Unacknowledged Firstborn
Quick-Play Spell Card
This card can only be activated while Kingu is on the field. Destroy one Kingu on the field, draw two cards, then Special Summon one Tiamat (Self-Sealed) from your Deck in Attack Position.
An excellent effect. Combined with Kingu's ability to add one Chains of Heaven to the Graveyard when destroyed, it becomes a two-for-four exchange. However, what truly broke Kingu's composure wasn't the effect itself, but the card art.
A Lahmu pierced Kingu's body and tore out the Holy Grail.
The Holy Grail was Kingu's lifeline. Without it, his magical power would gradually dissipate and return to the earth. Given the fatal wound inflicted by the Lahmu, he clearly wouldn't survive much longer.
"How could they do this to me?!"
Kingu couldn't accept this fate. He had poured so much effort into helping them live on this land. "I am their elder brother! If I hadn't striven so hard, they would still be slumbering with Mother! Why... why did it come to this?"
"Have you even looked at yourself compared to them?" Jiang You approached with a group of purple-haired girls in tow. He thought the Lahmu looked like something that had crawled out of the neighboring Cthulhu universe, with an appearance that seemed utterly haphazard. "You claim to be their elder brother—do you even believe that yourself?"
"We are all children of Mother. Does appearance truly matter? Don't you have the legend of the Dragon King's nine sons in your homeland?"
Jiang You was genuinely surprised to be questioned about the folklore of his homeland by someone from 2500 BC.
"No, what exactly is the Holy Grail? What's its connection to the Gate of Truth? Why do even you possess this knowledge?!" Jiang You couldn't help but retort. Is the Holy Grail some kind of exam cheat code?
"But 'Nine Sons of the Dragon' means each of the dragon's offspring is distinct, not becoming a whole new race like your siblings. How could you possibly blend in?"
"Then what about Mother? She's still in the sea..."
Kingu was about to say more when he noticed Gorgon glaring at him. He froze, realizing that after uttering those words, even his last potential ally was about to abandon him.
"See? He might have seen some semblance of Tiamat in you, but ultimately, he never truly saw you as Mother," Jiang You said, achieving the desired effect. "In all of Mesopotamia, you're the only one who still thinks of yourself as Tiamat."
Gorgon's expression darkened ominously. If her Sisters hadn't been present, she would have already erupted in fury.
"Don't be angry. He was never your child to begin with, so naturally, he wouldn't be loyal to you. If you want to cry, you can always lean on my chest, okay?" Stheno soothed, stroking Gorgon's head.
"I just feel like there's no one I can trust," Gorgon said.
Gorgon closed her eyes. She couldn't trust anyone—not humans, nor even non-human Servants.
"We don't even have a place to belong."
"Actually, we do."
At that moment, Normal Medusa appeared. She had actually arrived around the same time as Ana, but sensing she had no place to speak, she had quietly remained hidden.
"Another Medusa!"
Euryale leaped off Gorgon and scurried over to grab Medusa's hand.
"This Medusa feels more familiar. This size is so reassuring."
"Sisters, I'm so glad to see you... and a more mature version of myself."
Hearing this, Gorgon curled her lip. This was the last thing any Medusa wanted to hear. Like Ana, this version also had her issues with Gorgon, though Gorgon herself harbored plenty of self-doubt. Medusa continued, "I can vouch for Jiang You. He's trustworthy. As for a place to belong, you sisters can come live with me."
"You mean that modern city?"
Euryale's eyes lit up, remembering how Sakura Matou had summoned her in the past. Her aversion was toward humanity as a species, not the things humans created. Her willingness to perform as an idol for Miss Crane's activities showed she was actually quite adaptable to human entertainment.
Kingu's expression darkened further. Now, reviving Tiamat rested entirely on his shoulders.
"I won't lose!" Kingu resolved, steeling himself for a painful future. For his Mother, he would press on, no matter the cost.
"I activate Unacknowledged Firstborn! By destroying myself, I draw a card and Special Summon Tiamat (Self-Sealed) to the field!"
The Duel Space instantly transformed into an endless sea. A distant, haunting melody rose from the depths as the primordial black sea began to replace the azure waters. A silver-haired woman emerged from the primordial sea, her song echoing as she ascended. Thus, the Creator Mother Goddess, Tiamat, descended upon this world.
Tiamat (Self-Sealed)
12-Star Beast
Attack Power: 0
"After Grand, you're summoning a Beast again? Your Noble Phantasm is truly absurd," the Caster remarked.
Merlin sighed, knowing Jiang You possessed the ability to summon and control servants and even people through a method akin to Heroic Spirit Summoning, once he had gained their recognition. He wouldn't be surprised if Jiang You pulled a Beast out of nowhere one day.
Jiang You glanced at the "Tiamat" with the suffix. She merely stood there, displaying her beautiful voice without attempting to communicate. Her power level was hardly what one would expect from a Beast, but it was clear she possessed an effect similar to Yubel's. When she left the field, she would Special Summon a Tiamat from the Deck, Hand, or Graveyard.
I wonder if there's a Tiamat with a Jurassic Spirit Origin? If so, this really would be just like Yubel.
"Summoned so easily?" Gilgamesh's entire body tensed. Even within the rules of the Duel, he could feel immense pressure emanating from Tiamat.
"And 'Self-Sealed'?"
"Tiamat has sealed away most of her power," Merlin explained. "After all, she's the Mother of All Things. As a mother facing her own children, how could she not hold back?"
"Not necessarily," Jiang You countered. "There's a saying: The deeper the love, the harsher the discipline."
Jiang You glanced in the direction of Minamoto no Raikou. After all, mothers come in many forms.
"You're right. So isn't this her way of testing us?" Merlin said with a wry smile. He had been looking forward to a proper vacation, maybe even a bit of online catfishing, but this relentless human order extinction had left him barely any time off all year.
"If we can't pass this trial, she'll just create a new account."
Kingu called out to his Mother several times, but received no response. He had no choice but to continue the Duel.
"Prepare to witness the Mother Goddess's true power!"