Nergal entered the Heavens, a bundle of saffron threads and opium flowers tucked under his arm. It was all he had to give, though he knew he owed Damu a great deal more. Material offerings would never be able to convey the depth of his gratitude, but the fact that he’d bothered to come all the way up here ought to mean something, at least. It was always too bright, too lofty here. These halls had never been open to him in anything but name only. Nergal was half surprised he hadn’t been shooed away as soon as he’d kharred into the territory. It was likely only because he came bearing gifts that he was allowed.
He passed the estates of the other gods, some verdant and sprawling, others towering and blockish, each befitting their individual owner. The cedar gates guarding their entrances per
