Despite the delight Enki experienced during his waking hours, he could not help but feel a sliver of discontent where sleep was concerned. Although delighted to see his Mother’s slender form awaiting him, the darkness that invaded his mind at her beckoning was absolute. There was no relation to the lively world he inhabited by day and the one he experienced at night.

No images or spirits flickered in that strange place called rest. There was no bird song or splashing water, only stagnant pools where nothing stirred, not even a little. The more often his Mother’s hypnotic voice sent him there, the more like a prison it seemed to become. And when her silver gaze met his, it seemed that she searched for something possibly unknown to him. He had even thought about asking her, but bound by her potent spell, he succumbed too quickly; stripped of words he drifted helplessly away into that all-absorbing void.

Enki found himself beside a brook late one afternoon. Shadows had already begun to fracture the insect filled columns of soft light striking the forest floor. Reminded of the impending sleep about to overrun him, he attempted to focus instead on the Naiads mischievous relations. Watched by an audience of entertained Dryads, mewing Jay’s and chattering Magpies, the tiny Sprites dived beneath the surface of chaotic water.

Chasing after minnows, they caught hold of their fins and sliding onto their backs attempted to ride them. Disgruntled at this tomfoolery, the enslaved fish bucked and struggled until finally ejecting their luminescent captors, the fish turned to exact revenge. Scattering quickly, the Sprites broke free from their watery world and exploded like tiny fireworks. Raining down in droplets of harsh reds and excited yellows a few moments later the game continued.

Absorbed by the on going frivolity, Enki did not notice the many birds take to the sky. Joining the winged Sylphs upon the rolling thermals, they grouped into large shoals of black clouds. Continually changing direction as they swarmed higher, they unanimously sang their joyful farewells to the Sun.

It was about this time that the foundations of Enki’s mind were unmistakably shaken. Something alien with a purpose known only to its self, momentarily made its presence felt. Its resonance had been warm and as smooth as polished pebbles.

“Enki!” Was all it said and all it had to say.