1 Trapped in a crystal

"So, you're conscious?"

I hear a voice in the darkness. Why can't I see anything? I try to move but can't. No, that's not right, I can not even feel my extremities. Why am I in this situation?

The last thing I remember was driving home late at night. I was a bit tired and a deer jumped onto the road. I think I swerved off the road to avoid the deer and hit a tree.

"Yes, you died in an accident..."

"..."

I keep hearing an unfamiliar voice speaking to me. The voice that I hear is of a soothing female. Her voice is crisp and clear like a bell. Still, I'm completely confused as to the situation in which I find myself.

"Miss, if you could enlighten me as to the current situation in which I find myself and what to expect from here on out?" I take a chance to communicate with the woman that is speaking to me. I'm not sure if I can even talk in my current predicament. It would suck if I'm in something like a lucid vegetative state.

"I can understand you just fine. Where to start? You probably have a lot of questions but you chose the important one to ask. First, you died in an accident and your soul was brought here by me. Second, you have no physical body because it remains in the other material plane of your previous life. You can 'see' if you extend the presence of your soul's consciousness around you. It is an important skill to have and very useful in all aspects if mastered. Lastly, what is to become of you afterward? That is up to you frankly. I have an offer to help you go to a new world instead of passing on to the afterlife, you choose."

I try to extend the consciousness of my soul out as she said.

*Bam* "Wwwooowww!!!"

It's like a top-down RTS (Real-Time Strategy) games I use to play. Holy shit!!!! I can zoom in and out and can see the place I'm in now.

It is an enormous Greek-style temple with thick pillars. Everything is polished smooth and shiny. The materials are some kind of obsidian or black marble; by the look.

I can also see the woman I've been speaking with, finally. She sits on an exquisite throne of the same obsidian stone. Her features are breathtaking and her countenance is awe-inspiring. If she isn't a goddess then I want to be her first follower and make a statue, because damn!!!! She has long, raven, black hair and an amazing body. Her face is gorgeous in an almost Asian way and her exposed white skin is smooth like porcelain. Her slender waist contrasts well with her curvy hips and enormous breasts. Even though she is wearing black robes, they follow her body line like a second skin highlighting her goddess-like body. She's so hot I think my dead physical body got stiff from seeing her!!!

"Please forgive me for the late introduction, I'm Sirus but you probably know that. To

whom am I speaking?"(Sirus)

"Well-met, Mr. Sirus from another world. You may refer to me as the Evil goddess of the new world. I am known by many names but lets set those aside as they are unnecessary."(Evil goddess)

She smiled after introducing herself and my soul trembled a bit seeing it. I think I know why she is an Evil goddess of this world. Anyone who sees her is likely to be driven mad with lust or die from a heart attack from skipping too many beats. I'm just glad I have no blood or I'd have need of a transfusion to survive.

"Hohoho... you are a funny mortal..."(Evil goddess of mind-reading)

"I'm terribly sorry, seeing your beauty for the first time has blown my mind away, where were we? Oh yes, I'm dead, you're the goddess of my dreams, and I'm a potential reincarnated person, right?"(Sirus, the smitten)

"Hohoho... I think you will do just fine. I must say, I chose a good soul with you. In all my many years of doing this, you are the first to flirt with me. It is truly amusing."

I observe her as she continues to laugh cutely from my shenanigans. After a bit, she stops laughing and gets back to the conversation.

"I like mischief and chaos, after all, it's my Sphere of Influence as a goddess. In the world where you're going, I plant my chosen ones to stir up change and prevent stagnation. Unfortunately, the world has become very boring. Most of the world is subdued and monsters are on the brink of annihilation. So, if you choose to reincarnate for me, you will bring the change I want for this dreadfully boring world. What do you say? Are you interested?"(Evil goddess, the pot-stirrer)

"If I'm going to another world, I have some of the questions, if you don't mind answering?"(Sirus, the considering)

"Not at all. Voice any concerns you may have and I'll do what I can."(Evil goddess, the enabler)

"What kind of world is the one I'm going to? Are you going to give me some cool cheat skills to make it better? I don't want to be some cliché hero either, so am I going to have the freedom to choose my own path in the new world? What are your expectations for my time in the new world?"(Sirus, the digger)

"Well, the new world will be like novels and games from your past. It will have magic, monsters, lower technology level civilizations, and dungeons. For the last couple of hundred years, the world has been peaceful and content. They have killed monsters to the brink of extinction and driven the remaining into corners of the world unfit for life. Many seek refuge in the few remaining dungeons of the world. I don't have any expectations for you to be a hero or villain. What I want instead is a catalyst that will bring change to the world by a chemical reaction. So, no matter what you do in the world, you're existence will bring the change I wish to see. Of course, I will give you some Unique Abilities from my powers to help you in the new world. They will be powerful and fun for sure...hohoho."(Evil goddess of truthfulness)

I ponder her words as the Evil goddess continues to laugh at her own diabolical master plan. I'm sure that there is much she is leaving unsaid and some of what she said is ambiguous. This is clearly not the best situation for me but what other choice do I have. It's not exactly a job interview, it takes the offer or leaves it. I'm also very keen on the world with magic in it. Oh... I should ask?

"Will I be able to use magic in the new world?"(Sirus, the 40-year-old sage wizard)

She stops laughing and smiles and nods to his question.

"You will have some very powerful and unique magic that you can cast in the new world. In fact, magic will be one of the strongest gifts I will give you in that world. "(Evil goddess in a van with candy)

"Ooohhhhh... Ok!!! I'm down with your plan. Don't know what we need to do to make the magic happen, but let's do this!!!!"(Sirus, super pumped)

The Evil goddess smiles and holds up her hand. What appears in her hand is a gem, like a diamond, beautifully cut and about the size of a fist. The gem is almost completely colorless and sparkles in the light. It looks so unbelievably amazing. God only knew how much this precious is worth. Now that I think about it, she probably knows, doesn't she?

"For the process to be concluded, I must seal your soul in this gem. Then, I can begin the reincarnation spell to transfer you to the new world."(Evil goddess of honesty)

"That's all? It seems simple enough."(Sirus, the naïve)

Ok, so I'll will my consciousness to move my soul to the gem held in her hand. Honestly, I wasn't looking at the gem as I got closer. The reason was with my new ability to view my environment, I was zooming in on her amazing breasts. Well, until the gem sucked me into it and my ability to view in 3rd person was cut off. I was looking at the goddess's face through the gem. It was strange like looking outside through a window.

"Hohoh....hahahah!!!"(Evil goddess of trickery)

"...."

"I'm truly happy to have your soul move as I wish. As agreed, I will impart some of my power to you as Unique Skills and send you on your way. Hohoho"(Evil goddess of loose contracts)

Power swells around the goddess and converges into the gem merging with Sirus' soul.

[Sirus, skills have been added]

What the hell, did I just get notifications about a change in stats or something. Do I have something like 'stats' or 'status screen'? It would be cool if I have a helper to explain stuff like an A.I. skill or program. That would help a lot with the transitional time in an alien world.

"It's complete. Ok, this is as far as we go for now. I'll keep an eye on you from time to time, if possible. So, just have fun and push forward in whatever you do. Remember, you will be bearing my mark, the mark of the Evil goddess. This will surely cause much conflict in the new world but handle it however you will."

Did...did I just get the disclaimer, about the fine print in the damn contract, after I was trapped in this crystal??!!

"What the f@ck??!!"(Sirus, the dumbass, gullible, idiot)

The last thing I reminder was her maniacal laughter drowning out my cussing as I'm

tossed into a portal and loose consciousness.