S P E L L B I N D E R
Interacting with: Doctor Strangefate
The “magician things” that Zack was doing was in fact some homework. Unlike many of the others, he still had school to attend to. It was just lucky for him that he was able to make arrangements to take his classes remotely, mostly thanks to some strings that Doctor Strangefate was able to tug on. He was just putting the finishing touches on his trigonometry homework when he heard the familiar voice of the Doctor in question calling for him - telepathically of course.
”Oh, Doc, it’s you!” He said as he hastily slammed his textbook shut and gave his attention to the now-unmasked Doctor Strangefate. It wasn’t really like him to ditch the helmet like this, and so Zack was now wondering if something urgent was coming up. ”I was just finishing up my trig homework. But yeah, it’s a good time. So what’s the urgency? Some kind of magical crisis you need a hand with?”
"Should I be compromised, I want you to be prepared. I would like to begin working with you more regularly to enhance your magical abilities..." Strangefate explained. "Some day you may be the one who wears this helm."
So it wasn’t a crisis, but instead more magical training. And that bit about Zack someday being the one to wear the helmet was definitely not on his bingo card, either. And he knew the Doc wasn’t joking either, since that wasn’t generally something he did. ”Yeah, that Herald we fought almost did a number on us. Night Vision wanted me to put some kind of protection on the Tower, but I don’t know any spells like that yet. So if you have more to teach me I’ll definitely be eager to learn it.”
The scrying window closed. There was an awkward pause, and it seemed as if Zack didn't know what was happening. Strangefate appeared in the room of the young Spellbinder's holding a large book in his hand with an X on the cover. It looked old. Ancient even. His sudden appearance made Zack nearly fall over from being startled.
"This book has appeared in my sanctum several times over the last year. It prophesied a scarlet clad sorcerer, as well as the sorcerer one day taking the helm. I believe it was meant for you. There are pages in it that I am unable to read." Xavier explained.
”But you’re the Sorcerer Supreme.” Zack said as he peered at the book with a confused expression. ”If even you can’t read those pages, then how will I be able to?”
"With practice." Strangefate said as his form dissipated into the air.
”Practice, huh?” Zack said now that he was alone again. He opened the book and was not particularly shocked at his inability to comprehend most of it. In fact he could almost swear that some of the letters and symbols scribed within were moving and shifting around the pages. How was anyone supposed to read that? But Zack took a breath and focused his attention on the first few pages. To read a book, it was generally smart to do so from the beginning of it. And this appeared to pay off, when the letters and symbols began to form words he could actually read. An incantation for a spell he’d never tried before.
”Practice, it is then.”