(Alex, 16)

Jason and I are lying on the rocks by the lake, sunbathing as he recovers from exiting the lake. He wasn't kidding about trembling and shivering and stuff.

The warm stones are relaxing, and it's easier to think here than while supporting myself on a log after a half-hour of horseplay.

We're both processing our discoveries. We showed each other our Crystal Crests to prove that we were who we said we were, and his is definitely the same as Nolan's, just with the runes moved to make room for his extra lives.

He told me that he's confirmed at least one other reincarnated Magus, but they went from Magus to today, no extra stop between. Why were the two of us reincarnated a second time? And we were reincarnated near each other. We went to school together, for gods' sake!

We crushed on each other. Just like in our first lives.

"Alex?" Jason asks, and I look at him. His eyes are closed. "Do you have any memories of meeting the gods?"

"Yes," I answer. "From when I was Quinn, I have two separate memories of it. As the Magi, we went to them twice to tell them to call off the war. We did the same with the Demon Kings and Demon Queens. We warned both sides that they wouldn't like it if we were forced to put an end to the war."

"They probably aren't happy," he nods. "But we did warn them. I remember those occasions. Thing is, we knew a reincarnated back then."

"We did?" I ask.

"You probably didn't recover the memories yet, then," he shrugs. "But yeah, we did. Here's the thing: I have absolutely no memories of any knowledge gained about reincarnated in that time. Now, tell me: how curious am I?"

"Very," I answer. "But what does that matter? You're Jason, not Nolan."

"Maybe," he says. "But how curious was I as Lucas?"

I think about it, remembering how he was always asking questions about the most random things in school. It annoyed a lot of us, based on memories of people talking about it in a negative light, but he possessed a wide range of random facts.

"Very," I answer. "That's just-" I cut off as I realize something. "And Nolan was, too."

"A second part to my theory," he says. "Is that there are some personality aspects that are inherent to the soul itself, not the consciousness. My curiosity has persisted in all three lives. In all three lives, I had a tendency to perform crafts."

I look at the hemp bracelet, something he made after remembering making it many times before, from his life as Lucas.

"And yet," he turns his head and looks at me. "I have not one memory regarding what I researched about reincarnation as Nolan. Tell me, look through your memories of my time as Nolan and yours as Quinn. Can you honestly believe that I didn't do any research into it?"

"No," I answer. "You would've found as much information regarding it as possible."

"Exactly," he says. "Yet there isn't a single memory of it to be found, no matter how hard I try to recover them. Nothing has triggered the lost memories. Not meeting you, nor the other reincarnated Magus."

But why would that be? It could just mean the right trigger hasn't happened yet.

"Unless," I realize. "Something affected your memories, blocked the ones regarding reincarnation."

"Exactly," he says. "What if you and I weren't reincarnated twice by coincidence? Every record says it's once, and every record says the reincarnated come from other worlds, and only once every century or so. Even if it's been three thousand years, I'm inclined to think those records are honest."

"Who would want to block your memories?" I ask. "What would come of keeping you from finding out whatever it was you discovered with your research? And are you suggesting that our reincarnations were forced? Artificial?"

"No," he sits up and looks down at me. "I'm saying that reincarnation itself is an act of the gods, Alex. It's not natural at all. And whoever reincarnated us? They blocked my memories regarding this. Now, there are two possibilities for why we reincarnated, and it's possible both are active."

"Why?" I sit up.

"The second reason," he says. "Is that the Magi are needed again. There are three of us, who says there can't be more? What if we've all been reincarnated into this life, to deal with a threat Midlaris doesn't even know about yet?"

"But the only threat that could possibly be," I say. "Would be demons and angels."

"Not necessarily," he says. "What if there's a new threat? Ogres and corrupted are an issue, after all. Who's to say something else isn't showing up? There are more dragons alive today than there were three thousand years ago – what if the Twelve Magi are needed to protect humanity from those?

"As an alternate," he continues. "Instead of being reincarnated today to deal with a threat, which doesn't seem to exist, it could be that we were reincarnated as a thanks, or to help improve humanity. The gods do see humans as pawns, after all, and the twelve of us were the most powerful magicians and warriors to ever exist. We were also the first to combine warrior training with magic."

That makes sense. Jason just happened to be found by the Seven Sages, who raised him up in the most optimal way for a prodigy, and now, he and they are improving humanity using his memories of Earth's technology and adapting it into magical technology. The quality of life has improved in general.

Once we're trained up fully – the rest of us, anyway – we could change the world in major ways. We can bring back old techniques and knowledge that have been lost. If the gods see us as nothing more than pawns, then it would make sense they would 'guide' us into this incarnation, three thousand years later.

When humanity is starting to flourish, but also starting to stall in advancements. We were brought here to improve things. To give it a kick-start for magical technology when it's begun to lag.

"What's the other reason?" I ask. "If that's the alternate to the first?"

"That one regards you and me," he says, holding up his right hand, index finger pointing up. "Nolan and Quinn both crushed on each other," he raises his middle finger. "Lucas and Kris crushed on each other," he raises his ring finger. "You and I not only crushed on each other, but finally kissed and decided to court."

Realization hits me like a flame boar at full charge.

"We were reincarnated on Earth," I say. "And near each other, in an attempt to get us to have a relationship, the only one of the Magi who didn't court as Magi."

"Exactly," he says.

"But…" I shake my head. "If the gods are involved, why would they reincarnate us? We literally broke their connection to Midlaris – we destroyed-wait. How could they?"

"Exactly," he smiles. "They shouldn't be able to."

"Unless the passage is restoring," I realize.

"I think it has nothing to do with that," he says. "In fact, I have a very distinct memory of learning something as Nolan that proves that irrelevant."

"What?" I ask.

"That even the gods cannot touch a soul that has moved on to the afterlife," he answers. "And we died after we destroyed the passages to the heavens and to the underworld."

"But then," I frown. "Who could have reincarnated us? They would have had to have taken our souls after we died, but before it reached the afterlife. If the gods couldn't do that, and they're the ones behind reincarnation as you suspect-"

"I also," he says. "Have absolutely no memories regarding the Queen of the Gods, yet she exists in records today. Now, there is other information regarding the gods that is missing, but don't you find it unusual that Nolan would not have thoroughly researched the gods before absolutely shutting them out? Would it not have been best to know what sort of things to expect?"

Yes, yes it would have.

"The Queen of the Gods," he says. "And her husband, the King of the Gods. One of those two reincarnated us onto Earth in an attempt to draw us together. Based on the gaps and what I do have, I'm saying it's her. And she affected our memories in an attempt to prevent me from realizing her meddling. If anyone could ignore the passages, which I also lack information on, then it would be them."

So the Queen of the Gods reincarnated us not once but twice, and probably guided us together in an attempt to get us to court?

"But how would she have known that we would be attracted?" I ask.

"Soul mates," he answers. "It's only a theory, and something I know of from memories as Lucas, but if they exist, it's possible that soul mates are always attracted to each other. She likely counted on us getting together, only we acted the same way as we did as Nolan and Quinn both times."

Hesitant and shy.

I remember learning that he rode the bus often one day when my car was in the shop, and then began riding the bus regularly just to see him. That was as close to trying to talk to him as I remember managing. I don't know if we ever got together, but I doubt it, not with the baggage I had then. The stuff that had happened when I was younger. It made me scared to open up to someone, so I kept my distance, even if I watched him.

Here, I rejected my feelings for him, coming up with excuses, partly through my paranoia. As Quinn, I'm not sure what went through my head, as it wasn't as obvious, but the signs were still there. Lingering gazes, hesitance to touch him, and all that.

Jason lies back down, closing his eyes.

"All we can do is assume," he says. "Oh, but if you ever remember something from Earth and want to give coming up with it here a try, just let me know. Even if you and I can't figure it out, Papa Jared might be able to work on it. He says he's close to figuring out how to make a metal train move, and that's probably more technology than the rest of our stuff so far, and all I know are 'engines' and 'pistons'."

I snort, then lie back down, closing my eyes and feeling the warmth of the sun on me.

This is a lot to take in. If Jason's theories are true, then our very lives right now were the act of the gods. Not just any gods, though, but the greatest of them all, the rulers of them all.

I want to reject his theories, but he really is Nolan and Lucas, his Crystal Crest makes that obvious, and we even shared some stories we had from our times as them to make sure.

Whatever is going on, I want to enjoy this life, now. I'm not Quinn, and I'm not Kris. I'm Alex, a street rat trying to turn his life around who just found out that the guy he thought was a snobbish jerk might actually be pretty decent. I just happen to have the memories of two past lives, and so does he.

Who is the other reincarnated? Are all of the Magi reincarnated, as he suspects? If so, who are they all?

Sighing, I push those thoughts out of my head. Just wondering won't do anything, and if it's important, I'll find out eventually.

There are some more important issues to discuss, though.

"Jason?" I say.

"Hm?" He responds quietly, and when I look at him, I realize he's gone pale again.

"Are we… going to keep it a secret?" I ask. "Us courting?"

"It would probably be for the best," he nods. "Ignoring Jacob's comments, most people aren't as accepting of it as they used to be. It was only five hundred years ago that men would take on younger lovers to help them learn how to be men, and now, it's seen as unnatural for two men to date. That's one of the sad things about humans – we can never stick to our ideals."

"One of the even sadder things," I snort. "Is the fact that many men have no issue with lesbians. Do you think that if Kendra and Abigail were around today, and walked out with each other, they'd face issues?"

"From some," he nods a little. "But mostly from other women, who would probably find us cute as a couple more than anything. People are more interested in what suits them, even if it shows a layer of hypocrisy.

"Speaking of society and its ways," he says. "Do you want to still live with me, even though we are courting and unmarried? I was raised without such rules, but I know that society frowns upon such things. Our friends would not think much of you suddenly moving out, since they know you've wanted to and have other friends, ones you've known for years, in the city."

"I'm a street rat," I tell him. "Ain't got those sorts of rules, ya know."

He laughs, then winces, a hand moving to his stomach.

"Oh, shouldn't have done that," he says. "I get what you mean, though. Then we definitely need to make sure Jacob doesn't find out. You know he'll give us no end of teasing over that."

My face reddens as I think of the prince's teasings. Yeah, he would definitely have fun with that.

(Jacob, 16)

"You look stunning," I tell Tasha as she walks by, her eyes searching, and she stops, looking at me.

She's dressed in an elegant dress of various shades of orange with light touches of yellow, a brown mask with a yellow satin ribbon tying it on. The mask itself has several leaf-like patterns sewn into it with orange thread, a variety of jewels set into it as well.

The only reason I know it's her before she spoke is because of the necklace around her neck. Golden metal and set with brown diamonds and brown garnets and orange topazes and orange garnets, it was a gift from me to her for today's festivities.

"You look handsome tonight," she curtsies. "Did you see Niko?"

"He arrived?" I ask.

"Yes," she answers. "I can only assume the two handsome men who showed up with him were Jason and Alex, it appears they chose to accept your father's invitation after all."

I look around the grand ballroom, but as I do not know what they are wearing and there are plenty of people in here, I cannot make out if I can even see them.

The room itself was transformed from its ordinary greatness to a sea of oranges, reds, yellows, and browns, pumpkins lining the balconies above, the band playing in an alcove dressed in browns and oranges. The pillars that support the second-floor balconies have been decorated with ribbons of warm hues and cornucopias filled with apples of reds and yellows. Roses and flowers of the warm tones are strung as streamers between the pillars and on the walls, and when the room was empty, it was simply stunning.

What does Alex think of this? A lot of money was put into its creation, all for a few hours of celebration. He probably feels uncomfortable, and I bet he wishes to be anywhere but here, only coming for Jason.

A servant dressed in all-brown passes by, and I take two glasses of white wine off his tray, handing one to Tasha.

"Thank you," she smiles and takes a sip. "Did you see the Sages?"

The Sages, much to my surprise, did not choose to don a more elegant outfit. Some of the attenders are wearing fake leaves or actual flowers, a few with masks so fancy, they can hardly be called a masquerade mask anymore. I am pretty sure I saw one with real turkey feathers attached to the back of their ribbon.

"Yes," I answer. "Dressed quite plainly, but that makes them stand out more. Do you know where Niko went?"

"This way," she leads me to the last place she saw him, and from there, it only takes us another minute to locate him.

He looks a bit lost, and I know he is trying to find Lina, but he has no idea what she is dressed like. She could be any of dozens of girls here, the masks help to hide one's identity, even if they only cover the area around the eyes. As he is the only person in the entire room with black hair, knowing his identity is easy.

"Hello," I greet him, and he gives me a confused look. "Do you not have masquerades in Mar?"

"No," he answers, then his eyes light up in realization. "Ah! You are-"

"Yes," I smile. "I am. You are looking for my sister?"

"Yes," he nods. "Jason started feeling sick, I think he went to sit down somewhere. He apologized for not being able to help me."

"Come on," I tell him. "I know what she wore tonight. Do not use names tonight, okay? It defeats the purpose of the masquerade, even if you recognize or know who someone is. Using their name without their permission is a serious offense and insult during this, and someone can challenge you to an honor duel over it."

"Okay," he says.

Tasha and I help him navigate the crowd until we locate Lina, who approaches Niko with a smile.

"There you are," she said. "I heard that you had arrived, but could not locate you."

"That is why you stand in one place and wait for him to find you!" I laugh. "Enjoy your evening, but remember to mingle."

They walk off, and Tasha and I walk the floor, talking with a few of the other guests as we sip our wine and snack on some of the treats brought out by the servants. It takes us almost twenty minutes to locate Alex and Jason, who are standing against one of the walls. The only reason I know who they are is because of Jason's bracelet, though it's not his usual one. Instead of that odd one he normally he, he is wearing a similar one studded with orange, red, and brown gems that go with his outfit and mask.

"Niko said you were not feeling well?" I ask Jason, who does look rather pale.

"We tried dancing," Jason nods. "But moving around so much here in Varil is making me sick. I think I did too much while doing last-minute adjustments to our outfits."

"You adjusted those?" Tasha asks.

"I made them," Jason nods. "I just need to rest a few more minutes, then I should be okay for a dance or two."

"So were you dancing with Alex, or-"

"With a couple of the ladies here," Jason quickly interrupts.

Unfortunately, the masks hide whether or not their faces reddened at my comment. Next time, then. His tone and hurried interruption, though, tell me that he wanted to make it clear he wasn't.

"In case you were not aware," I say. "It is acceptable at formal dances to dance with anyone, including members of your own sex. Such things are separated from relationships. It is also seen as rude to turn down a dance without good cause. I will not impact you as much at a masquerade unless someone knows your identity, but it will if you come to further events where your identity is known."

"Thanks for the tip," Jason tells me. "You two enjoy your evening."

"You as well," I dip my head to him, then lead Tasha back to the dance floor, where we perform a dance together, then are separated to dance with others.

Every few dances, we meet back up, and I find Jason and Alex dancing with some of the other noble ladies a few times. One of the times, Jason seems to be in deep conversation with one of them, and I have to wonder what that is about, since it is obvious he wants to stop dancing and get some rest.

He is sweating, actually. There's a clear frown on his face as well.

As I start making my way over to see if I can help him escape her, their dance suddenly ends and she pulls off her glove. Oh, no. He must have severely offended her with whatever he said.

She slaps him across the face with the glove, and the guests around them turn and stare at the pair as he just looks at her. That was a challenge that she just issued. What did he say that upset her that badly?

"Marianne Holdir," Jason's voice is clear, unwavering. "Issuing a challenge to me for refusing to turn back my decision regarding your son is dishonorable. Issuing a challenge to me for refusing to accept sleeping with you as a bribe is dishonorable. Issuing a challenge for my honor and possessions because I refuse to yield to your status is dishonorable. You have committed no less than three acts of dishonor against me. I refuse your challenge."

He turns to walk away.

"You cannot refuse a challenge, Jason Jeshema!" She says. Yep, that is Lady Holdir. Ah, they must have been discussing the issue with James Holdir, back with the first auditions for the training group. "As customs state-"

"I am not Varilan," Jason continues to walk away, the crowd parting as he does. "I do not have to abide by your customs. Even if I wished to respect them, you are the one who committed disrespects and dishonors."

"You would dare to lose your honor?" She challenges. "Turning down a challenge is shameful!"

Jason stops moving and sighs, then turns around. Suddenly, Lady Holdir is forced to the ground, as if a great weight has been pressed upon her. The movement was so quick and unexpected, she slammed into the ground, crumpling. Whatever he did no doubt injured her, something I confirm the moment I see blood trickling out of her scalp.

"Turning down a challenge made in a dishonorable way for dishonorable reasons," he says. "Is not shameful. Making a challenge dishonorably is. It is you who has brought shame to their name and family, not I. Your son did not meet the requirements for my training group. I have no interest in sleeping with a woman who would bribe with her body. I am akin to royalty of another nation and do not yield to the nobility of other nations. You also outed my identity to everyone, despite there being a rule regarding that. The only reasonable conclusion one can come up with for your challenge at this point is that you wish for my share of Sageson Magical Technologies.

"Your challenge has been rejected," he says. "And you have been dishonored and shamed. I will answer no challenges from the Holdir family over this or the past, and any further attempts to provoke a challenge-worthy offense will not be met kindly and be seen as a further shame to you and your family. They will also be seen as murder and assassination attempts.

"Now," he looks around. "Will someone with healing magic mend her? I have lifted my spell, but it no doubt broke several of her bones."

Jason turns and walks away, leaving behind the stunned crowd. That went both better and worse than it could have. What was that spell? There was no ripple in the air, no disturbance of space. That was neither air magic nor force magic, unless it was some strange version of it?

I look for Jason, locating him in the gardens outside of the ballroom, trying to collect himself. Alex is out here, making sure he is okay as well.

"Did she really try to sleep with you?" I ask Jason, and he gives me an annoyed look. "I will take that as a 'yes'."

"She said," he tells me. "That she would be more than willing to give me a night of pleasure if it would change my mind. When I rejected her, she became persistent. I told her that I had more honor and dignity than to accept a whore's advances. That was when she issued the challenge."

I snort when he tells me what he said, I cannot help. He called her a whore. Normally, that would be an insult worthy of a challenge, but if the rest of what he said is true, and I am inclined to believe it is, then she had no grounds for a challenge there.

"To be honest," he scratches the back of his neck. "I didn't even remember her son at first. This won't cause me any problems, will it?"

"It might," I answer. "Though you acted within your rights. The way she challenged you, and other things involved in the situation, including the outing of your identity, allowed for an 'immediate duel'. By not killing her, you insulted her, so there might be some issue from that, but it will be handled. We can talk tomorrow or Monday on how to handle that, should it happens. Nothing should happen before Tuesday if something does. And do not worry about those who would say you outed her identity first. By revealing it to you and issuing that duel over stuff relating to her identity, she gave permission for that."

"Okay," he rubs his temples. "I reacted without thinking. I really hate equinoxes and solstices. I just want to have fun with my friends, research magical tech, learn new spells, and train myself and my friends. Do I really need to deal with this political crap as well?"

"Yes," I chuckle, sitting on the other side of him from Alex. "Unfortunately, that is the life the gods gave to you."

"I'm going to have some stern words with the Queen of the Gods, I ever meet her," he mutters.

I doubt that would go over well. Try to find a lesser god and see if they can't convince a stronger one, maybe, but don't go to the Queen of the Gods, should you ever get a chance.

"What was that spell you cast?" I ask. "I might not be an expert in magic, but it didn't show any of the signs I normally see with similar things in force or air magics."

"Remember my conversation about dragons?" He asks.

"With their anti-gravity magic?" I ask, and he nods. "I thought you said that made things float? She was forced to the ground."

"That was gravity magic," he says. "I increased it around her in a small, localized spell. As I said before – gravity is what keeps us on Midlaris, what causes objects to fall when released from above. This isn't new knowledge, it's been around for awhile. I apologize for the scene, Jacob. I've never been in that sort of situation before, and while I know some of the proper protocol, I don't know all of it, and just… acted."

"It is fine," I tell him. "I told you that. You acted within reason, for the most part, and the rest can be attributed to you being young and receiving multiple insults to yourself and your honor."

"Thanks," he says. "You should go back inside, enjoy the rest of the evening. I need to finish resting. I might return home."

"Stay a bit longer if you can," I tell him. "Not everyone is like her, you know, and I know both Lina and Tasha want a dance with you."

"I'm all danced-out," Alex mutters.

"You should've told me you can't dance," Jason tells him. "I would have given you some lessons."

"Yeah, probably," Alex shrugs. "But until this morning, I didn't trust you."

Guess he's finally decided that we're trustworthy, after all. How much longer until they start courting?