Jea, watching from the ground, felt her breath catch. The light wasn't just ordinary magic-it was something pure, something ancient. The colours swirled like a living rainbow, wrapping around Athena like an aura.
The lion hesitated, its head tilting as if confused. Athena took a step forward, her fear replaced by a newfound strength. "You're not a monster," she said softly, her voice steady. "You're cursed. I can feel it."
The creature growled, but it didn't attack. Instead, it lowered its head slightly, its massive frame trembling. Athena reached out, her glowing hand brushing against its fur. The light spread from her fingertips, enveloping the lion in a radiant cocoon.
The curse that bound the creature began to unravel. Memories flooded Athena's mind-visions of a woman, proud and kind, betrayed and cursed to wander as this beast. Tears streamed down Athena's face as she felt the woman's pain, her anger, her sorrow.
The lion's form began to change, shrinking and softening until it was no longer a monstrous predator but a smaller, gentler creature. It looked up at Athena with eyes full of gratitude before collapsing at her feet, exhausted but free.
Athena sank to her knees, her body trembling as the light around her dimmed. She turned to Jea, crawling to her side. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice shaking.
Jea managed a weak smile. "You... you did it," she whispered.
The sound of footsteps broke the silence, and Athena looked up to see Juan returning with his grandmother and the village elders. They stopped short, their eyes widening as they took in the scene: Athena glowing faintly with residual magic, the now-docile lion curled at her side, and Jea lying injured but alive.
The elders exchanged wary glances, their expressions a mixture of awe and fear.
"She has the ancient magic," one of them murmured.
As the group prepared to return to the village, the lion rose to its feet, nuzzling Athena affectionately before following close behind. It was no longer a monster but a guardian-and Athena, though unsure of her path, knew she was no longer powerless.
"What happened here?" one of the elders asked, her voice quavering with a mix of fear and amazement as she took in the sight of the lion. "That beast-it's not attacking anymore?"
"No," Juan said, his voice shaky but filled with awe. "It's... it's listening to her." He pointed at Athena, who was still kneeling by Jea's side, her glowing eyes dimming back to their natural green.
Athena looked up, her face pale but determined. "She's hurt," she said, motioning to Jea. "She needs help."
Juan's grandmother stepped forward, her movements precise and deliberate. She knelt beside Jea, examining the wound. "We need to stop the bleeding," she said. "Fetch the healing herbs and water from my satchel, Juan."
Juan nodded and hurried to comply. Meanwhile, the elders began murmuring among themselves, their gazes flickering between Athena and the lion.
"That magic... it wasn't there before," one elder whispered. "She's awakened something."
Athena ignored their words, focusing on Jea. "She saved me," Athena said softly, her voice trembling. "She believed in me when I didn't even believe in myself."
The older woman looked at her, her expression unreadable. "What happened to the beast?"
Athena hesitated, glancing at the lion beside her. "I... I don't know. I think... I connected with it somehow. I felt its pain, its memories. It's not just a monster-it was cursed, just like the stories said."
The elders exchanged glances, their expressions growing grave.
One stepped forward, her weathered face filled with both fear and respect. "Child, that's no small feat. To tame such a creature... it requires a magic deeper than most can comprehend."
Juan returned with the herbs and water, and his grandmother got to work, cleaning and bandaging Jea's wound. As she worked, Jea stirred, her eyelids fluttering open. She winced but managed a weak smile when she saw Athena.
"You... you did it," Jea said, her voice hoarse. "I told you... you had magic."
Athena felt tears prick her eyes. "I didn't know... I didn't think I could."
Jea chuckled weakly. "You've always had it. You just needed something big enough to wake it up."
The lion nudged Athena gently, its massive heads lowering in submission. The gesture made her smile faintly, though her hands still trembled.
The elder who had spoken before stepped closer. "You've proven yourself today, child. But this is just the beginning. Such power comes with responsibility. The curse upon that creature isn't broken; it's merely quiet for now. You'll need to learn to control what's within you."
Athena nodded, determination shining in her eyes. "I'll learn. I'll do whatever it takes."
The elder placed a hand on her shoulder. "Good. Because the power you've awakened... it may be the key to far greater challenges ahead."
As the villagers helped Jea to her feet and prepared to return to their settlement, Athena stayed close to the lion, her newfound companion. Juan walked beside her, his eyes filled with admiration and a hint of fear.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly.
Athena nodded. "I think so. But I'm not the same anymore."
Juan smiled faintly. "None of us are. Not after tonight."
As they made their way back, the lion following like a shadow, Athena couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of her journey. Her magic had awakened, but what it meant for her-and the world around her-was still a mystery waiting to unfold.
*****
That night, the Old Jasmine Village's elders convened in the central meeting hall, a simple yet dignified structure lit by flickering oil lamps. The air inside was heavy with the scent of wood smoke and the murmur of concerned voices. Seated around a large circular table, the elders, clad in thick robes against the mountain chill, listened intently as Juan nervously explained Athena's story.
"She's from the Greenland Village," Juan began, his voice steady but tinged with unease. "Her family... they're powerful witches and warlocks. But Athena-she didn't manifest any magic on her fifteenth birthday. Her stepmother turned her into a servant." He paused, glancing at the elders' expressions, then continued. "Her father sold her to the king as payment for his debts. But the caravan she was in got ambushed by thieves on the way to the palace. They were planning to sell her in the township when she escaped... and that's how she found us."
The elders exchanged wary glances, the gravity of Juan's words settling over the room. One elder, a grey-haired woman named Elder Lirra, leaned forward, her gaze piercing. "You're certain of this?" she asked.
Juan nodded. "Yes. She's not a threat. She's kind and... lost. She didn't ask for any of this."
Elder Lirra sighed deeply. "She carries a heavy burden. But her presence here may draw unwanted attention. The king does not take kindly to losing what he considers his property."
Another elder, a bearded man with a stern expression, spoke up. "For now, she needs rest. We'll decide what to do tomorrow." He turned to Juan. "Tell her she's welcome here for the night. But she and Jea will stay in the hut near the pigsty. It's safer for everyone."
Juan bowed his head in acknowledgement and left the hall to deliver the message.