What in the names of the Gods was going on here? It was already bad enough Ishtar had showed up and threatened to kill Hakuno, now another goddess had showed up!? And based on Hakuno's comment, this was Gula?
All Gilgamesh wanted to do in the moment was to pull on the chain and end the bull's life. Its loud moans of pain were giving him a headache.
"Why is Gula here as well?" whispered Enkidu. It was obvious they wanted to run to Hakuno's aid but understood how delicate the situation was.
Gilgamesh wanted to do the same, but he had already messed up once today. Although, how was he supposed to act when Ishtar threatened to kill Hakuno?
"Why are you here?" Ishtar narrowed her eyes.
"I am here to protect my champion from your temper." Gula narrowed her eyes. The dog slipped in front of Hakuno, spread its legs wide and growled.
Hakuno's eyes widen and she looked at Gilgamesh and Enkidu with an expression of pure confusion. Gods, he didn't know how worrying it was when she didn't know what was going on.
"Your champion? This thing? Are you kidding me sister?" Ishtar wrinkled her nose in disgust.
"Hakuno, what is it you wish for Ishtar to do?"
Hakuno startled, having been suddenly addressed. She bowed her head low. "I hope Lady Ishtar of the Heavens could forgive the transgression of my husband. Of course, I understand such a task without compensation would be foolish to offer so I pray that Lady Ishtar will be willing to give us a trial that we may use to beg for forgiveness."
"A trial?" Gula smiled. "That sounds like an excellent idea. A trial that these mortals must accomplish and then your temper shall be sated on this matter. Sounds like a fair price."
"A fair price?" Ishtar snarled. "That man humiliated me!"
"And yet his people will suffer for the actions he caused." Gula eyes filled with sadness as she gazed at the fallen Uruk soldiers. "You have caused more strife and surviving for your actions. My azu houses will be filled if you allow Gulgalanna to roam through this city."
Ishtar looked like she was going to scream again.
Gilgamesh knew that feeling. However, he had the sense that in this moment it was better for him to stay quiet and watch the argument between the goddesses.
"You will give them a fair trial and wipe away the debt you think you are owed. You will leave Uruk alone and just come into the city for your temple worships."
"And what if I do not want to?"
Gula's eyes narrowed. "Then your worshippers shall sicken and die. You may have the power over fertility, but childbirth is my domain. I will give your children willing to Lamashtu and the seeds will not grow. Your people will wither and die and your name along with it."
Ishtar gritted her teeth and turned to Hakuno. "I agree to your trial then," she spat.
"A fair trial. They must have a chance to succeed Ishtar."
"Of course. A fair trial. As you said." Ishtar looked at Hakuno. "A fair trial and if you succeed, all of this will be a forgotten memory."
"Thank you, Lady Ishtar." Hakuno hesitated for a moment. "We will release the bull to be returned to you once the trial is completed, no matter the outcome."
The dog at Hakuno's feet growled in warning. Ishtar backed up a step and glanced in the direction of Enkidu and Gilgamesh. She smiled and snapped her fingers.
A large and furious man with the paws of a lion and the claws of an eagle appeared before her. Before anyone could react, the man darted towards Enkidu and as soon as their claws touched the ur-sal, Enkidu transformed into a dove.
Gilgamesh had to blink, the change so sudden. One moment Enkidu was holding the end of the chain and the next they were gone, replaced by a dove held within the monstrous man's claws.
Gilgamesh heard Hakuno scream. Gilgamesh dove at the creature but it moved away before he could get his arms around it. It began running away at full speed, the dove-Enkidu held tight in its grasp.
"I would not give chase yet, King of Uruk," chuckled Ishtar.
Gilgamesh wished he had the power to kill a goddess with a glare.
"What is your trial sister?" asked Gula, seemingly unphased by what had happened.
"Do not worry, I made it possible. All you need to do is go to the Underworld and retrieve your little god-creature friend." Ishtar smiled at Gula. "It is possible for mortals after all."
"That it is," replied Gula. "Swear it on our father. Bind the trial so you may not back out of this deal if it goes poorly for you."
"You are so untrusting sister." Ishtar chuckled. "But fine. I swear on my father, Anu, the God of the Skies and Heavens and the Father of the Gods that if the King and Queen of Uruk can retrieve their friend from the Underworld, I will forgive the transgression against me and return the bull of the heavens to its rightful home. And I will stay out of the affairs of Uruk unless it involves my temple. Happy sister?"
"Quite. What is their time limit?"
Ishtar's cocky smile made Gilgamesh want to punch her. "Why, as long as that god-creature is willing to leave the Underworld. It is quite a taxing place for mortals that are not yet at the time for that place. I wonder how long their mind can last?" She looked at Hakuno and then at Gilgamesh. "I hope you fail," she snarled before vanishing as fast as she had appeared.
Gula let out a long sigh. "Like always, my sister is one for dramatics. Hmmm?"
Hakuno had dropped to the ground, her hands and head pressed against the dirt.
"Hakuno, what are you doing?" snapped Gilgamesh. He tethered the ends of the chain to the earth and was glad to see it was holding the bull in place. He hurried over to Hakuno's side.
"I am sorry Great Mother," Hakuno said. "I have used your name to protect myself and now you come to my aid and I am not worthy."
"Stand up human child. Do you think I would come to aid a human that has not been given my blessing?"
Hakuno lifted her head, her eyes wide in shock. She was so shocked that she did not protest as Gilgamesh helped her to her feet. "What do you mean?"
"Who do you think gave the baru of yours the idea to connect you to my temple and me?" She chuckled. "It would make greater sense for you to be working your gift through my son, Damu, correct?"
He was starting to get worried that his Queen was going to faint on the spot.
"But…I…"
"You were born under my star, child. I saw the potential in you and I granted you a gift. There is none other alive now with your gift of healing. Why do you think you lived those injuries that would have killed you when you first met the beast of the forest? Why do you think your gift protected you when your throat was slit? Why do you think you were able to heal those close to the edge of death and bring them back to the world of the living? It is through the power I have blessed in you. And you have used the gift I have given you well and I wish you to continue to do so."
"Of course, of course Great Mother." Hakuno dipped her head. Gilgamesh could see her legs were shaking and he was glad he was there to keep her from falling over.
"Gula, will you be helping us with this trial?" he asked. Sure it was cool that Hakuno had Gula's blessing but how did that help them now? Gilgamesh wanted Enkidu away from Ishtar's hands.
"Unfortunately I cannot. My sister would have a fit and try to exploit another loophole if I had a direct say in your trial." She gestured to the chains. "I will have my dogs protect them so Ishtar or any of her disciples do not get any ideas." Based on the hard glint in the goddess's eye, this seemed like it was a normal occurrence.
Gula turned back to Hakuno. "My blessing will protect you in entering the Underworld. I would get moving, there is not much time. You seem like you want to ask me a question?"
"Ah, yes Great Mother. I was wondering…" She rested her hand over her heart and clenched it into a fist. She gazed up at Gula with an expression of pure desperation. "Please, I know you are also connected to the Underworld. Can you let Enkidu know we are coming for them? I don't want them to lose hope. Please."
"I will see what I can do around my sister's rules." Gula gestured with her head and the dog trotted over and laid down in front of the chains holding the bull in place. "Now go. There is not much time."
And with those words, the goddess of healing disappeared from sight.