Pursuit of the Zodiacs

by Walsh, Nathan

  Back at Bishop’s Kingdom, they realized the two Archangels sent to the Moon to execute Jedediah had not yet returned. His emissary asked, “Should I send more out to investigate?”

  Bishop pondered the question for a moment. “Hmmm, there must have been some interference. Very well, send some Archangels to investigate. This time, send five Master Archangels. If there’s a problem on the Moon, they will be able to manage it.”

  The Emissary said, “Yes, Sire.”

  The Emissary called upon five of Bishop’s Master Archangels: Exodus, Genesis, Leviticus, Ezra and Amos. This was indeed a powerful group of supernatural Angelic beings, trained under the techniques of Bishop himself.

  The Emissary brought them to Bishop, and one-by-one they appeared in the hall and bowed down in front of Bishop and his Emissary. “I have called you together for an important task. Go and investigate what has happened to our Brethren on the Moon, and come back with a full report.”

  The five departed as the tall doors opened to let them pass.

  “What if they do not return, my Lord?” His Emissary asked.

  Bishop answered, “Then the Man who can move Suns will personally make a visit to the Moon, give whomsoever the credit they deserve, and eradicate the problem. I see only a god defeating those five by themselves, no other.”

  His Emissary said, “Time for more pressing matters. What will be done about the Zodiacs?”

  Bishop answered, “Their legacy will be destroyed, along with their ancestry. Soon the non-awake populace in every corner of the Universe will hear the thunder and roar of my coming, and I will overthrow the failed Almighty King they’ve sanctioned themselves to fear. I will rid the Universe of something he should’ve left absent since the dawn of man: … Freewill.”

  Another messenger walked through the doors and up to the Emissary and whispered in his ear. The Emissary dismissed the messenger. “Sire, I have worthy news. There’s word that Michael is on an important mission on Venus.”

  In secret, to accommodate his ultimate plan, Bishop had sought for centuries the removal of God’s top Master Archangel, Michael. Bishop spoke, “This is excellent news. See to it that the Master Archangels receive word, and let them take care of him following their existing assignment. I will dispatch more soldiers to guarantee victory.”

  Back at the White House, as feared, the video of Pisces’ transformation had gone viral. Multitudes of people gathered outside the Chief Executive’s home demanding answers. They accused their government of harboring Demons and Aliens.

  “Pisces, do not worry about what happened. It was something out of your control,” Taurus advised.

  The President entered the room, clearly infuriated. He approached Pisces and grabbed her by the shoulders as if to shake her. “What the fuck was that?”

  He might have been the President, but Pisces refused to let anyone treat her in such a manner. She warned, “If you do not remove your hands, I will make sure you have no hands.”

  He let her go and retreated behind his Presidential desk. “We’re fucking screwed! All of us!”

  Pisces responded, “Don’t worry your little head. Your Puppetmasters will spare you. You’re too important to their One World Government agenda. We, on the other hand,” and she looked over at Taurus, “need to be more concerned.”

  The President said, “You’re damn right, you fish-eating bitch!”

  Pisces contained herself as much as she could and overturned the Presidential desk. The President fell out of his chair, very traumatized. The noise alerted the Secret Service Agents outside the Oval Office, who rushed in by the dozen, guns drawn. The head of the Secret Service noticed the overturned desk and the President sprawled on the floor. “Is everything alright, Mr. President?”

  Before the President could respond, one of the phones that had toppled off his desk ringed. The President searched around for the insistently ringing phone. Finding its cord, he pulled it towards him and answered.

  The expression on his face gave everything away. He responded, “Yes,” and hung up the phone. He paused before delivering the message to Pisces and Taurus. “The Pope wishes to speak with you two in person.” His whole persona changed as he ordered the Agents to fix his desk. He walked out to meet his intelligence group in the hope that they’d figured out a way to clean up the mess he was in.

  “Come on. What lies and deceit are your guys conjuring up in there? We know the truth!” The enraged protestors no longer wanted answers. They demanded apologies, consideration, justice and resignation papers signed. The people woke, and the numbers outside of the White House increased at an alarming rate. The government deployed the National Guard to contain the crowd.

  Meanwhile, Zen and Demetrius escorted Taurus and Pisces to meet with the Pope.

  Pisces said, “If we are walking into a situation, I want you to know that I will do whatever it takes to survive. Even if that requires the life of the Pope himself.”

  Taurus agreed. “Do what you must. In the end, they are not fools. Lucifer wants us very much alive.”

  “There goes that witch right there! Come here, bitch!” Someone in the crowd shouted at the limousine. The limousine slowly moved through the angry protestors as debris and garbage thudded across their vehicle.

  Upon their departure, the Police and National Guard struggled to maintain order.

  Moments after the Gemini’s execution, two Archangel’s, Malachi and Anthony, appeared from the North with good and unfortunate news.

  “What brings you here, Brethren?” Natenal asked.

  Malachi spoke first, “Brothers, alas, we meet again under these trying times. Next time, let’s hope it will be back in our Kingdom celebrating our triumph over the enemy.”

  Natenal answered, “May God be praised.”

  Anthony said, “We’ve come to announce that the Judgment Realm has been restored, and all who’ve perished but escaped the hands of Devils must return and receive their Judgment. We apologize for the sudden news, but Pharisees must forfeit from this campaign.”

  Unsettled, but relieved that they restored the Judgment Realm, Pharisees arose and humbly walked over, accepting his resignation from the mission. “I knew this moment would come. Continue without me, Brethren. We will rejoice side-by-side again.”

  One-by-one they embraced and bid farewell to their fallen comrade, confident that they would reunite with him after their campaign.

  “Do my eyes deceive me? Anthony, look.” Malachi pointed to Adam and in an instant, they drew their weapons. In self-defense, Adam drew his as well.

  Natenal interrupted, “Brothers! What is the meaning of this?”

  The others kept the three separated. Anthony and Malachi explained, “This Devil who carries the Mark of the Dark Covenant has a past with us that can only be settled through death itself. Do you have any idea who stands before you?”

  Abdeen stepped in. “He is no longer what he used to be, Brothers. I assure you.”

  Anthony added, “I’ve seen this man personally send Archangels to the same Judgment Realm we’ve just restored. He must atone for his sins!”

  Adam spoke, “Maybe in the future, but not by your hands.”

  Abdeen replied, “Adam, do not fuel them, Brother.”

  Malachi continued, “This is an abomination. This Devil is nothing more than a murderer, a hitman for hire … not for money, but only to maintain the existence of Lucifer’s grin.”

  Natenal ordered the Archangels to carry on with their duties and escort Pharisees back into the Judgment Realm.

  Malachi said, “So, you’re going to allow this murderer to eat and sleep amongst you? Very well. You’d better have one eye open at all times.”

  Natenal answered, “We understand your anger. But I trust that his motives are indeed in good standing. Only God can judge him. So, until you receive a report, you may return as you like.”

  Pharisees took his leave. “Farewell, Brothers.” He boarded the craft along with an infuriated Malachi and
Anthony. Their craft ascended.

  Natenal approached both Abdeen and Adam. “Be advised, Adam, they will be back with a full report; and if that report is not in your favor, you will meet the same fate that was witnessed here today. Your impending actions will be an audition before God Himself to see whether you have truly changed or are only cooperating for self-gain. Be forewarned.”

  Adam answered, “I understand.”

  Natenal walked away while giving Abdeen a balanced look.

  Abdeen interrupted, “We have more visitors, my Lord.”

  Moments after Pharisees’ departure, they saw another craft approaching. It stopped close enough for their observers to see who the occupants were through the reinforced cockpit window.

  They couldn’t quite tell the origins of the male and female occupants. To The Pursuers, they appeared to have humanoid features. They stood as if they were gods. Both had long hair, one black and the other gold. They had pale crystalized white skin and their eyes were pitch black, as if they could see through a body. Their dark blue suits stopped at their necks.

  They landed their craft and descended from their ship. In addition to their strange features, their height complemented them. At eight feet tall, their visitors approached.

  “Who are these outsiders?” Abdeen asked.

  “We’ll find out shortly. I’ll have a word with them,” Natenal replied. He showed courtesy by meeting the visitors halfway, being careful not to present any offensive gestures.

  The male was the first to speak. “Greetings. My name is Zeta, and my companion goes by the name Theandra. We have traveled from a great distance to find you.”

  “My name is Natenal, and my comrade standing to my right goes by the name Abdeen. I am sure you already know whom we represent, so let’s not waste any more time. What brings you here, travelers?”

  Zeta said, “We’ve come about a satellite. Excuse me, a 10,000-year-old satellite that’s been destroyed by your hands. We are seeking some restitution for its destruction.”

  Abdeen said, “A 10,000-year-old satellite?”

  Natenal replied, “What is it that you want? Coin?”

  Zeta continued, “We want the being responsible for destroying our investment and ending the business between us and … let’s say … our private partners.”

  Natenal spoke, “Are those private partners of yours funded by Luciferians?”

  Zeta replied, “You are not the first to accuse us of being in partnership with Devils. Just like everyone else, your evidence seems elusive. Countless cases have been dropped by the Dark Graduates themselves, but yet you’ve acted on false accusations and a mere rumor, you fools! Do you know what you have done? You’ve destroyed over 10,000 years of information and studies and have brought imbalance to our kind! There will be retribution!”

  Abdeen said, “Is that a threat, Traveler?”

  Natenal restrained Abdeen and ordered him to leave him alone with their new visitors. Abdeen went out of hearing range, but would not leave Natenal alone and unprotected.

  Natenal continued in private with Zeta and Theandra. “It would be wise for you to choose your next words very carefully, Traveler. We wouldn’t destroy anything that we weren’t certain of.”

  Zeta said, “This time you’ve made a mistake. Deliver the one responsible at once. Not only for the destruction of our satellite, but also for the death of one of our own.”

  Natenal said, “I’m the one who gave him the order. Take me if you wish to have your life forfeited this day, Traveler. Do both yourselves a favor and let it go. There’s no need for any more bloodshed. You seem very wise, so I’m sure you and your kind can restore balance again.”

  Zeta continued, “We’ve taken many Star Gates to get here. We will not leave empty-handed.”

  Natenal said, “Well, make your move. Otherwise, leave. We have more pressing matters to attend to.”

  The travelers headed back to their craft. They shared a few words during departure.

  Zeta warned, “You and your God will fall. We have over a thousand gods, and you will see upon our return. I promise you.”

  Natenal said, “Your words are not credible. Whenever you decide to return we will be glad to crush you and all of your false gods under the orders of our true and living God: Creator of this Earth, and of the entire Universe. See you then.”

  He stared at the departing travelers as they boarded their special craft, which within moments shimmered and disappeared.

  Abdeen walked back over to Natenal. “More Luciferian machinery,” Abdeen remarked while watching their visitors leave.

  Natenal told Abdeen. “It would seem so. But something tells me this was not the work of Lucifer. May I remind you, he was not the only one who shared differences with God.”

  Meanwhile on the Moon, a distraught Bookkeeper yelled anxiously into the craft’s communications system, “Hello! Can anybody out there hear me!”

  He’d managed to drag an injured Ithiel into the transport. Fatigued and paranoid, he moved back and forth from the communications counter to the craft’s interface, keeping an eye on the opened Gateway for any more unwelcomed visitors.

  As instructed, Ozias remained at the safehouse. He heard a distressed voice on a communications system in the training room and answered. “Affirmative. What is your emergency?”

  Relieved, the Bookkeeper spoke, “I have troubling news. Jedediah is dead; and Ithiel is injured. We need immediate assistance here. I’m not sure how much time we have left.”

  Ozias spoke, “We’ll make our way there as soon as possible. But, why was Jedediah there in the first place?”

  The Bookkeeper answered, “Just as we readied for Earth, we saw Jedediah being escorted to the dark side of the Moon by two of Bishop’s Archangels.”

  Ozias said, “Bishop’s Archangels?”

  The Bookkeeper said, “Yes. Right before they carried out his execution, Ithiel intervened and was injured.”

  Ozias asked, “How badly is he hurt?”

  The Bookkeeper answered, “I’m not sure. But he is unconscious, and he’s the only one who can fly this ship. Please, you must forward this news to the rest of The Pursuers. Before Jedediah’s passing, he gave word that Bishop plans to overthrow God and his Kingdom. I have a feeling more of his soldiers are on their way.”

  Ozias instructed, “Alright, remain there. We will be there soon.”

  They stopped at a diner. Sagittarius, Aquarius and Libra went to get a table while Capricorn walked to the bathroom. Once inside he took out the recording device that Jacob had given him before his escape, and hit the ‘Play’ button. Meanwhile, in the diner, Sagittarius, Aquarius and Libra combed through the menus.

  “What’s with that look?” Sagittarius spoke through close-lipped telepathy.

  Capricorn had a dreadfully disgusting stare upon his face. He played the message on the recording device in front of them, and the secret they withheld surfaced. The whole diner stomached the deceit as the recording of Libra and Aquarius conversing about the murder of Capricorn’s Father, Peter, surfaced. Sagittarius continued his communication through telepathy. “Damn you two. You’ve actually spoken such words in that house?” Libra bowed her head in shame and almost came to tears.

  Capricorn crushed the recording device into pieces with his bare hands. Tears trickled down his face. The Earth beneath them quaked. Utensils fell from overturned tables. Plates and glasses shattered onto the floor. People trampled over one another as they fought for the exits. Jacob’s original plan of dividing the Zodiacs worked. No one was safe against Capricorn’s boiling vengeance. As they headed towards the exits, Dead Rising minions still covered in dirt from their ascension intercepted them. Soon, all exits lacked refuge from these beasts.

  “Wait, boy! What are you doing!” Sagittarius shouted as Demons feasted upon flesh as if they hadn’t eaten in days. The horror brought pleasure to the eyes of the Zodiac child. “He must be destroyed before he kills us all,” Sagittarius said.

&nbs
p; Aquarius agreed, “So be it. I will direct a path.”

  With a burst of sharp, penetrating air, Aquarius sent the Dead Rising outside the diner, giving Sagittarius time to meet Capricorn head on.

  “Nooo!” Drowning in her own guilt, Libra pled for Capricorn to run for his life. Sagittarius soared across the diner floor to meet him. Determined to avenge his Father’s death, Capricorn grabbed him in midair. He tore one of Sagittarius’ wings off and, by the other, tossed him back across the room. Sagittarius spiraled back onto the diner’s overturned tables and chairs, leaving a trail of blood from his exposed wound. The sight of blood motivated Capricorn’s Dead Rising minions and they regrouped.

  As he stepped back, the floor collapsed beneath the three opposing Zodiacs. The impact immobilized them temporarily. As they looked up, he looked down. A massive sinkhole devoured the Zodiacs… and everyone and everything else, including the real estate.

  Chapter 23

  NO MORE PARADISE

  “We are indeed living in interesting times, and it is a blessing in itself to be of witness.”

  – UNKNOWN

  Silence filled the hall. Both Gemini heads rose from a container, held by one of Lucifer’s Demon Archangels who made the discovery while patrolling the gates. They uncovered a note driven into one of the Gemini’s foreheads. The note displayed their opposing party’s number 777 at the top.

  “What is the message?” asked one of the Archangels.

  Lucifer removed the note and read it to himself:

  Satan, your agenda has met its end. Soon you and all your followers will perish, and your Kingdom will be nothing more than rubble, trampled underfoot upon our departure.

  -Master Archangel Natenal.

  Lucifer crumbled the note. He sat there on his Burning Throne silently gazing at the Gemini. His face appeared as if he hadn’t slept in weeks.