Enkidu and Fujimaru Ritsuka walked incessantly until sunset, the sky was painted orange with purple and even pink hues, the forest was darkening and the crickets began to sing. The boy was tired of walking, was out of breath and was wet on his forehead and back, his armpits were drenched and his feet ached; he stopped near a tree and sat on a stone.
« Let's ... take a break ... we've been walking for hours. » He said in a tired voice.
« I know, I'm sorry, Master, but it's not an easy place to reach, however we are almost there. Still little and we would be at our destination. »
« Can I at least know ... what place is it? What is the Chasm of Tammūz? »
« The tomb of the god of vegetation. Tammūz was a young god, very handsome and also kind. He was the first and last husband of the goddess Ishtar, it's said that he was unjustly brought to hell, probably because Ereshkigal was jealous of Ishtar, I can't say. A tomb was built in a cave in honor of the god. »
« Okay, but why are you taking me there? What do you have to do? »
« I remembered a promise I had made, now I have to keep it. That's all. Can you still walk? »
« Yes, everything is fine, don't worry about me. » Fujimaru replied after getting to his feet.

Night fell, the stars lit and the moon showed its white face, the cold breeze ran through the forest howling like a wolf, Fujimaru was shivering and feared to be attacked by wild beasts but Enkidu was there with him and the thought to be protected reassured him in every moment of uncertainty.
They finally stopped in front of this rock wall with a hole of at least six meters that went down into the void. Enkidu held out his hand to the boy saying:
« Let's go down. »
« O-okay, let's do it. »
Fujimaru gave his hand to Enkidu and the latter jumped into the pit, the boy was unable to hold back the terrified scream that echoed throughout the cave. Enkidu took the Master in his arms and landed without injuring himself. Fujimaru jumped off Enkidu's hands the boy down and then, when he looked up he was shocked by the dark but fascinating landscape: twelve tall stone columns with Sumerian writings engraved on their stems, smooth walls full of cave paintings representing sacred rituals addressed to the deities, fifty torches that illuminated the tomb by showing a deep lake which was beyond the columns; the entire cave had a circular shape and was at least sixty meters away from the opening.

Enkidu brought Fujimaru to the water mirror.
« This place is amazing! Is it a grave? »
« Yes it is. In the water there is the body of Tammūz. »
« This place is the underworld? » The boy asked curiously.
« No, this is the place where restless souls who do not accept their destiny take refuge. »
« What does it mean? »
« Not everyone accepts death, Master, this is a fact. Many don't want to know Ereshkigal and yearn to return to life, but the cycle of things isn't this, it mustn't be this, you understand? That's why we are here. »
« I don't understand, I'm sorry, why are we here? »
Enkidu pointed to the body of water. Fujimaru saw the lake's waters move, a red lion with a golden mane, its fangs were sharp as blades and its eyes were furious; Fujimaru immediately recognized that monster: it was Uridimmu, one of Tiamat's children, so he prepared to fight but immediately noticed that Enkidu, on the other hand, didn't seem to be willing to fight against that demonic beast.
« Enkidu, be careful! That's a son of Tiamat! It's a demonic beast! » Fujimaru exclaimed.
But Enkidu wasn't afraid, he had a sad look and the boy didn't understand the reason for this. The ravenous beast attempted to attack Enkidu but he dodged the blow with ease, avoided the monster's claws and then counterattacked with a palm stroke that dropped the beast into the water. Enkidu was sparing the life of the monster.
« Why don't you kill him, Enkidu? »
« I'm sorry, Master, I'm so sorry to see him in that condition. It didn't have to go like this and instead I'm back to the starting point, forced to face a creature that has not chosen its destiny. » Enkidu was crying.
« Enkidu ... »
The beast roared and returned to the attack, this time targeting Fujimaru Ritsuka, but Enkidu kicked it and then quickly used the Chains of Heaven to mortally wound the beast that fell into the lake without re-emerging. The battle ended in an instant. Enkidu had triumphed without even trying but he wasn't happy with what he had done.
« Why are you crying, Enkidu? » Fujimaru asked, worried.
« Do you really want to know? Are you really interested in knowing the emotions of a piece of clay? »
« Yes, I want to know. »
« You see Uridimmu as an evil creature, but in the past he was a guardian of Nineveh and was also revered in the Eanna in Uruk. »
« Uridimmu was ... revered ?! » Fujimaru exclaimed, stunned.
« Yes. But he lost his way, followed Tiamat's call and became ... that thing. I prayed, until the last minute, to be able to save him and when I finally met him it was too late ... but I swore that I would bring his soul to Ereshkigal and that I would give him peace. But I didn't make it. I've failed again. »
v No, you haven't failed, maybe you just have to try again and ... »
« Leave it alone, Master. Giving everyone a worthy burial is apparently a silly wish, but it's sad to know that his soul will never be at peace. Yet he didn't even choose to be evil. Maybe one day I'll save him ... one day ... »
Enkidu's melancholy smile saddened the young Master who didn't know how to help him, he didn't know how to relieve his pain.

That same night they left the cave but Fujimaru, without saying anything to Enkidu, was already planning to go back in it.