After several hours of navigating winding mountain roads, they finally arrived at the foot of the massive mountain peaks where the sacred temple grounds lay nestled. Looking up at the formidable, seemingly endless flight of stone steps, Jackson blinked his eyes several times, a look of pure, comedic disbelief crossing his face.
"The view when you finally conquer that last step makes you feel like every single painful stride going up was entirely worth it," Belle commented cheerfully. She stepped closer, lowering her voice to a sharp whisper meant only for him: "And it's a completely authentic view, not a manufactured illusion."
Jackson could only offer her a faint, wry smile, understanding the layered meaning behind her words.
"Let's go," Eli announced, his deep voice slicing through the humid mountain air. Before she could react, he reached out and firmly grasped Belle's hand.
