The fall out of the Drowned Chapters wasn't dramatic.
There was no light.
No explosion.
Just a snap — like a page being turned back by an impatient reader.
Kai stumbled forward, boots hitting paved marble.
Clean. Impossibly clean.
Behind him, Seris caught herself mid-fall, blue lightning fading around her limbs.
They stood in a wide city square.
People milled about, smiling, laughing. Music floated from crystal speakers. There were no guards. No taxes. No beggars.
It was perfect.
Which meant…
It was wrong.
[System Alert: Timeline Instance – Capital Prime v0.91]
Status: Constructed Reality
Purpose: Romantic Fulfillment Scenario
Narrative Quality: "Idealized Love Interest Arc"
Warning: Emotional Distortion Field Active
Kai's stomach dropped.
"Why does everything smell like cinnamon and lies?"
Seris sniffed the air. "It's fake happiness. Tastes like soap."
Then, she stopped.
And stared across the square.
A girl ran toward them.
Hair golden.
Eyes glowing warm.
