INSIGNIAS: THE LUX SIGNIFER ACADEMY

It looked like a jungle in the arena. The floor was covered with moving and swaying green and thick roots. It was getting hard to see the two fighters. The match continued with Aria jumping from thick branches to another. She either dodged the attacks or tried to cut the swaying roots. Hanne was getting worried about Aria. She just didn’t show it to others. Clyne was gripping his hair and kept muttering about stopping the match. Hanne knew that Aria won’t like that idea but she’s also confused as to why Aria wasn’t using her elemental. She didn’t believe that Aria couldn’t use it. Even with her little experience, Hanne knew that Aria’s the strongest girl in the team. She paralleled Skhy and Storm’s talent in sword fighting. She radiates strong power.

“Trust her,” Skhy seriously said. Hanne glanced at him. He didn’t look worried. He kept his attention to the match.

“That she will win?” Lei asked. I also want to believe that…

“No. That she’ll show what she got,” he replied. Hanne knew that Aria will do her best. But what if there’s something wrong with her power?

“But, it will hurt her,” Clyne whispered. Hanne, Skhy, and Lei glanced at him.

“What do you mean?” Lei asked him. Clyne blinked rapidly before laughing nervously.

“It doesn’t mean anything. I just…don’t want her to get hurt in any way. That’s all.” He was stuttering and didn’t look at any of them. Skhy and Lei didn’t push it and returned their attention in front. Hanne wondered if he knew something that she didn’t. She knew Aria longer than him.

“Shit!” Clyne exclaimed then stood up, eyes bulging. Hanne realized that Aria was now sitting on the ground without her sword. The massive green roots were inching towards her.

“Common on, Aria,” Hanne whispered. She couldn’t make out Aria’s expression because they were too high up. But her limping figure suggested that she’s hurt and tired. What should we do? She didn’t even know if they can do anything in fights like this.

“Will she surrender?” Lei asked softly.

“Of course she won’t! She’s stubborn!” Clyne answered without lifting his gaze from Aria’s form. The roots encircled Aria’s unmoving form.

“I’m worried,” Nate said. He was biting his lips. Hanne glanced at Storm who was sitting beside her. His stone-cold face didn’t show anything but he was also focused on the match.

“What do you think will happen?” Hanne worriedly asked him. Her voice cracked.

“What should happen,” he answered vaguely. What? Hanne’s brow furrowed. She couldn’t ask him because of two loud consecutive explosions. Hanne gasped loudly when she saw two massive roots pierced on the spot where Aria was sitting earlier. She felt her face paled. Her hands started shaking. What will happen to Aria? Will it also happen to me? Hanne’s the weakest in the group. She expected this kind of end in her fight, but not in Aria’s.

Hanne wasn’t able to look at his teammate’s expressions because she was too engrossed on hers. But she was surprised that Clyne was only silently observing. However, his whole body was stiff. No one said anything. For Hanne, it seems as though the time stopped.

“There she is,” Clyne whispered.

“Where?” Hanne exclaimed. Her eyes swept the whole arena but couldn’t find her. Then she noticed that the roots where her body was supposed to be were changing colour.

“Why is it turning red?” She asked no one in particular.

“Because she’s fiery,” Clyne replied. Within a blink of an eye, another explosion erupted in the arena. The parts of the roots were thrown all over the place, hitting the barrier then dropping on each other with loud thuds. When there were no longer green roots flying in all directions, Hanne finally saw her. Another gasp escaped from her lips. But this time, it was because she couldn’t believe what she saw.

Aria stood in her tattered clothes surrounded by circles of blazing red fire. The fire kept on growing until Hanne couldn’t see Aria anymore. Some of the roots caught on fire and started infecting the other roots. In a few seconds, everything was on fire. The roots began twisting and turning. Some of them dropped on the ground, unmoving. They seemed out of control now.

“Wha-“ Lei started to say but didn’t continue it. Hanne was also speechless.

“So she’s a fire user,” Hunter said, “but it’s not really strong.” Hanne’s head quickly turned to him to glare.

“Don’t say it like that,” Clyne whined.

“She was able to overcome it,” Skhy commented.

“What do you mean?” Hanne asked. Skhy didn’t reply. It was probably because he like everyone was focused on what’s happening in the arena. Did she have a problem?

“Everyone has one, right?” Storm whispered, enough for only her to hear. She looked at him strangely. But he didn’t even spare her a glance. Now you’re reading my mind?

“Uh huh.” She rolled her eyes. She let it go and returned her attention to the arena. She couldn’t see anything but fire. The fire reached the edge of the barrier.

“What’s happening inside? Can you see?” Skhy asked then stood up. Clyne was already standing. He kept moving to look for a gap.

Suddenly, Hanne’s eyes widened when she felt a strong slap on her chest. She touched it. There was nothing there. She looked around to see if anyone felt it. They did. Lei was also touching her chest. The boys’ brows were furrowed. Hanne couldn’t see Skhy and Clyne’s reactions because they were standing near the window. Was that Aria?

“When will that surrender?” Clyne tensely asked no one in particular. It was the first time Hanne hear and see him so tense. He was usually cheery and loud. He must be so worried about Aria.

“We don’t know what’s happening down there. But a group of elders is watching. They know,” Skhy disclosed. Everyone was on the edge of their seats, waiting for any movement in the barrier of fire. After what seemed forever, the fire slowly disappeared. Hanne released a sigh when she can finally see Aria’s figure. She was no longer in the same spot but few feet in front of the opponent who was now kneeling.

“You were extremely worried. Anyone might think that it was your brother who’s there,” Storm commented then glanced at Hanne. “You were pulling a lot of expressions earlier.” She felt her cheeks flushed.

“Who- who’s not worried, right?” she stuttered and looked away. “And why are you wa- wa- watching me?” She wanted to hit herself. She’s a straight-forward person. She always looks at people in the eyes. But with Storm, it’s a different story. She didn’t hear Storm’s reply because Nate stood up.

“It’s your turn now,” he said to her. Her eyes widened at the realization. She forgot that she’s fighting after Aria’s turn. She turned to Storm and glared at him.

“This is your fault.” She gritted her teeth. The guy didn’t flinch but only look at her in the eye.

“Just do your best. We’ll take care of the rest.” Her glare faltered. She didn’t reply. She stood up and turned to her brother who had a sad smile.

“Win or lose, your safety is more important, ok?” She nodded then moved in his arms. He hugged her. When she felt his warmth, she grew scared. She knew Nate knows because he can feel her fast heartbeat. She didn’t want to show it.

“I’m scared,” she finally confessed in a whisper so Nate was the only one who can hear. He hugged her tightly.

“If you think you can’t do it, it’s okay. Just show them what you have,” he whispered in her ear. He kissed her forehead then released her.

“Don’t worry too much. Focus,” Skhy said with a smile.

“Tessa said that she knows you’ll shine,” Lei disclosed. This made Hanne chuckled. She said her thanks then moved towards the door. She didn’t notice that Clyne was no longer in the room. He must have run to Aria.

She left the room with heavy footsteps. She was lacking something. She knew she’s not going to win but she at least wanted to show everyone that she belongs here.

Two Legionnaires met her on the ground floor and guided her towards the door that connects the building to the arena. With her heartbeat thumping in her ears, the door opened, revealing a clean and green arena. She felt so small being surrounded by the tall and wide colosseum.

“For our next match, Nathanne Ashworth versus Alisa from Metallum Department!”

Metal?