Jea chuckled. "No, nothing like that. In my world, history is about kings, queens, wars, and inventions. And instead of magic, we solve problems with science. For example, we use electricity to light our homes, power machines, and keep our cities running."
Juan scratched his head. "Electricity? Is that like fire magic?"
"Not exactly," Jea said with a smile. "It's a kind of energy that we harness using wires and machines. It's invisible but incredibly powerful. It's what makes lights glow, keeps our homes warm, and even lets us watch moving pictures called movies."
Athena's eyes widened. "Moving pictures? Like enchanted paintings?"
Jea nodded. "Sort of. But we don't use spells to make them move. We use cameras and screens. My world is full of things that might seem magical to you, but everything is created by humans, not born from magic."
Juan's face lit up with fascination. "So, what's it like living in a world without magic? Isn't it boring?"
Jea thought for a moment. "It's different," she said. "It has its own challenges. People have to work hard to survive, just like here. But there's also a sense of possibility. Anyone can invent something new and discover something incredible. In a way, that's its own kind of magic."
Athena looked at her with a mix of awe and confusion. "But you're so young. You said you're just fifteen? You act so... grown-up."
Jea smiled softly. "In my world, I'm just an ordinary girl. But being here, away from everything I know, I've had to grow up fast. There's no one to rely on but myself."
Juan's expression grew serious. "If your world is so amazing, why are you here?"
Jea's face clouded. "That's a story for another time," she said, her tone heavy. "For now, let's focus on getting to the village. The mountain path isn't safe for too long."
Though the conversation shifted back to the journey, Athena and Juan couldn't stop thinking about Jea's strange and wondrous world-a world without magic but filled with inventions and possibilities.
The late afternoon had fallen into an eerie stillness, the kind that makes your skin prickle with anticipation. The wind rustled through the trees, carrying the faint scent of snow and something else-something primal. The sudden roar shattered the quiet, echoing through the forest like a crack of thunder.
Athena, Jea, and Juan froze as the lion stepped into the clearing, its two heads swivelling in opposite directions, each set of eyes burning with a menacing crimson glow. The creature was enormous, its muscles rippling beneath its dark, matted fur. Its double roar was guttural, vibrating the very air around them.
"Run!" Juan shouted, gripping the reins of his donkey, but before they could react, the beast lunged.
Athena shoved Jea behind her, barely managing to push Juan to safety before the lion's claws raked through the air, narrowly missing them. Juan bolted with the donkey, his terrified cries fading into the distance, leaving Jea and Athena to face the nightmare alone.
Jea felt the searing pain before she realized the beast had struck her. Its fangs sank into her leg, and she screamed, her hands clawing at the earth as it dragged her. Blood stained the snow beneath her, and the world seemed to spin.
Athena stood paralyzed, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she watched her friend struggle against the beast. Her mind raced, panic threatening to take over. She wanted to run, to hide, but something held her there, rooted to the spot.
"You have to use your magic!" Jea yelled, her voice hoarse with pain.
"I don't have magic!" Athena cried, tears streaming down her face.
As Jea crouched in the snow, her leg throbbing from the lion's attack, her gaze locked onto Athena. Something stirred in her vision-a faint, glimmering thread emerging from Athena's hands. It flickered like an ember, delicate yet undeniably there. Jea's eyes widened.
This wasn't the first time Jea had seen magic. Since arriving in this strange world, she'd discovered an ability no one else seemed to possess: she could see magic. It danced in the air like vibrant threads, each hue representing its nature-some dark and heavy, others light and effervescent. Magic wasn't just an abstract force; to Jea, it was alive, weaving through the land and its people.
But Athena's magic was unlike anything Jea had encountered. It wasn't just a single colour or thread-it was an explosion of hues, a kaleidoscope of rainbow orbs that swirled and shimmered like a living aurora. The magic seemed restless, as though trapped within Athena's body, yearning to break free.
Jea's heart pounded. How had Athena not noticed this? Couldn't she feel it? The magic pulsed faintly, running through her veins, lighting her from within. It was beautiful, raw, and untamed.
"She doesn't know," Jea thought, her breath catching. Athena had spent her life believing she was without magic, a belief reinforced by her cruel stepmother. But Jea could see the truth-Athena wasn't without magic. She was brimming with it.
Athena glanced at her, concern etched on her face. "Jea, are you okay?"
Jea hesitated her secret on the tip of her tongue. For a moment, she considered keeping it to herself. After all, she'd never shared her ability to sense magic with anyone, not even Juan. But this wasn't just about her. Athena needed to know.
"You... you have magic," Jea said, her voice trembling.
Athena blinked, confusion and disbelief flashing across her face. "What are you talking about? I don't have magic. I never have."
Jea shook her head, pointing at Athena's hands. "You do. I can see it. It's in you, flowing through you. It's... unlike anything I've ever seen."
Athena stared at her hands, her fingers trembling. "I don't feel anything," she murmured.
"You don't feel it because you've been taught not to," Jea said, her voice gaining strength. "But it's there, Athena. It's strong, wild, and it's yours."
Athena's gaze flickered between Jea and her hands, doubt warring with a flicker of hope. Before she could respond, the lion roared again, drawing their attention.
The beast circled them, its crimson eyes narrowing as it prepared to strike. The urgency of the moment snapped Jea out of her thoughts. She gritted her teeth, clutching her wounded leg.
"Athena, you have to use it," Jea urged desperation lacing her words. "If you don't, we're not going to survive this."
Athena's heart pounded as the weight of Jea's words sank in. She didn't understand how or why, but deep down, she felt something stir-a warmth, a flicker of light, faint but undeniable.
"Believe me," Jea whispered, her voice almost pleading. "It's in you. You just have to let it out."
Athena took a shaky breath, her eyes closing as she tried to focus on the warmth. It was faint, like a tiny ember buried beneath layers of doubt and fear. But as the lion lunged, everything else fell away.
The rainbow ember ignited.
Athena's heart pounded as she looked down at her trembling hands. She didn't feel magic. She felt weak, helpless-but Jea's words struck something deep within her. A warmth stirred in her chest, faint and flickering like a dying ember.
The lion turned its attention to Athena, releasing Jea and taking a menacing step toward her. Its massive heads moved in unison, its crimson eyes locking onto her. Athena's legs trembled, but she didn't run.
The warmth in her chest grew, spreading through her veins like wildfire. It was as if the air around her shifted, bending to her will. A soft glow began to emanate from her hands, faint at first but growing brighter with each passing second.
The lion roared and charged, but Athena stood her ground. She raised her hands instinctively, and a burst of light shot forth, striking the beast square in its chest. The impact sent it skidding back, its roars turning to a pained howl.