Into the Madness

⚰️ Chapter 1: Stranger Waking

"Whats going on? Whats that noise?" I ask into the darkness. "I better hurry up and find that uniform before someone spots me...Urgggh... This lid weighs a ton! Try this on for size! Mya-ha!" I hear a voice say before everything turns to flames. "Huh? Fire?!" I exclaim in surprise. "Now to grab the goods...What?! You ain't supposed to be awake!" a flying weasel exclaims. "What? A flying weasel?" I ask. "How... How DARE YOU! I am no WEASEL! I'm Grim, sorcerer extraordinaire! Tch. Whatever. You...human! Just gimme your uniform, and be quick about it! 'Cause if you don't...you're gonna regret it!" Grim exclaims in anger as I simply walk away. "Hey, come on! I'm on a tight schedule here!" Grim exclaims while chasing after me.

***Library***

"Where am I?" I ask myself while looking around. "Foolish human! Did you really think you could slip away from ME? Now, unless you wanna get burned to a crisp, take off that—Me-YEOW! That hurt! What gives?" I hear Grim scream, when I turn around I see a man in a bird mask holding Grim in a whip. "Consider it tough love. Ah, I've found you at last. Splendid. I trust you're one of this year's new students? My, were you ever eager to make your debut. And bringing a poorly trained familiar with you? That is a clear violation of the school's rules." the bird masked man states.

"As if I'd serve some lowly human! Now lemme go!" Grim exclaims. "Yes, yes. Rebellious familiars always say that. Do be quiet for a bit, won't you?" the man says while silencing Grim. "Dear me. Of all the students I've dealt with, you're the first with temerity enough to open their own gate and step out of it. Does the very notion of patience elude you? No matter. Your orientation has already begun. Let us return to the Mirror Chamber." the man says. "Huh? Student? Gates? I don't remember enrolling in school." I mutter to myself. "You awakened in a room full of gates, did you not? All of the students here at the campus arrived by passing through such gates. Although typically the students have restraint enough to wait until I open them before waking up." the man explains.

"So the coffins are like gateways?" I ask. "The design is intended to symbolize a parting with your former world, and a rebirth into a new one. But now is not the time for such prattle. You've a student orientation to attend! Go on, now. Make haste." the man orders. "Firstly, where am I and who are you?" I ask. "Hm? Have you not fully regained consciousness? The timespace teleportation must have addled your memories...Well, these things happen, I suppose. I shall explain it to you while we walk. Truly, my magnanimity is boundless." the man says.

***Courtyard***

"This is Night Raven College. It is an institution for students the world over who demonstrate a rare aptitude for magic. It is the most prestigious academy of its sort in all of Twisted Wonderland. And I am Dire Crowley. Having been entrusted with its care by the chairman, I serve as headmage." Crowley explains after clearing his throat. "Magic?" I ask skeptically. "Only those who the Dark Mirror perceives as having a talent for magic are admitted to the college. Those who are selected are summoned to the campus through those "gates," which can appear anywhere. A black carriage bearing one such gate should have come to meet you." Crowley continues.

"I do somewhat remember a carriage with black horses." I mutter. "That black carriage serves to receive a student chosen by the Dark Mirror. It too bears a gate that connects to this campus. And as you know, sending a carriage to meet someone on a special day is a time-honored tradition." Crowley explains. "So I was kidnapped, got it." I say as Grim tries to speak. "Now, let us attend to your orientation." Crowley says while ignoring Grim's thrashing.