Shattered realm

I would like to thank everyone who inspired me to make this story. All my friends and all the awesome artists that helped me quite a bit as well with their fantastic art.
(c) ZUN and Kotoba Noriaki. All characters or most of the character, in this story belong to them. Also Special thanks to my lovely redactor and a true friend, Miya."


Chapter One: Introduction

It was an ordinary day, everything went slow and quite. The day was dragging itself to the starting line, and so was I, It's a peaceful morning. It was pretty early but sun still managed to sneak into my room and, reminding me that a new day has come, suggested I got up and enjoy the day. I wasn't very convinced, as I lazily stretched in my bed.

I think I could spend my entire day like that if I didn't receive a phone call. When I picked up the phone, a familiar voice greeted me. It was Alex, my friend, he's a good friend. I knew him for at least 3 years now. To my surprise, he required my assistance, which is funny considering that he is the head scientist, working for god-knows-who in some secret laboratory. I never wanted, or never cared to ask too many questions. I remember helping him a few times in the past but it was nothing major.

Since I had nothing better to do, I decided to accept his offer. While I was getting ready, I end up thinking about, in what matter would he required my help? Decided that guessing won't get me anywhere, I got all the necessary things and began heading out. Thankfully, the place where Alex was working wasn't very far from my home. Some might think: "How an outsider like me could get in the high security place like this?" Sometimes I wonder that myself. Well, there was nothing special about me or that day.

One day we were just hanging out and having some fun, as all friends do, when Alex got a call from his co-worker who told him that there were problems in the lab. I asked him if I can help and he accepted my offer. I guess he trusted me, though I wasn't entirely sure.
While I was having flashbacks, I haven't noticed that I have already arrived, deciding to not stand outside for too long, I entered the building.

Chapter Two: Surprise

As I was entering the building, I curiously looked around. It was an ordinary looking lobby but with extra guards and metal detectors. I also noticed a lot of security cameras. The walls were awfully white. A few paintings were covering them so it wasn't that bad. The floor was polished so much that you could see your own reflection in it. Speaking of which, the ceiling for the most part, was made out of mirrors. It was an odd design but who am I to judge?
While I was gazing around, one of the guards approached me:

Guard: Can I help you? "He seemed polite and I had no intentions to make him act any different"
Zane: Hi, my friend Alex asked me to help him with something, so I arrived as soon as I could
Guard: Wait here a moment sir, I need to check this.
Zane: Of course "As the guard went straight to the security room. My best guess would be that he went to ask Alex directly. That didn't take long. After a few minutes, the guard returned"
Guard: Sir, I'm not trying to be rude but are you sure you didn't mix anything?
Zane: W-What do you mean?
Guard: I asked all of our employees if they are expecting visitors and nobody gave a positive answer.
Zane: Really? That's odd...
"What is this? Was he trying to confuse me? Or maybe Alex didn't need my help and all this was one, big joke? While I was thinking about what's going on or what should I do, the culprit himself showed up"
Alex: Hey! What took you so long?
Zane: You tell me. I have no idea what's going on.
Alex: Oh, let me guess. This fine gentlemen right here told you that I am not expecting anyone?
Zane: Exactly.
Guard: But I-I see now... Sir, allow me to re-introduce you, this man known as Alex the trickster.
Zane: Trickster? So what you're trying to telling me- "Before I can finish my sentence, the guard interrupts me"
Guard: Exactly! Not a single day has passed without one his "pranks".
"The guard sighs" Sometimes I really wonder how he manages to keep his job.
Alex. I am the best at what I do, Victor, at least around these parts.
Victor: Can't argue with that. Care to introduce me to your friend?
Alex: Why not? This is Victor, the chief of the guards.
Zane: Nice to meet you. I'm Zane.
Victor. Likewise, don't make any trouble around here and we'll get along just fine.
Zane: You won't even notice I'm here.
"After that, we both shook hands. While doing so, I remembered that on my last visit here a different guard greeted me. I decided to not guess this time and ask directly"
Victor. Excuse me for the question but what happened to the last chief of the guards?
Victor: The only thing I can tell you is he got fired because he caused a few "accidents"
Alex. He was a good fellow but he made a few unforgivable mistakes.
Zane: I sure hope you didn't do what I'm thinking about right now.
Alex: Hm? Oh no, nothing like that. We didn't "dispose" of him, if that's what you're asking. Anyway, we got a job to do and place to be.
Victor: So do I. Watch yourselves out there.
Zane: Will do.
Victor: Oh, one more thing. Don't trust anything he says.
Alex: I love you too, Victor. "Said Alex as Victor left us"
Zane: What was that all about?
Alex: An Inside joke.
Zane: Uhuh...
Alex: This way, please.

"After our little conversation, we headed into far side of the room. There were elevators waiting for us, one was meant for personnel transportation and the second one was bigger so it was safe to assume that it was used for equipment transportation or something like that.

We took the small one. I have been here before, but that was a long time ago so some things have changed, and some stays the same. I still getting the same feeling as the first time I was in here, then the elevator doors closed before me, I can't imagine what will await me.

"

Chapter Three: The depths.

"As we were going into the depths of this facility, Alex decided to start a conversation"
Alex: We haven't seen each other for some time. Don't you have to tell me?
Zane: Ain't much to tell. You know my life isn't as exciting as yours.
Alex: Exciting... I wouldn't call this "exciting".
Zane: it sure isn't when you get used to it.
Alex: Don't want to hear it! I already offered you a place as my assistant but you refused.
Zane: You know better than anyone else that I'm not good at your science doohickey. I still don't understand why you need my help on this one.
Alex: You have potential but you are too stubborn to accept that fact.
Zane: Yeah, right.
" The conversation met its end but we were on our floor anyway. As we exited the elevator, new scenery lied before me. It was nothing like up top. It was a high-tech laboratory, like one you only can see in the movies or in games. As we were making our way down, something caught my eye. One of the scientists was pushing a hospital bed on which was laying a young looking girl. You can imagine the look on my face when I saw a pair of animal ears showing from the top of her head. After that, I started questioning Alex's line of work"
Zane: So...
Alex: So?
Zane: Since when do you use humans as test subjects?
Alex: What? "Alex let out a brief laugh"Who told you that nonsense?
"I couldn't help but give him a sarcastic answer"
Zane: A ghost of one of your patients that you "experimented" to death.
Alex: Again? He is really annoying lately...
Zane: Forget it...
"He didn't reply with nothing but a wide smile on his face. He was not giving me a straight answer but I knew something was not right here.
We finally hit a dead end with only one room to go to. Without second thought, Alex went inside. I followed him.
"

Charter Four: Tension.

Alex: Here it is!
"Alex seemed overly excited about something. From my point of view, there wasn't anything that could make me as excited as Alex was"
Zane: So this is it, huh?
Alex: YES! Isn't it beautiful?
Zane: Yeah... I have no idea what you're talking about...
Alex: No? Oh, right. Silly me... You see, this is the real reason why I called you here.
Zane: Uhuh...?
Alex: The reason why I called you here is-
"Before he could finish his sentence, we both felt a strong vibration as if there was a explosion nearby or it was coming from a heavy impact. Before any of us could even begin saying the famous "What the hell was that!", we heard screaming that came from the outside"
Alex: That wasn't supposed to happen...
Zane: You don't say?
Alex: I'm going to contact the surface.
"Luckily for us, as said before, it was a high-tech complex with a way to communicate with the outside. I just hope that it still worked"
Alex: Victor. Come in Victor! Can you hear me?
Victor: Alex, this is Victor. Are you alright down there?
Alex: Yeah, we're both fine. What is going on?
Victor: Test subjects- "static"escaped- "static"Do not- "static"Stay- "static" We will-... "Radio dies"
Alex: Victor? Victor! Damnit!...
"Silence fills the room as we hear someone screaming outside. It was getting louder, and louder, and louder. Finally, it reached outside of our room. The silence falls for a couple of seconds which is followed by begging for mercy. After that we heard footsteps. The sounds of running are followed by a grunt, a grunt someone makes when they're in great pain. It sounded like whoever was outside the door got their chest pierced with a long and sharp object. It wasn't long before there was nothing but silence yet again; all I and Alex did was staring at each other without even blinking. What else could we do? I then try asked him that, too break the silence."
Zane: What now?
"I tried to stay as calm as possible in a situation like this. Alex wasn't doing such a great job"
Alex: Now? Now we GET THE F*CK OUT of here!
"After yells those words, he hurried ran outside".


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