It's in the eyes. Always the eyes.

Chapter Twenty-six| The Journey Across Dimensions

        The night sky exploded with color as fireworks lit up the dark expanse, the booming sounds reverberating through the city. Confetti fluttered down like snowflakes, covering every surface, and the air was filled with the rhythmic beats of music. The lively festival below was a swirl of colors and lights. Skeletons and ghosts moved in unison, celebrating with an infectious joy that echoed through the tall buildings adorned with every kind of party decoration imaginable. It was a never-ending festival in this bizarre and lively city.

Atop one of those tall buildings stood Crash, Coco, and the three floating masks, their eyes drawn to the surreal parade happening below. Lani-Loli had already explained that this city thrived on celebrations, that the ghosts here found joy in even the simplest things, always dancing, always celebrating.

Coco squinted, surveying the rooftops ahead, searching for a path forward when she found a path forward. "Hey, I think I found our way across!" she called out, her eyes darting to her brother and the masks—yet Penny wasn't with them.

A wave of concern washed over her as her gaze swept the rooftop, finally landing on Penny. There she was, sitting at the edge with her back to the festival, her figure framed by the neon lights of the city below. Bandages wrapped around her arms and legs, marked with dried blood from the wounds Lucia had inflicted during their last battle. A butterfly stitch on her left cheek caught the light from the fireworks, but what worried Coco the most was the look in Penny's eyes—distant, heavy with a sadness that had yet to fade.

Coco's heart sank at the sight of her friend. She knew Penny had been through so much, her physical wounds still fresh, but the emotional pain she carried was even harder to mend. No amount of celebration or joy in this strange world could seem to lift Penny's spirits. Lani-Loli and Akano floated beside her, their presence comforting but unable to ease the emotional burden she carried. Aku-Aku, ever the father figure, gently nudged Penny with his wooden mask, trying to reach her, while Crash had been doing everything he could to comfort her since the battle ended. Yet, despite all their efforts, the smile Penny gave never quite reached her eyes.

Coco hesitated, her lively energy dimming as she watched Penny in her silent sorrow. She had no idea how to help. What could she possibly say to make things better? What could she do? Her mind raced for ideas, but nothing felt right, nothing seemed enough. The uncertainty gnawed at her until she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder.

She turned to see Crash, his expression soft but full of concern. He gestured toward Penny, his voice low and serious as he spoke in broken English. "Talk... to Penny."

She hesitated, her doubt evident. "I don't know... what if I say something out of line?" She whispered, her worry reflected in her green eyes.

Crash's gaze remained steady, a warmth and understanding that only a big brother could convey. "Just... try," After a moment's hesitation, he gave her a push forward, silently encouraging her to take the first step.

Coco took a deep breath and made her way over to Penny, hoping that somehow, she could find the right words to reach her friend.

She stopped right beside Penny, but Penny didn't acknowledge her, her ashen eyes fixed on the vibrant festival below. Coco watched her for a moment before speaking softly, noticing Penny's ears twitch slightly, though she still didn't meet her gaze. "Hey, mind if I take a seat next to you?"