Pursuit of the Zodiacs (59 page)

Unable to bear the news, Adam sat down. “I am too late! The nightmare returns. I’ve failed them again!” Abdeen escorted Adam toward the back room to calm his comrade down.

Cancer commented, “What about Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Libra? Any word?”

Regal answered, “No, but another rumor has surfaced that Aquarius, Sagittarius and Libra are also in pursuit of their Zodiac equals. Their whereabouts are currently unknown.”

Abdeel said, “I would love nothing more than to cross paths with Sagittarius again.”

Regal continued, “I also want to add that, during one of my patrols, I came across a group of strange riders who were torturing someone I did not recognize. It was horrible. He mentioned being a spy for the Dark Graduates and had given up the coordinates of a child. I couldn’t stick around to find out who, or I wouldn’t be here to talk to you.”

Timius added, “It must have been Adam’s boy.”

Cancer replied, “Yes, I’m glad he’s not nearby to hear this.”

Natenal said, “We have little time. Soon Lucifer will kill the boy. They will keep him alive until this war is over. After that, his days are precarious. I’m certain Lucifer has his own heir in mind for that power.”

“Aghhh,” Cancer’s heart glowed, and he fell to the floor touching his chest. Grimacing in pain, he had difficulty breathing.

“What’s happening to him?” A concerned Irisan asked as they all gathered around him. Simeon held him down.

The Bookkeeper spoke, “Another Zodiac death.”

Timius replied, “Damn … who? Which one was it this time?”

“I don’t know, but this hurts like Hell,” Cancer replied as he collected himself.

Natenal said, “He’ll be all right. Regal, get him a glass of water. And Irisan, see what you can do here.”

Regal went to the kitchen. Irisian placed her hand on Cancer’s heart and used her gift of healing. An unusual current passed between them, knocking them both to the floor.

“Are you all right, Irisan?” They asked while helping her up.

“Oh, my God, I’ve actually seen him,” she answered in disbelief.

“Seen who?” Timius asked.

Irisan answered, “Sagittarius, he’s the one who fell.”

After a few more minutes, Cancer’s pain subsided. “Damn, the Zodiacs are cursed indeed.”

“It’s almost like I was there and actually felt the Zodiac’s pain. I can’t explain it,” Irisan shared.

Cancer added, “I’m just witnessing the extermination of my own kind. Are there any Zodiacs not influenced by the Devil?”

Natenal answered, “We stand before one, you Cancer. It’s unfortunate that your generation has chosen a path unparalleled to our Covenant. There must be at least one more left whose path is righteous.”

Levi said, “This is unbelievable. I can only imagine how difficult this must be for you.”

Cancer responded, “We both share a common burden. You’ve lost many as well.”

Zodeen asked, “Regal, do you know the Zodiac’s current location?”

Regal answered, “No, but I would start this search underground if I were you. I assume the Pope has them heavily guarded somewhere secret. Looks like everyone could use some rest. You should all retire for the night. It’s going to be a big day.”

Natenal agreed, “Regal’s right. Tomorrow we enter the Underworld and put an end to this campaign.”

WITHOUT REQUEST, LUCIFER’S ARCHANGELS SAVED THE DARK GRADUATES FROM THE CHILDREN OF SIRIUS
.

The Super Humans of Planet Sirius fled. They left their leader in the hands of their enemies. Vetrius faced judgment by the same people he had set out to destroy.

“Look how your own people abandon you! What failures!” Noah shouted.

Vetrius said nothing in his or their defense. Noah paid homage to the saviors of the night.

“I know who you represent, and we are indebted to you. Will the leader of this mission please step forward,” Noah asked humbly.

Her name was Helena, a Demon Master Archangel. Noah said, “But you’re only a child.”

To him she appeared twelve years old; she gave him a devious look. “My apologies, we the Dark Graduates are humbly indebted to you. Please accept our gratitude.”

She spoke, “My name is Helena. The reason for our deployment is simple. We have come for aid against the Kingdom. In the time of our victory, all those who are absent from our side will be remembered. Not only will they be remembered, but they will be considered traitors, put to death, and will be among the damned when Eternity has set its mark.”

Noah spoke, “Whoa, just a damn minute. We highly appreciate what you’ve done for us here, but we’re not going to join a war that we want no part of.”

Vetrius shook his head.

“Guards, hang this criminal and send him into space with the rest of its rubbish.” They grabbed Vetrius and hung him off the side of their ship, where he died moments later.

Helena spoke, “I see you’re a man of intolerance, and that is what we both have in common. We don’t like rules broken and orders ignored. However, I’m afraid you’re in no position to govern anything. So, see that our demands are met or you yourself will be hanging from your own ship.”

Noah replied, “Damn you! This is your second threat against the leader of the Dark Graduates, which is punishable by death!”

Helena said, “Well, make this my third threat. Go ahead and try to rebel, and we’ll see to it that there will be no more Dark Graduates.”

Soldiers of the Dark Graduates talked amongst themselves, enraged. Helena continued, “Hear how your men are just as eager to meet death.”

“Why you little…” Noah held his tongue.

Completely outnumbered and at Helena’s mercy, as hard as it was, Noah complied with the terms and swore an oath to assist them in this war. He and the rest of his lieutenants took the Mark of the Beast to further prove their loyalty.

Helena said, “There. Was that so hard? It’s settled. Wait on our call. Until then, this place is in serious need of some renovations.” She joked and departed with her army, leaving at least five hundred Demons to keep a watchful eye.

“Aghhh!” Infuriated, Exodus flipped over a table at a hotel bar. During their retreat, both Lucifer and Bishop’s surviving men seized a town in a secret Dimension.
Scattered about, the injured took rest anywhere they felt comfortable. The whole town evacuated. The bodies of those who didn’t make it out on time lay scattered about the ground … their blood having met the pillars of Earth.

Exodus spoke, “That bastard Michael killed Amos!”

Leviticus tried to calm Exodus down and save the remaining furniture. “Settle down, no use stressing over it.”

Ezra broke in, “What’s our next move?”

Crusix answered, “My men are in need of rest and medical attention. After they are treated, we continue moving South.”

Genesis replied, “They’re slowing us down. Soon Michael and Raphael will arrive to finish the job.”

Crusix said, “Are you suggesting I leave my men here?”

Genesis answered, “Yes, they are as good as dead. Take a good look!”

Crusix backslapped Genesis, who fell across the table. “You dare touch me, Devil? I’m a Master Arch! I’ll kill you!” Genesis shouted while equipping his laser weapon.

Leviticus stepped in and stopped him. “That wouldn’t be wise, Genesis.” He continued with a warning as dozens of Crusix’s soldiers entered the room to investigate the commotion.

“Go stand watch. There’s nothing to see here,” Crusix ordered his men. He sat down on a couch in the hotel’s lobby, making himself comfortable. “We wait until my men have fully rested. You are more than welcome to leave and take your chances. But if you’re caught, I highly doubt my men will offer sympathy or aid of any kind.”

Bishop’s four remaining Master Archangels released themselves from their armor and weapons and found comforters of their own.

Exodus wanted to restore some humanity. “At least tell your damn men to eat these people elsewhere. We are not accustomed to this disgraceful barbarism.”

Crusix replied, “You don’t like it, check yourself into one of the rooms upstairs. We’ve lost many colleagues here. How they decide to take out their frustrations is none of your damn concern.”

Exodus replied, “If you want this alliance to remain intact, you should watch how you speak to me, Demon.”

He retired to one of the hotel rooms upstairs, leaving everyone in the lobby. Ezra followed right after and joined him in his room. They fornicated and fell asleep.

Two hours later, an explosion followed by the shuddering of their room stirred Ezra and Exodus out of their sleep. A rocket struck their hotel. In pursuit, Michael and Raphael attacked the city. They looked out of their hotel window fifteen floors up to see Archangels entering the building. They hurriedly clothed themselves and grabbed their laser-powered machine guns leaning against the wall.

“How come we weren’t warned?” Ezra yelled.

Exodus conjectured, “They must have never seen them coming.”

They saw Archangels flying outside, inspecting each window of the hotel. Exodus and Ezra hid until they passed.

“Where is everyone?” He whispered.

“I have no clue,” Ezra whispered back.

They silently moved down the halls, guns drawn, covering each other as they headed up a flight of stairs to the next floor. They heard the exchange of firepower, gifts and iron clinking a few floors down.

“Let’s keep moving,” Ezra insisted.

They reached the next flight of stairs and encountered one Angel. Catching him off guard, they riddled him with laser fire, punishing him for his mistake. His partner moved towards them and received the same fate. He slumped and rolled down the stairs in their direction. To avoid further noise, Ezra stopped him midway during his fall and took his weapon.

“Okay, let’s move.” Exodus motioned Ezra to follow.

Ezra reached another window and saw injured Devils mustered out and executed. To her surprise, she witnesses Genesis’s body being dragged out, already dead. “Damn, they’ve killed Genesis!” She uttered.

“What?” Exodus moved to the next window to see for himself.

He saw Genesis lying face up on the sidewalk in front of the hotel. “Damn, you’re right. I still see no sign of Crusix or Leviticus. We have to leave this place.”

They heard a window break one floor up, followed by loud thumps, indicating a struggle. They moved fast up the stairs and came upon Leviticus wrestling with another Archangel. Ezra and Exodus ran to his aid. While Exodus and Ezra held the
Archangel down, Leviticus ran his dagger through his enemy’s heart. “Aghrhh,” the Archangel cried out in pain.

Ezra covered the Archangel’s mouth to muffle his cry. The Archangel died, and Exodus and Ezra released him. They helped Leviticus up.

Exodus asked, “Where’s Crusix?”

Leviticus waited a moment while he caught his breath and answered, “I don’t know. Everything happened so fast. I saw his soldiers fleeing and the injured being put out of their misery. Next, missiles were dispatched and we all went our separate ways for cover. Genesis was right. We should have taken our chances and left this damn Dimension. They must have been tipped by the locals.”

Exodus, while keeping cover, said, “Okay, we can’t sit here like cows ready for the slaughterhouse. We must move.”

Again, they hit the halls and headed toward the roof. They saw three more Archangels flying by, and more above them scanning the area in search of adversaries.

“What are we going to do?” Ezra asked.

“We simply wait until their wings tire. It shouldn’t be long,” Leviticus instructed.