(( How come Angel's character gets a specialized letter...? XD ))
It became obvious to Hotaru that Aiko just wasn't cut out for traveling. After several hours of walking, Hotaru was quickly forced to carry her on his back, as well as the luggage they both possessed. Sweat trickled down Hotaru's face at a rapid pace.
At this part of the land, the sun was ruthless, firing its blazing rays at any skin brave enough to render itself exposed. This didn't bother Hotaru and Aiko in the slightest, however; Hotaru had removed his jacket for the Etsukoes to carry as shade.
"Aiko, you're one lucky girl," Hotaru whispered.
The day carried on like a dream; Hotaru felt as though he was floating across the desert-like landscape. Before he knew it, the Port was in sight. In just about one more hour, the group would reach the Temple of the Guardian Council.
Knowing this, however, didn't help Hotaru one bit. His eyelids eventually grew heavy, and his face was plunged into a burrow of dirt. Hotaru blacked out, and a mind-numbing slumber engulfed him.
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When Hotaru opened his eyes, he found himself sitting on a hard marble flooring, his back leaned against a stone wall. His blurred vision gradually became clearer, and he found himself gazing across the atmosphere. He could see a long bridge, decorated with tall, eerily-glowing lanterns. An enormous lake encased the bridge. Hotaru could hardly see the bridge's end. He slowly stood up. He found Aiko standing beside him, the swarm of Fireflies hovering behind her.
"Hotaru!" she exclaimed.
Everything became clear to him. He was definitely at the Temple of the Guardian Council.
"Are we outside the Temple?" Hotaru asked, rubbing his eyes.
"Yep. All we need to do now is enter it!" Aiko declared excitedly, patting her companion gently on his head of red hair.
Collecting his thoughts, Hotaru asked, "What...just happened to me...? I think I passed out..."
Aiko smiled. "That's what I figured. The Fireflies woke me up with their hot stings," Aiko replied. "Before I knew it, I was carrying you on my shoulders to the Temple!"
Hotaru was awestruck.
"You carried me?"
Aiko laughed, "Yep! I don't really know how I did it, but I did it! You should thank the Etsukoes for waking me up."
Hotaru glanced at his sparkling buddies then gave a weak smile.
"Thanks, guys," he said. The Fireflies swarmed around in circles as their way of saying "You're welcome!"
Since Hotaru was back on his feet, it was time to continue. He softly knocked on the door of the Temple. An elderly man answered, "Hm?"
Hotaru gathered his courage, and in unison, he and Aiko said, "We were summoned by the Guardian Council!"
(( Ok, waiting for Sesu to let them in...))