This is for kitzie21 who asked to see more of Ereshkigal and Belili. Well how could I turn down the request of such a special friend who always graces my images with her insightful and often pithy commentaries? Kit is also a very talented artist in her own regard and so please drop by her gallery and have a look. Kit you always give me pause to think and I love that. I hope you like this. One of the unanswered questions in Mesopotamian mythology is why Belili is considered to be a dark Goddess, when her one starring role that remains intact would put her onto the light side. It has to do with Ereshkigal, but what? Here I set the stage for Belili to become a dark Goddess. To my knowledge there is no record of this event but it gives her a permanent place in my Ishtar stories. She is just too good to let go of! So Belili, it is you that my sister Ishtar has chosen to come to the darklands? This is rather strange; I had no idea that Ishtar had such special affection for you. In truth I expected to now be facing either Ninshubar or Tammuz. My lady of darkness, in a few months time you will find yourself facing my brother and I will return to the world of the living. For Tammuz was indeed Ishtar's first choice to come to the darklands. My brother could not resist the urge to wantonly cast his seeds, even in inappropriate places. Ishtar caught him with a palace whorey and was about to impale him when she decided to send him to the darklands instead. Hohoho, yes, I know my impetuous sister oh so well! Ishtar would not hesitate to kill a man who was cheating on her, she has done it before. Tammuz was an idiot to betray her, after all she had done for him. But men are strange; they do not seem to understand right from wrong. Even though my sister and I have fought bitterly we both know justice. So why are you here and not Tammuz? Surely justice demands his presence - not yours- in my court! My lady, Tammuz is my brother, and I love him more than life itself. Yes he is badly prone to indiscretion, but he is also filled with the joy of life. It is his nature to procreate wherever and whenever he can. So justice is not served if he spends eternity in the darklands. Ishtar was punishing him just for being who he was. So who decided that you would come here? And what is this talk of my facing Tammuz in a few months time? I do not understand the workings of the light world. Explain this to me - now! My lady, it was I who made the offer to Ishtar that I spend half the year in your darklands so that my brother could be free to sow the crops to feed mankind. These crops are needed so that cities can be built and temples and libraries can flourish. Only then will mankind truly come to understand and respect the Gods to their fullest capacity. And for that Ishtar was willing to give up taking revenge on her lover? I find that surprising! Do not be, for ultimately Ishtar has the good of mankind foremost in her mind. I was sure that she would accept my offer once she realized that the world needed Tammuz, what we were not sure of was if you would accept. But Ninshubar was confident that you would. Ah yes, my wise cousin Ninshubar. My sister is lucky to have such an all seeing vizier. Hum, you know Belili, it occurs to me that at times I could do with some wise counseling. I have never had a vizier to advise me, I have always been my own woman. But it strikes me Belili that you would make a perfect vizier for me. You are gifted, both with intelligence and courage and you understand the world of the lightside, as I do not. So I will tell you this, I will accept this offer on the condition that you become my vizier. You will help me to better rule my domain, you will tell me about the land of the living, and perhaps you will even help me find someone to share eternity with me. What say you Belili, do you accept this position? I do. Belili is Shadiya (V3!) by Valea and Arki at DAZ with faceoffs unimesh realism kit Crystal skulls were created by me in the material room from DM props