"We've arrived."
Accompanied by Siduri's soft voice, Enkidu-Sa, Gilgamesh, and a guard of Immortal Battalion veterans arrived at the outskirts of a ruined settlement.
The village appeared to have been ravaged by a great fire, leaving behind nothing but broken walls and ash-stained debris. It seemed the original inhabitants had never returned to rebuild the dream that was once theirs. Unless someone were to reclaim this land, the passage of time would soon turn this once-bustling home into a nameless pile of rubble.
"I can't believe the ancient cedar in the center of the village is still alive! It's a miracle!" Siduri exclaimed, pointing toward a massive tree in the distance.
"To think it survived... truly remarkable. Perhaps that is the nature of life—tenacious and unyielding," Gilgamesh remarked. He gazed at the ancient cedar, still lush and green in the middle of the old square, standing in stark contrast to the scorched ruins of the houses that once surrounded it.
"Dismount. It would be disrespectful to remain on horseback here," Gilgamesh said, turning to the veterans behind him with a meaningful look.
Without a word, the soldiers and commanders slipped from their saddles. No one spoke. It was clear that this was a place of deep sorrow, and they treated it with the utmost solemnity.
"Everyone is free to go where they need to. We shall reconvene at the burial mounds shortly," Gilgamesh said with a slight nod.
The veterans simply nodded and dispersed, each heading off to find the remains of their own lost kin among the ruins.
Followed by Siduri, Gilgamesh walked slowly toward the skeletal remains of a particular residence. A curious Enkidu-Sa followed them, hoping to better understand the past of the King he had chosen to serve.
The father and daughter stood in silence within the skeletal remains of the house—it was clearly Gilgamesh's former home, the place where he lived before becoming the Sovereign of the Reclamation.
"There's an incense burner here! This is wonderful!" Gilgamesh cried out. He had discovered a toppled bronze burner amidst the debris. He righted it as if it were a priceless relic and turned to Siduri. "Siduri, give me the offerings you brought for the sacrifice!"
"Here, Father!" Siduri quickly searched her belongings and handed the sticks to him.
Gilgamesh accepted them with a grave expression, lit them, and placed them carefully into the burner. Once they were set, he performed a formal, solemn bow. Seeing this, Siduri followed suit. Enkidu-Sa watched them, feeling a bit lost in the weight of their private history.
"Are you surprised to see him like this?" Siduri asked with a faint, knowing smile as she noticed Enkidu-Sa's bewildered look.
Before he could answer, she continued, "As you might have guessed, Enkidu, this was the home of my father—and me. In fact, this was the home of many of our highest officers."
"I see... so this is the King's birthplace," Enkidu-Sa noted with awe. "If the Lord succeeds in winning the realm, this will be known as the 'Village of the Sovereign'—a place honored by everyone in the world!"
"..."
"Heh. Everyone is dead," Siduri replied softly, shaking her head. "What good is an 'honored place' then?" Her voice was tinged with a deep, lingering bitterness.
"Siduri, let's head to the mounds. The others should be finished by now," Gilgamesh called out.
The Village Cemetery
When Gilgamesh, Enkidu-Sa, and Siduri arrived, the burial mounds were already crowded. The veterans had been waiting for some time in a heavy, respectful silence.
"Since everyone is here, let us begin," Gilgamesh said calmly.
At his word, the men began to locate the graves of their loved ones to offer prayers. Gilgamesh found a particular burial mound and knelt slowly, offering incense and performing the rites of a son.
Enkidu-Sa looked closely at the marker.
It bore a simple inscription: "The Tomb of Late Mentor, Lord Lugal-Banda Utnapishtim."
This was the grave of the man who had raised Gilgamesh's spirit. After years of war, the King had finally returned to pay his respects.
"Master Enkidu-Sa, do you know why I took the step toward rebellion?" Gilgamesh asked, standing up and looking at his strategist with an unreadable expression.
"I do not, Lord. I hope you might enlighten me," Enkidu-Sa replied with a bow.
"During the great famine, the village had no harvest, yet the High Prefect's taxes grew heavier by the day," Gilgamesh said softly. "I went with my mentor to the provincial office to plead for mercy, hoping for a reprieve so the villagers could breathe. The officials not only refused but branded us as 'troublemakers' and beat us. I begged them to punish only me. Those guards, like wolves, beat me until I could no longer stand. It was after that that my mentor and I began to plan the uprising."
"I see... Then you truly possess a heart for the people. To stand up for the commoners is the mark of a true sovereign," Enkidu-Sa said, nodding.
"However, our plans were leaked. The Imperial troops came to 'mop us up.' I believe Siduri has told you the rest," Gilgamesh said, looking around at the ruins. "These ruins are what the soldiers left behind. I led the survivors to drive them away. That was the birth of the Auric Reclamation. Those who remained swore a blood oath to follow me unto death."
He sighed deeply after gazing at the village one last time. "Perhaps if I win the realm, I will grant this place special status. But for now... let it remain as a reminder of why we fight."
"Father, everyone has finished their prayers. We can depart," Siduri reported, approaching with a bow.
"Very well. Let us go. The capital awaits," Gilgamesh replied.