The Last Celestial

Cruel Aftermath

The Elder among Keeper's woke up from a vicious nightmare. A creature bigger than a two storey house has risen. He did everything in his power and pulled out his resources to know where the location of the attack was. But his dreams were so vague and came in fragments that he did not understand what the Celestial was trying to convey.

Usually, Sagittarius would show up in his dream, or he'll dream of specific instructions. It made him feel like something was terribly wrong.

Not long after that, news of the m******e that happened in the small town of Lentvaris, Lithuania spread fast across the globe. Out of the ten thousand citizens who live there, only less than a thousand of people were able to escape. And those who were able to escape told everyone their own story about a dreadful creature who eats human beings and animals alike.

A creature with hundreds of eyes, and has a thirst for blood. As tall as trees of the forest and claws as big as a car. Creatures big and small with bones sticking out of its black body covered in tar. Those are only a few of the many descriptions their sources have given them.

After learning about the location of the catastrophic event, Elder Diomedes and his wife Jacqueline dispatched all available Keeper's to the said land. The couple decided to come. Somehow, they hope to see there are still survivors.

Five platoons were out on the mission, while the fifth platoon's mission is to trace and locate the Tar creatures by trailing on the tracks of the hundreds. Even though they were a kilometre away from the town, the stench of death and decay enveloped the area. Both men and women hold their breath and some gagged and heave at the putrid scent. The town was seemingly covered in a layer of smoke, and there were trails of fire burns all over the roads, pavement, municipalities and homes.

By the looks of the town's streets and pavements... hundreds if not thousands of Tar creatures attacked. Feasting and having their fill on the innocent.

Streets were empty and it was quiet... so quiet that it brings chills to anyone's spine. From slippers and shoes and children's toys can be seen across the streets. Shattered glass spread and scattered on the ground all over. And all are the same, sorrow, devastation can be felt. The many broken windows contain the built up Tar of the disgusting creatures. Cars crashed against each other, and water mixed with blood almost filled the streets. The rain did not manage to wash all the stains of blood away.

There are a million traces of panic and urgency.

Soon the platoons took their separate ways and checked every house and home.

The first troop had Elder Keeper Tyron in command, they were assigned to check the north.

The second troop was assigned at the South part of Lentvaris, and in command is Elder Yi Bo.

The third troop was dispatched to the east, in command of Elder Kenneth.

And the last troop was assigned to the west side of Lentvaris with Elder Kaizee.

They won't stop until every stone is turned, every remains and dead body is checked and every possible hiding place is found.

Diomedes and Jacqueline decided to help with the search as well. The couple went to the northern side of Lentvaris, and they began their search inside an abandoned Manor. They went inside the dark fortress, bringing only two flashlights, a bag pull of powders of protection and barrier spells.

The couple was faced with disappointment when no one was there.

"We should try someplace else." Jacqueline told her husband after checking the last room.

Diomedes silently agreed. He holds out his hand and waits for his wife to grab onto him. They walked out of the dark building and began to search the next street closest to the Manor.

The couple headed down to the streets of Kranto, Lentvaris. They tried to make their way through the thick smoke by using their flashlight. They continued to walk and checked every corner that they could go to. And as they went from one house to another, a sound similar to the wailing sound of an infant caught Jacqueline's attention.

"Honey." She called for her husband who was busy checking out the ruined house just by a lake. "Do you hear that?"

Diomedes rushed out of the door and concentrated. He picked up the sound as well and his eyes perked up. A possible survivor, he thought. Suddenly he doesn't feel so hopeless anymore. "Let's go, love."

The couple runs to the sound, hurrying their steps and remained cautious at the same time. For the creatures the Undying man created may have tricks up its sleeves. Jacqueline grabbed a handful of seeds from the forest of the Zodiac as a precaution.

The cries of the child became louder and clearer. And as soon as they reached a lake, they saw a woman and a child from a distance. By the looks of it, the woman saw them too. Relief was evident in her eyes and the dreaded looked on her face disappeared.

==========================

Two days have passed since the attack on their small town has happened. Regina was still in utter disbelief and felt like she was going to pass out at any moment. With no food or water in her system, she was struggling and in pain. A crying baby in her arms, and a heavy bag was flinging on her right shoulder.

She walks through will power, and by the guidance of a Celestial's voice.

Regina still remembers it clearly, as the memory is still fresh on her mind.

She remembered crying and begging the celestial for help. She screamed when the door of her room was destroyed and a creature of tar and fire at six feet in height was about to come and consume her and her baby. Without thinking twice she jumped in front of the bed and was ready to sacrifice herself for the sake of her child.

But then a sound of thunder rumbled in the sky and light as bright as the rays of sun illuminated the room. It blinded her and she heard the creature screech. When the light faded, she immediately looked for the creature. An arrow burning with reddish blue fire struck the creature, piercing its heart and killing it in one fell swoop.

Immediately she grabbed Mathios on the bed and tried to run out of the house... but then she heard a voice.

'It is not safe.' The cool and gentle voice seemingly echoed in her mind. 'My people will come to rescue you. You do not need to move. The arrow which pierced the monster's heart will serve as your protection as it holds a barrier filled with my powers. Until the place is safe, the fire in the arrow will continue to burn. For now, you have to hide until the fire in the arrow dies.'

Regina waited and waited as she looked down from her bedroom window. The creatures passed by from her house, and were still on the search for food. What the Celestial being said was true, as the repulsive creatures could not see or smell her.

Three days had passed and the arrow lost its fire. With no food and only water to fill her stomach, Regina decided to come out of her house and seek for the help that was promised to her. She packed her things and brought only what she needed. Regina pulled a shoe lace from the boot of her husband and used it as a string for the pendant. She placed the string on top of Mathios head and prayed to the Celestial before she went out of the house.

She began to walk, seeking and looking for a person or a sign. Her knees were feeling weak from hunger, and her head was starting to spin. She cooed at Mathios as she tried to hush her with a lullaby that she and her husband Lukas used to sing together.

"Hush, little one..." She whispered at the boy through chapped dry lips. "Help will come to us soon."

The baby cried even louder after that. As if he was calling out for help too. She kept walking and walking against the thick fog until she heard the sound of rushed footsteps coming in closer. A flash of light hits her eyes.

And slowly, the thick fog clears out.

A middle aged man and a woman came out from the fog, they rushed into her and grabbed the heavy bag from her shoulder. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

Regina cannot speak as her lips began to tremble. Her eyes welled up in tears and her chest tightened. Her body begins to shake as tears roll down from her eyes. Her baby and herself managed to survive. It was nothing but sort of a miracle.

"Thank you..." She finally managed to whisper. "The Celestial... he saved my life."