Pursuit of the Zodiacs

by Walsh, Nathan

  “I’m done, my days as a spy are over. I will not trouble myself any further by learning what the Hell those things were. Nothing but Devils plague this city.” Jacob made it through the crowd and headed out of the city.

  SCHEDULED TO MEET THE FOUR TALISMAN, VIRGO AND SCORPIO ARRIVED AT THE ENTRANCE OF ROME.

  They saw the Four Talismen and a Reptilian shape-shifter disguised as the Pope.

  “Hmmm, more Zodiacs. So the rumors are true, this alliance might just transpire,” one of the Talismen said while watching Virgo and Scorpio approach.

  Virgo said, “The Four Talismen, were you able to successfully find Aries?”

  Demise answered, “Yes, now it’s time we wait.”

  Virgo asked, “How were you able to unearth her?”

  Plague spoke, “We have our own techniques that’s granted us our own kingdoms, techniques we can never share.”

  Feud continued, “She has yet to be turned. Before The Pursuers can deceive her, we must make sure that her turning is assured. If that isn’t possible, she must be destroyed.”

  Virgo commented, “Understood. So, I guess we wait.”

  Just as Virgo and Scorpio moved to take their positions, a red beam of light separated the Reptilian shape-shifter posing as the Pope. Its burnt upper body fell from its lower, while its legs still stood. He returned to his true form, grimacing in pain and reached out to the Talismen for aid. His legs fell, and he took his last breath.

  “Hmm, it worked. She took the bait. This should be interesting,” Feud uttered to himself, having total disregard for the dead Reptilian shape shifter.

  Aries stood on a rooftop lit by the full presence of the Moon. “I knew that would’ve been too easy. Where is the Pope?”

  Demise replied, “Surrender, Aries.”

  Aries said, “Forfeit from your campaign, and leave while you still breathe.”

  Feud answered, “I’m afraid that cannot happen, Zodiac.”

  Aries responded, “Then this will be your last day, Devil.”

  “Wait!” Virgo walked towards lighting in the street to reason with her Zodiac counterpart. “Aries, my name is Virgo and the boy you see over there is Scorpio. We all share Zodiac blood.”

  Aries took time to grasp the moment. Scorpio walked over to stand beside Virgo. Aries sensed no deceit behind the strange woman’s words.

  Aries spoke to Scorpio, “Boy, what are you doing here? This is no place for you.”

  Scorpio ignored the question. “I understand our relation, but if any one of you call me ‘Boy’ again, I swear I’ll ...”

  Virgo interrupted, “Please excuse us. We are tired, and we’ve been in search of our family for quite some time.”

  Aries spoke, “No need to apologize. Nevertheless, this question must not go unanswered. Why do you ride with these descendants of Lucifer?”

  Virgo simply answered, “Because we are descendants of Lucifer, Aries. We all are. You were once side-by-side with him.”

  Aries thought this over. “Yes, at a time long ago before he had my children slaughtered in front of me. I will die a million deaths before I side with him again. So, if you’re another one anticipating an alliance, you are wasting your time.”

  She revealed the reason for her departure. Lucifer had even withheld this critical information from Virgo. This news confirmed that it would take a miracle for this alliance to form. Speechless, Virgo gazed at the Four Talismen.

  Aries moved uncontrollably. One of her replicas guarding her Son perished, and she felt the infliction as if it had been dealt directly to her. “They’ve done it! They’ve found the boy! Attack!” Feud shouted.

  An army of Mercenary Demon Nuns cleaved the rooftop with high-powered laser weapons custom designed to fight the element of fire.

  Virgo declared, “Taurus and his group must have reached her coordinates. So you four knew all along?”

  Demise answered, “Yes, Taurus and Pisces are moments away from capturing her Son.”

  “Hold your fire!” Dearth yelled.

  The assault ripped the roof off. They didn’t believe she survived that onslaught. Feud dismounted his horse and walked towards the building to investigate. Patiently, they waited for the smoke to clear. Feud ordered some of the Mercenary Demon Nuns to check for Aries’ body. Virgo sensed danger and warned, “Get them out of there. She still lives.”

  They gazed upon Aries’ glowing eyes illuminating through the smoke, the last spectacle they witnessed as she disintegrated them with a Solar Flare that carried a temperature equivalent to the surface of the Sun. She struggled to stay on her feet as she felt another one of her replicas perish. She had little time to make it back to her Son.

  “After her! Before she escapes!” Demise yelled out.

  He caught Aries’ attention. Her replicas hovered in their direction and covered her while she fled. They rained down a fiery meteor shower against the Four Talismen, forcing them to dismount their horses and seek shelter. Feud slapped the rear end of his horse. The horse galloped and then flew from harm’s way. The other horses weren’t as fortunate. They lay dead in the street, engulfed in Sunfire.

  Virgo faced Aries’ replicas. Hesitant to fire upon another Zodiac, a Mother’s love for her child encouraged Aries’ next move. All four of her replicas challenged Virgo’s Virgin Force Field with fire. They blasted Virgo into the ground. After the smoke dissipated, steam rose from a crater.

  “Virgo!” Scorpio cried out. He emerged from his hiding place and dodged the replicas’ strikes. Too quick for the first two, both Replicas fell victim to the Sting of Death affixed to his ponytail. After puncturing their throats, the poisons seeped into their veins, and their own fire turned on themselves. Engulfed in flames, her replicas cried and fled, but they collapsed a good distance down the street and died.

  The Four Talismen suffered a loss on their end as well. They witnessed Aries beheading Plague with her Sun Fire sword. Demise removed his chest plate and displayed his signature black hole resting on his chest. Its gravitational pull proved too much for one of Aries replicas. Down to one replica and herself, Mercenary Demon Nuns attacked with their close combat melee weapons that consisted of swords and spears. She outclassed them all with her Sunfire Sword by swiftly delivering blows to their forehead, heart and neck. She staggered to her knees. Another one of her replicas had been killed. Each loss weakened her.

  Scorpio and the three remaining Talismen took full advantage and advanced. Feud attacked first with his double-sided axed spear. She found an opening in his offense and chopped his weapon in half. An armor-breaking punch backed with fire sent him into the crater where Virgo lay. He removed his blazing armor. Next, she grabbed Scorpio’s ponytail, and threw him into the crater. Thinking of her Son, she showed him mercy and covered the crater with a force field of her own. He found Virgo rejuvenating off the Earth’s minerals, her burnt wounds partially healed. Scorpio opened the Earth to access the city’s water. After absorbing as much as he could, Scorpio penetrated the flaming force field that had incarcerated them.

  They escaped the crater and witnessed Demise on fire, rolling on the ground. Again, Scorpio used his water gift to extinguish the flames.

  Aries threw a defeated Feud into the building. “I knew you couldn’t have been that easy to kill, Virgo. You had me worried for a second.”

  “Bitch, I’m just getting started,” Virgo replied while unsheathing her infamous Virgin sword.

  Aries replied, “Good, don’t disappoint this time.”

  The Pope arrived. “That is enough, Aries!”

  Taurus, Pisces and his Special Security, consisting of two Nephilim Giants and a few Reptilian soldiers, accompanied him. She accepted all challengers, but her spirit declined after seeing her Son Paul in shackles being held by two Reptilian soldiers. “Nooo!” she cried. Virgo shot her down with a paralyzing shockwave generated from the Earth.

  “Virgo, that’s enough,” the Pope yelled. Virgo stepped back. The Pope continued, “We’ve had enough of y
our folly. Cooperate, or your Son dies!”

  The Pope lifted his hand, and one of his Reptilian guards punched Paul in the stomach. He fell to the ground in pain, sobbing and gasping for air. The Reptilian guards picked him back up.

  “No! How did this happen? It’s all happening again,” Aries cried uncontrollably as memories of her murdered children returned to her.

  The Pope lifted Jacob’s severed head. She remembered the spy she had warned to leave. That’s how they discovered her. With a maniacal laugh, the Pope tossed the dripping head to the ground beside her; and one-by-one, he licked Jacob’s blood off each finger. “I’ve lost good men over you, Aries, you bitch. I knew this plan wouldn’t have been easy, but the victory was well worth it.”

  CAPRICORN’S DREAM

  “Lisa! What are you doing? You’re not ready!”

  Capricorn’s cousin Lisa entered a forbidden Dimension overrun by Demons. As one of the last surviving members of the Children of Time, her Angelic voice stopped wars and cleared battlefields. But, was it enough to rid this Dimension of its Demons? Over the last several years, the Devils lurking inside this once peaceful passageway slaughtered many people. Capricorn didn’t reach his cousin on time to stop her from entering the Gateway.

  Despite looking into the eyes of two dead and rotting Gatekeepers, a determined Lisa entered the forbidden Dimension. Capricorn reached the Gateway. He looked in from the outside, and what he saw terrified him. Nevertheless, the well-being of his cousin gave him the courage to overcome his fears. He entered the Gateway. Lisa found a suitable location for her voice to echo off the trees of the field. Confident in her gift, she took out her harp and waited.

  Capricorn yelled out to his cousin. “Lisa! Please don’t be stupid. You’re going to get us both killed!”

  Too late for her to turn back, Demons appeared from all depths of the Dimension blocking all escape routes. Capricorn reached her, fell behind her, and closed his eyes as he summoned for his Dead Rising.

  “Lisa, your voice had better open Heaven’s Gate too, because we need a miracle.”

  She sang, and the innocence of her voice alone created the miracle they needed. Weird symbols escaped from her tongue, and it coincided with the wind as it blew. Her tone and the notes she hit brought Devils to their knees. Some were Redeemed at that very moment. Her paralyzing voice caused Demons to flee, never to return to that Dimension. Most Demons broke their own Covenants by staying to listen.

  Capricorn built up the courage to open his eyes. He encouraged her to keep singing. Soon the whole city assembled outside of that same Dimension looking in.

  That was his best memory of her before her disappearance.

  End of Capricorn’s Dream

  He woke up in another Dimension, having traveled from one to the other, near and far, not sure where he was destined to go. He wanted nothing more than to be at peace, somewhere. Despite his age, nothing or no one dared challenge him. They knew what he was, and stayed away. Those who did challenge the Zodiac ended up regretting it later inside the walls of the Judgment Realm. Finding a place of refuge grew ever so imminent.

  Two Gatekeepers warned him not to enter an unwitnessed Dimension. Avoiding any altercation with the stubborn Zodiac, they simply let him pass and closed the gate behind him. Whatever fate followed, he’d chosen it on his own despite their cautionary advice.

  He dwelled in a land of Giants. The trees resembled skyscrapers, and they eclipsed the Sun. In awe of this strange World, he failed to detect a beast in the middle of its meal as one leg of its victim fell by the Zodiac’s side. Capricorn stood still, trying his hardest not to make a sound. It had ten legs that surpassed his own height, and its fangs aided in pushing its prey into its massive jaws. Capricorn had seen enough. In desperation, he used his gifts, punishing the same gates he entered minutes prior in order to escape the grasps of the monstrosity. The Gatekeepers fled, assuming that he’d let the monster out. The beast lost interest and held off its pursuit.

  A few hours later, Laurentina, another one of the surviving members of the Children of Time, visited him in spirit form.

  “Am I dreaming again?” He asked while rubbing his eyes to confirm what he saw.

  She touched his arm. Startled, he drew it back.

  Laurentina, “No, you are not Jeremy.”

  Capricorn responded, “There was a time before this whole Pursuit, before the death of my Father, and before Lisa’s disappearance, I used to go by that name. I was at peace with the Universe. Since everything has gone cold, I no longer go by that name. I am a Zodiac, and will forever more go by the name, ‘Capricorn.’”

  Laurentina replied, “I see so much pain in your eyes, Capricorn. Hopefully this bit of news will bring you some joy.”

  Capricorn asked, “What news?”

  Laurentina continued, “Lisa lives and sends her regards. She says she’s sorry she had to go as she did, but it was the only way. After the deaths of so many, it was best that we parted from Saturn altogether.”

  The news brought Capricorn a bit of comfort. He found something to look forward to: the hope of seeing Lisa again. He expectantly asked, “Can you take me to her?”

  Laurentina answered, “No, it is a journey you must undertake on your own. You will find us on the Mountain of the Seven Moons. She said we could trust you with the secret of our location; and for the sake of us all, I pray she is right. Our lives are in your hands, Capricorn.”

  “I will give anything to hear Lisa’s voice again.” Capricorn watched as Laurentina faded away.

  Capricorn prepared for his trip to the Mountain of the Seven Moons, still underground in dark places where he felt safe with his Dead Rising. They followed him wherever he went, ready for any command, devoted to their Zodiac.

  He met the Sun after parting from his Underworld. “You cannot follow me here. Go, now. I will call upon you again.” They obeyed and departed through the shadows.

  “Who were you talking to, and what were you doing down there?” A construction worker asked as he saw Capricorn exiting a tunnel next to a restricted train site. “Hey! This is no place for a kid to play around.”

  Capricorn ignored him and strolled onto a busy street where people minded their business. He walked up to a newspaper stand near a bus stop and skimmed through some of the local newspapers and magazines. He discovered his location: Connecticut. “Who are they?” Mosqidou was on the front page of The Wall Street Journal followed by the word, “Disclosure.” He ripped the newspaper in half and continued his trip.

  Capricorn sensed someone watching him. He walked down the street, hoping to figure out the observer. His instincts served him well as two supernatural beings, shape-shifters, followed him. They followed him to an underground passageway that ultimately brought them to another train station.

  Capricorn spoke, “Let’s do us all a favor and put a halt to this game of tag. Despite my age, I have no fucking time for amusement.”

  The shape-shifters reverted to their Reptilian forms and attacked Capricorn as one, special swords being their weapons of choice, well-crafted from a fine armory, manufactured on their Planet. They swung with deadly intent. The sharp blades bounced off the impenetrable skin of Capricorn’s arms as he protected his neck and head.

  Capricorn countered, ripping off the arm of the Reptilian closest to him. “Aaaaggghhhhh,” he yelled in pain as he fell to the ground.

  “You Bastard!” The other one yelled as he cautiously fell back to avoid losing one of his own limbs. The Reptilian shape-shifted into all classes of creatures, trying to find one that would give him an advantage over Capricorn. This technique worked as Capricorn’s defense weakened by the confusion of his enemy’s constant transmutation.

  Seeing Capricorn bested from all corners of the tunnel gave the other Reptilian confidence in their contract. He had made it to his feet and assisted his partner after witnessing the success of constant shape-shifting.

  Out of frustration, Capricorn summoned his minions, but it wo
uld take minutes before they arrived to help him. Capricorn had to endure punishment from his constantly changing foes.

  However, shape-shifting tired the two Reptilian assassins. Capricorn had been taught by one of the best, his Father Peter, who was a Master and Champion of his Dojo.

  Capricorn threw one of the Reptilians into the wall of the tunnel. The other was deprived of that courtesy as Capricorn used a series of kicks to break both its legs. The Reptilians were crushed. Capricorn’s minions clawed their way through the side of the tunnel. The passengers in a passing train rushed to the opposite window of their cart for a better view, astounded by the spectacle playing out before their eyes.

  Surrounded, they asked, “Only the Elder Zodiacs are capable of summoning. How did you develop this technique so early at your age?”

  Capricorn answered, “I’ve had the liberty of being trained by three of the best mentors anyone could ever ask for: Aquarius, Libra and my Father, who in time I shall meet again … but not this day.”

  “Who are you? And, whom do you represent?”

  One of the Reptilians replied, “We are executioners from the Dark Lord himself. Due to your lack of cooperation, you’ve been deemed a traitor. We’ve been ordered to eliminate you.”

  Capricorn thought a moment. “So, Lucifer wants me dead, huh?”

  The Reptillians answered, “Yes, you’ve put a halt to his ultimate plan. Since you have no interest in his agenda, he wanted you eradicated so he can have an heir who will cooperate. Now, we’ve answered your questions; will you grant us life?”

  Capricorn replied, “No, my Dead Rising must feed.”

  With death closing in, they took out their laser guns and shot themselves in the head before being eaten alive. Capricorn continued out of the tunnel, while his dead minions feasted upon the flesh of his would-be executioners.

  Aquarius and Libra encountered strange beings. Despite the noise from the explosion, the beings remained unconscious. They failed in their attempt to wake them and only alerted the heavily armed Vampeers, who rushed towards the room. Libra used her unique ability to walk up walls and positioned herself. Hanging from the ceiling right above the door, she waited for the incoming Vampeers. Aquarius patiently sat on one of the medical tables as a diversion. With puzzling looks upon their faces, the Vampeers looked on, while Aquarius smiled at them, almost flirting. Once inside, Libra sent a hurricane-force wind to disarm them. The Vampeers slammed into walls and other fortifications in the room.