Dream. Dive. Live. — Part 1-2

Part 1

Just three words. Three ordinary words that probably everyone in our world knew by now.

"Dream. Dive. Live."

It was just a slogan from the advertising campaign for "Virtual Journey" by Big Evil Corporation LLC — which, from being just another fancy attraction for the rich, eventually became, like the internet once did, pretty much the main and most widespread way to escape reality. All you needed was a capsule, a connection, a couple of swipes on the screen. And you were already someone else — anyone, anywhere, anytime, and most importantly, for as long as you wanted. Time inside lasted exactly how long you wanted and programmed it to be, so you could live an entire life as a Pharaoh in Egypt, then come back and realize only an hour had passed in the real world.

And the most important thing — once you dove in, there was no way to tell if it was real or not. The tactile sensations, emotions, the touch of the wind, the smells, and so much more — all of it was on a very high level. But, yeah, there was of course one "but" — all these features were only available in "premium" mode and for a limited time. So even though the tech had spread widely, full functionality still remained out of reach for most people.

— Jake, are you sure this is going to be safe? — Stephanie, my fiancée, asked, eyeing the immersion capsules nervously and adjusting the hem of her long, puffy wedding dress. — I mean… a year? That's... that’s a lot, and… so expensive.

— Ha, a year — I grinned wide, stepping away from the capsule settings, then leaned in closer to Stephanie and whispered so the cameras wouldn't catch it — Actually… I hacked the system. We’ve got ten whole years. For free. With full premium.

Stephanie gasped and fluttered her lashes.

— Are you crazy?! That could be dangerous! What if—

She didn’t get to finish, because my lips were already on hers — warm, soft, almost pleading. I felt her tension melt for a moment in that kiss, felt how she was still hesitant, but… giving in. Because she knew: when I look at her like that, like everything’s under control — I never back down.

— I promise, this’ll be the most unforgettable honeymoon ever — I murmured as our lips parted, and gave her thigh a light slap. She giggled, still shaking her head in disbelief, and we both stepped toward the capsules at the same time.

The program was already chosen: “Beaches of Ancient Atlantis — luxurious palaces, warm sea, exotic beauty.” But I hadn’t revealed all my cards to my beloved — I wanted it to be a surprise. The romantic in me demanded it. I would be a prince, coming to woo the princess of Atlantis, and she — she would have to recognize me, ha.

Overall, I can't say I used “Virtual Journeys” all that often, but from my experience — everything had always gone pretty smoothly. I tried a few simple tours: rode on a dragon’s back, relaxed in the tropics, once even captained a pirate ship. So when the start interface loaded and the capsule hummed softly beneath me, I felt right at home.

A menu appeared in front of my eyes — semi-transparent, with soft neon edges. Standard settings: “Full Immersion,” “Tactile Sensations: Max,” “Connection to Reality: Off,” and a giant button labeled “START ADVENTURE.”

But just below — another section I hadn’t seen before. “Personalized Difficulty,” “Engagement Level,” “Role Randomization.” I snorted.

— What the hell is that for? — I muttered, staring at the difficulty slider. — I already set everything up in the hacked file… Stephanie’s the princess, I’m the prince — her future fiancé and husband, and then we’ll throw a fancy-ass wedding. Not some modest crap like in real life — a real royal one, something Stephanie will remember for years. Ugh... Damn, looks like I gotta pick something for the load to start...

I grumbled, smirked, and without thinking much, selected “random,” then lazily dragged the difficulty slider all the way to the end. A creepy skull icon even popped up, but I just leaned back, letting the capsule close around me completely, and then — total darkness.

…

Part 2

A hum, noise, darkness. It all lasted longer than usual — probably because the ten-year span I chose required more precise world generation and, judging by the feel of it, was loading some particularly heavy data packages. For a second, the thought crossed my mind: maybe the whole thing had frozen?

But before real panic could settle in, something clicked in my head.

— Welcome to Atlantis. — A lifeless metallic voice suddenly said, sending a chill through my insides. Not out of fear — no. But because right after the voice came a sudden jolt.

I flinched like I’d just fallen. But it wasn’t a fall — it felt more like waking up, because I opened my eyes and instantly realized I was lying on something hard and solid. A stone floor, covered with just a thin rug. The unfamiliar cold seeped through the fabric, but what threw me off even more was how I felt in my own body.

Something was wrong. Very wrong.

I tried to roll onto my side — and immediately felt something heavy and alive slide across my chest… my breasts.

The thing literally hung off to the side, pulling my torso along with it — heavy, firm, and completely impossible in terms of weight. It shifted, and I held my breath for a moment from the strange sensation — the weight of something that absolutely wasn’t mine dragged the skin over my ribs and… triggered some involuntary, completely inappropriate response in my body.

I blinked and slowly propped myself up on my elbows — and immediately felt a pull down below, a tight rolling movement, as if there was some wide, heavy mass under my skin, reacting to every motion. Something long and silky slid softly down my back, wrapping around my shoulders and cheeks like a warm wave.

And in front… I couldn’t see, but I could feel something massive, warm and soft pressed against my ribcage, swaying slightly, even drooping to the sides.

My eyes started adjusting to the dim light. I looked around.

I was in a long stone hall, covered in rugs and pillows, but clearly not meant for aristocrats’ sleep — more like... a harem? About two dozen girls — half-naked, slim, flexible, each in a sheer, see-through outfit — some were still dozing, some already sitting up, stretching, fixing their hair or... wrapping their tits in silk ribbons.

I blinked — was this a sleeping chamber for concubines? Dancers?

And then it hit me...