Naram-Sin fell silent.
The sound of the campfire crackled softly, while a gentle breeze made the branches sway, brushing against Naram's hair, though Rimosh's hair remained perfectly still.
Naram sighed after a moment of contemplation, then said quietly:
— How can I conquer the City of Beasts alone?
I am not immortal… my power is limited.
The number of beasts in that city exceeds 23,000, according to the latest count.
They are… wicked creatures, wearing the armor of civilization.
The elder smirked at Naram's stubbornness, stretching on a tree trunk:
— Well… ask your cousin.
Naram rolled his eyes:
— Pff, why should I? He's seven years younger than me…
Rimosh pondered while staring at the sky:
— Even if he's only fifteen… he's the future heir to the Sumerian high priests… he will become the chief priest…
Naram looked at him calmly:
— Still a boy…
He was interrupted by a quiet, nervous voice:
— Naram?
He turned to see a boy with black hair and hazel eyes, wearing a long, loose black robe etched with cuneiform symbols, and a black headscarf.
Naram raised an eyebrow, while Rimosh tumbled off the trunk in surprise.
Naram said playfully:
— Oh… my little cousin?
He approached Sharon, lifted him like a baby, and teased:
— How old are you now? Why are you still so short?
Sharon narrowed his eyes and said quietly:
— I'm fifteen… put me down.
Naram set him down gently.
Naram smiled sharply:
— Hah… my dear cousin, I have a request for you~
Sharon stepped back two paces, flustered, and asked hesitantly:
— What do you want?
Naram feigned innocence:
— As you know… my handsome, humble, wonderful cousin… just speak!
Then Naram said directly:
— I want to unite with the higher powers… show me the way to Lucifer, King of Hell…
A heavy silence fell.
The campfire's flames flickered weakly, Rimosh suppressed a laugh, and Sharon's jaw trembled with fear.
Finally, Sharon shouted:
— Lucifer?! Are you insane?!
Naram smiled, placing his hands on his chest:
— Am I? You doubt my knowledge? Do you want my cousin to die weak?
Sharon stammered, but Naram interrupted with a sly tone:
— If he dies… the blame is on you… I will never forgive you… and I'll make you ashamed before the Creator for withholding crucial knowledge about my cousin and letting him die.
Rimosh couldn't hold back his laughter and muttered:
— What a farce…
Sharon's eyes widened, fear written plainly on his face, and he stammered:
— I… I…
Naram interrupted, shaking Sharon's hand warmly:
— You are the greatest cousin, and the greatest future Sumerian priest! I bet your love and loyalty will not let you withhold anything from your cousin!
He kissed Sharon's head and patted his shoulder playfully:
— Isn't that right, Sharon?
Sharon blushed, sighed in resignation:
— Fine… if you want to reach Lucifer… you must kill the strongest warrior of a certain tribe and offer him as a tribute for your journey… until you reach him.
Naram smiled and tossed Sharon into the air, laughing:
— Long live Sharon, the great priest!
Sharon panicked as he floated midair, shouting:
— Put me down! Enough!
Naram gently set him down and winked:
— I'll see you later…
Sharon raised an eyebrow in confusion as Naram walked away, and Rimosh muttered while looking back:
— Who does he mean?
⸻