Jason's smile widened with genuine happiness. The bond they had forged was more than just a pact; it was a connection that would allow them to grow stronger together. He felt the energy of the pact settling into place, a reassuring hum that resonated between their souls.
"The pact isn't just about knowing where you are," Jason explained, his voice filled with warmth. "It also means I can help you grow. With this bond, you can enter my Inner Sea. It's a place where Spirit Qi flows abundantly. By staying there, you'll be nurtured and grow stronger faster than you ever could on your own."
Mary tilted her head, her golden eyes narrowing slightly. "Your... Inner Sea?" she asked, intrigued but still cautious.
Jason nodded. "It's the core of my cultivation. Think of it as a sanctuary, a place where your essence can be refined. This isn't just for me—it's for you too. Together, we can achieve things neither of us could alone."
Mary crossed her arms, still somewhat skeptical but visibly softening. "We'll see," she said, her tone measured.
Jason chuckled. "You'll see soon enough. For now, let's rejoin my companions. They'll be wondering what's taking so long."
Without waiting for her response, Jason turned and began descending the mountain trail, his steps confident and light. Mary followed, keeping a measured distance but unable to hide her curiosity.
When they reached the base, the flying ship floated serenely in the distance. Ramla, Adea, and Nea stood near the ramp, their expressions a mix of worry and impatience.
"Jason!" Ramla called out, relief evident in her voice.
"Finally," Nea added with a huff, though her posture relaxed at the sight of him.
Adea smiled faintly but said nothing, her eyes briefly shifting to Mary with quiet curiosity.
Jason approached them with a grin. "I found someone interesting," he said, gesturing to Mary. "This is Mary, my new companion. She'll be traveling with us from now on."
The sisters exchanged glances, their expressions a blend of intrigue and apprehension as they sized up the white-haired woman with piercing golden eyes.
"Another one, huh?" Nea muttered under her breath, folding her arms.
Jason laughed, the sound carrying easily in the crisp mountain air. "I promise you'll all get along just fine. Now, let's get moving. We've got a long journey ahead."
Together, they boarded the ship.
As they all settled into the ship's main chamber, Jason addressed the curious gazes from the sisters. He gestured toward Mary, who stood with her arms crossed, her golden eyes scanning the room with a hint of reserved curiosity.
"I should clarify something," Jason began. "Mary isn't a human—she's a magical beast. That's why she has a human form."
The sisters' eyes widened in unison.
"A magical beast?" Ramla repeated, her voice tinged with awe.
"That explains the aura," Adea remarked thoughtfully, her elven heritage giving her a sharper sense for such things.
Nea, however, narrowed her eyes at Mary. "If she's a magical beast, how is she speaking our tongue so easily?"
Jason chuckled, glancing at Mary. She gave him a subtle nod before stepping forward to explain.
"It's because of inherited memories," Mary said, her voice steady and confident. "Magical beasts are born with the knowledge of our ancestors imprinted into our souls. This includes the ability to understand and speak the human tongue, as well as other languages."
Ramla leaned forward, her curiosity growing. "So you already knew about humans and their ways before meeting Jason?"
"To an extent," Mary replied. "Inherited memories give us basic knowledge, but personal experience is what truly shapes us."
"That's fascinating," Adea murmured, her gaze lingering on Mary with newfound respect.
Nea huffed, though there was a hint of acceptance in her expression. "I suppose that makes sense. But just because you can speak our tongue doesn't mean you'll fit in easily."
Mary met Nea's gaze without flinching. "I'm not here to 'fit in.' I'm here because of Jason."
Jason smiled, appreciating Mary's straightforwardness. "She's with us now, and that's what matters," he said. "Let's focus on the road ahead."
The sisters nodded, though their curiosity about Mary was far from sated.
Jason raised his hands defensively, noticing the skeptical gazes from Ramla, Adea, and Nea as they all exchanged knowing looks.
"Before you say anything," Jason began, his voice steady but carrying a hint of exasperation, "Mary isn't some new woman for me to seduce or whatever. She's—"
"A magical beast," Ramla interrupted, though her playful smirk betrayed her thoughts. "Sure, Jason. That's what they all say."
Adea leaned on the table, her expression thoughtful yet teasing. "First Olivia, now Mary. Should we expect a lineup of mysterious women with tragic backstories waiting for you to save them?"
Nea crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Let's not forget the three of us. What's next, Jason? Another 'beast companion' who also just happens to be stunning?"
Jason sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he sat down. "I'm serious," he said, trying to maintain composure despite the relentless teasing. "Mary is here because of her own choices, not because of some grand design to collect companions."
"Oh, we believe you," Ramla said with a mock-serious nod.
"Totally," Adea added, her grin widening.
Nea smirked. "Completely."
Jason groaned, leaning back in his chair and shaking his head helplessly. "I give up. You can say what you want."
Despite the jabs, Jason's thoughts were elsewhere, his mind racing with questions. He glanced briefly at Mary, who stood silently by the wall, her arms crossed and her golden eyes flickering between annoyance and curiosity.
'She's so much like her,' he thought, his chest tightening. 'The way she moves, the way she speaks… If she truly is my Mary, how could I possibly let her go again?'
Jason's resolve hardened as he made a silent vow to uncover the truth. But for now, he played along with the sisters' teasing, masking his deeper thoughts behind a faint, helpless smile.
As the ship soared through the skies, its course set toward the Empire of Dawn, the landscape below gradually shifted. A sprawling forest came into view, its lush canopy stretching endlessly, the sunlight filtering through the leaves like golden threads. The vibrant greenery contrasted beautifully against the clear blue sky, creating a picturesque scene.
Adea stood at the edge of the deck, her emerald eyes wide with wonder. The forest seemed to call to her, a deep and instinctive longing stirring within her. She touched the rail, her fingers trembling slightly as she leaned forward, taking in the sight.
"That forest," Adea said softly, almost to herself.
Jason, standing nearby, turned his gaze toward her. "What about it?" he asked, his tone gentle.
Adea looked at him, her expression a mix of awe and melancholy. "I've never seen one before. Not like this." She hesitated, her voice lowering. "Being half-elf, I've always felt a connection to nature, but I grew up far from forests or anything like this. It's… beautiful."
Jason studied her for a moment, then smiled warmly. "Do you want to explore it?"
Adea's eyes brightened, though she tried to temper her excitement. "Could we? Just for a little while?"
Jason chuckled. "When we settle in the city, we'll take a day or two to relax. We'll explore the forest together—promise."
"Really?" Adea's face lit up with a rare, unguarded smile.
"Really," Jason affirmed. "You're not the only one curious about what's in there."
Ramla, overhearing the exchange, placed a hand on Adea's shoulder. "We'll all go together. It'll be fun."
Nea folded her arms, her tone teasing but not unkind. "I'll keep watch in case Jason gets lost in his own thoughts again."
Jason rolled his eyes. "Noted, Nea. Thanks for the vote of confidence."
Adea laughed softly, her gaze returning to the forest below. The anticipation of exploring something so intrinsically tied to her heritage filled her with an unfamiliar but welcome warmth. For the first time in a while, she felt truly excited about what lay ahead.
As the ship approached the city nestled near the edge of the forest, its tall stone walls and bustling streets coming into view, the group prepared for the next chapter of their journey, their bond deepening with every shared promise and moment.