Compared to their journey there, the trip back was much faster.
Using the Key of Heaven, Annanu reassembled it into a small boat and carried the three of them swaying through the air back to Uruk at a rather brisk pace.
What had happened in the Cedar Forest left Gilgamesh deeply displeased, but he had not come away from this journey empty-handed.
For example—
"Gil, can you become our friend?"
Annanu sat cross-legged at the very front of the Key of Heaven, gazing up at the sky as he spoke to Gilgamesh.
"...Huh?" Gilgamesh thought he had misheard.
What had that guy just said?
Did anything that came out of his mouth ever amount to anything besides insults? Had he heard wrong?
"That really was Annanu who said it."
Enkidu sat beside Gilgamesh, a gentle smile on his face.
The oncoming wind scattered Annanu and Enkidu's long hair, and Gilgamesh's expression involuntarily turned thoughtful.
Was it because of Humbaba?
For some reason, compared to before, Gilgamesh felt that this pair of clay men—this pair of weapons—seemed more like humans now.
Rather than merely imitating human actions, expressions, language, emotions—everything—as they had before.
But imitation was ultimately just imitation, unlike now, when it all felt so real.
"Annanu, are you serious about that?"
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Gilgamesh's mouth.
"Yeah. I'm serious."
Annanu lay back, his face carrying a smile utterly free of falsehood.
"This is the hope Humbaba gave us, Gil." Enkidu held out his hand, and a tiny red flower formed in his palm. Smiling, he said, "We'll become residents of Uruk."
Gilgamesh was slightly stunned upon hearing that.
Annanu and Enkidu were going to officially become residents of Uruk?
Though it might be somewhat disrespectful to the deceased, at that moment, Gilgamesh was rather