Full Circle

The cuffing of his cheek roused Olofin to consciousness. Immediately, the pain in the back of his head intensified causing the half-elf to moan groggily. Reaching for the injured area, he quickly discovered that his wrists and ankles were shackled to the chair on which he was sitting. “Nana,” he called out faintly. He squirmed in his seat, attempting to blink the sand out of his itchy eyes. His alarm increased when he couldn’t change his bodily form and escape. Somehow his magic’s had been suppressed. Olofin began shouting Buffy’s name repeatedly.

“There’s no need to yell; she can’t hear you,” replied the renegade Vala smugly. He stood before the half-elf, dressed in a long white tunic, his arms folded across his chest. On his head was a plain silver helmet with a ram horn protruding from either side. The Lord of Borsippa thought it strange that Marduk chose such a foul crown as the symbol of his power. “Fear not, Olofin Tirnon, your mother is safe, as are her pets… for now.”

“Where is she?” queried the young man, squinting his irritated eyes at the towering figure in front of him. “We’ve come in peace.”

Marduk’s diabolical laughter filled the chamber. From the shadows, Olofin heard others snickering along with their Lord.

“Did you hear that?” the Vala sniggered, turning towards the others hidden in the dark recesses of the room. “The elf comes in peace, with his ailing harlot of a mother, no less.” Quickly, he faced the half-elf, startling the young man with the swiftness of his movements. “I know why you’ve come, Lord of Borsippa.” Marduk positioned his hands on top of Olofin’s, placing pressure on them as he leaned in closer. “You’ve come seeking a cure for your mother’s illness.” He lowered his voice to a mere whisper before continuing. “Your mother got what she deserved. Perhaps if she had kept her legs closed, she wouldn’t find herself in her current predicament.”

“Now I have a better understanding as to why you chose to restrain me,” answered the half-elf between gritted teeth, his eyes glinting with scorn. Under different circumstances, he would’ve knocked the Vala out for insulting his mother, but Olofin found himself in a rather precarious situation at the moment. The Slayer’s health mattered more than a disparaging remark or two. He wasn’t foolish enough to prolong her suffering. He’d have to bite his tongue and take Marduk’s abuse.

Olofin’s comment brought more derisive laughter from the renegade Vala. Marduk had waited a long time for his plan to come to fruition. In fact, he was quite surprised that it had taken so long for the Vala of Love to become afflicted with the disease that he had created especially for her. He was disappointed that she hadn’t come sooner. He had always envisioned her groveling at his feet, pleading for a cure to her ailment.

“Tell me,” started the Vala, straightening his position, “why would I help the one that supplanted me from the throne?”

“Heal my mother and she will relinquish her kingship in the East. Heal her, and I’ll see to it that she leaves these parts for good.”

“You have no authority to make such a claim. Only Inanna Ishtar can surrender the scepter.”

“She’s obviously in no condition to make any decisions. I’m her heir apparent… I speak on her behalf.”

“Heir apparent?” queried the Ainu, his brows raised in surprise. He took a seat across from Olofin. His dark eyes scrutinized the young man. “How is it that her youngest child is heir to the throne?” Marduk paused for a moment; a look of understanding dawned on his face. He nodded. “Ah, I see. You’re the favored child. Makes sense, I suppose. Illyria… well, dear ole Illyria isn’t one to follow orders, is she? I reckon that’s why her own mother disposed of her. And the twins, well, I daresay, that speaks for itself; no one can share the kingship. That would only create discourse over time. So naturally, that leaves you, Olofinwë, descendent of the noble Noldorin line of Finwë. The valiant and virtuous half-elf, the Lord of Borsippa… ”

“You know nothing about me or my family,” retorted a scowling Olofin. He resented the renegade Vala’s haughty attitude.

“No? I know more than you think, my good elf. From what I hear, Vórëa the Valkyrie has taken the throne of Sumer and Akkad, not you. Perhaps she’s the one that needs to parley with me, son of Ishtar.” Olofin tried to conceal his astonishment upon hearing that revelation. How in Eru’s name did Marduk know that? The half-elf concluded that the renegade Vala must still have spies within Buffy’s kingdom.

“Vórëa’s duty is only with the running of the temples, not the city-states.”

“Hmm, perhaps.” Marduk leaned back in his chair, the fingers of his right hand tapped rhythmically on the arm of his throne. His dark eyes studied the half-elf keenly. “I am not opposed to dealing with you, Olofin. In fact, I deem that you have more wits about you than most of those that your mother surrounds herself with. Your reputation as being a moral and honest being precedes you. But how do I know that Inanna Ishtar will honor any agreement we reach? How do I know that she won’t betray me as she has Melkor? Her past deeds show that she is untrustworthy.”

“You have my word,” answered the half-elf firmly.

As Marduk sat there pondering Olofin’s last words, a wicked idea came to him. His frown quickly turned to a wide grin. “Unbind him,” ordered the Ainu.

And so began the negotiations between Olofin and the renegade Vala. It took them nearly an hour to hash out an agreement, but they reached one nevertheless. The half-elf knew that Buffy would be displeased by the ceding of the throne to Marduk, but it was in everyone’s best interests for her to do so, especially her own. As far as Olofin was concerned, the sooner he got his mother out of the East, the better. There was something unwholesome about the land, as if some evil haunted the region. It had already ensnared the Slayer, and he was most anxious to bring her home to Beleriand, to the only place where she would find healing.

After the pact was made, the half-elf was permitted to see his mother. He was taken deep underground to a small, well-lit room. In its center, sat a large glass tank that resembled a coffin. Three tubes were attached to either side connecting a series of large colored bottles located outside the box. A frail, nude and unconscious Buffy lay at the bottom of the tank, her hair cropped to the head. Marduk had placed her in an enchanted sleep to ease her pain and to protect his people from her sudden outbursts of delirium. The entire container was filled to the brim with a pink jelly-like substance that gave off a fragrant herbal scent.

Olofin took a seat beside the glass casket while Nabu, Marduk’s son, retrieved a tonic to ease the throbbing half-elf’s head. While he sat there, he stared at his mother’s seemingly lifeless body hoping beyond anything that she wouldn’t be too wroth with him for what he had done. All he wanted was for her to be healthy again. As soon as she was fit to travel, they would depart the renegade Vala’s realm forever.

It unnerved Marduk that Buffy’s son refused to leave his mother’s side. He had declined all offers of food, drink and a clean bed. The Ainu’s disquiet increased with the half-elf’s relentless questions regarding the healing methods employed. Every time any neared the glass tomb, Olofin wanted to know specifically what they were doing. That only made Marduk more paranoid. He feared that the young man would find out exactly what he was up to before the Vala was ready to reveal that himself. After three days, Marduk banned the ever-watchful half-elf from the medical ward. A heated exchange followed, resulting in the Lord of Borsippa’s banishment from the temple altogether.

“I’m not leaving without Inanna Ishtar!” proclaimed the half-elf loudly, struggling with the guards as they attempted to remove him from the ward. Olofin managed to grab a khopesh (“sickle-sword”) from one of the soldiers. “Your master is a liar and a thief!” he cried out, defending himself from the growing mob of security personnel.

Marduk suddenly appeared, well aware of the ruckus going on within his Halls. “You ask too many questions, Olofin Tirnon.”

The Lord of Borsippa then felt a whoosh of air from behind. A thick white mist then engulfed the young man, causing him to become woozy. The blade fell from his hand, clattering against the stone floor.

“What… what have you done to me?” sputtered Olofin, his eyes getting heavy, his body weak. He collapsed to the floor before he heard any response.

The renegade Vala then ordered his men to confine the half-elf in the temple furthest away from his own. It was important that the Lord of Borsippa remain in his lands, as he would be integral in manipulating the Vala of Love. So pleased was Marduk that everything now appeared to be going according to plan, that he even permitted Buffy’s lions to keep the young man company while in captivity. He no longer feared the noble beasts’ using their magics to disappear from his realm; he had managed to suppress that ability from them.

With Olofin gone, Marduk could now focus his attention on something that concerned him greatly, his son. The half-elf had not been the only one to keep a constant vigil by Buffy’s side. Nabu was guilty of doing the same, much to the Vala’s chagrin. After one week had passed, the elder Ainu decided it was time to confront his son about the matter.

“I’ve heard that you haven’t been home since Ishtar arrived,” he said gently, glancing at the Slayer’s comatose form. “Why is that, my son? Why are you neglecting both Sarpanit and Tashmet? Their concern grows with each passing day. They both miss their Lord.” The Vala spoke in his most pleasant, non-threatening voice.

The younger Ainu placed his hands on top of the glass box; his remorseful eyes gazing longingly at the marred body of Buffy. Restoring her health and beauty had become his top priority.

“Ishtar is my charge. I will not leave her until she is well.”

“That burden need not fall on you, Nabu. There are others that can look after… ”

“I dare not leave her!” snapped Nabu, shifting his distrustful eyes to his father.

“There’s no need for all that hostility,” replied a defensive Marduk.

The younger Ainu’s face contorted in anger. “You did this to her, father,” he said heatedly before turning his attention back to the sleeping Slayer. He caressed the glass top as though it was her fleshly form. When he resumed speaking, his tone softened. “I didn’t know that the virus would do this to her. I would never have agreed to be a participant in that scheme of yours had I known that she’d be ravaged so.”

Marduk grabbed his only son by the shoulders, forcefully pulling him away from the glass casket. “You speak as one who has been bewitched!” He turned his wrathful gaze upon Buffy. “It seems her powers are greater than I deemed.” He faced Nabu, his hands still tightly clutching his son’s shoulders. “Do you not see? Ishtar is a powerful Vala. She’s using her magics to her advantage even as she sleeps. Do not fall prey to her, my son. She’s dangerous!”

The young Ainu brushed his father’s hands from his person. “Dangerous?” Nabu repeated with a snicker. “You’re the dangerous one, father. Look at her!” He grabbed Marduk by the arm and dragged the reluctant Vala back to the box. “Look what you’ve done! If that’s what one must do for glory, then I want no part of it! That’s the epitome of evil. You should be ashamed of yourself… ”

“How dare you disrespect your father! Ishtar’s the evil one, not me. I’ve always been a proponent of life… ”

“Is that what you call this?” interrupted his son. He released his hold on Marduk, and pointed to a comatose Buffy. “You’ve always taught me that all life is sacred… yet you’re the one that’s responsible for creating the plague that is killing off mankind. How does that demonstrate your advocacy for life?”

“Mankind must be punished for both their depravity and disloyalty,” answered Marduk in a low growl. “She is the one responsible for their decline. The race of Man needs cleansing. And I will continue to cleanse the wicked until they accept me as their rightful God. Then and only then will they receive deliverance from the affliction.”

“I think there’s been enough suffering,” said Nabu softly, caressing the glass box once again. A frowning Marduk gestured to the men standing by the door. They immediately came in and grabbed hold of the Vala’s son. “What’s going on? Father? What are you doing?” shouted the younger Ainu as he was pulled from the room.

“I must tend to Ishtar, Nabu. She must endure one more treatment from me… The storms have passed. Why don’t you get some fresh air? I shan’t be long.”

“I swear,” screamed the younger Vala, disappearing around the corner, “if you harm her, I’ll leave, father. I will take Ishtar and I will leave these lands forever!”

Marduk slammed the door shut. How that boy of his could frustrate him so. He sighed heavily, staring at Buffy’s still form as he leaned against the stone door. He would see to it that she caused no more problems within his kingdom or Melkor’s.

A couple of hours later, the Vala Lord had the Slayer moved to another room. Her emaciated body no longer showed any signs of the ravaging disease; her skin was whole and pink as a newborns. Buffy’s golden hair had grown a bit longer after the ‘treatment’ as well; it was now shoulder length. While Marduk was able to heal her body, he wasn’t successful at healing her mind or her spirit, which was part of his agreement with Olofin. The elder Vala believed that his son was more suited to handle that part of her recovery as Marduk despised the thought of spending that much time in the company of his nemesis. He summoned Nabu.

When the troubled young Vala appeared, he was captivated by the Slayer’s renewed beauty.

“I’ve kept her in an enchanted sleep,” revealed his father. “Perhaps you should be the one that brings her to. I deem that she’ll feel less threatened seeing your face upon wakening than mine.” The elder Ainu then left the chamber whistling a merry tune as he went.

Nabu took a seat on the edge of the bed. He took the Slayer’s hand in his, kissing the top softly. He deeply inhaled the fragrant smell of her smooth pink skin. He found her scent quite intoxicating. Wary of his father’s earlier actions, Nabu gave Buffy a complete physical in order to confirm that Marduk had indeed healed her body. When he had completed his examination, he crawled into the bed and lay beside her. Clutching her left hand in his right, he closed his eyes, and drifted into the realm of dreams, eager to search for the beloved Inanna Ishtar…

The young Ainu was stunned to find himself standing alone in a desert, surrounded by many lofty dunes. He called out to the Slayer, only to hear his own voice answering back in echo. He began to scale the tallest mound, the hot sun blazing down upon him. His leather-covered feet sank into the sand, forcing Nabu to crawl on all fours to reach the apex. He gasped in shock when he reached the top. Before him, he saw a blood red sea, its frothy waves lapping at the sandy shore.

From out of nowhere, he heard the sound of hundreds of doves cooing overhead. Shielding his eyes with his hand, he looked towards the sky. Flocks of white and gray doves were flying above him, circling lower and lower before plunging into the crimson waters. A few long seconds later, the birds rose to the surface. Dead. The bewildered Ainu searched the shoreline until he caught sight of something floating near the water’s edge. As he hastily descended the sand hill, his eyes focused on the form in the sea. He lost his footing and tripped, rolling the rest of the way down. Nabu rose to his feet, wiping the granules from his face with the sleeve of his shirt. He then ran as fast as he could towards the figure in the water, as more birds plummeted from the sky. The currents carried the dead carcasses of hundreds of doves to the still form of the Slayer.

As he neared her body, he cried out, “Ishtar!” Her motionless body floated face down in the blood red sea. He waded into the ocean, surprised at its warmth, and pulled Buffy into his arms. Lifting her from the water, he carried her back to the shore, calling her name over and over. Her lifeless green eyes stared blankly at him. “Come back, Ishtar! Come back!”

When Nabu reached the shoreline, he plopped down, holding the Slayer tightly in his arms. He continued to call her name as he brushed aside the blood-streaked strands of hair that covered her face. She wasn’t responsive. He felt for a pulse. There was none. He laid her on the ground and placed his ear to her chest. No heartbeat. “No! It’s only a dream. Wake up, Ishtar. Wake up.” He shook her body. Nothing. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her unconscious form to his, and squeezed. “Come on, Ishtar. Wake up!” he said pleadingly, as he attempted to expel the fluid from her lungs. Buffy spluttered, spewing forth a combination of mucous and blood, which ran down Nabu’s shoulder. He gently cradled her in his arms. “Welcome back, Ishtar.”

The wheezing Slayer blinked several times, attempting to get her bearings. She glanced at the sea before turning her attention to the man holding her. She grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling herself to a sitting position. “It’s coming,” she warned in a broken voice.

“What’s coming?” he asked nervously. “I don’t understand.” Buffy went limp in his arms.

“It’s coming,” she repeated in a whisper.

All of a sudden, the sun dimmed. A loud roaring sound resonated throughout the area. The Ainu looked towards the sea, his jaw dropping as he laid eyes on the humongous crimson wave gliding over the water’s surface. It was so tall that it literally blocked out the rays of the sun, casting an eerie red glow on their surroundings.

“Wake up, Ishtar! Please, wake up!” he said in a panic-stricken voice.

Buffy shifted her teary eyes towards the sea. She let out a distressful moan when she saw the tidal wave. “It’s coming... ”

“I beg of you, Ishtar. Wake up! For the love of all that you hold dear - WAKE UP!”

“I can’t,” she replied, burying her face in Nabu’s shirt.

The Vala Lord glanced back at the ocean, his eyes wide with fear. “You must,” he said imploringly. The wave was speedily approaching them. “WAKE UP!” Out of desperation, the Ainu grabbed hold of Buffy’s arm and pinched it as hard as he could. She let out an ear-piercing scream…

Buffy bolted upright, her shrill cry rang out in the chamber. She clutched her sore arm, alarmed by her unfamiliar surroundings. Her breathing came in gasps as her eyes scanned the sparsely furnished room.

“It’s over, Ishtar,” said the breathless Vala Lord, delighted that they were both wide-awake within his father’s pyramid.

Nabu’s voice startled the disoriented Slayer. She locked her gaze on him. Unsure as to whether he was another figment of her imagination, she hesitantly reached out for him, her fingers brushing against his smooth handsome face. When she felt his skin beneath her fingertips, she tried to pull away, but he stopped her, holding her hand in place with his. His brilliant blue eyes looked at her with kindness and compassion.

“I saw you… in my dream,” she whispered in a hoarse voice. “Who are you?”

“I am Nabu, son of Amarutu Marduk.” The blood drained from Buffy’s face. Her eyes widened. She wriggled her hand from his grasp and attempted to distance herself from the son of her enemy. “No, no, no, no,” continued the Vala in a soothing voice, gently taking hold of her arm. “I won’t harm you. I swear!” He looked beseechingly at her. “I’m only here to help you… to bring an end to your suffering.”

“Where am I?” she queried uneasily. She tried to remember, but drew a blank.

“You are in my father’s Halls in the South Lands.” Upon hearing those words, the Slayer pulled herself free and staggered off the bed, frightened at the prospect of being in the Halls of her enemy. She had no idea how she came to be there or why. She closed her eyes tightly, thinking of Eanna, but she was unable to teleport. “Don’t be frightened,” he continued in a reassuring voice. “I’m nothing like my father.” Nabu gave her a small smile in an attempt to alleviate her fear.

“What’s Marduk done to my powers?” she asked, her panic rising. “Why am I here? How did… ”

“I’ll answer your questions, Ishtar, I promise.” He patted the mattress. “Do not overextend yourself. Have a seat.” Buffy shook her head, not trusting the son of Marduk. She felt slightly better knowing that a few feet separated them.

“Alright then,” he replied with a nod. “The Lord of Borsippa brought you here… ”

“Olofin?” she interjected, her heart racing at the mere mention of her child’s name. “Why? Where’s my son?”

The Vala Lord sighed. “I’m afraid that he’s gone… ”

“Gone?” Buffy’s uneasiness was escalating. She folded her arms across her chest, nervously eyeing potential weapons in the room. “My son would never leave me here alone. He’d never… ” She stopped mid-sentence. The sudden realization that she had no memory of being brought to Marduk’s Halls concerned her greatly. She tried to recollect the events that lead to her current situation but she remembered nothing. She furrowed her brows, thinking hard, yet nothing came to mind. “Why would Olofin bring me here?” she said that more to herself than to the stranger in the room.

“Are you going to let me speak or are you going to keep interrupting me with endless questions?” asked Nabu lightheartedly.

Buffy frowned. She took a seat in the chair beside the bed, concealing her amazement that neither she nor her companion was covered in blood. She eyed the young man with suspicion before saying, “Speak,” with an air of authority in her voice.

The young Ainu chuckled. For one so small, the Vala of Love definitely had a commanding presence. “You were stricken with the plague that has been unleashed in these parts, my Lady. Your son, the virtuous Olofin Tirnon, brought you here out of desperation. My father’s skill in the art of healing is unrivaled by any that dwell in these parts. He has healed your body, but not your soul.” He smiled warmly at the Slayer. “That is my task, to heal your broken spirit… ”

Buffy did not remember any illness. “Where’s my son?” she asked, her scowl deepened.

“He has departed these lands.”

“No,” she replied with a shake of her head. “He’d never do that.”

“I’m afraid that was part of the agreement. My father is not one to leave things to chance. He feels that you’ve used dubious means to usurp his kingship and will not risk having your son do the same. He agreed to heal you under the condition that you alone remain here. Your son agreed to his terms and has returned home.”

It was at that moment that the floodgates of her memories opened, revealing all the things that had happened to her. She recalled her sickness, her frightfully unpredictable behavior, her descent into madness. When she remembered the weeping ulcers that covered her body, she held up her thin arms, the sleeves of her gown falling to the elbow, exposing smooth unblemished skin. She quickly placed her hands on her face. Her skin felt soft and supple to the touch.

“As you can see, we’ve kept our end of the bargain thus far. Father has restored your beauty, your health.” He gave her another small smile. “The time has come for us to devote our time and energies to fattening you up… and working on your muscles, of course,” added Nabu with a chuckle.

The Vala Lord expected Buffy to be on cloud nine, but that wasn’t the case. Once she had realized that all her powers had diminished, and that she was not free to leave Marduk’s realm, she fell into a deep depression. While Nabu tried to assure her that her magics would return as soon as she got her strength back, it did little to ease her worried mind. What could be worse than finding yourself alone and vulnerable in the middle of enemy territory?

As the days turned into weeks, loneliness consumed the Slayer despite Nabu’s constant presence. The young Ainu ate all meals with her, slept in the chair beside her bed, and even remained in the chamber when the maidens of the Household bathed her. He very seldom left her side for more than a minute or two. It saddened the Vala Lord that Buffy had withdrawn deeper and deeper into her shell. She remained morose and despondent, and hardly ever spoke more than a few words on any given day. Little did the Ainu know that she was dealing with her own inner demons.

After seven weeks, the Slayer’s physical condition had improved considerably. Yet mentally, she still remained distant and downcast. Nabu tried to lift her spirits by reading his poetry to her or singing songs about the things he loved most, but nothing cheered her up. He presumed that Buffy staying in his father’s Halls was hindering her mental well-being. The younger Ainu approached the elder about taking Buffy from his home to Nabu’s, nearly seventy-five miles away. Once he had promised not to abscond with Marduk’s ‘hostage,’ he was permitted to take her to his pyramid deeper in the South Land.

Buffy and Nabu made the seventy-five mile trip in Marduk’s ram-drawn chariot. It was while soaring high above the desert that she asked, “What do you call these lands?”

“Egypt.” The Vala Lord gave her a peculiar look when she burst out laughing. While he was glad to hear her mirth, he was unsure whether it was at his father’s expense. “Do you find the name amusing?”

“No, not really,” answered the still chuckling Slayer. “I mean, it’s Egypt! The land of Pharaohs and pyramids.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe how dense I can be.” She leaned over the side of the chariot, surveying the vast desert lands below. “Long will Marduk’s nation stand.” She glanced at the Ainu and added, “Egypt will endure until the End of Days.”

“Is that so?” he asked, taken aback by Buffy’s disclosure.

“Yep.” She remembered enough of history to know that she couldn’t say the same for Sumer or Akkad. She wondered what would happen in the future to bring about the end to what she considered the greatest mortal civilization to date. “I can’t believe that I’m flying over Egypt in a chariot pulled by six ram. Who would’ve ever guessed?”

Buffy’s sudden change in attitude overjoyed Nabu. It reaffirmed his belief that he had made the right decision about her leaving his father’s Halls. Unfortunately, the Slayer’s happy demeanor was short-lived. Even though she opened up a bit more to the Ainu in after days, not once did he hear her laughter other than on that first journey to his home.

Over the many weeks they had spent together, Nabu had learned her likes and dislikes, and had done his best to accommodate her every need. Unlike his father, the young Ainu treated Buffy as an honored guest in his Halls. He housed her in a beautiful underground chamber decorated with exquisite furnishings in vibrant colors. The Vala Lord had the maidens of his Household garb her in gowns fashioned from rich fabrics with matching elaborate beaded headdresses, items that Nabu deemed worthy of the Vala Queen. His approach proved more effective than Marduk’s. Buffy’s mistrust of him was beginning to wane. Although there were still times when she sat alone, lost in her own thoughts, she would often speak fondly of her children, loved ones, and her accomplishments in the East. The Ainu found her stories riveting.

On Midsummer’s Day, Nabu decided that Buffy’s body had recovered enough from the trauma of her illness to introduce weapons training into her exercise regimen. He thought that she’d enjoy that, since her prowess on the battlefield was already legendary. From what he had heard, none could withstand her in combat. She was the best of the best, the Champion of Eru Ilúvatar. Sadly, their first session was disastrous. Buffy’s slayer- strength had not yet returned, and the mighty Vala of War struggled in her efforts to wield a sword effectively. After only a few minutes, she threw down the weapon, refusing to continue.

“Come now, there’s no need for that,” said the Vala Lord, picking the blade up from the floor. A frowning Buffy stood in the center of the room, her arms folded across her chest, a look of disgust on her face. She stamped her foot in frustration, annoyed by her own weakness. “Don’t let yourself become so easily discouraged,” continued Nabu as he grabbed a lighter sword from the display case. “Let us try this blade. It’s not as heavy as the last, but it’s a highly effective weapon nonetheless.” He offered the hilt to the Slayer. She started to reach for the proffered weapon, but stopped midway. The color faded from her face as she stared wide-eyed at the sickle-shaped blade. “What? What is it? What’s wrong?” asked the Vala Lord, concerned by her sudden look of distress. Buffy shifted her gaze to the man for a moment before fleeing the chamber, terrified. The Ainu took off after her, unaware that he had offered her a weapon wrought by Marto during the reign of Sargon the Great.

The Slayer was unable to escape her pursuer, as she had nowhere to go. Nabu managed to corner her in her bedchamber. She demanded her release, wanting to return to her home in Sumer immediately, but the Vala Lord refused, saying that he had promised Olofin that he wouldn’t bring Buffy back until the Ainu had healed her body, mind, and soul. And at that point in time, he didn’t feel that that had been accomplished just yet. That enraged Buffy. In her ire, she began throwing anything within reach at Nabu, yelling at him to leave her room at once. The baffled Vala Lord left the chamber, dismayed that all the progress that he had made with her had been for naught. Knowing that the sword had something to do with her sudden coldness towards him, he sent word to his father.

It was at that moment Buffy realized that she was being held captive. Why else would she not be able to return home? Physically, she looked as fit as ever even though she was as weak as any ‘ordinary’ mortal maiden. Surely, her powers would return soon, as they always had before. As far as her mind went, she was lucid and coherent. She could understand, rationalize and make decisions based on reason, although she felt slightly foolish that it took her nearly three months to realize that she had been bamboozled by the enemy. That left her soul, her spirit yet to be renewed.

“My fey,” she suddenly mumbled aloud. Buffy stopped biting her fingernails and quickly walked over to the chair beside the bed. She took a seat, placing her arms on the armrest. “Relax,” she said to herself. She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths, exhaling slowly each time. She decided that astral projecting her fey to Olofin was her only hope of escaping her prison. Concentrate, she thought. Buffy tried with all her might, but nothing happened. She must have spent hours in that chair, yet it was in that chair that she remained, fey and all.

Buffy finally gave up in her attempts to use magics to escape. She had tried every spell and incantation that she knew to free herself, but nothing worked. She was powerless. Trapped. She was unable to defend herself against the hosts of enemies that now surrounded her. In other words, ‘she was screwed,’ (as she would later tell it). The Slayer grudgingly accepted what fate had in store for her, but she couldn’t help but question Olofin’s whereabouts. Nabu had been lying to her from day one, so there was no telling where her son was. He was alive, that much she could tell. She’d know if something happened to him. She’d feel it.

Nevertheless, she couldn’t help but wonder what made her son seek the aid of the enemy. She understood how grave her illness had become, but bringing her to Marduk for a cure was absurd. Olofin should’ve known better. Buffy had undermined the renegade Vala. She had ousted him from his throne causing him to flee Nippur in shame. She cringed at the thought of his retaliation. Stripping her of her powers first was a smart move on his part, but she couldn’t fathom what was to come next. All she knew was that it wouldn’t be pleasant.

Buffy shunned Nabu while he waited for the response from Marduk. The young Vala Lord begged and pleaded with her to discuss what had upset her so, but she remained mum. It wasn’t until the Ainu had received a message from his father, two days later, that he understood her enmity towards him. Apparently, the blade in question was taken from a fallen Sumerian lieutenant’s body during Dagor i Thelaith Thrynin. The young man now had a better understanding of the Vala of Love’s reaction. It grieved him that he happened to select that particular sword, the khopesh, from all the weapons in his private stores. Things might have gone much differently otherwise. As it was, Marduk’s message was twofold: Nabu was commanded to bring the Slayer to the elder Lord’s Halls without delay.

The conflicted young Ainu remained seated on his throne. He unrolled the papyrus with trembling hands and re-read his father’s message again. For the first time in his three hundred and fifty-seven years of life, Nabu was torn, torn between his loyalty to his father and his newfound love for the Slayer. While he lamented the loss of his blossoming friendship with the Vala Queen, he feared more what Marduk was capable of. The renegade Vala had been plotting his revenge for many years, and it sickened Nabu that Buffy was to be on the receiving end of said revenge. The young man had only spent a few months in her company, yet he’d come to see that she possessed many admirable qualities that his father had overlooked. It was Marduk’s jealousy and enviousness of the Vala of Love and War that fueled his wrath. She had accomplished more in her short reign as Supreme God than the renegade Vala had in millennia.

The papyrus made a crunching sound as Nabu balled it up in his hand. He had made up his mind. Rising from his chair, he tossed the message from Marduk into the fire as he left the chamber. He went straight to Buffy.

The door to her bedchamber swung open, startling the Slayer. She stopped pacing and fixed her sneering gaze upon her most unwelcome guest. Before she had the chance to order him out, Nabu had already crossed the room and grabbed hold of her arm.

“We must go. NOW!” ordered the anxious Ainu.

“What are you talking about?” Buffy struggled to free herself from his grip. “Get your hands off me.”

“Now is not the time to be willful,” said Nabu, throwing her over his shoulder before racing from the room.

“Put me down!” squealed the Slayer, beating her tiny fists against his lower back. “How dare you disrespect me this way!”

“I mean no disrespect, my Lady, but there is need for haste.” The young man headed down the first of many stairways, taking three steps at a time. “My father has ordered that you’re to be brought to his Halls sooner than I anticipated. No good will come of your arrival there before fall. We must flee these lands as swiftly as we may.”

“What? Why?” Buffy stopped striking the Ainu. She could tell by the tone of his voice that something was seriously wrong. He appeared nervous and agitated. “What the hell’s going on, Nabu?” she asked, still hanging over his shoulder.

“Not here. Not now.” The Vala Lord refused to say anything else while they were in the pyramid.

Buffy’s mind was racing a million miles per second as they boarded Nabu’s chariot. He had finally put the lightheaded Slayer down, much to her relief. Her face was flushed from all the blood rushing to her head. She leaned against the front panel, waiting for the dizziness to pass. While servants handed the young man provisions for the trip, the Slayer stared in amazement at the creatures harnessed to the vehicle. Two male winged sphinxes sat waiting for further instructions from their master. The Slayer listened in disbelief as the two beasts discussed the best route to travel to the Underworld.

Ten minutes later, Buffy and Nabu were flying high above the desert plains against a purplish-pink backdrop. She bombarded her distracted companion with numerous questions. First and foremost, she wanted to know where they were going. She assumed the Underworld was some mystical realm like Folkvang or Valinor, but that was not the case. The Slayer would come to learn that that place was none other than Africa, (as it would be called in the End of Days.) Marduk had established his first kingdom there after he had left the Blessed Realm with his Maia followers, the Anunnaki. It was a fertile region, rich in minerals and ores, and supplied his fortresses in Egypt with much needed supplies.

“Why are you helping me?” queried the Slayer, arching her brow in suspicion.

The Vala Lord sighed, looking into the distance. “Because I’ve played my part in this scheme of father’s, and for that I am very sorry.” He shifted his remorseful blue eyes to her. “Father intends to hurt you.” Buffy rolled her eyes. How many times had she heard that before? “Do not underestimate my father, Ishtar. He is vindictive. His desire for power… well, it rivals your own, I suppose. He seeks to reclaim what was once his: all the East, including Sumer and Akkad. And none will stand in his way; I promise you that. If father can’t have it all, then no one else will either.”

A cold child swept over Buffy, causing her to shudder. The Ainu placed his cloak around her shoulders, his eyes studying her carefully.

“Surely, Marduk wouldn’t destroy… ”

“You have no idea what he’s capable of.”

“If that’s the case, then it’s foolish for us to stay in his lands. From what you’ve said, the Underworld’s the power center of his realm. We need to go east, instead of south. If Marduk wants war, I’ll give him war. Take me to Eridu. I’ve got legions of armies at my disposal… ”

“It’s too late, Ishtar.” The young Ainu looked at her with sorrow. “Whilst you’ve been in Egypt, father has already deployed his might to the north. Your people have been informed that both you and Olofin are being held hostage. They are under… ”

“Olofin?” The blood drained from the Slayer’s face. Her head was spinning, her heart aching. “My son… but you said… ” Her voice faltered. Buffy dreaded hearing those words. It confirmed her earlier suspicions. “Where is he? We gotta find him!”

“There’s no way, my Lady. Olofin is housed near my father’s Halls. We will get caught!”

“I don’t care.” She grabbed the front of Nabu’s shirt. “He’s my son!” Her green eyes looked pleadingly at the Ainu. “I can’t leave him behind. We have to go back.”

The Vala Lord shook his head. “It’s perilous! We’ll get caught. Father is ever watchful, Ishtar.”

“I don’t care,” countered the flustered Slayer.

“I do. I’ve defied my father’s orders by taking you from my Halls. His punishment will be most severe… ”

“I don’t care! If Marduk wants to kill me, he can kill me… while I stand beside my son. I refuse to leave Olofin behind.” She turned towards the sphinxes. “Turn this chariot around and head to Marduk’s pyramid.”

“NO! Stay on course,” Nabu ordered the flying beasts. He grabbed Buffy by the shoulders. “Listen to me. Father does not want to kill you. He has something far worse in mind. He calls you the Vala of Fornication and that’s what he intends for you to be - a plaything for his abominable creatures. If we return to his Halls, that’s the doom that awaits you. He will throw you to the den and his beastly creations will have their way with you. We can’t let that happen. I won’t let that happen!”

Buffy gulped; her mouth went dry. That thought alone made her want to run as far away as possible. But she couldn’t leave Olofin. She wasn’t about to let that happen. The Slayer’s eyes welled with tears.

“Please, Nabu. I can’t leave my son behind. Without him, I have nothing. I am nothing. He’s my life. He’s a good decent man. He’s better than me, he deserves his freedom.” She fell to her knees weeping, her arms clutching his legs. “Please, Nabu. I can’t leave Olofin. I can’t. Please! Help me. Let’s go back! I beg of you!”

The Ainu felt the Slayer’s anguish, but he feared his father’s retribution more. He squatted down in the cramped confines of the chariot. He lifted her chin, her face wet with tears.

“I’m sorry, Ishtar,” started Nabu, his voice full of compassion. “Once I get you to safety, I’ll come back for Olofin. But I must take you to my sanctuary in Ered Mithrin (“the Grey Mountains“) first. Father will not find you there. He does not know of it.”

Buffy buried her face in her hands. She had lost all hope. Without Olofin, she had nothing, nothing to believe in, nothing to fight for. Even though she no longer possessed her slayer strength, she would fight tooth and nail for her child. He was the best thing that had ever come from her. He was untainted and pure. Unlike her.

Nabu pulled the Slayer into an embrace as he sank to the floor of the cart. She curled up on his lap, sobbing, as the darkness settled around them. After a long while, Buffy ceased crying and fell into a fitful sleep. The exhausted Ainu kept watch as the chariot continued to fly due south. Nabu’s hope increased with every hour that passed without incident. Despite his uneasiness, he was lulled to sleep by the soft snoring of the Slayer.

“Halt, son of Amarutu Marduk!” shouted a voice, jolting Nabu from his slumber. Marduk’s men had caught up with them just before dawn. The startled Ainu quickly grabbed the shield wedged in the frame of the cart and propped it in front of him and Buffy.

“Wake up, Ishtar,” said the frantic Vala Lord, shaking her with one hand, as he fumbled for his weapon with the other. The Slayer awoke with a start. “Stay low. Father’s men have found us.”

“Shit!” She blinked her eyes wildly. Her heart began pounding in her chest as her adrenaline kicked into overdrive. She grabbed hold of the strap on the back of the propped up shield, keeping it in place. Nabu pulled out his weapon, which look similar to a rifle from ‘modern’ times.

“We’ve been sent to retrieve the harlot Vala!” yelled one of the men from atop his winged horse.

Buffy peered from behind the shield, glancing out the opened back of the vehicle. Scores of men, riding atop the winged beasts of Marduk were closing in around them. Some had bows and arrows while others had weapons akin to Nabu’s.

“Over my dead body!” replied the young Vala Lord, sending a blast of lightning from his weapon. It hit the speaker and the beast he was riding upon, splattering them both to smithereens.

“Wicked,” marveled Buffy. His firearm reminded her of the Gloves that she and Marto had made together.

One of Marduk’s minions drove his master’s chariot into the path of the sphinxes, forcing the beasts into a sudden nose-dive. The near collision sent Nabu flying backwards. Buffy yelped, dropping the shield, as she quickly seized hold of her companion’s legs, preventing him from falling out of the cart. The chariot then jerked upwards, sending the shield flying out of the back of the vehicle.

“Traitorous scum!” yelled the man in Marduk’s chariot, aiming his weapon at Nabu. The Vala Lord ducked as a blast of fire went over his head. He looked at Buffy, his eyes wide, his face grim.

“We’re in dire straits here.”

Buffy was terrified. She was defenseless. Only Nabu kept her from the enemy, and quite frankly, things looked awfully bleak. They were outnumbered and out powered.

“What are we gonna do?” asked the frightened Slayer, eyeing their foes as they neared the chariot. How she wished that she possessed any of her powers.

“I’ll have to fend them off the best I can.”

“But you’re only one, they’re many!”

“What other choice do I have?” he panted. Nabu clenched his teeth, his facial muscles tensed before he leapt to his feet, sending blasts of lightning at the enemy. Buffy felt helpless cowering in the corner behind the long legs of her companion. She couldn’t find anything that would make an effective weapon other than a satchel of food or the water skins.

A bright orangey light flashed before her eyes, momentarily blinding her. Nabu cried out in pain before slumping to the floor. Buffy pulled him into her arms, blood gushing from the gaping hole in his chest. She quickly pressed her hand over the wound, knowing that it was much too large for her to stop the bleeding.

“It’s okay, Nabu. It’s okay,” she said trying to remain calm. Buffy tried to heal the young Ainu’s wound with her saliva, but it didn’t work. She was literally powerless. “Oh Eru!” she exclaimed, looking around in desperation. “Help us! PLEASE HELP US!” The Vala Lord’s face turned ashen. He was losing so much blood. “Don’t move!” Buffy grabbed one of the satchels from the pocket of the cart and pressed it to his injured chest. She could feel the warmth of the crimson fluid soaking through her garments.

“I… I failed,” sputtered Nabu, placing the weapon in her hand. He started wheezing as he whispered, “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. Stay with me, damn it. Don’t you die on me, Nabu.” Buffy tried to reassure the Ainu that he’d be alright, but with his losing so much blood, death was imminent.

He hacked, splattering blood on Buffy’s face.

“Look… for… him.” Nabu reached out for her. She took his hand in hers.

“Who?” asked the confused Slayer, tears welling in her eyes. “What are you talking about?”

“It wasn’t supposed to end this way, my beloved Ishtar,” he gasped with his last breath. The light faded from his eyes, his hand went limp. Nabu died in her arms as one of Marduk’s men leapt onto the cart. An angry Buffy turned her weapon on the enemy and blasted him from the cart. She was ready to kill every single one of those bastards. She jumped to her feet, only to feel something tightening around her throat. Buffy dropped the weapon as she reached for the noose around her neck. In one swift motion, she was pulled off her feet and out of the cart. She gasped, struggling for breath. And then all went black.

The cool wind against her face brought the Slayer to consciousness. She found herself upright, squashed between the front panel of Marduk’s chariot and the brute that stood behind her. Her head was pounding, her throat sore. The intensity of the pain overrode the increasing discomfort of the gag that must have been placed in her mouth while she was out. It was the strangest of its kind that she had ever seen. Buffy’s teeth clenched a small metallic ball (a little bigger than a walnut) that forced her jaw agape. It was secured by leather straps that fit snugly around her head. She found it highly uncomfortable and difficult to swallow, drool was dripping down her chin. Buffy struggled; both her wrists and ankles were bound. As her eyes came into focus, she couldn’t help but notice the towering pyramids looming ahead. Already the chariot was descending from the sky, bringing Buffy to her doom. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest. She dreaded the confrontation with Marduk, for surely she would suffer the consequences of his only son’s death.

When they had landed, her captor shoved her off the cart. She tripped and fell on all fours onto the hot sand.

“Get up, harlot!” bellowed her abductor, seizing her by the back of her gown and pulling her to her feet. She rubbed her sticky sand-covered hands on her lavender dress as she was pushed towards the entrance to the pyramid. She didn’t see Nabu’s body anywhere.

Buffy’s captors shoved her into a small, dimly lit chamber just inside the entrance of the pyramid. When the stone doors slammed shut in her face, she turned to see three men dressed in long white tunics standing beside a long wooden table. She was stripped of her garments, jewelry and that god-awful gag before she was forced to lie on the table. Helplessness and despair took on a whole new meaning as the men proceeded to ‘inspect’ every orifice in her body for ‘potential weapons.’ Never before had she been subjected to such an intrusive search. She found the entire experience humiliating. To make matters even worse, she wasn’t allowed to dress. The Slayer was to be brought before the elder Vala Lord naked.

Buffy was surrounded by at least a dozen men as they marched her through the Halls of Marduk. Hundreds of men lined up along the corridors and stairways, leering, jeering and making rude gestures as she went by. The Slayer’s face turned a deep shade of scarlet as she placed her arms strategically over her nudity, doing her best to avoid making eye contact with any. One of her captors knocked her on the side of the head, saying that she was forbidden to cover any part of her body.

When they had reached Marduk’s great chamber, it was full to capacity with hundreds of people and human-like hybrid creatures. Buffy couldn’t help but think of Nabu’s comments about her being a plaything for the vile beasts of his father. She could feel the bile in her stomach churning. Her feet felt like lead as the crowd parted, creating a pathway for her and her captors. Beads of sweat formed on the Slayer’s face as she approached the dais of Amarutu Marduk.

The renegade Vala was pleased to see that all shreds of Buffy’s dignity were gone by the time they came face to face. Yet his jubilation was lost upon hearing the news of his only son’s death. And to discover that one of his overzealous men was guilty of the deed made it that much worse. He narrowed his eyes on the Slayer, trembling before him. Knowing that Nabu had spent the last of his life in the constant company of that woman only added to his grief. He resented that. It seemed rather obvious to him that she had used her womanly ways to corrupt his son to her way of thinking. His only heir was gone, and in Marduk’s eyes, the Vala of Love was the one to blame.

Buffy felt the coldness of the renegade Vala’s gaze. It caused the hair on the nape of her neck to stand on end. She was no fool. She understood how perilous her situation was. The chance of getting herself and Olofin out of their current predicament, unscathed, was slim to none. With Nabu’s death, it seemed impossible for her to play up to Marduk’s inflated ego to cut a deal. But she still had to try, nonetheless.

“Please, Lord,” she started, falling to her knees in supplication. The rumblings from the spectators in the room died down to hushed whisperings. “If I may, I’d like to express my condolences for your loss. Your son was an honorable man… ”

“Don’t you dare speak of my son, Queen of Harlots!” he barked, leaning forward in his seat. “If not for you, my son would still be alive.” His dark eyes bore into hers. She broke eye contact, hanging her head in deference. “On your feet!”

Buffy rose unsteadily. She could feel the hundreds of eyes watching her every move. The room was so silent that one could hear a pin drop. She stared fixedly at the floor, testing her magics once again in hope that they would miraculously return in her time of need. The sound of Marduk’s footfalls coming down the steps of the dais echoed throughout the chamber. The Slayer could see him approaching out of the corner of her eye.

He grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her around so that she faced the masses.

“My good men, before you stands the Vala of Fornication, the diabolical creature that deposed me from my rightful station. This is the harlot mother of all those… those… cunts who have used their feminine wiles to entice my highest ranking officials into betraying me.” Marduk’s followers hissed and booed. “Let it be known, henceforth, that women shall learn their rightful place in my kingdom: that they are beneath men! No longer will I allow any woman to hold any position of power! There will be no more temples honoring this Valië or any other. Women are meant to care for the home, to carry our seed, to raise our children, and to be subservient to their lords.” The men in the chamber cheered loudly at the renegade Vala’s declaration. “Their bodies are meant to sate the needs of men, not their own.” He spun Buffy around, his hands gripping her naked shoulders, a wicked grin on his face. “And now you shall face my judgment, Inanna Ishtar… ”

“Please, Lord,” pleaded Buffy. “Can’t we work this… ”

Smack! Marduk backhanded her, sending her to the floor. “Do not speak unless I command you to, harlot!” The sneering renegade Vala gestured to his men. They quickly pulled Buffy back to her feet. Her cheek was stinging, her eyes burning with tears. She felt sick.

“You’re not worthy. There will be no parleying. I shall take what is rightfully mine! And you, Ishtar, have now become my property.” He whistled. Many strange and creepy creatures emerged from the crowd. Buffy was terrified; Nabu’s ominous words rang out in her mind. As the creatures moved closer to the dais, Marduk began climbing the steps.

Buffy fell to the floor, grabbing the back of Marduk’s legs. “Please, Marduk! Don’t do this! I’ll do anything.”

He pushed her away. “Yes, you will,” he laughed, as he continued to climb the steps of the dais. Buffy shrank back from the half bird, half man that was swiftly approaching her. Marduk took a seat on his throne. “It’s time for some much needed entertainment, Ishtar. Come, my pets.” He beckoned even more creatures from the throng. “Here’s a new toy for you to play with.”

The Slayer shrieked, cowering against the stairs. The birdman flapped his wings as he stood over her. Buffy never knew such terror.

A sudden commotion by the entrance of the chamber distracted the occupants. Men cried out as an invisible force sent them flying backwards, knocking down more of their fellows. Marduk was startled by the unexpected arrival of his ‘guest.’ He rose to his feet and uttered one word, “Sauron!”