by Brian Godawa
Methuselah watched Noah scratching out markings on a piece of animal hide he had acquired from a carcass found on the desert floor. Noah used some dye made from animal blood with a homemade quill from a vulture’s wing. He had been at the writing all evening with a torch over his shoulder. Methuselah’s curiosity got the better of him. He tried to take a look but Noah would not let him see what he was doing.
Tubal-cain finally blurted out in his characteristic bluntness, “Noah, do you still want to kill the god Anu?”
“And his priest-king,” added Noah. He remembered the look of Lugalanu and his proud assertions spouted at Noah. He was just as guilty of killing Noah’s wife and unborn child as the god who corrupted him.
“I told you,” said Uriel, “the gods cannot be killed.”
“Then I will die trying,” said Noah.
“You would sacrifice us all?” challenged Uriel.
“Everyone is free to leave at any time,” said Noah.
Methuselah jumped in. “You are a proud man, Noah ben Lamech.”
“A beautiful woman once told me that,” said Noah. “She was murdered, along with my people, by the pride of gods.”
“Would you make your sons orphans as well?” said Uriel.
That one made Noah pause. The one way to his heart was his family.
“Not if my guardian does his job,” concluded Noah.
Noah was bent on using Uriel’s commission to protect him as a way to manipulate Elohim’s help in his quest. Surely, if Elohim wanted Noah alive for his purposes, then he would have to exercise some kind of supernatural protection over him, even if Noah was willing to go to Sheol and back to accomplish his goal. And if it did not mean that, then Noah would rather die and stay in Sheol anyway. Lugalanu had Noah’s entire tribe wiped out with his wife and unborn child, and Anu had ordered it, so they must pay.
Methuselah spoke again, this time with pain in his every word. “Noah, do you think you are the only one who has lost his beloved to the ravages of this evil world?”
Everyone fell silent. Noah knew it was a rhetorical question, so he did not answer. He listened.
Methuselah continued, “Do not be so sure that revenge is a meal that will satisfy your hunger. It is more like a disease that eats away your soul. As the years go on, bitterness turns you into the very thing you detest. You begin a blessed man. But when Elohim takes away that blessing, you begin to believe you deserved it in the first place. You blame him and eventually you end up an old bellyaching ingrate without the ability to appreciate the good in anything. And you realize that you are the reason for your misery. You have become your own enemy.”
Everyone knew that Methuselah spoke of himself, and they honored his vulnerability with their silence. They all stared at the flames until Methuselah’s words of experience sank deep into them.
Uriel finally spoke, “If you want to defeat your enemy, then you must know your enemy,” he said. “And the first thing you must know about the gods is that they are not what they seem.”
Jubal stopped his music. Everyone sat up and looked at Uriel.
“What do you mean?” said Tubal-cain.
Tubal-cain and the twins did not know of Enoch’s visions as Noah and Methuselah did.
Methuselah began, “My father Enoch first told us of the Watchers, the Sons of God.”
Uriel explained, “They were in Elohim’s divine council. They fell from heaven and made themselves gods on earth. Two hundred of them, led by Semjaza and Azazel. They landed on Mount Hermon in the region of Bashan in the north.” The others were rapt in attention.
Uriel continued, “Along with those two hundred, a number of lesser angels or mal’akim, the lower messengers of Elohim, also came into the world.”
“What do you mean, lower? Are they weaker?” asked Jubal.
Uriel shook his head. “To call these angels lower in rank than the Sons of God is misleading. Mal’akim are warriors who have the wisdom of sages and the power of a dozen men.”
Methuselah continued with the history. “Mount Hermon and Bashan have important lore behind them. The name means place of the Serpent.”
Jabal nodded. “It is the Cosmic Mountain,” he said. “The Gateway of the Gods. Some people say the mountain is also the gateway to Sheol.”
“They are not wrong,” Uriel said. “It is in the foothill village of Kur, guarded by the goddess of the underworld, Ereshkigal, sister of Inanna. If one makes it through the Seven Gates of Ganzir, they have access to the waters of the Abyss, which leads to the netherworld of Sheol.” Noah took note of the connection of Ereshkigal to Inanna.
Methuselah’s voice took on more force. “It was in Bashan that the first of the mighty warrior giants appeared. They became kings called the Rephaim and they spread out on the land to rule after the Watchers came down from heaven. These Rephaim had first ruled the cities then led their evil minions in the great Titanomachy.” He took a deep breath. “They were hunted down and cast into Sheol by the archangels, where they remained to this day.” Uriel nodded.
Methuselah continued, “The Watchers set up their rule as gods and began to teach mankind sorceries, astrology, warfare and other violations of the natural order. They have instituted an aggressive program of breeding. They want to create their own paradise. They saw the daughters of men and mated with them to create the Nephilim as their own bloodline. They have enslaved humanity as their servants to build them temples. They are egotists. They have structured their temples to look like the original cosmic Mount Hermon. They even call the temple shape ‘holy mountains.’” He snorted with derision. Noah knew all this, but it was new information for Tubal-cain and the brothers Jubal and Jabal.
“What is their intent?” asked Tubal-cain.
“They are the seed of the Serpent, Nachash,” said Uriel, “and they are at war with the seed of the Woman, Havah, the mother of all living. They have been effective in their strategy, for Elohim has seen that the wickedness of man is great on the earth and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart is only evil continually. So he prophesied that a Chosen Seed would come who would end the rule of the gods, and out of his bloodline would come an anointed King who would crush the head of the Nachash and his seed. Noah is that Chosen Seed.”
The men all sat open-mouthed, looking at Noah. They could have cut the thick silence with a dagger. Uriel turned to Noah and said, “Noah’s bloodline is the key to their defeat.”
“Then help me defeat these Sons of God,” said Noah.
“You will defeat them by building the box,” said Uriel.
“What box?” asked Jubal.
“None of your business,” Noah snapped. “That is a certain disagreement between me and my Maker. My main concern right now is to find a way to defeat these bastard deities.”
“The Sons of God cannot die,” said Uriel. “But they have similar limitations on the earthly plane as we archangels do. Though they are divine, they are created beings, so they can be bound.”
Noah stared inquisitively at Uriel. He realized that Uriel concealed much more than he revealed. “What do you mean by ‘bound?’”
Uriel stared back at Noah thoughtfully. He decided he would reveal that detail later. He avoided a direct answer. “For some reason, they are weakened by water, for instance. If you plunge them in water, they lose their strength. More importantly, if they are trapped in the depths of the earth, they would not die, but they could be imprisoned.”
Methuselah said, “To live forever trapped in rock?” He could not comprehend such a fate.
Tubal-cain said, “That would be worse than death.”
“And more difficult to accomplish,” added Uriel.
Noah sat, deep in thought. Everyone was missing the point in focusing on the mechanics of binding. He watched Uriel like a falcon as he asked, “Is that what you are here to do, Uriel, bind the Sons of God?”
Uriel paused, then nodded. The others were confused. “Elohim is about to bring judgment down on the earth,” U
riel explained to them. “Part of that plan is to bind the gods in the midst of that judgment, to imprison them until the Final Day.”
“Only archangels can accomplish this binding?” asked Noah.
“It is one of our talents,” admitted Uriel.
“Now we are talking,” smiled Noah.
Uriel sighed. He wondered if he would ever get this man to build the box.
“You mentioned Ereshkigal is the sister of Inanna,” said Noah.
Uriel nodded. Noah smiled with satisfaction. It was more satisfying revenge to kill the family members of your target of hatred before you killed them. “She is much weaker than Anu,” he said.
Uriel nodded again. He knew where this was going.
“So, if we start with one of the weaker gods,” Noah speculated, “we can work our way up the pantheon.”
“Noah, this is not your calling,” said Uriel.
“Think of it this way,” said Noah, “we are helping you to fulfill your calling.”
Before Uriel could respond, a strange bellow in the distance interrupted them. The hideous noise sounded like a beast from the pit of Sheol. The camels stirred in agitation.
“What is it?” asked Methuselah, looking to Uriel.
“The call of the Gibborim,” said Uriel darkly.
“Gibborim?” asked Tubal-cain.
“The mightiest of the Nephilim, Seed of the Serpent. We are being tracked,” said Uriel. He began packing up his things. “It was inevitable.”
“Is there anything we can do?” asked Tubal-cain.
“Run for your lives,” said Uriel.
Jabal gave a nervous laugh, and then realized Uriel was not jesting.
“We have to leave now, or you will all die,” said Uriel.
The others began packing up immediately.
Uriel turned to Noah and said, “It is probably a squad of four to six of them. We do not stand a chance. If we stay, they will find us. You may face the gods sooner than you expect.”
The five Nephilim stood at the southern edge of the sand canyons. The leader of the squad looked down at some camel droppings on the sandy floor. He took a deep breath through his nose, seeking a trace scent. Then he leapt forward into the canyon opening, followed by the others. The ground rumbled under their feet, a rolling wave of evil. They were tall and would be slowed down by some of the tight corners and low hanging formations of the canyons. But they were locked in on their prey, and it was only a matter of time before they found them. Just as the height and strength of the Nephilim were amplified, So too were their five senses, which were acute to an extreme. It was said they could see their target’s eyes at nearly 700 cubits, smell blood at half that distance, and when on the hunt, could hear the silent breath of their victims. But they were also offspring of the Sons of God, born of sorcery, that gave them a sixth sense into the spiritual world. They were more than mere killing machines. They were killing demoniacs.
Noah and his men barreled out of the north canyon passage and found themselves at a crossroads. The desert lay before them, while to the east spread the Fertile Crescent valley. They gathered to take their bearings.
“Split up by twos,” said Noah. “Take different routes and we will meet at a common destination.”
“Where?” said Methuselah.
Before Noah could decide, Uriel pronounced it, “Mount Hermon.”
The men looked at him with surprise, Noah, the most taken aback.
Uriel answered their expressions. “The mountain village of Kur, where the goddess Ereshkigal guards the gates to Sheol.” Noah was surprised at his change of attitude.
“You said you wanted to start with a weaker god,” said Uriel.
Noah smiled. Uriel was on board, but not entirely. The angel had his own agenda yet, for the box. But Noah now felt for the first time that he actually had a chance at revenge. He could not resist getting a dig in. “You changed your mind,” he said on the sly.
“No!” snapped Uriel. “My charge is to protect you until you change your mind!”
Noah grinned. “So if I build the box, you will leave me alone?”
“It would be my pleasure,” retorted Uriel. The others shared a smile amongst themselves.
Noah called Methuselah over to him and reached in his pack, pulling out the rolled piece of leather he had been marking on. He handed it to Methuselah. “In case, I do not reach you.”
Methuselah unrolled the leather. It had cuneiform written all over it, along with a drawing of a large rectangular box. Noah had memorized the plans from his vision and had written them down.
Noah swiftly mounted his camel and whipped it around with a yell. Uriel followed him toward the southwest. They would try to shake the Nephilim from their trail in the harsh desert before reaching Mount Hermon.
Jubal joined Jabal and they raced northward. Methuselah and Tubal-cain went east. They all had much ground to cover if they wanted to stay ahead of the infernal hounds on their tail.
Tubal-cain mocked Methuselah, “You had better keep up with me, old man.”
“It is you I am worried about, fat man,” Methuselah shot back.
Tubal-cain looked hurt. Methuselah had got his goat, found the chink in his armor. “I am not fat!” he growled, “I have iron bones!” He kicked his camel and the two of them raced into the desert horizon. Methuselah was glad that this way he could keep an eye on this dubious character.
It took several days for the Nephilim to wind their way through the canyon maze and navigate through the layers of distraction laid out by Uriel. A supernatural tracker himself, Uriel had the advantage of knowing how to set false clues and dead-end trails. He knew they needed the time to gain enough distance before the Nephilim found their true exit point from the canyons.
The opening to the valley where Noah and his men had split up breathed with the sounds of life. Insects buzzing around, crickets chirping, distant howls and birdcalls combined in a cacophony of nature. Suddenly, all those sounds stopped. Dead silence. The ground started to rumble. Moments later, the five Nephilim reached the gap at a steady hunting pace.
The pack leader sniffed the air. He studied the hoof prints on the ground, then scanned the horizon. In an uncanny display of unspoken understanding, they split up into three groups, two taking the north passage, two to the east, and the leader bounding westward. After a short sprint, the pack leader let out his hideous Nephilim call. It echoed loud through the desert plain. The other Nephilim circled back and all joined the pack leader’s pursuit.
All five of them were on Noah’s trail.
Chapter 11
Alittum noticed the special attention given to Emzara. The Chief Maidservant burned with jealousy and envy, though she kept it judiciously hidden. Lugalanu did for Emzara what he had promised; he extended her leash in the palace and city. Nindannum, the Sumerian name that Alittum used for Emzara, had already been exempted from the cultic duties related to the temple worship, which Alittum thought could only lead to ultimate betrayal of Anu. But now this so-called “lady of strength” had been given more privileges; her own quarters, a personal allowance, and a day of rest during the week, something usually reserved for chief administrators like Alittum.
Nindannum got out of the temple district into the surrounding community even more than Alittum. The Chief Maidservant was saddled with so much responsibility she never had time for herself. Nindannum shopped for the palace food in the marketplace, inspected the fields outside the city walls, and even got involved in trade with traveling caravans from other cities and countries. Nindannum was not at home in this world. Alittum could see that. She could also see through her demure composure. That was not shyness or submission. Nindannum protected herself. And she was plotting something, Alittum was sure of it.
Alittum could not conceive of anything beyond the obvious. She assumed Nindannum aimed to replace Alittum herself as Chief Maidservant. In every way she could think of, Alittum resisted. But what more could she do in competition with this upstart f
oreign slave? Alittum had thrown her body and soul at Lugalanu. She debased herself by gratifying his every perverse desire, his every disgusting excess of a soul depraved with absolute power. Of course, he could do whatever he wanted with any of the temple staff as well as his concubines. But Alittum saw early her chance at advancement if she was agreeable in her participation. If she embraced his perversion rather than merely passively allowing him to use her, he would be more attached to her—or so she thought. Alittum could not know that her acquiescence only served to increase his contempt for her.
Alittum felt certain that Lugalanu was not having sexual relations with Nindannum. It surprised Alittum, since pregnancy had never stopped him before with her. In some ways his restraint toward Nindannum inspired him toward more degenerate acts of abuse with Alittum. She could not imagine what Lugalanu could want of Nindannum if it did not include his use of her for his wanton pleasures. He treated Nindannum with such respect and esteem that it made Alittum’s heart ache with loneliness.
Alittum considered ending her life to escape the despair. Hopefully, Lugalanu would regret his actions toward her. But then she became more constructive in her calculations. She reasoned that the best way to make him sorry would be the destruction of the object of his affections. If she could only eliminate Nindannum, and that detestable child in her belly, in such a way that it would not be detected, she might regain her station with Lugalanu. He might finally see her in a new light.
Alittum’s experience afforded her great knowledge of every intricacy and detail of the palace and temple as well as the politics of court. If anyone had the resources to conduct a perfect palace crime, it was Alittum. Therein lay her plan, a plan that would begin by becoming Nindannum’s best friend.
As a first step, Alittum visited a sorceress to put a spell of misfortune on Nindannum and to conjure the demoness Lamashtu who could kill Nindannum’s unborn if given the right opportunity. She had heard through the gossip of the palace servants of such miscarriages, but had never seen it for herself. Now, she wanted to see it with all her liver, the very seat of her emotions. She had never considered herself an ambitious or vengeful person. She had never even used black magic before. It was too malicious for her personal integrity. But Nindannum’s relentless pursuit of advancement forced Alittum’s hand. She needed to protect her own status and legacy. Alittum purified herself through washing and oils, and sat through the incantation of the sorceress. She prayed for the utter ruin of Emzara, even as she prepared to reach out to her in feigned camaraderie.
