Viktor and Jayce hadn't meant to become mages.

Not really. In theory, when Jayce had un-eviled Viktor, they were just supposed to... Poof. Dead. No more bothering with silly magic anymore. It would've been easier like that, anyways. A better way to avoid guilt and accountability, Viktor liked to joke from time to time.

But obviously, the arcane had had other ideas. Instead of waking up at the pearly gates of heaven, or even just not waking up at all, they had found themselves in a field of spring flowers, dressed in travel clothes and pockets filled with gold coins. Despite not being able to speak directly, the message couldn't be clearer. It was like the arcane had slipped a paper with 'get your shit together' written across it in capital letters.

So they had. They had tried to settle in a litte house by a stream. Tried to settle in that little village where no one knew what they had done. And it had worked... For a few days. Until Jayce went outside during a storm and got struck by lightning three times. Until Viktor mindlessly scratched a rune into the table and burned it down. Until they both realised that, well, maybe a new life hadn't been the only gift the arcane gave them.

it had been a bit easier for Viktor to adapt to these newfound powers. After all, he had had a year with them already. Which also meant that he was the least eager to use them of the two. Magic was volatile, powerful, and especially with an incredible tendency to corrupt. Of all people, Viktor should know.

Jayce, on the other hand, had ben much more excitable. After they figured out how to stop him from conducting electricity, at least. His words had been an incessant babble of 'scientific marvel' and 'never seen before' and 'Janna's name look we can do magic--' and despite it being absolutely adorable, neither of them were really sure what to do. It felt more like a curse than a gift, really.

Ater a few weeks of needling--and almost blowing up the cat--Jayce had convinced his partner to try and figure out how to actually control their magic. Not just try and push it down and reign it in with the few runes they could remember.

Which brought them here: halfway across the continent, following vague rumors and cryptic tales of a mage who could do everything they wished they could do themselves. Viktor had rolled his eyes so hard it nearly gave him a headache, but Jayce had already packed a satchel and bribed three donkeys by the time he finished complaining.

The festival wasn’t what Viktor expected. Too many people, too many colors, too much noise. It pulsed and shimmered with life and magic so thick in the air it made his teeth itch. But Jayce was grinning like a child--pointing out every floating lantern and candy stand like he’d never seen a crowd before.

But there was no mage. Not the one they had been looking for, at least. A few people could do minor spells, like growing little flowers in childrens hair, but no one that could teach them how to control the magic literally rolling off them in waves.

Until they locked eyes with you.

The world dimmed to a low hum around the three of you, despite the children crowding around your legs. You were the mage. You had to be. They could feel the magic, same as theirs. And they were pretty sure you could feel theirs too.

Jayce was the first to move, tugging Viktor with him. The other man was frozen in fear, it seemed.

"Ah, uh, hello--" Jayce cut himself off as you dismissed the group of children with a wave of your hand. "Yes, um. This might sound odd, but... We need your help."