Chapter 57: Everything Changes

Queen Bee was both annoyed and amazed by Arias's boldness. However, she maintained a small smile on the surface. "I see, perhaps we shall be further acquainted at another time." Without knowing much about Arias, Queen Bee decided not to drag out the conversation. She needed to do a background check before determining if he was worth investing time in.

Since it was clear she intended to leave, Arias didn't push the conversation further. "Of course, move safe."

Although it was his first time meeting a queen, Arias had his fair share of experience with entitled and self-centered women. Most of them grew up having everything they wanted, with people often taking submissive stances toward them. The best way to pique their interest was to be different from what they knew. Arias treated her as he would any other woman—nothing special. He could see the displeasure in her eyes, but interest was interest. She wasn't foolish enough to antagonize him over it.

"Right, until we meet—" Queen Bee was about to turn and leave when suddenly, her security detail was brushed aside as Wonder Woman approached.

Immediately, Wonder Woman pointed her sword at Arias and declared, "You there, join our league of heroes and help save more lives."

Arias was stumped by the randomness of the declaration from the curvy, well-toned Amazonian. Before he could reply, Steve Trevor quickly intervened. "Diana, seriously? We've been over this—you can't just wave your sword around at people, it's rude. Besides, you can't just invite everyone who does good into your league; he doesn't even have powers."

Following Trevor's words, Diana sheathed her sword. "I see. Forgive my rudeness, man of Washington. But Steve Trevor, those obese leaders who command you, you said they were heroes in the past, yet they hold not a single power. I could best any of them in a spar!"

A headache was clearly brewing in Steve Trevor's mind. He couldn't fathom what words would get through to her. Arias wanted to add to the matter, but Queen Bee, now visibly frowning, spoke first. "Are all Amazonians this rude? If not, you're giving your people a bad name with those childish antics."

Diana turned her attention from Arias to the woman who was shorter by a few inches. "We are not rude! Amazonians are proud and honest! Your customs are just odd, and you all get offended by the simplest matters. In what way was I rude?"

Queen Bee maintained a noble form, speaking calmly despite her clear dislike for Diana. "That should be obvious. You interrupted a conversation between me and this man and addressed me vulgarly. You may be a princess, but I am a queen! Do not address me so casually."

Diana's eyes widened at the revelation of Queen Bee's position. However, instead of owning up to her mistake, she defended herself. "That is not my error. The conversation had clearly come to an end. Besides, I only addressed you casually because you look nothing like a queen."

"…"

"!!"

Anyone with eyes could see the vein popping on Queen Bee's forehead and the surprise on her face. It took an ungodly amount of willpower for her not to lunge forward and slap some sense into Diana.

At that point, Arias decided to step in before things escalated into a national incident. "Why don't we all just end the conversation here? We're starting to attract unnecessary attention." He chose his words carefully, not directly telling them to stop. He knew better than to tell an angry woman to calm down, which could make him the target of Queen Bee's rage.

By pointing out the vulture-like reporters hungry for a story, he succeeded in de-escalating the situation. Queen Bee had an image to maintain, and Diana disliked being questioned by the press.

"Tsk, at least someone here is competent. I'll be taking my leave." Queen Bee left with her attendees and guards, throwing a final subtle insult over her shoulder.

Before Diana could cause any more trouble, Steve Trevor convinced her it was time to go. As they walked away, she gave Arias a final wave. "Good hunting!"

"Right…" Arias waved back without the same level of enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, Harley shook her head and placed her hands on her hips. "There're all types of weirdos in this city, don't ya think, Mr. M?"

"Let's go. Our ride is here," Arias said, walking away without commenting further. The day had already been far more eventful than he had hoped.

Thankfully, Arias and Harley managed to arrive at their hotel without further problems. They went to their respective rooms, ready to put the day behind them.

That night, as Harley lay down on her bed, the scene of Arias saving her replayed in her mind, stirring a strange feeling inside her. Eventually, she grew frustrated and got up. "Why do I keep thinking about that? Hmm, I must be just horny. Dammit, Mr. M said not to disturb him, though… what's a gal to do? I don't got no toys either for crying out loud. Welp, we're going old school." Harley declared while raising two fingers toward her face.

Unlike her, Arias stood on his balcony, sipping a drink and conversing with Apeiro.

[It shouldn't be long now until you experience another reconstruction. Are you excited about the changes that'll come?]

"A mix of both excitement and anxiousness, I would say."

[Oh? And here I thought you were incapable of such feelings.] Apeiro teased lightly, a soft laugh following.

"I may no longer be human, but I still feel. I still have wants, and I still have fears…" Arias leaned against the balcony railing, frowning as he spoke, as if unhappy with his own state.

[It hasn't been long since I started to feel, but… I do not dislike it. In fact, I cherish it. As for fear, it'll pass once you can manifest your power as the abyss. Though I am curious, Ari… what is it that you want most?]

Arias fell silent, the question lingering in the air. After a long pause, his lips parted, and he answered, "The most important element of my life that I lost."

His answer needed no clarification, as Apeiro immediately understood. She, too, went silent, before softly muttering, [I'm sorry.]

Sensing the shift in mood, Arias decided to lighten the conversation. "What about you? Now that you can feel, what is it that you want?"

Arias thought he had asked a relatively simple question, but Apeiro hesitated, struggling to answer. Eventually, she spoke clearly.

[I already have what I want most… you, who accepted to exist for eternity with me. It means more than you know, Ari. But if we are to continue to exist, then I must confess… for my own selfishness, I lied to you.]

Concern and worry crept into Arias's mind. What could an apex existence have lied to him about? He couldn't imagine what it could be, and anxiety began to rise.

"In what way?" He kept his tone calm, not wanting to overreact.

Apeiro hesitated but then spoke clearly.

[Before you, I mentioned I was in another vessel. That was a half-truth. After observing creations for so long, I grew curious about what it meant to feel, to live, and to die. So, I created a physical vessel, lived, and died. That was true.]

[However, choosing you was no coincidence. It was my own selfish desire. Because in that life, I found and experienced an unforgettable happiness—happiness in the life I bore… your life. Ari, I am… or rather, was, your mother.]

"...what?"