Adrian threw on a sleeveless black leather vest over his red and black striped t-shirt. He adjusted the belt holding up his black skinny jeans and put on his necklace with a tiny key attached to the chain. He was ready to go. He then turned around and saw Victoria brushing her hair. She wore a black fishnet crop top, black and white checkered mini skirt with fishnets underneath and a black choker with a heart locket. After applying her makeup she faced Adrian and nodded. He nodded back. It was time to leave.

Gathered outside the Lincoln Memorial was an enormous crowd of people chatting and eagerly anticipating the president's latest speech. Several police officers had barricaded the lawns to the sides, the bottom of the stairs to the monument and the back lot near the Washington Monument. Some news crews had set up in positions to broadcast as well. The podium and speakers to provide surround sound were already set up. Six government agents in black suits all stood on either side of the podium while they waited. Behind them stood White House staff members. Victoria and Adrian had arrived very early on and secured a spot close up front right where the barricades were placed. The many voices traveling throughout the air was giving Adrian a headache. She glanced around briefly taking particular notice at the heavy security.

"The police presence here is bigger then usually seen with these speeches. You notice that?" Victoria asked tugging on Adrian's sleeve.

"Yeah. It's crazy. I'm worried about what will happen though." Adrian replied.

The doors to the Lincoln Monument opened up and the crowd started to quiet down. Victoria and Adrian focused their attention ahead. Stepping out and approaching the podium was Natalia and Madison. Their appearance got the crowd excited and started clapping. They both waved gallantly at the crowd with Madison taking center stage at the podium first. She cleared her throat and tapped the center microphone. Three microphones were hooked up to the podium.

"Greetings fellow citizens. Vice President Madison Weathers here. Thank you all for coming today. I know that the president not too long ago had already spoken to all of you regarding many topics of interest such as the Cleansing Act and the handling of the strange beasts appearing all over the nation in rural areas. But today she wishes to discuss something else. I will go ahead and say my part of this so that she can speak. The progress made from the time the Cleansing Act was enacted has been nothing short of significant to put it lightly. Millions of citizens have seen the reparations of areas that had been eroding with economic drought and high crime. Our prisons have been filling up with the criminals taken off of the streets and because of that, many cities have become much safer because of the Cleansing Act. The National Guard has been hard at work protecting us from the strange beasts. We are unsure how to fully deal with this ongoing crisis even as we are halting it as much as possible but talks are being made on how to contain the crisis. The economy has been gradually improving thanks to the Cleansing Act as well as the relationships President Emerson has been keeping strong with our foreign allies and the decisions being made by the Cabinet relating to issues that have been needing focus. Rest assured to everyone here, the state of the nation has been looking up. I would like to go over key details in regards to the future ahead of us but that will have to be saved for another time. Now President Emerson will come to speak. Thank you all for your time."

Thunderous applause erupted from the crowd as Madison waved once more then stepped down. She patted Natalia on the shoulder as she stepped forward and approached the podium herself. Her scarlet eyes scanned the crowd for a moment. Victoria took particular notice of the color of her eyes.

"I forgot how beautiful yet intimidating she is." Adrian murmured. Victoria elbowed him in the side. "Ow hey! I-I mean, she's not as beautiful as you though babe." He chuckled, rubbing her shoulder.

"Sorry. You're not wrong about her though... She is something else. Just look at those eyes of hers..." Victoria said subtly pointing at Natalia. Adrian focused on her and nodded.

"Are red eyes like that even natural? I think I remember reading something about that once. Uh, albinism or something?"

"Whatever the case, according to the words of Hastur... That's the Harbinger."

Natalia clasped her hands together and closed her eyes for a moment. She remained silent. The people in the audience were confused but eager regardless to hear her speak. One of the agents muttered something into his earpiece. Natalia opened her eyes back up and cleared her throat. Her hands grabbed the sides of the podium as she prepared to speak. Victoria and Adrian held their breath as the entire crowd had gone completely silent. Everyone's attention was focused on Natalia now.

"My fellow Americans... Times have been changing significantly. Our government has been making swift strides to improve the many issues plaguing this country. Recently you've all been seeing the change being brought about by the Cleansing Act so I do not feel the need to bring it up at this time as miss Weathers had already gone over those details. No instead today I am here to deliver a message. A message not only for all of you, but also the entire world watching this speech. Everywhere it seems that strange and unusual phenomenon has been rapidly growing and so has the concern of the people in those places. Well, what I am about to tell you all should educate your minds on what is happening. What I am about to disclose may make me sound like I'm mentally insane and I assure you as your leader that everything I say is of the truth. On the night of my inauguration my mind felt... Conflicted. My emotions were rampant. This was not an illness nor a mental health concern that suddenly overcame me. Rather a... Voice of unknown origin that spoke to me. I didn't fully comprehend this. It spoke to me and I received an abundance of knowledge that I myself had to spend many months studying to understand. Now as I stand here today, I come to deliver the message given to me that faithful night. This year of twenty-thirty... Is our last year on this planet..."

People started murmuring to themselves now once she had paused for a brief moment. Madison hid her anxiety with a serious expression. Victoria and Adrian were locked in to hearing her out.

"...According to a divine prophecy weaved into our history from unknown origins, this is the year fated to be the end of humanity as we know it. The widespread claims of strange, paranormal and terrifying activity plaguing thousands of people around the world backs up the truth that our reality as a whole has been falling apart. The end is here. Humanity has destroyed this planet we call Earth. Our home. And now we will be punished for our sins. For when the black moon rises in the skies tonight... The fall will come. Consider this my warning to you all. Time has run thin and soon we will be eradicated from existence through the divine intervention from the gods of the cosmos. As much as I wish for this to have been a false claim... The signs have all been there. People vanishing. Tears in reality forming out of nowhere. Creatures not of this world appearing and attacking us. Open up your eyes and listen to the truth I speak. We have but little time to prepare for what is to come. Underneath the Washington Monument, a massive bunker funded by the wealthy has completed construction. Those who wish to seek shelter may head for the buses and trucks arriving at this time. Do what you must. Say your goodbyes. Pray to whatever God you believe in. Make your amends. For soon this world will be reborn once the fall comes at midnight... Thank you all for listening to me deliver this final speech. It has been an honor being your president. I will be seeking sanctuary before the cosmic rapture comes."

Natalia waves and steps away from the podium. Victoria and Adrian were in complete shock as were many other people. Her words struck deep as the mass of people started to react. Screams cried out. Angry shouts and yells belted out. Several white buses and large military transport trucks started to arrive from behind where the crowd had gathered as waves of people pushed and shoved to pass the barricades. Police officers were shouting to calm down the riled up crowd. Natalia grabbed Madison's hand and they headed back inside as a large helicopter flew overhead and descended down to the ground behind the Lincoln Memorial. The agents all followed suit. With the police officers distracted by the rampant pedestrians shoving and fighting to get out, Adrian saw this opportunity to jump the barricade and reached his hand out to Victoria. She grabbed it and jumped over as well. The two sprinted up the stairs as fast as their breath could take them. Police officers were running down the stairs to go assist the ones fighting against the crowd, nightsticks and tasers in hand. Upon reaching the top of the stairs standing near the statue of Abraham Lincoln were two agents with their guns drawn. They noticed Victoria and Adrian heading their way and aimed at them.

"Hey! Stop right there you two! How did you get up here??" One agent shouted. Victoria and Adrian put their hands up as the agents inched closer. Victoria felt a sharp pain in the back of her head suddenly. Her heart was pounding even faster. Whispering through her ears a voice echoed;

"Child of the bloodline... Let nothing stand in thou's way. The Harbinger is retreating to sanctuary. Thou must hurry. The time hath come forth for thou to require thy own assistance. Remove thine obstacles and press onward, child."

Victoria grabbed her head and started screaming, falling to her knees as her entire body started to ache with a great pain. Adrian looked at her and his eyes went wide. The agents halted and lowered their guns.

"What the fuck is going on with her?!" The agent said. The other agent shrugged his shoulders. "Hey calm down! I won't hurt you young lady!"

Victoria bit her tongue, fighting hard through the pain as she placed her hands on the ground, panting and sweating profusely, lifting her head up to look at the guards. The solid floor beneath them started to tremble and shake. Suddenly, a set of dimensional rifts opened up on either side of the agents. Emerging up from the void condensed inside these void tears, were sets of monstrous black tendrils with yellow tips that changed to a shade of blue as they swiftly constricted the agents and slammed them down onto the floor. Adrian jumped back, nearly pissing himself from the shock. The tendrils then unwrapped themselves from the agents and retreated into the rifts before closing shut. Victoria collected herself and stood up, breathing heavily and wiping the sweat from her forehead.

"V-Victoria...?" Adrian whimpered. Victoria turned around to look at him. Her pupils were dilated briefly before shifting back to normal. She extended her hand to him.

"I...I don't know what I just did but... But we need to go." She answered. Adrian just nodded and took her hand. The two began to run into the building past the two unconscious agents but not before Adrian cautiously grabbed one of their guns and sheathed it inside his leather vest.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

The interior of the memorial was empty. So Victoria and Adrian just gunned it for one of the back doors and went on through it. By the time they had ran through the back rooms and made it out to the other side they saw down on the back lot, Natalia and Madison stepping onto the helicopter along with the remaining agents. The door shut and the helicopter started to take off. Adrian slammed his foot down in frustration. Victoria gently grabbed his shoulder.

"They must be heading to the White House. So that's where we need to go." She suggested.

"Shit. Well we need to head back to your car then. We should be clear since the crowd has all the police distracted." Adrian replied.

"Yeah... Let's go then."

Standing just outside the tunnel leading to the bunker, Joseph Carter started to receive a phone call. He answered it right away.

"Hello?"

"Hey it's Peter. I'll be heading out there soon. I'm in the car getting a ride to the airport. People are going insane over here in Los Angeles."

"I..I see. It seems the president's speech really did sting everybody huh?"

"You're telling me. I figured the public wouldn't take too kindly to hearing their leader declare the end of the world."

"This was the predictable outcome. The rest of the kabbalah are already here minus Laurie and Omari who should be here any minute. Any clue where Laurie is at?"

"She called me earlier. Said she'd be there later this evening."

"Oh good. I can already hear the masses causing an uproar in the distance. This is turning out to be quite chaotic but given the circumstances I can see why."

"Right. Something is going on up ahead. Police cars just whizzed right by us. Fuck! Make sure my room is nice and secured alright? What the hell is going on...?"

Peter then hung up. Joseph sighed. He looked up as the first white bus full of people had arrived. He got a glimpse at the ones looking out of the windows. Their expressions showed fear and anxiety. It made him feel rather painful to see just how frightened they all looked.

After a few minutes a black sedan pulled up. Stepping out if it dressed in expensive cultural garb was Omari. Joseph waved at him. He peered inside the car and saw a woman and two children in the backseat. Omari approached him and shook his hand.

"Mister Carter. Good to see you again friend." He said.

"Good to see you too. That your family in there?" Joseph replied.

"Yes. My beautiful wife and two lovely children are in there. We flew all the way from Seychelles in Africa to get here but finally made it. I assume our lodging is ready?"

"Yes sir. Someone will guide you there."

"Excellent. Oh may God save us all..."

Omari cupped his hands together and bowed before returning to the car. Joseph silently watched it drive down into the tunnel. Now all he could do was wait for the rest of his group to make it. The sun was already beginning to set and he was worried.

"Everyone... It is almost time. Please follow me in an orderly fashion to the ritual room and prepare yourselves."

The words of Vincent had pulled the followers right out of their seats like puppet strings and they silently followed him upstairs. He pulled out the key to the door and opened it up, turning the lights on. The followers all poured into the room and sat down in a circle. Vincent lit the candles one-by-one while catching glimpses of the smiles all across his follower's faces, bringing a smile to his own face. Once the candles were lit he took the book and the knife and stood before everyone.

"Now, each of you please extend an arm out inside the circle. We shall draw blood in preparation for the ritual then I will kill the lights and begin speaking from the book. Come now." Vincent stated.

Each of the followers pulled their sleeve up and put an arm out. Vincent carefully started to gently cut into the arms individually. Small trickles of blood seeped from the wounds before the arm would lower and the sleeve was put back down. After Vincent had finished bloodletting the arms of his followers he shut the light off and took a seat, drawing his own blood into the circle then setting the knife down and opening the book up. He turned to a page he had bookmarked and studied the words carefully before he would speak them.

"C' ah'azanafl geb llll fahf n'ghftyar ot fated n'ghftog yogshugg, l' l' uln ymg' c' beloved goddess ot cosmos, fhalgof'n ot throdogog r'luhhor. Rejoice Iiahe c' goka yogor c' gn'th'bthnk l' ymg' Iiahe vulgtmor l' ymg' tharanak l' c'. Heed c' beck ng ph' uln c' uln! grace c' llll ymg' presence! hup nafl'fhtagn shogg ot yhe ng ascend l' c' orr'enah shuggog! c' l' uln beautiful ng almighty deity! nog cthylla!"

The room was silent for a brief moment. Vincent just looked at the ritual circle as the symbol on the floor started to glow. He glanced around the room and stood up.

"Everyone... Let us journey to the shores. I feel a... Presence awakening inside of me. I think the ritual worked..."

Out in the Atlantic Ocean, a large white yacht gleaming with bright neon lights and loud, booming music playing through the surround sound sat motionless. Onboard the yacht were dozens of people. Some were standing around drinking cocktails, others were swimming in the pool or lounging in the hot tub. Chattering amongst them was the yacht's wealthy owner, a bald man with a gray mustache dressed in an expensive white suit. The CEO of a law firm enterprise by the name of Larry Lockhorn. He sipped on a lime cocktail as he spoke to a few other business owners.

"I am so glad we are miles away from those peasants losing their minds over some ridiculous speech. The president has lost her damn mind. I dare say she should be impeached for spreading such nonsense!" Larry spat.

"Agreed one-hundred-percent my good friend! To think some of my own colleagues took her words to heart seriously. Absolutely ludicrous if I say so myself." One of the other men stated.

"How sad. I will say I have been thoroughly impressed with her efforts to clean up this country from that poverty-stricken filth. Running drugs and shooting people over petty squabbles. I do hope she snaps out of whatever trance she is in and stops with the nonsense she has been spouting." The other man said before sipping on his cocktail.

As the wealthy men jaunted about the deck, the waters beneath the yacht started to shift and flow. Larry could feel it and looked out over the railing towards the seemingly endless ocean. The waters only grew more unstable with each passing second. Other people took notice and started to head for the sides to look out at the ocean. Comments of growing concerns could be heard amongst the chatter. Larry set his glass down on the deck, seeing it's contents wavering around inside the glass. He looked back up at the waters.

"What is happening? There was no reports of any storms or high winds. Why is the boat starting to rock?" He asked. His two friends just shrugged their shoulders.

The waters grew more unstable. Waves started to flow in the ocean as if an earthquake was underway. The yacht was rocking with more intensity now, forcing those on the sides to grab the railings. From out in the distance, a massive wave was forming. Larry's eyes grew wide. He pointed out in the distance.

"Out there!" He shouted.

The tides were shifting with a furious vigor and intensity now at this point. Over the yacht's intercom a voice started speaking with a panicked tone:

"Attention all residents! We seem to be experiencing what feels like an earthquake under the ocean! Everyone must seek a safe place inside at once! This is not... Wait, w-what the hell?!"

The voice cut off as the waves in the distance were now as tall as the tallest point on the yacht itself and flowing at a rapid pace. Something big was rising from underneath the sea. A silhouette could be seen emerging from behind the waves. Suddenly a set of six glowing red eyes shot opened up on the silhouette. It appeared to be a head. Following this a set of shoulders could be seen emerging with the head. People onboard the yacht started screaming upon being met with it's piercing gaze. Some even started jumping off into the ocean. Larry's jaw dropped.

"Th..This is not an earthquake! Abandon ship at once! Head for the emergency boats at once!" The voice over the intercom shouted.

People started to run in a state of panic. One of Larry's friends grabbed his arm and yanked him away from the railing. They started running but his eyes were locked onto the thing emerging from the ocean. Several long tendrils dangled from below where the eyes were. By this time half of it's body had already risen. It had a red-bodied, black-ringed humanoid figure complete with what appeared to be breasts covered up from the face tendrils. It had at least eight arms in total, each with several claws. By this point it's full upper torso was now seen. The creature towered hundreds of feet up from the ocean. A set of small bat-like wings unfolded from behind it's back and stretched out over the sea. The people onboard were flailing about and struggling to maintain balance amidst the shifting tides. One of the emergency boats had already detached and was making way for the shore nearby. Larry was stuck in place with his friend tugging on his arm as they stood near the second emergency boat.

"Come on! We need to leave now!!" He shouted. "Get..in..the..fucking..boat!"

Before Larry was about to be pushed forcefully into the boat, the gargantuan creature lifted it's arms and tilted it's head up slightly before letting out a sharp, painful, lengthy ear-piercing cry that echoed many miles away. Larry, his friend and the other people all cupped their ears and were brought to their knees. Their screams and shrieks cried out. Larry felt his own mind beginning to melt, unable to stop looking at the towering behemoth. He started coughing up blood then fell to the floor of the deck with blood seeping from his ears. His eyes rolled in the back of his head and his consciousness had faded away. The creature had begun slowly moving and making it's way towards the yacht and even further towards the shore. The massive waves would eventually consume the yacht and all of it's ill-fated passengers.

Vincent and his followers all stepped out of the limousine and ran towards the long deck strewn out across the shore. They could faintly see the giant creature towering in the distance over the sea getting closer at a snails pace. Vincent stretched his arms out to stop all of them at the edge of the docks and pointed outwards. The follower's all focused their attention on the behemoth with waves flowing beneath it. The darkened skies above boomed with loud claps of thunder. The followers were all mumbling to themselves in awe at the sight they were witnessing. A wide and bright smile came to Vincent's face. His heart was pounding inside his chest and he felt butterflies in his stomach.

"The fall encroaches. And at long last after years of worship and prayer... She's here. Our beautiful Cthylla is finally here..." He murmured to himself, shedding a single tear.