Enki closed his eyes and took some deep breaths. What he had just experienced had greatly shaken him. The world no longer seemed familiar.

Enki mumbled, “It seems that after living so many years I’ve become a bit too complacent. I should never believe that I have uncovered all the mysteries that existence has to offer. Still, to think that…,” Enki stopped himself as he looked down at the tablet in his hand. “I think I finally understand you father.”

Enki gently stroked the engravings on the tablet before looking up to examine his daughter’s condition. She was still overflowing with vital essence. The raft was awash with dense vegetation and flora. However, she now was covered in a dense temporal haze that made her seem indistinct and illusory. It was as if she existed in and out of this plane of existence. As if her time was no longer in sync with the time around her.

“What has happened to you?” Enki whispered in wonder.

“She has entered a temporal dissonance. Her mind is experiencing time exponentially slower than her body causing this disunity of self. This was the tribulation that time had planned for her. It’s rather brilliant,” Shai’s voice resounded in Enki’s mind full of praise for the work of the law of time.

Enki looked down at the tablet. The engravings were now shining with the same prismatic light that had tinted the boy’s eyes. “So, you can still communicate with me,” he said calmly.

“I expected a bit more of a reaction from you,” Shai snickered, “it seems that little foray into my dimension has jaded you.” Shai clicked his tongue. “Tsk. How boring.”

Enki ignored Shai’s petulant remark and leveled an accusation at him in response, “Why is she like this? I thought we had a deal. You said that you would end her suffering, not prolong it.”

“Impressive! You still dare to slander me despite kneeling at my feet only moments ago?” Shai said incredulously.

“I do not dare to slander you, but I’d be a fool if I didn’t at least question your integrity considering my daughter’s current state,” Enki riposted.

“Your understanding of time is as pathetic as your understanding of destiny,” Shai ridiculed. “She is not experiencing the pain of life’s trial at all. The time of her mind and body are not synchronized, so they can’t communicate. Time’s test is also a reprieve.”

“As for my promise,” Shai defended himself, “although I have not directly intervened, have I not fulfilled it? Who do you think spurred time to act prematurely? I have done all that I can for your daughter.”

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Enki finally felt relieved. “I apologize for doubting you,” he said wearily. “How long will she remain in this state?”

“I’m not sure,” Shai said with fascination. “I don’t fully comprehend the domains of the other laws. She could escape this stasis tomorrow. She could escape it in a million years. Regardless, she is safe, as long as her body is well protected.”

Enki wore a tranquil smile. “So, there are things that even you don’t know,” he teased. But the only response his jibe received was the tablet losing its luster. Shai clearly couldn't be bothered with him anymore.

Enki sat down and reclined comfortably against Inanna’s trunk. He stared at the tablet for a moment before magically stowing it away.

“In any case, I’ll be free of interrogation for a while. What should I do with this unexpected respite?” He asked himself.

“Does anyone fancy a drink?” Enki’s voice echoed off into the distance, but he received no response to his invitation. With a shrug of his shoulders and a gesture of his hand, a flagon of wine appeared with three cups. He stared off into the night sky and waited patiently for a time, but the awkward silence remained. Was I mistaken? Perhaps my senses have dulled. Enki mused as he reached for the flagon. But as his fingers neared their target a thief’s hand darted forward and snatched the jug away.

“Is it too late to see you off brother?” A steady yet somber voice rang out from Enki’s left as he stared at the impetuous youth that quaffed his wine in front of him.

“No, Enlil, if anything you’ve come just in time...,” as Enki began his response the youth let loose a loud belch. “Ao Jun! You could at least use a cup!”

“How could I dishonor such a good wine by drinking it with a cup? It’s not every day that you get to drink wine brewed by a primordial,” the youth cheekily replied with a toothy grin.

“Brewed of a primordial,” Enlil calmly corrected.

“I swear your father taught you no manners at all,” Enki chided the youth as he began massaging his temples in annoyance.

“A king does not follow manners, manners follow a king,” the youth responded in a lecturing tone.

Enki sighed in defeat, “I guess I can presume that father has finally neared his destination since I’ve been graced by the presence of the White Dragon of the Western Seas and the Lord of the Wind?”

“As astute as always brother,” Enlil took his cup, dipped it into the water, and took a delicate sip.

Ao Jun bent at the knees, settling into a squat that put him at eye level with his seated companions, “So, what’s with the kid?” The young dragon said as he pointed at Inanna.

“That would be my daughter,” Enki replied while massaging his brow; he felt another headache brewing.

Ao Jun let loose a whistle and Enlil choked on his drink.

“I didn’t realize you still had it in you, old man,” Ao Jun guffawed.

“Brother, with who… with what?” Enlil sputtered with levels of distress and disgust.

“It’s not what you’re thinking. I sort of… took in a stray. I found her swept up in Father’s current and rescued her. Seven years later, here we are.”

“Here we are?” Enlil parroted in disbelief. While gawking at Enki like he was some sort of freak, Enlil blustered, “You don’t seem to have realized this, so I’ll enlighten you. Not only is your newfound ‘daughter a tree, but after only seven years she now faces the tests of the laws! How in the world can you explain this?”