Fred and James were running in the woods and around the trees in a game of chase without any actual chasing. The boys' laughter echoed throughout the forest causing villagers to randomly stop what they're doing to look up and smile. Their bright spirits were known by all of the townsfolk and everyone could feel that they were destined for greatness. Fred and James were unrelated, but their fathers had been best friends and were neighbors so naturally they spent time and grew up together. Although they were only eight years old they already had some small responsibilities such as meeting up with the old folks and helping bring kindling to homes in the morning. The virtual brothers never separated from one another whether they had to go to school, church or play. They knew that when they would need to face their prophesied challenge leading them to greatness they would only have each other to depend on. 

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       "Aha! I've rolled a three and will summon a mighty centaur to fend off your puny merfolk." Fred exclaimed as he gathered just enough mana to conjure a small green centaur illusion on the stump of a once mighty oak tree. The stump had so many rings that as kids Fred and James could never count high enough and when they became older they decided to not try and count again. The boys were playing a game of wizards' war by the creek to pass some time before they needed to return to their studies. "Oy, no fair. You always make centaurs! Why don't you try making something different for once? Even trying to make a bear would do ya good" James said as he leaned his head against his arm on the stump. He sighed and rolled his die which landed on a four. After thinking a bit he collected four wizard units of blue mana and decided to surround his merfolk with water by creating a pond for it. "What's that going to do?" Fred asked. "I'm not sure yet, but I figured that since he's a merfolk that water oughta protect 'im." "That seems right, if my centaur attacked him he wouldn't get too hurt underwater."

       The chapel bells rang and reverberated between the trees. Fred quickly rolled his die and saw that it landed on a one before moving his hand through the centaur illusion to dissipate his creation. "Time to go back!" "Ey, I saw that one!" Fred began running and James started chasing him just like the old days. Soon they were running alongside each other and about to race when they noticed the area around the town fountain was gathering a group of people. They slowed their pace to go around and get a better view when they heard a sultry voice start to speak. "Humans of Truvensdale! I have arrived here today to save you all from having to suffer and work through a common challenge in life. Come up everyone and I shall reveal to you the secret to solving the problem of.... finding love." 


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       Lolani held onto the arm of one the grey ogres standing next to her in order to pull herself up onto the ledge of the village fountain. Now everyone could see her and she could see everyone, just how she liked it. She patted down the front roll of her dress to make sure she was still decent even if she had some skin showing. The plated crimson dress was modeled after the infamous Liliana's and the well-known Chandra's usual attire. Lolani liked to believe she was the better version of those two combined.

       "Good good. Now that I've got your attention I'm going to tell you a story" she said to the people of Truvensdale. "Hey! Will the secret you reveal work on you?" a young man heckled. She cast a quick spell and shot water from the fountain towards him. The murmuring of the townspeople stopped. The only people who knew how to utilize the abundant mana in their little village were Fred and James. "That's what you get for interrupting, but to answer your question yes the secret works on me. However, you are going to have to master love better than I in order to be successful."

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       The woman speaking was the most gorgeous creature Fred had ever seen. She looked human but he felt like there was more to her. No one in town had hair or eyes nearly as dark or mysterious as hers. He was immediately entranced and couldn't take his eyes off of her, especially since the two hideous ogres guarding her enhanced her beauty so intensely and were not pleasing to look at. It was a trap and he knew it, but he didn't mind. Fred was the kind of guy who enjoyed things while they lasted.

       "Ya see that? She made the water come outta the fountain and hit Nate!" James exclaimed. He looked over to his best friend just to realize that Fred was completely smitten and let out an overly exaggerated groan. "Not again... She's just going to be another Sherry, Fred. Aren't ya curious about how she's usin' the mana 'round here? Maybe we could learn from her!" James wanted to practice using the plentiful resources he could feel circling around him, but he never found another spellcaster besides Fred until now...

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