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| - {{Character infobox - DxD Fanon|name = Gilgamesh|image = Normal=File:Gilgamesh (Fate).jpg|-|King of Heroes=[[File:Gilgamesh3.png|300px]]|caption = Archer|Kana = ギルガメッシュ|Romaji = Girugamesshu|Race = Human (Heroic Spirit)|Nicknames = Gil (by Seichi)His Majesty (by various)Gil-chan (by Kiryuu)Gilland Matthews (Alias)The King of Kuoh AcademyThe Ultimate BishounenThe King of KingsThe King of HeroesThe Oldest KingArcher|Hair Color = Gold|Eye Color = Red|Equipment = EaEnkiduGate of Babylon|Affiliations = Seichi Kohryu|Status = Alive|Ranking = Chaotic-Good Servant}}'''Gilgamesh''', also known as ''Archer'' and ''Gilland Matthews'', the latter by those of Kuoh Academy, is a Heroic Spirit from the ''Fate'' World, and one of the many servants summoned by [[Seichi Kohryu]]. He is a major character in the crossover story, ''Fate/e-TURN-ity''. He is known by a variety of monikers and titles, notably hailed as the Oldest King. Among other titles are The King of Kings and the King of Heroes, both of which are rightfully earned, seen as one of the strongest Servants, if not the strongest, in the Moon Cell system. == Appearance == Being nothing short of "perfection" to the girls of Kuoh Academy, Gilgamesh is widely regarded as handsome, with light clear skin and blonde hair, emphasized by his red eyes. As Gilland Matthews, a third-year transfer student at Kuoh Academy, Gilgamesh is one of the few who doesn't wear the school uniform, instead opting for a black jacket with open-cut sleeves and a short hem, stopping just at the ribs, with a low-cut v-neck shirt underneath, and black pants. In his true form, Gilgamesh's hair is slicked back, and is adorned in golden armor, as well as two golden earrings attached to both ears. While not clearly visible at first, he also has several red lines running throughout his body, and has a golden necklace around his neck. == Personality == Unlike how he is usually portrayed in the ''Fate'' series, Gilgamesh is notably much more calmer, if not more seldom and wise than his canonical counterpart, regardless of version. This is partially due to Seichi's influence on him, having witnessed his journey and learning of his resolve. His personality and will are often shaped by the era of which is called upon, which was also another factor to his being. Typically calm and well-mannered, he is very much well-respected and admired by his peers at Kuoh while acting as the transfer student Gilland Matthews. However, his change of personality greatly shocks many who encountered him before, such as Artoria Pendragon. Though now more toned down and mellow, Gilgamesh is still slightly arrogant, and has come to sometimes refer to himself in third-person, such as the execution of Raynare. He also considered himself to be the strongest of all the Servants, if not the strongest person in the world, which often leads to many arguments and disputes between him and others. One thing to note is that Gilgamesh has also come to respect other individuals as well. He respects Sirzechs Lucifer, recognizing him as a King, and one of the few who well understands the responsibilities and burdens that come with the title. He is also vastly amused with Issei Hyoudou, who dreams of one day becoming a Harem King. He finds himself both irritated and amused, finding his desire to be a king who has many women as concubines to be hilarious, as he had bedded many women when he was still the King of Urk, yet angered that Issei would also take the title of 'King' lightly, if not understanding the true meaning behind the word. Gilgamesh also has no tolerance towards those who would proclaim themselves 'heroes,' especially if their actions suggest otherwise. Upon learning about the Hero Faction, and their attack on the Peace Conference, the Archer-class Servant displayed nothing short but quiet, yet livid fury, vowing then and there to destroy Cao-Cao and his comrades. Gilgamesh also greatly admires, and respects Seichi Kohryu, whom he considers to be a friend; something of which is a rare, yet high honor to him, as the only person he considered to be a friend was Enkidu. The reason behind this was because he had observed Seichi's journey during the events of the war in their world, with him at the focus of it all. He had come to find his own answer regarding life, in that all things will die, as would Seichi himself, but he refused to accept that, as it would mean abandoning his dearest friend, fearing isolation to be a fate worse than death. This determination to deny fate was what led to Gilgamesh choosing to ally himself with Seichi, even forcibly invoking the Heaven's Feel while Seichi was barely conscious. Further showing his admiration and respect towards Seichi is that he refers to him as 'aibou,' the Japanese word for partner. Gilgamesh also named him as the Hero of Heroes, and even passed down his title as the King of Heroes, much to Seichi's dismay. == History == Born with a body that was of the highest grade by mortal standards and knowledge reaching truth, Gilgamesh was born, designed, as king and the Keystone of Heaven between the rising humans and the fading gods. He was sent to ensure the humans and bind the earth slowly leaving the Age of Gods. He was a being embodying the two life sets of life forms, with the blood of those who had ruled and the blood of those who would rule from thereon. He was to be the ultimate neutral party able to discern their respective failings, adjudicating from their respective positions. During his childhood, he loved the gods instead of humanity, but the gods created Enkidu at that time to punish the arrogant king. Enkidu observed the young Gilgamesh, but could not understand the need to punish such an amiable, ideal king who was praised and lauded by his infatuated subjects. There could be no flaw that required correction, and the only problem was that he did not submit to the gods even if he did respect them. Enkidu was forced to admit that the gods had been correct as he watched the boy grow into a young man. Practicing absolutism, oppression, duress, levies, and the utmost decadence from self-interest, the people of the kingdom lamented the change, and even the gods were perplexed at the extent of the expected transformation. The reason was simply that he had been born with the conclusion already drawn, existing independently as a being neither fully divine or human. He acquired the characteristics of both, so his field of vision reached even past what the gods were able to comprehend. His overwhelming power bred overwhelming isolation, but his strength of self kept him from abandoning his kingship or fleeing from the mission imposed upon him. Through revering the gods and loving humanity, he decided to follow the path to its conclusion by deposing the gods and loathing humanity. Gilgamesh encountered Enkidu for the first time outside of the Temple of Uruk, who immediately stated that he would reprimand the King and rectify his arrogance. They entered a battle that spanned several days, and Gilgamesh was forced to use all his strength to match his transforming opponent. He was either angered or surprised at having found his equal for the first time, insulting Enkidu as a clod of mud. He was forced to draw out his treasures that had been carefully stored away, marking the first use of the Gate of Babylon as a weapon, and although it was a reluctant and forced humiliation at first, he eventually began to enjoy it and brought them out without regret. He eventually emptied the vault, and Enkidu was left with only a tenth of his clay. Rather than continue, Gilgamesh let himself fall backwards onto his back while bursting with laughter, Enkidu following in suit. He remarked that there would only be once chance to strike for each of them, and without any means of defense, it would leave only two foolish corpses. Enkidu was never able to interpret if that meant it was a tie or if Gilgamesh wanted to make it so that there would only be one corpse. Enkidu asked, "Do you not regret the treasures you have spent?" to which he replied in a bright voice, "Why, if it's someone I should use it on, then it's not unthinkable to do him the favor." Gilgamesh and Enkidu became close friends afterward, marking the one and only story of eternally unchanging worth in all the world. They worked side by side, and Gilgamesh noted that his vault started to become disordered after having begun utilizing weapons as projectiles, calling it a bad habit. Looking towards Humbaba, the guardian of the forest and beast of the gods, Gilgamesh decided to seek out and defeat it. They did so with their combined strength, but Enkidu was left confused by the action. It had not been an order from the gods, and it could not have been for his people who suffered under him. Gilgamesh told him that it was part of purging the evils of the world to protect Uruk, but Enkidu could not understand why he would care about those he tyrannized. Gilgamesh explained his way of protecting humanity, causing Enkidu to fully realize the source of his isolation. Enkidu stated that Gilgamesh took the path of observation, causing Gilgamesh to smile embarrassedly like in his childhood and speak of it. In response to his passion, Enkidu pledged himself as a tool to Gilgamesh afterward, but Gilgamesh reprimanded him, explaining to him that he was his friend. Enkidu believed it was the only time Gilgamesh had ever shown relief. He became the greatest and richest king on Earth, who eventually acquired all the treasures of the world. Uruk became unprecedentedly prosperous, and Gilgamesh was considered so powerful that even the gods could not ignore his existence. One goddess, Ishtar the goddess of fertility, even fell in love with Gilgamesh and proposed marriage to the perfect king. He rejected her immediately because he knew her to be a witch who was unfaithful, cruel, and the corruptor of all men. She became furious, feeling that he had insulted her, and went to her father, the god Anu, to get revenge. She begged him to unleash the Bull of Heaven. The unopposable beast of the gods caused seven years of starvation and destruction on the earth. Working together, Gilgamesh and Enkidu defeated it after binding it with the Chains of Heaven, causing the dark clouds covering the world to fade and saving the land from the flood. Ishtar's reputation was once again crushed, and her fury did not abate. She requested they be put to death for the sin of slaying a beast of the gods with the body of a human. Her request was granted, and Enkidu, created by the gods, was unable to defy the decree. He slowly weakened and was returned to clay, as Gilgamesh desperately held onto the crumbling clod in his arms. He was angered by this, believing that he was the one who deserved retribution should it be required. Enkidu attempted to assuage him by telling Gilgamesh that he was only one of the many treasures in Gilgamesh's collection, that he would find countless more greater than him in time. Gilgamesh instead declared, "You do have worth. You alone have this worth. I hereby declare: In all this world, only one shall be my friend. Thus---not for all eternity shall his worth ever change." Enkidu returned to his original state afterward, leaving nothing behind but Gilgamesh's thunderous cry. Up until that point, Gilgamesh had lived by his own standards, collecting riches, bedding women, fighting with his friend, and purging the earth of banes. Enkidu returning to dust, meeting death, greatly changed his views. Death had never inspired grief or fear in him until that moment, and it had never once even been in his mind though he knew that it awaited all. Seeing the one who held equal power to him perish before his eyes let him register the true reality of death for the first time. The despair that Gilgamesh felt was because he saw death as an escape from his duty as the observer of humanity; in order to fulfill his mission completely, he was to observe humanity's path until its eventual end. Falling into depression and with his vigor gone, he sought out the Herb of Immortality, a spirit herb of perpetual youth and eternal life. He had known of it even before Enkidu's passing, and had planned to obtain it eventually in order to complete his collection. With a reason to search for it, he left for the underworld, Kigal. He sought out the sage, Utnapishtim, who had lived since placing a large amount of animals upon an ark before the coming of a deluge that assailed the Earth. He was said to have been the only one of the Earth to escape from death and live until the present. Gilgamesh loathed and feared the death that took away his friend, making him frightened for his own life for the first time since birth. He went on his journey, that he later called a farce, that lasted the same amount of time as he had lived up until that point. He wandered the wilderness for decades as described in the epic, "grovelling along pathetically" while thinking nothing other than not wanting to die. He had the same motive as all humans, as not even a child of the gods was any different when faced with death. With "idiocy exceeding that of humans", he continued to attempt to overcome death, flinging aside the pride, authority, and power of the king, without knowing a purpose to do so or someone for whom to do it. His fear of death was one of the reasons for his actions, but he also loathed death because he could not forgive himself for abandoning his role of observing the future. He eventually reached the realm of the dead, and found upon meeting with Utnapishtim that his form of immortality was not special at all. Utnapishtim had gained longevity by joining the ranks of the gods, half-becoming a plant in the process. Gilgamesh rejected such an immortality because he had to be immortal with the desires of a human still intact, rather than simply living eternally in a body with no appetition. He had simply planned to leave the underworld and return to Uruk to bring his vault to completion, but Utnapishtim, having grown doubtful of having his way of existence rejected or possibly wanting to condemn one who had denied immortality from the gods to the same existence, told Gilgamesh a secret. He told Gilgamesh a method of becoming immortal without seeking the mercy of the gods, the root of a herb that grew in the deep. Though he would not consume it himself, as he would only become a plant, he collected it as a rare treasure to decorate his vault. Stopping within the deep, he jarred the herb and returned above ground. Unable to put words to his state of mind at the time, there was some part of him that was hopeful even though he declared that there was no need of immortality modeled on the gods. He smiled at his accomplishment upon returning above ground, believing that he could overthrow death and avenge his friend. With the ability to rise above the "death" that had taken even Enkidu, the voices and acclaim of the people of Uruk would have reached unprecedented level upon returning with immortality. Describing himself as being in the "rashness of youth", vanity soon followed and he became bothered by his ragged state to which he had not spared a single thought until that moment. He wished to cleanse himself before returning to Uruk to test the fruits of his labor in perfect condition, so he rested at a spring close by to recover from the fatigue accumulated over decades of searching. He experienced a certain feeling at that point that he believed to be his first true feeling of joy. As the water healed him, he felt a peacefulness like being released from a prolonged malaise in both body and mind. It was the first time he had been so ecstatic about any of his accomplishments because the act of amassing treasures is like an instinct similar to breathing that does not bring joy to him. The action of obtaining immortality was the first time he was thankful for being born into the world because, despite claiming to have the perspective of humans, he believed he was not human until that moment. He felt free from everything, no doubts, fears, fixations, or duties. Overwhelmed by the sensation of omnipotence, he describes the feeling as élan vital, the reward of his self desire and the belief that he could do as he pleased with that joy for all eternity. It was then that his carelessness caused it to be snatched away from him, brought down by the desires, simple appetition of "hunger", of a serpent that crawled the wilds. The snake with an empty stomach was drawn by the herb's smell, and although a panicked Gilgamesh emerged from the spring, it was too late. The snake gained the property of shedding, having been the restoration of youth instead of immortality, and all that was left was its shed skin. He then was struck with laughter at the event, the absurdity of the conclusion in all he stood to gain and all he took pride in being "naught." He laughed at his own foolishness until his sides ached. Though it was not that he was unable to obtain anything, he understood that his sole reward was that not one thing would remain for him. The fulfillment in life and joy that he obtained for the first time vanished instantly, causing him to realize that was the nature of the human world. Realizing that immortality was unnecessary to his duty, he had been born as a human at that moment and died as a human after learning of joy. Though he had been "complete since birth", he also had his times of inexperience. Taking nearly the entirety of his life to complete his development, he reached physical maturity in the time with Enkidu and mental maturity at that moment, marking the end of his youth. Having laughed away the theft, the sun had risen, and smiling at the fleeting moment of human joy, he returned to Uruk. Marking the end of his adventures, he governed Uruk as the ruler of heroes and brought it to completion. He later also returned to the deep to retrieve the herb once more simply to complete his collection and for the off-chance he would ever be in a situation he could only tolerate as a child. Though he was still severe, he ruled Uruk quietly, entrusting it to the next king before going to his eternal rest without telling the whereabouts of the herb. He became humanity's most ancient hero and the illustrious king who was the first in this world to have "become a story."
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