A Short Story By David McLean

In those days, in those distant days, in those nights, in those remote nights, in those years, in those distant years;

Inanna, an ethereal beauty, stood before the mirror, entranced by her own form. Her obsidian locks cascaded over her shoulders like a tempestuous sea, causing the very air around her to twist and contort in response to her presence. It seemed as though the atmosphere itself was unable to bear the weight of her otherworldly splendour. Her handmaidens, their fingers skilled yet trembling, diligently braided her hair. The undulating mass flowed like a river of darkness, gracefully descending from her head to accentuate her voluptuous frame. With a delicate shimmer, her diamond-shaped face reflected the glistening dew of rose petals adorning her cheeks. Her eyes, ablaze with the fierce intensity of burning sapphires, hinted at a deep and ancient rage, piercing through the looking glass.

Her movements were fluid, almost serpentine, as she struck a seductive pose before the mirror. A maid reverently presented her with a robe woven from pure melam, whose very fibres seemed to come alive, undulating and dancing in the gentle light. It radiated a mysterious glow, reminiscent of a dying star’s final shimmer. Upon her regal head, she placed a crown crafted from the essence of the desert itself, its supernatural luminosity eclipsing even the brilliance of the noonday sun. The maids, perched on their wooden step cases, performed their duties with precision, their significance diminished in the presence of their mistress’s irresistible allure and indomitable power.

Inanna’s voice purred, sweet as the whispered hiss of a serpent, as she looked at her brother with chin held high and arms crossed over her voluptuous breasts. 

“Am I not a creature beyond mortal comprehension?” she inquired, a coy smile curling upon her lips. She playfully batted her eyelids, exuding an air of superiority as she eagerly awaited his response.

Uttu’s deep voice rumbled with admiration as he stepped away from the shadowy stone wall, drawing closer to Inanna. His lips curved in approval, and he nodded affirmatively. 

“Indeed, dear sister,” he replied.

Uttu averted his gaze as Inanna adorned herself in her resplendent attire. The lamplight cast a radiant glow upon his gleaming armour, which enveloped a sculpted physique imbued with raw muscle and strength. With a graceful sweep, he brushed aside his thick mane of silver hair, revealing eyes as dark as the void between stars. His square-cut face, reminiscent of chiselled marble, bore a pale blue pallor, akin to the luminosity of a full moon. Despite his ancient age, an air of youthfulness clung to his visage, concealing the wisdom and experience etched deeply within.

“This plan of yours had better work,” Inanna remarked, her voice as mellifluous as the scent of cedar oil.

“Those who have succumbed to the allure of a beautiful woman cannot ignore or elude your charms,” 

he replied, his grin brimming with confidence. As he spoke, Uttu inhaled the intoxicating fragrance of Inanna’s divine perfume—a masterful concoction infused with floral essences such as ylang-ylang, rose, central folia, and jasmine.

“Enki discerns the depths of our hearts even before we ourselves do,” Inanna continued, her voice lowering to a foreboding tone. 

“Listen closely and heed my words. Before I traverse six miles within the house of flowing waters, he shall unravel the entirety of our cunning scheme.”

“Then we shall play Enki with honeyed words,” Uttu advised. “He will be so enamoured by desire that he shall remain oblivious to the threat before him. He has perpetually underestimated your capabilities.”

Uttu approached the sturdy stone altar positioned at the centre of the shrine. Before him stood an intricately detailed holographic model of the ancient city of Eridug, the very abode of Lord Enki. As Uttu stood there, the model responded to his movements, shifting and evolving. With a wave of his hand, the map materialised in the air, unveiling the city’s grand landmarks, majestic structures, and the awe-inspiring Ziggurat temple. Moreover, it possessed the ability to unveil the hidden secrets concealed beneath the city’s surface and delve into its darkest recesses. Uttu explored various areas of the city, viewing it from different angles and distances.

“We may not conquer easily, but conquer we must,” Uttu declared resolutely. 

Inanna extended her hand, as if yearning to touch the holographic projection. Her eyes meticulously examined the intricate details of the ziggurat model before her.

“Enki fashioned his temple with the resplendence of silver and lapis-lazuli. Yet, with our shrine of clay and reeds, we shall match its grandeur,” Utu proclaimed, a fierce glint igniting his eyes.

Inanna seized a bronze vase and poured a dark, noxious-looking liquid over a basket brimming with dates, honeyed cakes, and figs. Once the water drained from the basket, she cradled it protectively under her arms.

Utu guided Inanna towards his sky-chariot, an awe-inspiring fusion of monstrous entity and mechanical contraption. The chariot itself, a mesmerising amalgamation of flesh and metal, pulsated with an otherworldly energy.

At the forefront of this enigmatic creation stood the gryphon, its majestic form interwoven with elements of machinery. Its massive wings, crafted from gleaming silver and iridescent feathers, spanned wide, capable of propelling the chariot through the heavens with astonishing speed. Its sinewy muscles, pulsating with power, merged seamlessly with the intricate gears and cogs that formed the chariot’s frame.

The body of the gryphon, covered in an ebony exoskeleton, revealed glimpses of its organic essence beneath the metal plating. Metallic claws, sharp and gleaming, extended from its mighty talons, providing stability and grip as it propelled the chariot forward.

From its magnificent head, adorned with a crown of interwoven gears and diodes, emanated an aura of ancient wisdom and untamed ferocity. Its eyes, fierce and piercing, glowed with an otherworldly luminescence, casting an ethereal light upon the path ahead.

The chariot itself, an intricate creation of intertwining sinew and intricate metalwork, bore symbols and sigils etched into its surface, their purpose shrouded in mystery. The melding of flesh and metal was seamless, with tubes and conduits coursing through the creature’s body, channelling both its life force and the raw energy needed to propel the chariot through the vast expanse of the sky.

As Utu took hold of the reins, the chariot responded to his touch, a living extension of the gryphon’s very being. With a surge of power, the intertwined monster-chariot soared into the heavens, leaving a trail of awe and wonder in its wake. Seizing the reins, Utu cracked his whip, urging the chariot to soar across the sky. They traversed the lands of Sumer and Elam, passing over the majestic Zagreb mountains and the sprawling plains where the Tigris and Euphrates rivers converged. Their destination lay to the south, where the sea beckoned, following the path illuminated by the radiant sun.

Upon reaching their destination, Utu gently landed the chariot near the outer walls of the city. Inanna disembarked, clutching the basket of fruit, bidding her brother farewell. The chariot swiftly ascended, vanishing into the vast expanse of the morning sky, reduced to naught but a small speck of light.

Alone, Inanna traversed the massive iron doors of the lion’s gate, the primary entrance known as the visitor’s gate, vigilantly guarded by elite members of the household. Bronze-armoured warriors, tasked with maintaining strict prohibition of weapons within the city walls, thoroughly searched her. Though towering over the guards and emanating an aura akin to the morning sun, she instilled a sense of dread within them, for they recognized her as Anunnaki. Once the guards completed their duty, Inanna strode purposefully towards the main temple of Abzu, Enki’s sacred abode. Within the city walls, every citizen, from birth to death, existed to serve Enki, their divine lord and master. A caste of priests known as river lords oversaw the irrigation of the soil, directing labourers to dig deep trenches that transformed into canals, nourishing the surrounding plains with diverted water. An army of peasants toiled in the fields, guiding ploughs drawn by oxen, while others harvested barley with bronze scythes. Enki’s temple stores overflowed with daily offerings of grain and cattle, and his treasury brimmed with precious metals and jewels. The wealth of this city surpassed all others.

As she  strolled through the city’s streets and causeways, Inanna  marvelled at the sights that unfolded before her. The grand city, erected upon water, boasted pristine sandstone roads and rows of copper-cast street lamps adorned with silver. She revelled in the fragrant gardens and scented parks, teeming with a profusion of flowers and plants of every kind. Meandering green orchards, lined with trees bearing ripe fruits in vibrant hues, graced her path. The populace, dressed in opulent raiments and linen robes, embellished themselves with handcrafted jewellery crafted from amber and ivory. The bustling marketplace hummed with merchants and vendors, their stalls brimming with an array of goods and crafts. Delighted children raced past her, chasing domesticated dogs while their smiles filled the air with joy. Oblivious to the perils of famine, war, and pestilence beyond the city walls, the inhabitants continued their daily routines. Inanna passed a group of women grinding chickpeas to create flour for their bread, and witnessed coppersmiths and carpenters labouring together to construct a wheel.

In reed boats, men sang cheerful songs as they navigated the city’s intricate system of canals and waterways, fostering a joyous ambiance along the embankment. Vessels traversed back and forth, transporting cargo and passengers to their desired destinations. With morbid fascination, Inanna observed the people themselves—their attire, manners, and customs. To her, they appeared as abominations, grotesque hybrids of two species naturally separated by the vast expanse of space. The boundaries between primate and Anuna blurred within their flesh and bone, resembling a child who inherits traits from both parents. These new breed of sapiens were equal parts beast and divinity.

Inwardly scoffing at the absurdity of it all, she deemed them “noble savages.” Enki had endowed them with excessive intelligence, making them too similar to their divine counterparts, and to her dismay, their numbers multiplied relentlessly.

It had been far from a streamlined process; instead, a journey of trial and error. Successive generations underwent a progressive mingling with an increasing portion of the Anuna’s genetic code. Initially, a mere fifth, then a third, and now a full quarter. Such endeavours had been strictly prohibited by the elder council, for the expanse between worlds in the depths of space was vast. Our superior lords remained aeons away from this backwater planet. Yet, for over a thousand generations, Enki conducted his experiments, unimpeded by principles of decency or restraint. None could halt his ceaseless tampering with nature. Until now.”

In those distant days, when fate decreed that humanity would sprout from the earth like saplings, Enki, Lord of the Earth, caused Eridug to rise from the ground, resembling a mighty mountain. He constructed his temple using precious metals, adorned it with lapis lazuli, and covered it in a gleaming layer of gold. Before Enki’s feet, his people extolled the temple with sweet songs. Like the two rivers that flowed nearby, it stood as a symbol of awe-inspiring might. Beloved Eridug, the lifeblood of the land, a citadel whose shadow extended unchallenged over the neighbouring sea. A lofty temple, firmly grounded upon the earth.

From the terrace of his temple, Enki eagerly awaited Inanna’s arrival as she ascended the steps crafted from cornelian.

“Isimud,” Enki called out, addressing his minister Isimud—a tall, bald man in his early forties, with thick black eyebrows and dusky skin.

“Listen attentively, Isimud. This evening, she shall partake in our feast. Present butter cakes and offer fresh water,” Enki instructed.

As Inanna stepped onto the summit, she was met by the warm embrace of Enki, the lord of the Earth. With a tender kiss to her left cheek, he welcomed her into his sanctuary. Together, they ventured through a vast echoing hallway, its walls lined with rows of glass sarcophagi,each crafted from exquisite, iridescent crystals that refracted rays of sunlight into  a dazzling spectacle. Within these ancient receptacles rested figures of primordial beings , their forms preserved in suspended animation. As the pair proceeded through the hallway, the features of these figures gradually transformed, their simian visages giving way to more Anuna-like countenances, a  grim testament to Enki’s celestial experiments. As they reached the end of the hallway , Inanna turned back to look at the sarcophagi. The figures within them were now completely human, their faces bearing an uncanny resemblance to the Anuna themselves.

The last figure in the hallway stood out among the others. Its face, unlike the previous dominated by ape-like features, was now softening, acquiring more human-like proportions. The eyes, once wide and staring, were now narrowing, taking on a more intelligent and expressive shape. The nose, once flat and broad, was becoming more defined and refined.
Inanna found the sight deeply unsettling. She was troubled by the sense of manipulation inherent in the process, the idea that these beings were undergoing a deliberate evolution. Enki, sensing Inanna’s unease, turned to her with a reassuring smile.

“ These beings are my children, Inanna,” he said , his voice echoing through the vast hallway. “We will guide them to reach their full potential as a species.”

With a softening expression, Inanna nodded, acknowledging Enki’s benevolent intentions. Yet, the nagging suspicion lingered that his motives were more sinister than he let on. With a hint of accusation, she addressed Enki,

“Children, it seems you are building a private army for yourself.”

Inanna’s words fell into a void, a sharp accusation that hung heavy in the air. Enki allowed the silence to linger, relishing the discomfort that crept into her eyes. Then, with a sudden burst of mirth, he let out a hearty laugh, dismissing her suggestion with a flick of his wrist.

Escorting Inanna into his courtyard, Enki extended his hand towards the beer that his servant had meticulously prepared for their distinguished guest. The beer, a potent blend of emmer-wheat and mash, had been delicately sweetened with a hint of daté-syrup.

Inside the shrine, a lavish feast awaited Inanna. Enki ushered her to the head of his table, bestowing upon her the seat of honour. They both savoured the beer and wines, deftly presented by a young slave named Bilgame. Despite his servitude, Bilgame’s angelic features radiated a captivating charm as he dutifully served as Enki’s cupbearer.

Inanna found herself irresistibly drawn to the young man’s graceful demeanour as he adeptly refilled her bronze cup. His appearance bore scant resemblance to an ape, leading her to surmise that he was one of Enki’s recent creations. Watching his elegant movements, she concluded that the cupbearer had evolved beyond a simple hybrid. He was no longer a mere fusion of species, but an entirely new entity.

He’s succeeded, she mused, a trace of bitterness creeping into her thoughts. The audacious fool has actually done it. The profound implications of the hybrid standing before her suddenly dawned on her. As per the council’s edict, every creature like him was to be exterminated. Yet, as Inanna looked into his youthful face, meeting his radiant dark eyes, she felt a strange stirring within her.

Enki filled her bronze vessel to the brim, the foam spilling over the edges, and suggested a drinking contest.

Engrossed in a game of kobbatos, they reclined on their respective couches, taking turns to toss wine-lees into a bronze cup positioned at the courtyard’s centre. This aiming game, growing increasingly challenging with the contestants’ escalating intoxication, demanded exceptional skill. To heighten the thrill, the players wagered prizes, with the loser conceding their prize to the victor. The initial round was played for sweet honeyed cakes from Enki’s table against the basket of fruit Inanna had brought.

Now, precision became paramount for success. Inanna, having refined her skills with a javelin during her wilderness hunts, felt assured. Like all games of chance, an air of unpredictability enveloped the proceedings, with the outcome believed to portend the players’ future fortunes, especially in matters of the heart.

Enki, reclining on his couch and leaning on his left elbow, positioned the index finger of his right hand through the handle of his bronze cup, palm facing upwards. With the rest of his fingers arranged as if playing a flute, he skillfully launched the wine-lees at the cup in the centre, utilising only his right forearm.

As a wager, Inanna offered Enki a fruit basket, brimming with an assortment of fruits he had never seen before.

“Well, well, what do we have here?” he exclaimed, stroking his beard in approval.

“You’re not the only inventive one in the family,” Inanna retorted.

She proceeded to slice portions of three different fruits and handed them to Enki, urging him to taste. First, he savoured the atutu fruit, then the amhuru, and finally the astatlal.Native fruits imported from the mother world.

After thoughtful chewing on each slice, he declared, “Delicious. You must share your methods of cultivation.”

“A woman never reveals her secrets,” Inanna replied with a playful smile.

Enki refilled their cups with more beer, ensuring they were filled to the brim.

“Why don’t we make this more intriguing? This time, I shall wager a kiss,” Enki proposed.

“In exchange for what?” Inanna inquired, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Enki scanned the room, searching for something of value, and his gaze settled upon a golden colored tripod situated on the far side of the room. The tripod was stationary but it inhaled and exhaled air like a living creature. Even the furnishings of the edifice were monstrous creations. It seemd to Inanna that there was no inanimate object that Enki would not breath life into.

Inanna shook her head disapprovingly. “I believe a kiss from me holds greater worth than that thing.”

Enki erupted into laughter, the resonant sound reverberating across the courtyard. 

“Well, then, what would be a worthy prize in your eyes?”

“Your cupbearer,” Inanna declared confidently.

“I noticed your lingering gaze upon him throughout the evening,” Enki remarked, amusement evident in his voice.

Enki fell silent for a moment, his eyes shifting to Inanna. As the sun descended, painting the sky in hues of crimson, her beauty was accentuated. The effects of the alcohol, mingling with her sweet and seductive scent, ensnared his senses.

“Very well, if you win, the servant is yours. Enough talk; let’s see your throw,” Inanna declared.

She tossed her wine-lees but missed her target by a mere inch. Enki, however, successfully hit his mark, causing the bronze cup to spin and its contents to spill onto the floor.

In frustration, Inanna cursed and flung her cup at the cupbearer. “That wasn’t fair! The boy distracted me with his handsome face and fine—”

“Now, now, Inanna, be a good sport. It is unbecoming of your rank to pout,” Enki interjected, his tone admonishing.

“It’s a silly game anyway,” she muttered dismissively.

“That may be true, but you still owe me a kiss,” Enki reminded her.

Inanna sulked on the couch, reluctantly rising to her feet. She approached her uncle and planted a kiss on his cheek. As Enki peered into her emerald eyes, it seemed as though he was searching her very soul. Disappointment marred his features.

“That’s not a real kiss,” he stated firmly.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Enki! I am your niece. What more do you expect from me?” Inanna retorted, exasperation tingeing her voice.

“I expect a real kiss,” Enki replied, his tone laced with malice.

The sternness in his gaze sent a chill down Inanna’s spine, and the once jovial atmosphere in the room shifted, replaced by a heavy silence pregnant with the threat of violence.

“As you wish,” Inanna acquiesced, her voice laced with resignation. 

She leaned in and pressed her lips firmly against his, initiating a kiss that resonated with a depth and passion unparalleled in the world. In that moment, the tension dissipated, and Enki bestowed Inanna with a warm smile.

“Stay with me tonight. Come to my bed, and I shall gift you a legion of cupbearers,” Enki proposed, his voice laden with desire.

“They should all be destroyed—the humans. If the assembly uncovers your creation, the blending of our blood with these primitives,” Inanna murmured, her words echoing with a sense of impending doom.

“What does the assembly truly comprehend about the affairs of the Earth? They may preside over the stars, acting as judge, jury, and executioner, but it is I who reigns supreme on Earth. I have transformed barren deserts into thriving gardens. I have elevated a tribe of apes, raising them to the stature of men. Before my arrival, there was only wilderness and chaos. What did Enlil create? What temples and cities did he construct? Before me, the Anunnaki laboured in the fields. I have liberated them. I have gifted them a tool that runs on water and bread. A man shall labour in your fields, crafting anything your heart desires. The women shall spin at the loom, cook in your kitchens, and warm your beds. What greater tool could have been devised than mankind?” Enki declared with pride.

“Yes, you have crafted them well, and with each new model, each successive generation, they have grown smarter, which, in the eyes of the council, is deemed dangerous,” Inanna responded.

“They are merely upset that they did not dare to conceive such an idea themselves. I did not hear them complaining when I bestowed upon them riches beyond their wildest dreams. I arrived here as a humble servant, and now, here I have become…” Enki’s voice trailed off, hinting at a sense of transformation and ascension.

“A god?” Inanna completed the sentence, observing the praise and sacrifices lavished upon Enki by his creations. “But when they uncover the truth of what we truly are, then…”

“How could the even begin to comprehend what we are?” Enki’s voice carried a note of uncertainty.

“It will result in insurrection, and deep down, you know it,” Inanna said with a tinge of resignation.

“Come now, this discussion is spoiling our evening. I propose we engage in one more game. If I emerge victorious, you shall join me in lovemaking until the break of dawn,” Enki suggested, his words slightly slurred by the effects of the alcohol.

Enki replenished their glasses with beer until they overflowed.“A night with me will cost you more than a few cakes and slaves,” Inanna teased.

“Your every desire is my command, my sweet Sapphire,” Enki replied, his voice laden with desire.

Inanna’s attention drifted to the long Sceptre that rested by Enki’s side.

“I will play you for your staff,” she declared, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Enki erupted into laughter, astonished by the audacity of her request. The Sceptre of Mes was not a mere plaything or trivial item to be gambled away in a childish game. However, the effects of the excessive drinking had clouded Enki’s judgement. In his current state of intoxication, fueled by his burning lust and passion for Inanna, he was willing to indulge her whims. Furthermore, his overconfidence as the lord of the Earth led him to believe he would easily emerge victorious.

“Very well, if you desire my Sceptre, here are the terms. Should you win, I will hand it over to you. But if I win, you shall become my wife,” Enki proposed, his voice brimming with a mix of arrogance and desire.

Inanna gasped at the proposition of becoming Enki’s wife, her laughter echoing through the air.

“Shall I spin flax, suckle your offspring, and come to bed at your beck and call? I am many things, but I am no man’s possession, nor will I ever be,” she declared defiantly.

“Very well, let us drop the matter. The liquor has dulled my senses and worn me. Perhaps it is time for us to retire for the evening,” Enki suggested, his enthusiasm waning.

“No, wait. I have not given you my answer,” Inanna interjected, a sense of urgency creeping into her voice.

Inanna’s mind raced, realising that if Enki were to leave now, he would take the Sceptre of Mes with him, guarded by his monstrous hybrids in his bedchamber. The Sceptre was tantalisingly close to her grasp. Moreover, she knew he had already consumed the fruit laced with a poisonous liquid, waiting for its effects to take hold.

“Very well, Lord Enki. If you win, I will be your consort for the year,” Inanna conceded, her voice tinged with a mix of determination and deceit.

“Are you sure? Once a promise is given, it cannot be taken back,” Enki cautioned.

“You have my word,” Inanna affirmed, her eyes gleaming with a hidden agenda.

“Alright, give me your best throw,” Enki challenged, unknowingly stepping into the web of Inanna’s plot.

“Age before beauty,” Inanna taunted, a wicked smile playing upon her lips.

Enki downed the last remnants of his beer, only a few drops mingled with foam and sediment from the yeast remaining. As he prepared to make his throw, his stomach muscles twitched and spasmed, a sharp pain gripping him momentarily before subsiding. It was enough to disrupt his aim, causing him to miss the target.

Too much of a good thing,Enki thought, his overindulgence costing him a night of pleasure and a potential bride. He let out a repugnant burp, a testament to his excessive consumption.

Unbeknownst to Enki, Inanna had been playing him throughout the entire evening. Whenever his attention turned away, she discreetly emptied her drinking vessel into the flowerbed of orchids in the courtyard. She feigned drunkenness and intentionally missed during the final rounds, luring Enki into a false sense of security.

Blinded by lust, the old fool had lowered his guard. No guards or ministers were nearby to intervene. Inanna swiftly finished the vessel of beer in one gulp, taking the glass in her hand. With precise agility, she swirled the sediment inside, then unleashed the contents with lightning speed toward the target. The force of her throw shattered the bronze cup into a thousand shards, the resounding sound echoing across the courtyard.

“The Sceptre, give it to me,” Inanna demanded, her voice firm and commanding.

“Inanna, we were just friends playing a game. The Sceptre is not—” Enki began, attempting to reason.

“Give it to me!” Inanna interrupted, her tone unwavering.

“You wouldn’t know what to do with it, even if you possessed it. The Sceptre is like a blade—a healer or warrior would wield it differently. It bestows eternal wisdom upon its bearer. In my hands, I use it to create a world for my people, free from hardship, suffering, and sadness. But in the wrong hands, the Sceptre becomes a terrible weapon of destruction and death,” Enki explained, his voice tinged with caution.

“You underestimate me, as you always have. Enlil left it in your hands to define the roles of the Anuna. Why did you treat me, as well as the women, so differently? What are my true functions?” Inanna challenged, her voice brimming with determination.

“What do you want from me? You were crafted to the best of our abilities. Yet, you  prefer to accumulate skulls like piles of stones and sow death like seeds. You destroy that which should not be destroyed,” Enki responded, his words laced with pain.

He writhed in agony as the contractions wracked his body, futilely attempting to expel the unknown entity growing within him.

“You create that which must not be created,” Inanna hissed, her voice carrying a sinister undertone.

Enki collapsed onto the floor in a violent spasm, his stomach swelling to the size of a heavily pregnant woman’s.

“The joys of childbirth shall be known to you, Enki. It’s a shame there is no natural birth canal for the child to come out of. But fear not, I am sure life will find a way,” Inanna taunted, her voice dripping with sadistic glee.

Enki’s screams of agony filled the air as something within him pushed forcefully through his distended abdomen. Simultaneously, another entity sought escape through his thigh, while a third creature struggled to emerge from his left shoulder.

“Poor Enki, where does it hurt?” Inanna mocked, relishing in his torment.

The first monster burst forth from Enki’s thigh, a grotesque demon with razor-sharp teeth tearing through his flesh. It gnawed its way out with horrifying speed. Soon after, the second monster burst through his shoulder, crashing to the ground with a sickening thud. It resembled a repulsive winged beast, akin to a bat, but with limbs resembling those of a human.

Blood-soaked and writhing in agony, Enki lay on the ground, his left arm and right leg hanging, nearly severed from his mangled body.

“Does your arm hurt? And your leg too?” Inanna jeered, a wicked grin etched upon her face.

Inanna stood triumphantly over Enki, seizing the Sceptre of Mes from his side. With a commanding gesture, she summoned its powers to seal the courtyard’s doors, preventing Enki’s guards, who had been alerted by his screams, from entering.

As the last creature forced its way out of Enki’s body, emerging through his mouth, his battered and bloodied form fell lifeless to the ground. The light in his eyes faded, extinguished forever. Lord Enki, the master of the Earth and creator of mankind, was dead.

With her path cleared of foes, Inanna tightly gripped the Sceptre of Mês and sprinted towards the summit of the temple. The sound of great horns reverberated throughout the city as news of their lord’s slaying reached the commoners. A furious mob had formed at the foot of the temple, wielding makeshift weapons, and began ascending the three stairways in a vengeful march.

Inanna scanned the skies, desperately searching for any sign of Utu riding his sky chariot. Despite the power of the Sceptre, the sheer force of numbers from the approaching mob threatened to overwhelm her. They hungered for revenge and would tear her apart like a pack of savage hunting dogs.

“He created too many of them,” she thought bitterly, regretting bestowing upon them the ability to procreate.

From the corner of her eye, Inanna caught sight of the boy Bilgame cowering in terror behind a large bronze vase. The young servant had witnessed the horrifying transformation of his master into five hideous monsters—formless entities resembling ethereal masses of evil black clouds, brewing with violent storms of flame within them. Bilgame kept his face pressed to the ground, a mix of fear and awe washing over him as the terrible goddess Inanna approached.

“You see what happens to those who fail to bow down before me, to press their faces into the dirt and praise me?” she said, her voice dripping with a mixture of authority and cruelty.

Bilgame, still paralyzed with terror, dared not answer. He remained rooted in his place, trembling with fear.

“Come, child. There are many cups to be filled in my temple,” she beckoned, her tone both enticing and chilling.

Pointing the Sceptre towards the sky, Inanna screamed ancient runes in her native tongue. The orb at the centre of the Sceptre transformed into a deathly green hue, and with a powerful incantation, she summoned the winds to scatter her attackers and drive them away from the summit. Gathering rain clouds clashed together, and a torrential downpour drenched the area. Large hailstones, thick and sharp, plummeted from the sky with the velocity and precision of an archer’s arrow. The weak among the crowds of men were thrown to their deaths by the force of the winds, while those without armour were pounded by hailstones the size of a clenched fist, shattering skulls and bones upon impact.

Witnessing the terrible power that the goddess wielded, many of the common folk abandoned their quest for revenge and fled for their lives, desperately seeking to escape the wrath of the temple. However, a group of fanatics, led by Izimud and other high-ranking members of the priesthood, urged the mob to press forward. These priests were well-versed in the dark arts of battle magic, wielding their own staves crowned with powerful orbs of destruction. Izimud, channelling lightning from the sky into his staff, hurled a bolt that crackled and swirled around his orb, striking Inanna on her left shoulder.

The impact caused Inanna to drop the Sceptre, which rolled along the ground before coming to a stop at the foot of the boy Bilgame.

Her armour plate melted like butter under the intense heat of the lightning bolt, and hot liquid metal poured into the charred wound on her shoulder. The pain seared through her, but Inanna remained resolute.

As Izimud advanced to strike down Inanna while he still had the chance, the boy Bilgame stepped between them. Holding the Sceptre of Mês with trembling hands, he pointed it towards Izimud, a glimmer of newfound courage shining in his eyes, and withdrew back towards Inanna’s side.

“Give me the Sceptre boy, it belongs to me” 

“It belonged to master Enki and he is dead. I will decide who it belongs too” 

Bilgame spoke, his voice laced with resentment towards Izimund. The years of suffering and abuse had culminated into this moment. The beatings for the most trivial of infractions. Every time he had spilled a drop of beer, each fault written in clay tablets, a false note on the lyre had met with a severe lashing from a thick leather strap, tipped with bronze studs. 

All his anger and hatred channelled into the Sceptre and a blue blast of light shot out from the glowing orb, striking Izimund on the chest. The blast was not strong enough to kill Isimud but the heat had seared the flesh on his face until it was charred and the force of the blast had winded him. 

Bilgame helped Inanna on to her feet. He searched for some means of escape but the mob had covered the only available exit. 

Torrential rain continued to batter down and fierce gale force winds blew against the mob keeping them out of reach of their targets. From the sea a massive column of water propelled itself toward the unsuspecting shores of Eridung. The hundred foot mountain of water ripped through the shoreline engulfing the coastal city instantly sending the inhabitants to a watery grave. Buildings were washed away like stains upon the earth. Trees, carts along with animals and people were swept up in the dark rapids. No one caught up in the deluge conjured by the Sceptre had any hope of survival. 

Through the clouds Uttu appeared, riding his chariot, he charged down into the crowd surrounding Inanna. The wheels of the vehicle crushed members of the mob as it landed on Top of them. The griffins driving the chariot attacked the crowd snapping their jaws with a violent fury and clawing at them with their razor sharp talons. Bilgame helped Inanna onto the chariot and handed back to her the sceptre. She smiled and offered her hand and pulled him onto the cart. 

Uttu cracked the whip, and the chariot surged forward, ascending higher into the sky. Bilgame could hardly believe his eyes as they soared above the clouds, the wind rushing through his hair. The sight of the living chariot, a fusion of gold and monstrous griffins, filled him with both awe and dread. It seemed like a surreal nightmare unfolding before his very eyes, a nightmare that threatened to consume them as Izimud, riding his own sky chariot, closed in on their position.

But Izimud was not alone in his pursuit. Fifty other chariots, each manned by three demonic warriors, rode alongside him. Their chariots, too, were living creations, but it was Izimud’s vehicle that stood out as the swiftest and most powerful among them all.

As their pursuers closed in, snapping like a pack of relentless hunting dogs, Inanna handed Bilgame a large melam shield that emitted a blinding light, akin to a burning star. Armed with her bow and quiver, she prepared herself for the impending clash. Utu, gripping a whip intricately woven with gold thread, lashed it against the griffins pulling the chariot, urging them to fly with unparalleled speed.

The chase continued high above the clouds, with Utu skillfully manoeuvring the chariot, dodging and weaving through the tumultuous skies. The demonic chariots pursued them relentlessly, their riders unleashing wicked spells and launching arrows in an attempt to bring them down. But Inanna, with her bow in hand, retaliated with precision, shooting arrows imbued with divine power, each finding its mark and scattering their foes.

Bilgame, shielded by the blazing light of the melam shield, aided Inanna by deflecting incoming projectiles and providing support whenever possible. His heart raced, fueled by a mixture of fear and determination, as they fought to escape the clutches of their relentless pursuers and ensure their survival.

The sky became a battlefield, filled with the clash of chariots, the roar of griffins, and the fierce exchange of magical and physical blows. The odds seemed insurmountable, but Inanna’s resolve and Bilgame’s newfound courage refused to waver.

Their only hope lay in outmanoeuvring and outlasting their adversaries, utilising the full extent of their own powers and the incredible speed of their living chariot. With each passing moment, they pushed the limits of their abilities, hoping to evade capture and find sanctuary in a realm far beyond the reach of their enemies.

The race through the skies continued, an epic struggle between the forces of darkness and the determined champions of light, leaving behind a trail of chaos and turmoil in their wake.

With her bow held firmly in her left hand, Inanna focused her gaze on the nearest demon-mounted chariot. She skillfully handled the arrow and string with her right hand, positioning herself with precision.

Standing tall, her feet planted shoulder-width apart, she engaged her core and pelvis, ensuring a stable stance. With her back straight, she pulled back on the string, forming a T-shape with her arms and shoulders, the arrow positioned just below the nock bead.

Her index finger rested above the arrow, while her middle and ring fingers grasped below in a split finger style. Bringing the arrow close to her eye, she used her thumb to support the back of the arrow, maintaining its alignment. Her bow pointed directly at the target, her inner elbow parallel to the ground as she aimed down the spine of the arrow. Pulling back until the string touched the corner of her mouth, she aligned the arrow’s tip with her intended target. Releasing the tension in her fingers, she let the arrow fly.

As the arrow soared through the sky, its tip ignited into brilliant blue flames, creating a thunderous explosion upon impact. The chariot and its occupants were engulfed in chaos, tumbling through the clouds toward their inevitable demise. Inanna repeated this deadly ritual, unleashing arrow after arrow from her quiver, each finding its mark without fail.

Yet, despite her remarkable accuracy, there remained a horde of forty chariots relentlessly pursuing them. One of the demon charioteers swooped down, launching a javelin with immense force. The projectile struck Bilgame’s shield with such power that it split in two, leaving him vulnerable.

In a daring manoeuvre, the two chariots aligned side by side, and the pursuers closed in on Utu’s chariot. The monstrous mounts clashed, snapping and clawing at each other with ferocious intensity. Utu, armed with his whip, coiled it around the neck of the enemy driver, tightening his grip until it cut off the demon’s breath. With a swift crack of the whip, the driver’s head was severed from his body, and his lifeless form slumped forward, sending their chariot into a nosedive.

The shield bearer from the fallen chariot managed to leap onto Utu’s vehicle, determined to exact revenge. Inanna and Utu engaged in a fierce struggle with the intruder, causing the chariot to veer off course. Sensing an opportunity, Bilgame’s quick thinking guided his actions. Spotting a silver dagger hanging from Utu’s belt, he swiftly drew the blade and plunged it deep into the demon’s heart. As the shield bearer grasped at the embedded dagger, Inanna delivered a powerful kick, sending him toppling over the side of the chariot, disappearing into the abyss below.

Their desperate battle for survival raged on, as the remaining chariots continued their relentless pursuit through the tumultuous skies. The odds were stacked against them, but Inanna, Bilgame, and Utu fought on with unwavering determination, their fates intertwined in a deadly dance of fate and destiny.

Exhaustion weighed heavily upon Inanna, Bilgame, and Utu, their strength depleted after a relentless pursuit through the skies. The griffins, too, were fatigued, having expended all their energy in a desperate attempt to evade capture.

Inanna now grasped the Staff of Mês firmly in her hands, raising it high towards the darkened sky. With a commanding voice, she invoked a devastating storm rune, channelling her power through the ancient artefact.

“Descend below the clouds, Utu. I have a surprise in store for our pursuers,” she commanded.

Utu, unwavering in his loyalty, swiftly obeyed her directive, plunging the chariot through the thick layers of clouds. Izimud and his fellow pursuers followed closely behind, their determination unwavering.

Within the dense cover of the clouds, Utu skillfully manoeuvred, using the swirling mist as their shield. Bolts of lightning, summoned by the Sceptre of Mes, crackled through the sky, striking the chariots of their enemies. The electric currents surged through the demon warriors’ armour, frying them alive within their own protective shells. One by one, Izimud’s charioteers fell from the skies, their bodies lifeless before they even reached the ground.

Descending further, the clouds gradually thinned, revealing the settlement of Karbala beneath them. A humble nomadic campsite compared to the grandeur of Eridug, it now stood as Inanna’s destination. Empowered by the Sceptre of Mes, she held the power to transform this modest dwelling into the greatest city the world had ever seen. The Assembly’s agenda aligned with her own, and Enki’s demise left Eridug swallowed by the sea.

Utu let out a sigh of relief as the chariot safely reached the encampment. However, their respite was short-lived as Izimud’s chariot burst through the storm clouds, the charred remnants of lightning strikes still clinging to its form. Izimud, undeterred by the assault, had managed to survive the onslaught, accompanied by only three of his remaining charioteers. The final confrontation was drawing near, and the fate of all involved hung in the balance.

Izimud charged like a raging bull, his chariot colliding with the side of Utu’s in a deafening crash. Utu’s chariot spun out of control, hurtling towards the earth with destructive force, finally crashing into the encampment of huts made of reeds and clay. Inanna, thrown from the chariot during the collision, landed on a large bale of hay that cushioned the impact of her fall. Utu, unfortunately, met a more tragic fate, crushed under the weight of the collapsed chariot and its monstrous occupants. Bilgame’s whereabouts remained unknown.

Izimud landed his vehicle a few yards away from the crash site, a smug satisfaction evident on his face as he contemplated his imminent victory. The demonic warriors accompanying him wasted no time, swiftly converging on the trapped Utu and viciously dismembering him with their dark obsidian blades. Their malevolent attention then turned towards Inanna, poised to unleash their evil intentions upon her.

“You have committed a grave mistake today. I am torn between killing you or thanking you,” Izimud taunted. “At sunrise, I was a humble servant, and now, at sunset, your actions have made me the master of the four corners of the Earth. The age of annunaki is over. I will cleanse the Earth of your kind.”

“Over?” Inanna defiantly retorted. “It has only just begun.”

Izimud raised his sword, intent on delivering the final blow to sever Inanna’s graceful neck. However, his bronze blade was met by a sabre forged from otherworldly metals. Ninshubura, the sukkal of Inanna, interposed herself between Izimud and his intended victim. Radiant and tall, she donned resplendent robes of melam, her presence commanding attention.

Wielding her curved blade with skill and precision, Ninshubura deftly parried Izimud’s attacks. Her swordsmanship surpassed his own, and with a swift manoeuvre, she disarmed him by tapping his sabre out of his grasp. Izimud’s demonic cohorts lunged at her, their blades dripping with the blood of Utu, but Ninshubura danced among them like an elegant spectre. She moved with grace and fluidity, expertly evading their lethal swings and slashes. Her reactions were lightning-fast, surpassing the speed of her numerous adversaries. Anticipating their every move, she harnessed her advantage to devastating effect. Through precise blocks and counters, the skirmish reached its blood-soaked climax. All of Ninshubura’s enemies lay lifeless at her feet, their reign of terror brought to a swift end.

Only Izimud remained, a solitary figure surrounded by his nemesis on all sides, any hope of escape extinguished. Realising his defeat, he threw down his sword and prepared himself for the impending death stroke that awaited him.

“This is how it ends,” Izimud whispered with resignation. “Take your blade, Annakki, and end the life that has become useless.”

Ninshubara, a Sukki to her core, bowed her head respectfully, acknowledging the request of a fellow warrior. With a swift and precise motion, she swung her sword, severing Izimud’s head from his shoulders. His lifeless body fell to the ground, devoid of the power and authority he once possessed.

Witnessing Izimud’s decapitated form, Bilgame emerged from his hiding place in the wooden goat pen. In his arms, he cradled the Sceptre of Mes. Kneeling before Inanna, he extended the sacred artefact to her in a solemn gesture of fealty and allegiance.