INSIGNIAS: THE REGALIS

The dark firmament enveloped the battles in the sky and on the ground. The absence of sparkling jewels seemed to signify the outcome – death. It always ends up in deaths. The ground didn’t stop shaking. Flashes and lines of light appeared everywhere, replacing the twinkling of stars and blanket of the Milky Way.

However, even with the black canvas sky, Clyne could see their allies and enemies clearly. Their insignias were glowing on their bodies. He stood tensed in front of the towering gate of the L.S.A. Academy with Norman Hawkbane, the Chief of Legionnaires in the school. The gate was slowly opening. Hawkbane received a command from Mr. Castledgrey earlier to dispatch more legionnaires to support the front. Upon hearing this, Clyne became even more worried about Faz and Aria. He couldn’t stop Aria from leaving because it’s an order. He should have been with her but Hawkbane stopped him.

“Is it bad?” Clyne asked Hawkbane after he talked to the messenger. He couldn’t see his entire face but his eyes showed anger and his hands curled into fists.

“They need more people,” he spat as if it’s venom. How strong are the enemies?

“They have fewer people than us,” he added.

“But they’re stronger,” Clyne whispered.

“They’ve been using forbidden magic,” Clyne remembered the zombie-like people with black eyes in the forest. He still couldn’t figure if they are dead or not. Either way, they were being controlled.

“What kinds are they using now?”

“Providing elementals to non-magic users and… reviving the dead.” The last part came as a whisper. Clyne’s eyes widened. He quickly turned toward the direction of battle, his wide eyes shaking.

“Are you saying…” He couldn’t say the last words.

“Listen! The first 300 will support the team behind the front while 100 will stand 200 meters from the gate…” Clyne blocked out Hawkbane’s voice from his mind. He knew that Faz is probably angry after noticing the enemies’ strategy. What about Aria?

“I’m going to Aria,” he told the Chief Legionnaire, who stared at him for a moment before answering.

“You can’t.”

“But-”

“I’m going.” What? “Ernfordge will stay here with you.” He glanced at the legionnaire beside him.

“Will you fight in the front?” Clyne asked. He would rather go with him than stay inside the academy. He realized that he was feeling what Aria was feeling earlier.

“No. I’m going to join Hunter’s team to find their heart.” Heart?

“Open the gate!” Clyne grabbed Hawkbane’s arm. He looked him in the eye.

“I’m going with you.” If their heart controls the non-magic users is destroyed, it’ll be easier to win against them.

Now, as Clyne watched the gate opening, he couldn’t help but turn towards the direction of Aria is supposed to be. Just wait, Aria. We’ll stop them. Clyne and Hawkbane moved to the sides to allow the 400 legionnaires to move. Hawkbane was shouting orders to them as they go. They were gripping their swords as they marched forward. Their metal armours clanging with each step and movement. Clyne watched in awe. But he quickly shook his head because it wasn’t the time to admire the legionnaires. Once everyone’s in their post, Hawkbane addressed his remaining comrades inside the school.

“Will you be able to move properly in that?” Clyne asked the moment the east gate closed behind them. Hawkbane narrowed his eyes at him and didn’t answer. He began to run.

“Is Fa- Hunter already there?” Clyne shouted. “And how did he found out?”

“Just follow me.” Clyne pouted at his answer but he reminded himself that he shouldn’t disrespect the chief. He gripped his flashlight as he tried to catch up to Hawkbane. They couldn’t use their elementals because it would be easier for the enemies to find them. The ground near the wall of the academy was still flat so they didn’t have a hard time traversing it in the darkness. But, after five minutes, he noticed destroyed trees and large rocks on the ground. They tried to dodge the debris falling from the sky. His heart was drumming on his chest. They picked up their pace when they heard voices.

When Hawkbane stopped, Clyne thought they encountered enemies.

“Where are they?” he muttered. Clyne looked around for Faz while trying to catch his breath. There was nothing but darkness swallowing them. Don’t tell me he was caught by the enemies…

Clyne instantly turned toward the noise when he heard the rustling of the leaves then a loud thud. Three tall figures appeared from the darkness. He flashed the light toward them.

“Move the light.” Clyne released a sigh of relief. He noticed scratches on the side of Faz’s face.

“Hawkbane,” Faz greeted in a not-so-friendly tone. His shirt was thorn but didn’t sport serious wounds.

“Hunter.” Hawkbane used the same tone.

“No time for pleasantries,” Savvier said. His shirt was also ripped. He had scratches on his stomach. The person who’s with Faz and Savvier looked familiar to Clyne but he couldn’t pinpoint where he saw him before. He was as tall as Faz with curly black hair.

“This is Greg,” Savvier introduced. Greg smiled at Clyne and Hawkbane.

“Lei asked me to look into the Premier’s secret garden before,” he explained. Ah so he knew something was up.

“Where is it?” Savvier asked.

“Let’s go.” Hawkbane led the group. Where are we going? Clyne couldn’t see much so he didn’t know if they’re moving east or north. He was dying to know what Faz and the others knew. Faz probably noticed because he sighed.

“I grilled one of the enemies to tell me about their plans,” he started.

“I hope you didn’t let him go,” Hawkbane replied accusingly, “He’ll tell their leaders.”

“I didn’t,” Faz spat.

“So, what did he say?” Clyne immediately intervened. They moved behind the trees which are still standing. The flashes of light in the sky continued. They couldn’t run because they will be spotted by the enemies roaming near.

“About the forbidden magic.” Clyne already knew about that.

“And the price to pay to use it.”

“Which is?” Clyne asked.

“Souls.” It was Greg who replied. Clyne’s eyes widened. They were killing people then offering their souls to use forbidden magic.

“Forbidden magic against elementals. And cherubea for regular people,” Greg added. They need to control non-magic users because…?

“We don’t know,” Savvier replied. “We’re going to find out.” Suddenly, everyone stopped. It took a second before Clyne noticed it. When he did, he dropped on the ground following the others. He heard them punched through the remaining trees then flying swiftly overhead. Pieces of the trees came flying. Small branches fell on Clyne’s back. His heart was drumming beats as he stood up.

“Is everyone ok?” he whisper-shouted. He noticed three shadows standing up.

“They’ll catch up with us,” Savvier said.

“Should we split up?” Hawkbane asked.

“Too late,” Faz replied. Clyne understood what he meant when he saw them. He didn’t sense their energies earlier. We’re surrounded. The shadows slowly descended so Clyne and the others formed a circle. They were facing 10 enemies.

“We have to strategize-”

“Just fight.” Faz stopped Hawkbane from talking. Clyne smirked. He liked Faz’s strategy. Without much thought, he ran toward the two enemies a few feet in front of him while calling his weapon. Warmth spread from his left arm as his battle-ax materialized. He gripped the handle firmly then hammered once with all his might on the ground. The ground where the two enemies were standing cracked then collapsed, swallowing the two. Clyne didn’t stop there. He knew that they would try to get out. He quickly moved two large rocks in the sinkhole.

“There!” he exclaimed. He turned around to check on his team but found his two opponents instead.

“Right,” he mumbled after sighing. He swung the hammer toward them but they were able to dodge it.

“We don’t have enough time!” he heard Savvier shout. Large rocks elevated then flew toward the two enemies. Every time they dodge them, Clyne controlled more rocks.

“Hurry up and finish it!” Savvier shouted again. Clyne was surprised that Hawkbane wasn’t irritated at Savvier’s overbearing attitude. Must be because he’s a member of the Consortium. Clyne added more rocks to surround them. Just as he expected, the enemies returned to the ground. Both opponents raised their hands toward Clyne. Within a few seconds, balls of fire raced toward him. He dodged them but lost his concentration. A few of the elevated rocks fell down. Dammit. This time he used his entire strength. The ground surrounding his enemies cracked. Four thick blocks of earth moved up and separated from the ground. Before the enemies could fly again, he quickly dropped the rocks inside the squared enclosure. He flew the opponents trying to break out of the prison. Why are they still alive?

“Let’s go!” Hawkbane ordered. Faz pushed Clyne to move.

“Until their bodies are in pieces, they will continue to move,” he explained. Chills ran on Clyne’s skin when he heard this. But those rocks would squish them… He decided to focus on their mission. The team of four started running. It was nearly impossible to see anything in the darkness but they managed with only two flashlights. There’s no fire elemental user in the team. The thought made him remember Aria. Hang on, Aria.

“How long before we reach the beach?” Faz asked. What are we going to do on the beach?

“What are we going to do-”

“Ten minutes,” Hawkbane replied, cutting Clyne off. He realized that the enemies’ heart must be there. There are countless enemies protecting the heart. He didn’t want to ask the question lingering in his mind: Can we win against them? They had to win for everyone. For Aria. He ran faster. His determination pushing his feet and knees to the limits. They didn’t stop running. They didn’t encounter any more enemies but they could still hear the noises of the battle and cries of the wounded. An image of the aftermath entered his mind. Bloodied unmoving bodies everywhere. He remembered their time in the black fortress. For a moment, his conviction wavered because there’s a part of him that hated magic.

“We’re here.” Hawkbane’s voice pulled him from his depressing thoughts. When Clyne reached the others, he looked around. Nothing but darkness. He didn’t know where the earth ends and the beach starts because of the black blanket.

“Is that…” Savvier’s voice trailed then stopped. Clyne turned in the direction he was pointing. He noticed something white in the ocean of nothingness. He couldn’t make out the shape but it looked like a triangle in the distance.

“That’s the abandoned Westeros castle,” Hawkbane explained. There’s a castle in the sea?

“Castledgrey told us that aside from old members of the academy, you’re the only one who knows about it,” Faz revealed.

“There’s a story about it…” he stopped, “But you don’t have enough time.” Clyne knew that Faz would press him to talk but he wasn’t surprised that he didn’t.

“I removed the barrier temporarily,” Hawkbane continued. “But it’s back so make sure to not leave the beach. You won’t find your way again.” He was talking so fast. There’s a barrier?

“Understood,” Savvier replied coolly, “You have to go back now.” He’s not coming with us? Clyne stared at Hawkbane. He probably noticed his eyes on him because he turned to Clyne.

“Don’t fall in the water,” he advised then ran off.

“Hawkbane’s elemental is Darkness,” Savvier said then descended to the beach. Clyne followed after Faz. The sands were powdery and firm under his feet. They scrunched as the team of three moved.

“So what’s the plan?” he asked when they neared the water. Light waves slowly hit the shore. The sound of the crashing waves was music to Clyne’s ears. He hadn’t been near the waters for 10 years.

“Enter the castle from underwater,” Savvier replied.

“What?” Clyne exclaimed. His face paled. He didn’t know how to swim.

“We’ll go. You will spy on the people inside,” Faz said. How?