First Decree | Video

[gate_of_babylon]

[Gilgamesh was already irritable from being yanked here and being forced to wait until he'd calmed down enough not to quite literally flip tables -- and wardrobes, and other heavy objects -- once he was finally released. Him? The King of All, pulled here by some trifling godling without even properly greeting him and according him the necessary respect? But the piece de resistance was, without a doubt, the fact that he could no longer open the Gate to access his rightful Treasury. The King of Heroes was feeling downright murderous. He doesn't so much as even acknowledge that there's anyone else out there in lieu of threatening the gods who brought them all there.]

Gods... [he smirks slightly and chuckles, but then he's back to simmering anger] Don't make me laugh. Any so-called god who would request an audience with the King, yet fails to so much as appear, is merely another cur to be properly disciplined.

I assure you that your punishment will be sufficiently agonising, mongrel, if my Treasury is not restored to me and I am not returned. Do not waste my time with offers of compensation; there is no treasure you could possibly offer in exchange for the one I was about to claim.

Comments

[departing]

[Oh geez.]

So in other words the treasure that's most valuable to you is the one you can't posses?

[Hmm..]

You can do what you want...I think.

[gate_of_babylon]

It's more than simply that. I enjoy arrogant opponents, those not constrained by their own humble strength. However, there are two types of this arrogance: the person is simply too low a calibre, and the person who has too great a wish. The former is fairly commonplace and not especially exciting, but the latter is a rare type, indeed.

Born human, yet visionary of ideals so great that they are impossible to achieve though constrained human strength. Because of that, they abandon their humanity to realize this one ideal. But no matter how many times I see it, I never grow tired of it.

[departing]

I can't say that being arrogant is a good thing but I think I understand.

Would it really be okay for someone to abandon their humanity to realize their own ideals? They were originally human in the first place unless...abandoning their humanity is the final step in accomplishing their own goals.

[gate_of_babylon]

Arrogance is the natural state of humanity. Humility is a forced condition meant to counter-act the natural arrogance that every natural religion recognises... though for the most part this is good. Most of humanity should be humble, for their only goal is to continue to exist.

Only those willing to become greater that gods can ever hope to surpass them, even if that is not their goal. One reason this era is as hideous as it is: mankind retains his arrogance, yet has discarded his gods and now merely flails about and wallows in his sins. Arrogance without direction is pitiable, indeed.

[departing]

Humanity doesn't know much, do they? They're always left in the dark so all they can do is exist. They don't really have a choice.

Most people obediently listen to what they're told but I'm guessing Gods know better.

It's a little unfair but that's how it works. Humans can't really accept what they're given so sometimes, sometimes...they become arrogant.

It's true then. Selfish people get ahead in the world.

[gate_of_babylon]

[Lifts a finger]

That is one of the very problems. Rather than humble itself before the things greater than they, humanity pretends that it has solved all the mysteries of the universe. But even the magi with that boring wish of reaching the origin and learning all these mysteries are limiting themselves to a single, tidy answer.

Gods themselves are little better than humanity... but humanity no longer bothers to unseat them. Perhaps in deciding the road was too difficult and the ideal too impossible, humanity has explained away its gods rather than reach for their thrones. That is what makes it so pitiful.

In this era, perhaps. Selfishness is not in itself a virtue... struggle is what makes humanity great, but in seeking to avoid pain, it has dulled itself, yet empty pride remains.

[departing]

Magi? You mean like magician. I'm not exactly following what you're saying. The origin sounds complicated but I can see why they'd strive towards it.

That might be true. Is a king still a king if they've left their throne? It's symbolic for them. I can't help but wonder. Really.

Was it the same for you in your time?

[gate_of_babylon]

Those in the modern era who practice a rather sad simulation of magic. True Magic has been lost to humanity... though it still remembers an echo of it.

A king is a king, regardless of whether there is land to rule. At least one had no land of his own... or rather, left its administration to others while he left on his conquest of the world.

Humanity in my time was not even a fraction of the population it is today, but they were strong, pure, and beautiful. Of course, their struggles were so great... that is what made them so. Humanity becomes ugly when it becomes complacent.

[departing]

You could argue that an echo is fake... I guess. It's reminiscent of the real thing, but it's the same as looking at yourself in the mirror. Its nothing more than a reflection. Does the country get to decide who's king or is he already the right ruler of the place? Sorry, I keep asking strange questions. That might be true. Population increases over time and it's harder to come across medicine and food supplies.