Chapter 57: Everything Changes

Queen Bee was both annoyed and amazed at how bold Arias dared to be in front of her. However, she remained showing a small smile on the surface.

"I see, perhaps we shall be further acquainted at another time." Without knowing much about Arias, Queen bee wouldn't drag the conversation.

She only needed to introduce herself properly then leave. Only once she did a background check could she make the decision of whether he was worth investing time in or not.

Since it was clear she was aiming to leave with that line, Arias wasn't going to keep her. "Of course, move safe."

Although it was his first time meeting a Queen, he 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 towards them.

Thus, the only way to pique their interest, was to be different from what they knew. With that in mind, Arias needed to simply treat her as he would any other woman, nothing special.

By doing so he could see the displeasure in her eyes, but interest was interest. She wasn't so foolish as to antagonize him over such.

"Right, until we meet-." Queen Bee was about to turn and leave when all of a sudden, her security detail was brushed aside as Wonder woman made her appearance.

Immediately she got to the two, she pointed her sword at Arias and declared. "You there, join our league of heroes and help save more lives."

Arias was stumped at the randomness and oddity of the declaration made by curvy and well-toned woman standing before him.

Before he could foster a reply, Trevor quickly came from behind and 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."

Followings 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, however they hold not a single power. I could best anything of them in a spar!"

A headache was brewing in Steve Trevor's mind, he couldn't fathom what words he needed to conjure to get through to her.

Arias wanted to add to the matter but was beaten to it by an angry looking Queen Bee who now had a visible frown on her face. "Are all Amazonians this rude? If not, you're giving your people a bad name with those childish antiques."

Diana's attention now turned from Arias, who was tall and stood out, to the woman opposite him who was shorter than Diana by a good few inches.

"We are not rude! Amazonians are proud and honest! Your customs are just odd and you all get offended by the simplest of matters. In what way was I rude now?" Diana defended loudly and proudly.

In contrast, Queen Bee maintained a noble form and spoke calmly despite her clear dislike for her. "That should be obvious, you interrupted a conversation between me and this man and also addressed as 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, just like a child, rather than own up to her mistake, she defended and tried to justify it still.

"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 at what she had just been told.

It took an ungodly amount of willpower just for her to not lunge at forward and slap some sense into Diana.

At that point, Arias decided to step in before he became part of national incident.

"Why don't we all just end the conversation here, we're starting to attract unnecessary attention." He chose his words carefully and didn't try to directly tell them to stop.

He knew better, telling an angry woman to calm down was a recipe for disaster. And in this case, he would just become the target for Queen Bee's rage because it would seem like he's defending Diana.

He needed to end the argument while letting both women think they were right. So, when he pointed out the vulture like reporters hungry for a story, they both stepped back.

Queen Bee had an image to maintain whereas Diana disliked getting asked questions.

"Tsk, at least someone is competent here. I'll be taking my leave." After giving one more subtle insult, Queen Bee left with her attendees and guards.

Before Diana could cause any more trouble, Steve also convinced her it's time they left. As they walked away, she gave one final wave to Arias. "Good hunting!"

"Right…" He waved back at her 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 'cha think Mr. M?"

"Let's go, our ride is here." Arias just walked away with no comments on the matter. Things had already gone far more eventful that he had hoped.

Thankfully after leaving, Arias and Harley managed to arrive at their hotel without any further problems and went to their respective rooms.

That night, as Harley laid down on her bed, the scene of Arias saving her kept replaying in her mind, stirring a strange feeling inside her. Eventually she had enough and got up frustrated.

"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 towards her face.

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

[ It shouldn't be long now until you experience another reconstruction. Are you excited for 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, with some low laughs following behind.

"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 and frowned 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 them. As for fear, it'll come to pass once you are able to manifest your power as the abyss. Though I am curious Ari...what is it that you want most?]

Arias went silent for a while after hearing that question, but then his lips finally parted and answer came. "The most important element of my life, that I lost."

His answer needed no clarity, as she immediately understood. After that, she too went silent, before muttering. [ I'm sorry.]

Feeling that the mood was changing, Arias decided to speak up and lighten it. "What of you? Now that you can feel, what is it that you want."

Arias thought he had asked a relatively simple question, but Apeiro showed difficulty answering by hesitating to speak. Eventually she stopped cutting herself off and gave a clear answer.

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

Arias showed both concern and worry when he heard her say this. What need did an apex existence get from lying to him? He couldn't imagine what that could be, hence a rise in anxiety.

"In what way?" He kept a calm tone and asked, not wanting to overreact in case it wasn't as grave as he thought.

Apeiro showed hesitation, but her voice also remained clear.

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

[ 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?"