INSIGNIAS: THE REGALIS

The portal was located in the far northeast of the Northern Lux, surrounded by a cluster of gigantic rocks near a cliff with a steep drop to a stormy ocean. Unlike the portal in L.S.A., this one’s concave frame was made of smooth black rock attached to a 10-feet boulder. And unlike the centuries-old portal, there were only a few carvings of insignias on this one. It was only a few years old, taking the place of the old stone portal which was destroyed. Standing in each side of the portal were a sentry and a legionnaire in red instead of blue. Only the legionnaires guard portals, however, sentries may be called for additional security. The location of the stone portal was almost two hours from the academy's territory.

The sun had just rose when the group left the academy. Skhy's group wasn’t the only group that would train somewhere else for the war. This, however, made him more anxious because he had no knowledge of where Eloise’s group would train. Why keep it a secret? The Consortium gave no reason.

Skhy nodded at the portal’s guards.

“It’s good to go,” one of the sentries said.

“When was the last time it was used?”

“A year ago,” the other sentry replied. Skhy nodded in response. He stared at the center of the portal. There was nothing there but the boulder but he couldn’t shake the familiar feeling away.

“Is it the same as the other one?” he heard Lei ask behind him.

“Yes,” Skhy replied. They had to go through a kaleidoscope of their memories again.

“Don’t pay attention to them,” the first sentry said. “It’s faster.”

“Should we activate it?” the other sentry asked.

“Everyone ready?” Tessa asked. In the back of Skhy’s mind, he wanted to say no. He had many fears but he always move forward. However, something's stopping him.

He suddenly felt someone hand on his shoulder.

“Sorry I didn’t noticed before.” Nate was whispering. What does he mean? “You were also blaming yourself of what happened in the portal.” Skhy's eyes widened a bit but he didn’t say anything.

Because he was right. He couldn’t show it. I didn’t train them to use a portal. This caused Hanne’s disappearance and the others’ recollection of unpleasant, painful and traumatic memories.

“We’re in this together,” Nate added. Skhy noticed his hoarse voice. He was beyond thankful that Nate comforts him even though he was also fighting his own internal battles.

“Thanks, Nate.”

Skhy turned to the sentry and nodded. After a few seconds, a white circle appeared on the dark center of the portal. It silently expanded until it reached the frame. When it hit the edge, the white surface began to sway.

Skhy took a deep breath then stepped forward into the nothingness. Just like last time, he floated and was surrounded by nothing but white. But it didn’t stay that long because colours started forming. Instead of waiting for the cinemas of his memories to appear, he focused on imagining his destination, Cornerstone. He closed his eyes and moved his right foot to step forward. Smiling that he felt the ground, he continued to walk and slowly opened his eyes. It took a moment for his eyes adjust to the light. He noticed the thin tall trees, which stood far from each other, and thin roots coiled on the muddy ground.

Skhy quickly turned around when he heard a shriek. A wide-eyed Tessa was gripping the sleeve of Faz's jacket.

“You okay?” Skhy asked. Tessa smiled in response. He watched as Faz helped her moved to a less muddy ground.

“That was quick!” Clyne exclaimed with a grin.

“I’m glad it was.” Lei stood on a tree's root before slowly following Tessa. Aria stomped on the muddy ground.

Skhy turned to the portal which was also made of rock. The surface wasn’t as smooth and there were a few visible cracks. The concave frame was attached on three tree trunks which looked like they would slowly form one thick tree. The surface was still white.

He glanced at his friends who were also waiting.

“Good job, Nate,” Lei immediately praised him when he emerged from the portal. Skhy released the air he didn’t notice he was holding earlier.

Nate turned to Skhy with a smile.

After the group left the portal’s location, the student-adventurers hit the street of a small town in Cornerstone. Skhy started to follow Granstire's, Ciar's attendant, instructions toward Ciar and Hanne’s whereabouts. He glanced at Nate who was silently walking beside him. He knew that he was both excited and worried to face his sister.

The others also remained quiet but Lei and Tessa kept glancing at Nate.

“Is it still far?” Faz disturbed the silence. There were only a few houses in the block. There were no persons on sight. Skhy thought it was odd.

“The last house in the block,” Skhy replied.

“Where are you going?” he heard Tessa call so he stopped walking and turned around. Faz turned left toward the yard of another house.

“To investigate,” Faz replied to Tessa. Lei glanced at Skhy as if asking for help.

“Let him.” He turned to Faz. “See if there’s something suspicious.” Faz nodded as a response.

“I’ll come with him,” Tessa informed them. Before anyone could protest, Tessa and Faz disappeared behind a tree.

“It’s best if I go alone.” Nate’s statement didn’t surprise Skhy.

“What are you saying?” Lei exclaimed. “We want to see Hanne.”

Skhy watched as Nate's fists clenched. Skhy too had not fully trust Granstire nor Ciar.

“I understand Nate.” He earned a glare from Lei and Aria. “We don’t know what’s waiting for us.”

Lei's stare softened.

“We can protect ourselves,” Aria coldly said. Clyne nodded beside her.

Skhy glanced at the house near the end of block.

“Nate and I will go inside,” Skhy started, “Wait for us. We'll bring Hanne outside.” Lei looked as if she wanted to argue but decided against it. Aria crossed her arms and then looked away.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be with them,” Clyne said. The five student-adventurers continued toward their destination. The bungalow home sit in the middle of a wide grassy lot without a fence. Two trees stood on each side of the house.

Sweat rolled down Skhy's forehead as the midday sun hung overhead.

“Go inside.” Skhy quickly turned toward the voice.

“That surprised me,” Clyne muttered. Granstire had masked his presence again and crept behind them. He no longer looked like a professor in the academy. He was in black collared silk shirt and brown trousers.

“Welcome to my small home.” He greeted them with a huge smile. Skhy didn’t know how to respond to it.

“Where is she?” Nate asked. Granstire’s smile fell a bit.

“Inside.” Skhy’s mind was clouded with doubt. Just three months ago, Storm revealed a terrible secret that hurt the entire group especially Nate and Hanne. Whatever the reason was, he still destr8oyed their trust. What if he’s still lying? What if he’s still keeping something?

“You’re thinking a lot.” Skhy turned to Granstire who he didn’t notice watching him.

“Can I talk to you?” Skhy frowned at him. What could we possibly talk about? He knew that he shouldn’t let Nate walk inside alone.

“Your four friends can go inside,” Granstire added. Skhy’s suspicion grew. But at the same time, he was curious as what Granstire might say or do.

He felt Clyne’s hand on his shoulder.

“I don’t think this is a good idea,” he whispered.

“Me too,” Lei added. Skhy’s gaze didn’t leave Granstire’s figure. He was no longer smiling.

“Go with Nate.” He waited for his friends’ response.

“We'll get Hanne,” Nate said. Skhy watched as his friends enter the lot and walk toward the house. When the door closed, he turned to Granstire.

“What do you want?” His statement made the middle-age man laugh which irritated him. Skhy had no time to play games but he patiently waited for him to stop.

“The world is huge, Wright,” he said once he stopped laughing.

“I know it is,” Skhy replied, “But we have too many problems here that I don’t have time to think about the world’s.” Granstire’s eyes widened a bit at his response.

“You’re right.” Granstire glanced at the bungalow home. He turned to Skhy.

“What do you know about the realms?”