Shonda awoke to blackness. She couldn’t see anything, but the pain that coursed through her body was evidence enough that she was alive.

The game is in hardcore mode. I should be looking at a login screen.

“Is this the champion that you seek?” a woman’s voice said.

“Indeed, according to my information, she’s morally gray. Perfect for our needs,” a male voice said.

Laughter filled her mind, then nothing.

System Message: You have died. Thank you for playing the Colossal Machine Lite.

Instead of the familiar login screen she was used to seeing after dying, another prompt appeared.

System Message: Another is trying to resurrect you. Do you accept?

Damn right I accept!

Shonda chose the “yes” option, then moments later an orange portal opened.

“Step though and seek out Lord Aldoor,” a male voice said.

Shonda exited the portal. A sparse, darkening landscape lay ahead. An older man with long white hair and a wizard’s hat bowed before her.

“Welcome to Darkow Magi,” the man said.

“I’m here to meet with Lord Aldoor,” Shonda said.

The old wizard scowled.

“My lord is not seeing anyone right now. Unless you give a good enough reason, I suggest you be on your way,” the wizard said, turning away.

“I can give JetaGirl to Lord Aldoor,” Shonda said.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

The wizard shot her a sidelong glance.

“I’m listening. You have thirty seconds to tell me your plan.”

“JetaGirl has already restored two of the six pillars. She is cleansing the third as we speak,” Shonda lied.

The wizard had an unreadable expression.

“How do you know this? I suppose she told you this, eh?” the wizard said.

“Not in so many words, but we traveled together. She also tried enlisting my help.”

“What do you get in all of this?”

“I want to become a Grand Magi.”

“Impossible, there is already one. And Lord Aldoor has no plans to kill JetaGirl.”

“I have a way to transfer JetaGirl’s status without killing her.”

The wizard folded his arms.

“Wait here.”

The man mumbled something, then disappeared. Shonda examined the entryway of the floating fortress. A raised drawbridge made it possible for non-magical users to walk across the space. She cast her flight spell. Since she was a magi, she floated just high enough to see over the massive walls. An entire village was bustling with activity. She saw a blacksmith making a sword. Next to his shop was an apothecary. Smoke billowed out of a cauldron. Above the village, an onyx-colored structure loomed overhead. Dark clouds surrounded the various parapets. She thought she could see gargoyles or giant bats circling the structure.

“Lord Aldoor will see you now,” the wizard said as he cast dispel, which negated her flight capability. She dropped to the ground like a stone and lost more than fifty percent of her health for her trouble.

“Next time, wait before peeping into someone’s window.”

“I was just interested in what the castle looked like.”

“You should have waited. Now come with me—before I change my mind.”

Shonda followed the wizard into the entryway. Moments later, they were standing in the center of a large room. A burly man was sitting on the imposing-looking throne just before her.

“I understand that you have something for me?” Lord Aldoor said.

Shonda took a step back involuntarily. The man exuded madness.

I’d better chose my words carefully.

“I have something that you want, but do you have what it takes to pay for it?”

“You will show respect for Lord Aldoor.”

Lord Aldoor raised a hand.

“Let her speak. I’m interested in what she has to say. I have the ability to transfer the status you most desire, but you need to prove that you know the location of JetaGirl.”

Shonda produced a scroll. “Check the magic for yourself. This is a recall scroll that will take you to its maker.”

Lord Aldoor snapped his fingers. The scroll disappeared from Shonda’s hands and appeared in his.

“Hey, what’s the meaning of this? I knew you were a scammer!”

The master mage ignored her comments as he examined the scroll.

“This looks authentic. You have a bargain. But you need to use the scroll to bring her to me. I will wait near the Pillar of Equality. You must convince JetaGirl to proceed to the Kingdom of the Mad Queen.”

“Why there?” Shonda asked.

“That’s my business. Just make it happen. Now, you have ten seconds to use the scroll, or I enslave you. I can compel the answer from you, but I’d rather not.”

Shonda used the scroll. A white light embraced her. The next thing she saw was the clear night sky before she started falling.