INSIGNIAS: THE LUX SIGNIFER ACADEMY

After decoding the pages in the Abecedarians and the writings on the map, Skhy became more confused with what his dad wanted him to do. He wanted to follow the instructions but he needed to train the Seven. Faz and the others with him were able to find uncover the mystery of Cherubea in the Premier’s secret garden within a day. He was right to trust Faz to lead. It turns out that he was correct, someone wanted to use the plant to manipulate. But as to why and how they were left unanswered.

His classes ended early so he decided to message Faz to meet him later. They had a lot of opportunities to talk but Faz always tries to avoid the topic whenever he can. He was being stubborn. Skhy also noticed that he had been sneaking out for several nights. One night, Faz forgot to close his room door and Skhy saw his bulging backpack on the floor beside his bed. He found something… He wondered if Clyne knew of his plan.

Skhy was walking in front of the coliseum when he realized that Faz is ignoring him so he sent another message. This time, he replied. Skhy felt guilty for using her name but he needed to talk to him.

“Skhy!” He quickly turned around to face the person. Aubree was jogging toward him with a serious look on her face.

“Hey. What is it?” he asked once she stopped in front of him. She didn’t answer but looked around suspiciously. She motioned for him to follow her in the corner of the coliseum.

“Why do we have to hide?” he asked once they were out of the view of the people. He wondered if she noticed that he was trying to keep her away from his team. Aubree faced him. The bubbly and friendly Aubree wasn’t there so he knew that there’s bad news.

“Don’t do anything that might put you and your team in danger,” she said in a low voice. What?

“Why are you telling me this?” He figured that it was just her showing that she’s concerned. But there was urgency in her eyes. She shook her head as if she was shaking away her thoughts.

“Look for the answers to your questions. But don’t go anywhere.” Her eyes were now pleading. “Do you understand?”

“No, I don’t.” What is happening here? He knew that she won’t tell him. Despite finding out the truth about her, there’s a part of him that wanted to believe that she was on his side. We’ve been friends since five… Aubree pulled away from him then closed her eyes.

“That was stupid of me,” she muttered. When she turned to him again, she had a small smile on her face.

“I’m just worried, that’s all.” Before he could say anything, she quickly left him. He didn’t call her name because of the crowd forming near the coliseum.

He felt the buzzing in his pocket so he fished for his private phone. Faz was already there. Did he skip classes?!? He glanced at where Aubree disappeared then went on his way. On his way underground, he couldn’t get Aubree’s face out of his mind. She wanted to say something that she shouldn’t.

“Hey,” he said when he found Faz sitting on the stairs near the entrance. He looked up and regarded Skhy with an irritated look. “You skipped class.”

“Skip the pleasantries,” Faz said. Skhy sat beside him.

“Aubree looked like she wanted to tell me something but stopped herself. We decoded the writings on Dad’s book and map,” Skhy said without thinking. He felt like he wasn’t going anywhere even though the Seven is with him. He didn’t know what to do with the information he has.

“I’m a bit lost,” he whispered then chuckled without humour. Faz was the last person in his mind that he wanted to open up to but he just did. He looked up and expected to see Faz looking uninterested. But instead, Faz was staring at him.

“The fault’s yours. Trying to answer everything,” Faz started. “On your own.” Then silence. Skhy smiled. Faz didn’t change. When he wanted to do or say something, he will do it.

“You said you have information about her. I knew you were lying.” Skhy turned to him.

“So why are you here?” Skhy asked.

“Cause you offered to help me.” Faz turned to face him. “To find our missing friends.” Skhy nodded. What did he find out?

“What is it?” Faz sighed as he turned away.

“They’re being controlled…Levvy, Ice, and…Eloise. Someone needs their powers,” he replied. Skhy felt like a prick was removed from his chest. They’re really alive. He felt relieved and worried. If the Mortemians were controlling them, then it must be for revenge.

“Thanks for telling me, Fa- Hunter,” Skhy said. “I wanted to know what happened to them but…”

“You have a lot on your sleeves,” Faz added.

“It doesn’t mean that I don’t care-”

“I know.” Skhy’s eyes widened but Faz’s answer. Faz continued telling Skhy what he knew and how he found out. He didn’t say the names of the people who gave him the information but Skhy didn’t press him. It was a big step for Faz to include Skhy in his plans.

“Everything ends with The Mort,” Skhy concluded. “So you lied before. You tried to go there.”

“Yeah.”

“Why did you say this to me?” Skhy asked.

“The same reason you let me stay here,” Faz answered. He stood up. “Now we’re even.” Skhy knew that he couldn’t say that he trusted Skhy the same as Skhy trusted him.

“Talk to the others. We have to go there soon,” Faz pointed out. Skhy stood up.

“Of course, we have to save them.” Faz started walking toward the exit. Skhy followed him.

“Wait. Eloise…” Skhy suddenly stopped. Faz stopped walking then turned around.

“What?” he asked.

“Levvy and Ice have rare powers, but how about her?” Iczen’s elemental is Ice while Levvy’s is Space. Ice can create anything that lasted even when the maker died while Levvy has the ability to teleport a lot of people. The idea that the Mortemians kidnapped them entered Skhy’s mind several times but he didn’t find any proof except for the fact their abilities are rare. When he saw Faz in the forest for the first time, he thought he was hallucinating. It turned out that Faz left on his own when he found out that Eloise was gone. Then Ice and Levvy went missing too when they tried to look for Faz and Eloise.

“She can heal like Tessa,” Faz replied. Skhy’s eyes widened. He didn’t know that. But Eloise is a Wind user like me…

“I don’t know how it happened. She isn’t a Water user,” Faz added. Skhy wondered if their friends, Aubree, Aurora, Ellie, and Ice, knew about her ability.

“She was the youngest healer in the academy…” Skhy whispered.

“Yeah. So they went after her.” Skhy noticed Faz’s clench fists and tense jaw. So he had been travelling for years to find her.

“From the very start, you believe that she’s alive,” Skhy said. Faz turned to him, bloodshot eyes.

“Yes,” he replied without a pause. Skhy, on the other hand, gave up on his friends easily after three months of searching.

“Sorry. I didn’t try enough,” he whispered without looking at Faz. “You searched for them on your own.”

“You’re going to help now. So don’t complain if it’s too much for you,” Faz said after a moment of silence. Skhy chuckled.

“Eloise is so lucky she has you,” Faz said. “You love her a lot.” Tessa’s face suddenly appeared in his mind. But guilt set in when Lei’s face emerged.

Faz didn’t say anything. He looked like he was in pain but Skhy decided not to ask him. He was starting to feel that the barrier between the two of them was slowly thinning.

Suddenly they heard something fall on the floor in the tunnel. They quickly ran toward the exit. Someone’s spying on us?!? Faz was the first one inside. He stopped just near the entrance.

“Why did you stop?” Skhy exclaimed. His question was answered when he saw her. He breathed a sigh of relief.

“Tessa, what are you doing here?” Skhy asked. He couldn’t see her whole face because it was dark but he knew she’s still in her uniform.

“Uh. I wanted to train for a bit…then I heard…voices,” she replied. “I was…scared. But then it was just the two of you. I’m…glad.” She laughed nervously. She must have been surprised.

“I see. Well, we’re going now… do you want us to stay with you?” Tessa shook her head.

“No. Thanks for offering,” she immediately replied.

“Alright.” Tessa passed between Skhy and Faz to enter the underground arena. She was practically running away. Why?

“I forgot to tell you,” Faz said. Skhy turned to him.

“After going there, I won’t be returning to the academy.”

“What? Why?” Skhy exclaimed.

“I only stayed to find information.” This is going to be a long fight…

“But I need you. You’re one of the Seven,” he pointed out.

“I said this before. I don’t care about that.” Faz was now talking loudly. “Didn’t you understand that?”

“I can’t let you go, Faz.” He knew that not everyone will accept the mission. He also knew that Faz will be stubborn about it.

“Don’t. Call. Me. That.” He was gritting his teeth. Skhy was used to his outbursts before. He couldn’t see his face clearly but he knew he was glaring at him. He sighed.

“Please. We can stop this fight once and for all.” The Mortemians needed to be stopped. Faz scoffed.

“Do you think everything will stop once the Seven face them?” Faz probed. “If they’re really that strong, how sure are you that their powers won’t be used to destroy everything?”

“What are you saying? Of course, we’re going to make sure that no one will control you.” Skhy massaged his temples. Arguing with Faz also drains his energy and patience.

“This is ridiculous, Skhy. Who even prophesized about the Seven and the upcoming war? Did you even question if it’s true?” Faz rested his back on the wall of the tunnel. Now he was only mocking Skhy. He was about to say something but he noticed a shadow.

“Stop this,” Tessa said. She was facing Faz. “Think before you speak.” Skhy looked at Faz who seemed to be glaring at Tessa. Earlier, she didn’t meet his nor Skhy’s eyes.

“You two can talk again when you’re not shooting with your eyes.” Skhy was amused even though he was also frustrated with Faz.

“What-”

“Skhy, do you want to go first?” Tessa cut him off without turning to look at him. Wait, go first?

“We won’t fight like middle school kids outside,” Faz said, also facing Tessa. A ridiculous thought entered Skhy’s mind.

“Go, Faz,” Skhy said. He noticed him hesitate before walking away. When he was out of view, Skhy turned to Tessa.

“You heard us. I’m sorry for not telling you about Eloise.”

“No. No. It wasn’t your story…to tell,” Tessa said.

“We’re going to rescue her and the other who gone missing three years ago.” Skhy noticed it before but he thought that it was just because she was curious. But it was like that for Skhy in the beginning.

“Yeah. He loves her a lot, huh.”