INSIGNIAS: THE LUX SIGNIFER ACADEMY

The students settled around the campfires. There weren’t loud noises and chattering. Everyone was enjoying the silence and warmth of the night. When Aria left the Tempus Locus building, she felt better than earlier. She wasn’t dizzy anymore. She looked around to see if Skhy and the girl were somewhere near but they weren’t. Only a few students were lounging near the buildings. She looked at her phone. She had been in the toilet for 10 minutes. She wondered if they were looking for her. She also wondered if Skhy and the girl were already there. If what she heard is true, Skhy would be in the middle of Hunter and the girl.

She turned toward the campfire where they were supposed to meet. It was a bit far but she noticed people standing near it. She started walking toward it. She was passing the closed canteen when she heard familiar voices. She decided to ignore it because she above everyone, she respected this person. Whatever they were talking about, that person was hurting a lot. Even though she was shouting, her voice was full of hurt.

Now, as Aria stared at Hanne, she saw the feeling of betrayal in her eyes directed toward her brother and Storm. What’s going on? Someone threw pieces of grass on her shoes so she turned to glare at Clyne but he was still nervously glancing at Hunter then Tessa then the new girl. She wondered if Clyne knew the girl but based on what happened in the tournament, he probably had no clue.

Someone coughed so Aria turned toward the person.

“This is supposed to be a relaxing night after the Halloween festival,” Skhy started, “Sorry.”

“There are important things to be done so we understand,” Tessa consoled him.

“These are our realities,” Lei commented, making the atmosphere heavier. “Sorry,” she quickly added.

“Anyway, get on with it,” Storm said. He was the first one to break off from his staring contest with Hanne.

“A part of my dad’s book is a short story. A castle with seven knights. Six surrounded it. One guards the inside,” he explained. Seven knights huh. What kind of story is it?

“One of the seven is in this Academy,” Nate guessed.

“And it’s her?” Hunter said in a mocking tone then scoffed.

“You’re not involved in this, Hunter,” Ellie mocked back. Then the two glared at each other. Aria sighed. She turned to Clyne who was worriedly watching the two. He also looked sad. Why?

“We have to work together, ok?” Skhy’s voice became high and serious. He looked between the two as if he’s a father scolding his children. He acts like one most of the time. Hunter and Ellie looked away but were still in a foul mood.

“They’re moving. The Mortemians are moving,” Skhy said as he looked at each of the members of the group.

“Aren’t they always causing trouble?” Aria asked.

“Yes. But this time, they’re using monsters and witches.” Gasps were heard.

“Aren’t Concordians and Mortemians supposed to fight and suppress these things?” Clyne enquired.

“Yes, but they’re using them as soldiers,” Skhy explained. Even if they don’t use monsters and witches, they can cause destruction. So why? Aria was certain that Mortemians are strong enough to destroy the towns.

“Their goal is not just to destroy but to torture, to see people suffer, and to make people see how their lives get destroyed.” Silence followed Skhy’s statement. Aria could imagine it. The horror in people’s eyes as their loved ones die in front of their eyes. The pain of losing everything before dying themselves. Memories of her house and her family followed. No matter how cruel her relatives are, she wouldn’t want them to die a terrible death. When she emerged from her unpleasant thought, she realized that everyone was also deep in thought. They already experience losing their loved ones.

“At what cost?” Lei suddenly asked.

“Huh?” Skhy looked confused.

“Is it for pleasure?” Lei’s voice broke. Skhy didn’t answer. Probably because she was right.

Silence followed. Aria watched the fire dance as it engulfed the woods. The shadows of its flames move on the ground.

“Did her insignia showed on that paper?” Hanne suddenly asked. She still looked angry and disappointed but there’s a new emotion on her face. Fear.

“No,” Skhy responded.

“Then why-”

“Hanne.” Nate gave her a warning look. Hanne looked down and didn’t say anything.

“One of my parents’ colleagues told me. We’ll have to wait,” Skhy explained.

“So there’s Lei, Aria, and Nate.” Tessa counted using her finger.

“And Storm.” Aria turned toward him. So that’s why.

“Four. Then Ellie,” Tessa murmured.

“Who do you think are the other two?” Lei asked.

Skhy nodded.

“Tessa and Hanne,” he replied firmly. “I believe that the people in this group are fated to meet each other.” Aria glanced at Hanne. She didn’t look surprised. Skhy already told them before that she might be one of the Regalis like her brother. Aria turned to Tessa who looked nervous.

“When are you going to tell us who your sources here in the Academy?” Storm asked. Is he talking about Skhy’s allies?

“Soon. They wanted to stay in the shadows. Also, there are those who silently help me,” he explained. So he hasn’t met all his allies… Aria wondered if Skhy thought about enemies disguising as allies but she figured that Skhy is smart and perceptive. There must have been reasons and evidence that made him believe in them.

Aria heard a tapping sound beside her. She thought Clyne was playing again. She turned to him and found three average rocks formed in a triangle on the ground in front of him. The three rocks moved clockwise while Clyne was staring at the air.

“That’s cool,” Tessa commented. “Ah, your insignia is shaped like a circle.”

“Huh?” Clyne woke up from his trance. When he realized what Tessa was talking about, he lifted his t-shirt’s left sleeve. He turned so that everyone could see his left muscle arm. The insignia was glowing a bit.

“It looked like a cookie to me,” he said. Nate chuckled.

“More like a rock with cracks,” Nate pointed out. Clyne nodded in agreement. It does look like it…

“What’s yours?” Clyne asked Nate as he pulled his sleeve down. He raised his right arm in front of him. His insignia suddenly glowed. He then showed it to everyone.

“Pinstripes? What do you think?” he asked no one in particular. Aria observed its design.

“Three semi-circle converging intersecting at one point,” Tessa described. Nate laughed.

“That’s really detailed,” he commented. “How about yours, Tessa? I haven’t seen it before.” Tessa awkwardly looked around.

“It’s on my chest.”

“Oh sorry sorry.” Nate quickly apologized. Aria had seen her insignia before.

“I remember waves,” Aria told them.

“The waves shape a heart,” Tessa added. Several ‘oohhh’ were heard. Tessa gave her a thankful look. Aria smiled in return.

“I think Aria’s insignia is on her back, right?” Nate guessed. Aria nodded.

“Shape like fire with five flames,” she replied.

“That’s really cool,” Lei commented.

“Lei’s is on her backhand,” Tessa said. Lei raised her right hand and showed the backhand. Her insignia shone. It covered most of the skin.

“A tree without leaves,” Skhy described. “The branches extend until your nails.”

“Yeah.” Rock, fire, plant, water... our insignias are based on our elements.

“Skhy is on the back of his neck,” Lei pointed out. Skhy nodded in agreement.

“They are wings,” she added. She had a huge smile on her face as she said this. It quickly vanished when she realized she’s being stared at. Hmmm…

“Fa- Hunter’s is on his shoulder blade,” Skhy said. Everyone glanced at Hunter who looked like he didn’t like the attention but didn’t say anything.

“Yeah. It’s a dragon.” Tessa excitedly told everyone. Her eyes suddenly widened and her face turned pink. Hmmm…

“Uh how about you, Storm?” she quickly asked. Storm wasn’t particularly mad or uncomfortable. He just looked bored.

“He and Hunter are of the same species,” she mumbled to herself.

“You included,” Clyne whispered near her ear. Aria glared at him. He giggled. She rolled her eyes at him.

“A snake,” she heard Storm say. Aria didn’t take a good look at it but she knew it’s on his cheek.

“And Hanne?” Tessa asked her. Hanne looked tired and lost.

“Uh pinstripes diamond,” she simply said. Everyone must have noticed how disturbed she is because no one said anything after.

“I think we need rest.” Skhy finally broke the silence. Aria sighed.

“You didn’t tell them,” Ellie said. She was quietly observing everyone earlier.

“What?” Clyne asked.

“We’ll talk about it tomorrow or some other day. We’re tired-”

“We’re going out to fight,” Ellie cut Skhy off. Aria frowned, confused.

“Fight who? Where?” Tessa asked. Skhy looked troubled.

“Monsters and witches,” Skhy replied. What? They had been in the Academy for less than three months.

“First mission as students here,” Ellie explained. She didn’t look bothered that most of them were confused. Why are we fighting strong enemies for our first mission? Where?

“I’ll see you. Bye,” she said then left. Everyone turned to Skhy for an explanation. He looked defeated. He said that he’s going to explain it tomorrow afternoon. They were walking toward their dormitory when Aria remembered something. She waited for Skhy who was walking behind the rest.

“You said that we’re fated to meet each other,” she said but didn’t look at him.

“Yeah.”

“It’s ill-fated then.”

“Yeah.”