Song: The other side of paradise
by glass animals
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Rogelio's POV

We follow Astra down another series of corridors before reaching a small white door adorned with orange crystals. She pushes it open and beckons us inside, so we follow her.

The ceiling is high above our heads and the walls look like they could fall on top of us at any stage, but what's hanging on them is more fascinating than the architecture.

There are weapons of all kinds on the wall, and they feel almost threatening to look at. Silver axes, golden chains and even swords made from crystals have all been mounted up, their surfaces glistening under the intense light.

"Magnificent, aren't they?"

Astra whispers, running her finger over the blade of a shiny purple arrow. I feel a sudden shooting pain in my temple, but I let it go. The light on this place is so harsh that it must be getting to my head.

Kyle hugs himself and looks around at the arms surrounding us with wary eyes.

"What has all this got to do with why you're here?"

He asks, gulping. Astra sighs and places her hands on her hips.

"Nothing, really."

I look down to Kyle with a frown and we share a confused look. Another sharp pain courses through my head but I ignore it.

"So then why are we here?"

Kyle asks, his voice laced with worry. Astra chuckles and checks her teeth in the reflection of a blade, before turning back to us and sighing. She looks into my eyes and I feel almost embarrassed, but for what? How can her gaze be so... threatening?

"Headache, Rogelio?"

She asks. My stomach flips over countless times before I can even fathom an answer. How would she know? Kyle frowns at me and places a hand on my arm.

"You okay?"

I nod and glare at Astra, who shakes her head in response.

"I don't think you're okay, are you? How about you go get some rest while-"

I shake my head and grab Kyle's hand immediately. Something strange is going on. How else would she know about my head ache? How else would she separate me and Kyle?

Kyle squeezes my hand.

"He'll be okay."

He says, obviously thinking on the same wavelength as me. There have been many moments in our lives where having each other's backs was crucial, either for avoiding trouble or for wiggling back out of it, and this is no different. His hand holding mine gives me some kind of boost and I stand upright again, eager to hear Astra's explanation.

"You two are here, my darlings, because I need to lure Adora back in here somehow."

I roll my eyes but she holds up a finger, urging me to keep on listening.

"I need Adora, because I need She-Ra. My home planet, Latura, is weak and sad. We were the first ones that for left behind, outside the portal, free for the Horde's taking."

Something about her story sounds strange, but her tone is unfortunately very convincing.

"With She-Ra's power, I can use magic to revive my planet! I need her."

I give Kyle a certain look and he nods at me.

"Look, Astra, Adora isn't property. Neither is She-Ra. I'm sorry about your planet, but you can't steal our magic to revive it... It's wrong."

He says. I suddenly feel even more drawn to him than I was before. My Kyle, standing up to an enemy? An enemy we've never even met before? This is new, but interesting.

I nod in agreement when another stabbing sensation enters my skull, making me want to vomit. These are by far the worse headaches I've ever had, and I can't do anything about them. Kyle frowns with anxiety but I flash an unconvincing smile at him to calm him down.

"Rogelio, this is nonsense! You have to go to bed."

Astra declares. To of her glass workers make their way towards me and I try to push them awahz but it's useless. Kyle tries to follow me as I'm pushed out the door, but Astra grabs him by the arm and pulls him back inside.

'Kyle!'

I growl, more of a roar considering how loud it is. Kyle stretches his fingers out to me as best he can, but there's not much time before I'm dragged out into the empty corridor.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

This might be the worst chapter ever lol, sorry. My writing is getting worse.

Hopefully the next few chapters will be good (I'm hoping they will, I have a cool plan)

Let me know if you see spelling mistakes please!

-Rose 💗