INSIGNIAS: THE LUX SIGNIFER ACADEMY

The morning after the Halloween festival was busy because of the five days holiday. Students started leaving the Academy early in the morning to go to their homes to be with their family and enjoy the short break. Tessa saw students with luggage pouring out of the dormitory doors at four in the morning. She couldn’t sleep last night. She couldn’t sleep most nights because of nightmares. Her only solaces before she stayed in the Academy were the dagger and the journal that her mother left. Now, she lost two important items. Her nightmares most nights became unbearable. It’s always the same: the day she lost her dad and Steve. After she wakes up, the nightmare left her breathless, tired, anxious, and useless at 3 AM. But she hid these well when she goes to her classes and does her Student Council duties. A few times she went outside their apartment to stay in the hallway and watched the night sky for one to two hours until she feels sleepy.

As she watched students silently left the building with their things, she wondered if their family will get them from the Academy. However, she couldn’t see any vehicle nearby. The students walked toward the Academy’s main gate. She figured that their rides were waiting on the other side of the gate but she couldn’t see the gate because of the Main Colosseum. Their families are probably not allowed inside…

The sun hadn’t risen yet. It was cold making her feel sadder and lonelier. As she silently watched the groups of students walk, she remembered when her Dad would leave his work and they would leisurely spend their weekends together. The memories seemed like they happened a long time ago. It scared her a lot. She kept remembering their house. Even though it usually appears empty and silent, now that she lost everything, she realized how precious it is to her. Thinking about her home, made her remember something about Skhy. His house should be close to the Academy. She wondered if he had the chance to visit it.

Are you a fool, Tessa? It’ll bring back bad memories.

Right…

Wrong case scenario, it’s in ruins like her home. She loudly sighed. Then she thought about her friends’ families. There was a time in the forest when they gathered around the fire and shared their stories. No one wanted it to be sad and depressing but it was a good way to know each other. Hunter didn’t join them. She wasn’t surprised.

That night she told them that she lost everything in a blink of an eye. Lei lost two families. Nate and Hanne left to save theirs. Aria never felt that she belong in the family. Storm didn’t experience having one. Clyne lost the only person in his life.

“Ahh what an ill-fated connection,” she murmured to herself. “Hunter must have been hurting too.”

The statement triggered a memory. She remembered how lovingly he called Eloise’s name and how she quickly let go of her wrist. She didn’t mind at first but when he didn’t answer her questions, she became more curious. When Skhy mentioned Ellie’s whole name, she asked if she is connected to Eloise Hallowedlight. Skhy was surprised that Tessa knew of the name but he told her their connection. Sisters… But he was hesitant to talk about Hunter’s relationship with Eloise so she told him that it’s fine to talk about it some other time. Then Ellie joined their team last night. She announced their first mission without Skhy’s permission.

After that night with Hunter, the two of them shared to Skhy what the secret messages on her mother’s journal. Hunter was never alone with her again.

After one hour of watching the students leave, her eyes grew tired and heavy. She went back to bed and she won’t wake up until noon. When she woke up, Lei and Aria were preparing lunch. After they ate, everyone went to Conference Room 9. When the four girls arrived there, the boys and Ellie were already on their seats. To Tessa’s surprise, Ellie was on her seat beside Skhy. Tessa decided to let it be and sat on the opposite end of the table, facing Skhy. Hunter was also there but he didn’t hide his dislike for being there.

“Our first mission as students here is to stop a group of monsters and witches from destroying towns,” Skhy explained after a few pleasantries.

“They already destroyed two towns,” Ellie added. Skhy nodded.

“They suddenly disappeared but it’s said that they’re on their way to another town in Highport. They don’t attack cities. Only the small towns,” Skhy said.

“Why just the small towns?” Lei asked. They shouldn’t be afraid of people because they are stronger than them…

“There’s nothing for them in the cities,” Ellie answered. That means…

“They’re looking for something,” Tessa blurted. She looked at Skhy and he nodded to confirm her theory.

“Do you have an idea what they’re looking for?” Nate asked. She noticed that Hanne wasn’t particularly listening to the conversation. Hanne looked angry and disappointed last night. These feelings were directed toward her brother and Storm. Tessa figured that it’s related to the Regalis. The three probably hadn’t talked about their problems.

“We’ll know soon,” Ellie replied. “When we face them.” The atmosphere in the room instantly felt heavy because of her words.

“We don’t know why the Academy chose to give this mission to us, but we have to prove to them that we can finish it,” Skhy explained. Tessa wondered how powerful the monsters and witches are. She hadn’t seen them but she remembered how the monsters destroyed her home in just a few steps.

“When are we going?” Tessa asked Skhy.

“Two days from now.” Someone scoffed. By the look of Skhy and Ellie’s faces, that someone was Hunter. Tessa didn’t want to look at him. She had no strength the glare nor acknowledge him today. Just like how he ignores me…

“So rest well and pack for four days journey,” Skhy instructed them.

“Wait. Only the ten of us will fight these…things?” Clyne asked. Looks like it. Skhy shook his head.

“Some students will come with us,” he replied. Tessa was surprised. She thought the Academy will let them be on their own. She figured that the Consortium would want to get rid of them as soon as possible. It was on the Premier who seemed to be on their side. I hope…

After their discussion, they left the room. Skhy and Ellie stayed behind. Tessa couldn’t stop herself from watching the two interact as she closes the door. It shouldn’t be a surprise because Skhy lived here for years so he knows people. However, she realized that Ellie was closer to him than Aurora. They seemed to have a bond.

When the girls entered the elevator, Hanne immediately placed her head on the wall and hid her face with her hair. She sighed. Aria was beside her and she looked concerned but she didn’t try to ask her. Tessa was also worried about her but she looked like she doesn’t want to talk to anyone for now. The elevator tinged and they exited. They rode another elevator to go up to their floor. This time, Lei was the one who had her head on the wall. Tessa wondered what’s wrong.

The elevator arrived on their floor and Hanne quickly exited. Aria followed her. It took a while before Lei exited the elevator. Tessa walked behind her. She was walking slowly. Tessa in front and found Hanne and Aria entering their room.

“Hey,” she said as she put her hand on Lei’s shoulder. Lei flinched and gasped. She slowly turned around. She had a fake smile.

“I thought you’re in front of me,” she said then laughed without humour.

“I don’t want to pry but if you need someone to talk to, don’t hesitate to talk to me,” Tessa told her. Lei looked hesitant to say anything. Tessa remembered their time in the forest. It was Lei who gave her the courage to tell what’s in her mind. It was her who comforted and supported her along with Skhy. Tessa wanted to that kind of person toward other people too, especially to her friends who save her in the forest. When they started living and studying in the Academy, Lei began keep most things to herself. It was probably because of her family.

“We can only depend on each other, right?” Tessa added then smiled. She resumed walking toward their dorm room.

“Wait,” Lei called out. Tessa stopped from her tracks and looked back.

“Can we walk in the garden?”

The dormitory garden behind the building consists of four round cemented tables and chairs around them. It was Tessa’s first time to go there because the garden is usually full of students hanging out with their friends. Lei and Tessa sat down. The wind was calm and refreshing. Tessa patiently waited for Lei to speak but it doesn’t matter if she doesn’t because she respects her silence.

“I think Skhy is pushing himself to his limits,” Lei started. Tessa didn’t think that her troubles were related to Skhy but she understood her sentiments.

“Yes. He keeps most of the burdens to himself,” Tessa replied. “Even when I told him to share the others to us.” Lei put her hands on the table and stared at them.

“I kept wondering if he already visited his house,” she said softly. Tessa was glad that it wasn’t only her who wondered about it.

“I thought about that too.” Lei grew silent. She looked like she was internally debating whether to say what’s on her mind or not.

“I want to help him. I want him to tell me what’s bothering him. I want him to know that he’s not alone,” Lei declared. Tessa was taken aback for a bit. We’re friends…so it’s normal to be concerned.

“Tell him,” Tessa advised. There’s no guarantee that he will listen because he liked carrying the loads by himself. He’s quite stubborn too. She also wanted to help him because he always helps her.

“I might put myself in an awkward situation.” Why?

“What do you mean?” Tessa asked, confused with what Lei said. Lei looked up. She bit her lip. She had a discouraging look.

“I know this might hurt you. But I want to be honest with you because you’ve been nothing but nice to me,” Lei explained. Tessa got more confused.

“I might not control my mouth if I said those words to him,” Lei continued. “I might say something stupid.”

“Something stupid? You know that Skhy will take it as you worrying about him.” She had never got angry at Skhy but Lei always show her anger if Skhy put himself in danger.

“It’s different,” Lei softly said. Tessa was confused.

“You can tell what it is if you want.”

“I don’t know if this concern is-” Lei stopped. She looked like she was picking her words carefully. “More than being a friend.” Lei seemed to watch her expression. It took a while before it dawns her. More than being a friend?

“You like him?” Tessa slowly asked. Lei sighed. Her face was full of worry while staring at Tessa.

“I’m not sure. But I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing?” Tessa got confused again. My brain hurts more than when I learned of my mom’s world.

“Because you also like him,” Lei said a matter-of-a-fact. Tessa’s eyes widened more.

“What? I don’t. Does it appear that way?” Her voice rose a bit. Lei looked confused. The two stared at each other with a bewildered and confused look. After a moment of silence, the two laughed.

“Are you going to confess?” Tessa asked after they caught their breath.

“I don’t know.” Lei was watching the birds flew by. “I don’t have to. I want to silently watch over him.”

“Sorry. I don’t know what the right advice is because I haven’t experienced it.” Tessa blushed as she said the last phrase.

“Really?” Lei asked. Then she sighed. “Me too.”

“But there are a lot of scenarios playing in my head whenever I think about confessing,” Lei added when Tessa didn’t reply. Tessa was thinking of any moment where she felt that she’s in love.

“What scenarios?”

“Being rejected. Having to listen to him talk about his love for my sister. Telling him about the kiss with Nate.”

“What? Who loves who? Who kissed who?” Tessa couldn’t stop herself from shouting. What she heard blew up her mind. She had a dumbfounded look on her face. Her mouth hanged open.

Lei turned to her, confused. When she realized what she said, she covered her mouth with her hand. But it was too late. Tessa heard everything.