The slaves raised their heads and looked at the goddess before them. Wrapped in dazzling golden garments, the goddess was a giant towering over three meters tall. Though enormous, she bore the form of an extraordinarily beautiful woman. Her jet-black, ebony-like hair shone with luster, and her beautiful green-glowing eyes sparkled beneath gold dust painted above them. She sat gracefully upon her throne and gazed calmly at the slaves.

  (They too are my children. I wonder whether they are being given plentiful meals and merciful treatment.)

  The chief overseer approached her and flattered her, claiming that the slaves were being treated well enough. Seeing the goddess’s gentle gaze, Ella felt an urge to inform on the overseers’ cruelty.

  (I am the goddess of love, abundance, and war. Everything within my embrace shall grow and prosper.)

  At her gesture, attendants stepped forward and distributed barley bread and dates to the slaves. Despite having eaten in the morning, the slaves were still hungry. They shoved the food into their mouths without pause.

  (In return, there is only one thing I ask of you. Love. Proving your love for me is the only recompense.)

  Soon, drums began to boom. The sound was loud and, for some reason, evoked a sense of foreboding. From behind the slaves, people began to walk forward. Most of them were elderly, and in their arms they held small children. Among them were Ella’s grandmother and her younger brother, Noah. Soon, the sharp sound of flutes pierced the air.

  (My children, show me. Show me your love for your mother.)

  The elderly smiled as they walked toward the goddess. Their expressions were hazy, as if entranced, and some even drooled from their mouths. Attendants pulled away the mat covering a large structure placed before the goddess. It was a statue. A statue of the beautiful and merciful goddess stood smiling with its arms open. And beneath the statue’s feet, a pit of unfathomable depth was revealed. The elderly walked forward toward the pit one by one.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  The children in their arms began to cry, but their voices were drowned out by the thunderous drums and flutes. The elderly smiled brightly, as if out of their minds. At last, the first old person leapt into the pit. The citizens of Eridu watching the scene burst into cheers. The old person and child were swallowed without a trace into the pitch-black maw of death. Those who followed waved with smiles and answered the crowd’s cheers. And they continued onward toward the pit of death.

  The slaves tried in horror to stop them, but soldiers who had already approached leveled sharp spear points at them. Ella’s grandmother was also marching forward with a smile, while her brother Noah cried frantically. Seeing the screaming Noah, Ella felt her reason snap. She ran forward before the soldiers could seize her. She threw herself down at the goddess’s feet and cried out.

  “Ah! Merciful Goddess, please spare my grandmother and my brother! Please, save them!”

  The goddess Ishtar looked down at the girl screaming at her feet with gentle eyes. She stroked the girl, then lifted her up with a large hand and pointed toward the elderly leaping into the pit.

  (My daughter, do you see? How they prove their love in rapture. Do you not feel that beauty? Voluntary death… that is the completion and proof of love.)

  Hearing the goddess’s words, Ella felt her hope collapse. Soldiers and overseers rushed over and asked the goddess for permission to beat the girl to death at once. The goddess did not reply, only wearing a gentle smile. At last, Ella saw her grandmother approach the pit.

  “Aaaah!”

  Ella screamed and ran toward her grandmother. Noah recognized his sister and reached out, crying. But Ella could not grasp her brother’s hand. Her body was pierced through by a spear thrown by a soldier. And her grandmother leapt into the pit ???, holding her grandchild in her arms. Pierced by the spear, Ella thrashed helplessly as she witnessed the scene. She felt her vision turn pitch black. Emotions like a tidal wave of hatred and rage crashed into her. The girl spat out every curse she knew, one after another. Then she vomited blood and collapsed onto the ground.

  The goddess sprang to her feet and stretched her hand toward the sky, crying out in a voice filled with joy.

  (This is humanity… this is death… Ah, beautiful! How beautiful!)

  At her cry, rain began to pour down from the sky, and the citizens of Eridu erupted into mad cheers. At that moment, a burning arrow shot like a meteor from somewhere toward the goddess. The arrow stopped just before her face. A wall of water had formed, blocking it.

  Then came the voice of a young man.

  “Disgusting. I can’t bear to watch this. Nephilim, Ishtar.”

  * Nephilim: Giants born of angels and humans in the Christian Bible; in this work, they are regarded as gods.