"What I want has nothing to do with you!"
Ishtar's voice was cold, her eyes narrowed. "And your gaze… it's irritating. Like you're looking at someone else through me."
Amber winced internally. That intuition was sharp. But her expression remained composed.
"It's rude, I know," she said calmly. "I've seen too many people. Sometimes I find the shadow of an old friend in a new one. It's one of the burdens of immortality."
"Immortality?" Ishtar tilted her head. "You're a Servant too, aren't you?"
Amber's serious tone softened Ishtar's mood. She was still annoyed by the earlier sneak attack, and now this woman in men's clothing had approached her again without warning. But something about her presence felt… off.
Curious, Ishtar pressed on. "Let's call this a proper introduction. Where are you from?"
"China," Amber replied.
Ishtar's eyes lit up. China—mysterious, ancient, powerful. In the fragmented memories of her vessel, Chinese magic was enigmatic and formidable. Heroes from China were not to be trifled with.
But Ishtar wasn't satisfied. "Just a place name? That's too vague. Are you shy?"
She puffed out her chest—what little there was—and struck a dramatic pose. "I am the goddess of Venus, of beauty, of war, of goddesses! I am Ishtar!"
Amber responded with far less flair. "Fusion warrior, Red Kite Immortal. Fu Hua."
She didn't want to break character. Fu Hua would've said something like "just a warrior." But Ishtar had asked directly, and Amber didn't want to provoke her further.
Besides, she wasn't trying to be cool. She was just matching the energy.
Fu Hua, listening from within Yu Du Chen, sighed. Amber's age and years in the hospital had given her little real-world experience. But if using her name made Amber happy, so be it.
"Fusion warrior, Red Kite Immortal?" Ishtar searched her vessel's memories. No clear hits. But the word "Immortal" rang a bell.
She smiled. "So you're a god too, Fu Hua."
Amber shook her head. "Not a god. Just a title granted by an emperor. People call me immortal because I've lived a long time."
"Hmm. Not very clear," Ishtar said, then pivoted. "You called me a new friend earlier, didn't you? Normally, I'd be offended by a mortal calling me that. But if you do me a favor, I'll accept it."
Amber raised an eyebrow. "What kind of favor?"
Ishtar's smile turned sly. "It's about Uruk. That guy is getting more arrogant by the day. Last time, he insulted me without shame. I want to teach him a lesson."
Then her smile faded into a pout. "But I've been busy lately...And haven't had time to visit Uruk."
Amber's response was firm. "King Gilgamesh acts for the survival of humanity. My mission is to protect the people of China. If humanity falls, China falls with it."
"Protect humanity?" Ishtar's expression twisted. Why would a divine being care about mortals? She could understand whimsy, but Amber's conviction was unsettling.
Still, she tried again. "You don't even have a gem on you. You haven't been enshrined in ages, right? That king has a treasure vault. A little oil and water wouldn't hurt."
Ishtar could feel her personality shifting—her vessel's influence. But her core remained unchanged.
She hated Gilgamesh.
Even now, her temper was surprisingly restrained. But her disdain for him burned as hot as ever.
Amber saw her growing distant and hesitated. "Sorry. I can't help you with this."
Ishtar huffed. "You talk about friendship, then refuse me?"
She turned toward her Sky Boat, floating nearby. She didn't bother with the gems on the ground. This "friend" was clearly aligned with Uruk.
And though she hated to admit it… she might lose if they fought.
Amber felt awkward. She had nothing to offer in return—wait.
"Wait."
She rummaged through her inventory, remembering the clutter from her last card draws. Her hand glowed, and a black stone appeared—its cherry-colored light forming a five-pointed star, radiating outward. Inside, flecks of mineral shimmered like white stars.
Ishtar's eyes widened. "What a beautiful gem!"
She loved gem-like minerals. This one wasn't just pretty—it pulsed with magic. A rare and potent gem material.
She pursed her lips. Wait. Damn it. Had the poverty of this human body seeped into her soul?
Amber smiled. "In China, we have a custom called a 'meeting gift.' I didn't bring anything proper, so this will have to do."
Ishtar stared at the Shining Stone, visibly intrigued.
And Amber was relieved that she was able to coax the goddess.