INSIGNIAS: THE LUX SIGNIFER ACADEMY

Aubree, Aurora, Nate, and Hanne were in a large field with the villagers. Skhy, Lei, Aria, Storm, Ellie, Storm, and Clyne quickly went there to talk to the villagers if there were suspicious events that happened before the Mortemians attacked. Hunter stayed behind with Tessa to help her walk slowly. Before setting off, Storm noticed that the girl was trembling and unfocused. Whether the man earlier lied or not, he still looked like her father. Tessa’s reaction was understandable. She was confused. There was also what the man said about Tessa and Ellie’s blood relation. However, Ellie refuted his claim. Storm didn’t know if Tessa was also thinking about it but he knew Skhy was. Even though Storm pitied Tessa, he had other more important thoughts in mind. The fact that an ordinary man was able to use dark magic meant that Mortemians opened the vault where a lot of forbidden magic is kept. Furthermore, they found what they were looking for in the town.

They were currently talking to the locals when he remembered the man’s statement. Threat to the person we are looking for.

“Were there insignificant robberies that happened these past few days?” he asked the young couple in front of him.

“Never,” the man said but the wife didn’t look convinced. The wife tugged her husband’s shirt. The husband tilted his head toward her.

“The bread…” she started to whisper to his ear. Storm only heard the first two words. The man nodded at her then looked back at Storm.

“What is it?” Storm asked.

“I don’t know if you count it as robberies,” the man started, “but since last month someone leaves fruits in exchange for our bread and cheese in our pantries.”

“This is a small town of Concordians. We know and trust everyone,” the wife explained.

“We didn’t think the person wanted to harm us,” the man added. Storm nodded and said his thanks. He immediately looked for Skhy.

“Skhy!” he called out. Skhy turned to him.

“Since last month. Exchanging foods.” Storm didn’t explain further because he knew Skhy would understand immediately. He sighed after hearing the news.

“We have to find out where they’re headed,” Skhy said. Suddenly loud marching was heard. Storm sensed more than 10 people. Everyone stopped talking to look at the direction where it was coming. The group in armour emerged behind the trees. When they saw the people in the field, the men ran toward them.

“Is everyone safe?” one of the men asked. The other men scattered then talked to the villagers.

“Yes,” Skhy answered. The man’s question made Storm look around to look for Hunter and Tessa. She was sitting on a log with Lei. Hunter was nowhere in sight. He’s probably searching on his own.

“There was an army of monsters and witches earlier. The knights didn’t stay close?” Storm turned to Skhy when he heard his question.

“We didn’t expect them to be that many,” the man explained. Skhy looked frustrated. The Academy gave the 13 students, seven of which are new in the school, this mission because it won’t be difficult. Also, they were assured that sentries were close. Knights from a fortress were also nearby. A trap. Storm was sure of it. However, he wasn’t sure if the one who made the setup was the Mortemians or the Consortium. Does the Consortium hate us enough to kill us?!?

“Did you sense where the enemies were going?” Skhy asked. The sentry looked surprised at first.

“Your mission is done so you can go back to the Academy,” he simply said.

“But-”

“We know,” Storm interrupted Skhy who looked at him with a confused look.

“We will go back. We’re just curious, that’s all,” he added. “You’re stronger than us so we figured that you can enlighten us.” The sentry eyed them suspiciously.

“Intel told us three powerful energies spotted moving South. They were moving slow. But the others disappeared quickly,” the sentry replied after a minute.

“I see. We’re disappointed that we failed,” Skhy said. “We’ll be on our way.” The sentry nodded then walked toward his team.

“Guys! We have to go!” Skhy shouted. The team regrouped after saying goodbye to the townspeople and the sentries.

“Where are we going?” Ellie asked as they entered the forest.

“Home, of course,” Aubree replied.

“I can’t believe I fail the mission,” Aurora commented then sighed.

“I thought we’re following the enemies,” Savvier pointed out.

“What?” Aubree exclaimed. Skhy stopped walking like everyone else. He sighed turned to look at every one.

“It’s risky but this isn’t a normal mission,” he said. Storm agreed with his statement. He didn’t know what made the Academy gave them this mission but Storm knew that it’s important to solve it.

“You think that there’s more than meets the eye?” Aurora asked.

“I think there’s more than the Academy and the Mortemians show,” Skhy replied.

“Is there a rule that said that the whole group must complete the mission?” Storm asked.

“Yes,” Aubree responded. “I think that we’ll get in trouble if we go beyond.” She looked nervous.

“Then I suggest that you choose,” Storm said. Everyone looked at him, weighing his words. He turned to Tessa who didn’t look as pale as earlier but still looked unfocused.

“Tessa, you should go back,” he suggested. Tessa suddenly stood up.

“No, I’m going,” she said with a determined face. Skhy walked toward her.

“I don’t think-”

“You’re right,” she cut him off. “This mission isn’t just about protecting the townspeople and fighting the monsters and witches.” Silence followed. For others, it was a dilemma. They still had three days to complete the mission. However, going outside the town meant that they’re not following the mission anymore.

“I wonder if the Academy knew that the Mortemians were looking for someone.” It was Clyne who cut the silence.

“That person must know or have something important and I want to find out,” Storm explained. “Choose. You can go back or go with Skhy and me.” Someone scoffed. Hunter walked pass Storm and Skhy without a word. Aria nodded at the girls before following Hunter. Clyne quickly followed her while shouting her name. Tessa tapped Skhy’s shoulder. Lei, Ellie, and Savvier followed her.

“Isn’t this dangerous?” Hanne pointed out. “We don’t know what awaits us there.” She was pleading with her eyes.

“Yes, it is,” Aurora replied then sighed.

“Stay behind, Hanne,” Storm suggested.

“I’ll stay with he-”

“I’m going,” Hanne suddenly cut Nate off. She glanced at Storm who was surprised by her sudden determination.

“Let’s finish this,” Aubree said. She looked serious and mature as she stared at the backs of the other members who already left. “I’m also curious. Don’t worry, I’ll try everything so the school won’t punish us.”

“Thank you, Aubree,” Skhy said. A thought suddenly entered Storm’s mind. Do Aubree, Aurora, and Savvier believe the Regalis prophesy? Whose side are they on? It wasn’t the time to ask those questions. Whether they play on the same or different sides, this mission was meant to be a test. What kind of test though? And who are they testing?

“Let’s go to Edgeburn,” Skhy said. Aubree nodded. Aurora, Hanne, and Nate followed the rest who were already far ahead.

“What’s our plan when we get there?” Aubree asked. She, Skhy, and Storm walked behind the others. “We’re impulsively going there.”

“The sentry said that their intel detected five energies moving toward Edgeburn. I was thinking that they’re going to the Southern Edgeburn where there’s a visible Mortemian fortress so I was hesitant at first,” she quickly added without waiting for Skhy’s response. “But if they’re moving slow, they probably on their way to one of their hideout in the border of Hightower and Northern Edgeburn.” Storm was impressed. He reminded himself that despite her easy-going attitude, she’s the President of the Student Council. She knew a lot than she let on.

“I agree. They’re expecting that no one will go after them. There are only three of them. The others are probably in the Mortem by now,” Skhy added. He didn’t look surprised by what Aubree said.

“If there are only three, don’t you think sentries will go after them?” Storm asked.

“Not sure about that. But I doubt they will if the hostage wasn’t important,” Aubree pointed out. That’s true.

“Besides, the high officials let them be if it isn’t a serious fight,” Skhy added. Storm scoffed. He remembered the news he heard on his travels. Several towns were destroyed by Mortemians looking for someone or something. The sentries he saw seemed to be satisfied with stopping the enemies from killing or destroying more but didn’t try to prevent such situations. Is it because they’re still hoping for peace between the two legions or they feel like protecting non-magic users is a bother?

“How did you know about this hideout?” Storm asked. Then an idea entered his mind. He glanced at Aubree then at Skhy. “Is she one of your allies?”

“Of course,” Aubree replied with a smile. “We’re friends.”

The team took a bus toward the farthest town in the south of Hightower. After two hours of walking, they arrived near the edge of the forest.

“There’s a huge grass field behind these trees,” Skhy said to the team. Storm sensed a few Mortemians in the area. Just like what the sentry told earlier, the three individuals are strong but they didn’t seem like Mortemian leaders. One of them seemed to be Tessa’s father based on the familiar energy. He couldn’t sense anyone else aside from the Mortemians. The victim must be really weak now for me not to sense his energy… They had their guards down because they weren’t expecting any Concordian entering their invincible barrier. But where are the others?

“Can we enter the barrier?” Lei asked. Skhy shook his head.

“Only Mortemians. Strong Concordians can break it,” Aubree answered. “We’re going to make them come outside. Then use one of them to open the door for us.”

“Let’s split into four groups to surround them. Aubree and I will try to get their attention,” Skhy explained.

“I will stay in a tree. Outside the barrier,” Storm said. Hanne didn’t look happy but she didn’t say anything.

“Alright. Keep a lookout,” Nate told him.

“We’re really going to attack them in their base,” Ellie said then scoffed. They were lucky that the hideout wasn’t filled with countless Mortemians. Does that mean that the victim isn’t someone strong?

“Be careful,” Storm told Hanne who blushed a bit then nodded. When everyone left to go to their posts, Storm was left alone inside the forest. He jumped on one of the branches of a tree. He kept jumping until he reached the highest branch. He could see how big the grass field is. He hoped that someone there would answer his questions.

“Who performed the forbidden magic on Tessa’s father?”

Storm checked his wristwatch. After half an hour, he noticed the barrier shifting. The reflection swayed a bit. Someone went outside the hideout. They noticed our presence. Storm sensed the Mortemian walking toward his direction where three of his teammates are hiding. Then the fight began. He sensed Tessa’s father’s energy and another Mortemian after they passed through the barrier. This is going to be an easy fight.

That’s what he thought. He quickly jumped to another branch. The sword cut through the branch where he stood earlier. The person who attacked him jumped on the branch in front of him. His arms and thigh muscles were evident through his black clothes. His sword reappeared on his left hand. His insignia shone with dark light on his right neck. Storm listened to his surroundings and found no other enemy near him.

“You’re outnumbered. What kind of hideout is this?” he mocked. The man didn’t respond. He just stared at Storm.

“Who performed the forbidden magic?” he asked through gritted teeth. The man glanced around.

“That’s not your concern,” he replied when his eyes fell on Storm again. “Don’t snoop around. It’ll be very dangerous.” Storm weighed his words. The man’s statements were warnings for them to stop looking for answers.

“That won’t stop me,” Storm said after a minute of silence. “Tell me.” The man shook his head then jumped on another branch. Storm was about to attack but the man quickly runs away. He was moving away from the hideout. He won’t help them?

“I’m done with this. I’ll find out everything,” he said as he looked back where his team was fighting with the Mortemians.