S3E01: Rebuilding

Welcome, listeners, to ENKI: Tales from the Past.

I am Nabu, son of the great King Marduk and prince of Babylon, greeting you from my throne room as we embark on a new season. I am the first human king of the Babylonians and as a human, I have been blessed to grow up among the Anunnaki and Igiggi. I have learned from their wisdom and knowledge. My father, King Marduk, and my aunt, the great Inanna, have taught me the ways of justice and righteousness, and I strive to follow in their footsteps.

The shadows of Tiamat and the tyrannical Enlil still loom heavy over our lands. Several sun cycles have passed since the annihilation of our great cities by Enlil’s dread Black Cube. So much was lost – knowledge, history, lives. But from the ashes, we are rebuilding stronger under the wise leadership of my father and Aunt Inanna secluded beyond the blue gates of Babylon.

While Enlil plots his next move from afar, we rebuild with help coming from beneath the earth with our faithful Igiggi allies. There, my Grandfather Enki develops a bold strategy to defeat Tiamat once and for all while protecting both Anunnaki and human populations. I have seen the plans with my own eyes – what ingenuity and courage they show!

Listeners, the battles and betrayals of old regimes are giving way to a new era of cooperation and justice. You deserve to know what really happened and I urge you all to stand with Enki and the rebels against the tyranny of Enlil. Join me on this podcast to learn their secrets and witness how, together, we will forge a brighter future from the ashes of the past!

Our story continues – stay tuned to ENKI!

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As a representative of my father, I am dedicated to reconstructing societies on Babylon, Borsippa, Eridu, and Ur. It is a daunting task, but I am determined to succeed, for the sake of all humans and Anunnaki. I am a paladin for the fight against the forces of Enlil, who seeks to destroy all that is good and just.

I must tell you that the forces of Enlil are powerful and ruthless. They seek to enslave and oppress all who stand in their way. But I say to you, do not fear, for we will not be defeated. We will fight with all our might, and we will triumph over the forces of darkness.

I know that Tiamat, the monstrous creature created by Enlil, is a terror to behold. But I say to you, do not be afraid. We will face Tiamat with courage and determination, and we will conquer it. For we are not mere mortals, we are the children of the Anunnaki, and we will not be defeated.

And as for Enlil, the so-called “god” who seeks to destroy all that is good and just, I say to you, he is not a god at all. He is a tyrant, a monster who seeks to enslave and oppress all who stand in his way. But we have no news of his whereabouts for ages… and even if he returns… we will fight against Enlil and his minions, and we will triumph over Tiamat.

The sun lowers on the horizon in the lands of the ancient ones. As King, I stride through the grand halls of Babylon’s royal palace, taking stock of our efforts to restore this historic seat of power and wisdom.

Marble columns that withstood a millennia now stand proud once more, their intricate Sumerian carvings a testament to my ancestors’ ingenuity. Through towering entryways floods a gentle breeze, carrying hints of incense from the ziggurat below. Although scars of battle still mar some walls, the steady hum of reconstruction soothes my soul.

My people toil as one; whether mortal man or advanced Anunnaki, all shoulders stand strong against the madness of Enlil’s wrath. Igiggi and native son heave stone by my Igiggi brethren’s design, reclaiming fallen strongholds as havens from outside threats. Rebuilding in a year what once took a century… A new dawn breaks upon this sacred ground, where wheels of progress now grind steady against shadows of war.

My heart swells to see Bricklayers call orders in Akkadian and Ancient Terran tongue alike, engineers from Nibiru lend expertise, and women lift songs of hope besides soldiers bearing supply. As scion of Elder Gods, I walk among subjects old and new, offering counsel where needed. Though Enlil’s rage knows no bounds, here stands a vision of unity too bright to dim.

By will of my noble father Marduk and powerful aunt Inanna, I reign as voice of moderation between peoples. Yet truth be told, ’tis ordinary folks who inspire me daily to defend all with shield and grit. As walls soon shelter them once more, so too shall wisdom and justice within these halls become a beacon across the lands. The Golden Age is reborn!

My loyal guardsmen escort me through bustling streets, where eager faces smile upon their King’s passage. Yet as the famed Blue Gates come into view, an unease creeps within my breast.

These blue and gold towering walls divide the Anunnaki quarters from the rest of the metropolis and I was summoned from the palace in a hurry.

As I near the huge doors adorned with golden metals and blue mosaics portraying peacock feathers, I can already feel  the presence of the Lady of the Largest Heart, my Aunt Inanna. No wonder everyone calls them Inanna’s gate.

Before the gleaming entrance stands my kinsman Zuka, lieutenant to noble Inanna’s gate guards. His grim mien portends ill tidings from beyond our havens.

Zuka: “Dark whispers loom upon the wind, O King, a shroud descends to numb the Ancient Ones, throwing all into confusion. Our Lady of the Largest Heart arrived today from the Pyramids and right after summoned you, O King, something is not right, I fear”

At his urgent behest, we hasten our step into the palace catacombs with thick protective walls of dense lead. Only here can Elders rest secure from whatever force seems to be probing their minds.

Within private chambers, I find my father Marduk deep in contemplation, mighty Inanna pacing like a caged lioness. Her visage is one of deep concern and I can glimpse that subtle rage in the way she presses her lips.

Inanna: “A shadow falls upon my race, Nephew,… Bear with me here… An unseen hand clutches to sway our sanity… This is outrageous and a plain stupid ordeal, I tell you. Our kind must take shelter again until this threat can be understood.”

Rage and worry vie within Inanna’s gaze as she stalks. That any would dare mind-enslave her kindred stokes the fires of damnation. And yet, behind fury’s mask, I sense in her a concern deeper still.

Nabu: Do you think this is part of any evil plan coming from the shadows. Can it be Tiamat searching for Anunnaki survivors?

Inanna: Naaaah! That old geezer son of a monkey would not have such power… he would have used it before if he did… this looming mystery goes beyond me… goes BEYOND Enki, even. Father has not found a probable cause yet… Goossh, this is getting deep into my nerves!

Marduk: Son… Sister… The days grow dark and dangers newly emerge from beyond sight. We Anunnaki must band together, Igigi as well, to pierce this veil of mystery and defend free will wherever it is found. Unite we must, lest all be consumed by the rising tide of this weird tyranny! My son, you need to keep all humans safe and thriving while we try to solve this, thing!

Nabu: Yes father! I will do as you bid me. No humans seem affected by this darkness, so we shall keep all plans in motion and leave you in secluded and safe areas until you devise a solution, I say to you, if you need human help you know that everyone will join up willingly.

What madness is this that invades even the Gods?! Some pestilence we cannot see nor fight spreads its foul tendrils to poison your minds!

Nabu: Again, father, I vow to do whatever is needed to end this damnation.

Marduk: A shadow without form. Its power waxes while ours wanes under this shroud.” He paces in thought. “We must divine the source. Only then can a spear be pointed at our true foe.

Inanna: To study what manipulates us like marionettes?! – Nay! I say we storm whatever planet or deep hole hosts these cowards and raze it to cinders! I’m really getting fed up with all these enemies coming from every rathole available!

Marduk: Calm down sister, violence may only make martyrs of our enemies, fueling their cause. We must seek wisdom, not wrath, if we are to triumph without becoming that which we fight. Nabu, you may go… proceed with the plans we will remain here in safety or eventually return to the pyramids… we will let you know!

I bid farewell to my ancestors, heart heavy with the troubles of state. As the chamber doors seal shut, I went directly to the King’s Palace. I feel impotent to help those that require my aid, and it pains me to see my aunt in such despair. I say to you, Heavy hearted is not heavy enough to explain how I felt in my way home.

Yet, as I passed the palace walls, the sweet song of my beloved eases my spirit.

In tranquil gardens she tends, Nanaya hums our people’s prayer to the setting sun. Her melodic voice lifts all who hear to nobler thoughts. I draw close yet linger at a distance, content to drink in her beauty and grace.

At last, she looks my way, and our eyes meet. Love chases shadows from my soul as she takes my hands in hers. Together our voices join in our hymn, praising Enki for His warnings delivered in our hour of need.

O father ENKI, help us in our need
Reveal to us the answers we must heed
Calm the tempest and still the brother’s feud
Guide our footsteps on the path of good

In Her embrace I find solace from the tribulations ahead.  With that I turn, squaring myself against the unknown. But will tomorrow’s sun also rise? And what new threats stalk the hours till its golden grace?