Bitter Aries (The Zodiac Book 1)

by Paul Sating

  "I don't understand," Ralrek said. "Wouldn't a first of his name have special privileges to be trusted here? Surely, someone in his position would understand the problems his presence would cause and would be careful."

  Bilba was shaking his head.

  Nerd.

  Without turning his head, the major demon moved his eyes to Ralrek and growled, sounding like a pot of boiling lava was about to erupt. "Stupid boy. Do you think we'd go through this trouble if that were true? Do you think we would involve the Councils, including those blessed angels? Six months of searching, scouring the planet at great expense? Aries's unapproved presence and one misguided action could set wheels in motion that we won't be able to reverse. Make no mistake; he could upset the Balance and throw the world spinning toward the apocalypse."

  10 - Seattle

  The apocalypse?

  The Council sent us on a task which, if we were unsuccessful, might fail to stop the apocalypse—the ultimate showdown between the eternal forces keeping nature itself in balance? For a moment, I didn't want to believe I'd heard Beelzebub correctly. The gasp from Bilba and the reluctant groan from Ralrek told me I had.

  "How?"

  Beelzebub stepped back, crossing his arms and tucking his hands under his biceps, making them more pronounced. "There's an agreement, one that has been standing since the dawn of time, between Lucifer and Yahweh. Long before these wretched humans started interpreting each other's grunts, the two great leaders agreed to keep the Balance. The humans call it one between good and evil, but that's a very simplistic way of looking at it. Not surprising."

  I nodded, a common theme even in our early humanology classes.

  "How does Aries being here upset that? He's not the first demon to visit the Overworld." I scratched my head, trying to recall my demonology lessons from school. But that was a thousand years ago. That would be like asking mortals to remember specifics from four or five years ago. Sometimes I can't remember yesterday.

  "True, he's not the first. Others have come here." Beelzebub nodded. "Millions of times over the millennia, though less often as mortal civilizations advanced. The amount of traffic we have going to and from the Overworld can still be busy, depending on Lucifer's priorities and that is, at least in part, how Aries slipped through. He wasn't being watched closely enough because we trusted him." He said that last word like a thought accidentally slipped out. "There hasn't been a runaway in a few myriads. Plenty of tried, but they fail. Being a first of his name, he had certain advantages others who tried didn't enjoy. Everyone else who's ever been here on assignment, including Aries's previous missions, were closely monitored to maintain the Balance."

  "So, he's out in the Overworld with all his powers and he can do whatever he wants?" Bad news for the Council, for sure. But bad news for everyone. A Founder with full Abilities wasn't an enticing prospect.

  His biceps balled again. "Yes."

  "I just don't understand how you, the Council I mean, expects the three of us to bring Aries back to Hell even if we find him," I said. The more I learned, the more I realized this was a huge mistake. "If he ran away, why would he listen to a thing we have to say? Can we even make him come back if it comes to that?"

  Beelzebub stood straighter, his chest swelling and his bottom lip pushing up his top, making an inverted 'U' of his mouth. "Did you not listen when we called on you? We told you then, and nothing has changed now. You not having a single blink of an Ability makes you immune to Aries's spells. Even I'm not. Essentially, to you at least, Aries will be nothing more than a manipulative old incubus, not a powerful major demon. The only thing you need to worry about is falling under his influence of word, not magic. Think you can handle that?"

  I shrugged. How could I possibly know that? If we found Aries, still a big if, we would still be dealing with a first of his name. That status gave him special powers and knowledge. Facing him would be the same as an impling debating a politician.

  "Look at it that way if you must," Beelzebub grinned and shrugged as if the possibility of the three of us dying was a minor inconvenience. "This isn't a flippant decision. The Council has gone to great lengths to test early theory, to research the effect of someone like Aries in the Overworld on those without Abilities. Of course, we couldn't completely replicate what it will be like for you, but our research made us confident that he won't be able to harm you. The rest is up to you."

  "If you had to put a percentage on it?"

  Beelzebub jerked his head back with a harsh grunt. "That he can hurt you?"

  "Yes."

  The Founder's eyes narrowed. I was pushing him, I realized. "We are fully confident, boy."

  "And if you're, the Council, are wrong? I mean," I said, giving a jerk of my thumb in Bilba's direction, "this jerk has sparred with me hundreds of times and his Ability has done enough damage over that time. Why wouldn't Aries's?"

  "Because his Ability is Sensory magic. Though it's an elevated Ability, it is also one with a weakness. All things have them, even an Ability such as his. A demon without magic is immune to Sensory spells. For the last time, we know what we're doing, boy. We've been guiding the Underworld since before your father was a flicker of a flame in your grandfather's eyes."

  Gross.

  Beelzebub drew a slow breath through his wide nose. In the virtual silence of the bubble I could hear it boil down his airways. When he spoke again, his voice held a hint of levity.

  "And, if we are incorrect when all is said and done, then consider this a service to your species. If you die, you'll become immortalized by immortals. A great honor for a wretch like you and for your family."

  Bringing my family into this stung. "Yeah, but I'm not a fan of dying, especially when it's me that might be doing the dying."

  Beelzebub grunted. "I like you, boy. You're funny. For what it's worth, I hope you don't die. The Underworld could use more jesters. But if you're looking for guarantees, you won't be getting them from me or the Council. Heavens, Lucifer Himself can't guarantee fate. Events like this involve risk. That's a fact. But we have laid out the plan, provided you with every bit of intelligence we have on Aries, including the specifics of where to start your search and what to look for. Throughout this campaign, we will support you as much as we can. There are rules to our involvement, our presence, in the Overworld. Too involved and we could affect the Balance, and that would draw the angels. Obviously, we have to stay away from that. Aries isn't worth starting a war over, which is why this has to happen soon. Very soon. And you have these two. If they don't die trying to protect you." He wiggled a finger at Bilba and Ralrek. "So let's get going. I want to show you the sanctuary where you'll be operating. The quicker we do this, the quicker you three get to work."

  Without giving me a chance to ask what he meant about Bilba and Ralrek dying, Beelzebub clapped his hands, and the Overworld changed without pomp and ceremony. The bubble and the shapes of the Overworld outside of it disappeared and in their place was a room, about three hundred square feet in total size. A long beige couch lined one of the pale blue walls, anchored on both sides by similarly clothed chairs. In between the three was a table, four feet-by-three feet. It looked like it would collapse if I dropped a heavy book on it. A planter box with three agave succulents was the only decoration. A maroon and gold rug partially covered the hardwood floor. There was a counter and kitchen to my left and a hallway ran away to my right.

  "Welcome home," Beelzebub outstretched both arms and rotated side to side.

  "This is our base of operations?" Ralrek asked, full of pomposity.

  "Conduct all your business within the walls of this sanctuary, except for the time you'll spend out in the city conducting your search. Remember to keep conversations about this mission constrained to this apartment."

  "Why?" I asked.

  "Because, boy, we aren't interested in our angelic friends knowing the status of our operations. There may have been an accord, but the situation still requires discretion." Beelzebub snapped his
fingers, and a manila envelope appeared on the table. "That's your brief. We've spent months putting it together. Everything we know of Aries's behaviors, operative's reports, patterns, addresses of locations he might be found, all of it is in that report. Read it and start your search. If you have questions for the Council come back here. That," he pointed at the planter, "is a beacon. Turn it to signal us and we'll answer when we can. Got it?"

  I nodded, seeing Bilba and Ralrek doing the same from my periphery.

  With our affirmation, Beelzebub took a few steps backward. "Boys, I can't be more serious than I am right now. Aries is dangerous. The task is dangerous. For the sake of the Underworld, it must be done, and you're the only one who can do it. Ralrek and Bilba, you're here to support him. Do that to the best of your abilities and try not to die. Remember, you don't have the same luxury Ezekial does. You can be killed by Aries. This is the Overworld, all of you can be hurt here. Never forget that. Especially the dying part; we would hate to have to start our operation all over again. Now, get into that brief, thoroughly. Then rest. The Overworld will exhaust you. It is not our realm. It will take a toll on your well-being, it's just a matter of time. The more rested and well fed you are, the more effective you'll be. Don't worry about provisions, those are stocked and automatically replenished. The only thing the three of you need to concern yourself with is finding Aries."

  With that, Beelzebub snapped his fingers. A line appeared in the middle of the room, a narrow slit in the space-time continuum. This rift was less robust than the one we entered through. The ancient demon stepped inside without another word, and the rift blinked out of existence with a sucking sound.

  We turned to each other.

  "What do we do next, great leader?" Ralrek said, with a huge dose of sarcasm.

  I looked around the apartment. We needed to read the brief, but I wasn't thrilled by the prospect of reading it together. Bilba could read through it in minutes and have it memorized, I'd only slow him down. And I had no desire to be around Ralrek any longer than necessary. So I used the only diversionary tactic I knew, appealing to their young incubi mentality.

  "We get unpacked and get something to eat?"

  11 - Seattle

  Okay, I don't know much, but one thing I'm sure of is that the Overworld is a heaven of a lot more intimidating than I expected.

  You wouldn't think so, not if you were a demon because we're taught, indoctrinated almost, to perceive humans as simple life forms. But from the first second of stepping out of the sanctuary and onto the sidewalk, it was obvious we were unprepared. At least, I was.

  A wall of cold air and new noises hit me as soon as I popped the door open and stepped outside. A hustle of humans dressed in clothing far too light and skimpy for these temperatures dashed to cars, up sidewalks, across lawns, their activity compounded by the funky odor, set my senses on edge. Even though the day held a slight breeze, the amalgamation of smells made me pinch my nose. I wasn't alone.

  "Oh, Lucifer, this is worse than the brief said it would be," Bilba held his nostrils closed with a hand.

  Even Ralrek's cool demeanor slipped. "How do they tolerate this?"

  Five seconds outside and I was already missing being able to fill my lungs with the fresh smell of sulfur.

  "Let's get moving. Maybe it'll smell better when we get to that museum where Aries hangs out," Ralrek said, still refusing to pinch his nose against this Overworldly assault on the senses.

  Bilba moved immediately, complying like a devildog pup. Without yielding, or even looking, he stepped toward the road. But I was quicker, snagging the tail of his shirt and pulling him backwards. He crashed into me and we stumbled together. Immediately, the horrendous smells of the Overworld punched my brain when I released my nose to catch myself against the wall.

  The truck that had almost hit Bilba screeched at us.

  Bilba straightened himself. Seeing my confusion at how an inanimate object could communicate since the mortals only had Technology Abilities, he laughed. "They have a mechanism inside their vehicles which make those sounds. They press the middle of the wheel and it does that."

  "That sounded horrible. Worse than a raven," I said, having another reason to be thankful for Bilba being on this journey with us. "But, how about this? From now on, you watch what you're doing?"

  Bilba was unfazed by his near-death. "It wasn't that close."

  "It would have crushed you," Ralrek laughed.

  "Even if I couldn't move in time, I would have just conjured a wall or something."

  The tone in his voice told me he was too embarrassed to think clearly, easily explaining why he saw no issue in doing the forbidden in our first free moment in the Overworld.

  To its discredit, the truck never stopped, never slowed, instead continuing on its way down the street. I wondered if the human recognized what it had almost done. "A wall wouldn't stop those things, buddy. They look tougher that chimeras, even big ones. Plus, remember, no magic."

  "Dumbass," Ralrek shook his head and moved down the sidewalk.

  "So, I guess we get started," I said with a shrug to my best friend and followed the jerk in the lead.

  Ralrek waved us forward. "After you, my liege."

  Bilba laughed. I didn't.

  We made our way down W. Highland Drive. The Council set us up in Queen Anne, a suburb in the northwest part of Seattle. Beelzebub told us this area of the city was nicer than we deserved, but also most appropriate, since the reports mentioned this area as where we had the best chance of success. A crowded residential area, it suffocated me with the amount of domiciles packed tightly together. Humans had so much room, not being crammed into crevices in the Earth's interior like we were. Heavens, they have the entire surface of the Overworld to spread out across, yet they lived on top of each other. Some species were just too ignorant to recognize their privilege.

  "I'm still not sure how to use this thing," Ralrek said, staring down at the cell phone the Council set up for us.

  "It was in the brief," Bilba said, offering his hand to take the phone.

  Ralrek did not give it over. "I know that."

  Bilba squinted. "Then why did you as—"

  Ralrek shook the phone in a fist. "Because not all of us can remember every letter we see on a page."

  Bilba dropped his offered hand. "It would be so much easier to just magic our way around," he said flatly.

  I squinted at him. "That's not how Deception Abilities work. You should know that by now since you've been practicing it for five thousand years. And it's not like Ralrek's Fire magic would be helpful. Don't worry, we'll figure it out. Beelzebub left us this map. Probably figured we'd need it. We should try it, it probably wouldn't hurt."

  Within an hour of walking using the map, comparing it to our cell phone maps, we got a good feel for how to use the digital versions and put the paper one away.

  We needed to start at the Museum of Pop Culture according to the mission brief, which said Aries was always a big fan of human art, especially music. Back in the Underworld, Aries entertained hordes of demons with his music when he had free time. Part of his motivation for sneaking away to the Overworld was to help humans develop their skill at playing stringed instruments, a recent invention on our timescale. Aries was passionate about playing them for thousands of years before humans touched their first one. The Council's operatives reported Aries was not exactly lying low. Inspired by the tower of guitars in the museum, he had found a home away from home and was making a name for himself as a street musician in the surrounding area.

  So we planned on starting there.

  The walk to the museum was long and uneventful after our initial run-in with death, giving us time to acclimate ourselves with the city and, more importantly, time to settle my racing heart every time I looked up at the sky. We were blocks away from the sanctuary before I stopped panting like a imp seeing his first pair boobs in a magazine, finally convinced I wasn't going to fly off the surface and into deep space—which, by
the way, is a whole other topic of inconceivable stress for me.

  The further we walked, the larger the buildings became, filling the horizon and forming a steel and glass wall that made it impossible to navigate by sight alone. But with a little practice, the cell phone map became quite the useful tool, and we moved through Seattle without looking like buffoons to the supposedly inferior species. We approached a building that looked like an overturned plate. The sign said KeyArena.

  Behind it, a tall, thin structure shot into the sky above all the surrounding buildings. It didn't look habitable except for a square row of windows less than a third of the way up. Hundreds of feet high, it was formed like a candlestick, with a wide base and top. The middle of the structure was so narrow in comparison, I wondered how the thing remained upright. For the life of me, I couldn't imagine what purpose it served. From our lessons about mortals, it would not surprise me if they dedicated the building to Yahweh. Humans, our teachers said, were fond of structures that pointed towards celestial bodies—all while ignoring us demons, I might add. Not that I'm sour or anything.

  The yard around the Seattle Children's Museum was abuzz with activity. Hundreds of excited younglings and exhausted looking adults filled the area.

  "There's too many of them," Ralrek growled after bumping into a male who turned and extended his middle finger before the woman walking with him swatted it down.

  "Why is he counting?" Bilba asked. "One what?"

  "No idea," I answered, too distracted by the swarm of humans and trying to appear as casual as possible. During our walk from the sanctuary we had come in close contact with plenty of this species, but never so many at once, in such a confined space, even though the yard was larger than most of the gardens back in the Underworld.