The Robot laughed, “Ha-ha! Goodbye. We will continue this riddle without the likes of you.”
At ever-increasing speed and moments away from detonating, the mechanical fist took Simeon through the clouds at high altitudes. With the last bit of strength in him, he pushed each metal finger apart and dropped from its clutch. Thinking he had bested the Robot, the giant fist changed course in midair. Back en route and in pursuit, the fist picked up speed.
Simeon responded, “You can’t be serious?”
Simeon’s End of Time gift expired. Levi and Zodeen capitalized on a distracted Robot as it stared into the clouds, enjoying Simeon’s aerial torment.
With his gift of Earthly matter, Levi went to work. The Robot felt the ground shake beneath it. “What’s this?”
Strong roots broke through the Earth where the Robot stood. They looped and latched around its limbs. It struggled against them, but failed. Levi’s eyes glowed, and so did the roots as they strengthened, tightening their grip and denting the Robots infrastructure. The Robot stood motionless while Zodeen moved in.
“We’ve had enough of your childish antics, Demon.”
He maneuvered past the Robot’s laser beam blasts coming from its eyes, the only defense it had left. Completely covered in roots, the Robot was unable to turn its head and aim with precision.
Zodeen carved his Mark of Death onto its chest, and it shook sadistically.
Levi removed the roots and kept a good distance from the Robot as it plummeted to the ground. Meanwhile, the reptilian detached itself from the wires connected to its brain and escaped out the back of its failing workstation. A cloud of dirt, dust and smoke hit the air upon the Robot’s fall.
“May God be praised!” Simeon rejoiced as the giant mechanical fist spun off course and exploded a safe distance away. He headed for land to rest his wearied wings.
Zodeen said, “The force field has departed.”
Levi spoke to Simeon, half in jest. “Please, Simeon, for the sake of us all, warn us ahead of time before using that mysterious gift of yours.”
Simeon replied, “I concur.”
They laughed. “We have yet to hear another chuckle from you, Devil. What last words do you wish to share?” Levi asked of the injured reptilian. It lay there, stuck and in agony. One of its legs was shattered beneath the Robot.
Levi continued, “Well, Demon! Speak! Who sent you?”
The Reptilian held its throat. Blood poured from its body’s many orifices. It quivered in front of them.
“Poison,” Simeon said, while pointing at the small capsule rolling out of the reptilian half-breed’s hand.
Chapter 13
NO TIME FOR DRAGONS
“Where the Hell is it!” a Gemini Twin shouted while searching through his belongings.
“Where is what?” asked his other half.
The first Twin threw things about as he searched. “Do you have it?”
“Have what?” came the inquiring response.
“The Scroll! The Scroll!”
“Please confirm that this is a joke?” the calmer Twin pressed.
“No. Unfortunately, I’m serious.”
They both redoubled their efforts and searched their hotel room. They combed through their clothing and belongings a third, even a fourth, time. The Scroll remained absent.
“Damn!” blared the first, becoming fast exasperated.
His Brother questioned, “You fool! How could you lose it?”
“I’m quite certain it’s not far.”
“How certain? Could it be in the Dimension?”
“Let me reflect for a minute,” paused the first.
He walked towards the window of their hotel room. Thirteen stories high, he could see most of the city. “Japan is an interesting place indeed.”
In a far-off desert, undiscovered by man, three Arab Kings shared wine in celebration of seizing the Gemini’s Scroll from the Italian Mob. Asad, the frontrunner of this mission, lodged it in his armor. Accompanying him on this expedition to destroy the Scroll were two other warrior kings, Farooq and Rashad.
Instead of sending thousands of men to protect the Scroll, these Three Kings took it upon themselves to assure its extermination.
As a precaution, the respective heirs to their thrones waited on their return, uncertain if that day would ever come.
Under the cover of Aries’ Super Moon, the Three Kings set up camp. One started a fire and prepared meals. One sharpened his sword and knives, and the other combed through his inventory of super-powered laser weapons. Their hybrid camels stationed themselves at a nearby watering hole. Able to travel miles at high speeds, these alien-bred mammals were perfect for excursions across these foreign deserts. Only a few in the World knew the coordinates here. Due to the Gateways throughout this desert, Super Satellites failed to detect its mysteries. Additionally, no automobiles or aircraft possessed the capabilities of navigating these routes.
As they sat around the campfire, Asad drew a map of their destination in the sand. Although the rest knew of its existence, only Asad knew its exact location. “The Scroll must be destroyed South of here at the Secret Mountain of the Seven Moons. A river runs through a cavern in the mountain, The Waters of Ruin. It is here that the Scroll must be destroyed.”
Rashad said, “I knew the Gemini would get careless and lose it soon enough.”
Asad added, “Yes, it’s a shame they’ve chosen a dark path. If their Father were still alive, he would be highly disappointed.”
Rashad believed, “Yes those were good years. Worth the retrospect.”
Once they reached the top of the Secret Mountain of the Seven Moons, they could see seven Moons from diverse Worlds and Galaxies. They consisted of three Blood Moons; and the rest, Super Moons. If one wished to rid themselves of their power or gifts, they must be baptized in the mountain’s River of Ruin. The same ordinance goes for material things in their possession that hold power or supernatural influence. For the Rivers of Ruins to work, they will have to climb the mountain without supernatural aid. Blood, sweat and tears will be invested. These are the laws of the Secret Mountain of the Seven Moons.
TODAY’S HOROSCOPE
As Ruler of the Second House, don’t waste any time trying to retrieve what you have lost; you will gain more. Be mindful of criticism, constructive or destructive. Don’t make sudden judgments, and May Venus keep you stable.
An infuriated Mayor arrived in his office. He was unable to hide his frustrations from Nancy, his secretary. “Daaamnn!”
“Is there anything I can do for you, Mayor?”
Taurus said, “No, take the rest of the day off. But in the morning let the public know I will be taking a leave of absence for the remainder of the week. If any more questions arise, just say it’s due to a family emergency.”
Nancy answered, “Yes, Sir.”
She wrote the instructions in her notes and left for the day.
Word traveled back to Timius’s group that Pharisees had been killed and captured in the Judgment Realm, which had been under siege by Lucifer’s minions. Everyone was aware of the risks involved in joining this campaign. Every Immortal knew that, upon entering the Mortal Realm, they would sacrifice their Immortality. Therefore, by relinquishing a few of their supernatural abilities, only certain gifts would remain. But, ultimately, death was guaranteed. The Pursuers knew that death was only a passage to another form … a form in which one can still experience anger, sadness and pain, until it was time to be judged upon entering the Judgment Realm. But the Dimension leading up to the Judgment Realm is under siege by Lucifer’s subordinates.
Not everyone in the group was in favor of postponing their current campaign to liberate Pharisees.
Irisan said, “Our orders were to pursue the Zodiacs! The time forfeited retrieving Pharisees will be too great. I’m sorry, but he is lost.”
“How can you speak with such disregard? He is our Brother!” Justus retorted.
Ithiel responded, “If it were yo
u who had been captured instead, you would hope a rescue team had been formed immediately. There’s no telling what our Brother is going through while we spend time arguing amongst ourselves.”
Timius sought to diffuse the situation. “Justus and Ithiel are right. But in Irisan’s defense, we knew of the consequences prior to the genesis of this mission. Each one of us took an oath and accepted our gifts from God, including Pharisees.”
“If I may…?” The Guide raised his hand. Timius yielded him the floor. “It might be helpful if you knew that our very own Mayor of New York City is somehow associated with a small number of these Zodiacs.”
Irisan asked, “How did you unearth such news?”
The Guide answered, “Somebody, I can’t say who, due to complications regarding our little traitor issue, saw the Gemini entering the Mayor’s office. The person did not see them come out. That person also mentioned that they might have engaged in a fight.”
Timius said, “Infighting? Good. That puts us at an advantage. We’ll pay the Mayor a visit in the morning.”
The Guide responded, “Wait, you can’t just breach the building. The only way you can gain entry is by scheduling an appointment and passing through security. On top of that, you must have a legitimate reason to even see him. Did I mention the security is very tight?”
Nancy arrived early and found Irisan, well-dressed in business attire, waiting to see the Mayor. A security guard escorted her into the waiting room. Three more security stood by the Mayor’s office. Irisan rose up and introduced herself as a Reporter, looking to do a story on the Mayor. “I’m sorry Ma’am, the Mayor’s not here. He has taken a leave of absence. When he comes back, I’ll make sure he knows of your visit. Thank you.”
Irisan replied, somewhat abruptly, with a forced courteous smile. “Okay, well thank you very much for your time.” She grabbed her belongings from the waiting room table. One of the security guards opened the door to escort her out.
Across town, the Mayor scurried through his belongings. His driver patiently waited by his side. “Gather my bags and take them to the limo.”
“Yes, Sir.” His driver carried several bags under his arms.
The Mayor quickened his pace. Nancy called and told him that a mysterious woman claiming to be a Reporter had been in his office waiting for him when she arrived. His Horoscope predicted this. It said he should not waste any time trying to retrieve what he had lost. Surely, that was a reference to the Scroll? And this woman was the “someone” on the opposing side who would pay him a visit, looking for the same item he had lost. They were on to him. He had to leave.
One of his surveillance cameras caught a figure in the building. He didn’t have time to make out who before the camera failed.
The Mayor yelled, “What the Hell? We have a breach!”
The elevated noises of a scuffle outside alerted those inside.
“We have company,” his driver warned. He changed into his true Demonic form.
The Mayor spoke, “No not yet. We don’t know who it is. Don’t blow our cover. Let them enter.”
The intruders breached the downstairs door. In came Timius, Ithiel, and Justus.
The driver walked downstairs to confront them. “What is this?”
Timius ordered, “Where’s the Mayor?”
The Driver said, “You kill our men, break into this house, and now you make demands! Just who the Hell do you think you are!”
Timius replied, “Your men are fine ; unconscious, but fine. Death, on the other hand, is entirely up to you.”
The Mayor came out and moved his driver to one side. He walked down the stairs to his quarters. The Mayor spoke, “It’s all right. Can I help anyone to a beverage before we share words?”
Timius stated, “No, that won’t be necessary. Everyone stand down. I’d like to speak with the Mayor, alone.”
The Mayor said, “So, there’s a sign of decency after all.” With a smile, he motioned Timius to follow him, while the rest sat in the living room area and waited.
Ithiel said, “This is ridiculous. Do we really have to sit here and look at this one?” He pointed to the driver.
Justus answered, “I think we’ve had enough action for today. Let’s just see how much information Timius can get from the Mayor, and we’ll be on our way.”
The driver realized that the trespassers knew nothing of Taurus’s front as the New York City Mayor and expected an easy triumph. However, likewise, the driver had no idea that Archangels occupied the same living room.
The Mayor said, “To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, my friend?”
Timius responded, “Let’s get some things clear. No friend of mine harbors Devils. We know what is going on here Mayor. It’s a shame that the people in this city put their trust in such a person as you. You might have a reputation for being an honorable man, but I know you side and take orders from the Devil. Tell me, where are the Zodiacs?”
The Mayor replied, “The Zodiacs? What are you talking about? And by the way, just who the Hell are you?”
Timius answered, “We are The Pursuers, Archangels sent by God to rid the World of this Zodiac threat and anyone aiding the evil behind them. Tell me what I want to hear, and letting you live might spark my interest.”
The Mayor continued, “Seems like you’ve overstayed your welcome. It’s time for you to fuck off!”
Timius retaliated, “What!”
The rest could hear Timius and the Mayor arguing. A smile surfaced on the face of the Mayor’s driver.
Ithiel didn’t like it. “Remove that smirk from your face, or I’ll do it for you.”
The driver replied, ”You three are going to die here.”
Justus responded, “We’ll see about that. Ithiel, go check on Timius, I’ll watch this fool.”
Before Ithiel could make it to the Mayor’s office, Timius came crashing through the door. Ithiel ran to check on his comrade.
The driver said, ”Ha-ha, I’ll take care of you personally.”
The driver changed into his Demon form. It just registered whom The Pursuers had been dealing with. The driver jumped across the table towards his mark. Justus anticipated his attack. He paralyzed the Demon in the air, and cut him in half.
“Timius, are you all right?” Justus inquired as he wiped the Demon’s blood off of his sword. Still motionless in the air, the Demon’s decapitated corpse and blood fell to the floor upon Justus’s command. They heard loud footsteps of something big and surreal making its way out of the Mayor’s office. They locked eyes with their first Zodiac, Taurus. It was as if they were staring into the eyes of Lucifer himself.
Taurus remarked, “No training could possibly prepare you for a test of this magnitude.”
Before he could engage, he retreated to his office as the police entered the Mayor’s home.
“FREEZE! POLICE!”
The Mayor yelled from behind the broken office door, “Help! Help! The intruders are in my living room!”
Guns drawn, the police ordered The Pursuers to surrender their weapons. Timius, Ithiel, and Justus dropped their arms. Unconscious bodies outside, signs of forced entry inside, a decapitated corpse, and the blood of their victim settled in the rug of the living room floor. The police handcuffed all three Pursuers and confiscated their weapons.
Distraught by the sight, one officer yelled, “Just what the Hell happened in here!”
The Mayor slowly emerged from his office. “Oh, thank God, you guys came right on time. These bastards tried to kill me! Your bravery will be greatly rewarded; and these pricks will be punished to the full extent of the law!”
Irisan watched as each of her comrades entered the backseats of waiting patrol cars. Over a dozen officers posted outside, with more and more arriving at the scene. They parked their squad cars randomly around the front of the building.
“Move along, there’s nothing to see here,” one of the officers said.
Irisan told the Guide to drive as they headed back to the hid
e out. “May God help us.”
An hour passed and each Pursuer kept their silence in separate interrogation rooms. They caught the Mayor on television furthering his role as a deceiver.
“My driver sacrificed his life protecting your Mayor. He had a family, and his sacrifice will not have been made in vain.” The Mayor pounded the podium for effect.
The reporters investigated the story from all angles and had plenty of questions for the Mayor, most importantly in regards to his “would be” Assassins.
“I don’t know who these thugs were. But I repeat, they will be convicted and punished for what they’ve done and what they failed to do. I would like to announce that I’m taking a leave of absence for the next couple of days to honor the brave man who has fallen today, and pay homage to his family. Thank you, and God bless this great city.”
The Mayor exited the podium and walked down the stairs through the crowd. This made for a better visual. Bodyguards surrounded him. His new driver opened the door for him. The bodyguards formed a wedge to keep unappreciative reporters away from the moving vehicle, still hungry for more information.
Taurus spoke to the new driver. “Those ungrateful bastards. No answer is good enough, huh?”
The driver looked back at the Mayor through the rearview mirror and nodded. The Mayor pressed a button and the isolation window went up.
As the limo pulled away, the Mayor reached for the phone and called a very close friend of his. “Well, hello Mr. Alexandrov, how are you today?”
Mr. Alexandrov didn’t seem surprised. “I should be asking you that very same question Mr. Mayor. Your unfortunate incident has hit the headlines. Congratulations.”
Taurus answered, “Ahh, yes, and I need the story to be off the front page … and if possible, old news by the time I get back from my vacation. And I need my assassins eradicated. Have your guys on the inside take care of it.”
Mr. Alexandrov said, “Certainly. No problem. Is there any special way you would like them eradicated?”
Taurus answered, “Huh? What do I care? Just make sure they’re gone by the time I come back.”
Pursuit of the Zodiacs Page 9