Archive of Our Own

Jayce panted heavily as he finally reached the top of the destroyed Hexgates. The storm was no longer raging in that spot, but Jayce had yet to notice it since he was recovering from the gritting journey it had been. His body was at the edge of collapse, but he knew he had to reach the top. When he looked up, he saw the figure he’d seen long ago, the Mage that had given him the rune all those years ago.

“Why did you give me this?” Jayce asked the Mage. He turned around and Jayce gasped as he saw a familiar face.

“Viktor!” Jayce took in the familiar yet different face, noticing his light wrinkles and white streaks of hair with shock. “You look older, what happened?”

“It would be difficult to explain but we have time, you need to know a story first.” The Mage reached over and touched Jayce’s forehead, and suddenly he could see the sharp, tingling memories from the Mage, even his feelings exactly as he had lived it as he heard him speak in his head.

“The Hexcore changes, evolves, adapts. It grew a will of its own, aligned strongly with my beliefs, in helping each other reach their true best selves. It called to me so we could reach its true power, to reach my goal.” The Mage’s voice grew withered and soft. “So I heeded its call. It wasn’t you the one that started this, it was me, but things played out a little differently here.”

The vision shifted just after Viktor had emerged from his fusion with the Hexcore, confused and in disarray of his new body, of what it meant, of knowing how he had to leave everything behind, even his partner which pained him the most but something was different and Jayce saw as this version of himself didn’t let him leave alone. He had the courage Jayce didn’t to follow Viktor.

Jayce watched with wonder as he saw what Viktor had gone through, walking through Zaun and seeing the ill, the addicts long forgotten and cut off from society. He gasped when he saw Viktor work his first miracle and felt the same amazement he did when they first discovered Hextech. When Viktor turned around to his companion he saw the same awed look.

Jayce chuckled, it seemed they weren’t so different after all, it soon turned to shock when he felt the shy warmth it had evoked within Viktor.

The memories moved forward, and he saw how his other self had decided to help build and create the Commune.

“Oh Jayce, you were the most magnificent sight anyone could ever see.”

Jayce saw himself in new clothes made of tattered, white scraps of fabric, with long hair and a beard just like he was now as he built the Commune for the people pouring in. He looked strong, capable of anything. He looked content and at home.

“You were our protector…”

He saw this version of himself with his hammer, fighting groups from Zaun that didn’t seek healing or asylum but that wished to take over their newly grown crops and the fresh water they had filtered, by force. His determination and strength were evident for all to see.

“…but also, our caretaker, everyone adored you and so did I.”

The vision shifted to a kinder Jayce, helping people settle down in their new homes, building their furniture, and forging their tools.

The members of the Commune regarded him with deep admiration and respect. Once in a while he looked up and their eyes met. Warm hazel eyes taking all of him in. Fondness, affection and something else was always there.

“You only asked me about it once, when you saw what I could do.” The vision shifted again, and a memory appeared just as vivid as when the Mage lived it.

-

“Viktor, is that your doing?” Jayce asked, voice laced with concern. Viktor’s eyes followed his gaze, and he watched a group of people become unnaturally still.

“Yes,” Viktor answered confidently and let go of the control he had over them.  He let them carry on before turning to a pale Jayce.

“They were about to fight for the tent, I just intervened before it grew more serious.”

Jayce didn’t answer right away. From here, Viktor could see his eyes dart around the peaceful Commune. “ Is that what this is?”

Viktor felt his eyes widen before he took a steady breath, going back to his usual serene look. “Just because I can control them doesn’t mean I do it all the time. They are free to do as they like, as long as it doesn’t harm the Commune, of course.”

-

“I didn’t lie to you,” the Mage said, “I truly believed the control I had over them was helpful and whatever freedom I left them was enough. I should’ve realized my mistake when I couldn’t bear the idea of taking your mind as well.

You were the only thing that me and the Hexcore disagreed with. Soon it grew from just a nagging discomfort in my head to a voice separate from my own,” the Mage said.  “I was amazed at how the Hexcore had evolved to such a point but it lasted shortly when I heard what it wanted to say.”

-

“That man has spent too long without becoming one of us, it’s dangerous.” A voice, tinged with the clank of metal and electricity within Viktor said.

Viktor gasped at the sudden voice, but his resolve hardened when he realized what it had asked “Jayce has been nothing but helpful to our cause and has shown his loyalty to me time and time again. There’s no need for that.” Viktor brushed it off.

-

“I couldn’t do it, not when you were the only one that made me feel alive. Everyone else was just a puppet, agreeing with my every word, you didn’t. You still argued and debated with me and furthermore, things…” the Mage paused, seeming to choose his next words carefully, “were changing between us, and I didn’t want them to stop.”

Jayce gasped when new memories surfaced, along with new feelings. The pride and joy from Viktor was evident but it grew more every time he watched his other self, the other Jayce’s beaming smile when he finished a project or new tool or played with the kids.

Their gazes met and they always lingered with a smile and warmness. It felt foreign for him to see himself do those expressions, but he knew what was likely going through that Jayce's mind. He too would be awed at everything they’d built. But also during his time in that cave he had missed Viktor fiercely and for a moment he felt jealousy at what this Jayce had accomplished.

Jayce’s musings came to a halt when the memories shifted again, this time to his other self putting his arm around Viktor’s shoulder and sudden images and feelings overcame him.

He knew Viktor only needed to touch someone to enter their mind, what he didn’t know was that this could happen involuntarily if anyone touched Viktor as well.

Jayce saw through the memory that Viktor couldn’t control it and at first resisted because he didn’t want to take his Jayce’s privacy or mind but it was quickly changed when he felt the memories of that Jayce and most importantly, the lingering feelings he could feel coming from him. His happiness and pride were addictive, he wanted his Jayce to always feel like this.

It changed when his Jayce turned to look at Viktor and Viktor felt his heart race when he could feel the warm feeling of pure affection towards him. Their eyes met and only that warm feeling Viktor didn’t dare name kept moving back and forth between them.

His other self let Viktor go and carried on leaving Viktor a mess, wanting to touch Jayce again, wanting to feel that again that both scared and excited him for what it could mean. He wasn’t brave enough to initiate contact but he didn’t need to worry, Jayce’s touches became more frequent, nothing he hadn’t done with Viktor before but now they lingered, they dragged across Viktor’s new body and became much more intimate, the warmth in the eyes of his other self each time more smoldering and with each one Viktor’s feelings grew as well.

Jayce saw with awe as he watched these other versions of him and Viktor circle around each other, his own feelings a mixture of different ones. He had always admired Viktor, always cared about him but he hadn’t realized how much or how deep it was until he was told Viktor was dying and had to sit beside him in a hospital bed. How he had gone back from his promise just to save Viktor because he couldn’t bear to think of him gone.

What amazed him the most was feeling the intense feelings of love Viktor had for his other self, every single thing that made his heart race and his chest to swell with love.

It happened one night when Viktor wanted to see Jayce and was told he was finishing a watch tower. He’d found his other self sitting on the edge admiring the view of what they’d built.

Viktor had sat beside him, and both silently admired the view. Viktor had been the one to move his hand until their fingers touched.

They looked at each other with that same warmth coming back and forth but this time they knew what to call it.

Love.

Both leaned into each other until finally, in what felt forever, they kissed. It felt like a magical moment when only the two of them existed. Their feelings and their dreams were one.

As Jayce watched, he couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the pureness of it all and revealed how much he also desired that.

After the kiss they shared, it opened so many possibilities, the memories shifted to them being much closer, always smiling, always touching, always kissing until one day Viktor didn’t let Jayce go back to his tent and pulled him into his private quarters. There, they finally became one.

Jayce gasped until the memory faded before anything other than falling clothes was shown. He felt let down at that and the Mage chuckled but carried on nonetheless, knowing he had to show Jayce what had happened.
“The Hexcore grew relentless after that.”

-

“In order for humanity to evolve, you must let go of these feelings. We cannot further the Glorious Evolution if you stay tied to him.” The ominous voice of the Hexcore said.

“We are making good progress in it, each day the Commune grows in size and power, there’s no need to worry about Jayce.” Viktor said smoothly, desperately wanting to change the subject.

“One day the time will come, and you’ll have to be prepared for it.”

“Jayce is already part of this Commune. Viktor spoke with finality in his voice “There’s nothing to prepare.”

-

“Eventually, the outside world caught up to us.” The old Mage said, “It all started with them.'

The memory unfolded once again, and Jayce saw an interesting group arrive. It was Jinx along with her sister Vi, a small child, and a Beast.

-

“I saw the destruction he can make, but I believe I can save him.” Viktor said to Vander’s daughters.

It was a tough task that required all his power, it sometimes left him weakened with a worried Jayce by his side but nevertheless he persisted. This was their dream, he couldn’t let Vander or Jayce down.

He spent much of his time in his garden working Vander’s mind and unraveling the man from the beast. He did feel lovesick from time to time, all the effort Vander required meant he couldn’t see Jayce most of the time since he was locked up in the garden while Jayce tended to the Commune, even though it wasn’t necessary.

He’d tightened their control so nothing untowards happened and of course strictly instructed all the Commune members to obey Jayce without fail. He didn’t tell this to Jayce because he knew he was sensitive towards Viktor’s control over the Commune but Viktor just knew it was for the best.

They couldn’t afford any illogical feelings while he was busy elsewhere and it made Jayce feel useful and fulfilled and he wasn’t going to deny his lover that, and while he didn’t get to meet Jayce much now, that didn’t mean he wasn’t keeping an eye on him.

All Commune members were his eyes and ears and there was always one locking eyes on Jayce as he walked past. He scrunched his face when he felt Huck’s hesitance and fear, he looked through his eyes and widened them when he saw a small squadron of Noxian soldiers.

“No weapons.” Huk said.

Viktor hesitated for a moment when something surprising happened, a face he didn’t think he would see but then again, it shouldn’t be so strange. Viktor stopped meddling with Vander’s mind and let him into a deep slumber as he waited for the doctor to arrive.

“Who are you?” Viktor heard a familiar voice from one of the Commune members and quickly saw through her eyes. It was Jayce blocking the entrance to his garden, he likely saw the doctor make his way to Viktor’s garden and immediately grew defensive knowing Viktor was working with Vander there, he felt his heart swell with the protectiveness of his lover.

“It’s alright, Jayce, I was expecting him.” Viktor called from within. Jayce looked suspiciously at the man but let him pass, close to his heels and his magnificent hammer in hand and ready to fire. The doctor paid Jayce no mind as he went inside.

-

“What I would give to see the world through your eyes.” The doctor said and suddenly touched his hand. Viktor was overcome with images of a younger doctor and a young woman, his daughter, preserved but otherwise on the brink of death.

The image suddenly disappeared and Viktor could only see Jayce’s back and doctor Reveck stumbling back.

“Don’t touch him!” Jayce lifted his hammer menacingly. Viktor's heart swelled like it did every time Jayce was protective over him but also, he let out an amused chuckle as he placed his lover with a hand on his shoulder.

“Don’t worry.” He gave one reassuring look at Jayce before coming close to the doctor, he knew what he had to do.

The good doctor wanted him to take Vander’s blood and regeneration powers, but Viktor knew this would destroy the man and he refused to do so. The doctor politely accepted his decision and left.

“I don’t trust him V. If what he said is true, this is his greatest successful experiment. No inventor lets go of their greatest success just like that, not without a fight and there are Noxian soldiers right at our door.” Jayce said and gripped his hammer.

“I know but the doctor only wants his daughter back, I’m sure we can find a solution that works both for him and Vander.” Viktor said as both watched the man leave in the distance.

“I still don’t trust him. I’ll stay at the entrance.” Jayce left decidedly.

-

Viktor was once again at the center of the Commune. He could always work better with Vander’s mind in there. He kept advancing in carefully unraveling the man from the best, everything was going as usual until suddenly the beast awoke.

Blood.

Viktor worried the beast would finally take over until something else was detected by Vander.

His daughter’s blood.

For the first time both man and beast shared a common goal.

One was based on protection while the other on brutal violence but nonetheless right now they shared the same objective.

Destroy whatever was threatening his daughter.

Viktor quickly adapted to this new advancement to break apart the pieces of the beast without it lashing out at him since it was too busy working with Vander in protecting his daughter. The connection broke and Viktor dropped to the ground, he quickly made his way to the garden to check in on Vander, what he found astonished him.

Jayce’s long-time friend Caitlyn Kiramman was there along Dr. Reveck dead with one shot clearly from Jinx’s gun. Jinx was cuddled up to Vander while Vander embraced her.

Viktor approached Vander; he wasn’t sure he had successfully broken him free from the beast so he carefully approached with his hand extended to see into his mind. Upon a quick look he suddenly felt relief, he’d done it. Vander was free.

“Ah!” Jayce’s scream pierced through his mind. Viktor immediately took over the nearest member of the Commune, his first follower Huck.

Dread took him over as he saw Jayce being thrown to the ground by a Noxian soldier. He unleashed all the power he had, anything to protect Jayce. He could feel every single cell that made Huck and he commanded it to his will, suddenly he felt the possibilities of his power.

“The Final Glorious Evolution!” The Hexcore excitedly chanted in his head but Viktor couldn’t care less, all he needed to do was save Jayce.

He felt in his mind, the perfect blueprint of what he could make of Huck’s body, a white and gold nearly indestructible doll but his power was limited. He wouldn’t be able to complete the transformation.

Indescribable fear coursed through Viktor as he saw a Noxian soldier approach Jayce, sword at hand and ready to blow. Viktor had a scream at the tip of his throat when suddenly the beast, no, Vander, pounced on the Noxian soldier.

Not so far behind his daughter Jinx came into the fray and from behind the squadron Vander’s other daughter Vi also joined to fight the Noxian soldiers.

Viktor ordered Huck to take Jayce to safety and away from the fight and ran as fast as he could towards the entrance of the Commune, to Jayce, dread mounting when he saw Jayce’s hand clutching his side and blood staining his robes.

“Jayce!” Viktor screamed, Huck gently let go of Jayce and Viktor took him in his arms “Let me heal you.” Viktor immediately reached his hand towards Jayce’s head, but Jayce stopped him.

He grabbed his hand and pressed it to his lips.

“Don’t bother, it really is a scratch.” Jayce said and showed him.

He turned around where Vander was easily taking down the Noxian soldier, worry in his eyes, “V, is he out of control?”

“Quite the contrary,” Viktor said with pride, “He’s completely in control.”

Jayce turned to look at him in surprise.

“I did it, he’s healed and in control of his body and mind.”

“V you’re amazing!” Jayce hugged him tightly and Viktor fell into the embrace as well.

The sound of the best huffing broke the embrace and Viktor turned to Vander, he had some questions, so he extended his hand once again, he closed his eyes as the answers came to him.

“I was still in your mind when I saw Jayce get hurt, you reacted to it. I can’t thank you enough.” He said to Vander. Vander lowered his head in recognition and went back into the Commune, his daughters close to his heels leaving Viktor and Jayce alone at the entrance.

Viktor looked down on the Noxian soldiers, resolve forming in his mind.

“We have to make our move.”

“Move?” Jayce looked at Viktor with confusion, “You want us to leave? But we took so long to build this!” Jayce protested, not bothering to hide the shock in his voice.

Viktor shook his head. “Don’t be fooled, Jayce. They’ll come back, this,” he motioned to the soldiers in the ground, “Is only the beginning. They wanted to get their weapon back and we won’t be able to hold back a Noxian army. No, we must make our final move. The last Glorious Evolution.”

“Vik, what do you mean?”

“Sometimes the best defense is an offense. We can’t wait here until the Noxians arrive. We must make our move. We must take the Hexgates.” Viktor said with finality.

“The Hexgates?!” Jayce jumped back.

“Yes, only the Hexgates have enough power for me to do the final step of the Glorious Evolution.”

“Vik, the Hexgates are in Piltover,” He threw his arms out until he understood and he slowly looked back at Viktor, “You want us to take over Piltover.” He said and saw as Viktor said nothing, that was enough of an answer.

Jayce raised his voice for the first time to Viktor. “We aren’t that! We built this Commune with people that wanted to join us, we don’t conquer others!”  

Viktor recoiled, he didn’t understand Jayce’s outburst, he more than anyone needed to understand.

“Jayce, listen to me, if we don’t do this, there won’t be a Commune.” Viktor firmly said, but Jayce didn’t move. “I know it might not be the best of circumstances, but the glorious evolution can bring together both cities, wasn’t that our dream? That Hextech would help people? What better way than to unite Zaun and Piltover as part of our Commune?”

For a terrible moment, Jayce’s gaze hardened, and Viktor thought Jayce, his protector, would leave him.  

Then, Jayce sighed and relented. “I don’t like this but, you’re right, there’s no way we can defend ourselves from a Noxian army and Zaun and Piltover could finally be one,” Jayce dropped his head. “I just don’t think anyone will be happy to know we have to leave here. They already built their lives here!”

“Jayce,” Viktor tenderly held Jayce’s face. “You just have to talk to them. Truthfully, you are the heart of the Commune. They will listen to you.”

Jayce took hold of Viktor’s hands. “Thank you, for believing in me so much, I will make sure everyone is safe.” Jayce said it with so much conviction, and Viktor was filled with the love and admiration he felt for him.

The next day. Jayce bravely stood before the Commune, explaining everything with sincerity but also empathy, making sure everyone knew what was happening and why they had to move for their safety.

Fortunately, while many looked concerned, they all calmly understood Jayce and followed his instructions. Of course, that had been no coincidence. Viktor had sensed the panic amongst them, but he had such tight control over them that any unwanted sentiments were squashed before they could surface.

He would not allow useless emotions get in the way of Jayce’s happiness. He made them follow Jayce’s every order with a nod and a smile. 

He had one last step to do in the Commune. His old mentor was right, his power was limited, and it had reached his limit with Vander, only his blood with incredible regeneration abilities would allow Viktor to increase his power at unimaginable levels, enough to power the Hexgates.

Fortunately, when he asked for his blood, Vander gratefully gave him what he could, the procedure was careful and slow to allow both Vander and Viktor to assimilate it. With Vander’s healing abilities, now Viktor could reach even more people, he just needed a bigger power source.

Viktor and Jayce moved their Commune through the passages leading to their Commune and into some caves they could stay while he and Jayce would make their way to Piltover, to the Hexgates. 

Once everyone was settled, Viktor had one last step to take, guilt took over him, but he knew he had to do it, it was for everyone’s benefit. He kept thinking to himself that Jayce would understand once he saw the vision be finalized, if he were to tell him beforehand, he knew Jayce would object and he didn’t want to fight his lover.

“Jayce,” he called his love, and he turned around, ready for whatever Viktor needed, guilt took over one last time before his resolution was back, “Go scout ahead, clear the path. I’ll meet you in no more than an hour.”

“I thought we would go in together.” Jayce worriedly walked back, and Viktor gently caressed his face.

“We will, love, I’ll catch up to you soon, promise. Just clear the path for me.”

“You got it V.” Jayce leaned in and kissed Viktor before grabbing his hammer and leaving.

Viktor watched him go with guilt nearly taking over him, but he had to continue, he turned to look at the members of his Commune all looking at him expectantly.

Viktor looked down on his fingers, electricity buzzing through them now more powerful than even thanks to Vander. His eyes glowed and so did his followers, he selected a few of them and made them move forward before him, he then began the Final Glorious Evolution. 

His followers' skin turned white and gold, just as he’d envisioned that day with Huck. His power was now strong enough to completely turn their bodies into perfect obedient and resistant machines.

They would not create chaos nor be selfish or destructive. The perfect being. Viktor didn’t use all the Commune members even if he knew he could, the ones Jayce were most attached to where the one Viktor left as a way to show Jayce he still thought of him.

The rest finished the transformation and diligently followed Viktor as he went to catch up to his love, his protector, his Jayce.

“Vik, what are those?” Jayce looked at the puppets with alarm. 

Viktor knew Jayce would be naturally weary of his puppets, but he didn’t believe they were terrifying enough to justify Jayce’s expression.

“They are my new creations.” Viktor simply said.

“You never told me you were creating something like this.” Jayce circled the puppet with open distrust, and some doubt towards Viktor as well.

Viktor was shocked at the hostile look from Jayce, he’d never been at the other end of Jayce’s ire or distrust.

“You were just too busy with the Commune,” He tried to shake it off with a huff, but Jayce wasn’t moving along.

“Are these weapons?” Jayce interrupted.

“Jayce they are puppets, not weapons. They are just machines for protection, durable and steady, that’s all.” Viktor saw Jayce up and down, thinking how could he make Jayce understand “This is better than risking someone’s life.

“I don’t like this, Viktor.”

Viktor gasped, Jayce hadn’t used his full name in a while, he feared he was losing him.

“Everything will be right once we reach the Hexgates, trust me.” Viktor said.

Guilt ate away at him more and more, abusing his lover’s trust.

-

Jayce could feel the guilt from the older Mage’s memories. Knowing he was lying and abusing his lover’s trust, but he truly believed that once the Glorious Evolution was achieved, his Jayce would understand.

He would create a beautiful world where human emotions wouldn’t interfere with a peaceful life, and he even envisioned a peaceful life together with his lover afterwards.

Jayce kept watching as the memory kept unfolding. They used Viktor’s knowledge of the building to go undetected but there was only so much they could do until they were seen.

-

“Finish what you need to. I’ll distract them.” Jayce said as the puppets closed a door where enforcers were already trying to get pass.

Viktor gave one last look at his lover before moving along to the top of the Hexgates. He used his magic to bring the Hexgates to life.

From a distance he could already see a fleet of Noxian warships ready to disembark. He let the power of the Hexgates join him and soon he began the process.

Lines and lines of white, pure light came out of him as he started collecting the people of Piltover. He could feel their souls and power become one with him. This was it, the Glorious Evolution.

“Ah!” Viktor heard Jayce’s scream through the ears of one of his puppets. The enforcers had pushed through, and one had shot Jayce in the leg.

“Protect him!” Viktor rushed to command his puppets and watched through them as one of the enforcers aimed at Jayce.

“NO!” Viktor commanded a puppet to push Jayce away, but it was too late. The bullet still grazed Jayce’s side.

Jayce crumpled to the ground.

“Bring him to me!” Viktor screamed.

“The process is still going, do not get distracted!” the voice from the Hexcore sounded out, but Viktor couldn’t care less as he met the puppet that was helping Jayce limp towards him.

“Jayce!” Viktor rushed towards him. Jayce collapsed on one knee, his hands clutching his hammer for support.

“Jayce! You’re hurt!” Viktor watched the blood quickly expand on his clothes.

“The process cannot be stopped!” the Hexcore screamed in his head, but Viktor ignored it again as Jayce slowly began to wear out.

“I need to heal you.” Viktor quickly summoned his powers and finally touched Jayce’s forehead. Everything went white until it was only Viktor and Jayce in the cosmic nothingness.

“Vik?” Jayce looked at Viktor with shock, most likely because of his ethereal form.

“Jayce, you’re safe now.” Viktor hugged him.

“Is this what you see?” Jayce asked and Viktor turned around and saw it. A giant elongated figure with a mask with three points, and a third limb with what looked like a three fingered claw.

“Yes, the Glorious Evolution.” Viktor watched what he knew was the Hexcore personified.

“Viktor, what is this? Is this your doing?” Jayce gasped. “The puppets.” A horrified expression took over Jayce.

“It’s for the better, we can end all wars if we can control volatile things such as feelings, they blind us and make humans do terrible things.” Viktor’s voice grew desperate, begging him to understand.

“Terrible things? Then what about my love? Is that a terrible thing as well?”

“No! Your love is the warmest gift there ever is.” Viktor gently cupped Jayce’s face.

“My love made me break my promise.” Jayce slowly said. “I made you into this.”

Viktor could feel his heart ache. “It wasn’t a mistake, look what we’ve accomplished!” Viktor tried his best to make Jayce understand.

“I am seeing it.” Jayce said with deep regret in his eyes.

Viktor tried to think how to make him understand this was for the best, this was for them! Their future! His musing came to a halt when he saw Jayce’s feet and how they were turning gold.

“No, no, no, no, no! You can’t take him!” Viktor yelled at the giant figure in the back.

“I told you the time would come. He needs to evolve with the rest of humanity.” The mechanical voice of the Hexcore said.

“No, no, no!” Viktor screamed as Jayce slowly began to turn gold. He quickly cradled his lover’s face with his hands and concentrated until his hands glowed and slowly the gold began to retreat, and the teal colors took over.

Finally, Jayce gasped and looked at Viktor.
Viktor cried in relief upon seeing Jayce.

“He doesn’t need to evolve, he’s already perfect as he is.”

Viktor gasped when Jayce suddenly grabbed his face as well. “You are also perfect just how you are.”

Viktor hesitated, but Jayce knew. “I’ve always loved you just as you are. There is beauty in imperfections and your imperfections are part of who you are and what makes me admire you, and love you.”

Viktor suddenly could see Jayce’s memories and feel his love when he was nothing but his crippled lab partner, but it was never like that for Jayce. He always saw him as someone special who believed in him and who brought out the best of him.

“Jayce.” Tears began to fall from Viktor’s eyes.

“I love you, Viktor.” Jayce said and Viktor suddenly noticed how the golden hue was up to his face, nearly taking him over.

“No, no, no!” Viktor imbued all the power he had to stop this while he helplessly watched Jayce’s face, who had accepted his fate. “No, you can’t take him!” 

But no matter what Viktor did, Jayce closed his eyes as the golden glow finally took over completely.

“Jayce!” Viktor screamed but in front of him there was nothing but the same golden human shape that surrounded him by the thousands.
Viktor dropped to his knees and cried out, curling into a ball as he sobbed.

“It was needed to evolve,” the mechanical voice said.

A new resolve took over Viktor and with all the pain and grief in his heart he stood.

“Emotions do make us volatile and irrational but, it also makes us love, makes us want to be better, to innovate, without it,” Viktor looked at the thousands of gold dolls, Jayce included “It’s just fields of… dreamless solitude.”

With a new resolve, Viktor stood and faced the Hexcore. “I won’t let you continue.”

The Hexcore turned to look at him “You created me based on your desires and I made it true. A perfect world is upon us.” The Hexcore said.

“I know I made you; it is my fault, but there is beauty in imperfections, and I won’t let you take it away.” Viktor said.

“You have been corrupted by emotions, your bond with Jayce was never going to allow you to reach your true power and now you wish to destroy it but it’s too late. I don’t need a weak host. The Glorious Evolution will continue without you.” The Hexcore reached out his hand and golden lines took over Viktor.

Viktor gasped, he’d never imagined the Hexcore would become an independent being from himself but if that was true, then he could also destroy it without destroying himself.

He grabbed the lines coming out of his head and imbued all his power to battle the influence of the Hexcore. The lines became teal instead of gold and crashed against the Hexcore.

The Hexcore resisted but Viktor’s will and pain overcame, he screamed with all his might until everything turned white and then he felt his power being unleashed without restraint.

Viktor suddenly fell to his knees. A dull ache ran through his body. His mouth felt raw, but his mind, for the first time in a long time, was quiet.

He took a deep breath and reached into himself, searching for the Hexcore. But where its usual tug came from was only a dull buzz, like the hum of electricity.

The arcane, he realized. The magic was still there. He had overcome the Hexcore. The arcane was his to command. But none of it mattered.

Viktor watched from the top of the broken Hexgates. Guilt gnawed at his stomach as he catalogued the carnage below, how his battle with the Hexcore had destroyed not just Piltover, but Zaun too.

The statues of terrified citizens trying to flee were all over the place while his puppets remained entirely untouched.

He turned around and gasped when he saw the puppet that had been Jayce, still perfectly kneeling with his hammer now corrupted by the Arcane.

“Jayce.” Viktor reached it and touched its face but all that remained was a cold front.

“Jayce!” Viktor sobbed. “Jayce, no. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” Viktor clung to the puppet as he cried out in pain.

-

The image blurred out until Jayce only saw the Mage before him with a sad expression as he touched the broken puppet of his lover.

“I thought I could bring an end to the world’s suffering. But when every equation was solved, all that remained were fields of dreamless solitude. There is no prize to perfection. Only an end to pursuit.” The Mage wistfully caressed the kneeling puppet.

“It wasn’t your fault! The Hexcore, it was controlling you!” Jayce quickly rebutted.

The Mage gave a mirthful smile. “Your faith in me is something I’ll deeply cherish,” He turned to look at Jayce. “But the Hexcore didn’t create itself. I made it, it evolved based on my desires. I just didn’t realize how wrong they were, or I did. I just didn’t want to see it until it was too late. In all timelines, in all possibilities… only you can show me this.”

“Send me back.” Jayce said with determination.

“Don’t forget about what you saw. I know it will be difficult, that I may not listen, but you have to do it. Don’t make me realize my mistake once I’ve lost everything.”

“I will not fail. I promise.” Jayce said with conviction.

The old Mage summoned his powers and in a globe of the anomaly he sent Jayce back, leaving the Mage alone once again.

He sighed into the nothingness and touched the statue again.

“I hope this one works better this way. I gave your hammer to the last Jayce and I thought getting rid of me was the answer. I never imagined my grief would turn me into the Hexcore but I’m glad you still broke me out of it. This Jayce wasn’t so lucky, I had no hammer to gift him, but I hope my memories served enough for him to know what to do.”

-

Jayce entered Viktor’s commune in a confident but measured step, he knew where to go but was surprised at how much smaller this Commune was but then again, he’d let Viktor go, he hadn’t been around to build the Commune with him.

He felt guilty for leaving Viktor alone when he needed him the most, but he remembered the Mage’s memories and knew how it would end so he stood tall and walked towards Viktor.

Viktor was floating in the air as he worked Vander’s mind but upon seeing Jayce, a smile lit his face.

This time, Jayce extended his arms towards him. Viktor looked surprised but wrapped his cloth around his body and lowered himself until he allowed Jayce to pull him into a hug, he’d missed his partner.

Suddenly images invaded his mind, some familiar, some not but they all led to the same fate.

Destruction.

Loneliness.

And Grief.

“Jayce!” He clutched Jayce tightly in fear.

“I know Vik, I know.” Jayce squeezed Viktor and then pulled away to see Viktor’s worried face.

“But we can change it, together.” Jayce said with such conviction and tenderly caressed Viktor’s face.

Viktor still looked frightened by the visions, but he trusted Jayce, so he leaned into his touch and allowed Jayce to pull him close until their foreheads touched, a promise to work through this together.