--Gilgamesh waited for Astarte on the coast of Hecate’s little island domain. It was a barren and flat stretch of beach without trees, dunes, or rocky outcroppings. His thoughts were troubled. How could it be? Here and now? It didn’t seem possible, but when he had seen the Warrior of Gaea’s eyes, he knew his long-dead friend lived again. He could never forget those eyes.

He had become king of his homeland when he was but a boy--that kind of power was not good for someone so young. Gilgamesh grew into an arrogant, uncaring, and demanding ruler. But he was changed by his encounter with Enkidu, the wild man of the woods. Enkidu would not bow to him, would not be impressed by his station or power. They fought and found themselves equally matched. A great friendship was formed that day, one that survived many battles side by side. But the two of them had defied the gods too many times and it was Enkidu who fell to their power first.

Gilgamesh left everything behind to look for a way to bring his friend back to life. He found the secret, but as a cruel punishment for his arrogance, the gods cursed him with immortality instead of allowing him to give new life to Enkidu. He would have to live forever without his friend, knowing he had failed him. Gilgamesh wandered for several years, not caring if he died, but knowing he could not. It was Astarte who found him and brought him back from the edge of madness. But how much of his honor, his very soul, should he discard to repay her? What kind of man had the Warrior of Gaea seen when he’d looked into Gilgamesh’s eyes?

--"So, Gilgamesh. You wished to speak to me. But why here in the middle of nowhere?"

--"Because there are no shadows here, my lady. Hecate is busy working on her spell, but I wanted to make sure our conversation was private."

--"We have much to do. What did you want?"

--"Astarte, I have always spoken my mind to you and you’ve valued my counsel. I will be direct with you now. Abandon this insane alliance! You are not like Kali and Hecate. Their dreams of conquest will only bring nightmares to the mortal world. Would you be a part of this?"

--"Gilgamesh! You know how much the worship of mortals means to gods like me. Without them, we become weak until we eventually die as they forget us. It is a slow death—one I will not endure. I will be great once more. And if Kali and Hecate are the ones to make it happen, then I will throw my lot in with them."

--"You once told me that the adoration of the mortals must be earned and freely given or it was worthless. That was why we fought so hard against the Sumer-Babylonian and Greco-Roman gods—gods who played with people like they were toys. Are you so hungry for power that you would turn your back on your principles?"

--"Maybe those gods were right after all. The strong must rule the weak."

--"You called them fools, Astarte. But our time in exile has changed you. Now who is the fool."

--"Enough! You forget yourself!"

--No. It is you who have forgotten yourself. You don’t know how to be anything else but a goddess of war. Where is the goddess of life who took pity on a broken man who’d been cursed by his own gods with immortality for being presumptuous enough to seek its power to save a friend? You gave me a reason to live and the strength to destroy the petty gods who killed him. You have always balanced the need for battle with the need for mercy. Where are those qualities now?"

--"You have had your say. Things have changed. I have changed. This is the path I have chosen. We will not speak of it again."

--"Then it is a path you will walk alone. For I can no longer stomach this madman’s war." The attribute of the Armor of War blazed on his forehead—defiance.

--"Gilgamesh! I will not let you desert me. You will fight at my side. I command you!" Her eyes glowed green as if she were about to try taking control of him.

--"Astarte. You know that I’m immune to your mesmerizing gaze, for I am no mortal man. The fact that you would think of resorting to such a trick to obtain my loyalty further demeans you in my eyes." Gilgamesh turned his back on her and began walking away. Astarte raised her blade, ready to charge him and strike him down for his insolence. Her hand shook with fury—but also shame. She re-sheathed her sword and walked off in the opposite direction.