A few hours later, Jea returned, carrying a bundle of goods wrapped in cloth. She smiled warmly at Athena and Juan as she set the items down on the small wooden table. "I got everything we need," she said, pulling out flour, dried meat, and some vegetables. "We'll have a proper meal tonight."
That evening, they shared a simple but hearty dinner. The warmth of the food and the company was a balm to Athena's weary soul. It was the first time in years she felt a sliver of peace. Afterward, they all settled in for the night, the comforting sound of the crackling fire lulling them to sleep.
The next morning, as sunlight streamed through the small window, Juan found Jea preparing breakfast. He tugged at her sleeve, his expression serious. "Jea," he whispered, "I need to tell you something about Athena."
Jea paused, her hands stilling over the bread dough. She turned to him, her brows furrowing. "What is it, Juan?"
Juan glanced toward the room where Athena was still sleeping. "She told me about her family. They're powerful witches and warlocks, but they treated her terribly. Her father sold her to pay a debt. She doesn't have anywhere else to go."
Jea's eyes softened, and she let out a heavy sigh. "That poor girl," she murmured. "No one should go through something like that." She placed a hand on Juan's shoulder, her voice firm. "We'll help her, Juan. As long as she's here, she's one of us."
Juan smiled, relief washing over him.
The morning sun cast a golden glow over the mountain path, illuminating the dirt road winding its way upward. Juan sat atop his donkey, holding the reins loosely as the animal plodded along at a steady pace. The goods they had packed-flour, dried meat, and a few other essentials-were carefully strapped to the donkey's back, swaying gently with each step.
Behind him, Jea and Athena walked side by side, their footsteps crunching softly against the rocky trail. The crisp mountain air was cool against their faces, carrying the faint scent of pine and wildflowers. The climb was steep in places, and the road was narrow, bordered by cliffs on one side and dense forest on the other. But Juan seemed confident, humming a tune as he guided the group.
Athena's gaze wandered to the horizon, where the peaks of Old Jasmine Village loomed in the distance. She pulled the tattered shawl around her shoulders tighter, her thoughts a mix of anxiety and cautious hope. The mountain trail wasn't new to her-she had been here before, long ago, with Nathan. But now, it felt different. Everything felt heavier, like the weight of her past was trailing behind her.
Jea glanced at Athena, sensing her unease. "You're doing well," she said gently, her voice breaking the silence. "It's not an easy journey."
Athena managed a small smile. "Thank you," she said softly. "I've been through worse."
Jea nodded but didn't press further. Instead, she kept her focus on the trail, occasionally pointing out loose rocks or branches that could trip them up. She moved with a quiet confidence, her presence steady and reassuring.
"Almost there," Juan called back, turning to flash them a grin. "We'll reach the halfway point soon. There's a stream up ahead where we can rest."
Athena nodded, grateful for the promise of a break. Her legs ached from the climb, and the cuts on her wrists still stung despite Juan's herbal salve. But she didn't complain. If anything, the physical pain was a welcome distraction from the turmoil inside her.
As they climbed higher, the sounds of the forest grew louder-birds chirping in the trees, the rustle of leaves in the wind, and the occasional crack of a branch underfoot. It was peaceful, almost soothing, and for a moment, Athena allowed herself to believe that she might find a sense of peace in this journey.
When they reached the stream, Juan hopped off his donkey with practiced ease. He tied the reins to a nearby tree and began unpacking the goods, his movements quick and efficient. "This is a good spot," he said, gesturing to a patch of soft grass by the water. "We can rest here for a bit."
Jea helped Athena settle down, handing her a canteen of water. "Drink," she said firmly. "You need to stay hydrated."
Athena took a sip, the cool water refreshing against her dry throat. She watched as Juan splashed his face in the stream, laughing as the cold water hit him. Jea crouched beside him, filling her own canteen and checking on the donkey, who grazed contentedly on the sparse grass nearby.
Athena leaned back, her eyes drifting to the sky. The climb was hard, and the future was uncertain, but for the first time in a long while, she felt like she wasn't alone.
As the group walked along the mountain path, the conversation turned to Jea's life. Her voice, usually practical and steady, took on a wistful tone as she began to share.
"I'm not from this world," Jea said, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "I came from somewhere far more advanced, a place where everything you know as magic... doesn't exist."
Athena and Juan exchanged puzzled looks. "What do you mean?" Athena asked hesitantly.
Jea took a deep breath and smiled faintly. "Where I come from, there's no magic, no spells, no potions. Instead, people create things-machines, tools, and systems. They call it science. It's what allows us to do things that might look like magic to you but are entirely different."
Juan perked up. "You mean like the palace? They have enchanted objects that cook food, clean floors, and light up rooms without a single spark of fire."
Jea shook her head. "Not quite. In my world, we don't enchant things. People invent them. We have cars to travel on roads, planes that fly across the sky, and ships that cross oceans-not because of magic, but because of engines and fuel. We even have phones-small devices you hold in your hand that let you talk to someone on the other side of the world."
Athena frowned, trying to grasp the concept. "That sounds like magic," she said, tilting her head. "How do you talk to someone who isn't there? How do you make a ship move without spells?"
"It's hard to explain," Jea admitted. "We study things like energy, metals, and chemicals to build these devices. It's all about understanding how the world works and using that knowledge. My father was a firefighter-he didn't use water spells to put out fires; he used hoses and special equipment."
Athena's brow furrowed further. "Your father was just... normal? No magic?"
Jea nodded. "My whole family was. My mom stayed home to take care of me. My dad worked hard to protect people. And me? I was just an ordinary student, learning in a school with thousands of kids."
"School?" Juan asked, his curiosity piqued. "What's it like in your world?"
Jea's eyes lit up. "School is where kids go to learn about science, math, languages, and history. We don't learn about prophecies or magical laws. We learn about our world and how to shape it using technology."
Athena looked surprised. "You mean no one teaches spells? Or the histories of the ancients?"