It's in the eyes. Always the eyes.

Chapter Twenty-two| Closer Than Ever

Warning(s): Explicit scenes up ahead! 

        A sharp crack echoed through the alleyway as the dimension tear opened, its swirling energy quickly dispersing to reveal Akano and Lani-Loli emerging first, their mask forms slipping into the quiet space undetected. Moments later, Crash stepped through, his arm still firmly wrapped around Penny's waist to support her, followed closely by Coco and Aku-Aku, who both kept a watchful eye on her condition, ready to assist if needed.

The trio took in their new surroundings with wide eyes. The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a breathtaking orange glow over the wooden structures surrounding them. The buildings were slightly elevated off the ground, with intricate tiled and thatched roofs, the alleyway lined with lanterns swaying gently in the breeze. Coco immediately recognized the architecture—it reminded her mixture of the traditional Japanese and Chinese structures she'd seen during her adventures along the Great Wall of China, back when she rode Pura.

"Where are we?" Coco asked, her voice tinged with awe and curiosity.

Lani-Loli hummed thoughtfully as he surveyed the scene. "I believe we're in Tranquility Falls," he replied, his tone unsure but intrigued.

Another dimension they had to traverse.

Without wasting a moment, Lani-Loli's eyes lit up with determination. "I can sense another rift somewhere! We should head there right away!" He prepared to zip off, but Akano blocked his path with a firm shake of his rocky head.

"No," Akano said, his gravelly voice calm but resolute.

Lani-Loli stopped mid-flight, spinning around in disbelief. "No? What do you mean no? We have to find the others!" His voice cracked with frustration.

Akano's stony features didn't budge. His gaze shifted to Penny, who still leaned heavily against Crash, her head hanging low as exhaustion washed over her. Akano's voice rumbled with authority. "Rest."

"Rest? Ok, ok, cool, we can rest," Lani-Loli said, though he was clearly nervous. After a pause, he asked, "For how long?"

Akano took a moment to consider, his rocky form shifting slightly as he turned back to Lani-Loli. "Three... days."

Lani-Loli's panic was instant, flipping upside-down in the air. "Three days?! In three days, the dimensions as we know them will collapse!" His voice wavered with urgency.

Akano, unphased, repeated firmly, "Three... days." Then, without further argument, he began drifting down the alleyway, motioning for the others to follow him.

Lani-Loli let out a heavy sigh of defeat, clearly frustrated but unable to change Akano's mind. Reluctantly, he floated after Akano, his enthusiasm for the mission momentarily deflated.

Crash adjusted his hold on Penny, giving her a reassuring squeeze as they prepared to follow Akano. Penny, though weary, allowed herself to be guided, feeling a sense of relief that they were granted a reprieve, even if it was just for a few days. Coco walked beside them, a slight frown on her face, but she knew they had no choice but to trust Akano's judgment. Three days of rest might be the difference between success and failure in their journey to save the dimensions.