Spence wasn’t sure what to expect. After all, he wasn’t even one hundred percent sure he hadn’t dreamed both encounters with Enki. But since the others admitted to similar dreams, and Trey had disappeared, Spence thought they had a decent chance to see the god again or at least an image of him.

The silence was palpable. If anyone breathed, Spence couldn’t detect it. Finally, after what seemed hours but was probably minutes, the air shimmered to Spence’s right. At first, it looked like heat waves rippling in the desert air. Then the waves became more substantial. Eventually, they coalesced into a human shape. Enki appeared, a glowing white image. The image was obviously a hologram, although the figure did turn its gaze from each of them as if he were actually in the room.

Qishti stood from his chair and then knelt on the floor on one knee, leaning forward in a bow. “My Lord Enki! I am honored by you gracing my humble home.”

“Thank you, my loyal servant. You may return to your seat.” Enki then turned to Spence. “Greetings, Spence the Wizard,” Enki said, his voice sounding like it came from the glimmering image.

“Spence the Wizard?” Morgan said softly to Caleb but loud enough for the others to hear.

“Does your summons mean you are ready to lead my followers?”

“Uh…well…not exactly,” Spence stammered.

“Then why have you disturbed me?”

“Well…um…we killed the last monster in our quest.” Spence inhaled deeply and steadied his voice. “When we came to Nibiru, you, through the statue, said if we completed the gods’ quest, we could return home—to Earth.”

“Ah, yes.”

“So, please open up a doorway or vortex or whatever you call it, and we’ll be on our way,” Caleb said.

Enki turned to Caleb. His brows knotted together in a slight scowl, then quickly relaxed. “Caleb the Warrior, I would enjoy nothing more than to allow you to return to your home. However, things have changed.”

“That’s a shocker,” Caleb replied.

“If your entire party were here, the quest would indeed be complete. However, Trey, the Barbarian is not with you,” Enki said.

“Of course not. He’s with your god pal, Odin, leading the dwarves into war,” Caleb said.

Caleb’s tone stone shocked Spence. But Spence had noticed a change in Caleb since Trey’s disappearance. He had known they wouldn’t get to go home and was obviously tired of being a pawn of the gods.

“It is true Trey has joined the dwarves. But the decision was his. Even as we speak, the dwarves are preparing for battle. That battle threatens the very fabric of our world. If they come this way first, I cannot allow the dwarves to slaughter my people. They must have a leader and prepare for war.”

“What about the other races?” Morgan asked.

“Morgan the Archer, the other races need their leaders too, and also to ready for war,” Enki said.

“What are the other three races to do? Attack each other or stand together and fight the dwarves?” Spence asked.

“It will be up to their leaders. But without some alliances, there won’t be many survivors in an all-out war of the races.”

“We don’t know anything about war or leading people into a battle,” Morgan said, her eyes glistening in the lamplight.

“Any more than your companion, Trey. There has never been a war in Nibiru, so none of the races have experienced battle, other than defending themselves against roaming creatures,” Enki stated.

“What are you telling us? Now we have to lead a race into this battle?” Caleb asked, glaring intensely at Enki.

“We cannot force you to do anything. However, we cannot open a passage back to Earth as long as there is war in Nibiru. Also, without leaders, the other races will inevitably be eliminated or subjugated by the dwarves. So eventually, you will have to answer to your former friend and his army. How do you think that encounter will go? Do you think he will allow you to return to Earth?”

“Fuck you and all the gods!” Caleb shouted, standing and nearly knocking his chair over in the process.

Morgan grabbed his arm and stopped him from moving further.

“I would channel your anger, Caleb. Use it to prepare and lead the Nephilim into battle. Stop your former friend from his plan to rule our world. If you restore peace to our land, we will allow you to return to Earth.”

Spence saw Caleb’s mouth open to speak again, but Morgan stomped on his foot. He finally dropped back down hard into the chair.

Enki turned to Spence. “Spence the Wizard, you are here with the Draconians. If you choose to be their leader, then simply let my faithful servant, Qishti, know, and you can prepare your plans.” Enki looked at Caleb and Morgan. “You two only have to use your amulets to travel to your peoples. Good luck to each of you, and I hope you choose well.” Then Enki disappeared.

Spence returned to his seat. He exchanged a glance with Morgan and then Caleb. Neither of them spoke. Qishti finally broke the silence. “You should show more respect for Lord Enki,” he said, staring at Caleb.

“He doesn’t deserve my respect. He’s just a—”

“Caleb!” Spence said. He remembered Seth in Argos. He knew the gods couldn’t strike them dead directly, but Enki could easily have a Draconian stick a dagger in his back. “We are sorry, Qishti. It has been a tough quest. We’re just disappointed we cannot return to our homes.”

“I understand, but you still must show the gods respect. If not, they will punish you.”

Another stomp from Morgan stopped Caleb from speaking again.

“Qishti, is there a place we can speak—where nobody can overhear?” Spence clarified, “We can’t have our battle plans leak out before we’re ready.” Caleb and Morgan nodded in agreement.

“Ah, that is prudent. I do have a place we use when we require secret counsel. Stay here, and I will return momentarily. Then we shall have our meeting.” Qishti stood and disappeared through the door behind his desk.

“Definitely a good time for a secret meeting,” Caleb mumbled.