12 Babylon (10): Farewell.

Hunter and Doll have arrived in the next arc in my (P)(A)(T), so if you want to see 3 chapters ahead, in both this and my other story, or just want to support me, they are there for 2 dollars.

If not, still, thank you for reading my stories!

Well, have a good night and happy reading.

(P)(A)(T)/CalleumArtori

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POV: Enkidu.

"I haven't thanked you, have I?" I asked the being in front of me, so human-like yet so distant.

"You've already thanked me." Hunter's voice was the same as always, calm and composed. "I didn't save you expecting rewards or thanks."

We were in the palace, with Doll, who always seemed to accompany Hunter, assisting Siduri while instructing Nanaya at the same time.

Initially, Siduri had declined the help, saying it was her job as the king's secretary, but she eventually accepted after Doll explained that he wanted to use this opportunity to teach Nanaya more than just combat.

The little human didn't seem to like the idea of learning anything beyond combat, but she didn't argue, accepting the guidance.

From what I had heard, Siduri had only praises for Nanaya's education.

"Not just for that." I shook my head. I was grateful to Hunter for saving me, but I owed him thanks for something else as well. "Thank you for helping Gil. He may try to hide it, but I know him well enough to sense something was wrong."

Just as my friend knew me, I knew him in return.

Since my "illness," Gilgamesh had been silent, thoughtful, just observing without interfering, especially in Uruk. For many days, I could see him only silently observing the city from a distance.

Whatever thoughts plagued my friend's mind, he kept them to himself. No matter how many times I asked, I got no answers.

The conversation Gilgamesh and Hunter had seemed to help, more than that, as the king was better than ever, both in body and mind.

Whenever I walked the streets of Uruk, I could hear the citizens commenting, all noticing the change in the king, who seemed wiser, more mature.

Upon hearing my thanks, Hunter nodded, not refusing them. "Gilgamesh asked me for advice; I just helped as I thought best." His voice was calm, almost distant. "It wasn't a big deal, but your thanks are welcome, even if unnecessary."

I mirrored his gesture and nodded back, not pressing the matter.

As Gilgamesh's friend, it was my duty to thank Hunter for helping him, especially when I couldn't. But as the king's subject and weapon, I wouldn't insist on the matter.

Gilgamesh and Hunter, despite not being friends and, from what I could see, not intending to be, had a certain camaraderie between them, a mutual respect, something I didn't want to disrupt.

I talked a few more minutes with Hunter before saying goodbye, starting to walk away, but I stopped my steps before leaving.

"When you healed me... I vaguely remember waking up somewhere else." I hesitated to ask, but I did. "What was that place?"

I could remember Hunter referring to that space as "A dream," something I had before, even though dreaming, for me, was rare, happening only because of my connection to humanity, as my being was somewhat a mirror of humans.

But even with these previous experiences, the place Hunter had pulled me into seemed, was, something entirely different; I could feel that, even if I couldn't put my finger on why.

Hunter remained silent for a few seconds; I feared I might have asked something I shouldn't, but before I could apologize, he spoke.

"That place is just a dream of a distant memory." His gaze seemed almost unfocused. "Don't think too much about it; it doesn't matter, as I said before, it's just a long and ancient nightmare..." Did he say something like that before?...

I thanked him for the answer, even though it was enigmatic, and resumed walking, thoughtful.

Like my friend had done, I will follow Hunter's advice and not dwell too much on what "The Dream" was.

Until today, Hunter had shown no malicious intent; there was no reason to suspect him, even though a part of me wanted to know more, it was something I could ignore.

Despite my connection to nature insisting on knowing more, any additional information, Hunter, above all, was a guest of Uruk, of the king, and a friend...

 ~ Fate/The Hunter and His Doll ~

POV: Third person.

As time passed, Uruk continued to progress, with its inhabitants going about their routines as always, days turning into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years.

After almost five years since the battle against Gugalanna, Hunter and Gilgamesh finally had the conversation they both knew would happen.

"We're leaving," Hunter stated calmly.

He had talked to Doll earlier, stating that he wanted to continue his journey. As much as he didn't mind staying in Uruk for years, perhaps until the city crumbled over time, a part of him insisted on wandering, going to other places.

For many, staying still and settling in one place could be considered a form of retirement, something relaxing, but not for Hunter.

"I see..." Gilgamesh replied, not getting up from his throne. "When?"

"Soon." Hunter responded. "A few days, after Doll finishes her duties."

Doll still tutored Nanaya, the latter having grown into a young teenager, intelligent and lively, something that, to Naram's dismay, seemed to attract more suitors every day.

Nanaya didn't care about romance, much more focused on her training, something Naram knew would change over time. And to Hunter's amusement, the man sharpened a spear every day, just in case he needed to kill the man who broke his daughter's heart, even though she was much stronger and more skilled than her father.

"I imagine you won't want any kind of farewell." It was more of a statement than a question; the king knew that Hunter didn't care for such things or liked to be the center of attention.

"Not necessary." Still, Hunter replied. "But if you want to do something, a farewell dinner will suffice." The offer was more for others than for themselves.

Gilgamesh and Hunter didn't care enough about farewells.

"I'll have the chefs prepare a feast." The king nodded before asking, "Any destination in mind after leaving Uruk?" Gilgamesh knew that Hunter had a "vision" as good as his, but he also knew that he chose, just as the king restricted him.

"None, just as I had when I arrived in Uruk." Hunter knew he could easily chart a course, but he also knew that the journey was as, if not more, important than the destination.

Finding Naram and his tribe had brought him and Doll to Uruk; perhaps another event like that would happen, or not. Not knowing everything was what gave a certain joy to life.

At least for the only two beings in the throne room who could know everything but chose not to, it was like that.

"I won't suggest any path then." Gilgamesh tilted his head in one hand and leaned on the throne. "Don't you intend to stay until the next hunt?" The king asked after a few seconds, seeming to remember that "Hunter's Day" was near.

Hunter declined.

"Let the fourth hunt be the last one I'll participate in." The number four was almost symbolic for Hunter, not something that really mattered, but he still had a certain fondness for the number.

Thanks to the "advice" Hunter gave to Gilgamesh, the king participated in the "Hunter's Day" the following year himself, sealed and containing his power to be on equal footing with his subjects, something that brought him closer to the people of Uruk.

Not that this had been the king's intention; it was just a secondary thing. The real reason he restrained himself was to enjoy the day and have fun.

With his power and divinity unsealed, few beings in the world were a real challenge for Gilgamesh; the meager beasts that existed in the cities around Uruk wouldn't even dream of touching him.

But with his power sealed, it was a different story. As weak as an ordinary human, whom the beasts hunted, they could even harm the king... something that hadn't happened since the day the king sought advice from Hunter.

Since that night, even restrained, Gilgamesh had not been touched by any beast while hunting, not that this fact stopped the king from having fun.

Gilgamesh still had some faint scars on his body, which only existed because the king had let his body regenerate like a mortal.

Before, Gilgamesh would have repudiated such marks on his body; something perfect couldn't have blemishes, he would say. Nowadays, the king carried them with indifference, a reminder that everything, including him, could die.

"A pity." Gilgamesh spoke, knowing he couldn't compete with Hunter one last time to see who could hunt more beasts, a competition the king had not won a single time.

Not that it bothered him; Gilgamesh, despite his arrogance and pride, was not foolish.

When asked by Enkidu why he seemed not to care about the defeat and even enjoyed it, the king's response was simple.

"Tell me the name of who I'm competing against, and you'll know why." For the king, Hunter being called "Hunter" was more than a name, a title, a profession.

Hunter was the Hunter, no ifs, ands, or buts.

If any being dared to say they were better than Hunter at hunting, Gilgamesh would personally hire them as the court jester; there were always too few clowns to entertain him.

 ~ Fate/The Hunter and His Doll ~

After a week, Doll had just finished compiling everything Nanaya would need to study. The next day, the two, Hunter and Doll, were at the gates of Uruk, the same place they had arrived.

"I thought you would cry," Siduri commented to Nanaya, who was hugging Doll, saying goodbye.

"The master had already said she would leave some time ago," Nanaya replied, pulling away from the hug. "I've been preparing for this day for a long time... Of course, I also have no more tears to cry after the training I've had." The second of the two human members of the group laughed.

Doll had a slight exasperated smile on her face, an emotion she wouldn't have known how to express five years ago, but over time she had learned.

"Be glad you were trained by Doll," Hunter was as stoic as ever, but his voice contained a hint of amusement. "Who trained me would have made her training seem like a paradise."

Gehrman would have laughed, but not denied. The first hunter was severe, sadistic, if Hunter were to say something, but his training was more than effective.

Nanaya paled at Hunter's words, having heard stories about the First Hunter, which amused the latter.

"I hope you continue your training," Doll said in a kind but stern manner. "Take care of your weapon as I taught you."

The rest of the farewell happened quickly.

Siduri and Doll embraced, both having become friends over the years. The same happened with Enkidu, who had come to consider Doll as a sister over time.

Gilgamesh just waved, without moving.

As for Hunter, he nodded to Enkidu with respect, an act he repeated with Siduri, slightly bowing his head to bid her farewell.

The only one he bid farewell to with more than a wave, besides Nanaya, who jumped and hugged him, an act that Hunter could easily have dodged but chose not to, returning the hug lightly, was the king.

Curiously, Gilgamesh had been the first to extend his hand. Hunter didn't hesitate to grasp it in a handshake of equal strength.

Wishing something like "Good luck" or "Take care" was unnecessary, at least for these two beings, so they just nodded to each other in respect before letting go of each other's hands.

Gilgamesh had only one friend, but Hunter was someone the king respected greatly.

"See you later," Hunter spoke, turning around and starting to walk out of the city, Doll following step by step.

The eyes of both Hunter and the king gleamed, perceiving and seeing much more than a mortal could dream of seeing.

Everyone knew it was a farewell, but perhaps they would meet again by Fate's chance...

... Four has always been a number that Hunter had a certain fondness for...

 ~ Fate/The Hunter and His Doll ~

POV: Doll.

"Where are we going, Good Hunter?" I asked after a few minutes of walking.

I had mixed feelings about the farewell that had taken place.

Part of me was sad to say goodbye, knowing that I wouldn't see the others anymore, especially Nanaya, whom I had taken care of all these years.

Another part was happy that I would continue my journey with the Good Hunter, glad to know that Nanaya was prepared in case something happened.

Pride for an apprentice, Gehrman had said that a few times, that he was proud to have taught the Good Hunter. I could now understand the feeling.

"I have no specific place in mind," the Good Hunter's voice echoed. "Any ideas?" He asked.

"Can we see the sea before we go?" The Good Hunter and I had gone to see the sea a few times in the last few years, something that brought me joy.

The sea was inviting.

"Of course," he agreed and offered his arm. "Shall we?" He asked, his voice happier than usual.

The years in Uruk had done good to the Good Hunter; he seemed more calm, at peace.

I linked my arm with his, as we always did when walking, and smiled, my chest warming with joy.

"Always." as forever would be.

[...]---[...]

The next chapter should be the final chapter of the Babylon arc, with a conclusive ending and some interactions with other characters.

I kept the farewell brief and included a small time skip where not much significant happened, but in the end, it will matter too.

Well, that's it. As always, have a good night and enjoy the read!

PS: If you have any questions, feel free to comment, and I'll respond.