Maria POV
Through the Pagoda systems, I could get an overview of the situation. There were currently five Intruders in our facility, Jasper being well known.
I figured out the rest were the ones seated in the vehicle, not like it mattered.
"We can't relocate the Pagoda," Liam said to me, assisting in analyzing the situation.
"Which means we can only use the teleportation array outside to leave, right?" I uttered, calculating how to make it work.
The Pagoda had a transport system, but it won't work now due to some circumstances. These guys came with full force, meaning they don't underestimate us anymore. And my weapon is out of reach. "Haa."
"The Pagoda is one of the pieces, we can't leave it behind," Liam commented. I could tell he was worried about what would happen to Stiles if the Pagoda got damaged or even destroyed.
"Don't fret. If the record is right, nothing would happen to it." I assured with a smile.
"Our options can be narrowed down. Staying in the Pagoda would be unwise since they might bring in more people.
Though the Pagoda is strong, it won't be able to hold up against such power without a power-up for itself, which we can't provide."
The Pagoda needed a master to function properly. And Stiles took that role the moment we established the link, but he can't power the Pagoda up.
"I have an idea!" Liam said, looking at me for approval to which I nodded.
"The array in our hands is connected to the array in the hut. To leave this place, we need to stay in the array.
To arrive back here, we need to activate the array in our hands.
So we use the array in our hands to appear in the hut, then the array in the hut to leave this place." Liam proposed.
It was a plausible idea, one I won't mind trying. "I'll get an inscription for Stiles."
Heading to the door, I abruptly stopped to look at Liam. "Monitor their movements."
"I will."
When looking for a way to make traveling easier for us, I bought a pre-made teleportation array. It had a main section that was rooted in the hurt and subsections which I stored away.
The main section could transport us to any place we can picture that exists, while the subsections could transport us to the main section.
We had planted it outside to avoid sure infiltration if an enemy could get his/her hands on any subsection.
Now I was headed to the place where I stored the other subsections of the array. Stiles would need it to follow us through the pathways.
Though I found navigating the Pagoda hard, I could still arrive at the store room in seconds.
Hastily looking through the contents of the storeroom, I singled out a book that looked similar to what I was searching for.
"Here you are," I muttered, wiping the dust off its surface. "Now I have to search for the manual. The array should have an auto-destruction function."
Even if we disconnected from the array, leaving it still functioning wouldn't be a wise move, so I had to get rid of all clues.
Since it had been a long time since I touched any of these items, it took a while for me to locate the manual.
As I thought, there was an auto-destruction function. I could even use the main section as a bomb.
Now I have to use the inscription on Stiles, so he can get connected to the main section.
Heading out of the store room, I immediately went in search of Stiles' location. It took a while but I eventually arrived, catching sight of him, busily scribbling on a piece of paper with a black pen.
"Are they the people chasing us?; the reason why I have to stay here," Stiles inquired in a low tone, drawing what I deemed to be our happy family depiction.
"Yes."
"Can we make it out?"
"Don't be scared, baby. Have some faith in Daddy and Mommy." I walked to him, kneeling by his side.
"This inscription would make things easier," I said, taking out the book. "Just stay calm."
Opening the book, a bright light shone from it. Now I had to use the methods in the manual to make things work.
"#@/|¶" I chanted in an unknown language, monitoring the process as the book disintegrated, its particles clinging to Stiles' hand.
"What a good boy." I cheered. "There is something you need to do for me."
"What?" Stiles inquired, curiously.
"I will be honest with you. Right now, you are our weakness." I said.
Seeing the expression on his face, I knew he had taken my words wrongly.
"Let me explain—you are the weakest member in our group, making you an easy target," I explained.
"I can try to manifest that power," Stiles replied.
He wanted to help, but I've already designed the outcome of this fight—Nothing he does can change that.
"Have you forgotten? you can't control it."
Those words were like a knife stabbing through his fragile heart. His eyes sunk deep, his face seeming to age at a fast rate.
"But I know you can control it, someday," I commented. "Right now, I need you to follow my instructions. Every little bit of it."
I caressed his cheeks in an attempt to ease his self-doubt.
"Thanks for believing in me, Ma," Stiles said. "I'll do anything you ask of me, no matter the price I'll have to pay."
He sounded so mature, yet naive. How can he believe me again?; after all the promises I failed to keep in the past.
"I love you, Stiles," I said, addressing him by his name.
"I love you, Maria." He blurted, hiding his heated face with a sheet.
Hearing him call my name directly, made me smile.
"Let's go."
Holding Stiles's hand, I headed for the room Liam was located in.
"Are you ready?" Liam inquired.
"Yes."
"They searched through the basement, but didn't find anything," Liam said. "By the time the Tracker notices the space fluctuation, we should be able to do something useful."
"Alright. Let's go then."
I was about to lecture Stiles on how to activate the array when a broad palm landed on my shoulders.
"I trust you, Maria," Liam uttered. "I'll do whatever task you have planned… for him to live."
Those last words felt special, it was like only I could hear.
I had a million words to say to him, but it wasn't the time. If I should say those things now, I might lose the edge I have.
"Alright, Stiles. You just have to follow the path created by the array." I said cheerfully, hoping to lift his spirit.
"Alright, Mom. I trust you."
The more he said the word 'trust', the more I felt fate was messing with me. Why does he have to say it?
"That's nice."
"Enough of the small talk, let's leave."
Stiles was to my left while Liam was to my right. Holding the males that brought true light into my life was so comforting.
I could feel the space fluctuate as my body got sucked. Despite the force that tried to separate us, I held strong to both males.
As my sight refocused, I could tell we had arrived at the main section. I didn't waste any second, immediately activating the main section to take us far from this place—A place we trio shared an image of.
"Ha ha ha. Seems you thought of outsmarting us again." A voice came from outside the hut. "Bad for you, we brought teleportation jamming devices!"
Fools! They thought I couldn't see that through the Pagoda surveillance. Not like it mattered, I'll prefer they stay clueless on that matter.
"Stiles," I called out, squatting to his eye level. "I need to destroy those jamming devices, so stay here. Don't move a bit."
I know it's selfish of me to do these things without your consent.
"Take care of him."
"I'll come along." Liam blurted out. "You won't succeed alone."
His words shattered the barrier I had used to clothe myself.
[I'm sorry, Liam] I said through the link we shared.
[Don't be sorry. He's also my son. I wouldn't want him to die a virgin.]
Liam said in an attempt to lighten the mood.
I could only smile, intertwining his broad palm with mine. "Let's do this."
"Be a good boy," I said to Stiles. "I'll be back in a jiffy."
"Oo!" Jasper exclaimed, probably shocked to see us coming out. "You got some guts, girl."
"I can assure your family a painless death despite all the hardships you have put us through." A male offered, pushing Jasper to the side.
"Come on, boss! You can't give them the easy way out of this!" Jasper argued, his eyes becoming red with anger.
"Don't bother. We did not come here for that." I said, turning to face Liam. "Liam Abnegazar, are you willing to stay with me; in life and death?"
"...?"
"...?"
"...?"
I could feel their confusion. And I loved it.
"I am, Maria Michael."
[I'm sorry. I dragged you down.]
[No Maria. Without you, I would be nothing. At least we can live in our son, and guide him down the right part.]
Liam's words were comforting to my heart. Though the guilt I felt could not be washed away with just words.
A teardrop slid down my cheek as I gazed at Liam's dark eyes.
"Don't worry." He commented, giving me a deep kiss. "We will live forever."
As our kiss intensified, the energy in the surroundings became chaotic.
"No! I won't watch your tricks succeed!" Yelled the boss of the operation, summoning a huge orb of fire.
He should have made his move when we were still talking. Now it's too late. What we were currently doing is an act looked down upon by all races… a sacrifice.
Despite everything he tried, he could not manage the energy he gathered. It was finished; for all of us, except my son.
[Goodbye, Stiles.] I uttered, establishing a mind link with Stiles. [I pray you live a happy life.]
[Same here, boy.] Liam commented. [I would love to see you conquer some ladies. So make me proud.]
"No!!!"
I could hear Stiles scream of agony—I guess he now understood our aim.
[Just know Mama has always loved you and would continue loving you.]
Same as me, Liam had a lot to say, but he willingly left the spotlight for me.
[Meet you at the Meadow]
[Meet you at the Meadow]
Boom