Solisel - Book 1: Kitsuneyō's Prince and the Eternal King

Chapter 5

It was a few seconds that had passed after Cecilia had opened the portal. It was a blinding beam of light. Pyrex didn't recall it being this bright, nor it hurting that much. Something must've been wrong with either Cecilia or the portal in general. The light didn't stop either.
"I am stuck between two dimensions? God no! Please no."

He wondered if that also happened to the others as the light died down. The 6 were lying on the floor. Akai and Cecilia were awkwardly lying above Xerenade while Aoi's head rested on Pyrex's back. Aeryx was alone to their left.

As Pyrex was about to move away, he felt Aoi grab onto his hoodie sleeve. He raised his head to look at him, but the Bloodthorn still looked unconscious. The Kitsune prince sat up as Aoi gripped even tighter on his sleeve.

He looked at the others, shivering. All except Cecilia, who simply yawned with an unamused face. Aoi started shaking as he held Pyrex's arm.

-Aoi, are you ok? He asked.

He continued to flinch, so Pyrex shook him off.

-AOI!?

The bloodthorn opened his eyes, still shaking.
-I thought I died...

Pyrex couldn't help but feel bad for Aoi. He seemed genuinely distraught.

-Are you okay?

Aoi shook his head to say no.

Aeryx crawled up to them.

-What happened...

Cecilia quickly raised her head and shook the two girls under her.

-I'm sorry I have frankly no idea what happened but it's probably something like a safety measure dad installed.

-But outsiders can't come in and insiders have no business going out, that's a weird safety measure. replied Pyrex.

Aoi reached for Pyrex's arm again.

-First you annoy me and pretend you hate me and now you won't stop hugging me and whining? He whispered.

The bloodthorn ignored him as Cecilia continued talking.

-We don't know. Maybe another problem surfaced and that was the best way to fix it?

Pyrex groaned.

-But look at what they did to Aoi!

Akai looked at her brother.

-Something must be wrong!

-Yeah... He definitely seems hurt, but... Replied Pyrex.

-No no no no no, If he was just hurt, he wouldn't act this way!

Akai jumped to Aoi and held his head. The young bloodthorn's eyes were empty.

As she took him closer to her, he pushed her away and held Pyrex's arm again. He shook his hand as if it was numb.

-Aoi? Aoi, answer me! Asked Pyrex.

Xerenade whispered to herself.

-Pyrex is actually pretty worried about Aoi... do they hate each other or not?

Pyrex shook the bloodthorn's head. His deep royal blue eyes were distant and teary. "What's wrong with him! Come on, Aoi! Please be joking like you always are!"

Cecilia sat down next to her brother and patted his shoulder.

-Perhaps we should go inside and ask someone there about what happened, what about it? We'll see Prichra, Aura and Oliver! I'm sure they miss you a lot...