The revelry following the descent into the Underworld had reached its end, giving way to the pale, quiet light of dawn.
The Three Goddess Alliance had effectively crumbled. The shadow of terror that had loomed over the lands of Mesopotamia had finally begun to recede.
Or so it seemed.
No. It was not yet over. The task was not yet complete. The "enemy" as they knew it might have vanished, but the "Ritual" remained.
A rite of severance.
The moment the human species would finally move beyond its collective infancy—the end of childhood.
Seven o'clock in the morning. As the sun crested the horizon, the Heroic Spirits, the party from Chaldea, and the Kings themselves gathered in the throne room. Amidst the heavy air of anticipation, as everyone steeled their expressions for the gravity of the moment, the Sage King's voice rang out with startling energy.
"You're all here! Did you have your fun?! Did you brush your teeth?! I trust no one is nursing a hangover!"
"Yes, sir!" came the synchronized, slightly sheepish reply.
"The technical staff is ready on our end as well. You may begin, Sage King," Romani's voice crackled through the comms.
"Very well! Then let the war council regarding the Tiamat—no, the Beast II—counter-strategy begin! We shall now discuss the outline for the total eradication of the Mesopotamian threat! Steer your hearts, everyone!"
This was it. The curtain was rising on the battle that would decide the fate of Mesopotamia. A meticulous strategic meeting to ensure the survival of the human race.
"..."
(Are you sure about this, Tiamat? You won't appear before them?)
Fou's silent, earnest inquiry resonated in the air. Tiamat offered a soft, serene nod in response.
"I do not wish to burden them with unnecessary sentiment," she seemed to say.
(...I see.)
Fou asked no more. He fell silent, careful not to disturb the quiet weight of her resolve.
"..."
—My King?
"...No, it is a trivial thought. Pay it no mind."
The Hero King spoke within the mind of Ea. Then, he turned his sharp gaze toward his caster counterpart.
"What are you dalling for, my foolish self?! Surely you've finished calculating the data on the goddess Tiamat? Present it at once!"
"I know, I know. Do not be so impatient. These are the records extracted from Marduk. They should be near-perfect. Roman, keep your eyes peeled."
With a flick of the Hero King's hand, holographic displays flickered into existence, disclosing the materials and attributes of the Goddess Tiamat.
"Let's see... Sea of Chaos. Resistance to everything born of 'Correct History.' Monstrous Strength. Independent Manifestation... Argh!! Are you Tiamat's hype-man?! There isn't a single weakness listed here!"
The Sage King's frustration was palpable. The display was a relentless list of strengths and divine authorities, showing no tactical opening. It was a cold, merciless proof of her perfection, both mythologically and physically.
"It is a bit late for whining. She is the foundation upon which humanity was woven, the primordial soil of life, the Mother of Gods. Why would she leave a weakness for a human to find? This is a reenactment of myth. We are required to perform the epic of Marduk ourselves."
"Ngh... Don't lecture me with that 'I-know-everything' look on your face! The rest of you, look this over!"
—King, this note about 'having no concept of death as a living being'... what does it truly mean?
Ea pointed out the contradiction. To be a "living thing" and yet possess no "death" was a fundamental paradox.
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