It's in the eyes. Always the eyes.

Chapter Twenty-Five| Morrigan 🩸

Warning(s): Blood, Angst, 

        True to his word, Lani-Loli floated above them, humming nervously in his usual manner. Crash and Penny stirred groggily, rubbing their eyes as they sat up to prepare a small breakfast. The cool morning air mingled with the warm light of the temple lanterns, creating a serene atmosphere.

As they quietly ate their rations, Crash suddenly fumbled, nearly dropping his food when his phone rang in his pocket. He managed to catch his meal just in time, setting it aside as he pulled out the phone and answered the call. The screen lit up with the face of his little sister, Coco.

Penny, seated beside him, scooted closer so she could see Coco as well. "Coco!" she greeted warmly, waving. "I'm so happy to see you're okay!"

Coco smiled brightly through the video call, clearly relieved to see them both. "It's good to see you guys are doing well too," she said, her voice filled with affection. In the background, Penny caught a glimpse of Aku-Aku and Akano floating nearby. She waved to them as well, receiving warm nods in return.

"We were just finishing up breakfast," Penny explained with a playful grin. "You should've seen Crash almost drop his food when his phone rang."

Crash's cheeks flushed in embarrassment as he sheepishly nudged Penny. In broken English, he muttered, "Coco... didn't need... to know... that."

Penny couldn't help but giggle more at his reaction, and even Coco chuckled through the screen. "I'll bet it was hilarious," Coco teased lightly. "But I'm glad you two are staying safe."

Crash, still blushing but smiling, leaned closer to Penny, enjoying the light-hearted moment. It was small, but sharing this call with Coco reminded him of how strong their bond was, even across distances and during their difficult journey.

Coco's expression shifted from lighthearted to serious. "I called you guys to warn you," she began, her voice lowering slightly. "Be careful on your way over. N. Brio did a lot more than just mutate the creatures here—the entire place is out of whack. You'll know when you see it."

Penny nodded, concern flashing in her eyes. "Thanks, Coco, we'll keep an eye out. Hopefully, we can meet up soon."

"I'll be waiting for you guys," Coco said, a note of encouragement in her voice. "Good luck!" With that, the video call ended, leaving Penny and Crash to finish their meal quickly before setting out once again, following right behind Lani-Loli.

The moment they stepped through the far side of the temple, it was clear what Coco had been warning them about. The world around them seemed completely distorted—wooden and stone structures floated aimlessly in midair, detached from the ground. Large stone pillars spiraled up into the sky, defying gravity. Nearby, a strange ghostly creature with a giant eye hovered, its eerie presence only adding to the strange atmosphere.

Penny's eyes widened at the bizarre sight, letting out a small sigh. "This looks... fun," she said sarcastically, her eyes cautiously scanning the landscape.