Babel

What an excellent time to be alive! Everybody in Eridu was out celebrating. There was nothing to be done aside from attending the opening ceremony for the new city garden. Located in the northeastern part of Eridu, against the city's wall and closed off by another division. Circling the Garden's circumference; with a wide enough entrance for people to come and visit the Garden.

It was a special occasion for Adupa, the nine-year-old son of the chief architect. Today, the new King Enmerkar is honoring his father for his dedication to the city of Eridu and completion of the Garden.

King Enmerkar stood out in front of the Garden, facing his people, and said, "This day the Creator shall bless us. This Garden marks the completion of this new city. The first-ever city since the Great Flood. The first in this brave new world!"

The crowd erupted in applause; the King motioned Adupa's father over. The two men embraced in friendship, celebrating all they had overcome together. Adupa and Enmerkar's grandfathers lived through the Great Flood together. They gathered the other survivors and started building a new city. One was an architect and the other a leader. Their descendants uphold this tradition, as Adupa is trained to take over his father as the city's chief architect.

Enmerkar and Adupa's father released each other, and the architect took an opportunity to speak to the crowd. "The Creator saw our species and was disgusted with our sins. He sent the Flood as a chance for humanity to begin anew. We must embrace this opportunity and rebuild our societies according to the Creator's vision. This is our new beginning," he rejoiced!

Everybody cheered once more, and the Garden was officially open. Adupa and the others entered the Gardens to admire it. While walking around, Adupa looked up to the sky and started envisioning his first project as chief architect, something that would showcase his ingenuity and humanities' resilience.

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It had been nine years since the Garden ceremony. Adupa, now an 18-year-old man, was walking toward his destiny. His father had recently passed away, and only two weeks after his death, King Enmerkar had summoned Adupa's presence. It was entirely ceremonial; Adupa was the clear successor for the city's chief architect after all.

Adupa was now five foot and five feet tall, average height. Sporting brown hair is also the color of his beard; he keeps it trimmed, so it doesn't get too long. He also has deep caramel-colored eyes that people found enticing and helped with his persuasion skills. He also has a simple beige-orange tunic with a dark red shawl.

Adupa has the opportunity to unveil his first project before the King. It was something he'd been working on steadfastly for the past five years, ever since he started his apprenticeship with his father. The same project he'd begun envisioning that first day in the Gardens, and now it was time to bring it to life.

The young architect approached the Palace his grandfather had first begun constructing, and his father had finished. The Palace held not only the King and his family also government officials.

Once inside, the guards took Adupa to the throne room where the King and his chief Priest, Alam, were also present. The room was spacious enough to hold a few dozen visitors comfortably. Four pillars held up the roof, and the walls were painted with beige. The four pillars were covered with deep dark blue tiles and had tiles of beige that outlined different animals.

Adupa saw King Enmerkar, sitting on his throne, smiling at him. He's two inches taller than Adupa and four years older. He also has brown hair, though Enmerkar's beard is far longer, but maintained to have a kingly appearance, along with a red and gold tunic and shawl. Enmerkar and Adupa grew up together, thanks to their fathers.

Alam was poised at the King's side and looked onward stoically. Alam is a 65-year-old priest who trained his whole life to be positioned as High Priest. Same height as Adupa, brown eyes, beard reaching to his chest, colored grey like his hair with his age. Wearing a dark blue tunic and shawl, along with a crown to represent his position as High Priest.

When Adupa reached the bottom of the stairs up to the throne, Enmerkar rose from his seat. The King raised his right hand and asked, "Adupa, son of Urkarmu, do you take your father's position as Chief Architect for the city of Eridu?"

"I do," Adupa affirmed.

"Then may the Creator bless your life and guide you through your projects," the Priest, Alam, said.

Enmerkar sat back down and asked, "Now, what's your first project?"

Adupa smiled and said, "This will be my first and final project,"

Enmerkar knew that his young friend had a bit of an ego. He heard that Adupa had kept talking about creating his masterpiece, but he never thought the boy would attempt it so soon.

Adupa took a deep breath, preparing for his presentation, "What I have planned is for a great tower to be constructed within the city. When my father finished his gardens, we declared the city of Eridu complete. However, a true city is never complete; it is always growing and changing. This Tower will symbolize all the change and growth our people have endured since the Great Flood. The Tower will allow our citizens to set up their market stands. When the Tower is complete, there will be a temple at the very top, and we'll be able to see much more of the Earth. Humans will be the new Gods in this new world."

The statement shocked the King, but Alam took offense to the words. "Do you see yourself better than the Creator?" Alam asked harshly.

Adupa nervously chuckled and replied, "No! No, of course not. Forgive me; I got ahead of myself. Still, I want this Tower to represent us and our resilience to any opposition,"

Enmerkar nodded in understanding, "How long will this take," he asked.

Confidently, Adupa responded, "15 years,"

"How high?"

"As high as the clouds, my King,"

Enmerkar sat further down his throne, contemplating. Alam turned to the King and leaned in to whisper to him, "Sire, I do not think it is wise for you to approve of this project. For one, his work is to maintain the city's existing structures. Second, his ambition might doom the Tower and thus the city itself,"

The King took what his Priest said into consideration; Adupa was overly ambitious. Still, he doesn't see it as a hindrance. The prospect of the Tower being the beacon for Eridu, the center of the new world, makes it a very magnetic proposition.

So, Enmerkar stood up, Alam backed off, and Adupa looked up timidity, awaiting the decision.

"I grant permission for this Tower. Resources will be available at your disposal," said the King.

Adupa breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. He bowed and said, "I thank you, my King. I will begin at once,"

Adupa bowed once more and walked away from the throne room. Alam looked to the King and said, "I still do not like this. I don't believe the Creator will look kindly to this Tower,"

Enmerkar turned to Alam and said, "If it will make you feel better, why don't you keep an eye on him. Keep him levelheaded,"

The Priest nodded, but uneasiness didn't leave his body.

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Four months have passed, workers and supplies were gathered, and work started with the foundation.

Alam walked towards the construction site, out by the city's outskirts. The four months after the meeting, Alam tried to convince Adupa to stop the project, but he wouldn't budge, so Alam will try once more. He can still try to help the young architect lower his expectations and/or decrease the height of the Tower.

Adupa was directing the foremen on the foundation, but he turned his head towards the approaching Priest. Adupa excuses himself away from the foremen.

"You never give up, do you?" the young man asked.

The Priest sighed and said, "I understand your goals; believe me, I do. Though, your comments about the Creator raises concerns,"

Adupa laughed, "It was in good humor,"

"That's not how the Creator will look at it," Alam responded.

Adupa chuckled and decided to return to work, but Alam called out, "If you continue on this path, there would be dire consequences,"

Adupa laughed at the absurdity and ignored the Priest from here on out.

Alam looked on, disappointed. He'll try to temper him, and hopefully, the Creator will grant the young man mercy.

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For the next decade, the Tower continued to be built. Currently, the Tower is 135 meters tall. Alam, along with a few others, decided to protest the construction. In the end, they're just a nuisance. Alam begged Adupa to stop where he was, arguing that the Tower was impressive enough and is the tallest structure that humanity has ever built, but Adupa continued.

The Tower has a diameter of about 80 meters. On the base, facing the city, a ramp goes up in a circular motion. Also, on the ground, Adupa added openings for the city folks to come in and set up their little shops for visitors and others. When construction began, there's been an influx of travelers from other towns to marvel at the Tower. Some travelers have started to treat this as a sort of a pilgrimage. So, once the Tower was 35 meters tall, Adupa ordered the diameter to shrink from 80 to 70 meters. For the construction of a small temple within, work will begin again from the top of the temple.

Now, Adupa idolizes the Tower from his home's balcony; the sun had set two hours ago. He noticed a figure approaching his house; because of the darkness of the night, he couldn't tell who was coming. Looking at how the person carries himself; he assumes an older man.

He leaves his balcony and heads downstairs; he goes outside, and the old man stops and waves at him.

"Can I help you?" asked Adupa.

"I hope so. Are you Adupa? The one in charge of the construction of the Tower?" the old man asks.

"I am,"

"Well then, my name is Asher. May we speak inside?" Asher asked. Adupa got a good look at Asher. Must have been at least 80 years old, grey eyes and white hair, a grey, and blue tunic, and his beard just reaching his chest.

"Sure," Adupa replied hesitantly, not knowing what to expect from the stranger.

Once inside, Adupa offered Asher a drink, to which he accepted. Adupa returned with both their drinks, and he sat across from Asher and asked, "What would you like to discuss, sir?"

Asher took the drink and took a sip from it, savoring the taste. Then he looked at Adupa and said, "I heard about your Tower. Many of my friends and family have traveled here and admired it. I arrived here a couple of days ago, and I have to say your Tower is a work of marvel,"

Adupa smiled at the admiration, and Asher continued, "There's one thing I need to ask; why continue? The Tower seems complete,"

"My original plan is for the Tower to touch the sky. To show the resilience of humanity. The Great Flood was more than a century ago, but it is still prevalent in our minds today. This city was the first since the Flood. I want this city, with the Tower, to be a beacon for all to see,"

Asher took another sip of his drink, listening to Adupa, "I am fond of your vision and what you hope to achieve. Though, I must inquire about how other people might interpret this,"

Adupa looked at him in confusion, so Asher elaborated, "One of my family members looked upon at your Tower and had the same feelings you have right now. Humanity's resilience against the Creator,"

"The Creator?" Adupa asked in confusion.

Asher took a sip and hummed, "Some people I've noticed have developed a bit of an antagonizing sentiment towards the Creator. He's the one who brought upon the Great Flood and killed millions. I understand, but they must know that the Creator wanted to cleanse the Earth of all our sins. I fear that humans are going back to the old ways, and the Tower is influencing people to that mindset, undoing what my grandfather guided humans for,"

"Now, hold on. You can't blame my Tower for the way people behave. And what does the Creator have to do with my Tower?" Adupa asked, raising his voice in anger.

"I've spoken to Alam. He's told me all about you, your ambition, how it motivates your workers, and about your feelings. How you want to build this Tower in defiance towards the Creator," stated Asher.

Adupa grew angry; he stood up, "I'm not going to stop. No matter what,"

Asher stood up and went towards the entrance, "The Creator doesn't feel that humans are ready for this type of dominance, that we are still young. I implore you, stop right now,"

He left, and Adupa stayed in his home and stewed in anger; nothing would stop him.

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After the visit from Asher, Adupa went to rest; he woke up early the next day and headed straight to work. However, the day turned out to be a disaster. When the sun reached its zenith, there was an accident on the top of the Tower, resulting in the deaths of ten workers and two civilians from the shops at the bottom of the Tower.

Adupa is in the Palace, waiting for King Enmerkar. He summoned Adupa for an explanation about what transpired.

The King appeared with his guards and Alam, much to Adupa's displeasure.

"What happened, Adupa?" asked the King, taking a seat on his throne.

Adupa bowed to the King and said, "My lord, there was an accident involving a crane. The rope broke off, and a large stone was tumbling down, killing my workers, and when it went off the ramp, the falling stone and the debris coming from it killed two civilians below,"

Enmerkar covered his face with his hand and sighed, but Alam spoke up, "It was no mere accident. It was the Creator warning that we mustn't continue,"

"So, every time an accident happens, what do you suggest we do? Run and hide because it's the Creator coming to punish us?" explains Adupa.

"You've been warned, but you do not heed the warnings! Blasphemy, that's what this Tower has been. The Creator is angry for ignoring him and defying him," Alam proclaimed.

"I will not live my life to his every whim!" shouted back Adupa.

"Blasphemy!" exclaimed Alam

"ENOUGH!" the King shouted, standing up and silencing both Alam and Adupa.

"I know the concerns you have, Alam; we don't want the Creator to punish us as he did with the Great Flood. However, we don't want to be sheltered and be afraid of him at every turn," Enmerkar said.

He turned to the architect and asked, "It's been ten years, Adupa; you said that the Tower will be completed in 15 years; can it still be completed in five?"

"I can guarantee it," Adupa said, confidence flowing through him.

Alam shook his head in disappointment, and the King nodded his head, allowing Adupa to continue with the Tower.

"May the Creator forgive us," whispered Alam.

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Six long years. It's been six years since the accident, and while things seemed to be going suitable for Adupa six years ago, it wasn't as good the following years.

The Tower was 180 meters tall, only growing 45 meters in the six years. He's nowhere close to completing the Tower; it still hasn't reached the sky.

The slow progress was that problems were plaguing the construction site. Accidents, workers were abandoning and revolting, and supply shortages. But Adupa tries to maintain everything together. The King and the populace were growing tired over the project, saying the Creator had a hand in all Adupa's misfortune. Adupa was getting annoyed by it, but he powered through it.

Though, he's beginning to believe that the Creator might have some influence. Yesterday, when the sun was setting, everyone was starting to pack their belongings together and finish their last tasks for the day. They lit torches for light; however, under mysterious circumstances, a fire started. It began on the base, destroying the many shops and reaching up the temple in the middle of the Tower. No one lost their lives, but it was close, and now Adupa was back in the Palace, nervously awaiting the King.

The King enters, accompanied by advisors, Alam, and to Adupa's surprise, Asher is there.

Enmerkar took his seat, "By the advice of the people, I've decided to end this project,"

"You can't!" exclaimed Adupa.

"You've made an impressive structure; no one will deny this, not even the Creator. But he requests that you stop," Alam spoke, and Asher nodded in agreement.

"So, you rather hide and cower over superstition. All the things that happened were a pure coincidence; the Creator had nothing to do with this," stated Adupa angrily.

Alam, Asher, and other advisors were mumbling to Adupa's open blasphemy at his statement.

"My decision is final; whether the Creator is involved or not, a lot of people, myself included, will feel much comfortable if the project is done. It's been 16 years, I gave you an extra year, and it's far better than we all imagine. I suggest that you let it go," said Enmerkar to Adupa with a sorrowful voice.

But Adupa wasn't going to give up so easily. He went to the King and said, "I can still complete it to the sky, just give me more time,"

Enmerkar sighed and said, "Just let it go. The Tower is more than done; end it here,"

Adupa shook his head in defiance, "I can make it reach the sky. Just give me one more year, please,"

The King doesn't look very convinced, so Adupa continues to change his mind, "I remembered promising a Tower that will showcase our ingenuity and resilience. I'm almost there; just give me more time. Don't listen to their fear-mongering,"

The Priest and the King's advisors fumed at the comment. The King was mulling over Adupa's words and sighed in resignation and nodded.

"One year, and after that. It's done, no more," said the King.

Adupa sighed and smiled. He bowed and thanked the King for all his wisdom. The King left with his entire entourage, but Asher remained with Adupa.

"Don't continue with the Tower. The Creator will punish you if you do not stop," said Asher.

Adupa just ignored him and left the Palace. Asher sighed in defeat and prayed for the Creator to have mercy.

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The following day, Adupa woke up and went through his morning routine and left his home towards the Tower. However, once outside the city, he saw a commotion at the base involving the workers.

He rushed to find out what was happening; his workers spoke to him in riddles, he could not understand what they were saying. It was a disaster, but he needed to push through the problem. He realized that while they were speaking in a different tongue, certain groups could understand each other. After organizing the workers, he saw seven different new languages. So, Adupa picked leaders from the seven groups. He'll find a way to regulate orders to the leaders and instruct their workers within their language groups.

They began working, heading to the top. However, workers noticed clouds forming, it was an ominous sign, but Adupa instructed everybody to continue working. Soon it started raining, and it didn't stop. The sky became darker when the rain continued pouring, and lighting could be heard. The workers were abandoning their work and running away. Adupa was ordering them to return, but of course, workers didn’t understand what he was trying to say.

Unfortunately for Adupa, the storm got closer and closer, and soon, the lighting started striking the Tower itself. The lighting started a fire that mostly engulfed the upper part of the structure. Adupa gave up and started running back to the bottom. Once at the bottom, he looked up and saw his pride and joy in flames.

Adupa looked in horror, soon he heard footsteps, but he didn't turn to look, soon he was hoisted up by the city guards, and they were speaking to him in a different language. The Creator didn't just punish Adupa and his workers, but the whole city as well.

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Asher is at the top of a mountain, overlooking the city of Eridu and the Tower. Once, it was an impressive sight to see, but now it stands in smoldering and unfinished ruin. The city folk doesn't want to go back to their shops, afraid that the Creator will punish them for even stepping close to the structure.

The city was preparing for a sad event. When the Creator gave the people seven different languages to punish Adupa's defiance, the King arrested him and executed him publicly. The people cheer in delight; the next day, they find out that the Creator didn't return them to their original language and that the punishment is permanent.

The city was thrown into chaos; the seven language groups were all in conflict. So, King Enmerkar ordered all six language groups not part of his language to leave the city.

So, Asher is looking at the caravans of thousands of people leaving their homes to look for a new home. Asher now knows how his grandfather, Noah, felt. Like his grandfather, the Creator contacted Asher to help Adupa stop his project. Still, he wouldn't listen, so the Creator punished him and the city. Asher is the only one that can speak the original language.

He looked upon one group, it was part of the same language group as the King's, but they heard of a new city called Ur, in the Southeast where they start anew.

Asher's son is with them, and Asher had a vision from the Creator about his son and what the Creator has planned for his descendants.