Finally home, Charles sped through his living room and went up to his bedroom which doubled as his ideas room, ignoring any questions the Reynard's would have and leaving Alex to sort them out.
Seeing his family wander through the fortress, wide eyed and shocked as they touched countless expensive vases, rare paintings and other priceless objects, Alex knew it was time to come clean.
"You know, I'm not really an accountant and neither is Charles."
"Yeah, no sh*t dad. I don't think an ordinary accountant would be able to have 10 refrigerators in his kitchen. Who needs so many anyway."
*Bonk*
"Now that's no way to talk to your father, Tim. I'm sure there's a very valid explanation for this."
Not even bothering to hide the wooden bat behind her back, Carol looked at her husband with a smile that wasn't really a smile, motioning with the bat for him to explain.
Swallowing his saliva, Alex began, "The Young Master is a tech genius. With him being orphaned with a sizable inheritance at the age of 16, he quickly became a recluse, falling unto the fantasy world of novels for support just like his father did when his wife died."
"– It was there I got the idea to make my own system well technically AI, which would help me grow more powerful, information-wise.
Say hi to everyone, Astra."
The young master descended the steps, wearing a weird attire while carrying another like it in his left hand.
"Hi Timothy and Carol Reynard. How can I be of your assistance."
A feminine voice came out from the speakers implanted around the house.
"Holy sh*t the house is alive." *Bonk*
" Owww, Mom."
"I've told you countless times lo stop cursing, Tim. And Charles what do you mean by make you powerful."
"Oh its quite simple Carol. Astra here has basically hacked into every camera, network signal and device on the planet. So now I'm basically untouchable. Codes to nuclear warheads, secret alliances between countries, hot scandals. I have it all, you name it, I got it."
Helping Alex to wear the light armour exoskeleton he brought for him, the young master casually answered Carol like what he had done was as normal as taking out the trash.
"Wait but isn't that like, illegal and also very morally wrong. You could be arrested or killed outright. And you Alex, have you thought about what could happen to us if your connections to him are found out, huh."
"Relax, Carol. I'm not dumb, or do I look like an idiot to you. I already thought about all the possible risks before going through with my plan. Very few governments know that they are being spied on, and even if they did know it's because I want them to."
"Besides what can they do to me. Missiles won't work without my say so, they don't even know where I live and I've also made sure not to sell information or abuse my power, except the occasional trillions of different currency that flow in my account to boost my ego, monitored by Astra of course."
"All in all you have nothing to worry about, so just sit back in this very soft massage chair, relax and enjoy your favourite program, while Alex and I move away for a bit."
"Astra, I give them grade 2 command of the house. Bye."
With that the young master and Alex walked out the door, leaving behind a stunned Carol and an excited Timothy.
"Hey mom, can I watch– "
*Bonk*
"Never mind."
****
Now outside the house Alex was about apologising for his wife's behaviour when the young master stopped him.
"No need to worry your old bones Alex. I'm not mad and neither should you be. It just shows how much she worries and cares about you. You're a lucky man."
"Thank you young master, it means a lot to me, but what do you mean my old bones, I'm only 42, just 13 years older than you."
"Hehe, I know."
With that out of the way, they walked around the yard, Alex being led until they eventually came to the garage.
"Young master why are we here. Are we about to go underground by chance."
"Yep. We're going to what is probably the most secure man-made room in the planet."
Walking past his black Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye, one of many sports cars he had collected, they stepped into a secret elevator parading itself as a cupboard.
"Astra, take us to floor Zen."
"Okay young master, taking you to floor Zen."
Swoosh!!
With a blast they were off, falling through the ground at a fast speed before eventually (30 seconds later) they stopped, stepping out of the reflective walls of the elevator.
"Welcome Alex, to a place no one but me has been to. A place where I come when I'm too stressed and overwhelmed or when I just need someone to talk to. My Zen."
Looking around, Alex was astonished.
He knew the young master loved to splurge his unearned wealth on extravagant things, but this was too much.
All around the room, on the ceiling, floor and walls there were LED screens.
The screens were currently displaying a scenic sunset view off a sandy beach, the speakers and ventilation system taking care of the sounds and breeze.
In the middle of the relaxing view there were two coffins, real coffins and not ones manifested by a trick of the light or anything of the sort.
Mom.
That was the inscription written in silver on the white coffins on the left.
Dad.
The redwood coffin on the left belonged to his father who took his life out of grief after waiting for his son to grow and mature a bit.
An act which the young master never despised or hated him for since he knew how much his mother meant to him.
The urns carrying their cremated remains were seated beside their pictures on their respective coffins, which were surrounded by a bed of natural white roses, his mother's favourite.
"Young master ….."
"It's alright Alex, I'm fine."
"Alright. But just know that I'm always available when you need me."
"Jeez Alex, stop being so corny. …Thanks"
"Anytime."
Looking around, Alex's eyes caught a red jewellery box with the picture of an Asyan woman on it.
"Young master, who is that. I know that can't be your sister since you were an only child, just like both your parents."
Seeing the picture he smiled before answering, "Someone from before I met you."
Wisely taking the hint Alex looked at the timer.
[00:02:05]
This was the timer that would send then to THEBLOODSUCKERS'SWARM.
When they clicked on YES to accept their rewards, a key manifested in their hands, one that looked like a miniature version of the Evolved mutated mosquitoes from earlier.
A message came with the keys' arrival, telling them to use their special skills while holding the keys.
After they did, the countdown replaced the message and so here they were now, in a safe room since they didn't know what exactly would happen.
Final checking their equipment, the timer reached zero and a portal opened for each of them.
"Astra, make sure to keep the house safe and work on the task I gave you."
"Yes, young master."
Staring at the portals, then at each other, they both nodded and entered simultaneously.
"See ya on the other side."