Nighttime in the King's Bedroom.
On an odd night, King Kurigalzu kicked his wives out of his chamber.
Though it was not his habit to do so, he felt that something dangerous was about to happen to him.
Something that no one can stand against.
He lay on his bed, and his cane stood beside him. He couldn't sleep or rest.
He coughed dryly and sipped a cup of water.
Suddenly, the window beside his bed opened, and a mysterious man appeared.
The man was clothed fully in green garments and a turban, yet they were also fancy, which made the old lion more suspicious.
Kurigalzu grabbed his cane and said, "You're not the one I'm waiting for."
The mysterious man sat on the window's frame, smiled and said, "He's not due to arrive yet."
"Who are you? No creature can approach this room without being seen," Kurigalzu said.
"I am the one who had seen this kingdom rise. I'm the one who saw it develop from the first king to you," The man said.
Kurigalzu glared at him and growled, "Impossible. No one can claim that except...."
The man smiled.
"You're him―the one my ancestors met, the one the Hebrews talk about," Kurigalzu said.
The man dropped from the window frame, approached Kurigalzu and said, "I have brought a gift for you, one none of your ancestors ever had."
"I deserve no compliments. I've failed my people more than once," Kurigalzu said.
The man sat beside Kurigalzu and said, "Because of your humility and sincerity, this nation prospered. Sadly, you're the last benevolent king this kingdom will ever witness."
"If only I could live longer, I would dedicate all my remaining time to developing a king who'll surpass me," Kurigalzu said.
The man held Kurigalzu's knee, shook it gently and said, "Like men, nations have a lifespan."
Kurigalzu's tears fell, groaned and muttered, "I have felt every pain imaginable, but this one hurt more."
The man glanced at the window and said, "The one you're waiting for approaches. Repeat after me, Kurigalzu, and let your departure be a blessed one."
Two days later, with Taz.
The two priestesses stood around Taz, and both held sharp knives.
They looked at each other and nodded. The time had passed, and Taz hadn't awakened.
They approached her, one aimed at her heart and the other at her throat. They raised their knives as they were about to strike her down and end her existence.
The wolf gasped awake and sat up.
Taz looked around with widened eyes and spotted the priestesses beside her. She shoved them away and said, "Not a minute wasted, and you cunts want to kill me!"
A priestess adjusted her clothes and said, "We do as the late king commanded us."
Taz looked at her in surprise and shock and said, "Late king!?"
While later.
Taz collected her clothes and rushed out to the royal palace's halls. After she had woken from her slumber, she was weakened and supported herself with a flimsy stick. What she saw was nothing less than an absolute mess.
Princes, staff and workers were running around. It made her think that foes had penetrated the walls of the capital.
She grabbed a man from the swarm of men and asked him, "What happened? Why's everyone panicking?"
The man looked at her and said, "Were you dead!? The avatar of Nergal died. The nation lost its king," Then he ran away.
She looked at him as he ran away.
She wobbled out while she steadied herself with the stick she had. Her legs were numb and weak. Her body felt ten times heavier.
"I can't do anything with my condition; I need to rest," Taz muttered.
Once she stepped outside, it was all calm. As if the panic she saw never stepped outside the gate.
She looked around and found everything the same. The people continued their daily lives, children played around, and merchants kept their trades.
A few steps were taken, her stick broke, and she fell.
She groaned and muttered, "Fuck, that hurts more!" She tried to stand up, only to fall again. She lifted herself with her hands, panted and said, "I'll crawl back home if I had to."
"An injured wolf near the lions' den, quite a prey," A woman said.
Taz panicked, looked around instantly and aimed her palm.
The woman who spoke was her old mentor, A'saal. Her face returned to normal after therapy and medications, with the downside of her hair turning from black to grey.
Yet, Taz didn't rest her arm and kept aiming at her.
A'saal crossed her arms and said, "You know I can kill you with or without you seeing me?"
"If you're here to finish your family's vengeance, do it," Taz replied.
A'saal approached her and scoffed, "Put your hand down, little girl. You're lucky I found you before anyone else."
A'saal carried Taz in her arms like a child.
"Where do you want to go?" A'saal asked.
"Generous of you to carry me, old woman," Taz said.
"I can drag you like a dead ram if you want to," A'saal said.
Taz looked away, sighed in frustration and said, "Take me to my farm in the north."
On their way, people gave weird looks to the pair. Some laughed, and some whispered and smirked at them.
"You could've covered me instead of publicly shaming me," Taz said.
"There's no shame in a mentor helping their apprentices," A'saal said.
"The people won't see it as you do," Taz said.
"It doesn't matter, Tanaz," A'saal said.
"Is this your way of apologizing?" Taz asked.
"One of many," A'saal said sadly.
Taz looked at her and said, "I needed you most. You, more than anyone, should've been by my side."
"Something about being penetrated by a spear made me not want to accompany you," A'saal said.
"How's that even possible? Normal weapons don't work against beast hunters," Taz asked.
"To ensure a fair trial, when a prince demands an honorable death, they receive the highest quality of weapons," A'saal informed.
"In other words, a master class weapon," Taz said.
A'saal pinched Taz's side and said, "You're getting fatter, girl."
Taz twitched and said, "Don't pinch me! Everything hurts."
A'saal smiled and said, "I'm ensuring you become a good wife like Yasmine. I can't have you become a fat cow when you're married."
"My suspension lasted longer than it should have. I barely have anything to do besides chores or researching in my study room," Taz said.
"I never met your husband, but I heard he's way younger than you," A'saal wondered.
"You never went to the noble's social meetings? My family met him there," Taz asked.
"It's beneath me. Those events are for posers," A'saal said.
"Ironic since you're famous for leaving your duties to buy fancy clothing," Taz said.
"You must want to be dropped," A'saal threatened.
"It would be awful to do since you want me to look good for my husband," Taz jested.
"Your husband can always find another wife," A'saal joked back.
They laughed.
Nighttime.
Nash awoke in the middle of his sleep and sat up. He looked behind to see Taz and didn't find her. He became worried and stood up quickly. Taz can't walk on her own.
He left the room and heard a strange noise from the study room. He approached the door and listened.
Taz was talking to herself in a manner that was out of character.
He opened the door and saw her wearing shorts and a sleeveless shirt. She was frantically scribbling on paper and drinking wine.
Nash approached her and said, "Tanaz, it's late."
Taz looked at him with crazed eyes and asked, "Who the fuck are you!? Have you come here to disturb my research!"
Nash stepped back, looked at her in disbelief and said, "I'm your husband, and how can you walk? A'saal carried you here."
Taz flexed her bicep, looked at Nash and said, "You married a woman like this? I commend you, lad; you're brave!"
"Why are you talking like an old man!? What happened to you?" Nash asked.
Taz approached him and said, "Not an old man anymore, I'm the peak excellence of female physique. The name is Abu Barq!" She looked at her breasts, then said, "Om Barq, currently."
Nash's brain stopped momentarily while it tried to comprehend the sheer nonsense his wife uttered.
Taz approached him, grabbed his shoulder firmly and said, "Worry not, lad! Tanaz is with us, but only after sunrise."
Nash swatted her hand away and shouted, "Are you possessed!?"
Taz stood straight in a noble-like manner, placed her hands at her waist and said, "Possessed? No, I'm merely renting this fine body to pursue knowledge."
"It's my wife's body! Return it to her," Nash snarled.
Taz walked back, crossed her arms, pondered, looked at Nash and said, "Look, lad. I never slept with a man in my past life, but if you're in dire need. I can make an exception."
Nash couldn't handle more of the nonsense he heard. He left the study room and went back to sleep.
Late morning time.
Nash woke up, looked to his bedside and yet to find Taz sleeping beside him. Frustrated, He sighed, left the bedroom and strolled to the study room.
He found Taz there, reading the papers she scribbled on at night.
He approached slowly and said, "Tanaz...."
Taz smiled at him and said, "Good morning, darling."
Nash sighed in relief and said, "I thought that old man still possessed you."
Taz furrowed her eyebrows and asked, "Did he make a mess?"
Nash widened his eyes in shock and said, "You knew about him!?"
Taz nodded and said, "Abu Barq, yes. I merged with him. That was my second wish."
"Why did you choose him!? Certainly, there were better options than an old man," Nash said.
Taz stood straight, then said, "He was the best option. It's not like there were any women at his level."
"How long is he going to last in your body?" Nash asked.
"Six months to a year. Copies lack the heavenly link original souls possess," Taz said.
"Does he know that?" Nash asked.
"Yes, and I made him aware that he's a copy," Taz said.
"Don't you see this can go wrong in multiple ways?" Nash warned.
Taz pointed at her medallion and said, "That's why this exists. It's the ultimate guardian of the flesh and soul."
Nash sighed, then said, "I worry about you."
Taz smiled, hugged Nash and said, "There's nothing to worry about, darling." She let go of him and said, "Except for our crops, now go out and see how our farm is doing."
Nash chuckled, then said, "I will, dear."
Nash headed out to the fields and saw Daghir outside.
Daghir approached him and said, "Cousin, good to know you didn't become a widower. Where's the wolf?"
"She's in the study room, but something about her changed," Nash said.
Daghir squinted his eyes and asked, "What changed?"
Nash looked at the house and said, "At midnight, she turns into an old man called Abu Barq."
Daghir chuckled, then said, "Abu Barq!? That's a minister from the golden age."
Nash looked at Daghir in surprise and said, "You know him? He's not some senile old man?"
Daghir crossed his arms and said, "He was mad, yes, but never senile. At his time, he had the sharpest mind and the greatest memory. His flaws were mostly about him being an alcoholic and nymphomaniac."
"How did he die?" Nash asked.
"He was struck by lightning above the Babilim tower, a fitting end for his renowned title," Daghir replied.
"Was he a trustworthy man?" Nash asked.
Daghir rubbed his chin and said, "There was never a mention of him being a snake. All I remember from his biography was that he was dedicated, diligent and extremely passionate." He looked at Nash and asked, "Do you think he's going to do something with Taz's body?"
Nash sighed, then said, "Maybe. He didn't show any signs, but it's worrisome for Taz to share her body with him."
"If you want to, I can watch her closely, or if you're up for it, I have poisoned weapons to share," Daghir said.
"I'll think about it," Nash said.
Daghir went inside and entered the study room.
He saw Taz reading her papers. He approached her and said, "How's the wolf?"
She looked at him and said, "I'm still sore, but other than that, I'm fine."
Daghir smiled, then asked, "Is it Abu Barq speaking or Taz?"
Taz chuckled, then asked, "Who told you about those names?"
"Hajras told me about your pet name, and Nash told me about Abu Barq," Daghir replied.
Taz stood up, handed Daghir the papers and said, "Look at this. Can you read the text?"
Daghir took the papers, read them, looked at Taz in confusion and said, "The handwriting is perfect, but I cannot understand anything. It's like I'm a foreigner trying to read Mesopotamian text."
Taz leaned on the desk and said, "I can perfectly read and understand it."
"What does it say?" Daghir asked.
"It's a memo from Abu Barq. It talks about the nature of lightning," Taz replied.
"Is it any different from what the current books talk about?" Daghir asked.
"The only difference from our current books is that Abu Barq talks about something called point of attraction for lightning," Taz informed.
Daghir placed the papers on the desk, chuckled and said, "In simple terms, for this sound, using plebian."
"From what I understand, this point of attraction is like an invisible field that encapsulates objects. Which makes them attractive to lightning," Taz said.
Daghir crossed his arms and said, "I thought tall objects attract lightning?"
Taz crossed her arms and said, "They do, but the attraction point also encapsulates them."
"From what I understand, objects need to be encapsulated by the attraction point so they'll attract lightning," Daghir said.
"Yes, if this was correct, or any of his knowledge. I can see myself becoming a master rank user within months," Taz said.
Daghir chuckled, held up his palms and said playfully, "Wait, I'm not the one to put down others, but that's a bold claim. My cousins and I trained our entire lives to reach mastery."
"Did you get drowned in ancient knowledge?" Taz joked.
"No!" Daghir scoffed. He walked to the door and said, "You know what? Fuck you! I'm envious." He left and slammed the door shut.
Taz chuckled and returned to study Abu Barq's notes.
The End