Jet opened her eyes to pain.

I hurt all over. I’ve never experienced this in the game before...

The full version of the Colossal Machine had a full sensory package, but the portable version was supposed to contain a fraction of that.

“Give me your hands, swine,” a female voice said.

Jet followed the voice to a woman in her mid-twenties in full battle gear. Her red hair was braided into a ponytail and fell onto one side of her spiked leather armor. Her left arm held an enormous battle axe. Her white skin was stained. Smears of dried blood marred her face and arms.

“Where am I ?”

The dungeon of Queen Amerdelle where you shall be tried for the murder of Icarius.

Murder? This is crazy!

“I didn’t murder anyone!”

“Save it, because of your special status, the queen has brought in a special magistrate to hear your plea.”

“What special status?”

“When the Grand Magi kills someone as powerful as the dungeon master, we can’t just try her like any common murderer. Examples must be made.”

Something is definitely not right.

The red-haired guard undid the shackles that bound her to the wall.

“In-Por—”

The guard shoved a gag into Jet’s mouth and secured it. Other than a series of moans, she couldn’t speak another word.

“I almost forgot, you’re special,” the guard said as she strapped a metal collar on her neck.

The guard herded Jet through a series of musty hallways. Soon, Jet found herself in a gigantic chamber with massive columns. Tiny square windows far overhead provided some illumination. Otherwise, the chamber was dimly lit and smelled of musty socks. Two figures sat upon chairs that resembled a throne. The queen and Lord Aldoor sat upon elegant chairs that were raised on a platform. Jet had to crane her neck to see them. A tall pale man with black eyes stood next to the queen.

“You may release the prisoner’s bonds,” Queen Amerdelle said.

“I must protest, she is a dangerous cur that has killed Icarius,” the pale man said.

The queen raised a hand to silence the man.

“Stand down, Etras.”

The pale man did as commanded.

The female guard unshackled her wrists and removed the gag. Jet coughed.

Stolen novel; please report.

“You stand accused of treason. How do you plead?” the pale man asked.

“Not guilty.”

“There were several eyewitnesses who witnessed someone with the robes of a magi leave the dungeon master’s quarters in the Timemaker’s Terrace. Later, he was found dead and drained of life.”

“That wasn’t me. I haven’t been there since ascending to my position as Grand Magi,” Jet said.

Could Icarius really be dead? Who killed him?

“We have witnesses. It is futile to deny it.”

“I’m not changing my plea. It’s not guilty.”

“Very well. Sentencing will begin immediately,” Queen Amerdelle said.

The pale man and the female guard carried an enormous mirror and placed it in front of Jet. The reflective surface shimmered. Jet gasped as her reflection distorted into something unrecognizable. The shape looked like a cross between a hellhound and a black, gooey blob. Jet pushed away the feeling of nausea as the mirror became fluid. A moment later, a bald man dressed in black stepped out. His hands resembled claws. The man smiled. Several rows of serrated teeth greeted Jet.

This is unreal.

“I shall enjoy feasting on your flesh.” The bald man’s long forked tongue moistened his lips.

Another shape stepped out of the mirror, it was the magi that accused her of cheating.

“Now that we’re all here, I shall begin sentencing,” Lord Aldoor said.

The bald man dry washed his hands. He watched Jet closely.

“Taking your standing as Grand Magi into account, I will give you a choice. Fight my champion in battle and win your freedom. Or be stripped of your magical abilities and be sent to live out your days beyond the mirror.”

I don’t think I can beat a magi with my level five spells.

“I’m innocent. I choose battle.”

“No, she was supposed to be mine. You haven’t seen the last of me, JetaGirl,” the bald man said as he stepped through the mirror and vanished.

“Who am I supposed to fight?” Jet asked.

“Ashony, my champion is a magi and she will ascend to Grand Magi after she dispatches you,” Lord Aldoor said, smiling.

“Only the dungeon master can confirm a Grand Magi.”

“You are correct. It’s a good thing I’m the new dungeon master.”

“What? How?”

“I won’t bore you with the details, but after you told us where to find the dungeon master, I paid Icarius a visit. He didn’t even put up a fight. I guess the old man was tired.”

Lord Aldoor’s laughter boomed throughout the chamber. Moments later, the pale man returned Jet’s knapsack. She took inventory and all of her reagents, spell scrolls, and her dagger were accounted for. The amulet glowed as she put it on.

“What’s that?” Ashony said.

“Nothing, just my good luck charm,” Jet said.

“It’s mine now,” Ashony said as she removed it from Jet’s neck.

The amulet turned red, and Ashony screamed and dropped it.

Jet picked the stone back up. She remembered the old woman at the village telling her that the Apostle’s stone was meant for the true Grand Magi. She smiled as she wore it.

“What is that?” Lord Aldoor said.

“It’s just a bauble I picked up in a village in the Garden of Light.”

“This neck piece is going to give her an unfair advantage,” Ashony demanded.

“I think a fight between a magi and a level five mage is unfair enough. I will allow JetaGirl to wear the amulet,” Queen Amerdelle said.

“Very well, the contest will begin in one hour at the arena,” Lord Aldoor said.

The queen raised her hands and chanted something that Jet couldn’t hear. Her hands were shackled with magical handcuffs. Her mana bar disappeared and the soft radiance of the amulet went out.

“You shall not cast any spells until the contest begins.”

Jet was led out of the chamber and soon she found herself in the back of a prisoner’s wagon. The castle of the Mad Queen was surrounded by a swamp. The orange and green fluid had a foul odor. It reminded Jet of rancid food and rotting meat. The air immediately changed as the wagon crossed the eternal plane, bridging the Kingdom of the Mad Queen and Darkow. The endless twilight and eerie shadows it provided were a lot more hospitable than the queen’s realm. The roar of the crowd in the arena caused her mouth to go dry and her throat to contract. She slowed her breathing and tried to calm herself. If she was victorious, she could get to the bottom of this conspiracy. She shuddered to think of a life with that disgusting bald man from the mirror world.