“What is that?” one of the soldiers shouted.
The large object approached, and the rumbling noise intensified. The beast resembled a whale five times the size of their submarine. No one made a sound or moved as it hovered towards their main display window. The beast opened its massive jaws revealing its enormous teeth. Astonished, they witnessed a little girl no more than twelve years of age. She yawned and stretched her arms as if she had just been roused out of bed. She spoke. A sound came over their loudspeakers.
“I want to talk with whoever is in charge of this mission, in private,” she said, while leaned up against one of the creature’s towering teeth.
The crew awaited Denzel Connor’s orders. As hard as it was, he kept his fear bottled up inside. The gaze from the beast brought forth discomfort, but once he had locked eyes with the little girl, he felt more at ease. He couldn’t explain it. She was very mature for her age, ahead of her time, as if she’d seen the future. He had no idea how their conversation would turn out.
He put on a classified pressure-resistant suit, but decided against taking any weapons. His fellow mercenaries urged him to arm himself. They were fools. He knew instantly that their weapons would be useless.
He had time to think as the water flooded the airlock to equalize with the pressure outside. He exited through the airlock and entered the deep ocean. And just as he suspected, he saw over fifty other beasts similar to the one that accompanied the girl, and thanked himself for having the good sense to leave his weapon behind. “How the Hell did these beasts go undetected by our radar?” More questions surfaced; but as he got closer to her, his mind went blank as he felt the aura of true power.
The beasts awaited orders at a safe distance. She motioned to him to follow her into the jaws of death. The beast gave him an unpleasant look, and she gently tapped on its side assuring that everything was ok. Denzel entered the beast and felt he was in an airlock. Even though his suit indicated breathable air inside, fear kept him from removing his helmet.
Away from intruding ears, they shared words. “Traveler, I commend you for not threatening me or my companions with weapons. I see that you have a brain. Tell me, why are you here?”
He realized it would be futile and possibly fatal to lie to her. “I’m here on behalf of the Representatives of the Dark Graduates to investigate rumors regarding the Zodiacs. And evidently they are true.”
To his surprise, she confirmed the allegations and introduced herself as a Zodiac named Pisces. She’d never encountered another Zodiac, since in most cases it’s forbidden. Her Father was a Zodiac; and upon his death, he disclosed it to her and forewarned what she will become.
Pisces continued, “So traveler, what do you intend on doing with this newfound knowledge? You know I cannot let you leave here if I think you’d return with a thousand more of your ships. You do understand that, don’t you?”
Denzel answered, “I understand. Your secret is safe with me, Zodiac. I will return with no report.”
Pisces said, “I believe you, but you cannot speak for the rest of your associates. I’m afraid I must bring an unfortunate affliction upon you. A sacrifice must be made. It is either you or them traveler, my apologies.”
She allowed Denzel to leave and return to his ship in anticipation of his decision.
He was bombarded with questions concerning his meeting with the Zodiac girl the instant he returned to the ship. Before sending his men to their deaths, the least he could do for them was tell them who she was.
The will to live can turn any man into a Demon, and Denzel’s trial further branded the theory. He felt as if he had died inside. This was something no amount of training could prepare one for. Denzel lied and said she wanted to speak with all of them on good terms. He lied because he had to.
He indicated that he was following right behind them.
As the airlock filled with water, he could no longer hide the guilt concealed inside. His face said it all. Denzel opened the door and locked it from the inside. Most of the crew screamed obscenities. “Damn you, Denzel! You sold us out!”
Those last words would forever torment him … torment him to the point where he would’ve given anything to trade places with them. Different classes of monsters surfaced from the oceans core, consuming his men … good men. Their weapons hardly fazed any of them. As he took off his pressure-resistant suit, Denzel declared this suicide mission a failure from the start and that the Dark Graduates did not deserve his report. He threw down his badge as a frustrated sign of resignation. But, sooner or later, they would find Denzel and officially obtain their report one way or another. He was better off cutting his tongue out or dying with the rest of his crew. As Denzel departed from his Hell, the thought came into his mind: “Why didn’t she just kill me?” He departed from those deep waters in that same ship without a crew … and worse, without a soul.
Chapter 9
REUNION
ABDEEL’S DREAM
In an overpopulated courtroom, a long awaited trial commenced.
The judge ordered the Councilmen, jury, and everyone in attendance to settle down as the defendant walked towards the stand, heavily guarded by some of Rome’s finest. A marked man, Abdeel swore an oath to deliver a true testimony. He approached the stand, holding up his right hand. One of the courtroom guards proceeded.
The Guard approached the defendant, “Do you swear to the gods present that your testimony brings forth irrefutable truth? And do you hereby understand that giving false testimony will be considered treason and punishable by death?”
The defendant answered, “Yes. If my words results in any deception, may the gods see that my life is forfeited.”
The judge ordered him to sit down.
The courtroom was filled with people who would love nothing more than to see him crucified. On trial for murdering a well-known Councilman, Abdeel pleaded not guilty. Somehow, in a room where no one had stepped forward to defend him, he would have to convince the jury and judge that their beloved Naville Paulinogi was nothing more than a murderous, money-hungry Tyrant.
The Judge said,” Abdeel, please state your reasoning for killing Naville Paulinogi.”
Abdeel cleared his throat. “Your honor, to strengthen my reasoning, I must mention the cases leading up to the death of Naville Paulinogi.”
“Go ahead. The courtroom is yours,” the Judge replied.
“Naville Paulinogi was nothing more than a con artist, murderer, and an opportunist. His thirst for coin cursed this city, and soon it will meet the same fate as Sodom and Gomorrah.”
The room erupted, and objections poured from all corners.
The Judge shouted, “Order! There will be some order in my courtroom!”
One man yelled out while rushing towards the defendant. “You Son of a bitch!” He failed miserably as guards wrestled him down.
Outraged, the judge stood up and yelled, “I want him locked up!” He pointed to the man being held down by the guards. “Outbursts like that will not be tolerated!”
The guards restored order to the courtroom. With one man locked up, and others escorted out, those who remained wisely sat back down.
The Judge continued, “By the grace of God, we will be civil!”
The room settled down after comprehending the Judge’s short temperament.
With no warning, one of the guards behind the bench grabbed Abdeel and held a knife to his throat, he drove the knife through Abdeel’s neck.
By the time the rest of the guards realized that the man was not one of their own, he escaped through the back door of the courtroom, leaving a distraught Judge trembling. Abdeel exited his dream.
An injured Abdeel coughed. He awoke on a bed suitable for a King in a strange but beautiful dwelling, not knowing exactly how he got there. He assumed he was in a palace. He heard the voice of a man, but a cautious Abdeel couldn’t detect his whereabouts. Abdeel got up to investigate.
He heard the unknown voice again. “Do not be alarmed, my Brothe
r. You are in a safe place.”
Abdeel replied, “No Brother of mine speaks to me and hides. Show thyself, and maybe you can be worthy of such a title.”
Out from a dark corner of the room, Lucifer appeared before him.
Lucifer spoke, “It’s been too long, Brother.”
Prior to God casting Lucifer out of Heaven, Abdeel and Lucifer once stood among each other as Archangel Brethren. At the time, leading up to the uprising, Abdeel and Abdeen turned down Lucifer’s offer to join him and others who shared differences with God. They both warned Lucifer about seeking a path destined for calamity. But Lucifer, too far gone in his sentiments, marked an ending to their friendship on the day of the Fallen.
Abdeel spoke, “You’re not worthy of calling me Brother. This place will never conceal the stench of your betrayal nor your true form. I will abstain from telling you nothing you haven’t heard centuries ago. I will never join …”
“Silence! I’ve heard enough. Do you even know where you dwell? I could’ve butchered you and fed you to my minions while you slept. I sent that assassin guard to you and ended your time on that pathetic Planet. I have awakened you so you could face the true reality. Once you and The Pursuers entered the human Realm you were all mine to control. I have inflicted you with visions of your past lives as a reminder of what I am truly capable of. You should curse the day he ever sent you to live amongst them!”
Abdeel said, “One day you will regret everything you’ve manufactured, Lucifer. Centuries of work will crumble to its pillars. I think our talk has expired. It is time for me to try and kill you.”
Lucifer laughed, “Stupid Archangel, Your Brother is obviously the smarter one out of the—”
“My Brother? Where is he? What have you done with him?”
Abdeel approached Lucifer, but a ring of fire subdued him. It slowly ate away at his water-bearing abilities.
Lucifer laughed at Abdeel as the ring of fire fed and grew. “For a child of God, your temper is quite easily gained.”
Abdeel choked on the smoke. “My Brother. Where is he?”
“Courtesy of yours truly, my subordinates, at a single command, will feed on his flesh if you fail to come to terms. Join me and gain real Immortality, paramount to anything he’s ever offered you.”
Abdeel replied, “Lucifer, you’ve wasted your time. Where is my Brother? And Pharisees, what have you done with him?”
“Pharisees? Consider his death as a warning to anyone who dares defy me. His limbs will be placed upon every Gateway and the scent of his burnt flesh will reach the kingdom of your Ruler.”
“Pharisees, come on!”
The Dimension leading up to the Judgment Realm overran with Satan’s subordinates. With Pharisees dead, his ghostlike form remained, his transitioning into his Immortal body halted due to the seizure of the Judgment Realm. After Pharisees’ plummet by the hands of Sagittarius, Abdeen took it upon himself to try and rescue his fallen Brother out of the Dimension.
“Come on! He says he wants them alive!” a Demon shouted.
Abdeen heard the Demon.
Arms, legs and pieces of flesh piled on the surface where he stood. He gave Pharisees cover. Abdeen waited eagerly by his escape plan, his golden Chariot, accompanied by Lions of Fire.
Still shaken up by the encounter he’d had with Sagittarius, the number of Devils overwhelmingly increased. The Guardian Archangels stationed there were either dead or had retreated. They’d seen Judges in their cloaks ripped apart and eaten, crucified, burned, and tortured.
“You must go, Brother! Tell the rest to continue the mission without me!” Pharisees shouted back at Abdeen. Pharisees became discombobulated as Mortal and Immortal blood fought for position within his body. He gazed upon his newfound flesh, coated with death and life. His veins pulsated. He numbed the pain by diverting his attention towards more Demons as they approached. The Demons overwhelmed him and dragged Pharisees away.
“Damn!” Abdeen said.
Before he could say another word, he heard growling coming from both Lions of Fire, two Demons loomed. The big golden chains around their necks didn’t stop them from ripping one of the Demons apart. The Chariot shifted a few feet. Abdeen put his flaming sword through the other. He saw twenty more Demons coming. Out of time, he boarded his Chariot and fled.
His Lions of Fire ran through the traffic, knocking and trampling Demons underfoot. Abdeen shot and fought his way out of the Dimension while pelted with arrows, spears and lasers.
An arrow got through, and his body tensed up as it struck him in the back. He struggled onward while descending through the clouds in an unknown World. Darkness preceded his vision he became weak. One of his Lions of Fire lost its fight with a spear lodged inside its ribcage. The other lion suffered from an arrow lodged in its side as well. His Chariot spiraled out of control as the other lion fought the dead weight of its colleague. Abdeen struggled to stay conscious long enough to make a safe landing.
Back at the safehouse, a few of The Pursuers gathered in the training room to watch television.
Zodeen pointed out bearers who bore the mark of the Dark Covenant during the President’s State of the Union Address. They hid in human form while misleading the public. “See right above the other cameraman? So, it’s him, him, and him, her, her and that man to the far right. And last but not least, the President.”
Simeon responded, “Zodeen, your gift is truly immaculate.”
Goliath said, “How lovely it would be to turn that whole structure into ruins.”
Grenad commented, “Soon, my friends, soon. Our time will come.”
Natenal said, “Quick, everyone assemble in the hall!”
Everyone assembled in the hall. Ozias returned from another round of patrol, empty handed. Abdeen, Abdeel, and Pharisees, remained missing.
Natenal spoke, “Courtesy of two brave Gatekeepers, we’ve received vital news. The Gemini have gone to Japan in search of Leo. Cancer resides in Africa. Unfortunately, we have no more time left. The numbers of our adversaries grow stronger by the hour. We must continue without our Brothers Abdeel, Abdeen, and Pharisees. God willing, we will meet them again either side-by-side on the battlefield, or back in the Immortal Realm after the completion of this mission. We’ll divide into three groups. One group will remain here in the United States, one will go to Africa, and one will go to Japan. Is that clear? Are there any questions?”
Everyone agreed with the plan and retired for the night.
The next day, The Pursuers gathered their belongings and waited for the teams to be announced. The teams would be formed with each member complementing the distinctive skills of the other members.
Simeon sketched the perfect weapon for each Pursuer. Natenal gave the final instructions before their departure. “Levi, you, Simeon, Zodeen, and Ozias will journey to Africa and eliminate the Zodiac who goes by the name of Cancer if he does not comply with our warning. Timius, Ithiel, Justus, and Irisan, you will stay here and search for any remaining Zodiacs that are residing in the United States. Goliath, Shiloh, Daniel, and Grenad will accompany me to Japan where we will end this Pursuit once and for all. The Gemini must be stopped.”
Chapter 10
UNCHARTED TERRITORY
The Mayor of New York City exited his limousine only to be swarmed by reporters in regards to an investigation by the FBI. “No comment! No interviews please!”
They questioned his involvement in the current war between the Russian mob and other notorious organizations operating in the city.
He helped himself to a cup of coffee in the cafeteria. “This is unbelievable!”
He sat down at a table to enjoy his coffee when an intern found him. “Don’t forget your 6:30 meeting with Mr. Alexandrov.”
Distracted by all the press, he completely forgot about his meeting. With the FBI on his back, a meeting with an underboss for the Russian mob would prove unwise. “Tell Mr. Alexandrov something has come up and we have to cancel. I’m sure he’ll understand, co
nsidering the current circumstances.”
She left with the unwanted task, words she was certain that the Russian underboss seldom heard and was never pleased to hear.
Taurus and his entourage avoided the media circus by exiting through a secret door. Thunder, followed by blinding rain, pelted the streets, quickening everyone’s pace. Members of his entourage pulled out umbrellas vying to be the first to cover the Zodiac’s head and shelter him from the rain.
Mr. Alexandrov was an underboss for one of the most notorious Russian mobs in New York. Since his Father’s incarceration, war had broken out between various New York crime families, each of whom hoped to capitalize on their opportunity to take over some of his Father’s territory. Mr. Alexandrov sought retribution. He felt insulted by their total disregard for his Father’s territory.
Until his Father’s release from prison, more bloodshed would continue to paint the streets of New York City. His Son must earn the respect of the other crime families by successfully defending his family’s territory. The FBI was unable to link the Mayor’s connection with the underboss; but the investigation still stood, attention neither side wanted.
Abdeen is alive, but badly wounded. The arrow in his back had broken in half during the impact of the crash. His golden Chariot lay half-buried in sand on a beach. Both of his Lions of Fire had perished, one dead before the crash, and one dead after the crash.
The neigh of a huge solid black animal resembling a horse awakened him. Twice the size of an average horse, it proved that this Earth was indeed foreign to his eyes.
Another horse entity appeared, this one having an all white coating. Their beauty added ecstasy to the scenery on the seaside where he rested. The animals played with each other, running in the sand along the shoreline of the ocean. He couldn’t help but notice the trees hissing and lurching in response to the sudden increase in winds. They were dangerously taller than any tree he’d remembered. Over the horizon, he witnessed three Moons in the sky on a partially cloudy afternoon.
Pursuit of the Zodiacs Page 6
