I AM CERTAIN WE'LL MEET AGAIN!

”A brilliant observation.” The mage delivers his commentary with nothing short of a sarcastic monotone, which Gilgamesh does not recognize as such; instead, he perceives the statement from a lens of blind acceptance, taking it as a genuine compliment of his less-than-impressive mental acumen. ”The temple rests in the depths of a wasteland. How did you think I made it this far?” The brainless halfwit isn't even given any time to answer the question seriously. ”Of course I could do it myself, but you have a sword and I’d rather preserve my magic than waste it on zombies. You have your precious plaything. If you would return the favor, I’ll give you one command. Watch the door. Even you couldn’t fail that.”

Gilgamesh produces a childish huff. The impudence on this half-pint sorcerer, to call mighty and noble Excalibur a mere plaything! It was worth far more than either of the two combined (not that the barrel-chested oaf had much value to begin with) and certainly ten times more powerful! Nay, a million times! 

Oh, the struggle was real here, to withhold himself from giving the most sacred of relics a test spin against this disbeliever of myths! He could slice him into confetti here and now, and the world would be none the wiser for it! The power-hungry swordsman could virtually hear Excalibur testing the very limits of his patience.

Take up arms with me... Strike down the heretic... Cleanse the world of this filth...

—No! He had a job to fulfill here. Work was of greater priority right now, and he was called upon to stand watch by the library's entrance while this fair-skinned mage in flimsy silks poured through scrolls and tomes as if they had belonged to him. 

Soon, though! Very, very soon, Gilgamesh would become the vessel for which new legends and grand tales are forged! 

”Orders received, say you no more! Invoked my specialty have you, to guard this door!” Great. Now he was rhyming his answers out. At this point, it was nothing short of miraculous that the feathery-haired fellow hadn't went completely insane and turned his magic against the brainless bodyguard. Maybe he already did, and was simply looking for an in? Wouldn't be the first time Gilgamesh stripped a person of their composure by virtue of sheer stupidity.

With yet another thunderously annoying laugh, the lumbering giant took clumsy steps and sauntered over to the entrance ajar, resplendent golden sword and crimson halberd both in tow, slipping through the grand carved doors so that he could properly seal them closed, leaving the mage to his own devices at long last. About damn time, really.

Proudly, Gilgamesh thrusts the pointed end of Excalibur into the ground before him, twisting the blade so that its artistic features were on full display, while his Oriental pole weapon vanished in a flash of light. He produces a smug grin, reminiscing of the good old days, back when he was just a simple henchman trying to put food on the table. In fact, this particular instance reminded him of the time he dueled against the four Light Warriors atop the Big Bridge, right as they were attempting to flee Castle Exdeath while being pursued by waves upon waves of demonic minions. 

And to think, their struggle against the armies of darkness had been merely a precursor to the most epic battle ever recorded in modern history! Gilgamesh sighed, awash with blissful and ignorant nostalgia. 

Kuja ● EVERYONE HATES YOU, AND YOU'RE SMILING? JFC, GILGAMESH ● 578 words