Why Bother 3

(Within The Temple Of Time)

Gilgamesh, the Queen of Heroes, lounged upon the golden throne she had claimed for herself near Solomon's own throne. Her posture was effortlessly regal, and every movement was filled with an arrogance earned through millennia of unparalleled conquest. Her crimson eyes, which had been sharp and calculating, now held a contemplative gleam as they flicked over to her Master.

Darius stood before the vast expanse of the palace hall, his brow furrowed in concentration. The crystalline Eye of Agamotto hovered before him, its soft blue light illuminating the features of his face, filled with a combination of awe, determination, and a hint of uncertainty. For all of his inexperience, there was an unmistakable spark of potential there, something that intrigued the Queen.

The tools were there, the power within his reach, but what fascinated her most was not his abilities or even his growing confidence; it was his strange and almost irritating desire to improve, his ambition to be something more than what he was. She had seen countless rulers, warriors, and gods in her time—most born into their strength or privilege. But this man… he seemed driven by the idea that he could somehow earn the right to stand beside her, to prove that he was worthy of her service. An impossible task, perhaps, but the effort was interesting to watch.

Gilgamesh's eyes narrowed slightly, and she decided to test him further. "Master," she called, her voice carrying the weight of command. "I trust you are not faltering in your task. Or have you already been humbled by the challenge of harnessing your newfound powers?"

Darius glanced up, meeting her gaze. There was still fear there—proper respect, which was good—but it was balanced by a quiet determination that hadn't been there before. "No," he replied, his voice more assured than it had been earlier. "I'm not faltering. In fact, I'm planning something that might surprise even you."

Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? And what might that be, Master? Do tell. My curiosity is piqued."

He smiled faintly. "I'm going to summon Siduri."

The words hung in the air between them, and for a moment, the vast hall felt even more immense in its silence. Gilgamesh's expression did not change, but the air around her seemed to grow colder and more charged. Her crimson eyes bore into him with a gaze that could pierce through mountains.

"Siduri, you say?" Her tone was deceptively light, but there was an underlying current of something—something deep and almost hidden.

Darius nodded, holding his ground. "Yes. You once had her by your side, didn't you? I thought you might like to see her again. As a gesture of gratitude for… putting up with me."

Gilgamesh's laugh was sudden, sharp, and filled with an almost mocking amusement. "Putting up with you? Oh, Master, you do think highly of yourself if you believe your presence is something I must 'endure.' But I am curious. Why do you think I need an old assistant? I have everything I require right here."

Darius remained calm and steady. "Maybe you don't *need* her, but maybe you miss her. She was loyal to you, wasn't she? And I imagine having her by your side again might be... comforting, in a way."

Her eyes flared with something like anger for a brief moment, but she quickly masked it with a smirk. "Comforting, you say? How presumptuous of you. Do you think me so weak that I seek comfort in memories of the past?"

He shook his head. "Not weak. Human."

He thought she might strike him for a moment, her expression darkening with irritation, but then she paused, and something in her gaze softened, just for a heartbeat, before her imperious mask returned.

"Very well, Master," she said, her voice now tinged with a trace of… was it approval? "If you truly wish to waste your talents on such a trivial matter, summon Siduri. But know this: you do so at your own risk. She may not be as you remember her, and I will not tolerate any failures."

Darius nodded, understanding the challenge in her words. He turned his attention back to the center of the hall, where a small pedestal rose from the floor, adorned with strange runes and glowing with an ethereal light. He took a deep breath, steadying his nerves. The power within him was still new and unfamiliar, but he had been learning to wield it with greater precision under Gilgamesh's watchful eye.

He reached out with his mind, feeling the pulse of magic that flowed through the palace and began to channel it into the pedestal. The runes glowed brighter, and the air around him seemed to hum with energy. He could feel Gilgamesh's gaze upon him, weighing his every movement, and he knew he had to get this right.

"Siduri," he whispered, focusing his thoughts on the image he had seen in the lore of the world from which she originated—a loyal attendant, a trusted confidante, and a figure of quiet strength. He imagined her as she must have been, standing beside Gilgamesh, always at her side, always watching, always waiting.

The air crackled with energy, and a circle of light began to form on the ground before him, spinning faster and faster. The pedestal's glow intensified, and he felt a surge of power flow through him, pulling at his very soul.

"Come forth, Siduri," he called, his voice strong and clear. "Come forth and stand beside your queen once more!"

For a moment, nothing happened. The light continued to swirl, but there was no sign of the figure he had envisioned. Darius felt a flicker of doubt, wondering if he had made a mistake or if he had somehow failed. But then, the light began to coalesce, drawing together into a shape, a silhouette that grew more defined with each passing second.

And then, she was there.

Siduri stood before him, her form solidifying out of the light, her expression calm and serene. She was dressed in the same attire he had seen in the lore: a simple but elegant gown that hinted at her role as both servant and confidante. Her eyes were kind, yet there was a hint of sadness within them as if she understood more of the world than she had ever let on.

Darius let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, relief flooding through him. He had done it. He had summoned her.

Siduri turned, her gaze falling upon Gilgamesh, and for a moment, her expression softened with something that looked very much like recognition. "My lady," she said softly, bowing her head.

For her part, Gilgamesh remained still, her face an unreadable mask. But there was a flicker in her eyes, a fleeting moment of vulnerability that was gone almost as soon as it had appeared. She inclined her head slightly. "Siduri," she said, her tone carefully neutral. "It has been… some time."

Siduri smiled a warm, genuine smile that seemed to light up the hall. "Indeed, my lady. I am honored to stand by your side once more."

Darius watched the exchange, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction. He had done something good, something right. He had given Gilgamesh a piece of her past, a fragment of something she might have lost long ago.

Gilgamesh turned her gaze back to him, and he saw a new light in her eyes—a mixture of surprise, amusement, and perhaps even a hint of respect. "Well, Master," she said, "it seems you have accomplished your task. I admit, I did not think you would succeed. But you have proven me wrong, at least for now."

Darius nodded, feeling a swell of pride. "Thank you, Gilgamesh. I wanted to do something for you… to show you that I'm serious about being the Master you deserve."

Her smile was enigmatic. "Oh, I have no doubt that you are serious, Master. The question is whether your seriousness will be enough to satisfy me."

She turned back to Siduri. "Come, Siduri. You have been restored to this world, but your duties remain the same. Assist this man and see that he does not falter in his path. I will not have a weak Master."

Siduri bowed her head again. "As you command, my lady."

Darius felt a rush of gratitude towards Siduri and a renewed sense of purpose. He had summoned her as a gift to Gilgamesh, but in doing so, he had also gained an ally, someone who could guide him and help him navigate this strange new world. As she realized this, Gilgamesh smiled ever so slightly.

Gilgamesh watched him, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Now, Master," she said, her tone more commanding, "you have shown initiative, which I appreciate. But do not think that this will be enough to satisfy me. You still have much to learn, and I will not tolerate mediocrity."

Darius nodded, determined. "I understand, Gilgamesh. I'll continue to improve. I promise."

She smirked. "See that you do. For now, we have much to prepare. The forces of this world will not wait for us, and we must be ready to face them."

She paused, and her gaze softened once more for the briefest moment. "And perhaps, just perhaps, you may yet prove yourself worthy of the power you wield."

With that, she turned and strode away, her golden hair catching the light. Her presence commanding the room even as she left it, Siduri glanced at Darius, her expression gentle.

"You did well," she said quietly. "She may not show it, but she is pleased. And I am here to help you, however I can."

Darius smiled, feeling a surge of gratitude. "Thank you, Siduri. I'm going to need all the help I can get."

And as he watched Gilgamesh disappear into the distance, he felt a renewed sense of determination. This was just the beginning. He had a long way to go, but with allies like Gilgamesh and Siduri by his side, he knew he could face whatever challenges lay ahead.

With Siduri by his side and Gilgamesh's parting words still echoing in his ears, Darius found himself standing alone in the vast hall. The golden light from the palace seemed to grow brighter, reflecting off the walls of the marble hall, and for a moment, he felt very, very small. 

Gilgamesh had ordered him to improve and hone his abilities, and though she had offered some degree of guidance, it was clear that she expected him to figure out much of this journey on his own. He couldn't rely solely on the artifacts from the *Gate of Babylon* or Siduri's quiet counsel. He had to learn the basics—starting with magecraft, something he vaguely remembered from his past life.

Darius scratched his head. "Okay," he muttered, "let's see if I can remember… Magic 101 or Magecraft for Dummies."

Siduri, standing patiently beside him, smiled encouragingly. "The first step, Master," she began gently, "is to understand the foundation of your magical circuits. You must learn to feel the mana flowing through your body. Can you sense it?"

"Uh, sure," Darius said, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "I just need to channel the energy, right?" He furrowed his brow and closed his eyes, reaching inward in an attempt to 'feel' something. For a few seconds, he stood there, his face scrunched up in concentration. Nothing happened.

He peeked one eye open at Siduri. "Is it working?"

Siduri's smile didn't falter, but there was a twinkle of amusement in her eyes. "Perhaps try… relaxing a bit, Master. You seem to be forcing it."

Darius took a deep breath. "Right, relax," he mumbled. He shook his arms and legs, quickly wiggling like he was getting ready for a workout. Okay, mana, mana, mana," he chanted quietly, eyes squeezed shut. He waved his hands in circles like a mystic trying to summon rain. 

Siduri stifled a laugh. "Master, if I may suggest… Perhaps you might try sensing the energy flow around you rather than… dancing?"

Darius stopped mid-movement, his cheeks flushing red. "Right. That makes more sense," he muttered sheepishly. He took another deep breath and focused, trying to calm his thoughts, to feel something, anything, that might resemble a 'flow of energy.'

For a few moments, there was nothing but silence, the faint echo of his own heartbeat in his ears. Then, slowly, he felt a tingle, a spark deep within his core. His eyes flew open. "I think I felt something!" he exclaimed.

Siduri nodded. "Good, Master. Now, focus on that sensation. Let it grow."

Darius did as instructed, concentrating on the faint spark he felt within. He imagined it growing, expanding, becoming a current of energy that flowed through his veins like electricity. He felt a flicker of excitement. Maybe this wasn't so hard after all.

"Okay, okay, I got this," he muttered to himself. "Now, I just need to—"

Suddenly, the spark flared wildly, sending a jolt through his body like a bolt of lightning. His hair stood on end, his eyes went wide, and for a moment, he looked like he had stuck his finger in a live socket. He let out a yelp and stumbled back, smoke rising from his clothes.

Siduri couldn't help it; she burst into laughter, a light, melodic sound that filled the hall. "Master, you may want to be a bit more careful with the intensity," she suggested between giggles.

Darius glared at her, though he couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, thanks for the warning… next time, before I accidentally electrocute myself."

He shook out his arms, trying to dissipate the residual tingling sensation coursing through his body. "Alright, note to self: less *lightning bolt*, more *gentle breeze*." He closed his eyes again, trying to find that spark once more, but this time, he approached it with a bit more caution.

"Come on, Darius," he muttered under his breath. "You've seen this done a million times in anime. Just… think like a mage."

Siduri watched with patient amusement as Darius continued experimenting, trying different mental images to coax the mana into a more manageable flow. At one point, he tried humming the theme song from his favorite magical girl anime, thinking it might help set the mood.

It did not.

At another point, he tried to invoke the image of a cup filling with water, imagining the mana slowly pouring in and filling him with energy. For a moment, he thought it might be working, but then he got distracted, thinking about what kind of cup he was imagining. This caused the flow to stutter and surge, sending another minor jolt through his system.

"Ow! Okay, focus, Darius, focus," he groaned, rubbing his hands together to get rid of the pins and needles.

Siduri stepped closer, her expression kind but amused. "It might help, Master, to think of the mana as an extension of yourself rather than something foreign. It is a part of you, after all. Perhaps… try not to overthink it?"

Darius gave her a skeptical look. "Right, because I'm known for not overthinking things," he muttered. But he took a deep breath, deciding to give it another shot. 

"Okay, let's keep this simple," he told himself. "Mana is just… energy. My energy. Just… focus on moving it gently."

He closed his eyes and let out a slow breath. This time, instead of picturing complicated magical symbols or chanting nonsense phrases, he simply tried to *feel* the energy as if it were a part of him, like his own heartbeat or breath.

He felt it again, the faint spark, the tiny flicker of warmth deep inside. This time, instead of pushing or pulling, he simply let it be, feeling it move naturally. Slowly, he sensed it spreading, flowing through his body like warm liquid, soothing and steady.

Darius opened his eyes, and a grin spread across his face. "I think I've got it!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement.

Siduri clapped her hands, a genuine smile lighting up her face. "Well done, Master! Now that you've felt the flow, you can begin learning how to direct it into spells."

Darius felt a surge of confidence. "Right, spells," he repeated. "What could go wrong?"

Siduri's smile widened, and for a moment, Darius wondered if she was enjoying this a bit too much. "I suggest starting with something simple. Perhaps… a basic elemental spell? A small flame, perhaps?"

He nodded eagerly. "Okay, fire. Got it. Just a tiny flame. Easy peasy."

He took another deep breath and focused on the mana flow within him. He pictured a small flame, like a candle's wick, and concentrated on directing a bit of the energy toward his palm. He felt the warmth building, the spark growing stronger, and then—

*WHOOSH!*

A ball of fire the size of a basketball exploded from his hand, scorching a nearby tapestry that Siduri had been working on and sending a shower of sparks flying. Darius yelped and jumped back, frantically patting out the small flames on his sleeve.

Siduri covered her mouth, trying not to laugh too loudly. "Perhaps… a bit *less* energy next time, Master?"

Darius sighed, his cheeks red with embarrassment. "Yeah, okay, less energy. Got it," he muttered, glancing at the charred remains of the tapestry. "Sorry about your tapestry."

Siduri giggled softly. "It's quite alright, Master. Consider it a lesson learned."

Darius groaned, rubbing his temples. "Okay, okay, third time's the charm. Let's try this again… just a tiny flame."

He focused once more, channeling a small trickle of mana into his palm. This time, he took extra care to visualize only a tiny flicker of flame, like the kind you'd use to light a match. He felt the warmth gather slowly, gently, and then—

A small flame, no larger than a candle's light, appeared in his hand. Darius's face lit up with triumph. "I did it! I actually did it!"

Siduri clapped her hands again, beaming. "Well done, Master! You've taken your first step."

Darius grinned, the flame dancing in his hand. "Okay, maybe this isn't so hard after all." 

But no sooner had he said that than the tiny flame sputtered and grew, suddenly shooting up like a blowtorch. "Oh no—!" he shouted, waving his hand frantically.

The flame flickered and vanished with a small puff of smoke, leaving his fingers slightly singed. Siduri was practically doubled over with laughter now.

"Okay, okay," Darius sighed, but he couldn't help laughing too. "Maybe there's a bit more to this than I thought."

Siduri's laughter finally subsided, and she looked at him with genuine warmth. "Magic is a journey, Master, not a destination. You are doing well. Just… be patient with yourself."

Darius nodded, a smile spreading across his face. "Thanks, Siduri. I'll get the hang of this eventually. I just need to… keep trying."

For now, though, Darius is going to have to think of who to summon next. While summoning Siduri appeases Gilgamesh, he needs an actual instructor.

Siduri smiled, seeing her Lady's Master try so hard to impress her. More often than not, before the fall of Uruk, many would try to impress her through gifts that even she found impressive, yet simply the act of this boy trying so hard impressed even her.

While thinking of this, the handmaiden got to work cooking and crafting sustenance for her charges. 

She did all of this with a smile on her face, remembering better times. 

(If anyone's confused, Darius is attempting to become a magician in terms of what he believes is fate lore. As Darius is inadvertently trying to affect a flow of mana in his body directly, he is quite literally trying to craft a basic spell he's already attained, which most magi search their entire lives for.)

(Also, keep giving me recommendations for summons. I will always appreciate your comments and suggestions.)

(Also, feel free to recommend a power system. Thanks to the essence of the blank, the main character can learn nearly all of them if he can understand them enough.)