A Collision In Time

If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them.

– Sun Tzu, The Art of War

Winter, 3,203 BC (November 14th, Gregorian), Eridu, Sumeria

Eridu prepared for war.

Adrenaline rushed through Emerson’s body. He raced to leave the city before the sentries secured the gates, stopping abruptly to make way for the newly arrived soldiers marching into position. They walked confidently, outfitted with bronze armor, shields, and long pikes. They carried their sandals on their belts and walked barefoot. He remembered the pain he felt that first day in Sumeria when he walked all those miles on bare feet. How soft humans had become over the years.

Emerson marveled at the sight of them and then pivoted, hearing someone behind him. It was Arion, who grinned and offered his hand. “I understand you have been most industrious. Thank you. Now I wonder—”

A commanding soldier in decorative armor interrupted Arion with questions. They spoke in a dialect that Emerson’s translator could not interpret. In response to the question, Arion pointed and the officer raced in that direction.

“Who are they?” asked Emerson.

“Neighbors from across the gulf, in a city called Buchir, in what will one day become Persia. They are trading partners with the Eridu people. They are called Elamon, from the young nation of Elam.”

“They are well armed?” Emerson asked suspiciously.

“Indeed, and fortunately quick studies on the use of the pike. Have you seen a phalanx before, my friend?”

“No.”

“No, why would you have. You will soon see why I have outfitted our new soldiers with pikes, a primary tool of the phalanx. The plan is to use the diversions and redirect the Uruk soldiers into the phalanx.”

Emerson nodded and turned his attention to the enemy forces. “They look as if they could attack any second. They are getting on their horses. When do we light the fires in the trenches?”

“This instant.” Arion bowed before Emerson. “Please honor Eridu, and ignite the ditches. Run to the frontmost trench; I will send a man who will provide you with the fire.”

“Right now?”

“Yes, before it’s too late.” With a wave of his hand, Arion dismissed Emerson.

Emerson raced ahead, running through the battalion of soldiers that stood at the ready. He sensed the collective dynamism of the warriors, who waited impatiently to engage. He stepped across the planks that bridged the ditches until he reached the front line. Only a single ditch and a hundred paces stood between him and the thousands of Uruk combatants who waited for the signal to fight. An Eridu slave stepped up beside him with a blazing torch. The young man passed the beacon to Emerson, who, with a flourish, touched the flame to the dry straw that lined the bottom of the trench. The ditch erupted in fire. Emerson ran to the next ditch in line and repeated the gesture until all three rows burned.

On the opposite side of the burning trenches, a mounted Uruk soldier dressed in a black tunic stood up in his stirrups and barked orders. He raised his sword and two cavalry squadrons fell into position to attack.

Emerson turned and sprinted back to join Arion.

Near the Eridu gate, Arion stood with Emerson on a raised wooden platform and viewed the battleground. They listened to the mounted enemy soldiers who could be heard even from this distance, leading the enemy in a chant in a haunting minor key. The mounted enemy commander paraded before them, his sword above his head, his bronze shield at his chest. Finally the cavalry leapt forward and then separated into two groups, spreading out to avoid the flames. Each group stationed itself on the flank of the Eridu troops then charged straight toward the phalanx of Elamon pikemen, who remained disciplined, in tight formation.

A horn sounded. Uruk bowmen launched hundreds of arrows in a shallow flight path over the fast-moving horses to meet hastily raised Eridu shields. Most of the arrows missed the Eridu soldiers entirely, falling into the burning trenches. Mocking voices erupted amongst the Eridu infantry.

Arion touched Emerson’s shoulder and pointed to the Elamon pikemen at the flanks. “Now, my friend, you will see if I selected my troops wisely.”

The Uruk cavalry advanced toward the phalanx at full speed. The horses’ muscles tensed as they raced ahead at the urging of the riders’ screams.

Arion’s voice sang out, a warning in a language that Emerson did not recognize. Simultaneously, as if directed by an invisible hand, the two squadrons of Elamon pikemen executed an organized retreat into the marshes that surrounded the island hills of Eridu. They stood waist-deep in the water, unmoving, with their shields and long pikes at the ready.

The first three Uruk cavalry splashed into the muddy marsh and the horses experienced an immediate shift in momentum. One of the riders was thrown from his horse while the other two were flung forward. At the instant where horse and man shifted velocity, the Elamon commander yelled his order. Fifty spears launched into the air toward the Uruk soldiers’ chests, necks and heads. The mounted enemy tumbled from their horses, many with spears penetrating their armor. As the horses plunged into the marshlands, the Elamon phalanxes attacked.

* * *

High above, in the Great Hall, Dov tightened her grip on Cara’s hand, eyes wide, as they observed the slaughter. She turned her head away from the window. “I can’t watch this anymore. I’m sorry, but the sheer cruelty…those poor horses.”

Cara remained quiet.

Dov continued. “And the men had no choice. They are someone’s father, child, or brother.”

Cara squeezed Dov’s hand. “Let’s leave.” She stepped away.

Dov hesitated, turning to look through the window. A chill ran through her. An Uruk soldier floated facedown in the marsh, a dark red stream of his blood flowing on the current through the marshes and into the creek that channeled under the Eridu bridge. She forced her gaze away. “I shouldn’t have looked again.”

Cara pulled her arm. “Come.”

* * *

Standing on the city wall, Amarenzu ignited the arrow tip and repositioned her stance. She drew back the bowstring until there was no more give and waited.

“Release,” a voice called out. “Release.”

She released the string and the flaming arrow flew forward, joined by hundreds of others. Amarenzu stepped aside to let Alad move in front and repeat the attack. She watched her arrow arc into the low-lying clouds then drop, picking up speed, into the mass of Uruk soldiers.

Most of the intended targets raised their shields, and countless burning arrows struck wood. Amarenzu’s arrow slipped through a narrow gap between two shields and hit flesh. The Uruk soldier screamed in pain and grabbed his thigh.

The release of burning arrows signaled the Elamon soldiers to attack the Uruk flanks. Like two armed porcupines, the phalanxes stormed forward, sweeping around the burning trenches and colliding with the massive Uruk army from both flanks. Modi’s commanders screamed orders, attempting to shift the Uruk lines to absorb the attack. This only sparked confusion, and the Uruk soldiers pivoted in random directions.

From the raised platform, Arion projected his voice in song again. Soldiers poured jugs of water into the three burning trenches to extinguish them while another volley of burning arrows rained down upon the Uruk army. The smaller Eridu army leaped over the drenched ditches and rushed forward, yelling to signal advantage and triumph. The eyes of the Uruk soldiers in the front lines showed fear. They turned their backs to retreat. In moments the Uruk army, now surrounded, injured and demoralized, shriveled into a fetal position.

Emerson shook his head and addressed Arion. “Damn, this is a thrashing.”

“The problem with a large army, like our enemy’s, is that the fighters in the middle ranks have no purpose. The front line is where the fighting occurs, and so the soldiers in the center stand waiting, becoming more afraid as their compatriots die just rows away. Panic takes over, and each soldier’s instinct will be flight, not fight.”

“Makes perfect sense,” said Emerson.

The question is, how much mercy do we show?”

Emerson’s expression tightened. “The citizens of Uruk had no choice in this. I think we can show mercy.”

Arion smiled. “I agree, Emerson, but let’s not take this for granted. In due course.”

* * *

Uriel and Ariel joined Dov and Cara, who had moved to the other side of the Great Hall, away from the views of the battle.

“The fighting is over,” Uriel said. “Modi’s army is in full retreat. I have launched a drone to figure out where Modi disappeared to, as he didn’t stay for long.”

“That was fast,” said Cara. “What now—”

Dov interjected, “How many dead and injured?”

“I am not sure. Not many on our side. The fighting wasn’t close.”

“And the time-wave disturbances?” asked Dov.

Ariel answered. “We will run the calculations but it will be slow. We lost a lot of our computing power when we left Kushim’s home.”

“Well, start as soon as you can.”

The doors of the Great Hall swung open. Led by the high priest-king, who floated in on the hands of dozens of his priests, the elite of Eridu rushed into the hall. They screamed in delight, laughing and celebrating. Emerson followed, and pushed past the crowd to run to Dov and Cara. He held a sloshing mug of beer that spilled onto the floor.

His expression dropped. “Jeez, did someone die?” He laughed.

“Not funny, Em,” said Cara. “There was a lot of tragedy out there.”

“War is messy, Cara. We defeated Modi; does that not cheer you up?”

Dov shook her head but remained silent.

“Dov,” Emerson said in a more serious tone, “what’s up? Why the sour look?”

“It was too easy, Emerson.”

“We did have the gift of Arion,” Cara said. “Perhaps he was the equalizer.”

“No, the disturbances were specific, and I just don’t see the anomaly event having occurred yet.”

“In Sandon, it dissipated,” Emerson replied. “You told me that.”

“I just have a feeling. Let’s celebrate, sure, but only once Ariel completes his analysis.”

Emerson raised his mug. “Modi’s army is outclassed in every way. I just don’t get you, Dov. Sorry. I will see you tomorrow morning, when we figure out how to beam out of here.” Emerson finished his beer, threw the mug out the window, and left.

“He’s still a child, Dov,” Cara said.

Dov chewed her lip. “Do you think I’m being too pessimistic?”

“I am optimistic, but Em makes some good points despite how he said it. Modi has no cards now.” Cara put her arm around Dov. “Come; let’s enjoy.”

The afternoon celebrations morphed into an evening dinner party. Dozens of platters of stewed goat, salted fish, whole chickens, cooked barley, baskets of bread, preserved lemons, and cut apples flowed from the kitchens. The high priest-king offered a prayer to Enki, a tribute to Arion and the Elam Generals before eating. Slaves entered the hall and efficiently distributed the food to the guests that sat on makeshift tables set for the celebration.

Dov tore off a handful of flatbread, smiled at the slave who had filled her plate, and dipped the bread into the yogurt sauce. She pushed aside the meat portions. “Ariel, anything?” she asked.

“The data is in flux and the time-wave appears to be at a point of bifurcation.”

“So the chapter is unfinished.”

“Maybe, or maybe not. The math is unlike anything we’ve seen before.”

Cara leaned in. “I feel like I understand what you mean, but also I don’t. You’ll need to teach me.”

Uriel whispered from across the table, “Two mathematical proteges, like Newton teaching Pythagoras calculus.”

Cara laughed. “I’m Pythagoras in your metaphor, but seriously, I—”

A thunderous explosion shook the room, followed by an eerie silence that rippled across the Great Hall. Then another boom, but louder and closer. Dov felt the shock wave flow around her. She sprinted to the window, pushing others aside.

Another blast. This time the Great Hall shook as if hit by lightning. Dust fell from the ceiling. Dov sensed panic spreading through the room. She scanned the hall to find her companions but didn’t spot Emerson. “It’s like in the caves again,” she subvocalized to Cara. Her heart raced; her shoulders tensed.

“We should leave,” subvocalized Uriel to Cara and Dov. “This is dangerous. I will find Kushim and his family. I think it’s time to evacuate Eridu.”

The fourth explosion blew out the back wall of the Great Hall. The room erupted in flames and screaming.

Dov ran single file in front of Cara with a large contingent of citizens, priests, and soldiers. They fled Eridu on a rough trail through the trees next to the Blue River. Dov struggled in the moonless night to navigate through the mud and wet foliage. Errant branches and twigs stung her skin as she whipped by them. Her body ached to stop, her lungs lashing out at her. But fear pushed her forward for she would not be left behind. Another eruption exploded behind them, though thankfully quieter as they distanced themselves from Eridu. The sound of a man’s scream echoed through the air. Had he fallen? Dov pressed forward, certain someone would help him. Ahead, a small group of people waited and provided directions. Her spirits lifted, noticing Kushim standing among them.

Kushim yelled to the crowd while he pointed. “Continue inland. When you reach the hill, climb to the top. I am afraid you will need to flee well into the night.” He spotted Dov and his face relaxed. “Ah, Dov, I am so happy to see you. I hope you are unhurt?”

“I am tired but well. Is your family safe?”

“I wait for my sons and Amarenzu. I saw Uriel, and he waits for you. I haven’t yet seen Emerson and Ariel. And Cara?”

“Your family will come, and Cara…ah, here she is.”

“Cara.” Kushim raised his arms. “Thank you to Anu. You will journey inland. Arion is constructing our defenses there. When you start to climb you have almost arrived.”

“Thank you, Kushim,” Dov replied. “Please tell me later if you spot our friends.”

Cara grabbed Dov’s hand. “Let’s go, Dov. If I know Uriel, his drones are scouring for Em and Ariel right now.”

The rain grew more intense, though a sliver of daylight appeared as Dov and Cara arrived at the summit. Uriel greeted them with blankets.

“Where did these come from?” Cara asked.

“Arion has been preparing this hill for a while. He has food and tents for hundreds of people.”

Dov raised her eyebrows, a connection beginning to form in her mind. “How did he know this hill would be needed?”

Uriel agreed. “I think he has not been completely open with us.”

“Have you seen the rest of us?” Cara asked.

“Ariel is coming, but I can’t find Emerson.”

“He will show up,” Dov said. “I am sure.”

Uriel pointed above the ridge. “Go find an empty tent and get some rest. We will need your energy later, but I have this under control now. Once Ariel arrives we will remeasure the time anomalies. Also, dry off. Arion tells me to expect substantial rain.”

Later that afternoon, Dov and Cara huddled with Uriel and Ariel in a newly made shelter near the summit. They shared the space with the high priest-king, Kushim, Arion, and the Elamon commanders. Emerson still had not arrived. Bread and baskets of fruit were passed from group to group and then distributed amongst the remaining soldiers.

Ariel leaned into the other three and whispered, “The original time anomalies remain, but again, there is considerable interference with the results.”

“Thank you,” Dov said. “What about Emerson?”

“Still no sign of him. He will show up.”

Arion stood and addressed the group. “Uruk marches here armed with at least ten thousand fresh troops. We are preparing our defenses, but…”

“This is getting fucking desperate,” Cara subvocalized to Dov. “What can we do?”

Dov’s mouth tightened. She sighed, then whispered, “ Uriel, Ariel, I hate to abandon ship, but we may need to get out of here—move to Plan B and time-jump out. Save ourselves.”

“We will need a power source,” Uriel said. He shook his head. He had nothing more to offer.

Dov left the group and walked to the door of the shelter. The rain pounded down outside. Cara caught up to her and put her arm around her.

Dov giggled. “To adopt an apt phrase of yours, we are right fucked.”

Cara chuckled. “I am not sure I like your increasing use of foul language. Come, let’s go to the tent, Dov. What else are we going to do?”

But the tent had collapsed and had drowned in the rain.

Dov and Cara returned to the shelter and waited. Evening approached and there was little to do but try to catch up on needed sleep.

Arion approached as they prepared their bedding. He smiled and held his arms out. “My friends.”

Cara replied with a cold stare. Dov noticed. “Listen, Arion,” said Dov. “It’s challenging for us to be pleasant to you. I have to be honest, we feel like pawns in a game you and your brother play. You lied to us both for years; you have to give us that recognition. Give us a chance to digest who you have become.” Dov added slowly, “Elder Brumion.”

Arion sighed. “I made difficult decisions in moments of uncertainty. Tell me, could I have been honest with either of you when I first met you?”

Cara shook her head. “No, of course not. I would have reported you to the authorities, most likely.”

Dov nodded and winced.

Arion smiled. “It doesn’t matter. I need to talk to you both on another matter. Back to this situation at hand.” He lowered his voice. “It has grown complex and dark. There is no scenario, given all the recent interference that produces an outcome, that does not radically shift the trajectory of Earth’s historical pathway. My brother is forcing my hand and so I will have to take drastic actions to undo what is done. I’ve decided, therefore, to do just that.”

“I had reached a similar conclusion,” Dov said. “Drastic actions?”

“Indeed,” Arion replied. “No matter the results of the battles we are engaged in, I will need to act to remove evidence and the impact of the chaos initiated by Asmodi, and to a lesser extent by myself. To undo what is done, I will need to wipe out a significant amount of change since your arrival one month ago. To borrow on your human expression, this will require an act of biblical proportions. Such an activity will itself become a story and potentially history-changing. This action may itself shift history, or it may become a fable. So, in addition to this, I will need to act outside of my character for the plan to be believable. Be prepared, is what I am asking you.”

“For what?” Cara asked.

“Over the next twenty-four hours I will harness the power of nature and this rain to clean up. I also need to leverage the superstitious nature of man to create a plausible trigger for the destruction.”

“I am not following you,” Cara said.

“You will soon enough, I promise. Now you’d better get some rest; you will need it.”

Dov reached for Cara’s hands as Arion walked away. “I need to sleep. He is exhausting. Everything is, actually.”

* * *

Cara awoke to shouting, and the penetrating drum of rain on the thatched roof. Water dripped to the floor and formed pools throughout the structure. Dov slept beside her. She gingerly rose and rubbed her sore muscles. Dov stirred and opened her eyes.

Uriel stood nearby. “The battles have begun, I am afraid,” he said, not waiting for either to completely awake. “So far we have the strategic military advantage of being on high ground, but their troops outnumber us, by a lot. The Elamon soldiers are brave and guide the Eridu army, but this will not last long.”

“Has Emerson found us?” Dov asked. She sounded increasingly desperate.

“I am sorry, I haven’t spotted him. I am afraid we also lost our last drone overnight. We are blind.”

Dov’s body tensed. “We need to do something. This can’t be over.”

Uriel whispered, “I will find us an escape route tonight, when it’s dark.”

“Agreed,” Cara said. “Let’s leave this evening, but we wait until the last second for Em. I’m really worried for him.”

“There is little we can do,” Uriel cautioned. “Our surveillance systems are destroyed. I am sorry. We must trust in his instincts.”

An uncomfortable silence hung over them. Dov shook her head, pressed her body into Cara’s, and gripped her hand tightly. “We led him into this,” she reminded Uriel. “Your ethics routine must be in conflict.”

Cara breathed deeply. “Come on. I’d like to hike down the hill and see if we can spot him. What do you think?”

Dov didn’t hesitate. “Yes, of course; let’s go.”

“I’m not sure about that,” said Uriel. “I think a wiser course of action is for us to stick together here. Besides, it’s soaking wet out there.”

“I can’t just sit here doing nothing,” Cara replied. “We won’t go anywhere near the battle.”

Cara pulled on Dov’s hand and they ducked from the relative serenity of the shelter into the downpour. They crept downhill, struggling to stay out of sight, scurrying between boulders and bushes. The sound of the fighting grew louder as they neared the violence.

Rivulets of water streamed down the hill as the rain intensified and forced the men to fight in mud. Metal clanged against metal and swords met shields. Hundreds of bodies lay about, many injured but most dead. The copper smell of blood and the rotten odor of death permeated the valley, as did the screams of defeat and victory, one indistinguishable from the other. A volley of Eridu’s flaming arrows flew over Cara and Dov. They waited as arrows fell amongst the Uruk troops who still marched from the valley.

Dov moved to hide behind a pile of rocks. She subvocalized to Cara, “We shouldn’t be here. What good is this? We’ll never find Em. Let’s head back.” She peeked around the rock to find Cara. A tug on her foot surprised Dov. She glanced downhill, expecting Cara, but saw instead a Uruk infantryman, in a mud- and bloodstained tunic, grinning at her. He laughed, grabbed her ankle, and pulled her toward him, his sword raised. She struggled to escape, but off balance, Dov fell. She yelled as she tumbled head over heels down the hill.

The barren, steep terrain offered nothing to grab onto to stop her fall. Dov curled into a ball to protect herself from the bruising descent. She readied herself for impact, expecting to crash into a boulder. Finally her waist smashed into a rock, and pain surged through her right leg.

For a few moments, everything stopped. Slowly she regained her composure and heard distant shouts and felt rain hitting her face. A rustling noise refocused her attention. Dov gazed upward to again see the infantryman’s face. A pair of cold, bloodshot eyes looked back at her. Instinct kicked in and a surge of adrenaline flowed through her. She lashed out and kicked the soldier in his groin. He absorbed the blow and pushed her to the ground, placing his knee on her neck. Dov couldn’t breathe.

In her peripheral vision, Dov noticed movement behind the man. She kicked as hard as she could.

* * *

Arion rubbed his hands, a job well done. He traveled from one end of the finished design to the other, reviewing his completed project. One hundred and twenty paces. He pulled up his hood and headed to the cliff that overlooked the fighting.

He sighed as a moment of irony flashed in front of him. He had no idea if his plan would work. Could he not time-travel forward, just twenty-four Earth hours. and find out? No, the laws of physics may bend, but they wouldn’t break.

He raised his arms and focused on making his newly created character believable: the Mad God Noah, in an ironic tribute to his brother. A tale for the ages. The rain fell upon him but seemed not to dampen him. He called out and his voice projected across the valley. “Now the Earth is corrupt and full of violence.”

* * *

Cara heard Dov’s scream and sprinted downhill, tracking the sound of her voice. Still too far away to make a difference, she saw the Uruk soldier press his knee into Dov’s neck. Cara stopped and shrieked to distract him.

From out of nowhere, a man in dented armor jumped from the ridge above Dov and raced toward her, holding a blade. He shouted, then threw a bronze dagger at the man’s back. The dagger bounced from his armor, but the Uruk infantryman lifted his knee from Dov’s neck and swung around to meet Emerson.

Emerson moved deftly, lunging forward to plunge his sword into the chest of the soldier, who fell back and collapsed beside Dov.

The Uruk warrior turned to face Dov, who lay still on the ground. Choking on his own blood, he whispered, “I will see you…” and his eyes went blank.

Cara ran to meet Emerson, who was helping Dov up.

“It’s so great to see you two.” Emerson smiled. “I am sorry I took so long. You okay, Dov?”

Dov only managed, “Emerson? What…”

Emerson tilted his head in a nod. “I will join you at the top of the ridge. I have a friend to help.” He turned and ran down the hill.

Dov screamed, “No, Emerson! come back.”

But as quickly as he had appeared, he disappeared behind the ridge. Dov stood, transfixed.

“You hurt?” Cara asked, shaken.

“Just a bruise, I think. I don’t know…I almost died…and Emerson—”

“Wait—shh,” interrupted Cara. ’I hear something.”

Dov placed her fingers on her lips and whispered, “We should leave.”

Cara picked up a sword and a dagger from the dead soldier. “Just in case, right?”

They scrambled up the hill, stopping to watch another volley of flaming arrows arc above them. Near the top, they followed a path around a switchback and between two large boulders. The shuffle of boots made them freeze.

There stood another Uruk soldier. He stared at them, unsure. His body tensed and he reached for his sword. Then, unexpectedly, he stopped.

“Please hurry away,” he mumbled. He nodded toward the top of the ridge. “Hurry,” he yelled.

“Thank you,” Dov said in Sumerian. “May the gods honor your family.”

They ran up the path, fueled by panic, horror, and gratitude.

A loud voice interrupted, meters before they returned. Like an announcer in a modern arena, Arion’s voice resounded from above. “Now the Earth is corrupt and full of violence.”

Dov and Cara paused, captivated. Arion stood on the summit, his arms outstretched.

Dov shook her head. “Things are getting weird.” She chuckled and looked guilty about it. “I don’t know why I laughed.”

“Getting?” Cara snickered. “Arion’s plan is unfolding. He sounds like a god. I’m curious what he has planned next.”

Dov laughed again, releasing tension. “The fable begins. Let’s get out of here,”

* * *

Upstream from the battle, a bend in the Euphrates River, also called the Blue River, offered ideal geography to dam the flow and use the higher volume of water to irrigate the adjoining farms through a complex system of canals.

This morning Agar, one of the region’s oldest farmers, observed the river with worry. He had never seen the flow so threatening. The water crested dangerously near the top of the man-made dam. Agar’s brow wrinkled in concern.

He noticed movement on the top of the dam—the soil shifted. His eyes widened. The wall of the dam heaved. Water began to flow through it. Then the entire structure failed, crumbling under a torrent of water that poured over the bank. He waited, unmoving as the wall of water rushed toward him like a stampede of frightened gazelles. He raised his arms and prayed to Enki. The floodwater flowed over him and rolled downhill, rushing overland. It gained speed and confidence as it consumed the Earth.

* * *

The storm strengthened. Thunder echoed across the landscape as black clouds formed and settled over them. Though exhausted, Dov and Cara ran toward the shelter. The clash of weapons drew closer as the battle escalated.

Uriel sped toward them. “The battle will be lost. Arion is gathering citizens and soldiers. He planned an escape and asked that we join him. He is quite insistent. Frankly, we have no choice. We are to meet in the shelter and follow him.”

“We found Emerson,” Cara said. “Actually, he found us. Long story to tell you. Anyway, he went back to fight. He said he will return.”

Uriel nodded. “You head to the shelter. I will send a messenger to find him and have him meet us. Ariel and I will be no more than ten minutes. Arion stresses that we have no time to spare.”

By the time Cara and Dov arrived at the shelter, the remaining citizens of Eridu had started their retreat. Arion, wearing a hooded robe and carrying a staff, stood upon a platform, waving to the citizens and directing them, “Walk ahead, two by two, in pairs. Take only what you are able to carry.”

Dov and Cara joined the line and walked beside each other.

“Look, over there,” Cara said. “Kushim and his family. Amarenzu, smiling as always.”

“I’m worried about Emerson,” Dov said. “He is a damn idiot, to paraphrase him.”

“He is loyal to us. He will be here.”

Uriel and Ariel joined Dov and Cara in the queue. “I found a soldier who knows where Emerson fought. He promised to get Emerson and bring him here immediately.”

Dov sighed. “I hope so. He’s an idiot, though.”

They continued to follow the queue of the shelter and up a shallow incline. Arion continued to yell instructions, urging the people to move forward. Finally Dov and Cara topped a ridge and spotted Arion’s escape plan.

“It’s a boat,” Dov said. “At least, I think it is. It’s huge. How the fuck did Arion build this?” Then she heard a crashing noise and turned toward the sound. “Oh my god.”

A distant wall of water moved toward them like a massive blue liquid cliff, consuming everything that lay in its path. It would not take long to arrive.

In front of it, Emerson sprinted up the hill with a slave he had befriended, the evening before the fighting started.

Panic flowed through the queue. Citizens rushed toward the boat despite Arion’s call for calm. Ariel and Uriel moved to protect Dov and Cara from the human stampede, and the four companions were swept along toward the boat.

The wall of water rushed forward. It would arrive in minutes.

Dov and Cara reached the top of the ramp and turned to help gather the few remaining citizens as the water reached the base of the hill.

Arion reached out to pull up the ramp.

“Wait!” yelled Dov. “A few more seconds.”

“Too late,” Arion stated calmly. “I am so sorry.”

Emerson and his friend appeared on the ridge. They were a few dozen meters away, but the wall of water traveled at many times the speed of the two sprinting men.

“Emerson!” screamed Dov. “Run!”

The wave crashed over the top of the ridge and pressed forward toward the boat with distressing speed. It collided with the two men, pushing them forward toward the boat and into the waiting hands of Ariel and Uriel.

The newly formed lake surged forward, swallowing all those who had fought in the battles below, the speed and intensity of the water drowning their screams. It absorbed historical anomalies, prematurely introduced weapons and technologies, and thousands of stories. Only a fable would remain.

Arion slammed the overhead door and turned to face the masses inside the boat. Once more he projected his voice and sang, “The waters rose and increased greatly on the Earth and the ark floated on the surface of the water.”