Pursuit of the Zodiacs (84 page)

“Let him go” Natenal ordered.

The smoke and fire cleared. Aries wept while holding Adam’s half-seared body. “I didn’t know, my Love,” she said while holding him close.

“Adam!” Daniel called out, but he did not get a response.

They surrounded Aries. Irisan, with her healing ability, moved in to help Adam.

“He will live, and his burns will perish; but I will need some more time with him, Zodiac,” she advised.

Gratefully, Aries responded, “I am deeply sorry for the inconvenience and the loss you have suffered. I didn’t know what your motives were. Please forgive me.”

With no other alternative, peace built its foundation. They exonerated the Zodiac, putting an end to their Pursuit of the Zodiacs campaign. They made their way out of the tunnel with Aries. Further down the tunnel, Natenal investigated the stubborn fire that wouldn’t go out. He came across debris, melted fixtures, and the slightly pleasant view of the Pope’s ashes blowing overhead by the wind seeping through openings of the tunnel.

Natenal exited and ordered the fleet waiting outside to put away their weapons. A ball of fire came soaring through the clouds. Its contrails marked the night’s sky. It was Michael, the Master Archangel, himself. The fire dispersed as he landed across the street. He had come with important news. News he had to deliver personally.

“Lucifer is dead,” he announced shortly after landing.

Some rejoiced while others remained skeptical and demanded answers. Michael continued, “There have been those who have betrayed the Kingdom. Amongst them are Grenad, Ariel, the Astrologer, and probably our biggest threat yet, Bishop, the Mover of Suns. Because of Lucifer’s death, there is a fight for the Burning Throne. Bishop’s army is increasing by millions, even as I speak. These are without a doubt the beginning of the End of Times. And I am here to tell you to ready yourselves, Brethren. Right now, the Judgment Realm is at war. Raphael, take your fleet and restore it. The people of Rome have their new Pope. Rome will be restored in time, so your services are no longer needed here.” And, with those last few words of warning, he returned to the clouds.

Raphael said, “And so another chapter begins. Natenal, you and the remaining members of The Pursuers will be escorted back to the Kingdom. Your campaign is complete. You’ve done well. Get plenty of rest. I am certain you will be needed again.” In desperate need of recreation, they did not dispute their orders. They boarded their respective craft and departed.

“LOOK! THE CRAFT, IT DEPARTS.”

The Pursuing Mosqidou craft from Raphael’s fleet headed back toward the entrance to the secret underground tunnel.

“They must be needed elsewhere,” Aquarius said.

The Zodiacs did not mind their sudden change of interest at all. Relieved, they rested. Aquarius insisted they tread on towards the People Under the Sea.

“What is your rush? The threat is over,” Libra asked.

“I don’t think so,” Pisces warned as she sensed danger.

A figure made itself known in the shadows of the tunnel and rapidly moved in their direction. Followed by thick snake-like skin, the creature had three eyes on its forehead and one more resting on the back of its skull.

“Damn, we cannot best its pace, whatever it is. It has a death wish thinking it can take on three Zodiacs,” Libra said to the others.

Pisces added, “And death it shall receive.”

They waited on the engineered specimen that this secret underground tunnel had manufactured. They had no idea of its weakness or power. And it came to them as the Devil came to Eve. They had no time to react to its weird alien form.

They forced wind and water in the direction of the enemy. Lights sparked, and the surveillance cameras planted on the walls of the tunnel were destroyed. It slowed the engineered specimen down, but they failed to break its strange fortified skin. A row of razor-sharp Shark teeth rose from Pisces’ arm down to her elbow. As she thrust her arms, it caught her midway and threw her against the wall. She gasped for air. He extended his arms and clutched Libra’s leg as she attempted to strike from the wall. He threw Libra to the ground.

Aquarius found an opening in its defense, and thrust her Water-Bearing Sword into its abdomen, finally breaking its flesh. In desperation, with a torrent of wind, Libra knocked it back down the tunnel with the sword still lodged inside its body.

Realizing she had been badly hurt, they helped Pisces to her feet. She lost blood from internal injuries. Blood trickled from her nose and mouth. They could hear the echoes of Aquarius’s sword clanging against the ground.

“It must have removed my sword from its body. We must hurry,” she affirmed.

They reached the exit to the underground tunnel. Below, at the surface of a shore, they found Goro and his fleet of soldiers, heavily armed and wearing reinforced suits. Pisces pushed Aquarius and Libra aside and unleashed an electrical burst of water that decapitated the engineered specimen, but not without receiving a fatal blow from the same sword it had been impaled with: Aquarius’s own Water-Bearing Sword.

“No!” Aquarius shouted as she caught Pisces mid-fall.

“Find my Daughter, Revati. She is in Neptune and is the heir to my power. Please tell her I love her. Train her, and make sure she is a Master in the Arts of the Zodiac,” Pisces requested this as her last breath escaped her.

Goro had his soldiers cover the area while rushing over to investigate.

The soldiers entered the tunnel and came upon more of the engineered specimens lurking about. They unleashed heavy firepower that riddled the walls of the tunnel. One threw an explosive device and the walls caved in on the pursuing engineered entities.

Goro asked, “Aquarius, who is she? What is going on?”

With her attention diverted, Aquarius missed his question and asked, “How many soldiers can you have within the hour?”

Goro answered, “Enough to fill each corner of Rome.”

Aquarius answered, “Good.”

She had the soldiers carry Pisces’ body away. As everyone departed, she stayed behind and watched the underground tunnel.

“I will return with my flood. It will crumble every wall and bring your tunnel to the surface of the ground. My waters will be marked with the blood of every Scientist, Engineer and Hybrid origin we’ve witnessed here this day.”

SEVEN YEARS LATER

On the high balcony of a renovated cathedral church, Pope Elizabeth gazed upon all the homes and buildings situated throughout a restored Rome. City skyscrapers replaced the burning, impending doom that had blighted the capital and triggered desertion. The streets flooded with businesses and consumers. Not only was Rome restored, but all of Earth shared in this second renaissance. They had rid themselves of its currency and resorted to the ultimate well-being of mankind by simply helping one another. The wicked fled, migrating into other Earths and Galaxies, near and far, to avoid atonement for their sins. Pope Elizabeth sent Special Forces to capture them. They returned and stood trial before the people they had corrupted for many centuries. Evil still lurked, but hid its face.

The Burning Throne had a suitable successor. As he approached the throne, one could see the piles of ash and burnt bodies from all those who thought they had been worthy of the seat. Lucifer’s Throne showed no mercy to the unworthy. After successfully defending the estates of Hell, Archangel Peter, the heir to the Dark Prince’s power, sat down, and all before him bowed and worshipped the new Prince.

An extended eclipse heralded the birth of a new Zodiac. Three days passed, and Mercury remained covered in Darkness. The eclipse passed; and in secret, Master Archangel Raphael stood on a hill holding a boy … and girl, Gemini. He was appointed their Guardian. He blessed them and gave them back to their Aunt, who took the Zodiac back inside.

The People of the Moon, Jupiter and Venus underwent parallel lengthy eclipses as they welcomed more Zodiac newborns. Whether prepared for it or not, respective heirs would inherit the power left behind from their Zodiac descendants who had fallen during the Pursuit. All those who survived took refuge, hoping to live their remaining days peacefully. However, they knew those false hopes would more than likely bring forth more tribulations. It would not be long before another Pursuit of the Zodiacs commenced, so they lay in wait.

Aquarius and Goro married and bore heirs of their own.

Despite murals and statues built in her honor, Libra left the luxury and safety of the People Under the Sea to find Revati, Pisces’ Daughter, whom she had promised to protect. She intended to venture to find her own calling and people. The People Under the Sea had bid her farewell, but Aquarius had taken her exodus the hardest.

Since his victory over Lucifer, Bishop had acquired eminent power. He could lay with Virgo, unharmed by her poisons. She carried his child, a child that would be heir to both her and Bishop’s power. They attended Grenad’s Master Arch ceremony. He, along with ten more Archangels, was promoted as Master Archangels. The Mover of Suns himself granted them extraordinary gifts in addition to their own.

Another promotional ceremony amassed behind Heaven’s Gates. Everyone attended, including the Son of God himself. Due to his great works, Regal earned his credentials and became a fully restored Apprentice of God. He, along with millions, reviewed the surviving Pursuers as they received their honors. They stood in line for their blessings. Timius, Daniel, Abdeen, Goliath, Irisan and, last but not least, Natenal received immaculate power. They were going to need it as the final war neared.

Dark Mosqidou was on the rise. They had successfully defeated the Tyrant threat that promised the extinction of their people. They rebuilt and provided security for the future of their Vampeer Race.

Aries and Adam found contentment. Despite the tragic deaths of their children, they found peace once more and started a new family that would inherit their power. Only a select few knew their whereabouts, and they did everything in their power for it to remain so.

Lisa, the last survivor of the Children of Time reunited with her cousin, Capricorn. Lucille left them together in order to partake of matters that also shared importance. Safe and at peace under Saturn’s supervision, there they would stay unless given another reason to leave.

Lucille, still loyal to her fallen leader, Noah, formed a secret militia for the rebellion. Their objective of dethroning Aru and restoring the name of the Dark Graduates ended in failure. Bishop the Mover of Suns had an interest in Aru’s appointment as the new leader of the Dark Graduates. Their affiliation made both sides even more dangerous. Aru provided more Suns, and Bishop provided protection. Her fleet was destroyed and scattered during Aru’s inaugural ceremony after discovering their affiliation. A month later, she received word from Genesis, Representative of Planet Uranus. They both shared a common enemy, Aru, and secretly formed another alliance for the furtherance and well-being of their Universe.

Scorpio went into exile in search of a normal life. He discovered some distant relatives, members of the Chinese Zodiacs, and with them, formed a unification to maintain the existence of their kind.