Chapter 1: A MUD-ley BandTHE INTERWORLD, “MUD” ARENA

  “Hello everybody! Make some noise!”

  A cacophony of cheers erupts from the thousands of spectators in “Mirror’s Ultimate Deathmatch” (MUD) Arena at the appearance of Grand-Mirror, the competition’s charming proprietor and coordinator.

  Despite having the appearance of an unassuming middle-aged Human, Grand-Mirror is actually a Variant of the infamous demon, Master Mirror. Like his counterparts, he possesses temporal magic and a love for games.

  Unlike many who were abducted and trapped in the Interworld, Grand-Mirror came to this universe willingly, using his powers to create MUD Arena. He designed the competition to reduce violence in the Interworld and entertain its denizens. By advertising the sport, people may avoid starting fights in favor of watching them. For a small fee, of course.

  “Wow, what a turnout we have tonight. Look at all these new faces!”

  “My deepest sympathies to all bettors who lost st week, but don’t you worry. All your favorite fighters are back and ready for this week’s brackets, so feel free to try again.”

  As the sun sets on the Interworld, darkness falls over the arena. The sky had no stars, no moons, only an empty bck void. In his booth, Grand-Mirror smiles wickedly.

  “Alright, now that the sun has set, and the stage lights are prepped…”

  “So, dies and gentlemen and androgynous attendees, it is my pleasure to welcome you to MUD!!”

  The crowd cheers even louder this time as fireworks explode in the sky and loud bass music bsts from the speakers.

  THE INTERWORLD, “MUD” ARENA, COMPETITOR WAITING ROOM

  Underneath the arena is a cramped common area filled with fighters of all shapes and sizes. All of them had lives in different worlds before they found themselves transported and trapped in the Interworld. After that, they were captured Grand-Mirror’s mysterious shadow henchmen.

  The main screen in the front of the room fshes, showing the preliminary brackets. The shadow guards take some of the competitors to prepare them for their fights. Some were defiant, but they quickly learned shadow guards are practically invincible. A few painful shocks from their crystal staffs turned even the most stubborn wills compliant.

  “Ugh, you’d think I’d be used to that shitty dubstep by now, but nope. It’s still loud enough to make my brain rattle in my poor skull.”

  Not far away, a tall, silver-haired woman in a red and bck military uniform grumbled to herself while eating. The only food in the MUD Arena was a strange watery oatmeal which was neither savory nor filling. Still, she scarfs it down out of necessity as if it’s the best thing she ever tasted.

  “Are you talking to me? Because I agree, this music is very irritating,” said a robotic voice, slightly startling Valerie.

  Sitting next to her was another woman with long rose gold hair that accentuated her expressionless red eyes. She wears an eerily simir (but more revealing) uniform with pouches and high-heeled boots. Behind rested a rge assault rifle with an under-barrel grenade uncher. They might have a simir color pate, but Valerie didn’t recognize her weapon. It and her must come from yet another new world.

  Intrigued, Valerie looked down to make eye contact with her much shorter tablemate.

  I don’t recognize her. And a body like that isn’t one I’d easily forget, Valerie thought. She must’ve been brought in with that new batch from Teyvat.

  “Nice job copying my outfit. You even put cute little stars on the stockings. I’ll bet your miniskirt is giving you a wedgie, too.”

  “What are you–!?”

  “Ahaha, I’m just messing with ya~!” Valerie pyfully flicks the Nikke’s beret to her chagrin. “It’s probably just a dumb coincidence. I did stitch these threads myself.”

  “Now, allow me to introduce myself properly. The name’s Valerie Star, reigning champ of the MUD Arena, also called Silent Control. Nice to meet you, Miss…”

  “Just call me Rapi, and I know who you are. New arrivals are encouraged to watch videos of your fights. You are very strong.” Even when praising her, Rapi’s voice was still monotonous.

  “Thank you. Welcome to the Interworld.” Valerie dramatically extends her arms as if to present the sorry pce to Rapi. “If the multiverse had a garbage dump, this would be it. Unfortunately, we don’t have an Alioth keeping it clean.”

  Though Valerie said a lot of things which made no sense, Rapi was used to communicating with eccentrics. She also has some experience with individuals from other worlds; maybe this is just how people talk wherever Valerie’s from.

  “Wait, this ain’t your first time in the Multiverse?” asked Valerie. “Huh, at least we have that in common.”

  “You can read my mind?” gasped Rapi in astonishment. Given all the extraordinary things that happened to her, the fact that this is in the top ten says a lot. Of course, Red Hood is number one.

  “It’s a little tricky since your Nikke brain has those funky nanomachines, son. I only get around every two or three thoughts,” Valerie reveals, ignoring some of the idle thoughts she picked up. “Just for reference, imagine a buffering video. That’s what it’s like.”

  “Okay, Valerie, let me cut to the chase: I need your help,” said Rapi. “I heard you’ve been trapped here the longest, and I have to get out of here. I’ll give you anything.”

  Hearing this, Valerie furtively checked if any shadow guards were watching. She then gently grabs the back of Rapi’s head and pulls her in.

  “Sorry, but you came to the wrong Mutant,” she hisses. Their faces were close enough for Rapi to smell her breath. “I’ve been in this hole for six fucking months trying to do same thing. You know what I learned? It’s impossible.”

  “Then, perhaps you need a new perspective,” suggests Rapi. “You’re a soldier too. Soldiers don’t fight alone.”

  “Stop quoting Natn, you’re gonna set a fg!” Valerie scolds. “Hold up, are you saying we should team up?”

  “I am,” said Rapi.

  “Well, a fellow gun girl for an ally would be better than a goody two-shoes or a useless goddess, but…” Valerie perked up to check for shadow guards again. “…but I ain’t a nerd, and you don’t look like one either.”

  “So?”

  “So, if I couldn’t make any progress after all this time, that means we need a bigger brain. I bet one was brought into the MUD Arena with you.”

  “How do you know that? Also, when the preliminaries end, what if you’re called to fight?”

  “Ah-ah-ah…” Valerie puts a finger on Rapi’s lips. “We need answers right now, Rapi, not more questions.”

  “So, let’s get to searching. I’ll ask around this side; you take that one,” said Valerie. “And be discreet. These guards are watching us like a cross-dressing virgin in a girls’ shower.”

  Rapi nods. “Roger.”

  “Wait.” Valerie grabs Rapi’s arm before she can leave. “Say that again, but with a Human salute. It’ll make me feel more at home.”

  With a sigh, the Nikke stood up straight, adjusted her rifle’s strap, and saluted Valerie. “Roger…”

  “Ahh… the sound of home…”

  THE INTERWORLD, “MUD” ARENA, COMPETITOR WAITING ROOM, MEDIA ROOM (A FEW MINUTES LATER)

  “Wow, that was a great hit!” cheers a young girl wearing a tan vest and holding a doll close to her chest.

  Having been starved for some entertainment, she was watching the preliminaries live on one of the consoles. Around her, more studious fighters study repys of their future opponents to learn their styles. Suddenly, a man twice her size snatches her doll.

  “Wha– hey! Give that back!” she cries. With a sneer, he shoves her aside.

  “You want it, bitch?” he taunts Belle, waving Eous back and forth. “Come and get it.”

  *click*

  “Huh?” A contoured piece of cold metal presses against his head.

  “Yeah, you know what that is. They’re found in pretty much every world,” Valerie threatens. “Be a good boy and drop the rabbit.”

  Frightened, the man pushes Eous into Valerie’s hands and runs away. He takes two steps before–

  BANG

  The sound of a gauss-accelerated gunshot reverberated through the room. But despite witnessing a cold-blooded murder, the bystanders quickly resume their business. Apathy was also something very common in the Multiverse.

  “What an ass, tormenting a little girl for kicks…” Valerie spins her gun and holsters it. Unsure of what to say, Belle just stares at the tall woman bnkly. “A ‘thank you, o glorious, silver goddess’ would be a nice pce to start.”

  Meanwhile, live everyone, Rapi heard the gunshot and came right over, stepping over the thug’s cadaver on her way in.

  “I thought you said to be discreet,” she remarks. “Well, at least you found her.”

  “Okay, who are you freaks!? What the hell is going on!?” shrieks Belle. “One minute, I’m asleep in my bed; the next, I wake up in this nightmare! I know this isn’t a Hollow, and my dreams never get this crazy!”

  “Oh, you have no idea,” agreed Valerie. “Like, I couldn’t make up half the stuff I’ve seen here. And it only gets wonkier, trust me.”

  “You aren’t helping.” Brushing past Valerie, Rapi reaches a comforting hand out to Belle. “I am Rapi, she is Valerie, and you are Belle, the famous Proxy from New Eridu.”

  “How did you know?”

  “Courtesy of a girl with pink hair named Nicole Demara,” said Valerie. “More accurately, I distracted her with my st vanil pudding cup to read her mind. It was hard to sift through the invoices and IOUs, but I found your identity. She also might have a thing for your big brother.”

  “Damn…” Belle curses. “And ew.”

  “Belle, if you come with us, we will expin everything,” adds Rapi. “More importantly, you might be able to get us all out of here.”

  Instead of taking Rapi’s hand, Belle stares her down suspiciously. “So, if you two are soldiers, are you the good kind or the bad kind?”

  Rapi flinches at her question, but Valerie is quick to retort.

  “The kind that doesn’t have time for stupid questions, kid! Come on, all will be revealed in Chapter 2.”

  “Has your friend always been crazy?” she asks, pointing a finger at Valerie. Rapi just shrugs.

  “Not sure. We just met a few minutes ago.”

  “Cool.”

  Now a trio, the small team exits the media room with their newest member. None of them noticed a shadow guard eavesdropping from behind a corner. After they leave, the gaseous creature pces an armored finger onto the helmet meant to be its head and calls Grand-Mirror.

  “Master, I have news.”