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

own life for his. But he changed and I fear that too—may be my fault. The love of a woman can do such things to a man. It can turn brother against brother, father against son. It can destroy families.” Enki frowned. “Still, he was my brother and I will forever mourn the death of the man he once was.”
    Steven took Ashlyn’s hand. “We’re sorry for your loss. The world does not often reward goodness, and the price for holding to a principle can often be hard to pay, but it is the right thing to do.”
    “Yes. It is as you say—the reward is in knowing that it was the right thing to do,” Enki repeated.
    Ashlyn took a big breath, as much to settle the emotions welling within her own heart as it was to show her support for Enki. “Steven and I may never know the details of what forced your hand, but I trust the heart of the man I see before me. We thank you.”
    Steven nodded in agreement, acknowledging Enki’s sacrifice for having broken Anunnaki law on their behalf.
    Enki gave a slight nodding bow in return.
    “Lord Enki, I must ask. You say that we saved your life, and the lives of many Anunnaki long ago—and you also mentioned that Enlil had made plans for us that you came to stop. All of that is only possible if in the past, you learned of future events, and then used that knowledge to alter the timeline.” Steven’s mind was racing.
    Enki nodded solemnly. “Yes, I’d learned that Enlil was waiting, lying in wait for you in the rooms below the throne. I took your form and deceived him. I needed to witness the darkness of his heart, before I passed judgement with The Sword of Truth.”
    Steven’s grip upon Ashlyn’s hand tightened. “The Sword of Truth. How could I have forgotten that, Ash? I—I wouldn’t have left that behind.”
    Enki held up his hand, silencing Steven. “That was my doing. Knowing the fate that would befall you, I could not let you be the one to face Enlil—so I gave you a telepathic suggestion. I was hidden among the crowd surrounding you, when Destiny returned to Hadaesia. I made you forget about the sword and its importance.”
    Steven’s mind was collating the information, organizing it. Looking down at the ground, he spoke softly to himself. “You knew I was going to retrieve the sword? So, we’ve met before, spoken before?” Steven looked up, his eyes wide with conviction. “I would have gone after the sword alone, which means that I’m the only one that could have told you what happened. But that would mean—”
    Enki’s eyes narrowed as he studied Steven’s face. “Your mind is putting the pieces together. I ask you not to do so. You must be careful. It must be enough for you to know that I have killed Enlil and that he is no more. There are reasons for the laws that exist. I have done what I did, because it was the right thing to do, but it can be very dangerous to tamper with the past to change the future. Ripples can be created in the timeline that can have unforeseen consequences for the future.”
    “I’ve heard those words before,” said Steven.
    “May I ask where?” asked Enki.
    “From my wife, Renee,” said Steven. He thought back, recalling the holo message she’d given him after he had left Earth for Hadaesia. “She’d claimed to have had a vision of future events, a vision that soon came true. She told me not to try to change it. That the events of the vision had to occur if mankind was ever to be free.”
    “Hmm, very interesting. And please forgive me, but this woman, Renee—where is she now?” asked Enki.
    “At the time of Renee’s passing, Ashlyn embodied her essence. The two of them became one,” Steven answered tenderly.
    Enki’s face grew serious and his eyes darted to Ashlyn. “Is this true? Do you have the ability to transmigrate people?”
    Ashlyn’s eyes widened under the intense scrutiny of his stare. Feeling uneasy, she tightened her grip on the sheet around her and shrugged her shoulders. “I have no name for