Relic of the Future: Chapter 30

Sunlight streamed into the tunnel ahead. The smell of fresh grass and leaves assaulted their nostrils, along with the bric-bric of some nearby frog. The sunlight also lifted the last of the weight from Jaune's shoulders and he followed Emerald up the ruined staircase leading to the top. It washed over him, the temperature several degrees hotter outside than in.

"Are we going back home now?" Emerald asked.

"We are. We'll travel the same way we did here. Camp and…" Jaune trailed off. His eyes flicked left, then right. It was hot out, warm, and yet the only sound he could hear was a single frog in some reeds to the left. Out of sight. No birds, no insects.

Cautiously, Jaune placed a hand on Emerald's shoulder and drew her back. He rolled the book out from under his arm and pushed it into her chest. She took it, adjusting the large thing so that she held it against her body with both hands.

She didn't ask what was wrong. Emerald knew better than to distract him.

"You can come out," Jaune called. "It wasn't a bad try but you set off the wildlife. There's no ignoring that."

It was a bluff more than anything. There was no certainty and it was possible the wildlife was scared off by Grimm, a Bullhead or even the two of them coming back up. Unlikely, however, and it wasn't like anyone would hear him be wrong if he was.

And if he was right…

Hands clapped together from above and to the left. Vibrant, fast-paced applause. "Bravo! Bravo! Oh, I wondered if you would notice, yes I did. Ha ha ha!"

Jaune gripped his sword and growled. "Tyrian."

—Relic of the Future: Chapter 30