AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It’s a moment of vulnerability and mutual understanding, a silent acceptance of our situation and the emotions that have grown between us.
Amidst this closeness, the thought crosses my mind: if we cannot find the quest or escape route, perhaps succumbing to the Malquarans’ perverse requirement might be our only option.
The idea of being intimate with M’ijel doesn’t seem as daunting as it once did. In this alien and unpredictable world, finding solace in each other’s arms might not be the worst fate…
M’ijel suddenly pauses, his attention drawn elsewhere.
“What is it?” I ask.
“It’s what happens if we mate,” he tells me. “If we do, everything will be reset.”
“What do you mean, ’reset’?”
“A green mist will envelop us and we’ll wake up back in our pods. The countdown will continue and we’ll be launched back onto the platform again. I might not reach you first. And if one of those other males mates with you…”
He shuts his eys to block out the pain of it happening.
The true evil nature of these Malquarans makes me feel sick. “I see.”
The moment is subdued until something seems to click in M’ijel’s mind. A look of realization dawns on his face, and he abruptly stands, walking towards the stone table at the pyramid’s center.
I watch him intently, curious about this sudden insight. Has he discovered something? A piece of this intricate puzzle?
M’ijel
Standing before the ancient plinth, a sense of familiarity unexpectedly strikes me. I’ve seen the Malquarans’ Mating Games before, although I never imagined I’d ever be unfortunate enough to become entangled in their surreal theatrics.
Something about this plinth stirs a distant memory, an elusive thread I struggle to unravel.
I begin to examine the stone table, tracing my fingers across its time-worn surface, searching for any hint or mechanism.
Zoey joins me, her inquisitive gaze fixed on my actions. “What are you trying to do?” she inquires, her voice blending curiosity with a hint of urgency.
“I’m not entirely sure,” I admit as I continue my tactile exploration.
There’s something significant about this plinth, something I remember, but what is it? Its secret remains just beyond my grasp.
Acting on a hunch, I grasp the top of the table and apply atwisting motion. Initially met with resistance, it slowly yields, emitting a deep, grating sound.
Abruptly, there’s a resonant click, followed by a deep, sonorous tone that reverberates through the air, a powerful gong that sends vibrations cascading across the platform.
The physical sensation of the sound wave is tangible, visibly rippling the distant foliage of the maze far below. The nocturnal symphony of the wildlife pauses, as if in response to this unexpected intrusion. Then, gradually, the alien soundscape resumes, filling the air with its strange, haunting cadence.
Amidst this return to normalcy, another, more ominous sound emerges. The alien males, hidden within the labyrinthine walls, unleash roars filled with frustration and fury. It’s a primal response, signaling that our actions have significantly impacted the game’s dynamics.
I exchange a look with Zoey, her eyes reflecting a blend of apprehension and exhilaration. “We’ve triggered something,” I say, my voice tinged with a blend of astonishment and cautious optimism.
“What just happened?” Zoey asks, her voice quivering slightly, a blend of excitement and bewilderment.
I grin and look over at her. “It’s a Save Point!”
Zoey
Ifurrow my brows in confusion. “A Save Point? What’s that?”
“In these games, the Malquarans sometimes embed mechanisms like Save Points. They act as checkpoints. If you, the female, dies or mates, the whole Mating Game is reset. But if a Save Point is activated, instead of starting over from the very beginning, we’ll resume from where we are here, this very point.”
The realization of what he’s saying washes over me. The Malquarans have intricately designed their game for maximum intrigue and suspense.
