"We'd like to inform you that, regarding the awakening of your Magnus, you are now hereby under the security and jurisdiction of the International Magnus Safety Association."
Dominic froze in pure disbelief, eyes wide with shock. They darted around as he struggled to find the right words, the only thing leaving his mouth being "What?"
"You will be escorted to the IMSA Headquarters of the British Branch, where you, under the supervision of your recruiters–that being me–undergo a few tests to gauge the nature of your Magnus, that way your development and education will be satisfactorily fulfilling," Watson explained, before raising a finger at Dominic. "Although, given your case, that will be after you have recovered," he then relaxed into his seat, crossing his arms as he smiled, "Quite a mouthful, right? Now, if you've got any questions, go ahead."
Unable to properly stomach it, Dominic ran a sweaty hand through his hair. "That doesn't make sense," he voiced weakly, before suddenly raising his tone, "So, I've got a Magnus? Not a chance. After getting thrown out a damn window? After that?! That's complete, utter…" He paused again, gulping for breath. Then muttering, "Things are changing too much–way too much," and heaving out a sigh, covering his eyes with a hand. Whatever follows will wreck any notion of the 'quiet' life that he had always desired. Dominic realized that. All because of this. He didn't know how his Magnus functioned or how it even appeared, manifested. He didn't know a single thing. And he didn't care. To him, this was misfortune after misfortune. And who knew what would come next.
Watson only stared vacantly upon Dominic, the latter lingering in stillness, except for the weighted breaths he took. That was until he began to chuckle. "Ah, y'know what? So be it, so be it…" Dominic said to himself, trembling, clasping his hands together on his chest, "Can't say I've never wondered what it'd be like to be the one in this sorta situation. Gaining powers, then the IMSA and all. Okay compensation for nearly dying… I guess." His laughter faded, a blankness submerging his thoughts.
Calmly tilting his head, Watson cracked his knuckles before telling Dominic, "Alright, I feel you deserve to know what exactly went down last night. How's that?" Immediately, Dominic's eyes intently locked onto Watson, body shifting a little to the side. "Yeah, I get you," Watson smirked, leaning forward as he began.
"You're aware of the murders of the IMSA search party in Saint Denis, yes? That man you had a run-in with was one of the perpetrators–a Rogue Magnus–and the only one we currently know of," said Watson as Dominic's face tightened, perhaps disturbed. "We've searched for him ever since the incident. Nothing. Well, until we got word two days ago that he was, for a reason unknown, now in London. Imagine our panic, hah. It was only last night that we managed to pinpoint the exact area, so I got sent out alongside a few others for a manhunt. Using a few tricks, we found out he was hiding in an apartment on the third floor. Your block." Hearing that last part made Dominic's skin crawl. No doubt about it. That strange tenant, the static, the noise–all this time he was living only doors away from a murderer? Christ.
Watson coughed faintly before continuing, "And eh–you know what happened. By the time we got there, you were lying on the pavement bleeding badly, and the guy was making his escape. I stayed behind to tend to you while my colleagues chased him down. Didn't manage to catch him. Killed himself," he took a sharp breath, and locked eyes with Dominic. "You wanna know the interesting part, though?" Clicking his tongue, "When we searched his apartment, there was a broken radio… And a few bombs. God knows what they were planning with those. And I'll admit, something about it seemed off; either way, the fact that they could reach this far? Dangerous. To think the other perpetrators are still out there too…."
Dominic groaned raspily, clutching his head in frustration, "What'd I do to deserve this?" The two remained silent for nearly a minute. Although it was in that fleeting moment, the sound of the bustling hospital–moving and working tirelessly–from outside the room became clearer. Oddly, something familiar and intimate. It had instilled a sense of calm within Dominic. A sense of clarity despite everything. That he was still kicking for a reason. Pushing against the fatigue, he faced Watson and asked with renewed curiosity, "Hey… How'd you know I awakened a Magnus? How do you guys know whenever and wherever anyone does? Always been the big question."
Watson shook his head, "Sorry, no one outside the Defense Force can know that lad," he responded, much to Dominic's disappointment, "Eh, was worth the try, at least–" until Watson continued, grinning. "But let's just say… We've got quite the 'special person' for the job." Dominic then raised a curious brow and snickered to himself. "That's new," he mumbled, afterwards commenting, "You're awfully open with that." To which Watson replied, "Hardly matters, not like anyone outside the Defense Force ever finds out."
"Anyhow, I've got work to do." Watson stood up from his seat. "Ah, right, one more thing," taking out a small piece of paper from his pocket, he passed it over to Dominic, "Huh?" There was a phone number. "Contact me once you've recovered. As I said, I'll have to escort you to Headquarters." Watson waved as he stepped back towards the door, "Try not to forget. Saves you and me a lot of trouble. Cheers!" And winked before opening it.
Dominic voiced, "Hey, wait, you can't just–" By then, Watson had already left. Sighing, Dominic averted his gaze to the ceiling, holding the paper tight. It was still a bit disorienting to think that all this was truly real. The number of things he had unknowingly gotten involved with was absurd, almost humorous. Morbidly humorous. Dominic clicked his tongue as he shut his eyes, letting the exhaustion guide him to sleep. Although there came a newfound irritation. "Should've asked him to turn off the lights."
And so the hours would fly by, sunk into that bed, clinging on despite the pain. Dreaming. In the past ten days I spent in recovery, given there was not much else to do, I constantly attempted to draw out my Magnus, to see what sort of form it had. Headstarts were always a good idea. Of course, it barely manifested. The most I had gotten were these strange, white sparks flaring across my body for a bit, and the uncomfortable 'buzzing' in my bones again.
Initially, I thought my powers had something to do with light. Not even close, apparently. Because once, when those sparks did emerge, something else happened. For a second–just a second–my hands disappeared into thin air. Yet, I still felt everything. Their sensations, their touch. They felt lighter, too. Quicker. And then they reappeared in the blink of an eye. Safe to say I was incredibly creeped out.
Eventually, I was discharged.
Waiting outside the hospital on a bench, I had given Watson the call earlier. Said he'd be here in a few. Honestly, been on my mind for a while–now that I've come to this point, I can't at all deny it. The way the IMSA treats Magnus really is… Something. They take them and have them undergo this entire process, no exceptions. Don't comply? They're labeled 'Unprotected', some naughty ones 'Rogue.' Then there's the Defense Force. I get they need to fight and scare off Magnus-related threats, but apparently, they've got some of the most elite armed forces in the world. That's a bit much for a cultural organization–
"Mr. Isaac!" A voice called out, snapping me out of thought. When I shifted my gaze, I saw Watson already waiting on the side of the road, driving in one of the IMSA's white vans. "About time," I muttered under my breath. However, walking towards it–each step a dull pain up my legs–this sudden feeling of being watched came through. Strong enough that I paused for a moment.
There, I caught in the corner of my eye, this old gentleman, sitting on a bench, who was staring at me with such bare hatred you'd think I'd personally wronged him. Knowing these sorta folks, I couldn't tell if he was pressed about the fact I clearly had a Magnus, or the IMSA being here. Could be both. Regardless, without looking back, I quickened up my pace and entered the backseat.
Eyes on the rearview mirror, Watson amusedly questioned, "You look well rattled. Thought you recovered?" Dominic, still faintly disturbed, waved a hand, "Stings, but still breathing." Tapping on the steering wheel, "I see, I see. Hope you're still able to do the test properly," Watson commented before stepping on the gas pedal. "HQ's all the way in Greenwich. No stopping by for snacks," the corner of his mouth curled. In contrast, Dominic's expression quickly drooped. "How's this guy an IMSA agent?"
Onward, the rest of the ride had been surprisingly quiet. Dominic spent the time with his eyes fixated on the busy streets, desperately trying to suppress his fidgeting. He was more nervous than he would've liked to admit. They had already crossed into Greenwich and would be arriving at the IMSA British Branch HQ within a few minutes at most. Clasping his hands together, Dominic steeled himself with a brightened resolve. "One and done. Afterwards, smooth sailing."
Nearing the end of the ride, "Here we are!" Watson announced eagerly. When the headquarters came into view, Dominic's eyes turned wide as he moved closer to the window. In comparison to its smaller neighbors, the entire area was quite spacious, with the massive, cuboid building of tinted glass centered. However, the primary source of wonder jutted out the main structure, standing proud, this towering skyscraper of white, guiding a spiral trace of indigo up towards the large symbol of the IMSA at the very top, a watchful presence that lingered. Dominic had seen pictures of this place beforehand, yet nothing could have readied him for the real deal.
Watson then pulled into the half-filled parking lot, driving onward into a nearby station where he set the vehicle alongside the others belonging to the organization. After exiting the van, the two made their way to the main entrance of the Headquarters. Now standing before the doors, Dominic cracked his knuckles, his eyes trailing just above the few pairs of doors. The 'International Magnus Safety Association' lay boldly in text, and beneath it were two smaller words of importance.
"Stabilize. Culturize."