Yah

"It's kind of a combination of things really" you begin.

"You all know the story of Jason and Wendel, and the fateful day that they fought each other. Well Nadine was there" you explain.

"How's that possible" Annabel asks. You can see the rest are thinking the same thing.

"She only said magic has its benefits, but I believe her. The other thing she told me was that she traveled with Jason. As one of his lovers. She said when they originally met up Jason was, well, a different person. He was happy and just wanted to help people. Until something bad happened" you sadly say.

"Considering you are so focused on protecting us I'm betting he lost someone close to him" Yvette asks grabbing your hand. You nod your head confirming it.

"Him and his group went around helping people in the beginning is what Nadine said, but that changed when they helped people that Wendel wanted to hurt. Wendel retaliated, and Jason lost people" you explain hanging your head "Jason changed as a result, and wanted to punish Wendel. There is more to it, but...I see myself in a similar situation to Jason. I saw the hurt in Nadine's eyes when she said how much he changed after that. I don't want to lose any of you, and if something like that happens...I can see myself changing like Jason did to get revenge...and that would hurt you all even more" you finish as your eyes start watering up. The group slowly encircles you and eventually you let the tears flow as they start hugging you.

"Even worse I learned that Jason didn't survive his fight with Wendel that day. He successfully banished Wendel, but in doing so Wendel simultaneously destroyed Jason. Nadine spent so long looking for Jason after that day, and I feel like I need to tell her the truth of what happened, but considering the source I don't even know if it is true or not so I'm not sure if I should tell her. Everything is getting so complicated and dire...and I don't know if I'm strong enough or the right person to lead us through it all" you say wiping your tears away.

"My love" Yvette says trying to get your attention "My love we're so sorry we didn't see how much pain you've been in since we left. I think we suspected as we could feel a conflict in your heart, but we didn't know, and we wanted to wait for you to let us know what it was. I think I can speak for everyone that we won't wait this long anymore, but you also need to talk with us sooner when you feel like this in the future. Okay" she asks. You can feel the anxiety in her voice and through the bond. Her anxiety feels like a stab in the chest.

Without anything happening you've already started down the path of focusing so much on protecting your lovers that you're changing like Jason did. That realization hits you hard and you collapse to your knees. Yvette saw that change happening now that she understands what was happening in your head. You take a deep breath and slowly let it out. You understand what needs to happen now. The change that happened to Jason was never set in stone, and you wanted so desperately to avoid that change yourself that it wasn't possible to see it happening already by relying only on yourself. You stand up and look at each of them. They look frightened and yet still hopeful.

"I'm sorry everyone. I realize now that the change Jason went through was already happening to me. It took you all to help me recognize it. I know now that I need you all in my life to help me recognize when I'm not on a good path. Therefore I need to apologize for not fully realizing just how important you all are, and how strong you all are. I never wanted to do that to any of you, but I did, and I'm sorry. We are stronger together, and I'm so incredibly lucky to have you all in my life. I will do my best to not keep things to myself, but in the event that I do without realizing it I need you all to call me out on it. You are all the best parts of me, and I feel like I was starting to shut that out in order to protect each of you. I don't know what the future holds, but I refuse to be like Jason. Can you all forgive me" you ask.

You can't look them in the eyes you realize. That was the most vulnerable you'd ever been, and you briefly wonder just how much of your marriage in your old world was due to this lack of vulnerability, as you can see some similarities in your behavior. Pushing that thought out of your head you will yourself to look up at the women standing in front of you. They are each crying, but they surge forward when you look at them. You are assaulted with hugs and kisses from every angle, and it's difficult to tell who is who. Several minutes pass and you find yourself laying on the ground when they finally relent. It takes a moment for you all to untangle, but you feel lighter than ever as you stand back up. The girls are laughing and giggling as each stand back up.

"John. I think I speak for everyone here that we are more than happy to hear your concerns and fears. We will all do our best for you and each other to reciprocate our own concerns and fears" Annabel says smiling. They all nod their head in unison. It's hard to really wrap your head around the emotions you're feeling, but overall you feel like some sort of goal was reached in life.

"Thanks everyone. Are we all ready to travel a little more today" you ask. The girls all agree, and you enjoy the rest of the afternoon walking together and chatting. You noticed everyone had a smile on for the rest of the day.