Mesopotamia, Uruk City, 5790 B.C.
Ikaris had never liked coexisting with humans. Arishem's design did not demand it of him; he had been born on Olympia and had entrusted himself to the Celestials, a long time ago, to defend sentient life. All forms of life cataloged in the Domo were sapient and highly rational; the number of creations they achieved was admirable, and all with Deviants lurking in their lands long before their Eternal predecessors arrived to their aid.
The sapient beings of Terra were different from those of all those planets. They were petty, superstitious, and selfish creatures, capable of the worst crimes in pursuit of "one's own good." Their minds were also small, only capable of carving rocks and shaping mud. There were no great beings here with whom to debate the Deviant threat. It was a backward planet, millions of years behind other great empires, with the most unpleasant behavior toward those of their own kind. Here, it was more likely that humans would kill each other before the Deviants were eradicated.
But he knew that Arishem's orders were greater than his preference.
Tonight, Ikaris was in the middle of Uruk's central plaza. He had been forced to attend the purification ceremony. The old swamp was gone, replaced by mud structures that Phastos called "houses." Their depressing shapes seemed to enchant the humans, and they learned well.
—Lord Utu!
Ikaris turned to see a group of youths approaching him. They carried baskets with marigolds and poppies. There were three of them along with a small six-year-old girl.
—Yes? —he asked in a low voice.
The older ones did not answer; they only looked back at the youngest among them. The girl walked toward him, trembling. Her hands gripped a bouquet of flowers; her knuckles were white and the flowers shook.
—Thank you, my lord —she squeaked.
She thrust the flowers into his hands and ran to hide behind the legs of the older ones. Ikaris held the gift, staring at it.
—You saved us, my lord —one said with reverence. —My sister wished to thank you.
Ikaris nodded in silence. The boys ran away from him, cheering and praising the little girl, who laughed dizzily.
—They are adorable —Sersi cooed at his side.
Ikaris nodded. He turned his gaze toward his fellow Eternal; she was dressed in linen and furs instead of her green armor.
—You are not wearing your armor —Ikaris pointed out.
—Ajak said we should integrate.
The Eternal looked at him expectantly. Ikaris said nothing, and Sersi deflated slightly.
—It's exciting —she tried. —They say Perseus is organizing this event for Ishtar's birthday.
Ikaris grunted affirmatively. In the last decade, the girl had been a constant presence for the Eternals. Ishtar captivated the hearts of his companions with her blossoming character and those bright eyes full of fire. Personally, Ikaris saw no reason to be near her; Ishtar was human, in a few years she would die and they would not.
He left Sersi with her humans, preferring to float above everyone. From there he watched them scurrying about, preparing so that everything would be perfect for "Ishkur." The idea almost made him gag.
But he contained his grimace, maintaining a rigid expression. Perseus had more than earned the right to satisfy his eccentricities; he was a fierce combatant, capable of great cruelty toward the Deviants.
—Be welcomed to this sacred place! —the city's elder said loudly.
All fell silent at the call, and Ikaris descended a few meters. A warm night current of air brushed his face.
The people stood around a circle of drums and torches. They held in their hands a few of the same flowers Ikaris had received from the small human. In the center, Perseus stood in his battle armor looking forward. There, he had a small corridor that ended at the temple.
Ikaris did not understand his comfort. Perseus acted so close to the humans that Ikaris forgot, at times, that he was one of their own. There was no logic in him becoming attached to these beings if, upon finishing their work, they would return to Olympia.
A collective gasp drew Ikaris out of his mind. It was Ishtar.
The human had crossed the temple gates. She almost looked like an Eternal. The years had turned the ragged girl into one of the most coveted beauties of the city; only Perseus prevented them from seeking her hand.
Ikaris tilted his head.
Ishtar wore a red and gold floor-length robe, with a deep blue cloak and golden floral ornaments. She had a complex sea of braids and buns decorated with a jade and gold tiara. She floated down the corridor, accompanied by the slow boom of the drums and the whisper of the people. She kept her head high, looking only at the Eternal in the center.
When she reached Perseus, she gave a demure bow, greeting him in silence. The drums sounded lower.
—Ishtar, daughter of Šu-ku —Perseus greeted, his baritone voice sending shivers through the people. —It has been ten years since our paths crossed. Since then, you have learned from me all that I could show you.
The crowd gossiped, their attention fixed on Ishtar.
—Thank you, my lord —Ishtar bowed.
Ikaris knew the ritual; now came the moment when her girl's mantle would be replaced by the mantle of an eligible maiden. He rolled his eyes; so much drama for this.
A thick silence fell when Perseus stepped back a few paces. At a signal from his hands, two priestesses dressed in fine linen stepped forward from the crowd. They held the ceremonial gifts: the vessel and the loom that every woman received when she was considered ready for marriage.
For a second, everything seemed unreal to Ikaris. It felt like it had been a blink ago when the girl was a small muddy bundle in Perseus's arms. But here and now, she was a grown woman.
—According to the traditions of Uruk, it is my duty to give you these gifts to crown you as a woman —Perseus spoke, walking around the priestesses. —But I find this destiny fruitless for your talents.
There was a collective gasp. Ikaris himself tensed at his words.
—Here, Ishtar, daughter of Šu-ku —Perseus continued, as if he had never challenged human traditions—, I give you the choice. —He pointed to the priestesses' gifts. —Be a woman for your people or... —now he pointed toward where a man had emerged, carrying a sheathed sword— be my heir.
Ikaris noticed the crowd roaring, urging Ishtar to accept. Ishtar herself remained without changing her expression, shifting her head between the two offers.
—My mother's dream was to see this day —she spoke with a contrite voice. —With great honor I will be your heir… father.
Without hesitation, she stepped forward until she stood in front of the sword; the man holding it smiled at her childishly. Perseus stood between them, taking the weapon from the man's hands. There was a pulse from the sword, and Ikaris was almost knocked down by the wave of cosmic energy that emanated from the steel.
"What the hell did he do?" he thought, his body rigid, clenching his fists. But Perseus offered the hilt to Ishtar, giving her a smile so bright it lit up the night.
Ishtar took the sword.
—Chaire, Ischtar, Perseos thygatēr, tou Olympou basileia —Perseus intoned.
As if possessed, all the humans knelt before her. Ikaris felt it before he saw it: the energy surged through Ishtar. She glowed in a brilliant gold, like the sun at its zenith. For long minutes she stood there, until she exploded into motes of light that filled the plaza, leaving a new Ishtar standing in the center.
When the light dissipated, Ishtar no longer wore linen. Gold and silver covered her body instead.
A leather skirt reinforced in gold protected her thighs. Her hair was styled in a simple braid under a helmet ornamented with twin suns. She wore bronze greaves on her legs and simple sandals on her feet. Beneath it all, a royal purple tunic covered her, with a cloak of the same color over her shoulders.
Cheers and cries filled the plaza, acclaiming her as "Inanna."
The Domo, Uruk City, hours later.
Perseus's head hit the wall of the Domo, blurring his vision. Ikaris had him by the breastplate of his armor; his eyes were glowing and he bared his teeth like a dog.
—What the hell did you do? —he growled.
Perseus thought he was almost spitting foam from his mouth.
—I believe you were there to see it —he replied.
Ikaris growled, his eyes gaining a golden glow. Perseus gave him a bloodthirsty smile as his skin crackled with electricity. The others said nothing, but they backed away when their heavy hitters were so ready to kill each other.
After Ishtar's coronation as Inanna, Ikaris had dragged him back to the Domo. There, Ajak immediately went in to report the latest events to Arishem; but Ikaris could not wait that long. Almost as soon as Ajak left the room, he shoved Perseus in search of answers.
—I think we should wait, boss —Kingo squirmed, without moving to separate them.
Ikaris ignored him.
—ENOUGH!
Ajak's shout calmed Ikaris, who stepped back sulking. Perseus did not allow himself to fall; he floated quietly until his feet were back on the ground. He brushed off imaginary dust, focusing on Ajak. The woman had a sallow face and dull eyes. She looked at Perseus with a clenched jaw.
—What did our employer say? —Perseus asked, rolling his eyes.
Ikaris took a step in his direction.
—I said: enough —Ajak intoned toward the blue-armored Eternal.
—But he...
—You are not the leader, Ikaris —Ajak reminded him harshly. —Withdraw.
Ikaris clenched his jaw, taking three steps back.
—I have informed Arishem of the latest events —she said to the room in general. —He is not surprised by these events.
Now she looked at Perseus.
—As he informs me, he himself was aware of Perseus's abilities to create semi-Eternals.
There was a collective inhalation.
—Then I did nothing wrong —Perseus smirked.
—No —Ajak clenched her jaw. —But I expect you to inform me when you create another semi-Eternal.
Perseus's smile faded. He took a step toward Ajak, looming over her.
—Only me, Ajak? —he purred. —Or should every Eternal in this room start listing the use of their powers?
All eyes fell on Ajak, watching her with caution.
—If that is the case —Perseus continued—, we should also hear reports from you regarding the misuse in that orphanage in the white district.
Ajak's breath hitched. Perseus gave her a sweet smile before withdrawing.