Starting from the fingertips, he began to peel the creature apart—splitting its body down the middle like string cheese.
[!!!]
The Lahmu thrashed and bucked in a frenzied agony. Enkidu watched the display with an expression of tender affection, though his hands did not slow their work for a second.
"There, there. It seems you do possess a sense of pain. I hope you enjoy it to the very end."
From the right arm to the torso, he tore the flesh away, systematically ending its biological functions while ensuring it expired in a haze of excruciating agony. The Lahmu dissolved, returning to the dust and mire.
"That's two... You know, bullying the weak isn't so bad once in a while. Yes. Now... next..."
Enkidu stopped. His eyes fell upon something inexplicable.
Two Lahmu were locked in a struggle, tearing at one another. They were wounding and fighting their own kind.
"...?"
He searched for the logic behind the act, and the answer came to him instantly.
It was a declaration of intent. I am not the enemy. I am not weak. I am not one of them. So—please don't kill me.
[at@4! 0qdfat@4･･･!]
[ eqhduew@ b\ xuew@ ･･･!]
They were butchering each other for survival. To save themselves, they would slaughter their kin. Anything to be the one who remained.
"——..."
Enkidu observed them with genuine interest. I see. When backed into a corner, they default to survival at any cost. How well-made they are, he thought, his smile widening.
[——!!]
One Lahmu's blade pierced the other's chest. The defeated creature staggered, collapsing into the dirt.
[7Zq! b; w@ ･･･]
The victor turned toward Enkidu, its posture radiating a grotesque sense of triumph—
[･･･——?]
It took several seconds for the creature to realize an axe had been buried deep into its skull.
"Thank you. You saved me the trouble."
Enkidu offered a gentle smile, as if commending the creature for its fratricide.
[ s@ ,4dw･･･s@4dw･･･]
[——･･･]
Without hesitation, Enkidu used his chains to finish off the gasping survivor.
"I'm sorry. I still can't understand a word you're saying. And besides..."
[･･･!]
"...Your death rattles are quite exquisite. They have such a lovely ring to them. Please, let me hear more."
He applied pressure, slowly rending the creature in two.
[W-WHY... WHY?!]
In its final moments, the Lahmu's evolution accelerated. It found its voice.
[WE... WHY... LIKE THIS... IT HURTS... IT HURTS! STOP... STOP IT!]
"Yes, yes. You don't understand the meaning of your birth? How tragic that must be. How painful."
Because their vitality was so stubbornly robust, they could not even find the mercy of a quick death. Even with eighty percent of its body split open, the creature continued its internal monologue.
Why were we born?
"Well... if you truly need a reason, I'll give you one. You were born..."
He stopped his hands for a moment, leaning in with a radiant smile.
"...To provide us with beautiful screams. You were born to be disposed of by us. Does that suffice? Good. Then—goodbye."
[SUCH... A...]
A final pull. A burst of mist. Total annihilation.
Enkidu looked down at the dust that had once been a living thing with total apathy before turning to the final remaining Lahmu.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. How would you like your life to end? I believe I can meet your expectations."
He floated slowly toward the creature.
"Bisected by a sword? Transfixed by a spear? Riddled with arrows? Perhaps dragged behind a chariot? Or would you prefer to be toyed with through torture? I could even heighten your pain receptors if you'd like. If you wish to be torn apart, I am happy to oblige."
[A... A...]
"I promise to deliver. Come now, tell me your heart's desire."
Enkidu spoke with the infinite kindness of a saint. The Lahmu trembled violently. In the presence of this thing that wore the shape of a human but shared nothing of its heart, the creature finally understood.
The horror of being toyed with.
The despair of a path that led only to death.
The terror of expiring amidst unbearable agony.
[——PL]
From the depths of its terror, it chose its words.
[PLEASE... PLEASE... DON'T KILL ME.]
It was a desperate imitation of human speech. A plea for life.
[I DON'T WANT TO DIE. I WANT TO LIVE. I WAS JUST BORN... WHY...]
"..."
-------------------------------
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