After traveling several in-game hours into the barren land, Jet thought she knew why it was called the Enduring Plain. The desolate landscape went on forever. Other than a few rocks, nothing else was visible. The deeper she delved into the plain, a sense of dread washed over her. It seemed like every dark and foreboding aspect of the Colossal Machine settled in this area. To have such a place in the middle of the most beautiful part of the game construct was a bit unnerving. It was like every foul part of the world was dumped here.

“Hello!” a man’s voice said.

Jet turned in the direction of the voice. No one was visible.

“Por-Em-Cras-Vet,” Jet chanted.

The immediate area contained no evil presence.

“You also seek the pillar of Hope I see.”

This time, a middle-aged man with salt and pepper hair and a goatee materialized before her.

“Who are you?” Jet asked.

“My name is Icarius and I’m otherwise known as the Dungeon Master.”

Jet gave the man a skeptical look.

“You’re not him. I know the real Icarius.”

“Looks are not everything, my dear. I have showed myself to you as a child and in my true older form. A healthy dose of skepticism is not a bad thing. Ask me something that the true Icarius would know.”

Jet thought for a long moment. The dungeon master had stepped her through the many trials and she became the Grand Magi after being interrogated for hours by the council of nine.

“When you presented yourself to me as a child, what did you ask me?” Jet said.

“I asked if you were ready to become the first Grand Magi of the realm.”

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

“That’s correct, but what task did you send me on?”

“I sent you on a quest to find out what was wrong with the land, but I see that you already met the Master Builder.”

“Okay, I believe you are who you claim, but it doesn’t explain your presence.”

“I’m afraid that I’m the bearer of bad news. The virtual world you know as the Colossal Machine has accelerated its decay. You don’t have much time left before the constructs will crumble. Evil forces are conspiring to accelerate the decay. Time is short and you have little left. The pillar of hope lies below your feet. You’ve almost passed it up. It’s time to use what the Shrew gave you.”

Jet reached for the crystal that the gypsy gave her. It was glowing with a blood red radiance. The old woman had told her to let the object be her guide. The closer she got to a pillar, the crystal would change.

“I’m not powerful enough to restore the pillar alone. My Grand Magi status didn’t transfer over.”

“You are partially correct. While your level didn’t transfer to this version of the construct, your reputation and status did. All you need to do is amass enough experience to become a Magi, then the Grand Magi status will automatically be restored. However, there is another Magi trying to steal your title. If this happens, I will not be able to restore your rightful claim.”

The plain shook and the hard pack collapsed upon itself. Jet tumbled into the hole that formed and fell into darkness.

“In-Por-Ot-Vet,” Jet said.

Her rate of decline slowed.

“In-Por-Ot-Bem,” she uttered.

Her immediate surroundings illuminated. She found herself in the middle of an expansive subterranean area. She watched in fascination as the area was being reforged before her eyes. Rough hewn staircases and ledges were being shaped and formed before her eyes. She had not seen this level of magic in the game before. She recast the light and flight spells again until she settled safely on the bottom of the expanse. A smooth glass like substance covered the floor. She slipped as she stepped upon the surface. It was as if the floor was made of ice. An icy breeze swept through the crevasse. The beastial roar of something big echoed through her immediate area. The crystal turned black and burned her skin.

I must be close.

She took a hesitant step on the slick surface and started moving toward the angry sounding growls of whatever was waiting for her. Any attempts at slowing herself only accelerated her descent into darkness. Moments later, she stopped at the base of an enormous pillar. Light reflected from the reflective glassy rock that surrounded her.

“You’ve come in our time of need,” a familiar voice said.

Jet watched as the Master Builder came into view. The golem seemed to have aged considerably since she first met him.

“How’s your brother?” Jet asked.

“He’s recovering and should be ready to assist in the battles to come. Now, are you ready to restore the pillar of Hope?”

Jet nodded. She was more than ready to restore her Grand Magi status.