The vessel known as Valicar ran with all the might a child could put into their little legs.
“What the fuck was that light, the weirdo in fancy armor used?” Mike yelled, into Sophia’s mind.
“It has to have been magic, did you see the way it followed his hand, almost like he was guiding it?“ Sophia said, trying to focus on anything other than the pain in her lungs.
“How the fuck did you jump to that conclusion, that is the first time we have seen anything like that in this life and I sure as hell would have remembered a psycho on earth who could burn people to death with a goddamn sky laser!” Mike yelled.
Mike's voice echoed in Sophia's mind, mixing with her thoughts as they fled through the forest. She could feel his frustration and fear, mirroring her own. Yet, amidst the chaos of their thoughts, Sophia couldn't shake the feeling of awe and dread that lingered from witnessing the mysterious display of magic.
“It's the only explanation, Mike! That light... it had power, something beyond what we've ever known,” Sophia responded, her mental voice laced with uncertainty.
As they ran, Sophia's mind raced with questions. How had they ended up in this strange world? And what was the significance of their newfound connection? But before she could dwell further, Mike's voice cut through her thoughts once again. “This is fucking crazy, Soph.”
Mike switched to concentrating on running as fast as he could, both twins able to control this aspect of their lives. However, after several hard falls and too many trips, they decided it was best to let Mike handle the getaway.
“I know, you never liked to play the same games as me or watch the same shows, but it sure wouldn’t have killed you to at least try to pay attention to your sister's hobbies!” Sophia criticized her brother's media taste, seizing the opportunity of her newfound advantage in this new world. While Mike was far more into mainstream superhero movies, sci-fi, and training at the gym, he cared very little for his sister's hobbies, partially blaming them for her social awkwardness in high school.
While Sophia wasn't exactly a social butterfly, she had consumed enough Japanese media to formulate a hypothesis on their current situation. The technological differences were obvious, but now there was proof that they hadn't simply traveled in time but to another world. She might have been able to figure this out sooner if she had the chance to travel or even talk to anyone beyond the local county.
The last person to even leave and come back was her great uncle, after whom she was named. Valicar had died when their father was young in some quest or another, but he had brought back stories of the world's wonders. The floating islands of Minerva and the Legendary Dragon Ignial, who slumbered in a volcano to the far north, were among the tales he shared. When Theodore had recounted these stories to Valicar, Mike dismissed them as yet another fairy tale from a different time. However, Sophia felt there had to be more to this world, a sensation she could feel in her very bones.
While as wild as those stories may have been, there was never a mention of anyone using magic in that way.
“Remember the story about the floating island... What do you think the chances are they're real now?” Sophia pondered aloud to her brother as they ran.
“SOPHIA, YOU SEE A GUY'S FACE MELT AND THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT!!!!” Mike exclaimed, slowing down near a fallen-over log and leaning on it to catch his breath.
“I'm just saying, if we saw something that can't be explained, it has to be magic, and if magic here is real, then those stories could be true, Mike!!” Sophia retorted, trying to reason with her brother.
Mike sighed, allowing Sophia to sit them down on the log with only minor resistance. “So what, Sophia... and we really should keep moving,” he said, his annoyance evident.
“Since magic is real, maybe it has something to do with us combining souls, and if so, maybe there is a way to separate us again so we can live normally,” Sophia suggested, her voice tinged with hope.
“Do you remember what that elder said about mage blood? Who do you think they are looking for, some minority group or something?” Mike added, raising a valid question.
Sophia had been wondering the same question, and as she was about to reply, she heard a shrill voice pierce through the forest's silence. “It has almost nothing to do with one's blood, actually, and it's more closely tied to their soul.”
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Mike spun them around back to their feet, and there before them sat an old man wearing a black robe. Though his face was hidden under a hood, he had a very long grey beard that didn't look particularly well taken care of.
”Who are you!?” Mike barked, his tone sharp. ”Are you supposed to be Gandalf or some other knockoff?” he continued, as the man simply stared at them.
"Mike, maybe don't piss off the mysterious old man in the woods, especially if you think he’s a wizard,” Sophia chastised her brother, her voice tinged with caution.
“To be fair, these must be rather strange circumstances to find yourselves in. It only makes sense you think me a wizard, although I would say I'm closer to a warlock if we are using your old world's media for reference,” the old man responded calmly.
Questions flooded their already tired minds. After the revelation of magic being real, this new revelation still floored them. ”Wait, he can hear us even in our minds, and how does he know about Earth?” Sophia said, her voice a mix of shock and interest, while Mike seemed at a loss for words, a rare occurrence for him.
“I can do more than that, Sophia. I can see the mess you made of your souls. Quite the tangle, if I do say so.” He revealed.
This mysterious man, who found them in the middle of a forest, was the first and only person to see Valicar as she truly was: a little girl with two powerful souls infused together.
“What did I do?!” Sophia screamed, both in her mind and into the man's face.
“Quite simply, you used forbidden magic, also known as necromancy, to lock your souls together. Although, depending on who you ask, all magic is forbidden, so I wouldn't worry about the details too much.” The man explained.
Sophia knew in her heart that what had happened was her fault, but to hear it confirmed by this new authority crushed her. The only thing keeping them standing was Mike's shock, which seemed to lock out Valicar's legs.
“How can I fix this? What can I do to make this right?!” Sophia partially begged and demanded.
“That part is quite simple. You just need to become an archmage of unrivaled magical power, the likes of which haven’t been seen in centuries. Then, such a spell would be trivial.” He remarked casually, as if it was a minor matter.
Mike, breaks in finally free of his quasi-trance. “Is this the part where you offer us ultimate power if we turn to the dark side or some other shady bullshit!?” Mike’s bravado shone through once more, Sophia still processing the implications of her being an archmage.
”No, nothing so crass… I’m simply here to help you on the path a little.” The man had a wicked grin as he pulled a book wrapped in waxed leather from beneath his robes. Mike jumped back at his sudden movement.
Sophia spoke, ”What help could you provide? Can’t you just separate us yourself?”
The man held the book up with one hand. “No, my dear Sophia, the magic you unleashed five years ago in another world is far beyond my ability. However, this is your first step.” He threw the book at Valicar, and Mike dodged, but it was for naught; the book simply floated and adjusted its course until it floated before them.
“What is this thing?” Sophia questioned as Mike grabbed the book.
Sophia already knew the power that pulsed from this book; it was all too familiar.
”It’s forbidden on this continent, except for a few exceptions. That book is a novice tome for beginning Magi, filled with some basics you will need in the decade to come.”
Taking the book in hand, Sophia opened it before Mike could stop her…. “I can’t read any of this….” Sophia said, disappointment evident in her voice.
“Well, that is one thing I can help with. Just close your eyes and channel that feeling from the night you died into your eyes and repeat after me,” Sophia did as commanded.
"Albox Vaenlox.”
Sophia copied, “Albox Vaenlox.”
Sophia opened her eyes, and once again looked at the book, and to her astonishment, she could read it. “This is in English now!!” Sophia jumped in delight, both for having a book again for the first time in five long years and that she was a Mage.
“Mike, I have fucking magic, did you see that!?” Sophia's excitement was palpable, but Mike's confusion was evident.
”It still just looks like gibberish to me.” Despite his sister's joy, Mike remained unconvinced.
"Well, you could barely read, to begin with,” Sophia began to read, ignoring her brother and their guest.
“I'm glad you have taken a liking to my gift so for now, I will leave you. Come and find me after you have mastered the spell on the final page. There is an inn to the south of here called the Red Wolf, start there.
“Wait, what is your name?” Mike called out, but the mysterious man simply vanished without a trace.
“Call me James for now,” his voice echoed in their minds, “Oh, and do make sure you are the one in control when they test you, Mike. Now head back home; these woods are no place for children.”
With that, James was gone, leaving Sophia and Mike to ponder their next move.
“What the fuck is up with all the weirdos showing up today, and now my sister is one of them,” Mike complained.
“Look who's talking, Mike, and what test was he talking about?” Sophia already had suspicions about the trials to come when they returned to the village, but this test that both James and the templar had mentioned was looming over her head.
“Let's head back and maybe find a spot to stash that new toy of yours. I have a feeling that guy and the Templars showing up at the same time isn't a coincidence,” Sophia suggests.
With that, Sophia and Mike decide to head back to the village, now in much more control of their fear instead of blinding terror.
“Shit, I just remembered we aren't orphans anymore, or maybe we are... Start running, Mike!”