Ashlyn Chronicles 2: 2288 A.D.: A Time Travel Sci-Fi Fantasy Read Free

when I was young. He was like a father to me.”
    “Then it is an item that should be cherished,” said Enki. “Such gifts are very rare.”
    Steven saw a great depth of empathy in Enki’s eyes, a depth that he had not seen in the eyes of any man before. It was easy to see that Enki had a great love for them.
    Enki continued, his eyes returning to Steven. “You have given the name of Enki quite the reputation here on Hadaesia. For this I thank you. It is easier to be a leader when you have the respect of the people.” Enki tipped his head. “Much like you, the people here are family to me. As such, I have been given a great task. My father has asked me to teach those on Hadaesia, the ways of the Anunnaki. It is hoped that someday, they will attain the gifts and be able to join my father and I on Heaven.
    “I must also apologize to both of you, for I was unable to save the people of your world. I know that what happened is in fulfillment of prophecy, but still, I did try. I must admit that sometimes I find prophecies difficult to accept, especially when it involves the lives of the innocent. Ever since I was a small child and my parents told me the stories of what was to befall your world, I wished it could be different.”
    “To what prophecy do you refer?” asked Ashlyn.
    “Broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction and many are the ones finding it, but narrow is the gate and few are the ones finding the road unto Heaven.” Enki cleared his throat. “You and your crew have found the narrow road. And I must now teach them and the people of this planet, all 144,000 how to reach Heaven.”
    Ashlyn answered for the two of them. “We have heard that prophecy before, though we attributed a different meaning to it. The Keeper has been teaching us about Earth’s true history. It’s amazing how much became twisted over the millennia.”
    Enki gave an insightful grin in return. “Such is often the case with history. There are always those wanting to lay claim to the feats of others for selfish gain.”
    An uncomfortable pause stilled the room. Steven and Ashlyn took a quick glance at one another. Enki’s face grew sullen as the words he wanted to speak refused to come easily.
    “I must also tell you that I have committed an act of treason against our people. I have killed my brother. I have killed Enlil. The punishment for such an act is death.”
    Great conviction filled Steven’s voice. “No, that’s not true. I killed Enlil. Not you.”
    “I know that is what you believe—but such is not the case. Enlil tricked you, letting you think you had done so. Even the Guardian which threw him into Gehenna did not know.”
    The sadness upon Enki’s face seemed to break momentarily. “Enlil had once done something similar when we were young children. He scared our mother very badly.” Enki’s narrow smile widened. “She punished him severely. He couldn’t sit for a week afterwards.”
    Ashlyn and Steven couldn’t help but give a small laugh. It was so out of place for the seriousness of the conversation, but the fact that Enlil had been spanked was hilarious. They both envisioned him being bent over a knee.
    “Later in life, I learned that mother had always known he was faking his death, but that she was just trying to teach him a lesson,” said Enki. Exercising brevity, he moved on, beginning to address the weightier issues. “I gave Enlil every chance I could, but his heart had become dark and he had plans for the two of you that I could not let happen.
    “Suffice to say, I did what must be done. Long ago, you saved my life and the lives of many Anunnaki. We owed it to you. I owed it to you. It was time for him to pay for his torturous acts and his treason against our laws. Had I done so long ago, billions of lives might have been saved.” Enki became lost to his memories. His words came slow and deliberate. “There was a time, when I admired him. A time when I would have gladly given my