Disclaimer: Don't own either Rwby or Type Moon. So enjoy or don't
Chapter 37: The Haunting of Brunswick Homestead
Blake stirred slowly as the soft rays of morning light filtered through the broken windows of the Brunswick house, casting pale beams across the room. The chill of the early morning still hung in the air, but Blake felt a warmth close to her, an unfamiliar yet comforting sensation. She blinked groggily, her golden eyes focusing as she became aware of Shirou's presence beside her. His head rested gently against hers, his soft, even breaths brushing her ears. Her heartbeat quickened as she realized just how close they were.
For a moment, Blake froze, her senses heightened as she took in the peacefulness of the moment. Shirou looked so serene, his usually sharp, determined features softened by sleep. The tension and burdens he so often carried seemed to have melted away in these quiet early hours. Blake couldn't help but feel a rush of warmth at the sight—he looks so calm, so… different.
Her face flushed with color, the heat rising in her cheeks. She tried to ignore the fluttering in her chest, focusing instead on how gentle Shirou seemed. Her Faunus ears twitched slightly, betraying her embarrassment. Blake wasn't used to moments like this, and though she cherished the calm, it made her feel oddly vulnerable.
Blake's thoughts drifted as she replayed the events of the past few days. Shirou had grown closer to her and her friends, his presence becoming a steady comfort amidst the chaos. They had all been through so much together, but the way he quietly supported her—without words or demands—meant more than she could express.
Her gaze lingered on him, lost in thought, until—
Click.
The sound was barely perceptible, but Blake's sharp ears caught it immediately. Her eyes snapped up, locking onto the source. Yang was standing at the edge of the room, holding her scroll up with a cheeky grin plastered on her face.
"Got it!" Yang whispered triumphantly, clearly pleased with herself.
Weiss stood beside her, arms crossed, a rare smirk pulling at her lips. "This is too good to pass up," she muttered, clearly amused by Blake's situation.
Blake's eyes widened, and before she could stop herself, she jerked away from Shirou, pulling the covers tightly around her. The sudden movement caused Shirou to stir, his eyes blinking open groggily as he looked around, still half-asleep. He lifted his head slightly, confused by the abrupt change.
"Blake?" His voice was thick with sleep, and he rubbed his eyes as he sat up, looking at her with a puzzled expression.
Blake quickly turned away, her face burning with embarrassment. She could feel Yang and Weiss' eyes on her, both clearly enjoying her discomfort.
"I—uh—good morning," Blake stammered, her voice much quieter than usual. She could barely meet Shirou's gaze, the awkwardness between them palpable.
"Morning…" Shirou mumbled, still waking up. He glanced at Blake, a soft blush touching his cheeks as he realized just how close they had been. For a moment, they exchanged a brief but shy glance, both unsure of how to break the tension.
Yang, sensing the perfect moment to tease, waggled her eyebrows and held up her scroll, waving it slightly. "I think this one's going in the scrapbook. Don't you agree, Weiss?"
Weiss chuckled softly, her voice laced with amusement. "Definitely one for the archives. Very… wholesome."
Blake shot a glare in their direction, her embarrassment turning into exasperation. "Really? Now?"
Yang snickered but didn't push further. "Hey, no harm in capturing a sweet moment, right?"
Blake sighed, her irritation melting into something softer. She glanced back at Shirou, who was now fully awake, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips. Despite the awkwardness, there was a certain warmth in the air—one that lingered, even as Yang's teasing continued in the background.
"We should get going," Weiss suggested, stepping in before things could get too awkward. "We've got a lot of work ahead of us today."
Blake nodded, finally finding her composure again. "Yeah… let's go."
As the group began to prepare for the day, Blake cast one more glance at Shirou. He met her gaze for a fleeting moment, and though neither of them said a word, the silent exchange was enough. The bond between them had grown stronger, even in the quiet of the morning, and it was something they both quietly acknowledged.
With a final, soft smile, Blake moved to join the others, the warmth of that morning still lingering in her chest.
After the awkward but peaceful morning, the group gathered outside the Brunswick house, the weight of the eerie atmosphere settling over them like a heavy blanket. The morning light did little to lift the oppressive feeling that clung to the Homestead, casting long shadows across the desolate grounds.
Once everyone was awake and somewhat ready, Ruby spoke up, her voice cutting through the tense silence. "We should check for supplies. Maybe there's something we can use—food, water, or anything to help us get to Argus."
Weiss nodded, her arms crossed, though her gaze remained fixed on the decaying buildings. "It's worth a look. But… something feels off about this place."
"I agree," Blake added, glancing warily at the nearby structures. "There's a strange feeling in the air. We need to stay cautious."
Yang, ever the optimist, rolled her shoulders. "Whatever happened here, it's in the past. We'll just grab what we can and be out of here soon enough."
Shirou, who had been quiet since waking up, finally spoke. "I'll check the house. Something doesn't feel right, and I'd rather know what we're dealing with before we go any further." His eyes lingered on the well, sensing an unsettling energy coming from it, though he kept that thought to himself for the moment.
"I'm coming with you," Qrow interjected, his voice low but serious. He was standing off to the side, arms crossed. "I don't like the feel of this place either. Plus, I'd rather not leave you alone if things get messy."
"Count me in, too," Maria said, stepping forward with a grin. Though her small frame and advanced age might've made others underestimate her, her sharp instincts and experience were nothing to scoff at. "Old bones like mine can still sniff out danger."
Shirou nodded in agreement. The trio decided to explore the house together, while Ruby, Weiss, and Oscar would search the main storage building. Blake and Yang would check out the warehouse for supplies, and the group would regroup once their searches were done.
As they split up, the tension still hung thick in the air, each step echoing in the unsettling quiet of the Homestead. The wind blew softly, carrying with it a faint, almost ghostly whisper that seemed to follow them wherever they went.
Blake and Yang made their way to the warehouse on the outskirts of the Homestead, the metal building rusted and weathered by time. Blake felt a sense of foreboding as they approached, but Yang was characteristically confident, striding ahead without hesitation. Despite the eerie setting, Blake couldn't help but admire Yang's bravery—something that had always been a source of strength for their team.
They stepped inside, their eyes adjusting to the dim light filtering through cracks in the metal walls. Dust swirled in the air, disturbed by their movements, and the faint smell of mildew lingered.
"I don't think anyone's been here in years," Blake observed, her keen eyes scanning the rows of old crates and forgotten equipment. Her Faunus ears twitched, alert for any sound out of place.
Yang wiped dust off her hands, glancing around the warehouse. "Yeah, but maybe we'll get lucky." Her eyes landed on a large object covered by a tarp in the far corner of the room. "What do you think that is?"
Blake followed Yang's gaze, her curiosity piqued. They approached the object, and Yang wasted no time in pulling the tarp away. Beneath it was a battered but intact trailer. The metal frame had seen better days, but it was still functional.
Yang grinned. "Now that's what I'm talking about! If we can attach this to Bumblebee, it'll be perfect for carrying more gear."
Blake knelt down to inspect the trailer. "It looks sturdy enough. We'd need to replace a few parts, but it could work." She glanced up at Yang, a rare smile tugging at her lips. "You always seem to find a way to make things easier for us."
Yang shrugged with a playful grin. "What can I say? I have a gift."
As Yang began to examine how to attach the trailer to her bike, Blake found her thoughts drifting. She had been thinking a lot about Yang lately—about their friendship, their bond, and how much they had both changed since Beacon. There was still a lot left unsaid between them, but moments like these, where they worked together without hesitation, reminded her of why she had come back.
Blake glanced over at Yang, who was focused on her task, and quietly said, "I'm glad we're doing this together, Yang. I've missed this."
Yang paused, looking up at Blake with a soft smile. "Me too, Blake. I'm glad you're here."
The moment hung in the air between them, unspoken but understood. Slowly but surely, they were finding their way back to each other.
Shirou led the way into the main house, his senses on high alert. Qrow and Maria followed closely behind, each of them moving with the kind of practiced caution that only came from years of experience in the field. The house was eerily quiet, the only sounds being the creaking of the floorboards beneath their feet and the occasional rustle of something unseen in the shadows.
"This place is worse than it looks," Qrow muttered, glancing around the dimly lit hallways. His hand rested on the hilt of Harbinger, ready to draw it at a moment's notice. "Can't say I've been to a place this creepy in a long time."
Maria chuckled, her sharp eyes taking in every detail. "Places like these are usually trouble. It's not just about what you can see—sometimes, it's about what you can't."
Shirou agreed silently, instinctively traced Bakuya into his right hand. His instincts were screaming at him that something was deeply wrong here. The deeper they went into the house, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. The shadows seemed to stretch and twist, the walls creaking as if the house itself was alive.
They moved cautiously from room to room, finding little more than old furniture and the remnants of a life long abandoned. The sense of unease only grew as they reached the upper floors, where the bedrooms were located.
Shirou paused outside one of the doors, his eyes narrowing. There was something off about this room—he could feel it. Without a word, he opened the door and stepped inside.
The sight that greeted them was enough to send a chill down their spines.
Lying peacefully in their beds were the bodies of the Homestead's residents. There was no sign of struggle, no indication of what had caused their deaths. They looked as though they had simply gone to sleep and never woken up.
"What the hell…" Qrow muttered, stepping forward to get a closer look. His expression darkened. "This isn't natural."
Maria, ever the pragmatist, knelt beside one of the bodies and examined it closely. "No signs of trauma, no obvious cause of death. Whatever happened to these people, it wasn't violent."
Shirou remained silent, his eyes scanning the room. Something about this scene felt horribly wrong. His instincts, honed through countless battles and close encounters with death, told him that this was no ordinary tragedy.
"There's something here," Shirou said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Something that's still lingering."
Qrow frowned, glancing over at him. "You're saying whatever killed these people is still around?"
Shirou nodded. "I don't know what it is, but we need to be careful. There's more to this place than we can see."
Just as they turned to leave, they heard the faint sound of voices—the others calling for them from outside. Shirou took one last look at the bodies before turning to Qrow and Maria. "Let's go. We need to get back to the others."
The three of them made their way back down the creaky stairs, their senses still on high alert. As they stepped outside, the oppressive atmosphere of the house seemed to lift slightly, but the feeling of being watched remained.
After Blake and Yang found the trailer in the warehouse, they called for the others to help attach it to Bumblebee, Yang's bike. Everyone gathered outside, the grim mood of the Homestead still lingering in the air, but the discovery of the trailer gave them a brief reprieve from the eerie atmosphere.
The trailer itself was battered and worn, but with some work, it would be functional enough to carry their supplies to Argus. As Yang and Blake worked on getting it attached to her bike, Ruby, Oscar, and Weiss sorted through the supplies they had managed to scavenge from the warehouse. Shirou, Qrow, and Maria however, weren't with them
Blake couldn't help but glance around the Homestead, concern growing in her chest. Shirou's absence gnawed at her, and though she trusted his instincts, something about the Homestead felt... wrong. She hadn't been able to shake the feeling since they arrived.
"Have you seen Shirou?" she asked quietly, looking over at Yang, who was tightening the bolts on the trailer.
Yang, sweat dripping from her brow, shook her head. "Nope. He said something about checking the house, right? I'm sure he's fine, he is with Qrow and Maria. They probably found something weird."
Blake frowned, her ears twitching at the faint sounds carried by the wind. "This place is unsettling. I'll go find him once we finish up here."
Yang gave her a sidelong glance, pausing her work. "You worried about him?"
Blake hesitated, her eyes softening. "Yeah… a little."
Before Yang could respond, there was a sharp pop, and everyone froze. The sound was unmistakable: one of the tires on the trailer had burst.
"Great…" Weiss sighed, crossing her arms. "That's just perfect. Now we're going to be stuck here even longer."
"I'll get a patch kit," Ruby volunteered, though her voice carried a hint of frustration. The pressure of being leader had clearly been weighing on her, and this was yet another setback.
As Ruby walked toward her bag, the mood shifted. The tension that had been building all day finally boiled over. Weiss muttered something under her breath, and Yang's temper flared in response.
"Are you serious, Weiss?" Yang snapped, standing up from her position beside the trailer. "It's just a tire! We can fix it!"
Weiss shot her a glare, not one to back down. "It's not just a tire, Yang. Everything here has been a mess since we got to this place! The sooner we leave, the better."
The argument between Yang and Weiss began to escalate, with Ruby trying to intervene and Oscar standing awkwardly off to the side, unsure of how to help. The Homestead's oppressive atmosphere seemed to amplify their frustration, pushing them all closer to the edge.
Blake, watching the argument unfold, clenched her fists. She could feel the air growing heavier, as if something was lurking just beneath the surface, waiting to strike. This wasn't normal. The Homestead was doing something to them, affecting their emotions, making them more volatile.
And then, she noticed something.
At the well, only a few feet away, Ruby stood frozen, her eyes wide with a strange, glazed-over look. In her hands, she clutched the relic of knowledge—the same relic they had been protecting all this time. But something was wrong. Her hand was hovering over the well's edge, as if she was about to drop the relic into the dark, murky water below.
Blake's heart raced, and she opened her mouth to shout, but no words came out.
Just as Ruby's grip slackened and the relic began to fall, a blur of movement shot past Blake. Shirou appeared out of the house with Qrow and Maria following behind, his arm outstretched, catching Ruby's wrist before the relic could slip from her fingers.
"Ruby!" Shirou's voice was calm but firm, his grip steady. Ruby blinked, her eyes refocusing as if she had just awoken from a trance. She looked down at the relic in her hands, her expression one of confusion and fear.
"I… I didn't mean to," Ruby whispered, her voice trembling. "I wasn't going to—"
Shirou gently pulled her back from the well, his eyes scanning the area. He could feel the malevolent presence around them, something dark and insidious. "This place is affecting all of us. It's more than just the eerie atmosphere—there's something wrong here. Something unnatural."
Blake and the others gathered around, their arguments forgotten as they focused on Shirou. He still held Ruby's hand, his gaze serious. The wind rustled around them, but the weight of his words settled heavily on their minds.
"Shirou, what do you mean?" Oscar asked, stepping closer, his brow furrowed.
Shirou released Ruby, then looked toward the house and the well. "When we were inside the house earlier… We found the bodies of the people who used to live here. They were all dead, lying peacefully in their beds. No signs of a struggle, no signs of trauma. But the entire place felt... haunted."
Blake frowned deeply. "You think this place is messing with our heads?"
Shirou nodded. "I do. And it's not just the atmosphere. There's something actively affecting our emotions, making us angrier, more reckless. Ruby almost dropped the relic into the well just now. That's not like her."
"He is right, there is something wrong with this house." Qrow said with Maria agreeing holding what looks like a journal.
Blake's ears twitched, picking up the faint sound of the wind blowing through the cracks in the house's walls. It wasn't just the Homestead; it was whatever had killed the people here. She stepped closer to Shirou, her voice quiet but resolute. "We need to leave. Now."
Shirou looked at Ruby, who still held the relic close to her chest. "Ruby, can I hold on to the relic for now? Until we're clear of this place."
Ruby hesitated for a moment but then nodded, her trust in Shirou outweighing her uncertainty. She handed him the relic, her hands trembling slightly.
With the tension easing, the group turned back to the trailer. Despite the popped tire, they worked quickly to repair it, the weight of Shirou's revelation pressing down on them. They knew now that they weren't just facing the dangers of the Grimm or the terrain. Something far worse had taken root in Brunswick Homestead, something that could tear them apart if they weren't careful.
After Shirou's quick intervention with Ruby, the group worked with renewed urgency. The popped tire was fixed, and the trailer was securely attached to Yang's bike. The oppressive atmosphere of Brunswick Homestead still weighed heavily on them, but there was a new sense of purpose. They had to leave—and fast.
Blake, still shaken by Ruby's near accident, stayed close to Shirou. Her golden eyes followed his every move as he carried the relic, his expression serious. He had been right about the Homestead all along, and now, more than ever, she trusted his judgment.
The air felt thick, and even though the sun shone weakly through the clouds, there was a strange, cold heaviness that refused to lift. Everyone was on edge, but Shirou's calm demeanor helped ground them. Even Ruby, who had been rattled by what had almost happened, seemed to take comfort in Shirou's steady presence.
A few miles from the Brunswick Homestead, Shirou handed the relic back to Ruby, his expression softening as he placed it in her hands. "I'll take care of this place," he said, his voice firm but reassuring. "You take care of the relic."
Ruby looked up at him, her silver eyes still wide with lingering fear, but she nodded, gripping the relic tightly as if afraid to let it go again. "Thank you, Shirou… I don't know what I was doing. I—"
"You were under its influence," Shirou interrupted gently. "It wasn't your fault. But we're leaving now, and whatever's been keeping us trapped here won't be able to follow."
Qrow, standing nearby, had been silent for a while, his eyes scanning the surroundings as if looking for any unseen danger. "You've got a plan, kid?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Shirou nodded, stepping away from the group and onto the dirt road leading out of the Homestead. "Yeah. We're not leaving this place behind as it is. I'm going to make sure it doesn't affect anyone else." His eyes flicked toward the well, the ominous heart of the homestead's darkness.
Yang revved her bike, testing the trailer as it settled behind her. "We don't have all day, Shirou. You sure you know what you're doing?"
"I do," Shirou replied confidently, though his gaze was far off, lost in thought as he planned his next move. "Just trust me."
Blake, standing by Yang's bike, felt her heart skip a beat. She'd already seen Shirou perform feats that defied logic and understanding, but this… something about his intensity told her this was going to be different.
"We're with you," she said softly, her voice steady despite the tension in her chest. "We'll be ready."
Shirou turned and gave her a brief nod, his eyes meeting hers for a moment. He could see her concern, but there was also trust. And that trust, from Blake and the others, gave him the resolve he needed.
With the group preparing to leave, Shirou stepped away from the trailer. He pulled his left arm back, tracing Archer's longbow into his grasp. The bow shimmered into existence, its red and black curves a stark contrast against the pale sky. In his right hand, he summoned Aestus Estus, Nero Claudius's regal sword, which quickly transformed into an arrow as Shirou altered its form.
As he stood in the middle of the road, the Homestead looming behind him, the group watched with bated breath. They had seen him fight before, but this was different. There was a reverence in the way he moved as he prepared to perform the ancient ritual of kyudo—the art of Japanese archery.
Blake's eyes were fixed on him, her heart racing as she recognized the steps he was taking. The way he held the bow, the deliberate movements—it was all so precise, so graceful. Shirou was performing the steps of kyudo as if it were a sacred ritual, and in a way, it was.
His stance was perfect, his focus unwavering. He raised the bow, the sword-turned-arrow shimmering with a faint, otherworldly glow. The air around them seemed to still as if the Homestead itself was holding its breath.
Everyone watched in silence—Yang, Ruby, Weiss, Qrow, Oscar, Maria—all of them captivated by the sheer presence Shirou exuded. Even Yang, who was usually the first to crack a joke or lighten the mood, was quiet, her eyes wide with fascination.
With a deep breath, Shirou drew back the bowstring, the arrow aimed directly at the heart of the Homestead. His gaze never wavered, his entire being focused on this one shot. And then, with a calm voice, he called its name.
"Aestus Estus."
The arrow flew from his bow with a blinding speed, cutting through the air like a fiery comet. It soared over the well, past the worn fences, and into the heart of the Homestead. For a moment, there was silence, and then—
BOOM!
A fiery explosion erupted from the house, flames consuming the building in an instant. The force of the blast shook the ground beneath them, sending a wave of heat rolling toward the group. The entire Homestead was engulfed in a roaring inferno, the malevolent presence that had haunted it obliterated in the blink of an eye.
Blake's breath caught in her throat as she watched the flames, her eyes wide with awe. Shirou had done it—he had destroyed the evil that lingered in Brunswick Homestead with a single, precise shot.
As the fire raged behind him, Shirou lowered his bow, his face calm and unreadable. He turned to the group, his gaze steady. "It's done. Whatever was here won't hurt anyone else."
Oscar, standing with wide eyes, was the first to break the silence. "That was… incredible."
Yang grinned, clearly impressed. "Damn, Shirou. That was some serious fireworks."
Weiss, ever composed, nodded in agreement. "You've put an end to whatever was haunting this place. We can move on now."
It was Oscar who asked the question that had been on everyone's mind. "Why did you do it, Shirou? Why destroy the house like that?"
Before Shirou could answer, Maria pulled out the journal of the Homestead's head, flipping through the pages until she found the final entry. Her voice, though raspy, was clear as she read aloud: "There were Grimm in the basement. Apathy. They drained the will of everyone who lived here, left them too weak to fight back. They didn't even care that they were dying."
Blake felt a shiver run down her spine. The Apathy had been responsible for the deaths of the Homestead's residents—and they had almost gotten to them too. If Shirou hadn't acted, they might have met the same fate.
"We're lucky we got out when we did," Qrow said, his voice grave. "Those things are dangerous. You did good, kid."
Shirou didn't say anything, but the weight of what he had done was clear in his expression. He had protected them from a threat they hadn't even fully understood, but he had also destroyed a place that had once been someone's home. The burden of that decision weighed on him, but he knew it had been the right choice.
Blake stepped up beside him, her hand brushing his lightly. "You saved us," she said quietly. "Thank you."
Shirou looked down at her, a small, tired smile crossing his lips. "I couldn't have done it alone."
With the Homestead burning behind them, the group climbed onto the trailer, Yang revving the engine of her bike. As they drove away from the wreckage, the air seemed to lighten, the oppressive atmosphere lifting with each mile they put between them and Brunswick Homestead.
As the sun began to set on the horizon, casting a golden glow over the landscape, the walls of Argus finally came into view. The journey from Brunswick had been tense and exhausting, but the sight of the bustling city ahead filled the group with a sense of relief. The towering gates of Argus stood strong and imposing, a welcome contrast to the desolate and haunting atmosphere they had left behind at the Homestead.
Blake's ears twitched as she heard the faint sound of voices and movement beyond the walls. After everything they had been through, the liveliness of Argus was like a beacon of hope. The city was a testament to survival, a reminder that even in the face of darkness, there were still places that thrived and people who lived on.
Yang slowed her bike as they approached the city gates, the trailer rumbling gently behind her. The group could see figures standing at the gates, and as they drew closer, they recognized the familiar forms of Jaune, Nora, and Ren waiting for them. The sight of their friends filled them with a rush of relief, and the weight of the past few days seemed to lift just a little.
Jaune was the first to spot them, his eyes widening in surprise and then relief as he waved them over. "There they are!" he called out, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and worry.
Nora, standing beside him, grinned widely, her usual boundless energy shining through. "It's about time!" she shouted, waving enthusiastically. "We were starting to think you got lost or something!"
As they pulled up to the gates, Yang parked her bike and shut off the engine. The group climbed off the trailer, stretching their legs after the long journey. Blake immediately caught sight of Ren, who stood with his usual calm composure, but even he looked visibly relieved to see them.
Jaune quickly approached Ruby, pulling her into a tight hug. "You're okay," he breathed, his voice thick with emotion. "We were worried. After we lost contact, we didn't know what happened."
Ruby smiled, hugging him back tightly. "We're fine, Jaune. We made it. It was… rough, but we made it."
Nora bounced over to Yang, throwing an arm around her shoulder. "Looks like we've got some stories to share!" she said, her grin never faltering. "And what's with the trailer? Are we starting a moving company now?"
Yang chuckled, shaking her head. "Long story, Nora. Let's just say we had a… rough time. But we're here now."
Ren gave a small nod to Weiss as she approached, his eyes flickering between the group. "We're glad you made it," he said quietly. "It's good to see you all safe."
Weiss smiled, though her eyes were tired. "It's good to be safe. Where we stayed for the night was… something else." She glanced over at Shirou, who had been silent since their arrival at the gates.
Shirou stood slightly apart from the others, his eyes taking in the city of Argus with a thoughtful expression. The weight of their journey still hung over him, but the sight of the city's strong walls and the presence of their friends gave him a sense of peace he hadn't felt since they left the Homestead.
Blake, standing beside him, could sense the shift in his demeanor. She gently brushed his arm, her voice soft. "You okay?"
Shirou nodded, his gaze softening as he looked down at her. "Yeah. Just… thinking." He glanced toward the gates again. "It's good to be here."
Blake smiled warmly, understanding the unspoken weight behind his words. "Yeah. It is."
As they gathered near the gates, the guards allowed them entry, waving them through with a mixture of curiosity and respect. The group walked into the city together, the bustling streets of Argus a stark contrast to the eerie silence of Brunswick. The warm glow of streetlights, the sound of chatter from the nearby market, and the smell of freshly cooked food filled the air, creating a sense of normalcy that they hadn't felt in days.
Oscar walked alongside Qrow, looking up at the buildings with wide eyes. "It's bigger than I thought," he murmured, taking in the sights and sounds of the city. "It feels… safe."
Qrow nodded, though his usual air of skepticism lingered. "Don't get too comfortable, kid. We've still got work to do. But yeah… it's nice to be somewhere that doesn't feel like it's trying to kill us."
Maria, ever the pragmatist, raised an eyebrow as she glanced at the bustling streets. "Let's just hope this place stays safe long enough for us to figure out what to do next."
As the group continued down the main street, they passed by small shops and homes, the people of Argus going about their daily lives. Some gave the group curious glances, recognizing them as Huntsmen and Huntresses, but most carried on with their business. The normalcy of the scene was a stark reminder of what they had been fighting for—a world where people could live in peace, without fear of the Grimm or the darkness that had nearly consumed them at Brunswick.