Pursuit of the Zodiacs (54 page)

Jacob finished his report and sat back at his desk to think. He felt the temperature shift and loosened his collar. He got up to open the sliding door to his balcony and identified the culprit to this sudden increase in heat. In the flesh and fire, he saw Aries hovering inches above and outside his balcony guardrail.

“Who are you and why are you spying on us?”

Jacob’s cover had been blown, spotted by the last person he thought he would ever meet: Aries. He noticed her replica, a skill he learned she possessed since ordered by the Dark Graduates to study the Zodiacs. The replica stood as Aries’ representative and communicator.

He trembled inside with fear. He knew not to lie, so he told her the brutal truth. “My name is Jacob, and I’ve been forced to spy on you on behalf of the Dark Graduates. If I had refused, they surely would have killed me.”

Aries said, “Hmm, I’ve heard of them before. You should have let them, because what you’re about to feel will not be pleasant.”

Jacob held up his hand. “Wait, wait hold on. I have some news you might be interested in. Aries, please!”

An impatient Aries stopped and let him continue. “Well, what is it?”

Jacob said, “Please give me your word that you will let me live.”

Aries considered his proposal. “How do I know you won’t inform the Dark Graduates of my whereabouts?”

Jacob answered simply, “You have my word. But I’m guessing that won’t be good enough. I will just tell you the news and whatever you feel you need to do, just do it. I’m tired of this shit.”

He told her the Pope’s current whereabouts and forewarned her of the other Zodiacs that awaited her. He went on to mention Mosqidou and their Pursuit of the Zodiacs, and the coming of the Four Talismen. Pleased with the information, Jacob proved why the Dark Graduates had hired him.

Aries decided to grant his request and let him live. “I’m impressed, spy. Even I couldn’t figure that out in time. You’ve brought more news than I anticipated. I see why the Dark Graduates haven’t killed you yet. Leave this place and never return.”

Jacob offered his services to her, hoping to also gain her protection in the process. “But they will find me and send their executioners. Let me work for you, Aries.”

Aries said, “You will only get in the way. Besides, you’re as good as dead. Take my advice, spy, go somewhere very far away and live the last few days, months, or if you’re lucky, years, of your life. These upcoming days will prove nothing is promised to us anymore. This Universe is on the verge of collapse.”

“Say no more. I wish you and your Son good luck, and please make sure the Pope gets what’s coming to him.”

He gathered his things and bid her farewell. Aries’ replica dissipated upon his departure.

Back in Aries’ safehouse, her Son Paul released the bindings holding her down to her bed while her Models guarded her safe house. “What are you going to do, Mom?”

Aries answered, “I’m going to finish this. On my return, we will live in peace once more. You stay here okay, Paul?”

Paul obeyed, “Yes, Mother.”

Aries said, “I love you, okay? Never forget that.”

“I love you too, Mom. Hurry up and come back,” Paul responded.

Aries answered, “I will,” and left, but not before ordering three of her replicas to guard her Son. She generated several more to accompany her. No room for failure, she promised to complete this objective personally.

ADAM’S DREAM

Adam returned to a complete and utter disaster. The sight brought him to his knees. He cried out in pain, unable to conceal his rage. The experience turned him into a Devil. His children had been brutally murdered and his wife and remaining Son Paul absent from sight, supposedly murdered too. Retribution from Lucifer himself, he swore retribution of his own.

“Brother.” He turned to see a concerned Elder Leo.

Adam spoke through tears of anger. “Leo! Look what he’s done!”

Leo put his hand on Adam’s shoulder.

Elder Leo said, “This was done by Crusix’s hands. But overall, he follows orders from the Dark Lord himself.”

Adam said, “Bastards! I’m going to kill them all!”

Elder Leo said, “Please Adam, you must get yourself together. They will arrive here shortly.”

The Elder Gemini twins entered the room. Both he and she could not take in the desolation before them.

Elder Gemini spoke softly. “Forgive us.” They sincerely apologized and left the household.

Pained, Adam spoke, “Do you know where they have taken them?”

Elder Leo answered, “They weren’t taken, Adam. Aries left of her own accord, and she’s made me give her my word not to tell you her whereabouts until she’s safe. I have to agree, she is doing the right thing. Have patience. Soon she will call upon you, and you will be reunited with your wife and Son again. It is too dangerous right now to know where she is. Who knows who could be watching us? You’ll only put them at risk again.”

He pushed Leo off of him and yelled, “Again? Oh, so you think this is my fault, Leo!”

Elder Leo replied, “No, you have me misunderstood, Brother.”

Adam lost his mind, and both Gemini and Leo knew it. “Gemini back off,” Leo said, as they watched Adam unsheathing his Super Sword.

Elder Leo stepped in front of Adam to remind him of their affiliation. “Have you gone mad, Adam? Control yourself, Brother. We are on your side.”

Adam yelled, “You are not my Brother, not anymore. You will tell me where Aries and my Son dwell, or it all ends here.”

Adam followed Leo onto the field where Demons were still fresh in their death.

Filled with despair, Elder Leo spoke, “It seems there is no other way. I see no sign of a compromise with you, Adam. I’m sorry it has to come to this, Brother.”

Adam replied, “I am sorry, too.” He ran towards Elder Leo who held back his power as he evaded Adam’s sword strikes, hoping Adam would tire himself out. But he showed no sign of tiring at all.

“Leo, defend yourself before he pulls off some bullshit!” a Gemini twin shouted.

Adam shouted back at the Gemini. “Shut your mouth. After I’m done, you can join him.”

The Gemini yelled, “Leo, make this quick. He has clearly lost his mind.”

Gemini’s words struck a nerve, and he diverted his attention towards them. Adam’s skin converted into crystalized matter, making him practically indestructible.

Leo stepped in front of Gemini. “Adam, you must calm down.” He knew Leo had impenetrable skin as well, until he realized part of his mane had been hacked off, so he delivered vindictive sword strikes in its direction.

Leo parried the sword strikes and delivered a blow that knocked Adam halfway across the field. No longer in his half-man, half-Lion form, Leo ran toward Adam while morphing and charging on all fours. He pounced, but Adam’s Supernatural Carpet intervened and knocked Leo to the side of the house where his dead children resided. The sight of his home infuriated Adam even more. He ran toward a downed Leo and unleashed more sword strikes, outclassing the Zodiac. Leo released a roar that caused Adam to back off, drop his Super Sword, and grab his ears. Back in his half-Lion form, Leo grabbed Adam and delivered a series of punches. Leo did not have the heart to kill his friend. He’d suffered enough. A fatigued Adam admitted defeat.

Both Leo and Adam changed back into their humanoid forms.

Adam, tears streaming down his face, asked Leo one more question. It would be the last time the two old friends would ever speak. “Tell me, Leo, is my Son Paul with Ursula? Is he still alive?”

Leo answered, “Yes, he is with her. That boy will be strong, stronger than all Zodiacs combined. Give it time, Adam. You will reunite with them soon, Brother. Farewell.”

Adam spoke to himself, “Alas, there is some comfort to the worst day of my life.”

The time of the gathering between Bishop and Lucifer arrived. War strategies were discussed among all other things. Both frontrunners brought their own support, making the numbers in the Dimension greater than anticipated.

Bishop inquired, “Why so many Lucifer? Do you not have my trust?”

Lucifer surveyed Bishop’s following, every bit as great. “You should speak. Your multitude seems greater than mine, Bishop.”

Bishop wanted to move forward with plans. He motioned Lucifer to be seated. “Shall we?”

In the midst of the secret remote Dimension, the two dismissed their men to wait in a field and merge. They both headed toward a private area to discuss strategy accompanied by trusted, neutral Master Archangels.

Bishop commented, “I see one of your Master Arch’s is absent. Where is Crusix?”

Lucifer replied, “I sent him to join your other Master Arch’s to guarantee the death of Michael. Hopefully they prevail this time.”

Bishop agreed, “Yes, Michael, very elusive that one. Such a hard one to kill.”

They laughed, both sharing a long history with a soldier of their common enemy. They even went so far as to place a wager: the first to kill Michael would receive thirteen kingdoms.

Lucifer continued, “As you may know, as we speak, the Children of Sirius are at war with the Dark Graduates.”

Bishop replied, “Yes, I am aware of that. I could care less about them. They can wipe each other out of the Galaxy and history books, for all I care.”

Lucifer spoke, “You speak too soon, Bishop. The Dark Graduates would be a huge addition to our ultimate plan. Representatives from all over the Galaxy, even parts that are yet to be discovered, take part in their annual meetings.”

“Well, what are you waiting for? Will you give them aid?” Bishop asked.

Lucifer answered, “Yes, I’ve already dispatched thousands of my followers to their location.”

Bishop said, “You have had differences with Noah the leader of the Dark Graduates in the past. How do you know if he’ll accept your help?”

Lucifer said, “Trust me, he will submit.”

Bishop said, “I’m not going to ask what you are up to, Lucifer. Just make sure my Archangels are unharmed during your excursions.”

Lucifer replied, “Certainly.”

As they went over strategy, Angels hid in the clouds the whole time. They watched to see if the rumors of this alliance held water, and they did.

Thousands upon thousands of Lucifer’s minions and Demon Master Arch’s stood alongside Bishop’s own Soldiers and his Master Archangels. They practiced formations, looked at star maps and anything else relative to domination.

Enemy satellites and war craft announced the detection of spies. Snipers bombarded the sky with lasers. Unfortunately for the Angels, both Lucifer and Bishop’s forces worked impeccably as a team. Three of the spies’ craft met fire and plummeted to the ground. The other Angels who survived the attack dove down after their comrades when they had to abandon ship. But it was too late. They watched as Demons caught the Angel’s fall in midair. The remaining Archangels left their comrades in the hands of Devils, too many opposed them with suppressive fire.

Disgusted, Bishop’s men looked on as the Demons beat the spies, and things got heated when they ate the flesh of the captured Archangels. They hollered in torment. Unable to take it anymore, Bishop’s men retaliated. Infighting erupted within the campground.

Word of the fighting between their followers reached Lucifer and Bishop. They both entered the field to discipline their men.

Bishop asked, “What’s this disturbance?”

Lucifer ordered, “Stop this!”

The two had their Master Archangels separate their men. Both opposing parties stated their arguments.

“Bishop, we know half of these men. Despite our differences, it is immoral to have these Devils have their way with them. They should be given an honorable death due to our history.”

Bishop agreed, “I believe he is right. If we capture our own, it is best that we be permitted to carry out the execution.”

One of the Demons stepped forward. “What difference does it make? They are our enemies. They would not show us mercy on the battlefield, so we shouldn’t show them mercy. In the end, death will cloud out any recollection of torture.”

Zacharia countered, “Spoken like a true Devil with no honor. What can we really expect from these abominations, anyway?”

Bishop ordered, “Zacharia, hold your tongue.”