Their union in the pool burned brightly in Akad’s mind and body. They walked through the gardens in silence, Marduk’s hand still in his. Akad would be savoring that moment for a long time to come, but something about Marduk’s disappearance last night still unsettled him.
“So was it Shamash who came to your door last night?”
Marduk looked up and caught his breath, but Akad continued to stare at him, waiting for a response. Marduk furrowed his brow.
“Yeah. How did you know?”
“Well, I went to his class this morning and he asked about you.”
Marduk blushed. “What?”
“When I didn’t see you, I was worried, but when Shamash asked to speak with me after class, I suspected it was him. At first he wanted to talk to me about my father’s refusal to allow me in the school. He said he was going to talk to Anshar about it to help smooth things over. Then he mentioned you. He seemed to know we were friends, and ...”
“And what?”
Akad stared at Marduk. “Well, he asked if I had anything to do with you skipping your classes.”
Marduk stopped in his tracks.
“Look, Akad, we don’t have to go to the remaining courses. I never go to Seth’s class anyway. Let’s just go to the clearing right now.”
“No. I’m looking forward to meeting your instructors.”
Marduk lowered his eyes, making no more objections.
When they arrived late at Seth’s class, every eye drifted toward them. All the students were seated on the stone stairs surrounding the theater, and Seth stood before the class, clad in black leather armor, staring them down as they took their places.
“Welcome, Anu,” Seth said, sauntering toward them. “I heard about your performance in class this morning, and I have to say, you landed a fine piece of ass.” Seth smirked at Marduk. Akad glared at Seth, whose words had sparked a fire in his chest.
“Very impressive,” Seth continued, his eyes back on Akad. “So you’re good at fucking. How good are you with a sword?”
“I can hold my own,” Akad said curtly. Seth smiled, picked up two swords, and threw one to Akad. After catching the sword, Akad’s expression darkened.
“Come on down, and show me what you’re made of,” Seth said, still smiling.
Akad sized Seth up as he stepped down from the seating. Seth was much bigger than him, but having trained every day since age seven, Akad was ready to do some damage. He followed Seth onto the field, tightening his grip on the sword and bracing himself for battle. Seth came at him, swinging hard, but Akad redirected the force of his attack, and struck his sword against Seth’s ribs as he flew forward. Seth caught his footing, whirled around, and charged at him again. When Akad deflected Seth’s attack, Seth grabbed his tunic, attempting to throw him down, but Akad threw his fist into Seth’s face. The blow knocked him back, and Akad punched him three more times in rapid succession. Before Seth could recover, Akad smacked his sword against the side of Seth’s head. Then he punched him again and kicked him in the gut. Seth flew backward, crashing to the ground. There, he lay stunned for a moment. Then he tried to rise. But Akad stomped his foot in the middle of Seth’s chest, slamming him back down.
“Do you still think you can fuck with me?” Akad asked.
“Next time you won’t be so lucky,” Seth growled.
“There won’t be a next time. If this is all you’ve got, I’m not going to waste time in your class. So, if there’s ever a next time, it won’t be over until I’ve snapped every bone in your body.”
Akad removed his foot and turned toward Marduk. Seeing him made his heart nearly explode with exhilaration. The light in Marduk’s eyes spoke volumes. Akad was sure he was Marduk’s hero. They left Seth’s class together and laughed as they ran through the gardens.
On their way to their final class, Akad spotted two goddesses in white flowing dresses walking toward them. One had long, black hair, and the other was a beautiful blonde. They were on the edge of the garden where the vine-thatched roof ended. When Marduk noticed the goddesses, he stopped and squeezed Akad’s hand. The dark-haired goddess marched up to them and planted her hands on her hips.
“Good afternoon, Marduk,” she said, her voice cross. “We’ve been in class together all day, and you haven’t bothered introducing your new friend.”
Marduk’s face colored. “I apologize, Shala. This is Anu-Akad.” Marduk turned toward him. “Akad, these are my friends, Shala and Nanya.”
Shala glared at Marduk for a moment before turning her attention to Akad.
Akad smiled. “It’s nice to meet you, Shala,” he said, holding his hand out for her to take.
Shala stared at him a moment, then took his hand, shaking firmly. Akad was starting to feel uneasy, and wondered if there was a problem, when Shala’s expression softened.
“It’s nice to finally meet you too, Anu.”
Akad’s stomach twisted. After shaking hands with Nanya, the goddesses took their leave.
“What was that about?” Akad asked. “Did you tell them about me?”
Marduk shook his head, appearing pale. “I told them I have a lover. I didn’t tell them your name. They’re only guessing it’s you because of this morning.”
Akad stared at Marduk and smiled uneasily. “Okay, I thought at first that she was going to smack me. What did you tell her about me?”
“Only good things,” Marduk said, giving him a wink.
Akad shook his head and looked away. The possibility of keeping Marduk a secret from his father was becoming less and less probable.
Akad and Marduk continued to traverse the gardens until they arrived at the haunted ruin. They entered the stone structure and took seats on the ground to await the beginning of class. After all the students arrived, the great god Nanna-Sin made an entrance, his short black hair scruffy and unkempt, and his black cape undulating in the breeze.
“Welcome, Anu-Akad,” Sin said, grinning. “I’m not sure if your classmates have told you, but this course is not for everyone. Do you have any experience with commanding the spirits?”
“My father has instructed me in demonology.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Maybe you can show us some of what you’ve learned. Poseidon has excelled in this course. I’ll let you two have it out.”
Akad rose to his feet just as Poseidon stepped forward and approached. Sin placed a hand on Poseidon’s shoulder and regarded them both.
“The object of this match will be to knock out your opponent. No physical contact is allowed. All of your fighting must be through spirits or demons. Let’s take this outside.”
Once in the gardens, Poseidon stood before Akad with a smug look on his face. When Sin announced the beginning of the duel, Poseidon closed his eyes and began to chant. Akad smiled. He had no need for chanting. Anshar had taught him to summon demons and spirits by name.
“Mukil Res Lemutti,” Akad whispered. Then the temperature dropped and the pressure in the air shifted around him. No one could see the demon he’d summoned, but Akad could sense its presence. “Make Poseidon suffer.”
Poseidon’s chanting stopped, and he grabbed his head, crying out in pain. Akad had called on the demon of headaches. A splitting migraine would prevent Poseidon from conjuring spirits, but the contest wouldn’t be over until Akad knocked him out. Akad closed his eyes, calling on the storm spirit Zu. Dark clouds began to converge around them. Then the air-pressure dropped, and a bolt of lightning struck Poseidon in the chest, flattening him to the ground. A roar of applause and excited shouts erupted from the watching students.
“Unbelievable display, Anu,” Sin said as he approached. He placed a hand on Akad’s shoulder. “Your father taught you well. Though your skill far exceeds the level of my class, you are welcome to attend. If you don’t mind, I may ask that you assist the other students.”
Marduk joined Akad’s side just as Poseidon sat up, dazed and confused, and looked down to inspect the black singe on his white garment. Then Poseidon shot an ugly scowl in Akad’s direction. Marduk took one look at Poseidon, laughed, and hugged Akad tightly. Akad beamed. He once again had the impression he was Marduk’s hero.