by R. Brown
“It is my natural form. Steven and I are genetic creations. We are a compilation of millions of the best genes that both humanity and the Anunnaki had to offer,” Ash answered honestly.
“I see.” With a chuckle Solon added, “I expect that when other Anunnaki women see you, we will begin to see many in such a form. They will want to emulate your perfection.”
“Thank you, Solon—but I can take no credit for it.”
Looking out upon the darkening sunset, they shared the last of the meat and biscuits in the bag, passing the gourd of water back and forth. Alone in their thoughts, the only sounds were those of the soft breeze slowly pushing the clouds across the sky—and the lapping waves of water upon the shore.
As Solon laid down, he handed Ashlyn a piece of driftwood. “It makes for a better pillow than a rock.”
Ashlyn laid back and looked up. Seeing the first star appearing she said, “It’s so peaceful, you’d never know that there was a war going on out there.” Deep within, Ashlyn sensed that she might never have such a peaceful night again.
Without another word shared between them, they both drifted off to sleep.
***
“Are they dead?”
The sun was rising on the horizon—the first rays of light erasing the last of the stars shining above them. Ash opened her eyes to see a man dressed in furred skins, kneeling beside her. His large hand was atop her shoulder.
To Ashlyn’s startled jump, the man smiled. “They’re alive, Ti’ken. Apologies,” said the man to Ashlyn as he rose and took a step back. Though he was trying not to stare, he could not tear his eyes from Ashlyn’s rounded curves. He was not accustomed to seeing a woman without clothing, and Ashlyn’s beauty was without equal. “I am Cree, and this is my son, Ti’ken.” Cree gave a slight bow, following it with a scornful gaze at his young son for not doing the same. “Did you come from a ship? Might there be other survivors?”
Ash smiled. “No others. No ship.”
Cree’s eyes tightened with suspicion. “There are very few people here and this particular stretch of land is hard to reach.” He’d also noticed that while Ashlyn wasn’t wearing shoes, her feet appeared soft and unblemished. It was suspicious, and it made him wary. He’d also taken note of the large, sheathed sword that lay nearby. “If not by ship, how did you get here?”
“I am Ashlyn. This is Solon. And the answer is—complicated.”
Cree decided not to push further. “Where are you headed?”
“We are headed north, to Olympus,” said Ashlyn.
“Olympus? That is a long journey. It would take you a fortnight by horse—twice that on foot. You have no provisions, nothing to provide for your needs. You are travelers, not prepared to travel. Very strange.”
“Do you know where we can find water?” asked Ash, ignoring his observations.
“Apologies for not having offered it to you.” Cree looked down at Ti’ken before he spoke again. “You can have our supplies. We come here to fish and have little need for the food we carry. Ti’ken and I can go for a few hours with empty bellies. And there is a nearby spring where we can refill our pouches.”
“Thank you, Cree—and you, Ti’ken.” Ashlyn gave the boy a nod. Her gentleness melted Cree’s concern for their safety.
Cree poured the water from his pouch into their gourd, and emptying his food bag, gave them all he had. It wasn’t much, but he held nothing back.
“We have to be going,” said Ash. “As you say, the journey is long.”
“I have never seen a woman like you,” said Ti’ken.
She touched the tip of Ti’ken’s nose with her finger. “I don’t think anyone has.” She smiled playfully. “Cree, Ti’ken—do not be afraid. We are your friends and we will not harm you.” Ash took a few steps back and shifted into her dragon form. Solon shifted into his creature’s form.
Ti’ken hid his face in his father’s hip.
“You are gods!” said Cree looking up at Ashlyn’s dragon. He now understood their reason for going to Olympus. They were going home.
“And that makes you a friend of the gods,” said Ash.
Ti’ken dared to take a peek at Ashlyn.
“Take care, young Ti’ken. Your father is a good man. If you do what he tells you, you will grow to be a man as wise and skilled as he.”
Ash followed the words with a loud roaring screech and shot a stream of fire into the air before she lifted off, with Solon following her.
Solon’s gaze questioned Ashlyn for having scared the boy with the fire and loud roar.
“I did it for Ti’ken. What good is a dragon story if you didn’t get to hear it roar? It will make the story of meeting us that much more memorable,” said Ash.
That brief few minutes on the beach would be a memory that Cree and Ti’ken would never forget. The day they fed the gods and stood at the feet of a roaring dragon.
Chapter 11
By noon, Olympus was in sight. White snowcapped peaks adorned the mountain like jewels on a crown. Crossing above rolling hills and green fertile valleys, Ash began to climb, heading for the highest peak. She felt a connection to the Temple of Anu, a strange familiarity that was calling to her.
Ash circled around the two highest peaks that were separated by a deep crevasse. Taking a second sweeping pass, though she saw no entrance—she knew it was there. Closing her eyes, she glided quietly, focusing upon her feelings.
Swooping into the crevasse, Ash landed upon a small outcropping of snow-covered rocks just below the tip of the western peak. Centuries of swirling winds in the narrow crevasse had turned the icy outcrops into majestic spired towers.
Ash exhaled a stream of fire, melting the snow. A second breath fractured the heavy layer of ice beneath and brought it crumbing down—revealing a thin entrance between the rocks.
Back in their Anunnaki forms, Solon leaned over the side and looked down at the sheer cliff. “To think that Ja’kal climbed that, I can see why Anu rewarded him.” Solon shivered, the sub-zero temperatures cutting to the bone.
Ashlyn pulled the sword and grasped it, bringing it to life. Its glow illuminated the tunnel with dancing light as they moved inside. Thirty paces in, they came to a descending staircase cut into the rock. Moving deeper into the mountain, and away from the wind, it grew warmer—something for which they were both grateful. Near an hour passed, before they reached the last stair at the bottom.
The room they entered out upon was magnificent. Eleven large, pedestaled statues, six on one side and five on the other were inset into the wall. Each had red glowing eyes and was holding a radiant orb of white light. It was enough to light the entire cavern.
Large columns with sculpted hieroglyphs along the sidewalls lent support to terraced boxes and grand galleries high above, where an audience of thousands could watch the proceedings below. At the far end of the immense room, a wide set of stairs led to an equally immense, throne of gold. On each side of the throne stood a tall stone warrior with a canine head, holding a spear in one hand and a shield in the other.
“The statues along the walls represent the Council members. The two beside the throne are the Guardians of Anubis,” said Solon. “They are said to be the protectors of Anu. I have seen their likeness outside the Grand Chambers, where the Council meets back on Heaven.”
Ash stepped onto the white marbled walkway. Instantly, the heads of the eleven statues along the sides of the room turned in her direction, tipping downward to look at her.
The two Guardians of Anu, beside the throne, came to life—taking an aggressive, wide-stance. The movement of their heavy feet hitting the ground, echoed through the cavern. The spears lowered, pointing in her direction. Their shields came forward in defense. Exercising caution, Ashlyn paused and sheathed her sword. Her actions did nothing to lessen the aggressive posturing of the statues.
“The legend Gorok told was true. This is the home of the Anunnaki gods,” said Solon in astonishment. “We should not have come to this place.”
<
br /> “Wait here,” said Ash, not wanting to put his life at risk.
When she took a step forward, the two statues of Anubis both jumped down to the main floor. The ground shuddered beneath them as they landed.
“I am no threat to you,” shouted Ashlyn. “I’ve come to speak with Lord Anu.”
The statues took another step forward, menacingly thrusting their spears in her direction.
“We are not welcome here, Ashlyn. We should leave.”
“No, Solon. I will not,” said Ashlyn without turning to look at him. Responding to her next step forward, electricity began arcing on the surface of the orbs that the statues were holding. It was a warning.
Ashlyn kept slowly moving forward, her arms wide, showing them that she meant no harm.
Suddenly, from the statue to her right, a stream of lightning shot forth. It surrounded Ashlyn in a bubble of electrifying energy. Ashlyn screamed as the pain forced her to collapse on the ground.
Ashlyn lay gasping for air, the pain in her seizing muscles refusing to leave. As she rolled onto her side, she saw Solon take a step toward her, wanting to help. Before Ashlyn could stop him, a single burst of lightning sent him flying backwards.
“You didn’t need to do that, we mean no harm,” shouted Ashlyn. “Is this the way the gods treat those who come seeking help?”
Rising slowly, weakened by the pain, she tottered. Looking at Solon, himself fighting to rise, Ash took a deep breath. She was getting mad and it showed in her resolve. She took another step forward.
Two statues, one from the left and one from the right attacked her. Ashlyn dropped to one knee, gasping as the streams continued to pelt her without letup. Struggling through the wracking pain, she rose. With another torturous step, all the other statues joined in. The eleven energy streams pummeled her. Screaming in pain, she defiantly refused to let her legs buckle. Ash closed her eyes and focused.
Her mind retreated into a place of safety, a place without pain. A calmness overtook her.
When her eyes opened, she could no longer feel the pain of their attacks. Steadily, she walked forward, though the sizzling lightning still lashed her.
“I mean you no harm,” she again repeated. “I only seek audience with Lord Anu.”
The guardians of Anubis moved forward, ready to battle her.
A large white orb of glowing energy appeared in midair, hovering above the throne. Its hum denoting great power. “No! Let her be!” commanded the orb, its voice booming inside the large cavern.
The guardians immediately stepped aside, bringing their spears to rest. Bowing their heads, they welcomed her—as though they were suddenly the best of friends.
Turning to Solon, Ash chided him, “You aren’t going to make me go up there alone are you? There’s no reason to be nervous, Solon. We’ve come home.”
Solon’s eyes were wide. Though he had served Lord Enki and Lady Ninmah his entire life, he had never been in the presence of the Council. Few Anunnaki ever had. And it hadn’t gotten off to a good start.
Reluctantly, Solon nodded his head and joined her. Walking together, they felt dwarfed by the immense size of the towering statues. Under the gaze of their glowing red eyes—the walk toward the throne felt infinitely long.
The two of them came to a stop at the base of the wide stairs leading up to the throne.
“You may approach.” The booming voice echoed off the walls of the cavern. The pastel colored lights within the orb pulsated to each spoken word.
Solon swallowed, his eyes begging her to not ask more of him. “I’ll wait here.”
Ash certainly couldn’t blame him. It was intimidating. At the top of the stairs, Ash came to a stop. The light within the orb began to expand in size, finally coalescing into an Anunnaki, fifty feet in height. From behind her at the base of the stairs—she heard Solon gasp out the name, “Lord Anu.” Solon instantly knelt to one knee and bowed his head in respect.
Anu’s appearance was formidable. He stood tall, looking down at her. Ash couldn’t help but compare him to the historical images she had seen of the mythological god, Zeus. They were near identical. His glowing, white, deep-set eyes were intense. His wrinkled brow and facial features conveyed a great depth of wisdom—as did his wavy locks of long silver hair and beard. Bands of ornate gold were wrapped about each wrist and muscled, veined bicep. A short, toga style garment was slung over his right shoulder and cinched around the waist with a simple leather belt. A dark brown cape hung upon his back. He was muscular, chiseled—godlike.
Standing before Anu’s sandaled feet, Ashlyn followed Solon’s lead and knelt to one knee, humbly putting her head down.
“Rise, Lady Ashlyn,” said Anu. “Why have you come to us?”
Ashlyn stood and looked up at him. “Lord Anu, I seek your permission to enter the netherworld.”
“The netherworld? For what purpose?” asked Anu.
“I wish to face my enemies in battle,” said Ashlyn. And though she was unsure of how her response would be accepted, she knew she must speak the truth. “The people on Tiamat are caught in a war between your sons, Lord Enki and Lord Enlil. Many Anunnaki lives have been lost in Enki’s defense of us. As have many Anunnaki lives been lost by Enlil’s forces in his attack upon us. I want to put an end to the war. I want to save my world and my people—as I want to save the lives of the Anunnaki who are faithful to the decree issued by the Council—before it is too late.”
Anu took a step back and sat down upon the immense throne. He stared at her with a sharp glare. “You are but one person,” said Anu. “And you have many thousands of enemies.”
“Yes, but I have no choice. I must try,” said Ashlyn. “I ask only to be granted access to the netherworld, so that I may gain access to the arena.”
Anu’s hands tightened on the throne’s armrest; the muscles in his forearms flexed. Ashlyn could see that he was not pleased by the request. “You know not what you ask.” With obvious reluctance, his eyes rose, and he looked at the nearest of the statues in the room. In turn, each of the statuesque figures gave a nod, approving her request. With the consent of the last he added, “The Council votes to grant your request, but the final vote is mine. It must be unanimous. I ask you to consider the risk to yourself and that of your unborn child.”
Ash swallowed. His words had come as a surprise and a subtle reminder of all that was at stake. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her shoulders with resolution. “I have considered the risk, Lord Anu. I fight for both of our worlds, not for myself.”
Anu leaned back, looking defeated. It was as though he’d hoped she’d recant her request. “So be it. You have passed the gauntlet, and the decision shall be yours to make. But let me tell you what lays ahead. The nexus is a doorway that leads to a netherworld, a world that exists between worlds, between dimensions. It is the world in which you now live, but it is not. It is a world where the Sword of Truth is merely a sword. It has no power. So too, the Star of Elements that you wear about your neck. It is part of this reality and cannot be taken through the nexus. You enter the netherworld without the power to shift form. You enter the netherworld, alone.
“If you survive the netherworld to enter the arena, you will have learned that a Transor’s power comes from within. It is not dependent on what weapon you carry, or what item you wear. Only by embracing what you are, can you reach your full potential. And only in having reached your full potential, can you find the power to summon your enemies to you. You will know when the trials are over. You will know when you are ready for the arena.
“The journey through the netherworld is long and deadly. You will pass through many worlds, most will be inhospitable with fearsome creatures. They are worlds that will be, and worlds that have been. It is a place where the rules of time do not exist.
“It will challenge your sense of reality, but everything you see is real. The enemies exist. And should they kill you in the netherworld, your body will die, but your soul will not. You will never see this wo
rld again, your soul will be trapped, forced to wander forever in nothingness. It is a fate worse than death.
“Nor, do I know what you will face, for the netherworld is different for each person who enters. It gives you what you need and nothing more. Few have entered, and only one has returned,” said Anu, pausing briefly.
“Ja’kal,” said Ashlyn in a soft voice.
“Yes—Ja’kal. But he did not come back as the man he had been when he entered. No one can face such horrors and not be changed. Nor can one face the demons within ourselves and remain the same. So, I ask again—knowing all this, do you still wish us to open the nexus into the netherworld? Are you prepared to undergo the trials? And if you survive, to meet your enemies in the arena?”
“I am—I must try, because it is the right thing to do.” Ashlyn bowed. “I thank you for the warning and the instruction, Lord Anu.”
Anu rose from the throne. “Lords of the Council, I call upon each of you to open the nexus, so that this woman may enter the netherworld.” Anu put out his hand and pointed, and just like the Zeus of legend—a beam of lightning streamed out of his fingertip. Each of the eleven orbs being held by the Lords began to grow brighter. The air sizzled and crackled with energy. Suddenly, from each orb, a stream of lightning erupted, joining with Anu’s in the center of the room. A few feet above the floor of the grand walkway, a dark hole began to open in the air. It grew in size, its cloudy blue edge warbling and rippling. The mountain itself rumbled from the raw power being called upon to open the nexus.
Ashlyn remembered Gorok’s story, when the gods speak, the mountain rumbles.
“The nexus to the netherworld awaits you,” said Lord Anu. “Your friend, Solon, may wait here for your return—if you return.”
Ashlyn bowed to Lord Anu one last time, then turned and headed down the stairs. She reached Solon. “Take this.” Ash removed the pendant and choker about her neck and handed it to him. “You have a bit of food and water from the snow if you need it. If I’m not back in one week—leave. When Lord Steven returns, tell him what happened.”