Jet awoke to the sound of machinery. Her entire field of vision consisted of the floor. She tried moving her head, but something prevented it. She tried again with more force, and while she was able to move it slightly, a wave of pain shot through her neck and shoulders.

“Hello? Is there anyone there?” Jet yelled.

She didn’t expect anyone to answer, but to her surprise someone did.

“My dear, you better not fret, the doctor will be here soon,” a woman’s voice said.

“Who are you?”

My name is Gretta, and you were brought to the doctor after your . . . accident.”

“When will the doctor be back? This is uncomfortable, and—”

“The doctor will be back soon, dear. You cannot move your head without further injuring yourself, but I do have some VR goggles I can put on your head.”

“Do you have access to the Colossal Machine?”

“The what?”

“It’s a game. Maybe if you could download it, I could play.”

“Of course, dear. Give me a moment and I’ll see about getting it installed.”

About an hour later, Jet was controlling her avatar. She used the retinal recognition through the VR interface to get in.

I’m glad I had the biometrics setup, otherwise this woman would know my password, Jet thought. She was in her microcosm, a private area in the Colossal Machine where she could build anything she wanted.

I wonder if I can get back to the dungeon master.

Jet didn’t waste any time finding out. She stepped outside her microcosm and was instantly transported to a circular-shaped room with rows of seats that wrapped around her. She was seated in an oversized chair that resembled a throne. She was the only one in the room. She wondered if anyone else was going to show up, or if there was a specific time this council met. She was about to give up when she glimpsed the old man standing nearby.

“Hail, JetaGirl,” he said, “are you ready to begin the trials?”

“I am.”

“Very well. Once you start you will need to complete all the trials. If you quit early, then you will need to wait a fortnight before resuming. Do you understand?”

“Yes, but I have a question.”

“Very well.”

“Can you tell me about the trials?”

“It is the ultimate test of your chosen path. Since you are already a Magi, you have a chance to become the highest rank in that path. You will be granted powers befitting the rank, but you will not be all powerful—balance still needs to be maintained.”

“How many Grand Magi are there?”

“If you pass the trials, then you will be the first.”

“Very well, I’m ready to get started.”

The dungeon master waved a gnarled staff, and orbs of light appeared throughout the room. Moments later, nine people and the dungeon master sat nearby.

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A beautiful red-haired woman in a formal dress appeared. Her long flowing hair shifted position as she moved toward Jet.

“JetaGirl, I am Countess Negas of the Kingdom of Nigh. Since I hold the position of first chair, I will be moderating the proceedings. Are you ready to be judged?”

“I am ready,” Jet said.

“You will be asked a series of questions from each council member. If you answer satisfactorily, you will be granted the title of Grand Magi. This title is permanent and takes precedence over all other titles. Do you understand?”

“I understand.”

An old woman with long silvery hair wearing a full-length blue dress stood at the podium positioned about ten feet away.

“I am the Baroness of the High Terrace,” the woman said. “You are entrusted with the royal purse of the kingdom. But first you must answer this question.” The woman paused, looking steadily at Jet. “You come across a starving man who has not eaten in weeks. He asks you for a silver piece. You only have the money entrusted to you. Do you give him the silver piece, or do you let him starve?”

“I would give him the silver piece so he could buy food. Then, when I get back to court, I would beg the King’s forgiveness, then offer to reimburse the royal treasury,” Jet said.

The old woman left and was replaced by an older fighter who bore many scars.

“I am Sir Gladdus of Strombach, and please answer true,” he said.

“I will, Sir Knight,” Jet replied.

“You are assigned to guard a gate that has not seen battle for many moons. You are asked to join in a battle to slay a dragon that has plagued the kingdom for ages. The commander asks for you to join. If you do, the party has more than a good chance at victory. Do you join in the battle knowing you can deny your involvement if the battle doesn’t go as planned, or will you uphold your oath and guard the post?”

Jet thought about it for a moment before answering.

“I would obey my orders and maintain the post I was assigned.”

The man gave Jet a look of surprise, but she thought she saw an approving look on the man’s face.

Many more questions were asked, Jet answered honestly. The last council member took Jet by surprise: Queen Amerdelle, the Mad Queen, stood before her.

“It is good to meet your acquaintance again,” Queen Amerdelle said.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Jet said.

The Mad Queen smiled.

“You are married to the most handsome man in all the land,” she began. “He has taken ill and has only days to live. You can extend his life by feeding him the heart of a virgin. You calculate your village has more than fifty across the lands. Will you kill the virgins to save your beloved, or will you watch him die in your arms?”

What kind of question is this? This must be a trick.

“I will not harm others for personal benefit,” Jet said.

The Mad Queen looked disappointed, then left without another word.

The countess took the podium.

“We shall discuss your answers. Enjoy our hospitality while you are here,” the countess said.

Jet watched the council members leave the chamber and enter a side room. She didn’t know how long they would be gone, but she intended to not go far. She left the council chamber from a different exit than the one she had entered the last time she’d been here. She found herself atop a large parapet. She gazed over an enormous chasm. Waterfalls, streams, and mountains could be seen from her vantage point. A small child, about five, was perched atop the railing.

“Hello, are you the Magi?” the boy asked. “Are you ready to become the first Grand Magi of the realm?”

Jet didn’t answer for a long moment. The boy looked at her.

“I’m not sure,” she replied. “It would depend on the requirements, I suppose.”

“Why is that important?”

“Because, my priority is my beloved, and if he needs help, then he would come first.”

“Good answer,” the boy said.

Then the boy aged almost a hundred years in a few moments. It was the dungeon master.

“You have passed the ultimate test,” he said. “You are fit to be Grand Magi. We shall announce you to the kingdom in one fortnight. Until then, you have all the powers and privileges of a Grand Magi. Your first assignment is to investigate disturbances of power in the circle of Nexus.”

“Is this another test?” Jet asked.

The dungeon master laughed.

“Not in an official capacity, but you will need to learn how to defend against dark powers. The person causing a disruption has been elevated to power that is beyond the capabilities of a Grand Magi. If you put an end to the disturbance, you shall be heralded throughout the lands as the Avatar, the champion of the realm.”

“Sure, I will heed the challenge.”

What do I have to lose?

Jet was pulled out of the Colossal Machine.

She pulled off her VR goggles and blinked. Moments later an older man who looked at least eighty appeared. His white hair and chiseled facial features reminded her of her grandfather.

“Hello, Josephine, I’m Dr. Gruber, and I need to perform another surgery on your lower back. Are you ready to proceed?”

“Where am I?”

“We have stopped the bleeding, but we need to get to work quickly if we are to save your legs.”

The stark reality came crashing upon her.