Dark Rain: Book 1 of The Aetherium Saga

by Jilly MacKenzie

  ‘That explains a lot.’

  ‘It does indeed,’ Anubis agreed with a smirk, ‘my mother always used to say, my poor little Piscean. She seemed to know of the internal struggles I’d face.’

  Emile nodded with vigour, relating to Anubis on a whole new level.

  ‘Zibme. The Tails,’ Marduk began, ‘the most revered of all the signs.’

  ‘How?’ Anubis quizzed.

  ‘The two fish represent two aspects. One in the waters on Earth, and the other, travelling on the Aether currents of the cosmos. But both attached by a cord. It is a bond similar to the one we share, Anubis. The Ankida. Where Heaven and Earth meet. You walk with one foot in your world, and one foot out. And as above, so it is below.’

  ‘Never really belonging,’ Anubis whispered to the sky.

  ‘But we make the best of it,’ Emile assured, surprised at her own positivity, and she smiled at Johnny, always knowing that he’d played a huge part in her improvement.

  ‘When we are born, does the timing truly affect us?’ Johnny asked sceptically, unsure on whether to believe the lamentations of the girls, and the ranting of an alien prince.

  ‘Not when you are born, but when you are conceived,’ Marduk replied. ‘Without stretching your comprehension too much, I’ll simply say that the positioning of the universe at the time of your creation, plays into what you will become. When Aether is pulled into your cells with the energy of fertilisation, your soul is predetermined, and your destiny forged in the currents of time. Of course nature and nurture play a part in moulding you throughout life... But the true you, your innermost being, that, is fabricated from the eternal streams of the universe. Aether is just one huge cycle of energy, and even procreation must abide by the laws of creation.’

  Johnny and Emile fell deep in thought, questioning their own existence. Questioning the existence of everything. And they were once again left both in awe, and in fear, of Marduk. For, to them, he held the answers to everything possible.

  Anubis knew that was not true. There was much even Marduk did not know, and that very fact, was the only thing that really frightened him.

  Chapter 42

  The Eden Summit

  Lenore nodded to Marduk, ‘We’re ready,’ and he disappeared in a blast of air and flash of white light, leaving the group in a collective gasp of amazement. The brief tear of the fabric of space allowed the cosmic odour of gasoline to escape through.

  ‘I’ll never get used to seeing that...’ Finn stated.

  Wyatt look a long whiff of the air, ‘I’ll never get used to smelling that... Gorgeous!’

  Anubis smirked at Wyatt, and they all waited patiently in the mansion foyer for Marduk’s return.

  ‘You nervous?’ Lenore asked in a low voice, as she went to stand beside Deacon, and a small smile spread across his gentle face.

  ‘I’ve been waiting for this, for a long time. To walk amongst the gods of old. And now, not only are we invited to their world, we are to forge an alliance,’ he explained with subtle joy in his large green eyes, then he turned to Lenore with a small smile.

  ‘I am a little nervous,’ he admitted with a chuckle. She laughed, and then almost as quickly as he had left, Marduk returned, accompanied by two others. The attractive scent of warm rain and hydrocarbons was released into the air once more, much to Wyatt’s delight, and Marduk stepped forward and presented his companions to awestruck group.

  ‘These are my most trusted friends,’ he announced, and clapped the male newcomer on the shoulder. He was a large bronze-skinned man, heavily muscled, and clad in the most beautiful layers of saffron tunics, and red and gold armour.

  ‘Nergal, my brother in arms,’ Marduk proclaimed, with a proud grin, and Nergal nodded at the group in acknowledgment.

  ‘Ares...’ Deacon breathed, as he gazed upon the fiery coloured god of war.

  Nergal grinned in recognition, ‘That is what I later became in your world, yes,’ he chuckled in a strange, lilting accent. He, like the other Watchers and Anuzi, was not as well versed in the modern languages of humans as Marduk, and the Rogues were.

  ‘And this is Nanaya,’ Marduk began, gently guiding her forward by the hand, ‘My oldest of friends,’ he smiled at her, softly, and her large honey eyes swept about the room, meeting Anubis’ blue gaze. The group were waiting for Deacon’s breathless mutter, and right on cue, he gasped out two names, ‘Inanna... Ishtar.’

  She smiled widely at him, ‘And many others,’ she added with a beautiful Sumerian inflection to her accent. Deacon’s face dropped in shock as Nanaya personally addressed him, and he swallowed hard, bowing his head once more in respect. She waved her hand dismissively, laughing softly, ‘No need to bow to me. I am no queen.’

  Marduk strode over to Anubis, putting an arm around her, and nodded to his Anunnaki brethren. Nergal positioned himself behind Wyatt and Axel, and grasped their shoulders with his large hands. A shared look of uneasiness was cast between them, and Cat and Jenny stifled back giggles.

  Nanaya walked hypnotically over to Lenore and Deacon, greeting them with a meek smile, and snaking her slender fingers within their own.

  Wyatt eyed Nergal, ‘Nice armour,’ he observed, pointing up to Nergal’s golden breastplate, at which there was no response from their towering escort.

  The three Anuna nodded in readiness to each other, then dissipated, along with the humans they were touching.

  Cat watched Axels amber gaze tear away into thin air, and she felt a sharp pang of fear and loss. But she trusted Marduk, and she hoped he would not allow anything to happen to her love, or her friends while they were in his care.

  ‘Well, now we wait,’ Finn muttered, breaking the tense silence.

  ‘Now we wait...’ Cat concurred.

  ***

  The journey was instant, but left Lenore breathless, and she quickly drew in her first breaths of Nibiru. The sweet citric scent filled her nostrils and the warmth of the air warmed her lungs.

  ‘Welcome to Eden. Capital of Nibiru,’ Marduk’s velvety voice announced to the group. Lenore was forced to shield her eyes as they adjusted slowly to the sunlight seemingly reflecting off of every surface. Smooth grey granite, white marble, alabaster stone. Everything was clean, curved and angled. Gold and jewelled accents adorned everything. Water and nature were entwined within the infrastructure of the city. Waterfalls cascaded down the sides of pyramids and temples, and lush greenery was present everywhere. Shaped trees lined walkways, and gardens of all kinds could be seen, privately walled, or on high open terraces. It was all so completely alien, yet also familiar. Great monuments surrounded her, in forms that echoed the ancient civilisations of Earth. They enclosed her in with the all-knowing gazes of giant statues of creatures and Anunnaki in their many guises.

  The Nibiran style seemed to be a seamless blend of aesthetics from the ancient human world. Sumerian. Assyrian. Babylonian. Mayan. Egyptian. Our history is just a copy of the Anunnaki culture. Yet, she pondered the Egyptian sculptures and hieroglyphics, they have adopted some influences from us.

  ‘Beautiful...’ Deacon breathed, staring about himself, grazing his fingertips along the script on an alabaster pillar.

  ‘This place is the origin of everything we know...’ he began dreamily, ‘But they have incorporated us here too. They’ve acknowledged our changes through time. And the changes we made of them.’

  Age upon age was intertwined into the architecture of the grandiose surroundings. It was almost too much for Deacon, and he sat down on a fountain side to gather himself, wiping his sweating brow.

  ‘Hard to imagine it’s not real isn’t it?’ Anubis came to stand beside Lenore with a knowing smirk, gesturing to the sky. In all her excitement and awe Lenore had not looked at the sky, and when she did, her knees almost buckled beneath her. A deep orange sun lit up a cloudy blue backdrop. And faded, but still very much visible even in daylight, two gigantic moons. One pale, bluish, and heavily cratered. The other a dusty, streaked orb of red, pink, and yell
ow. Like a strange, solid Jupiter. Looking at the giant moons ushered in a brief sick feeling, and it rushed over Lenore’s body. It was the feeling of immense insignificance, and for a moment, the size of everything frightened her. She thought she could feel the weight of the moons crushing down on her. Then she remembered what Anubis has said.

  ‘N...not real?’ Lenore asked.

  Anubis nodded slowly, ‘It’s a clever projection. Their old sun and moons from the original Nibiru. The one they left a long time ago. That’s merely the memory of them up there.’

  ‘Of course,’ Lenore gasped thoughtfully, how could I forget? She noticed the clouds moving, and the cool breeze, carrying the fragrance of vegetation and frankincense to her senses.

  ‘But the clouds, and wind,’ Lenore quizzed, confused.

  ‘They are as real as they can artificially be,’ Anubis chuckled, then pointed to a nearby climate-tower; so tall it’s top was obscured by the cloud layer above. Deacon stood to his feet in amazement and joined Lenore and Anubis.

  ‘It’s a climate system!’ he exclaimed. ‘They maintain their own artificial climate and weather system. Even seasons!’ He threw out his arms, ‘This whole place. It’s like one huge self-regulating greenhouse.’

  ‘Very good,’ Nanaya praised Deacon with a gentle smile, then beckoned to the white polished pyramid behind them, ‘Come, the assembly is this way.’

  Wyatt and Axel were admiring Nergal’s armour and weapons, and the large Anuna was watching them with amusement as the they took turns trying to wield his great mace, Sharur.

  The watchful eyes of countless people were observing Lenore and her companions with curiosity. They were smaller than the Anunnaki, about the size of herself. Yet no less exquisite looking than Anunnaki.

  ‘They’re humans,’ Lenore whispered to Deacon in realisation, as they followed Nanaya towards the pyramid.

  ‘There are no slaves here,’ Nanaya voiced softly from in front.

  ‘I didn’t think that,’ Lenore defended, embarrassed. Nanaya and Marduk laughed together, and he strode forward to walk beside Lenore and Deacon.

  ‘The humans here, are here because they choose to be. They are the descendants of people we deemed… special,’ he explained with a smile.

  ‘They live as they wish. Most of them are workers, continuing the work their ancestors did when they first came here. We have farmers, cooks, physicians, engineers, warriors. All of them are now more Nibiran, than they are Earthling,’ he continued.

  ‘How?’ Anubis wondered, thoughtfully, as she gazed upon the beautifully clothed Nibiran humans.

  ‘This place has an extremely high concentration of aether compared to Earth. They live much longer lives than Earth humans. But still mortal. We have had many generations of humans here.’

  I want to live here, to live as long as I can. With you, Anubis proclaimed to Marduk.

  It is only an average of 300 years, Marduk warned.

  It’s much better than a mere 100 years with you.

  Deacon exhaled a weary sigh, ‘I would join them if I could,’ he mused.

  ‘You may still yet,’ Lenore soothed.

  He shrugged uneasily, ‘I’m not sure our creators would want an imperfect specimen such as I, to be an eyesore upon their perfect land.’

  ‘Deacon,’ Lenore uttered, barely audible from her shock at his words. How could this amazing, important man, think so lowly of himself? The hollow, superficial society that the IGS have crafted, has reduced even Deacon to self-loathing! He’s the most important man I know.

  Lenore’s feelings were mirrored in Nanaya’s concerned expression, and she stopped Deacon before entering the grand entranceway of the pyramid.

  ‘We are not as we used to be,’ she began, her soft musical voice instantly drawing Deacons attention.

  ‘We judge not the appearance of humans, but their deeds. Their heart. And their souls,’ she began, ‘By being aligned on our side, you have already earned a place within our assembly. And being the wise man, I know you to be, Administrator of ECIT, you have earned a place in Nibiru, with my personal affirmation.’

  He grinned widely at her, ‘Thank you, my lady,’ swallowing hard, and bowed his head in gratitude.

  The group emerged into the council chambers of the Anunnaki Assembly, and the room was a cavernous hollow chamber within the pyramid. Huge fiery sconces lit the room in a brilliant amber glow, and richly coloured drapery, and tapestries depicting meaningful symbols, decorated the smooth walls. Seated around the largest oval table Lenore had ever seen, were the still ancient gazes of twenty-two gods, with eight seats spare, awaiting their guests. Awaiting them. An Anuna male rose to his feet, and addressed them.

  ‘Welcome Earth humans, to the Eden Summit. First of its kind.’

  Marduk snorted, ‘Isimud,’ he muttered to Lenore, ‘He likes to think he’s the king of Eden, but he used to be just my father’s advisor.’

  ‘That must have been an important role,’ Lenore defended, studying the thickly bearded Anuna.

  ‘He certainly thinks so,’ Nergal mocked as he passed by to take a seat beside a white-haired female Anuna, which he greeted with a quick kiss. His spouse? Lenore assumed.

  The group followed suit and took a place at the table, under the ever watchful eyes of the most important Anunnaki in all Nibiru. Though even they rose from their seats, and swiftly knelt in the Anunnaki subordinate kneel, as Marduk settled at the table. The humbling spectacle quickly reminded the group of Marduk’s royal status, and the empowering feeling of being acquainted with Marduk helped them relax a little. We’re friends with the guy on top, there’s nothing to be nervous about, Lenore thought, attempting to calm her nerves. She looked over to Anubis, sat beside Marduk, if he’s considered a prince to them, what does that make his Chosen? But when Lenore spied the many fleeting gazes in Anubis’ direction, they were not regarding Anubis with benevolence. All of the seated Anunnaki, except Nanaya and Nergal, were eyeing Anubis with contempt and suspicion.

  Chapter 43

  Alliance Of The Ages

  It had taken some time for the summit to begin, as all thirty members of the assembly introduced themselves in turn. Marduk had spoken for Anubis, proudly announcing her as his Chosen, and he met the looks of judgement with hostility, immediately subduing them. And it was finally Axel’s introduction that had spurred the summit into full swing.

  ‘I’m Axel, or as The IGS call me, CLXY12. They created me.’ A low murmur sounded amongst the assembly. Bau, a female Anuna with a tall turban-like hat, addressed Axel softly, with the typical Sumerian accent.

  ‘I could feel that you are not... completely human. What are you?’ she probed with gentle curiosity.

  Axel met her interested gaze, ‘I am what is known as, a Splice. I, in particular, am part wolf, part human, and I expect... part Anunnaki?’ A few isolated laughs erupted from around the table, and the female Anuna sat back, deep in thought.

  ‘It makes sense now,’ Isimud began, stroking his long braided beard thoughtfully, ‘The Tiamatians are calling for the annihilation of humans, not fully out of contempt and anger. But partly, out of fear.’

  ‘Because of Axel?’ Lenore softly quizzed, afraid she had spoken out of turn. Though Isimud did not seem offended, and he continued.

  ‘The IGS have pressured humans into selectively breeding, to what we can assume is to reach a heightened level of genetic perfection. Forced evolution.’

  ‘And now,’ he gestured to Axel, ‘They have succeeded in creating a new hybrid. In becoming creators themselves, humans have surpassed their original use, and ensured their unfortunate fate.’

  Nanaya let out a frustrated sigh, ‘To the Tiamatians, there is only one master species. One that dominates all others. One that has the power to create others. The Anunnaki.’ Marduk nodded in agreement, and looked to the human group beside him.

  ‘They don’t like that you’re stealing their thunder,’ he grinned with a wink.

  Lenore managed a small smil
e, but Wyatt spoke before she could.

  ‘Well, we’re not gonna become extinct, just because a few spoiled brats of yours can’t share their crown!’ Nergal and Marduk smothered back snorts of amusement, and the group grinned widely.

  ‘The Tiamatians are extremists. Close-minded and elitist,’ Isimud explained, ‘No. Human life will not be extinguished-’

  ‘Not without a fight at least!’ Nergal declared with a wide grin, clenching his fist against the polished obsidian table.

  ‘Damn right,’ Wyatt agreed and held his hand up to Nergal, who surprised him by reciprocating a strong high five.

  ‘You knew what that was?,’ Wyatt whispered to him in amused astonishment.

  ‘I’m one of the seven Watchers. For millennia, I watched,’ Nergal shrugged a response. Wyatt chuckled, and Axel, who was seated between them, rolled his eyes in feigned irritation. Isimud cleared his throat in a polite call to attention.

  ‘You have no enemies here, Earth humans,’ Isimud announced, ‘We will all defend your cause, and put an end to the Tiamatian agenda. Together.’

  Everybody murmured and nodded in agreement.

  ‘I will continue to lead the Rogues in thorough scouts around Earth’s space,’ Horus informed, speaking in a clear English accent, almost as flawlessly natural like his father. ‘There are others that would like the planet, and its inhabitants, for themselves.’

  ‘Zetans,’ Nanaya hissed under her breath.

  ‘They have always been curious of our creations,’ Isimud agreed.

  ‘They are known as Greys to us, and are responsible for the increasing number of attacks on our communication and surveillance satellites,’ Deacon revealed, and he shifted uncomfortably under the gaze of many Anuna.

  ‘The Rogues will make sure to protect your orbital objects,’ Horus assured, and Deacon nodded in gratitude.

  ‘ECIT have built a new fleet of skycrafts, able to exit the atmosphere,’ Deacon continued, ‘We would be honoured to work alongside you in orbital defence,’ he offered with a small bow of his head to Horus.