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After overseeing humanity for many years, Gilgamesh had finally caught up to his lifespan.
All those years searching for immortality, only resulted in him accepting the fragile life of a human.
“So this is how it feels to be on the verge of death.” He said to himself. Breathing in on what seems to be his last few moments as he lays on his deathbed, with his body growing weaker and weaker.
However, not a single trace of regret or sorrow was on the king’s face. In fact he looked melancholic, waiting for the time he finally takes his last breath. The deafening silence envelopes the city of Uruk, as they mourn for their beloved king.
Taking in his final moments, he lays on his deathbed, looking at the night sky that is visible from the window of his chambers as a shooting star passes by.
He smiles, finally accepting his fate. “I have done my duties to Uruk as it is. Now is the time I proceed to the afterlife.” He barely says, with his body being weak as it is. And with that, Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk, took his final breath.
Moments later, he was awoken at the familiar sights of the underworld. The rocks forming it, and the soul cages of ereshkigal. It wasn’t his first time in the underworld, only that there was no going back to the land of the living as of now.
Walking through the familiar roads of the underworld, he was greeted by a familiar goddess, welcoming him.
“So you finally came.” Ereshkigal said, holding one of her soul cages. “You’re finally here in the underworld, there’s no way of going back now.”
“I am well aware of that.” Gilgamesh says as he continues walking. “I assume upon your arrival you have been looking for a certain someone.” She says, as Gilgamesh abruptly stops. “Oh?” He merely says, turning to the goddess’ direction. “Of course I am well aware of your journey here, don’t worry. You’ll see them soon enough.” She says in assurance, as she walks a little further, with him following behind.
It was a lengthy walk, reminding Gilgamesh of his first time coming onto Kur. Passing through the gates. Gilgamesh was silent walking down the underworld, following ereshkigal.
“Here we are.” Ereshkigal says as they finally stopped walking down that long path. “Now go.” She said, motioning for him to enter, as she leaves.
Gilgamesh took a deep breath before entering the gate. Walking down another path that leads down. Arriving at the center, he couldn’t believe his eyes.
There stood his beloved companion, friend, the one whom he had longed for all those years. “Enkidu.” He whispered their name, staring at them.
“Took you quite a while, my king.” They said with a smile. Gilgamesh was silent, still looking at them.
Overwhelmed with all the emotions he felt, he ran off closing the wide gap between them, pulling the other into an embrace. Stroking their hair gently, as he rested his forehead on the crown of their head.
Enkidu was a little taken aback with the blonde’s actions, but immediately reciprocated, melting into Gilgamesh’s touch. “I missed you.” He said burying his face further on the crown of their head, drying his tears in the process. “So did I.” Enkidu said, hugging him tighter.
Pulling away, Gilgamesh caressed their cheek gently, pressing his forehead against theirs. “You still look as perfect as ever.” He said, almost like a whisper.
“And you’ve changed.” Enkidu said, placing a hand on his cheek, “For the better that is.” They said with a chuckle. “I guess dying wasn’t that bad after all.”
Gilgamesh frowned upon hearing this, “It was difficult without you, it was as if a part of me was missing.
“But you became a great king after that. What you’ve done for Uruk was already an outcome of it.” Upon saying this, Enkidu frowned a little looking at Gilgamesh whose eyes were glistening because of tears. “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to fulfill my promise to be by your side until the end of the world.” They said as their eyes were welling up with tears. “I’m sorry I left you alone.” Gilgamesh wiped the tear that fell down from Enkidu’s eye and pressed a kiss on their forehead. “No one will be able to separate us now.” He said pulling away.
“Then my king, may I invite you to this simple dance?” Enkidu asked, placing a hand on Gilgamesh’s shoulder. Gilgamesh smiled, placing one hand on Enkidu’s thin waist, taking Enkidu’s other hand, extending it, and holding it with his own. “If that is what you wish.”
One step, then another, the two danced like there was no tomorrow. “It’s been a long time since we danced like this.” Enkidu said in between as Gilgamesh twirls them around. “It has.” He said, looking back to those times they’d dance in the balcony of the ziggurat during one of those sleepless nights, under the light of the stars. Oh how precious those moments truly were.
For Enkidu, it was simply a moment of pure joy and bliss. Finally being in arms of their beloved once again. The underworld which was once a cold and quiet place, now became lively, with the echoes of their laughter filing the cold air.
With one last spin, the two rested their foreheads against each other, Enkidu caressing Gilgamesh’s face softly. “I’m not going to leave you, not anymore.” They said, wrapping their arms around his neck. “I forbid you to do so. Nothing shall ever come between us, my love.” He said, cupping Enkidu’s face.
Enkidu places a hand on the other’s face, tracing Gilgamesh’s lower lip, looking at him as if asking for consent. Gilgamesh smiles as Enkidu proceeds to slowly lean in closing the gap little by little, until midway did Gilgamesh lean in pressing a sweet kiss on the other’s lips, stroking the other’s hair in the process.
Pulling away from the kiss, Enkidu cupped Gilgamesh’s face with one hand, Gilgamesh taking it as he presses a kiss on their fingers. Finally, resting his forehead onto theirs once again. “I love you, gil.” Enkidu says softly.
“I love you too, my Enkidu.” He says as he places another kiss onto the other’s forehead.
Two loving souls who were once parted, now have been reunited under the sorrowful lights of the underworld. Transforming the place filled with pure bliss, not willing to be separated from each other once again.