Pursuit of the Zodiacs

by Walsh, Nathan

  The door violently shuddered, followed by an ominous silence. The Pursuers readied themselves for the worst.

  “The Devils are in sight. There goes the church! Tell all ships to open fire.” The order came from Raphael. He prayed time hadn’t become his Demon.

  Archangels from different classes of origin resided in the Mosqidou Warships. All were cloaked in similar suits of armor, like their predecessors. The firepower from their custom Mosquito ships threatened all opposition. They ripped apart Demons and everything in their path, opening craters in the Earth.

  Oseem remained on the ground, ordering his craft to meet the Mosqidou Warships in the air. They stood no chance against their unorthodox flying capabilities. Demon spacecraft returned to the Earth, plummeting while engulfed in flames, crashing into structures and fixtures. Demons scattered and ran for their lives, as did Oseem.

  Once the threat was over, Raphael’s ship landed, and he deployed hundreds of soldiers to pursue the fleeing Demons. “Check the church for any survivors. Let’s hope we’ve made it in time.”

  DAMN! WATCH THE SKIES, EVERYONE!

  Goliath shouted while engaging with the Zodiac. In addition to the blood-smothered Moon, crushed Demon war craft from Raphael’s deadly assault fell in their direction. One ricocheted off a building into another and crashed into the street. Another transport sheared off a roof and disappeared in a lake.

  Luck embraced Capricorn. His ticket to the Dark Graduates’ headquarters arrived without notice. A craft underwent a rough but safe landing one street over.

  His observation nearly cost him his life as Goliath forcefully swung his sledgehammer, just missing him. He grabbed Goliath, and his weapon and tossed him over into a horde of Dead Rising minions. As Goliath took time fending them off, the Dead Rising seized a terrified Lucille and brought her aboard the crashed Demon craft.

  “They’ve taken her!” an occupied Abdeen shouted while fighting off a beast from Hell.

  Capricorn’s monsters infected the Demons that came pouring out of the crashed craft. Abdeen’s Lions of Fire moved in on the Zodiac, but were consumed by Capricorn’s flash-generated sinkhole. His Special Gem pulsated, and he staggered to the ground in agonizing pain. “Another Zodiac is dead? Damn!”

  Daniel moved in towards the fallen Zodiac, but Demons intercepted his route. Adam chased down the Dead Rising that held Lucille hostage onboard the craft, but there were too many for him to fight alone. Dead Rising retrieved the distressed Zodiac.

  “You will take me to your Dark Graduate base at once!” Capricorn commanded while fighting the pain.

  Forced against her will, Lucille sat in the cockpit of the Demon craft and journeyed into the Universe.

  “Where are the others? It looks like Oseem has failed to retrieve them all.” Troy spoke in front of the Hellfire-fueled Ghost Train after welcoming the arrival of another Zodiac.

  Scorpio answered, “Unfortunately, I am the only one for now.”

  Troy said, “I will wait one more hour. It is best you get onboard. You’ll need to be well-rested for what lies ahead.”

  Scorpio boarded the huge train. Dead Angels and Demons in the form of ghosts played Chess, killing time while they waited for their next stop.

  “Seems like Troy is behind schedule,” Scorpio muttered to himself.

  To those inside, the proceedings outside the train lacked interest, for they were no longer a part of that World.

  To Scorpio’s surprise, the aura inside the train brought calmness and peace. He envied the expiring feeling. It had been a long time since he felt that way.

  “Come play a game with me,” a little girl shouted as she waved. Seated by herself and only a few seats down from everyone else, he didn’t know what to make of it, but he submitted. No one had a care in the Universe who he was. However, Scorpio felt an escape. Their terminus to the Judgment Realm made it clear that judging people or things was no longer a privilege for them. They ignored him as he continued towards the strange little girl. He couldn’t make her out. She appeared to be a hybrid, but her humanoid features seemed dominant. She had dark features, and her skin was of gold … like nothing seen on Earth.

  “My name is Vivica. What’s yours?”

  He slowly sat across the table from her and answered, “Luis,” using his Earthly name, as opposed to his Zodiacal moniker. He accepted her handshake, after which she began setting up the Chessboard.

  He learned a lot about her during their conversation. She mentioned being from another time and that she was a descendant of Leo. Vivica originated from a Super Earth called VV Mendi, where there are a thousand days in the year.

  By the third game, she proved unbeatable, for which fact he assumed she sat alone. “You’re pretty good,” Scorpio said. She thanked him and smiled while resetting the Chess pieces.

  Troy the Conductor slayed a few Dead Rising that had strayed away from the pack. He boarded the train and told Scorpio the train’s schedule. “I will return in another hour. I must take the departed to the Judgment Realm. From there I will take you to where the other Zodiacs are waiting.”

  Scorpio didn’t mind the delay. He had become fond of his new friend, and accustomed to losing to her. When it was time for her to depart, for the first time, he felt sincere gratitude for having met someone. She gave him a hug, and still he did not know how to fully comprehend his feelings.

  The majority made their way off at the Judgment Realm stop. It hurt him within to see her leave, but he held it in. She waved goodbye.

  “An Archangel?” he said to himself. For some reason during the entire trip, he hadn’t marked her wings.

  Just as Troy closed the doors, Scorpio decided to get off. “I’m sorry, Troy, but I will be getting off at this stop as well.” He left the train and headed down the walkway before Troy could stop him.

  Scorpio traveled a good distance from the train before Troy caught up with him. “Are you out of your mind, boy? You haven’t forgotten your duties here, have you, Zodiac?”

  Scorpio said, “Move out of my way, Devil. I’m not going back on that train, nor am I joining the rest of the Zodiacs. If you haven’t noticed, we have lost. The majority of us are dead. You got that? Dead!”

  Troy forced Scorpio back towards the train. “Boy, we have no time for this. You’re getting back on that damned train even if I have to carry you myself!”

  Just as Troy finished his sentence, Scorpio’s Special Gem began to pulsate. The pain brought him to his knees.

  “You are in no condition to fight a Master Archangel of my caliber, boy.” Troy grabbed the Zodiac and threw him inside the train.

  “Luis!” Vivica shouted. Troy pulled her off the train’s steps as she boarded.

  Scorpio’s sanity escaped him after witnessing Troy assault Vivica. “You bastard!”

  Troy said, “Leave that train, and I will kill you myself. I’ve had it with your lack of respect. Lucifer is better off without you. You’re just a fucking worthless liability.”

  Scorpio transformed into his half-Scorpion, half-humanoid form. Vivica ran away terrified. He unsheathed his lethal stinger and lunged at the Demon. Troy kicked Scorpio into the side of the train. Scorpio curled in pain.

  “There will be another Zodiac to take your place. Whoever he is, he will obey!” Troy grabbed him by his hair and lifted him up into the air. He locked eyes with the Zodiac and tossed Scorpio to the ground after witnessing his paralyzing glare. With his new enemy deprived of sight, Scorpio had bought himself some time.

  “Damn you!” Troy shouted as he struggled to regain his vision.

  He unleashed his stinger, but could not find his mark. The Demon Master Arch maneuvered out of harm’s way using his sense of hearing to anticipate Scorpio’s attacks. Scorpio then unleashed forced water. Troy dropped to his knees and held his stomach. The pressure caused internal damage. Troy retreated towards the horizon, but his flight was cut short as Scorpio clamped onto his legs. After feeling a painful pinching sensation, Troy noticed th
e Zodiac’s hands were no longer in humanoid form. Scorpio’s pincers locked onto his leg. He was dragged down and hit the ground hard. The Zodiac was overconfident enough to release his grip; and, in an instant, Troy maneuvered from his grasp, chopping off Scorpio’s stinger and one of his arms in the process.

  “Ahhh!” Scorpio felt the pain of having his limb and stinger removed. In desperation, Scorpio spit venomous acid in Troy’s face before he could deliver a fatal thrust through the Zodiac’s heart.

  “Ughhh! You little bastard!” With half of his face destroyed, Troy dropped his weapon and moved toward the rear of the train. However, Scorpio had the advantage and used it. With his remaining arm, he pierced Troy’s back with his severed stinger. The venom took little time to enter his spine and immobilize the Master Archangel.

  Troy spun around in defeat, paralyzed. As he fell to the ground, he watched the Zodiac’s limbs grow back after Scorpio injected himself with the remaining venom in his stinger.

  “Stupid. Why couldn’t you just let me leave?” Scorpio questioned the dying Demon Train Conductor.

  Troy answered, “You cannot kill an Archangel without repercussions, boy. Expect them.”

  Scorpio answered, “I’m well-aware of my actions, Devil. I will not join you or your fight any longer. From now on, I work for myself. After my meal, you can forward the news to Lucifer when I send you back to him.”

  Troy replied, “Meal? What the Hell are you talking about?”

  Scorpio answered briefly. “I will show you momentarily.”

  Scorpio pulled Troy aboard the train and transformed himself into a full Scorpion, the size of a human, with eight eyes. His claws were as sharp as the finest steel blades; and his shell, as tough as the thickest armor. Troy, still paralyzed, shouted in horror. Scorpio feasted upon Troy. The parts paralyzed by the venom he couldn’t feel, until Scorpio made his way to the parts with sentiments.

  Pleased, Scorpio knew that his true gift was not only in devouring his adversary; but by this technique, he also acquired their power, therefore becoming stronger. Undoubtedly a gruesomely ironic sign of respect: the more powerful the enemy, the more likely to eat it. When Scorpio was finished, nothing remained of Troy, the Demon Master Archangel.

  “DAMN, IS THERE ANYONE WE HAVE NOT FAILED?”

  They killed the last of the Dead Rising. Soon the delight of their victory diminished as they watched Lucille’s craft depart. They felt uncertain of her future.

  “It is unfortunate. However, she did choose her path. The opportunity of getting out of this Earth-born Hell was presented to her on more than one occasion,” Abdeen declared.

  “Unfortunate indeed. We cannot help her now. Instead, we must find the others and keep pursuing the Zodiacs,” Daniel added.

  They went about gathering the others. They stumbled upon a distraught Goliath who had just finished ripping the head off of a Dead Rising Nephilim Giant. In a rage, he tossed the Giant’s head over a house and onto another street.

  “Brother, you’ve been bitten?” Daniel noticed multiple incisions exposed on Goliath’s arm, leg and neck.

  “Yes, they did quite a number on me. I cannot continue this fight with you, Brothers. I already feel the curse flowing through my veins.” Pieces of Goliath’s skin fell off. It was difficult for the others to watch. Goliath warned, “Soon I will have to be destroyed. If you are truly my Brethren, do not let me walk about in my cursed form. I ask this favor of you.” Goliath bowed his head.

  They saw a Vampeer on the roof of a building. It was a familiar face from another time. “Ecor.” Daniel recognized the Vampeer.

  “No, no. You will die, but not tonight old friend,” he said as he descended from the roof. His scientists, also Vampeers, approached and examined Goliath.

  “I don’t think so!” Abdeen blocked their path.

  “Let him go, Abdeen. It’s alright,” Daniel assured him.

  A few decades had passed since Daniel and Goliath escaped Dracuul’s century and time of death. His Nephew matured into the Vampeer he was supposed to be … a leader.

  The Vampeer scientists opened briefcases filled with syringes containing all categories of blood. Again, they picked up a vial of one of their most precious samples. They filled a syringe with some of the Virgin Blood, found one of Goliath’s veins, and pushed the blood into him. The area around the vein transitioned to a brighter red.

  “Are you sure this will work?” Adam asked.

  Ecor answered, “Yes. Hours ago we came across the Pope who was in a far worse condition than Goliath. A good ninety percent of his body was plagued with dead blood before we got to him. That Zodiac Capricorn is an interesting and challenging one, I must admit. I would love to have added his blood to our collection.”

  Daniel asked, “What are all those vials of blood for, Ecor? Are you picking up where Dracuul left off? If so, consider my warning. It is a bad idea.”

  Ecor spoke, “Twice I’ve heard this warning tonight. I just saved your comrade’s life, and this is the gratitude I receive? I did not travel to another time to argue with you, Pursuer. I came here to fix the mess my Uncle left behind after his death. I’m sure you can recall the Tyrant who killed him?”

  Daniel agreed. “Yes, that thing had so much power. Do you mean to tell me it still lives?”

  Ecor answered, “Yes, and that thing is wiping us out. It is unstoppable. That is why we are here, to collect enough samples and manufacture something that will destroy it before we all become extinct!”

  Daniel said, “It will not work, Ecor. You’ll only be manufacturing another Tyrant that cannot be controlled. You will only deliver another monstrosity upon your land. I only see you aiding the beast in its extermination of your people.”

  Ecor was surprised at Daniel’s remarks. “Your people? Are we not the same blood?”

  Daniel replied, “It was a choice I had to make in order to live and continue my mission, nothing more.”

  Ecor remarked, “But yet you reap the benefits of your new abilities and gifts. My blood, you are nothing but an ungrateful bastard. It’s a shame. I would take away your gifts myself if it were possible.”

  A restored Goliath stepped in before fighting broke out between Daniel and Ecor. “Enough. Ecor, we are grateful for what you have done and are trying to do. As you can see, we’re all under great strain. Nevertheless, we both have paths we must take this night. I hope we do not get in each other’s way.”

  Ecor spoke to Goliath. “At last, a display of gratitude. I accept your appreciation, Goliath. As a reward, you will be the first to see your descendants.”

  Goliath found the remark puzzling. “Descendants?”

  Ecor explained, “Oh, do you not remember? If you haven’t noticed, I’ve matured since the last time we met. I no longer find it beneficial to just sit on my ass and watch as my people die. While under Dracuul’s authority and during his pursuit for a new species of Super Vampeers, he ordered both of you to conceive with our relatives. He wanted it to be kept secret and within our bloodline. So yes, you can say we are family. Ha-ha.”

  Ecor laughed as both descendants from Daniel and Goliath emerged from a craft hovering stealthily in the dark. They were all in their early twenties, very powerful … all grown up from another time. Dracuul’s agenda had been partially met after breaking Time Travel codes.

  Daniel commented, “This can’t possibly be true?”

  Ecor said, “Oh, it is, Brother. Believe it.”

  Fresh in the blood, twelve Super Vampeers approached them, half-Archangel and half-Vampeer. Goliath, Daniel, Abdeen and Adam could not help but stand stunned at what they had witnessed. The twelve Super Vampeers each had four fangs: two that could produce venom at their will, and the other two to consume blood. They had black wings, each feather fully detailed. They had similar masks with a detachable stinger used to collect blood samples. They had night vision interfaces that could also detect blood types and frequencies. The technology in their masks and suits, aside from their
gifts, were fascinating enough. The Super Vampeers were without a shadow of doubt the future of Mosqidou: The Pursuers.

  Ecor made his final statement. “Let this Blood Moon represent the dawn of a new Super breed of Vampeers, named after their forefathers: Dark Mosqidou. Dracuul was certainly right about one thing before he became incompetent. In the end, it all comes down to the blood.”

  Chapter 34

  THE MOSQUITO WITH THE EARTH IN ITS ABDOMEN

  “As long as the Zodiacs continue to exist, there will forever be a Pursuit of them.”

  — PISCES

  “At times I dreamed about a mosquito that carried the Earth in its abdomen. It stayed in view, but hovered shy of my reach. I followed it throughout the remainder of my dream, from all corners of the Earth. However, my attempts to seize it ever ended in failure. I followed it everywhere until it became my personal Demon. What does it mean? And, what would be the result of its capture? I feared those last two questions the most during the many dreams that followed.

  “The dreams occurred every time a Full Moon spawned. What was the connection between the two? Another added disturbing question. I was frustrated while asleep, angry when awake, disappointed and unaccomplished all the time. Each dream proved more unpredictable than the next. Surprisingly, the closer I got to it, the larger it became. My latest dream frightened me to the point where I rejected sleep altogether. It grew so large that I was no longer the pursuer. Rather, it pursued me. Something I had been so eager and determined to catch, I had become terrified of its very existence. Its sound followed by its promising Sting of Death pursued me from those same corners of the Earth, with deep purpose in only achieving one thing: total dominion.” - Sabrina

  “Hmmm, interesting. I see we are not the only ones who share the encumbrance of this abnormal dream,” Ariel, loyal to Bishop, shared with his group.

  He ripped the documentation out of Sabrina’s journal, which had been confiscated from her corpse shortly after her death. Ariel crumbled the piece of paper and tossed it aside where it landed with the rubbish found on her colleagues’ bodies.