A/N - Here we go again, with a recreation of my last story. Hope you like it.
The Dimensional Crystal
Chapter 1 - How to avoid taxes… FOREVER
Protagonist PoV
9AM - PrimeDimension - My home
"Home at last!" I opened the door, exhausted from my night.
It was like that every day…
Alone, in my home. Just got back from job I hated due the people there, not so much about the job itself.
I'm the protagonist. I'm 6'1' (1.85m) in height, average build. Sporting light blue clothes and dark blue jeans with a black synthetic leather jacket over it, I was different from those around me. Even if it was hot, I would use that jacket. A Bluetooth headset was on my head, keeping my black, slight grey hair a bit less messy.
"Another stupid day, dealing with stupid people, who brings stupid kids at 3AM at a fast-food joint." I complained to myself, tired of the over 4 years of dealing with that.
It couldn't be helped, I was locked by a contract and the government was keeping a sizeable piece of his own salary hostage in a public bank. They say it is a compulsory safety for once I get laid off, but we all know that is bullshit.
I pulled my Bluetooth headphones to my neck, to use them more as an accessory. That one is my most prized possession, since it drowns the noise whatever I need to step outside. Without them, I feel I would get sick.
"Now to enjoy my freaking day off." I left my backpack over my bed. It wasn't a very big home, but it was cozy and enough for my living. A small kitchen, bathroom for basic needs and the main room where I treated as a bedroom and work/hobby place. It has a normal queen size bed, mirror, drawers and everything from a normal bedroom. It has a not-so-much budget computer, with three monitors, gaming keyboard and mouse, normal headset, a drawing tablet for art, GTX 970, i7 CPU and the HTC Vive connected, alongside a green screen behind a normal office chair.
I finished starting my computer and opened the live streaming programs, and opened a game I was waiting a lot to stream: Hyperdimension Neptunia VIIR.
I can't tell you how long I waited for that. After years of dealing with some of the worst kind of customers, which I called normies, I finally saved enough money for a virtual reality headset. That was finally my great objective. To try to forget real life once for all once I can immerse myself into VR. I got it cheaper than usual, had some contacts that could pass the 100% customs tax, which made this kind of tech not viable for households.
"Hello hello people! Name's Icy Wings and welcome to another livestream!" I greeted my viewers. I had some viewers but not something you say about being a professional streamer, but it was great to keep me company and interact while gaming.
"Today I'll be streaming Hyperdi-" *Doorbell sound* "OH COME ON! I just started!" I was about to wear the VR glasses when the doorbell buzzed several times. "Be right back."
Unfortunately, today wasn't going to be a good day for me. I checked the entrance camera, which I installed for security reasons. There was three persons wearing formal suits. I opened the door and went outside.
"Hello, may I help you?"
?: We are from the IRS. We got a report from somebody that you avoided taxes in your last purchase.
"I don't know what are you talking about." Fuck. The IRS. Not only I hated the state but those guys were the worst. There was no way I could prove I got my Vive within the "law", and I wouldn't pay twice it's actual value in taxes that were going to nowhere besides their pocket.
IRS Underling: Don't try to be smart. You bought a really expensive piece of tech and didn't pay the customs for it. We know. The IRS know.
He signaled the other two to enter my home uninvited. They started approaching me. I decided I wasn't going to give them what they want and kicked the main guy in the gut, which knocked him at the other two, and locked the door back.
"God flipping DAMMIT! Don't you guys know the concept of NAP?!" I yelled so my viewers could hear it. I shoved my green screen to the side so the camera now shows the front door. "Guys, the IRS is after me. Whatever happens, record their faces!" I told them.
I could hear they slamming my front door, starting to break it. I had no way to escape.
Some buzzing came from my computer headphones, which I recognized as someone saying a faint "Icy".
I wore it back. "Did someone say anything?"
?: Icy! Glad you can hear me. It seems you are in kind of a pickle.
"You tell me, and who are you?" I checked my own chat and Discord, but I didn't even start a voice chat.
?: Not important right now. They are almost inside, so I have only this chance to save you. Thing is…
Always a catch… but I don't think I'll have a choice on this matter if the damn IRS gets to me.
?: You might not be able to return to this dimension.
"!" What did that voice meant by this dimension? And… not return, as in… ESCAPE this thing I thought was "Real Life" for good, and not only in Virtual Reality?!
I had no seconds thoughts. No amount of money could keep me in that place. "DEAL!" I yelled.
The moment I said that, the door finished breaking up, but it just… stopped mid air, as if the time stopped around me. The screen showed a white screen with a black text and line under.
"You are responsible for your actions and outcomes based on those." the text says.
By my side, a shape started to form. It took form as a girl, light tan colored skin, with maroon hair, a bit shorter than me and with a basic, reddish dress, and was barefoot. What called my attention is at her mouth, two little fangs could be seen. I recognize her as a character I created before, albeit human.
"Scarlet?" I asked.
She looked at the mirror, stared her features for a few seconds before turning to me.
Scarlet?: So that is how you call her? I'll borrow that name for now.
"It is not your real name? Who are you?" I was confused.
Scarlet: I can't remember my real name. I don't think it even matters now anyways. I am the one who saved you though. I separated your home from PrimeDimension.
"What you mean by separated? And PrimeDimension?" Getting more confused.
Scarlet: If you see your second screen…
I looked. It was the live feed from… well… the wall shapes were of my home, but there was nothing anymore. Just the ground walls and a big hole where it was supposed to be the window. The three IRS underlings were scratching their heads.
Underling #1: What the heck?! It's… empty.
Underling #2: How did he escape?!
Underling #3: Uh… boss… who were we searching again?
Underling #1: Don't be stupid… we are searching for… for…
He fiddled inside his pocket and got a paper, which I assumed to be the search warranty.
Underling #1: What the actual fuck?! His name vanished from the warranty! Who… what?!
The feed cuts off.
"OK… I understood the separation, but what about they forgetting me?" I asked Scarlet.
Scarlet: So it happened faster than I thought… you don't "exist" in PrimeDimension anymore.
I… don't exist there anymore?
"What do you mean?"
Scarlet: Once you cross out of PrimeDimension, you can't get back. Your physical data doesn't exist anymore. Memories that knew you by name doesn't remember you. It is as if you never existed.
So… I'm a dead soul out of the original dimension. A normal person would consider it a fate worse than death, but I see the advantages. Nobody will miss you and they can move on easily. For somebody who already decided to die alone, this isn't so bad.
Scarlet: You shouldn't stay on the gap between dimensions for too long. Else you will lose your shape and wander our as data… just like me.
So this shape isn't her original too… I don't think I want to lose my shape…
"Anything I should do to avoid that?" I asked.
Scarlet: Well… I can link you and this room to a new dimension, but I need your approval by signing the contract.
"Contract? You mean my screen?" I pointed to it.
Scarlet: Yes, so you will be responsible for your own life from now on, any decision you make will be on you and not a third party. This contract shows up to anybody that has the chance you had.
"I… see…" I looked around the room, which was now in a blueish hue, with all my objects there. Then I approached my PC, grabbed the pen of my tablet and drew my signature over the black line.
Scarlet approached me from my left, and noticed my "signature".
Scarlet: "Icy Wings"? You won't be using your real name?
"If I don't exist there anymore, might as well forget about it, even if it is to discard my old name."
I stepped back from the computer, and several things in my room started to release a "powder", starting from a pile of mail nearby.
"What is happening?" I asked Scarlet.
Scarlet: Since you aren't returning there anymore, I'm taking liberty to erase things that I suppose are linked to that world. I noticed most of them were bills anyways.
I could see some powder trying to release from my backpack. I opened it and a lot of green and blue stuff evaporated out of existence. I assumed it was my old job's uniform. I searched my backpack and there was only some manga I usually bring with myself.
Around my room, anything considered a document was vanishing. Once it stopped, I could see my room was at least 10% more spacious.
So, this is it. No more "me" to tell a story there… then it hit me. I was about to livestream…
"Oh… guess I won't be able to contact my viewers anymore huh?" I looked down. One of the very few things I enjoyed was taken from me.
Scarlet: As I said, that was your decision. That also goes for the "consequences" of your actions.
"Yeah… too late to mourn about that I guess."
I looked at the door. It returned to its spot, fixed again. To its side I could only see black. I looked outside, and besides the void, I could see some "bubbles". "What are those?" I asked.
Scarlet: Dimensions. Once something gets big enough, it separates into its own dimension from PrimeDimension. I'm trying to force a link to one of those, so I need to concentrate.
She closed her eyes, and started to focus. I could feel the room "moving". After 8 to 10 minutes, the door forced open, a blinding light bursting from it. It staggered me back.
Scarlet: There is your stop. I hope you get to live a better life.
After adjusting my vision, I saw the door. I started approaching it, but a thought made me stop. I turned to my savior.
"And… what about you? You DID save me from there." I told her.
Scarlet: I can't be saved. Once you leave, I'll be back wandering the space between dimensions, losing this form you borrowed. This room will stay, since it has so much stuff linked to your being.
"That won't do." I denied the concept of her leaving and losing her shape again. "If you want, you can stay in this room until I think on something. I guess you would be bored if you left."
She earned my trust, so that the bare minimum I could do to her. The maroon hair girl looked down, to her left.
Scarlet: You… wouldn't mind? I mean, I just helped you because I really do hate anybody trying to control one's life and…
"That is even more reason to me to help you now! As a fellow government hater, and now as a friend." I approached her, extending my hand for a shake.
Scarlet looked at my hand, then at my eyes. I could see her eyes closer. They were a nice shade of dark red, and kinda of a vampiric feeling. But… they started to tear up a little.
Scarlet: … t-thank you. You… your heart is really good.
She approached me, past my arm, and hugged me. It got me by surprise. Didn't expect her to be so relieved by my offer. The only thing I could do is hug her back and stroke her head.
"There there…" I told her.
Scarlet: I'll stay then, will take care of your stuff. Go and live your new life, I'll contact you soon.
I grabbed my backpack and cellphone out of routine. And headed to the door.
"Thanks again, take care!" And left the room.
Scarlet PoV
He vanished past the door and the burst of light vanished, the room he allowed me to stay back to its bluish light.
The only other light was from the computer, which was left on. I sat on the computer desk and looked at the screen.
"I guess it is it, I won't let his generosity go unpaid." I told myself, while grabbing his headphones and putting on my head.
I clicked the screen, and it returned to the state before the whole ordeal. I noticed the streaming program was still running. The other screen, there was a lot of people spamming the chat.
User #1: What happened there?!
User #2: That was… unreal!
User #3: And… who's the cutie who took over the stream?
I read, blushing a little over that last comment.
The important thing is. The stream didn't go down. The room was still partly connected to PrimeDimension and there was still Internet. Just as I thought.
"You guys are curious about that whole ordeal, right?" I spoke to the stream. "Don't worry. I'll explain everything, and you guys will see his new life in first person." I reassured them, configuring his overlay in a new way.
"Hope you guys are ready! Let's go!"
Icy: Hello people, I'm the author "Icy Wings", not the character.
I decided to recreate my past story that is on indefinite hiatus due I have no ideas anymore for it.
I recycled the characters, so it would be easier on me, sorry for the laziness. And I hope you guys like the story, the actual Hyperdimension shenanigans will start next chapter, if you are wondering about the lack of…
?: You better do it, we all know that your readers are waiting for me!
Neptune kicked the studio door and forced herself inside.
Icy: Yeh yeh, sorry about that. There will be a lot more Nep next chapter, I promise!
Neptune: There was a lot of exposition there. Why you take so long to explain?
Icy: To fill pages?
Neptune: Meh… a lot of people does very less, geez.
Icy: Anyways, I hope you guys liked the first chapter and until the next one, talk to you then!
Neptune waved back to the camera.
Neptune: Cya! Remember to leave a comment!