Souls Of The Fateless (FGO x God's Wrath OC Series Story)

Illusionary Hero

"This is...surprising. Seeing you standing before me, I have to wonder, are you truly the hero king-or merely an illusory apparition?"

"If only that were the situation before us. You may be at ease; I'm afraid my sanction down in these depths of Hell is merely temporary." Gilgamesh moved to sit cross-legged on the stony platform, leaning back against the gate, "Being here after so long, I'm curious to know whether you prefer our Mesopotamian Hell or your Greek Underworld?"

Indicating the spot directly across from him, I spared a wary glance at the doorway sitting in the background, shifting my concerns to the goddess still in my arms.

"Come, why are you dallying? Have a seat. I imagine there's much to fill me in on."

Rapping my foot against the stone, I played with my options, giving in and dosing Ishtar's body with another dose of the spell as I sat facing Gilgamesh.

"...Three minutes, even that short amount of time I'm not comfortable wasting, explaining things to you."

"Don't be hasty in dismissing me. Sharing information among allies to gain a bigger picture of the situation, it's natural we do so to come out victorious. There's no reason you have to refuse me an audience."

Peering closer, Gilgamesh took in the ghastly spectrum of colors swirling around Ishtar, his firm gaze momentarily breaking into a more tender expression.

"...A lot more has transpired than I initially thought. You said you'd give me three, but explain in one."

Ishtar lurched upward, going into a sickly coughing fit- gray-like mist coming from every cough she gave as though to urge the conversation along.

"Damn. Not good." I wrapped Ishtar closer, resuming petting her head until she readopted her even, dream-like breathing. "She's on the verge of dying. As I'm sure you can see now, Ishtar's being torn apart both body and soul by what I think to be two separate curses. Even with using my life force to keep her steady, it's only extending her suffering."

"...Goddess of Heaven are not, in another seven she'll..."

Speaking of death in the world of wandering souls-like an ominous omen, a howling gust chilling enough to freeze our souls blew through Gilgamesh and me.

The contours of Gil's face remained placid, giving away no reaction as I retold my and Ishtar's fall into Hell, the black waves raging wildly below, doubling their intense movements when I broached the misfortunate events leading to her curse.

"Ereshkigal's shrewdness has proved to be more resourceful than I first took it for. Even in this context, I dare say it's impressive."

"Gilgamesh."

"Ah, pay my comment no heed. Just making a mental footnote should I need to remember it for the future."

Despite the exhaustion showing under his eyes and the weary movements he used to rub the bridge of his nose, Gilgamesh was up on his legs, passing under the gate's intimidating arch after answering its question.

"I'm afraid I can't continue out in the open so brazenly. Doing so would mean giving Ereshkigal a chance to snatch my soul or having one of her precious gallu spirits perform the deed. I'll still be accompanying you, but I've been quite literally reduced to following you from the dark veil of the shadows."

"Or...maybe not. ...Daiki. You're here, aren't you? I may have quite the game you'll enjoy playing, tricky wisp friend of mine."

A mint green orb rocketed itself from inside my clothes, zipping laps around Gilgamesh before circling back to bounce up and down in front of my eyes with endless giggles.