Part Two - Ensnaring The End of All Flesh
Centuries ago...
It was a shame Nimeth served Lillake rather than her own. Despite being the murderer of her daughter, Tali had grown close to Nimeth over the weeks. Her advice and counsel, whilst not always agreeable, proved sound. The main difficulty was dragging her from the bedchamber long enough to offer it. From her Tali learned how Silili had used her inhuman abilities to bring down the mighty Akkad and gift it to their rival tribe the Gutians. She had also learned how the Gutian Ensi was murdered soon after, causing them to fragment and fight amongst themselves, the only common agreement being the hunting down of all those who followed Silili's teachings.
"Silili," Nimeth sighed with a yearning whisper as she looked out the window, "Disappeared, taken to Her realm no doubt. That was all she wanted or cared about you know. To be fucked and fucked and fucked. Well her wish has no doubt come true now. I, on the other hand, have more ambition than her."
"Could that ambition not be what's preventing you from becoming Ardat-Lili?" Tali asked, "It seems to me you have to surrender everything about yourself in the name of harlotry before Lillake will even deign to notice you, let alone boon or curse you with the change."
"That is why I will change!" Nimeth said determinedly, "I am not only going to sacrifice everything of myself, but a whole kingdom too. Once immortal, I will create an empire in her name. Imagine it, an empire where Lillake is the patron goddess, where prostitution is religion."
Tali did not consider herself and expert on the murdered goddess' daughter, but if history showed anything it's that LIllake loathed kingdoms and destroyed any form of order surrounding them. "With you as its ruler?"
Nimeth went quiet at that. Then she moaned and allowed her fingers to slide between her legs.
Curious, Tali joined her at the window to see a row of executions taking place. Her son, who was now chieftain of the tribe, was stirring the people to attack the Gutians and claim Akkad for their own. Head after head rolled as the captured Gutians kneeled and bowed in defeat. "Can I tell you something Tali." Nimeth said conspiratorially.
Tali stayed quiet, letting Nimeth judge for herself if she can or not. She spoke, "Death turns me o like nothing else. Not just any death, my death. I look down there and imaging my head leaving my body. I see a burning and imaging myself in the flames. I do not know why, but the thought of meeting a brutal end makes me wet like nothing else."
Covering her disgust, Tali at last saw why Nimeth followed Silili. She took Nimeth's wan face in her hands, locking eyes with her, "That is why Lillake will take note of you, not because of your ambition, but because you are broken. She craves beings that are as damaged as she."
******
Present...
Salicia looked up at her sister, hanging from the ceiling by her breasts, mixed emotions running through her.
She wanted to get her down so they could run together, whilst at the same time accepted Severia's fate as a consequence of displeasing their high priestess. It would do no good to get her down anyway, her mind was completely gone, Severia was no longer there above her, just another plaything for the high priestess. Taking a deep breath, Salicia looked about the room, where men and women hung from the ceiling as grotesque decorations. What mainly drew her attention, however, were the empty set of hooks beside her sister.
So that's how it is, she thought. From an unknown source the breeze caused the hooks to jingle, she found it oddly soothing.
"Sister Salicia. You have news?"
Salicia spun round to see high priestess Tali enter, her most trusted acolytes in tow. Seeing the deathless woman advance toward her, Salicia nerves began to fail on her. "W,we are still in pursuit mistress. Kilili is being elusive, she appears then disappears into large crowds, causing us to run in circles."
Leaving her aides behind, Tali moved closer to Salicia, "Then send our servants into the crowds, mow them down if you have to. Undress."
Salicia trembled at being so close, "High Priestess?"
"Do it." Tali gave a nod behind her, one of the acolytes turned one of the many cranks around the wall, causing the empty hooks to descend.
Accepting of her fate, Salicia did as bidden and stood naked, ready to end the same way as her sister. Tali took hold of one of her breasts and brushed the hook gently across the nipple, "The End of Flesh has arrived sister. There is no need for secrecy anymore, let the blind scream as their eyes are opened to the true rulers of this world. They will be silenced soon enough."
As Salicia felt the hook begin to press against her, she spoke quickly, "I thought to capture her Irdu-Lili, she has a deep affection for him. So we could use him as bait. But he is already starting to leave this realm."
Tali frowned, "Deep affection? Ardat-Lili are incapable of love, sister, they represent lust and lust alone."
"Not this one. I have watched her and Levant for a long time. This is no Ardat-Lili creating a throng of Irdu-Lili slaves. This is a couple, with a relationship."
"Preposterous! Such a thing goes against everything their goddess stands for." Tali thought for a moment, then the hook fell away, spinning. "How I miss Nimeth, the things she'd have me do to her..." Tali focused and glared at Salicia, "Your report intrigues me, Salicia. I will forgo your punishment for now. If what you say proves true or enlightening, I will even let you be tortured together with your blood sister."
Face pale, Salicia bowed, "Thank you high priestess."
Tali regarded her acolytes, "The Lullubi will rise as they always should have. Gather our servants, I will lead this hunt myself."
******
A hooker entered the bookstore, fishnet tights and miniskirt announcing her trade.
Leaning back against the chair by the till, I sensed her body respond to my presence, scented her arousal. She was experienced with being near such creatures however, "Ester, thanks for coming."
Ester was Kilili's victim/friend. When Kilili owned her own brothel, Ester had been one of the most ardent workers there. She was a victim because she suffered the symptoms of being in the presence of an Ardat-Lili for an extended period of time. She was a desperate nymphomaniac with hopes of becoming Ardat-Lili herself one day if she worked her profession well enough. Even when Kilili burned down the brothel in a fit of fury Ester continued on her demented path. But she was also a Kilili's friend because, now and again, I fancied I glimpsed the Ester from before Kilili's influence. That Ester was wise beyond her years, offering both Kilili and myself advice at times that help us through troubled times. Troubled times like now.
"I swear, Levant." Ester said, scowling through her foundation, "I am fully booked and can hardly spare the time. If you have dragged me here just to convince me again to..."
"Kilili's missing." I cut in. It was true, I had frequently attempted Ester to quit her profession and come work at the store, a part of me hoped there was some way to save those who we damaged. Unfortunately Ester had no interest in being fixed.
Ester sighed and seated herself on a table covered with the current bestsellers, "Fallen out again?"
I explained everything to her as best I could. The nightmares, the changes, my encounter with those beasts and the sombre woman who led them, I left nothing out. I also added how I had spent the past few days trying to find Kilili. She had not returned to the store and I could not detect her presence anywhere. When I finished, Ester looked downwards, deep in thought.
"Kilili is mad about you." Ester said at last, "Either she will come to you eventually or she is staying away to protect you. I know not how but you must find her. As for your changes," She rose and stretched, her breasts pressing against her thin top, "You are Kilili's anchor, you are what brought her back to this reality. It sounds to me like she needs to anchor you now. Go find her Levant, even if it means tearing this city apart brick by brick."
I smiled, her words encouraging me, "Who was the Ester before Kilili met her? She sounds like a wise woman."
"She is long gone so stop trying to meet her. There is comfort to be had in insanity, Levant, don't deprive me of that." Ester reached and pulled down her thong.
"What are you doing?"
"You're white as a sheet, you need to feed, Levant, and I'm already fully mad so you can do so without your beloved guilt. Plus I could do with an Irdu-Lili's seed to keep me horny. Besides, these are damp now thanks to you anyway." She flicked them away and advanced toward me.
******
"Where are you Kilili." I ask the stars above, cold as ever they keep their secrets to themselves.
I stood under the tree where Kilili and I had first made love, shortly after my transformation. I had spent several days searching the city far and wide, but had no luck in even sensing her, let alone seeing her. I began to think she had left the city altogether, something that caused me great anguish, for I could not begin to guess where beyond here she would go. At a loss, I found myself drifting back to the spot where it had begun. I half hoped that she would be there, leaning casually against the trunk, flashing me a mischievous smile with a beckoning finger. But there was only me, alone.
"Good evening."
Jumping out of my skin, I round on the stranger who had crept up. "Who are you?" I snap, before realising he had managed to sneak up on me without alerting my senses. Cautiously I stepped back, "Or should I say 'What are you?'"
