NOVEL NEXT Chapter 29: Bet
As Lucifer and Gilgamesh entered a golden rippeling gate, Gilgamesh stated his tone proud, "This is my own dimension, named Babylon. It is as you have most definitely realized named after my own capital city."
"I do not think the introductions necessary, I have been here once before already. But thank you nonetheless." Lucifer casually stated.
"Ah yes, when you picked up that rusted blade. But even then, you were only within the storage and that is nothing compared to its entirety." The king countered, and he was correct.
The dimension was the size of a great city, rivaling the very city it was named after in size, and every bit of it was made of gold
Its very streets and buildings were made of gold and decorated with every bit of jewelry one could think of.
It's fountains made of milk and chocolate that would never spoil and the cleanest of waters.
It was truly a sight of great beauty, only surpassed by the Silver City and Lucifer's own created Paradise in Hell.
The city seemed to be akin to an extension of the king for at a mere gesture it felt as if it shifted in a way that the arena was now before them, no longer needed for them to walk the distance.
"This here will be the arena where we will commence our combat. But tell me truly, is that sword all you will use against me? It is barely able to keep itself together let alone aid you in a battle against a being such as myself," Gilgamesh stated as golden armor enveloped and a sword that seemed to overflow with divine power appeared within his hand.
Though what was most peculiar to the Lightbringer was not these, but a power that seemed to course through being and nest within his eyes.
"Curious aren't you, about this power I possess," Gilgamesh remarked as he noticed Lucifer's attention.
"No matter, I am not one to hide my intentions within the shadows, so I will explain. What you are witnessing is my Sha Naqba Imuru, it is a power I have had since I was a child,"
'Sha Naqba Imuru... The (Sha) Omniscient (Naqba) Omnipotent Star (Imuru)...' Lucifer thought to himself.
"Quite the lofty name," The Morningstar commented.
"It quite suits me don't you think?" Gilgamesh stated proudly in an almost humoristic fashion, looking as if expecting praise, receiving only a deadpan look from Lucifer.
"You truly don't know how to enjoy yourself, do you? Be that as it may, I have promised to explain it to you so I will. This power allows to me to see through the truth of a being's past and present which will even open the gates for me to understand its future, and I am going to use it upon you in this battle." the king stated, a serious expression on his face.
"Did I not grant you the permission to ask whatever you wished? Why go to such lengths?" Lucifer questioned, intrigued by the king's power. It was a bit similar to his own Knower of Truth capability, but far less applicable than his own, for it applied even to his Father, the Presence, who could not lie to him even if He so wished.
"Because I wish to know why you are still so different," the king explained.
"I thought you already had your answer. What is it that yet eludes you about myself?" Lucifer questioned, intrigued by the king's insistence and a bit impressed. Lucifer himself also would go to practically any length to understand the truth.
"Part divine or not, it still does not explain my instincts warning me about you. You say you hold me and what is mine no ill will, but still I find myself more wary of your presence by the moment. I have never betrayed myself and am incapable of doing so, so the problem lies with you.
But I am not a cruel king, I will bestow upon you the opportunity to defend your secrets. Let us have a bet," Gilgamesh proposed.
"A bet? What are you suggesting" Lucifer questioned, intrigued, but also very much amused, which the king did note but decided not to comment on.
"You have chosen that rusted blade over there over everything else in my treasury, so you must, no doubt, be very trusting of your own capabilities. Your blade must, no doubt, hold secrets, for I would never keep something worthless. My point, though, still stands.
I propose that with every hit, be it even as small as a scratch I will use my ability against you and see through your secrets. If you are capable of lasting five minutes against me in combat without fainting then you have won our bet," Gilgamesh explained.
"And what do I receive were I to win this bet?" Lucifer questioned.
"You misunderstand, the fact I have bestowed upon you this opportunity is reward in and of itself, for I could have always used it without giving you the chance to defend yourself," the king countered as he swung his sword a couple of times to get a feel for it.
Lucifer contemplated his words. The fallen archangel could have of course prevented the king's ability from working against him, so this wasn't truly the reward he was presenting it as, but Lucifer did feel a sense of respect towards Gilgamesh for bestowing such a chance upon someone who he thought was below him rather than fully oppressing them.
That did not mean though he would take this lying down.
"No, I still believe I should receive some moniker of reward were I to win this bet," Lucifer reiterated.
"What do you then propose I should reward you with?" Gilgamesh questioned as he stabbed his sword into the ground and crossed his arms, intrigued, for Lucifer before this moment did not even show the slightest interest in anything he had previously offered, while another would be kissing the very floors he walked on as thanks for what he presented.
"Truth for truth, past for past, thought for thought. Were I to win this and you managed to gain some knowledge over me then I expect to receive something of equal value from your own past, your majesty," Lucifer responded in a challenging tone.
Gilgamesh stayed silent for a moment as mulled over Lucifer's words.
"You truly see yourself winning this don't you, otherwise you wouldn't propose this. Very well, I accept," Gilgamesh stated as he readied himself for combat
"Of course, there is after all always reason for hope. Nothing can kill hope after all," Lucifer stated, he readying himself as well, and soon after all Hell broke loose.
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(Author note: Hello everyone! Hope you liked this chapter, again apologies for the shorter chapter, am currently unable to make a longer one. I am quite tired.
Well, how did you find Gilgamesh and Lucifer's interaction? Do you like the bet and what do you hope Lucifer or Gilgamesh learn about each other?
Well I hope to see you all next time, please do comment and review, it truly makes me know those who read it enjoyed it, and I need to know otherwise I will doubt whether to continue with the way I am doing this or not.
Well, I hope you have a nice day,
Bye!)