Static Reflections: Book 1 of The M... - Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Nick sat on the hospital bed, feeling the overwhelming need for a cigarette. He ran his claw over his pocket, imagining that even just the small box was there, holding the escape he desired.
He was looking at the doe before him, feeling like he didn't even know her anymore. Nora took his vitals as he eyed her carefully, explaining that the candle pulsing next to him was called a Soul Candle. It was his heart monitor and IV.
As was protocol, when Nick had arrived, they extracted a piece of his Soul and used it to make the mystical item. The initials on it were his own because this was his Soul Candle. Nora also told him that the flame would extinguish if he died. Not even the strongest storm could put out the fire. Nonetheless, the candle could be "deactivated" by cutting the base in half. Otherwise, they'd have a bunch of them everywhere from previous guests.
Not only had Nick learned that magic candles existed, but Nora had also confirmed the existence of Souls, just like that. It was almost hard to believe. She added that the Soul was how he felt all of his emotions, connected to the mind in that way. The brain was used for body function. It all went hand in hand.
The hyena had a quick thought. Does this mean Astrid's Soul is still out there somewhere?
Nora began explaining that in extracting some of his Soul, they had to take away a trait of Nick's personality, but Nora wasn't sure what it was. He would have to find that out for himself. The hyena still felt the urge to smoke a cigarette, so that wasn't a lost habit.
Nora pulled up the stool and sat down again, crossing one leg over the other like before. "So . . . I talked to Dante before I came back here. It looks like you're going to have to join the organization by default."
"Organization?" Nick blinked.
"Right now, you're in the Medical Sect of the Mortal Guard. We're an organization worldwide that makes sure mortals like you don't find out about the supernatural by many different means. I'm sure you'll learn about all the Sects in time."
"Sects?"
"Different parts of the organization. Didn't you notice the armband on Dante's coat? The one with the brain? That's the symbol for the Trauma Sect. He's the leader of it."
"I'm having a hard time processing this . . . ." Nick whispered. "You realize everything you've been saying sounds crazy, right?"
"Yeah."
"You said I have to be a part of it by default? Why?"
The female deer shook her head. "Because, Nick. We couldn't erase your memories of Absalom, so now you have no choice but to become a member of the Mortal Guard. But don't worry! You'll be able to choose any of the ten Sects that you like! Well, technically, there's eleven, but the Catastrophe Sect is only for old Sect Leaders, ya know."
The hyena's head was spinning. "I . . . uh . . ."
"I know, I know. Everything is moving so fast. That's how I felt when I first joined."
"When was that?"
"Oh, well, you see, my mother was actually part of the Medical Sect, and since I'm her daughter, I have to take up the mantle. Even though I could have chosen any Sect I wanted, this felt right."
"How long have you been doing this? I didn't know you knew anything about medical stuff," Nick blinked.
"I didn't, no. But I took the courses for the Medical Sect and passed the Last Test, so now I'm a nurse here. Of course, we don't use typical medical practices. We use a variety of spells and methods to heal our patients, most of which are part of the Creature Hunting Sect."
The other animal raised a brow, immediately intrigued. "You're kidding."
"No, there really is a Creature Hunting Sect. It's our biggest one, too. It makes sense since there are a lot of supernatural beasts out there."
Nick shook his head. "I won't lie. This sounds absolutely wack. Like, okay, before we continue talking about this place, can I ask you some stuff?"
The doe smiled softly, seeming to know he was going to say that. "Go ahead, Nick."
"What about your life? Your father? Your job? The band? You just walked away?"
"Walked away? Do you think it was really that hard of a choice? My dad wasn't supportive of my transition, he forced me to wear the clothes I didn't want to wear, and he deadnamed me constantly at the bar in front of the patrons. Even most of the customers were supportive of me being trans. I mean, it's Austin! I don't understand how my dad didn't even try to get used to who I am."
Nick looked down, feeling like he had poked a nerve. "Okay, yeah, I get that."
"I did like the job itself, but if I wasn't gonna be allowed to myself there, then I wanted to leave. They don't even question who I am here or why I still have antlers. You know, Cara, the Medical Sect Leader, even told me we could have them removed."
"So why didn't you do it?" Nick blinked.
"Well, I actually like my antlers. That probably comes as a surprise seeing as it's a masculine thing for deer, but I don't care. I can still be Nora and have beautiful antlers while wearing dresses and helping animals here.
"As for the band . . . That was the biggest sacrifice. Adrian and I texted for days about what we wanted to do. We didn't want to leave you guys, and he still wanted to be a journalist, but it's impossible to deny something like this. We were going to be a part of something bigger than us." She let a sad laugh slip out. "Heh, I remember crying a lot the day we came to Prostasia. I wouldn't let go of him."
"Nora..." Nick mumbled.
"Unfortunately, as cool as it sounds, it's actually really dangerous, and there's lots of learning involved."
The hyena scratched his chin, looking at his friend in her nurse outfit. "But what if someone refuses to be a part of the organization?"
"Then they alter their memories. Make them forget they were ever invited or heard about us. For you, I think they'd probably use a persuasion spell on you if you even tried to refuse. Since something supernatural can't be erased from your brain, well . . . ."
"So, if I chose the Creature Hunting Sect, I'd be forced to put my life on the line?"
Nora shook her head. "Well, no, because you chose that Sect. You chose to be a part of something dangerous. There are much, much less dangerous Sects here. Like the Scribe Sect, if you're interested in history and writing spells."
Nick blinked. "Wow. It's kind of like a school. You know, how you choose your electives and stuff."
"Yeah, it's exactly like that. You have to go through the school part first," Nora explained. "It feels like a long time, but it's fascinating, and learning new spells is always cool."
"I just . . . can't believe magic exists," Nick fawned. "I never believed in it, and now I see it, and . . . it's just crazy."
"Totally."
"Wait, if I'm a part of this, what happens to Water on Fire? Now that I think about it, who the hell was I talking to all this time?"
"The band will still be there. Your Double that the Identity Sect makes will replace you."
"That's like a clone?" Nick asked with a head tilt.
"It's exactly that. Except it's made from a part of your Soul and won't turn on you. Luckily, we only needed to extract that one part of yours, so no other parts of your personality will go missing."
"Haha, yeah . . . Usually, I would have the urge to eat something sweet right now or something. I didn't even really notice that I wasn't craving it. So I guess that's what they got rid of. Hmm. So they do that for everyone in the Mortal Guard?"
"Yep! Take a piece of their Soul and make a Double."
"Does that mean there are just a bunch of Doubles running around in the world?"
Nora thought for a moment. "It means exactly that."
"So you're telling me that the Mortal Guard is only protecting half of the world?"
The deer nodded. "Yeah, because of the Great Divide, which is the separation of mortals from the Mortal Guard. It happened a long time ago. You're going to get a Guide, and they'll show you all the buildings and Sects and stuff. It's really interesting, actually."
"Why even protect mortals if it doesn't benefit you guys?"
"It does. You see, this pocket dimension we're in is connected to Earth. It's kind of linked to it. If Earth were to be destroyed, so would this dimension. So by protecting them, we are in a way, protecting ourselves too."
"What about my family?" Nick asked.
"Oh, don't worry about that. The Double that they create of you will fill in your place. Easy."
Nick swallowed. "But . . . I don't want to be replaced. I love my family. There's gotta be some other way. Some magic thing you can do."
Nora shook her head slowly. "Sorry, Nick. You'll get a new home here and hopefully acclimate in time. I stay in the Medical Sect. Eat and sleep and work here and stuff."
"But . . . What about the world out there? If all you do is work and sleep and eat, is that really living?" Nick felt more questions encroaching upon him, as a sadness seeped into his heart. "I can't just forget about my mom and dad. The fact that they even expect me to is fucked."
"I know. It's going to be really hard for a while. I don't know what to tell you. Everyone here has to go through an incubation period. As for me, I still get to see the world on breaks. I just have guidelines I need to follow. You'll have to sign an NDA basically that says you won't reveal the existence of the supernatural. If you break it, there will be hell to pay, trust me."
Nick was still trying to keep up, but his brows remained furrowed. He decided to change the subject before he lashed out. This wasn't Nora's fault. "So . . . how is that candle an IV? I can see how it's tracking my heartbeat, but . . . ."
"It's keeping your Soul vitalized and healthy. Often the Soul becomes damaged during an injury that requires a visit to the hospital, and they think that IVs give essential nutrients to the body. Really, it's just revitalizing your Soul," Nora explained casually, adjusting on the stool and smoothing out her white pants. On her left arm was a red band similar to Dante's, but it had a white medical cross instead of a brain.
The hyena couldn't help but feel that Nora had changed. The softness of her voice that was always present was replaced by confidence. She genuinely knew the information she was explaining and clearly had a passion for her work. Maybe she really did belong here. Nick snorted. "That's just . . . wow. It's like it's the opposite of what you would believe is fake. The Soul stuff. I mean, that sounds religious."
"It's not. It's just a fact."
"So, does God exist, then?"
"Not the God you think of. There are multiple gods."
"Oh, shit. Are you serious?" Nick gawked.
The hyena's hand went to his forehead. "I feel dizzy."
"It's a ton to take in," Nora agreed. "I'm still learning new things every day. There's even more information on Sect Day. That's when they show you all the Sects, and they explain them to you. Then, you have to choose one."
"You have to choose one that day?"
"Yeah, they start your courses right away."
Nick pursed his lips. "And these courses are online?"
The muscular doe nodded. "Well, sort of. It's not like the online you know. We have our own kind of internet and computers here. You'll see. There are also classes you have to attend and, yes, even homework you have to do."
Nick sighed. "Well, I've never had an issue with either, so I guess it will be okay. I'm not going to lie, Nora; I'm really sad and kinda angry. I liked my life and, like, not performing and having a Double do it for me is sad. It's like lip-syncing. Advanced lip-syncing. Plus, my parents . . . ."
"We do what we have to, to make sure that mortals don't find out about the Other Side. That's what we call the world of the supernatural," Nora said.
"You have a name for everything, huh?" Nick exhaled. "Wow."
"Sometimes I still can't believe this is real."
"Yeah, now that I know I have a soul, I need to make sure to take good care of it," the hyena joked very half-heartedly.
"Or not to get it stolen," Nora giggled.
" . . . What happens if that happens?"
"Your body goes into Forever Sleep until your Soul returns. I've had a few patients that have lost their Souls. It sucks. Their Soul Candle turns blue because the Soul has disconnected from its host body. If the Soul is sacrificed or destroyed, then the flame goes out. That's what happens when you die. Your Soul burns out."
"That's sad," Nick said. "I can't even begin to think about how everything works here."
Nora laughed and swiveled on the stool. "I still don't, to be honest. I hope you at least understand a bit more about what we're about and what you'll be doing."
"So what now?" Nick asked.
"You're going to have to stay here the night and then tomorrow you should get a Guide. After choosing a Sect, you'll go to the Institute where you do all your learning and training, and then you'll move into the Residential District here in Prostasia, and that's where you'll live from now on."
Nick's ears flattened. "Until I die?"
". . . I'm sorry."
He was going to need a moment to let that settle. "You know . . . Boris killed Astrid," Nick muttered, feeling his eyes water. He blinked away the tears.
"Yeah . . . I know. They told me since my Double is associated with them."
"Yeah . . ." the hyena swallowed. "He took Tyler, too."
"What's going on with that?" Nora asked. "I know you know."
Nick looked down at his blue-green shoes, sighing. "I don't know why, but Boris is possessed by Absalom, which I assume you already know. It wants him to kill animals for it, including Ty. I don't know if he's killed anyone other than Astrid. I just know that if you know about Absalom, his powers don't affect you. Boris and I discovered that. I want to help him, though."
"Huh," was all Nora had to respond.
"Maybe this organization will help me figure out what's going on with him," Nick's ears perked. Hope filled his intonation.
"Maybe. My thought is that they're going to try and capture him so that they can perform an exorcism spell on him."
"Will that . . . hurt him?" Nick asked.
"No," Nora responded. "It used to be a lot more complicated to perform an exorcism, apparently. The spell was created by the Scribe Sect recently."
"Oh, yeah. Who else is here that we know?" Nick tilted his head.
"Adrian and I have been a part of the Mortal Guard for the same amount of time," Nora explained, crossing her arms and leaning back in the seat. "He's part of the Spellcasting Sect, though. He's a busy mouse."
"Wow . . . Jeez. This whole time you guys were really here," Nick sighed. "I'm very intrigued, though. Still sad about everything, but more curious than anything."
"Oh, totally," Nora snickered. "You're just like I was on Explanation Day. Anyway, I'll be your nurse for the night. As you may have noticed, your door doesn't have a handle. That's because we don't want the patients to have the ability to exit their rooms whenever they want, especially if they are under a spell or something."
"Ohhh, that makes sense." Nick nodded. "A lot of sense."
Nora pointed to a tan rectangular device next to him. "We use magic and technology here. That's a remote next to you for adjusting the bed and calling me. There's a mic on there, too, if you need to speak to me. I'll bring you dinner later."
"Anything for entertainment?"
"Ah . . . unfortunately, we're pretty lacking in that department. Sorry. You'll get a new phone once you choose your Sect as your old one is compromised. Your Double will probably get it like mine did."
"Wow, you change your entire lives here, huh?"
Nora sighed. "Yeah. It's like a fresh start . . . I needed that. I didn't realize how much I needed it until it hit me here." She brushed her cheek with a hand, looking to the side for a moment, then turning back to Nick and grinning. "I have a feeling you won't be choosing the Medical Sect. It's not like you."
"You're probably right. Doesn't seem like my kind of thing. By the way, where are we?" Nick asked.
"Hm? I already told you."
"No, I meant . . . are we still in Austin?"
"Ohhh. No, actually. Like I hinted at before, we're in a pocket dimension where the Mortal Guard base is. It's a big city called Prostasia. I also mentioned the name before. Do you have any questions for me?"
Nick smiled. "So many. I'm sure they'll all be answered, though, huh?"
The antlered doe stood up. "Yep, probably! I need to tend to another patient. You get settled, and let me know if you need anything." She began walking to the door.
"Okay," Nick answered, watching her with wet eyes.
"And Nick?" Nora turned her head.
"Yeah?" He wiped his face.
"Welcome to the Mortal Guard." And then she was gone.