Case #3-The Twelve Zodiacs, Part 3

"I wonder what this meeting is about, huh?" Agent Kardos cheerfully asks as she hustles behind Agent Sniper, who's briskly and all-too-seriously walking towards Chief Faustus' office.

"I don't know, but I don't care," Sniper answers. "So long as it has nothing to do with the Reaper."

Kardos frowns. "You knowwww…" Kardos hums as she jumps up and places both hands on Sniper's shoulders, then begins massaging them. "You don't have to be so uptight all the time!" Kardos exclaims as her frown curves up into a smile. "There's more to life than just work!"

"Then show that to me," Sniper replies, causing Kardos to sadly let go of his shoulders and frown again. "You're always working, too."

"But I…invited you to go out…" Kardos sadly says as she extends a hand out to Sniper, but all that Kardos is able to get out is a small whimper, as Sniper disappears through the door to Faustus' office.

"Sniper. Kardos," Faustus smiles as she watches her two investigators enter the room, before motioning to the two empty seats in front of her desk, where she stands behind. Next to the two empty seats, are two filled seats, one hosting Agent Smith, and the other, Agent Gaumond. "Take a seat."

"Gaumond…" Sniper grumbles as he takes the seat as far from the shield- weidling investigator as possible.

"Sniper…" Gaumond grumbles back.

"Kardos…" Smith grumbles.

"Hm?" Kardos asks as she takes the seat next to her.

"Nothing!" Smith replies. "I just thought that we should have some beef, since our men do!"

"Okay," Kardos sighs.

"Is this everyone?" Sniper asks as he looks up at Faustus. "If so, then please begin, I've got things to do. "

"Not quite," Faustus smiles as she holds a finger up. Using that finger, Faustus then leans forwards and places a finger on the com of her landline, causing it to buzz. "Please come in," she orders. Next, the doors leading into Faustus' office begin to creak open, and when they do, a brilliant white light shines throughout the office, once so bright that all except Faustus have to shield their eyes from the glow. Once the light subsides, Sniper, Kardos, Smith, and Gaumond turn in their seats and peer towards the doors, where they see a man with pure, pale skin, golden eyes, and white-blonde hair standing in the doorway, with his arms folded behind his back. He's wearing a white dress shirt, tan dress pants, and a red cape with a fluffy blue fur trim on the edge draped across his shoulders. A small smirk slowly creeps across the man's lips as he looks at each investigator one by one. And then, the man lifts both arms out to his sides and leaps forwards, striking a pose.

"HOW ARE YA' DOING, BITCHES?!" The man booms. "YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR HAS ARRIVED: GOD CHENRAJ!" Sniper, Kardos, Smith, and Gaumond are mortified. The man frowns and leaves his pose as he notices the cringing faces of his coworkers. "Why…are you looking at me in pity…?" He asks.

"Chief Faustus, enlighten me…just who is this clown?" Sniper asks as he turns around to face Faustus, causing the man to recoil.

"Th-that hurt!" He sobs.

"That clown, is my Ace Investigator, Agent Hexley," Faustus smiles, causing everyone's eyes to widen.

"You too, Chief?!" The man sobs as he clutches his heart.

"This is the Ace Investigator…?" Sniper asks in wonder as he turns around to face Agent Hexley, who lowers his arms and smirks back at him. "The strongest Supernatural Investigator, who no one has ever seen before…?"

"What's wrong, Sniper?" Hexley asks with a smirk. "Not pleased with the man whose position you're gunnin' for?"

"How much do you know about me…?" Sniper growls.

"I know enough," Hexley answers, still smirking. "Chief keeps me in the loop."

"You seem…young for our Ace," Sniper comments.

"I found him a little after I found you," Faustus explains, causing Sniper to raise an eyebrow.

"Found…?" Kardos softly asks herself.

"I wasn't cutting it as the potential Ace, so you went and found yourself a new toy from God, is that it?" Sniper asks as he stands up to face Faustus.

"You are correct," Faustus answers with an innocent smile. "However, I hope this doesn't strain our relationship. I still care for you very much."

"Not at all," Sniper replies. "You still are, and always will be, my benefactor."

"I'm tired o' talkin'!" Hexley interrupts as he punches a fist into his hand while making his way towards the front of the group. "What have you got for me today, Chief?"

 "You mean…he's joining us on this mission?!" Kardos exclaims.

"Yes," Faustus answers. "This will be a difficult mission. Therefore, I have selected my top two units as well as the Ace Investigator for this mission, Sniper and Kardos, Smith and Gaumond, and Agent Hexley."

"Top two, eh…?" Smith smugly comments.

"Our Intelligence Department has deduced that a powerful group of supernatural creatures known as the Twelve Zodiacs are storming the East Woods," Faustus explains. "According to the Intelligence Department, the East Woods have been sealed off for centuries, but the Zodiacs have a way to break said seal. It is rumored that there are ancient magics lying within the East Woods that we don't want the Zodiacs to get their hands on, and so, we must go stop them."

"Yes, Chief," the group replies.

"Their known members are as follows," Faustus continues. "Cancer, a Bigfoot, Capricorn, a Wendigo, Libra, a Witch, Virgo, and Ogre, Scorpio and Leo, the Rogue Brothers, and their leader, Sagittarius…"

***

"So this is the headquarters of the Supernatural Investigators, huh?" Raiden asks as he and Circe peer up at the sprawling campus before them.

"It's huge!" Circe comments.

"Are we…supposed to just go in…?" Raiden nervously asks.

"I don't see why not!" Circe chipperly answers.

"Alright, then how should we do thi-?" Raiden begins to ask, but he's interrupted when he sees Circe stroll up to the front doors of the headquarters. "Circe, wait-!" Raiden cries, but it's too late, as Circe shoves the doors of the Supernatural Investigators Headquarters open.

"Hel-loooo!!!" Circe sings, and instantly, all eyes are on her. Raiden facepalms, then hustles after the witch. "We're from Reaper's Paranormal!" Circe continues as she looks around the lobby of the headquarters with a smile. "You guys know us, right? The Witch and Wizard couple always hanging around your Reaper target? Well…we need to speak with the Chief right now! It's important!"

"Oh no…" Raiden sighs.

***

As Evelyn and I make our way towards the North Woods, I can't help but snicker to myself.

"What is it?" Evelyn asks.

"I bet Raiden is totally freaking out about something wild Circe is doing right now!" I answer

***

As Chief Faustus explains what the leader of the Zodiacs is, everyone's eyes widen, even Hexley's.

 "No way, a-" Sniper begins to say, but he's cut off when the com on Faustus' landline buzzes.

"Yes?" Faustus asks as she presses a button and leans into her com.

"W-we have a g-guest here f-for you, Chief Faustus!" The voice on the other end stammers. "Is it important? I'm busy right now."

"Very."

Faustus sighs. "Send them up."

 The investigators wait for a moment, and then, after a little bit, a woman in purple bursts through the doors of Faustus' office with a beaming smile. "Whooo!!!" The woman whistles. "So this is your headquarters? Sweet!"

"C-Crice!" A boy in blue stammers as she rushes into the office after Circe.

"S-sorry, Chief Faustus!" The receptionist stammers as she rushes in as well.

"I thought you told me that you were sending them up now?" Faustus sighs as she pinches the bridge of her nose.

"N-no, actually…I made the call on my way up," the receptionist answers with a nervous laugh as she rubs the back of her head.

The four investigators' eyes all widen.

"W-wait a minute!" Sniper exclaims as he jumps out of his seat then draws his dual revolvers, before spinning around to face Circe and Raiden as he aims his revolvers at them. Kardos, Smith, and Gaumond jump out of their seats then aim their weapons at Circe and Raiden as well.

"W-woah!" Circe cries as she holds her hands up in surrender. "We're just here to talk!"

"Sniper, Kardos, Smith, Gaumond?" Faustus asks. "Do you…know these two?"

"All too well…" Sniper growls as he keeps his revolvers trained on Circe and Raiden, who hold their hands up in the air. "These two…are with the Reaper."

Faustus' eyes widen.

"Pathetic…" Hexley grumbles as he takes a step towards Circe and Raiden, who flinch and take a step backwards in response.

"Circe, do you sense that?!" Raiden whisper-shouts to the witch.

"That overwhelming presence?" Circe answers. "Yeah!"

"You let these two just waltz up in there and do whatever you want…" Hexley growls as he takes another step towards Circe and Raiden, causing them to flinch again. "Despite them being allied with one of your greatest enemies…" Hexley says as he continues approaching Circe and Raiden, but once he's standing before the two, he simply walks straight through them, passing on by to the receptionist behind them, who looks up at Hexley and flinches.

"H-huh…?" She asks.

Hexley stops before the woman. "And what if this was an attack on Chief Faustus' life…?" Hexley growls. "HOW STUPID CAN YOU BE?!" Without another word, Hexley's palm begins glowing with a golden life as he swiftly reaches out and palm's the receptionist's face, before she has a chance to react. The woman begins screaming in pain as a sadistic smirk creeps across Hexley's lips, as whatever light is emitting from his palm sears the woman's flesh.

Faustus watches for a moment, then barks: "Hexley!"

"But they could have killed y-" Hexley begins to say as he turns and peers over at Faustus, but when he sees her scowl, Hexley sighs as he turns back to face the receptionist then lets go of her face, causing the woman to drop to the ground and writhe in pain, clutching the newly-disfigured and scorched skin of her face.

"Sorry, Chief!" Hexley exclaims as he spins around to face Faustus, returning back to his chipper self. "I just got worried since you coulda been hurt, that's all!"

"That's quite alright," Faustus replies with an exasperated smile.

Sniper's eyes widen. "This is the Ace Investigator…?" He asks himself under his breath.

Circe and Raiden's eyes widen as well. "Who's good idea was it to come here…?" Circe trembles, causing Raiden to sigh.

"You two, who are aligned with the Reaper-!" Faustus begins to exclaim, and Raiden's eyes flinch as he notices Faustus' hand slowly creeping towards the trigger hanging from her belt. "-What have you come here for! Your reasoning had better be good, or else…I'll take your heads!"

Raiden's and Circe's eyes widen as they look to one another, then back towards Faustus, and begin stammering away in a panic.

"Z-Zach told us to come-!

 "T-team up-!"

"THE-Twelve Zodiacs-!"

"Reaper's are being killed-!"

"Hault!" Faustus booms as she holds a fist up, and instantly, Raiden and Circe shit their mouths and salute their new Chief, like two pristine soldiers. "You…mentioned the Twelve Zodiacs? What do you know about them?!"

"T-they're a group of powerful Supernatural Creatures who are trying to kill Reapers!" Circe exclaims.

"We were told to stop them, and to do so, we were also told to come here to team up with you!" Raiden adds.

"I see…" Faustus mutters as she puts a hand to her chin. "And who told you to come here?"

Raiden and Circe glance at one another, before turning back to Faustus. "W-we can't tell you," Circe stammers.

"Chief…?" Sniper asks.

"Stand down, everyone," Faustus orders as she holds a hand out and lowering her own hand away from the tigger hanging from a belt, while still keeping her eyes trained on Raiden and Circe, and Sniper, Kardos, Smith, and Gaumond exchange apprehensive glances before hesitantly lowering their weapons. "How do you plan to stop the Zodiacs?" Faustus asks.

"We were given a map that has the location of three of their members," Circe explains. "Our friends are heading to two of them now."

"Well, we have information that suggests that the Zodiacs are headed to the East Woods," Faustus smugly replies, as if she's trying to best Reaper's Paranormal.

"Chief?" Hexley asks.

"It's alright, Hexley," Fautus replies as she turns and peers over her shoulder at the agent. "We share a common enemy." Hexley frowns as Faustus turns to face Raiden and Circe again. "So you want to team up?" She asks.

"Err…yeah!" Circe answers. "Let's team up!"

"Interesting…" Faustus replies. "Well then, why don't we?"

"Really?!" Circe asks, sparkles lighting up in her eyes.

"Sort of," Faustus smirks. "We have our information, and you have ours. So, I find it best if we split up. I will send my agents to the East Village, while your little group can go play around with your three targets."

"That doesn't sound like teaming up," Circe pouts.

"Well I don't suppose that you would want to give away the location of your Reaper friend, which we are actively trying to kill?" Faustus smirks. "This way, you can do your thing, and we do ours. We won't work together exactly, but if we run into the Reaper, then we won't be hostile." Faustus notices Sniper flinch out of the corner of her eye. "Right, Sniper?" Faustus asks, causing the investigator to flinch.

"R-right!" He stammers.

Kardos stifles a giggles.

Circe opens her mouth to reply, but Raiden interrupts. "That wouldn't be wise," he says.

"I thought not," Faustus smiles. "Alright, agents!" Faustus booms as she turns around to face Sniper, Kardos, Smith, Gaumond, and Hexley. "Our target is the East Woods, let's move out!"

"Yes, Chief!" The agents boom.

"They seem…so much more organized than us…" Circe whispers.

"Mh-hm!" Raiden nods.

Faustus turns around again, but just then, before the group can step out of her office, they hear a savage roar come from the lobby, followed by a crash and then some screams.

"Wh-what is that?!" Circe cries.

"I'll check it out!" Hexley replies as his body begins to emit a golden-white light before taking off towards the stairs.

"Sniper and Kardos, Smith and Gaumond, follow him!" Faustus orders as she swipes a hand towards them. "I'll stay here, as is my duties as the Chief of the Supernatural Investigators!"

"Right!" The four investigators answer as they take off after Hexley.

Raiden and Circe, however, look at one another, shrug, then (talk their time) walking over to the elevator.

Meanwhile, Sniper, Kardos, Smith, and Gaumond reach the lobby of the Supernatural Investigators Headquarters, where they spot a creature around twelve feet tall rampaging through the lobby. The creature has the calves, legs, and hooves of a deer that was attached to a small and thin torso covered in brown fur with its skeletal ribs and organs showing. The creature has abnormally lanky arms that each end in three claws. The creature's arms are so long that it could touch the ground without squatting over. As for its head, the creature has a deer shaped head with large, jagged horns and fangs rather than regular deer teeth. The creature has glowing yellow eyes and its fur was stained with blood.

"Wh-what is it…?" Kardos gags as she stumbles backwards a step. Meanwhile, after taking the elevator, Raiden and Circe sneak out through a side door, not trying to get caught up in the investigators' mess.

"It's a Wendigo," Hexley grumbles. "Savage creatures who were originally human. A wendigo is born when a human has to resort to cannibalism to survive. As for abilities, where wendigos lack in intelligence or any sort of reasoning or processing powers, they make up for it with their enhanced strength, speed, and senses, being naturally far stronger than your average supernatural creature. The main power of a wendigo is that in order to feast, it can absorb the life force of living organisms that it can get its hands on. Whether it be a human, an animal, or even a plant. So this… must be Capricorn." Hexley smirks once he notices Kardos' reaction. "Gross, huh?"

"Do you need help?" Sniper asks as he reaches to his two revolvers dangling at his hip.

"Nah," Hexley answers as he rolls up his sleeves. "I'll be done in a second."

"A-are you sure…?" Kardos stammers. "It looks strong…"

Hexley turns around to face the four investigators and smirks. "They don't call me the "Ace" for a reason," he replies. "You guys can go on ahead. It's my duty to protect and serve the Chief."

"Right," Sniper nods, and then he, Kardos, Smith, and Gaumond take off towards the East Woods.

Hexley then turns around to face Capricorn as he holds a hand into the air, and instantly, glowing blades of golden-white light appear around Hexley's hand.

"LET'S DANCE!"