The Twin Mage

In a humble cottage, a woman lay in labor, her husband by her side, cradling their newborn daughter. The old midwife worked swiftly, preparing for the second birth. Moments later, the sharp cry of a baby boy pierced the room, joining the wail of his sister, as if their souls recognized each other from the very start.

The midwife swaddled the boy and placed him beside his sister, their cries quieting as they nestled together, soothed by each other's presence. Just then, another woman entered, accompanied by a young girl who eagerly raced to the bedside.

Elina, the bedridden mother, looked up anxiously. "Will they be okay, Nana?"

The old woman, Nana, smiled reassuringly. "Yes, Elina. They are healthy and strong. What will you name them?"

Elina gazed lovingly at her newborns. "Arthur for the boy, and Morgan for the girl."

The following day dawned softly, marking Arthur and Morgan's first day in their new world. The cottage was alive with the gentle hum of daily life. Despite the ordeal of childbirth, Elina was up early, determined to resume her routine.

As she moved about the cottage, Arthur and Morgan, still swaddled tightly, watched her with keen, almost unnaturally aware eyes. Elina was a striking woman in her early twenties, her strength evident in every movement. Her long, light-brown hair, streaked with hints of red, shimmered in the soft morning light, resembling flames dancing in the hearth.

Once dressed, Elina bundled Arthur and Morgan in soft blankets and carried them out of the small bedroom. In the main room, she found her older daughter, Rena, fiddling with the fireplace.

"What in the Great Mother's name do you think you're doing, Rena?" Elina whispered harshly, careful not to wake the rest of the household. "The sun isn't even up! You know you're not allowed to mess with fire!"

"I'm sorry, Mom," Rena replied, her face a mix of guilt and earnestness. "I just wanted to surprise you all by making the house warm for breakfast."

Elina's expression softened. "No need to worry, my little bee. Your mommy's got this." She ruffled Rena's blonde hair, streaked with shades of black, a trait that had earned her the nickname.

Elina gently shooed Rena away from the fireplace and, with a practiced flick of her finger, ignited the wood. "Infiro," she murmured, and flames sprang to life.

Arthur, observing intently, felt a deep connection to the magic Elina wielded. He instinctively began to breathe deeply, allowing the energy of the world to flow into him. With each breath, he visualized a deep red core forming in his diaphragm, pulsing with power.

Holding his breath, Arthur focused on the energy mingling with his core, feeling the magic resonate within him. The outside energy fused with his core, sparking a flicker of understanding. In that moment, he felt the deep red core synchronize with the surrounding energy, igniting a spark of awareness.

Excited, Arthur turned to Morgan, who lay swaddled beside him, and babbled in baby noises. "Morgan, I think I can teach you how to do this!"

Under his guidance, Morgan began to channel the world's energy. Together, they explored their breathing techniques, discovering the unique rhythms that resonated with their cores. Arthur named his technique "Lunar," inspired by the calm, reflective energy of the moon. Morgan, in turn, named hers "Solar," embodying the vibrant, life-giving force of the sun.

As they practiced, a bond deepened between them, woven through threads of magic and sibling love. In that small cottage, the seeds of two extraordinary destinies were planted.

The twins were thrilled by their discovery, knowing that they could wield magic even as babies. This realization filled them with hope and determination. For Rena, it was a source of awe—magic was common, but witnessing her mother cast spells without words or gestures was like watching a true mage at work.

"You're amazing, Mom!" Rena exclaimed, her eyes wide with admiration. "Will I ever be as good at magic as you?"

"Of course you will, my little bee," Elina replied with a warm smile, though inwardly she thought, after ten-plus years of chores every single day.

Soon, the rest of the household awoke for breakfast. The family consisted of Apollo, the father; Elina; their two daughters, Rena and Tista; and two sons, Hades and Trion.

The twins observed the morning routine, noting with slight disappointment the lack of an indoor bathroom. The house comprised a large room serving as a dining room, kitchen, and pantry, with three doors leading to various bedrooms and little else.

Breakfast was a quiet affair, allowing the twins to absorb the words and actions around them. They learned the word for water magic when their father filled jugs with a soft incantation, "Jorun."

After breakfast, as everyone dispersed to their daily routines, Elina settled into a rocking chair with the twins. Throughout the morning, they discovered that in this world, even mundane chores like washing dishes or cleaning the floors were done with magic.

From her chair, Elina would twirl her fingers, murmuring, "Brezza!" to summon small whirlwinds that danced around the house, sweeping away dust and debris.

When someone dirtied the floor with earth or mud, a quick flick of her wrist and a whisper, "Magna!" sent the mess flying back out the door.

As night fell and the house grew silent, Arthur and Morgan continued to practice their magic in the crib. Their tiny hands mimicked the gestures they had observed, their young minds already brimming with potential.