Athena sat outside the meeting hall, her hands folded tightly in her lap as she waited. When Juan emerged, she rose quickly. "What did they say?" she asked, her voice quiet.
"They said you can stay," Juan replied with a small smile. "You and Jea will sleep in her hut near the pigsty tonight. You'll be safe there."
Relief washed over Athena, and she nodded. "Thank you, Juan. I... I don't know how to repay your kindness."
"You don't have to," Juan said, his tone earnest. "Just get some rest."
Athena walked to Jea's small hut, the moonlight casting long shadows across the snowy ground. The hut was modest but warm, with a thatched roof and a faint glow from within. Jea was already inside, tending to a small fire in the hearth.
When Athena entered, Jea looked up and smiled faintly. "You're staying here with me?"
Athena nodded, closing the door behind her. "The elders said so." She hesitated, then sat down on a stool by the fire. "Jea... earlier, when the lion attacked, you said I had magic. How did you know?"
Jea paused, her hands stilling as she added another log to the fire. "Because I can see it," she admitted softly. "Magic, I mean. It's like threads and colors... they float around people, through them. Some magic is dark, heavy, like smoke. Others are light, like sunlight. And you..." She turned to Athena, her eyes searching. "Your magic is... beautiful. It's like a rainbow, but it's restless, like it's been caged for too long."
Athena stared at her, stunned. "You can see magic? Feel it?"
Jea nodded. "It's my secret. I've never told anyone-not even Juan. But when I saw you, I knew... you weren't without magic. It's there, Athena. It's powerful."
Athena's throat tightened, a mix of emotions swirling within her-gratitude, disbelief, hope. "Thank you... for telling me," she whispered. "And for believing in me."
Jea smiled gently. "Get some rest. Tomorrow's another day."
The two girls settled into the small bed, the warmth of the fire keeping the chill at bay. As Athena lay there, staring at the wooden ceiling, her thoughts raced. For the first time in years, she felt a flicker of hope-a small ember that, with Jea's help, might one day ignite into something greater.
She whispered into the quiet night, "Thank you, Jea."
Jea, already half-asleep, murmured back, "You're welcome, Athena."
And in the stillness of the hut, surrounded by the faint crackle of the fire and the distant sounds of the village, the two girls found a fragile sense of peace.
*****
At dawn, Athena was awakened by the soft nudge of Yhan-Yhan, the lion she had saved and named. The tamed beast curled up beside her, providing warmth and comfort as it drifted back to sleep. When morning came, Jea stirred, wincing slightly as Juan entered their small shelter carrying a tray of breakfast.
After they ate, Juan carefully inspected Jea's wounds. "Your legs are healing faster than expected," he said with a reassuring smile. "Once you're fully recovered, we'll need to help Athena practice her magic."
"Yeah sure, I'll love to help," Jea grinned,
At the mention of magic, Athena hesitated. "I don't know how to control it," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I tried summoning it last night, but... nothing happened. I don't even know how I managed it before."
Juan tilted his head thoughtfully before suggesting, "Maybe my grandmother could help. She's wise and knows more about magic than anyone else in the village."
Athena's cheeks flushed. "I... I wouldn't want to bother her. She's the village leader, and I'm just-"
"You're not just anything," Jea interrupted firmly, though her tone softened. "You've saved lives-mine included. You've earned the right to ask for guidance."
To change the subject, Athena offered, "How about I help gather firewood or cook? I don't want to be a burden."
Juan chuckled and shook his head. "You're not a burden, but I'll still ask Grandmother for help. Magic like yours shouldn't go untamed."
Though still nervous, Athena felt a flicker of hope at his words.
*****
Three days later, Jea had fully healed. Eager to help Athena, she approached Juan's grandmother, the wise and cautious leader of the village, to ask about magic. The old woman studied Jea carefully, her gaze sharp and probing, as if weighing whether the young woman could be trusted.
After a long silence, she spoke. "Magic is a delicate thing, child, not easily taught or controlled. But I will tell you this-our world is shaped by the powers of two great kingdoms: the Elven Kingdom and the Witch Kingdom."
Jea listened intently as the elder continued. "The Elven Kingdom is ruled by a dark and powerful king, an elf whose magic is said to rival the gods themselves. His reign brought fear and destruction, even among his own kind. Decades ago, the King of Warlocks, Rhyan, sought a treaty between the two kingdoms after a brutal war left both realms in ruins. To this day, that truce is fragile, held together by distrust and necessity."
The elder's voice grew quieter, her tone heavy with caution. "These kingdoms hold secrets far beyond our understanding. If Athena's magic comes from either, it could mean great power-or great danger."
Jea's mind raced with questions, but she held back, sensing the weight of the old woman's words. "So... what should we do? How can we help Athena learn to control it?"
The grandmother hesitated before replying, "Patience. If her magic awakens again, it may reveal its source. Until then, tread carefully. Magic this powerful rarely goes unnoticed."
The old woman leaned closer to Jea, her voice dropping to a hushed tone. "You must understand just how dangerous the Elven King, King Jay, truly is. His power is not just legendary-it is terrifying."
She paused, her gaze distant, as though recalling stories of old. "King Jay once defeated an entire legion of beasts, creatures so fierce they were thought to be unstoppable. But he didn't just kill them-he harvested their life force, using their magic to forge the foundation of his kingdom. That power flows through his lands and his warriors, binding them to him."
Jea's eyes widened as the elder continued. "His warriors are masterfully trained. They rarely use magic, but when they do, it is dark and devastating-magic summoned by King Jay's most trusted priests. They wield it like a weapon of last resort, leaving ruin in their wake."
The old woman's expression grew grim. "Rumors swirl about King Jay's cruelty. It is said that he kidnaps young girls who possess rare magical abilities. He drains them of their power, leaving their lifeless bodies behind. These whispers have struck fear into many, but none more so than the tale of a lost princess."
Jea leaned forward, her voice barely audible. "A princess?"
The elder nodded solemnly. "One of the most chilling rumors claims that the kidnapped girl was the daughter of King Rhyan of the Witch Kingdom. A princess blessed with extraordinary magic. She vanished without a trace, stolen by unknown forces, never to be seen again. Some say King Jay had a hand in her disappearance, though none dare speak of it openly."
The weight of the revelation left Jea silent, her mind racing. The Elven King's name now carried a heavier dread, and she wondered if Athena's magic might draw the same dangerous attention.