The hallways are quiet since all of the guests are outside watching the fireworks. The sounds of footsteps and a muffled squeak echo disturbing the peace.
Delic leads the group while pushing my wheelchair over to the academy's main exit where the courtyard is. I gaze out the windows and watch several families with smiles on their faces gather around to witness the final preparations for the bon fire.
When we make it to the front, the twins stand beside the double doors and proceed to open them. What waited on the other side was something that I was not expecting in the slightest bit.
"Mom, look! Isn't that the Winter Vessel?"
"The Winter Vessel has woken up!"
"Thank you for keeping us safe, Winter Vessel!"
One by one, each of the families recognizes my emergence from the building and huddles around the edge of the walkway. People who I don't know eagerly greet me as they part the way for Delic, myself, and the rest of my group to head over to the bon fire.
