Pursuit of the Zodiacs

by Walsh, Nathan

  Pharisees answered, “It’s puzzling to me as well, Brother; but until the Judgment Realm is restored, I cannot return or risk imprisonment again. I will continue my services here in the Mortal Realm.”

  Chapter 15

  DIAGNOSED

  In a secluded part of Africa, a woman and child bathed in a river not too far from their village. They spotted a mysterious man riding an enormous crocodile towards a well-known deadly waterfall.

  “Has he gone mad?” The woman said to herself as she covered her Son’s eyes. “That man is about to commit suicide!”

  She called to him, “Hey, you! There’s a waterfall ahead.”

  Despite her warning, the man never altered his course. To her surprise, a water bridge emerged, trailed by a misty tunnel. The mysterious man and the crocodile beast disappeared into another Dimension.

  TODAY’S HOROSCOPE

  Your ability to adapt and cooperate is why you are Ruler of the Fourth House. But be aware that this could be your downfall. To assure the safety of all those you love, you cannot assure the safety of everyone you meet. Be advised, Zodiac.

  “At last, once again we are blessed to witness the Mother of all origins: Africa.” Levi said.

  After grasping the beauty of Africa, Levi and his team initiated their Pursuit. First, they scanned a portion of Egypt and its Pyramids. They came across a village East of Uganda. From a good distance, they could see an increasing number of people gathering around a strange woman who, by the looks of things, was in the middle of telling an intriguing story.

  Their Guide lived up to his reputation as an interpreter. The lady continued her story. He commented, “Hmm, listen up. She appears to have seen a strange man riding a large beast in a river not too far from here.”

  Levi questioned, “Could it be?”

  “She witnessed seeing the man create a bridge of water that prevented him from falling into the mouth of the waterfall.”

  Levi continued, “I’ll trust my instincts and assume she speaks of Cancer.”

  The Guide responded, “I would hope so. Even if it’s not, we should still look into this nevertheless.”

  They headed out to the river where the man allegedly settled. Heavy rain forced them to tighten their cloaks. Upon the rains impact, their attire gave off a slight glow. The rain and its radiance only lasted one minute, which seemed quite odd to The Pursuers.

  As they retired for the night, they heard a voice. “I doubt you’ve come for a night wash in the river. What is your purpose here?”

  The voice pulsated from all viewpoints, but they had no idea to whom it belonged.

  Levi responded, “We are not here to cause you harm.”

  The voice said, “So you say? The weaponry beneath your cloak tells me otherwise.”

  “I understand your concern. But you can never be too careful, considering the predators that lurk here during the night.”

  The voice insisted, “Spare me your deception. That rain you’ve just encountered was no ordinary rain. Consider it an examination for security purposes. Beneath your cloak is special armor, custom made for any terrain, as if you were expecting Armageddon itself.”

  A surprised Levi spoke, “That’s quite a gift you have there, Zodiac. We know who you are, Cancer. We came to convey a warning. Someone will bring you a Scroll. You must not open it unless you wish to become a Devil. It’s tainted with Lucifer’s blood and authority.”

  The voice laughed.

  Simeon pointed to the river. “Look.”

  The water from the river vibrated as the voice laughed uncontrollably. Fish jumped out in a panic.

  Levi yelled, “That’s enough! If you think we came here to entertain you with laughs, you are sadly mistaken.”

  The laughing ceased and the voice continued, “I’ve been a protector of Africa and the Moon for many years, nurturing these ungrateful people who don’t even know I exist. And, what do I get in return? My Horoscope seems to have brought forth deceit. I expected a more promising visit.”

  Levi responded, “We meant you no disrespect, Brother. We’ve traveled a great distance to get here. But again, our reason for this visit is to forewarn you that someone, either a man, woman, child or beast, will try and bring you a Scroll written in Lucifer’s blood. That Scroll has a pattern or language that only the Fallen can understand. Its power is great … great enough to engulf you in its will. And if these proceedings occur, you yourself must be destroyed.”

  The voice answered, “A descendant of a Fallen Angel? The words you speak are complete lunacy.”

  Levi continued, “If you want to find out the true history behind your gifts, join us on our mission until this threat is over. Will you sit here and wait for the Devil to trick you into becoming one of his puppets, or will you help us destroy him before he steps foot on your land? The choice is yours, Zodiac. One way or another, he will find you, as we did. You, your people, and everything you’ve bled for, will perish.”

  Cancer rose out of the river nude. His eyes were crystalized like the water he rose from. His skin was of the Earth, and his Zodiac Sign showed over his heart. They gave him proper attire and welcomed him into the group.

  The Secret Mountain of the Seven Moons was accessible to all those worthy of the climb.

  Asad saw movement a distance away. He equipped his telescope and saw over a dozen men heading in their direction. “We have visitors.”

  Farooq suggested, “Okay, it’s time to move.”

  They put out the fire and gathered their belongings. The enemy was close enough to be seen without the use of binoculars.

  They mounted their respective hybrid camels with Asad taking the lead. “There’s no time. We must take this escape to the clouds.”

  Time ran out.

  Taurus yelled, “Hurry, they’re escaping!”

  Accompanying Taurus was Zen, Demetrius, and a group of highly skilled savage Demon followers. Just as they closed in on the Three Kings, Farooq, Rashad, and Asad, made an aerial escape. Their oppressors watched as the saddles of the Three Kings converted into Supernatural Carpets. They looked down at their grounded oppressors and bid them farewell. The Three Kings departed, and their enemies observed the microchips and lights generating from beneath the Supernatural Carpets.

  “What technological bullshit is this?” Taurus, so enraged that he charged towards the hybrid camels that they’d left behind. The power emanating from Taurus’s massive horns incinerated them instantly. Their cinders blew in the wind.

  The Three Kings reached safety and made an immediate decision. Asad spoke first. “This Scroll must be destroyed within the hour.”

  Farooq, “Amen.”

  Rashad, “May Allah be praised.”

  SATURN

  It was a warm afternoon, and a Father and Son engaged in a friendly game of Chess at a temple in their town.

  “I must say, for a person with a reputation for being patient, I think your hastiness is starting to get the better of you, my Son.”

  “Sorry, Father, but you’ve bested me once again. My King is cornered. I have nowhere else to go.”

  The temple was beautiful, similar to a golden Buddhist temple. Not too far away, a school of children and their instructors underwent their daily exercise routine, trying hard not to break formation. The town’s people simply went about their daily lives. For years, Saturn’s civilization, along with many others, implemented a plan to deceive outsiders into thinking life on their Planet didn’t exist. The outside was only a hologram perfected by Saturn’s own implementation of advanced technology via Super Satellites.

  “Wait. Hold on, Son.”

  The Father noticed two odd women approaching. The women removed their hoods, and the Father recognized them as Aquarius and Libra. He walked over to a nearby water fountain to meet them. His Son recognized them too, and smiled and waved. He resumed staring at the Chessboard trying to figure out where his strategy had gone wrong.

  The Father spoke, “I don’t think this is another
random day of sparring. What’s the news?”

  Aquarius answered, “The day we all despised has arrived. The Pursuit of all the Zodiacs has initiated, and your Son is no longer safe here.”

  The Father questioned, “What? But, but, he is only a little boy! What would anyone want with him?”

  Libra spoke, “We don’t want to take any chances finding that out. I’m certain it’s best your Son come with us, Peter. May Saturn give him strength during these challenging days ahead.”

  Aquarius and Libra spent years trying to find the other remaining members of the Zodiacs, but had come up short until they found Capricorn hidden on his Ruling Planet, Saturn. Unearthing Capricorn provided them hope in finding the rest. Unfortunately, he was only eleven, too young and inexperienced to engage in combat. So, over time, they trained him to control his gifts using friendly sparring sessions, just in case the day would come when he needed to use them. They swore to serve and protect him by any means necessary until the threat ceased.

  Peter said, “This is ridiculous! I cannot allow this.”

  Aquarius responded, “Peter, you were warned of this day. Why is it such a revelation to you?”

  Libra added, “I can only imagine how difficult this must be, being the boy’s Father … and especially at his age. But this is the only way we can guarantee his safety.”

  Capricorn’s Father tried holding back tears. “Despite my reluctance to let my Son go, I understand.”

  As Peter walked towards his Son, Aquarius whispered, “The Father must not know where we are going. Make certain we don’t leave a trail.”

  Libra asked, “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

  Aquarius answered, “It must be done. The only thing of importance is Capricorn and finding the remaining Zodiacs. It will strengthen the chances of our survival.”

  Libra questioned, “Is your blood as cold as the water you bear?”

  Aquarius coldly answered, “Yes, may my decision trump any regrets. Make sure the deed is done.”

  Peter hugged his Son, not sure if it would be the last time. Aquarius and Libra took the boy and left so as not to prolong the Father-and-Son goodbye.

  An hour later, as the Father swept and prepared to clean the dust off a massive town bell, a visitor surprised him. At first, he was pleased to see Libra, hoping she’d returned with good news regarding his Son. Instead, as Libra entered the temple, she closed and locked the door behind her. Peter had his eyes locked on the massive bell that, if sounded, would warn the whole town of any immediate danger. But Libra blew him clear across the room with menacing winds. His powerless frame slammed hard against a bookshelf and collapsed in a heap on the floor. Peter said, “You bastards! I should have seen this coming. To think I could have trusted you two with my Son, you truly are descendants of evil!”

  Conceiving a Zodiac proved no accident. Peter was no ordinary man and had gifts of his own. He got up and circled Libra. He grabbed his uncannily long bamboo stick, a weapon that brought him many victories and had earned him the title of Grand Master of his World many years back. When the bamboo stick struck an opponent, it gave off an electrical charge.

  Peter continued, “After all we’ve been through, you’re just going to murder me and smile in my Son’s face when you see him? What a shame. State your real intentions with my Son. I can’t allow him to grow up a heartless monster because of the likes of you two. Over my dead body!”

  Libra responded, “This is the only way, Grand Master. My apologies.”

  The markings on Peter’s head glowed, as did his eyes, as he charged towards Libra who dodged an impressive blow from his bamboo. “Come down, monster.”

  Libra back-flipped onto the ceiling. She moved her arms in an unorthodox manner. As her eyes glowed, a cyclone formed in the center of the temple. The cyclone forced Peter’s bamboo stick from his hands. His grip grew weak; and, not a moment too soon, Peter submitted and was pulled into the cyclones core. He was spun around the room and knocked against walls and fixtures. Libra steadied her arms and the forcing winds stopped. The beaten former Grand Master fell to the floor, unmoving. She warily approached him for a final blow. But a battered and bruised Peter made her pay for her hesitance. He grabbed her by the ankles, pulling her down on her back. His anger encouraged his last deed as a vengeance-seeking Father. He threw her against the golden bell with such a force that Libra cracked the bell. The impact was enough to alarm the town.

  Despite the force with which she had hit the bell, Libra wasn’t fatally injured. Furious, she yelled, “Damn!”

  His injuries and the exertion from throwing Libra against the golden bell had taken their toll. “Take care of my Son, and may he be strong.”

  Libra limped over to Peter for the final strike with her signature guillotine axe. “I will.”

  A well-defined blow to the Grand Master’s neck separated his head an inch from his body.

  Libra remembered the bell, and knew that the whole town would be on their way to investigate its continuing reverberation. Her escape must be quick and even more precise.

  Moments later she heard a cry. “Someone has killed the Grand Master!”

  Capricorn collapsed, holding his chest. “Ahhgh.”

  Aquarius ran to him. “What’s wrong, child?”

  Capricorn spoke, “I don’t know. I feel like something bad happened, but I don’t know what it is.”

  Capricorn grimaced in pain, still clutching his chest. Aquarius knelt down and tried to console him.

  Aquarius observed Libra as she entered. Libra nodded indicating that her duties had been carried out. Aquarius looked back at Capricorn and understood the reason for his distress.

  Libra slowly entered her quarters tired and in pain. Aquarius left the boy for a few minutes to confer with Libra. “I knew you were going to be tested. Just how much of a threat was he?”

  Libra answered, “Don’t get too ahead of yourself, Zodiac. I had it under control. He was strong and, considering the circumstances, I gave him an honorable death.”

  Aquarius remarked, “This was very unfortunate, but despite his title as Grand Master, it wouldn’t have been long before a stronger force was unleashed upon him. We both know he would’ve been detained, tortured and confessed our whereabouts. You must understand this Libra. Rest and sleep well. We have a long journey to Earth following Sunrise.”

  Aquarius walked away and closed the door.

  Incalculable amounts of people covered the streets of Sendai, Japan as the traditional “Year of The Dragon Ceremony” got underway. Desperate with no other options, The Pursuers traveled through the midst of the crowd in search of their intended target. To add to the confusion, fireworks erupted on every street corner of the city, and thousands upon thousands of people flooded the streets with costumes and random unusual attire. The Pursuer’s concentration had to be keen, like an owl pursuing its prey.

  Natenal ordered, “Stay together, and may God bless our senses on this challenging night.”

  Across town, detective Lee rummaged through paperwork in his office.

  His new partner Lisa, called out to him. “Detective Lee!”

  Secret government agents had confiscated the mauled body back in Sendai and relieved him and his team of the investigation. This wasn’t the first time that had happened.

  Detective Lee asked, “What is it, Lisa?”

  Lisa answered, “There have been more strange murders. This time, a group of security guards at the Scorpion Sun Casino. The man who saw the whole thing go down is in our custody. He’s a bit shaken up, so take it easy on him.”

  Detective Lee grabbed his cigar laying on his desk, and then his coat.

  DAWN OF THE VIRGIN

  “I’m sorry, but our orders were clear. You have been banished!”

  The Guardians of the Dark Realm cast Virgo out of Hell’s accommodation for the loss of Pharisees and Abdeel. To be allowed back in she had to join the Pursuit of the remaining Zodiacs, along with Taurus, Gemini, and Sag
ittarius. Four highly respected expert Demons, sinister in their crafts, accompanied her. They went by the names Zodon, Karz, Rufus and Dynamo.

  Virgo indignantly replied, “Very well, I shall return with the remaining Zodiacs, and with the heads of all those who opposed us.”

  The gatekeepers opened the Dimension. She and her new associates calmly exited the Underworld.

  Not long into their excursion, an Angel appeared before them. “What a disgrace. You’ve shamed your Mother. If she were alive this day, she would turn her sword on herself in humiliation. You lay in bed with the one who had her murdered? Your Mother was pure, her hair was of the Earth, eyes of the Sun and Moon, her beauty uncanny, and she had the voice of over a hundred Angels. Her power was unmatched. It took the betrayal of her own Brother to deprive her of victory. She gave her life in order to restore Earth, and her own Daughter aids in destroying it.”

  He avoided eye contact with the Zodiac while wearing a specialized device that blocked telekinetic matter. “I knew nothing of my Mother. I don’t recall any memories of her. If there are any, they escape me. I’m afraid you’re decades late with your words, Archangel. Leave us.”

  The Angel replied, “I’m sure the Devil used his own telekinetic gifts to rid you of those memories. You must be his biggest accomplishment yet. I see you are too far-gone in your sins for restitution, let alone repentance. You will be destroyed with the rest of your horde of Devils, Zodiac. When your last breath escapes you, maybe some day your successors will use their gifts for the greatest of good and carry on your Mother’s legacy.”

  Virgo answered, “Well, do you bring word or contest, Archangel? Will you be the one to rid me of my gifts? Or, do you wish to bore me to death? I’ll be more than happy to send you back to your God.”

  As much as the Archangel wanted to engage, he knew he could not best Virgo. He departed and left them to their digression.