NECROCITY TIMES - Issue #2 - VALENTINE'S SPECIAL

WPRS Short: We Grind to Ink (Origin of the Magister)

"My Dearest High Seeker, esteemed Witch in the Tower,

I unfortunately have some grave news about Agent #22's most recent...acquisition. It seems that the limit of the potential of Fredrik's powers is yet to be explored, even by our best Researcher, Joseph.

I first thought maybe he had my own ability to psychically write words in his skin, and that his powers were limited to blood magic with pictographs. But there's something more about this particular individual.

There are reports coming in of him..."eating" the books in the library, by way of touching them to study and absorbing the words off the page. It also appears that due to the presence of the multiple energy crystals throughout the compound, his powers have grown exponentially, and even touching people absorbs the words "out of their head", if not also the psychic powers they possess.

Apparently he's 'stolen' the powers of several classmates who tried to befriend him. There are multiple homunculi and constructs appearing throughout the building. The students are frightened.

It also seems that he's stolen Joseph's mind. The man has been staring at an empty book in stunned silence since lunch time.

I don't recommend that we keep him within the general population any longer. Though he's committed no sin of his own free will, I don't think we have the luxury of looking at intent any longer.

Please advise.

-Agent #9"

The High Seeker stared at the yellowed scroll on her oak desk as the words appeared in black ink. She imagined the Personnel Resource Manager writing into her skin, her skin renewed clean after each line disappeared.

With a heavy sigh, she picked up a quill and penned her response back:

"This is terrible news. I feel awful, but I hereby requisition #22's iron gloves, chains, and mask to be placed upon him effective immediately. He's a good man, and the Time Obstructive Medical Bays are not quite appropriate for him, but then again neither are the dungeons where we put Sineaters and Demons and other criminals against the WPRS.

However it is with great regret that I order his apprehension and sentence him there for the safety of the Collective until we can consult the Magistra herself on what to do with him. There is no place more secure.

You know your staff best. Should we send Hella?"

The reply was swift and short.

"Absolutely not. She'd free him."

"Who, then?"

"I'd go myself and try to appeal to him as a fellow Scribe, but I think he's beyond me and it'd be dangerous to touch."

"Your people skills leave something to be desired, dear...."

"I am a vampire but I'm not a monster. But if that's how you feel, please, Seeker, in this instance it might be best if you go yourself. Maybe your magic will protect you, and I trust that your 'people skills' are far superior to mine if you're making such statements."

The Witch in the Tower frowned and tucked a strand of curly blue hair behind her ear.

Yes, that might be best. Just in case, she'd take back-up.

She found Fredrik in the library, between the sections on Thaumaturgical Theory and Trolls, huddled shivering under a black cloak. It took little effort to convince him to turn himself in. He stared, wide-eyed and frozen, at the unmoving form of Joseph and the blank pages that surrounded his books.

With his hands and mouth bound, Fredrik followed her to the dungeon without a fight. He knelt on the cold ground of the cell unbidden, and lowered his head to the floor with tears in his eyes. The black cloak about him seemed to swallow him whole.

The High Seeker chained him to the ground, whispering apologies, and removed the cloak from him. He'd be cold, but they needed to keep an eye on him to make sure he was okay. She folded it in the corner for a blanket until she could safely free him and bring him proper accommodations. This wasn't right, but it was all they could do.

Tears were in her own eyes as the iron bars slammed shut behind her and locked.

She'd find #2 immediately and ask her to summon the Magistra. The leader was the only other person she knew who could create a tulpa that effectively. I mean, she made herself a God just by believing it. She'd know what to do. They had to make this right.

Now, if only they had enough tomatoes...

Agent #22, that is, Hella, wouldn't be happy about this at all.