Pursuit of the Zodiacs (71 page)

With no more disputes, he headed off towards the Pope’s underground fortress.

Virgo and Taurus boarded the train and awaited Oseem’s return. Aries still refused to board and sat patiently outside for her Son.

Troy encouraged everyone not to trouble her and to leave her to her thoughts.

“What the Hell happened here?” Oseem arrived at the Pope’s underground stronghold to find countless bodies of Reptilians, Hybrids and Demons scattered about.

He reached the big hall not too far from the Pope’s resting quarters. Oseem ordered his group of Demon militia to scour the area for Aries’ Son.

They found one reptilian soldier on the verge of death. Oseem interrogated him. He mentioned overhearing an argument between the Pope’s half-Reptilian, half-Vampeer heir and The Pursuers before they killed him. The news of Aries’ Son’s death shocked the Demon Master Archangel and his men. Oseem grabbed the dying Reptilian for confirmation. He knew this news would complicate matters for him on his return back to the train without Aries’ Son. He didn’t think it would be wise to return at all.

Oseem slapped the Reptilian soldier conscious. “Who gave the order to kill Aries’ Son?”

“The Pope, he issued the order.”

Terrified, the Reptilian soldier trembled at the sight of a figure observing everyone in the hall. Oseem identified the entity with fire in its eyes. He dropped the injured Reptilian soldier. It was one of Aries’ replicas. She dispatched it without detection and instructed it to trail them. Distraught by the news, Sunbeams paraded about every corner of the Popes underground fortress.

“Damn. That Pope is a damned fool,” Oseem departed as his men engaged with Aries’ replica.

As he retreated, Oseem contacted Troy over his communications device. Troy could hear the cries of men being slaughtered in the background.

Oseem warned Troy of Aries’ Son’s death. The news ignited Aries’ core, and her chest glowed. All was lost and no one was safe.

From inside the train, Virgo inquired, “What’s wrong with her?”

Troy closed the doors to his train and started the engine. “If you have any force field capabilities, it would be wise to put them to use right now! She’s just been informed that the Pope had her Son eliminated!”

Both Taurus and Virgo looked at each other in disbelief.

Virgo asked Taurus, “Did you know of this?”

Taurus replied, “No! That Son of a bitch! He ruined the alliance!”

The news devastated Aries. She fell to the ground and screamed in rage. She heard the sound of Troy’s Train of the Damned escorting those whom she believed were partially responsible into the Underworld.

“Can this train go any faster? She’s in pursuit!” Virgo shouted as she fended off her fire assaults using her Virgin Light force field that deflected and blinded Aries. But a determined Aries unleashed more intense Sunbeams that penetrated Virgo’s force field, and Sunfire engulfed the back cart of the train.

Aries crashed to the ground. They assumed Oseem was the one responsible.

“Oseem must have eliminated one of her replicas, providing us time to escape,” Troy confirmed, as he closed his communications device.

Taurus added, “Of course, despite her being a Zodiac, simply sending one of her replicas wouldn’t be enough for Oseem. That Archangel is in a class of his own.”

Virgo added, “Indeed, she would have to meet him personally in order to eradicate him.”

The train picked up speed, and an ever-widening gap deprived Aries of vengeance. She stopped and resurfaced back in the city in search of the Pope.

Chapter 33

THE INJECTION

“Everything shook violently upon the Mosquito’s landing, and it was not long before its legs became the new pillars of the Earth. After consuming the evils that plagued mankind, it moved on to other constellations in search of more Earths to restore.”

— T
HE
D
REAM
OF
A
W
ATCHER

R
ome became collateral damage in a war between supernatural forces. Fire destroyed buildings and homes, mutilated corpses scattered about the deserted streets, and the casualty count was believed to be in the millions. The prudent citizens evacuated Rome, never to return. The populace, still in the midst of the Pursuit of the Zodiacs, needed a protector. The living had become the walking dead, Devils and Demons made
a home among men. And, as if Immortality weren’t enough, Archangels took the liberty of following their own paths to power. Betrayal took its toll on all opposing sides.

“Look at this place, it’s in ruins,” the newly appointed Pope Elizabeth spoke as she ascended from her special craft.

“It will take some time to restore Rome, my Lady. But, we’ve made it,” Virtues responded.

With the new Pope’s blessing, Virtues initiated the restoration of Rome. He dispatched Angels to stand guard along the perimeter. The bell signifying the induction of a new Pope delivered hope to a war-torn city. Virtues men took out blueprints and reconstructed the Cathedral.

They couldn’t help but gaze upon a phenomenon moving in their direction.

“No one engage. Let her pass,” Pope Elizabeth wisely instructed her men.

Her tears were like acid dripping upon the pavement, sizzling on impact as she passed. Lost and alone, Aries’ search for vengeance kept her sane.

From the moment they laid eyes upon her, the Archangels knew victory was impossible against this force, but their obligation to protect the new Pope kept them grounded. After surveying the vicinity, she lost interest and departed.

Pope Elizabeth observed, “It seems this whole Pursuit has taken its toll even on the strongest of us. Nevertheless, our whole objective could’ve been a complete failure at her will. We need to be more steadfast with our campaign.”

Virtues agreed, “Yes, my Lady.

Confused and faced with a perilous decision, Cancer looked on as The Pursuers and Zodiacs mercilessly fought one another. Allowing Gemini’s execution gained their approval, but the acceptance of three more Zodiac deaths was an even harder deed to grasp.

“Stop this, all of you! We can come to terms!” Cancer cried out. But no one heard him except Natenal.

“I’m sorry, but your words serve no purpose, Zodiac. They have made their decision. It’s time to make yours,” Natenal replied.

Cancer replied, “I’m sorry as well, Pursuer. They are my blood.” Natenal covered himself with his own wings as Cancer blasted him with a burning meteor powered by the Moon.

“Natenal!” Zodeen shouted. He was taken off guard by the sight of his leader being struck down. Pisces grabbed and carried Zodeen into the sewer where he was crushed alive, drowned and devoured by her newly discovered ability, the ability to alter herself into a giant hybrid snake. Zodeen perished.

“Nooo! Cancer, what have you done!” Levi shouted. In rage, he threw a beaten Libra off a rooftop. She used her wings to cushion the impact of the fall.

“Damn him! We should’ve eliminated him in Africa when we had the chance!” Timius, also angry at what had unfolded, made the mistake of leaving himself open to Aquarius’s Water-Bearing Sword. She thrust it in his direction, but Simeon interceded. The impact of her sword colliding with his shield sent them careening in opposite directions. In desperation, she dispersed a gust of wind, and they ended up at the base of a building. “Are you two ok?” Irisan removed herself from her post and gave them cover. She took down wandering Dead Rising trying to capitalize on the two downed Pursuers.

“I’m alright,” Natenal assured his Brethren as the smoke cleared. His pitch-black wings were indestructible, another gift granted by God to one of his most trusted soldiers. He unsheathed his unique Hevil sword and injected it with the remaining fire that enveloped the Pursuer. There was some concern in Cancer’s eyes, but that did not stop his next attack. His eyes became black, mirroring the eclipse that began to form. “You left me with little choice. Fuck all of you. What’s important is the survival of my kind!” Cancer shouted.

A new form of darkness coated the atmosphere. This darkness had even the Demons trembling and seeking shelter.

More concerned for the well-being of his Race, their once trusted acquaintance moved in on Natenal, whose countering sword inflicted lacerations to Cancer’s body. The Moon pulsated, and his wounds healed. Cancer caught Natenal mid-air with pressurized water at close range, knocking the forerunner into the side of a parked van, crumpling in much of its passenger side. Stunned, Natenal raised up.

Levi intervened, “What disappointment you bring this night, Zodiac.” Levi, the one who had vouched for his new Zodiac companion, approached the scene.

Levi said to Natenal, “If it must be anyone, I ask that it be the one that assured his loyalty. I was wrong.”

Natenal agreed, “Very well.”

A group of Demons from a massive sinkhole came across their first share of Archangels. The thirst for blood compelled their every move. Natenal met them in the street, while the rest of The Pursuers fought with Zodiacs.

“So, it has come to this, Zodiac?” Levi asked.

Levi and Cancer took their fight to a location not too far from the skirmish between the other Zodiacs and Pursuers.

“Yes, I’m afraid it has. It all makes sense. The more Zodiacs who fall, the weaker the rest become. We are here to survive regardless of what we were birthed from,” Cancer answered.

Levi commented, “You were born of evil. Your choice in pursuing its reputation is yours, but know there will be more like us to stop you. Your fellow Zodiac has sided with darkness, and your protection over them only encourages Lucifer’s agenda … and his agenda must be stopped at all costs.”

Cancer responded, “They can change!”

Levi said, “They are already lost. Can’t you see? It’s best that you fight with us before it is also too late for you.”

Cancer replied, “Aid in killing my Zodiac Brothers and Sisters? You’ve already taken one right in front of me! It is clear now. You said you were sent down upon the Mortal Realms of this Universe to warn us of an evil threat, Pursuer. But it is you who are the threat!”

Cancer engaged. The Moon pulsated while Cancer erupted the alleyway with more meteors. Levi parried and blocked them as they soared in his direction, punishing the alley walls. They crumbled and burst into flames. One clipped him on the arm, the force of which spun him into a wall. His rock-like skin prevented him from being injured; he closed his eyes while punching through the last meteor. The smoke cleared, and he reopened them. Cancer was right there within range to send him tumbling across the street with paralyzing pressures of water. Levi retaliated by releasing heavy-duty spikes manufactured from the rocks on his body.

He shot, and they soared towards Cancer. He swiftly dodged from side to side as each one missed. They speared cars and dumpsters. As long as Levi stood upon
the Earth, he was unstoppable. Cancer’s eyes became even darker, and so did the Moon. He entrapped Levi in an effervescence full of water. As Levi ascended, he became weak, while Cancer extended his bind with an excruciating electrical burst. Levi shouted in pain as the electrical current tortured him. His impenetrable skin was worthless as his insides cooked.