Gil-kun and the Dream

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

"What do you mean, Gil? You were the one who insisted that we had to do this. Even when I expressed my doubt before entering the forest, you told me that we had to push forward, for the sake of the people of Uruk."

"Yes, I know. It's just that..."

"You're scared, aren't you?"

"You fool! You think I'd be scared?"

"Well, we are going against the monster Humbaba, I think that would be pretty normal."

"Don't judge me so lowly. It is simply a natural repulsion that my human side feels towards that beast."

"Hehe, you really are amusing."

"You think I'll allow you to just mock me?"

"Oh come on, Gil. I'm not mocking you. In fact, I'm complimenting you."

"What?"

"Isn't fear what distinguishes living beings from the rest of creation? Think about it: a star is born, grows, changes, evolves, dies, gives birth to a thousand more stars. But a star never fears anything. On the other hand, living beings adapt and live in constant fear because they want to survive and preserve the sacred gift of nature: life. To be alive is to be afraid. So you shouldn't be ashamed of being afraid, Gil. Because that's what separates you, the king of man, and a rock."

"Me and a rock... you always say such absurd things... then why do humans want to go on adventures that threaten their survival?"

"You're really asking me, king of man? Well, while it is true that living beings all want to live, what separates humans from the rest is that humans don't just want to survive... they want to be happy. And so, to find happiness, they're willing to travel the longest distance, the most dangerous fight, challenge the strongest creatures, they are even willing to put their life on the line for this single objective: to be happy."

"So you're saying that by slaying this beast, I'll achieve 'happiness'?"

"You will, by bringing happiness to your people."

"You're saying that my happiness derives from the happiness of those mongrels? How foolish..."

"I'm sure you'll get it someday... I'm sure you will."

*****

"Nero, my son! I'm so proud of you! The meeting with the emperor went smoothly, I've heard him say that he is considering making you his heir! Good job, just what I expected from my son."

"Thank you, mother."

"Now, I believe you have to get ready to attend the gladiator's fight in an hour."

"Mother..."

"Yes, Nero?"

"Do you think I'll be able to make friends with someone?"

"What did you say?"

"I-I would like... to make... some friends."

Her mother came closer with an unreadable expression and slapped her hard on the face.

"O-OW! Mother, don't pull my hair so hard... you're hurting me..."

"You wretched child! You're going to foil my plans just to make friends with someone? You're willing to abandon your mother, to throw away your chance to become emperor, to rule over the whole world, to have some friends?! Saying such stupid things... there's no way you're my child! Who do you even think would want someone like you as a friend, when you can't even be born of the right sex!"

Her mother screamed, throwing her on the ground, making her crash against some chairs.

"Mother... please... I'm sorry..."

"You don't need any friends! And no one will ever want to be your friend, so stop even thinking about it! You'll always and forever be alone without me! Now go clean yourself, you look like shit."

"Y-Yes, mother..."

She went to the bathroom and cleaned herself. She was bleeding from her nose. Her cheek was on fire. She tried her best not to cry.

"And yet... there must be... someone in this world... who loves me."

*****

Salter sat down on the bench. She looked at the man next to him. He was missing his arm, eye and had a hole on his side, and yet he still was smiling and consoling his blue-haired master. 

"It was fun, I must say. Hey guys, do you remember when me and Shinji followed that stray cat for ten minutes, thinking it would lead us to where Shirou and Sakura were preparing their evil plan? Haha, that was really silly... Thank you, you three. I enjoyed the time we spent together. When I died, I was full of regret. But now I'm going to pass away satisfied... because you made me realise that what matters is not the length of our life... but the use we make of it, our ability to make every moment special. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I leave the rest to you guys. Farewell."

He disappeared in a swarm of glittering lights that slowly flew away into the sky and faded away, leaving an empty seat on the bench.

*****

Gilgamesh woke up. He stared at the ceiling for a bit. Dreaming of the past, remembering the time he had spent with his friend... it was all that girl's fault. That mongrel that had brought him there and had given him the hope to meet him again.

"I'll teach her a lesson, sooner or later."

He shrugged off those somber thoughts and got up. He went downstairs and found everyone already awake.

"Hey, Goldie! You woke up just in time! Nancy is making us a delicious breakfast!"

"Good morning, Your Majesty! Should I add some ingredient that you particularly like?" 

"What are you preparing, mongrel?"

"Bacon and eggs, Your Majesty. Oh, and some pancakes!"

"Then I'll just add some honey from my treasury once it's ready."

"Yummy! Honey from thousands of years ago! Can I try it too?"

"Forget about it, mongrel."

"Oh, come on!"

"Who puts honey on bacon anyway... I bet it will just make it worse." Salter teased him.

"How dare you mock my treasures? Let's see if you still think so foolishly after you've tried them with my honey."

"I don't want your honey."

"I didn't ask for your consent."

Nancy placed the food on four plates and brought it to the table.

"Enjoy!"

Gilgamesh poured honey on his food and the one of Nero and Nancy.

"Thanks, Goldie."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"I already told you, I'm not going to try your honey."

"I already told you that I didn't ask for your opinion."

He used his portals to make the honey appear right on top of Salter's plate and pour on her eggs before she could react.

"Damn bastard..."

"Eat up, mongrels! Taste the food of a king!"

The four of them started eating.

"Wow! This is so good! As emperor, I had the best honey in Rome at my disposal, but even that wasn't as good as this!"

"It brings the most out of every single flavour."

"What do you think, Salter? Do you still refuse to eat my honey?"

"It's... it's not so bad..."

"Man, I hate to say it, but it's so good... I bet even a burger would be tastier with this... mmm, honey-covered burgers... I want them now..."

"Haha! The other King of Knights has conceded at last!"

"That's Goldie 1 - Salty 1, ladies and gentlemen!"

"Huh? Why was she winning before?"

"Because of last night."

"What happened last night, mongrel?"

"Yeah, what happened?" Salter asked with complete innocence.

"Perhaps I'll tell you later."

"Wait, where the hell is the beast who came with us?"

"*appears behind and screams in penguinese*"

"AAAHHH! You damn beast! I'll boil you, fry you, roast you, I'll cook you in every way known to man!"

"Hehe, Mr. Pop Pea gave you a good scare, Goldie!"

"Pff, serves you right, Galter."

"Here, Mr. Pop Pea, I made some salmon for you."

Mr. Pop Pea ate his breakfast voraciously and jumped on Nancy's lap as a way to thank her.

"I think the penguin likes Nancy."

"Everyone likes Nancy, Salty! Isn't that right, Goldie?"

"I sure appreciate more that girl than you, mongrel."

"Agreed."

"You kings are so mean!"

"In fact, I feel like you've earned some of my respect as my servant, young girl. From now on, you've earned the right to be called by your name, Nancy."

"Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty."

"What about me?"

"You're still a mongrel, mongrel."

"Not fair! Not fair!"

"Serves you right, foolish emperor."

"What the hell did I do wrong?"

"Nothing, apart from being the most annoying person I have met in a long while, mongrel."

"So mean..."

"You girls are so mean! At least my dear Shinji appreciates me."

"But I suppose that if it wasn't for you, we wouldn't have slept in these comfortable clothes. For that, you have my gratitude, Emperor Claudius."

"Aw, thank you, Salty! But I'm not the one who did most of the work."

"What do you mean? You asked that arrogant prick and he gave that weird fabric to you, no?"

"... y-yeah, that's how it went..."

"Enough chatting, mongrels! I have a mission I want to achieve! It is not in my nature to wait for too long. Let's move forward."

"Fine, but don't forget I also have my own mission."

"Also, finding a new home for Mr. Pop Pea is our current top priority!"

"I shall bear that in mind. In return, mongrels, don't slow me down."

"That's my line."

"We're all pretty strong."

"I-I'm really not."

"That's why we'll protect you, Nancy!"

"Thanks, Miss Nero."

"Very well, then let's go mongrels. This shall be... a great adventure."