INSIGNIAS: THE REGALIS

Loud, ringing noise. Low and deep boom. Flesh hitting flesh. Cries of the wounded. Silence of the dead. Blood gushed out and splattered on their bodies. Heartbeats drummed on their sweat-filled chest. Bodies throbbed with pain and exhaustion. Insignias glowed in the lake of soldiers and corpses. No one stayed still to observe these but everyone knew what’s happening.

Skhy applied pressure on his side. Despite the warm blood dripping on his pants, he gripped his sword and ran toward the enemies. He knew that he won’t last long but he won’t leave until they win the fight. After defeating three enemies, he faced five more. Seeing as the first three didn’t move again, they weren’t controlled by the special powerful item. However, the five enemies had unusual eyes and expressions. He was gasping for air when the two of them stepped forward. The other three stood behind without moving. Skhy gripped the handle of his sword and transferred most of his energy to his weapon.

“Skhy, leave,” he heard one of his allies shout behind him.

“I’ll finish this.” His eyes didn’t leave his opponents.

“You have to! You’ll bleed to death!” His jaw clenched. I rather fight and die than leave.

“What will happen to the Regalis if you die!” It felt like he woke up from a frightening trance. He thought about his friends who were also fighting and defending the L.S.A. Academy. He had no idea if this battle is the one written in the prophecy of the Seven. If it is, he wondered if not finding the last Regalis affect the outcome of the war. But the date of the war didn’t match.

His thoughts were interrupted by the enemies’ footsteps. No time to think. Whether it is the prophesized war or not, he had to fight with his all. He just hoped that Faz and the rest find the box soon. Even with the combined strength of legionnaires, sentries, and knights, they are vulnerable because they are still humans compared to most of the enemies. Skhy removed his left hand on his injured side. He flinched when he did. Suddenly, an ear-shattering explosion near him rocked the ground. He instinctively covered his ears and felt warm liquid drip. He quickly regained his balance to fight his opponents.

But instead of attacks, he was hit by chilling cries around him. Voices wailed in the same tone and volume. It was as if the bloodcurdling voices joined to form a choir for a dark ritual. He felt the hairs on his skin stand as they continued to cry and howl. He looked at the five enemies before him and found them looking up. The veins on their necks seemed to pop while their mouths hang open. What’s happening to them? Skhy’s eyes widened a bit. He swiftly turned around to look for any Concordian. He spotted Mr. Castledgrey.

“Did you hear anything from Faz?” the chief was the first to ask the question. Skhy shook his head.

“What’s happening?” one legionnaire asked. One by one, the Concordians joined them.

“Did they fail?” Skhy whispered.

“Someone might have made the wrong move,” Mr. Castledgrey spat. That can’t be. Faz knew how to handle the box. What if it’s not in his possession? Skhy grimaced when the pain hit again. He groaned when it didn’t go away after a few seconds.

“Did they all stop moving?” Mr. Castledgrey shouted. Everyone had the same answer. Skhy wondered if it’s considered good or bad news. He wondered if the enemies are just preparing for something huge. He wondered if the cries were a part of a ritual to call someone strong.

“Some are still fighting!” someone shouted.

“Those that are humans and not controlled by the box,” Skhy pointed out. He tried not to groan when the throbbing pain increased. His ears were also hurting because of the ear-piercing explosion earlier and the spine-chilling cries around them. The enemies were still looking up as if they were crying for someone above.

“Help those who are still fighting!” Mr. Castledgrey instructed the Concordians with them. Skhy gulped the groan.

“I’ll look for Faz and the others,” he told him, “I’ll check the box.”

“Not in that state.”

“What?” He noticed the cut on Mr. Castledgrey’s arm. Half of his shirt was red with blood.

“You won’t last,” the commanding officer said with a grim expression. “You can’t walk nor breathe properly.” Skhy didn’t mind the pain. His friends’ safety was more important to him. He looked away.

“I’m fine.” He winced after saying this. His left side was throbbing with pain every time he breathed in or out.

“When are they going to stop?” Some Concordians around them started complaining about the cries. Skhy walked away with his left hand on his side, each step increasing the pain. This is nothing. He stopped when he realized he didn’t know where to start looking for Faz and the others. He looked around and found debris everywhere. There no more trees standing and the ground had holes and cracks. The darkness swallowed any light that can lead him.

He was breathing heavily with his hand gripping his throbbing waist. The disturbing cries continued. His sight became fuzzy. Even in the darkness, the distorting image in front of him began swaying and the shadowed objects took different shapes. He shook his head. I can’t pass out now…

He began to hear a distinct voice among the enemies’ cries.

“Skhy!” He’s the main protector of the Regalis.

“Skhy!” He shouldn’t succumb to the pain. The image in front of him started dancing with the spine-chilling voices. His legs weakened and his knees hit the ground. Even in his dizzy state, he looked around for the owner of the voice. He spotted her running toward him.

“I told you to stay inside,” he whispered. She reached him and immediately hugged him. Skhy breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that she’s safe. The scent of her hair relaxed him. She suddenly gasped.

“You’re wounded!” she exclaimed then slowly pushed him away. “Let’s go back to the academy!”

He didn’t know how long the enemies had been crying and shouting to the sky but the spine-chilling noise abruptly stopped as two Concordian men helped Skhy stand up. Even in his semi-conscious state, he could still hear the noises of battles. He thought that the human-like enemies controlled by the box started moving again. His senses awakened and his mind cleared.

“It’s ok.” Her voice soothed him. “They’re dead. Only a few enemies left.” His shoulder visibly relaxed. He trusted her words. Her green eyes showed that she’s worried about him.

“Faz?” he whispered.

“Here!” Skhy turned to his right and saw several shadows running toward them. The two Concordian men who were holding him turned him so as he was facing the newcomers.

“You’re ok,” Skhy whispered between heavy breaths.

“You’re still alive,” Faz mocked. He looked around but looked disappointed when he couldn’t see what he’s looking for.

“We better go back to the academy,” Savvier instructed. “The legionnaires and sentries will finish everything.” We won.

Not yet. The fights will continue until they find the source and stop the masterminds. They also need to save their friend who was left inside the portal. Skhy’s body felt heavy. He couldn’t stand properly.

“Where are the others?” he managed to ask.

“We’ll find them. So let’s go back,” Lei insisted. Skhy nodded. As they walked toward the academy, he mourned for the lost lives – humans or non-humans. Even in darkness, the destruction was evident. They met more Concordians along the way. All of them looked exhausted and distraught. When the L.S.A. gate came into view, he remembered the moment when he led his friends to the academy for the first time.

Mr. Castledgrey was waiting for them near the gate.

“Your friends are already inside.” Faz dashed inside without waiting for Skhy and the others.

“Probably worried about Eloise,” someone Skhy didn’t know said. When did the others know about Eloise and the others returning?

“News travel fast,” Lei muttered. Skhy felt sleepy but he didn’t want to sleep. His wounded side became numb of pain but he felt the energy draining from his body. He had to look for someone. Lei probably noticed this.

“We have to treat your wound first then we’ll look for her.” The academy ground was full of legionnaires and sentries. Savvier stayed with Mr. Castedgrey to assess the damage while Skhy, who’s assisted by two men, and Lei went to the main building where their friends should be waiting.

“Skhy! Lei!” They were greeted by Clyne the moment they entered one of the infirmaries. His left arm was in a cast. The two men left after they laid Skhy on one of the beds. Two nurses immediately checked his wound.

“Are you the only one here?” Lei asked. He couldn’t see Lei and Clyne. He just stared at the ceiling.

“No. Aria’s resting there,” he said.

“Is it serious?”

“No.” Skhy heard footsteps retreating. His eyes becoming heavy. Hurry. I have to look for her.

“Were you the one who handled the Pandora’s Box?” Their voices sounded far away.

“Yes, I am. It was easier than I thought,” he boasted. “I’m joking. I thought I screwed up. It was scary.” A short pause.

“And Faz?” Lei asked, “He was with us earlier.” Their voices became whispers. I don’t like this.

“He came here but immediately left to look for her.”

“I also want to look for her.” Lei’s voice cracked. “But I’m sure Faz will find her soon.” I want to see her too.

Darkness consumed him despite his protest.