INSIGNIAS: THE LUX SIGNIFER ACADEMY

It didn’t take long before they stopped to rest. Skhy made sure that they were far from the invincible creature’s area before rowing toward land. The crescent moon and countless stars continued watching the eight young travellers. By the time they set up camp, everyone was cold, exhausted, hungry, and sleepy. There were bananas and cherries but not enough. Clyne and Hanne stood up to look for more firewoods. Clyne didn’t want to leave the hurt Aria but she scared him to go. Hunter was also sporting bruises on his legs. Drops of blood were evident on his ripped pants.

Nate was looking for his emergency kit beside Hunter when Tessa crouched in front of him while holding two bottles of water. She gave one to Aria, who thanked her, then Hunter. Tessa held her hand toward his wounds when he spoke.

“Stop,” he said. Nate figured that Tessa wanted to heal him. “Do Aria’s. I’m fine. Don’t waste your energy and power.” He said this without looking at her. He looked angry and Nate didn’t know why. Tessa looked surprised and confused. The shadows of the fire dancing slowly on her face.

“I’m good, Tessa,” Aria said with a small smile. Tessa replied with a sad smile and nod.

“We’ll fix them up, Tessa,” Nate tried to comfort her.

“You need your energy,” Lei, who was bending beside Aria, added. Nate knew that it was Hunter’s way to show concern for her. But why is he angry…?

“Let’s look for more fruits.” Nate looked up to find Skhy standing behind Tessa. She didn’t say anything but stood up. The two began walking toward the dark forest, their shadows slowly disappearing as they walked farther from the campfire. Skhy assured them that this forest is safe.

Nate was able to locate the small emergency kit at the very bottom of his backpack. It’s usually dangling on the strap but he forgot that he put it inside. He grabbed a container with the saline solution. He turned to Lei to show her but he found her staring somewhere. He glanced at the direction. There were longing and sadness in her eyes. He sighed then turned to Hunter who was also staring in the same direction. Nate shook his head.

“What?” Hunter asked as Nate was gently dabbing the cloth soak in saline solution on his bruises. They weren’t deep nor long. They looked like they were scratched by twigs, branches, and trunks.

“What do you ‘what?’ He didn’t look up, trying to focus on cleaning his wounds.

“Can you pass to me the bottle?” he heard Lei ask. He gave her the solution. She was helping Aria fold the helm of her pants.

“You were shaking your head earlier.” Nate didn’t think Hunter noticed. He was busy getting confused about whether to glare or stare at the darkness earlier.

“Your wounds,” Nate simply replied. He didn’t want to say anything. Hunter remained silent. After dressing his wounds, Nate grabbed his water bottle then walked toward the sparkling river. This part of the river has many sharp rocks and a bit disturbed. It wasn’t rough but it wasn’t calm either. He could hear the soft trickling of the waters as he neared it. The crescent moon created a moving white path on the water. Nate stared at the other side of the wide river. Beyond the river and the rock formation, which only showed the tips of the sharp rocks, is one of the most dangerous and powerful places in Arconien. There are places in the world that store and produce unimaginable energies that aren’t controlled by living things. The places themselves hold power. South Edgeburn isn’t as big as Faymagnates and The Canopy, the largest regions, but it’s one of the most unexplored places. Even before studying at Lux Signifer Academy, everyone knew that it’s dangerous but most people say it’s because of scorpions, desert, heat, and sand storms.

The first time Nate learnt that Hunter and Clyne visited it, he was curious. If his dream was true, and if Clyne was right, he and Hanne had been in South Edgeburn before. The black hole on the ground…

His deep thoughts were interrupted by the footsteps.

“What are you thinking?” her voice reached him.

“What’s on the other side,” he replied without taking his eyes off the dark horizon. Lei bent then scooped water into a tumbler with a water filter.

“You’re always curious about the world.” She stood up but didn’t leave.

“Is that wrong?”

“Depends.” A comfortable silence enveloped them. A strong cold breeze slapped his cheek. Lei chuckled softly.

“What?” This time he turned to look at her. He had a short glimpse of a fading smile. Her emerald green eyes staring forward.

“Nothing. I was thinking about the wind,” she whispered. It sounded sorrowful and far away. Another breeze fanned her dark hair. She pushed the strands behind her ear.

“You confessed,” Nate blurted. Lei’s eyes bulged and she quickly turned to him.

“Wha- what are you… talking about?” Her eyes darting anywhere. Nate chuckled. He decided not to intervene because it doesn’t suit him but he assured himself that this is not going between them.

“You’re brave for confessing. It probably took a lot of courage, overthink, and second thoughts, but you did your best.” He smiled. Lei’s eyes finally fell on his. She opened her mouth but closed it again. She turned and stared at the river. He wasn’t sure if she was looking at the running water, the reflection of the sky or the colourful peddles.

“I shouldn’t have.” His smile slowly fell. Her crestfallen eyes made him regret saying anything. He tried to form comforting words but he knew that it’ll probably hurt her more.

“So there’s also a time when you’re speechless.” Lei was the one who broke the awkward silence. There was still sadness in her eyes but she had a genuine smile.

“Of course. It’s hard to handle crying women,” he honestly replied which earned him a raised eyebrow and an amused chuckle.

“Not that I always make sure to amuse women,” he quickly added when he noticed her look.

“I didn’t say that,” she teased.

“I know that tone of voice. You thought about that but I’m not like that,” he defended. It was the same tone she used months ago after their first encounter.

“You weren’t the only one who was surprised by the sudden…lips bumping,” he added, saying the last words softly. He felt embarrassed whenever he remembered the incident.

Lei gasped.

“I- Why did you- You call it ‘lip bumping’?” she demanded in a high-pitched voice. He groaned. He was always the type of person who thinks before talking.

“Sorry. We decided not to talk about it again.” After the two groups settled for a talk, the embarrassed Lei simply said to forget it because it was an accident. Thinking about it now, the two groups weren’t keen on dropping their weapons at first. The talk also didn’t go well in the first ten minutes or so. It was more because of Storm’s stubbornness…

His thought was again clouded by his memories of him.

“Be- because it was an accident!” Her voice pulled him about the dark cloud. Her flushed cheeks were evident under the moonlight.

“It- it- it wasn’t a kiss, alright?!” she added. At first, Nate thought that Lei was rigid and didn’t like other people’s company. But she was actually the nicest person he could encounter and a person who appreciate all the living. She shows her feelings on her face when she trusts the person. Nate wondered how Skhy didn’t figure it out. Without even trying, she always saves others. Skhy and Tessa. You saved them. Just like how you saved me earlier… He was also thankful for the days and nights that she took care of Hanne after Storm left. So he wished and hoped for her happiness.

Nate chuckled.

“Alright. It’s not a kiss,” he said with a smile. Her eyes blinked rapidly. Her mouth opening and closing without a sound. Then she turned to face the river. He couldn’t see her face but he knew she was blushing.

“Don’t tell anyone.” Her soft voice reached him through the cold calm wind.

“I won’t,” he promised. He faced the rushing river. For the first time in his life, he wondered about how beautiful and comforting it would be to have someone with him while staring at the beautiful moon. He knew that loving someone and being in a relationship isn’t for him.

“But it’s worth it.”

“Huh?” He looked at her who was still staring at the hanging moon.

“Love, that is.” I wonder…

“What? Are you the type of person who doesn’t believe in love?” she asked without looking at him.

“No. I do believe in it. But it’s not for me.” He had more important things to do. And he wasn’t interested.

“I am beginning to wonder if it’s because of a broken heart.” Nate laughed.

“You have been reading so many love stories. Or is it because you had so many…”

“This is the first!” she interrupted. She quickly looked away to hide her embarrassment from her confession.

“And it won’t be the last. So just focus on yourself for now,” he said.

“You always speak like you experienced a lot of things.” He was glad that Lei opened to him. She doesn’t usually talk to her if it’s not important.

“I wonder…” He heard the laughter behind him. “That’s our cue.” They walked back to where their friends are gathering. Love relationship wasn’t for him. But I’m curious…