Greetings, my dear listeners. This is Mário Portela, the creator and writer of “ENKI: Tales from the Past.”

As we dive in the fourth episode of this incredible fourth season, I find myself reflecting on the extraordinary quest we’ve been on together. Crafting this series has been a labor of love, a quest that has filled me with immense joy and pride. Your unwavering support and enthusiasm have been the driving force behind our continued success, and I cannot express how much your feedback means to me.

 

Over the course of this series, we’ve witnessed the evolution of our storytelling, thanks in part to the advancements in AI voice models that have allowed us to bring these characters to life in ways we never thought possible. I’ve poured my heart and soul into learning and mastering these tools, all in the name of better serving the story we’ve created together.

But as much as this is a passion project, it’s important to acknowledge that creating a high-quality podcast like this is not a free endeavor. The costs associated with producing each episode, from the writing to the voice acting to the editing, are significant. That’s why I’m so grateful for the support of our listeners, who have helped me keep this dream alive.

 

In fact, it’s because of your support that I’ve been able to expand my storytelling universe with the launch of my new audiodrama, “Echo.” If you haven’t checked it out yet, I highly encourage you to give it a listen. If you believe in the work we’re doing and want to see more audiodramas like “ENKI” and “Echo” in the future, I invite you to consider supporting me through Ko-Fi. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps me continue to bring these stories to life and push the boundaries of what’s possible in this exciting new world of audio storytelling.

 

And of course, I always love hearing from you, my dear listeners. Your comments, reviews, and feedback are the lifeblood of this series, and I encourage you to keep them coming. Together, we can continue to create something truly special and unforgettable.

So without further ado, let’s dive into the fourth episode of this incredible fourth season. Thank you for being a part of this journey, and I can’t wait to see where it takes us next.

I take a deep breath as I land my scout shuttle amidst the chaos and destruction. The air is thick with smoke and the sounds of cries for help. My heart races as I survey the remains of the massive Pleiadian cruiser, its once-grand form now a twisted wreck.

Steeling my nerves, I rush to the makeshift survivor camp, shouting orders to the rescue teams to converge on my location. I need to find my father and mother, Enki and Ninki, alive and well… I really need them… alive.

As I approach the camp, I see Abgal, my father’s trusted friend and co-pilot, tending to the wounded. Our eyes meet, and I see the grief etched on his face. “Abgal! Where are they? Where are my parents?” I demand, my voice laced with fear and desperation.

Abgal places a weathered hand on my arm, his expression somber.

“Inanna, your father is alive, but… Your mother, Ninki, was gravely injured in the attack. Enki is with her now.”

My breath catches in my throat. Mom, injured? I push past Abgal, my feet carrying me swiftly to the makeshift medical tent. Inside, I find my father, his clothes singed and his face etched with worry, kneeling beside Ninki’s prone form.

“Father!” I cry, dropping to my knees beside him. Ninki’s eyes flutter open, and she manages a weak smile.

“Inanna…” she whispers, her voice barely audible. “My daughter…”

Enki looks up at me, his eyes brimming with unshed tears.

“Inanna, I’m so glad you’re here… Your mother, she…”

I place a hand on his arm, silencing him. “Shh, Father. I’m here now. We’ll get her the help she needs.”

Enki nods, his expression filled with both hope and despair. I can see the weight of this tragedy etching lines on his face, but I refuse to give in to despair. I will do whatever it takes to save my mother and ensure justice is served against those who did this.

With a renewed sense of purpose, I turn to the medical team via gauntlet comms, issuing orders in a steady, authoritative tone. “This is Inanna. Prep the med-evac immediately. My mother, Ninki, has sustained critical injuries and requires urgent stabilization and transport to Athala. I want a full trauma team standing by, and I want it done five minutes ago. Do you understand?”

“It will be done, Lady Inanna,” the comms answer.

Turning back to my father, Enki, I place a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Father, the team is mobilizing. We’ll get her the help she needs.” My voice is calm and resolute, but I can feel the underlying current of fear and uncertainty. Ninki has always been the rock upon which our family has stood, and the thought of losing her is almost too much to bear.

Enki nods, his expression a mix of gratitude and anguish.

“Thank you, Inanna. I don’t know what I’d do without you…”

He reaches out and squeezes my hand, his grip tight and trembling. In that moment, I see the true depth of his love for mom, and I’m filled with a renewed determination to do whatever it takes to save her.

Minutes later, as the medical team rushes in with a hover-gurney, I step aside, allowing them to work. But I refuse to leave Ninki’s side, my eyes never leaving her prone form. “Hold on, Mother,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. “We’re going to get you through this. I promise.”

I hold my father, Enki, as we watch the medics swiftly load Ninki onto the hover-gurney. Her face is ashen, and her breaths come in ragged gasps, but the medical team works with a sense of urgency that gives me hope.

Enki’s arms tighten around me, and I can feel the tremor in his hands.

“Inanna, I don’t know what I would do if I lost her. She’s everything to me.”

I squeeze his hand, my own heart aching at the thought of Ninki’s fate. “She’s strong, Father. She’ll pull through this, I know it.” My words are laced with a conviction I’m not entirely sure I feel, but I need to be the pillar of strength for him right now.

Enki nods, his eyes never leaving Ninki’s still form as the medics load her into the waiting shuttle.

“And Enlil…?”

His expression darkens, his jaw clenching with barely contained rage.

“He did this, didn’t he? The bastard!”

I reach up, placing a hand on his cheek, forcing him to meet my gaze. “Yes, Father. I believe Enlil is behind this attack. But we’ll make him pay, I promise you that.” My voice is steady, my determination unwavering.

Enki’s eyes search mine, and I see the turmoil within them.

“Inanna, I can’t lose you too. Not after everything that’s happened.”

He pulls me into another tight embrace, and I feel the weight of his fear and grief.

“You won’t, Father,” I murmur, wrapping my arms around him. “I’m not going anywhere. We’ll face this together, as a family.” I pull back, meeting his gaze with a reassuring smile. “Now, come with me. I have a scout ship waiting, and I think it’s time we search for my uncle.”

Enki hesitates for a moment, his eyes darting back to the shuttle carrying Ninki.

“But Ninki…”

“The medics will take good care of her,” I assure him. “And I’ll have someone keep you updated on her condition. But right now, we need to focus on finding Enlil before he can do any more harm.”

Enki nods, his expression resolute. “You’re right. Lead the way, Inanna.”

He places a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm and steady, and I know that together, we can face whatever challenges lie ahead.

As we make our way to my scout ship, I can feel the weight of our mission settling on my shoulders. Enlil will pay for his treachery, and I’ll stop at nothing to ensure justice is served. For Ninki, for our family, and for the future of our people, I will not fail.

I sit back in my chair, sipping my wine as I review the plans on my console. My triumph over Enki fills me with a sense of satisfaction. Just as I’m about to take another sip, my gauntlet comm crackles to life.

Nergal’s voice comes through, “Lord Enlil, I have an update from our infiltrator at the makeshift camp of survivors.”

“Patch him through.”

Moments later, a new voice echoes in my chamber.

“Lord Enlil, I have infiltrated the camp successfully. I managed to blend in with the survivors and gain their trust.”

I lean forward, intrigued. “Excellent. What have you learned?”

“There are exactly 17 survivors, my lord!”

“Is my brother alive? Oh, and the rescue teams?

“Inanna has arrived with several field teams. Enki and Ninki are alive, my lord. Yet Ninki seems to be in a serious condition.”

My grip tightens around the wine glass. “Hmph. So, the fools have survived. No matter, they cannot escape my wrath. Let’s hope for the worst!”

“Right, my lord!”

I take a long sip, savoring the bitterness. “Continue your surveillance and keep me informed. I will not rest until Enki and his wretched family are crushed beneath my heel.”

“Yes, my lord. I will remain vigilant and report any developments.”

My eyes narrow, a cold, calculating look settling on my face. Enki may have survived… again, but his luck will not last. I will hunt him down, and when I find him, I will make him suffer for his defiance. This is my destiny, my birthright as the rightful ruler of this planet.

“See that you do.” I cut the connection and lean back, a sinister smile creeping across my face. “Enjoy your fleeting moments of respite, Enki. Your time is running out.”