Maria POV
Longinus is the name of the spear passed down through our lineage. From the records I got in the Angel clan, it was a spear used to stab the body of our Lord. Though I never dwelled on their beliefs.
My Mom always told me how powerful the weapon was and advised me on how to wield it so as not to get consumed by its power.
Sorry, Mom. I failed.
Summoning the power of the spear, which brought a light I couldn't fathom on me. It was so thick and chaotic that I couldn't breathe.
But I had a goal. Despite the light that could blind my superior eyesight, I could still see the box. Correction… feel.
[Teleport]
I connected to Liam through the mind link, requesting that he should leave the place.
[What of you?]
He said, hesitating to follow my words.
[I can make it out of here on my own. Unlike you, this light does not affect me negatively.]
I commented, feeling the burden my act placed on his body through the link.
I had to suppress the power with all my might to avoid hurting him—and I couldn't hold on for long.
It was clear he didn't want to leave without me, which I appreciate. But, he had to go.
[I won't be able to draw more power with you here. So please, leave!]
[Alright. Meet me in the Meadow]
He said. Another of our catchphrases—one that signified our desire to arrive at the same point in time.
[See you at the Meadow]
Saying those last words, I watched as Liam vanished.
Now all that was left of me is to get the box. And to do that, I need Jasper focused on my weapon.
Using the authority I had over Longinus, I suspended it in space.
I could aim it at Jasper and hope for damage to be done to him. But, what of his companions? It would be unfruitful to take that route.
Leaving Longinus behind, I moved forward, heading for where I felt the box. Even as an Angel, the light seemed suffocating. I wonder how Liam felt.
It was a hard walk but it was worth it. I navigated the bright landscape, suddenly feeling the box in my grasp.
A smirk manifested on my face at that moment as I took it from the source.
"You?!" Jasper's pained voice echoed in my ears.
His skin had been peeled off, leaving a shadow of the man he truly was. Now I don't regret taking the risk, even though it kills me.
"Good for you," I commented, activating the teleportation array engraved on my palm.
"I'll kill you!!!"
Those were the last words I heard as my focus changed. I was no longer on a barren road, instead, I was in a vegetation landscape. The greenery brought an inexplicable feeling to me.
"Maria!"
Rushing to me, was Liam, his entirety looking haggard.
"I tried communicating with Stiles, but there was no reply," Liam said in haste, his trembling visible.
The box in my hand felt weightless at that moment. There were only a few reasons for Liam not to answer our call.
Either he was angry with us, or he had another of his episodes, or he was not at home.
The first was doable. But, the rest…
I gulped down as I walked to the Pagoda, praying to my god to help me out.
"Stiles?!" I called out, placing my palm on the Pagoda exterior. "I know you are inside. Can you please let us in?"
I don't know why I decided to say those words. I just felt it was the right thing to do—to get to him.
"I'm willing to share everything with you.
Why do we always leave?
Why do you have to stay here, alone?
Why can't you be among your peers?
Why can't you go to a public school?
Why do you always get sick?
Everything—I'm willing to answer all your questions."
I could feel Liam's gaze on my back. He didn't seem to disapprove of what I was doing. Instead, it felt like he was rooting for me.
"I–I'm over here!"
I could hear his voice now. It sounded frail.
The Pagoda did not block us from entering after Stiles' reply.
On entering the room he was located in, I released a gasp. "Stiles!"
His body was covered in intricate drawings, the energy in the room convulsing.
"I can't control it, Mom." He said in trepidation. "It is taking over my body."
I had journeyed the world searching for a way to stop this. After his birth, Stiles' body kept degrading, and situations like this arose as he got closer to his death.
The energy in his body went on a rampage, taking control of his senses—his feelings.
"You can do it, baby. You just have to repeat the breathing exercise I taught you." I tried to reassure him.
"No, Mom. Don't come any closer. I might hurt you." Stiles said. "I always felt you left me because of my episodes. What a fool I was."
"No, Stiles. It's not your fault." I smiled, approaching him slowly.
[Get the medication!]
I used the link to notify Liam on what to do. I have to give him the medication before placing this piece on his body.
"It's my fault, baby. I never bothered to share the truth with you. But after this, I can promise you a happy life. One where we do all things as a family."
It was all a lie. I could not give what I do not possess. But hope exists when there is life. So I'm willing to make these promises.
"Really."
"Yes, baby."
Stiles always tried to act strong, mature, and smart, but he was still a kid. A naive one at that.
I could see the hope that lit in his multi-colored eyes. It was a horrible act on my part; lying to him.
"I found it!" Liam's voice came from my back as he handed a medical kit to me.
Opening it, I took out a syringe and a needle, immediately assembling it to fit my purpose. The box contained only one filled bottle of the serum I needed.
I'll need to look for more if this piece doesn't fix the problem… I thought as I took everything into the syringe.
"You will have to relax as much as you can, baby," I said to Stiles, continuing my movement to him.
"It's going to be alright."