Chapter 6b: Preview: Either Way Your Mind Will Be Mine
Summary:
A short preview of the start of next chapter.
To tease you.
Notes:
Note 1: This chapter is a flash backwards. So I play with time, it's not always chronological and explains events which happened early on in the story.
Note 2: This chapter is still being written, it's a preview. I couldn't resist to post this already...
Note 3: You might like to play Viktor's Theme Song during reading. Here you are: https/watch?v=CN2Nc8-Cj_k
(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)
Chapter Text
NOTE: THIS CHAPTER IS A FLASH BACKWARDS
Chapter 6b.
Either Way Your Mind Will Be Mine
Viktor's P.O.V.
Its very unfortunate what has happened thus far, to you and me, Jayce. Viktor thought, his eyes casted downwards. He sighed, a deliberate, long and slow exhale.
I'm sorry I had to provoke you that way. But I needed to know, Jayce. I've never intended to cause you any more pain or harm. I haven't felt anything for a long time….though right now, I do feel burdened by my own actions. But I had to check my hypothesis about the origins, the source of this restlessness of yours. And I've finally had some breakthrough, Jayce… Though… I apologize for the current inconvenience it caused... Small sacrifices we must make in order to evolve, or so I understand, my friend.
You will understand. You and I will become more of one mind... Though... I will not pressure or force you to look at this the same way.
I want you to voluntarily join the Commune, Jayce. I want to keep you safe. Safe from the outside world. And yourself... That risky decision making of yours.
I will set things right.
In his mind, Viktor recalled all that happened, reminisced, pondered, he needed to think through all that had happened since yesterday. His thoughts wandered to that heart-wrenching moment where Jayce attacked him with the Hammer and missed, just barely missed twice in a row. How he himself narrowly escaped using the Arcane to predict Jayce's movements. Had he not connected with Jayce on the level they had since the treatment of his broken leg, he surely wouldn't have been able to avoid both blasts.
Jayce had sprinted towards him frantically, fully enraged, his eyes… Those eyes…
Possessed. Like he was possessed by something…
Shimmer?
No… Shimmer at least would result in a changed eye color.
No, Jayce's eyes hadn't changed. His expressions however, immensely.
A sight that made his blood run cold.
Hammer at the ready to engage in hand-to-hand combat. The Arcane signaling to Viktor Jayce really intended to strike him down. All remnants of this posed, civilized Councilor replaced with…. A bloodlust like Viktor has never seen before.
Had Viktor not meditated as much in the past weeks and practiced his mind to stay calm at all times, the sight of Jayce's rage would have probably stopped him dead in his tracks.
What in Arcane's name has led to this, for Jayce to act this way? Viktor thought, furrowing his brow. So violent, impulsive. Unlike anything how Viktor remembered him before he had left Piltover. Something was deeply wrong. This all is deeply troubling. 'Something must have taken place which I currently know nothing about. No man's character does a 180 in a matter of weeks. No disease manifests that quickly either... All of his symptoms though... they seem to converge however. It's all becoming even clearer now...'
Viktor leaned back in his chair. 'I've got a small hunch. Though I need to test it.'
He is a scientist. He should get to the bottom of this mystery, rather sooner than later. Though, he didn't worry, his calm demeanor already back in place. Unwavering. He was confident enough to pick apart all factors and aspects of this… relatively minor problem on his hands.
'Jayce is certainly not going to... eh... accept this. Might as well complete a full-scale examination, so I'm able to test all of my assumptions. Whether he likes it or not, at the current he's mentally incapacitated and in no position to make any decisions or object help, which is, quite frankly, all for the best.'
It's just a small, temporary inconvenience, nothing more.
Jayce is here...
And he won't leave anytime soon.
'I promise you my friend,' Viktor whispered, his hand gently brushing some of Jayce's strands out of his face. 'You know, Jayce... Either way... After I've erased all traces of emotional disturbance, that mind of yours, will be mine.'
FLASH FORWARD
Chapter 6b. That Mind Of Yours Should Be Mine
Viktors P.O.V.
After an hour or two, Viktor returned to his private quarters, located at the center of the Commune. The heart of the Commune. He had run several errands that day, making sure all Communar had what they needed so they could get back to work, building homes and farming the land. His Commune consisted of mostly Zaunites who fled the Undercity and who had only wanted another shot at life.
Who wanted to thrive.
He'd welcomed all of those willing to join and provided them with the care they requested.
The terminally ill had been looking feverishly for a panacea, the Shimmer-addicted sought his mental aid to endure during phases of horrifying withdrawal and the rest required more…. specific healing methods.
Jayce was one of them.
None of them resisted healing since they'd traveled far and wide to see the Herald. The very person – compared to all of the other Communar - who needed his help the most, tried to resist as much as possible. To make sure he would get under Viktor's skin. None of the members of his Commune however, acted that way.
I guess you're still an enigma to me, Jayce. Obviously, for now, it will take some more time to fully understand your way of thinking and figure you out - what makes you tick - but I will catch up eventually. There is no need to rush, in the meantime rest as much as you need to, just like you do now.
After your recovery, we will talk. Extensively.
His newest patient was sleeping like a log as Viktor walked inside, taking off his warm, saphire blue overcoat. At least, Viktor found Jayce as he had left him, sleeping soundly in his comfortable kingsize bed. Their existing and strong connection allowed Viktor to pick up on any shifts and thoughts during wakefulness and even during sleep. As a result, Viktor returned just in time to guide Jayce back to sleep. The latter almost woke up so a disturbance within the Arcane informed Viktor.
Now is not the time… Jayce.
Your eyes feel so heavy.
You feel so comfortable.
All is well…
No, Jayce….. Sssh….
All is well, you are doing fine.
You feel at peace.
Relaxed,
You let go of all tension,
Nothing to hold onto…
Yes…. Very good, very good. For now, only rest. Just sleep.
Take deep breaths in…. and out.
In….
….and out.
And much to his satisfaction, the young Herald watched silently as Jayce's chest expanded outwards and upwards indicative of diaphragmatic breathing. His induction techniques paid off; Jayce responded well to those, he noted.
Without making a sound, he sat down and folded his hands. Just observing his patient for the time being. Deeply content with the current state of affairs.
During his rest, Jayce's features looked…different. Younger, smooth. His frown and wrinkles hardly visible, all tension replaced with this deep feeling of relaxation.
Such a shame he couldn't leave him like that. There wasn't much time left.
Let's get on with this.
'Let's try this again, shall we?' Viktor gently nudged, trying to wake Jayce up as gentle as possible. 'You can wake up in your own time, Jayce.' he added, his tone as always, soft and calm.
'Take your time.'
Jayce's eyelids fluttered a while later, his gaze unfocused. He rubbed his eyes and couldn't stop himself from yawning dramatically. He tried to swing his legs to the side, sitting up a little unsteadily, though he managed it without Viktor's help.
He didn't try to run. To escape. To lash out.
No fight or flight response. None of that.
That's quite the sight, Jayce waking up like that, Viktor thought, almost smiling. But he held his face in place and kept his excitement to himself. No need to bother Jayce with his findings. Though, well, they fascinated the scientist more than anything would at the moment. Jayce's energy changed... a lot. Like someone literally had turned back the hands of time, Jayce's energy was a light, hopeful and cheery one.
Like a blank slate... Did his latest intervention...finally work?
To be sure that his intervention was successful, the young Herald tried to react as little as possible. That way he could not inadvertently influence Jayce while he tested his latest hypothesis.
This had been his fourth hypothesis about the source of Jayce's restlessness, his aggressive behavior, his unhinged attitude. First, Viktor considered the extent to which Jayce's dark thoughts might have contributed to his delusions, or perhaps even caused or exacerbated them.
He tested this by redirecting Jayce's thoughts from the Arcane, preferably during sleep. Replacing them with soothing thoughts. And observing the results himself.
And still... manipulating, redirecting or instilling different thoughts wasn't enough to quell Jayce's restlessness. As a result, Viktor tested his fourth hypothesis in a row. This one expanded on the first three. It had to answer at least one burning question in Viktor's own mind.
'So, how does your body feel right now, Jayce?' Viktor asked, his eyes fixated on his patient. Ready for anything.
The roots of his suffering had to reside deep in his mind, unfortunately deeper than anticipated. At least, one thing was clear: the cause of his ailments couldn't be found on the surface, as Viktor had already been able to influence surface-level thoughts directly and these alterations haven't had resulted in any long-term, lasting effect on Jayce's behavior.
No, the roots had to besomewhere else.
A bastion, a fortress. Hidden deep inside this fortress…. only one possible explanation remained...
His long-term memory.
Jayce tried to stand, his legs trembling as he hadn't stand upright for days. At least one week had passed in this bedridden state. This was to be expected. No need to worry, Viktor thought. He could wake up in his own pace.
Take your time, Jayce.Viktor told him, his unspoken thoughts transferred through the Arcane. He didn't need to make eye contact to know for sure Jayce had taken in his message, as the Arcane never lies. Since she is omniscient, and Viktor had fused with the Hexcore, Viktor was as well. So he stayed in close contact with the Arcane at all times to monitor Jayce and to instill calm, peaceful thoughts. So he could read his mind and influence it at the same time.
You couldn't walk around like that in your previous state… You didn't know what you were doing, you couldn't think clearly. I didn't want you to get hurt and I made sure to keep you from panicking, from freaking out. As long as you couldn't accept your current predicament, rest was your only option. I hope you will understand this in time.
We have all the time we need, Jayce. Take that time. Enjoy the movement in your legs, your ability to walk around again…. Take it all in, this enhanced version of you.
And yet...why doesn't Jayce say anything? Not even one word?
He wouldn't be surprised if his patient suddenly went on a rampage or threw himself out the window in some idiotic and futile attempt to escape. He might even try to attack his Healer with any makeshift weapon he could find... Well, his Healer prepared for this eventuality, keeping all items out of harms way this time. Anything was possible with Jayce. It would not be for the first time if Jayce tried that. Such a - difficult - patient he is, his attempts to attack or flee almost driving Viktor insane. Well, nothing like that at the moment, though Viktor had vowed to never underestimate the lad ever again.
At first, Viktor wondered if it had been meningitis or if Jayce had hit his head hard somewhere. Examining his body from head to toe, he had ruled out all those physical hypotheses as well.
So Viktor had set his sights on the mental realm.
The last piece of the puzzle.
I am so close to solving this, Jayce. Soon, your mind will heal itself once I've removed this... last obstacle. To allow you to heal.
You need to trust me, just as I give you mine in return.
Jayce turned his head slowly. He was looking at Viktor with glassy eyes.
"So?" Viktor encouraged hopefully, clasping his hands around his staff, just in case. He cocked his head to the side, his eyes scanning Jayce's face intensively for any clues. Finding none.
'How do you feel, Jayce?' Viktor gently repeated, as he transmitted his final thoughts through the arcane link between Jayce and himself. Incantations to strengthen Jayce's mental augmentations and to solidify their connection in the Arcane.
This…. It was all for the best, Jayce.
Now that I can trust you to act reasonably, you're free to walk around the Commune with me. We will walk... a lot. You need to get that muscle mass back, right?
As you know, because of this enhancement... A new, improved version of you has been reborn.
"The One, who is finally liberated from these destructive thoughts,
Plaguing him,
Tormenting him,
Eating him from the inside out."
"The One, who is finally freed from the demons of his past.
With only one spell cast,
Let his rebirth last."
Golden eyes suddenly met with amber-colored ones.
Jayce touched his head and his eyes slid from Viktor to the walls of the decorated bedroom to his own hands and then to Viktor's staff. He blinked several times, seemingly... confused. Taking it all in.
Viktor did not blink; he held his breath. He was waiting for the results of his treatment to manifest out in the open, for all to see.
I've waited a long time for you, to truly wake up Jayce.
To finally ascend.
To take your rightful place, at my side.
Everyone else in the commune had been cured already. Viktor expected the same would happen in Jayces case. He had been treating his affliction for days, trying to uncover and rewrite any memory relating this his mental illness. So he had to break into that fortress inside of his mind that protected his memories.
Although...
He couldn't.
However hard he tried, even the Herald couldn't get in, any attempts resulted in a broken connection, so Viktor would have to try to breach the walls surrounding Jayces memory palace once again after he'd renewed their Arcanic connection. Which well…took a lot of valuable time and energy. Too much time and energy, whilst Jayce's mental decline steadily worsened each and every day…
He didn't have any more time. This couldn't wait.
He needed to actfastandnow.
So he tried something else after a dozen failed attempts. Instead of breaching this impenetrable fortress - so he could fully scan, literally "see" all of his partner's memories in order to only alter the bad ones, which was his initial plan anyways - he opted to temporarily block his patient's memory from transferring signals regarding his latest memories, so he could no longer retrieve those. To make sure these turbulent memories which created Jayce's negative thought processes in the first place, wouldn't affect Jayce as it had done so before.
An end... to all suffering.
Cutting down this root would ensure that Jayce's most recent memories, the ones that hurt Jayce the most, wouldn't resurface and continue to cloud his rational thinking. Viktor only treated these to make sure that Jayce would be able to internally process his connection to Viktor differently.
And Viktor assumed which memory caused Jayce to turn into an ill, deluded, deranged shallow version of himself. The Jayce who had attacked him, labeling Viktor a bloody murderer.
It could only bethatmemory.
That, horrible moment Viktor immediately left Piltover after Jayce hadsaved his life. After he had helped him merge with the Hexcore. Hís own decision to leave his best friend behind was a grave mistake and broke Jayce's trust for good. He could not forgive himself if he would not "fix" the results of his terrible lack of judgment in the only way he could, as the Herald himself. The one wielding the source, the Arcane. The one healing mind and matter as onlygodsdo.
Because of his actions, it all went downhill from there. This moment in their lives should be erased... Well... at least severed from all remaining memories.
Jayce didn't need to remember this ever again. He shouldn't. He would only fall apart.
I can't lose you again. I will make things right, I will take care of you like I've never had to before.
I will cut the root of this problem. And everything will go back to normal.
Like we used to.
He wanted Jayce to remember everything until that moment he had made that detrimental mistake which hurt them both unlike anything before.
I want to make things right, I háve to make things right.
I will make things right.
And right then and there, Jayce's voice cut through the room. His voice almost inaudible, raspy, as if he had seen a ghost.Well, he had slept much lately, that's to be expected.
'Sorry to ask, sir... I don't want to bother you.'
You will never be a burden to me, you only need to just ask.
'Alright... Sir, if I may ask...' Jayce started, his voice sounding wáy off.
No way, this outcome can't be.
'Sir... Do we know each other?'
Notes:
Thank you again, dear readers, for all your lovely comments, kuddos and subscriptions.
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Till next time, my dear readers.
TO BE CONTINUED