The Crooked Silhouette

Chapter 18: The Enemy's Arrival

Tsuya suddenly fell onto his butt, panting and disabled to cool down. His vague sight did not help at all, and he could barely move his knees supporting his whole stature. He was almost reclining when Gabriel quickly caught his shoulders to prevent him bumping his back onto the floor. Gabriel, with his concerned inspection, stared at Tsuya’s diffused black sclera.

            The Spirit was still smiling smugly, worn out from the job he was assigned by The Angels. Gabriel could only watch since only Tsuya could settle the mess originated from The Zodiacs. Even The Zodiacs were not aware of the matter, but The Angels have already acknowledged it since the culprit appeared out of nowhere and attempted on killing Barachiel approximately a hundred years ago. The most surprising fact was that only Tsuya could contribute in wrecking that culprit. However, the issue might become worse because Tsuya himself was in the brink of extinction.

            In order to recover Tsuya first, The Angels had to generate the memory of anyone – or anything – related to him. The Dimensionals existed from the imagination of The Humans, hence if every of The Humans pertained to a Dimensional forgets, that one particular Dimensional would fade. This also fitted on Tsuya.

            Since the day they began the mission, the plan was going on rhythmically. Tsuya has already predicted that at least one of The Five Zodiacs would violate the mission when they found out The Humans they brought were agreeably convenient, therefore he has disciplined three other Zodiacs to become his inspectors in The Forest of Eve. However, he never speculated one of them would not even return.

            Thus it took less time to him finding the felon as well.

            “Tsuya,” Gabriel patted Tsuya’s chest to calm his pounding heart down, “Are you okay? Do you need a good rest?”

            Gesturing one of his hand, he shook his head together, “I can’t play around. I must do this seriously or The Dimension will run down.”

            His shivering limbs never ceased him from keep on going. Gabriel assisted him standing straight despite the feebleness he witnessed on The Spirit. Tsuya surely was a very intractable creature during his living on The Earth – he was even inflexible after he died.

            “You are that desperate to live, huh, Tsuya?” Gabriel let out a long sigh, conceding to Tsuya’s persistence. Deep inside, he was anxious of Tsuya’s ability and longevity since he and The Angels were by now enlightened of his current life.

            Tsuya did not have the chance to even beam when they perceived the floor beneath their feet quaked, as if there was something causing the ruckus in one of the room available in The Angels’ department. Gabriel and Tsuya exchanged glances before running off the room and went to other rooms which were assumed to store Ite and Kani. They have lost Shishi after Tatsu has gloriously defeated him only with his absolute oppresion. Tsuya had no choice but to instantly retreat from Shishi’s body and leave the scene.

            For now, they had only Ite and Kani in their grasps. The remaining Zodiacs were kept in their safety – the meeting room. As for The Five Zodiacs, Gabriel and Tsuya have manageably ‘captured’ two of them, while the other two were still on journey.

            The last lost Zodiac and Human were still missing in action.

            “Hebi has begun his rampage, I guess,” Gabriel fancied while they half ran to the meeting room, just in case if their enemy has already arrived there.

            The Ophiuchus was primarily one of The Zodiacs yet getting dispelled by The Demons since their King conspired with The Demon during the historical war between them. Because of the irresponsibility The Ophiuchus bore for their whole life, The Deity castigated them by segregating the troop from The Zodiacs’ Valley – far even from the Dimensionals’ point of view. Not many people acknowledged Ophiuchus as a horoscope, which simultaneously shortened their life span as a Zodiac. Their Kings have been replaced for numerous times due to their fleeting life.

            Tsuya and Gabriel barged into the meeting room to see The Zodiacs were talking to each other as if they were discussing a very serious subject. It was blatantly observable on their countenance that they, too, were adrenalized from experiencing the brief quake minutes ago.

            “Gabriel, what happened?” Uriel asked without delay.

            Gabriel’s shrug disappointed the room quite hugely.

            “I wonder if it was in fact Yagi in his actual form,” one of The Zodiacs, Ou, said while crossed his hands against the chest.

            The Pisces sounded so nettled, but he was actually restless. Judging from their current condition, he could feel the fluctuating situation they were in. It would not be trouble-free for them to just run away, let alone tackling the enemy all by themselves without being conscious of the basic to go against it. He shifted to see how the others reacted, just to discover his friends were as panic as him. 

The quiver became discrete while they were pondering what the root was. Sensing The Valley was been assaulted by other entity probably a Dimensional, Gabriel and Uriel instantaneously entrusted the meeting room to Tsuya for monitoring, even getting the opportunity to witness the remaining Zodiacs ogling either in fright or vigilant. Once the shutting door terminated its clicking sound, Tsuya turned to them, all smiles and heartening as if nothing happened.

"So, we will be waiting here," Tsuya stated as plainly as he thought he should be. Somehow the hatefulness contained in the looks of The Zodiacs perturbed him a little, yet he tried ignoring the issue.

It would be okay. It would be okay.

Gabriel and Uriel showed up at the source of the shaking to see the torn down entrance of The Angels' Valley. Eyes scanning the entire situation to figure out the one they once thought to seek revenge in no time, has already come to the scene - Hebi The Ophiuchus. Fists clenching in trepidation, Gabriel and Uriel set their stance on the smirking Hebi.

The sky above their head gradually interchanged colours, as if it suited the present condition they were in.

"Oho, it's a pleasure to meet you first," said Hebi, countenance annoyingly preserved. "The safety is crumbling. It's my chance to infiltrate, I must say."

"I wonder if you could," Hands motioned in the mid-air, Gabriel shrugged and smirked to purposely disenchant Hebi. However, he believed it never distracted Hebi from keeping himself on the track to destruct everything.

Minutes felt infinitely dawdling. Gabriel and Hebi shot death glares against each other. Uriel, more inferior compared to Gabriel, cozied himself behind Gabriel to just spectate. Even amongst The Angels, Gabriel was the most trustworthy, strongest and smartest. The Fairies, their subordinates, always referred to him in solving doubt and guilt.

"Happy to be free?"

Hebi, arm crossing against his chest, snorted, "For sure it is. I've forgotten how long I have been out here."

"And you're returning to The Hollow of Cain after this."

An unknown creature safely landed beside Hebi. Possessing features representing a Zodiac, plus the difference between him and Hebi, confirmed his identity. What sickened the most was Hebi really looked Tsuya-like. Gabriel was taken aback and even reversed, enlarging the interval between him and Hebi.

Uriel did not comprehend the meaning behind Gabriel's response, puzzled by the sudden mood transformation in them. He glanced at Gabriel, then at Hebi, before coming back to Gabriel again, just to justify what was going on. But he could not inquire as the atmosphere agreeably choked him to death.

"Wh- What did you do to him?!" With his shivering hands, Gabriel directed his finger towards the creature beside the giggling Hebi. "What. Did. You. Do. To him?!"

Hebi's continuous laugh infuriated Gabriel which triggered him to shove Hebi onto the ground, yet the other creature favourably blocked his effort. The startled Gabriel backed off, still in his fighting stance, and held up his knuckles. The Angels did not have powers like The Zodiacs, hence they relied solely on their own initial energy and stamina.

"He's so obedient, I must say. Thank you for sending him out."

Without any stoppage, the other creature strangled Gabriel and hoisted him up into the air. The air was theoretically refreshing to The Dimension, yet its restrictedness practically slayed Gabriel from within. He failed to breathe in relax and he was alerted his condition deteriorated as his sight hazed.

The unnerved Uriel came to drop Gabriel from the creature. His own power was not that gallant, yet he really has determined to contribute in rescuing Gabriel. He did just a bit, but it was enough to quiver the overly confident Hebi. The Zodiac-like creature let Gabriel off his grip, and Uriel immediately dragged him away from it.

"I hope you get your senses back," despite his trembling voice, Uriel said while concentrating his attention towards the one standing gracefully before his own eyes, "Ohitsuji."

It was indeed the truth. The Zodiac-like creature being by Hebi's side was the disappearing Zodiac among The Five. Ohitsuji, The King of Aries Valley, has finally come back to The Dimension, nevertheless he did not seem like how he used to be. Whether he was brainwashed or psycho-ed by Hebi, Ohitsuji reacted less but once he did, he was swift enough to even compete the speed of a woodpecker's hole-drilling.

In one big leap, Hebi has already mounted by Uriel and Gabriel, tapping Uriel's shoulder and never ceasing from snarling. "As long as I'm still alive, he won't."

"What have you done to him, Hebi?" Gabriel gritted his teeth in fury. The thirst to smack him directly on the diaphragm really quelled him. Only strong self-belief constrained him from going berserk towards The Ophiuchus.

The cold stare Hebi stab gave enough goose bumps to falter him. Gabriel tried breaking the intensified glare, yet Hebi's wickedly aura upraised a very intimidating mood. Looking closely on Ohitsuji, The Aries seemed as ordinary in term of physical appearance, but his skin was too pallid and everyone could barely see his sclera border.

"He's the simple-minded one. I can't reject the offer you gave me. Besides," Hebi drew his face close to Gabriel's, "Don't you have anything planned beforehand? If you weren't, you wouldn't have sent The Zodiacs to The Earth. Taking away The Humans? You must be kidding me, I must say."

Refusing to give in, Gabriel ducked his head to avoid confronting Hebi into the eyes. Despite the legendary revelation of The Ophiuchus, it was unclear what its ability was. People did mention about The Ophiuchus' enormous ability range, yet none of The Dimensionals could disclose it. In order to avoid calamity, Gabriel had no choice but to turn away whenever there was chance.

"If Ohitsuji is with you," as the breath composed well enough to soothe down palpitation, Gabriel blurted in hiss, "Where is The Human who was supposed to be with him?"

An eyebrow raised a half inch, bewildered by the inquiry. "I found him alone. No Human was with him. He was just walking around aimlessly at The Earth's Forest of Eve on the day I found him. So, I brought him here."

Gabriel was about to loosen his frowning when Uriel cut off, "You are lying."

Even Gabriel turned to the stuttering Uriel. It was obviously portrayed that Uriel was afraid of the entire intimidation but he has encouraged himself to not let his fearfulness digested his bravery away.

"What do you mean, Uriel? I am lying?" Hebi tilted his head on one side, "I guess you got drowsiness hit."

"I could swear to you, Gabriel, that he is deceiving," Uriel's wavy chest indicated his bottled up dark emotion. "Even though I am dumb, I still could remember important facts, and it includes the history of The Twelve Zodiacs formation. The Ophiuchus is forbidden to go out of The Dimension - The Earth as well."

Uriel has not finished his explanation as Gabriel gradually shifted to the grinning Hebi.

If The Ophiuchus was forbidden to leave The Dimension, how did Hebi meet Ohitsuji on The Earth?

From a very upbeat expression, Hebi's eyes transformed ridiculously cunning. "I never know you are fishing stupid, Gabriel."