The importance of being a wizard

Zanaphea was not a clever person. One might expect that cleverness is a key requirement for a wizard, perhaps the only requirement. Mogriss had chosen Zanaphea not because she was a good wizard, or even one with potential, or even a decent person. What Zanaphea did have was a singular talent that Mogriss could make extensive use of: Zanaphea was a mimic.
Not a dungeon monster, but rather someone who can see something once and copy it perfectly, no matter the task. By exploiting that talent, Mogriss had a second pair of hands that were every bit as capable as her own, and able to replicate any spell.
Over the past few months Mogriss had travelled the Valley slaying powerful creatures, researching new threats and travelling the multiverse in search of answers. Every step of the way, Zanaphea had followed her, with a look in her eyes somewhere between carnal desire and cannibalistic hunger.
Now they were in the basement of the Tsar Mage’s guild, constructing a device of stone, silver and oil. Mogriss would create a component, and Zanaphea would be able to manufacture a dozen more just like it. The device was essentially complete, and Mogriss was making some last minute adjustments, and poking it with a staff for good measure. A mirror in the center of the device shattered, then seemed to shatter again and again, each time into larger shards until there were far too many to have come from a single mirror. A cheerful voice echoed through the chambers
“Hello? Hello? Who is this?”
“Master Fondon, it’s Mogriss. Can you hear me?”
“Yes! How are you doing over there?”
“Master, the Valley is in danger.; We need your help!”
“What is it? Zombie Hyenas?”
“No, it’s-”
“Is it the birds?”
“Actually it’s-”
“Oh gods above, have the birds returned? Mogriss, we must prepare. Us wizards are not designed to fight birds of such scale or tenacity!”
“Master Fondon. Please, please, please listen. They confluence of planes has reached its peak, and monsters from the lower planes are assaulting the good people of the Valley from all directions! The Avatar of Orcus is said to be on this plane, and a group of adventurers are trying to stop the whole world from being swallowed by the Abyss”
“Oh wow. That sounds like a right pickle. Really glad I’m over here, phew!”
“Where...where are you?”
“I’m on the demimicropseudoplane of a small wooden carvings of Telephos”
“That’s not a real place? Is it real? Wait, no. I need us both to focus. The Valley is in trouble, and I need you here.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t come back. I’m on my way somewhere else”
“Where? Where is more important than here?”
“I don’t know, exactly. All I know is that I am going where I am needed most. I don’t think it’s the Prime Material, though. I’m sorry.”
“Master Fondon, we can’t do this alone.”
"Yes you can. You’re a wizard.”
“That’s not helpful!”
“Yes it is. Being a wizard is the most helpful thing that you can ever be. Listen, you’re smart and powerful and will be the next Archmage of the Valley. If anyone can do this, it’s you. If you can’t, then no one can.”
“But you could! You could help! What about your duty to protect the Valley?”
“Sorry, I’m sorry my dear child. You know that sometimes protecting the Valley means protecting something bigger. You can do this! You’re a wizard! You can always-”
The device hissed, then the room fell silent. Zanaphea looked over at her.
“Is he coming back?”
Mogriss shook her head. “No. He left his favorite hat here. He wouldn’t have done that if he thought he was ever going to return.”
“Then what was the point of that?”
“Just to know that he’s ok, and for him to know that we’re still kicking. Sometimes just knowing is enough.” Mogriss tapped her heart “In here. Of all the great magics, the most powerful is Hope.”