INSIGNIAS: THE REGALIS

The cool wind hugged him as he walked on the grass-filled forest. The rushing leaves and small branches danced with the breeze in the early afternoon. Sunlight crept through the spaces between the leaves, creating lines of daylight. The green damp grass was cold on his feet but he loved the feeling. The chirps and songs of the birds and the chatters of small animals on the ground relaxed him.

Where am I? He felt something pulling him toward a tree so he walked toward it. Then he felt different energies radiating from behind the trunk so went to explore. The wind increased its pace as he stared at the backs of six individuals. Only when he moved near them that he noticed another person facing the six. Her long black hair swayed with the wind. He stood transfixed. When the person noticed him, she smiled. Her warm brown eyes also watched him as she walked toward him.

“You found them,” she said. “Now go back.” Her smile widened after she said this. He didn’t know why but he felt warmth spread on his chest.

When Skhy opened his eyes, he wished to go back to his dream. His whole body was in throbbing pain. Even breathing is painful. He gasped every time he took a breath and groaned because of the soreness. A nurse rushed to his side and attended to him but his eyes remained close because he couldn’t take the pain. He heard several running footsteps moving closer. By the time the sound stopped, the pain subsided and it was easier for him to breathe. But he didn’t open his eyes because of exhaustion.

“Is everything ok?”

“Is it serious?”

“Please be quiet. It’s better to let him rest.”

“When will he wake up again?”

Skhy wanted to speak and tell them that he’s awake but he was too tired. His consciousness was drifting to sleep. His mind was hazy. No, I don’t want to sleep. He felt something warm on his left hand. Someone light squeezed his hand.

“Please rest. We’re always here,” someone whispered near his ear. He slowly drifted into a dreamless sleep.

When he woke up, he felt the same warmth on his left hand. His eyelids were too heavy to open but he knew that there are people beside him. He felt them before he heard them.

“They found the Premier?”

“He fled to another realm.” Skhy expected him to flee. He wasn’t as courageous as people see him be. He had always been afraid of the Consortium if it wasn’t for the enemies he conspired with.

“Can we tell the authorities in that realm to arrest him?”

“We can but he’s probably hiding.”

“So he wasn’t in the fight.”

“No.” His consciousness started drifting to sleep again. The voices muffled until he couldn’t hear anything. When he woke up, the warmth on his hand was no longer there. He thought he was alone but someone started humming a song.

“Wake up. How long are you going to lie there?”

“Faz!” someone whisper-shouted. Skhy wanted to laugh at Faz’s stubbornness.

“Tessa is resting,” Faz said in a softer tone, “She kept healing people so she fainted.” Skhy’s heartbeat increased after the mention of her name. He was worried about her but he knew that Faz would make sure that she’s safe. Despite the growing jealousy, he trusted Faz to keep her safe.

“Did you know?” Clyne started, “That she’s the only teen descendant in the family? She’s the youngest among the living relatives. She had no blood cousins even though there’s Eloise and Ellie.” What do you mean?

“That’s not our story to tell,” Faz warned him.

“Sorry,” Clyne whispered. Even though he wanted to stay awake, he blacked out again. He was frustrated but he couldn’t control his body. He wanted to know more.

“You’re going to be fine.” This was the first thing he heard when he returned to consciousness. A warm hand lightly patted his head. He recognized the voice. Despite the heaviness of his eyelids, he slowly opened his eyes. At first, it was hazy. His tired eyes met her warm eyes with unshed tears.

“You’re awake,” she said after a gasp. Mrs. Emmy had more lines beside her eyes even though it hadn’t been six months since he last saw her. Her short wavy hair was dishevelled. Her bloodshot eyes showed her sleepless nights.

“You’re…here,” he whispered between deep breaths. The body pains were bearable. It was easier to breathe. With his remaining strength, he tried to adjust his body to sit. Mrs. Emmy immediately scolded him but helped him to sit properly. She smiled sadly at him.

“I’m sorry I was late,” she said as a tear rolled down her cheek.

“It’s ok,” he said softly. “I’m glad you’re safe.”

“You’re a tough one.” Skhy looked at the origin of the voice and found Steve standing at the edge of his bed. He walked closer.

“The others? Tessa?” He wondered how long he was out. Mrs. Emmy squeezed his hand.

“Rest for now,” she said. Skhy shook his head.

“I rested enough.” Steve chuckled.

“The others are resting,” he started, “Tessa is awake too.” Skhy sighed in relief. He remembered something he heard while he was half-conscious.

“I heard that Tessa, Eloise, and Ellie aren’t related. Is it true?” He directed the question to Steve who didn’t appear surprised by the question. Steve nodded.

“You should talk to Eloise or Ellie,” he replied, “I don’t know if Tessa’s father knew or he said that before to confuse you.” Skhy wondered if Eloise and Ellie knew about it.

“Any news?” He looked between Mrs. Emmy and Steve. Both looked like they know something but didn’t want to talk.

“We can talk about it later,” Mrs. Emmy said with a comforting smile.

“Does the others know?” They shook their heads.

“It’s better to tell us when we’re together.” Skhy moved to get out of bed. Mrs. Emmy panicked. He was bombarded with scolding. The nurses also advised him to rest for a day more. But Skhy still won. Steve called his friends to the girls’ apartment.

When Skhy left the infirmary and set foot outside the main building, he saw legionnaires and sentries everywhere. He also saw a couple of knights. The academy was spared by the battle but he knew about the destruction miles surrounding the school. It was difficult to see in the dark but he remembered the smell of burning trees and grass; the emptiness as the rushing wind passed by; and the sound and noises of the earth being destroyed, trees dying, and people getting injured. He couldn’t see the outside of the L.S.A. but he was expecting the same scene as what happened in the Eschaton war almost four years ago. They lost many lives including families and friends.

“I’m incompetent,” he whispered to himself while walking toward the dormitory.

“If you’re talking like that because of your lost friend-”

“Not just that.” Skhy cut Steve off. They were about to enter the dormitory building when Steve stopped him.

“I don’t why my parents assigned me as their guardian,” Skhy started, “It’s a huge responsibility. I don’t have the strength and capabilities to protect them.” The last words were a whisper.

“You’re wrong. It’s not your responsibility to protect them. You protect one another.”

“Your parents didn’t give you the mission to find them to become a guardian,” Steve added.

“So why?” Steve stared at him for a few seconds before answering.

“So you can meet as friends. So you can support each other during difficult times as friends. So you can see the world outside the academy with your friends.” Steve patted Skhy on the back then entered the building.

When Skhy opened the door, he was immediately surrounded by his friends. It was the warmest welcome he received after his parents’ death. It felt surreal. It was only Faz who quietly watched him in the corner. He was bombarded with questions. He couldn’t answer any of them because they were speaking all at once. Clyne and Lei didn’t leave his side when he took a seat. Aria sat beside Nate who looked like he hadn’t slept for days. Tessa sat alone on the small couch. Faz walked toward her seat and stood behind her.

“Are you sure you’re ok now?” Lei asked for the fifth time. He nodded with a smile. The wound on his left side was still painful but the painkillers helped.

“Where is my aunt?” Lei asked Steve. He explained that she was helping the remaining members of the Consortium. Skhy suddenly remembered Aubree. He hoped that she wasn’t injured.

“She’s fine.” He looked up at Faz who seemed to know what he was thinking. Skhy glanced at Nate who looked pale. He reminded himself to talk to him afterward.

“I know everyone still wants to rest,” Steve started, “But I think it’s better to talk now.”

“About the Red Army?” Aria asked. Steve nodded.

“They call themselves Rosein Army. We’re still looking into who they are, how and when they formed.”

“At least we know their purpose – to own the magic of Arconien,” Tessa said.

“The Premier?” Clyne asked.

“It’ll be hard to catch him in a foreign land without that realm’s help,” Skhy replied.

“Now that we know that the enemies are not the Mortemians, maybe we can ask their help,” Lei suggested. Skhy wondered about that. He looked at his friends.

“It’s possible,” Tessa replied, “But we don’t know if the two legions can compromise.”

“There’s also the prophesized Seven Regalis,” Aria reminded them. Skhy wondered about the last Regalis. He lost the Abecedarians book and the papers inside. They were probably lost in the portal of his memories. The portal that also captured their friend.

“Do you remember the initials, Skhy?” Steve asked. He closed his eyes for a moment.

“T.F.A…M.C…W? N.” He opened his eyes after he listed the letters. He suddenly felt down that he couldn’t complete his mission. The last Regalis should be in the academy. But what if his intel was incorrect?What should I do after I find everyone? Can I really train them? Can I really lead them?

“T for Thornnridge,” Lei said. He looked up and found her smiling.

“Forksleigh. Tessa Forksleigh.” Tessa also smiled at him.

“Arvingrave.” Aria looked like she was in deep thoughts.

“Moltentroyd. I love both families.” Nate’s smile had hints of sadness and despair but his determined eyes looked him unfazed.

“I found out who I am,” Clyne exclaimed, “Well… not everything about me but… I will start with Cadecastle.”

“I didn’t think that I will end up with you,” Faz said with a deep frown.

“Hey!” Tessa turned around and glared at him. Skhy chuckled.

“I still don’t trust this prophecy,” Faz added, “We stayed together because we wanted to.” He looked away as he said this. Skhy couldn’t stop grinning because Faz looked embarrassed.

“Nighttower,” he said. This time, he was looking directly at Skhy, “But don’t call me that.” Everyone laughed.

“Faz knew about his old family name but didn’t think that it mattered,” Steve said after the laughter died down. Faz scoffed.

“What does the ‘W’ mean?” Skhy asked. Steve gave him a small brown dusty book. He opened it on a page with a family tree. Skhy found the family names of the ancient knights.

“Wolfhart,” he whispered.

“The Regalis inside the academy. The person who is also considered the guardian,” Steve Steve said. Skhy noticed him staring intently at him. He could only stare silently at the names of the ancient knights. He didn’t know what to feel.