INSIGNIAS: THE REGALIS
CHAPTER IX: LEI

There were a few cracks on the edges of the portal. Some of the insignias carved on the surface were chipped. The last time it was used was almost 20 years ago. The excessive force and power it used to transfer the students from the opposite part of Arconien to the academy took a toll on its already vulnerable state. There was no telling if it can be activated again. Even Mr. Laccquare, the librarian and a member of the Consortium, advised not to use it again of fear that there is no way out.

These thoughts ran in Lei's mind as she stared at the portal that brought her and her friends to the academy almost five days ago.

It was early in the morning and she woke up to help the sentries fix the trees surrounding the Academy. Tessa also left early to assist in the infirmary, while Aria just got back from aiding some legionnaires.

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But she decided to check the portal before joining the team of sentries outside the academy. Even without saying anything, she knew that her friends would go to the Grand Genesis, in the place where secret archives are kept, to stare at the portal, waiting for any indication of it turning. They wanted to try to activate it but they were scared that it might negatively affect the state of the portal, making it hard or impossible for their friend to return. Lei felt useless just waiting without doing anything.

She walked toward the left side of the arch and touched the engraved insignias, which showed the passing of time. The material was rough and cold, with cracks in different places. According to Mr. Laccquare, the previous Consortium planned to create a new portal because they believed that it was near impossible to use this again because of its centuries-old age. Lei and her friends proved the contrary. But it took a friend. She couldn't stay long because she couldn't shake away the guilt, uselessness, impatience, and frustration that she felt.

The sun hadn't risen yet but the moon was about to rest. Cold wind immediately wrapped her in an embrace upon exiting the main building. Half of the sky was painted black and the other half was light blue. Half of the round moon hid behind the cloud. She closed her eyes to appreciate the soft whooshing of the wind but she would like to hear the sounds of crickets, the rustling of the leaves and branches, and the peaceful song of nightingales. Still, it was her wish that the sounds of laughter and chatter return to the academy. Despite the presence of many legionnaires, sentries, and a few fortress knights, the academy seemed lonely. The remaining Consortium said that they are preparing to welcome the students and members of faculty back soon.

After taking a deep breath, she walked toward the western gate of the academy. A few legionnaires and sentries were at work. She was passing behind the dormitory when she noticed a shadow following her. Thinking that it was a legionnaire or sentry, she decided to ignore it. But when she reached the gate, the person was still following her. She sighed when she recognized his presence. Four legionnaires were guarding the gate which immediately opened when she neared. Before she stepped outside, she turned around to face the person.

His sleep-deprived eyes stared at her with so many emotions that it surprised her. Still, a smile was plastered on his pale face. He had his hands in the jackets pocket. She couldn't help herself but look at him with pity.

Without waiting for her to move, he walked toward her.

"I'm going to help today," he simply said when he stopped a few steps in front of her.

"Nate..." she couldn't continue what she was about to say because he walked pass her.

"Are you sure?" she asked when she caught up with him. The ground was still not flat yet so they had to walk around the elevated pieces of dirt.

"I'm done with my work for now." He glanced at her with a small smile. For consecutive days and nights, he stayed in the Grand Genesis with Mr. Laccquare to research about the portal and to find other means to find Hanne's whereabouts. Watching him read day and night was painful.

"But you should sleep or rest." Most of the trees in the area were struck down. Lei had no idea if the group of sentries already arrived. The sky was getting clearer so it was easier to see the surroundings.

"I rested earlier," he replied as they continued traversing the rocky ground. Lei wasn't convinced. She knew that he couldn't sleep so working would take his mind off thinking about Hanne.

She lightly grabbed his right arm, stopping him from walking. He looked at her hand then at her.

"I know you won't listen," she started, looking directly at his eyes. "So I suggest you just watch us."

Nate chuckled but his eyes were showing a different emotion.

"I didn't come to watch." He sighed then lightly patted her hand holding his arm.

"Let me do this," he added, "I'll be careful not to bother you and he others." It was the first time Lei saw him so vulnerable. He was the patient older brother in the team. He rarely expressed weakness or agitation or lack of patience. But she understood how painful it is to wait for an important person to return without knowing where the person is.

"We'll find her," she said. He gave her a sad smile.

"I know that it's hard but..." She paused to watch his reaction. "We have to trust him. Or if not him, trust Hanne." He looked at the ground for a few seconds. When his eyes met hers again, they were showing both pain and anger.

"There's no way of telling if he wants to save her." Lei was about to reply when she heard voices. She turned around and saw a group of sentries walking toward them.

"We can talk later," Nate said and slowly removed her hand on his arm.

The group tasked to clean the debris and heal the trees started working immediately as the sun slowly crept up to the sky. Lei kept glancing at Nate because she was worried that he's sick. But he interacted normally with everyone. Since Nature isn't his elemental, he couldn't help in healing the trees and plants so he instead spread the seeds and removed the obstacles on the ground.

"When are you going home?" Lei glanced at a group of three women near her as she was resting. Nate was nowhere to be seen.

"I don't know," the other sentry replied, "There's a lot to do here." The three were accelerating the growth of the grass. It takes a lot of time and patience because the roots hadn't mature yet.

Lei considered their situations. As far as she knew, most of the legionnaires and sentries hadn't seen left the academy since the battle started. The Consortium feared that the enemy might strike again so they ordered the warriors to stay until ordered otherwise. I want to go back to school soon...

She took a sip from her water bottle.

"Do you think Westeros has anything to do with it?"

"The castle was already abandoned."

"But it's suspicious," the third sentry joined conversation.

Lei didn't want to be nosy but it was impossible not to listen because of their loud voices.

"Even if the enemies are not entirely Mortemians, remember that the Rosein Army consists of both Mortemians and Concordians," the second sentry pointed out.

"It is not impossible for a revolt to happen in Arconien," she added. "There are people who believe that the wars between Concordians and Mortemians are ridiculous and that we should stop fighting."

"Are you saying that the Rosein Army is the product of that belief?" There was hint of mockery in the first woman's voice.

"It's not," the third woman insisted, "Didn't you see that the army wanted to kill and not to show unity of both legions?" The second woman didn't reply.

"And do you still believe that Mortemians are good people?" the first sentry asked.

"One is light, the other is darkness," the first sentry replied. "They were ruled over by the seven ancient knights until the legions decided to fight against each other. That's what we are taught. But it doesn't mean that Mortemians are bad or dangerous. We just have different jobs in protecting our realm... one fights the evil, the other suppresses it."

There was silence after that. Lei stood up to return to her work but their conversation stayed in her mind.

One legion protects by actively fighting the evil while the other protects by making sure that the evil is locked away...

Is it still possible to unite the two legions?

"Are you done?" She looked up and saw Nate. She squinted because the afternoon sun was behind him.

"I think so," she replied and stood up. She didn't notice that they had been working until mid-afternoon.

"You're too engrossed in your work," he said, "The others are starting to leave." Lei looked around and found only a few sentries, some of which were talking to the leader of the group. She looked back at Nate.

"I thought you're going to leave without a word." He shook her head. She noticed that he had removed his jacket.

“I can’t do that to you,” he replied with a small smile. They bid their goodbyes to the remaining sentries and went back to the academy.

“Are you going back to the Grand Genesis?” she asked when they neared the dormitory.

“Yes.” Lei sighed. Both of them stopped behind the building, near the garden of the dormitory.

“I can’t stop you but please take care of yourself.” Nate stared at her silently. She waited patiently for his response.

“I’m sorry I worried you and the others,” he replied after a minute of silence.

“I… I just can’t stay here without doing anything,” he added. He looked away but not before Lei noticed the unshed tears.

“I know you’re also blaming yourself,” she whispered.

“Because it is my fault,” he emphasized. She frowned.

“No, it’s not. We couldn’t see everyone inside the portal.” Nate abruptly turned to him.

“It’s not your fault that she disappeared while you’re trying to save her,” she added before he could talk. He shook his head. Hurt, anger, and disappointment were evident in his reddish eyes.

“It is my fault that she let go of my hand,” he whispered. She only see his vulnerable side when it comes to his sister. She sometimes wished that there was someone like that in her life.

“Nate…” she begun to say.

“She heard me…” he whispered as a tear fell on his cheek, “She heard me say that we’re not real brother and sister.”

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