You had already anticipated your death. You've accepted your fate. For the sake of your people, You did what you must to ensure their protection...
Your eyes slowly flutter open, only to be met with pitch darkness. Your body feels rather numb and uncomfortable. Everything felt still and silent. Perhaps this is what death feels like...?
*RATTLE RATTLE SHAKE SHAKE*
Your chain of thoughts came to a halt as you felt some slight movement, accompanied by an unexpected and unfamiliar voice.
"Crap. Better hurry up and find that uniform before someone spots me..." The strange voice said, seemingly talking to themselves. You remained silent, wondering what was happening.
"Am I in the land of the dead...?" You pondered to yourself. After a few moments, a sudden realization occurred in you. You were in some type of box, a coffin to be exact. Due to the fact that your posture felt slightly stiff, as well as the minimal space for movements. So that would indicate you've died, right? Then, why does something feel...off.
"Urgghh!...The lid weighs a ton! Time for...my secret move! Myaa-ha! There!" Suddenly- large, blue flames formed and engulf around you.
"Blue fire...? Have I ended up in the underworld?" Your thoughts were cut short as you unexpectedly fell from the coffin and stumbled on the ground in a rather ungraceful way. Landing on your knees, the palm of your hands acted as some support for your body.
"Ok. Now to grab the goods...Gyaaaaah! What!? You ain't suppose to be awake!" You turn towards the person...or rather, creature? whom the voice belonged. You gazed rather intently. It's the first time you've ever seen such a unique creature. After a few moments, you slowly diverted your eyes from it. Your confused yet curious gaze wandered around the place you're currently in, whilst taking mental notes of your surrounding. You were no longer in Fontaine, that's for sure.
"A talking raccoon cat...?" You finally spoke up, slightly tilting your head in confusion once your [e/c] eyes met with his blue ones.
"How dare you! Just who are you calling raccoon!? I am the Great Grim!" Your statement seemed to have rather offended him. "Tch, whatever. Hey, human! Hurry and gimme your uniform. Otherwise...you're gonna regret it!" The same blue flames from previously quickly appeared behind him before disappearing.
"So, your name is Grim? What more unique situations shall I experience when all I hoped for is rest?" You responded. You glanced down at your body, noticing you wore a black and purple colored robe or gown with gold trimming and accents. A hood was over your head as well. You must admit, it felt comfortable, though you'd rather not question how you had it on you.
"I said I'm not a freaking raccoon!" Grim yelled. You ignored his retort and stood up from the ground, regaining composure as you slightly dust off nonexistent dirt off the robe.
You came to a conclusion that it was best to attempt escaping for now due to *cough story reasons cough* also since you noticed how Grim was becoming more impatient by each passing second, and you genuinely did not enjoy the idea of being burnt alive by his blue flames (even if you were curious) You had already felt what getting executed was like, and it was very much not pleasant. You had not quite recovered from the memory nor experience yet.
Without another word, you briskly turned around and began to sprint to the opposite direction. You passed through unfamiliar halls, entered several empty classrooms, until you stumbled into the library. You recollect your thoughts, assuming this place was most likely a school. Though the question remains as to why or how you were here.
Suddenly, the blue flames caught onto you, appearing behind you once more. You turn your head around to see Grim with a slight cocky expression. "Dumb human! Did you really think you could slip away from ME? Unless you wanna get roasted to a crisp, hand over that-" He could not finish his sentence due to a rope abruptly wrapping around his small body, securing him.
"Buwah!? Me-YEOW! That hurt! What gives?" Grim shouted in surprise. A new, different voice spoke up which caught your attention. A pale man that somewhat resembled a bird? A dark crow/bird mask covered the top part of his face, though his glowing, yellow eyes stood out.
"This is no mere rope. It's a lash of love! Consider it tough love. Ah, found you at last. I trust you're one of the new students? My, were you ever eager to make your debut." He crossed his arms and shook his head in disappointment. "Not only that, bringing a poorly trained familiar? That clearly violates school's rules." You were not able to get a word in, nor even defend yourself as you could only listen to the man's scolding.
"I'm not their freakin' familiar! Let me go!" Grim complained with furrowed brows, though it seemed that the man did not take him seriously.
"Sure, sure. Rebellious ones always say things like that. Quiet down for a bit, will you?" The man approached Grim and placed a hand over his mouth, causing the creature to muffle up a scream. He then turned back to you. "My goodness. Of all the students I've dealt with, you're the first with temerity enough to open their own gate and step out. Do you have no patience?" This is one of the first few times you felt ever so slightly provoked... "No matter. Your orientation has already begun. Let's return to the Mirror Chamber."
"Did you mean those various coffins from the other room?" You inquired, slightly fidgeting on the sleeve of the robe you were currently wearing. You took notice of its smooth and soft texture.
"All of the students here at the campus arrived by passing through such gates. Although, usually the students have enough restraint to wait until I open them before waking up." He replied, crossing his arms once again as you gave a soft hum in response.
"Would that technically imply that the coffins act as gateways or doors? The fire must have blew the lid off of mine." Mumbling the last sentence, you place a hand on your chin, making an effort to allow all this newfound information to process in your mind.
"The design is intended to symbolize a parting with your former world, and a rebirth into a new one." As you heard his words, your eyes unconsciously widened. 'Rebirth' the word kept repeating inside your mind. Your physical appearance seems the same, as well as your subconscious. Then how... You were snapped out of your trance as the man's voice spoke up.
"But now is not the time for prattle nor any further delay. You've got a student orientation to attend! Let's make hast then." He persuaded.
"I must ask first: who are you and where exactly am I?" You questioned with a raised brow.
"Hm? Have you not fully regained consciousness yet? The teleportation magic might have left you disoriented..." The man placed a hand on his chin. "Well, these things happen often. It is fine. I shall explain it to you as we walk there. For I am gracious." He gave a close-eyed smile, prompting you to walk with him.
As you both arrived at the courtyard (three if including Grim) he clears his throat which successfully catches your attention as he began to explain. "This is Night Raven College. It is for those students who demonstrate a unique and rare aptitude for magic, gathered from all over the world. Here, in the most prestigious academy in Twisted Wonderland. And I am the headmaster, Dire Crowley. Entrusted and appointed to take care of this academy by the chairman." You attentively listened to him. Still, you still had a few, no, many questions which ran through your head. In the meantime, you decided to push those away and just nod at his explanation.
He took a quick glance at you before deciding to continue speaking. "Only those who are perceived by the Dark Mirror as worthy and have talent for magic can attend this school. Those who are chosen are summoned to the campus through those gates, which can appear anywhere. An ebony, black carriage bearing such gate should have gone to meet you." You glance back at him before returning your gaze below on the ground.
"I do not recall any ebony, black carriage...or do I? Perhaps a carriage did bring me here. Though my last memory before ending up here was when...the execution occurred." You thought to yourself. You lightly shake your head, in an effort to remove those negative thoughts. What has done has been done. You did all that you could. You've played your part.
"That ebony, black carriage serves to welcome new students chosen by the Dark Mirror. It too bares a door/gate that connects to this academy. And as you know, sending a carriage to welcome someone on this special day is a time-honored tradition." Whether he was going to speak any further or not, it didn't really matter as it was disturbed by Grim's noises.
"Mmfff! Mmmmmmffff!!" Grim made a bunch of angry muffled sounds as he struggled to escape the headmaster's grasp. Crowley payed no mind to him, while you only tilted your head a bit to the side. You still weren't quite accustomed to this whole situation.
"Come now. Let us go and attend to the entrance ceremony." Crowley gently placed a hand on your back, ushering you in a hurried manner.