Days of Dilmun

The scenery was serene.

They just sat there overlooking the sea.

Mušen held Medusa close.

The sun was setting; painting the water a deep red.

All was peaceful.

It was paradise on Earth.

Mušen did not wish to wake up.

His eyes shot open.

" Are you well, my love? " asked Medusa, sitting up in bed.

Mušen held his head.

He did not understand.

He then felt Medusa's hand on his tear-stricken-cheek.

" It is all right now. "

"Ada! "

Khrysaor jumped into Mušen's lap.

" You promised that we would go fishing today. "

Mušen looked down at his cheery and smiling son.

" Indeed I did. "

Mušen got up.

" Ahem. "

Mušen kissed one of Medusa's cheeks, whilst Khrysaor kissed the other.

Mušen turned towards his best friend for life.

" See you soon, Šamaḫ. "

Medusa kissed him on the cheek.

" See you soon, my love. "

Mušen exited the house.

" Honey! Honey! "

Khrysaor halted, as Medusa knelt before him.

" What does Šamaḫ mean? "

" Beautiful one. " said Khrysaor, innocently.

Medusa shook her head with a smile.

" My little Šamaḫ. " said Medusa, pinching her son's cheek.

Khrysaor giggled heartily.

He then ran out, joining his father.

Mušen was busy hauling and recasting the net, whilst Khrysaor looked on from the boat.

Khrysaor saw, through the crystal clear water, the many fish swim about.

" Ada! May I try! "

Mušen looked at his excited and energized child.

He smiled, and said:

" Sure. "

Mušen paused.

" Just don't tell your mother. "

Medusa would find out, but I am getting ahead of myself, as Mušen handed Khrysaor the net.

Khrysaor rocked the net back and forth, and on the third rocking: he cast the net out.

All was still, as Khrysaor was focusing all his attention on the net. He saw the fish swim by; many of them ignoring the net. Khrysaor was not deterred. His patience and faith was then rewarded, as a fishy swam within the net.

Khrysaor pulled with all his might, but the fishy was no mere fish. So Mušen was about to step in, but that was when Khrysaor fell overboard - and that is how Medusa found out.

Mušen quickly helped his son back onboard.

Khrysaor was only wet, but his pride was very much hurt.

" You'll get it next time. " said Mušen, gently, as he knelt before his son.

Khrysaor sniffed.

" I only tried to be like you… "

Mušen sighed smiling. He lifted his son's face, and then said:

" The world doesn't need another Mušen. So please son. Give the world a Khrysaor. "

Father and child embraced, and Medusa would go on to give Mušen quite the scolding.

The happy family then enjoyed the fish Mušen had caught.

All was still that night.

The only sound was the sound of Mušen's voice; regaling Medusa and Khrysaor with the tales of the Constellations.

(And that is how the Greeks were inspired to make their own stories for said constellations.)

Many more happy days went by.

Till the tragic day came when the bird had to leave the nest.

Khrysaor was a young adult now.

Broad in build, and kind in heart.

His curly hair had the color of his mother's hair: jet-black.

He had neither of his parents' paleness, but was more than happy with his tanness.

Khrysaor had inherited something from his father: his blood-red-eyes.

Medusa held on, not wishing to let go.

She then relented, not wishing to halt her son's journey.

Khrysaor took his mother's hand.

He kissed her palm, saying:

" All the good in me: started with you, mater. "

Medusa embraced him once again, unable to hold back her tears.

Khrysaor was finally off, but not before sharing a meaningful nod with his father.

Khrysaor's journey would lead him to Egypt, where he would deal with the Harem Conspiracy; alongside Kubaba.

But more on that story later.

For now:

Mušen opened his eyes to a sound outside the house.

He approached; his senses on high alert.

When he was by the door opening; a stranger appeared before his eyes, exclaiming:

" Boo! "

Mušen couldn't believe his own eyes.

" Nin… Sister! "

Mušen grabbed hold of the stranger, swirling her about.

" Uncle! Uncle!! " crooked the stranger.

" Uncle? "

Mušen quickly put the stranger down.

" Ama did you that you were a hugger. "

Mušen opened his mouth to speak, but quickly closed it, as another stranger appeared from behind him.

" Sis, I did say not to jumpscare him. "

" I couldn't resist. "

Mušen was so confused.

" Where are my manners. " said the male stranger; " My name is: Enpap, and this is my sister - gesturing towards the female stranger - Sukkalgir. "

Mušen had so many questions.

First and foremost:

" Why are your eyes blood red? "

Enpap and Sukkalgir both grinned.

" We are the children of Sinuhe - she paused for dramatic reveal - and Kubaba! "

All Mušen had to say was:

" That explains the uncle part… "

" Mušen? " said Medusa, standing at the door.

" Aunty!! "

Enpap and Sukkalgir both jumped into Medusa's embrace.

Medusa gave Mušen a: whats-going-on look.

" She is my niece, and he is my nephew. "

" Khrysaor's cousins… "

" Where is cousin Khrysaor? " said Sukkalgir, excitedly.

A sad expression befell Medusa.

Enpap and Sukkalgir both looked at Mušen.

" Like you two; he too has traveled overseas. "

Enpap and Sukkalgir both understood. Their father also had a hard time of letting them go.

" We may not be him. " said Sukkalgir; " but we shall endeavor to cheer you both up. "

Medusa smiled, whilst Mušen sighed smiling.

" Why do I get the feeling: that I won't have any peace or quiet for a good while… "

The Days of Dilmun have passed.

We now enter the Days of Abzû...

Sukkalgir looked through the brushes; her target in sight.

The fox sniffed about lazily, completely unaware of the predators watching her.

Enpap moved in from the opposite side.

Sukkalgir tightened her thighs.

They both jumped, they then collided like two freight trains.

" Owie… "

Enpap groaned.

" You should hunt together, and not against one another. " said Mušen, the fox jumping onto his shoulder.

Enpap was contemplating the choices he had made, as Sukkalgir was still rubbing her head.

Mušen sighed smiling.

He then bade the two of them to follow.

Sukkalgir and Enpap were standing before a stiff cliff.

" Uncle, why did you bring us here? "

Mušen was about to give the two of them the same speech Bayek gave Khemu… that was till Enpap said:

" Uncle, are those not Gutian ships? "

Mušen's eyes widened.

He then looked… and there were indeed Gutian ships making their way to shore.

" No way… " said Mušen in utter disbelief; " how they find me… " he then noticed the frightened, yet determined, looks of his niece and nephew; " we have to warn everyone. "

Everyone were gathered, and then warned.

Mušen wanted to evacuate as many as possible - Inkishush having most likely sent forth: Hanbi and Pazuzu: some of the most savage and deadly Gutians around.

(Hanbi being the father of Pazuzu and Humbaba, so Mušen knew that they were out for revenge.)

He then noticed the many determined looks of the people.

" You guys can't be serious… you have never faced Gutians! "

Medusa laid a hand on his shoulder.

" Honey, we got this, together. "

The preparations were quickly made.

Hanbi, Pazuzu, and their horde of Gutians made their way through the village.

The houses were abandoned, and the streets were empty.

" Where could they all be? " asked Hanbi.

" Up here! "

The Gutians looked up to see all the villagers standing on the roofs of their houses.

They then did like the Argives facing Pyrrhus and his armies; starting to throw tiles at Hanbi, Pazuzu, and all the Gutians.

The archers picked off the Gutians with Nubian-like-accuracy.

Mušen slammed down on Pazuzu: killing him instantly.

Hanbi looked on in horror and rage.

He was about to vent his rage, till Sukkalgir and Enpap brought him down together.

The two of them looked at their proud uncle, they then looked on in horror as a Gutian was about to attack Mušen from behind.

The attack was thwarted by Medusa's arrow, earning her the nickname: The Minoan Snake Goddess.

Cheers and celebrations roared through everyone.

That was when Mušen awoke, finding that it had all been a dream of bygone days.