Chapter 3:

A fall from grace

How I became the bride of the great ruler Cthulhu


KLIN.
KLAN.

Sniff. Sniff.

Vahl’a wakes up to the sound of a goat bell chiming.

BEHEEEH!

The goat stares deeply into Vahl’a’s eyes.

Vahl’a: What the-

Her complaint is cut short by Randel, throwing in bags of fertilizer into the wagon with little concern that Vahl’a is still in there. Already visibly irritated, Vahl’a pokes her head out of the covered wagon.

Vahl’a: HEY! Watch--

Her complaint is silenced again, this time by Randel’s hand covering her mouth.

Randel: Shh!

He points at his traveling partner talking to a man wearing farmer’s attire.

Randel: They can’t know you’re here. Now go wherever you need to be and forget we exist.

Vahl’a climbs out of the wagon and replies while she sweeps bits of hay off her clothes.

Vahl’a: W-what do you mean? How am I supposed to-?

Randel: Hush! I said go, darn it!

Randel pushes her away abruptly. Vahl’a stomps away trying to catch her balance before her face hits the ground. The stomps startle the chickens that freely roamed around the enclosure where the wagon is stationed. The farmer looks at Randel.

Farmer: Everything alright?

Randel walks towards the farmer while rubbing his hands together nervously.

Randel: Ehh, yeh. Yes! No worries, t’s nothing but a lowly beggar asking for copper.

Vahl’a’s jaw drops at his remark, but before she can turn around to complain, the farmer replies.

Farmer: A beggar? In Academy grounds? That's rather unusual. Better report to-

Vahl’a’s eyes widen and she starts making a run for it. In the distance, we can hear Randel struggling to convince the farmer there’s no need to report to anyone. Vahl’a takes a look around. The area seems like a small farm, but none like the ones she’s seen before. This one was meticulously taken care of, the animals seemed happy and in pristine condition. Vahl’a walks up to a small garden up ahead filled with the shiniest, most delicious berries she’s ever seen. In the garden, an older-looking Satyr is showing a young Tiefling how to carefully transplant seedlings into different types of soils. Vahl’a’s focus jumps between the unusual sight of a peaceful Tiefling, the Satyr’s clothes that are too clean to be a real farmer’s garments, the sign that reads “Dept. of Agricultural & Environmental Magicks” and the delicious berries in front of her. Vahl’a’s stomach growls, making her decide to pick some of the berries to eat. She reaches for her backpack only to notice she isn’t carrying one. She touches all over her outfit and notices she isn’t carrying anything at all.

Vahl’a: Shoot! No, no, no, no!

In a panic, she looks back to where the cart was, only to notice it’s gone.

Vahl’a: Shit! Agh!

Vahl’a runs back and tries looking around for the cart’s tracks to no avail. She runs around some more, eventually bumping into the farmer from earlier. The farmer takes a look at her from head to toe and notices she’s dirty and her clothes are a little worn out.

Farmer: The beggar!

Vahl’a: I’m not a beggar! I’m, I’m a... I’m a student in this academy!

The farmer looks at her suspiciously.

Farmer: Yeah? What department?

Vahl’a: I, uh... Department… department o-of healing, of course!

Farmer: Of “healing” you say? Well, miss, there’s no department under the name “Healing” here. I’m afraid you’re going to have to come with me…

The farmer grabs Vahl’a by the arm and drags her with him into the school building. They pass through wide, elegant hallways filled with banners and festive decorations welcoming “new students”. Vahl’a resists most of the way, complaining and claiming to be a student there. They arrive at what seems to be the main gate where an Owlin stands behind a ridiculously large podium with an equally absurdly large book. The Owlin is writing on the book with a large feather stylus when he turns to look at the approaching farmer and Vahl’a.

Farmer: Top of the morning, Mr. Başak. It seems a little sneaky beggar slipped into Academy grounds.

Başak: Whooo?

Vahl’a: For the 100th time! I AM NOT A BEGGAR.

The farmer lets Vahl’a go in front of Başak and takes his leave. Başak moves his head sideways in confusion. He turns his head in all directions as if looking for something.

Başak: Hoooow did you get in here, huuuuman?

Vahl’a sighs and says under her breath.

Vahl’a: Tsk, goat, beggar, and now human… Listen, I’m not repeating it again. I’M A STUDENT HERE. Got it!? I just got a little lost, that’s all.

Başak: Heeeeeh? A stooodent you say? Hmm. I don’t recall seeing you around here before. Can I see your identification?

Vahl’a: Ah!? Identif…

Vahl’a grunts and sighs, remembering all her documents are in the long-gone backpack.

Vahl’a: I… I lost it. Sigh, listen, my name is Vahl’a Heiling from Somar. I traveled way too far to get here, and my parents are going to kill me if I go back. I’m a student here… I just… have not started yet. I’m a freshman, and…

Başak: Enrollment number, please?

Vahl’a tries her best to remember any number from the documents she read.

Vahl’a: Enrollment… Number… Ahh... Ahh… West wing! Dorm 302 on the west wing!

Vahl’a looks excitedly at the Owlin. The Owlin looks back at her annoyed.

Başak: Miss, that’s not what I’ve asked of youuuu. Please stop wasting my time and-

Vahl’a interrupts him, begging him to please believe her story.

Vahl’a: Isn’t there something you can look for!? Please, I can’t be the first student in history to lose their-

Başak starts flipping the pages of the giant book and searching top to bottom.

Başak: Freshman… west wing… three-o’-twoooo… Ha! Hooo!

Başak’s feathers puff up, and his expression changes to a mix of confusion and annoyance.

Başak: Aasimar? Born in Avalon? Hahooo! Now that’s a sight. Soooo sorry, the new academic year doesn’t start for a few days. I can’t confirm it’s youuuu. Hehehoo!

Vahl’a notices his strange change in tone and questions.

Vahl’a: Then how did you…

Başak stretches his neck towards her, and with a sarcastic grin says:

Başak: There is one way I can… confirm. “You” Aasimars are a rare sight indeed. Go on, show me.

Vahl’a steps back. She seems to cower into herself. Başak jumps on the podium and spreads his wings. The feathers around his neck puff up as he strikes a mighty pose.

Başak: A hoooman with wings! Haahoooo! What an amusing sight! Hahooo! Go on, let me see!

Vahl’a steps back further looking down. She clenches the side of her shoulder with one of her hands.

Vahl’a: I… I… can’t.

Insecurity and pain fill Vahl’a’s voice. A sudden rush of memories takes over her mind. White feathers tainted with blood fill the ground. A screeching howl of pain coming from a child. Tiny hands tugging and plucking off feathers. Torn wings. Torn faith. Eyes devoid of emotions watch silently as the small blood-tainted hands fall lifeless against the ground.

A fall from grace.

Vahl’a gasps for air suddenly, making her come out of her thoughts. She turns her head up to the waiting Owling. Unwilling to fulfill his request, she turns around and runs out of the Academy. 

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