Kingu and Siduri

"Tell me the directions, and I'll go and bring them all back by myself."

Without further ado, Scáthach twirled her Crimson Demon Spear, preparing to go alone and bring back all the kidnapped people.

"I don't know... because these guys didn't come from the planned Persian Gulf direction. They appeared out of thin air and then suddenly retreated. I had no way of confirming where these monsters' lair was, and that's why I couldn't pay attention at the time. Damn it! I couldn't even protect the people who supported us in the fight. What can someone like me protect?! I could only watch helplessly as those civilians and priests were taken away right before my eyes!"

"..."

Recalling the situation, Leonidas felt increasingly guilty and clenched his fists, pounding the ground in anguish. This devastating news silenced everyone present.

"Please don't say that. Your Noble Phantasm has been destroyed by Gorgon. With Queen Scáthach and Merry fighting on the front lines, and King Gilgamesh and the two goddesses all absent, it's quite remarkable that you managed to preserve most of the soldiers and support personnel. Or rather, it's thanks to your efforts that the current situation hasn't become too dire."

Benkei gripped his long sword tightly, then offered some words of comfort to Leonidas.

In terms of duties, he and Leonidas were in the same team; their job was to protect the logistics personnel and lead a small group of soldiers in clearing the safe zone.

At the time, Leonidas's command was absolutely flawless. The reason for this disastrous situation was that Lahmu's strength far exceeded that of Demonic Beast, and their sheer numbers were overwhelming. One of their Noble Phantasm was damaged, and the other was unsuitable for dealing with Lahmu, which led to the tragic outcome.

"Now is not the time for you to take responsibility. Take these soldiers back to their garrison and do your best to survive. I'll figure something out later."

Scáthach was well aware of their guilt, and she didn't dislike it; after all, such qualities were essential for a true warrior. However, she didn't have time to dwell on their gains and losses right now.

What's lost is lost; no amount of regret can bring it back. Since it's unavoidable, what they should do is calmly reflect on their loss and then find a way to get it back, for example—

Win this war!

She then inquired about the situation on the southern front from Merry, who had the Clairvoyance.

Uruk's defenses aren't just in the north. Since there are so many Lahmu here, there must be just as many in the south. She needs to figure out the situation there before allocating troops.

"Don't worry, with Ishtar -Ibaraki-dōji on the southern front, there won't be any problems. Although they're not the brightest, they're practically flawless. Plus, there aren't many Demonic Beast corpses there, so Lahmu hasn't caused much of a stir."

Merry glanced south, then answered directly.

"I understand. Then let them continue guarding. In short, we can't add any more burdens now. Also, the Chaldea Master should have returned by now, right? Considering the current situation, does this mean that Gorgon's Spirit Origin has disappeared?"

Scáthach nodded, then continued asking questions.

"Yes, Ritsuka and Mash have returned to the city and are probably extremely busy right now. The situation has completely changed; Gorgon is dead, and so is... Anna."

When the girl was mentioned, a rare hint of sadness flickered in Merry's eyes, but it quickly disappeared.

Noticing this, Scáthach said nothing, only nodded, and then, after giving Merry some instructions, turned her gaze toward the Arabian Sea.

Seeing the black mist surging in from that direction, she could guess what kind of situation it was.

--

At the same time.

Uruk.

Everyone who remained in the city looked up at the black fog slowly drifting in from the Arabian Sea. Their faces were solemn, and their hearts were heavy.

More than half a year ago, when the Demonic Beast Front and Uruk Fortress were first established, Gilgamesh did not hide anything and directly told everyone in the city about the prophecy that Uruk would be destroyed.

"When the Primal Mother awakens, the deepest darkness will descend, and the surging black mist will devour all light. The earth will be swallowed by tides and fury, the flames of civilization will be extinguished, and everything will be reduced to its end, followed by a complete overthrow and rebirth."

These are the words of Gilgamesh.

However, the people of Uruk were not afraid after hearing this prophecy. Instead, they all tried their best to change the future. Everyone was optimistic and did their best to avoid it.

Just when everything seemed to be improving, and the terrible situation was being gradually repaired thanks to the continuous efforts of the King, the Goddess, and the Heroic Spirit, and the rebirth of Uruk and Mesopotamia was clearly visible, this nightmarish prophecy once again loomed over everyone's hearts.

Similarly, what they recalled was not only this terrible prophecy, but also another of the king's words, or rather, another encouragement from the king, which echoed before their eyes.

Gilgamesh said, "Although Uruk and we will eventually perish, it is precisely because of this that we need to struggle, to keep struggling, to struggle tenaciously. Our city will be destroyed, and our lives will perish, but our will and the flame of civilization will not. Whether we die or not, our descendants will surely sing the story of our struggle and pass on this will. This is the meaning of civilization's existence!"

The people of Uruk had long known that such an end would come, yet they still chose to stand with the king and fight against destruction.

Even now, with the sky swallowed by dark clouds, the earth dyed black, the pitch-black waves surging, and charred monsters constantly appearing, nothing can sway their will. All beings in Uruk have sworn to uphold their resolve and protect the flame of civilization.

"Aaaaaa--!!"

Along the coastline, a gentle voice and a melodious tune resounded once again across the land after countless years.

That was the clarion call of destruction.

That was the melody of the end.

That was a mother's call.

Similarly, that was the calamity the king spoke of.

The people of Uruk wore solemn expressions, gripping their prepared weapons tightly. They spontaneously emerged from their homes and took to the streets or city walls, standing ready for battle.

Prepare to fight to the very end as warriors, and together we will face the end foretold by the King.

Meanwhile, in the Underworld.

The humans placed in the Ereshkigal garden also heard Tiamat's voice. As the men gripped their weapons and strengthened their resolve, the women held back their grief. Mothers held their children tightly, recounting their fathers' bravery, while the elderly silently prayed for their children, gripping their canes and preparing to fight the ravages of destruction to the bitter end.

Ritsuka had just rushed back to the city, saw this scene and looked up at the darkness of the sky. She asked, "Mash, did you hear that just now?"

"What did you hear? Senior... are you referring to Tiamat's voice?"

"Hmm, I feel like her voice sounds a little... sad? It's such a sad sob..."

"Senior..."

Just as Mash was pondering Ritsuka's voice and was about to reply, suddenly, a blue shooting star streaked across the sky before her eyes.

Immediately afterward, Ishtar, who had just finished dealing with the south and had used up a lot of magic and gems, jumped down and came to the two of them, anxiously asking.

"Why are you the only ones here? Where is everyone else? Where are those two annoying Holy Lance goddesses, Gilgamesh, and that guy who bullied me?!"

After searching the city for a long time and finally finding the temple deserted, Ishtar asked the two acquaintances in front of her.

"Are you referring to Mr. Rovey, and Senior Artoria and the others?"

"Hmm, who else could it be but them? Look at the situation now, disgusting monsters everywhere, not to mention the oppressive aura emanating from Tiamat that I can feel even across a world. So, what's the plan? Let's get started."

Ishtar looked at them and said, "Now that you're back, you must know what he's planning, right? Stop hiding it, tell me now, I don't have time to waste."

"Plan?"

Ritsuka and Mash froze.

The two men didn't hide anything and spoke quite frankly to Ishtar: "We don't know. Master Merlin and Mr. Rovey only told us to come back; they didn't make any other plans... Miss Ishtar, what exactly happened?"

"Huh? No plan?!"

Upon hearing their words, Ishtar was first taken aback, then her eyes filled with disbelief.

Although she still had many questions to ask, seeing that the two people in front of her also seemed like outsiders, she chose to keep quiet and went straight to the point, revealing her true purpose for coming here to find someone.

"Never mind that, I have something very important to say right now."

"What?"

Upon hearing this, their expressions gradually became serious.

"Siduri, she--!"

As she spoke, Ishtar's expression gradually turned grim.

"They suddenly disappeared just now!"

※※※※※※

--

--

<Honkai: Star Rail, I, Wente Griffin, am not a beast>

Winter Griffin is a legend in the Strategic Investment Department, possessing a genius-level intellect, captivating charm, striking good looks, extensive literary knowledge, and...

That's enough to carve out a separate path for oneself, becoming a "beast" comparable to a star god.

Aha: "Please, you absolutely must join my team! Please!"

Acheron: "His soul... is like IX, indescribable..."

Topaz: "Winter!! When you're negotiating the contract, can you please not give the other party emetics?!"

Oswaldo Schneider: "I thought I was already pretty awful, but I never imagined there could be even worse things. But... why do you guys still keep insulting me every day?!"

"Bang!" (Oswaldo is shot and falls.)

Winter Griffin: "Waiter, I need a refund. There's a dead person here that's interfering with my meal."

Chapter 285 Kingu and Siduri

--In a crumbling city on the Mesopotamian Plain.

This place was originally one of the more prosperous city-states of this era, Lagash, a wealthy city-state with thriving agriculture, abundant food, and a large population. However, under the impact of disaster, its past glory has long been buried along with the bones of its people, turning to dust.

At this moment, amidst the ruins of such a city, a group of people have gathered here.

"Where am I? You monsters!"

"--What exactly do they want from us?!"

In the very center of the ruined square, two Uruk warriors were thrown onto the ruins. Their bodies were covered in wounds of all sizes, and blood was constantly oozing from their arms and torsos. Even so, they received no medical treatment. Or rather, their current situation was more worrying than the physical pain they were enduring.

Two sharp spears were thrown down from above in front of them, and they were surrounded by many hideous Lahmu, monsters that twisted and howled, seemingly urging something on.

"@@@!￥￥￥!!&&&--!!"

These newly born monsters did not rush to kill the humans. Instead, they chose to capture them and then use their sharp claws and bone spikes to inflict new wounds on them, slowly toying with them like children playing with dolls.

Whenever the humans before them show fear or reveal a desire to flee, they inflict new wounds, causing these humans to wail in agony. Only in this way can their twisted souls be satisfied. If one does not wish to be harmed, then one must fulfill their demands, constantly using weapons to injure the beings before them, becoming their toys, much like the animal fights that humans enjoy.

The intentions of these Lahmu are quite clear: the city ruins transformed into an arena easily explain everything, and their eerie cries and the ongoing carnage further support this conclusion.

These creatures intend to torture humans into killing each other. Only by killing their companions and witnessing their pained expressions can they survive. They have turned human cities into bloody slaughterhouses, watching their victims struggle for more pain and pleasure.

"￥￥!@&@￥￥--!!"

Seemingly annoyed by the humans' slow pace, the extended sharp claws once again slashed a wound on their bodies. As blood gushed out, one of the human soldiers finally couldn't help but scream.

"Okay, stop! I know, I know! All we need to do is kill them—I'll do it! I'll do it right now!!"

"@@!￥@###!!"

Upon hearing this statement, Lahmu, who had been urging them on, suddenly let out a terrifying yet joyful cry. They stopped harming the animals and instead watched the upcoming show with excitement.

The soldier, his hands trembling, grasped the spear lying on the ground—a spear whose hand he didn't know, its surface wet and stained with someone's blood—and then picked it up with unsteady steps.

Upon seeing this, the soldier opposite him widened his eyes and then shouted, "Hey! You're not really going to--!"

"Shut up!"

The soldier gripping the spear roared, "It's all because of you that I got captured! I went back to save you, and that's why I've ended up like this! No matter how you look at it, it's your fault!"

"It's all because you're so useless, it's all because you've dragged me down, that's why things have turned out like this! You bastard, it's only natural that you should just die!"

"Huh? You're talking nonsense! You were the one who got bogged down by the Demonic Beast, and that's why I got surrounded while trying to help you. Besides, didn't I already tell you? You're so weak, you should have just gone and taken refuge with the Goddess. It's all because you insisted on getting involved. What kind of hero are you playing?!"

Seeing two soldiers who were once inseparable and perfectly in sync, able to rely on each other even on the battlefield, now blaming each other and even hurling insults at each other for their own lives, the onlookers, Lahmu, let out even more sarcastic laughter, as if they were enjoying the ugliness of humanity.

"I don't care! You might as well just die here! I have family waiting for me to come back! Pick up your weapon, and let me kill you!!"

The soldier gripping the spear roared wildly, his voice so intense it startled the soldier opposite him. He glanced at his opponent's expression, especially his eyes, which were bloodshot and filled with intense rage, but—

He noticed that the eyes were not actually fixed on him, but on Lahmu behind him. The anger was directed at the monster, not him, and he immediately understood the other party's intention.

"You're the one who should die! You useless bastard!"

The soldiers, who had been empty-handed, obediently picked up their spears at that moment, then cursed a string of angry words before rushing forward.

Just as their figures intersected, and their spears were about to pierce each other's hearts, their spears shifted slightly to the left and right in perfect unison, and then, under their watchful eyes, pierced Lahmu directly behind each other with a cunning trajectory.

"##!#&&&@&#--!!"

Puff!

The spear thrust out, and one Lahmu, caught off guard, was pierced through the head and died instantly. The other, due to the angle, was only pierced through the body, but still had a tenacious will to live. Seeing this, especially realizing that it had been tricked by humans, it let out an extremely angry roar, and then used its sharp claws to cut the soldier who ambushed it in half.

"Damn it! You beast--!!"

The soldier who witnessed this cursed loudly, but there was no time to mourn his comrade's death. He turned and ran towards the edge of the square, where there were more people locked in cages. They were more important than him, and he had to free his comrades.

Before the Lahmu could react, he arrived in front of the enormous cage and saw the one inside—the gentle, strong, and great priestess he remembered, Siduri.

"Thank goodness, you're alright!"

He said excitedly.