Subjects Wanted for Necromancy Studies

(prev) Gaap was admittedly a little disappointed, that was a really good excuse to avoid the question. He tried to think of something else to say to dig deeper, but ultimately couldn’t think of a proper way to steer the conversation back effectively. [text] Fair enough, I appreciate the opportunity, though just based on what I know of things I do think you’ll have to turn to them for something like this.

[text] Alright, thanks for your insight. If I have any other learning opportunities for you I’ll let you know.

Mike figured it would be best not to be insistent with Gaap right now. The important thing was that he found a spell that actually worked. The next challenge of casting it on Miriam would be difficult from any angle. But he had some options, like continuing to gain trust with Gaap, or maybe he could try to hire a different sorcerer to help. Regardless, it would take some planning, planning that he would like to discuss with Teddy. 

[text] Good news: the spell worked and I found what I was looking for. Thank you for your help.

[text] I’m not quite done though. I need a way to cast that spell on another person. I have a few amulets or wands we could try to imbue, but I’m not sure how well it would work given the physical aspect of the spell. Thoughts?

(prev) Gaap considered an answer momentarily only for Miriam to cut in, a slight chuckle at her comment. Gaap waved as Percival called to him. “See you,” As Miriam looked him Gaap merely gave a respectful nod, when finally left alone Gaap made his own exit to return up to his room. He considered briefly the entire event with Mike. Try as he might to conceal it, his requests of Gaap were suspicious, and the confirmation that this was to be an action taken outside Bishop Percival’s purview only made it more so, but he had plausible deniability either way, so he’d continue to help where he could. On his way back to his room he briefly wondered if he could learn, either on his own or with likely Bishop Percival's assistance, enough teleport or otherwise transporting magic to avoid the hassle of the confusing stairs, but that would be a matter for another day.

After about 5 minutes, the crypt door creaked open and Mike wearily took a peek out to confirm everyone had left. He shut it and resumed sitting against it. The horrible pain was starting to subside, and as it did Mike could see more clearly what the spell had restored. It took him nearly an hour to process it. 

Eventually, Mike heaved a sigh and slowly rose to his feet. He still had a residual headache and it felt like his energy had been zapped. He slowly picked up the spell book and laptop from the ground and set them on the desk before feebly climbing into the chair. He dug in his pocket and retrieved a usb drive which he plugged into the laptop as he opened it back up. The drive contained various files that pertained to Bishop Percival assassination planning. 

Mike copied the text document he’d been working on into the drive, then added another page to it. He noted the date and time.

“Physical Trauma Memory Restoration Spell

Attempt 1: -Caster’s hands placed on head -½ incense burned -New candle -Closed eye during incantation Results: No observable results

Attempt 2:

-Caster’s hands placed on head -New incense -New candle -Eye open during incantation Results: Onset of migraine-like symptoms which impeded focus, could not immediately recall anything. Minutes later, observing Percival and Miriam triggered the recollection of a memory involving them. Migraine symptoms intensified.”

Mike added another page and started typing.

“I recovered the memory of when I first met Percival. He sought me out in the food court to tell me he could help me break my sister out of the Anomalous Watchdog Abilities Research Program facility. I recall questioning him extensively but unfortunately I can’t remember the specifics. Evidently I heard enough reason to agree to his help. I was wary but desperate. I also foolishly figured I’d get rid of him if he did anything out of line. 

Our plan succeeded and we broke her out. Once we reached the hangar to make our escape, I lost sight of the two. Presumably, that must’ve been when Percival kidnapped her right from under my nose and brought her to Schwarzschild. I was swarmed by guards and thrown into the brig. Some time later I had forgotten entirely about the partnership. As far as I knew, I pulled off Miriam’s AWARP jailbreak alone and that it was squarely my fault for losing her. 

It wouldn’t be until about a month after I had been transferred to a prison on Mati that I would meet Percival for what I thought was the first time. Now presenting himself as a magical Glornist bishop, he had broken Miriam out again and the two found me to do the same.”

Mike sighed and leaned back in his chair, skimming over the blurb. He decided to cut it and pasted it into a separate document. He then wrote a much more concise version in the memory restoration document so it was suitable to send to the group chat with Teddy and Albert. 

He took off his glass and rubbed his face. What a night. He was filled with an absolute loathing for Bishop Percival, but was also excited by the prospect of restoring Miriam’s memory. But how in the world could he pull it off? Miriam sure as hell wouldn’t let Gaap near her with a spell like that.

(prev) Gaap started to follow out and gave Percy a wave and a slight bow of the head in greeting. He was glad for Bishop Percival’s praise, he knew just being able to use magic only meant as much as he was good at wielding it. “Eh, nothing in particular, I’ve been largely focusing on the Necromancy, reading over what we have on the topic in the library, I’d like to crack that nut before turning to anything new.” he explains, knowing better than to fess up to what they’d been doing given the context, but at the same time he wasn’t lying in his answer either.

Bishop Percival tilted his head in response. “Oh. That’s all? Then what—”

“Percy, you forgot your dagger,” Reverend Miriam called out as she rounded the corner at the end of the hall. She briefly eyed her brother and Gaap, but didn’t pay them much mind.

“Oh! Piercy, how could I have left you behind?” Percival exclaimed as he met Miriam and took his dagger back.

Mike was thankful that Gaap seemed to know to keep quiet about what they were doing, and further thankful that Miriam showed up and distracted Percival. He was going to duck into his crypt, but the sight of those two in the narrow hallway made him pause.

After staring at them for a moment, another wave of pain tore through Mike’s head as if a shovel was burrowing into his brain to dredge up a memory buried deep inside. Dizzy, he lurched forward before correcting his trajectory toward the crypt, pushing through the door and promptly shutting it behind him by leaning his back on it.

Bishop Percival perked up and looked between Gaap and the crypt door. “...What's his problem?”

“Probably forgot to check the humidity,” Miriam snidely remarked.

“Him and his humidity,” Percival scoffed as he turned and began walking away. “See ya tomorrow Gaap!” He called out over his shoulder before he entered his chamber.

(prev) Gaap hands it back, he wonders if there’s any reason why Mike would be opposed to letting him keep it until tomorrow, something that a closer look would clue him in on, or just something Mike wouldn’t want him learning. After all the book likely also contained spells for altering memories, and though Mike was cautious with his charms, if Gaap did decide to learn how to do so between now and their next attempt, he could see how that would be a reasonable concern of being taken advantage of. “Sounds like a plan, hope the recovery doesn’t take too long, it didn’t look particularly fun.”

Mike tucked the book between his side and the laptop, hiding it. The main reason he didn’t want Gaap to have it was because it might get inadvertently confiscated from him if he didn’t safeguard it. And it would’ve been suspicious for Mike to instruct Gaap to hide it from Bishop Percival.

“Thanks, yeah, I’ve had plenty of headaches before but nothing like this,” he bemoaned. “Maybe a few more ibuprofens… Just need to lay down… Maybe see Gloria… Eh..,” he continued to mumble, though it was to himself rather than to Gaap.

Mike hobbled to the door they came from and opened it. When he stepped out into the hallway, he was met by the voice of the last person he wanted to run into right now.

“Two-Eyes!” Bishop Percival jovially shouted from down the hall. He had just come from hanging out in Miriam’s chamber and was heading toward his own when he spotted the priest.

Mike’s stomach dropped. But it wasn’t like he was totally surprised; this was the floor that Percival spent a good chunk of his time on and he knew there were risks to staying here. This scenario was exactly why he wanted to take the spell book. 

Bishop Percival next caught sight of Gaap following Mike and started trotting over. “Gaap too? What a treat! What are you guys up to?”

Despite his dread combining with his headache to make him nauseous, Mike tried his best to seem nonchalant but quickly replied, “I was just asking Gaap about how his magic studies were going. Having him demonstrate some things.”

(prev) Gaap watched with some concern as Mike staggered again, more violently this time. Gaap nodded at the question but considered the idea that a misspell could technically probably cause head trauma instead, though he was confident enough in his abilities that he didn’t think that was the case. “Yeah there’s only so much your brain can probably take,” he agrees.

Mike let out a sigh and closed the laptop before putting all of his charms and necklaces back on. 

“Thanks for your help. Once my head clears up I’ll let you know if anything comes to me. If not, we’ll resume tomorrow.”

(prev) Gaap shrugs but nods. “Sure, can do,” he put his hands around Mike’s head once more. Despite his general demeanour, he thankfully wasn’t particularly shy or awkward, so this didn’t bother him much, in the end of things the more useful he was to somebody in a position like Mike’s, the more likely that he’d benefit in the long run. He took his own breath to focus and recited the incantation once more.

Mike tried his best to stay calm throughout the spell. Once Gaap concluded incanting, there were a few seconds of nothing. Mike thought it was another bust until suddenly a sharp pain spread throughout his head, worse than before. He winced and staggered away to hold his head in his own hands.

“Agh! Shit…” Again, he slowly lowered himself to sit on the ground.

“H-hah, well, must’ve worked this time, huh?” he muttered out. He tried to focus, tried to think, tried to recall memories, but it was hard to do so with his head pounding. He could barely handle looking at the laptop screen.

Gaap nodded at the question but considered the idea that a misspell could technically probably cause head trauma instead, though he was confident enough in his abilities that he didn’t think that was the case.

(prev) Gaap watches Mike’s behaviour curiously, but when he reads the details of the spell he gets it. He makes sure he knows the ins and outs of the spell before setting the book down and placing his hands carefully around Mike’s head. “I’ll make sure not to draw this out if I can help it,” he assures. “Alright, get ready for another cornball,” Gaap takes a breath to focus his magic, “Memories that bled out of wounds, return to this mind to be preserved once more!”

Mike couldn’t help but tense and scrunch his eye shut when Gaap started performing the spell. He held tightly to the candle. The flame flickered a little bit as Gaap incanted, but otherwise Mike didn’t immediately notice anything afterwards. He stepped back from Gaap. He glanced at the candle and the incense before shrugging. 

“Not sure if that worked..,” he informed. It was hard to know what didn’t work, though. Was it just not the right spell, or was the casting unsuccessful? Did he step away from Gaap’s hands too quickly? Did being so tense affect it?

He blew out the candle and tossed it aside before asking, “Um, for good measure, how about we try that one again?”

Mike bent down to replace the incense stick with a fresh new one, then got out a new candle and lit it. He stood, stepped forward and took a deep breath before saying, “Ready when you are.”

(prev) Gaap was a bit amused, Mike’s clarification somewhat suggesting he might need “psychological” something else, which frankly wouldn’t be surprising given the whole evil demonic cult thing. “Got it,” He says, flipping to that section instead, reading through before glancing to Mike for any non-spell components they might need to perform it.

He makes sure he knows the ins and outs of the spell before setting the book down and placing his hands carefully around Mike’s head.

(prev) Gaap watches as Mike staggers and brings himself to the ground, well it definitely did something, and he’s proud to hear he successfully cast the spell on the first try, that was something else he could add to his tool kit! He gives a nod and flips through the book. “Okay what next? Psychological?” He asks, skimming over it.

Mike rubbed his chin. “Psychological? No, I don’t need that.” He pointed his finger up as he added, “As in, I don’t think it’ll help me remember what I need to.”

Though he did take a second to ponder, what if there were memories he was repressing? Maybe whatever they were, they were better off forgotten. He wanted to focus on the task at hand, anyway. He tried to recall the very scant information Albert had offered on the Synapse Discombobulator. It worked by emitting some kind of signal? Would that be physical?

(prev) Gaap relaxed as Mike laughed, relieved that he’d avoided seeming like an annoying asshole, sure it’s what was like, expected of a Glornist? But he couldn’t imagine anyone actually wanted it directed towards them within its ranks, who would like that? “Right?” He adds, laughing as well. “I kind of feel like a big dork saying some of these out loud.” he says. “And with that, let the dorkiness commence.” Gaap focuses his magic on the mirror as he looks into it. “Disperse the fog that obscures this mind, allow memory to find its way back through!” He recites seriously, it never worked right if you didn’t commit, nobody liked a blasé sorcerer.

Mike suppressed a smirk that wanted to creep across his face when Gaap recited the incantation and instead focused on his reflection in the mirror. He was pondering how he would be able to tell if the spell was successful until the mirror caught a light, supernatural as it couldn’t have come from the dim candles lining the chamber, and deflected it into Mike’s eye. He winced but was able to keep his eye open, in case closing it would ruin the spell.

It was a brief flash, but it did leave Mike rather dazed. He let go of the mirror in favor of holding his head, which was quickly developing an ache. Did this mean the spell actually recovered something? Would the missing memories come to the front of his mind or would he have to go digging for them? The latter seemed to be the case, as nothing was immediately coming to mind.

“Ugh… I need a second,” Mike grumbled as he sat on the ground and dragged his laptop closer to him to write notes. He tried thinking back to his soldier days and the early Glornch days. It was difficult to determine if he regained anything, as memories by nature are pretty nebulous—especially those from nearly ten years ago.

Mike decided to get more specific and focus on his memories of Percy. It was something he often tried not to do, as reminiscing about how he used to be made it harder to fathom killing him. But after a second or two of thinking, Mike perked up as something popped into his head, a memory that he didn’t know he had:

Mike, Miriam, and Percy were hanging out in the newly-built vestry. Percy was bragging about his powers, telling the two, “I also know memory manipulation magic!”

Mike, always a skeptic, responded with, “Really? Prove it.”

“Okay,” Percival gleefully responded, and snapped his fingers at him. Mike forgot what they were talking about and developed a headache.

Presently, Mike sighed and started typing out the recollection, the laptop angled away from Gaap. What a stupid memory… but it was useful! It confirmed that Bishop Percival had those abilities.

Mike wondered if he could uncover anything else, but figured he should think about it later as he didn’t want to keep Gaap just standing and waiting there.

He took out a bottle of ibuprofen, tossed two pills in his mouth, and slowly stood back up.

(prev) Gaap gives a chuckle. “Have you already read the key ones to gather the supplies?” He asks before giving a hum and picking the mirror up. “Alright this is going to seem rather dumb but we’ve got to both hold this mirror between us, and then I’m going to say some cornball sounding magic spell,” he says. “Magic, by its necessity tends to be kind of literal and on the nose like that unless you’re really adept at whatever you’re doing,” he shrugs, but pauses, a look of slight embarrassment. On second thought Mike probably knew that, it’s not like he wasn’t inundated with magic despite his inability to harness it, hopefully he wouldn’t hold the slightly obnoxious ramble against him.

Mike shrugged and replied to Gaap’s question with, “Perhaps.”

After Gaap went on about magic, Mike didn’t seem annoyed. Rather, he cracked a smile and snickered. “Heh… I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks these things are so corny!”

He let out a louder laugh before adding, “Miriam and Percival always get mad at me when I make fun of their spells. I can’t help it when they sound like angsty teenager poetry. Hah!”

(prev) Gaap noticed though didn’t comment, probably something about ensuring the integrity of the relics within. He watches as Mike removes all the magical defenses, this would be a really terrible time for somebody else to be trying to use magic on him, but that would certainly be a heck of a coincidence too. “Gotcha,” he said, flipping to the spell and scanning its instructions. He scrutinizes the specification of the spell, interesting had Mike been afflicted by memory altering magic before then? If he had, he wondered why he couldn’t go to his sister or Bishop Percival about it first, ‘additional curse’ pranks aside, it would still make more sense to ask them, unless perhaps it was related to them somehow, which made Gaap very curious, he had no idea of the history between the three, is it possible Bishop Percival had used some mind altering magic on him to make it easier to get him under his thumb in the first place. Of course even if this was the case, Mike, cagey as he was would probably never confirm his theory, so he sets it aside to focus back on the task.

Mike wasn’t expecting much from this spell; he knew there wasn’t any magic involved with the so-called Synapse Discombobulator, yet he still felt it was worth it to try it out. Mike wouldn’t put it past Percy to know memory manipulation magic. What if there was a chance that he, for whatever reason, used such magic on Mike before he had procured his defensive amulets and charms? The thought haunted his mind from time to time, and since he had the chance with Gaap, he might as well take the opportunity to put those thoughts to rest. 

“Alright this is going to seem rather dumb but we’ve got to both hold this mirror between us, and then I’m going to say some cornball sounding magic spell,” he says.

(prev) Gaap couldn’t help a slight chuckle at Mike’s distress, why not right now? Was he expecting to just give him the book and that’s it? But then Mike explained more and he nodded. “Nah that’s fair, let’s head over there then,”

Mike collected his laptop and led Gaap to the door. Before he left, he marked the temperature and humidity of the room onto a chart pinned to the door—it was purely a compulsion at this point, since he had installed an automated temperature control system a while ago. He locked the crypt up behind him.

Mike creaked the ritual chamber’s side door open and peered inside to make sure it was empty before striding in. He walked right to the middle of the room and set the laptop down on the floor. Next, he began reaching into the front of his cassock to carefully remove various necklaces and amulets. As he did so he said,

“So, I think the book has a few different restorative spells… Let’s just start with the first one listed.”

He watches as Mike removes all the magical defences, this would be a really terrible time for somebody else to be trying to use magic on him, but that would certainly be a heck of a coincidence too.

“Gotcha,” he said, flipping to the spell and scanning its instructions. He scrutinizes the specification of the spell, interesting had Mike been afflicted by memory altering magic before then? If he had, he wondered why he couldn’t go to his sister or Bishop Percival about it first, ‘additional curse’ pranks aside, it would still make more sense to ask them, unless perhaps it was related to them somehow, which made Gaap very curious, he had no idea of the history between the three, is it possible Bishop Percival had used some mind altering magic on him to make it easier to get him under his thumb in the first place.

(prev) It was an elaborate enough answer that Gaap didn’t figure he was being bullshitted, he takes in Mike’s story and shakes his head. “Nah, I get being petty, I’ve dealt with enough jerks in my life to understand wishing I could get back at somebody,” he assures. At Mike’s own offer of a favour Gaap’s interest was certainly piqued, though frankly he might’ve done it for free, he was a generous enough guy when it cost him nothing but his time and Mike had only really done right by him so far, like lending him that hymn book. “I’ll keep that in my pocket then,” he jokes lightly, “but sure, let me take a crack at this,” he said, finding the restoration spell and reading over how best to cast it.

Mike was pleasantly surprised that Gaap related to being petty in such a way. Perhaps he had been viewing him too much as a goody-two-shoes. That was how Miriam made him out to be, anyway. Although… Mike had a feeling it wasn’t necessary to bribe him with a favor. Oh well.

He nodded when Gaap said he’d take a crack at it, but then perked up with alarm.

“Wait, like right now? Uh, let’s go across the hall to the ritual chamber, then.”

(prev) That was awfully specific. Gaap approached and took the book, giving it a little flip through. “Any reason in particular?” He asks, the obvious answer was yes but whether or not Mike was going to be upfront about it was another. That said, for all Mike’s magic artifacts, he didn’t have the capacity to perform magic himself, unless he had some sort of artifact to capture a spell as he performed it, though he wasn’t sure how that would work for a spell like this, so if he wanted whatever this was for to work out, he’d probably have to let him in on the reason.

Mike rested his elbows on the desk and folded his hands together in front of his face as he gave some thought to his reply. He’d like to give Gaap a truthful answer to build some trust, but the real reason was far too long of a story and far too risky to reveal. 

After a moment he said, “Well, it's another favor I'm asking. I need to remember someone who did me wrong some years ago. I need to settle the score. But for some reason, I can’t remember them for the life of me.” Mike raised his hands as if to quiet down a rambunctious audience. “Now I know that sounds petty, but it’s a serious, personal matter. I think one of these spells could help me.”

He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. “I figured you’d be great to ask because it’ll help you learn something new. Miriam and Bishop Percival sometimes slip in a curse for fun whenever I ask them to cast a spell on me.”

Mike felt satisfied with his answer. It wasn’t entirely true, but by offering himself as a guinea pig for the spellbook, he would have the chance to regain any memory he might have of pre-Glornist Percival, if they even interacted at all. Besides, it would be beneficial to confirm that Gaap could effectively cast such a spell first before trying it on Miriam. Further, working with Gaap on this could help build their rapport. But of course, he had to agree first…