Chapter 8: Arzia's Surveillance Mode
Before leaving the dungeon, strange happened. Arzia's demeanor had changed slightly, Brian noticed. Her face still, she still had those eyes that had gleamed with quiet determination, now they were drifting faintly toward a trance.
He frowned. "Arzia?"
She didn't answer right away. Her hands were loosely at her sides, her body still. She was no longer truly present.
"Arzia?" He stepped closer and repeated.
Her eyes flickered back to normal, and she blinked as if she were waking from a deep sleep. "Apologies. I was… watching the surroundings."
Brian's brow furrowed. "Monitoring? What do you mean?"
Arzia's voice became more formal, more distant. "While you are logged into Psalm Online, my role in the real world becomes surveillance mode."
"It lets me see the environment, so you're safe while you're in the game"
Brian's heart skipped a beat. "You're not just… walking around while I'm in here, are you?"
Serious, Arzia shook her head. "No. I am passive in my presence, but active in my awareness. You are in the game, while I am still here, observing. This is a defensive measure, so that no one can see your true connection to Psalm Online."
Brian exhaled, he hadn't realized he was holding his breath. "That's… unsettling."
Arzia's voice was softer now. "But it is necessary. We can't have anyone see me, especially not the people in Bladeheart Manor."
His mind raced, and he nodded slowly. He knew that this secret was important, and that the smallest slip up could get him noticed in a way he didn't want. Certainly, his stepmother, Asetie, would be on the lookout for any sign of weakness or pathological irregularity. The better, the less anyone knew about his connection to the game and the powers it bestowed.
He spoke determinedly, 'I'll figure something out.' "But we have to stay careful. They can't know about you, or how much stronger I've become."
Faintly glowing were his eyes, Arzia gave him a slight nod. "Understood."
And with that, the two of them turned to head on the long journey back to the real world and their mission continued, if not finished, and the stakes grew higher.
---
The grand stone courtyard opened unto the massive gates of the Bladeheart estate to creak open. Tall towers of the estate loomed, long shadows enshroud the well-kept grounds. The trees were alive with birds chirping from the trees, multiple unaware of the slow building tension in the air. Formal, silent, and calculated, everything was as it should be inside the manor.
Brian fidgeted slightly in the center of the grand hall of the manor. His eyes flickered with a moment of uncertainty as he looked at Arzia standing next to him. She was still an oddity to him, a living being made of magic and will, and now she was in a place that wasn't the virtual realm, but in the very heart of his family's estate.
"You know what to do, right?" His nervousness betrayed the fact that Brian whispered, his voice barely past a whisper.
Her usual calm demeanor remained unwavering as she nodded. "I understand, Brian." And her eyes ran over the elaborate decor of the Bladeheart estate, the rich furniture, the cold, stone walls that had seen innumerable Bladehearts rise and fall. She had been created for one purpose: to serve him. Her purpose was about to take a very different shape, and now.
Brian stepped forward and cleared his throat. "This is your new role. From now on, you'll be my assistant." The words were a lie, but his voice rang with a finality. In fact, Arzia was much more than an assistant. He had her; she was his secret weapon, his most dangerous ally. No one could know that—not yet. Not until he could harness the power she had.
Brian had learned how to live with Arzia's presence, but it was different with her under their watchful eyes, in his family. The Bladehearts were politically savvy, and quick to pick out the corners. Arzia was nothing if not unusual, and she was nothing if not unusual.
Her voice calm and steady, she turned to him. "I will not fail you, Brian." It was a promise, not a statement.
Brian shook his head slowly, but inside he felt a wave of unease. Arzia definitely was no ordinary servant. In the game, she was a type of homunculus — a magical being made and given stats, skills and strength equal to a mid to high-level character — and she had the same stats and skills as a high-level character, same to same. She was strong, maybe too strong. He shivered at the thought someone might find her out for how she really was.
He muttered, more to himself than to her, "Let's get this over with."
The staff were already gossiping as they entered the estate's main living area. They looked over at Brian and his new companion, whispering.
"Who's that?" The voice of one of the maids was barely more than a breath. "I've never seen her before."
Another one murmured, 'Maybe she's the bride,' but she quieted quickly when the head butler entered the room and gave them a sharp look.
The words pricked Brian's ears. Bride? Was that the rumor that was going around the staff? His jaw clenched, and he tried to keep it together. He wasn't going to let that happen, not when he had much bigger things to worry about.
The echo of high heels clacking into the hall sounded at that moment. Asetie entered the room and Brian turned to see her. She was sharp in her gaze, perfectly styled hair. She viewed Brian before looking at Arzia and Brian again, before a faint but knowing smile pulled on her lips.
Furthermore, she greeted him with a false sweetness, 'Brian.' "Who is this… young woman?"
He stepped forward and forced a smile. He said, voice steady, "This is Arzia." "My personal assistant. She will be helping me with my work and training."
Clearly unimpressed, Asetie raised an eyebrow. "Your assistant? How… interesting." Her eyes narrowed slightly. Pulling her words back in, the smile on her lips somehow captivated her eyes as well.
Internally, Brian's thoughts were racing, but his face was still neutral. He had no time for distractions, Stepmother, he said firmly, making sure to stress the word 'distractions' in a way that would be clear.
Asetie never stopped smiling. She replied smoothly, "Of course." "I was being silly to think otherwise." Training, then. "Is that what you're thinking about now?"
Brian stared at her, not wanting to give in. "Exactly."
Asetie gave a short nod, turned to leave, and gave Arzia's eyes a little longer than seemed necessary as her eyes lingered on him. She was turning the wheels in her mind.
Finally, Arzia spoke. "She is… suspicious."
His mind was already spinning, and he glanced at her. 'She's always like that. Never let your guard down around her.' "Running his hand through his hair, he let out a small sigh. Arzia, we have to be so careful. No one can know the truth about you. Not yet."
Brian was tilted slightly, in a look-up, and Arzia nodded. "Understood, Brian. I will remain discreet."
Brian found a small bit of relief, but knew it was a short-lived bunch. His stepmother was cunning and would not let such a thing drop easily. All he had to do was keep his wits about him.
For now, he must keep his attention on what he was here for.
Brian muttered, turning away from the hallway, pulling Arzia with him, the whispers of the staff still in the background.