280 Chapter 275: World War III Part 5

Turning his attention toward Fort Knox in the distance, Arias showed a small smile and looked ready to start. However, he stopped once he heard a familiar voice call his name within his mind.

'You seem to have a lot going on as of late, Arias,' Apeiro's voice noted.

Arias paused and showed a curious expression. "If anyone has a lot going on, it's you. I had almost begun to think you had settled on just silently observing everything I do."

'Aside from collecting women and causing chaos, there isn't much to observe in what you do.'

"That's a bit of an incorrect assumption to make, don't you think?"

'From what I see you do, it's fairly accurate, I think.'

"You didn't appear just to patronize me, did you?"

'Though it is entertaining in its own right, I wanted to tell you that I am ready to take on a physical form. However, I'm conflicted. I am unsure of what form to take. Since you seem to pursue everything that wears a skirt, I do not know what appeals to you.'

Having said that Arias replied, "why would you need a look that appeals to me, rather than yourself?"

'Because if I am to be beside you for what is likely eternity, I may as well be appealing in appearance to you rather than not. After all, who would like to look at something they don't find appealing for the rest of eternity?' she explained.

"If you say so."

'It is the truth.'

"I never said wasn't…"

'I have observed you long enough to know when you're being sarcastic.'

"If you're able to tell that much, then you should know that I don't really have a particular taste in women. So long as they are pretty, I don't really care much."

'I knew it would have been pointless to ask you.'

"And yet here we are"

'…'

Apeiro went silent for a moment before stating, "Then I shall do my own research as I take time to ponder what I would prefer for myself."

'That aside, I've also noticed a rise or rather your control of your abilities.'

Arias didn't deny. "With each day that passes, I find that I'm capable of more and more things."

'And how does it feel now that you're growing accustomed to it?' she questioned.

As she was doing so, vehicles could be heard and seen moving in the distance, though it was nighttime, and the bright floodlights of the Fort could be seen shining on the surrounding field as officers patrolled around the vicinity.

Considering Apeiro's question, Arias thought for a moment and replied, "I wouldn't go as far as saying I'm accustomed to it. Every new action I find I can perform feels strange at first, but the feeling... it's fairly hard to describe. My body gets overwhelmed by this feeling I had never felt before. I feel like everything I see just seems so pointless and unnecessary, everything from the people I meet to the money I earn. I all look at it differently now."

Hearing Arias's words, Apeiro was now somewhat happy. 'You see, I told you that we are different. You are different. Your time is wasted on lesser beings,' she revealed yet again.

And this time, Arias had no argument. "That may be so, but at heart, I myself am still a lesser being. No matter how I see the material world, I can't bring myself to detach from it. Because through it, I live, I experience, and I grow. Most importantly, I'm entertained."

Apeiro was a bit disappointed to hear Arias's words, but she did not argue. 'In time, I'm sure you'll come to see it as I do.'

"Perhaps," Arias replied, "though today is not that day. And until then, I'll continue in my selfish pursuit to create the ultimate power in the material world. Who knows, you yourself may see things differently once you gain a material body that can fully feel singular emotions like I do."

'I highly doubt that, but I suppose it is worth trying. I do not mind, for as long as I stay by your side.'

'Hm, well I've said all I wished to say. Until next time Ari.' 

Saying this, Apeiro's voice once again went silent, while Arias turned his attention back toward Fort Knox, muttering under his breath, "Now, to deal a painful blow to the US."

As Arias said this, he began to walk forward as his body got completely engulfed by white light, practically turning him into a humanoid form of light visible to any and all within the nearby vicinity. 

It didn't take long for alarms to immediately sound at the Fort, and defensive measures to erupt as Arias began to walk on the field leading to the Fort.

The military presence that surrounded the Fort reacted immediately, with several military vehicles rushing toward Arias. They gave only one warning: "Stand down, or we will fire."

And when Arias ignored it, the several turrets mounted on the vehicles began to fire at Arias. However, they soon noticed something greatly amiss, and it became especially clear once one vehicle got within 10 feet of Arias.

What Arias had done was become a humanoid star, with an isolated space around him possessing temperatures that would make the sun blush. So, anything from bullets to vehicles that came within 10 feet melted instantly.

Arias had several more ways to go about his attack, but he chose this because it was the most insulting. After all, he was now casually walking toward one of the US's most secure facilities, and the measures they had in place couldn't stop his casual walk.

This oddity in Arias immediately caused red flags to spring up in the minds of the personnel all over the Fort. Alerts were instantly sent out to the White House, whereas more reinforcements were requested in the form of helicopters that shot down a rain of bullets and missiles toward Arias, all having no effect.

Arias soon reached the Fort's fences and granite walls, which were currently lined with numerous military personnel firing consistently at Arias. Their determination to continue attacking was almost amusing. However, with the snap of his fingers, a huge flash of light, several kilometers wide, erupted, and once it faded, everything it had touched had been vaporized, leaving nothing but smoldering dirt.

Fort Knox, one of the most highly secure places in the US, had been destroyed instantaneously. This alone would have been enough to shake the country… but Arias was far from done.