Chapter 17: Seven Days and Seven Nights
At this point, there was no turning back. No matter how shocked Rowe felt, he could not change what had already happened.
He still did not fully understand how things had gone this far, but the fact stood in front of him like a statue. The holy maiden from the later epic had never appeared. Instead, Enkidu had taken form because of Rowe.
If an Epic of Gilgamesh were written in some future age, then maybe he would become that holy maiden himself.
Rowe looked at Enkidu, whose feminine traits outweighed the masculine ones, and for a dangerous second thought… maybe that was not the worst thing.
Then he snapped out of it.
No. Absolutely not. What was he even thinking.
Enkidu was still babbling softly nearby. The forest was thick and green, but as the hours slid by, the shade shifted. The harsh noon light softened into sunset, turning the clearing orange red. That glow settled over Enkidu's slender figure like a pair of crimson wings.
Rowe considered for a moment, then moved closer. He drew himself toward Enkidu by pulling on a swaying chain from the Gate of Babylon.
Once he reached Enkidu, he removed his linen robe. Underneath, he wore plain black clothing. He draped the robe over Enkidu's shoulders.
"Ya ya ya?" Enkidu squeaked, struggling for a moment before poking its head out through the neckline.
"Wear it properly," Rowe said, tugging the oversized fabric into place. He bent slightly, comparing their heights.
Enkidu barely reached his shoulders. A very delicate build. A very girlish physique.
And yes, that was his fault.
But once Enkidu sensed no rejection in Rowe's tone, it stopped squirming. The newborn divine weapon relaxed in small, visible ways.
Rowe kept going.
"They obey your commands, right?"
Enkidu tilted its head, then released a soft response that sounded almost like singing.
That was clearly a yes.
"Then make them kill me?" Rowe asked hopefully.
"Ya ya ya!" Enkidu shook its head so fast it might have rattled loose.
As expected.
Rowe was not discouraged. He had failed too many times already to be bothered by one more no.
"Then let them leave." Rowe reached out and gently stroked Enkidu's head. "For the next few days, I'll take care of you."
He meant to follow the legend.
Seven days in this forest with Enkidu.
Not to do anything indecent, obviously. He planned to teach it human knowledge. Survival habits. And also combat awareness.
If Rowe remembered the myth correctly, Gilgamesh would soon sense the presence of the Chains of Heaven and come here. He and Enkidu would fight.
That battle between the Heavenly Wedge and the Chains of Heaven would shake the world. As Gilgamesh's adjutant and someone already tied to Enkidu's birth, Rowe would have every reason to rush in and stop them.
And since he was weaker than both, dying to the collateral damage of their clash would be even more reasonable.
After all, once he died, he would return from the Throne of Heroes immediately. No long term consequences. Pure profit.
A win win strategy.
Rowe's hand slid through Enkidu's smooth hair. Looking at that perfect face and figure, he could not stop the curve of his mouth from deepening.
Enkidu seemed to enjoy the touch as well. Its expression grew oddly comfortable, almost sleepy.
"From now on, you'll be called Enkidu," Rowe said.
"En… ki… du…" Enkidu tried the name out loud. The pronunciation was clumsy, but the three syllables came through correctly.
A god made weapon learned fast. Give it a direction, and it would sprint there.
"Let's go."
Rowe withdrew his hand and straightened.
Enkidu stared at his hand for a fraction longer, reluctant, but it did not cling. It adjusted the robe with surprisingly quick ease.
Then, under those emerald eyes, the Demonic Beasts finally scattered.
In moments, the clearing emptied. Only towering trunks and layered shade remained, leaves swaying in the distant red of sunset.
"Starting today, I'll teach you basic human common sense. Things you need to live and survive."
"Of course, I'll also teach you how to fight."
Rowe spoke while pulling on the iron chain and sliding down from the tree. He did not care if Enkidu understood right now. Even if it could not, it would remember everything word for word.
Understanding came later.
Learning always worked like that.
Enkidu followed closely, face serious and focused. The newborn was curious about everything. More than that, it liked Rowe's voice, liked his presence, and liked the rhythm of walking right behind him.
A gentle breeze stirred Enkidu's thick hair. From behind that shifting curtain, Enkidu watched the figure ahead, as if glimpsing tomorrow in the wind.
The wise man drew from the spring of wisdom
And taught the savage knowledge
As chaos was split at the dawn of creation
Bringing light into darkness
Those seven days would become Enkidu's enlightenment, the meeting of two friends, and the beginning of a legend.
Epic of Gilgamesh.
…
"King."
In the great hall of Uruk's palace, Siduri was reciting reports from across the nation when a sudden sound interrupted her.
She looked up. Gilgamesh had straightened on his throne. His crimson eyes had narrowed, the serpent like pupils tightening.
"Did you sense something?" Siduri asked carefully.
Her heart grew heavy.
"Ah," Gilgamesh said, teeth flashing. "This King saw a very interesting mongrel. One who dared trespass on my territory without permission."
His voice carried obvious irritation, though his eyes burned with something sharper than anger.
"That fellow hasn't returned, right?"
"Yes." Siduri lowered her gaze, hiding the way her hand trembled from exhaustion. She did not mention it.
She knew he meant Rowe.
"The unrest in the Demonic Beast Forest was completely quelled seven days ago. But from that day onward, Adjutant Rowe has vanished."
"Hmph. He is someone this King acknowledges. Without my permission, anyone who dares lay hands on him will face my judgment."
Gilgamesh rose abruptly and waved a hand toward Siduri.
"I leave the palace to you."
Then his smile sharpened into something viciously delighted.
"This King is going to meet that mongrel sent by the gods."
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