[The mortalworld]
"Valkyrie! Debby? Breakfast is ready!"
Benita's voice carried from the kitchen, her voice was warm but with that sharp edge only a mother's call could have. The aroma of freshly baked bread drifted through the house, mixing with the faint sweetness of coconut juice—and the sizzling sound of fried eggs still hissing in the pan.
From upstairs, a muffled groan echoed back. "Coming, Mom!" Valkyrie's voice sounded like it was dragging itself out of sleep.
Her bedroom door creaked open a moment later, and she stumbled out into the hallway, her hair sticking out in wild angles like a lion's mane. She yawned so wide it looked like she could swallow a cloud. Her pajama shirt hung loosely off one shoulder, and she shuffled more as she walked down the steps.
Behind her, another door creaked open. It was Debby—her little sister, she came out with her eyes half-shut, rubbing them furiously with both fists. Her tiny footsteps pattered against the wooden floor as she trailed after Valkyrie. Debby clung to her older sister's arm with a sleepy pout, her hair was braided but frizzed from tossing around in bed.
The two made a funny pair as they entered the living room—Valkyrie looking like a wreck and Debby still half-dreaming but determined not to be left behind.
Viktor was already seated at the dining table, sharp and composed in his usual way, with a newspaper spread open like a general preparing for war. His round spectacles slid slightly down his nose, and though his eyes scanned the headlines, his posture screamed of someone waiting to be served.
Benita stepped out of the kitchen with a tray in her hands. She set down a basket of steaming bread, the golden crust was glistening. The smell of coconut juice followed as she poured it into glass cups, its creamy sweetness filling the room.
"Finally," Viktor muttered, folding the paper halfway and peering at Valkyrie. "You look like you wrestled with thunder in your dreams."
Valkyrie gave a weak laugh, flopping into her chair. "Dad I knowooh, I feel like it too." She said as she slapped her palm against her face resting her elbow on the dinning table.
Benita clucked her tongue, her smile was giving—scolding and amused. "Val...first day at Monster Academy, and this is how you show up? You can't meet destiny looking like bed head dear."
"I'll fix it later," Valkyrie mumbled, tearing into a piece of bread without shame.
"Later won't do you any favors," Viktor said, shaking his head. "Discipline begins from the first step, Val." He tapped the newspaper as if the world itself agreed with him.
Debby dragged herself onto her chair and laid her head on the table, her arms folded beneath her cheek. "I'm still sleepy…" she whispered.
"Yeah mom, you called us too early." Val supports her little sister.
"Too early?" Benita raised her brows. "Sweetheart, it's half past eight. If this is too early for you, how will you survive Monster Academy? They don't wait for sleepy angels."
Debby, who was on the seat next to Valkyrie, still blinking hard to wake herself followed up—. "I'm not an angel, so I'll sleep all I want," she mumbled. That drew a laugh from Viktor "She's got a point there."
The family began to eat, All that was heard was the sound of clinking forks mixing with the homely quiet of the morning. For a while, no one said much—It was a peaceful silence, until Viktor set down his glass and looked across the table at Valkyrie.
"So, today's the big day," he said gently. His tone wasn't teasing neither was it heavy—just the kind of tone fathers use when they're trying to sound calm but their hearts are full.
"Yeah," Valkyrie replied, but her voice wasn't the eager, excited tone they expected. It was soft, almost uncertain, like she wasn't sure if she wanted to call it a "big day" at all.
Benita's eyes flicked up, catching that hesitance instantly. She had been expecting it, of course—i mean she raised valkyrie all her life and acted as her real mother when Valkyrie was still a baby. She can read her mind without even trying, it is becoming like a superpower now.
"You don't sound too ready," Viktor said, folding his arms on the table.
Valkyrie shrugged, poking at her egg with her fork. "I mean… it's just school, right? Another school. What's the big deal?"
That made Viktor chuckle. He leaned back in his chair. "Another school, she says. Sweetheart, I've been to schools—Normal ones of course. But you see Monster Academy?" He shook his head. "That's a whole other world."
"How did you even know that if you never went there dad?" Valkyrie shot back lightly.
"No, I didn't," Viktor admitted without shame. "But I went to my first day of work once, and I'll tell you this—the first days of anything always feel big. And scary. And awkward. But when you push through? You look back and laugh at how nervous you were."
Valkyrie looked up at him, her lips was twitching because she knew he was trying to make it sound less terrifying.
"Do you know," he began, "on my first day at work, I was so nervous, I tripped on the stairway before even reaching the gate?"
Valkyrie raised a brow. "You? No way."
Benita smirked. "Oh, it's true. He tore his pants too. I nearly died of embarrassment when I heard about it."
"Ha ha ha, don't exaggerate hunny," Viktor chuckled. "It was a small tear. Uhmm...and it was hardly noticeable too."
"Hardly noticeable? Viktor, you walked into the office with half your thigh showing!" Benita said, laughing. Debby, now awake enough to giggle, clapped her hands. "Daddy was silly!"
"Silly?" Viktor questioned while wagging a finger. "i was not silly, Just… unprepared. That's the point. Don't be unprepared like me, Val. You'll face more than staircases today."
Valkyrie rolled her eyes but smiled to herself. "Yeah, I'll survive dad."
The laughter warmed the room, filling it with an ease that softened the weight of the day. They talked between bites—about teachers who might be strict, about the strange rules the academy enforced, and about how Val would manage without home-cooked meals. Benita pretended to frown, but her pride peeked through every time she looked at Valkyrie.
When the plates were empty and the juice glasses were drained, Benita began clearing the dishes. Viktor leaned back into his chair unfolding the newspaper again. The morning felt almost ordinary—until Valkyrie noticed Debby's face.
Her little sister sat quietly, with no smile on her face, her lips pressed into a trembling line.
"What's wrong, Deb?" Valkyrie asked softly.
Debby's voice cracked as she whispered, "So… you're leaving today, huh? Her voice was so small it pulled everyone's attention.
Valkyrie who was already turned to her, was surprised by the sudden question "Well… yeah. That's how school works, Deddy." She tried to sound playful, but the sadness in Debby's eyes hit her harder than she expected.
Benita stopped clearing the dishes. Viktor folded his newspaper away completely. For a second, the room froze, all eyes were on Debby.
Debby's lips began to tremble. "Please don't go."
Valkyrie blinked, she was caught off guard. She wasn't used to her little sister begging for things — Debby was usually the loud one, the joker, the kid who made messes. But this? This was raw.
Valkyrie pushed her chair back and bent down to Debby's level, cupping her little face in her hands. "Hey, hey. Look at me." Her voice softened. "I'm not leaving forever. It's...just school. I'll be back before you know it"
"But it's not the same," Debby whispered.
Valkyrie sighed, resting her forehead against her sister's. "I know. I'll miss you too. More than anything. But guess what?" Debby sniffled. "What?"
"You're my little shadow. And no school in the world can change that. You'll always be with me, right there and here." Valkyrie tapped her chest.
Debby's eyes were filled with tears, but she managed to push out a wobbly smile. She slipped her small hand into her pocket and pulled something out—a bracelet, handwoven from threads of bright pink and blue. It looked clumsy, uneven—it was clearly made by little hands, just by looking at it you'd know.
"I made this," Debby said, pushing it into Valkyrie's palm. "So you don't forget me."
"Awwwn..." Benita uttered with her hands hugged tight around her chin, it was an adorable moment.
Valkyrie's throat tightened too. She stared at the bracelet, then at her sister. "Debby… this is beautiful." Debby wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "I know..." she commanded. "And… I love you. Always."
The room fell silent again, the weight of the moment heavy in the air. Benita pressed a hand to her mouth, fighting back tears. Viktor's jaw clenched as he looked away, pretending to adjust his glasses, though his eyes glistened.
For a few heartbeats, everything hung there—the sadness, the love and the ache of parting.
Then Debby, as if realizing it was too much, wrinkled her nose dramatically and leaned back. "But seriously, Val…" She waved her hand in front of her nose "Your breath stinks. You really need to brush."
The entire family burst out laughing. Even Benita, wiping her eyes, couldn't hold it in. Viktor slapped the table as he laughed, the heaviness broken in an instant. Valkyrie groaned, shoving Debby gently.
"What?.. what you mean my breath stinks?" She said jokingly checking out if her breath really stinks. "Debby...You're impossible," she muttered, but the smile spreading across her face betrayed her. Debby stuck out her tongue. "Well, it's true!"
And just like that, the house was filled with laughter again—the whole place was bright, warm and unforgettable.