S3E12: Wounds

[Enlil’s POV]

The sharp mountain wind bites at my face as I stride along the parapets, inspecting my troops’ readiness. My senses are primed for any sign of the rumored rebel activity. If my sniveling brother thinks to strike at me here, he will sorely regret it. When I heard the rumors of a nearby flying vessel, I quickly got everyone ready. This can only be a brazen move orchestrated by Enki.

“Double the sentry patrols and reinforce all perimeter defenses!”

I barked, my voice echoing off every soldier’s comms.

“We must be prepared for anything.”

The troops snap to attention, rushing to carry out my orders without question or hesitation. Good. Fear and unthinking obedience – these are the lifeblood of a cohesive fighting force.

I descend deeper into the stronghold, down to the vehicle bays where my legion of elite TIAMAT warriors awaits activation. They stare back at me with cold impassivity. Soon they will be unleashed upon any who dare oppose my will.

“Be ready for my command, feed me any intel you get and do NOT act without my orders”

In my private chambers, I review the security feeds again with a critical eye, searching for any lapses or weak points in our defenses.

Suddenly, alarms silently pulse in my screens – perimeter breached!

A tell-tale flicker on one of the monitors catches my attention. One intruder only? What is this? Who is she?

I stare in disbelief as none other than my insolent niece Inanna slips through a remote hatch into the base! The sheer audacity leaves me momentarily speechless, my hands clenching into fists.

That reckless, impetuous child! I open a comm channel, my voice tight with rage.

“Intruder alert! Apprehend the target but do NOT kill her. I want her alive.”

Inanna has much to answer for. I will teach her the meaning of respect! She will regret her foolish bravado this day, I swear it.

Inanna dared to infiltrate my stronghold alone? I almost admire her boldness, futile as it is. I will use this opportunity to capture her and make an example. She will serve as a warning to all who oppose my vision of order. Her imprisonment will crush them once and for all!

I stare at the security feed in consideration as Inanna slips ever deeper into my fortress. Perhaps I could use her reckless infiltration to my advantage. She likely aims to sabotage or steal valuable intelligence. I will let her proceed and lay a trap for when the time is right. With some clever maneuvering, I can outwit this impetuous child.

“Everyone, evacuate the area, I’ll deal with the intruder myself. Take special attention to any exterior movements and perimeter breach.”

Tracking her movements, I allow Inanna unchecked access through the facility, curious to see her plan unfold. Yet strangely, she heads directly for the officers’ quarters rather than any critical systems. Why would she risk so much for such a futile gesture? This makes no strategic sense.

I trail her silently down the corridor as she approaches my own door. Suddenly it bursts open and there stands Inanna, wild-eyed and brandishing a blade! Before I can react, the knife is at my throat, and she seethes with unrestrained hatred:

“Murderer! Your reign of terror ends here and now!”

I am momentarily stunned by this brazenly suicidal act. She had no sabotage planned at all – only a personal vendetta?! Inanna’s sentimentality has made her reckless and dangerous. I will not underestimate her again.

“Remember Dumuzi?”

My eyes narrow as I plan to twist the knife from her grasp.

“You dare threaten me in my own sanctum?” I hiss… her face is a mix of hatred and pain. It’s fun to watch so I decided to just play along.

 “Your beloved human? He was but an insect beneath my notice. As you will soon be.”

I will soon break her neck with my own hands. I will make her suffer for this effrontery. She will regret treading this path…

[Inanna’s POV]

My hands trembled in anger, I just wanted to slit his throat right there, but I needed answers, I needed peace. So I just pressed the blade against Enlil’s throat as tears shone in my fiery eyes.

“Why?! Why take my love from me?”

Enlil chuckles mirthlessly. “Come now little princess, you know statecraft requires sacrifice.”

I couldn’t help myself and pressed the knife closer, drawing a bead of blood. I confess that I will never forget the feeling of relief watching his first drop of blood  run down his neck.

“His life was no mere sacrifice! He meant a lot to me!”

“Tsk, spare me the dramatics,”

Enlil sneered, and that built up my fire.

“What did you expect after defiantly bedding a human? Preposterous…”

“We were going to change things! Build a better world, together!”

He snorted derisively. His eyes were laughing and transpired pure cruelty.

“Foolish child. I simply removed an obstacle in my path. I couldn’t care less of what your pet meant to you.”

I shook with impotent fury, the knife clutched in my white-knuckled grip. I felt lost… wanted to cry out my pain, wanted to avenge Dumuzi, but would it bring him back?

Sensing my hesitation, Enlil’s eyes glinted with cold amusement.

“Well? Get on with it then.”

Anguished indecision wars across my mind… and I still don’t know why I just pulled back that knife with a frustrated cry.

He just stood there laughing… mocking me!

“I thought not. You haven’t the stomach for what’s required. You are but a little princess.”

His hands flashed out, brutally disarming and subduing me.

“Now you’ll face the consequences of your impudence.”

I struggled futilely in his iron grip, despair and rage welling up inside. Is this how it would end? Two hands slowly pressing the air out of my lungs?

Enlil’s crushing grip had felt like shackles of iron as I thrashed against him with every ounce of strength. I spat curses through gritted teeth, but he sneered back at me, amused by my impotent rage.

My fingers fumbled at my waist for the hidden dagger strapped beneath my suit, my last hope of escape. Summoning a reserve of power I did not know I possessed, I had wrenched my hand upward with all my might and plunged the razor-sharp blade to its hilt into his unprotected side. Enlil roared in surprise and agony as dark arterial blood gushed over my hand in hot pulses. His viselike hold loosened just enough for me to twist violently free.

I took his handgun and sprinted from the room without looking back, Enlil’s enraged bellows of promised vengeance ringing in my ears. Klaxons began blaring throughout the complex as the thunder of dozens of boots echoed through the corridors – the hunt was on.

Up ahead, two guards reacted to the alarm, raising their weapons toward me. With lightning reflexes honed in battle, my gun flashed twice, and they fell lifeless before they could even fire a shot.

I leapt over their crumpled forms, my heart hammering against my ribs. I knew Enlil’s fury would drive him to tear me apart limb from limb if I was caught. I had to reach the hangar before his forces converged upon me. This may have been my only chance to escape with my life.

The huge hangar bay loomed ahead. I leapt into the cockpit of a small swift scout ship. My hands flew over the controls, initializing the engines. Troops poured into the hangar, firing after me, but I slammed the thrusters to full power. The ship blasted forward, bullets ricocheting off its hull as I soared up into open sky and freedom.

As Puma Punku receded behind me, the enormity of what just transpired hit me.

I had wounded one of the mightiest Anunnaki lords in his own stronghold and lived to tell the tale. But I had drawn his full wrath now. I wounded the Tiamat Beast!

The die was cast.