[Valkyrie's room]
Valkyrie's room smelled faintly of soap and fresh clothes. The sunlight spilled in the room through the curtains—dancing on the wooden floor where her bag lay open, half-packed. She stood over it, carefully folding her favorite blue sweater and tucking it between neatly arranged books and skirts. Her hair was still damp from her bath, brushing against her shoulders as she bent to reach for another pile of clothes.
Well at least this time, she had remembered to brush her teeth—no more complaints about bad breath.
Her eyes darted around the room, scanning the posters on her wall, the stuffed bunny sitting quietly on the corner of her bed, the tiny plant on her desk that Debby had insisted she keep alive. Every detail looked different now, and even heavier, as though the walls themselves knew she was leaving.
She sighed, zipping up one of the smaller bags. Few minutes later, the door creaked open.
Benita stepped in, her hand was still on the knob, her eyes already glossy before a word was spoken. She leaned against the doorframe for a moment, simply watching her daughter.
"You're really all set, huh?" she asked softly.
Valkyrie looked up, smiled faintly. "Almost. Just trying to fit my whole life into two bags" she paused then continued with a shady eyes. "Mom...it's not easy at all, trying to play tough and being the bigger person. It's not. Am gonna miss you guys so much"
Benita leaned closer to her daughter who was already emotional "shh shh, it's okay, you'll be fine, I know you will" though it came out shaky. She crossed the room, slowly hugging her daughter tight. Then she sat on the edge of Valkyrie's bed and folded her hands in her lap.
"Honestly, i can't believe this day came so fast," Benita whispered. "Seems like just yesterday you were running around this room in your pajamas, dragging your dolls all over the place. Now you're…" She exhaled. "Now you're packing to leave us."
Valkyrie set down the blouse in her hands already soaked with tears, and sat beside her mother. "What can I say...I guess nature has a way of kicking us hard in the butt"
Benita chuckled as she turned to her fully, her eyes were shining of tears. "I know. But you don't understand yet, Valkyrie. A mother always sees her children as hers, no matter how grown they look. To me, you're still the baby I rocked to sleep at night, the one who tugged at my skirt because she wanted one more cookie. And now… now I have to let you go."
Valkyrie felt her throat tighten again , She rested her hand on her mom's. "You're not losing me, Mom. You'll always have me. No school can take that away."
Benita squeezed her hand. "You've been a good daughter, Valkyrie. A very good daughter. Sometimes I wonder what I ever did right to deserve you." She paused, shaking her head as tears slipped down her cheeks again. "Do you know how proud I am of you?"
Valkyrie blinked quickly, trying not to cry again. "Mom…"
"I mean it," Benita continued, her voice trembling but firm. "You're kind, you're thoughtful, you're strong. And I know — I know — that when you walk into that school, they're all going to see it too. Everyone will love you because you're a good girl, my good girl."
Valkyrie laughed through her tears. "You make it sound like I'm some kind of superhero mom"
"Yes you are...You are, val. You are my superhero" Benita said without hesitation. "To me, you always have been."
The words struck deep. Valkyrie leaned forward and wrapped her arms tightly around her mother, burying her face into her shoulder. "I'm going to miss you so much, Mom."
Benita held her just as tightly, her hand was stroking Valkyrie's hair like she used to when she was small. "And I'll miss you too baby. Every morning, every night. This house won't sound the same without your voice in it."
They stayed like that—wrapped in silence, letting their breaths sync, letting the warmth of each other's embrace speak the things words couldn't.
Then Valkyrie pulled back slightly, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "Promise me you'll take care of Dad. And Debby. She's going to miss me the most."
Benita chuckled softly, nodding. "Oh, I will. But you don't worry about us. You focus on your path. Promise me that, Valkyrie. Promise me you'll give Monster Academy your best. Promise me you'll walk in there with your head high, knowing who you are."
Valkyrie nodded firmly. "I promise."
Benita smiled, but before she could reply, there was a knock at the door.
Viktor stepped in, his presence filling the room. His eyes softened when he saw them together. "I'm sorry to interrupt," he said gently, "but the couchman is here."
Benita inhaled sharply, turning toward him. "Already?"
"Yes," Viktor nodded. His voice was calm, but Valkyrie caught the way his hand lingered on the doorframe—like even he needed something solid to hold onto. "Mr. Oscar's waiting downstairs."
Benita stood slowly, exhaling as if she were letting go of something heavy. She turned back to Valkyrie with a small, brave smile. "Alright then. Let's go downstairs."
Valkyrie zipped her bag shut, slung the strap over her shoulder, and picked up her second bag. She looked around her room one last time, memorizing the way the morning light fell across her bed, the way her books leaned unevenly on the shelf, the tiny plant on her desk. A thousand little memories crammed into one glance. Then she followed her parents slowly downstairs.
_______
[The Living room]
The living room felt strangely formal. Debby was standing near the bottom of the staircase, her eyes were already wet. The air was thick with unspoken words. And then Valkyrie saw Mr. Oscar.
He stood near the doorway, short and imposing, dressed in a black coat that shimmered faintly like it had been spun from shadows. On his right eye rested a single round spectacle, polished so clean it caught the sunlight, while his left eye remained uncovered, glowing with sharp alertness. He looked like a bodyguard from another world, a sentinel who had walked out of some magical painting.
When Valkyrie entered the room, he straightened, his presence commanding like a soldier before royalty. He bowed slightly as though he stood before a sacred council.
"Good morning—beautiful one," his voice rumbled, deep and resonant. "I am Oscar—Couchman and keeper of the Spirit Realm, protector of the angel gates, and head guardian of all angels of Monster Academy." His gaze fixed on Valkyrie. "And you must be the one they have all been waiting for?."
The room went still. Even Viktor, a man not easily swayed, adjusted his stance as though acknowledging the gravity of the figure before them.
Benita instinctively held Valkyrie's shoulder, but Oscar's gaze was not threatening—it was weighty, like he was measuring her soul.
"Yes, sir," Valkyrie managed, her voice small. Oscar inclined his head. "Then it is an honor to meet you Angel. Your path begins today. Carry yourself with courage, for the Academy does not welcome the faint-hearted."
He turned slightly, bowing to Viktor and Benita. "You have raised her well. And now, she belongs to the journey fate has carved."
Viktor nodded respectfully. "We trust you to guide her safely." Oscar gave a short, solemn bow. "With my life. For it is upon me to guide and protect all archangels of the academy" He moved toward Valkyrie's bags, lifting them as though they weighed nothing. He carried them outside, placing them carefully into the couch waiting beyond the gate—two horses with wings, black and white can be seen in the front of the compound they gleamed with faint runes along there edges.
Meanwhile, Debby couldn't hold back anymore. She ran forward, throwing her arms around Valkyrie. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she clung tightly. "Stay safe sister, I love you"
Valkyrie hugged her just as tightly, pressing a kiss to her sister's cheek. Her own tears spilled freely now. "I'll come back. I promise. But until then…" She lifted her wrist, showing the bracelet. "I'll carry you with me. Always." Debby sobbed into her shoulder. "I love you."
"I love you more," Valkyrie whispered, kissing her again before gently pulling back.
Benita's hand covered her mouth as she tried to keep composed. Viktor placed a hand firmly on Valkyrie's shoulder, squeezing it once—his silent way of saying everything he couldn't put into words.
Mr. Oscar returned, standing tall at the doorway. "It is time." Valkyrie took a deep breath, holding her family's faces in her heart one last time. Then she stepped toward the couch.
And with Debby's tearful voice echoing behind her, the chapter of home closed, and the journey to Monster Academy began.