INSIGNIAS: THE ABECEDARIANS

The sun was setting when Skhy decided to rest for the night. The woods beside Cornerstone was way wider. Trees were taller and too closed to each other that the sunlight was blocked by thick leaves and branches. Inside the woods, the surrounding seemed colder and denser. No warm wind blew the leaves nor noisy chatter of small animals around. For a moment, Skhy thought it was a standstill, but after half an hour of scouting for intruders and foods, they didn’t sense danger. Lei also said that the animals were underground to sleep and that the fights earlier also unsettled them. They settled in a place shaded by three large oak trees. When fire was made, one by one, they spread their sleeping bags and sat, exhausted.

Skhy couldn’t help but remember the earlier event. He lost his senses for a moment and let negativities got the better of him. But he knew better than anyone that his loved ones sacrificed themselves for him to stay alive. He would be lying if he never thought that someone sabotage his parents’ trip to scare them and him off. The man earlier needed not to remind him of his misfortunes. He needed not to remind Skhy that he blame himself for people’s deaths. Every time he thought about his dead family and friends, he felt useless and scared. But he knew better than to feel hopeless. They died because they hope and dream for a better future.

The trio was eating the apples they picked when Tessa spoke. Skhy was concerned how the two girls faced the men earlier but he chose to wait for them to share.

“My mom was there,” she started. Skhy frowned but waited for her to continue. Lei also put her apple down to listen.

“They showed me how…my mom died,” she added slowly. Oh, God.

“I’m sorry,” he offered. He noticed that her eyes didn’t show sadness but rather traces of anger.

“It must have been hard,” Lei whispered.

“It isn’t easy to share this but I…already value the two of you as friends. I hope you don’t mind.” Skhy offered a small smile, but deep inside, he was ecstatic.

“And I think, it could help us in this mission,” she added before Skhy or Lei could say anything. What?

“You learned something about the Seven?” Skhy asked. Too bad I didn’t get to interrogate my opponent earlier.

“Somehow. What Karl said was true. The guardian knows that you are looking for the Seven.” Tessa looked at him intently. Her golden eyes reflected the dancing fire.

“And it was true that Mortemians knew of your mission, because of someone inside the Academy.” Skhy clenched his jaw and cursed internally the Consortium.

“But we are not the only one gathering them.” There were others from the Academy? Skhy tried to remember his meetings with his parents’ colleagues, but no one stated that they have backup plans. If they had, it would be more effective not to tell him in case the Mortemians kill Skhy first. He grimaced at the thought.

“Did you learn who?” Lei asked. Tessa shook her head.

“The only thing that man told me was a group already gather some of the Seven.” Skhy didn’t know if he was relieved or scared that other Regalis had met each other. However, if they were with a protector or a guardian, then someone will guide them to Academy.

“Where are they?” Skhy asked.

“I don’t know.” They had no clue where the group gathered nor if they were already travelling towards the Academy.

“How did you know this?” Lei asked. Skhy forgot to ask this because of the new information. He was also curious. And concerned. Stop.

Hesitation was evident in her face as she bit her lower lip. She was looking anywhere except Lie and Skhy’s faces. There was another emotion Skhy noticed but he wasn’t sure. Fear?

“I fought with everything I have,” she stated plainly. Another pause. She sighed and finally looked at them but there’s still traces of hesitation in her eyes.

“After I defeated him, I tried to get information from him. I used the same technique he used.” His brow creased after her revelation. He was somewhat amused. He glanced at Lei and found that she too was surprised.

“I just made him furious so that he will get cocky and tell me their plans.” Oh. Skhy just nodded. He didn’t take Tessa to be someone who can influence others, but this just told him that she is smart. Their interactions also told him that she learns easily.

“How did you do it?” Lei asked.

“I just talked and talked about how incompetent he is,” she replied and shrugged. Skhy chucked to this. But something was bothered him.

“But you could’ve made him and hurt you…” he stated. She looked at him intently and answered with a determined voice.

“I have to. When he first spoke, I knew he likes to talk about how cool he is,” she responded then paused.

“What I know is that we have to meet the other group before we go to the Academy,” she added.

“Why do you think so?” he asked her.

“You have to talk to them first, about what they know,” she replied. Skhy considered this. It was true that he had no idea who led them and what they were told about.

“We will also know if we are in the same side,” Lei added. She had been observing Skhy and Tessa’s interaction but she seemed lost in thought earlier.

“So there could be a possibility that they do not support our mission?” Skhy directed the question to Lei, who looked calmer and more stable while they were eating.

“Yes, we don’t know what they experienced or know.” He nodded and accepted her argument. Lei was also hesitant to go with him at first. The others could be travelling together to seek protection but not to fight.

“I agree. And also, since we know that there are enemies inside the Academy, we won’t know what will happen before you arrive there,” Tessa stated. Right, someone could brainwash them. If the Regalis in two group can meet and talk, Skhy would guide and persuade everyone to train and fight. But there was still one problem.

“We don’t know their location.” Tessa and Lei both sighed.

“But I know you will meet them.” Skhy appreciated Tessa’s comforting words. “I know that the guardians did or will do everything for them to meet you.” He smiled at her, while Lei just nodded. They continued eating in silence. Skhy tried to formulate a new plan to look for the other group so as to know how many Regalis were still missing.

“Ah I forgot!” Tessa exclaimed afterwards. “I read in mom’s diary about something like ‘knowing and showing your true self will reveal your true identity and sign’”.

“This is related to the Seven?” Skhy asked.

“Probably. She said that to know them is for them to show their true self.” That’s too general. Tessa and Lei also mirrored his confusion. The bright crescent moon loomed above as they interpreted the statement. Cold dry wind passed them so they zipped their coats.

“What does she mean by ‘true sign’?” Lei asked. Sign?

“Insignia,” Skhy stated.

“Wait. Is this connected to the seven insignias on your dad’s book?” Tessa inquired. Skhy never thought about the possibility.

“So one must show his true self to show his power to show his insignia?” He stared at his feet as he thought about the seven – now six, after Lei – blurry sketches of insignias. If this speculation is correct, does this mean Tessa was still hiding something about her power? Or she simply isn’t a Regalis?

“Probably. My mom didn’t say anything about a book or a sketch so I can’t be sure,” Tessa replied. “I’m sorry.” His gaze suddenly returned to the golden-eyed girl in front of him.

“No, don’t. You helped us.”

“Yes, you did,” Lei added. Tessa smiled at her and Lei returned it. In a distance, a howl disturb the silence.

“Let’s rest for now,” Skhy pointed out. The trio shifted to settle on their sleeping bags. They lay around the warmth of fire. Hours passed but Skhy couldn’t sleep. He kept tossing and turning but kept his eyes closed. His head was filled of images of their manor, every little detail in their three-story mansion. He finally gave up and opened his eyes. His eyes landed on the two sleeping bags beside him but found them empty. Panicked immediately set so he stood up to look around. Where did they go? He was also distressed that they didn’t tell him.

His senses recognized two familiar energy behind the oak trees, along with six unknown persons. These energy, however, didn’t appear dangerous, just strong. Too strong. He moved towards their location and found their backs on him. Slowly, the figures turned to face him.

“Lei? Tessa?” he called out. His eyes widen when the eight persons faced him. Horror enveloped him as he stared at the red tears dripping from Lei and Tessa’s eyes. Pale faces stared at him without emotion.

Then he woke up with a start. His breathing was heavy and cold sweat soaked hi hair near his forehead. He stared at the dancing fire as he calmed himself. He wiped his brow with the back of his hand. Another nightmare.

“Skhy?” a voice near his head asked. Lei must have changed her position so as her head neared his.

“Yes?” he replied after his breathing returned to normal.

“Are you okay?” she whispered. He usually had nightmare twice or thrice a week after his parents’ death. Going to a psychologist didn’t help.

“Yup. Just…another nightmare.” He stared at the starry sky peeking between the branches above, waiting for Lei to speak.

“I nearly fell for it,” she whispered after minutes of silence. He knew. When Tessa was talking about her fight, Lei was silently staring with unshed tears at her feet. Both girls saw and heard something horrific in the mist. But Lei easily showed her emotions and thoughts while Tessa usually concealed her true feelings. He cursed internally for not protecting them but he doubt that they will let him help. We have to fight alone sometimes.

“I began to think that my parents and aunt hated me,” she started. “And that I caused Carol’s death.” Oh no. He shifted head towards her make his voice clearer.

“You know that isn’t true.” He remembered another raven-haired girl, who brightened his world in the past. Yes, in the past.

“Carol would give up anything to see you now,” he added. That raven-haired girl with bubbly personality won’t hate anyone. He knew this by heart.

Lei took a moment to reply and when she did, her voice was louder and more controlled.

“I knew you’d say that, so I fought again. Though my momentary weakness caused this cut.” The cut was cleaned by Tessa and a new handkerchief covered it.

“Thanks for listening.”

“You’re my friend and you’re welcome.” Another silence stretched between them. Skhy wondered what Lei was thinking about. He closed his eyes, wanting sleep to come to him.

“Whatever happens, let’s help Tessa,” she whispered. His lids suddenly opened when he heard Tessa’s name.

“Of course. Whether she is a Regalis or not, we will help her.” But he felt that she was still hiding something. Everyone is hiding something, Skhy. He needed to talk to her in the morning. She still hadn’t express her thoughts on the possibility of being one of the Seven. Despite her silence, he was determined to know what she felt.

And why are you determined, Skhy? You can just wait for her to tell you.

A yawn escaped his lips as he thought this. He turned to his side and closed his eyes. Answers could wait until tomorrow. Before consciousness left him, his last thought was: Who were the six persons in his dream?