When the world was nothing but a pond, Enki and Akhi were there swimming in the essence of nothingness, deeming that something must exist, Enki created the world from Akhi, using his body he carved the world. A realm for him and his most loyal was made from Akhi's head, a realm for their creation was made out of his torso and a realm for evil from his Feet.
As Samer opened his eyes, finally waking up from what he called "His last night as a child" he looked over to his brothers bed and saw him getting ready.
"Hasan please we're adults now, put something grown up on, not that same tattered and ripped shirt again" He said, the rest still heavy on his voice.
"Samer, we don't have any money I can't get a different shirt"
With a sly smile Samer got up, arms flailing by his-side, exaggerating every step, until he reached where he'd hidden their first presents, given to them by Khalid the Weaver.
"Hasan, Hasan, Hasan, Hasan" Samer said adding a faux air of wisdom and experience to his words as he began pulling open the knapsack, and removing their first set of new clothes, A beige dishdasha for Hasan, which he promptly grabbed, and a Jet-black one for Samer.
"We've gotta be the most lucky people in the world today Samer" His eyes tearing up allowing himself to breakdown in front of the only family he ever knew
"I couldn't ask for a better family then you Samer" Hasan and Samer embrace
"I love you man," Hasan said as they let go, they both took another look at their house, where they spent their entire lives. A shabby and decrepit mud-house they inherited from their parents, One room that encompasses their entire lives, and they stepped out of it for the first time as adults.
As they walked down the streets of Nippur, a small village comprising of different sized houses made of mud-bricks, Small carts where the local people make their living, adorned the streets of Nippur some sold seasonings and herbs they grew, others fruits and vegetables, the familiar scents danced across Hasan and Samer's noses, Soon enough, Mariam appeared, a old friend of the Twins parents, Mariam had been like a mother to the twins, feeding them since they were children; and gifted them their breakfast, hardboiled egg with the shells removed, which they quickly downed savoring the taste "Thanks Auntie! Enki blessed us with you" Hasan said, clasping her hand between his "May he never take you from us"
"You're too sweet little one, now run along En-Hakim has something for you in the village square" she said rushing them along
"Hey Samer, what'd you think it could be?" Hasan asked, careful to step over anything that could ruin his new dishdasha "Do you think we'll finally get-"
"Hasan we're adults now, calm down, I'm sure it's great but we have to be cool and collected now that we're all grown up." Samer said, making sure to walk with his hands behind his back to appear smart and mature, Hasan followed suit, hiding his excitement as they arrived at En-Hakim's Ziggurat, Abzu, A large rectangular building sitting atop a raised platform, with stairs leading up to it on a'l sides, surrounded by a pool of fresh water inhabited by carps and other colorful fish swimming about, sunbaked bricks facing the sun painting a look of elegance for the building and the occasion, as they climbed the steps, each one slightly smaller then the one before it until they reached the top. They turned around, facing the only home they ever knew. The crowded streets, the smell of seasonings, tea and various animals wafting up to them, and seeing the people that raised them look up and wave at them brought them to tears.
"AH! Kids you're finally here! come follow me" The voice of En-Hakim cuts through their trance and brings them back to reality
They followed him throughout the temple, seeing columns ascribed with the names of former rulers and warriors that left an impact on the world around them, Hasan couldn't help but dream to one day have his name on one.
"We're here kids, please kneel" En-Hakim commanded and they followed; "Do either of you know how our world came to be?"
"Yessir, Our lord Enki and Akhi chose to sacrifice Akhi so that we may exist, using his Head, torso and feet to create the Heavens, Our world, and the netherworld" Samer said, proud of his knowledge
"Very good, now, to thank Enki and Akhi for his sacrifice we must sacrifice one of you to them." Just as he finished his sentence Hasan and Samer were pushed down to the ground.
"Be grateful orphans, you'll finally serve your purpose instead of leeching off of our village," En-Hakim said as he walked to the center of the large room towards a large brick bowl, pouring fresh-water into it and chanting slowly under his breath, one of the guards, adorned in heavy leather with a large ax at his side walked Samer over to En-Hakim, his vice grip crushing Samer's arms.
"SAMER!" Yelled Hasan over and over again
"Guard shut him up,"En-Hakim commanded, and just as the guards hand reached over to cover his mouth Hasan bit him causing him to pull back, Hasan pushed him back as he stood up, grabbed the guards ax and swung slicing a deep wound into him, running towards En-Hakim, the guard and his brother.
Realizing that they were distracted, Samer launched his foot into En-Hakim and pushes back against the guard, causing En-Hakim head to fall into the large brick bowl, with a loud, guttural scream the skin melts off of his head, his eyes disappear into the now empty bowl, and the guard stumbles back. Samer and Hasan take the chance and begin running down the steps opposite the way they came. Once they reach the bottom they begin to hear clamoring in the room of worship where they just were. They continued running, not sure where they were headed but they knew, the house they called home, was a trap they were born into, and the only way for them to survive was to leave it.
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