Clyde didn't argue. He only tightened his hold and guided Ryley toward the tree, step by careful step. But the moment the red ribbon came into full view, his breath caught.
The Great Falcon seal. Stamped clear as day.
"What… how is this even possible?!"
The dread in his voice made Ryley's brows knit instantly. "Clyde? What's wrong?"
But Clyde didn't answer. His whole stance shifted instead — shoulders tense, senses flaring, eyes mapping every shadow around them. He pulled Ryley in closer, protective, alert.
When he finally spoke, his voice was low and shaken.
"This place… we've been in the Passing Realm this whole time."
"What?!" Ryley gasped, the sound sharp in the damp air. His eyes darted everywhere at once, panic tightening his chest.
'Were we tricked into thinking we got stranded somewhere else? But how?? How did they do it to Clyde?!?!'
