SNAP!
Reality folded.
The air didn't tear this time—it compressed, collapsing inward like a reverse explosion. Golden light flared once, briefly, and then—
Tianlong and the mermaid vanished.
One moment they were there, him holding her, her looking up at him with that mixture of confusion and reluctant fascination.
The next, the space they'd occupied was simply empty.
The remaining women—Akane, Yu Xiang, Sabrina, Yuna, Sylvea—stood in sudden silence.
Akane's nine tails swayed once. Her golden fox eyes tracked the space where Tianlong had been, a knowing smile playing at her lips.
Yu Xiang sighed—a delicate sound, almost wistful. She shook her head slowly, butterfly aura rippling around her shoulders like living shadows.
Sabrina's jaw tightened. Her arms remained crossed, but her tail lashed once behind her—sharp, agitated motion.
Yuna blinked her silver cat eyes, ears swiveling forward then back. "Did he just...?"
