Liam POV
"Till the end," I said with a smile.
I could tell by her expression that she was lost in thoughts. Ever since Maria got pregnant, she became a different woman—always thinking about the future of our kid.
Though I found it excessive at times, I still respected her point of view. After all, she carried him for months in her womb—something I couldn't relate to.
If our plans go wrong, we usually separated to meet at home. Guess that would be the line of action if things went wrong today.
Not letting me dwell on my thoughts was the sound of an approaching vehicle.
"Oi Oi. Seems he was right after all." A voice came from within the vehicle. "The angel and demon standing before my transport vehicle, all for an item I consider worthless."
The vehicle came to a halt as a male strode down from its inner. "Won't you say hi…
To your deaths."
A hideous grin appeared on his face as he stared at us as if we were his prey.
I could feel my scalp go numb in trepidation. He is strong... Those were the only thoughts I could muster.
How can he be so strong? Isn't he supposed to be a Count of a neighboring City?
"Shocked? Ha ha ha." He slapped his thigh, releasing a loud burst of laughter. "Too bad… I'm not your ordinary Count."
"Liam, concentrate," Maria said, not letting her fear take over. "Remember?"
She was right, I'm not supposed to give up without a fight. The protocols we worked on could help us out of this. It's running, then…
That was what I thought until he brought out a box that dilated my pupils.
I understand his aim—the carrot and stick method. Now I'm sure Maria won't back down, neither can I.
"Maria!" I called out, drawing her back to reality. "He is strong and still has support in the vehicle. We can't win."
"How would you know?!" She snapped at me, her eyes focused on the box that held everything she wanted.
I was about to try my best in convincing her when the male spoke out. "Look at how low you have fallen. Maria Michael, who would have become the Angel clan next ruler.
And Liam Abnegazar, who would have ruled over the demons."
His words were like a hot iron pressing on my skin. A past that I was sure would follow me to the present and possibly, the future.
"What do you want?" I asked, knowing there was no turning back.
Before he had only addressed us as angel and demon. Now he had called us by our name. There is no doubting it, he knows who we are.
"As I said, your death." His aloof voice echoed through the deserted road.
Looking at Maria, I could tell she won't leave without the box.
"Who sent you?" Maria asked all of a sudden. "You don't seem to be that idle to pick on children."
"Now you see me as some old man." He said with a sigh. "Not like I can deny that, anyway."
As always, Maria's intuition was right. Appearance didn't matter much as any strong person could alter their appearance to some extent. Though in a world so big, there must be exceptions.
Looking at my and Maria's expression, he released a dejected sigh. "Since you are going down, I'll tell you a secret.
The current leader of your clans requested I eliminate both of you for a good price. The child isn't an exception—that's if he still lives."
Tightening the grip on her spear, Maria launched it in the male direction at full velocity. The spear trajectory was so perfect, that its acceleration increased as it moved.
But to my dismay, it got swatted like a fly to his left. "Good shot indeed. Worthy of being the next ruler of the Angel clan."
Not wasting a second, I nocked an arrow on my bow, aiming straight for his head.
Fuushh
Letting go of the arrow, the sound of metal slashing through air resistance could be heard. I didn't want to take chances, so I continued my attack by placing more arrows on my bow.
"Now you guys are making me feel bad. What a waste it will be to kill off such potential." He said, wistfully.
"At least, you guys should know my name, my real name." He said as the dust settled.
"I go by Jasper the treasurer." He said. "I'll make sure to treasure your entire being."
His movement was so impeccable. I couldn't detect any fault in all the steps he made toward me. It was like knowing the future but having no power to change its course.
Clank
I didn't know when it happened, but Maria was before me with her spear held out. Weapons were made with certain characteristics that helped the user wield them better.
From the little knowledge I had of her spear, I knew she could retract the spear and also compress or decompress it. I guess the physicists refer to this as 'Young's modulus'.
"Don't make me regret falling for you. Act like a man and fight!" She yelled, not daring to take her eyes off the enemy aka Jasper.
"I would have never imagined you got such energy, girl," Jasper said in jest. "Won't lie. I love unknown variables."
Maria had proved herself through her actions. As the male, I should be the one defending her. Though she has always warned me about such a mindset; looking at females as something to be protected.
Tightening my grip around the bow, I released a small sigh. "We'll have to work as a team, Maria. That's if we want to get the box and leave this place alive."
It's time to go all out. There is no use holding back. As I had this thought, my bow glowed with a strange light, intricate drawings appearing on its surface.
[King of Archery]
I could feel my muscles twitch as they contracted and expanded in a continuous circle, the words 'King of Archery' sounding like music to my ears.
"One shot!"
Everything happened within seconds, from my power activation to the current shot I was about to take.
I didn't need to bring out a physical arrow as one made purely of elemental energy manifested in my hands, its density increasing as I stretched the bowstring.
'Let's do this, my love!' I yelled within the confines of my mind, ready for whatever was to come.