[ The fall of Enkidu was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, the ripples it stirred far more profound than they appeared on the surface.
]
[ You know, this is just the beginning.
]
[ The dissatisfaction of the gods toward humanity has accumulated to a critical point, and Kusha, as the most peculiar existence, will sooner or later become the next target.
]
Kusha Temple, late at night.
Doros stood alone on the terrace at the highest point of the temple, gazing up at the pitch-black night sky.
The stars remained bright, but in his eyes, they carried an indescribable sense of oppression.
The news of Enkidu’s death had arrived three days ago.
The messenger’s voice still echoed in his ears—that gentle green being had thus turned into a pile of ordinary soil.
“Even a God-Forged Weapon could be erased so easily…” Doros whispered to himself, “The bottom line of the gods is even lower than I imagined.”
He recalled the warning Enkidu had given during his visit, remembered those emerald eyes that saw through everything.
Perhaps even then, Enkidu had already sensed something.
“High Priest.”
A familiar voice came from behind him.
Doros turned around to see Iga standing at the entrance of the terrace, the moonlight outlining her slender figure.
She was not holding a clay tablet, which was rare.
“Iga?
Why are you up so late…”
“I can’t sleep.” Iga walked to his side, also looking up at the night sky, “I thought…
you probably couldn’t sleep either.”
The two stood in silence for a while.
“Are you thinking about Enkidu?” Iga asked suddenly.
“Yes.” Doros did not hide it, “I am wondering why the gods killed him.
Was it just because he failed to restrain Gilgamesh?”
“It’s more than that.” Iga’s voice was very soft, “The existence of Enkidu himself was a contradiction.
He was a creature forged by gods, yet he possessed humanity; he was supposed to be a tool, yet he became a friend.
For the gods who are distancing themselves from the mortal world, this ‘betrayal’ is intolerable.”
She paused, then continued: “Moreover, there was another purpose in killing Enkidu.”
“What purpose?”
“A warning.” Iga turned to look at Doros, her ruby-like eyes shimmering in the moonlight, “A warning to all existences attempting to defy the will of the gods.
Whether it is Gilgamesh, or…”
Or Kusha.
Or him, the High Priest protected by the Goddess of the Underworld.
“What should we do?” Doros asked.
Iga was silent for a long time, so long that Doros thought she wouldn’t answer.
“Prepare.” She finally said, “Kusha has attracted too much attention.
Although we have the protection of the Goddess Ereshkigal, but…
the Authority of the Underworld has its limitations after all.
If the gods are truly determined to take action against Kusha, what the Goddess can do might be less than you imagine.”
This was a cruel thing to say, but Doros knew it was the truth.
No matter how powerful Ereshkigal was, she was only the Goddess of the Underworld who governed the souls of the dead.
In the world of the living, with the gods joining forces, the power she could exert was limited.
“Then are we just going to sit and wait for death?” Doros clenched his fists.
“Of course not.” Iga revealed a smile, though it carried a hint of bitterness, “Kusha’s ability to reach this point has never relied on the blessings of the gods, but on the efforts of every single person in Kusha.
Even if the gods bring disaster, we will do our utmost to protect this City-State.”
Her words warmed Doros’s heart.
“You are right.” Doros took a deep breath, “No matter what, I will not let Kusha be destroyed.”
“I know.” Iga said softly, “So…
I will always be with you.”
After saying this, her cheeks flushed rapidly, as if she realized what an extraordinary thing she had said.
“I, I mean, as a member of Kusha, I will assist the High Priest in protecting the City-State!
That is what I meant!” She added, somewhat flustered.
Seeing her rare display of embarrassment, Doros couldn’t help but laugh.
“I understand, thank you, Iga.”
Under the moonlight, two young figures stood side by side, facing an unknown future.
[ After that night, Kusha began more intensive preparations for war.
]
[ You used spring plowing as a pretext, but in reality, you were reinforcing the city walls, stockpiling food, and training the militia.
]
[ Everything was done in secret; on the surface, Kusha remained that peaceful and harmonious City-State.
]
[ But you knew that a storm was coming.
]
A few days later, new news came from Uruk.
After Enkidu’s death, Gilgamesh was completely enraged and publicly announced that Uruk would no longer bow to any gods.
He even ordered the demolition of several shrines to minor gods in the city, retaining only the main temple that symbolized royal power.
The gods were furious, but they were wary of the Kings Treasure in Gilgamesh’s hands, and for a while, they dared not act rashly.
“This guy is truly crazy.” Doros looked at the intelligence on the clay tablet, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, “He is going to completely break with the gods.”
“Perhaps this is exactly his goal.” Iga said from the side, “To attract the attention of the gods and give other City-States a chance to breathe.”
Doros was stunned, then immediately understood.
Although Gilgamesh was arrogant, he was by no means stupid.
By doing this, he was, to some extent, sharing the pressure for “anomalies” like Kusha.
“This favor is too big to owe.” Doros sighed.
Just then, a commotion suddenly came from outside the temple.
A priest ran in, flustered: “High Priest!
A…
a…
has come outside the city!”
“A what?”
“A Goddess!”
Doros and Iga looked at each other, their hearts sinking simultaneously.
She had come.
The two quickly walked out of the temple and arrived at the city gate.
They saw a woman standing outside the city gate, dressed in gorgeous, somewhat revealing attire, with stunning beauty.
She had deep blue eyes, and her whole body was surrounded by the brilliant radiance of gems.
The Lady of Heaven, the Goddess of Venus.
Ishtar.
“Oh my, oh my, is this the legendary Kusha?” Ishtar examined the city walls, her tone flippant, “It doesn’t look like much.”
Her gaze swept across the crowd and finally landed on Doros.
“You are that Doros?
The High Priest of that Ereshkigal?”
Doros suppressed the tension in his heart and stepped forward to salute: “That is I.
I do not know why the Goddess has honored us with her presence?”
“Honored?” Ishtar laughed, “This Goddess is just passing by, and came to see what is so special about this City-State that Ereshkigal cares so much about.”
Her gaze turned to Iga, a hint of playfulness flashing in her eyes.
“And this one…
looks very familiar.”
Iga lowered her head and said nothing.
The atmosphere became heavy.
Doros knew that this visit was definitely not simple.