Lloyd was asleep again. Colette could see him out of the corner of her eye, his head drooping lower against his chest despite the fact that he was not only standing upright but also holding a pair of water buckets. She reached subtly across to pinch her twin lightly, trying not to draw Raine’s attention to herself. With a little flick of her head in his direction, she suppressed a giggle. When Raine noticed him, he was sure to take an eraser to the face. Her prediction came true seconds later and she suppressed another giggle, meeting her twin’s eyes with mirth glimmering in her own.
Her attention was quickly pulled back to today’s lesson when Raine called on her specifically, asking about the journey of regeneration. It was a simple matter to repeat back the lessons she had been hearing since she was a small child. The journey of regeneration would be her journey, her quest to seal away the Desians and awaken the summon spirits that protected the world, restoring the mana that gave it life. She had been preparing for it her entire life, but she wasn’t sure she was really ready.
A bright light suddenly streamed in through the windows, the sudden harshness washing out even the sunlight that had been shining before. After a moment it lessened in intensity, but the room was still a good deal lighter than it had been. It was coming from the direction of the Martel Chapel, and Raine’s words only confirmed what Colette suspected. This was really going to happen, an oracle had truly descended to their town. She couldn’t help herself, she reached for the secure comfort of her twin’s hand. Somehow, she was a little bit relieved when Raine told her to stay and wait for the priests.
“Wow…it’s really here. The Oracle really came,” she said in a low voice meant only for her twin. “I think I’m too nervous to study now. What about you?” She wondered if Nicole would be allowed to come into the temple and see the oracle in person or if she had to go alone.