Pursuit of the Zodiacs (35 page)

“What the fuck is going on?” the President thought to himself. Zen and Demetrius looked on in disbelief. “This is not good.”

“Come, Mr. Anderson, it is time.” The words derived from a secure location on the Moon. Ithiel, Mr. Anderson’s Guardian Archangel for the time being, woke him. As instructed, the Bookkeeper had given his report to an Archangel who departed an
hour prior. Ithiel received word to return to Earth, and he brought up navigation routes on the craft’s mainframe.

Mr. Anderson groggily replied, “It is? Good, I thought we’d never leave this place.”

Ithiel answered, “Our services are needed back on Earth.”

As Ithiel fastened himself in his pilot seat, he noticed a Gateway opening up just around the corner, not too far from a Moon base. “Wait for my return. I must investigate something.”

Mr. Anderson, now fully awake, replied, “Alright.”

However, he had no intention of waiting for Ithiel’s return. Frustrated and tired of being stuck in the middle of nowhere, Ithiel forbade him to wander near any of the Moon bases or Pyramids. The stubborn Bookkeeper disobeyed his orders. He followed Ithiel and hid behind some giant rocks out of sight near the Gateway. Ithiel saw only one familiar face, Jedediah, whose hands were tied behind him. His oppressors escorted him towards the dark side of the Moon to carry out his execution.

Mr. Anderson muttered to himself, “What is this?” Before he could utter another word, the executioners thrust one of their swords into the bound and defenseless Jedediah’s stomach. He fell to his knees while the other opposing Archangel positioned himself to behead him. Too late for a dying Jedediah, Ithiel intervened hoping to hear his last words so he could discover the motive behind his execution.

The Archangels fled towards the Gateway, but Ithiel barred it with lightning strikes. Next, he blocked the entrance to the Gateway with his own body, leaving the Archangels no choice but to engage him head-on.

Ithiel yelled to the Archangels. “Answer me, what’s the reason for this execution?”

The Archangels stared back, followed by the Moon’s silence.

Ithiel continued, “I will make you answer me right before you beg for death.”

As the Archangels moved forward, Ithiel, recognizing the ranked symbols on their armor, realized there was no room for error. But, trusting in his own techniques and gifts, he met them halfway.

The Archangels attacked him simultaneously, but he countered and returned punishing shocks with his sword. The lightning he propelled at them were nearly impossible for the Archangels to block, and charged their bodies with currents so strong as to knock the feathers from their wings.

Mr. Anderson watched a distraught Jedediah trying to remove himself from the scene, still with his hands tied behind his back. He struggled to his feet, but only to fall again to his knees. The Bookkeeper ran to Jedediah and caught him on his last fall. “Are you alright?”

Jedediah stared at the man in disbelief. “What a foolish question to ask a dying Archangel. Who are you?”

Mr. Anderson answered, still holding Jedediah up, “I am the Bookkeeper.”

Jedediah sighed. “Perfect. I guess it was destined for you to hear my last words. There isn’t much time for me, so listen closely. Bishop plans to move against God and his Kingdom. Before that is possible, he must discreetly remove all potential threats, including the Zodiacs, in case The Pursuers fail in their mission. Anyone he sees as a threat, even The Pursuers themselves, he is set on destroying. He is unstoppable. Unless God himself is notified, you must …”

Jedediah’s voice trailed off. He lost consciousness. Before Mr. Anderson could find out whether or not Jedediah still had a pulse, he heard Ithiel shouting, “Mr. Anderson, you must run!”

Mr. Anderson followed the voice. He saw a far off and injured Ithiel just barely holding himself up off the ground, balancing with his sword. He posed over a dead and broken Archangel. The other Archangel spotted the Bookkeeper and approached him. Ithiel raised his sword and shot out a bolt of lightning at the Archangel, but missed, almost hitting the Bookkeeper. He readjusted his aim and sent out another bolt of lightning. This one clipped the wing of the Archangel who fell to his knees.

The Bookkeeper grabbed Jedediah after unbinding his hands. But, at six feet, four inches and two hundred and forty-five pounds, Jedediah proved to be too much. The Archangel collected himself, reached and backhanded the Bookkeeper to the ground. While his attention was diverted, Jedediah thrusted his sword through the leg of the pursuing Archangel, pinning him to the ground. But the attack cost Jedediah. Too far gone to give much of a struggle, the Archangel took out his dagger and drove it through his throat. The Bookkeeper sat up on the ground holding his bruised face, only to see blood pouring from Jedediah’s neck.

The Archangel instructed the Bookkeeper menacingly, “There. Write that in your book.”

The Archangel removed the sword from his leg and freed himself. Jedediah’s murder bought Ithiel enough time to reach the Archangel. Directly behind him, Ithiel said, “He will include your treachery against Jedediah in his book, and the story of your death will follow his.” And, before the Archangel could turn around, Ithiel thrust his sword through his back and beheaded him. “It is done.”

Ithiel collapsed, and the Bookkeeper ran to his side. “No, not you too!” The Bookkeeper shouted. He received no answer, but only slight movements. Ithiel was alive, but unconscious. “Great. Now what?”

Seeing the Gateway still open terrified the Bookkeeper. Following the deaths of both Archangels, there was no telling if more could be making their way towards the Gateway. He needed to move Ithiel’s body fast. He marked his distance from the spaceship. Discouraged, he sighed, stretched and dragged Ithiel towards the ship.

They escaped Japan. Goliath carried the critically wounded Daniel in his arms. They still had one more mile left before they reached the Gateway and their departure from the Dimension.

Daniel said, “No, Goliath. Trouble yourself no further, Brother. It’s over for me.”

They encountered the same wagon that Virgo and her group had passed earlier. The scent of Daniel’s blood drew the attention of the Vampeer residing in the carriage. “Who can pass up the blood of Archangels?”

Goliath replied, “What was that? Move that carriage along, Devil!”

The Vampeer exited the carriage. “Pardon my manners. Let me introduce myself. My name is Dracuul, and I am from a very far away Galaxy, here visiting relatives. I see you’re in a bit of a bind, and I would like to offer my services to you.”

Goliath said, “We are in no need of any help from a Vampeer. And how are you able to walk in the Sunlight?”

Dracuul answered, “You will see very soon that I am no ordinary Vampeer, my friend. These are very different times. A Vampeer impervious to Sunlight is the reality that stands before you; anything else you’ve heard is a mere myth. Do not be foolish. You and I both know your friend there will not make it out this Dimension
on time, so consider our abrupt meeting as fate. You owe it to your comrade to not be selfish.”

Though very weak, Daniel responded, “What are you suggesting, Traveler?”

Goliath interjected, “You can’t be serious, Daniel?”

Dracuul replied, “Listen to your friend, since it seems he has the will to live. So let him live. My proposal is simple. Meet it, and you will surely live to fight your fight another day. I propose a simple exchange: blood for blood. My blood will rid you of your misfortune, and your blood will assist me in perpetuating my kind.”

Goliath asked, “Tell me, Vampeer, is your kind on the verge of extinction? Is that what you are saying? If so, then good. We are all better off without the existence of the Vampeers.”

Dracuul said, “I’ve been kind long enough. Comply, or I will just take it. Either way is fine with me.”

Goliath defied the hostile demand, “Come on and try it, Devil.”

Before they could engage, Daniel stepped in. “Goliath, that’s enough.” And then turning, “I accept your proposition, Vampeer.”

Goliath said, “But Daniel, you can’t! This is an abomination to God!”

Daniel answered, “No. After I have recovered, I still intend to carry out his mission.”

Dracuul commented, “Then it is settled, remove yourself from him at once. I’m going to need some room.”

Goliath replied, “I will not allow this!” He left Daniel’s side and approached the Vampeer. “You’ve purposely wasted our time. You know he would’ve made it out of here alive.”

Dracuul answered, “If so, what does it matter? He is running out of time and will die, as will you while you continue challenging me.”

Goliath closed in as Dracuul remained calm and didn’t budge.

“No!” Goliath stopped in his tracks, saw Daniel twitching.

Dracuul said, “Well, what is your decision? Will you let your comrade die when he wants to live?”

Goliath pondered his options and realized that he had none. Shrugging his shoulders and holding his head in disbelief, Goliath agreed. “Go on, Devil.”

Goliath turned away in disgust as the Vampeer cut his hand and told Daniel to consume his blood. At the same time, he drew a sample of Daniel’s blood and stored it in a glass vase. “There you have it, your friend will live. Was that so hard?”

Goliath said, “This doesn’t change a thing, Devil.”

Dracuul replied, “There’s always a third party making a situation more difficult than it needs to be. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll take my leave.”

Goliath knelt next to Daniel to see if the Vampeer had kept his part of the bargain. Daniel’s eyes were still shut, so Goliath bent over to listen if he still breathed. Daniel woke up, grabbing Goliath by the shoulders and bit into his neck. Goliath did not recognize this newfound creature and threw him off. He grabbed at his neck. “Damn you, Devil! What have you done to him? Come back here!”

His carriage stopped. The Vampeer stuck his head out of an opening and replied, “Ohhh, my apologies. I failed to mention the side effects. He will have a tendency to bite things, and his hunger for blood will increase in the coming days. And you will meet this fortune as well. See you around! Do not worry Archangel. In time, you’ll comprehend this day as beneficial, a favor I’ve just granted the both of you. In the end, it all comes down to the Blood.” Dracuul laughed and signaled his driver to continue.

Goliath experienced side effects from Daniel’s bite. He felt inebriated and started to develop a craving. He felt disappointed in what that craving was, but in the back of his mind, it felt right. The abnormal feeling affected his vision. He had trouble standing and couldn’t walk straight or give chase to the carriage, though he badly wanted to. He gave in and rested.

TODAY’S HOROSCOPE

As Ruler of the Eighth House, you must make wise decisions in these unpromising days if you are to succeed. Don’t let your blunt emotions plague your judgments. Stick to your strategic game plan
.

“Great, emphasis on the ‘unpromising,’” Scorpio thought to himself after receiving another unexplained heart attack following a Horoscope reading.

Virgo said, “What did you say?”

Scorpio answered, “I just received a reading.”