INSIGNIAS: THE REGALIS -
CHAPTER XXXV: NATE
The heavy footsteps and howls faded out when Nate stumbled inside the cavern, cursing inside with each step. The group split up, making him anxious and scared for his friends’ safety, and regretful for not being able to keep the group together and protect them. He hoped that no one was alone like he was. His heart drummed loud and fast beats in his chest as he thought about the worst scenarios that might happen to them. He knew he had to turn around but the sight inside the cavern stopped him from turning. He immediately recognized Alyssa Roseshadow from afar, with her long black hair, pale skin, and long white dress. She seemed to be talking to the glowing globe. If she had noticed his presence, she didn’t show it. Crouching near the entrance, he looked around, expecting the presence of the Rosein Army but it seemed that they were alone. Debating if he should go back now or watch Alyssa more to gather information, but the Eloise-look alike decided for him.
“What do you want, Luxian?” Her voice reached him like a whisper, startling him. How? He decided not to answer, fearing that there were spies around her. He heard her sigh.
“I’m alone.” He blinked, doubt clouded his mind, but he stepped forward, not knowing why. He jumped down the crater and made his way toward her. He didn’t know why but something was pulling him toward her. Panic rose when he thought he was being controlled but it didn’t feel like he was. Alyssa slowly turned to him; her ice blue eyes regarded him with light curiosity, which surprised him. He got used to her expressionless face.
“Why are you here?” he asked when he stopped walking. He realized that the pull he felt was curiosity. Curiosity kills the cat, Nate. It was too late, he walked into a trap.
“Don’t be afraid,” Alyssa said, startling him once again. “I’m alone.” Nate narrowed his eyes at her; his brow furrowed. As he read her face for any hint of a lie, he noticed huge differences between her and Eloise’s appearances. Alyssa was shorter, thinner, and smaller like a child; her lips pink and full; her eyes were round while Eloise’s were slanted, hers were darker and deeper than Skhy and Hunter’s friend. Her hair had strands of gold which he never noticed before. She would pass as Eloise’s sister but not a clone. Maybe the enemies didn’t want her to be the exact copy?
“Why are you here?” he repeated.
“I asked you first.” Her stare didn’t waver. She looked like she won’t mind staring at him for hours so as not to back down. He weighted her question earlier; his mind reminded him of his friends somewhere in the dark and cold cave. His fists clenched.
“I’m curious,” he said instead. Alyssa watched him for a moment before answering.
“I’m working,” she replied curtly. Nate frowned, unsatisfied with her answer.
“For the Rosein Army,” he completed her statement. She titled her head.
“For a lot of people,” she corrected. He huffed, exasperated with her vague answers.
“You shouldn’t have returned here.” A small frown formed on her face as she said this.
“Why?” He knew going back was dangerous but he thought he might find something out from her. Because of the Rosein Army? Because they might catch and kill us?
“This place is crawling with wolves,” she replied, startling him. “You probably separated from your group because of them.”
Looking uninterested again, she turned to face the glowing globe. She had dismissed him which irritated him.
“You are the one who shouldn’t be here,” he pointed out. A huge part of him knew that he shouldn’t reason out with an enemy, especially one of those who imprisoned them before. His mind was telling him to run and hide, find his friends and flee the cave.
“The knights will find you,” he added. Am I threatening her or telling her to save herself? Alyssa turned to him once more; there was a hint of amusement on her face but he wasn’t sure because it was gone after a few seconds.
“You should know that they won’t do anything to me.” Nate frowned, confused. Is she stronger than all the knights-
“Because I work for them.” He was taken aback but he quickly returned to his composure. It was difficult to read her because she rarely show any emotion.
“Don’t lie,” he said. “You might be a spy.” He watched as a small smile appeared on her face. He was thinking of a word to describe it. Cute. He waved the thought away.
“I am.” The small smile remained. Nate’s frown deepened.
“I am with the Rosein Army to spy for the Elders’ Chamber,” she continued. “As well as for other living realms.” He weighed her words for the truth but he was also reminded of their time in the Mort; the Rosein Army imprisoning Skhy and Hunter’s friends for years, them trying to manipulate Tessa, Lei, and Aria’s elementals, them torturing Nate, Skhy, Clyne, and Hunter, them invading Northern Lux to destroy Lux Signifer Academy. His vision turned red.
“How would I know you’re not really working for the enemies?” His voice was dangerously low.
“You don’t have to believe me.” Her voice was soft. “But right now, I’m protecting this,-” she gestured at the glowing globe- “the Night Circle. Protecting it against those who want to take it selfishly from the Shadow Islands.” Nate glanced at the globe. Her dark eyes never left his light green orbs as if willing him to believe her. Nate’s mind was working on a response and a huge part of him doubt her words.
She was about to say something but she closed her mouth. She suddenly looked hesitant.
“Last time, you said that Tessa’s father was coming,” he said instead. “What was he doing here?”
“Trying to capture me. I fled from them when my mission failed in the Mort.”
“Is he still-”
“No, he’s not,” she cut him off. “The cave is protected from the enemies. And he’s not in a position to fight the Elders’ knights.” He was really here? His mind drifted to Tessa who looked pale and shaken when Nate and the others revealed what Alyssa said that her father was coming. She tried to hide it. But he couldn’t help but feel relieved that the knights scared Tessa’s father.
He doubled back. Do I trust her? Alyssa’s smile had fallen but she still had the same soft expression which confused him.
“And this globe – Night Circle? -, what does it do?” Nate decided to gather as much information as possible and weigh the truth later with his friends. If I get out of here alive? He glanced at the tunnel. He cursed inside for forgetting about his friends who were probably still running from the wolves or whatever was chasing them.
“The islands themselves hold strong power but this regulates the people’s use of elementals,” she replied, staring at the globe. Nate figured that it was the same power that limited the Seven from using their elementals. “It also created the protective shell around each island.”
“And why does the Rosein Army need it?” He watched the light emitted by the Night Circle pulsate.
“To disable their enemies from using elementals, of course,” she replied. He turned his attention to her. Alyssa seemed more human now that the first time they saw her in the Mort. She looked and felt soulless, her gaze regarded everything like objects. Was that acting?
“Solomon Gravemoore, the old fellow who stopped you from using your elementals, could only control a few people with a time limit,” she added. “Using this item, the Rosein Army could disarm anyone and everyone for hours.” The thought sent a creepy chill to his arms.
“Why are you telling me all these?” he asked the question he wanted to ask since she revealed that she worked for the Elders’ Chamber. Alyssa tilted her head.
“Because you deserve to know it.” She suddenly looked up. He followed her gaze. The ceiling was so high up but the globe’s light reached it.
“You have to look for your friends now.” Turning to the Night Circle, she said something that he couldn’t hear. The light of the globe dimmed and an image slowly formed on its surface. He recognized the figures as they emerged.
“My friends…” he whispered, wide-eyed.
“They’re safe,” Alyssa said, “But you must go now.” This time he didn’t think twice. He sprinted to the tunnel.
“You have to talk to the knights.” He paused near the entrance of the tunnel. He glanced back and found Alyssa staring at the glowing globe once again.
Aria and Clyne were the first of his friends that Nate found. They were standing in the cavern where the two openings, one leading to where Alyssa is, are found. The light of the flashlight that Clyne was holding was flickering.
“Nate! Is that you?” Aria shouted. Before he could respond, Clyne tackled him into a hug.
“Oof.” Nate patted his friend’s shoulder. “Are you hurt?” He glanced at Aria behind Clyne.
“We’re fine,” Aria replied. “We got lost in a tunnel. Clyne-” She glared at him. “Pushed me into the wrong tunnel.”
“Did you see the others?” Nate asked. Clyne and Aria shook their heads. Nate directed his light toward the other opening on the wall where Lei and Skhy entered.
“I have to check inside.”
“But what if they’re not there anymore?” Clyne pointed out. “We can’t communicate.” He’s right.
“Go and find Tessa and Hunter,” Nate instructed them. “Give me an hour. I will follow you.”
Clyne looked worried while Aria seemed doubtful. Nate took a few steps back to gain momentum on his jump. It was a long jump but he made it.
“Be careful!” Aria’s voice reached him as he entered the opening. It was similar to the other one, slippery and moist.
“Lei! Skhy!” he called out. He walked and called without rest. After he checked the time on his wristwatch, he was about to give up because it was more than an hour. The air became thin it was getting hard to breathe. The dizziness was getting to him, but he wanted to try for the last time.
“Lei! Skhy! Are you here? It’s Nate.” Then he heard the voices ahead. He sprinted toward them, not thinking about whether they were coming from his friends or enemies. I have to make sure.
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