Log 9: Osiris

It was strange, ever since the operation Katherine’s body failed to function properly several more times over the past few days. She asked the doctor about it and he didn't know what was going on. He suggested it could be that her soul and body were not completely synced yet. That worried her, of course, but Sol said that it would go away in a week or so—probably. Thankfully, the destabilizations didn't complicate her day-to-day much.

"Have you heard the news?" a woman said from behind the bench.

Kathy looked behind her. It was her friend, Meghan. They had chosen today to catchup and play some tennis.

"Which piece?" Katherine asked, looking around.

"The new syndrome that's been going around." Meghan climbed over the back of the bench and took the seat beside Kathy.

"I don't think so... what's it called?"

"Sudden Rage Syndrome," Meghan said, eyes ever widening. "Apparently, people who are afflicted go into a blind rage for exactly 30-minutes and their eyes give off an odd red glow! Weirdly, this anomaly only seems to occur in public spaces. Well, according to ABS and MCNN."

Katherine leaned back. “That’s freaky.”

"Anyhow, are you ready?"

"Definitely."

Katherine and Megh headed to the tennis center. It had been a while since Kathy had been able to play, so, naturally, she was pretty excited.

Kathy and Meghan were members of the same team. Katherine had yet to tell her friends that she might have to resign. The situation was a complicated to explain.

"Old style or modern style?" Meghan asked, inspecting a racket.

"I haven't played in several days, so old," Kathy said.

"Sounds good."

The games were fine for a while. Kathy served first, but Meghan scored first. Katherine noticed her movements were much slower than normal. It wasn't typical that Megh, or anyone else on her team, scored against Kathy right away. Meghan seemed surprised by it as well, but the pair just kept playing.

A man concealing his face entered at the start of the second game. He inspected rackets for a while, but eventually switched to watch Kathy and Megh play while he awaited his opponent to show.

Half way through the third game Katherine's body buckled and her vision crossed. She collapsed to her knees. Meghan dropped her racket and ran over, bending down. She said something, but Kathy's ears weren't connecting properly, everything just sounded distorted and glitched. The man walked up and said something the Megh.

She didn't like whatever he said. Was she yelling at him? The destabilization was lasting longer than usual. Kathy slowly regained control of her body and carefully stood up.

"Katherine! Are you okay?" Meghan asked, distressed.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Kathy answered.

“See? What did I tell you?" the masked man said to Meghan.

Megh glared at him. "And what the hell would've happened if you were wrong?!"

"I wouldn't have been."

"How do you know for sure?! Seriously?! How?!" Meghan yelled.

"Because I'm an Aspectholder," the man explained, his demeanor shifting.

Megh stepped back, trying to pull Kathy with her. "Like hell you are."

The man removed the tinted sunglasses he was wearing. His right eye looked normal, however, his left was anything but. In place of the iris and pupil was a five-pointed star surrounding a small circle. His mark glowed a dim purple.

Katherine walked forward. "Who's your Aspect?"

The man held out his hand to shake. "I am Osiris, an Egyptian deity. It's a pleasure making your acquaintance, Miss Katherine Pecan."

Meghan and Kathy were both speechless. Neither moved, they simply stared. He was really an Aspectholder, Katherine could tell. But not a normal one. He was an Awakened Aspect.

Katherine shook his hand. "Pleasures all mine."

"What are you doing?" Megh asked. "How do you know he's not using holograms or something?"

"Because I'm an Aspectholder, too," Kathy said.

"I know, but—"

"Everything's fine, Megh," Katherine interrupted.

"Katherine Pecan, you are mistaken," Osiris asserted.

Kathy jumped back. Was he about to attack? What was happening?

"Are you a threat?" she asked.

"Not at all. I am merely a harbinger. In this circumstance, one of misfortune," Osiris began. "Your Aspect did not travel with you Katherine Pecan, and she has Awakened."

If Kathy's face could have gone pale, it would have.

"What do you mean it didn't travel with me?"

"When your soul was transferred, the spirit of your Aspect did not go with you. You may have noticed physical differences without it."

"Kathy, what's he talking about?" Meghan asked, terrified and confused.

"While I do not know the Aspect's name, I do know that she controls your friends body," Osiris explained.

"Wait, but I thought my body was beyond repair." Kathy said.

"Um, Kat, what're you two talking about?" Megh inquired, beginning to panic.

"I'm sure the doctors thought that as well. But, unfortunately for you, your Aspect is Awakened, and seems to be the perpetrator behind SRS," Osiris replied, ignoring Meghan.

"WHAT?! There's no way!" Megh screamed in utter shock.

Osiris looked at her. "Please, friend of Katherine Pecan, save your questions for later. I will be happy to answer any you may have."

"Uh, oh, sure. Sorry," Megh said.

Kathy pressed her hands to her forehead. Her Aspect had Awakened and was the one behind Sudden Rage Syndrome? There was no way... but, then again, when did the attacks occur? If they started after her soul was transferred… it wasn't unlikely... but… she didn’t want to be true.

"When did the SRS attacks begin?" Kathy asked in dreaded anticipation.

"Two days after your soul was transferred," Osiris confirmed.

Katherine was shook, her fears were affirmed. She stumbled, not wanting to deal with the situation. She could tell the doctor about it, he would be able to do something.

"I know someone who—" Kathy began.

"Halt your words, fool," Osiris interrupted. "There is a reason I come to you rather than other more capable individuals. If you wish to run and hide I will not stop you, but if you desire to stop the plight, then I welcome your alliance."

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Megh yelled. "How do you know it's even her body?! You wanna tell me that?"

Osiris looked at her. “How, you ask? Simple. I witnessed her walking."

"Doppelgängers exist, y'know!"

"That does not change what I saw. It was her body that exited the morgue, and it is hers that roams the city making these attacks occur."

"But—!" Meghan began moving forward when Katherine put a hand on Megh's shoulder.

Ready for anything, Kathy asked, "Why did you come to me?"

"If you are able to come in physical contact with your body, it is possible for you to return to it."

Okay, so she wasn't expecting that. Neither was Megh. They both stared at Osiris in shock.

"So, how do we find my body?" Kathy asked.

"Although she hasn't attacked you yet, I suspect she intends to. She may see your existence as a threat to her freedom, after all."

Megh looked from Osiris, to Kathy. "You aren't actually going to do this, right, Kat?"

"Of course I am. If I can get my body back I'll be able to play on the team, and it won't buckle. It sounds like it's worth the risk for me," Katherine said. "But, Osiris, I must ask again, how do we find my body?"

"We must draw her out. From there, she must be rendered unconscious. If it is not done, then I will not be able to use my magic to resolve the situation."

"M-magic?" Megh shuttered.

"However, if your soul and body are to be unified, then I will no longer be able to return you," Osiris warned.

"That's a risk I'm willing to take." Kathy clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. "How about we get started immediately?"

Meghan gave Katherine a worried look.

"Katherine Pecan, I am happy to be allied with you." Osiris held out his hand and Kathy took hold of it.

"Pleasure to work with you!" Kathy smiled.

"Friend of Katherine Pecan, if you desire to join this alliance, we welcome you." Osiris looked at Megh.

Meghan was hesitant, her hand moved forward, then back. But, after a couple tense minutes, she placed her hand in his. "Sure, though I doubt I'll be helpful."