To outsiders, the Netherworld has only seven layers, separated by seven stone gates sealed with divine curses.
In reality, however, there is an eighth layer to the Netherworld.
The reason why this place is unknown is that it houses the remains of the Divine Ancestor, Apsu. It is filled with highly corrosive black sludge, emanating the densest aura of death, making it the most dangerous place.
A soft sensation comes from beneath the feet, endless yellow-green plants sway in the dim light. This place is never illuminated by the sun, always resembling dusk or night, with no lamps around. White flowers sense the passing visitor, swaying in the breeze, appearing and disappearing like specters, emitting a faint glow.
The Golden Grain Flower, this is the unique plant, mentioned by the Shepherd God, capable of growing in the Netherworld and bringing vitality to it.
He spoke of it and succeeded in achieving it.
In fact, it turned out even more perfect than anticipated.
Aile, holding a lantern, passes through a layer of grey mist. The deepest part of the Netherworld, once known as a zone of terror, presents a completely different scene before her eyes.
The woods with golden roots stand like a row of towering sentinels on the outskirts, forming a perfect ring. A light golden mist is cast within the circle—it is a pure land of life.
Meandering streams, crystal-clear, reflect the drooping branches and leaves of fig trees on both banks. Dewdrops roll on rose petals, refracting a rainbow halo. Pomegranate trees entwine with olive trees, their heavy fruits bending the branches. On the emerald grass, lilies and crocuses shiver slightly in the wind, mingling their fragrance with the woody scent from distant cedars. Colorful birds dart across the azure sky, their wings bringing a honey-like sweetness to the air.
Walking among them feels like strolling in a divine garden.
At the garden’s core, four continuously gushing Active Springs serve as the source of the garden’s streams. The riverbeds are covered with rubies, garnets, diamonds, aqua blue stones, red agates, nephrite, sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and gold among other precious metals and gemstones.
Viewed from above, one would find the entire garden seemingly built upon a massive dragon-shaped skeleton.
The Active Springs are its blood, the plants its scales, and the gemstones its bones...
Without a doubt, these lives, born from death, are the divine legacy of the Divine Ancestor, Apsu.
Light arises from darkness, and death fosters new life.
Much like how decaying plants fertilize the earth.
Next year, this will be a place of verdant grasses and leafy trees.
Similarly, the remains and residual divinity of this fallen Divine Ancestor, at the Netherworld’s deepest layer, have created this miraculous life garden.
Of course, all of these changes are owed to the Shepherd God who brought the seeds.
Without the blooming of the Golden Grain Flower, the aura of death here could not be absorbed and purified;
Without his design, this garden could not have been born in Hell;
Without his efforts, so much life could not have been nurtured in the garden...
At this moment, the one who made all this possible smiled and looked back:
The Queen of the Underworld gently nodded, casting an admiring glance at the scene before her and the man:
"Though I’ve been here many times, each visit feels incredible. Dumuzi, you’re truly remarkable!"
"Just a coincidence."
Luo En chuckled humbly, the truth in his words mixed.
For a deity who has touched upon the Origin, [Creation] isn’t difficult for him.
Yet, he didn’t cheat using this authority. Instead, he used the Golden Grain Flower, seeds, and Apsu’s remains as raw materials. He took inspiration from Persephone, Queen of the Underworld, who opened the Golden Branch Garden in the Greek Underworld, adapting the environment of this area to create a divine paradise for life to reside.
After engaging in simplistic chitchat with Aile, who dropped by for a visit, Luo En couldn’t help but ask:
"By the way, it’s been such a long time. Why haven’t I seen Siduri? Didn’t you say she would come to pick me up?"
Since accepting the task from this Queen of the Underworld to nurture life within the Netherworld, several months have passed.
During this time, his drinking companion had been out of contact, as if she had forgotten him.
"Maybe she got caught up in something else?" Aile replied casually, her gaze drifting.
"Really?" Luo En looked doubtful.
"You probably don’t know, Ishtar nearly turned the mortal realm upside down searching for you, visiting each city-state. Since she’s the closest to you, Siduri is naturally the most suspect. She must be tangled with Ishtar and can’t get away for now."
After speaking, Aile swore with assurance,
"Don’t worry, once the fuss dies down, she’ll definitely come to get you."
Of course, she may come to pick you up, but I didn’t say I’d let you go.
A certain Netherworld Goddess secretly muttered to herself, then shifted the topic, using the life garden before her:
"Speaking of which, the ecosystem here is somewhat stable. Shouldn’t we give it a name?"
"Since this is your territory, why don’t you name it?"
Luo En spat out the remaining wine in his mouth at once, looking at the Queen of the Underworld before him with a strange expression.
Could it really be that legendary place?
As thoughts swirled in his mind, Luo En gradually arrived at a confirmed answer from his memories.
According to the Bible, Eden is in the East, with four rivers flowing out of Eden and watering the garden. These four rivers are the Euphrates, Tigris, Gihon, and Pishon.