Dark Rain: Book 1 of The Aetherium Saga

by Jilly MacKenzie

  She was panting hard with fear, ‘Wolfie, please, just calm down!’ she begged. He leaped at her again, but her smaller size and lighter frame allowed her to outmanoeuvre him, and he missed her each time.

  ‘Axel,’ she screeched, throwing her arms out. ‘Stop!’ She felt sick with the feeling that he was playing with his prey. And she was his prey.

  I cannot let him catch me. I think he means to harm me.

  He made a fierce growl and swiped the snow in front of him in frustration. He eyed her viciously through the powdery mist he created.

  ‘Axel...’ she whispered, almost undetectable, and he pounced towards her again. Cat was tiring from the constant ducking and dodging, and she began to get careless with her foot placement in the deep snow. She tripped on a hidden log beneath the snow, reactively throwing her arms out, and he caught hold of one of them.

  Cat was frozen still in fear, and turned her head slowly, to face him. He was grinning sinisterly down at her, eyes intense and unfamiliar. She winced as his grip on her arm tightened. The more she tried to pull away, the more he pulled her toward him.

  ‘Wolfie! Please! Don't...’ but he grabbed her by the neck and threw her down, straddling on top of her, restraining her weak writhing body. Her pleas became desperate, and her small voice strained as his weight pressed on her.

  ‘Axel!' she croaked out, under the pressure of his hand on her throat. Axel let go of her, allowing her to gasp a lungful of air, and he grasped his own hair and wailed in torment to the sky. Tears began to stream down his face, as he looked down at her. What am I doing? He mentally screamed. I... can't... stop... Want to...

  Cat began to shed tears of her own, for she saw the pain he was in. The torn personas of man and wolf. Of love and hunt. He was battling with himself, and she was becoming more certain that the animal inside will win.

  There was a momentary flicker of understanding and familiarity in their shared gaze, and then in one sudden movement, he brought his fists down onto Cats face with a sickening, fleshy thump. Her face snapped to one side with the impact and she gasped in shock. Her vision reeled with the impact.

  ‘Wolfie...’ she mumbled weakly.

  He roared in her semi-unconscious face, grabbing her head roughly with both hands as if about to squash it in his palms. His lips quivered over his bared teeth, and he bit down onto her neck, ravaging it, loosening a flap of skin and letting loose a stream of fresh warm blood.

  Something about the sudden taste of it in his mouth, made him stop and he looked upon Cat. Bewildered, then mortified. He stumbled off of her tiny body, and bellowed in horror, wiping her blood from his mouth.

  He regarded her a moment, then jumped to his feet, and bolted away. Stumbling and bounding away into the darkness of the forest. Its creaking boughs calling him into its safety.

  What have I done? What have I done! I need to get away, far away! Oh, my kitten, I'm so sorry! My love, forgive me.

  Chapter 19

  Expulsion

  Marduk took a deep breath as Nergal's hand left his forehead, ending the transfer of aether. Then his friend summoned his lion helmet and layered, bright armour, then aetherated away to battle.

  All seven Watchers had agreed to lend Marduk a portion of their aether before heading straight to Nibiru, and only Nanaya remained.

  She strode over to Marduk, her hips swayed gracefully, and her face was expectant and proud. She gently placed her slender hands on either side of his face, looking deep in his azure eyes, ‘you will be great, Marduk,’ and then she pressed her lips to his in a deep and passionate kiss. She poured forth her aether, out of her mouth and into his.

  She always does it this way, he noted cynically, ever foolishly lustful.

  When she was done, Marduk beamed with the feeling of power and satiation, which was mirrored in Nanaya's own grin of satisfaction. He inhaled deeply, and summoned his bull helmet, its sharp obsidian horns shining brilliantly under the Ùruv’s lighting.

  Next, he fully materialised his grand dragon armour, its luminous gold and obsidian intricacies were a marvel to behold. The black and crimson under-gear, straps, and accents gave the armour an added layer of vibrancy and starkness. He looked imposing, and vicious.

  He savoured the sensation of the comforting embrace of his armour. His protective shell, upon him once again, after so long. Although, he could not help but still feel somewhat underprepared, missing his wings, and his beloved weapons, Imhullu and Ichaival. It does not matter. I know I can help. I am more than enough, as I am. With or without my wings and weapon. I am a weapon.

  Appreciating his battle form, Nanaya eyed him up and down. ‘You will win us this victory. I am sure of it. Nibiru will be ours again,’ she assured, and then summoned her own battle armour.

  Gold, blue, and silver leafy plates over a flowing white tunic. Her armoured golden bird legs, gave her a stance of both beauty and power, and her solar headdress shone like a small sun, illuminating the gold embellishments in her long black hair. She smiled smugly as Marduk drank in the sight of her, and then she aetherated to join the others on Nibiru.

  Gathering some aether around himself to form an impenetrable shield, Marduk prepared himself.

  My first battle in over 4,000 years. And my first visit to Nibiru since my youth, some 300,000 years ago.

  He felt the pull of purpose in his core, his duty to liberate his birthplace, and he effortlessly aetherated to a spot on Nibiru he remembered well. Astrally travelling through the fabric of the universe, he appeared on a high ledge on the grand temple of Anu. He looked out over the expansive gardens of Eden, for the first time in many millennia. It had not changed.

  Blue fireflies danced over the water and manicured foliage, like happy, luminous orbs hailing his return. The artificial sky projected that the time was around twilight, and the dizzyingly high climate-towers simulated a warm summers night. Comforting humidity seeped through Marduk's amour and to his skin, and he inhaled in the scent of Nibiru. Just like I remember. Petrichor, honey, and frankincense.

  He could hear loud clashes in the distance and could see shining winged figures soaring up and over the distant city of Eden. It's happening.

  He jumped down from the temple, landing gracefully on the lawn below, and ran at inhuman speed through the paradisal gardens towards the chaos beyond.

  Pyramids, ziggurats, and bridges began to tower up before him, and beautifully intricate residential buildings in the favoured Nibiran style encroached his surroundings. Pale light from the projections of the moons in the artificial sky above, reflected off every smooth and polished surface around him.

  The tranquil beauty of Eden was instantly broken by the sights and sounds of combating Anunnaki. Grappling each other in flight, and throwing each other down to the ground or into buildings.

  Aether of varying colours was harnessed and weaponised by each, creating bursts of colour and pain in the reflections on walls. Marduk noticed hundreds of faces peering out of windows, doorways, and archways. Humans, Marduk realised, sensing their powerless fear and apprehension as they gazed out in awe from their hiding places. Unable to help their Anuna lords, or perhaps, unwilling. Are these people sympathisers of the Tiamatians, or Anuzi?

  Marduk's armoured sabatons stepped onto something which crunched underfoot, and he looked down to see hundreds of quills littering the street ahead. Large sturdy feathers from Anunnaki wings, ranging in shades from grey to white. He picked up a pale one with flecks of grey, the colour spoke of a very young Anuna of non-royal ancestry. Marduk felt a wave of sadness for his fellow brethren. They had been warring for centuries, and now I'm their only hope in this one final push to reclaim Nibiru. All or nothing.

  He let the feather drop gracefully to the ground and began to walk purposefully towards the fray, mentally checking his invisible shield. He then drew his aether to the surface, heating it, and he encased himself in brilliant golden flames which danced about his body, licking his form. His eyes were two blinding blue orbs in his bu
ll helmet.

  The hidden humans burst out into the street and immediately kneeled in the Anunnaki bow of submission, as Marduk passed them by. His flames roared and hissed loudly about him, and he could hear fragments of the onlookers' whispered words.

  ‘Son of Enki... Bel... Marduk... Returned... We are saved...’

  As if sensing the shift in mood, three young Anunnaki hovered overhead, and upon seeing the flaming form of Marduk below, two of them left in horror, with hurried beats of their great grey wings.

  The other dove at Marduk, hoping for an opportunity to overpower the flightless son of Enki. The young Anuna, whose ego had been boosted from various victories in battle, soon realised her misjudgement of the royal son.

  Marduk leapt up to meet the diving stranger, wrapping a fiery arm around the youngsters neck, and tearing off a wing with his other hand. The Anuna screamed in agony and she flopped clumsily to the ground. Her crimson blood flowed vigorously from the hanging, feathery flesh on her back, staining the paved street. Her remaining wing quivered with shock, and she looked up at Marduk in fear, tears streaming down her face.

  ‘Forgive me, Bel!’ she pleaded, ‘I did not know the power of the Son of Enki!’

  He stopped in front of her, the fury of his flames, blew her dark hair viciously. He saw the golden reflection of himself in her large terrified eyes.

  ‘Now you do,’ he levelly stated, and with one quick movement, he pressed on her bowed head with his foot, holding her in place, as he ripped her other wing off from her back. It tore so much flesh off that it revealed her ribs and spine. She wailed and gasped, choking on blood, and fell at Marduk's feet, convulsing in burning agony.

  His luminous azure eyes stared down at her piteous remains.

  ‘You showed no rational thought. No reasoning. You would have killed me, if you could have. You wanted to. Without hesitation,’ he began softly. ‘For what? Your own personal glory? Ambition?’ he laughed, and shook his horned head.

  ‘You would not have spared me. I will give you the same treatment,’ and he swung his fist down hard into her chest, punching through bones, and squashing her heart, instantly killing her.

  He continued to hurry along the street and emerged out to the main plaza of Eden, between the pyramids of the North and South.

  Nergal was a sparking torrent, swinging his mighty mace, Sharur, hard into the aether shield of another Anuna, causing the enemy to buckle under the force. This created an opening for Nergal to cleave Sharur down again, clipping the struggling Anuna's arm.

  Nanaya was a silvery streak, flitting about the battlefield, her swiftness was almost hard to follow. Grasping arms and wings with her mighty golden talons, and swiping unsuspecting enemies with her dagger, Emesa.

  She landed powerfully beside Marduk, her aether rippling over her armour like dappled reflections of water.

  ‘There are few Tiamatians left now. They sensed your arrival. The Nibirans are hailing your return,’ she sang breathlessly, exhausted from maintaining her speedy assaults.

  The enemy numbers had withdrawn and gathered above, assessing the royal prince below. Marduk did not recognise any of the confused and awestruck faces looking down at him, except one.

  His cousin, Sin, son of Enlil the betrayer, scowled down at Marduk. His great black wings were an obvious sign of his royal lineage, and Marduk became all too aware that his own were absent.

  I am son of Enki, chosen successor of the high king, Anu. I am rightful heir to the Anunnaki pantheon. This is my birthright. My bloodright, Marduk assured himself, regaining his composure.

  Marduk suddenly felt a pain within his mind, familiar screams. Anubis… And his mind flashed to her torture. With her life not immediately in danger, he put a block on his mind, and her screams ceased. I cannot help her at this moment. This aether I hold is for one purpose only. The liberation of Nibiru. My homeland.

  The Watchers, along with numerous more unfamiliar Anuzi Anunnaki, flew to Marduk’s side. Some aetherated around and behind him, prepared and ready. Nanaya was poised at his side, ready to fly at the enemy, and Nergal placed a reassuring hand on Marduk's shoulder. ‘We are all with you, brother,’ he affirmed.

  The hovering group of Tiamatians were now clearly outnumbered, and their resolve wavered. Some were teetering on the urge to flee, and others glanced anxiously at Sin, who remained confidently braced, ready to meet the expected clash.

  As the strongest among the present Tiamatians, Sin was determined to protect his dignity and ego, and he did not flinch as the Watchers and Anuzi took to the air and soared towards him.

  The thunder-like booms of shield against shield echoed throughout Eden, and aether shockwaves ricocheted through the air. Sin had dodged Isimud's measured attacks, and eyed Marduk, lowering himself to the ground to meet his level.

  Sin's excited grin was visible below his silver, bull-horned helmet, his armour was a plated masterpiece of blue lapis lazuli and pale silver.

  ‘Cousin!’ he beamed sinisterly, ‘You seem to be… lacking!’ he laughed at Marduk’s missing wings.

  ‘Fine words for a babe with mere thorns upon his brows!’ Marduk grinned, referencing both Sin’s younger age and his smaller, paler horns.

  Sin sneered in fury as Marduk strode towards him. The heat and power which emanated from Marduk’s inferno caused Sin to shift position, planting his feet firmly to the ground to avoid being blown away by the approaching firestorm.

  Sin's eyed glowed pale blue, mirroring those of Marduk. Son of Enlil against son of Enki. Bull of the Moon against Bull of Sun. Cousin against cousin.

  A series of white bolts of aether hit Marduk's shield hard, as Sin focused concentrated assaults towards him. The power of the hits left fizzing scars on the wall of aether, which Marduk restored immediately. It's fine, I can take a hit, Marduk mused, can you?

  Marduk leapt forward and slammed the ground with his forearms, letting out a great roar which echoed off of all the surrounding temples. A swirling vortex of fire and solar wind rushed forth from Marduk’s impact, straight into Sin.

  Sin braced through the onslaught of fire and wind, but his smugness disappeared as he realised his shield has weakened considerably. Confusion took hold of his half-armoured face. He folded his singed wings behind him to protect them from further damage, and let forth a surge of cold, white aether, and Marduk jumped high in the air, dodging the attack completely.

  Marduk came down with a hard kick on Sin’s side, sending the younger Anuna sliding along the plaza, carving a deep scar in the paving and felling a grove of date palms.

  Sin instantly hopped to his feet, recovering his aether shield, but his pride was visibly hurting as he glanced above at his withdrawing comrades. His side was losing, and he knew he could no longer hold Nibiru. Not alone.

  Standing up straight and bowing mockingly with a grin at Marduk, Sin aetherated. Upon seeing their leader leave, the remaining airborne Tiamatians followed suit, marking the end of Tiamatian occupation on Nibiru.

  Marduk ceased his inferno as Isimud and Nergal landed in front of him, beaming appreciatively.

  ‘It is done,’ Isimud announced with exhaustion, as the rest of the Watchers and Anuzi landed beside him.

  ‘Nibiru is ours!’ Nergal exclaimed, throwing his arms out as he turned to face the huge crowd. The roar of the hundreds of voices, both Anunnaki and human stirred up memories of his Marduk’s past. He shifted uncomfortably as feelings of both guilt and pride swelled within him.

  Nergal strode over to Marduk, and clapped him on the back with appreciation

  ‘You might want to address your new followers,’ he suggested, nodded behind Marduk, and upon turning around, an unlikely view met Marduk's eyes.

  Before him, were fifty kneeling Anuna, heads bowed in the submissive stance. Tiamatians, who had remained while Sin and the others fled. Deserters.

  ‘Bel. Judge me favourably. Let me live. I follow you. I am a servant of the Highest!’ proclaimed a young male, grey winged, with hai
r as dark as night. Black paint upon his pale skin gave him a skull-like appearance, but Marduk could see his regret and shame clearly.

  ‘Bel,’ Erishkigal moved to Marduk’s side, her long white flowing like poured starlight. ‘He is Namtar. My eldest son,’ she revealed, eyes pleading for mercy.

  ‘Nergal?’ Marduk puzzled, turning to Erishkigal’s lifemate, but Nergal frowned and shook his head.

  ‘Enlil is Namtar’s father. An Unfavoured,’ Erishkigal interjected.

  It was true. Namtar lacked the true black wings of a royal. His silvery grey matched the colour of any other average Higher Anunnaki. Enlil did not bestow him with power and recognition. He is no threat to me, Marduk affirmed.

  Nergal walked forward to console his distressed wife, ‘Marduk, brother. What will you do?’

  Isimud joined Marduk's side. ‘You can trust them, Marduk.’

  ‘How can you be sure?’ Marduk pressed, warily eyeing the traitors before him.

  ‘Namtar is more mine,’ Erishkigal revealed.

  ‘It is true,’ Namtar rose to his feet, a splendid yet ominous figure. Ghostly in appearance, cloaked in black. ‘I hold no loyalty to my father. I joined their cause to gain information to aid the Watchers. For my mother. For you, Bel.’

  A tear escaped Erishkigal’s large grey eyes, and Nergal held her close.

  ‘And the others? Marduk demanded.

  ‘Many were pressured into becoming Tiamatians,’ Namtar began, ‘many felt obliged to follow Sin. He had been the only royal present here in millennia. But now that you’re here… You gave us strength, Bel.’ Namtar gestured to the kneeling Anuna beside him, ‘their true loyalty is clear to see.’

  A voice from Marduk's past spoke to him of mercy and forgiveness, and he sighed, nodding.

  ‘What is you stance on humans, Namtar?’ Marduk quizzed.

  ‘They are your fathers creation. And ours to protect,’ Namtar proclaimed with confidence.

  Marduk grinned widely at the young Anuna, and joyous cheers and chants immediately sounded around Eden.

  ‘You are Tiamatians no longer!’ Marduk announced. ‘Join your Anuzi brethren!’