Chapter Text
It’s hard being a teacher. Harder still to be a religious educator, especially one as strict as the Spawn would force you to be. Amarah knew this, and yet he still undertook the grueling task of managing and educating the next generation of students to devote their first life towards the second.
Though many in the cult religion were educators like him, none had such a connection with their students like him. He commanded respect, and yet still his students cared for him, and none were a greater example of this than Two Time, Amarah’s prestige, crown jewel of a student. They were devoted, knowledgeable, and completely obedient to their elders. It was a breath of fresh air whenever he got to teach them, compared to some of his more reckless, irresponsible students, those who did not care for the spawn as much as them. One such student was Azure, a young botanist who often blew off his lessons to ‘hang out’ with others, or to garden, or just because he felt like it.
How unholy. How blasphemous.
This boy was rebellious, and yet, Amarah could do nothing. They technically could do nothing. As they warned each and every one of their students not to go near. But of course, rebellion, while dangerous, is exciting, and soon, Amarah would see his greatest pupil hanging around Azure, laughing at his jokes, even… Blushing? This simply would not do. This must be addressed, and soon.
Amarah stood in wait in his classroom. It was tiny, only meant to fit one student at a time, and this student was something they never had been before. Late. Why were they late? Had they gotten lost? Injured perhaps? Or maybe… Two Time had been galavanting around with that heathen Azure again.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and a flushed, embarrassed, and afraid looking Two Time ran in, and sat down at their seat. Good. They were afraid. That means they knew what was coming.
“Ah, Two Time, greetings! May the Spawn be with you on this blessed day.” Amarah bowed slightly, trying to make sure Two Time knew what they were forsaking for time with Azure.
“A-And with you, Teacher Amarah…” They stammered out nervously, scratching at their arm, already full of marks from previous… Lessons.
“Now, before we begin today’s lesson, we must address something. Why were you late today? Were you okay?” Amarah asked, not a hint of genuine concern in his voice, just low, barely disguised malice. Two Time winced, and began to scratch harder at their arm.
“I-I was… I was…”
“Do not lie to me, Two Time. I can tell you were thinking of one. Tell the truth. Were you with Azure?” Amarah loomed closer, hands balling behind his back. Two Time’s head drooped, and they sniffled out an answer.
“Y-Y-Yes-” A loud smack rang through the classroom as Amarah’s hand met Two Time’s cheek, causing the young student to tear up.
“You were late to your lesson for a boy? For someone who already has racked up enough demerits to outnumber you twenty four to none? That’s who you were late for?” Amarah yelled, and smacked again, causing Two Time to start sobbing. Good. They were feeling remorse.
“B-But he’s… H-He’s nice…” Two Time sniffled out. Oh. maybe they weren’t feeling remorse. Or at least not enough. Amarah paused for a moment, then sighed.
“Arm. Now.” His voice rang through the classroom, tone leaving no room for argument. Two Time immediately complied, placing their left arm out for Amarah, though they were clearly beginning to shake in fear of what was coming.
Amarah calmly walked over to his desk, and pulled out a small but sharp knife, then made his way back over to Two Time, who was crying again.
He smacked them in the face again to get them to stop.
“Quiet now. You know the punishment for disobedience. Ten marks. Down to the white. I’ll get the bandages.” Amarah handed the knife to Two Time, who immediately got to work marking their flesh, ten deep cuts right into their arm. Amarah smiled. Perhaps their devotion would overtake this… infatuation yet. At first the blood did not pool, only leaving Two Time with their deep, painful wounds, air stinging at the flesh. This was good. Pain was the appropriate punishment, they both thought.
Two time watched as little beads of blood started to pool, then more fell, the cuts bleeding heavy. The appropriate amount they had been taught.
Amarah walked over with bandages, and carefully wrapped them tight around Two Time’s still bleeding, still open cuts. He didn’t bother to wash off the blood, nor to clean the wounds. The spawn would protect them from infection, and he wanted them to hurt when they took off the bandages. It would be yet another reminder of what they did wrong, how they, if momentarily, turned their back on the spawn.
Two Time’s tears were still falling, but they weren’t sobbing anymore. Good.
“Alright, have you learned your lesson, Two Time?” Amarah asked, but he knew the answer. An answer that was confirmed by the shaky, scared nodding of Two Time’s head. “Good, now, we can actually begin our lesson.”
After about an hour, Amarah felt he had given Two Time enough material to really chew on. Speaking of chewing…
“Two Time, before you leave.” Two Time’s head perked back up with a smile, the same smile they had on always, at least when not in active distress. “You did good today, but still, you did sin this morning, being late and all. Your penance will be no lunch, nor dinner today.” For just a moment, Two Time’s smile faltered, but quickly they regained their composure, and nodded with that gleeful smile.
“Yes, teacher Amarah. Spawn shall grace my empty vessel.”
“And grace you it shall. See you soon, Two Time. Go enjoy your free period. Be at the church later for cleaning and prayer.” Two Time nodded, and sped off, most likely to go visit Azure… Amarah really needed to deal with this little crush of theirs, and soon.
Amarah would never admit it, but he liked punishing Two Time. It felt good to take out their anger on this poor, defenseless child. Being in total control over them, whether they could eat or not, whether they’d hurt themselves or not. It felt nice. And Azure was ruining it. They were talking back to him, who knows where that would lead. He needed to come up with a solution, and as he saw the glittering metal of the knife, one immediately came to mind.