AN:
I'm not okay with Gilgamesh's death. He deserves better. RIP Gilgamesh😢

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2024 - Amazon Forest

The skirmish finally ends, the air thick with the acrid scent of smoke and death. The ground is littered with the remains of Deviants, their grotesque bodies now lifeless. But the victory feels hollow. Ayaz stands at a distance, his heart heavy with grief as he watches Thena kneel by the lake, cradling the ashes of Gilgamesh in her delicate hands.

The tranquil lapping of the water contrasts sharply with the turmoil in Ayaz’s soul. He clenches his jaw, biting his tongue to keep his emotions at bay. Exhaustion drags at him, a physical weight he cannot shake. It's as if a dark cloud of depression wraps around him, suffocating in its embrace. He’s lost a friend, and the knowledge of that loss feels like a gaping wound inside him.

Thena rises, her gaze distant and sorrowful as she pours Gilgamesh's ashes into the flowing Amazon River. The wind carries her soft sobs, a haunting lullaby that pierces Ayaz's heart. He wishes he could reach out, to comfort her in her grief, but he feels so small, so helpless in the face of such profound sorrow.

Druig breaks the silence, his voice low and reflective. “When I left, I thought about taking over the minds of every human on this planet. Violence, fear, greed—all gone.”

“Why didn’t you?” Sersi asks, her curiosity pulling her away from the somber scene.

“Because without their flaws, they wouldn’t be human,” Druig replies, glancing back at Thena as she approaches the riverbank, her eyes still glistening with tears, her spirit visibly dimmed.

“Please, Druig. You can’t stay here anymore. These Deviants are trying to keep us from killing their own kind. They have a conscience now. That makes them more dangerous.” Sersi’s voice is low but filled with desperation, her plea echoing through the quiet clearing.

“No, Sersi. That makes them us. Eternals and Deviants. Arishem’s children.” Druig’s tone turns serious as he meets Ayaz’s gaze, finding him lost in thought, staring blankly at the water. “But you’re asking me to control a mind of a Celestial. I do not have that kind of power.”

“We’ll need Phastos,” Sersi realizes, her brow furrowing as the gears in her mind turn, knowing their friend might be able to come up with a solution with his technical skills.

“Good luck with that,” Druig replies with a bitter edge to his tone. “He gave up on humans a long time ago. I wouldn’t count on him to come back.”

The weight of his words hangs in the air, a reminder of their fractured bonds and the complexities that define their existence. Sersi's expression shifts to one of determination, knowing they must try, even if the odds are against them.

Ayaz rubs his forehead, trying to stave off the encroaching headache that threatens to ruin his day. He knows this weight of loss can only worsen if he doesn’t confront it. “You should send Hestia. Phastos will listen to her. They’re like besties forever.”

“Ayaz, do you want to talk about it?” Sersi asks gently, concern lacing her voice.

“About what?” Ayaz replies, feigning confusion, but the memories of his newly discovered powers rise to the forefront of his mind, darkening his frown. “Oh, that. I don’t know if I’ll ever want to talk about it. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Sersi assures him, her smile warm and inviting. “Remember, you can always talk to me about anything—just like you used to talk to Ajak.”

Ayaz nods, a flicker of gratitude sparking within him. “I’ll keep that in mind. I’m just tired. Like, really tired. I just want some rest right now.”

“You can rest in my cabin,” Druig offers, a teasing grin spreading across his face. “I solemnly swear I won’t bother you.”

“Aw... How sweet of you,” Ayaz responds sarcastically, though the lightheartedness is brief. He turns serious, shaking his head. “But I’ll pass.”

Druig pouts, crossing his arms. “Shame on you.”

Ayaz rolls his eyes, unable to suppress a small smirk. With a swift movement, he teleports back to the compound, the familiar dark grey clouds of smoke swirling around him. Without a second thought, he barges into Druig’s cabin, falling onto the soft bed and sinking into the comforting embrace of sleep.

As Ayaz slips into a deep slumber, images of the past flicker through his mind—of laughter shared with Gilgamesh, the warmth of camaraderie, and the moments that now feel like bittersweet memories. He knows he must face the grief one day, but for now, the exhaustion weighs heavily on him. He allows the darkness to envelop him, seeking solace in the silence.