Chapter Ten: Worst Nightmares

  With a screech, Elijah rolled out of the way, falling out of the bed and hitting his knees on the floor. He groaned, but had no time to think, so reached for his sword and unsheathed it. The Nightmare turned towards him, its pitch-black face staring deep into him, its arms flexing. To his horror, the beast seemed to be growing at a slow pace, and it would soon break through the ceiling at this rate.

  “How do I fight this thing?” He asked his Guide, keeping his eyes on the beast that was getting ready to pounce. It planted its legs firmly on the bed like a leopard waiting to pounce, then jumped. Elijah ran out of the way, feeling the wind of the NIghtmare’s claws as it swept past him, yet they bounced out of the way, almost as if…must’ve been my Reflexive Shielding skill.

  You’ll have to strike his heart, Guide Amanda told him. It is the only solid part of him.

  “What do you mean the only solid part?” Elijah asked. “Can it hurt me if it isn’t solid?”

  Of course it can. You just can’t hurt it, so I would advise you to find help. With the skills you have, you are in no condition to fight the Nightmare, and it seems to know that. Look at how relaxed and assured it is of its own victory; you must leave the room.

  “You could’ve said this before,” Elijah said as he saw the Nightmare block the only exit. Not the only exit, he remembered, but he would prefer not to jump out of the window if he could, especially with the dress he was still wearing.

  The beast was now at least eleven feet tall, and its arms grew faster than its body, until its spiked limb reached for him even while the body remained unmoved. Elijah reacted on instinct, closing his eyes and swinging his sword, expecting to hear a familiar squelching sound that indicated the removal of the Nightmare’s appendage. When no sound came, he opened his eyes to find his sword passing through the beast’s arm like a knife through smoke, and so the arm kept coming until it grabbed his feminine torso and began to squeeze.

  Elijah screamed as his lungs began to gasp for air. He was fairly sure he’d dropped his sword as his hand felt empty, but his concentration was only on breathing, which he was finding increasingly impossible. The Nightmare began to bring him to its face, and its glowing red eyes smoldered in satisfaction at its victory. With a small growl, it opened its mouth, revealing dozens of sharp fangs and a spiked, prickly tongue reaching out to him. The tongue licked around Elijah’s body, and he felt the spikes piercing him softly, and he was sure he would be bleeding from several wounds if he survived, but the wounds wouldn’t be deep. Not that he felt he would survive this. Of course, the Guide wasn’t exactly being very helpful.

  It was nice to meet you, she said. Actually, wait, it wasn't. At all. You killed my body within one day of having it.

  “What can I say?” Elijah gasped, reaching for one last joke as the beast brought his face to its open mouth. “I’m to die for.”

  The last thing he heard before the Nightmare closed its jaws around his head was the frivolous and excessive curses the Guide pronounced at him.

  The Nightmare chomped down.

  The pain never started, and Elijah was surprised to find himself surprisingly awake and aware after a moment. Twisting his head, he found the beast was not in fact eating him, but had kept his head pinned inside his mouth while he fought someone else.

  Einar. Somehow, the Ulfúr had come to his aid. He growled at the Nightmare as he swung at it, connecting with its arm, but the sword just passed through as expected. Elijah squirmed from inside the beast’s mouth, and slowly, the jaw dislodged enough for him to fall off and to the ground, where he landed with a hard thump!

  “Are you okay, your highness?” Einar asked.

  “I’m fine,” He replied as he backed away to nurse his wounds. “When did you get here?”

  “As soon as Eva told me you were screaming, I came on my way,” Einar said.

  “You arrived promptly enough,” the princess-man said, smoothing the dress and tugging the neckline upwards. “I offer you my gratitude.”

  “I would prefer the demise of this NIghtmare over your gratitude right now, your majesty,” He said as he jumped backwards when the beast’s arm reached for him, then ducked as the other arm grabbed at him. While the arm couldn't grip Einar’s form, it tugged on his shirt and he tumbled to the ground.

  “How did this happen?” He asked as he rolled out of the way and stared at Amanda gold. “Stay where you are, princess!”

  Yes, Elijah, stay where the hell you are! No, stop!

  But something had struck Elijah, some form of inspiration, and he slowly crawled at the Nightmare.

  “I forgot to wear my ring because a man entered my chamber, but I sent him away. We can talk about it later, just distract the monster.”

  “Of course, your highness,” Einar saluted and kept dodging the nightmare, nimbly moving this way and that as the monster chomped at him and swung at him.

  Elijah was almost there, just a few more feet, and he would be…and finally it was in range! With a primal roar that Elijah felt was heroic, and the Guide felt was only stupid—Ah yes! Growl like an animal for all to hear of the Princess’ animalisms—, he raised his sword, jumped, and swung.

  The sword struck right where he’d wanted it, entering the creature through the back, into the heart, and out again. But this time, it didn’t go through the smoke-like figure, but struck something resembling stone before continuing. The stone glowed red as it was struck, and the Nightmare growled in pain, turning around and slapping Elijah, and, although the slap felt like a pillow due to his skill, he still flew back and hit the wall, which hurt a lot more.

  The beast ran at him, but it was too late for it, as it began to smoke up and dissipate rapidly, and soon the only thing left was the stone, its heart, still glowing vibrantly, a testament and trophy to what Elijah had done as Princess Gold.

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  Einar collapsed next to Elijah and cradled his head.

  “Are you alright, your highness?” He asked, and Elijah nodded softly.

  “I feel fine,” He responded. “Like a baby in a basket.”

  That makes no sense. You’re delirious. You must have a concussion. Are you hearing me, Elijah? Elijah?

  But he was already unconscious, his head lolling on Einar’s lap.

  Analyzing…

  Upgrades ready for: Shielding, Endurance, Awareness, and Overall Defense

  Shielding, Endurance, and Awareness have been successfully upgraded to Level 2. Overall Defense has successfully been upgraded to Level 3.

  Overall Defense: Level 3 5%

  Shielding: Level 2 25%

  Endurance: Level 2 16%

  Awareness: Level 2 37%

  “Thank you for saving my daughter,” the voice came, though Elijah’s mind was still too foggy to understand who it was and what the phrase meant. “You have done your job well, but you may leave.”

  “If your majesty doesn’t, I would prefer to be by her side, at least, until I can guarantee her safety and wellbeing,” the reply said.

  Opening his eyes, Elijah found both Einar and the Queen Evangeline looking at him, and he blushed.

  “I can’t be that much prettier than you both,” He grinned. “No need to ogle.”

  “I am glad to see you alive,” the queen cocked her head. “But I confess I find it strange to see you joking like this.”

  “Must be the concussion,” Elijah groaned, feeling the headache as it pounded into him, reminding him of what he had gone through when he’d been awake.

  Ah, the Princess is awake. Guide Amanda said, sarcasm heavy in her voice. Did you have sweet dreams, my lady?

  “Actually, yes!”

  The Queen and the Ulfúr stared at him in confusion, but he waved it away.

  “Just thinking,” He said.

  “What happened?” The Queen asked. “Why did the Nightmare appear?”

  “I forgot to wear the ring,” Elijah admitted, lamely, looking down. “I had a confrontation with someone and I forgot to put it on.”

  “Who?” Einar asked.

  “A sea folk man,” He said. “His name is Cris, a prince, I think, and he wanted to invite me to something, but he was wholly immature and very indecent. I kicked him out and told him to speak to you.”

  “How did he get in?” Queen Evangeline asked.

  “He trekked up the castle, I think,” Elijah responded. “I was on the balcony when he climbed up. How he evaded the guard I’ll never know. Must’ve used his slimy personality. And body.” he chuckled softly, earning more concerned looks.

  “So he trespassed on our property?” The Queen said, furrowing her brow. “I think he must be put in his place.”

  “Oh, I agree,” the princess responded. “He was always talking about his trident.”

  “Sea folk,” Einar cursed, as if the words were a slur. “Always inappropriate.”

  “Oh, and he stole jewelry for me as a trade.”

  “And what did he give you in return?”

  “A hat,” Elijah said stiffly. “So, yes, he stole the necklace.”

  Queen Evangeline scowled. “I must speak to the sea folk King. I’m sure he would love to hear about how his subject was trying to get in bed with my daughter. If he wanted to send an envoy, he should’ve sent someone better.”

  “I agree,” he replied. “What shall you do about him?”

  “I can’t refuse his offer,” the Queen responded. “At least, not outright. But, I shall have to show my disapproval, and I wouldn’t mind keeping him locked up for a day or two, although I doubt it would go over well.”

  “The bastard deserves it,” Elijah said.

  “I agree, but you must think of the consequences, my daughter. Do not let your feelings overwhelm you.” Looking at Einar, the Queen frowned. “Einar, I offer you my gratitude once more for what you did, but I must ask that you leave now. I must speak to the princess alone.”

  “Of course, your majesty,” the Ulfúr bowed, and exited, closing the door to the room softly. Only then did Elijah notice where he was.

  The room was well-furnished, a spacious place with very ancient medical equipment set up over the room, on tables. There were three beds in the room, and Elijah was lying on one of them. The others were neatly made. The entire room gave Elijah the vibe of an evil genius’ laboratory. He sat up groaning, and found himself in his underclothes. He blushed, which caused his Guide to guffaw.

  You’re embarrassed of your own body! She laughed. Well, you better get used to it, because you’ll be seeing yourself naked very often. The Guide put an emphasis on naked, which only made Elijah blush harder.

  “What is it, mother?” Elijah asked to rid himself of the embarrassment. “Why do you wish to speak alone?”

  “I am happy to see you progressing to Level 2 already, my daughter,” The Queen told him. “Still, I cannot help but worry about you. I feel you are in danger. You had the assassination attempt today, not to mention you were feeling ill, and now you awoke a Nightmare, only barely escaping with your life both times. I love you, daughter, and do not want you to come to harm.”

  “I had a bad day,” Elijah agreed, and the Guide spoke words of affirmation for what he said, “But I promise, mother, I will get my Levels back. I do not know what happened, but I promise I am fine.”

  “I hope so,” Evangeline sighed. “But what happened today was a bad portent. I feel whoever sent the assassin also desired the Nightmare to wake up. Someone is after us, and if it is the entire race of the ódauelegur then we may be in for war. I hope he is just an ill-willed, jealous man.”

  “So do I,” Elijah shivered.

  “Well, I must leave you be to rest,” The Queen stood up. “But, before I leave, is there anything you wish to tell me? I am here for you always, darling.”

  For a moment, Elijah wondered if he should admit everything to the Queen. To no surprise, the Guide was screaming at him, telling him not to, but he ignored her. Should he tell his new mother what had happened to him?

  Maybe, but for now, it was better to err on the side of caution.

  “No,” he said, then repeated it with stronger intensity. “No, mother, there is nothing.”

  “Very well, my daughter. Rest well.”