INSIGNIAS: THE REGALIS

The smell of rubbing alcohol continuously filled the air. Everything was in white: the walls, the beds, the curtains, the floors. People in white walked and ran around, holding medicines, equipment, and needles. The sound of their running footsteps echoed. Their sleep-deprived eyes stared unfazed at their patients who would often scream or groan. But no one could be heard crying despite red decorated the patients’ bodies and oozed on all the beds.

If this happened six months ago, Tessa would have run away from the blood. Needles terrified her. Even now, watching the doctors and nurses insert needles on the tired and usually semi-conscious body, she couldn’t help but look away. The thought of a human body being so vulnerable scared her. Still, she stayed.

“Tessa!” She turned around and saw one of the nurses waving at her at the end of the huge infirmary. She quickly jogged toward her.

“Could you help him?” the nurse politely asked once she neared the bed. Tessa nodded with a smile. She watched as the legionnaire squirmed in pain. His pain-stricken face scrunched with every breath. Healers only assisted the medical staff when they couldn’t help the patients due to the number of injured individuals. Healing also took a toll on the healer’s body so it’s advisable to heal only a few and within the limit of one’s energy. Tessa is one of the few healers in the academy. They called some from other towns but only a limited number of people can enter the school until the officials deemed the surroundings and the academy safe.

Tessa placed her right hand on the man’s bleeding abdomen. His blood soaked his entire shirt. She let her power flow freely. The insignia on her chest warmed. A thin sheet of liquid covered the wound. A few seconds passed and the man’s face visibly relaxed. She lifted her hand and the liquid soaked his clothe.

“Thank you,” the nurse said. She quickly gave him a shot.

“Where is Tessa?” Tessa lifted the curtain when she heard her name. She saw a doctor frantically looking around.

“Here,” she said. The doctor’s bloodshot eyes met hers.

“We need you,” he said between heavy breaths. She quickly followed him to another patient. The routine continued – hearing someone call her name, following that person, healing the patient, watching the medical staff fix the wounds.

Eight semi-conscious patients later, her right arm ached and her legs weaken. Her vision became blurry because of exhaustion. She had no energy left for another patient but she didn’t want to complain. She was massaging her right wrist near the door when it opened, revealing Faz and Eloise. She looked well-rested. Faz saw her first. When Eloise’s clear blue eyes met Tessa’s gaze, she smiled.

“Hi,” she said, “You must be Tessa. I’m sorry we didn’t get to talk properly.” Tessa returned the smile.

“Don’t worry about it,” she replied, “Are you ok now?” Eloise giggled.

“Yes. I’m here to assist.”

“You’re not well enough to heal anyone,” Faz said. He stared at him as Eloise complained but Tessa zoned out her voice. She couldn’t take her eyes off him but his gaze on Eloise made her heart ached so she looked away. She remembered the fear and desperation in his eyes when he tried to get her mother’s diary to get information about Eloise. She remembered the anger and determination in his grey eyes when they arrive in the fortress where she was held captive. Everything was for her. Is and always for her…

“Tessa!” She looked up and saw a doctor running toward her. I need to get away from them.

“Yes. Do you need me?” she asked when he stopped in front of them. He shook his head.

“We can manage. You have to rest too. Thank you for today.”

“But-”

“The doctor told you to rest.” She didn’t look at Faz when he interrupted her.

“Ah. You must be Eloise,” the door said.

“Yes. Where should I go?”

“She shouldn’t heal anyone,” Faz pointed out. The doctor smiled and nodded. The exhaustion, lack of energy, and her unrecognized feeling toward Faz and Eloise made her mind hazy. She couldn’t make out what they were talking about.

“See you later,” she told them with a smile. She left the infirmary without waiting for their reply. There were only a few people in the long and wide hallway in front of the three infirmaries. She always wondered why the academy had huge infirmaries but she realized the reason when during her stay in the school, she had visited the doctor five times because of injuries in combat training.

When she finally reached the entrance of the main building, she stopped and debated where she should go. Their dormitory is empty. Everyone was busy. There was no one to talk to.

“I wonder if Skhy is awake,” she whispered.

“Don’t.” She gasped in surprise. She quickly turned around only to find a pissed Faz. Why didn’t I… Maybe because I’m tired.

“Why are you here?” She glanced behind him. “You left Eloise there?” When she looked up at him, she found him glaring at her. What now? She didn’t want to ask and start an argument so she turned around.

“Where are you going?”

“Skhy,” she replied. She closed her eyes for a moment because the light outside seemed blinding.

“Why?” She felt her head throb. I don’t need this right now, Faz.

“I don’t want to be alone,” she subconsciously whispered. When she realized what she said, she started walking.

“But I’m here,” Faz exclaimed, making her stop. She wondered if the legionnaires and sentries nearby heard him. His statement affected her more than her headache. Before she could think of a reply, she felt Faz’s arm around her shoulder. Her eyes widened. Too close! He guided her toward the dormitory building.

“I’ll bring you to your room,” he said. She was too focused on their proximity that she didn’t reply. No one said a word until they reached the girls’ room. He also didn’t remove his arm until they entered the room. Tessa’s heart was drumming beats and her cheeks flared. The strong emotion took a toll on her already weak body that she unattractively fell on the couch. Her eyes were already half-closed.

“I’ll make you something so eat before you sleep,” she heard him say. This made her eyes open wide.

“You can cook?” she exclaimed. Faz chuckled. His thick lips formed a small smile. He went to the kitchen without replying. Faz cooking for me… She tried to hide her huge smile. But the idea also made her wonder if he had ever cooked for Eloise. He probably did… His attitude surprised her. He talked to her more today than ever. Is it because Eloise is now safe? She began to wonder when and how did they meet, what their relationship is. But she knew that knowing only hurts. With a heavy head and heart, she laid on the couch. Sleep slowly consumed her.

Someone whispering brought her to consciousness. She slowly opened her eyes. She blinked several times before she realized who was silently staring at her. Instead of panicking, she didn’t move. Mesmerized by the two silver orbs, she stared back. His face was too close to hers. She didn’t know if it’s because of sleep or her lack of energy that she didn’t move. I wonder if you’ll feel the same way if I disappear.

Faz blinked. He looked surprised but he didn’t look away.

“No,” he said. Confused, Tessa waited for him to explain. “It will be different.”

He stood up and wrapped his arm around her shoulder to help her sit up. What is different? Her face neared his chest and her cheeks warmed again. She had the urge to lean on him and hug him tightly but she knew she better. Faz gave her the bowl of soup once she sat down properly. She sighed in contentment when she tasted the soup. Within a few minutes, she emptied the bowl.

Only when Faz gave her the glass of water that he noticed his eyes on her. She suddenly felt conscious. She casually touched her face because she thought there was something there.

“Do you need anything else?” he asked. She frowned at him.

“Why are you being so nice today?” He paid more attention to her more than before the battle. She didn’t know what to make of it aside from the positive effect of Eloise’s return. But he was still the same to their friends.

He looked away and stood up. A thought entered her mind.

“Don’t pity me,” she said as she stared at the floor.

“What?”

“I don’t need your pity.” He was also nice to her when they found her dad’s true identity. But what’s your reason now?

“Why would I pity you?” That’s my question too. She still didn’t look at him. She could only see his feet. When she suddenly stood up, she felt dizzy. He swiftly grabbed her arm.

“Where are you going?”

“I need to talk to Skhy.” His grip suddenly tightened. It didn’t hurt but it made her look up. He had a deep frown as he stared intently at her. His eyes showed sadness and anger at the same time. She wondered if the two fought again.

“Eloise is probably waiting for you,” she said, “She needs you.” She knew that it’s the other way around. Faz needed her desperately.

While staring into his mesmerizing and deep eyes, she decided that it’s better to let go. After everything she had been through, she can now accomplish her initial goal – to know everything about her mom. She had nowhere to return to now but the academy. She had no time for useless feelings.

“Why are you going to him?” he asked after the long silence.

“He needs me.”