As trinity and altine made their way back to the chief's house, the silence between them was thick with tension. Trinity, always restless and blunt, couldn't hold back any longer.
"altine." she began, frustration evident in her tone.
"why did you bring akeh to makoko? He couldn't even resist basic spirit energy. Both he and juwon collapsed. How are we even sure he has the gift. And juwon, he's been here six months and still no progress."
Altine remained calm, her expression serene as they walked. "I brought akeh because there's something in him that goes beyond what you saw today."
Trinity scoffed, her voice laced with doubt.
"beyond? He couldn't even handle the test! And juwon, six months of failure. I'm starting to question your ability to recognize talent."
Altine stopped, turning to her sister. "I understand your concerns, trinity, but you're not seeing the bigger picture."
"what bigger picture?" trinity crossed her arms.
Altine's gaze was steady. "akeh was able to bypass my soul guard."
Trinity blinked, taken aback. "I don't think I heard that well, did you say he bypassed your soul guard?"
Altine nodded. "if he could pierce through my soul guard without any training, then I have no doubt he'll do the same to the spirit harmony scroll once he learns."
Trinity's frustration began to waver, curiosity taking its place.
"you're saying he has that much raw potential?"
"yes… forget what you saw today. Akeh might be the first to unlock the scroll's secrets. I strongly believe that."
Altine's voice was firm, resolute.
Trinity was silent for a moment, her eyes narrowing as she thought it through. "and what about juwon? He's been here for months, and still no progress. Do you still believe in him?"
Altine sighed, her tone more patient now.
"juwon's journey is different. His soul is hidden, yes, but that doesn't mean he's not capable. He's been through a lot since childhood. Trauma can sometimes delay progress, but I believe in him."
Trinity frowned, but her frustration had softened.
"i hope you're right." she said, crossing her arms. "you remember the vision our father always spoke about, don't you?"
Altine exhaled sharply, rubbing her temple. "how could I forget? Father made it a core part of our lives."
"well… " trinity's gaze remained fixed on altine. "in that vision, we play our role… we are the bridge that escapes fate. But I won't sit around waiting for late bloomers."
Altine frowned, shifting her weight. "we don't even know if the vision will come to pass anytime soon."
"you always think like that…" trinity said, her tone edged with impatience.
"what if this, what if that. you should always be prepared for anything."
Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken thoughts. A breeze rustled through the trees, carrying the distant murmurs of the village. At last, trinity brushed past altine and headed toward the house.
"i'm going inside to rest. Let me know when the students regain consciousness."
She paused at the doorway, then looked back over her shoulder.
"oh, and about juwon and akeh… I trust tour instincts. But don't go easy on them. If they're going to be part of this, they need to prove themselves."
Altine's lips curled into a faint smile. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
With that, trinity stepped into the house. Both sisters knew that the fate of more than just akeh and juwon rested on what came next. The vision loomed over them like a storm cloud, and time was slipping away.