The Second Day

The High Mage Council were furious and terrified in equal measure. Just what I needed on my second day of work experience.

"Such deception cannot, hells- will not go unpunished!"

Lettermice were sent to every single High, Low, and Unofficial Mage, Warlock, Witch, and Potentially Accidentally Magic (known as PAM) creature in the world asking for information, or for the perpetrator to come forward. This wasn't a council decision, it was one made by the very top.

"Do we have any ideas just who did this? Or how?" asked Supreme High Archmage Wallaky-Dunne, as they slinked around the abomination's holding chamber.

The High Mages stood in terrified silence; they hadn't reached the Council by contradicting Wallaky-Dunne. Luckily, they had me to use as a sacrifice- the poor work experience.

High Mage McPlum literally pushed me forward, the knobbliest end of his staff digging into my lower back. "Speak, child." He urged in hushed tones.

This was the first time Wallaky-Dunne had managed to tear his gaze from the abomination and looked upon me. Despite his grand power, he was still over a foot shorter than me. If we squared up, I reckon his eye level would be between my nipples and my shoulders. Still, he was bloody terrifying.

"Well?" Wallaky-Dunne boomed, "What do you have to say?"

My hands didn't know what to do with themselves. Everyone else at the council had a staff or a wand or a glass ball they could fiddle with. I had a wand and balls of my own, but I was taught it was impolite to do so in the company of others. "We... I mean, I believe this... creature is not of magical origin. It appears to be... an organic creation."

Wallaky-Dunne didn't respond. Thankfully, some of the other members of the council murmured in what I considered to be agreeable tones.

"This... thing," Wallaky-Dunne spat out with great venom, "Is not a part of any of our records. It is unlikely it evolved at such a rapid rate that a Witch of its realm did not notice and document it. Those Nature Witches are particularly astute, y'know?"

Again, there were council murmurings that agreed with that sentiment too. I was still frozen in place.

I studied the abomination. No taller than three feet, bipedal, aware yet remarkably calm given the circumstances. It was humanoid, but not in the way of a Gnome or Troll. Its skin was perfect grey, without a single blemish on it. Each hand only had four elongated fingers. What captivated me most was its eyes- much larger than ours, and pure black. Looking into them was like looking into the depths of the Heavens themselves- the infinite abyss.

The creature watched intently at everyone in the room. Its fingers tapping rhythmically against its temples. It felt as if it was trying to understand us. Or communicate...

"Sir," I said, shakily, "I believe what we have found may be... a fallen angel."