‘IGS?’ Lenore quizzed.
‘No, they are destroyed so quickly, almost in an instant. The IGS has nothing capable of doing that scale of damage,’ he explained.
Lenore’s eyebrows furrowed in thought. What could be capable of such swift destruction? And is it responsible for the sudden silence of the benevolent Anunnaki which warned us for years of the coming apocalypse? Had they been destroyed too, by the very doom they were warning us about?
‘The satellite cameras?’ Lenore probed.
‘They pick up nothing. Whatever is attacking, does so out of view, and with a very powerful ranged assault.’ Lenore slumped back, astounded and defeated.
‘It’s beginning...’
‘Yes. It seems so,’ Deacon concurred with a sigh, ‘the last Enochian signals we received spoke of leaving to Nibiru.’
‘So they’ve all gone home,’ Lenore sighed with relief, ‘To prepare?’
‘Not a comforting thought, I know,’ he acknowledged, ‘And with the sudden abduction of your Drakestoke chosen... It must be linked somehow.’
‘No...’ Lenore shook her head. ‘Victoria insists her Anuna is benevolent. And I too believe it. His cuneiform speaks of love. Not war or hatred.’
‘We need to speak with him as soon as possible then, he could enlighten us of the plans of his brethren,’ Deacon proposed.
‘Yes, I believe this Anuna could be a valuable ally, with Victoria’s help,’ she agreed.
‘Hold on Lenore, the translated transcript of the last Enochian signals have just been sent to me...’ Deacon informed, then paused a few moments as he digested the information.
‘Incredible…’ he began, ‘The departed Anunnaki seem to be following a… Horus,’ he divulged. ‘Remember that the Anunnaki stories and legends are syncretic…’
‘Nabu!’ she exclaimed, ‘Son of Marduk,’ Lenore elaborated thoughtfully.
‘Very good,’ he praised. ‘Yes. It seems logical that Nabu would hold a commanding role amongst his kind.’
‘You think Nabu and his followers are our allies?’ she pondered.
‘If the history is to be believed, his father, Marduk, was no friend to humankind. And he was eventually punished for his insubordination. The Fall of Lucifer, remember?’ implied Deacon.
‘So you believe Nabu may be holding a grudge on his father’s behalf?’ Lenore wondered in disbelief, ‘It doesn’t seem likely... Especially if he is indeed the leader of the very group of Anunnaki which have been forewarning us all these years.’
Marduk saved humankind once, from a previous apocalypse, in the Enûma-Eliš. Though it was made quite clear that it was for his own personal gain. He became leader of the younger pantheon of gods soon because of it. We have been searching for the location of his imprisonment for centuries... Upon revising her rusty knowledge of Marduk, the fiery-tempered god-king of Babylon, Lenore remembered her night-long talk with Anubis back in Blois. What had she said again?... Bull-horned helmet?
‘Wait, Deacon, what did Marduk look like? He was sometimes seen with horns, yes?’ she asked with urgency.
‘He was a younger generation god. Winged like all of them. Heir of the royal blood...’ Deacon began thoughtfully, ‘And yes, in some depictions and interpretations he was alluded to have been horned, I think. He was syncretised with the storm god Iškur or Haddad, who were also horned. Another name for him was ‘solar calf’ or ‘bull of the sun,’ if remember correctly…’
‘Bull-horned…’ She muttered deep in thought.
‘And if he was the basis for Lucifer, he’s also Satan,’ Deacon added.
It all seemed too unreal, too well connected.
A cosmic coincidence.
‘Deacon! I think Marduk is Victoria’s Anuna!’ she blurted.
‘Really? But he’s thought to be banished somewhere deep in the Earth. Possibly even dead. How could he have risen?’ Deacon pondered.
‘I don’t know. But it is possible right? Marduk returning from perdition?’
‘Yes, quite possible. If the Anunnaki banished him to such a fate, I’m certain they can perhaps reverse it,’ he assumed, ‘Why do you think her Anuna is Marduk?’
‘Victoria said he was horned. And we know her Anuna is very strong from his signals. And he uses Sumerian, whereas the modern Anunnaki-‘
‘Use Enochian…’
‘Exactly!’ she affirmed, ‘Which means whoever he is, he hasn’t adopted their newer ways. He has remained separate from the rest of kind for a very long time.’
‘Millennia.’
‘Yes.’
‘God. Lenore… do you realise what this means?’ he whispered in hushed anticipation.
‘This is one heck of an ally we have,’ Lenore mused.
‘Marduk though… Why his change of heart? Why is he helping us now?’ Deacon wondered.
‘I think we may have Victoria to thank for that,’ Lenore smirked. ‘Somehow, I think she has him… infatuated. He leaves the cuneiform markings for ‘love’ after he astrally travels.’
‘My god… It is unheard of. Inconceivable. Anunnaki and human lovers…’ Deacon muttered.
‘And not just any Anuna… Marduk. Son of Enki, our creator. He is quite a big deal,’ Lenore confirmed, almost overwhelmed by the revelation.
‘That makes Victoria a big deal too,’ Deacon cautioned.
Lenore gasped, ‘Of course! For if she dies, so will he.’
‘Why would a royal Anuna take such a risk?’ Deacon quizzed in disbelief.
‘Love,’ Lenore shrugged.
Deacon sighed in resignation, heard clearly over Lenore’s OBdevice on her arm.
‘Perhaps Victoria will not be returning after all,’ he voiced sullenly, ‘Marduk may be keeping her somewhere for his safety.’
‘No,’ Lenore firmly assured, ‘she will return.’
Chapter 30
Obligation
An assembly was called in the South Pyramid of Eden, where the royalist, true Anunnaki, called the Anuzi, had met with their newly acquired ranks of Rogues, led by the young prince, Horus.
‘And so, it is with great pleasure, and thanks, that we welcome Nabu, son of Marduk, and his loyal followers, to our cause!’ Isimud announced.
The hall erupted into cheers, as Horus momentarily stood from his seat, respectfully accepting the praise, while also subtly irritated by the use of his birth name. He felt his Sumerian name was outdated, and one which he had since outgrown and surpassed. He had never held a true kingdom in Sumer, whereas he had ruled over Egypt for many millennia, as Horus, never Nabu.
Marduk noticed the annoyance in his son’s different coloured eyes, and stifled a laugh, catching Nanaya’s downcast gaze. He beamed a questioning grin at her, to which she replied with a small smile. He could not help but feel that Nanaya somehow knew that his chosen was here.
I expect she may know. She may even have seen us… Though she is too noble to question me about it. Or perhaps it’s the new arrivals. She may hold some distrust of these Rogues, as many of us do, Marduk pondered. But I trust my sons judgement. His companions are my allies.
He then stood with his son, embracing him with an arm, and glancing with joy at the cheering council, until they quietened and seated themselves once more. The council continued the discussions on the Tiamatian threat, along with plenty of gold-dusted feasting, ambrosia, and various Nibiran intoxicants to satisfy the restless Anuna.
The Nibiran night was bright with the full moons, as they cast their soft pale blue and pink hues onto the shining city of Eden. Marduk had met Horus after the assembly, in a private rooftop garden, to discuss all things past, present, and future.
Marduk shook his head with disappointment at the lack of news about Enki’s whereabouts.
‘He is not dead. He is my father. I would have felt it,’ Marduk pondered.
‘We both would,’ Horus corrected, thoughtfully, as he sipped his chalice of treacle-like ambrosia. Relishing the taste and burst of vitality of the Nibiran delicacy. Mar
duk eased himself back into his seat, regarding his son. Despite, his almost unchanged appearance, Horus had matured into a capable leader.
‘So, you’re king of the Rogues?’ probed Marduk, with subtle amusement.
‘The age of kings has long since passed, father,’ Horus remarked, ‘No matter how much some of us wish it was not so.’
‘I do not wish that,’ Marduk rebuked, ‘you know that I am changed now, son.’
‘I know it,’ Horus nodded, inhaling the sweet aroma of his chalice. ‘I became a drifter soon after your fall. The Rogues... They chose me as their leader. But I am no king’
‘It is the Anunnaki way... following, leading, ruling... failing...’ stated Marduk, as he took a bite of bappir, chewing and swallowing it, deep in thought.
‘Behaviours ingrained into our DNA. Patterns we cannot break.. The vicious circle of the Anunnaki. But not this time… We will harness our will to change, and shepherd both Anunnaki and humankind to a prosperous future.’
Horus could sense his father’s newfound wisdom, the former god-king now exuded an aura of millennia-old experience. It was almost overwhelming, and made Horus feel somewhat inferior to his father. The stories are true. My father is changed. No longer the brash and arrogant god-king we all remember. He seems lighter of heart, and wiser of mind. He is the only Anuna in our long history to have undergone the Fall, and be resurrected from it. It is hard to forget he lacks a bond to the aetherium.
He had heard of Marduk’s return to Nibiru, and of his victory in driving the remaining Tiamatians from the planet. Even without a link to the eternal supply of aether of the universal aetherium, he had proved his might and power, and earned the respect of all Anunnaki.
‘I am happy to be at your side once again, father. This cause is an honourable one. The Rogues were always with Earth, and now we are with you,’ he proclaimed. Marduk grinned and nodded in acknowledgment and thanks, then his face momentarily darkened.
‘Son,’ Marduk began, ‘I know that you and the Rogues remained near Earth’s, protecting her. Helping and guiding humanity, for all this time. Did you not once think of reviving me?’
Horus reclined with a sigh, ‘I did. But I feared the wrath of An, if I had,’ he admitted. ‘I did not want to endanger Rogue plans. All of the things that we were achieving. The fate of Earth. I needed to continue protecting it all. Being on the front lines. But curious isn’t it? I see now... You are awake, and An has not intervened. So this must all be part of his plan after all.’
‘Yes it must be. For who can fathom what the king of kings thinks?’ Marduk chuckled. ‘And I understand, son. I do not hold anything against you,’ he approved with a wave of his hand.
‘You think we really have a chance against them? Against Tiamat?’ Horus quizzed, his differing eyes shielded under furrowed brows.
‘Our numbers are increasing, thanks to you,’ Marduk grinned, ‘But we at least have to try, regardless of the outcome.’
‘You defeated her once before. When you were... complete,’ Horus began, uncomfortable with mentioning his father’s current, post-fall state.
‘You could, perhaps, defeat her again?’
‘Through my hastiness, I failed to do the job correctly last time,’ Marduk confessed, bitterly.
‘I will not fail again. I must rectify my mistake, so it must be me that kills her.’
Horus understood his father’s drive to right his previous wrong. But will he ever be at full power again? Could he ever be restored? I dare not ask.
‘This is looking to be the biggest war Earth has ever seen,’ Marduk declared with a hue of sadness. Horus murmured in agreement.
‘And it doesn’t just involve us,’ Horus began, ‘The Tiamatians have employed Zetans into their ranks. As well as parts of the governing human faction, called the International Genetic Screening.’
‘Those grey vermin have wondered at our creation for millennia,’ Marduk scoffed. ‘They have always been a nuisance. Sin will no doubt have been the one to seek an alliance with the Zetans.’
Horus laughed, ‘The Rogues have been cleaning Earth’s airspace against them for millennia. They are persistent.’
‘And as for the IGS,’ Marduk continued. ‘They are the reason for this impending annihilation... Why are the Tiamatians working with them?’
Slowly shaking his head in puzzlement, Horus gulped the last of his ambrosia, and sat back in his chair. ‘They must have made some sort of deal.’
‘Perhaps only a particular part of the IGS is deemed useful... A faction within a faction,’ Marduk pondered.
‘Perhaps,’ Horus concurred, nodding.
Marduk rose to his feet with a sigh, ‘But for now, I must take my leave for the night.’
‘As will I,’ Horus acknowledged as he too stood.
‘Are you staying here in Eden?’ Marduk asked.
‘I prefer the Sirrush,’ Horus grinned slyly, referring to his beloved spacecraft, gifted to him many thousands of years ago by Marduk.
‘You still have her?’ Marduk chuckled.
‘She has served me well since the day she was first took flight,’ Horus boasted with pride. ‘You should take a look at her, we’re currently docked at terminal 3.’
Marduk grinned, ‘I look forward to it,’ he clapped Horus on the shoulder in farewell, then aetherated to his apartments in the Temple of An.
The council meeting, and subsequent banquets and discussions, had stretched for a night and a day. Marduk had been eager to return to Anubis during every second.
Fireflies were glowing blue wisps against the indigo night, and wild cats growled in the labyrinthine hedgerows of the endless gardens. The drapes of his open windows danced softly in the cool breeze. The setting was made ever more paradisal, by the vision of his love asleep upon his bed. She had discarded her Drakestoke attire in favour of a light silk gown, no doubt more comfortable in the warm and humid climate of Nibiru. He noticed that she had devoured the layout of food he had left for her before departing. Datecakes, fruit bappir, ambrosia, sweetbeer, all dusted with monoatomic gold. Food of the gods.
Whether by their shared connection or perhaps a slight sound from his arrival, Anubis was somehow alerted to his presence, and jolted awake. Her flickering blue eyes focusing on him within the shadows, and he wanted the sight of her to never leave his eyes.
‘Don’t move,’ he uttered, walking slowly forwards. Anubis smiled, and awakened her senses a little more. She straightened, watching with hungry eyes as Marduk skulked closer. She had almost forgotten how beautiful he was. His perfection was vivid in the muted colours of night. Their attraction was tangible in the fragrant air.
‘Show me your wings,’ she demanded playfully, causing him to stop in amused surprise at her tone. Then slowly, he obeyed her request with a mischievous smirk, materialising his great ebony wings, and spreading them out wide. She marvelled at the sight of the divine protrusions, then narrowed her eyes. ‘You’re late,’ she complained.
And with a great gust of air and rustling of feathers, he was atop her. His wings lowered and draped on either side of her, and she could feel the warmth emanating from beneath the black feathers.
He looked upon her with his ancient eyes, then grazed his lips over hers, sliding his arm underneath her back, and pulling her close to him. She groaned and lifted her mouth to his, stealing a kiss for herself.
He eyed her devilishly, and pressed his body down onto her, ‘Can you forgive me?’ he teased.
‘Yes,’ she breathed, and felt his clothing disintegrate between them, until she could feel the warmth of his bare skin through her gown. Then they took each other ravenously, as they explored their bodies with insatiable thirst. She grasped his strong wings with uncontrollable desire, soft and hot to the touch, as they grappled in primal ecstasy.
Anubis wondered in hazy delight if she would ever get used to the feeling of being with him. That daunting excitement of unfamiliarity. A forbidden kind of union. So sinful, yet so sweet.
Hello, Lucifer
‘I knew it!’ Finn exclaimed during dinner, which Lenore had taken as an opportunity to finally come clean about ECIT and her true purpose at Drakestoke.
‘You were definitely part of some covert operation of something. When we left Blois… the way you were talking to that Deacon guy. Agent Falkirk,’ he smirked.
Lenore grinned widely at Finn. Hiding her secret conversations with Deacon aboard the Cirrus everyday were beginning to feel more and more deceptive, and she eventually wondered why she had to hide it anyway. All of these people around me have become close friends to me. I trust every one of them. I told Anubis everything back at our hideout house in Blois. It’s only right that every one of us is in the know.
Cat smiled and patted Lenore’s arm, ‘I could tell you weren’t really cut out for institution life,’ she joked, hiding the small amount of hurt she felt at Lenore’s revelation. Doubts seared through Cats already troubled mind. Months of lies. Had she befriended me and Axel as part of a plan? A plan to find out about Anubis? Or the IGS? Then realism righted her wandering thoughts, no, she’s more than proven her true friendship to me. She cares about me. And I her. After everything we’ve been through... I have never known a more truer friend. Cat immediately felt angry at herself for ever having doubted Lenore in the first place, and hugged her friend tightly with one arm, giggling.
‘Lenore Falkirk... undercover agent...’ Finn continued to mutter in astonishment, eyeing Lenore appreciatively. I knew she was awesome, but… my god… what a woman.
Emile giggled, glancing shyly at Johnny through her lashes, then turned her smiling face to Lenore.
‘Well your skills definitely came in useful,’ she voiced, in her delicate French accent.
‘I couldn’t save everyone though. If I had known of the destruction, I would have-’
‘Lenore!’ Cat interjected, ‘You were as oblivious as the rest of us. Don’t blame yourself.’
‘You helped me and Emile,’ Finn added with a smirk, ‘We count for something, right?’
Dark Rain: Book 1 of The Aetherium Saga Page 19