Prologue: A City Dying

Akkad burns.

From my terrace at the private quarters of the temple, naked save for the exquisite jewels that cover little, I sip the liquid from my bejewelled chalice and take in the spectacle below. The clamour of battle and the screams of the dying were more beautiful to me in that moment than any song composed by the lute or pipe. Idly I watched with fascination as the savages tore down buildings, slew the men and violated the women. The once proud capital of an empire was in its death throes.

As the statue of Inanna was pulled down I clapped in delight, knowing that it meant the huluppu tree was Hers again. Truly I had succeeded.

Some of the citizens sought refuge at my temple, only to find the mighty doors closed to them. They soon fell to the invaders, who began hammering and clambering for a way into the building.

It is time.

I finished the milky fluid, careful not to spill a drop of the precious contents, the taste enflaming me anew, and cast the chalice away. The gold and jewels meant little to me now, I tore them away and cast them over the balcony. I made my way to the main area of worship, empty save for my most loyal handmaidens, who had stripped themselves of all clothing for what was to come. I seated myself upon the throne of the High Priestess, the chambers echoing with the thunderous sounds of the doors, shaking on their hinges from the force of the horde outside.

With a simple gesture, I order my handmaidens to open the doors. I was well aware that I had fallen to the madness inherent with worshipping my goddess. But I cared not. The thought of giving myself to all those bloodthirsty men thrilled me to the core. At last I could cast it all aside and be who I am, who we all are.

The doors barely opened when they all swarmed in, screaming in their battle fury. Some set to on my handmaidens, who screamed with savage glee as they were overwhelmed, but most charged straight toward me. With a smile, I spread my legs invitingly to them, revealing everything. I eagerly awaited the brutal raping I would receive before my inevitable death. Sex and death have ever been intertwined, a truth I would enact that bloody night.

Except it did not happen.

As soon as I offered myself to them freely they halt as one and simply stare at me, fixated. I become wet with anticipation, I had assumed they stopped momentarily, confused that I was so willing. Their eyes roving my body only increased my excitement. No doubt the women beyond the temple had been less than enthusiastic, so this must have appeared suspicious to them. But this was not the case at all.

I laughed hysterically, both delighted and disappointed, when they all begin to kneel and prostrate themselves before me, murmuring the name of my goddess.

At that moment, I could not help but reminisce how a simple slave nu-gig like me came to be an object of devotion and worship.

The Broken One

Ludari regarded the beautiful harlot seated upon the furs opposite him, shamelessly naked and alluring to the eye. She was the epitome of the desert whose outskirts he lived on, hot, merciless, savage and beautiful. Could she be the one?

He had to hold himself back. He knew he could have her, he need only toss a single worthless coin and she would give herself to him. But that was not why he had been raised here in this harsh wilderness, it was forbidden for him to partake of those who were drawn by the call. To do so would be to risk his deity’s ire, which could prove fatal. Besides, those cursed women were dangerous, walking the path of insanity only to fall into the abyss. Ludari did not care to be dragged down with them.

One of his wives entered and poured the wine, a lovely young thing men would kill for. Yet when compared to the woman seated before him she was a mundane thing indeed. Ludari sighed, for generations his family had resided here, making a fortune guiding merchants and the like around the arid terrain. As the deity had promised his so many greats grandfather, he and his descendants would want for nothing so long as they stayed here to host and cater to the cursed ones before they attempt the pilgrimage. That was what his father had taught him, but apparently such women came rarely, generations could go by before it occurred. Ludari was content with his luxurious life so felt no desire to leave, he never believed one of these women would appear in his lifetime.

“You say your name is Silili. After the goddess of horses, you come from a family who reared horses perhaps?” Ludari wondered if Silili could see the vague lump in his robes, brought on by the erection she inspired.

Silili shrugged and accepted the glass from Ludari’s wife, “No, they started calling me that when a bored and wealthy devotee offered the temple a large sum if one of their nu-gigs pleasured his horse.”

Ludari felt his jaw drop, “You accepted?”

Silili gave a smile set Ludari’s heart racing. It promised such delights and depravities that he was tempted to surrender everything he had to have her, only the memories of his grandfather’s dire warnings kept him in check. Silili answered with the husky voice of a seductress, “They certainly did not start calling me that because I declined. Besides, I find the taste of horse semen rather agreeable.”

Excited and terrified, Ludari sought to steer the conversation away from her lurid acts, “So what is your real name? The name your father gave you?”

“What my father gave me…” Silili’s expression appeared haunted for a while, as if seeing days long buried. She shook her head and chuckled, “I know not. That name no longer exists because that woman never did. I am Silili the harlot.” With well-practiced grace she shifted on the furs and coyly opened her legs to Ludari, proudly displaying her excited sex to him, “There was only ever Silili the harlot.”

Ludari realised that if he continued the conversation much longer he would lose control and bring to ruin everything his family had been blessed with. He had to leave, fuck one of his wives, though he doubted it would grant him much reprieve from his yearning for this woman. With a shaking hand he raised his glass, “To your pilgrimage tomorrow, may you succeed where others had failed.”

Silili shrugged again but raised her glass in turn, “In truth, I care not what happens either way.”

They drank and Ludari bid a hasty goodnight, wondering which of his servants Silili would no doubt seduce and toy with for the night, if not several of them. Ludari would have to find out and release them from his service, they would only suffer his jealousy for the rest of his life otherwise.

As he swiftly made his way to his chambers he felt his heart wrench as he realised she would likely die. None of those who had been drawn by the call had ever survived the pilgrimage. Not for centuries had the ardat-lili walked this world. Ludari was both relieved at not having to be tortured by such a temptress again, and saddened at the loss of such a rare and free creature.

******

They say I am broken.

I stumble on, the parched soil burning my soles with their baking heat.

They say I am wretched.

My skin chafes and cracks, the sun’s relentless in its searing rays.

They say I am perverse.

My tongue swells and sticks to the roof of my mouth, the very air robs my lungs of moisture.

They say I am cursed.

My legs rebel and refuse to obey me any longer. I fall to the earth, sending up a cloud of dust that sets me coughing, an agony for my raw throat.

I am all these things. I am what I am. I cannot deny my nature any more than a lion can deny its urge to hunt. A sensible woman would have turned back long ago, realising the foolhardiness of walking naked to the heart of the desert. But there was no turning back for me, either I would find my answers here or die in the attempt. Gritting my teeth, I dig my nails into the sand and drag myself onwards, bit by torturous bit. Onwards I go until I feel my strength, consciousness, and life ebb away. Oblivion takes me.

I recall the days in the city before I fled. Of Aya screaming at me not to do this. Sweet Aya, she was, perhaps, the only true friend I ever had. A naditu, that is, a cleric of the temple, she was the only one who was not repulsed by my whims. I was something of a thorn for the temple of Inanna, nu-gigs were expected to whore themselves but it was an act of devotion to the goddess, a part of their chores along with worship. I, on the other hand, turned that act of devotion into something obscene. I inspired and performed things for my devotees that horrified the others. Were I not so lucrative they would have been rid of me long ago.

But why was I like this? Or rather, why was I the only one who was not shackled with the nonsense labelled morals like the rest? After years of searching for an answer, I knew only one other way.

I had asked the reason for my nature to all the deities and received no answer, save one. There was one deity that had been chased into the wilderness by the goddess Inanna back in the age of the gods. There she reigns over the lilim and is catered to by her ardat-lili, the demons that dwell there, the demons that steal the seed of men and kill infants in their cribs or the womb. A deity that hated the servants of the other gods and wished us only ill. All knew this, hearing the many dark tales of the monstrous things the entities commit upon good folk as they grew up. I was no exception. As such all had learned a healthy fear of the wilderness and accepted the city as a safe haven from them.

Only I seemed to see the city for what it is, a cage with every citizen chained with its ludicrous rules and traditions.

With Aya’s reluctant help, I obtained permission from the high priestess to travel from Akkad to Uruk to worship and learn from the priestesses there. A litter had been prepared with a few guards, they did not wish to risk losing one of their most profitable slaves. For a slave is what I was. Ignoring Aya’s cries I enter the litter, then when out of the city I instruct the guard to carry me north, convincing the captain I am actually on a secret errand. With my lips around his phallus it was hard for him to argue.

So they took me to Ludari’s estate, where they await my return.

They shall be waiting a long time.

I hear a flutter. I open my eyes ajar to espy one of those little owls typical to the desert. It regarded me quizzically, a few paces away. Many considered the creatures adorable, I liked them for a different reason. The way they moved and reacted, I fancied they saw and knew more than most realised. It gave a weak hoot and hopped further away before stopping and looking back at me. “You want me to follow?” That is what I tried to say, but the effort only caused my lips to crack and air to wheeze out uselessly.

The owl impatiently hopped closer to me, then away again. Did it want me to follow? Or was it wondering if I’m edible? Mustering what little reserves I had left, and they were little indeed, I crawled after the little animal. It hooted in, what I think was, approval, and continued hopping away, stopping only to let me catch up.

The further we went the more convinced I was it was leading me somewhere, but I was also aware that I would not be able to go much further. Just when I thought I would die and be yet another set of bleached bones hidden under the dunes, a cave loomed before me. Camouflaged as it was against the dunes I did not notice it until I was before it. All around the mouth were dozens of the owls gazing down, the one that guided me flapped up to join its family and watched me. Eagerly I crawled into the welcome shade the cave offered. I went as deep in as I could go and wept with happiness when I heard a splash and felt cool wetness under my hands. I fell into the pool and drank my fill.

Once I had done so I lay exhausted against one of the many stalagmites and took in my surroundings. Light from the distant mouth of the cave gave some vision, revealing a pool surrounded by stalagmites and tites. But it was the relief carved into the cave wall above the water that struck me, it depicted a woman standing on two lions with owls to either side of her. I gasped in wonder, she stood naked and shameless upon the beasts, wearing a crown and bearing liberating wings. I knew then this depicted a deity that championed my own lusts. I gazed, captivated, at the image for a long time, until the sun began to set and stole the means by which to admire her. Before the last rays died and stole the sight from me I whispered her beautiful and forbidden name, “Lillake?”

As if responding I began to hear whispers, it was in a language that I did not understand yet excited me in a manner that I never thoughts words could do. At first they came from the owls at the entrance, then from the darker recesses of the cave, then all around me. Overwhelmed I put my hands to my ears, but it did nothing to stop me hearing them. I looked around to see the sources of the whispers but could see no one.

Eventually I look down into the pool, now still after my disturbance, to see a face not my own in the reflection, smiling at me. I shudder as I feel myself orgasm, then collapse.

I am back at the cave entrance again, when did I get there? I had no recollection of rising. There was the sound of laughter and giggling behind me.

I looked to find numerous women as naked as myself strolling over the sands toward the cave. They were of all ages and chatted excitedly to one another as they made their way. Some held hands. I called to them but they ignored me, walked around me. None seemed to notice I was there. I would have reached out for one of them but their expressions gave me pause. They had the look of fear and excitement on their faces. The way they swayed their hips, shamelessly displayed their breasts. I could tell they were all entrapped with lustful yearning, whilst at the same time terrified.

I watched, curious, as they all halted, lay back upon the arid soil and opened their legs in the direction of the cave opening. They became silent, waiting with bated breath for something to come. I alone remained standing, lost in the face of the madness unfurling before me. Was I witnessing some kind of ancient ritual? I had heard of such things being done amongst tribes before the first cities were built, but such practices had died out long ago.

Nothing happened at first, only the expectant pants of the women around me broke the silence.

Then a loud chime resounded across the sun blasted landscape. With that I saw a flood of…things, emerge from the cave. The screeches they made as they swarmed towards us chilled me to the bone. I cannot begin to describe what those monsters looked like, so numerous and different they were. They were creatures straight from the land of nightmare. As soon as they reached the women they set upon them. Like those women the monsters seemed not to see me, flocking around me and setting upon the women as if I was not there.

The women screamed in horror and pleasure as things were done to them that even the most depraved man would never be able to imagine. It was like an orgy and a battlefield at the same time. They were threshed over and over by the creatures in a variety of ways. Some of the younger maidens struggled whilst the more experienced devoted themselves to the chaos. What was I seeing?

Watching it all, I felt something flicker within me, a nostalgia of something I had lost long ago. Strangely, I wanted to be part of this incredible yet horrifying spectacle, to be one of the women satiating the endless horde. I tried reaching for them but they grew distant, as if in a dream, I tried doing as the women had done earlier, lying back and opening my legs in offering, but still I was ignored. Agitated, I made my way to the cave, the creatures parting before me like water around a rock.

*****

It was dark in that cave, I walked a ways and had to trail my fingers against the wall to keep from stumbling. My thirst and hunger was forgotten now. A growing excitement was building in me, an excitement more palpable for the fear intermingled with it. I rounded a bend to enter a cavern and felt my heart skip a beat. Gone was the pool and relief, the interior had changed remarkably.

I knew not how large the cavern I entered was, for it was utterly dark save for a shaft of silver moonlight breaking through the ceiling. It fell as though purposely to alight an onyx throne at the far end. I noted the owl I followed perched upon it, gazing at me expectantly. As masterful as this throne was, it was but a poor shadow to the beauty sat naked upon it. I felt myself drawn to her, I could hear hissing in the shadows and knew there were horrors lurking in the darkness, watching me hungrily. Despite this I was compelled to make my way and present myself to this alabaster sovereign. The closer I got the more I wanted her, more than existence itself. I knew then I had been serving the wrong goddess. If Inanna is the goddess of love and war I beheld the goddess of lust and ruin, and was intoxicated by the sight. I immediately fell back on the floor before her and opened my legs in offering, mimicking the others outside, my lust for those creatures lost for desire of her.

Statue still she regarded me, she did not even seem to breathe. Her malachite eyes regarded me coldly, with disinterest, perhaps with boredom. I was dismayed, I sensed that she noted my offering and was unimpressed. I sat up and raised my hands to her imploringly, begging her to accept me.

Something leapt out the darkness and loomed over me, blocking my view of the sovereign. I quivered at the sight of the thing, all teeth and claws. I saw its enormous phallus and knew at once what it intended, I also knew what something that large would do to me. I made to get up and run, then paused.

It was a test. Was this not what I sought? Did I not venture into the dark places seeking such beasts in men? Did I not dream of being ravaged in such a manner? Or was it all just fantasy? Shivering with terror, I gave myself over to the thing.

It needed no encouraging. It thrust in me like thunder and threshed me savagely, its long teeth dripping saliva over my body. Did it hurt? Of course. But how I loved it! There was pleasure too, again enhanced from the fear. I felt something in my mind open (or was it break?), felt my body burn with want, and realised I would never be the same after this night. The creature ejaculated into me and relaxed. It leaned and brought its hideous face close to mine, its maw gaped wide open. I stared down its incisor filled gullet and wondered how many had this last sight before their end. It was going to eat me, I realised. The horror had satiated its lust with me, now it would satiate its hunger. I should have screamed and thrashed, but instead I found myself laughing hysterically. All my life I had spent contenting men, it seemed only fitting I met my end in a similar manner, albeit with a beast.

The thing paused, and drew back. I laughed harder at its confusion. How many had cried, screamed, struggled in its clutches? Well, that was not for me. To my amusement it leapt back, did I detect fear in that thing? Before I could try and work out its expression it fled back into the shadows. I looked to the sovereign and fancied I saw a momentary glimmer in her eyes. If so it was soon gone, replaced by the same stony glare. Still, the sight of her renewed my desire and I reached for her once more.

As if with some invisible signal the other things lurking in the shadows rushed out and swarmed over me. Before I could react they overwhelmed and entered every hole of me. They were different to the creature before. Humanoid but black as night, with no visible features, their phalluses were as hard as jet but as cold as ice. These were the lilu spirits I had heard so many stories of. As they entered me I felt my body begin to lose the spark that had been ignited in me. I felt myself grow colder. None of them seemed to tire, they would pull one another away to get at me but none of them gained release. On and on it went without end. Cold and weary my body was reaching its breaking point, I knew I would expire soon. I glanced to the sovereign woman between the figures, still watching me with disinterest, and realised what I was doing wrong.

I was taking them into me like an obedient little nu-gig. If I sought to become an Ardat Lili I had to work myself like one.

My hands, which had been hanging uselessly, took a phallus each and began working them. I sucked and worked my tongue round the one violating my throat. As they thrust into my womb and rectum I thrust back as much as I could. Rather than waiting for my body to reach breaking point I sought it, I sought to not only reach it but exceed it.

The spark in me reignited and exploded. My body became an inferno. I lusted for them and could not be satiated. Their cold phalluses were nothing to the fire that thrived in me now. As if this was what they had yearned for, they screeched and orgasmed. I had heard a lilu’s seed was poison, but to me it was better than any ale or wine.

When next I glimpsed the sovereign my heart leapt with joy. She was leaning forward now, eyes alight, a beautiful and malicious smile on her ruby lips. No longer a cold statue but a being as fiery as her mane. At last I had earned her attention.

As some left I hungrily sought the next, of which there were plenty. I could not say how long it went on for, it is no exaggeration when I say it felt like years. Yet I wanted it to never end, for this to be forever. Consumed in the fire of my lusts, I wanted them to thresh me until there was nothing left of me.

But to my despairing cry it did eventually end. I eventually looked for the next and found there was none, that they had retreated back to the darkness. Coated in their seed, I rose and gave a bestial snarl. I wanted more, how dare they leave! How dare they cease using me! I made ready to pounce into the darkness after them but was held in check by a melodious laugh that took my breath away. I turned back to the sovereign and instantly forgot all about the lilu. What are they to this perfect entity, this embodiment of all harlotry? I would have fell to my knees in worship if I thought that was what she wanted, but I knew such a deity would despise ritual and dogma. She lived for her lusts, not for order.

She opened her legs to me, the owl screeched as though in commandment. I knew what I was to do and salivated at the honour. I found myself on my hands and knees . On all fours I made my way up the dais to her. I was to sup from her grail, the holiest of holies. As I grew close I felt the flame in me grow until I thought I would become ash. I was lost in the scent of her, sandalwood and rose. As my lips brushed her labia and I partook of her nectar I felt my senses spin. All became dark.

*****

I awoke.

I was lying in an empty cave, a few paces away was the entrance, showing the searing desert beyond. I gasped and rose up sharply, taking in my surroundings. I expected to see a deep cavern behind me but there was only rock. Had I begun hallucinating and found my way here for shelter? Had none of that been real?

No, it must have been real in some manner. My thighs were wet with need. The flame that I felt ignite still roared within me. I yearned for the lilu to ravage me forever. With predatory grace I rose to my feet, I smiled when I heard an owl hoot in the distance. I strode out imperiously into the desert, no longer troubled. What is the desert’s heat to the furnace that is me? I emerge not from a cave but a womb, reborn.

I return to Ludari’s estate. They must have espied me from a distance for they all gathered outside to witness my return. Fear and wonder was on their faces, all fell to their knees in worship, even the guards who knew not the real reason for my journey here. Ludari’s line had served my deity well, it is only right I reward him, without speaking he follows me to his bedchamber. I hear screeching and smile, knowing Ludari’s wives, maddened by the sight of me, are tearing away their robes and throwing themselves at the nearest men. There will be quite the orgy this night. None of its participants will be the same come morning.

I had found my answer at last. I was no longer a nu-gig, not even a woman. Perhaps I never was. I am of the lilim now. No longer would my legs open in the name of Inanna, but for Lillake. I am an ardat-lili, who whores herself to monster and man alike. I exist for but one purpose…

To fuck like murder.

The Unnamed One

“How droll.” The Ensi moaned as he popped a slice of pomegranate into his mouth. He threw a leg over the arm of the chair and placed a supporting hand against his head. Bored, he watched the woman dance around the tables, naturally giving special attention to himself, no doubt hoping to earn a place in his bed that night.

“The chieftains seem to appreciate her.” Kuda, The Ensi’s closest friend and second, indicated the other tables where the tribes whooped and hollered at her, nearly drowning out the music that was bland to The Ensi’s ears.

“Then see they each have a turn with her tonight. I am nothing if not generous with my gifts.” The dance ended and the girl looked at The Ensi expectantly. Everyone cheered and clapped but The Ensi merely yawned. Disappointed, the girl was led away.

The Ensi began to regret this arranging this. He felt a strange itch of late, an emptiness that he could not fill. He sensed he was in need of a woman but none had caught his eye significantly for a while now. Then he had a marvellous idea. It was time to host a feast to honour the alliance of the Gutian tribes under his rule. Demanding beauty and perfection in all things, his banquets were always a gaudy affair, filled with theatrics and music and splendour the nomadic tribes never thought possible for their people. Nor would it have been were it not for The Ensi. For this feast he demanded the most exotic dancers they could find, each to dance in turn in the hopes of earning his affections, if only for a night. Those who failed to do so were to be given to the clans to amuse themselves with. As such it motivated the dancers to perform at their very best.

That had been the sixth one, the feasting warriors cheered as yet another dancer was made their prize. The Ensi sipped his wine, looted from a merchant caravan, he allowed the fluid to dance over his palette. It must have been intended for someone of importance for it was really quite exquisite. Kuda downed his ale, ever the crude one of the pair, and leaned close, “The next one is that woman. I’ll say it one last time, have her killed and do not soil your eyes with her.”

The Ensi perked up, for the first time that night he felt some interest in the party, “Oh, she has finally decided to grace me with her presence?” He laughed sardonically.

He had yet to see this woman, stolen after raiding a caravan on the way to Akkad from the north. Apparently the guards and merchants had fought like madmen and had to be slaughtered. When the harlot stepped out of the litter she had demanded that the warriors take her to their chieftain. To The Ensi’s surprise, rather than rape the pertinent woman they did as she bid, bringing her straight to his dwelling. It seemed she had heard of his plans for the feast however, for she then refused to see him until this night and had isolated herself in one of the more lavish bedchambers to prepare.

Only, if what he heard was true, she did not utterly isolate herself. For the past week she took no food or water, but she did take a frequent string of visitors. Since nearly all were virile men, it was not hard to realise she was continuing to whore herself despite technically being his property now. Nor was it hard to realise that she sustained herself through them in some way. Hence rumours that she is a sorceress or something less human from the desert. Kuda, who had glimpsed her, had pestered The Ensi to execute her at once, concerned by what he saw. But The Ensi found the unusualness of it all a pleasant diversion and wanted to see what she had in stall for him.

The Ensi drew a sharp intake of breath as she strode in, this harlot they called SIlili. Truly she was a rare beauty indeed, if there were ever a woman who was the embodiment of lust then she was before him now. No scanty robes and jewels for this dancer, no, she strode in bereft of any garment. The thought of concealing such a masterpiece with even the finest silks would have been abhorrent. Even the other clans, usually shouting lewd promises, went into an enraptured silence. By all accounts she had been intimate with many of them, if so they had certainly not wearied of her. Wine forgotten, he sat up and leaned forward, captivated.

More musicians filed in behind her, apparently the few The Ensi had employed would not be enough for her show. She gave The Ensi a salacious smile before going to each of the braziers and tossing some concoction of dried herbs into them. The Ensi frowned, he did not care for narcotics. They either dulled the senses or enhance them so terrificly that they were burned out and useless afterwards. Still, the strange scent that they gave somehow added to the allure of her, a sweet yet somehow morbid aroma.

Satisfied that everything was ready, the mysterious slave positioned herself in the centre of the room, raising up her hands, putting one foot over another and thrusting out a hip. Seeing her in such a lascivious pose, The Ensi felt his desire for her grow only more.

With an unseen gesture, the musicians began.

There were a few startled shouts, swiftly drowned out, as their ears were ruthlessly assaulted. The cacophony that resounded throughout the hall was unlike anything The Ensi had ever heard. Mad, yet melodious, The Ensi delighted in this strange yet addictive tune. But it was but a secondary pleasure to the whore that began dancing to it.

There was no build up, no slow moves that grew more and more wild and fantastic as the song reached its peak. The entire thing was the peak. Just as the tune had abruptly struck their ears, so Silili immediately assailed the eyes. She threw herself into her dance, hair flinging, breasts bouncing, hips swaying. Her limbs moved so agilely, so precisely, that The Ensi agreed she could not be human. Any other woman would have injured themselves attempting such moves, not to mention the incredible stamina required to go for so long. Yet the moves were so lurid in their positions, so decadent in their grace, that he found himself hungering for her more than ever. He knew that this was what he had been looking for.

A quick glimpse at the musicians showed it was taking all they had to keep the song going. All of them were sweating profusely and worked at their instruments as though in a trance. The Ensi noted no more, not wishing to take his eyes from Silili. On and on she went, tireless, her perfect face in a state of ecstasy. Unlike the other dancers she did not give The Ensi special attention, dancing around the hall to each table and dividing her attentions equally. This infuriated and fascinated him.

Finally, the tune reached a crescendo and ended with a deafening blast of noise. With a lustful cry, Silili finished on the floor, her legs open to present her sex to The Ensi. Her thighs were soaked and her labia danced. Was she climaxing at him?

The hall was silent save for SIlili’s panting breaths and the sound of a dying musician as his heart gave out. The Ensi rose slowly, eyes locked with Silili who still shuddered in orgasm. Casually, he picked up a knife and thrust it into Kuda’s eye, killing him instantly. He then hopped over the table and strode to her, “Anyone who demands the death of such beauty has no place in my halls. We have our victor!”

The Ensi watched Silili rise sinuously as the hall echoed with raucous cheers. The Ensi felt a thrill go through him as Silili pressed her body against him and locked her lips with his. Impatient to have her, he lifted her in his arms and left the hall for his chambers.

******

I did not think it possible for my kind to feel love, I am still unsure if that is what I feel. I want him in me constantly, annihilating me until there is nothing left of me to offer him, to destroy me with his every thrust.

With my enhanced senses I knew he was not of these people. When I stepped into that feasting hall and saw him, it took all my self-control not to pause in my stride. My womb twitched with need and remembrance. He was beautiful, ethereal, as if not of this realm. Dressed in white as if daring the world to try and soil him. When the song began I allowed my body to do the talking, moving in desperation and exhilaration to earn his attention. My body craved him like no other, it had yearned for him long before my pilgrimage to Lillake.

My efforts were rewarded. Barely had my performance ended before he had me in his bedchamber doing the most wonderful things to me. There we remained for the next few days, fucking and revelling, pausing only when his servants brought food and refreshments which he alone partook.

One of the main changes I found with being an ardat-lili was that I had no need for food or water. Indeed, the thought of partaking of such things now seemed abhorrent to me. The idea of filling my body with things grown from the dirt was ludicrous to me. Instead I had a constant thirst that grew the more I left it unchecked, a thirst quenched only by the seed of men. I am in a constant state of arousal, no matter how much I orgasm or how many men I take into me my body demands more. I am the embodiment of harlotry, no act is enough to satiate my whims.

I realised my capture was meant to be when I finally pulled my focus away from the one they simply call The Ensi and looked about his sumptuous sleeping quarters. To one side I saw a table set out as an altar, upon which was a relief detailing Lillake just like the one in the cave. I rose from the bed for the first time in days and knelt before it in worship, “Where did you get this?”

My gaze is fixed upon the figure of my deity, the sight of her setting me alight with yearning. I hear The Ensi behind me, no doubt admiring my prostrate form, “Oh, that? All the tribes have their own deities that they follow, that one is mine.”

“Lillake?” I breathe, just saying her name inspires me to perform greater acts of lust.

I hear him rise from the bed and kneel beside me, “Yes, I’m impressed. But then, you are her handmaiden, aren’t you.” It was not a question.

I turn to regard him again, wishing he was in me. His features are so beautiful it is almost too much to look at him, “Yes. I am Ardat-Lili.” I consider him, “The Gutians have ever been primitive nomads, yet here we are in a veritable palace. They even give you the title of Ensi. Their king. What is your name?”

He shrugs, “I do not have one. I never knew my true parents, my foster family found me in the wilds as a babe. But the name they gave me did not sound right, nor any others that I thought to take. So I have no name.” The Ensi rises, has his servants dress him and offers me a hand, “Come, let me show you what I have built, and tell you what I intend to build.”

I take his hand, the touch setting my thighs damp again, on an impulse and take his handsome face in my palms and draw close, “You have a name my love, and it is Karmu.”

For the briefest moment, his eyes widen as he realises the enormity of what I am saying, then he smiles and kisses me.

The Fading One

The goddess Inanna waited patiently for Dumuzi to gain an erection.

That was what she was supposed to be during the hieros gamos. The goddess descends from the heavens to possess her body whilst the god takes the king’s. Then the two deities would make love and ensure a bountiful harvest. It was done every year when the astrologers claimed the stars and moon were in the required positions. The king of Akkad would come to the temple bearing gifts for the high priestess, parading through the celebrating crowds. The y would then ascend the ziggurat together where a chamber holding a bed covered in rose petals awaited them. There the priests would witness them recite the verses before coming together in holy communion.

Only for the past few years now the communion has not taken place. The high priestess watched King Ur-Utu’s wrinkled frame and could not help but feel repulsed. The man furiously beat at himself, the priests even provided other nu-gigs to aid him. But it simply was not happening. With a despairing wail the king threw his arms up in defeat. Puzu, his closest advisor rushed forwards to reassure him.

Like the years before, they would walk out hand in hand to smile and wave at the people, letting them think it had been a success. Like before rumour would go round that it had not. Despite their best efforts, they could never find the source of the rumours. She sighed and rose from the altar to go through the façade.

Once the king had left, she breathed, no longer the goddess but Amare the high priestess once more. She went to the balcony to see the celebrations below. They were all happy now but Amare knew it would not last. The drought would continue, the famine would worsen and the constant raids by the Gutian tribes would scare traders from coming to the city. There was no denying it, Akkad is a decaying kingdom.

Amare headed back into the temple, her priestesses trailing after her. As she made her way to the hulluppu throne, apparently carved from the very willow tree Inanna had tended to personally, she looked about the temple for the owl.

Since first being made high priestess only three years ago she noticed the creature. Every day it seemed to find its way in, and perched itself high up somewhere. Amare did nothing to bar its entry, she found its presence comforting. She even fancied it had been sent by the goddess to watch over her.

But ever since that bitch Silili left it had not returned.

Amare gracefully seated herself upon the throne of the goddess and began to receive various nobles and wealthy merchants, all seeking influence and favour. Amare came from a rich family who had groomed her for this position, as such she was more than capable of dealing with the vultures. The only thing that did surprise her was when all the people of import had left and, as she made to leave, one of her naditu came before her and kneeled. “High priestess, may I speak with you?”

“Aya? Rise child.” She led her to the gardens to a secluded area, dismissing all but her most loyal attendees, “What brings you before me?”

Aya was one of her informers, though not for keeping up with the intrigues and scheming of the nobles. No, she had Aya remain close to Silili so that she could keep an eye on her. Although Silili had been one of their most popular nu-gig she had also been a biggest pain.

The slut had started well before Amare had come to power. Apparently she had spent her earlier years as a kar-kid, a whore who wandered the back alleys and streets selling herself. Then one day she had appeared at the temple requesting to become a nu-gig. For some reason Amare cannot fathom the former mad hag of a high priestess accepted her. But the things Silili did were so perverse it made a mockery of all the virtues the goddess stood for. Were she not so sought after Amare would have been rid of her long ago. It was both a blessing and curse that she had disappeared on her journey to Uruk nearly a month ago. A blessing to be rid of the obstinate whore, and a curse in that with her they have lost a sizeable contribution to the temple.

Aya wrung her hands over her robes nervously, “I did as you bid high priestess. I informed you of Silili’s actions over the years, but now she is gone, never to return I fear.”

Amare frowned, Aya’s voice had cracked slightly at the last part, “You wish to be rewarded? I will see it is so, you have served the goddess well, Aya. You have a bright future ahead of you here.”

“Thank you, but I have a request.” Aya bit her lip, “I wish to be trained as a nu-gig.”

Amare was stunned, “As naditu, you can own your own property, be respected by society, perhaps even marry into the nobility. You would give up all that to be a temple slave?”

Aya swallowed dryly, “I would.”

“Bah!” Amare waved dismissively, “You have been infected by Silili’s madness. I should never have let you near her for so long. Be gone lest you do the same to me.”

“But-”

“I said begone!” Amare stormed off, furious, her attendees falling into line in her wake. Even now that bitch Silili tormented her. A blessing and a curse that she is gone indeed, but perhaps more blessing than curse.

******

“is it not marvellous?” Karmu asked as he showed me, arm in arm, around the palace. “I have any skilled worker the tribes capture brought here, where I work them and have them teach those who wish to learn a new trade. In doing so the Gutian people can aspire to something more than, hunting and killing.”

I say palace but it is more like an underground village, hidden deep within the Zagros Mountains. Truly he had achieved something incredible. He had united the tribes and what’s more his own had created a settlement that would be the envy of any of the other kingdoms should it grow. Everything was made to be practical but elegant also. The walls were gilded with beautiful artwork, be they paintings or engravings. Blacksmiths worked their metal proudly. Musicians played at corners where drinks were offered, entertaining those passing by. Kar-kids were treated no different to the others, as necessary as every other role. Something I could appreciate. “You seek to build a kingdom like the others.”

“No!” he exclaims, horrified by the thought, “I want nothing like those cesspits. Those places are just as crude as these tribes are. I wish to create a city of beauty, devoid of any hovel, free from oppression and bureaucracy. A place where men and women can let their innermost inhibitions go and use them to create something wonderful. Ah, here we are.”

He paused and went to a large door, where his servants swiftly hauled them open for us. He leads me inside to reveal a vast chamber with doors leading to other rooms. Unlike the other places he has shown me it is empty and sparse, “What is this place?”

He releases my arm and spins in joy, “It is to be yours, my love. You will make this place a temple to our goddess. You will furnish it as you see fit and I shall have the kar-kids come here to be made into your priestesses, trained in the ways of Lillake.” He beamed at me.

I often found his smile and cheerful manner infectious, but this did not please me, “You would lock me up in some temple?”

“No, silly creature. You and your priestesses will still be free to come and go where you please. Simply think of it as a headquarters if you like. A central place to prepare prospective harlots and where people can come to devote themselves to our deity.”

I considered it. What wonders could I achieve if I ruled such a place? What heights of ecstasy? I sighed and shook my head, none. It would be a matter of time before even this place would seem like a prison to an Ardat-Lili, especially when shackled with the title of high priestess. To try and make a creature such as I part of an establishment would be to doom it. How long before I let it all crumble just because it thrills me to?

I then had an ambitious idea. “No.”

It hurt me to see Karmu’s face drop along with his arms, “No?”

I embrace him, “Your city cannot be built here, it must be built out there and counted amongst the others as the greatest of them.”

Karmu laughs, “Sadly, that cannot be. Where would I build it? I know those cities are starving, the soil is yielding too little. There is not enough resources for another.”

I smile up at him, feeling my loins moisten as my plan turns over in my head, “You must take Akkad and rebuild it to your vision.” My thirst begins to take hold, my goddess is impatient for me to whore myself. Or perhaps it is her way of saying she approves of my plans.

“We do not have the means to win a siege, or defeat their army for that matter. Perhaps if the drought continues for a few years, but not now.”

I crouch down and begin working at his clothes, “Not now, but in a year. They have just celebrated the hieros gamos, a failed one most likely.” I pull out his phallus and kiss it, “If I return there, with my new gifts I would become high priestess in no time, and have a glamour on the king himself. By the next hieros gamos, have your army ready.” I place my lips around him.

“But,” Karmu moans, then continues, “To be without you a whole year? The thought is unbearable.”

I grudgingly release him to speak, “You must do this nonetheless. Besides, it will motivate you. You say the walls and the army prevents you from taking the city, but will it prevent you from reclaiming me?”

Karmu laughs, “Nothing would keep me from you.” I laugh also before eagerly filling my throat with him.

******

So, after nearly a month, I return to the city of Akkad.

The guards at the main gate make no challenge, only staring at me in wonder as I pass them by. I am in a good mood. Whilst my hatred of the city has not lessened it felt good to in familiar surroundings. The city was bustling, people offered their wares loudly, others haggling or arguing. Judging from the extortionate prices the drought was still in effect.

The market is a crush of flesh, but all part and make way for me, not daring to obstruct my advance. I take a deep breath, the stink of the city a comfort to me. My body ignites with the knowledge that Akkad is filled with hundreds of cocks waiting to be drained by me. Even now several men eye me, considering. Yes, I will gorge myself on semen tonight, no hole of me will be left unfilled. My goddess will have what she craves, what I too crave. I smile in offer at a group of drunken men outside a tavern, thinking to begin celebrating my return with several men at once for starters.

“Silili?”

I turn from the smirking group and look for the source of the call. I see a figure pushing her way through the crowds and begin to rush toward me. Aya pauses several paces away, suddenly hesitant, “Silili? It’s you isn’t it?”

I can smell her arousal upon seeing me, along with her confusion. With my enhanced senses I knew now why she had always been drawn to me. Like so many others, deep down, she is as twisted as I am. Through me she found some release for her dark urges. I laugh, “Yes and no Aya.” I open my arms and she rushes into them. As her breasts press against mine I act on instinct and kiss her openly, my tongue entering her. She freezes in shock at first but, so close to an ardat-lili, her decency soon crumbles and she melts against me.

We are locked that way for long while, not caring who watched us. Eventually Aya draws back for air and begins speaking excitedly, “I missed you, we all thought you dead. I wanted to live on like you. I asked the high priestess to train me as a nu-gig, but she said I am mad…”

“Train you?” I tutted and checked to see the intoxicated men were still there. With deft fingers I begin undoing her robes, “There is no training for creatures like us Aya, we act on instinct. You simply need to let go. Let go of shame, let go of regret, let go of dignity.” Her robes fall away, she begins to try and cover herself but I take her hand and lead her with me toward the tavern, “I have so many wonderful things to tell you, but first, I have even more wonderful things to show you…”

The Influencing One

Amare half read the literature before her, unable to focus properly with Ninsar preparing her usual concoction to one side.

A Siduri priestess, Ninsar was skilled in the use of alcohol and drugs. She often prepared it for Amare when required to perform various rituals that would bring her closer to the goddess. She could also be relied upon to prepare such things for recreational use in a discreet manner. Dressed in a thin robe and bent over the table, Amare sighed and gave up trying to read. She relaxed in her chair and enjoying the sight of her.

The text had been nonsense anyway. It was by some learned man trying to claim that Lillake and Inanna are in fact one and the same being. That Lillake is Inanna in her destructive aspect, a wild side of herself that was tempered and conquered with the taming of the hulluppu tree, which he claimed to be a symbol of her maturation.

Amare knew it to be wrong.

Few people had knowledge as to why Lillake was such a forbidden deity, beyond her ruling over monsters that is. Before the first cities were built, when the area had been home to nomadic tribes like in the Zagros Mountains, there had been those who had followed the insane deity. The priestesses would go mad and start performing vile acts to satiate themselves, they caused entire tribes to fall into depravity and tear their community apart, just because it thrilled them to do so. Eventually as the cities came into existence people turned on the priestesses and chased them to the desert where they eventually somehow left this world. It was said those women had become something inhuman, that they could no longer be killed and had to be starved of an essence to be weakened and chased away. Only when Lillake grew weary of them would they suddenly disappear, never to be seen again.

How true it all was Amare could not say. She thought of why she suddenly felt the urge to look up her forbidden texts regarding Lillake. The memory still aggravated her even now.

Amare had noticed that, despite the economic crisis Akkad faced, the temple’s income had increased. She demanded an explanation from the naditu and it seemed contributions from devotees had grown despite the increasing poverty. When she learned that Silili had returned she began to piece it together.

Her popularity had grown even more since making it back. Amare’s informers had said that she walked back into the temple, hand in hand with Aya. She then somehow convinced the priests to make Aya a nu-gig without seeking authority from Amare. That done, they went on as if nothing had occurred.

Furious, Amare had gone to the hulluppu throne and called Silili forth, demanding an explanation as to where she had been. As the deranged whore stepped forwards Amare was disturbed by what she saw.

She looked the same, yet different. Even Amare could not deny that she was utterly beautiful. She was naked, yet the thought of covering her seemed obscene. Silili smiled at some of the nu-gigs as she made her way to present herself, Amare was concerned how the people gathered watched her. Was she creating a schism? Dividing loyalties between herself and Amare? Silili gave Amare due reverence then gave a compelling tale of how her caravan was attacked and her daring escape from the scene. Everyone applauded at the end.

Amare woodenly congratulated her before dismissing the slave. She watched the way SIlili’s hips swayed as she walked, as did everyone else, mesmerised by the grace of her.

Whilst Amare openly applauded the work of her nu-gigs, she was secretly grateful she was not one of them. Born from a noble family, made high priestess of the temple, she was only expected to give herself to the king once a year in a ritual act. What with the king’s erectile dysfunction she did not really have to do that either. No, she was free from having to deal with men, such a crude gender, and the worm between their legs that they are so obsessed with.

But that slut Silili had done something to her. As Amare had drunk in the sight of the nu-gig, hating her yet wanting her, Silili somehow drew forth something else in Amare that she did not realise was there. She felt a strange urge to grab one of the nearby priests and have him choke her with his phallus. She wanted to be drenched in semen, to be stripped naked like Silili before everyone and declared a simple nu-gig. She shook her head violently, banishing the strange thoughts and swiftly left for her private quarters, well aware of how damp her thighs were.

Ninsar came over with the prepared mixture and sat on Amare’s lap, putting an arm around her, “You are thinking of Silili?” Amare nodded, not wanting to discuss it. “She is dangerous. She will turn everyone against you.” Ninsar pressed, “You must get rid of her.” Again, Amare could only nod. Satisfied, Ninsar took a mouthful of the fluid and pressed her lips to Amare’s, exchanging the heady beverage.

Yes, Amare thought as the herbs began to take effect and she slipped her fingers between Ninsar’s thighs, Silili must go.

******

I behold a beautiful sight.

A mother and daughter kiss passionately, their tongues entwined, as they are both ruthlessly sodomised. How many relatives can claim such intimacy?

I had come across them whilst in the city. The mother, Elilia, had been working as a kar-kid whilst her daughter Eulli was a barmaid in one of the taverns. Having given birth out of wedlock it seemed the mother had little option but to whore herself. A fortuitous thing for her. Upon meeting them both I knew they belonged on the path of harlotry. Not the empty living of a typical kar-kid or nu-gig, but the path of true harlotry, the path of Lillake. A life where they rejoice in their depravity and live for ever greater acts of indulgence.

It was thanks to yet another of my gifts as an Ardat-Lili. I found I could read people much more easily, could sense their dark fantasies suppressed deep in the labyrinth of their minds. I wonder how I could not do so before, so simple it is. Some are more locked up than others, some so tightly they are beyond even my aid. But in the case of these two it was a simple matter of drawing forth those forbidden thoughts and having them surrender to their own insatiable needs.

A shriek draws my attention from the touching sight. Aya is being hammered in a similar manner. Now utterly shameless in her whoredom, her vulva squirts its fluids across the room. Some of her nectar alights upon me, causing me to salivate slightly. I smile at her, recalling the divine taste of her juices. When I had told her what deity I now served, she had been hesitant at first. But now she belongs to Lillake body, mind and soul, dedicating herself to the path of harlotry in her name.

As I work myself up and down the host’s phallus I glance at Tululla, one of the nu-gigs who had become my follower, being ravaged by an energetic devotee. Her breasts flying and body paint smearing. A foreigner from the tribes to the west, she had been captured and sold to the temple long ago. Known for being despondent, I had breathed new life into her when I brought forth the insanity lurking within. On the plains of where she was raised she had told me how she often watched a white and black striped animal I had never heard of. Like horses they were, travelling in herds, wild and free. One day she watched as a pack of lions ambushed and brought one down, tearing into it before it was even dead. She ran back to her parents in tears, horrified and scared. But deep down the event had excited her also. I had her embrace that memory, now every morning as the sun rises she paints her naked body the same colours as those animals, then goes forth to be savaged by devotees, the smearing of the paint mimicking the rendering of flesh. It thrills her to see herself as prey, throwing herself to predators.

I had another of my loyal nu-gigs attend also. I see her taking several men at once. She is, perhaps, better than even Aya in her dedication, albeit for different reasons. There were plenty of dark places in Kilili’s mind to work with, but it was her desire to be free from the agony of loneliness that had her embrace Lillake. She whored herself madly, finding in harlotry a shelter from her pains.

There are others who are secretly loyal to me or are drawn to me, but these are my most devoted followers. Drawn by my beauty, inspired by my shamelessness they are converted. Since my return the demand for me has grown considerably, a walking wet dream, men look upon me with desperate yearning and I answer those needs willingly. At first it had been the common folk, but now the higher echelons of the city had taken note of my existence and sought to claim me. Often I was given marriage proposals, a chance to be free from being a temple slave. They did not understand that they offered yet another cage. Instead I would let them have me for the night, but come morning I would be in the arms of another. An Ardat-Lili opens her legs to all, not just one.

Besides, it allows me to spread my influence.

I had arranged and attended tonight’s orgy with an objective in mind. The man I currently pleasure is a wealthy merchant and one of the biggest contributors to the temple. He has requested me several times now, he is one of those who thought to marry me, promising to be rid of his current wife. Naturally I turned him down, but he was no less besotted with me for the rejection. I will, as ever, delight in his semen before moving on. But not before whispering my desires into his ear, of how wonderful I would look sitting naked on the hulluppu throne.

Should something tragic befall the current high priestess that is…

Kilili’s Anguish

What delightful torture this is, Kilili thought.

Mine had been a life of emptiness and depression, but that depression had been burned away and the emptiness filled with the fires of lust eternal.

This is what it means to follow Lillake.

To suffer as I seduce, scream in agony and ecstasy, tremble in pain and pleasure, begging it to stop and never end. To give my body full reign rather than my mind, and allow the latter to crumble into sweet insanity. This is what it is to be a true harlot.

And oh the prize! To feel their warm semen flooding into me or over me, staining my perverse body with its pearlescent splendour, to savour its saliferous flavour. . So disgustingly wondrous!

The devotee leaves, done with me, and I am unfilled. I shudder, I look around. I need another in me, now. I panic, oh please, someone fuck me, use me, abuse me. Pull me by the hair and thrust into me ruthlessly, surround me and violate every hole of me mercilessly. Oh please, every moment I am not used is agonising to me.

Another comes, grants me the sight of his magnificent erection, it sets me salivating, before putting me to proper use. Filled once more in Her name, I am relieved. Yet I relish even those moments of desperation, even as I loathe them I cherish them.

Yes, what delightful torture this is.

******

I waited in the square, beginning to lose my patience. It was well passed sunset and still there was no sign of her. I wanted her so that I had avoided possible clients for fear of missing her, as a result my body and mind positively screamed for me to whore myself. For an Ardat-Lili to be without sex for so long is torturous. The ache was so bad it took all my will not to pounce on the nearest man and demand he thresh me hard. It was like I was in fever, my thoughts swimming with depraved fantasies, my loins burning and wet with need.

It was earlier that day, as Aya and I were tending to devotees together, when the noblewoman came to the temple. She approached me directly and as soon as I saw her I wanted her. In her thin robes she left little to the imagination and everything about her set my Ardat-Lili senses flaring. I had to have her. She introduced herself as Eulli and asked if I would secretly meet her later that day. I hungrily agreed.

I was on the verge of giving up and finding several clients to fill every hole of me when a figure approached me. His face was hidden under a hood but he introduced himself as a servant of the woman who had invited me. Bidding me follow he led me to an impressive home where he ushered me in down a lavish corridor that led to a room filled with curious and expensive statues. To my agitation he then bid me wait whilst he went to fetch his mistress. I had had enough of waiting.

I grabbed his arm, “You could at least provide me with refreshments whilst I await the pleasure of your mistress.” He began gabbling apologies but I was already pulling out his erect phallus and wrapping my lips around it. It was akin to being offered water after travelling through the desert. When his fingers grabbed my hair and he began threshing my face my body tingled with satisfaction at being put to my proper use. A normal woman would have had to stop for air several times, would have needed him to be more gentle for risk of damaging her looks. An Ardat-Lili neither needed nor expected such reprieve.

He was ejaculating down my throat when an angry voice broke in, “What do you think you are doing?”

The servant jumped in fright and put himself away whilst I rose calmly, still savouring the taste of him. It was the noblewoman, I smiled and realised why the wait had been so long. How long had she spent in front of a bronze plate to apply those cosmetics so perfectly? How many robes did she try before going with the one she wore, or had she still been choosing? I knew then I had enthralled her. Why else would she take so much time trying to impress me with her beauty? I decided to be frank, “You kept me waiting so long I felt the need to quench my thirst. Your servant did an admirable job seeing to my needs.”

“I ought to throw you out, filthy perverted kar-kid.”

I shrugged, “Go ahead, but you brought me here because I am a filthy perverted kar-kid, or rather, something worse. So shall we get to it? I need to have many more men in me before dawn.”

Disgust warring with interest, she contemplated me for a moment then took me to her bedroom of all places. “It is here where I do my best work.” She explained as she pointed to a table with two seats on the balcony, which afford a magnificent view of the city. I grinned when a slave with two goblets and a vase came to us. He was not only naked, but the most muscle bound mortal I had ever seen, with an enormous phallus to match. I saw it twitch as his eyes took me in and felt my own loins moisten in reply. She must have paid handsomely for this one.

I declined the offer of water and listened as she introduced herself at Eulli. Upon hearing this I realised I was talking to one of the most popular writers in Sumeria. Tutored by a student of the famous Enhenduanna herself, she had learned from the best and had compiled several songs and hymns to various deities. More than a few times I had been tasked with joining the rest in singing one her hymns dedicated to Inanna, of whom she was a priestess.

It started with a threat, if I spoke of this meeting to anyone I would meet an untimely end. She then revealed her true passion and main source of income. To private requests she wrote stories that would see her severely punished if they were ever made public. With this she brought out papyrus parchment and offered them to me, when I reminded her I did not have the luxury of knowing how to read she read several excerpts out to me.

I purred and leaned closer to the slave who had discretely positioned himself near me, as though I were his mistress. As Eulli read her secret work I saw why it was such a secret. To the public they were depraved, foul tales, but to a bored noble it offered a thrill that was hard to achieve in their pampered lives. It was clear she had maintained her image of decency by venting her true nature through her secret works. I listened but was not overtly impressed, having experienced the most extreme acts on my path of harlotry her tales were rather lukewarm in comparison. She eventually looked up, regarding me hopefully, “What do you think?”

I ground my teeth, this nonsense had gone on long enough. I had wanted the servant for myself but it seemed dear Eulli was in need of a lesson, “You are missing something. I am willing to bet you write these after copulating with your impressive servant here.” Brazenly I reached out and stroked his phallus, at once it grew erect to an incredible size. It took all my desire for Eulli not to have him in me.

Eulli blushed, “We make love yes.”

That irked me. I rose, puffing my chest out and letting her take in my nakedness, then I bid Eulli stand and went to her. “There is no fickle love for the likes of us, Eulli, only honest lust.” I began removing her robes.

“What-?” She began to step back but I leaned in and brushed my lips with hers.

That seemed to stop her, she would let me doing anything at that moment if it meant being near me. I whispered gently in her ear, “Your tales fail to fully grasp the dark horrors lurking in people’s minds, the things they crave and fear. To do so, you must become like me, everything you want and don’t want to be.” Garbs removed, I let my fingertips brush down her heavy breasts. I had thought my own impressive but her whole body seemed to shout harlot to me. Yes, everything about her body demanded that it be used in whoredom, in my deity’s name. I would help her become Ardat-Lili or destroy her in the attempt. I pointed to her bed, “Lay on there and spread your legs.”

Enchanted, she drunkenly did as I commanded. I then strode to the servant and took his face in my hands, making his eyes meet mine. “That woman on the bed there is not your mistress tonight. She is a cheap kar-kid barely worth the air she breathes. It does not matter if you break her, go all out. Do her until you are sated, fret not over her.” I felt his phallus brush my torso, felt the juices already leaking stain me. Oh how I wish I could have him instead! “She is but a vessel whose sole purpose is to be ruined by you. So go, give her what she craves. Give her ruin!”

“What is happening?” Eulli said, with a mixture of excitement and fear as that hulk of a slave skulked toward her, “What are you doing?”

I lounged back on the chair by the table, my fingers slid into my vulva, “I, sweet Eulli, am going to pleasure myself as I watch this man thresh you to the point of near death. Then, when he is done with you and you think you can take no more, I am going to take you into the streets and show you how to properly whore yourself. Then you shall compose new verses, verses dedicated not to any capricious gods, but to Lillake…”

“Lillake?” She could have screamed or called for the other servants. But she did not, nor did she fight it but kept her legs open dutifully as the slave started. Those dark gates in her mind she had unlocked with her mundane tales had been thrown open by me, letting her true nature charge in and consume her in its blaze. She was my vessel now, and she would compose hymns that would stir the masses to enact their innermost secrets.

The Ascending One

Karmu plucked at the lute disinterestedly as the woman reclined against him.

She was once a princess, daughter to the ensi of Uruk, but became little more than a slave once carried away by one of his raiding parties. Karmu had been ready to have her killed. The ensi refused to offer any ransom and she wailed and sobbed constantly. She was utterly useless as a slave and struggled violently when he thought to make her one of his harlots. A pretty thing to look at but that was about it.

Until she espied Silili.

A devotee of Lillake, Karmu had some knowledge of Ardat-Lili, though he had never expected to encounter one. He knew a hand maiden of the Lilitu’s very presence had strange effects on people. But until he witnessed it first-hand he never realised just how much it did so. She instilled a rapist’s lust in men whilst at the same time having their utter obeisance and adoration. They were made thralls just from the sight of her, even now she was gone Karmu was still finding crude statues and figures made in adoration of her littered about the place. The women were no less affected by Silili’s presence. She brought out the harlot in even the chastest woman. The princess was a prime example, Silili had not so much as glanced at the slave, yet the sight of her alone had inspired the wailing girl to whoredom. Now she giggled as she leaned against Karmu, with only three peacock feathers to cover her modesty.

Karmu sighed at the memory of Silili, no less enthralled, and picked up the tempo on his beautifully engraved lute. He had been raised in the weakest of the tribes, the only tribe that held fast to the defeated deity that was Lillake, chased away by Inanna. His foster mother had been a weak obedient thing, not the kind of woman Lillake looked favourably upon, and his father had been a brave but crass creature, far too mundane for Lillake’s tastes. Karmu had hated the name he had been given and rejected any other offered to him, all of them sounded off, only the one Silili had given him sounded right.

He had strange nightmares throughout his childhood, but one in particular remained lodged in his mind and had contributed to his rise. A woman, nay, a goddess on an onyx throne, expecting terrible things of him to gain her love. Once he awoke he knew who that goddess was. When he killed the chief in a spectacular manner most of the tribe rebelled, but against all odds he defeated all of his contenders and made the Gutians what they are today. With Lillake’s aid he would take the people even further, establishing a glorious kingdom that reflected Lillake’s realm.

“Are you certain she can be trusted? What if she fails in her plans?”

Karmu snapped out of his reverie, he plucked the wrong string and ruined the piece he had been playing. Tutting in irritation he shoved the harlot away and glared at Kur. “We will assemble outside the city and wait. If there is no sign of whatever it is Silili intends we will simply return home.”

Kur, a scarred veteran who had lived longer than most Gutian warriors, stroked his beard, “You know it is not as simple as that. The warriors will be eager and blood thirsty. If you put such a prize in their line of sight then tell them they cannot have it they will be enraged. Best case: you lose face with the chieftains. Worst case: they turn on you with their assembled warriors and attack.”

The princess now harlot laughed as she got up and returned to the leader of the tribes, Karmu playfully slapped her buttocks, “Ah Kur, had you seen her you would have no doubts that she will succeed.” Kur had been out looking for caravans to attack and pilfer at the time. When he returned to find all the men dreamy eyed and the women suddenly licentious he had feared the water was poisoned. It had taken some time to convince him that an emissary of their goddess had paid a visit.

“Aye, but I didn’t. Which I suspect is fortunate. She has clearly bewitched you all of your senses. The fact of the matter is we cannot storm Akkad unless they become as pliant as that whore there.”

Karmu’s head jolted up. He looked at Kur, then to the whore writhing in front of him, then back to Kur.

Karmu laughed as he realised what Silili was planning.

******

“Well, you certainly are a delight to the eyes.”

I gave my seductive smile and pushed my chest out slightly for him to admire. He was clearly wealthy, judging by his neatly groomed beard, expensive garb and ridiculous amount of supposedly ‘precious’ metal lining him. He strode imperiously into the temple with a number of servants trailing behind. He seemed to have a set path, a specific priestess to donate to perhaps, but as soon as his rheumy eyes settled on me he changed his route, his servants stumbling behind. I spoke huskily, I had learned that the sound and tempo of one’s voice can have an extraordinary effect on people, “I am a delight to many other parts also.”

He was an old man, bent over by the weight of his years. My loins dripped with the prospect of his wrinkled hands exploring me and his ageing phallus selecting one of my holes. Age is no barrier to an ardat-lili, nor is much of anything else for that matter.

Another man that stood close to the wealthy noble winced, whether at my brazenness or in pain I could not tell. Even the most impotent of men gained erections near me, an Ardat-Lili need only be to excite men. But if those men had weak hearts such revitalised virility could be fatal. Once an aged client approached me only to collapse before he could utter anything, his heart failing with the strain of the erection I gave him. The wealthy man laughed, “Oh indeed? I would dearly love to sample those delights.”

“My lord.” The other man interjected, “Do not forget we are here on business. We should not keep her waiting.”

The wealthy man looked me over, desire warring with duty, I looked him over invitingly in turn. My body hungered and I needed a man in me. I drew slightly closer, wanting him to feel the warmth of me, the scent of me. I could see the debased fantasies locked in his head and yearned for him to enact them upon me.

He grunted and turned away, “Very well, take me to the high priestess. I need to thresh her witless after being tempted with this beauty.” He gave me a sidelong glance, “I shall be back to sample these delights of yours, do not forget.”

I stifled my agitation, that he was off to use that brainless sow, even if he would be thinking of me, was displeasing. There was a reason Ardat-Lili gave themselves to all. Lillake had tasted the bitterness of rejection, chased away from the wilds to the desert when people began building their cities. They turned from her and proclaimed the slut Inanna their goddess instead. As such she hated rejection more than anything, a feeling that echoed in her servants. I realised he must be influential indeed to have the high priestess’ attention. I maintained my inviting demeanour, “Indeed, I look forward to you threshing me witless instead.”

Some of the servants gasped, but the wealthy man gave a croaky laugh, “As do I.” With that he set off. As he neared the wooden throne the high priestess appeared, smiling stonily, wearing a sheer robe and plastered with cosmetics. I fancied the man did not act nearly as heartily as he did with me. I sighed and felt my loins burn with need, as if angered at being denied his efforts. I made to leave when Aya skipped up to me excitedly.

“Do you have any idea who that was?” she jittered.

I smiled and kissed her passionately, our tongues entwining, it felt only natural to greet a fellow sister on the path thusly. Naked and glowing from her exertions Aya had progressed in Lillake’s way wonderfully, second only to Kilili out of those of my coven. We remained embraced that way for some moments, relishing one another, until I finally broke away. Aya grinned, “You have no clue at all, do you?”

I sighed again, I fancied I could feel Lillake in my mind, stamping her perfect foot impatiently. She wanted her vessel out there being filled and I was keen to oblige. “Cease toying with me Aya, tell me who he was and let me be out off.”

Aya giggled and shook her head, “I despair of you sometimes Silili. That was the ensi Lugal-Melem himself! The ruler of Akkad, and if I did not know better I think he is now completely besotted with you.”

I rolled my eyes, “That was the ensi? The man everyone fawns over? That was but an old man dressed in pretty baubles, the same desires and wants as any other.”

Aya blinked, “Yes, thanks to you I see that now. But to everyone else he is the all-powerful ruler, an incarnation of the will of the gods, the Dumuzi of the hieros gamos. If you are astute Silili you could gain his ear, imagine the things you could do for our deity with such influence.”

I acted unimpressed, “There is only one thing people are influenced by and that is what is between their legs!”

Aya laughed at that and followed.

The truth was I was thrilled. Aya was right, if I played this carefully I could use this to my advantage, and further my designs for Karmu.

Envenomed

How perfect.

I draw Kilili closer to me as we lie there, having spent much of the night seeking men. I had become fond of her and she in turn seemed drawn to me by more than primal lust. Of my coven, she was certainly the most skilled and dedicated of my followers. Shunning the temple, she had taken to venturing onto the streets and working with the kar-kids I had converted, returning only to share my bed.

I lay there now with her, staring at the ceiling. It is not enough. I had earned the love of many of the nu-gigs and priests, converted several to secretly worship Lillake. Aya had helped me attain some of the naditu to keep her informed of the temple’s politics. I had also earned the favour of many of the nobles with my services. On top of that Eulli was now madly writing verses for my deity to rival that of Inanna’s. I was fast becoming a powerful figure in the temple.

Yes it was all going perfectly so far.

Kilili swallowed some pomegranate seeds, a favoured method of contraception amidst nu-gigs. I kiss her, “You did well today.” Truly she had. As an Ardat-Lili I found I could taste the ‘essence’ of semen. The more depraved the act the stronger the essence, leaving me more satiated and empowered. When Kilili arrived I had pushed her onto my bed and drank the seed left in her as though she were a grail. The essence had left me positively giddy with lust, “You must have done such wonderful things…”

Kilili shrugged, “I am just a set of holes to ruin in Lillake’s name, it is up to the devotees what they do to me.”

Surprised by this comment I regard her in a new appreciative light. Not because what she said was true as such but by the deeper meaning of it. It signified that Kilili’s ego was disintegrating. Lillake first destroys before rebuilding to her liking. Kilili was excelling in harlotry more and more and became less and less self-conscious. Was I witnessing a sister in the making? Would there be another Ardat-Lili in this world once more? Perhaps I should send her to the desert to perform the same pilgrimage I did.

A pale, sickly looking man staggers in boldly. These are my private quarters, how he managed to get here unchallenged was puzzling in the extreme. He regards me slack jawed and makes a poor attempt at speech. The lump in his robes betrays his erection.

Kilili rises and is about to call for the guards, but I place a calming hand on her. “It’s just a drunken fool, nothing to fret over. Besides, I was just thinking of how thirsty I am.” I glide with serpentine grace over to him and release his impressive phallus from its confines. I scent something strange, some kind of alcoholic beverage I am unfamiliar with presumably. The intoxicated wretch can barely stand. Still, the sight of his excited phallus sets my senses alight and I feel my body responding to the promise of semen. I eagerly put my lips around it and begin sucking.

Too late do I taste the venom that had been coated there…

*****

“It is done?” Amare asked as she drank down the wine, then admiring Ninsar’s backside as he bent over the table to put away her concoctions.

“It is.”

“Wonderful, I’m going to fuck you silly tonight my love.” Her chest grew tight with excitement. Amare grinned, at last she would be rid of that troublesome whore.

Her chest tightened further. Amare coughed, trying to clear it. It had no effect, she began to struggle to breathe. “Ninsar, what did you give me?”

“What you intended to give me.” Silili said, appearing at the doorway. Amare watched with growing horror as SIlili strode over to Ninsar and kissed her passionately. As she did so she removed the few garments NInsar wore, “Good work, now go find a man to stuff that lovely ass of yours.” Giggling, Ninsar left the two of them alone. Silili smiled at Amare, “Such a dutiful little cumslut, I see why you like her.”

“You…” Amare was unable to say no more.

Silili wandered over to the desk where Amare struggled, “In truth I know not if that venom would have worked on me. Since Lillake made me one of her handmaidens there doesn’t seem to be much that can end me though.”

An Ardat-Lili! Amare tried to rise but her limbs failed her and she collapsed to the floor instead. Why did she not see this sooner? She had known unconsciously, it was why she had found herself reading about them. Even now, as she was dying, Silili’s presence was affecting her. What horrors was this creature planning?

Silili seemed to sense this as she sat beside Amare’s collapsed body, “Oh I intend to bring all manner of horrors upon this city, and every one of them will love it. But do you want to know the truth that scares even me? Lillake does not care about any of it, these plans are all my own. She only cares that I whore myself unendingly, that I have men inside me more often than not. Even now, speaking to you is a torment for me. An Ardat-Lili should be fucking, not playing at intrigue.”

Silili sighed, “I have been thinking why this is, what purpose it serves and I have a theory. I thought my body absorbed semen to sustain its unnatural vigor. But do you know what? I think in actuality Lillake receives seed through me and sustains me herself in payment. What she is using that seed for, well, I guess that requires little explanation.”

Amare made gurgling noises as her lungs ceased to work. Silili continued on, “A scary thought, but a delightful one also. That blend of excitement and trepidation is what makes being a whore of Lillake so thrilling. I am the truest harlot of all you see. I work not for coin but cum, a much more honest currency if you ask me. Men fuck me and I take their seed as payment.” Spreading herself, Silili gently took hold of Amare’s head and turned her dying gaze between her legs, “Look Amare, I want you to see the vulva of a true whore before you die, to see what you could have been.”

With fading vision, Amare did so, the sight was beautiful to her. Indeed it always had been her preference. Moments before her last breath escaped she felt herself orgasm painfully.

Silili rose and wasted her time on Amare no longer. She may become high priestess but she was Ardat-Lili first and foremost. If her goddess wants semen she shall give it to her.

Silili went to join Ninsar.

High Priestess

“No you fool, bigger, it needs to be bigger.” I shouted as I strode through the temple, examining the work being done. As high priestess, I had called for a complete overhaul of the place. One of the first things I demanded was the removal of all the statues of Inanna, to be replaced with statues of strange and lewd creatures, creatures similar to those from my vision in that cave. I pointed at the statues’ sculpted erections, “I want my whores to go weak at the knees every time they see them, to know they’ll feel it when they impale themselves upon them. How are those meant to inspire them to harlotry? Begin again.”

The sculptors would have grumbled were they not so entranced by me, they begged forgiveness and promised to begin at once. “And shape the pillars into phalluses too, make it clear what my mindless whores are really worshipping here.” As I walked away Aya caught up with me, I kissed her, setting her wet with need again, “Oh Aya, have you heard the news? The city of Uruk has employed my latest rule.”

Aya, aroused from being so near me, beamed, “Which one?”

“The holy coin.” It had been one of my first changes. No longer were the priestesses measured by the wealth brought in but by the amount of devotees they had climaxed. As such they were no longer to accept any more than a single coin for their services, each coin representing a devotee tended to. I then had extended it further, at least once in their lifetime all the women in the city had to sell themselves thus, accepting whomever presented them with payment first. The temple at Uruk had followed suit. They thought it the will of Inanna, but I could feel Lillake’s grip growing tighter.

“I must say there is something thrilling about selling oneself so cheaply. I am not surprised.” Aya kissed her again, then her expression darkened, “I am afraid I have come to sour your good mood. One of the priestesses have become pregnant. She says she would rather die than get rid of it.”

This dampened my spirits indeed. For some reason since becoming Ardat-Lili the sight of children was abhorrent to me. At first I thought it an emotion instilled in me as a means to prevent me becoming pregnant.. But I was certain now an Ardat-Lili is always barren, I no longer menstruated and thrived solely on harlotry. As an avatar of my goddess, I was in tune with her whims and emotions. As such I can only presume Lillake detests children for some reason and it echoes in me as a result. Why I could not exactly say. “That rule has not changed Aya. No devotee should have to worry a child will be presented to them later. See she is made an example of. Keep the temple open all night too, there shall be no rest tonight, clearly my priestesses need reminding of who they are and what they are for.”

Aya nodded, “I shall have the pyre prepared.”

******

“Have you no dignity!” the ensi Lugal stormed as I entered, “Must you traipse around naked always?”

I knew when I was shown to his private quarters rather than his throne room that it would be bad. With Amare passed away the ensi had not forgotten me and had eagerly pulled the strings to proclaim me the new high priestess. Considering the influence I had gained it was not a difficult task. I soon earned his ire, however, when I refused to attend his bedchambers.

They allowed only Aya to join me. I left the other two who accompanied me to playfully entice the guards. I had no doubt they would soon be in the barracks entertaining them. I gave my practiced melodious laughed, “Dignity? No none.” I folded my arms, letting them press my breasts together and thrust out a hip.

It had the desired effect, the ensi looked over me hungrily, then went red and pointed at my chest, “Is that a man’s seed? You dare come to me sullied so?”

I looked down, sure enough there were white drops there. On the journey to the palace there had been little discussion with Aya, considering how the man I snatched had me by the hair and was busy thrusting his member down my throat. I thought I had swallowed it all, but it seemed some had escaped. Unthinkingly I scooped it off with my middle and index fingers and put it in my mouth. I could not help but moan as it touched my tongue, since my transformation the taste of semen was delightful to me. I felt my thighs grow damp with my arousal.

The ensi’s own advisor was present, regarding me with horror, “She’s mad.”

But Lugal watched me as if transfixed, taking in as much of me as he could, “You need not be a nu-gig anymore.” He said uncertainly.

His advisor broke in again, “The people are talking. They say you whore yourself like a lowly kar-kid and that you surround yourself with such.” He glared at Aya accusingly, who simply grinned back, “You must behave like the representative of the goddess you now are, not some dreg. If not, well…”

The whole time he spoke I looked only to Lugal, who looked back to me, captivated. I shrugged, time to explain why I had been rejecting his advances, “You may do so, but I would advise against it. The hieros gamos is but two turns of the moon away is it not? The people are starving, dying. The canals are running dry. The farmers refuse to work the lands and the merchants refuse to travel here for fear of the Gutian hordes. You need the gods’ favour again. Unlike my predecessor, I shall not disappoint at the appointed time.”

Lugal twitched at that and flushed. He obviously still felt the sting for not being able to perform as the god Dumuzi last time. The advisor was furious, “And you think the great ensi threshing a common kar-kid will earn their favour?”

“Yes.” I replied calmly, sensing my beloved Lillake taking the reins in my mind and advising me, “If you do as I say.”

“What?” Lugal asked before his advisor could retort.

“Simple really, from now until the appointed day you must not indulge in your lusts, be it your hand or harlot. Let your frustration and need build. By the time my legs open to you you will be so mad with lust that you will be threshing me before the priests can give their incantations. Indeed, you will do me so thoroughly the people will be unable to deny that the god is in you that day. After such a performance how can the god’s not give you their favour? The rumours will be dispelled once and for all and the famine will end.”

Lugal winced, “That is a long wait.”

“And pointless.” The advisor added, “It takes place in the ziggurat, how would the people know?”

“They will know because it will not take place in the ziggurat, but on it. You must set it up to accommodate us as such. The people shall gather and witness the event.”

“You want me to perform in front of the common people, like a kar-kid?” Lugal breathed.

“No, like a deity.” I corrected, “The choice is yours, naturally. But if you want a successful ritual, this is what you must do.”

The advisor made to speak again, but Lugal waved him to silence. He pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath, “Whatever it takes to end this decline. It is going to be a frustrating wait.”

Feeling victorious I spread my arms, inviting him to admire me once more, “But a worthwhile one no?”

Silencing his advisor’s protests the ensi decided, “Very well, I shall try this. If it fails however, and the people witness me unable to complete the ritual, I shall be sure to have the blame put on you and have you publicly tortured to death.”

His threat had no effect on me. Lust and death were ever entwined; I would be called to serve Lillake and the Lilu eternally sooner or later. Instead I bowed and feigned gratitude that he show such trust, promising myself all the while that they would all pay for chaining me so. Once we returned to the litter I drew intimately close to Aya,I would see this stinking prison they call a city turned to ashes and be free of them once and for all.

Hieros Gamos

“This is a bad idea.” Kur bemoaned as they marched toward the city.

Karmu shrugged, “Too late now. Besides, I have utter confidence in Silili.”

“If she really is an ardat-lili she’s as likely to destroy us as well as the city.” Kur fretted, “Those creatures ran on lust not logic.”

Karmu did not reply, just kept his eyes on the city ahead, wondering what was going on within.

******

“Help me. I cannot take anymore, yet I cannot stop.” She was young, only a nu-gig for a year perhaps, and already suffering from being in my presence for too long.

It was something that became evident when I was trapped in the temple for longer periods, having to fulfil my role as high priestess. If women or men stayed near me for an extended period of time they would become insanely sex-crazed to the point of fatality. Even though they gained little pleasure from the act anymore they were driven to copulate unendingly. I could only assume their bodies were trying to become like me whilst their minds fought against it, either way they lacked the necessary flame of potential to do so. This was particularly bad for the nu-gigs who rarely lacked for clients thanks to my aura drawing more people. A handful had already expired.

I hissed and clasped her face in one hand, drawing my own close. They were fools to think they would gain sympathy from me, much less help. To us Ardat-Lili those nu-gigs were lesser things, failures who were unable to appreciate what we ourselves delighted in. Or perhaps a part of us envied them, able to take the onslaught of amorous Lilu we could not be broken like they could. It was an extreme we were not sure we would ever get to experience. “What is the purpose of a nu-gig or even a kar-kid?”

Tears sprang in her eyes, whether from my anger or from my touch making her more desperate I knew not. It was Aya, ever at my side, who answered, “To satisfy their client.”

“Indeed.” I did not break my gaze from the nu-gig trembling in my unnaturally strong grasp, “You cannot stop because you should not stop. You must thresh and thresh and thresh until you break, what better way to serve your ‘goddess’ than to harlot yourself to death in her name?” My words, though vicious and mocking, were carefully chosen. Combined with my presence they worked to stoke her further despite being raw from her already considerable efforts. It amused me to see the priestesses turn this way, as it did no doubt my goddess, let them choke and burn on their own suppressed lusts.

The city would do the same soon enough.

It was time for the Hieros Gamos.

I released the nu-gig and Aya hurried her back into the procession. A train of them were to accompany the procession, myself and four of my sisters at the head of it. Normally the king would lead a procession to the temple where the high priestess would open the doors to him and invite him in for the ritual. But after much argument I had convinced them to reverse it, I was to go to him. This was vital to my designs for I needed the city to have eyes upon me. I idly wondered how Eulli was doing out there before her audience of thousands.

It is time.

Excitement builds in me. This is it, what I had been planning for nearly a year was coming to fruition. I turn to face the priestesses gathered behind me, those from my original coven are closest, my most loyal devotees to the harlot goddess. I regard them all, naked and hungry for what is to come. Over the months they had become utterly broken by being near me for so long, their minds consumed with lust and primal need. “You are not going out there to be fucked.” I begin, regarding them all disdainfully, “You are going out there to be murdered. You are going out there to surrender yourselves as sacrifices. Every time a phallus violates you, you are being murdered, every time you orgasm you die. Today, my whores, you will be murdered over and over. You will choke on phalluses, be impaled upon them endlessly and drown in an ocean of semen. You will be used over and over until you think your bodies are at their limit, then you shall be used beyond your limit. Let not a single one of your holes be unfilled this day.” I could sense their minds, drowning in lust, being spurred by my words. Yes, murder us, they scream, violate us, use us, abuse us.

I can only shake my head at the gasps of eager desperation my words bring. Their minds are broken because none of them are worthy of my goddess. Not one of them had comprehended the deeper meaning of my words, they had no doubt taken it all literally. Of all these wretches is there not one that holds the potential to become like me?

I see Kilili, regarding me. She is silent and sombre, yet her moist thighs betray her own excitement. The look in her eyes show utter comprehension. Yes, there is indeed one that holds the potential. She just has to survive today.

With a curt nod Aya bid the servants open the great temple doors. A blast of hot air, stinking of mortals, blew in. The cheers of countless witnesses deafened us. Many would have quailed at the expectations of so many, but I grew only excited at what was to come. One of the nu-gigs holding a drum began the slow beat and we moved forward, stepping in time to its slow rhythm. The ensi’s army held the audience back, giving us a clear route to the palace. I had argued for it to take place there on the grounds of its balcony being perfect for all to see the ritual. It had been reconstructed specially into a dais for this day. Purposely we all slowly made our way there, basking in the cheers of the crowd.

The pace was slow purposely. As always myself, my sisters and even the nu-gigs in my procession were unclothed, the concept of wearing clothing now unthinkable to us. I wanted the crowds to see us so, to desire us, imagine doing things to us. I felt my lust grow as I saw the hundreds of eyes roaming me. I could tell the sight us together were already taking an effect. So potent were their gazes I could almost see their depraved fantasies already, how the women wanted to be like us and the men in us. My body burned unbearably with the need to be used by them.

I cast Eulli a brief smile as we passed her beautifully constructed podium. I had arranged it so that she could sing her ‘Eleven Verses to Lillake’ this day, to further excite the crowds. I caught some of the tenth verse as I passed her then, the words stirring me yet more. The songs of Inanna were sometimes explicit, but Eulli’s hymns were outright debased. Had anyone else sung them they would have been dragged off and killed, but Eulli’s wonderful voice combined with her abilities as one of us meant she held her audience spell-bound. None even questioned that she sang to Lillake rather than Inanna. They all watched her, enraptured, drinking in her naked splendour. I grudgingly tore my gaze from her and kept on.

As we drew near the dais where I was to be ritually threshed the nu-gigs and even my own sisters were beginning to suffer. The nu-gigs were busy waging a war against their own bodies, trying to temper the lusts that slowly consumed them. It must have been worse for my sisters, they no doubt sensed all the erect phalluses out there, demanding to be in them. I cast a glance back and saw how they twitched vaguely, trying to restrain from casting themselves into the crowds. At least I had the ritual to look forward to, they would have to wait at the base until it was done.

They held themselves in check admirably. The procession halted at the base of the dais but the drum continued, I left them and made my way up the dais. There a gaggle of priests and the ensi Lugal awaited me. The ensi clearly followed my instructions, for it was more than the heat that caused him to sweat. His eyes took me in hungrily, desperately. I sensed my goddess in my mind and envisioned her smile at what she saw. I called to her, willing her to invoke herself in me fully for this ritual. I kept calling to her in my mind as I lay back on the altar and opened my legs to Lugal, who was swift to remove his own garments, revealing his appealing erection.

What followed should have been a lengthy ritual. I would sing as the incarnation of Inanna and the ensi as the incarnation of the god Dumuzi. But as the priests began their own chant, I sensed Lillake in my mind rising from her throne and taking over me. It was unpleasant, like dying perhaps, but I knew better than to fight against it despite my urge to do so. I felt my spirit become wrenched and put to one side as Lillake took over.

I never expected her to deign my body with her presence so fully. I thought I would be lost in the inferno that is her, a spark in the bonfire of her being. I thought I knew what it was to be so filled with lust but compared to Hers I was no better than the nu-gigs. It was wondrous!

I had been prepared to follow on hollowly with the hymns and verses. But I felt my mouth and voice rise involuntarily with Lillake’s words, my voice filled with a sovereignty I never knew I had, “Your sister prostitutes herself to my children beautifully Lugal-Melem, just as she did to you. Do me like the cheapest Kar-Kid and I will see you get to use her again eternally.”

I did not understand the words my mouth had said but it affected Lugal. Something snapped in him, he turned from desperate to beastly in an instant. With a bestial howl he threw himself on me and began threshing me savagely. In the corner of my mind I still occupied I gasped with pleasure, but Lillake simply laughed, goading him to thrust harder and faster. The priests tried to stop him but none dared touch or manhandle the ensi, their cries fell on deaf ears.

I, on the other hand, heard the cheers of the crowd. They did not realise this was not how it was supposed to go, to them this was the hieros gamos being successfully played out. More than that, though, Lugal and I were to be the spark to the kindling that is the people. Eulli’s hymns, the sight of the naked and crazed nu-gigs, the aphrodisiac that is an Ardat-Lili’s very presence combined with seeing their ensi hammering into me so mercilessly was all helping to open the things they kept locked in their minds. The darkest parts of them would rise to the surface this day and play out in celebration and honour of Lillake.

I have no idea how long it went on for, I wanted it to never end. Lugal seemed unable to stop. He would ejaculate into me, only to continue on as if he had never done so. No hole of me was left unviolated, just when I thought he would stop I would discover the pause was to start pounding one of my other orifices instead. Had something possessed Lugal as Lillake had possessed me? Certainly he did me like no other mortal had managed. Gleefully, I began to wonder if my inhuman body would survive this inhuman onslaught. Perhaps I would get to be broken like one of my nu-gigs afterall.

The sounds of the crowds had slowly turned into something more chaotic. I could hear countless shrieks, gasps, cries and moans. The city must finally have fallen under our spell and given in to their urges. Triumphant, I let my Ensi have full reign of my body, who used it to push Lugal for more and more.

Finally two men grappled Lugal and pulled him away, he howled in frustration and anger but was overpowered by the guard. Lillake used my body to sit up, both of us disappointed by the abrupt ending. I thought I was not meant to have survived the copulation and was angered at being denied the chance to return to Lillake’s realm. The priests cowered to one side, Lugal’s advisor stood before us. Lillake kept my legs open invitingly, but he did not look at me, but behind us. His face was pale, his lips quivered, “Gods…the city. What have you done?” Lillake rose up and, with a grace I did not know I was capable of, turned to spread her arms to the mass orgy occurring below.

Never had anything of the like been achieved before. I say mass orgy but it was hard to tell if it was that or a riot. Men and women put one another to use with savage glee. Eulli had been pulled from her podium and was now doing her best to satisfy the countless numbers who wanted to use her, her eyes toward me in wonder as she did so. The soldiers who had held the crowds in check had long since discarded their armour and joined the festivities. My nu-gigs lost control of themselves and had their holes wrecked further. Only the four of my coven loyally remained apart from it, staring at me in awe, sensing their goddess incarnated in my body. As Lillake used my eyes to coldly regard them they fell to their knees.

“What are you?” Lugal’s advisor stood beside us, taking in what was, to him abominations, occurring below. I sensed I had no effect on him for a long while, it seemed there were those rare few who were simply too closed minded to be drawn by us.

Lillake turned to him and placed my hand, tenderly as a lover’s, against his face, “I am so many things. I am the Lady of Lust and Ruin. I am Lillake, harlot ruler of the Lilim, sovereign of semen. I am Tiamat, dragon goddess, who laid with her son and begat monsters. I am the formless chaos that is your darkest lusts. I am your teacher, mother, ensi and lover. And I will turn your delusions to ashes or destroy you all in the attempt, before giving rise to…something new.” I may have had no effect on the advisor, but I saw the urine stain his robes when he looked into my eyes and glimpsed my goddess within them.

Lillake stepped passed the advisor and descended the dais. With a wordless command my coven rose and took us up in their arms, holding us high. They paraded us around the city, the sight of us spurring the crowds further and causing them to begin chanting my Ensi’s name as soldiers do in war. Lillake kept my legs open, allowing all to see the fresh ruin there, leaking Lugal’s seed. Many gazed at it as though they gazed at divinity itself, perhaps they did. We reached Eulli, the men reluctantly stepping from her to make way for us. Eulli sensed who was in me and fell to all fours, “My Ensi…”

Lillake bid her rise. We then had my sisters lower us slightly, she dipped my finger on Eulli’s semen-soaked breasts and brought it to my tongue, before raising us again “Your verses please me. Your reward…” She pointed to the countless men masturbating around us, patiently awaiting their turn on the lascivious poetess. “Leave not a single one undrained, I do not want to see a single orifice of you unfilled, not even that musical mouth of yours. Understood?”

“Yes, thank you.” Eulli said, captivated by the power my voice had.

Lillake waved Eulli’s appreciation away disinterestedly and had my sisters parade us away. We were taken to the heart of the revelry where Lillake had them halt. In the distance, I saw the gtes of the city opening, as planned the gatekeepers had been seduced. Akkad itself was ardat-lili now, its holes open to all for threshing. As the people threshed one another madly they reached hands out toward us, calling for us, begging for my Ensi’s blessing and favour. Lillake spoke one more time, “Look at them my daughters. They think us unapproachable now. They think of me as a ruler in the same way their ensi rules. Nay, in the same way they think their gods rule. They think they flatter me with their supplications and prayers. Do they ever hear the pleas of the ants they step upon?

“I am a harlot. I wish to feel their hands crush my breasts. I wish to feel their hands explore every part of me. I wish to feel their tongues entwined with my own. I wish to feel their phalluses thrust their way down my throat, into my rectum, into my vulva! I wish for them to thresh me with the strength of a hammer upon an anvil. I am a harlot, I love few but my legs open to all. See how they worship me as a result!

“Well, let us tarry no longer. Give them what they want, daughters.”

Carefully they set us down. Then with gleeful abandon they threw themselves into the waiting arms of the crowd. Smiling venomously, we joined them.

******

Kur was pale, “Gods, what is going on in there?”

The sound of a screaming population came from within the walled city, animalistic screams that had no place in the world. The gates opened, Kur looked to his leader, unsure if he wanted to go in that place of madness.

Grinning, Karmu drew his blade, “Charge!”

A City Born

We had returned to the temple to meet the Gutian forces. There they kneeled before me. There I was reunited with Karmu, who quickly took me in his arms and to the nearest bed once again.

As we threshed I recalled a distant memory. A time before my conversion to ardat-lili, a time in my youth before I was a slave. When I stood naked before my father, ever disappointed in me for dallying with my brothers, and opened my legs to him invitingly. “Come father.” I had said grandly, inspired by the tale of Tiamat and her son, “Let us make monsters.”

Another memory comes. I abandon a small bundle at a crossroads, I strangely feel nothing as I walk away towards the city, to offer myself up as a slave.

Once Karmu slumbers I regard him lovingly. My goddess no longer fully possessed me, I had been left exhausted once she returned to her realm, but was soon invigorated by the chalice of semen offered me. But I was confused, I had been certain I would not be around once the city was taken. That something would occur to send me to Lillake’s realm to amuse her lilu forever. I felt a keen yearning now, a yearning to throw myself at those monsters again, to endure pleasures mortals cannot give. Only Karmu gives me some sort of respite.

New Horizons

3 years later…

I, Kilili, am in the darkness, the same old dream.

There! There she is again, that harlot on a throne. That alabaster goddess who conjures the worst in me and makes it divine.

I try to reach for her as I always do, aware of the futility of it. Then I hear the gaggle of creatures in the darkness. Scent their hunger for me. Feel the vile things they wish to do to me. The statuesque whore goddess comes alive and smiles at me wickedly.

The truth hits me.

So this is the fate ardat-lili? We are nothing to our goddess Lillake. Just a means of collecting semen for her designs. There is no purpose for us beyond spreading our legs and offering our holes to all. Then, when she tires of us, she casts us to her sons to be fucked over and over for eternity. A toy to be dallied with by violent children.

The realisation fills me with horror even as it excites me. By rights I should reject her, forsake such a destiny. But it is what I am now, I could no more reject it than a fish could reject water, or a bird the skies. Even as terror fills me my loins burn with the desire to end that way, the terror as much a thrill as the pleasure.

I cease reaching for my goddess, I lay back and spread my thighs, waiting eagerly for those monsters to begin their eternity of ruin upon me.

******

I sense Kilili is fully ardat-lili now.

Smiling, I follow my senses to find her. Perhaps she can rejuvenate me again. Perhaps she can bring back the pleasure of harlotry.

Even as I think it I know it as untrue. My time is near I know.

Karmu had spent the past few years earnestly seeing his vision of a city made manifest. The sight of Akkad now was becoming spectacular indeed. Buildings sculpted into perverse frames that set my vulva twitching for him. Sculptures and art that inspired the very darkest aspects of whoredom lined the roads. Harlots walked the streets naked, offering their services anywhere. It is the city of harlots, no longer confined to a temple. The city itself is the temple. And I its high priestess, not that such titles mean anything to me.

As the city’s ensi, my lover, dedicates himself to either threshing me or watching his vision grow I walk the roads and alleys, whoring myself as I always have, inspiring the most depraved acts in men. All in the name of my goddess.

But I no longer gain joy from it.

Unless it is Karmu I feel nothing from the phallus’ of men now. I do not orgasm nor do I salivate at the sight of their erections. I cannot stop of course, my changed body still drives me to do this things, I simply no longer get same form of pleasure as I once did. Instead I find myself recollecting the vision I had on the day I became ardat-lili, of giving myself to those monsters. I find myself yearning for them again, to be at their mercy, to have them do things to me that humans simply are not able to do. I desperately need them to brutalise me as they did that day. I sometimes scream at the frustration of it, I know I will eventually end up there, being filled by those things unendingly, but why have I not been taken yet?

I see a man running towards me, a messenger, ignoring the various imploring whores, frantically hoping to gain his attention. Incredible really, a city filled with harlots driven mad by my presence, and none of them have what it takes to become ardat-lili. It made me appreciate just what a rarity myself and Kilili are. The messenger reaches me, a grim brute of a man, as usual my first thought was how well he could thresh me, how he could use that strength upon me, thrust into me and make me feel the warmth of his semen entering me. I idly lean against the wall, smiling coyly and spreading my legs further apart. He gasps and struggles against my pull.

That was a rarity, how important is this message? I decided to let him get his business out of the way first, “You wish to relay something to me?”

I could sense his erection and the dark thoughts surfacing from being so near me, could envision what he wanted to do to me. My loins no longer burn in the same way at the thought but burn they do nonetheless. I wait impatiently for him.

“I come as a representative of the new ensi, Kur the Mighty. He requests of you, High Priestess Silili, your hand in marriage, that we may better prevent any thoughts of rebellion that may arise with the new order.”

I frowned, “I see, I am assuming the ensi Karmu has fallen then?”

“When the sun reaches its zenith ensi Karmu is now more.” The messenger’s eyes did not look up to the sky, but continued roving over her.

A strange, plunging sensation struck me as I realised Karmu was assassinated. My son is dead. I would never feel him inside me again. I understood then why I hadn’t been taken yet. The last thing tying me to this realm had been him, the last thing my goddess took interest in as well as myself.

A cold thrill went through me, my legs dampened as I realised it was time to go to her realm, to be cast to those things. At last!

I did the unthinkable and turned from the messenger, denying him my services, to his dismay. I made for the archives Karmu had built, a place where poetry and other such literature could be stored. I had much to do before facing eternity.

******

I sensed her before I saw her.

Now that I am ardat-lili men are drawn by my aura to offer their sacrifice unto me. I am content only when every hole of me is being pummelled. I glimpse Silili behind the erect members all lined to impale me. I wait eagerly for her to join me in our dedication to Lillake’s will, to walk the semen-soaked path of harlotry together. To glutton ourselves on seed and lose ourselves in the ecstasy of our existence as vessels for such. But she merely waits, worse she denies herself to those who are drawn to her. I am confused only briefly before I realise her time has come.

Envy fills me, even as men ram themselves into my body I envy that Silili is a whore for Lillake’s sons now. Monsters who will put her to use in ways beyond mortal comprehension. Or at least beyond willing comprehension. Would that I could go with her, that we may be fucked by those things together!

Patiently she waits for the devotees to finish with me. I had gathered many men, so it is a long wait. But she merely admires me in my holy acts, drinking in the grace with which I whore myself. Although my body demands that I continue to be filled, I force myself to cease at some stage and rise to greet my beloved priestess, I now a fellow ardat-lili. We embrace and kiss passionately, she murmurs in pleasure at the taste of semen and scent of mortal men still lingering upon me. I hold her tightly, find my fingers sinking into her holiest of holies. How tragic this is! Would that she could stay longer, what manner of delights could two ardat-lili together could accomplish? Things this world has not seen in centuries no doubt. She beckons me to follow her, I follow, eyes taken in every part of her. Even with my change my lust for her has not diminished one bit.

She leads me on an agonising journey across the new city. Something has clearly happened, soldiers and citizens are rampaging. The scent of imminent violence and tension only increases my arousal. I see people eye me hungrily and I so wish to cast myself at them, to do with me as they will. I feel the demands of my new body only grow as I deny myself this and follow Silili into a building.

A disappointing place. A place of slate and papyrus. A dingy place filled with tubes holding literature. A table displaying several tablets in shown to me. I care little for such things, even Eulli had put her tablets and reed aside after the hieros gamos, dedicating herself utterly as a harlot of Lillake now. I am certain I could learn to read and write in a matter of days if I so wish, I was well aware that my capacity for intellect had increased substantially with my change. It was simply that unless it aided my efforts as an ardat-lili I held little desire to do so. I look back at the door, wanting to be in the streets with the other harlots.

As if knowing this, Silili presents the archivist, naked, the sight of two ardat-lili causing his mind to break apart in lust. She gives an indication and I gratefully wrap my lips round his phallus, relieved to be filled in some way again. As I worked up and down his shaft Silili explains herself. “You no doubt sense that it is my time. I see your jealousy. Fret not, we will be there together eventually.” She gently lays a hand on the archivist’s shoulder, he exhales and grabs my hair, then begins thrusting down my throat furiously, “I had this kind sir here record my story unto these tablets. This city will fragment soon. Kilili, I want you to take these tablets and store them safely. Learn to read them, and write them anew when you feel it necessary. We are so rare, our kind. It is inevitable that we will fade to myth once again, to be remembered as something less than we really are. I hope these writings will help alleviate that somewhat. Give perhaps a few worthy individuals a taste of what we really are, of what we are capable of. Will you do this?”

I could only give a wet, gargled response as the archivist threshed my face. Lost in the pleasure it was all I could do to focus on Silili’s words. Silili seemed to interpret it as my agreement, I glimpsed her body flushing and scented her sex grow wet. “Good, thank you my love. I must leave now, I feel her calling me. She has grown bored of my antics and wishes to cast me as a plaything to her children. I cannot begin to explain the excitement I feel! Oh how I have longed for this! Farewell, Kilili, until we meet again in her court.” She made for the exit.

Wait! I thought. I would have gone so far as to pull away from the archivist, but his grip on me was so firm and his use of my mouth so brutal I did not have sufficient will to fight it for long. I wanted to know how she planned to go there. We cannot die, I learned that much from her. We are made as such that we may take the most frustrated of devotees, unleashing the darkest of desires in people demands an enduring body. So how do we go to Lillake’s realm?

I feel a wonderful, warm sensation flood me as the archivist ejaculates down my throat. Even as he pulls away my body demands the next. Instead I run to the door and out into the street seeking Silili. But she is gone, lost from my sight forever more until Lillake wearies of me and grants me my longed for reward.

With a heavy heart I return to the archives. I see Silili’s story laid out before me. The archivist approaches, wanting to go again, I hiss and push him into the chair. I point at the tablets, “These words, read them to me!”

Epilogue: A Key to the Shadow

I learned swiftly and stored those tablets away as I agreed. I left the city soon after. Akkad did not fall so much as split into separate tribes, no longer united under Karmu’s charisma they vied for power before agreeing to share it. But they did not advance as they had begun to do so before, the canals remained dry, the fields unattended. Famine remained, a result for the soil turning arid rather than the displeasure of any god. The harlots of Lillake grew fewer and fewer without an ardat-lili’s influence, fucking until their mortal bodies could stand no more. As Silili had promised, our kind faded into obscurity.

But not entirely forgotten. To survive Inanna has had to change dramatically over the centuries, to Ishtar, then Venus, and now Babalon. My own goddess has not needed to adapt quite so much, lust and ruin are ever a dark fascination in any age, moving from Tiamat, to Lillake to Lilith. Let the other whores and their goddesses demand their coin, there shall still be those who seek the queen of semen, her price being much simpler yet much greater.

Over the centuries we her daughters, however, have been given many names, ardat-lili, lilitu, succubi, yakshini, nymphs, and I am tired. Tired of the lukewarm portrayal given to you all by those who know not a thing about us. To belong to our goddess, the Lady of Lust and Ruin, is more than a convenient excuse for bland erotic novels, more than an excuse for pornstars who pretend to orgasm and enjoy their scenes, more than an excuse for cheap horror flicks. To become us, to whore ourselves in her name is to be fucked until your sanity crumbles, to be violated until all self is gone and only ecstasy remains, to be used until that thirst for semen is all that you exist for.

That is why Silili wished to me to write this, so that you could glimpse the true wonder and horror that is we. I have added parts here and there, from accounts I gathered from others as well as some account of my own descent. Unlike Silili I continue through the ages, treading the path of harlotry and transferring her tale from cuneiform tablet, to papyrus, to sheepskin, to paper and, now, to digital format.

Not happy with this? Prefer the castrated and politically correct goddess those wiccans and other new age groups conjured? Demanding that she clothe herself to fit in with this confused society? Then you are not hers and she does not want you. Try to reach her and she will destroy you like the cretins you are. Return to your petty delusions and mundane lives where it is safe.

But did your vulva or phallus twitch in yearning? Were your hands clammy with want? Did you feel a sense of desperation for what only a phallus can bring? A vague taste of what it can provide?

Then beware or be glad, for your descent begins. There are many tools in a whore’s itinerary, words not least among them. An ardat-lili’s very presence can unlock the darkest parts of ourselves. Imagine what an ardat-lili’s words can do.

She is coming for you…

THE END