INSIGNIAS: THE REGALIS

The light blue specks in the grey eyes darkened. For a moment, they seemed to change to black. Several emotions flashed in the eyes that before seemed to hide everything the person feels. After the words were said, anger dominated. It seemed to fight with sadness for dominance. Disappointment is also evident when the specks continued to darken. The orbs, despite the visible confusion and overwhelming feelings of the person, continued to stare.

Tessa continued to observe the changes despite her mind fighting to stop her. Maybe because it felt surreal that Faz directed such emotions and showed his vulnerability to her. It felt as if he opened a small part of him to her. She knew that it’s impossible because he doesn’t trust her enough. But as the silence continued, their bodies near each other, she couldn’t help but hope that he can open up to her. She didn’t know how long they stared at each other. Only when she felt his grip on her arm tightened that woke up from the trance. She looked away while fighting the urge to look at him again.

“What do you want now?” she said softly, too tired to argue. Snap out of it, Tessa. Focusing on her feelings toward him won’t bear any good result. She didn’t go to the academy to be in a relationship. Right now, with both her parents gone, she had to start from zero. The thought saddened her.

“Rest more,” he said. She still didn’t look at her.

“Let go.”

“Only if you don’t go.” His statement made her look up at him. Confused, she waited for him to explain but he only stared at her.

“Why?” she said after a sigh. It took him a moment to reply.

“Because you need rest.” Why is he giving me attention? She wondered if he was too happy for Eloise’s return that he felt guilty for treating me harshly in the past.

“You don’t need to feel guilty,” she said.

“What?” She shook his hand away then sat on the couch again. Faz sat on the opposite couch. She knew he will do anything to keep her where she is and she had no energy left to fight him.

“For treating me harshly before.” Her mind wandered to the memories of their first few days together in the woods. The atmosphere was always tensed due to Faz’s aura and lack of social skills and Storm’s stubbornness.

“I don’t feel guilty about it.” His statement pulled her into the present. She frowned at him.

“You don’t? Not even a little?” He shook his head, his watchful eyes never leaving her form. His unwavering stare flustered her.

“Ok. A little,” he added. Tessa scoffed. She could feel the burning stare on the side of her head. She was surprised that Faz was worried about her. She felt it before several times but this time, he confidently showed it.

“Aren’t you busy? Eloise might need your help,” she said without looking at him. She felt bored staying in the room alone but would be a bother to everyone if she insisted on helping.

“In the evening,” he replied. “I’ll keep you company.” She turned to look at him. She narrowed her eyes at him.

“Are you sick? Do you need anything from me? Are you crazy now?” Faz shook his head at each question. A small smile was playing on his lips. He was amused at her questions. But for Tessa, she was serious.

“This is the longest we speak with each other,” she said, still not convinced that he had hidden agendas.

“I will do so from now on.” His statement made her eyes widened. Is this pity or guilt?

“Eloise returning made you like this,” she whispered. One person could make another change their whole attitude or personality. It made her heart sank but she knew that she had to move on sooner than later.

Faz looked down for a second. When he looked up, he looked even more serious.

“You left the school in the middle of the battle.” It wasn’t a question. It sounded like he was accusing her of doing a crime.

“I had to help someone,” she replied. What’s wrong with that?

“I told you to stay put,” he spat. Mood swing?

He did tell her to stay put before he left with Savvier to fight on the front line. During the battle, Tessa stayed in the library with Lei and Mr. Laccquare, the librarian, to look for information about the Pandora’s Box. Faz visited them before leaving, which seemed odd to her. Knowing him, he would have run outside and fight till death without saying anything. She was surprised to see him standing near the table where she was working.

“Faz,” she whispered, her wide eyes watching him.

“Don’t go anywhere.”

“What?” She waited for him to explain but he turned around. She stood up and ran after him.

“You’re going now?” she asked with her hand gripping his elbow which made him stop walking.

“Yeah. Stay put.” His whole body was tensed. His jaw clenched. But his eyes stared at her hand touching him.

“Be careful,” she said, “Don’t get hurt.” Her cheeks warmed as she said this so she looked away.

“I understand why you have to kill them. Just… don’t lose yourself,” she added then let go. She couldn’t meet his eyes so turned around to go back to her work.

“Don’t go anywhere.” After that, she didn’t see him again until she met him and Eloise in the infirmary. As the battle progressed, Lei left her to help fix the barrier surrounding the academy. Waiting for the battle to end and to see her friends again was painful. During the conclusion of the battle, she tried to find Faz but when she heard that he went to see Eloise, she stopped.

Seeing him now in front of her felt like a dream. He still looked pissed.

“Nothing happened.” She didn’t understand why she was explaining to him.

“You could’ve been killed.” His voice was dangerously low but his statement only made her angry.

“I can fight,” she responded. They continued to glare at each other. At one point, the phone in his pocket started vibrating. He didn’t move to check. Her gaze faltered when she thought that Eloise was contacting him.

“Check it. It must be Eloise,” she said once she looked away.

“She won’t contact me.” She stopped the urge to ask why. The silence stretched with her looking outside the window facing the wall clock.

“It must have hurt you a lot when Eloise disappeared.” She turned to look at him.

“I’m glad we found them,” she quickly added with a small smile.

“Don’t lose her again.” Her statement was half truth and half lie. She didn’t want Faz and Skhy to lose an important person. But at the same time, she wanted to be the closest person to Faz.

I thought we decide to let go?

Ugh this is confusing.

Faz didn’t respond but continued to stare at her which made her conscious.

“D- do you think the prophesized war will still happen?” She bit her lower lip after she stuttered.

“We’ll find out.”

“I wonder if we will have to fight the Mortemias or the Rosein Army.” She had the feeling that the Rosein Army will be back. Her team needed to find the rulers to eliminate them before they gather their strength. As for the Mortemians, even though they didn’t abduct Eloise and the rest, some of them were working with the Rosein. The Concordians had no idea who among the Mortemians are involved. She reminded herself to talk to the remaining Consortium to talk about their strategies.

“Maybe both.”

“I want to know everything about the Rosein Army.” Faz chuckled. Tessa liked his smile. When he smiles, his eyes smile too.

“You’re always curious.”

“Knowledge comes from asking questions.” His smile widened.

“Thank you,” she said without thinking. Confusion was evident on his face. His smile faltered.

“For keeping your promise from before.” During their travel, when Tessa noticed that Faz kept pushing Skhy away and acting without notice, she made him promise. Until you find what you’re looking for and go on your own way, the group’s safety comes first. The price was her mother’s journal.

“I had to do what I had to do,” he simply replied.

“Yes. Because you need to save Eloise,” she whispered only enough for her to hear.

“Why do you keep mentioning her?” Her eyes widened. I forgot that he has great hearing. She quickly stood up.

“I- uh I’ll go visit Skhy.” She looked anywhere but him. She heard him stand up. She was about to race toward the door when his hand stopped her. It squeezed her right arm which made her look back. Deja vu?

“Why are you going to him when I’m here?” Why is he so jealous of Skhy?