The sun had not yet taken its rise, however, Aiko found herself restless. The time was drawing near, the day everything would change, the day people would finally look at her as the hero she was meant to be. Everything would be resting upon her shoulders, the prosperity of all her people counted on her.
Three months, just three months until she inherited it all, until everything would change, until everyone would realize they were wrong about her. She's ready, more ready than any vessel that preceded her.
She sat, her legs tucked beneath her knees and her hands rested gently atop her thighs, eyes shut tightly.
"Oh divine powers, please bless me with the strength necessary to remain courageous through my proceedings." She bowed the upper-half of her body forward before finally opening her eyes, her gaze being met with the long flowing grass just out of her reach.
Beside her sat a half melted candle, dimly lighting the darkness surrounding her. She held a hand to her calm beating heart, her head turning suddenly at the sound of something approaching.
"Priestess?" Aiko greeted a woman much older than she, her body covered in a long flowing black dress. The woman had pale wrinkly skin and long silver hair that flowed down to the mid-section of her back.
"Do children your age ever sleep?" She playfully questioned, seating herself atop the wooden porch.
"Need I ask, what has you so restless?"
"It's probably what you're guessing."
"The day of exchange."
"Yeah."
"I understand your fear, I was like you once, afraid of what was to come."
"You tell me all the time." Aiko chuckled, though her tone quickly faded.
"I don't know If I'm ready for you to go lady Koto."
"Nonsense child, I have taught you everything you need to know in preparation for that day, everything that you may need from me will be resting inside that bright heart of yours." Her face wrinkled into a warm smile, her hand reaching forward and brushing through Aiko's midnight blue hair.
"I suppose you're right about that."
"You only suppose?"
"You're right."
"Don't worry yourself, you are ready for this. The only thing I fear for is your brother." She let out a boisterous laugh, "not even I can tie down his wild spirit."
Aiko groaned, "he's always stirring trouble, things are already hard enough without me having to bail him out of another situation he started."
"He means well, it's his way of trying to keep you grounded, even with everything you have ahead of you."
"Right." She replied plainly, narrowing her eyes.
"Now, get some rest child, we have long days ahead of us."
"Thank you for coming and speaking with me, priestess." Aiko stood, stepping into the comforting warmth of her home.
A few minutes passed, and when the priestess was sure Aiko was gone, she spoke once more.
"You may come out now." Her tone turned cold and harsh.
"You didn't inform her of what's to come, she doesn't have the time she once thought she did." A figure in an all white cloak approached from the edge of the darkness, her tan hands folded together, a golden necklace gleaming from beneath the cloth.
"Panicking the child will do her no good, we'll make do with the time we do have-"
"And what time is that?" The woman cut her off coldly, stopping just before the porch with her hands still clasped together, "death is rapidly approaching, it is as you foresaw. Do you truly believe you are capable of holding it back?"
"I'll do what must be done."
"But you've seen it time and time again, your fate won't change, and neither will hers, your best course of action is to do as I have informed and complete the ritual tomorrow."
"It will kill her."
"Inaction will kill her."
A dreadful silence befell them, the gently whistling wind washing over them.
"The decision is yours great priestess, but do know the fate of our very lives rests upon your shoulders." She bowed slightly, then disappeared into the darkness.
"How much did you hear, Renn."
A boy approached from the side of the house, the candle atop the porch igniting his features. His skin was tan just like his sisters, his eyes of the same silver. His hair was wild and unkempt, his small nose scrunched up and eyes narrowed on the woman before him.
"I heard enough to know that my sister's life is in danger."
"Why are you here?"
"I came to check on my sister, but then I sensed you two lurking around and I decided to wait."
"Cunning as ever."
"Why's my sister gonna die?" He was straight to the point, his nails digging into the skin on his palms as his fists clenched into tight balls.
"There's no guarantee, however, there's a large chance something will come here in an attempt to rid me of my divinity, the only way to prevent it from being stolen is to pass it on to your sister before that can happen." She was blunt, yet truthful.
"I may not know much about this divine crap, but from what I do know starting the ritual early could kill my sister."
"I won't deny that that is a very real possibility."
"Then don't do the ritual."
"It isn't that simple, Renn. I love your sister almost as much as you, and If I knew of a better way I'd use it in a heartbeat, but our people's lives are on the line."
"You're full of it granny, and I won't let you put my sister's life on the line. I don't care what you say."
"I was afraid you'd say that, which is why I must apologize for what I am about to do."
Renn got into a battle ready stance, his heart throbbing out of his chest. The priestess spared him a solemn glance.
"I swear if you try any-"