Enūma Edda
Shamash's Sun
Hue like honey. Hair like caramel, both as sweet as her smile. The sun hides within her eyes of the night. She is a lioness among cats. A Anzû-bird among swans. The wind loves her hair. The water loves her body, and the earth worships her steps. And I, alas, can not choose. For I love everything about her!
Her smile.
Her eyes.
Her wits.
And her smile.
(Didn't I already say her smile?)
Screw it! I will say it again! And again!
I will proclaim it from atop the highest mountain! From atop my very own chariot!
The Black-Headed People must know: that my wife is the greatest there is.
(Shamash-Deniz-Akdeniz's love for his wife: Aya-Sepideh-Moafi)
Nisaba be praised
Fire and Forge
We find ourselves deep within the core of PSR B1620−26 b. Otherwise known as: Nibiru, Home of the Anunnaki. Gibil, God of Fire, was watching his childhood friend: Ninmug, Goddess of Forge, do her magic. Clang, clang, and then another clang. Hammer French-kissing steel went on for hours. Ninmug was renown for her craft. Her weapons were sought after by everyone. Her greatest achievement, The Antasura Blade, hung proudly displayed on the wall.
Gibil beheld the masterpiece… he longed for it, like a fish without water.
" You can borrow it. " said Ninmug, between her clangs.
Gibil paused for a few precious seconds.
" I am unworthy… "
" I know. "
Ninmug reached up. Took hold of her pride and joy, and then threw it directly at her dear friend.
" Make yourself worthy. "
The light of Ninmug's eyes and smile… made Gibil weak all over. Not even the forge-fire had any chance against that light.
" I will make you proud. " said Gibil, referring to both the goddess and blade.
Ninmug simply smiled, while clanging on.
Nisaba be praised.
Mountain Monster
The story and scene is a familiar one, as Inanna Saltu stands before the mountain: Ebih.
This story is however a wee bit different, as an all-consuming shadow devoured the land. Inanna-Sarah-Shahi beheld the Mountain Monster: Ebih, arise.
" My! He is large! " said Šita.
" Milady can certainly defeat him. " said Šilig.
(Šita and Šilig, The Scimitar Sisters, both resting on Inanna's back.)
" Lioness of Heaven, how do you wish to proceed? " said Saltu(discord), Inanna's shadow.
The humanoid mountain loomed over the Goddess of Life. Inanna-Sarah-Shahi smiled, and then said:
" Let's do this. "
The land quaked as Ebih's fist had made contact with the ground Inanna was standing upon.
Ebih then quaked in fear, as Inanna could be seen lifting up his fist.
Being the siblings of Sharur, the Scimitar Sisters flew from Inanna's back and straight into Ebih's eye sockets. The giant reeled back in both pain and agony, and that was when Inanna saw her opportunity, as her four wings became visible. Ebih tried to stop her, but Saltu halted his progress. Which was when… Inanna made a gaping hole in his chest.
The Mountain Monster fell, as not even nature could take on: The Lioness of Heaven.
Nisaba be praised
The Hero-fortified-by-Anzû
Anzû was racing towards the Huluppu Tree. His heart was in his throat, fear grasped his whole being. Anzû could sense that someone was near his nest. Everything in his way departed, as Anzû flew faster.
The legendary bird then halted, as his chicks were all safe. Anzû was confused, he had been sure that there had been a threat…
" Bird King. "
Anzû turned his monstrous head, to look upon the son of Enmerkar - Banda.
" I did not mean to frighten you. " Great Man Banda said: " I merely meant to pay tribute before asking for a favor. "
Anzû looked upon the warrior, then at his chicks. His children had been fed, not Anzû's doing. Even the nest looked decorated.
" Tribute, he said… "
Anzû smiled, then turned his lion/bird-face back towards Banda.
" Speak, son of Enmerkar, and ask what you will of me. "
Banda now dared look upon the monstrous/majestic creature. Banda dared not ask… but he had to - in honor of his people!
" We are being attacked! I have therefore come: asking for a boon. " said Banda-Javier-Bardem, prostrating himself.
Anzû appreciated the gesture, and now proceeded with his boons.
" Šara will shoot your arrows. Ninurta will lend you his helmet: Lion of Battle. Dumuzid's butter will never make you hungry. I shall personally grant you: super-strength. Super-speed. Endless stamina. Inanna's Sunlight. The Seven Storms of Iškur. You can go wherever your heart desires. Immunity against curses. Immunity against hostilities. The ability to walk on water. The ability to turn into a pigeon or a wolf. This, Banda, all this I grant you. Making you: Lugalbanda. "
The 8th Hero of Kulaba arose. He was now: Insan-i barr. And after having married Ninsun-Tara-Emad, Queen of the Desert, Lugalbanda became: The Desert King.
Lugalbanda and Ninsun would go on to have three children together:
Emebaragesi.
Gilgamesh.
And Peštur.
The grandson of Shamash was more than able to vanquish his father's foes.
As a reward; the Lioness of Heaven granted Lugalbanda a reward. Inanna gave Lugalbanda A-an-kar, Shamash's Scimitar.
(Coincidentally: this sun-forged scimitar is the very same scimitar that Gilgamesh wields in Smite Series. He got it from his father, Lugalbanda.)
Nisaba be praised
The Fortress
Search out the foundation box of copper, release its lock of bronze, raise the lid upon its hidden contents, take up and read from the lapis lazuli tablet:
Dunnu, mightier than Uruk, stood.
Within this ancient and unrivaled kingdom stood The Huluppu Tree, the Yggdrasil of the Desert.
Anzû had made the crown of the tree his home, whilst the Serpent God: Niraḫ had made its roots its dwelling.
Dunnu was ruled by a beloved line, which started with Etana and his wife: Dodona.
Then Balih.
Then Haharnum.
Then Hayyashum.
There is one consistency of this family, and that is: Adapa, the vizier of them all - Adapa who ate of the food of heaven, thus gaining immortality.
The other consistency is that this family understands the language of birds.
Nisaba be praised
Daughter of Anu
Search out the foundation box of copper, release its lock of bronze, raise the lid upon its hidden contents, take up and read from the lapis lazuli tablet:
Lamashtu approached Dunnu, her tongue wet with appetite
She longed for human-flesh.
" Lamashtu. " said Gibil; " take this. "
Gibil handed her a cup of beer.
" Why? "
" Because: you are not yourself when you are thirsty. "
Lamashtu beheld the golden liquid.
She then drank.
" Better? "
" Better. " said Lamashtu, having transformed into: Ishara, for very much like Sekhmet: Lamashtu also had a: "Hathor-form".
Nisaba be praised
Gišku-ma-nu û-mu ku d.Marduk
Search out the foundation box of copper, release its lock of bronze, raise the lid upon its hidden contents, take up and read from the lapis lazuli tablet:
Ninmug, Metalworker of the Land, hammered away within the heart of Neberu.
The core of the planet acted as her forge.
She had made:
Šita.
Šilig.
The Antasura Blade.
Imhullu.
Kašušu.
Harrow.
Marru.
Abubu.
Luddu.
And her masterpiece till date:
Sharur.
But.
The Metalworker was just getting started.
As a warm-up she made:
Ankar.
A-an-kar.
The Staff of Yaghmus.
Various automatons, like:
Trojan Talos.
Archimedes Ababil.
Ninmug was ready.
She wiped away her brow.
Her sweat swizzled on top of the baking forge.
Ninmug picked up her hammer.
Tensed her fine-toned muscles.
And then brought the hammer down.
BOOM!
BOOM!
It went on!
This was going to surpass everything else.
BOOM!
This was going to be her magnum opus.
BOOM!
She poured the Storm into it.
BOOM!
The North Wind.
BOOM!
The East Wind.
BOOM!
The West Wind.
BOOM!
The South Wind.
BOOM!
The Evil Wind.
BOOM!
And finally: the Flood itself.
BOOM!
Ninmug staggered back. The excitement and adrenaline coursing through her veins.
She beheld her success, and dubbed it:
Shargaz: The Seven-Pointed Weapon of Laurel Wood, the Storm of Marduk.
Gina Carano as Ninmug picked up Shargaz.
She emblazoned her emblem upon it.
The weapon flew into the hands of Marduk.
It then spoke:
" Master, I am corroded for a want of slaughter! "
Nisaba be praised