Nightmare Mode Chapter 8.1

Game

Thoughts

“Speech”

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“What?” Gray couldn’t help the word slip out of his mouth at King Vegeta’s words. 

Did he just ask me if I wanted to kill Frieza? Am I hallucinating right now? Am I dreaming? 

Gray hastily controlled his emotion, trying to keep his face as blank as possible.

Ok, Gray, think. I definitely plan to kill Frieza eventually and take his empire, but why the hell would King Vegeta of all people ask me this? Why is he even speaking to me in the first place? 

“Did you not hear me, kid? You’re young, but you should know better than to ignore me.” King Vegeta growled at Gray’s momentary silence. Gray felt a pressure press down on his shoulders, and he suddenly found himself struggling to hold his head high. 

If I tell the truth and this is some kind of test, I’m done for. Saying I want to kill our galactic overlord is a surefire way to die young. I’ll just lie to be safe.

“Ah, sorry, of course I would never even think of going against Lord Frie-” Gray started, but was cut off by the girl standing next to him. 

“He intends to go against Frieza in the future, father.” Celia interrupted. Gray’s head snapped in her direction, his whole body tensing, but he didn’t have the chance to say anything.

“His emotions toward Frieza?” King Vegeta asked. His focus was solely on Celia.

“He hates him,” Celia responded.

“Towards me?” He asked with narrowed eyes.

“Begrudging respect.”

What the hell is going on? Did they forget I’m standing right here or something?

“Good enough. If those feelings change, you’ll be responsible for dealing with him.” King Vegeta said, turning his focus toward Raditz. 

“Of course, My King,” Raditz responded with an arrogant grin. 

Gray’s eyes bored into the side of Celia’s head, hoping for some explanation of what was going on. She glanced at him with her eyes, her head still turned toward the King, and nodded slightly, “Father, before we speak any further, I think it would be wise if I explained some things to Gray.”

King Vegeta waved his hand dismissively, “Unimportant. You can tell him however much you deem fit to share later. You won’t waste my time.”

“Of course, Father. However, I also think it would be wise if I gave you the report about my mission before we discuss this any further. Raditz and Gray should step out while I do since some of the information might be… significant.” Celia said, leaving Gray even more confused. King Vegeta narrowed his eyes once again at Celila, looking like he wanted to refuse, but responded after a moment of silence.

“Fine. I expect this to be good. Leave us.” King Vegeta said, gesturing to Raditz.

Raditz’s eye twitched, glaring slightly at Celia. He turned around, placing a hand on Gray’s shoulder, and pushing him slightly towards the door they entered through. As they walked toward the door, Celia’s voice rang out throughout the chamber one more time, “No offense, of course, Raditz, Gray. I trust both of you, but this is something that needs to stay between our family. Maybe you can start briefing Gray about what’s going on so no more of Father’s time will be spent on it, Raditz?” 

“Yeah, yeah, sure,” Raditz responded gruffly as he stepped through the massive door, Gray walking out behind him a moment later. The massive set of doors slammed behind them, and Raditz started walking away from them, going towards an open area of the palace. Gray followed him, and a moment later they were standing on a large terrace, giving Gray a view of the towering mountains and buildings far below them.

“That damn bastard, leaving this to me. You’re lucky. His Highness would rather just give you your orders, but the bastard girl wants you in the know beforehand. She should’ve just talked to you on the trip back to Planet Vegeta, that lazy girl.” Raditz growled, leaning his back against a nearby wall. 

“So, you gonna tell me what’s going on?” Gray asked the long-haired man.

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll give you the quick version for now. That girl, Celia, is one of the King’s bastards. He’s had more than a few, but most are useless or dead. Most people don’t know that, only some royalty and the King’s elites, like me, so keep your mouth shut. Her mission was to scout out some of the new F-Class recruits to find some standouts. The stupid girl took it a bit far, enrolling herself as a recruit, and even then only found one. You better be really special, or neither of you be alive a few weeks from now.” Raditz said, staring out at the towering mountains around them.

That explains her strength at least, and how she made an artificial moon, but I already knew she had some tie to the royal family.

“Don’t worry, I won’t say a word. What about what happened in there?” Gray said, nodding his head toward the path heading to the King’s throne room. 

“About how the King practically ignored you? Get used to it. There’s a reason that girl is one of the few bastards still around. She’s useful, if only for her… ability. Even I don’t really get how it works, and I don’t really care,” Raditz growled, “Ask her about it if you do. Pretty much, you can’t hide anything from her. She’s especially good at finding traitors. If she said you felt any attachment for Frieza, or negative thoughts toward the King, then your head would’ve been blown off on the spot.” Raditz explained, dropping what felt like mindnumbing information for Gray as if he was just talking about the weather. 

An ability that makes it impossible to hide anything from her? 

Gray’s mind started whirling, thinking through all the possibilities.

Can she see the future, like Bardock could? Mind reading? Memory reading? Fuck, I knew she was suspicious, but I didn’t expect this. 

“Don’t look so scared, boy. It’s unbecoming of a Saiyan.” Raditz chuckled, and Gray realized his stress was showing on his face, “What’re you scared that she’ll find out? Got a small cock or somethin?” 

Gray couldn’t resist glancing down at his crotch.

Nah, I’m packing.