Pursuit of the Zodiacs (17 page)

Pharisees continued, “Abdeen tried to free me in the Judgment Realm, but Lucifer’s followers overran the Realm. The Judgment Realm is currently lost, but somehow he managed to escape. I have no idea where he is.”

Abdeel said, “I must find him and the rest of The Pursuers and complete this mission. Wait Brother, if the Judgment Realm is lost, you still have a chance to redeem yourself until order is restored there. You cannot return.”

Pharisees walked towards a cliff to think about Abdeel’s theory and the consequences of breaking mortality Covenants. Lucifer’s greed to overturn the Judgment Realm and control everything had backfired.

Pharisees said, “You’re right, Brother. I cannot return there or risk being captured again.”

Abdeel replied, “Let’s not waste any more time. Let’s find our Brethren.”

ISOLATION

Ithiel said, “Judged by Mortals? This is deplorable.”

Timius answered, “I’m forced to agree, Brother. However, we cannot harm them. There must be another way of redemption without bloodshed.”

Justus added, “It’s a shame Pharisees has gone missing, his gift was superb.”

As public enemy number one in the eyes of a whole city, Timius, Ithiel, and Justus sat there confined in a small four-cornered cell, awaiting their judgment.

Meanwhile, back at the secret safehouse, Irisan went over strategy with the Guide to save their confined colleagues. They had to take human casualties into account.

Irisan said, “There’s no other way around it. This setback has taken a huge toll on our mission. Mortals will have to fall tonight.”

The Guide replied, “Oh no, there must be another way. What do you plan to do? Just march in there and start butchering people?”

Irisan countered, “If the opportunity presents itself, yes.”

The Guide spoke, “Have you gone mad?”

Irisan responded, “I have made my decision. You’re just …”

A bright light formed in the hallway. They armed themselves with laser-powered weapons and inspected the disturbance. As they prepared to engage, sighs of relief set in. It’s none other than Abdeel and Pharisees descending from the light.

“Thank God. Abdeel and Pharisees. Where on Earth have you been?” Irisan asked.

They filled each other in on information. Pharisees parted to retrieve Timius, Ithiel, and Justus.

The power went out at the police headquarters. However, back-up systems initiated, a few emergency lights and cameras illumined.

The detectives surveyed the monitors and saw a flashing light and a man descending from it. He confiscated all three of their detainees and vanished into thin air.

One of the detectives yelled, “Did you just fucking see that shit!”

The power came back on, and dozens of police officers ran down the hallway with their guns drawn, only to find the cell completely empty.

Timius spoke, “Pharisees? We thought you were dead?”

Pharisees answered, “It’s puzzling to me as well, Brother; but until the Judgment Realm is restored, I cannot return or risk imprisonment again. I will continue my services here in the Mortal Realm.”

Chapter 15

DIAGNOSED

I
n a secluded part of Africa, a woman and child bathed in a river not too far from their village. They spotted a mysterious man riding an enormous crocodile towards a well-known deadly waterfall.

“Has he gone mad?” The woman said to herself as she covered her Son’s eyes. “That man is about to commit suicide!”

She called to him, “Hey, you! There’s a waterfall ahead.”

Despite her warning, the man never altered his course. To her surprise, a water bridge emerged, trailed by a misty tunnel. The mysterious man and the crocodile beast disappeared into another Dimension.

TODAY’S HOROSCOPE

Your ability to adapt and cooperate is why you are Ruler of the Fourth House. But be aware that this could be your downfall. To assure the safety of all those you love, you cannot assure the safety of everyone you meet. Be advised, Zodiac
.

“At last, once again we are blessed to witness the Mother of all origins: Africa.” Levi said.

After grasping the beauty of Africa, Levi and his team initiated their Pursuit. First, they scanned a portion of Egypt and its Pyramids. They came across a village East of Uganda. From a good distance, they could see an increasing number of people gathering around a strange woman who, by the looks of things, was in the middle of telling an intriguing story.

Their Guide lived up to his reputation as an interpreter. The lady continued her story. He commented, “Hmm, listen up. She appears to have seen a strange man riding a large beast in a river not too far from here.”

Levi questioned, “Could it be?”

“She witnessed seeing the man create a bridge of water that prevented him from falling into the mouth of the waterfall.”

Levi continued, “I’ll trust my instincts and assume she speaks of Cancer.”

The Guide responded, “I would hope so. Even if it’s not, we should still look into this nevertheless.”

They headed out to the river where the man allegedly settled. Heavy rain forced them to tighten their cloaks. Upon the rains impact, their attire gave off a slight glow. The rain and its radiance only lasted one minute, which seemed quite odd to The Pursuers.

As they retired for the night, they heard a voice. “I doubt you’ve come for a night wash in the river. What is your purpose here?”

The voice pulsated from all viewpoints, but they had no idea to whom it belonged.

Levi responded, “We are not here to cause you harm.”

The voice said, “So you say? The weaponry beneath your cloak tells me otherwise.”

“I understand your concern. But you can never be too careful, considering the predators that lurk here during the night.”

The voice insisted, “Spare me your deception. That rain you’ve just encountered was no ordinary rain. Consider it an examination for security purposes. Beneath your cloak is special armor, custom made for any terrain, as if you were expecting Armageddon itself.”

A surprised Levi spoke, “That’s quite a gift you have there, Zodiac. We know who you are, Cancer. We came to convey a warning. Someone will bring you a Scroll. You must not open it unless you wish to become a Devil. It’s tainted with Lucifer’s blood and authority.”

The voice laughed.

Simeon pointed to the river. “Look.”

The water from the river vibrated as the voice laughed uncontrollably. Fish jumped out in a panic.

Levi yelled, “That’s enough! If you think we came here to entertain you with laughs, you are sadly mistaken.”

The laughing ceased and the voice continued, “I’ve been a protector of Africa and the Moon for many years, nurturing these ungrateful people who don’t even know I exist. And, what do I get in return? My Horoscope seems to have brought forth deceit. I expected a more promising visit.”

Levi responded, “We meant you no disrespect, Brother. We’ve traveled a great distance to get here. But again, our reason for this visit is to forewarn you that someone, either a man, woman, child or beast, will try and bring you a Scroll written in Lucifer’s blood. That Scroll has a pattern or language that only the Fallen can understand. Its power is great … great enough to engulf you in its will. And if these proceedings occur, you yourself must be destroyed.”

The voice answered, “A descendant of a Fallen Angel? The words you speak are complete lunacy.”

Levi continued, “If you want to find out the true history behind your gifts, join us on our mission until this threat is over. Will you sit here and wait for the Devil to trick you into becoming one of his puppets, or will you help us destroy him before he steps foot on your land? The choice is yours, Zodiac. One way or another, he will find you, as we did. You, your people, and everything you’ve bled for, will perish.”

Cancer rose out of the river nude. His eyes were crystalized like the water he rose from. His skin was of the Earth, and his Zodiac Sign showed over his heart. They gave him proper attire and welcomed him into the group.

The Secret Mountain of the Seven Moons was accessible to all those worthy of the climb.

Asad saw movement a distance away. He equipped his telescope and saw over a dozen men heading in their direction. “We have visitors.”