by R. Brown
As Ash stared into the smoke, she could make out remnants of destroyed homes, their walls collapsed. She saw a woman, her legs pinned, fighting to escape.
Ash gasped as she saw Enlil in the form of a Hydra walking toward the woman. Without hesitation, Enlil tore her apart, the many heads of the Hydra each wanting a piece.
She now knew why the men were so fearful.
Enlil turned, and started walking toward the city, toward the men.
Ash transformed into the dragon, and let out a loud shrieking roar. As she’d hoped, it drew Enlil’s attention. He came to a stop, his seven heads staring up at her.
Spreading her wings wide, Ash took to the sky and glided down to stand before the humans. Cowering and stepping back from her, the humans held their makeshift weapons high. Ash changed back into her natural form. “Don’t be afraid. I’ve come to fight for you.” One of the men spoke back to her in a language she had never heard. Ash gave him a warm smile, hoping it would alleviate his fears.
Turning, Ash walked out onto the plains toward Enlil. Intrigued by the sight of an Anunnaki woman, Enlil too changed into his natural form and walked toward her.
The two of them came to a stop five paces apart in the middle of a wheat field, caution dictating they keep their distance. Ashlyn casually took her hand and brushed the top of the wheat stalks around her.
Enlil saw the hilt from the Sword of Truth rising from behind her shoulder, “You are not Ninmah, and yet you bear her sword. How did you come to possess it?”
“Ninmah gave it to me, when she commissioned me to enforce the will of the Council.”
“Why would Ninmah commission you with such a task? They are either cowards or dead. Which is it?” Enlil suddenly got a knowing look on his face. “The other ship that arrived- …- you came from that ship?” Enlil’s gaze locked onto Ashlyn, his thoughts seeing past her. “I should have known that bastard father of mine would do something like this.” He turned his gaze skyward. “It’s not going to work Anu, you hear me. It’s not going to work. After I kill your assassin, I’m coming for you.”
“Enlil, you and I both know what must happen here, but before we do battle—I have a question for you.”
Enlil’s eyes tightened in anticipation.
“I don’t understand why you have such hatred for your father. Why did you turn against him?”
The question was not one he’d expected. “Why would you care? An assassin should not be concerned with such things.”
“Let’s just say that I like to understand the man I am going to kill,” said Ashlyn.
Enlil laughed aloud. “You cannot defeat me, but I admire the arrogance of your false confidence. I am curious though—are you asking so that you can ease your conscience for summoning me here? If so, you will be disappointed, for it was me that was wronged. It was my family who first turned against me.”
“Why? What happened?” said Ashlyn.
“What happened, was that I killed my mother.”
Hearing him speak the words so coldly—Ashlyn’s mouth went dry, her stomach twisting. There was no sign of love or remorse—only hatred.
“Few people know the truth of how my family betrayed me,” said Enlil. “And why I did, what I did.”
“I’d like to hear what happened,” responded Ashlyn, encouraging him to continue.
“There is little point,” said Enlil. “Only one of us can leave here. If I kill you, then my time spent in telling you was wasted. If you kill me, then who cares what truth was told? It will die with me.”
“You’re wrong, Enlil. All the Anunnaki worlds are watching our battle today, perhaps they should hear your truth.”
Enlil took a few contemplative steps. Somewhere deep inside, he felt that his story might win him favor with the people. Perhaps they would be more inclined to follow him when he claimed the throne. “Very well, let the worlds hear the family secrets of the great Anu and his treasured family.” The anger and contempt in his voice was deep. “Let them learn that it was Enki, my younger brother who first turned against me, stealing my birthright.”
Enlil’s gaze fell upon the cowering humans behind Ashlyn, his despise for them evident. “Since before I was born, a pact was made that I was to be joined with Ninmah, daughter of Lu’tok—but just days before the ceremony was to take place, I returned to Heaven and caught Enki and Ninmah together.
“To make it worse, I learned that my mother had bribed House Lu’tok into breaking the pact, allowing a new one to be made. The payment was one of immense value, enriching the wealth, power and prominence of House Lu’tok. She bought their alliance.”
“The Star of Elements,” said Ashlyn.
“Yes,” said Enlil, surprised that she knew of it. “The Star was our family’s most treasured symbol. She gave it to Ninmah as compensation for her family’s cooperation.
“That next week, Enki and Ninmah were joined at the very same ceremony that had been scheduled for me. It was but one more dishonor to me.
“So, I left Heaven before the ceremony and returned here to the worlds I had conquered and controlled. I renounced my place on the Council, wanting no part of them anymore. I vowed to never again step foot on the home world. I wanted to be left alone.
“And then mother dared come here, with Enki in command of the Imperial Fleet. She entered my home with Ninmah and Enki at her side, asking me to listen, begging me to let them explain what had happened. The request was disgraceful.
“Their very presence defiled my home. They expected me to understand, to forgive. It was impossible. I hated all of them.
“When I told them to leave, they assumed command of my fleet, claiming Anunnaki jurisdiction over this quadrant of space. They ordered me to comply, to allow Ninmah to uplift the indigenous people of this planet. Piece by piece, they took everything from me, and now they wanted to change the world I had built, making the people here part of our own royal bloodline, using my own family’s genetics.
“If mother thought I hated her for what she’d done back on Heaven, I hated her a thousand times more for what she’d done here. She left me with nothing. She’d given Enki the woman I loved and had been promised—even giving him command of my own fleet. Do you see now why I believe I was betrayed at every turn?
“Sending my mother into the nexus was more than she deserved. I wish I’d slain her with my own hands, and spit into her face as I did so.”
Ashlyn felt weak. His pain cut her heart.
“And father was no better. He allowed it all to happen. Not once did he object. Does that satisfy your curiosity, assassin?”
“It does.” Ashlyn pursed her lips in thought. “Perhaps mistakes were made and they did hurt you, but I know that your family would never have done so intentionally. Sometimes, regardless of one’s best intentions, things don’t turn out as we’d hoped. I also know that they never stopped loving you.”
“Betrayal is not a mistake. Neither was their taking what belongs to me unintentional. All of it was calculated. They do not deserve forgiveness, but I find your words very strange for an assassin. Your pretense of concern is—unusual.”
“Enlil, I am not an assassin. I have come by my own volition with the blessing of the Council to enforce the decree. Had you obeyed, we would not be here now. It was their hope that you would comply and that an avenue of reconciliation could be found. I feel for your plight, and I’m sorry that it has come to this.”
“Save your apologies for someone who cares. Perhaps Anu will care when I throw your head at his feet.” Enlil transformed into the Hydra. The creature towered over her, and was much larger than it had appeared from atop the plateau. Its body was dark red, its spiked tail thrashing wildly behind it. Its seven heads were a flurry of snapping jaws and clacking fangs.
Ashlyn backed up, slashing at the Hydra’s heads as they came at her. Enlil’s advance was relentless, forcing her to retreat with each strike. He was toying with her, like a cat with a mouse.
Seeing him now, it was ea
sy to forget that it was her son. Ash was patient, watching for an opportunity to counterattack. When the moment came and one of the heads came toward her unsupported by the others, Ashlyn dodged the snapping jaw and stepped to the side, swinging the sword. The head fell to the ground.
The Hydra reeled back in agony, giving an ear-piercing screech. A greenish-white viscous fluid spurted from the severed neck, spraying the air. Ash took advantage of Enlil’s distraction and backed up a few paces to transform. Shifting into the dragon, Ash let go a long stream of flame, engulfing Enlil, scorching his leathery skin.
The wheat around them burst into flames. In pain, but not seriously hurt by the flame, he roared defiantly. The head on the ground melted, dissolving into a metallic liquid that slithered across the ground to rejoin with Enlil. Ash watched him healing, the head reforming, the scorched areas repairing themselves. Ash pressed the small advantage, sending another stream of fire at him.
Lost within the flames, Enlil transformed into his natural form and came running out of the flames toward her, a sword in his hand. In his natural, molecularly denser state, the flames had no effect on him. With a scream, he loosed a heavy blow trying to overpower her.
Ash spun. As his blow cut into her left wing, her tail came around and lashed him, sending him flying through the air. Enlil landed on his back twenty yards away.
Rising, albeit slowly, Enlil came to his feet. He saw that her wing was nearly healed. “Anunnaki abilities do not make this an easy battle.”
“Killing should never come easy,” said Ash.
“It should when we both want this to be over and get out of here. I make you the same proposal you made to Krall. Let us fight with swords, no tricks, no shifting form. What do you say, assassin?”
“I accept,” said Ash as she transformed into herself.
The two of them circled, swords raised, moving through the flames of burning wheat. Grey ash, mixed with orange embers swirled in the air around them, the smoke darkening the sky above.
Enlil made the first move, taking several successive swings—each of which Ashlyn parried. The battle waged, each exchanging turns forcing the other back. It was Ash that landed the first blow, chopping off three fingers on Enlil’s left hand. Enlil took a step back, almost stumbling—surprised by her having landed a blow. Enlil glanced down at his fingers lying on the ground, watching them liquefy and slide across the ground to rejoin with him. “Only a thrust through the heart will kill us.”
“Or the head,” said Ashlyn.
“Or the head,” agreed Enlil with a grin. “It’s time to end this charade.” Raising his sword, he gave a bow and then came at her.
Ash backed away, deflecting blow after blow. His sword was twirling and spiraling at a frenetic pace, his skill unsurpassed. The power behind each blow pressed her back, forcing her to retreat. She’d no sooner finish fending off one blow before the next came. Not once did he leave her an opening to counterattack. Each backward step was precarious, each threatening to topple her to the ground. Enlil’s swings grew quicker as he sensed her pending collapse.
Loosing a scream, Enlil lunged. His thrust sank deep into Ashlyn’s chest, piercing her left lung. Ash collapsed, her sword falling to the ground beside her. Ash gasped for air, blood bubbling out of her chest as her Anunnaki DNA fought to repair her injuries.
Enlil’s eyes narrowed. He moved closer and placed the tip of his sword in the hollow of her neck. Ash could see his mind hardening as his years of seething anger rose to the surface. “My truth is truth. The nexus has decided.” The tendons of his hand tightened around the hilt as he prepared to push the blade into her.
“Stop!” The booming voice of Anu resonated through the air. His large image appeared, hovering in the sky above them.
“This is not your concern, Anu. I have won,” said Enlil looking up at him.
“You cannot kill her, my son. She is your mother, and even now, she carries you in her belly. If you kill her, the child will never be born. All will be changed.”
Enlil looked down at Ashlyn, anger and disbelief on his face. “Is this true?”
“Yes,” said Ashlyn. “You are my son. The nexus brought me here from a time period a few months before you were born.”
“That’s why you asked the questions. You didn’t know what you had done to me.” He looked up at Anu. “You knew this, and yet you summoned me here to a battle that—”
Enlil gasped, a scream escaping him as Ash thrust her sword into him, piercing his heart. Enlil dropped to his knees. Blood streamed down the length of the sword, turning the charred wheat red. His eyes lifted to Ashlyn’s, her act of motherly betrayal confirming all he believed about her. Ashlyn would never forget the look of sadness and disappointment upon his face as he fell, dead, to the ground.
Ash crawled to him and took him in her arms. Tears streamed down her face. “Forgive me, my son—but it was the only way I could save you.” Holding him tight to her bosom, Ash kissed his forehead, her tears falling upon his cheek.
Steven’s image appeared next to them. Taking a knee next to his son, his voice soft, he said, “I’m sorry, my son. I never wanted this to happen.”
“Is what he said true, Steven? Did we do all that too him?” Ashlyn’s voice cracked, the question not needing to be answered. She had sensed no deception from him.
Steven nodded. “Much of it was true, mistakes were made—but there are two sides to every story. He couldn’t move past the pain in his heart.
“What’s important now is that we’ve been given a second chance to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Ash spotted the men defending the city waiting at the edge of the burning field, wanting to thank her, their faces appreciative for what she had done. “Get me out of here, Steven. I’m done with this damned netherworld. I never want to see it again.”
“I too am anxious to put the years of sadness behind me.” Steven rose, “Your Steven is waiting for you at Olympus. Remember, once you leave here—only you know the potential that you and Steven have for the future. That puts you in the best position to reshape it to what you want it to be. Utilize the Keeper, his knowledge is your most valuable resource to make the future a better place for us all. He won’t let any of this happen again.”
Steven gave a small smile as his image began to fade. “See you on the flipside, Ash.”
Staring down at the face of her son, Ash brushed his hair back. As Enlil disappeared from within her arms and the world around her turned grey, the rumbles of distant thunder once again surrounded her. A moment later, she found herself sitting on the grand walkway in the temple on Olympus.
Ashlyn grinned as she saw Steven and Solon sitting atop Anu’s giant sized throne. Like little kids they were dangling their legs over the edge, kicking their feet.
Hearing Ashlyn’s laugh, Steven looked up, his excitement uncontainable. “Ash!” His scream echoed through the room as he jumped down to the floor and ran to her. Overwhelmed by his joy he scooped her up in his arms and swung her in a circle. “When I returned and saw Eridu and Destiny 1 destroyed, I’d thought the worst—and when I couldn’t connect with you in the fugue…”
“Shut up and kiss me.” Ashlyn gave Steven a long, deep kiss.
Sensing there was more behind it than just having been apart for a few days, he felt compelled to ask, “What was that for? Is everything okay?”
Ash nodded. “It’s for not giving up on me, for waiting. It’s for loving me so much.” Ash buried her head in his chest, just wanting to be held. The last days had been harrowing, and she was in no rush to leave the comfort of his arms. “It feels so good to be back.” Though burning to ask her questions, Steven held her until she was ready to talk.
“Steven, I killed Enlil.” Ashlyn’s voice was soft, barely above a whisper. Tears began to fall as she recalled the look upon her son’s dying face, unable to believe that his mother had again betrayed him. She so badly wanted to tell Steven that Enlil was his son, but knew she shouldn’t.
The knowledge would only cause him pain.
Steven tightened his arms around her. “It’s over now, Ash. It’s all over. You’re safe.”
“None of us are safe. Not yet.” Ashlyn knew she would soon have to tell him about the darkness residing in their unborn child. In light of all the events that had taken place, Enki’s haunting words of ancient Anunnaki history could now be seen as prophetic. The war between the dark and the light was said to have nearly consumed the galaxy.
Ash knew that a battle was coming.
Concerned, Steven leaned back wanting to see her face, wanting her to explain.
“Not now. We’ll talk later, I promise.” Seeing Solon waiting patiently a few feet away, Ashlyn broke her embrace and went to him, giving him a hug. “Thank you, Solon. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
“I’ve come to believe that there is nothing you cannot do,” answered Solon.
“I’m glad to hear you say that.” Ashlyn turned to look at Steven. “Because there’s a lot we have to do.”
“Maybe, but first, I have a surprise for you, Ash.” Steven was exploding with excitement to tell her. “I have all of our friends aboard Destiny. I went back to Hadaesia and saved them before the timeline changes erased them. I brought Novacek, Brooks, Stratton, Tomlinson—all of them back with me. Even Defender. They can’t wait to see you.
“The only one who didn’t come is Enki. He declined, saying that his destiny was different from ours. He stayed behind on Hadaesia.”
Ashlyn gave Steven a hug, not divulging that she already knew. She even understood Enki’s refusal. Had he returned with Steven, it would have created two of him, endangering all that had been accomplished. “There’s my noble knight again. I should have known you’d pull a crazy stunt like that.”
“So—what’s first on your to-do list?” asked Steven. “It sounds important.”
Ashlyn smiled. “You came by shuttle?”
Steven tipped his head.
