"Love me, because love doesn't exist, and I have tried everything that does."

The people of Uruk cried out. Oppressed by a king both man and god, their laments drifted along the current of the Euphrates River. Women found the nights of their wedding violated by the rights of their king. Men exhausted themselves building a great wall with no respite in sight. Discontent swelled in concert with King Gilgamesh's arrogance; growing shadows in wake of his golden glow.

The gods heard the plea of their people and decided to answer.

…

"He must be stopped. I should strike him down myself for his obscene arrogance."

"He is proud, yes. But we predicted this fate, did we not? He is still a great king. Uruk prospers under his heavy touch."

"Heavy touch? A clenched fist would be more appropriate. Gilgamesh was created to observe, to ease the transition between god and man. But he likely thinks himself above even the gods. He requires a lesson in humility."

"Countermeasures have long been set in motion. Let us bring about the attention of the beast I molded from clay. The time is now."

"You wish to tame a beast with another beast? What a foolish thought."

"You have a better suggestion?"

"Gilgamesh might have divine blood running through his veins, but in every way, he is a man. Only a woman of his equal will ever humble such hubris."

"What a ridiculous notion."

"Have a care with how you use your tongue. I will rip it out if it continues to wag in such insulting fashion."

"Everyone, relax. Your idea is an intriguing one, Ishtar. Let us scatter the pieces of Fate and see where they fall."

"So be it."

…

There was a sword in the stone.

Its hilt gleamed golden in early morning sunlight. It cast a long shadow across worn earth. Solitude emanated from the striking image. Tragic, beautiful loneliness.

His breath hitched. Desire flooded him. Walking forward, he attempted to pull the sword from the stone.

It did not budge.

Outrage replaced desire. Red eyes narrowed.

"How dare you defy my sovereignty?" he proclaimed. "I am both god and man, and thus, so much more than either. Bend to my will or face the consequences."

Grabbing the hilt with both hands, he set his legs shoulder width apart and pulled with all his might. Metal whined and squealed against stone. He tried to wrench it free but found he could not. No matter how hard he tried it refused to come loose. The ground beneath his feet groaned and cracked from his considerable strength.

Stepping back, he considered the sword.

An unfamiliar emotion filled him. Giddy, he spread his arms wide and began to laugh. His mirth echoed across the empty plain, devoid of joy but brimming with hope.

…

She awoke on the side of a hill. Grass tickled her cheek as a playful breeze tugged at her blonde hair. She laid there, remembering another hill. Where bodies stretched as far as the eye could see and swords stuck out of the barren earth like perverse blades of grass. When the sky had run red to reflect all the needless bloodshed, while carrion birds darkened the horizon in anticipation of a grisly feast.

Regret tasted bracken and bitter, Arturia decided. She sat up and brushed aside her tears, considering her surroundings. Much of the land stretched broken by low, rolling hills. At the basin a fair distance away sprawled a massive river. Its waters gleamed in the bright morning light.

Thirsty, Arturia got to her feet and descended toward the riverbank. Letting her armor fall away, Arturia placed her hands in the water. Cold and wet, the gentle current tugged at her fingers. Smiling, Arturia cupped the river's life blood and drank deeply. Water spilled down her chin and dress. She sputtered, both shocked and invigorated at how cold and crisp it was.

There was a disturbance. Tension rippled the river's surface. Arturia watched as the waters swirled and parted, revealing a very beautiful, very naked woman. Arturia averted her gaze out of respect, sensing the approaching woman's great power. A slim hand found Arturia's chin, forcing her to meet the stranger's dark eyes.

"You are Arturia Pendragon, daughter of Uther Pendragon, the King of Knights, summoned as a servant of the Saber Class?" questioned the woman.

"Yes," Arturia said after a pause. The woman smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Excellent. I am your Master, Ishtar, goddess of love and war. I had to go through a great deal of trouble to summon you here." Ishtar inspected Arturia, her lips pursed and her expression critical. Uncomfortable, Arturia tried to shift away, but Ishtar's grip was like iron.

"What do you wish of me?" Arturia asked. Ishtar laughed and let go of her face.

"Good response. Gaze upon the Euphrates with me, Saber." Ishtar turned her back on Arturia. Blushing faintly at the sight of the goddess's smooth, bare back, Arturia stood by her side and scrutinized the river once more.

Ishtar chuckled, seeming amused at Arturia's embarrassment. Kneeling, Ishtar brushed a hand along the water, disrupting their reflections. A bright red cross flashed on the back of her hand. Then Arturia was distracted by the image forming on the river.

A handsome man, naked as the day he was born – did no one wear clothes here? – lay on a bed. His red eyes glittered in the darkness, hungry like a snake. A young girl approached, visibly afraid and in a similar state of undress. She scattered flower petals over the man, who smirked. They drifted onto the bed, bright shades of yellow. Arturia realized what was happening and frowned.

"Is this necessary?" she asked.

"Your prudery is adorable," Ishtar said. She brushed her hands over the water and the vision disappeared. "The man was King Gilgamesh of Uruk. The woman a virgin bride, on the night of her wedding. And yet, the king is not her groom."

Arturia needed a second to comprehend the revelation. Her mouth hardened into a straight line and her blue eyes grew dark. She said, "How can that be? Why would anyone tolerate such an affront?"

"The right of the king –."

"No king should ever be allowed such!" Arturia was on her feet, blazing with righteous anger. "And anyone who believes otherwise is unfit to be king! It is wrong!" Ishtar tilted her head.

"I will forgive you for interrupting me, but just this once. Gilgamesh has become arrogant and cruel in his tyranny. He must be humbled. Do you understand what I am saying?" Arturia remembered the look in the girl's eye as she approached her so-called king. Touching Excalibur's hilt, Arturia felt a grim smile form as her purpose became clear.

"Yes."

…

Gilgamesh hadn't visited his mother in a long time. She looked pleased to see him approach. They embraced, although Gilgamesh was quick to pull away. Rimat-Ninsun seemed somewhat sad for a split second, but was quick to recover.

"What brings you here, my son?" she asked.

"I had strange dream," he replied. Ninsun waited for him to elaborate. Gilgamesh described his vision of the sword in the stone.

"Did you have any other dreams?" she asked. Gilgamesh stared at her.

"Yes, I had a second dream. A scaled, winged creature fell from the stars and careened into Uruk's marketplace. It breathed fire and smoke, a fearsome monster, but its eyes were blue and filled with sorrow. The people of Uruk gathered about, but it ignored them in my favor. Enraptured by my radiance, no doubt." Gilgamesh added the last part as an afterthought. Ninsun didn't dignify his final words with a response.

"My son, I tell you truly, these premonitions speak of one who comes to face you as an equal. A companion," she said. Gilgamesh blinked.

"An equal?" He began to laugh. "How could such a thing even be possible? I walk the path of true isolation; who else can say the same? King, man, and god… none could ever hope to be my equal." Ninsun reached out and touched Gilgamesh's shoulder. He frowned but didn't flinch.

"Once, you respected the gods. Trust in them, Gilgamesh. Trust in me," she said. Gilgamesh's expression became distant and he shrugged out of her grip.

"I appreciate your council, mother," he said. He turned and left Ninsun's temple. She watched him leave, appearing wistful. She raised her hand as though to stop Gilgamesh, and then let it fall to her side.