"Let this strike serve as our farewell!"
With a mere thought from the Heroic King, now reclassed as Archer, the Sword of Rupture, Ea, began to spin. The sheer act of charging its power caused the Singularity to creak and groan, on the verge of collapse.
But at that moment, a pair of hands reached out, halting Gilgamesh's actions. The King of Heroes frowned and looked up—only to freeze in disbelief at the sight before him.
"Mother...?"
Standing there was the will of the Mother Goddess Tiamat, deliberately left behind in Uruk—her avatar, the diminutive "Tiamama," who had acted as her mind.
"I asked her to come," Sakatsuki said, descending from the throne and taking Tiamama's hand. "This is precisely why I separated her in the first place."
"What are you planning?" Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow. Not just him—Enkidu and Kingu descended together, while the goddesses of heaven and earth turned their gazes toward them. The gods and people of Uruk all watched the King of the Lunar Spirits, awaiting his response.
Sakatsuki merely smirked and waved the hand clasped with Tiamama's. "While it's certainly cause for celebration that we've defeated the Beast of Regression, wouldn't it be too cruel to simply reseal the Mother Goddess Tiamat and cast her back into the abyss of the imaginary number sea?"
Hearing this, the people of Uruk faltered slightly, their resolve weakening as they took in Tiamama's pitiful appearance.
"B-but... if we allow Mother to return to the surface, the Age of Man will be destroyed..." Ishtar mustered the courage to speak up.
"Mm, true," Sakatsuki replied with a sly grin. "Which is why we'll be taking Tiamat in."
Don't forget, his initial purpose in coming to the Seventh Singularity, aside from finding a suitable underworld residence for the new Gaia-Earth Ι, was to locate the right candidate to suppress the increasingly restless dark side of the moon!
"Though Tiamat's true form must remain stationed in the Sea of Imaginary Numbers, her informational body can move freely in the new Gaia-Earth Ι as she is now, without needing to consider the fading of mystery or the essence of the Age of Gods." Sakatsuki snapped his fingers. "And the fact that she is 'sealed in the Sea of Imaginary Numbers' doesn't interfere with Uruk's mythological records, perfectly resolving all issues."
"You..." Gilgamesh stared at Sakatsuki, his gaze carrying a hint of danger. Just as everyone thought the King of Heroes was angered by Sakatsuki's audacious actions, he suddenly burst into laughter, clapping Sakatsuki on the shoulder.
"So you had it all planned out long ago? You reckless fool, daring to even steal Uruk's mother!"
His laughter fading, Gilgamesh looked seriously at Sakatsuki, the King of the Moonlit Sea, and solemnly declared:
"Then, I entrust Mother to you."
Sensing Gilgamesh's gravity, Sakatsuki also adopted a solemn expression, tightening his grip on Tiamat's hand as he responded firmly:
"You have my word."
A happy laugh rang out as little Tiamat squeezed Sakatsuki's hand in return, leaning forward to plant a kiss on his forehead before her body gradually dissipated.
Transforming into motes of light, she merged into the dying body of the Beast of Regression.
After a brief pause, the Beast of Regression, the Primordial Mother Goddess, raised her head and released a long, clear whale song.
This song would soothe all suffering and heal all wounds. When the Mother Goddess was reborn anew in the world, even the sky and earth offered their congratulations.
"And that's a wrap~~" The full moon's gaze showered countless rays of light, enveloping Sakatsuki and Tiamat. Feeling the relief of everything being settled, the young man stretched with a big yawn.
"So, what should we use to mark the end of this journey?"
Let it be the tales passed down by word of mouth in the Age of Gods, eventually becoming part of the mythological records, so that future generations might be fortunate enough to unearth a clay tablet while excavating the ruins of Mesopotamia.
On the tablet, it would be written:
[In times of old, the Primordial Mother Goddess asked many kings and heroes:]
["I have nurtured countless lives and was once beloved by all. Yet my children used me as a stepping stone and left me behind."]
["I wish to love them forever, to keep them by my side always."]
[Is my love... all wrong?]
[All fell silent, save for the last hero of humanity, who lowered his eyes and spoke with compassion:]
["I do not know, but your children do love you."]
["That is why we must go."]
[The Mother Goddess wept, replying sorrowfully:]
['Do not go. Do not abandon me.']
['And do not love me anymore.']
This was the message carried by the first clay tablet, recounting the parting of gods and men in ancient tales. From then on, mystery faded from the world's tapestry, and humanity, wielding divine authority, shone brightly upon the land.
But, oh wise and courageous descendants, do not be content with this single tablet's message. Summon your wisdom and strength, and continue digging.
One day, in some unexpected place, you will find a second tablet buried beneath the sands.
And on it will be written:
"Since the Mother Goddess of Origin posed her question, the sky shattered, and from the gentle moon descended a king clad in white, embracing the Mother."
"'Come to my kingdom,' said this young king, his smile warm and radiant, his hair gleaming like moonlight."
"I shall offer you fertile lands, the cheers of countless people, so that you may return to the joy of being the Mother of All Things."
"And so, the Mother Goddess of Origin nodded. She took the young king's hand and journeyed with him to the distant shores of another world."
This was the end of the tale.