On the sixth day, even the naturally born monsters or the powerful dragonkin were forced out of their nests by torrential rain and floods, flocking to the few fortress cities established by humans such as Ur, Uruk, Nineveh, and Babylon.
Thanks to the joint efforts of the Moon Goddess Sin, Sun God Utu, Venus Goddess Ishtar wielding their Divine Authority and descending Holy Relics, these human cities managed to stand firm amidst this terrifying disaster.
Gilgamesh turned his head to look at the temple at the city center, which enshrined the Three Star Gods.
A layered array formed by a large Magic Secret Ceremony constructed an inversely-hung light-shaped dome, with countless flashing wedge-shaped characters transforming into a shimmering group in the sky.
Three beams of divine light simulated the projections of the Sun, Moon, and Venus, guiding the stars to shimmer and rise in the sky according to their original schedules and trajectories.
Under the protection of the Three Star Gods, Uruk remained bright and sunny.
In the gentle breeze, residents carried out their daily life in an orderly manner, warriors held their positions steadfastly on the north and south lines, shops bustled with business, and smoke rose sinuously from the houses.
It seemed that everything was as peaceful and beautiful as it had been in the past.
But as the monarch of Uruk and a powerful demigod, Gilgamesh was acutely aware of the false façade of harmony before him.
After six consecutive days of depletion, even these three powerful Star Gods, Moon Goddess Sin, Sun God Utu, and Venus Goddess Ishtar, were now at the end of their strength, merely striving to protect the life within their cities.
For they were not merely combating the surface floods and storms, but contending against the Babylonian Gods and their determination to exterminate.
It was clear that Heavenly God Anu, Earth God Enki, Lord of Air Enlil, and King of Kings Marduk had reached a consensus to launch another apocalyptic flood to wash away these humans who disrespect the gods.
Between the union of an Origin God and three top Divine Kings, even if Moon Goddess Sin, Sun God Utu, and Venus Goddess Ishtar were exceptionally talented, they could hardly defy this "Heavenly Destiny."
That they’ve been able to persevere until now is already considered a Miracle.
According to Gilgamesh’s estimate, they could hold out for at most one more day before these three Star Gods would be defeated, causing the defensive barrier they collectively set up to completely collapse.
When that time comes, Uruk, Ur, Nineveh, Babylon, and the remaining fortress cities, along with the life hanging by a thread within them, will be submerged in the torrents of the apocalyptic flood.
After the flood recedes and all traces are erased, the gods will, as they did once before, conduct a "recreation," molding a batch of new humans who venerate the gods to be their slaves and livestock, continuing to sing praises and labor under servitude.
Even if some lucky souls survive this great flood, what awaits them is merely a life of hiding and fleeing.
The family of Zusudra in the Netherworld is a living example.
Gilgamesh looked at the world outside Uruk City, gradually engulfed in darkness, turning the wine glass in his hand, feeling an unprecedented sense of powerlessness and apprehension.
Is there really still hope for humanity?
Just as Gilgamesh was feeling bewildered, the projections of the Sun, Moon, and Venus appeared together in the sky over Uruk.
Amidst the backdrop of numerous stars, the triad of divine light shone brightly, casting a vast array of starlight and countless heavenly body silhouettes onto the boundless darkness outside the city.
Golden light patterns intermittently appeared, carrying a peculiar rhythm, rippling outward and gradually spreading toward the outskirts of the city.
The radiant starlight poured down, like a beautiful canopy adorned with tassels enclosing the fortress that shelters life,
and the clouds and storms that originally pervaded the entire Mesopotamia region were driven out of this area guarded by the starlight, only able to linger hundreds of miles away.
Even the floods raging on the ground had to retreat and detour, unable to erode the starlight a single bit.
As the sounds of the violent wind and rain were successfully suppressed, a brief silence descended upon Uruk City.
Then, the light from the three celestial bodies pierced the dark sky, plunging down toward Abi Mountain and falling into an even deeper darkness.
Gilgamesh squinted his eyes, lost in thought.
Moon Goddess Sin and Sun God Utu, along with a large retinue of Lesser Deities and demigods and monsters that had temporarily survived the great flood, frantically rushed into the deepest part of the Netherworld, crying out:
"Where is the Mother Goddess? We demand to see the Mother Goddess!"
"What Mother Goddess?"
Greeting them, Luo En pretended to be surprised, feigning complete ignorance.
Moon Goddess Sin, leading her group, couldn’t afford to play games and said straightforwardly:
"Don’t hide it. Ishtar has already told us! The Great Mother Goddess Tiamat is still alive. She has returned to Babylon and is hiding in the Netherworld!"
Just can’t keep your mouth shut!
Luo En feigned anger and vigilance, glaring at Ishtar shrinking into the crowd, then solemnly assured:
"No need to worry, everyone. Even if the Mother Goddess has returned, she has no intention of opposing the gods, merely wishing for a peaceful life in the Netherworld."
"No, I mean, since the Mother Goddess has returned, she shouldn’t stay secluded in the Netherworld; she should join us in storming the Divine Realm and setting things right!" Moon Goddess Sin hurriedly amended her statement.
Standing nearby, Sun God Utu echoed: "We’ve all heard about the previous Divine War. Marduk and the Three Pillar Gods conspired to usurp the Origin’s authority, setting a trap and ultimately driving the Mother Goddess away through base means. Without the Mother Goddess’s restraint, these usurping evil gods, complacent in their seized power, have continually oppressed life, committing countless crimes. Now they’re preparing to launch another apocalyptic flood to eliminate dissidents. We cannot endure such tyranny any longer, and we earnestly request the Mother Goddess to reclaim authority and purge Marduk and his remnant followers!"
The other deities and monsters nodded in agreement.
Before launching this apocalyptic flood, Marduk and the Three Pillar Gods had already recalled deities and demigods allied with them to the Divine Realm. Those left in the Mortal World were naturally categorized as targets for elimination.
Even a rabbit bites when cornered.
Since those lofty Great Gods have left them no way out, these deities and monsters who have managed to survive are resolute in their decision to rise in revolt.
Especially after hearing the news that Mother Goddess Tiamat is still alive, this conviction became exceptionally firm.
Previously, the triad of Star Gods led by Moon Goddess Sin had formidable talent, capable of reaching competences to rival the Three Pillar Gods through the strengthening from belief. But once Marduk stepped into the realm of Origin, they had not a shred of chance.
The six-day-and-night confrontation between starlight and rainstorm was the best proof.
Under usual circumstances, they would await judgment by the gods after the apocalyptic flood, continuing to prostrate at their feet, swallowing their pride.
However, times have changed.
The Mother of Origin from Babylon is still alive! And has returned to this God Era World.
With this Grand Mother, they might just possess the ability to battle Marduk and the gods.
Faced with the earnest pleas of the gods, Luo En, responsible for negotiating on behalf of Mother Goddess Tiamat, still shook his head in refusal:
"Sorry, this is your affair, unrelated to the Mother Goddess. She has already been betrayed by this world once, and I do not wish to make her endure the same pain again."
"Great Sacrifice! We are willing to offer a Great Sacrifice, inviting the Mother Goddess’s return and pledging loyalty to her!"
Gritting their teeth, Moon Goddess Sin and Sun God Utu made vows.
Now, they’ve completely severed ties with Marduk’s faction.
Given the cruel and tyrannical nature of those Old Gods, their fate is clear once resistance fails.
Rather than suffer humiliation post-defeat, it is better to invite back this Mother Goddess and take a gamble.
Deities imbued with compassion also bowed their heads, issuing earnest requests:
"As the children of the Mother Goddess, the lives of the innocents shouldn’t be so oppressed, so disgraced; we beseech the Mother Goddess to agree!"
Luo En was about to refuse again; however, hearing the cries for help from the children, Tiamat could no longer bear it and hurriedly rushed out from the Garden of Eden, confronting the gods, she declared loudly:
"Don’t be afraid, Mommy will protect you all! Protect everyone!"
Yet, seeing the loli before them, standing at a mere one and a half meters, the gods’ originally expectant and reverent gazes couldn’t help but become somewhat blank.