The Nightmare Game Chapter 8

The Queen stood about 5'7", draped in a translucent cloak and wearing golden leather armor.

Voluptuous figure. Tiny waist. Long legs.

A body that would make anyone's head spin.

Except... the Queen's face was insectoid too.

I was thrown at the Queen's feet. The corpses of the aliens I'd killed were also brought in.

The Queen spoke with regal authority: "Who are you? Why did you murder my subjects?"

The Queen was intelligent?

"I was lost," I explained. "Your soldiers attacked me first. I only defended myself!"

That was technically true—I hadn't initiated combat.

The Queen's anger flared. "You invaded my territory and dare make excuses!"

She ordered a nearby warrior: "Execute him! Avenge my fallen guards!"

A soldier raised its scythe-like blade and approached.

Two others held me down.

I had an energy blade in my inventory—it could cut through the webbing. But even then, I couldn't escape.

Time to play my trump card.

I activated Absolute Obedience and summoned Sophia.

"Sophia! Flood this place!"

Sophia conjured a massive tidal wave. The throne room instantly filled with seawater. Aliens floated on the surface, struggling. The Queen was knocked unconscious.

I used my energy blade to cut through the webbing.

Several aliens dog-paddled toward me. The unconscious Queen drifted nearby.

I pressed the energy blade against her throat and shouted at the aliens: "Stay back or I'll kill her!"

The creatures froze.

I called to Sophia: "Get us out of here!"

A powerful wave rose beneath us, carrying me and the Queen out through a window.

I activated my jetpack and flew with the Queen to a mountainside.

By now it was getting dark—another night of danger approaching.

The Queen still hadn't regained consciousness, lying limp on the ground.

That's when I noticed her necklace—a stunning golden collar with an olive-sized ruby centerpiece.

Quite beautiful.

I leaned in for a closer look.

The Queen stirred.

Awake?

I quickly backed away.

She scrambled up and backhanded me across the face.

Stars exploded across my vision.

The Queen rose, roaring: "Insolent fool! How dare you touch the royal person!"

She drew her sword. I immediately raised my energy blade defensively.

Her sword was no match for my weapon—it was sliced into pieces.

I didn't attack her, just kept explaining: "Your Majesty, I meant no harm. I only took you hostage to escape..."

"Wretch! I will end you!"

She threw away the sword hilt and tried to kick me.

I ducked. My energy blade accidentally grazed her face.

Crack—

The Queen's face split apart.

I froze in shock.

But what happened next shocked me even more.

Her "face" fell to the ground—it was a helmet!

Beneath the mask was a face of breathtaking beauty.

The Queen's brown wavy hair tumbled down around her shoulders.

I finally recognized her—Hailey, one of the women I'd romanced in the game!