Each Pursuer has an important role to fulfill, all of his or her gifts complemented the other once put to creative use. They all knew that to succeed, they must work together.
Heaven has had its share of betrayals. Therefore, God limited each soldier’s ability in the event that history should repeat itself. Their gifts accommodated any Zodiac resistance.
Natenal said, “Timus, it’s time. Please make your way towards the cliff.”
As Timius approached, a dark mist embraced the cliff.
Timius asked, “Where to, my Lord?”
Natenal answered, “Boston, let’s initiate the Pursuit.”
The shadowy, dark mist revealed the shape of the Eastern city that Pharisees prophesied.
Natenal continued, “Come on. Our Guide awaits us.”
Shiloh spoke, “My lord, I understand humans must not be harmed; but judging by the heavy circumstances of this mission, how will human casualties be avoided?”
Natenal answered, “I know this is a concern to you all. However, the mission must be a success. Let’s hope the casualty count is at a minimum.”
Ithiel returned and Natenal led them through the misty, dark Dimension. A Demon appeared, blocking the entrance to the Earth Realm.
“Hold your positions!” Natenal ordered.
The Demon said, “Turn back. You only throw away your lives.”
Natenal responded, “Remove yourself, Devil.”
The Demon spoke, “Yourrr—”
Before the Demon could finish its sentence, Ithiel hit it with a vicious bolt of lightning and incinerated its arm. It scurried off into the darkness of the Dimension.
Natenal said, “The Demon is only here to count how many are among us and foolishly to test our strength. Go Devil, fulfill your report.”
PHARISEES’ DREAM
One of his soldiers caught his breath as he reached Pharisees, his Commander in charge. “Sir! We’ve been deceived. Their army is assembling just over that hill. Our spy reported that they are ten thousand strong. All communication systems onboard our crafts are down due to some kind of interference. We can’t call for reinforcements!”
“Fear not, the time has come to prove your worth even in the eyes of death. Be content that these Devils will soon follow us to the grave. Show them no mercy, for they will not do the same for you,” Pharisees said.
Using special binoculars, he looked over a tall hill. Well over ten thousand strong, they had minutes to figure out how they were going to die.
Pharisees said, “I know who is responsible for this. It’s that damn Zodiac. Jamar, come here.”
Jamar was one of Pharisees’ most trusted soldiers and an experienced pilot. He and other experienced pilots assembled on the same hill with Pharisees. “I’m granting you an opportunity at life so you can carry out my last orders as Lieutenant. You must go to the Dark Graduates, report what has happened here, and tell them of the coming Zodiac threat.”
Pharisees said, “The rest of us will try to give you cover.”
They unleashed their last rounds of laser fire upon the incoming forces as the pilots scurried towards their respective crafts. Through suppressive fire, nearly all the crafts flying out of Mercury’s atmosphere met extermination. Inches shy of success, one of the crafts almost succeeded; but due to a shot-out wing, Mercury’s gravitational pull destroyed it. Pieces of the craft scattered before the onlookers’ eyes.
Just when all seemed lost to the Lieutenant, several crafts successfully escaped into space.
“Safe travels, Brethren.”
Pharisees exits his dream
Chapter 2
CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE
The Pursuers reached the human Realm. “Bernard,” their current Guide, greeted them.
Bernard escorted The Pursuers to their quarters. He gave them new clothes so that they would blend in and not attract too much attention. In addition to providing a safe haven for The Pursuers, Bernard showed them his excellent engineering capabilities. To accommodate their special suits for fighting evil, he introduced them to classified Mosqidou Hybrid masks in his laboratory not too far from the training room. After an entity’s blood injects into the mask, by the press of a button, the blood of that entity mixes with the blood of another. The blood manipulation technology within the mask alters the mask’s form into a Hybrid monster.
“Yes, with these masks, covertness will be unproblematic; and they will instill fear in our enemies at first glance. We will have the liberty of silencing their cries with death,” Timius remarked.
With all of their elements and gifts consisting of Earth, Wind, Air, Fire, Blood Manipulation and countless others, Mosqidou trained in order to stomach the gravity and other physical laws of the Earth Realm. Disciplinary actions were enforced; and as time progressed, most felt that training prolonged the campaign.
In frustration Goliath shouts, “AAAHHHRRGGHH!” With his amazing strength, he overturned Bernard’s car in the garage.
Levi spoke to Goliath, “What troubles you?”
Goliath answered, “This new training is ridiculous. It’s a waste of our time.”
Levi spoke, “Do not submit to anger. It’s going to take some time to get used to this Realm. Your emotions are stronger here, and frustration will at times be your biggest challenge. You must remember and consider this.”
“What the…? My car! You must be kidding me. This place will be in ruins before we ever finish training! How am I going to explain this to my insurance company?” Bernard said.
Levi interjected, “Don’t trouble yourself anymore. We will be out of your way soon.”
As Goliath exited, Levi calls Justus to the garage. Justus levitated Bernard’s car. Midair, he turned the car back on its wheels.
While Natenal rested, the two Brothers, Abdeel and Abdeen, guarded his room. Bernard approaches the room.
Abdeel spoke first. “He is resting. What is your concern?”
Bernard answered, “If you’ll excuse me, I must have a word with Natenal … alone.”
“We will contact you when Natenal is fully rested.”
All three could hear Natenal’s bed moving as he awakened.
Natenal said, “Abdeel, Abdeen, let him pass.”
Natenal had time to place his special mask back on his face before Bernard entered.
“My lord I’m a bit concerned for the men you have in your circle. If I’m not mistaken, some of them appear to have a bit of a short fuse. No disrespect, but are you sure they’re suitable for such a task, considering what is at stake?”
“They are not accustomed to the training you are providing. It’s been well over a few hundred years since they’ve seen Earth, let alone dwelled in it. Their comfort zone has been encroached upon ever since they’ve made the transition into the Mortal Realm.”
“But, but My Lord, there are still things that you and your men must be accustomed to in order to avoid exposure. And may I mention that mask you refuse to take off? It will cause curiosity among the Mortals, and they’ll at some point soon try to have it removed. How will all of you avoid or be able to handle the Mortals and their curiosities without jeopardizing the whole operation?”
“Your concern for the Mortals is valid, but I must agree with my men on this issue. Enough time has gone by; and if the World ends up finding out our identity, it wouldn’t be much of a concern if Lucifer succeeds in his agenda.”
Natenal called out to Abdeel and Abdeen. “Tell everyone that we will leave when the Moon is absent.”
Abdeel and Abdeen responded in unison, “Yes, Sir.”
For some reason Irisan couldn’t sleep. Instead of obsessing about it, she decided to occupy her time by scanning through her weapons and other inventory. With her ability to heal and poison, she donated her blood into two containers. One that consisted of the deadliest of poisons, and another that harbored the antidote. She labeled them both and placed them in her inventory. She cloaked her special blades with the deadliest of her poisons.
&n
bsp; Someone knocked on her door. “Who’s there?”
“It’s Pharisees. Please open up, and be quick,” he replied. She opened the door. Pharisees placed a finger in front of his lips and turned off the light. He approached the window. “We have company.”
Irisan didn’t quite comprehend the occurrence.
Pharisees continued, “I’m not sure of its motive though.”
Irisan looked outside her window. Leaning on a street lamp, A Demon in plain sight played catch with itself using a weird object. Neither she nor Pharisees knew what to make of it. It gracefully waved at its audience.
Pharisees and Irisan found Natenal accompanied by Abdeel and Abdeen in the hallway. Already aware of their visitor, they headed towards the entrance.
Pharisees said, “What do you think it wants, my Lord?”
Natenal answered, “Well, it definitely wishes to be spoken to, so we will go out and meet him.”
He calls to Ozias, a Shapeshifter. “Yes, Sir?” was the reply.
“Scan the outside perimeter. Make certain that there’s no other threat. Exit through the back entrance. Abdeel and Abdeen, come with me. The rest of you will stay here and wait on my call.”
“What’s all the fuss about?” Bernard asked, tightening his robe. He saw everybody armored up and on full alert. With an anxious smirk on his face, Goliath answered, “We have a visitor.”
Bernard replied, “No, impossible. No one knows where we are. Let me see.”
Goliath prevented Bernard from going outside. “No one is allowed outside until we are called upon. Those were Natenal’s orders.”
Bernard joined Irisan and the rest of The Pursuers by the window.
Their massive wings mounted high, each set of wings complemented the body of each Pursuer. It was as if every feather had a story to tell.
Natenal stood before the Demon. “Demon? To whom do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”
The Demon responded, “Ha-ha-ha, I find joy in the way you speak, my friend. You speak with such certainty, as if you stand a chance. What a shame. However, I am not here for a fight. I have a final message from the true Illuminator himself.”
The Demon held a severed hand. He placed it on the sidewalk where it moved mechanically like a spider. It made its way towards the side of a parked abandoned van. The hand wrote in blood in a weird dialect.
Confused, halfway towards the third sentence, Abdeen spoke, “You fool. Do you come here to cause delay? What is your reasoning here?”
The Demon spoke, “I am nothing more than a messenger. Use your pathetic gifts to decode the message.”
Natenal spoke to both Brothers. “Eliminate the messenger.”
Abdeen and Abdeel, both surprised at Natenal’s order, happily accepted.
Natenal called out for Zodeen, who anxiously flew from the safe house to his leader’s side.
An impatient Goliath spoke, envying Zodeen’s freedom. “I hear fighting! Should we advance?”
“No one is allowed outside until Natenal gives the word. Those were his orders. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to retire to my room, I’m certain you guys have this under control,” Bernard responded.
He patted the Pursuer on his back and an aggravated Goliath brushed him off.
Meanwhile, the Brothers Abdeel and Abdeen approached the opposition. If the messenger failed to return to Lucifer on time, it gave them leeway to make up for the lost time while training.
The Demon dodged Abdeel and Abdeen’s water and fire aerial attacks, and returned some offense of its own. The Demon discharged star implosive matter upon both Brothers, whereupon they lost their Super Shields and swords on impact.
Filled with confidence, the Demon spoke, “Ha! And you plan on facing all twelve of the Zodiac? Your Pursuit is a mockery!”
They underestimated the Demon, but both Brothers looked forward to its luck running out.
Abdeen taunted, “Idle time is over.”
Abdeen, with his command over fire, unleashed one of his Lions of Fire toward the Demon. Its massive paws thudded on the pavement while it dashed towards the Demon. The Demon fled, but Abdeel with his command over water, froze the ground, and it slid and fell hard. The Lion of Fire caught up with the Demon and nearly mauled it to death.
“That’s enough!” Abdeen commanded. His Lion of Fire moved aside and sat patiently awaiting its next order as Abdeen and Abdeel approached the dying Devil.
“You bassstttaards, ha! We will settle this in the Afterlife.” Though furious, the Demon knew he met defeat. He watched the two Brothers unsheathe their Super Swords.
“You’ll be waiting a very long time, Devil.” They ran their swords through its neck and heart. Down the street, Natenal and Zodeen approached the van displaying Lucifer’s message.
Natenal spoke to Zodeen, “Zodeen, decode the message.”
Zodeen, who was gifted with the ability to see the Mark of the Beast, translated the disturbing message.”
“It gives me great pleasure to announce that Gemini has succeeded in finding Taurus. It will only be a matter of time before I find the rest. Give up and join me as my victory draws near. All those who follow me will be rewarded their own kingdom, accompanied by all the fortune this Universe has to offer. I will guarantee to anyone still in an alliance with God at the time of my victory an inventive torture will be your demise for all of Eternity.”
The Demon’s hand dropped to the pavement and shook uncontrollably. It rose into its spiderlike grip and crawled towards Zodeen and Natenal. As it made its way, Zodeen detected an explosive device planted underneath the van.
Zodeen said, “Everyone, it’s going to detonate!”
Abdeen and Abdeel headed back whence they came. Natenal and Zodeen escaped to the skies. The explosion consumed the pursuing hand, and both Angels slammed into the rough terrain nearby. Debris rained down as the fire spread rapidly throughout the street. The parked abandoned van stood no more.
Goliath disobeyed Natenal’s orders. He yelled for others to follow him, and the team rushed out of the front door of the safehouse and into the dismantled street. Goliath removed sections of pavement like they were pebbles.
Back from patrol, Ozias returned to a demolished street. “What has happened here? I saw the explosion and came as fast as I could.”
Justus answered, “Natenal, Abdeel, Abdeen, and Zodeen just engaged the messenger Demon. The Demon caused an explosion. Help us search for them.”
Ozias saw Natenal at the other end of the street helping the others dig through the rubble.
“Ha-ha!” Goliath discovered a shaken up Abdeel. He pulled him out of the wreckage.
With all the dust and dirt cleared away, Abdeel breathed and spoke in a very hoarse voice. “Have you seen my Brother?”
Goliath said, “Worry not, we will find him.”
Pharisees teleported to where he sensed strange activity, another gift bestowed on him. “He’s around here,” he said.
He uncovered Abdeen and Zodeen. They suffered from burns and internal bleeding, but lived.
They returned to the safehouse before the police and fire trucks arrived. Irisan, with her gift of healing, went into action.
Bernard remained outside to speak with the police and firefighters.
Chapter 3
PUNCTURE WOUNDS
“The coldness of this World will forever be its torment.”
– PASTOR JACOB
A small family of five had been spared. They exited through the back doorway of a church. Jacob, the Pastor of the church, shouted at his oppressors as they made their way down the aisle. “And the descendants of the Devil I’ve rebuked not too long ago returns … this time, with their slithering tongues and horns. Again, we meet so soon. Why does my death strike so much importance to the both of you, Gemini?”
Pastor Jacob traveled to many Earths and Dimensions to teach the word of God. No stranger to peril, he’d acquired enough skills due to training with Archangels. But the Gemini was determined to silence
the Pastor.
In a pair, but as one, the Gemini continued their walk down the aisle side-by-side towards an altar. Though both identical, he couldn’t help but notice differences in their appearance since the last time they’d crossed paths. Their skin looked like water; their eyes, clear like the wind. One bore the Moon on their forehead, and one bore the Sun. To him, this could only mean one thing: they’ve mastered their gifts.
“Please, for the love of God, Pastor Jacob, come with us!”
Close friends and followers returned, pleading with him to join them by the exit.
“Brothers and Sisters, fear not. Know that this is God’s will. Save yourselves,” Pastor Jacob said.
“It would be wise to listen to him,” the Zodiac warned through telepathy. Under the Gemini’s mind control, his followers departed. Using a small portion of their air gifts, the Gemini fastened all the doors of the church shut with a burst of wind. The increasing winds proved too much, even outside. His followers forfeited and took refuge down the street. Pastor Jacob, The Pursuers’ next Guide, knew Taurus’s whereabouts, as well as a few more Zodiacs. Gemini encountered the Pastor not too long ago. But this time, he’s without the presence of Guardian Archangels.
The Pastor said, “I guess the coldness of this World will forever be its torment.”
“Fret not. It won’t be long before it meets Hellfire old friend,” the Gemini replied.
The Pastor replied, “The curse of Judas has claimed another. So, who led you to me?”
The Gemini said, “There’s no curse, why can’t you just accept this as fate? Even our mole within The Pursuers knew they had no choice other than to come to terms.”
Pursuit of the Zodiacs Page 2
