INSIGNIAS: THE REGALIS

The room felt smaller, the atmosphere felt heavy and suffocating. The feelings and emotions of anger, frustration, disappointment, and sadness swept the small area like a strong gust of wind; when it settled, it left them exhausted and breathless, wanting to depend on someone but don’t know who. When the Seven returned to the room where the remaining knights were waiting, it was clear that the mentors noticed the change in the students’ demeanour, but no one talked until everyone took their seats. Within the few minutes they were out, Neus and Forrest returned, looking furious and beaten. The knights refused to acknowledge the students’ burst of feelings which reminded her of her aunts and uncles who made her feel that her feelings don’t matter because she was younger and inexperienced.

Aria watched with careful eyes Neus and Hunter panting, glaring at each other, after minutes of shouting about letting the Seven leave the Shadow Islands. The majority of their words didn’t register in her mind because she was busy thinking about what Navi revealed about her mother, Clyne’s father, and Nate’s father. Navi refused to answer their questions alone. She knew it was strange that no one told them about their parents who didn’t study at Lux Signifer Academy. A part of her already asked herself if there was a possibility that they were initially enemies because even Concordians fight with each other. The thought of her mother being a Mortemian only came to mind when the Seven started training. Aria wanted to know more so she thought about her more. More thoughts created more questions.

She didn’t what to feel knowing that her mother was a Mortemians. But she told herself that the possibility isn’t impossible because three ancient leaders led the Concordians and three led the Mortemians with one being the mediator. It wasn’t impossible for them to marry, their families branching out until the generation of the Regalis. Aria closed her eyes for a second. When she felt Clyne’s hand on hers resting on her thigh, she opened her eyes and met his. Clyne wasn’t looking at her but at Hunter who was standing as he faced Neus. Aria was too focused on her own emotions and thoughts that she forgot to consider Clyne and Nate. Nate looked tired but otherwise unaffected but Clyne looked lost. Aria could only squeeze his large hand because she had no idea how to comfort him, or herself.

“You’re going to die there,” Neus said in his low voice.

“And the others won’t?” Hunter probed.

“We protected the Academy before during the Northern Lux battle-”

“Because there were legionnaires and sentries available,” Forrest interrupted Skhy.

“Now, we’re divided,” she added, her jaw clenched. “Everyone needs everyone in every part of the realm.” She emphasized the word ‘need.’

“So we’re stuck here?” Tessa asked, exasperated. “Until when? Until no one survived.” Homer snorted.

“The knights, legionnaires, and sentries can take it,” he said.

“Then why are you needed there?” Tessa asked, emphasizing ‘you.’ She glanced at Neus and Forrest. They looked away for a second.

“That was one incident,” Anika answered for them. Among the knights, she looked the calmest and patient. Aria sighed.

“We established that we wanted to leave.” It was the first time she talked after returning to Blue Manor. All eyes turned to her. “And we are going.” She wondered if she put conviction in her words because inside, she was shaking for an unknown reason.

“Did the Elders’ Chamber tell you to keep us here?” she asked. The knights turned to Anika who watched Aria with a careful stare.

“Yes.”

“How about the Consortium?” It took a moment before Anika replied.

“We follow the Chamber’s orders,” the knight simply replied. Aria’s jaw clenched.

“This is ridiculous,” Clyne commented. He was still holding her hand below the table. “Are we robots that you’re fixing to complete a mission? Machines to be used later?” He slowly raised his voice. Aria could still see the lost look in his eyes but his gaze stayed on the knights.

“Even if we pass your training, it’s not just us who’s going to fight,” Skhy said. “We need everyone.”

“So please,” Lei pleaded. She was about to say more but closed her mouth.

“What is it?” Nate asked. He raised his gaze from the table. “What does the Chamber want?”

“To train you-”

“That’s not it,” Nate cut Yuri off. Yuri was no longer wearing any of his smiles; his eyes reflected more sadness and fear than anger and frustration.

“You know that my parents, Aria’s mother, and Clyne’s parents are Mortemians.” Aria flinched at the same time the knights shifted uncomfortably. Nate showed conviction that Aria had never seen before. He looked like he found in his own an answer to his own question. Heavy thoughts formed in her mind, making her dizzy.

“Yes,” Anika replied carefully. “That doesn’t change the fact that you’re Regalis.”

“But it changes the idea that we’re fighting to stop the Mortemians,” Aria whispered.

“Tell us everything,” Hunter ordered, surprising the knights more than what she said. The mentors’ gaze swept at their students.

Anika sighed. Neus snorted.

“De Ja Vu,” Yuri said. There was a small smile playing on his face. The Seven waited silently despite the anger reflected in their eyes. Aria squeezed Clyne’s hand; he returned the gesture.

“You are your parents’ children,” Forrest commented.

“They never back out,” Navi added, “Until the end.” His last words reminded Aria of her mother’s death.

“You’re probably thinking that we’re slaves to the Elders’ Chamber,” Neus started.

“Yes, you are.” Neus glared at Hunter for interrupting.

“We follow their orders but we’re not under their control.”

“Even though you are knights?” Lei asked, pointing at them. Homer shrugged.

“We’re independent,” he said. “We offered our service when we learnt who the Regalis was.” Because of our parents. Aria turned to Anika who was smiling warmly at her.

“We want to protect you in a way…” Anika glanced at each of the students. “Your parents wanted to.” There were a lot of questions in Aria’s mind. How did you meet them? How were they as a person? What were they doing? Were they happy?

“We will allow you to leave the Shadow Islands,” Yuri said. Aria felt like a huge weight was removed from her shoulders. “All of us. Together.”

“But before we go,” Cora said, “We owe you stories about your parents.” Aria watched her friends' eyes brighten.

“We trained with Margarette, Theodore, Silver, Catherine, Arthur, and Eliot during their junior mission.” Anika placed her intertwined hands on the table. The knights looked calmer.

“Cora and I were there,” Homer revealed, “We met them together with the rest of the parents. Anika nodded.

“It was after our short training, during their actual mission, that the six of them found Cassandra,” Anika glanced at Aria, “I’m not sure about the situation but they saved her even though she was a Mortemian. She travelled with them until the group encountered Emmanuel and Leo, who were both Mortemian Sentries.”

“There was short fight,” Neus continued, “But they talked and became friends.” Aria noticed Skhy frowning; doubt was evident in his eyes.

“I’m sure it wasn’t one fight,” Skhy muttered.

“I’m sure it wasn’t,” Neus agreed, “Your parents were as stubborn as all of you are.”

“And because they are from different legions which swore to fight,” Cora added. Aria knew the story wasn’t as simple as the knights retold.

“And the prophecy?” Tessa asked. “They knew about it before the Eschaton war.” Navi nodded.

“That’s the reason why they called us to meet.”

“They didn’t reveal how they found out, but we figured that someone in the group can see the future.” Yuri brushed his long white hair with his fingers. Lei visibly tensed.

“Or a forbidden artefact is used,” Homer guessed.

“Anyway, according to Arthur, the prophecy was the reason why they stayed together.” Forrest chuckled staring at a distance.

“So they knew that the Regalis will be born of them?” Skhy asked. Anika nodded. Then, she started looking hesitant.

“They also found anomalies in the Elders’ Chamber and other issues that connected us to the other realms.” Aria knew that it was what Anika initially wanted to say but she didn’t comment on it.

“You don’t have to concern yourself with those issues.” Yuri quickly added with a smile.

“And the Chamber?” Nate asked. Neus glanced at Anika who nodded at him.

“The Chamber wanted everyone to know that the Regalis is all Concordians,” he revealed with an apologetic expression. “For the benefit of the legion.” Hunter snorted.

“They only want to defeat the Mortemians, not to return the balance,” Tessa concluded.

“What should we go now?” Lei whispered. The Seven glanced at each other. Aria understood the silent communication. Home. Academy.

“May we suggest something?” Yuri interrupted the silence. The Seven nodded except for Hunter who still watched the knights with doubtful eyes.

“We agree with what you and your parents said,” he started, “These fights between the two legions will end Arconien, and we might fall into the hands of other realms and take away our independence.”

“Unity,” Forrest said, “Is it possible?” With the Mortemians.

“You’re saying that it’s time to communicate and unite with the Mortemians?” Nate shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

“Your parents and the Consortium started doing that,” Homer said.

“And it’s our turn,” Clyne mumbled.

“How…” Skhy started but stopped. Neus scratched his jaw.

“The Immortal Court is not the best group to talk to,” he said, “Neither does the Lockhunts Clan.” He was smirking. Lockhunts? Ciar’s family?

“Neus.” It was a warning from Anika. “Eclipse.” Aria’s brow furrowed. Her friends mirrored her confusion.

“Someone you know is a member of it,” Navi explained. “It is an independent group that started protesting and advocating to return the balance between the two legions.”

“And they have Mortemian members?” Lei asked.

“All of them are Mortemians.” Aria’s eyes widened a bit. Aside from Ciar (Storm) and Grandstire, the Seven had not associated with other Mortemians who had not tried to kill them. There was no way of telling what the Eclipse’s reaction would be if they saw the Seven. They might kill us if they want to.

“You’re talking about Sto- Ciar, right?” Nate asked. The knights nodded. Even though Aria was relieved that Hanne was safe and healthy, she had not come to like that Ciar was with her. She didn’t know if she one day be comfortable again with him.

“How can we communicate with him?” Aria wondered if Nate was still affected by Ciar.

“The Discoverer can help,” Navi replied