Dear reader: I am translating to English without a beta reader, so forgive me if it is not always as accurate as you're used to. (Do you want to become my beta reader? Let me know, send me a message or review and let's get in touch!)

Writing is my passion: I want to update this fanfic weekly if possible. It's my first fanfiction, ANY REVIEWS WELCOME! I probably improve my English writing along the way.

This fanfic is about the bond between Jayce Talis and Viktor (Arcane). After the end of the second season, I wondered how things could have possibly turned out differently. This fic is the first I'm writing for the beloved Arcane fandom and takes place at the moment Jayce walks towards the commune (episode 6 from memory) and encounters the new Viktor. Well…. Viktor encounters him. And not all seems as Jayce suspects. Viktor has changed. But…. The same applies to Jayce.

Themes: Hurt & Comfort, Drama/Angst, Friendship, Captivity

Summary: 'Tsk, tsk, Jayce...,' continued the hidden voice. 'Probably related to that feral appearance of yours Jayce, you can tell you've finally left your manners far behind. The golden boy of Piltover, member of the council, everything you have sacrificed for, your status, and now your self-control as well, all reduced to dust.'

"VIKTOR!" Jayce roared in response.

Chapter 1. The Arcane Will Set You Free, Jayce

Viktor.

His former colleague, both of them researching Hextech day and night.

Viktor.

His old friend who stopped him before he would have jumped into the depths.

Viktor.

His partner…

Why did you decide to follow this path, Viktor? This horrifying, empty and soulless world? Why?

Jayce's long wet hair stuck to his forehead and almost hung in his eyes during his run. In one swift motion, Jayce stroked it out of his face, his gaze fixed tightly on the tent camp. Viktor's base loomed slowly in the distance. All Jayce needed to do, is reaching basecamp and confronting Viktor. Convincing him to stop and see the error of his ways. And eventually…. If needed…. Jayce didn't want to reach that conclusion. He moved forward.

I will stop you Viktor. I must stop you...

Raindrops mixed with sweat deprived Jayce of his sight. Pausing under a lone tree trying to catch his breath, Jayce glanced at the valley underneath. He gasped.

Before him lay not only a vast tent camp, stretching wide and far. Despite dark ominous clouds and continuous downpour, something unusually bright stood out against the gloomy gray sky. A bright white beam it seemed, even though Jayce could not yet make much sense of it. 'A lightning bolt? No... usually those don't last that long,' the young Talis muttered to himself. Confused.

Some unknown source seemed to generate a bright beam of light constantly. But what or…. whom? The beam seemed to pulsate, that much was clear from this distance. Jayce held a hand over his eyes and peered into the distance, partly to block out the rain, partly because he just couldn't comprehend the sight. Could this perhaps indicate the Arcane, the anomaly, has spread outside of the Hexgates?

Whatever stunt you are pulling in your head Viktor; you are not the only one who owns Hextech.

Jayce subconsciously clamped his hammer as tightly as if it were his lifeline. Well actually…. It was. With clenched teeth he continued setting one foot in front of the other. He started his walk downhill. Towards the valley, towards him. Viktor. His heart rattling in his chest, his breath quickening. He knew what he had to accomplish. Jayce remembered his need to focus, to shift his attention from his bodily sensations towards his surroundings. He needed to defend Piltover. To defend everyone.

Your mission is to control others, Viktor. Mine is to break yours. I won't rest before your arrest.

'Is that so, Jayce? Am I interrupting you?" Words spoken by this familiar, soothing voice. The voice treacherously soft and in contrast with the roaring thunder coming from a decreasing distance.

Wait a minute, how come Jayce didn't notice and …. Wait, did Viktor just react to his train of thought?

In an instant everything started crumbling down: before Jayce knew it, he was swinging his hammer frantically from side to side. What seemed like some sort of a shadow flashing by, a few fingers touching his head lightly. Like a cat and mouse game. A chuckle carried in the wind.

'Jayce…. Finally, you have returned to me at last.'

Jayce's pulse quickened, his adrenaline kicking in, his mind and body all set on an all-out fight. Jayce's eyes widened, but he couldn't catch sight of the phantom again, lurking in the darkness. Constantly scanning, he observed his surroundings fully focused, from left to right, his weapon the Hextech Hammer at the ready.

"Come forward, show yourself!" Jayce shouted, taking a few steps backward. In a spitting second, he realized he made a mistake, not checking his backside, not looking over his shoulder. All his senses attuned to this voice, his only goal to discern its location.

Before Jayce registered, two metallic robotic arms were gripping him from behind. One across his torso, the right one around his throat. Squeezing to force Jayce to give up.

'Tsk, tsk, Jayce...,' continued the hidden voice. 'Probably related to that feral appearance of yours Jayce, you can tell you've finally left your manners far behind. The golden boy of Piltover, member of the council, everything you have sacrificed for, your status, and now your self-control as well, all reduced to dust.'

"VIKTOR!" Jayce roared in response, struggling against the robotic arms that pressed him ever more firmly against its unrelenting solid metallic torso. If only he hadn't screamed. His lungs were no longer able to expand with the air they needed because of the firm, ironclad grip. Panic set in. He tried to push himself off with his feet, to lift the hammer, but in vain. His hammer, by far one of the most powerful Hextech weapons he and Viktor had designed together back in the days of their collaboration... A weapon of stature... He could not wield it while the robot squeezed him like that, both preventing him from moving and cutting of his air supply. Weirdly colored spots and flashes of light shot past in his field of vision. Would the robot, humanoid, or whatever the thing was, actually strangle him? 'Viktor, you bastard,' Jayce growled. 'So this is it, then? You murderer.'

'Ah, is that what you say to an old friend? Your former partner.' Viktor's voice seemed to circle around Jayce. No, it can't be, Jayce thought. Could lack of oxygen supply lead to hallucinations so fast? Jayce tried to balk, but knowing he wouldn't win out over pure mechanics, he estimated he had way more chances to attack or escape if he focused on the direction of the voice and tried to bargain with him. Where was Viktor walking, could he reach him in any way, shape or form? He seemed to be moving in the dark, like a feline stalking its prey. Jayce didn't like this at all. Viktor seemed unfaced by Jayce's arrival, like he had prior knowledge. Knowing his former partner well, Viktor probably calculated every move and planned ahead, like the chess player he is. Well… if he's still the same after the anomaly took him, absorbed him, fused with him…. Jayce immediately realized he needed to distract Victor as long as possible, to come up with an escape plan.

'Those times are over Viktor, you left Piltover, the council, everyone...' A pause, and a little softer: 'Me.' You don't know how much you hurt me that day. You will never fully understand.

'I chose healing Jayce. In the first place, healing myself... The moment the Arcane took over my bodily functions, I have been in a dreamless sleep, Jayce. Peaceful. Resting. Safe. Calm. I finally healed, the Arcane not only saved my life, this force expanded my life. I belief you can benefit as well, Jayce. But you must not fight it. You must learn how to collaborate, how to delegate, how to let it in.'

'You speak of the same force, this uncontrollable Arcane, that showed me the future we are heading towards, Viktor, a future anything but peaceful and calm.' Jayce spat out. His breathing shallow, his words carefully chosen. 'A future in which your precious Arcane takes over everyone and humanity ceases to exist. And it probably started with you anyways, since you so willingly made yourself available. You fused with this powerful force,-'

'And whose fault was that, exactly, Jayce?' Viktor reminded Jayce, cutting him short. 'Yóú couldn't accept losing me, Jayce. You…. Actually you created this outcome.' Viktor paused. 'You did great, Jayce. Your decision already shaped the future. You brought this upon yourself, me, the world. Let's collaborate again, as partners. Let's find out how many more people we might be able to save, Jayce.'

Jayce could no longer stand it. His annoyance would turn into pure anger. The tone in which Viktor spoke, so controlled. So thorough. So normal. Almost hopeful, as if all would be well. Nothing about this situation was normal to Jayce. Nothing about this was justifiable. How dare Viktor lie to him? The whole world corrupted and everyone turned into soulless bodies... That should never and could never happen. That's everything bút salvation.

Viktor didn't react, he didn't allow himself to be provoked. 'Jayce,' Viktor tried again, his voice softer, no tone of argument left whatsoever. 'You seem very confused, Jayce, your mind is failing you for a long time. Not only is your vision clouded. Your mind has suffered exceptionally. That's what the Arcane communicates to me about your state of mind. Let me help you, Jayce. As partners.'

'Stay away from me and stay away from the Hexgates. I will never participate in this, Viktor, forget it-'

'Actually, forgive me, you don't have a choice or say in the matter, my dear friend. I won't allow you to fall apart. Let me help you and take care of you.'

'Release me at once!' Jayce cried, his voice getting hoarse. 'I will néver allow you to take over, you can't be serious Viktor, we have been partners, friends, the Viktor I knew would never threaten me this way, sacrificing me so the Arcane would take over and I would turn into a doll. I won't repeat and say this one more time. Let. Me. Go.'

'Jayce...' The voice replied, the sound coming from Jayce's left. The moment Jayce tried to turn his head (as far as he could, with his movements restricted by the robot arms), he realized his right hand had been taken by this hand of… Viktors. His skin hot to the touch. No… Viktor was trying to reach and take hold of his right hand, holding the hammer.

'Stop this unnecessary fighting, Jayce. For now, I ask you to surrender, give up your weapon and speak to me. You've been through a lot, Jayce, I don't know exactly what happened, but your energy is pulsating in all directions…. You lose your self-control if you persist to argue and fight me, and you will waste the little energy you have left. You've lost your way in life, Jayce. Accept you need help now. Let me help you.' Viktor concluded firmly. His words whispered in Jayce's ear, two lips almost touching his skin. Jayce felt every breath Viktor took and realized somehow Viktors humanity hasn't been erased entirely with him breathing and his skin hot to the touch. That didn't change the fact Jayce experienced chills running down his spine.

Those words. Almost…. affectionate. Worried. Was Viktor still somewhere… in there?

No. Fear. Pure fear. His adrenaline spiked again. Viktors lullaby broken. The chills, the hairs standing up in Jayce's neck. Almost like he returned to that fateful day with his mom, walking and falling in the snow. Chilled to the bone. Almost freezing to death.

'No... Viktor-' Jayce refuted, even more confused and startled by Viktors tone of voice.

'Calm yourself, hush now...Calm down.'

'Viktor, you can't do this, turn me into a soulless, lifeless body, Viktor, please!'

'The Arcane will set you free, Jay-'

'NOOO!'

'You make this harder than this has to be, Jayce. Your negative thoughts contribute to your suffering greatly. You need to heal… to return to a blissful state, a dreamless sleep.'

'You evil bastard-'

And finally Viktor stepped forward, his right hand still folded on Jayce's, without attempting to take the Hammer. His left hand, the fingers of his left hand, lifting toward Jayce's forehead. Unrelenting. Calculating.

"Viktor, please, stop this.' Jayce felt disgusted by his pleading tone. He had tried to convince, to argue, to rage and for now, begging seems almost a natural course of action. Terrified would be an understatement. Jayce had seen what Viktor could do. His fingers positioned on foreheads, his use of the Arcane to dominate. The final checkmate. And Jayce couldn't escape the same happening to him, still struggling against the restraining arms. Even though, as Viktor explained, resistance-

'Resistance is futile indeed, my dear Jayce.' Damn, reading minds is no longer a theory it seems. The Arcane changed you, Viktor. And not for the better.

'You have changed Viktor. I don't recognize you anymore. Are you still in there, somewhere, deep inside that body of yours, Viktor?' Jayce asked him, trying to buy some time.

'The Arcane augmented me, nothing more, nothing less. You are indeed frightened by it…' Viktor raised one eyebrow, his gaze trained on Jayce's face, studying him for a second. Viktor's amber eyes bore into his. 'Oh but Jayce, your mathematical equation is not correct in this case, about what I'm intending to do with you.. I'm not that interested in taking over your body and turning you into a mere puppet, Jayce. Though, some augmentation would probably support you in self-regulating, nonetheless.'

'Ah, you are one to talk about self-regulation. I will compare yours when I'm about to blast your insides out.' Jayce retorted, his voice confirming what Viktor said, about him losing control of the situation. 'Let's find out now, shall we? In a fair fight!'

In a final effort, Jayce struggled to get out of the iron grip, his physical strength temporarily increased by the sheer panic taking hold of his body, like electricity cursing through his veins. Viktor would possess him, take him over. He didn't back down. His fingers already touching him softly, caressing him as some form of sadistic torture before corrupting Jayce's soul. He clawed with his hands, trying to push the metallic arms away, but it only tightened its grip more and more, squeezing his windpipe shut.

His windpipe… Would Viktor actually kill him in the end? Had he had enough of Jayce's resistant spirit?

Jayce only briefly noticed the hammer slipping away, even though no sound followed of his weapon hitting the ground. He heard Viktor muttering something. Jayce averted his gaze. He couldn't take this any longer, the suspense, disbelief, anger and anxiety almost shutting him down entirely. Someone had taken over the hammer, but that no longer mattered to Jayce. This would be his end. His final countdown. The spots and flashes of light grew bigger and bigger, his mouth making no sounds due to the choking. He approximately had one minute left before blacking out. He gasped for air, pushing and fighting as much as he could muster until the spots colored his entire image…. black. Ringing in his ears, his hearing still intact, blood rushing through his veins, his heart hammering in his chest. His muscles no longer working properly.

Jayce couldnt stand upright anymore, he felt his knees giving out. The robot choking him holding him upright the only thing standing in between him standing or collapsing into the dirt. To make matters worse, Viktor continued his incoherent talk about Jayce's health whilst the robot kept on squeezing the living hell out of him. So much for consistency, I suppose.

'However, I am interested in speeding up your recovery, Jayce. I will make sure you rest as long as you need to and that you actually take time to recover fully, Jayce. No more distractions, no more council obligations. Not feeling pressured.' Viktor concluded, his fingers touching Jayce's jaw, and working up from his jaw to his cheek, to his forehead. 'Only four words…. Peaceful, rested, secure, calm... Peace, rest, secure, calm...' Four words, repeated like a mantra. Like a spell casted.

Jayce tried to stay conscious at all costs. His windpipe on fire. His lungs on fire. His body shutting down, the ringing in his ears getting louder. The words almost indistinguishable.

'You will feel at peace, you feel rested, so very secure and entirely calm…..'

Jayce slumped down, any fighting spirit or remaining resistance vanished. Realizing his body was shutting down, Jayce didn't want to fight any longer. He could not fight anymore.

I am done fighting.

'….At peace, you are safe, you can let go,'

Strangely enough, he could breathe again. Jayce greedily sucked in more air and felt some energy returning by taking in more oxygen. He gasped for air, but muscles refused working regardless. His body was lowered to the ground. Hm, no more metallic arms, two arms holding him in a tight embrace? He succumbed, still gasping. Everything seemed to slow down. Spinning nonetheless, but slowing down more and more. He couldn't uses his sight and hearing well, but he smelled Viktors scent.

Viktor…. I am so sorry I couldn't safe you too. I failed us both.

'... you feel secure and calm.'

Viktor started humming, his voice almost…. Pleasant?

The humming continued some time. Jayce's breathing slowed down, him resting in the arms of what was left of his best friend before the Arcane took over. In Jayce's exhausted state, he could almost imagine Viktor being here. Like nothing happened.

I am so, so sorry, Viktor.

Until five fingers touched his forehead.

'Sleep. You will sleep now, dear Jayce. Know I will protect you from any harm.'

'Your self-inflicted harm included, Jayce.'

And Jayce finally descended into the realm of sleep and knew no more.

TO BE CONTINUED

Hi reader, thank you for reading this first chapter. Sooo, do you want me to continue? Let me know in the comments what you think. I love interaction with my readers.

And…. Next time, Viktor's P.O.V.