Dark Rain: Book 1 of The Aetherium Saga

by Jilly MacKenzie

  ‘Do these vessels have weapons?’ Horus quizzed thoughtfully.

  ‘Only the best energy launchers our species has yet produced,’ Deacon boasted.

  ‘Perfect,’ Horus grinned in agreement.

  ‘And ECIT on the ground? What will your organisation offer our cause from below?’ Isimud questioned both Deacon and Lenore.

  ‘We are already in collaboration with the Saboteurs,’ Lenore replied, motioning to Wyatt and Axel, ‘Our specially trained insiders and agents are already taking down IGS outposts and facilities as we speak.’

  ‘We work with a little more of a... bang, than ECIT,’ Wyatt mused with a sly side look at Lenore.

  ‘And we free other Splices from their laboratory prisons,’ Axel added.

  ‘I am glad to hear that,’ Bau leaned forward with genuine praise, ‘We learned long ago that keeping slave species never ends well. Isn’t that right Marduk?’ Her knowing green eyes scornfully met the narrowed gaze of the Anunnaki prince. Marduk’s jaw tensed and he eyed her with equal intensity.

  ‘The Igigi are long gone. They got what they wanted, in the end,’ he bitterly stated. Bau settled back in her seat and Lenore felt the overwhelming weight of secrecy. A story in history which she longed to hear. A regretful and shameful instance in Marduk’s past which she longed to uncover.

  Igigi? Anubis probed Marduk’s mind.

  The first species we made to serve us. I was close friends with one of them, and I betrayed him. A mistake I have never forgotten.

  ‘With your satellites now better protected, by both ECIT and the Rogues,’ proceeded Isimud, ‘Would ECIT and the Saboteurs consider an open exchange of communication and information sharing with us?’ The offer could not be denied, and both Deacon and Wyatt agreed with enthusiasm.

  ‘May I speak?’ a softly spoken male Anuna voiced from the other side of the great table.

  ‘Namtar,’ Isimud nodded in acknowledgment and gestured for the Anuna to continue.

  ‘I have been under Enlil’s influence for a long time,’ Namtar meekly began, he was as white as snow, but black markings on his face, along with his long dark hair, gave a stark contrast against his pale face. Giving him an almost menacingly skeletal appearance.

  ‘So I feel I can best voice the feelings of...’ he gestured to five Anuna beside him, ‘Others like me.’

  Erishkigal moved in her seat, stiffening at Namtar’s words. Her blue eyes gave him an icy stare, but the young Anuna ignored her.

  ‘We all apologise for our misguided hearts, and clouded minds,’ and he and his companions bowed their heads low before the congregation.

  ‘That may be true,’ Isimud began, ‘But it is not us you must seek forgiveness from,’ and he gestured to the part of the table where the human group sat, ‘It is theirs. For it is their entire species the Tiamatians seek to destroy.’ Namtar nodded once and proudly faced the humans.

  ‘We are sorry,’ he implored wholeheartedly, and his soft voice spoke of a shamed, easily misguided youth. The humans exchanged looks, Anubis raised an eyebrow at Lenore, as if urging her on, so Lenore took it upon himself to put the poor young Anuna out of his misery.

  ‘You are forgiven,’ she gently proclaimed, loud enough for the entire summit to hear, and Namtar and his companions grinned widely in relief.

  ‘You have loyal allies in us,’ he assured, and he settled back in his seat, exchanging appeased smiles with his mother, Erishkigal.

  ‘As ex-Tiamatians,’ Namtar continued, ‘Me and my companions have knowledge of some bases of operation. Both Anunnaki and Zetan.’ Isimud ran his fingers thoughtfully through the length of his great bear.

  ‘Precious information indeed,’ he agreed.

  ‘I would consider an attack on these bases to be, too offensive, at this time,’ Marduk voiced.

  ‘I agree,’ Nergal nodded, ‘We should focus all our efforts of defence first.’ He then motioned at Namtar, ‘But now we know we have the means for precise and devastating counteraction.’ Namtar’s dark lips spread into a pleased smile, and he nodded in agreement to Nergal.

  ‘Until your intel is needed, Namtar, you and the other ex-Tiamatians are now part of the Anuzi force,’ Isimud decreed, and Namtar bowed in gratitude.

  ‘The Anuzi will stay on and around Nibiru. Guarding the Antares system, protecting our home, and our citizens,’ Isimud added.

  ‘Will be embarrassing if this planet breaks too...’ Marduk murmured with a blank expression. Nergal snorted, and Erishkigal nudged him in disdain. Unimpressed at Marduk’s dark humour, Isimud raised an eyebrow, ‘Marduk,’ he began, ‘Do you know where your weapons of power are?’ Marduk stiffened, and Nanaya too tensed at their mention.

  ‘Yes,’ Marduk answered uneasily, with a narrowed questioning gaze, ‘Why?’

  ‘I think it best if you retrieve them,’ Isimud suggested, with a level gaze. Anger was rising within Marduk, as his lack of true power was once again brought to light. He sneered at Isimud’s impertinence

  ‘You know I cannot use them, you old fool!’ he growled, and the assembly held their breath, as if bracing themselves. Isimud subtly shied away from Marduk’s sudden fury, but swallowed and continued.

  ‘If you bestow them unto Horus, or Nergal, they will be put to use,’ Isimud reasoned with confidence.

  Marduk stared intensely at Isimud, until Horus drew his attention, ‘Father, he’s right. Weapons as powerful as yours... it would be a waste to not see their might in battle once more.’

  ‘Yes, a waste, I’m sure,’ Marduk muttered, settling down into his seat with indignation. Marduk looked from Horus to Nergal, and sighed in resignation at their sorrowful but encouraging gazes.

  I cannot think of more worthy Anuna I would wish to wield my weapons... he pondered.

  You are not weak, Anubis reassured.

  I cannot even wield my own weapons, he lamented, Imhullu. Carved obsidian from the crater of a lunar volcano, and forged in aether-fire. And Ikaval. Shaped from an extinct Nibiran Blackwood tree, and strung with condensed threads of aether. They were made for me. And me alone.

  Anubis could feel his sadness, but his spoken voice interrupted her thoughts.

  ‘Fine,’ he decided, ‘I will collect them after this summit.’ Isimud smiled with appreciation, and the assembly seemed to relax in a collective exhale.

  ‘Now, the Watchers. I feel that at this time in our history, the need has come for their disbandment,’ Isimud revealed, and a few hushed gasps erupted from around the table. ‘The Seven. As there has been when the first Watchers were first chosen,’ he began, ‘Nergal, Erishkigal, Bau, Girsu, Utu, Nanaya, and myself.’

  ‘Disbanded?’ Erishkigal puzzled, her long, exquisitely braided white hair flicked like poured milk, as she looked about at her fellow Watchers for reassurance.

  ‘What are we to do?’ asked Utu, a stocky blonde-haired Anuna male, his huge beard rivalled that of Isimud’s.

  ‘Whatever you want,’ Isimud replied in a level tone, ‘But the Ùruv will stay stationed in the outer limits of the Earth’s system. It will act as a waystation, where engineers and physicians are to be posted there throughout the coming war.’ It was the first time the word ‘war’ was mentioned, and everybody remained still and silent as the looming prospect of battles, and loss, became an projected reality.

  Booming horns suddenly echoed in from outside. Resonating through the cathedralesque assembly chamber. Isimud immediately looked in confusion at Marduk and Horus, who exchanged equally as confused looks with each other.

  Anubis knew the sound, a royal has arrived.

  But who? Marduk wondered, and Anubis felt the small sensations of anticipation and nervousness in Marduk’s mind.

  Chapter 44

  The Father

  The horn ceased, and hurried footsteps could be heard approaching the assembly chamber. Anunnaki guards appeared, and stopped, lining themselves against the entry walls in the subordinate kneel. The assembly rose to their feet in anticipation, and the human gr
oup tentatively followed suit with baited breath. Marduk remained seated, seemingly ignoring the situation, and Anubis stood beside him, watching the entrance for their esteemed uninvited guest.

  Why don’t you stand? she asked.

  Because I know who it is, Marduk growled, and I do not stand for him.

  Suddenly, a giant of a man rounded the corner of the passageway, and strode through the lines of kneeling guards. The assembly dropped to their knees beside their seats, and Lenore and Deacon subtly exchanged nervous looks to each other. Anubis was torn between following the example of the many, or Marduk. And she eventually joined the rest of the assembly chamber in kneeling humbly before the huge golden visitor.

  Anunnaki were always taller than humans, usually more than 6’6” in height, but the new arrival reached even greater than that. Whether by his immense stature, or his exquisite appearance, this Anuna exuded such a sense of power that his audience quivered in waiting. He was a god in every sense of the word. Isimud was thankfully the first to speak and move.

  ‘Bel-Enki. Sur-ba-ti ina ilani. La-u parsuki,’ he declared respectfully, coming to stand before the visitor, arm outstretched.

  ‘Isimud, my old friend,’ the visitor soothed with a smile, accepting Isimud’s arm in a firm grasp of their gauntlets, ‘In the English tongue, for our Earth guests, please,’ he insisted. Isimud stuttered with embarrassment for a moment, bowing low ashamedly.

  ‘Of course,’ Isimud agreed, then turned and addressed the assembly, ‘Enki. Son of Anu. Lord of the Earth!’ Deacon and Lenore snapped their heads up in shock, and turned to each other in awestruck fascination.

  Your father, Anubis realised.

  Yes, he replied, almost undetectable, my father.

  Horus walked forward grinning widely, ‘I never could find you, grandfather,’ he mused, reaching out and greeting Enki in a firm grasp.

  ‘I have been busy, young Horus,’ Enki admitted, ‘But I will explain all of that afterwards. Where is your father?’ he asked, and Horus’ gaze betrayed Marduk’s position, forcing him to rise slowly from his seat with a sigh.

  ‘Father,’ Marduk began, with detectable contempt, ‘What can you possibly need of me? After so long...’

  ‘My son,’ Enki exclaimed in joy, holding out his arms awaiting a greeting. Marduk denied him, and stood his ground, staring with intensity at Enki.

  ‘You have not forgiven me,’ Enki realised.

  ‘You performed the Rites of the Fall on me!’ Marduk roared, then quickly composed himself. ‘You left me. Buried and broken. Forgotten underneath the sands of time,’ he growled, and Enki closed his eyes and lowered his head, nodding slowly in acceptance.

  ‘I am forever cut off from Aetherium,’ Marduk lamented, and pointed accusingly at Enki, ‘You did that to me.’

  The room was silent, while Marduk paced a few times, and he used the opportunity to release his bottled frustrations.

  ‘Are you embarrassed father?’ he spun round to face Enki head on, ‘Ashamed of your weak son? I am now an eternal mar on our royal bloodline. And now I’m required to give away my weapons!’ he added, waving his hand in annoyance at Horus, ‘Because I cannot use them!’

  ‘You had to fall,’ Enki began softly. ‘Marduk, you remember what you were like. We all remember.’

  Marduk’s heavy breathing softened, and he remained still.

  ‘You destroyed more cities than you built. And you killed, more people than you saved,’ Enki’s words struck the entire room, and Bau shed a tear as she remembered the carnage. Repeating over and over again, century after century.

  ‘We had all left. We were meant to leave the Earthlings to govern their own planet,’ Enki continued, ‘But you remained. You became a demon unto the humans, their world was your playground, and their lives your toys.’

  Marduk’s brows knitted together in a pained expression, accepting the truth of Enki’s words.

  ‘Performing the Fall was necessary. You had to be rendered powerless. For only as their equal, you would come to understand them.’ Enki paused to study Marduk’s relaxing posture, seemingly resigning himself to the truth. ‘And did you, Marduk?’ Enki asked, ‘Did you come to understand the humans.’

  ‘I did,’ Marduk croaked sullenly, remembering his many friends during his centuries as a wanderer. Remembering Godric, the man that taught Marduk to respect even the smallest of creatures, and that even gods can have faith. He turned to Anubis, feeling the love and understanding they shared. Then he gazed upon her friends and saw the loyalty, and comradery between them all.

  ‘I do,’ he affirmed with a determined expression to his father.

  ‘You see, Marduk. Only by falling into darkness, could you find your way to the light. Your own way.’

  A sense of calm had washed over Marduk, and he finally understood that what seemed like a cruelty done upon him millennia before, was actually a blessing. He recalled his mindset while he was patron god of Babylon, and anointed king of the Anunnaki pantheon on Earth. The power. He could still smell the molten gold running through his temple, and the tangy scent of blood. Enemy and innocent alike. I was arrogant. Selfish. Being the god of gods was not enough. I was hungry for more, he thought bitterly.

  Marduk... Anubis soothed.

  The Anunnaki left Earth, gifting humans freewill, to manage their own fates and freedoms, he explained. But I remained. I could not let go of my power and I did not listen to reason. I would not listen, and I would not leave... So my father had to perform a rite so painful, so humiliating, and permanent, that it is a fate worse than death. The Fall from Grace. Cut off from the universal Aetherium forever. An empty shell.

  Anubis’ sympathy was like warm gust within his mind. You did change though, she soothed. You’re not like that anymore. Anubis tried to comfort his sadness, but it was a deeper hurt that even she could not reach. Marduk sighed in resignation, as the assembly watched and waited. In my haste to be king of the gods, I was careless with how I despatched Tiamat, and her consort, Kingu... That carelessness gave rise to the situation we are now in. I deserved every part of my punishment.

  ‘Father,’ Marduk muttered, moving to stand before Enki. The difference in size made Anubis uneasy. She had grown used to believing Marduk was the strongest and most revered of Anuna. But here he was, almost dwarfed by the broad, muscled form of his father. ‘I understand now,’ and Marduk took Enki into a strong embrace, shedding a tear. And as it trickled down his porcelain face, he finally let go of all the millennia of pain, and anger. Letting go of his past grudges. Father and son held one another tightly, as the gift of forgiveness enveloped them both.

  The assembly relaxed and took to their seats, and the Anuna guards swiftly inserted an additional large chair for Enki, beside Isimud.

  ‘Please join us, my Lord,’ Isimud insisted, gesturing to the new seat beside him. Enki accepted and settled beside him, gazing around the table at his kin, old friends, and new. His kindly eyes found Lenore and her companions, ‘An honour to have your kind finally sat within these chambers,’ he began, ‘Anunnaki, and human. Both are to work together on the path ahead.’

  Isimud looked puzzled, feeling that Enki had more to divulge, ‘What do you know, my Lord? What have you found?’ he quizzed. Enki looked around the table once more, a knowing look in his eyes.

  ‘I have travelled, far and wide, beyond even our Local Bubble,’ he revealed.

  ‘I have found civilisations greater than our own. Much greater. All highly evolved. These other species have formed what they call the Galactic Council. They are peacemakers,’ he explained, and a series of muffled murmurs arose from the assembly.

  ‘They welcomed you?’ Isimud probed.

  ‘Absolutely,’ Enki nodded, ‘I have been aboard their main space station, Nebulon, for some time. It is a beautiful place, much like our own Nibiru, but less primitive. I wanted to put us forward for consideration to join their Council.’

  ‘Did they accept?’ Isimud probed with hope, but Enki’s expre
ssion changed to subtle disappointment, and he shook his head slowly.

  ‘They know too much about us,’ he stated, and his gaze flicked to the humans, ‘Both of us.’ Deacon’s brows lowered in disappointment.

  ‘They don’t want us, my lord?’ he puzzled, uneasy about addressing the creator of humankind. Enki smiled sadly, ‘They have observed us for a long time. Since even we Anunnaki were but primitive creatures,’ he announced, ‘And they know of our faults. Our many faults.’

  Isimud sighed audibly, ‘Our predisposition to war,’ he admitted, settling back into his chair, ‘And we are preparing for it, yet again,’ he waved his hand in irritation.

  ‘And our tendency to ruin our home planets,’ Lenore uttered, deep in thought.

  Enki regarded her with surprise, ‘Absolutely!’ he exclaimed, then his face softened, ‘But there is one difference,’ he added mysteriously. Lenore paused a moment, confused, then it hit her.

  ‘We didn’t succeed in damaging Earth beyond repair...’ she said tentatively, ‘We changed.’

  He pointed at her with pride, ‘You evolved,’ he corrected, ‘And that is the kind of progression that the Galactic Council look for when reaching out to species of interest,’ he informed.

  ‘We don’t meet their specifications…’ Marduk muttered in annoyance.

  Enki nodded with a frown, ‘Unfortunately, both our species fall short of their expectations. We have both tampered with genetics, creating other beings,’ he motioned at Axel, ‘The true Nibiru is a barren wasteland, and we have both caused the extinction of millions of species with whom we shared our planets with.’

  ‘Can you not convince them otherwise?’ Horus voiced, almost pleading with his grandfather, ‘This new Nibiru is a wonder in itself. And the humans have ceased, and are even reversing, their planetary damage.’

  ‘Yes,’ Deacon agreed, ‘Are we to be barred from this Galactic alliance forever? Earth is healing, and the IGS have made splices, not hybridised new species. No offense, Axel,’ he nodded at Axel, then at Enki, ‘my lord,’ realising his tone may have sounded harsh.