He turned his back to Skore, who wisely departed for his next assignment without delay.
BACK AT THE LAND OF THE NEPHILIM
“Abdeen! Run!” Aaron, the little boy Giant shouted from a distance. His Mother covered his mouth, upset that he’d given away their location. Emim sniffed the air, licking his lips. His feast at the beach wasn’t enough. He had carnage in his eyes. His reputation as a cannibal put the whole metropolis in a panic.
Abdeen made his move, sending out a massive fireball towards Emim’s knee, briefly setting his attire ablaze. But the move only angered the beast. After fighting off the flames, he gave Abdeen a look that would disperse men from a battlefield. Abdeen boarded his Chariot of Flaming Lions and took off just in time. Abdeen made a U-turn in mid-air and geared up for another assault, grabbing a spear from the side of his Chariot. Emim threw boulders and anything else he could get a hold of. Abdeen maneuvered his Chariot to avoid the crushing hail of boulders and random fixtures sent in his direction. His spear finally pierced the flesh of the Giant, but a boulder smashed into his Chariot. The Giant removed the spear just an inch below his cannibal heart while watching Abdeen and his Chariot spiral out of control.
Abdeen crashed onto the roof of a nearby townhouse and was stuck underneath his Chariot. His loyal Lions of Fire shot fire from their mouths, giving him time to recover. Emim covered up to shield himself, not only from the fiery onslaught, but also from the townspeople who’d had enough and rebelled, throwing rocks and fixtures of their own. He removed the roof of a nearby cottage and flung it towards the angry mob, creating his own window of opportunity to pursue the distressed Abdeen.
Abdeen transformed himself into a flaming being, scorching his way down multiple floors of the unidentified house and out of Emim’s reach. Emim backhanded the roaring lions a few yards out of sight and repeatedly punched through the foundation of the house in search of Abdeen.
Abdeen heard the floors above him being pulled up and thought about his next move.
Like a child tearing the wrapping paper off a present on Christmas morning, Emim ripped the house apart, desperate to find his enemy. A weird man appeared on a Supernatural Carpet. It had more seasoning and craft to it as if it had been custom built to travel the whole Galaxy twice over. The technology behind it baffled all those who witnessed it. He looked on while Emim pillaged through a house. Emim sensed something and turned to see a familiar face. “Yes, Demon, I have returned to finish what we started.”
“Adam has returned!” One of the Giant natives shouted from a distance. The rest of the natives in unison chanted, “Effendi! Effendi! Effendi!” … Nephilim for “Savior from the Eastern Stars.”
Adam was neither from Earth, nor from the Planet of the Nephilim; but, very well-known by the Nephilim natives. His skin was of a silver-gold complexion. He carried an odd-shaped sword in a sheath on his back, along with a futuristic sniper rifle.
Emim spoke, “Hmfgh! So you’ve returned to complete your demise, traveler?”
Adam said, “The beast speaks?”
Through the cracks in the walls, Abdeen saw the strange man and Emim conversing.
Adam said, “I am here to free these people of their torment from the likes of you, Demon.”
Emim taunted, “Try your luck, traveler. You’ll make a great appetizer.”
Adam’s Carpet hovered away from beneath him and Blocked Emim’s view. Adam unloaded his weapon. Emim received a series of laser rounds. Highly irritated, the beast grabbed the Supernatural Carpet, but released it after a laser pierced his arm. Out of ammo, Adam raced towards a clock tower by a barn and awaited his ride.
Emim dressed his wounds. “Bastard! I will part your flesh with my teeth!”
Adam’s Supernatural Carpet arrived, and he hopped on. Emim followed in hot pursuit. He came very close to them, swung and missed. But the strength of his swing shifted the wind, knocking Adam from the Carpet. He crashed through the roof of a barn. An inch shy of a soft landing, he was knocked unconscious against the dirt.
Abdeen had a choice. It would have been logical to leave and focus on the Pursuit of the Zodiacs. But leaving the stranger to die would be unethical. Abdeen muttered to himself as he assisted Adam, “One’s conscience is a powerful thing.”
Emim burst open the front of the cabin, knocking its walls aside. He licked his lips as he gazed upon Adam. A massive asteroid knocked the Giant off his feet, and he hit the ground hard. The asteroid also took a toll on Abdeen. The very act of using his gift to create a fireball of that magnitude expended half of his energy, causing him to go down on one knee.
With Emim now engulfed in flames, the Pursuer passed him and headed towards Adam, now motionless in the dirt.
Abdeen spoke, “Come my friend, the beast is down, but has yet to see the Judgment Realm.”
He picked Adam up and put his arm around his shoulder. They exited towards the side of the missing cabin wall. But an infuriated Emim greeted them. He stood there with half his face burnt off and able to see out of only one eye.
The surveillance footage from the casino guided detective Lee and his partner Lisa to an apartment complex a few miles away due to the suspect’s license plate. The same bite marks on the dead security guards fairly matched those on the mysterious man murdered in Sendai. Lisa motioned for silence while leading her team up a flight of stairs, guns drawn.
The second team, commanded by detective Lee, quietly met Lisa in the same hall by the suspect’s door.
Since it was the Year of the Dragon’s traditional carnival, if a firefight occurred, no one would hear it. The celebratory fireworks going off all over the streets of Japan raised a bit of concern to everyone inside.
Boom! They kicked in the door. “Police!” They scanned the whole apartment. They saw sure signs of tenancy, like a half-lit cigarette in an ashtray on a coffee table; but yet, the apartment was empty.
Lisa asked, “What do you think? Should we wait for him to return?”
Detective Lee replied, “I’m guessing he won’t be back until the carnival is over. We could be here all night.”
Lisa asked, “So what are you suggesting? We flood the streets in search of him? We hardly got a description out of that hysterical casino owner.”
Detective Lee said, “No, we’ll be out all night; so that’s out of the question. It’ll only stir a riot. Have everyone post outside in unmarked vehicles until the carnival is over. We’ll wait for this asshole to return.”
On a busy street, Natenal and his group blended with the increasing crowd of costume wearing partiers.
Natenal ordered, “Shiloh and Daniel, you two will patrol the East side of the city. Goliath, Grenad and I will patrol the North. If no one has reported anything suspicious in two hours, you will go West, and we’ll continue on South. Go with God.”
They departed with a lot of work and ground to cover. Still reporting for duty, Mr. Anderson, the Bookkeeper, stood alongside Natenal.
Mr. Anderson asked, “How will you know who Leo is? And, what will you do if you were to find him?”
Natenal answered, “We are not to engage the Zodiac. No harm is to come to him. Our job is to forewarn him of the dangers that lie ahead. If our paths cross and we learn he has turned, he must be destroyed. It’s a chance we must take before the Gemini reaches him. As far as knowing who he is, we must have confidence in our studies and trust our instincts. After you’ve recorded what has happened here, I will call for a transport so it can take you to this Earth’s Moon. There you will meet another Archangel that will be expecting a full report of the events that have happened thus far.”
Goliath added, “It would be a miracle if we find him through all these people. This is madness. I still don’t see why we can’t wait until Sunrise.”
Grenad added, “This is a night of tradition and pride. He’s guaranteed to be in this area. The odds might not be in our favor due to the multitude of people celebrating, but this night is our only chance of finding him so early. Patience
is a virtue.”
Natenal concurred, “Grenad is right. Patience, Goliath. Your time will come, Brother.”
Back at their hotel, they left their suite eager not to miss out on the action in the streets of Tokyo.
“You have everything? We can’t afford to lose anything else.” asked a Geminus of his Twin, still angry about losing their most valuable possession.
The Twin answered, “Yeah, yeah, don’t get too emotional.”
“Your lack of concern is going to get us killed, Zodiac,” the first lashed back, “and our flesh, fed to the Damned. We rule the Third House … act like it. Have you ever stopped to think how this is going to look?”
The second Twin grumbled, “It has crossed my mind, but the damage is already done. We must complete the task without the Scroll. No use mourning a lost Scroll.”
Long overdue for a report, they knew Lucifer dispatched a messenger. It made no sense to argue. They left the hotel lobby and were greeted by the roaring sounds of explosions that ignited the night sky.
TODAY’S HOROSCOPE
You will come across grave news that will break you down or make you stronger. As Ruler of the Tenth House, your strength will come from foreign places and people if you’ll allow it so. Stay determined and disciplined.
“Capricorn, wake up. We’re here. The landing zone is up ahead.”
The pain had gone away, and he awoke in a new World. In awe of the similarities between both Saturn and Earth, all of the talk and rumors that Capricorn had heard were precise. He couldn’t wait for their transport to land on one of the upcoming secret crop circles near a deserted farm.
Capricorn said, “Wow! I wish Dad could see this!”
Aquarius said, “Come, we must prepare for landing.”
She led him from the window and escorted him to his seat. Everyone braced themselves as their craft landed on its mark. Safely undetected, they granted Capricorn the liberty of walking on Earth’s terrain for the first time. “Don’t wander too far,” Libra instructed. While scanning the area, he looked up and noticed a sign. “Welcome to Las Vegas?”
Libra answered, “Yes, Capricorn. This city is where we will take refuge for the time being. We must stay out of sight and further investigate this Pursuit.”
They exited the crop circle and walked to a car parked just a mile from the highway.
A distance away, two spies who went by the names Jacob and Mileck looked on with binoculars. They hid themselves in the tall grass a few miles outside the crop circle.
Jacob asked Mileck, “So the Zodiacs don’t know they are Fallen? How did this come to pass?”
Mileck spoke, “What do you mean? You act as if this is bad news. This is excellent news.”
Jacob added, “No, my friend. Its never good news when a Zodiac is around. They might mean well, but anywhere they appear, evil is not too far behind. We must warn the others of their arrival and put an end to this threat. They must be annihilated.”
Mileck replied, “But, … but, the other one. He’s only a child. Must he be destroyed as well?”
Jacob answered, “It will only be a matter of time before they are all turned. He was lost the second he exited his Mother’s womb. It’s a shame. They should’ve never come here. Keeping him alive will only make matters worse for us and the future of this Universe. We’ll be more than grateful we made this decision. You’ll see. Young or old, it must be done.”
Jacob focused on the targets as Mileck got up and snuck away.
Jacob spoke to himself. “Taking down three Zodiacs at once will not be easy. Even the little boy stands as a threat.”
He withdrew from his position as his objectives disappeared in the high grass on the opposite end of the crop field.
At the Safehouse in New York, Pharisees answered a phone in the hall. “Hello?”
He heard an unknown voice on the other end. “Yes, who is this?”
Pharisees questioned, “State your name first, stranger.”
The caller answered, “It’s Ozias. I’m in Mexico.”
Pharisees spoke to the others in the room. “It’s Ozias.” Pharisees took down Ozias’ coordinates and prepared for teleportation. “I will return.”
Justus wondered, “How long do you think it will take before your return?”
Pharisees answered, “Not sure. But when I return, we’ll need to figure out a plan to find the others. We’ve been sitting here long enough, waiting on a report that is not coming.”
Timius said, “I would have to agree. For all we know, the rest could have fallen.”
Abdeel said, “I will not allow any of you to speak with such doubt. We must have faith in our Brethren. You’re right about leaving here to find them, but that is not what Natenal instructed. We will remain here and find the other Zodiacs.”
Pharisees said, “If you manage to come across something before my return, just leave your coordinates, and I will meet you there.”
Irisan commented, “But we have no clue where the rest of the Zodiacs remain. They could be in another constellation for all we know.”
Pharisees responded, “That is possible. But right now, I must make sure Ozias returns safely. If you’ll excuse me.” And, in the blink of an eye, Pharisees vanished into thin air.
Irisan spoke, “I have an idea. Why don’t we examine their Horoscopes?”
Justus commented, “What? That is meaningless.”
“Wait, Justus. Give it a chance. It could work. However, I think we should find an expert regarding this matter,” Abdeel reasoned.
The Guide broke in, “I know someone.” He had just returned after his run and caught the end of the conversation between Irisan, Justus and Abdeel. “She has quite a reputation around here.”
Timius said, “Good we shall meet her. Great idea, Irisan.”
Irisan responded, “It’s a start.”
The Guide continued, “I will take you to her place of business. She’s an Astrologer and a Psychic. She’s a bit odd, but might just have some information. Don’t leave any stone unturned, Pursuers. You never know where aid might surface.”
Timius replied, “You’re right indeed, my friend.”
Justus said, “Wait, let’s take a moment to think about this, comrades. Are you saying we must resort to witches for aid? The very beings we’ve been sent out to destroy? It’s lunacy.”
“Justus, we must find the remaining Zodiacs. If information must be attained through outside sources, it must be so,” Abdeel said.
Justus knew he had lost the argument. Moments later, they headed out in stealth clothing under the cover of midnight.
“Sorry, we’re closed. Appointments only,” said the mysterious woman the Guide had mentioned. She had white hair and dressed in all black attire. Her hair was of snow, but she appeared to be in her mid-thirties.
To counter her rejection, they offered a lump sum of cash. With money being a high motivator, she relented and let them all in. “Come in. My name is Khana, and I’ll be your Reader for the night.” She admitted all of them. They took seats in various parts of the room, though each remained close enough to participate in the reading.
Khana asked, “Which one of you wishes to see your future?”
Justus said, “Ludicrous.”
Khana replied, “Ahh, I see we have a non-believer! What brings you here, boy?”
Justus answered, “Witch, for someone who can see the future, I’m certain you’re aware of what will happen if you utter the word boy, again.”
Abdeel interrupted, “Justus, you need to control yourself, Brother!” He spoke to Khana. “Please, excuse my colleague. We did not come here for that. We have other pressing matters for which we need answers.”
Justus headed towards the exit and ignored those trying to persuade him not to leave.
“Let him go,” Abdeel said.
Khana insisted, “Here, I’ll help you on your way out.”
The door opened on its own.
Justus responded, “Your black mag
ic doesn’t impress me, Witch.”
The door closed behind him, locking shut.
Abdeel continued, “We are here to have some Horoscopes read. Can you help us?”
Khana replied, “Most certainly. Judging by your friend’s behavior, my estimate would be that he’s an Aries. Therefore, that is the first Sign of the Zodiac I will begin to read.”
Abdeel asked, “If you can … during your reading … are you able to figure out where each Original Zodiac might reside?”
“The Original Zodiacs? So, you are aware of their existence? I knew there was something abnormal about this group. Well, I’m not sure. Each reading is unique and has a destination of its own. What is read will inevitably become your passageway, whether it is good or bad. Shall we begin?” Khana urged.
Abdeel answered, “Yes, you may, please continue.”
Outside of the Readers’ place of business, Justus prayed, “God, give us the strength to do your work. And, may all of our enemies be swept beneath the Pillars of the Earth, Amen. If Natenal was here, he’d have no part of this. This is an abomination.”
Justus saw an old lady crossing the street, apparently burdened with groceries too heavy for her to carry. Apples fell from one of the bags, and she put down the other bags while she stooped over to pick them up. Like a Good Samaritan, Justus left his post and went over to assist her.
“Here you are, young lady,” Justus joked as he gathered up the rest of the apples.
The Little Old Lady replied, “Oh thank you, my dear. I wish there were more like you in this World. I can’t recall the last time I’d eaten the flesh of an Archangel.”
Before Justus could register what she had said, her head made a full turn. Her back remained arched, but she locked eyes with the Pursuer.
Justus noticed the Demon’s double row of razor sharp teeth as it smiled. He backed away, dropping the apples. It was Khana. “Devil, you will die before you bring harm to my Brothers.”
Justus levitated the witch a good distance away before she unleashed any of her dark magic. Thinking he was in the clear, Justus ran into an electrifying force field that blocked the entrance leading up to the Psychic Medium. His helpless body ricocheted against a parked truck and stopped in a set of garbage cans. She muted the sound and created an illusion from the inside out. From the inside, anyone looking out would see a mirage of what they had seen before entering the Reader’s place of business.
Pursuit of the Zodiacs Page 13
