Pursuit of the Zodiacs (65 page)

“LOOK AT US: ONCE RESPECTED, NOW FROWNED UPON AS PUPPETS TO THE DARK LORD.”

Noah, leader of the Dark Graduates, stood and paced around the table. He passed his top Councilors, who, like himself, were all prisoners onboard their own ship, each sitting equally disgusted at their situation, awaiting his orders. In fear for their own safety, the rest of the Representatives of the Dark Graduates joined the meeting via large mainframes at their seats, some didn’t bother with the meeting at all and remained absent.

Noah laid out his plan to assassinate Archangels, allies with whom many of them had shared the room as friends and attended meetings to keep the Universe
restored and safe. Those same trusted allies were absent from sight, awaiting the betrayal of people they considered Brothers.

“If the rumors are true about Lucifer and his alliance with Bishop, I’m afraid no one will be able to stop them. It will be best to be on the winning side when this war is over,” suggested one of the Councilors.

Noah responded, “Over? Do you know whose orders we must be in contention with? Should I spell it out for you — Lucifer! We’re better off killing ourselves. He’ll enslave us and use this base for blood sacrifice rituals, or whatever the Hell they do there.”

“So, what sayest thou, Noah? What is your decision? Whom do we side with?” Naum, the Representative from Planet Jupiter spoke from his monitor.

They anxiously waited for his answer, but he delayed. “I will assist you with that answer.”

Another Councilor interrupted. The Reptilian shape-shifter unveiled its true form before the whole panel of Dark Graduates. The room was shocked into silence by Lucifer’s infiltrator. Having been present the entire time, the Reptilian operated one of the mainframes. He demonstrated Demons outside the homes of their families and loved ones, should any show a change of heart or mind.

“Oh, and I haven’t forgot about you Dark Graduates hiding behind your monitors.” Positioned outside each one of their orbits, the Reptilian went on to showcase armed enemy satellites capable of abandoning or depopulating entire Earths.

“So, these bastards hold us at gunpoint even light years away? How did their satellites come into our orbit without detection?” Genesis, the Representative from Planet Uranus shouted from his monitor. He removed himself from their secret conference and went offline. His monitor displayed a pitch-black screen.

This discovery reinforced the shackles of confinement already placed upon them. Adding insult to injury, the Reptilian took out a bag displaying the severed head of the Councilor he killed in order to take his form and infiltrate the secret meeting. He held it high as they watched in horror, and slammed it down onto the table announcing, “This meeting is adjourned.”

Outraged, members of the Dark Graduates reached for their guns, but were subdued by other Council members who couldn’t risk their loved ones being murdered.
The meeting ended defiantly; but with not very much choice, everyone complied. Lucifer had all of the Dark Graduates at his mercy. The room evacuated, but Noah stayed behind to vent in an empty Council Hall. All monitors belonging to the rest of the Dark Graduates went offline as Noah stood there with his fists clutched, staring at the severed head of his associate on the table.

“Look at you, cloaked in failure,” Aru, Representative for the People of the Sun scorned. “You’re no longer fit to rule the Dark Graduates. You have put everyone at risk … everyone!”

Thinking Aru had gone offline like the others, Noah rose without a word, walked towards his monitor and spoke, “When I restore order here, you will pay for those words, Aru, I promise you.” Noah picked up his monitor and smashed it against the floor of the Counsel Hall.

AS THEY WAIT ON ORDERS, REGAL INTRODUCED THEM TO NEW WEAPONS AND ARMOR HE HAD INVENTED
.

Each Special Armor and Super Suit complemented the gifts any remaining Zodiacs possessed. One suit withstood the brutal temperatures of the Sun that Aries occupied.

Goliath held a new axe, custom-designed for his massive build. The Soul Controller Axe consumed the souls of its victims after certain death.

Daniel uncovered a weapon similar to a Ninja Star, but three times the size. He combined it with the speed of his winds, and its gyroscopic boomerang technology returned it to its sender for reuse.

Lucille, the ex-Dark Graduate, came across a Super Powered Sniper Rifle. Not only was she able to channel X-ray vision through the lens of its scope, she could also detect the Mark of the Beast. The bullets contained all classes of elements within its core. “I can get used to this,” she said with a smile. Lethal weapons always made her content.

They received a call from Zodeen and were told to advance. The news brought them pleasure. They couldn’t wait to put their new weapons to use.

“This is where we part ways, my friends. I must wait here for the others. But remember this passageway in case you have to return.” Regal made this announcement after leading them through a secret door to Rome’s war-torn streets.

Daniel said, “Thank you, Regal. Your service will not go unrewarded.”

“Whoa!” Regal spotted a boy behind them in the middle of the street.

It was Capricorn. Frightened, Regal slammed the door behind them. They heard a series of locks engaging. “Good luck,” Regal shouted, behind the safety of the reinforced door.

Lucille sighed with a tinge of disgust at Regal. “So much for that.”

The horns on his forehead curled to the back of his head, his half-goat, half-humanoid form and solid white eyes with absent pupils gave him away. Vengeance stirred Capricorn’s blood this night. Daniel spoke, “We mean no harm. Please, introduce yourself.”

He stepped into the light and spoke, “I know who you are. My name is Capricorn, and I am a Zodiac.”

Daniel replied, “I will only ask one question, Zodiac, since we have no time for idleness. Do you come to us as an ally or enemy?”

Capricorn answered, “Neither. The chances of an alliance between The Pursuers and me have gone ever since one of your own perished by the hands of my Dead Rising. I simply come to tell you and your comrades to stay out of my way. The Pope is mine to kill.”

Concerned, Daniel approached him.

Capricorn warned, “Right there is fine, Archangel.”

Daniel said, “Which one of us have you killed, Zodiac?”

Before Carpicorn could answer, Goliath interrupted. “You killed one of our own, and have the audacity to tell us to forfeit our campaign? You are too arrogant for your own good, boy!”

Goliath clutched his new weapon, but Daniel stopped him as he saw why the Zodiac spoke with such assurance. Well over a thousand of his Dead Rising minions occupied the next street over. Despite the news discovered, they were no contest for the Zodiac.

“So, we’re just going to let him walk off like that after confessing to the murder of one of our own? This is insanity!” Goliath said while watching the Zodiac take his leave.

Daniel responded, “It is the only wise thing to do, unless you want to join our fallen comrades so soon? We must wait for the others to get here. Patience Goliath, we’ll see the Zodiac again. It looks like he’s planning on sticking around tonight.”

Lucille added, “Well, I hope you find comfort in knowing that he has not sided with Lucifer. It seems he shares a personal grudge against the Pope. Despite what he has told you, you must employ him to your advantage. Differences must be put aside. Sometimes alliances can be very strange.”

Daniel agreed. “She’s right, Goliath. It’s time we played Chess and not Checkers. We mustn’t let our emotions misguide us. The total outcome in the end will be victory, but only if our minds are attentive.”

Goliath replied, “Can we at least start killing some Devils?”

Daniel smiled, “With that, I have no quarrel, my Brother.”

THE TRAIN MADE ITS FINAL STOP
.

Crusix departed, bidding farewell to Troy, the Guardian Demon Arch Conductor. His mysterious train was notorious for ferrying the Damned to Hell. Once off the train, Helena, the young but dangerous Demon Master Arch, greeted him along with twenty familiar mercenaries.

Helena spoke, “Here you are in one piece.”

Crusix answered, “Yes, but so many of our men are not. They fought bravely. Unfortunately, I am the only survivor.”

Helena said, “Yes, their sacrifice will not be forgotten. However, I am not surprised that you stand here this night, Crusix. Your skills are like no other Master Arch I’ve ever seen.”

She went on to compliment him as she escorted him to her vehicle. They went over additional plans, and she updated him on the status of events.

Crusix filled her in on some information as well. “Yes, I can also confirm that Bishop’s Master Archs are dead. We were completely outnumbered. Michael, Raphael and their forces showed no mercy in their attack.”

Helena replied, “Well, now that we have the Dark Graduates at our disposal, and Bishop and the remaining Zodiacs locked in, this victory should come easily if properly strategized.”

Crusix affirmed, “You are right, Helena. If the cards are played right, our enemies will be destroyed.”

Rumors of war shook the universe. Secret meetings assembled on Moons, abandoned Earths, Mars, Venus … they were sanctioned everywhere. The Dark Graduates strengthened Lucifer’s army by the millions.

They entered the great gates of Hell itself and saw Lucifer standing at his throne watching the Damned, cursed in their lake of fire.

“He ponders, but he is expecting you,” said his aide. They bowed down, and the Dark Lord motioned them to rise.

Crusix said, “My Lord, what more do you wish me to do?”

Lucifer answered, “Is what I’m hearing true? Did Bishop’s Master Archs fall at Venus?”

Crusix said, “Yes, my Lord, what you heard is true. I was lucky to escape with my life. Just as we had Michael and his fleet trampled underfoot, Raphael came with his army and deprived them of death.”

Lucifer responded, “Raphael? Fret not. Soon their little victory will be but a distant memory, unworthy of record books. Get some rest, Crusix. You have done well. I have an important mission for you and Helena to carry out. Please retire to your quarters with this in mind: I will not accept news of failure from this next assignment. If that’s the news you have for me, do not return.”

Crusix bowed his head. “I understand, my Lord.”

Crusix retired, as did everyone else.