Meanwhile, somewhere in the Island of Woe, in Styx Institute's Conference room. Ortho and Idia are waiting patiently for the others to arrive. Soon, they hear footsteps and look to see Briar and the boys are wearing gray outfits. Each of them is wearing a gray shirt, gray pants, and wears a strange looking choker around his neck.
Vil is not pleased with the attire, and expresses his complaint, "Excuse me, Idia. What was THAT? I'm a world-class model, you know. I'm very particular about what comes into contact with my skin. You expect me to accept a SPRAY DOWN from a glorified garden hose? And you didn't even provide moisturizer! Moisturizing after cleansing your face is the MOST crucial step in maintaining a beautiful complexion."
Jamil sighs, "Now I know what it's like to be a car going through a car wash."
"And what it's like to be a set of sheets in a dryer," Riddle replies.
"I have to agree. That was very uncomfortable," Briar says.
Then Leona says with a frown, "It was bad enough that thing went in my mouth, but it even washed inside my ears. I'm still squicked out from that."
"I normally prize efficiency above all else..." Azul says, "But I've officially decided that no matter how busy I get, I will never start using an automated bathing machine."
Ortho is surprised to hear it, "Really? All the staff love it. They say it makes showers take no time at all!"
Leona scoffs, "Tch. That's not even the worst of it. It's this stinkin' collar."
These chokers appear to have the same effect as my signature spell, Off With Your Head. I've been trying to muster up some magic for a little while now, but I've come up empty," Riddle says.
"Sorry about that," Ortho apologizes, "We have to make people wear those to ensure accurate data collection."
Wait, Riddle, you've been trying to use magic?" Idia questions, "Can't take my eyes off you for a second..." He calms himself and says, "Anyway, now that we've decontaminated you of any microorganisms you might've brought in... I'd like to show you a little welcome video for Styx."
"A what?" Briar says, confused.
"A welcome video?" Vil replies, confused.
"Please take a seat and turn your attention to the screen," India says.
Everyone soon takes their seats as the lights grow dark. And soon video is being played on the large monitor. It shows a darkish grayish blue upside down triangle with a silhouette on a rowboat.
The narrator says, "Audio and video recording of footage shown within this facility is prohibited by law. If you begin to feel ill during the video, please notify staff at once."
The video continues, "Magic - a supernatural energy once thought to be the stuff of miracles. Imagination. Never-ending possibility. But sometimes, great power brings great disaster." The video shows a glowing flame or object and it begins to glow as the video continues.
Then there is a writing in red reads, " - This cannot be the status quo - "
The narrator continues, "Magic enriches lives. And in order to safeguard what we have... The Styz Institute of Magic Science works tirelessly to collect and parse magical data from all over the world. Safe use of technomantic technology... Magical power analysis... Preservation ruins and magestones... Blot emission reduction... Post-overblot treatment... Magical disaster prediction system... Maintaining a Phantom database... We do all this and more to support the people of the world from behind the scenes, as a non-profit organization. Ensuring your magical lives are safe to explore- We are the Styx Institute of Magic Science."
Soon, the video comes to an end.
"And that's the movie. Thanks for watching," India says.
"That was a rather...cheaply-made promo video," Vil points out.
"Well, if you want the tl;dr version..." Idia replies.
He then explains, "Magic is a fancy miracle power with lots of unknowns, and Styx makes sure people use it safely. They've been researching blot since the olden days, like when people wrote on clay tablets and stuff."
If you wish to learn more about Styx... We have a two-and-a-half-hour documentary!" Ortho says. Then asks, "Would you like me to play it?"
"I'm good, thanks," Jamil replies.
"Yeah. I'm not sure if we could walk a video for over two hours," Briar says.
He then says, "So, Styx has been researching blot since ancient times. And we're all overblotters.
"Yeah, I'm startin' to get the picture here," Leona says with his arms crossed.
He then questions, "So. What horrific experiments does the acting director have in store for us?"
YOU ARE READING
Twisted Wonderland Book 6: The Watchman of the Underworld
FanfictionAfter Grim attacked Briar after the SDC, she and her friends search for him, but captured by Ortho. A few days later, the school has been invaded by strong people is armor, and has captured, Riddle, Leona, Azul, Jamil, Vil, and Briar, and has Grim i...
