Episode 235: A different one from the others, 'Lahmu'?
『 At this moment, in this concealed forest, the only sounds were the unceasing cries of the Lahmu. Their voices were shrill and mournful, as if mocking the loneliness and terror of this place.
Such an environment filled Kingu with unprecedented panic.
In this wretched state, it seemed that the only path awaiting her was death.
The surroundings were dead silent; not a single ray of hopeful light could penetrate through.
Perhaps because of this thought, a deep sense of sorrow welled up in Kingu's heart, as if the very air was saturated with endless despair and loss.
"From the very beginning, I was treated as a consumable… From the very beginning, I knew my identity was nothing but a counterfeit…" She whispered to herself, her words filled with helplessness and anger at her inability to change her fate.
"There is no future to look forward to, no true hope to light the way ahead, let alone possessing an independent mind and soul…" Thinking of this, her mind went even blanker.
In that instant, Kingu seemed to have lost all vitality. She lay dazed on the soft yet cold grass. Everything before her eyes suddenly became unusually distant and blurred, as if she had fallen into an isolated space from which she could not extricate herself.
"Even the most precious friend… I have never possessed one." As this thought clearly surfaced, it finally shattered her last bit of persistence. Tears involuntarily slid from the corners of her eyes, flowing slowly down her cheeks until they fell into the soil and vanished.
Perhaps… perhaps only the insignificant fact of being Mother's only child could offer the slightest solace to her soul…
The determination that had originally steeled her to keep moving forward completely collapsed at this step!
Her eyes, which had once shone with unyielding light, instantly dimmed, replaced by a profound despair.
Her heart suffered a fatal blow at the same time, as if it had lost the motivation to beat.
Since there was no reason to live and no meaning in survival, why should a worthless existence like hers struggle any longer? Kingu's life was like a hollow and absurd story, bland yet heartbreaking.
The fantasy was shattered after all, leaving only the cold, cruel, and ruthless facts laid bare before her.
At this very moment, the truth struck her heart like a heavy hammer: So, all along, I was merely a shoddy replica created from the powerful machine body known as Enkidu; I am fundamentally a dispensable minor character with absolutely no meaning to my existence!
Even the humans she usually disdained to mention probably had far more value than she did at this moment…
Slowly standing up, she tried to look up at the sky to find a last bit of light and sustenance, only to find that the dense treetops completely blocked all light…
Is this my terminal station?
Having no expectations or thoughts of resistance for whatever might happen next, Kingu could only quietly wait for fate to make its arrangements… 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Keqing (Genshin Impact): "With such severe injuries to her body, there isn't much possibility of evading the enemy's pursuit." ]
[ Ryuga Banjou (Kamen Rider): "Looking at this situation, I can't help but want to go in and save her." ]
[ Isurugi Misora (Kamen Rider): "Before this, she was an enemy, you know." ]
[ Ryuga Banjou (Kamen Rider): "One thing is one thing, another is another." ]
[ Isurugi Misora (Kamen Rider): "Hehe, as expected of Ryuga-kun." ]
[ Shinomiya Kaguya (Love Is War): "Indeed, one thing is one thing." ]
[ .....]
『 "Found her! We found you!" Soon, a group of hungry and greedy Lahmu discovered the Kingu standing alone, who had almost given up struggling.
Facing the impending cruel slaughter, they showed not the slightest fear but instead burst into waves of mocking laughter to vent their excitement.
Just like the miserable end of something as humble and insignificant as a human… My short and tedious life really has not a single shining point worth reminiscing about…
Finally, due to exhaustion and severe injuries, after barely holding on for a while, she could no longer withstand the intense pain coming from her body. Weak and powerless, she leaned against the tree behind her to keep from falling to the ground.
However, seeing the blood basins of mouths opening wide as they approached closer and closer, preparing to enjoy a delicious meal, she found she could not muster the energy to make any form of struggle or resistance.
It is time to bid farewell to this world…
And so, accompanied by the complete dissipation of the last ray of sunlight and the terrifying roars gradually rising in her ears, a life story that was both ordinary and sorrowful was about to reach its due conclusion…
"If I had known it would be like this… If I had made different choices earlier, perhaps the ending wouldn't be so desolate."
"I should have gone to see that guy back then… At least, in the final moments, I could have found a shred of comfort or a turning point."
Like repentance, Kingu's heart was filled with regret.
She slowly closed her eyes at the end, quietly welcoming her own death, as if she already felt powerless against the coming fate.
The Lahmu looked at Kingu before it, letting out a laugh that seemed to mock the heavens, the corners of its mouth raised in triumph.
Then…
One of the Lahmu's tentacles raised slightly, extending rapidly toward Kingu's head like a venomous snake, preparing to pierce Kingu's skull in one stroke and end her life.
This scene scared the onlookers into turning their heads away, daring not to watch any longer. They prayed in their hearts that this tragedy could be avoided, but the hope seemed too bleak.
Pa-cha…
When this dull sound rang out, everyone's heart tightened violently. They unanimously thought this signaled the end of the life of this tragic person, Kingu.
But when the audience's gaze slowly refocused, they were surprised to find their mouths gaping into an O-shape, their eyes full of shock. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): Wait, what is happening? ]
[ March 7th (Honkai: Star Rail): "Is this… infighting on the enemy side?" ]
[ March 7th (Honkai: Star Rail): "Or do they want to continue toying with her?" ]
[ Oyama Mahiro (Onimai): "No way, at a time like this, there's no need to do something like that, right?" ]
[ Oyama Mahiro (Onimai): "After all, she can't perform any acts of resistance now." ]
[ Mash Kyrielight (Type-Moon): "Indeed, it's getting a bit strange." ]
[ .....]
『 Because that strike, which should have been fatal, did not land on Kingu's head as expected.
Instead, another image from the video showed: a mysterious Lahmu, different from its ordinary kin, suddenly attacked from the rear. With astonishing speed, it eliminated the two enemies that were originally threatening Kingu.
This scene completely exceeded everyone's expectations. Even the usually calm and composed Kingu looked at all this with a face full of disbelief, her lips trembling slightly and involuntarily.
She tried to say something, but found herself completely unable to speak.
Such a development left her extremely confused, to the point that she could only stand there, frozen.
"H… How is this possible…"
In this moment, Kingu's eyes held a mix of shock and disbelief.
That a Lahmu, always considered to be devoid of any emotion, would attack its own kind to save her—this was truly unexpected.
The other surrounding Lahmu seemed to realize something was wrong. They began to snap out of it, shouting angrily at the aberration:
"You… How could you do this! Have you gone mad?!"
With this rebuke, Kingu instantly snapped back to reality. Looking closely, the remaining Lahmu was indeed engaged in a fierce battle with the companion who had just saved her. The scene was tense and thrilling to the extreme.
The battle between the two Lahmu continued to entangle; their sharp claws and teeth clashed, every collision producing a chilling sound.
Ka-cha…
As if giving it everything it had, the traitorous Lahmu used its last ounce of strength to lunge at the final enemy.
Its eyes were filled with determination and despair. In a violent struggle, it finally succeeded in killing the last Lahmu beneath it, but at the same time, it received a fatal wound.
At this moment, she could hold on no longer. Her stamina exhausted, the light in her eyes began to fade.
Under Kingu's astonished gaze, this traitorous Lahmu slowly collapsed into a pool of blood. It seemed everything had reached its end.
Correspondingly, Kingu barely managed to stand up by leaning against a tree.
She still could not believe what was happening before her eyes, her gaze filled with shock and questions: "Was it you… Who saved me?"
This Lahmu, before her, which she had once believed would only bring death, had now killed its own kind and saved her life from an almost certain death.
No matter how many times she recalled it, this matter always felt incredible. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Mash Kyrielight (Type-Moon): "It turned itself into this state to save her." ]
[ Mash Kyrielight (Type-Moon): "What on earth is the reason for this?" ]
[ Sushang (Honkai: Star Rail): "It can't be that he's someone she knew originally, right?" ]
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "Huh? Is that possible?" ]
[ Kafka (Honkai: Star Rail): "Who knows?" ]
[ Umaru Doma (Himouto): "She looks so much in pain." ]
[ .....]
『 Kingu dragged her scarred body step by step, finally reaching the place where the Lahmu had fallen.
Her steps appeared heavy and difficult; every step seemed to use up the remaining strength in her entire body.
In this quiet atmosphere, the severely injured Lahmu spoke words that made Kingu freeze instantly.
"Enkidu…" Its voice was faint but clearly audible, carrying a special meaning that filled the air with an indescribable atmosphere. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Umaru Doma (Himouto): "Wait, it actually said that name. Could it be that it knows the original her?" ]
[ .....]
『 At this moment, Kingu's eyes widened abruptly, her pupils dilating rapidly from shock.
Her body began to tremble involuntarily, as if she had lost basic control over her muscles. She stood there dumbfounded, not knowing how to react.
"You are…"
"....."
It wasn't until he got close that he saw clearly: this Lahmu had actually received extremely severe, even fatal, trauma in the fierce battle just now.
Its fur was soaked in blood, speaking was a struggle, and its breathing was as ragged and heavy as bellows.
"Thank you…."
Just this simple phrase of thanks was enough to send waves of strange sensations rippling through Kingu's entire body. It was an emotional experience, both warm and terrifying, giving her goosebumps all over.
For a person whose heart had already died, to actually have someone care for her, thank her—this was simply the best comfort she could use to keep going at this moment.
This sudden care and gratitude were like seeds of hope scattered in the field of her despairing heart.
But after hearing this sentence, Kingu's brow still furrowed slightly.
Her heart was filled with questions and unease, as if an invisible hand was gently plucking at her nerves, preventing her from fully relaxing.
"Why did you… save me…" This question was like a thorn stuck in her heart, making Kingu almost choke up.
In this moment, grievance, sorrow, doubt—too many emotions intertwined, causing the curiosity in her heart to reach an unprecedented level.
Why did the Lahmu before her fight so desperately to save her?
What reason or emotion drove this?
Countless guesses floated in her mind for a moment, leaving Kingu feeling both confused and eager for an answer.
However…
The dying Lahmu did not directly answer her burning desire for knowledge. Instead, it slowly moved its seemingly terrifying but actually gentle tentacle close to Kingu's cheek, stroking it with an extremely soft motion. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Keqing (Genshin Impact): "Case solved. They definitely knew each other before." ]
[ Haibara Ai (Detective Conan): "But, all the previous Lahmu didn't have their memories. Why does this one have so-called memories?" ]
[ Haibara Ai (Detective Conan): "Or rather, who was this one before?" ]
[ Fujimaru Ritsuka (Type-Moon): "It shouldn't be… right?" ]
[ Mash Kyrielight (Type-Moon): "Senpai, did you think of something?" ]
[ Fujimaru Ritsuka (Type-Moon): "No, it's impossible. My guess must be wrong." ]
[ Fujimaru Ritsuka (Type-Moon): "Let's keep watching." ]
[ .....]
『 This action instantly touched the softest part deep within Kingu's heart. The emotions that had been piling up for so long turned into tears at this moment, blurring her vision and warming her soul.
"May you.... be able to… find happiness..." As these words fell, the 'Lahmu's' voice seemed filled with endless wishes and a longing for a beautiful future life.
"My dear friend…. Enkidu….."
When saying this, its blood-stained tentacle inadvertently touched Kingu's face, leaving a faint red trace.
"It was you…. It was you who gave that solitary King… a life and a path…."
"Everyone…. is mourning your death… Everyone cannot forget that loss."
Every word was as deep as if carved by a knife. While recounting the stories of the past, it was also silently soothing the listener's fragile soul.
"No one has… forgotten your great contributions and sacrifices."
Saying this, its 'hand' continued to stroke Kingu's hair—green and vibrant, beautiful as the Tree of Life—with infinite affection.
"Me too…." The tone contained a deep and pure expression of emotion, as if telling her:
Even if the whole world forgets you, at least there is one friend who remembers everything about you and is willing to bless you until the very last moment.
At this moment, Kingu's eyes were wide open; she could hardly believe that everything happening before her was real.
But immediately after, an image of a person suddenly flashed through her mind—she was an existence so familiar yet so distant…
And so, precious and unforgettable memories began to surge into her heart like a tide…
Once, in the ancient city-state of Uruk, discussing the past and present with the legendary King of Heroes, Gilgamesh.
Once, raising a cup under the moon to toast, discussing poetry and composing verses;
And she was precisely… 』
『 .....』