The Magical Shopping Arcade had always shimmered with a kind of quiet enchantment. Lanterns floated midair, casting soft glows on cobblestone paths. Merchants sold enchanted trinkets, memory-threaded scarves, and candies that whispered secrets when eaten. For twelve years, it had been their sanctuary — a place where time bent gently around the edges, where Kero’s laughter echoed through the potion aisles and Lee’s quiet strength anchored their adventures. But today, something felt off. The arcade’s colors were dimmer. The music from the crystal jukebox played in reverse. And the clock tower — the one that never ticked — was ticking. “I think it’s time,” Lee said, his voice barely audible over the hum of the shifting air.Kero nodded solemnly. “The portal’s closing