"We shall be born. We shall—be born here."
Black, angular, humming as they spun, the Demon God Pillars resembled enormous serpents as they made their solemn proclamation.
"O Nine Pillars who govern the Institute of Life—"
Magic power surged from its diamond-like pupils like a flood, staining this stronghold known as the [Institute of Life].
"—Shax, Bune, Bifrons, Vual, Haagenti, Crocell, Furcas, Balam, and—"
"I, Sabnock!!!"
The form of the Demon God Sabnock abruptly grew larger and thicker, drawing the other eight Demon Gods into releasing an overwhelming, terrifying aura alongside it.
"We Nine Pillars bless birth."
"We Nine Pillars praise union!"
"Such praise—humans, we shall never permit you to treat it with contempt!"
"What the hell are you babbling about?!"
Bzz—BOOM!!!
A golden sphere fastened to the end of a chain came hurtling over like a flail, smashing straight into Sabnock. Sabnock exerted all its strength to block it, furious and shocked.
"Such insolence—who is it!?"
Whoosh—
Sabnock's demand received no answer. Instead, several more chains with weapons fastened to their ends came flying in at tremendous speed.
"Ugh—Ooooooh!!!"
Annanu and Enkidu stood hand in hand. Their identical yet utterly different auras blended together almost perfectly. Other than beautiful, there were no words that could describe them.
"Sigh."
Nanshe looked somewhat despondent as she casually swung the Springwater Sword in her hand, as though her body had been hollowed out.
"You've already made up your mind to come help us fight, so take it seriously!"
Riding Maanna, Ishtar raced up beside Nanshe and looked helplessly at the friend who had inexplicably become depressed. A friend, probably.
Most of their interactions had happened only after Annanu came to Uruk. By a god's sense of time, they really had not known one another for long.
"That beauty... I can only watch