Lucifer spoke, “Leave me.”
The whole hall cleared.
Lucifer turned to the Window of the Damned where he normally took time to escape. “First Leo, and now Gemini; and I have yet to receive a report from Crusix regarding the others.”
He sat back on his throne and dosed off. His dream took him back in time to an important event that most would call a Paradise that was lost.
“This should be a mass execution. All of you are not even worthy of exile. May you rot in your treachery, and may your gifts part from your grasps in season.”
Michael, Gabriel and Bishop, along with thousands of other Archangels, had cast out Lucifer and his remaining followers from Heaven. The other soldiers within the Kingdom tended to the dead and wounded, while others focused on reconstruction.
Gabriel asked, “Should we pursue?”
“No. His judgment was clear, “Michael answered. “Banishment will be their punishment. They will beg for forgiveness and ask for re-entry, but their prayers will go unheard.”
Bishop said, “But, what if you’re wrong? We should just rid the Earth of these endemics and prevent retribution.”
Gabriel added, “Perhaps Bishop is right, Michael. Their gifts still remain, and who knows when they’ll return with even more Devils.”
Michael replied, “That’s enough. Let’s return with our report and celebrate our triumph.”
Bishop couldn’t help but add, “Granted, but if he returns with multitudes, their crafts will be perfected. I don’t see him taking his gifts lightly, Brother. He will return. I am certain of it.”
Michael responded wearily, “If and when he does, we’ll be more prepared for them than ever, Brother. Come along, before your concerns trouble you any further.”
Bishop could not let it go. “He’s not the only one in the midst of his company with gifts, Brother. And it’s not us I’m concerned about. It’s the Mortals who will be subject to his power and the power of his colleagues.”
Michael said, “Raphael already departed. If you want to stay and meditate, so be it. His ruling stands. You will not pursue. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m heading back to celebrate.”
Gabriel and Michael moved on as Bishop watched Lucifer and his army continue their departure towards Earth. He could see Lucifer taking his last look at Paradise, and their eyes just so happened to meet. His eyes displayed the purest of hate. He could almost taste and feel his anger. There would be no repentance coming from this Fallen Archangel. Time and Immortality … he would use these assets against the Kingdom. “His expectation will be that his banishment will be just a mere thought, disposing our awareness completely in season. But I will not forget. I will grasp that day as I do this day,” Bishop said. The strategist for God’s army retired and entered the Kingdom.
“The time has come for us to part ways until I call upon you again. Go North, South, East, and West, to all corners of the Earth, and force yourselves upon the men and women. Multiply and migrate into the distant clusters of this Universe. Grow in great numbers. Form secret societies that will in time interconnect us all to a force no man or god will be able to destroy. Bear the mark of this Dark Covenant with pride. Not only will the sight make our adversaries tremble, but it will validate us as Brothers and Sisters.”
Lucifer shared those last words before he himself followed his own instructions. The Original Zodiacs had been present at the time of Lucifer’s casting out of Paradise, but they were so new to their gifts that they had been easily defeated. However, twelve escaped death during the legendary battle, a phenomenon in itself. He kept his prized possessions close as if they were the very air he breathed. With proper training and hard work, his Zodiacs in time would surely become gods.
A battle erupted as Scorpio and Virgo took on a group of Vampeers. In the midst of them, Dynamo, turned against his will, watched. Fidor, a Vampeer who orchestrated the confrontation, accompanied him. “Just a sample, and we will part. Your friends will not be harmed,” Fidor assured Dynamo.
Dynamo said, “Yes, but just as I was afraid of, she wasn’t going to give it up without a fight. The boy, you can kill. He serves no purpose to me.”
Fidor said, “Yes, I see.” He motioned more Vampeers to join the fight as Virgo and Scorpio demolished everyone in their path. Fidor cared less about the increasing number of casualties. “If I do not return with a sample, my life will be forfeited. Even if I have to obtain their blood myself, it shall come to pass,” Fidor pronounced. As Virgo and Scorpio grew fatigued, the Vampeer took off his cloak and calmly hung it up against the branch of a nearby tree. Just as he suspended it, Crusix returned sending more Vampeers to the hereafter. Fidor picked up his cloak and ordered his men to fall back.
Crusix spoke, “Leave at once, or I will personally replace your cloak with your flesh.”
No one on the other side answered. They humbly dispersed into the stillness of the night. Crusix asked Scorpio and Virgo if they had been harmed.
Scorpio responded, “Nothing I can’t handle.”
Virgo said, “Don’t mind him. We are very grateful, Crusix. Thank you.”
Crusix said, “You must relocate. I’m certain they will return. Their next attack will involve more inventive tactics of suicide. We can only do so much with our small number. I’ll give you new coordinates to another safehouse and have your new Guide meet you there. In the meantime, let’s move from this burning house.”
“Another execution on the Moon? How many have there been thus far?”
During their investigation involving the disappearance of their fellow combatants, halfway through the Dimension, Bishop’s Special Team of Master Archangels conversed.
Amos said, “Yes, these executions are repetitive and lack excitement. It’s time we really receive a challenge.”
Exodus asked, “The games we’ve come up with involving our captives are not good enough for you anymore?”
Ezra answered, “They’re just that: captives, soldiers. But not Master Arch’s like us.”
Leviticus commented, “Soon, before you know it, we’ll be trading iron and gifts with Angels who will surpass the rank of Gabriel himself.”
The name alone sparked interest. “Is there news you’ve failed to tell us, Brother?” Ezra asked as Leviticus adjusted his armor.
“Yes. He said to mention that there is word of Michael undertaking a secret mission on Venus,” Leviticus answered.
Amos said, “After we’re finished with this contract on the Moon, we can move on to some real amusement.”
Genesis added, “Yes, this is good news, indeed. We’ve been trying to eliminate this Michael for centuries. What about Raphael?”
Leviticus answered, “Very well. We are almost there. As far as Raphael goes, I haven’t heard any word on that bastard.”
“Look, the door is still open,” Ezra commented.
Genesis said, “Let’s make haste before it weakens.”
They arrived on the other side of the Gateway only to find their comrades’ demolished dead bodies amongst the bloodstained regolith of the Moon. Evidence showed that their murderers were still present, which brought some comfort to the devastation following their discovery. They saw their craft a short way in the distance. The five Master Archangels walked past a dead Jedediah.
Ezra, first into the craft, yelled, “Here,” as she tossed a distraught Bookkeeper from the craft. He landed hard on the surface of the Moon. Genesis helped her in throwing an unconscious Ithiel from the craft as well.
Ithiel jarred to consciousness after hitting the surface. He reflexively reached for his sword, but his sheath was empty. It had been removed upon his detection. He raised his arms to hit Exodus with a jolt of lightning. But Ezra countered, kicking Ithiel onto his stomach. Genesis grabbed the Pursuer, rolled him on his back, and held him down. Too weak, he watched Leviticus approach the Bookkeeper while Exodus pointed his laser-powered weapon at the back of his head. Ithiel received their message and complied.
“I’m only going to ask you this once: Who are you?”
The Bookkeeper didn’t answer. Leviticus took out his dagger and thrust it in the Bookkeeper’s shoulder, causing him to scream in agony.
“He’s only a Bookkeeper! I’m the one whom you should speak with,” Ithiel yelled.
Leviticus ordered, “Bring him over here.” He kicked the Bookkeeper aside and diverted his interest to Ithiel. The Bookkeeper held his injured shoulder and looked away so as not to see them beat and torture an already battered and defenseless Ithiel.
“No!” The Bookkeeper yelled as Exodus dragged him over to Ithiel and forced him to watch them torture his Guardian. Exodus said, “You’ll remember this better and will be able to describe it in more detail to others.” Tears trickled down the Bookkeeper’s face as they crucified Ithiel upside down.
Ithiel could only hold it in for so long before he screamed in dreadful pain. His deafening cry neither one of them would ever forget. Without pause, they cut the Pursuer’s throat in front of the Bookkeeper. “Was this event worthy of your book, Mortal?” Gloated Leviticus.
They set fire to the craft, and all five Master Archangel’s passed by him. They settled for the pleasure of seeing one watch another die. They took one last look at their work and departed back from whence they had come.
The Bookkeeper prayed.
Ever since the revelation of the existence of Supernatural forces, Devil and Angel clashes rose. It became so common that some places became ghost metropolises, while the rest of the New World embraced the supernatural presence.
“Ice cream! Get your ice cream!”
Downtown New York, an ice cream truck driver stationed his vehicle in a park just a short distance inside a field. Children rushed to buy ice cream from the vendor, but Demons appearing from a sewer diverted their attention. The children scurried off to their respective guardians, and the ice cream truck vendor hid inside his truck and waited for the Demons to pass.
An Archangel emerged from a Gateway above a collection of tall trees. It was a child dressed in armor. Alongside the child was her Guardian, a Supernatural Angelic dog with a wingspan of 15 feet.
Nothing made sense to the occupant of the ice cream truck, especially after witnessing the child mercilessly decapitating Demon heads left and right. Once the atrocity ended, the child behind the armor removed her helmet.
The ice cream vendor shook in his truck as she approached him in her bloodstained armor. The little girl must have been no older than eleven years of age. She surprised him when she asked, “Ah, hi there. Can I please have some ice cream?” asked Sabrina, a Master Archangel and God’s newest courier. The innocence of her tone cloaked the severity of what she had just done.
The ice cream vendor handed her a double-scoop of vanilla in a trembling cone through his truck window, and added, “This one is on the house.” He watched as she shyly took the ice cream and departed. “We are indeed living in interesting times, and it is a blessing in itself to be of witness,” he thought to himself, still shaking, but grateful to be alive.
Natenal and his men arrived back at their new safehouse.
“Sabrina, it brings comfort to see you. What is your business here?” Natenal spotted God’s new courier on the couch watching television.
Sabrina answered as she shut off the television. “Natenal, it’s very good to see you too, Brother. God has appointed me as the new courier and is expecting a report. Where are the others? And I can’t help but see there are some new faces here.”
Natenal reluctantly acknowledged the young lady as his Superior. “You’ll have your report shortly. There’s a lot to deliberate, I assure you. I’ve sent a few members of our group out on a rescue mission to retrieve two of our own. They should be arriving shortly from this Earth’s Moon.”
Sabrina said, “Make certain they leave before the rise of the Super Full Moon.”
Natenal replied, “My apologies, but that day has completely escaped memory. Has it been that long?”
Sabrina said, “You’re not the only one who has forgotten. Who did you send to the Moon?”
Natenal answered, “I placed Abdeen in charge of that operation. He is accompanied by Levi, Zodeen and our new recruits who go by the names Adam, and Cancer.”
Sabrina said, “Cancer? Do you mean …?”
Natenal broke in, “Yes, I sent a Zodiac. He has been cooperating with us and joined our campaign. Leo and the Gemini have been eliminated. We’re working on finding the rest. Our next breach will be the White House.”
Sabrina’s said, “That’s excellent news. May God be praised. I’m afraid I must ask about the casualties.”
Natenal responded, “We are grieving the loss of Shiloh, Pharisees and Jedediah. They’re the only ones among the dead, thus far. There is also grave news that Bishop is planning to move against God and the Kingdom.”
Her eyes widened, and her eyebrows rose. “Are you sure of this, Brother? If this is accurate, then who knows how many men he has already stationed in the Kingdom to await his orders.”
Natenal responded, “Yes, I am convinced that is Bishop’s plan. So, forward this message with caution. Those words are for our Father’s ears only.”
Sabrina replied, “Certainly, I must return and report this at once. I see that Daniel and Goliath are absent. Why?”
Natenal answered, “They should be here momentarily. They had their own assignment to fulfill.”
Sabrina said, “God bless you, Natenal. And, as far as our comrades who have fallen, their sacrifice will not go unremarked. We will reunite with them again after their passage through the Judgment Realm.”
Natenal responded, “May your journey back to the Kingdom meet with success, Sabrina. Farewell and take care.”
Sabrina said, “God willing, I will return soon. May your next report state that you have successfully completed your assignment.”
Natenal answered, “Without a doubt.”
Daniel and Goliath exited the Dimension Gateway. The Vampeers were few, but an odd species truly worthy of envy. Their DNA was a gift in itself, causing most to live to over a thousand years. Their healing capabilities were uncanny. Daniel and Goliath shared the same fortune thanks to Dracuul. Daniel’s severe burns had almost fully healed, but weariness and a hunger for blood remained their Demon. They stumbled upon some off-duty police officers who routinely hung out in an alley near a local bar.
“Well, look at this. If I haven’t seen public intoxication at its finest,” one officer joked to himself. “You guys feel like working?”
These crooked cops pulled out their handcuffs, batons and tasers and accused The Pursuers of resisting arrest. They assaulted Goliath and Daniel. One hit Daniel in the back of the knees. On one knee, he caught the officer’s second strike midway through.
“Damn, this one is huge!” Another officer said, while pointing his taser toward Goliath.
The two Pursuers grabbed exposed limbs and feasted on the four off duty officers. The grown men shed tears of regret and begged for their lives. But mercy turned her head. With their newly found fangs, they continued puncturing the necks of the off-duty officers.
The experience overwhelmed them. Guilt and pleasure blackened their existence. “What have we become, Daniel? We are nothing more than blood-sucking mosquitoes preying on the very lives we’ve sworn to protect! We have become indigenous Pursuers of Blood,” Goliath said.
Daniel said, “Yet we still live and are able to continue our mission stronger than ever! Unless you have the gift of reversing time, that will be enough complaining. We’ll grasp our new gifts and conquer them.”
Goliath retorted, “You can accept this abomination if you want, but don’t expect me to join you, Daniel.”
Goliath left and headed back to the safehouse where the others waited.
Daniel yelled after him, “Go ahead. I’ll meet you there, but you will soon come to terms and accept what you’ve become the moment your thirst returns.”
Daniel, left
behind, fed upon the remains that Goliath chose to neglect.
Moments away from their destination, Abdeen received word that the Moon would soon enter its transition into the Super Full Moon. “We must be in and out. There will be no time for idleness.”
Observing through the display window of their craft, they identified smoke at a distance. Next, they discovered Ithiel’s transport engulfed in flames. “My God, we are too late!” Zodeen exclaimed.
They landed, and prayed before Ithiel’s upside down crucified corpse. “Who did this!” Enraged, Abdeen helped Adam, Zodeen, Levi and Cancer carefully remove Ithiel from the cross.
“They made me watch!”
They could hear the cry of a panic-stricken Bookkeeper as he came out of hiding. Abdeen grabbed the Bookkeeper and demanded that he tell them who killed Ithiel.
“Ahh!” The Bookkeeper held his injured shoulder and hit the ground as Abdeen released his grip. Adam stopped Abdeen from doing any further harm to the Bookkeeper. “Brother, he’s in shock. Give him a moment to recover.”
Levi added, “Yes, he’s right, Abdeen. He clearly isn’t himself right now.”
“They made me watch!” That was all the information they could get out of the Bookkeeper. He continued rocking back and forth, weeping and holding his injured shoulder.
Levi and Cancer investigated the area. Judging by the prints in the ground, there had been at least five others. They followed the tracks, which brought them to a lifeless Jedediah. His head had been removed and placed on a spear.
Cancer commented, “This was more than a message.”
Levi asked, “Your meaning?”
Cancer continued, “This was a declaration of war, my friend. Whoever did this despises you in full.”
Levi pointed out, “We’ve gained many enemies since this campaign opened. Once the Bookkeeper collects himself, we will know more.”
Cancer pointed to some others in the distance. “Maybe you’ll get more answers sooner than that. We have company.”
Pursuit of the Zodiacs Page 24