Chapter 194: The Woman Behind the Network

The guardians charged. Liam raised his hands. Golden energy exploded through the corridor, knocking the first wave backward.

Adrian and Mara attacked from opposite sides. Red and silver energy tore through the armored figures. But more kept coming. “How many are there?” Ryan shouted.

Lucas checked the scanner. “Too many!” Zero stepped forward. “I’ll handle the center.”

He released a dark pulse. Every guardian within several feet froze. Samuel stared. “Since when can you do that?” Zero looked at him. “Since I remembered who I was.”

The guardians began moving again. Zero smiled. “Apparently, they recovered too.”

Liam grabbed Clara’s hand. “Stay behind me.” Clara shook her head. “Not happening.” She raised her weapon. “I’m fighting too.” Liam smiled. “That’s my girl.”

They moved forward together. Clara fired while Liam used his energy to block attacks. For several minutes, the corridor became chaos. Then Aria screamed. Everyone turned.

She was standing completely still. Her silver eyes were glowing. Liam rushed toward her. “Aria!” She didn’t respond.

Mara grabbed her shoulders. “She’s connected.” Lucas looked at his tablet. “The synchronization jumped.” “To what?” “Thirty-six percent.”

Liam looked at Aria. “Can you disconnect her?” Lucas shook his head. “She’s part of the system.” Aria finally spoke. “I can hear them.” “Who?” “Everyone.” Her voice trembled. “Millions of people.”

Liam held her hand. “Tell them to fight.” “I can’t.” “Why?” “They’re not afraid anymore.” Liam frowned. “What?” “They’re giving up.”

The words terrified him. He looked toward the corridor. “We have to reach Miriam.” Jace nodded. “She’s controlling the main system.”

Lucas pointed toward the far end. “The control room is above us.” “Then let’s go.” They pushed through the remaining guardians.

When they reached the elevator, the doors opened by themselves. A message appeared.

ACCESS GRANTED.

Liam frowned. “That’s too easy.” Zero looked at the screen. “Trap.” The elevator doors began closing. Samuel held them open. “Then we don’t use it.”

They found another staircase. They climbed quickly. The higher they went, the stronger the network became. People’s voices echoed through the walls. Some were crying. Others were laughing. Some were repeating the same words. “We are one.”

Clara shuddered. “This is terrifying.” Liam nodded. “We’re stopping it.” They reached the top floor.

A huge glass door stood ahead. Behind it was the control room. Miriam stood in the center. Machines surrounded her. She turned. “You came.”

Liam stepped inside. “Shut it down.” Miriam smiled. “No.” “You’re hurting people.” “I’m saving them.” “By taking away their choices?” “Choices are what destroy humanity.”

Clara stepped forward. “People aren’t perfect.” “No.” Miriam looked at her. “That’s why they need me.” Liam shook his head. “Nobody needs a person to control them.”

Miriam’s expression softened. “You sound like my son.” “Dr. Vale?” “Yes.” “Where is he?” “Where he has always been.” “Where?” Miriam looked at the ceiling. “Watching.”

The lights dimmed. A screen appeared. Dr. Adrian Vale stood on it. Liam stared. “I thought he was below the arena.” “He was.” Miriam smiled. “But he was never trapped there.”

Vale spoke. “Hello, Liam.” Liam’s jaw tightened. “You used us.” “No.” “I was born for your experiment.” “You were born because of it.” “That’s the same thing.”

Vale shook his head. “Not anymore.” Miriam turned toward him. “You promised me the network would work.” “It will.” “It is already unstable.” “Because Liam has interfered.”

Liam looked at Aria. “Can you shut it down?” Aria nodded slowly. “I can try.” Miriam raised her hand.

The room suddenly changed. Aria collapsed. Liam caught her. “Aria!” Miriam looked at him. “She cannot control the network.” “Why?” “Because she is not the key.”

Liam froze. “What?” Miriam looked toward Clara. “She is.” Everyone stared at Clara. Clara shook her head. “No.”

Miriam smiled. “Your connection to Liam is stronger than any Root.” Liam stepped in front of Clara. “You’re not touching her.” Miriam looked amused. “You still don’t understand.” “What?”

“The network was never designed to use the vessels.” She pointed toward Clara. “It was designed to use the person they would protect.” Clara’s face went pale. “Me.”

Miriam nodded. “Your emotions stabilize Liam.” “And Liam stabilizes the network.” Liam stared at her. “So if you use Clara…” “The entire network becomes permanent.”

Liam’s golden energy erupted. “Never.” Miriam raised her hand. A powerful force struck him. He crashed into the wall. “Liam!”

Clara ran toward him. Miriam looked at her. “Come to me.” Clara stopped. “No.” “Your sacrifice could save millions.” “You’re lying.” “No.”

Miriam’s voice softened. “Look.” The screens changed. Images of hospitals. Wars. Families. Crime scenes. People suffering. Then images of the same people connected. Calm. Peaceful. No violence. No hatred.

Miriam whispered, “Imagine a world without fear.” Clara stared. For a moment, she hesitated. Liam struggled to stand. “Clara.”

She looked at him. “Don’t.” His voice was weak. “That’s not peace.” She looked back at Miriam. “What is it?” “Unity.”

“No.” Clara shook her head. “It’s control.” Miriam’s eyes narrowed. “Then choose.”

The machine behind her activated. A circular platform appeared. Clara’s name appeared on the screen.

PRIMARY STABILIZER IDENTIFIED.

Liam stepped toward her. “We’re leaving.” Miriam raised her hand. The doors locked. Adrian and Mara attacked the control room. Nothing happened. Zero tried to break the machines. Nothing. Samuel shouted, “She’s too strong!”

Liam looked at Clara. “Trust me.” “I do.” “Then don’t listen to her.” Miriam activated the platform. Clara was lifted into the air. Liam screamed. “CLARA!”

Her body began glowing. Aria suddenly stood. Her eyes flashed silver. “Wait.” Everyone turned.

Aria looked at Miriam. “You made one mistake.” Miriam frowned. “What?” Aria smiled. “You forgot about me.” She released her full power. Every machine in the room exploded. The network percentage froze. 49%.

Miriam staggered. “No.” Aria looked at Liam. “Get Clara.” Liam rushed forward. He caught Clara as the platform collapsed. Clara opened her eyes. “Did we stop it?” Liam looked at the screen. 49%.

He shook his head. “Not yet.” Miriam stared at Aria. “You don’t understand what you’ve done.” Aria stepped forward. “I understand.” Her silver energy filled the room.

“You connected me to millions of people.” Miriam’s expression changed. “And now…” Aria smiled. “…I can hear your thoughts too.” Miriam froze. Aria’s eyes turned completely silver. “You have a secret.”

Miriam stepped backward. “No.” Aria whispered, “I know where the real control room is.” Liam looked at her. “Where?”

Aria pointed toward the floor. “Under the ocean.” Everyone froze. Miriam’s face went pale. Aria continued, “And that’s where Dr. Vale is hiding.”

The screen suddenly changed. A new location appeared.

ATLANTIC OCEAN – 17 MILES OFF THE COAST.

Then another message appeared.

SYNCHRONIZATION: 50%.

Liam looked at the others. “Then that’s where we’re going.” Miriam smiled weakly. “You won’t survive.” Liam stared at her. “We’ve survived everything else.” He took Clara’s hand. “What’s one more?”

Far beneath the Atlantic Ocean, a massive facility awakened. And inside it, Dr. Adrian Vale opened his eyes. “Finally.”