Pursuit of the Zodiacs (9 page)

The Mayor’s happy mood changed.

“They will not be joining us anymore. Those two assholes have become outcasts and decided to proceed in finding the rest of the Zodiacs on their own. Let’s see how far those fools get without my guidance.”

Sagittarius said, “Hmmm, I see.”

Taurus continued, “Ultimately, it is up to Lucifer, not me, to decide what to do with those two. That’s enough talk about those idiots. How rude of me. Are you thirsty? Would you like a beverage?”

Sagittarius replied, “No I’m all right. Let’s proceed to business, please.”

Taurus said, “We will get straight to the point indeed my friend.”

Taurus brought out a map and placed it on his desk. The markings it possessed contained coordinates to the locations and whereabouts of two more Zodiacs: Cancer and Leo.

Sagittarius questioned, “Japan? Africa?”

Taurus replied, “Yes, cousin. A Guide awaits in both countries. You will enter the Dimension, and he or she will take it from there. You will be taken to the Zodiac.”

Sagittarius said, “These Zodiacs, do they know we are coming?”

“No, that’s why it’s up to you to persuade them by revealing the Scroll. Once I receive word of which of the two Zodiacs the Gemini have decided to pursue, I will notify you of your assignment. Stay out of sight until you’re called upon again.”

OZIAS’S DREAM

The Sun shined bright on the horizon. A family of four walked out onto a beach towards the ocean on a warm summer’s day. The family consisted of a man, woman and twins, a little boy and girl no more than 5 years old. They ran away to play in the sand. The couple yelled after them, warning them to be careful and not tread too far. The man and woman held hands and sat on a nearby boulder.

It’s Ozias and his wife, London, both reptilian Shapeshifters and parents to the Zodiac twins, Gemini.

Moments later, a dark mist rolled in consuming one half of the beach. Something in the mist caught the twins’ attention. All the children on the beach ran closer to investigate.

“Look at the size and discoloration of that mist,” Ozias remarked.

Ozias and his wife called out to the twins, but it was too late. A dark figure descended from the mysterious cloud and abducted both children.

Ozias and his wife cried out as their young ascended and vanished. Ozias exited his dream.

He yelled out, “Wait! Wait! No! Gemini!” He fell out of the couch in the training room, hysterical and angry.

Shiloh, caught off guard in the middle of her training round, ran over to him. “Gemini? Ozias, what’s troubling you, Brother?”

He ignored her concern and soared off to reflect. Timius walked in just in time to see a puzzled Shiloh shrugging her shoulders.

“He’ll be fine. We were warned of visions of our past life here on this Earth. Another one of Lucifer’s clever tools used to deter our advances. We mustn’t give in to them.” Timius said.

Shiloh looked at Timius. “So, not only are we tainted with the trials of the mission, but our dreams, the only peace we have left, are plagued with the same corruption as well? We must hurry up and put an end to this campaign before we all give in to the madness that is confined here.”

Timius replied, “You are not alone with that theory, my friend.”

TODAY’S HOROSCOPE

Eternal apprentices make you Ruler of the Third House. The more you know, the more power you gain; so keep acquiring knowledge any chance you get. Your unpredictability may appear cynical, therefore gaining people’s trust may be problematic
.

The Moon hovered and welcomed their passage. Shadows of street lamps and other fortifications merged with their shade. The Gemini arrived in the back of an old abandoned apartment complex.

“Move aside. Open the damn Gateway and let us pass.”

The Gatekeeper spoke, “There’s been word around the Death Realm that you two have murdered Isaiah. Thanks to you, I must work double shifts.”

One of the Geminis replied, “And you will join him if you refuse to do what I ask. I don’t recall this mission ever stating the wellbeing of gatekeepers.”

“Understood. But do heed my warning, you will pay for what you did to Isaiah, Zodiac.” The Gatekeeper opened another time capsule, and a Gateway to another Dimension formed.

The other Geminus responded, “How wise of you.”

And his Zodiac Twin added, “He threatened us. Should we send his head to his friend who dines in the halls of the Judgment Realm?”

Came the answer: “No, it would only be a waste of time. I’m quite certain he’s aware that he lacks the required skills necessary to avenge his fallen comrade, especially against a Zodiac. Leave him the note and let’s continue.”

The Gemini handed the Gatekeeper a note stating their exodus to Japan in search of Leo. Along with his current duties as the Gatekeeper, his job was to keep the note until a courier retrieved it or Taurus himself made his appearance. Either way, it must be stored in his records until the rightful party accepted it.

The Gatekeeper took the note and spoke quietly to the other Gatekeeper as the Gemini departed.

They entered the Dimension.

As he closed the gate, the Gatekeeper mumbled to himself, “Those two bastards will pay for the death of Isaiah.”

THE PISCES INCIDENT

Denzel Conners, a Mercenary for the Dark Graduates had just completed a briefing with his men. He, along with ten other special soldiers, had been assigned a secret mission to acquire certain information and return with a full report. Their objective resided on the Planet Neptune, in the deep waters of the abyss.

Aware of the dangers, they equipped plasma-generating guns that could fire underwater and classified pressure resistant suits designed to withstand the pressures of the abyss. They were unique and excellent. As they landed on the water, their aircraft converted into an underwater vessel. They witnessed creatures that resembled dolphins scurrying off into the sea away from the craft, seconds from their descent.

After an hour in, they settled onto the bottom of the ocean. They heard a loud sound similar to a trumpet. Its intensity vibrated the shell of the vessel. Not a moment too soon, their radar detected something large, and it was headed their way.

Outside of the front display window, a large school of fish swarmed past, obviously scurrying away from the source of the sound.

“What is that?” one of the soldiers shouted.

The large object approached, and the rumbling noise intensified. The beast resembled a whale five times the size of their submarine. No one made a sound or moved as it hovered towards their main display window. The beast opened its massive jaws revealing its enormous teeth. Astonished, they witnessed a little girl no more than twelve years of age. She yawned and stretched her arms as if she had just been roused out of bed. She spoke. A sound came over their loudspeakers.

“I want to talk with whoever is in charge of this mission, in private,” she said, while leaned up against one of the creature’s towering teeth.

The crew awaited Denzel Connor’s orders. As hard as it was, he kept his fear bottled up inside. The gaze from the beast brought forth discomfort, but once he had locked eyes with the little girl, he felt more at ease. He couldn’t explain it. She was very mature for her age, ahead of her time, as if she’d seen the future. He had no idea how their conversation would turn out.

He put on a classified pressure-resistant suit, but decided against taking any weapons. His fellow mercenaries urged him to arm himself. They were fools. He knew instantly that their weapons would be useless.

He had time to think as the water flooded the airlock to equalize with the pressure outside. He exited through the airlock and entered the deep ocean. And just as he suspected, he saw over fifty other beasts similar to the one that accompanied the girl, and thanked himself for having the good sense to leave his weapon behind. “How the Hell did these beasts go undetected by our radar?” More questions surfaced; but as he got closer to her, his mind went blank as he felt the aura of true power.

The beasts awaited orders at a safe distance. She motioned to him to follow her into the jaws of death. The beast gave him an unpleasant look, and she gently tapped on its side assuring that everything was ok. Denzel entered the beast and felt he was in an airlock. Even though his suit indicated breathable air inside, fear kept him from removing his helmet.

Away from intruding ears, they shared words. “Traveler, I commend you for not threatening me or my companions with weapons. I see that you have a brain. Tell me, why are you here?”

He realized it would be futile and possibly fatal to lie to her. “I’m here on behalf of the Representatives of the Dark Graduates to investigate rumors regarding the Zodiacs. And evidently they are true.”

To his surprise, she confirmed the allegations and introduced herself as a Zodiac named Pisces. She’d never encountered another Zodiac, since in most cases it’s forbidden. Her Father was a Zodiac; and upon his death, he disclosed it to her and forewarned what she will become.

Pisces continued, “So traveler, what do you intend on doing with this newfound knowledge? You know I cannot let you leave here if I think you’d return with a thousand more of your ships. You do understand that, don’t you?”

Denzel answered, “I understand. Your secret is safe with me, Zodiac. I will return with no report.”

Pisces said, “I believe you, but you cannot speak for the rest of your associates. I’m afraid I must bring an unfortunate affliction upon you. A sacrifice must be made. It is either you or them traveler, my apologies.”

She allowed Denzel to leave and return to his ship in anticipation of his decision.

He was bombarded with questions concerning his meeting with the Zodiac girl the instant he returned to the ship. Before sending his men to their deaths, the least he could do for them was tell them who she was.

The will to live can turn any man into a Demon, and Denzel’s trial further branded the theory. He felt as if he had died inside. This was something no amount of training could prepare one for. Denzel lied and said she wanted to speak with all of them on good terms. He lied because he had to.

He indicated that he was following right behind them.

As the airlock filled with water, he could no longer hide the guilt concealed inside. His face said it all. Denzel opened the door and locked it from the inside. Most of the crew screamed obscenities. “Damn you, Denzel! You sold us out!”

Those last words would forever torment him … torment him to the point where he would’ve given anything to trade places with them. Different classes of monsters surfaced from the oceans core, consuming his men … good men. Their weapons hardly fazed any of them. As he took off his pressure-resistant suit, Denzel declared this suicide mission a failure from the start and that the Dark Graduates did not deserve his report. He threw down his badge as a frustrated sign of resignation. But, sooner or later, they would find Denzel and officially obtain their report one way or another. He was better off cutting his tongue out or dying with the rest of his crew. As Denzel departed from his Hell, the thought came into his mind: “Why didn’t she just kill me?” He departed from those deep waters in that same ship without a crew … and worse, without a soul.

Chapter 9

REUNION

ABDEEL’S DREAM

I
n an overpopulated courtroom, a long awaited trial commenced.

The judge ordered the Councilmen, jury, and everyone in attendance to settle down as the defendant walked towards the stand, heavily guarded by some of Rome’s finest. A marked man, Abdeel swore an oath to deliver a true testimony. He approached the stand, holding up his right hand. One of the courtroom guards proceeded.

The Guard approached the defendant, “Do you swear to the gods present that your testimony brings forth irrefutable truth? And do you hereby understand that giving false testimony will be considered treason and punishable by death?”

The defendant answered, “Yes. If my words results in any deception, may the gods see that my life is forfeited.”

The judge ordered him to sit down.