The Last Celestial

Legion of Monsters

The Commander in lead of the fifth troop---Kris Haris  raised his hand, ordering his men to stop on their tracks. The trails of the creatures led them to the nearby countries of Lithuania. Not only are the creatures going in a single direction, but the legions of monster making mayhem are heading to the East. Mainly towards Latvia, Belarus and Russia.

There were fresh trails of blood and embers from the creatures left residue on the land. The troop leader removed the protective glove from his hand, and he laid his palm against the ground to feel the land.

He took a pinch from the ashes mixed with blood, and rolled it against his two fingers.

"We're heading to Latvia." He said, voice firm and strong. He stood up and gave the signal to the messenger. Haruhiko, an excellent Keeper, was in charge of the communication. He trained the main Homing Pigeon of the troop, whistled and called for the bird to deliver the message to the great Elder.

The pigeon landed on his shoulder and let out a whistle similar to the sound Haruhiko made. The young man took a small paper and a pen from his bag and began to write the exact location of their destination. He rolled it firmly, then he placed the rolled paper on the messenger pigeons' carrier and released the bird to fly.

When Haruhiko gave out the signal that he was done with his task, the commander signalled for them to continue. The troop consisting of twenty five strong men and women journeys to the north east.

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Mathios was fast asleep in Regina's arms as they traveled by private plane. Their destination, the forest of the Zodiacs. Diomedes was still in shock, and did not want to believe the miracle that happened to the boy and his mother.

Sagittarius himself shot an arrow to kill the creature made by the Undying man. It was wonderful yet unexpected. For many years ago, no normal human being was allowed to enter the forest of the Zodiacs as it was deemed as a sacred place exclusively for the Elders and researchers.

But Elder Diomedes decided to make an exception.

He wanted Heiy---the lead researcher of the weapons team to examine the pendant that was possessed by the woman's family. And the great Elder hopes, the pendant is one of the keys for better communication to the Celestial.

"You said it was a family heirloom?" Jacqueline asked as she examined the gold pendant. It shimmered as it lay on the palm of her hand. And she noted the Ruby crystals that's embedded on the jewelry. There were special markings on the edge of the circular jewelry. It looks like an ancient text from many years ago. "Where did you get this? What's the story?"

Regina's trembling body stopped shaking when she was finally able to bathe, eat properly and relax. She was breastfeeding her son, and began patting his head full of hair. She looked at the Keeper in front of her, and noticed how beautiful she was, even through her aged face.

She tried her best to recall her Grandmother's old story. A story that had been passed down from many ages ago.

"My grandmother always tells my brother and I this ancient story before going to bed." She begins, her scrunched up nose and eyebrows was a sign of her deep thoughts and recollection of the past. "She tells us about the story of a half man and half horse Celestial named Sagittarius. Back when the Celestial beings could still roam the Earth, people enjoyed their company. They were benevolent beings. And reigned in grace and love. Children played with them all the time."

"I've heard that before as well." Jacqueline said, then smiled.

Regina nodded and continued. "Our ancestor, Lamronik was the first person Sagittarius befriended. They became friends as our ancestors loved to hunt. One time, the Celestial saw our grandfather hunt for his family's next meal and decided to join. To continue on without scaring the locals and children, the Celestial would transform himself into a human. After every kill, Sagittarius also helped Lamronik's family prepare the meal and eat alongside them.

It happens yearly, every time the month of Sagittarius takes place. Every year during mid-December they would go for a hunt and celebrate with the Celestial. It had only stopped when Lamronik died. My grandmother would talk about how sad the Celestial was, and he mourned his only friend. As a gift, his family---the first born son of Lamronik volunteered to hunt with Sagittarius, taking the place of his deceased father.

Not only that, but the family promised that they'll continue to hunt and celebrate with the Celestial until the last of the descendants of Lamronik had passed on. In return, the Celestial himself crafted a precious metal made of Gold. A pendant the descendants of Lamronik could use to call for the Celestial himself whenever they would like to go for a hunt and share a meal.

It is said that when most of the Celestial beings perished, Sagittarius cannot go down anymore. As he fears that if he did, the evil who killed the other Celestials would go up to the clouds and reign on men like a tyrant.

But there's also another legend. That one day, if there was peace... the Celestial would go down again and hunt with the first born son of our family. My grandmother also said that this is the reason why all of our first born are men. So that one day, Sagittarius can hunt with them again."

Jacqueline continued to stare at the pendant resting at the palm of her hand. She only stopped when the story was finished, and realized that they cannot experiment and try to control the pendant. It was precious and priceless.

An important history to this family and the Celestial that they are serving.

Without hesitation, Jacqueline handed back the pendant to the woman. She took Regina's hand and placed it gently on her palm. "This belongs to you. And your son. I hope one day there will truly be peace... so that your family's legacy with the Celestial lives and carry on." She said with a sincere smile, her eyes sparkled as if tears are welling out of them. "I hope when Mathios grows up, he may have the honor of hunting with Sagittarius."

Regina was honored, and overwhelmed. Who knew the children's story she heard from her grandmother would save her and Mathios. And she hopes one day, Mathios can play and hunt again with the kindhearted Celestial again.

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Diomedes' brows were furrowed, in deep thought and was extremely worried. He couldn't make up his mind, but sent it anyway.

He checked the mail, and it was sent successfully to one of the Keepers he trusts.

While Regina and Jacqueline continued to exchange stories about the Celestials, the Keepers and other things, Diomedes was on the phone with world leaders. He was in conference with the Chairperson of Africa, the President of Ecuador and the house speaker of the Philippines. In short, where the Fortresses of the Celestials are protected and hidden.

"I don't understand why you cannot take the damned relic out of our country!" The president of Ecuador protested and screamed. "We've heard the news, Elder one, and we've heard that the masters of those creatures have something to do with the relics! Those Keepers of yours are short in numbers, and we are bound to risk the lives of my people to protect your cause!"

The Chairperson of Africa agreed silently, nodding his head and humming in agreement as Juan Dela Cruz, the spokesperson of the Philippines, chorused with Guillermo Toro, the President of Ecuador.

"Our people and our soldiers do not stand a chance against those monsters! Surely you have some other ways to protect us! You guaranteed our safety, given we allow you to keep the tower standing on soil and on our land! The indigenous people in Mindoro are in grave danger!" Juan shouted, spit spewing as he spoke. "Yes, our ancestors agreed to keep this relic with us. However, that was an old agreement! Times have changed! Plus, we were not told the chaos it would bring to us, you need to act now! Or else I'll force those Keepers out of the fortress and ask my soldiers to get that thing out of the building and throw it in the sea! You need to send more help, or at least troops big enough to kill those things!"

Diomedes pinched the bridge of his nose and breathed in deeply.

It is true that the creature is slowly making its way from nation after nation. The creatures of Tar and Coal spread and consume like wildfire. Leaving blood, and ruined homes and destroyed infrastructure.

Not only that but they carry various diseases as well. And there's a titan-like beast as tall as a building that consumes people and animals in numbers they cannot fathom.

He thinks of Andrew, and hopes that the boy is ready...

He took a deep breath and breathed out slowly, letting the warm air out of his parted lips. "We will be sending aid to the countries holding the fortresses. Monetary and food aid. As well as medical aid. The medicines will be top notched as the raw ingredients are directly extracted from the forest of the Zodiac. It is important we fortify the defenses. Our numbers have lessened and a lot of our brave soldiers and defense team are laying their lives on the line. It's not about the Keepers or the relics anymore. It's about all of us. If we continue to fight and divide then we will fall, it will not be impossible for the Undying man to reign the world and take over. We need your cooperation... And yes, we do have someone who can kill those creatures..." He paused, and swallowed against the dryness of his throat. "But, I have to talk to the boy first."

The men in corporate attire looked confused, bewildered. "What boy are you talking about?" Juan asked and was as confused as the other men. "Who is this boy?"

The Elders kept Andrew's existence from the world. Fearing that if the world knew about his power, power hungry countries may start a war over such a precious boy. Andrew's power is simply beyond humanities feeble mind.

Not only will it be a fight for power, but the faith of humanity as well.

Diomedes pulled out a tablet from his suitcase. The gadget contains all files related to Andrew, from when he was taken in by the Keeper---Dah. And his weekly progress reports.

Something tells him to not send it to those men. It was a voice, so weak that it was barely understandable. But he feels it in his gut that it's not the right thing to do. For now, it is best to keep Andrew's identity as a secret... but the boy must fight for the sake of peace.

He hung up the conference and closed his laptop shut. He decided to land at the forest first to take his wife and the mother and son there first. And then... he'll fly directly to the Carribeans, praying and hoping that Timothy somehow got the message he sent earlier.