I didn’t stay in the shower for long. Not just because I couldn’t stay standing for that long without my legs beginning to ache from the strain of keeping my body up. The pizza would arrive any minute and I didn’t want to still be in the shower when it did. Bob remained quiet as I washed myself. Either he could tell I didn't want to be disturbed or had taken a guess. Due to my size, I wasn’t able to wash myself as thoroughly as I wanted to, but for now, a simple wash and rinse would have to do.

When I stepped out, I felt refreshed and tired. My legs ached, and my stomach protested. The towel I wrapped around myself didn’t fit, and by that I mean, it didn't go all the way around me, so I was forced to walk into the living room buck naked.

I dried myself as I glanced around the mess for some clothes. After a few minutes of searching, I found a pair of fairly clean sweat pants and a shirt with only a few stains. My legs continued to ache as I slowly dressed. I wanted to collapse when I was done. Then the doorbell rang and as if in command, my stomach rumbled. Go, it seemed to say, get the food.

The delivery guy was different than the usual and gave me fake smile before handing me my order. He waited patiently, but I didn't have anything to give him. I ordered everything online and therefore had no need for cash. Just as I closed the door in his face, I saw his face morph into a look of anger and disgust.

I shrugged it off. You get used to things like that after a while and it's not like I had anyone to blame but myself.

“All right, you eat and I’ll talk,” Bob said as I sat down on the couch. The pizza smelled better than I remembered and I dug in with gusto as Bob spoke.

“I guess we should begin with the basics, huh?”

I nodded.

“Well, this world is not what it seems,” Bob said. “Behind the mundane, hidden by the efforts of many powerful organizations and laws that have been in place for a long time, is a world of magic and the supernatural. They live amongst you, work amongst you, and most will never know.”

“How?” I asked, taking a bite of pizza. “How do they keep things secret with the internet and CCTV cameras and stuff?”

“Well, through a lot of powerful, complex, and sophisticated magical means,” Bob said. “As for the technology aspect of things, well, there’s digital magic. The fact is, the moment something para-related gets onto the normal web, it's flagged and an automatic response activates to erase, contain, and diagnose. No one but those at the top of the hierarchy know this, but The Arcane Eye has been using a mix of soul and digital magic to create artificial magic-based AI’s to watch over everything”

“The Arcane Eye? Are they like a magic group?”

“More than just that, but you don’t need to understand for this explanation. What matters is that a lot goes into keeping the grand illusion stable. There are a few who want the curtain pulled back so to say and for this plane to be as many of the higher-end outer planes are.”

I raised a hand. I was keeping up for the most part, but some of what he was saying was raising more questions and confusion. “Slow down. Outer planes, like D&D?”

“Sort of, yes. They vary in type and size. We won’t be going to any until you are at least moderately skilled in magic and planar law.”

Other worlds… It was something I hadn't known how much I wanted to hear.

“And other races?”

“I’m getting there,” Bob said. “So around the world, organizations keep the illusion maintained, helped by a few gods even. And yes, gods do exist, however, none but The Conqueror have access to this world.”

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

“The Conqueror? What God is that?”

“He who condemned the fruit of paradise as evil. You might know him as the Almighty, or Father. The Christian God.”

“The Christian God… But why conqueror?”

“You’re better off asking a fae, but these pages do have knowledge of the event. I’m not going to get into it since it would take hours and it's not important. Just don't mention him around old fae. New fae don't care as much, but those who remember still bear a deep hatred for the deity who kicked them from their home. The crusades didn't help.”

I wanted to ask more, but he was right. I wanted to know more about the other races, and magic first. And it's not like I couldn't ask later.

“Now fae are one of many other races that have existed for a very long time, just as long as the first humans for some. You’ll be able to see through other illusions once you get your mask. You’ll see elves and all sorts just walking down the street. Probably demons and a lot of fae. Especially here in Portland. A lot of sensual and low-level emotion feeders down here. Then there are the other types that don’t have any physical differences from humans, or they're so minor that you won't notice at first. A were just looks like a normal human when not shifted, and a vampire is mostly the same. Younger vampires usually aren't as good at hiding it, and most don't have a glamour aspect added to their mask, which is idiotic, but they opt out since they’re a race who can.”

The pizza was almost done, and I opened the box of chicken wings as he continued. I don’t think I’d ever listened so intently to something. Certainly not something educational. In school, it had taken a lot of effort not to fall asleep, but here I wanted to listen. I wanted to learn. “I'm guessing masks are what make para races look human?”

“Yes, a mask is an object you are required to have by DOSA law if you wish to live in the States. They do it differently in other places, but it's mostly the same thing. Most masks have a glamour aspect to them. Some races don't need it and can opt-out. Like fae, and vampires. It used to be weres as well, but then they decided having a glamour to make them look like normal animals was a good idea. Better for a wolf to appear in the middle of a city rather than a werewolf. It just makes things easier.”

“You know a lot,” I said.

“I’m old, very old, and I’ve been… around. I know you’re eager to move onto magic and learning to wield the mana you have, but first, I think we should decide how we want to do things for you?”

“What do you mean, we get a mask.”

“Yes, but do we want you to register with DOSA or go black; off radar.”

“Which would be best?”

“For long term, off radar, but that would also limit you severely. Despite some of DOSA’s failings, the system they’ve created is efficient and there’s a lot we can use. We could get a fake mask, but we’d have to get involved in underground dealings.” The book laughed. “And no offense, Master, you are far from ready.”

“None taken. And didn’t I say not to call me Master?”

“Yes, but it’s been a while since I’ve met someone I don’t mind calling by the honorific.”

I placed the now empty box of chicken wings down. “We’ve known each for less than a day?”

“And yet you’ve treated me better than most before you,” Bob said.

I held back a sigh. “Just call me Rick, ok?”

“Yes, Master Rick."

I shook my head with a chuckle. “Whatever. So DOSA. If we register with them, won’t they get suspicious when I start learning rapidly?”

“It’s not a tyranny, Master Rick. They won’t just waltz in whenever they feel like it. You’d have to give them reason. They are much like the government, just for paras. In fact, they have more power than the human government of the US.”

“But like the government, they keep track of things, right? You said digital magic. I bet that makes it easier?”

“And divination and plenty of precogs. I see your point, but let me ask you a question. Do you have any family?”

“No.” I felt a twinge of something.

“Any dear friends.”

“No— Actually I have a friend, but I wouldn't say we’re close.”

“I’m sorry for your loss, Master Rick.”

“It's fine,” I said. I’d gotten over the grief a while back. At least, for the most part. “And please, Master or Rick.”

“Yes, Master. The fact you have no family or friends is good for us. If the need should arise, then we can disappear. Vanish and as long we’re thorough, they won't have anything. No family or friends to use. And I don't mean just DOSA. I mean anybody who comes looking.”

“You think people will?”

“Most likely,” Bob said in a heavy voice. “This world is a big place. Some diviner halfway across the world could have a dream about you. A god might take interest. With me around anything is possible. We can limit things if we're careful, but I take it you want to see the supernatural in person.”

“More than that, but yeah.” I wanted to see other worlds and live this fantasy that was now a reality. It wasn't an escape anymore if it was reality.

“All right then. There's only one thing for it.” Bob’s voice was full of enthusiasm and eagerness. “We get you so powerful that it won't matter who or what comes looking.”