Entering the Divination room, Ella was surprised to see that the inside was not dark at all. There were several chandeliers and many candles lit and the room smelt like warm milk and honey. On the wall was a large painting of the night sky, and in the centre of the room was a black table.
"Come in dear, I don't bite." A voice called from in front of Ella.
Standing near the windows was an elderly woman with long cascading white hair, holding a wooden walking stick. She was wearing purple robes and her blue necklace shone against the lights.
"Please take a seat, I have been waiting for you." The woman gestured to the chair beside the black table.
"Ah...thank you." Ella hesitantly took a seat as the woman joined her.
"I'm sure you have many questions for me. My name is Elder Freya Mir. I am the Professor for Divination at Leon Academy and I know that you are Ella Deon, Saintess of the Holy Light."
"Saintess of the Holy light? I mean that's... I don't think I can be called that, I haven't done anything," Ella awkwardly replied.
[Good lord, please, I just want to survive! I don't want to involve myself in any unnecessary drama that might get me killed!].
"Although you are Ella Deon, you are not, yet at the same time, you have merged with her life. You and Ella cannot be separated, like two sides of a coin. Your life has now forever changed.
You must be very careful. Your every action will now be watched and monitored by those who seek to use your power for greed. They are unaware that your soul has changed but they will do everything to achieve the prophecy."
"I'm sorry, prophecy? And you know about my soul? That I'm not her?" Ella asked, shocked.
"Yes, I know everything. It is the fate of all Seers, those before and after me."
"The prophecy, what is that all about? How am I involved? Gosh, I just want to live." Ella sighed, putting her head on her hands.
"Child, if you want to live you must heed my words wisely. The prophecy was seen by the Elder before me and the Holy Bishop of the Church.
"A childe born from the lost heir will carry the light of the holy maria, and the one who will obtain this child will rule the kingdom of light.
This is only the first verse. The second verse is said to have been kept so secret that my Elder and the Bishop will take it to their graves."
Elder Freya sighed.
"So you're saying that whoever takes me will rule Lumiere? But that's crazy! I mean the only way I could rule would be to...marry Prince Blaize?
Ella gasped.
"Wait...unless there's a coup de tat? But that's highly unlikely. Elder Freya you must give me more information."
"I cannot help you, child, as this is all I know. Your future is completely unknown now, it is as if a blanket of fog has covered it. But, there is something peculiar that I have seen. The fate of Merula Noir has changed. It is still unknown but it has been changed."
"Merula? It changed, wait did I change her fate by becoming friends with her?"
"I cannot confirm but indeed those who interact with you may have their fates changed." Elder Freya hummed.
"Elder...these words about the prophecy and fates, are very similar to the lady at the Mana ceremony," Ella said.
"Lady? What happened? You must explain it to me, child."
"While my hand touched the Crystal, a beautiful lady came and said similar things. She told me that I had changed my fate and there was a strong enemy. She said to be strong or else bad things will happen to the people I care about! I tried to ask her more questions but she disappeared."
"My dear child, I have only heard of such stories as a child. I believe that you have been visited by the Goddess Maria herself. She is said to appear to those that will forever change the future of Lumiere."
Elder Freya held Ella's hand tightly.
"Child, you must heed the Goddess and my warning. I know that this may be a lot to take it.
[No freaking shit! I can't believe that my peaceful life is gonna be over!]. Ella internally sobbed.
"But you must prepare yourself and become strong. Be careful who you trust. Always be cautious. At the Academy, you may count on me but even I cannot underestimate the powers of the enemy.
"Go my child, you cannot be seen with me for a long period, or those in the shadows may become suspicious. Next semester, enrol in my class. I will be able to teach you some things. But for now, go."
As Ella stood up to leave, a few girls were waiting outside. Gossiping amongst themselves, they stopped once they saw Ella.
"Hello, my children! Welcome to Divination! Please come in." Elder Freya called.
Ella turned back to Elder Freya before leaving the dark corridor.
-
As she walked, a hundred thoughts flew past her mind.
[Prophecy, I might die, enemy, royal family, conspiracy, plot, sakklkfkflfdlffll;dlflf;ds;d I JUST WANT TO LIVE!!!!!].
Taking a deep breath, she found a patch of grass and laid in a star shape.
"Finally, this is the life. No worries, just me, the grass and the warm sun." Ella sighed, smiling.
"Oh god, I can't run away from this can I? I've only been here a month and now I have to prepare for a goddamn war." She sighed.
"Well, I guess I'm just going to have to study loads and work hard! Maybe even along the way, I can meet new people, and maybe even a boyfriend...?"
"Boyfriend?" A voice crept up to her.
Ella screamed and jumped in fright. Turning around she saw a very familiar smirk.
"What in the name of CHRIST! For holy sake, Wulff, could you please? I am going to 100% die one day because of you." Ella fake sobbed, rolling on the grass.
"Hey, I'm sorry okay? But you're just too cute when you get scared." Wulff sat next to her, touching her hair.
"But... what were you saying about a boyfriend?" Wulff's eyes sharpened.
Ella felt chills down her spine. [There's no way he's jealous right? Like we just met...].
"Nothing, I was just talking to myself. I'm just excited about the academy."
Wulff gave her a knowing look.
"I'm serious! Boyfriend is the last thing I'm even thinking about. Although I suppose in the near future it would be nice...but I dunno." Ella shrugged her shoulders.
"Good girl." Wulff petted her head.
"You don't need one when I'm right here," Wulff muttered.
"Sorry, what did you say?" Ella asked.
"Nothing. I think it's time for dinner now, let's go." Holding out his hand, they walked together to the Food Hall.
-
Back at the dormitory, she pulled out her journal.
"Okay, let's sketch out the possible enemies...", she murmured.
[Now, the prophecy said that anyone who "had" me would rule Lumiere. That leaves a couple of people.
[The most obvious would be the royal family since I'm sure they want to keep their power, but at the same time, they don't need me to legitimise their rule.
[That leaves a potential rebellion group. But the royal family are quite loved so that seems unlikely as well unless the monarchy has done something criminal.
[Then there's a third option which is a foreign power. But I have no idea. I mean there's the foreign exchange student Zafir...but that seems impossible.]
"There's so much I still don't know about this world. I'm going to have to go to the library tomorrow and do my research."
Ella yawned, stretching her arms.
"But for now, I need some shut-eye."