Forever Fall Forest

The sun dipped below the tree line as Team JNPR finally arrived at their destination—a cozy, last-minute cabin nestled deep within Forever Fall Forest. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of pine and the distant rustle of leaves. It was a perfect escape from the chaos of city life, a much-needed break after their endless missions and training.

Stepping onto the wooden porch, Jaune Arc stretched his arms and let out a satisfied sigh. "Ahhh… Nothing like fresh air and no Grimm to ruin the mood."

Nora Valkyrie, on the other hand, was practically vibrating with excitement. She threw her arms up, spinning in a circle. "Camping! Fire! Fishing! Hiking! So much to do! So many opportunities for adventure! Who knows what's out there, waiting for us?"

Lie Ren, standing beside her with their bags, simply nodded, though there was a small amused smile on his face. "And I suppose I'll be sticking with you to make sure that 'opportunity' doesn't involve property damage."

Nora smirked and nudged him. "You know it will."

Pyrrha Nikos inhaled deeply, taking in the peaceful surroundings. "It's nice to be somewhere quiet for once. I think I'll take some time to get some sun later."

Jaune adjusted his backpack. "Yeah, that sounds great and all, but I wanna check the place out first."

With their bags in hand, the team stepped inside the cabin. It wasn't extravagant, but it was well-built and had everything they needed—an open-concept living room and kitchen, a stone fireplace, and large windows overlooking the forest. They walked up the wooden staircase to the second floor, finding a short hallway with three doors.

Jaune stopped, noticing something immediately. "Huh. Two of these doors are side by side."

Curious, he opened both at once.

Inside were two bedrooms—each with a single two-person bed.

Pyrrha walked further down the hallway and opened the last door. "This is just a bathroom," she said, glancing inside the large but empty space.

Jaune turned back to the group, rubbing the back of his head. "Sooo… I guess we're splitting up. Ren and Nora take one room, and, uh… Pyrrha and I will take the other."

"Sounds good to me," Pyrrha said casually, already stepping inside her room without hesitation.

Jaune barely had a second to process that before Nora leaned in close, smirking like she knew everything. "Ooooh~ Jaune and Pyrrha, huh?" she whispered with a teasing grin.

Jaune immediately flailed. "It's not like that! Pyrrha's a trusted friend! That's all!"

Nora gave him the most exaggerated, disbelieving nod. "Sure… sure…"

Jaune groaned as she turned and took Ren's hand, practically dragging him into their room.

Jaune stepped inside to find that Pyrrha had already unpacked everything. Her suitcase was open, clothes neatly folded, weapons set in a corner, and even her personal items arranged on the nightstand. Also, the bedroom has its own bathroom, but Jaune doesnt plan on telling Ren and Nora, yet. Maybe they have their own too.

Jaune blinked. "Wow. You're, uh… fast."

Pyrrha sat on the bed, looking up at him with an easy smile. "You have to be quick, no matter what. Efficiency is key."

Jaune chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of his neck. "Right. Makes sense."

His eyes flickered toward the bed. One bed.

He swallowed, pushing aside his nerves. It's fine. We're teammates. Nothing weird about this.

Still, he shifted his weight awkwardly before finally speaking. "Hey, uh… You can take the bed. I'll sleep on the couch downstairs."

Pyrrha raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Jaune, you don't have to do that."

"No, no, I insist. I don't wanna make things awkward."

Pyrrha studied him for a moment before nodding. "I understand." Then, she smiled playfully and offered a compromise.

"How about this? Sleep in the bed tonight, and if you feel awkward, then you can take the couch tomorrow." She tilted her head slightly. "Win-win, right?"

Jaune hesitated, then exhaled and nodded. "Okay. Deal."

Pyrrha smiled warmly. "Great."

Jaune tried not to overthink it. It's just one night. Totally normal. No big deal.

And yet, as he glanced at Pyrrha, who had already made herself comfortable, he couldn't shake the feeling that Nora was definitely going to say something about this later.

LAKE

The afternoon sun shimmered over the crystal-clear lake, the surface rippling gently as the occasional breeze rolled through the trees. Birds chirped in the distance, their songs harmonizing with the rustling leaves and the quiet laughter coming from the water.

A loud splash broke the peaceful stillness.

"WHOOOOO!" Nora Valkyrie cheered as she leaped off a nearby rock and cannonballed into the lake. Water sprayed everywhere as she resurfaced, her fiery orange hair slicked back. "This is amazing!" she hollered, kicking her feet and floating on her back.

Standing at the edge of the water, Lie Ren watched her with an amused smile, his arms crossed.

"Ren! Get in here!" Nora called, splashing water in his direction.

Ren chuckled, shaking his head. "I think I'm fine right here."

"Oh, come on!" Nora huffed, swimming closer. "Don't be a big baby!"

Ren sighed, but there was no real annoyance in his expression. With a small smirk, he pulled his shirt off and stepped into the lake. The water was cool against his skin as he waded forward, and before he even had time to adjust, Nora pounced on him, dragging him under.

Jaune Arc and Pyrrha Nikos sat on the shore, watching their two friends play in the water. Pyrrha lay comfortably on her towel, a tanning reflector angled perfectly to catch the afternoon sun. She let out a content sigh, basking in the warmth.

Jaune, on the other hand, sat with his legs stretched out, arms propped behind him as he simply took in the scenery. The lake, the trees, the sky—it was all so… peaceful. No classes, no training, no Grimm, no missions. Just this.

"This place is nice," Jaune muttered to himself. His smile lingered for a moment before fading slightly. He turned his head toward Pyrrha.

"Hey, uh… can we talk?"

Pyrrha's eyes were closed, her face relaxed. But the moment she heard the seriousness in Jaune's voice, she lowered the reflector and sat up, her green eyes focusing on him. "Of course. What's wrong?"

Jaune hesitated for a second before sighing. "Back at Beacon, people were always teasing me about… rumors. I'm sure you heard some of them."

Pyrrha tilted her head thoughtfully. "I've heard a few."

Jaune let out a small chuckle. "Yeah. Most of them I've already debunked. But there's one that's kinda stuck with me for a while."

Pyrrha lowered her reflector completely now, giving him her full attention. "Which one?"

Jaune took a deep breath. "The one where people think… we're dating."

Pyrrha blinked, caught completely off guard.

Jaune scratched the back of his head. "I think Cardin and his team started it, but… whoever spread it, it got big. Like, Beacon-wide big. Even Ozpin heard about it."

Pyrrha tried to hide her discomfort. She had liked Jaune for a long time, but to hear that people had twisted that into a rumor? That everyone had assumed something that wasn't true? It didn't sit well with her.

Jaune turned to her, looking for her thoughts. "What do you think about all that?"

Pyrrha wanted—desperately wanted—to just tell him the truth. To say, Yes, I like you. Yes, I wish the rumor was real. But she hesitated. If she admitted it now, what if it made things weird? What if he didn't feel the same?

So, she forced a small smile and shrugged. "It's a ridiculous rumor. We'll just have to clear it up once we get back."

Jaune exhaled, relieved. "Yeah, agreed. Don't want people thinking something that's not true, right?"

Then he paused before looking at her, his expression suddenly thoughtful.

"…Do you even like me that way?"

Pyrrha's eyes widened slightly. She sat up straighter, caught completely off guard.

She had two choices.

Tell the truth.

Or lie.

The words left her mouth before she could stop them.

"N-No, of course not! You're my friend!" she said quickly, her voice unnaturally light.

Jaune smiled, nodding. "Yeah, same. You're my friend too. And we shouldn't let something like this make things awkward."

Pyrrha nodded, smiling to match him, but inside, her heart clenched.

Jaune stood up and dusted himself off. "I'm gonna take a walk. Enjoy the sun a little."

"Alright," Pyrrha said, her voice even.

Jaune gave her a small wave before walking off into the woods, disappearing down the trail.

The second he was out of sight, Pyrrha's smile faded.

She sighed heavily and flopped onto her towel, staring up at the sky.

You should have told him.

She swallowed the lump in her throat, feeling the guilt settle deep in her chest. But for now, all she could do was watch the clouds drift by, wondering what could have been.

NIGHT

The crackling flames of the campfire cast a warm, flickering glow over Team JNPR, their faces illuminated in shades of orange as they sat in a circle roasting marshmallows. The air smelled of burning wood and melted sugar, the peaceful sounds of the Forever Fall Forest surrounding them. Crickets chirped, the occasional rustling of leaves echoed through the trees, and above them, the night sky stretched infinitely, dotted with shimmering stars.

Jaune and Pyrrha, however, weren't focused on the beautiful scenery.

Their eyes were locked on the absurd amount of marshmallows piled in front of Nora Valkyrie, who sat cross-legged with a manic grin, practically vibrating with excitement.

Jaune blinked. "Nora… why do you have so many marshmallows?"

Nora held up the oversized bag—no, bags—of marshmallows proudly. "Because, fearless leader, I am going to build the greatest mountain of s'mores that the world has ever seen!"

Pyrrha leaned closer to Jaune and whispered, "Is this normal?"

Ren, sitting calmly beside Nora, poked at the fire with a stick. "Every time she goes camping," he answered, completely unfazed.

Jaune sighed, shaking his head. "That's another Nora lesson I now know."

For the next several minutes, Jaune, Pyrrha, and Ren all made reasonable amounts of s'mores—one, two, maybe three at a time. But not Nora.

She was on a mission.

With the precision of an architect and the enthusiasm of a child let loose in a candy store, she stacked layer after layer of graham crackers, chocolate, and roasted marshmallows, carefully balancing each piece into an intricate structure.

At first, Jaune assumed she was joking. That was, until the mountain actually started to take form.

What began as a pile of sweets evolved into a three-dimensional marvel, a perfect pyramid of gooey, chocolate-dripping, structurally sound s'mores that looked like it belonged in a museum rather than by a campfire.

Nora sat back, admiring her work with a satisfied grin. "Behold! The S'mores Summit! The Peak of Perfection! The Great Pyramid of Marshmellowza!"

Jaune and Pyrrha just stared.

"How did she even—?" Pyrrha started, but no words could describe what they were witnessing.

Jaune rubbed his temples. "This… this is too much."

Ren, stirring his tea, sipped calmly. "This always happens."

Jaune opened his mouth to respond, but before he could—

Nora ATTACKED.

With the energy of a wild beast, she lunged forward and devoured the s'mores mountain at an inhuman pace. Crumbs flew, marshmallow stretched in absurd lengths, and chocolate smudged across her cheeks like war paint.

Jaune and Pyrrha recoiled in horrified amazement, their jaws nearly hitting the ground.

"HOW IS THAT EVEN PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE?!" Jaune exclaimed, watching the once-great monument of sugar disappear into Nora's bottomless stomach.

Ren, still as calm as ever, simply took another sip of tea and said:

"Because it's Nora."

BEDROOM

The cabin was quiet, save for the distant chirping of crickets and the occasional rustling of tree branches swaying in the cool night breeze. The warmth from the earlier campfire still clung to the air, leaving behind a drowsy sense of comfort. Outside, the stars shimmered brightly against the vast sky, untouched by the lights of the city. It was the kind of night that invited peaceful dreams.

Inside, Ren and Nora were fast asleep in their room. Ren lay neatly on his back, his breathing slow and even, while Nora sprawled across most of the bed, her arm draped lazily over his chest. Every so often, she mumbled something about "the marshmallow empire" in her sleep, a faint grin tugging at her lips. Ren, accustomed to her sleeping habits, didn't stir.

Meanwhile, in the other bedroom, Jaune and Pyrrha lay on opposite sides of the bed. Neither of them had spoken much since getting under the covers, the air between them filled with a quiet, lingering awkwardness—not uncomfortable, but something unspoken.

Pyrrha turned slightly, resting on her side as she glanced over at Jaune's silhouette in the dim moonlight. "Are you comfortable?" she asked softly.

Jaune exhaled, shifting slightly. "Yeah… just still trying to wrap my head around whatever the hell we just witnessed."

Pyrrha chuckled lightly, settling back onto her pillow. "You mean the great collapse of S'mores Mountain?"

Jaune groaned, rubbing his face. "I can still hear the chewing."

Pyrrha giggled. "I think we all can."

Silence lingered between them for a moment before Jaune let out a deep yawn, stretching under the covers before rolling onto his side.

"I think I'm finally crashing," he muttered sleepily.

Pyrrha smiled. "You had a long day."

Jaune nodded against his pillow. "Yeah… and I wanna wake up early for a morning hike. Get some fresh air, take in the scenery before breakfast. You know, actually enjoy the peace and quiet." He shifted his head slightly toward her. "You can come with me if you want."

Pyrrha's lips curled into a soft smile. "I'd love to."

Jaune hummed in approval, his voice already laced with exhaustion. "Alright then… good night, Pyrrha."

"Good night, Jaune."

He turned his back toward her, settling into a comfortable position, and within moments, his breathing slowed into a steady rhythm.

Pyrrha, however, remained awake.

She lay on her back, eyes tracing the wooden ceiling, bathed in faint moonlight.

Slowly, her gaze drifted back to Jaune.

His chest rose and fell in peaceful rhythm, his body completely at ease, unaware of her watchful eyes. He looked so calm, so genuine.

Her heart ached.

There was a part of her that wanted to close the distance. Just enough to feel him near. She wanted to wrap herself around him, to let herself enjoy his warmth, his presence.

She wanted to reach out and trace her fingers along his arm, just to know he was real.

She wanted to press a small, innocent kiss to his cheek, whisper a soft good night in a way she'd never dared before.

But she didn't.

Because Jaune didn't see her that way.

Because Jaune was her friend.

And because she didn't want to risk making things weird.

So instead, she let out a quiet sigh, turned onto her side, and closed her eyes.

And as sleep finally took her, she silently wished that maybe, just maybe, one day… she wouldn't have to hold back.

The Next Morning

The soft golden light of the morning sun filtered through the cabin window, casting a warm glow across the room. The rays crawled their way onto Jaune face, pulling him from the depths of sleep with an annoying yet gentle persistence. He groggily blinked, stretching slightly before trying to sit up—only to realize something was on top of him.

Confused, he looked down.

His breath hitched.

Pyrrha.

Her arm was draped over his chest, her body comfortably nestled close to his side. Her breathing was slow, rhythmic, peaceful. The warmth of her presence, combined with the way she unconsciously pressed against him, made his entire face turn red.

Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap.

Jaune froze. He was wide awake now, his brain running through every possible reaction. How? When?Why?!

Slowly, carefully, he reached for Pyrrha's arm, trying to gently move it off him without waking her.

Unfortunately, the moment his fingers brushed against her wrist—

Pyrrha stirred.

Her nose scrunched slightly, a small, adorable yawn escaping her lips as she nuzzled into the pillow. Then, her emerald eyes fluttered open.

For a moment, she was still waking up.

Then her gaze drifted down.

And she froze.

The warmth. The position. The proximity.

Her face went red instantly.

They stared at each other in complete, awkward silence.

Pyrrha quickly shifted back to her side of the bed, pulling her arm away and sitting up. "I—! I'm so sorry, Jaune! I-I didn't mean to—"

Jaune, also sitting up, quickly waved his hands. "No, no! It's fine! You were just sleeping! It's—y'know, cold night, and stuff. Probably kept me warm, actually."

Pyrrha's cheeks burned, but she smiled slightly at his words—though she quickly turned her head so he wouldn't see. "R-Right. I suppose that makes sense."

Jaune, still feeling the residual awkwardness, stood up and stretched, trying to shake off the strange, fluttery feeling in his chest. "I'm, uh—gonna grab some clothes and take a shower."

Pyrrha nodded, watching as Jaune grabbed his stuff and disappeared into the bathroom. The moment the door shut, she let out a deep sigh of relief, pressing her hands to her heated face.

Her heart was still racing.

She cuddled with Jaune.

Unknowingly.

She slept next to him, wrapped around him like a hug, and she had no idea when or how it happened.

Now that she thought about it—was that creepy?

She groaned, flopping back onto the bed and covering her face with her hands.

Gods, what is wrong with me?

The morning air in the cabin was still and peaceful as Pyrrha stretched, rolling her shoulders and letting out a quiet sigh. But just as she reached her arms over her head, a deep, reverberating noise rumbled through the air, shaking the very walls of the cabin.

Her eyes snapped open.

Jaune, who had barely begun his shower, comically peeked his head out from behind the slightly opened bathroom door, shirtless and dripping wet. His eyes were wide with confusion.

"What the hell was that?" he asked, voice still groggy from sleep.

Pyrrha, still blinking away the remnants of her drowsiness, rubbed the back of her neck. "Probably just Nora's morning stretch. You know how she—"

Before she could finish, the bedroom door burst open.

"Did you guys hear that?!" Nora shouted, nearly making both of them jump.

Jaune yelped and slammed the bathroom door shut, while Pyrrha placed a hand over her heart, exhaling sharply. "Nora, please don't do that."

"But did you hear it?!" she repeated, her expression deadly serious.

Pyrrha nodded, still shaking off the scare. "We did. What was it?"

Ren appeared behind Nora, arms crossed, his expression calm but alert. "We thought it was you."

The four of them stared at one another, confusion settling in.

Then the sound came again.

Louder. Closer. Heavier.

The floor shuddered beneath them, and an eerie creaking ran through the cabin's walls.

Ren immediately shut the door and locked it, stepping back.

Jaune, now in full crisis mode, quickly threw on his shirt, grabbed Crocea Mors, and adjusted his stance. Pyrrha grabbed Miló and Akoúo̱, already falling into her battle-ready posture.

They all stood completely still.

Then Pyrrha's eyes flickered toward the doorknob.

It was rattling.

Something was right outside.

With careful, measured steps, Pyrrha approached the door. The others didn't dare to breathe.

The doorknob shook harder.

A lesser person might have hesitated. Might have backed away.

But Pyrrha Nikos felt no fear.

Her hand shot out, gripping the handle. And in one swift motion—

She threw the door open.

A deafening ROAR blasted through the cabin. The sheer force of it made their ears ring, forcing them to stagger back as an unnatural wind blasted through the room.

The sound of thunderous footsteps pounded against the wooden floors—heavy, powerful, but rapidly fading.

Then—

Silence.

Pyrrha looked up.

The hallway was empty.

But the floor…

The wooden planks were dented. Indented.

Something massive had been standing there.

The team exchanged nervous glances before cautiously following the imprints, stepping lightly as if afraid to disturb whatever had left them.

The trail led downstairs.

What they saw made their stomachs drop.

The cabin's living area was a complete wreck.

Furniture toppled over. Chairs broken. The dining table was split in two. Scratches—deep, jagged claw marks—lined the walls, as if something had tried to force its way through.

And the front door…

It had been blown off its hinges.

Jaune swallowed, his voice quiet but uneasy. "Okay. This is… officially terrifying."

The team slowly stepped outside, following the massive footprints that continued through the dirt, leading away into the dense forest.

The most chilling part?

They weren't normal footprints.

The ground depressed with each step, but the creature itself was… invisible.

They watched the imprints appear in real time, as if something unseen was running away.

Jaune turned to the others, eyes wide. "Are we dreaming?"

Nora, without hesitation, walked over and pinched Jaune's arm.

"OW! What the hell, Nora?!"

She shrugged. "Nope. We're awake."

The four of them stood there, the morning sun casting long shadows against the ruined cabin, realizing all at once—

They weren't alone in this forest.

The morning sun had fully risen by the time Team JNPR started cleaning up the mess left behind by whatever had stormed through their cabin. The broken furniture, the scattered remains of the dining table, the deep claw marks along the walls—none of it made any sense. The more they worked to put things back in order, the more unsettling it became.

Nora, undeterred by the destruction, decided to take a more creative approach to understanding the situation.

"Alright, guys! Let's go over the list of possible explanations for what just happened," she said, dramatically pulling out a notepad she had somehow acquired.

Jaune, already stacking the remnants of the broken chairs, raised an eyebrow. "You have a list?"

"I made a list," Nora corrected, flipping to the first page. "Alright, theory one: it was a super-massive bear that got really, really lost."

Ren, without looking up from where he was sweeping up splinters, shook his head. "A bear wouldn't have vanished into thin air, Nora."

Nora frowned and scratched that off. "Okay. Theory two: ghost bear."

Jaune gave her a deadpan look. "You just said bear again."

"This time it's a ghost, Jaune," she emphasized.

Pyrrha, folding up a fallen blanket, sighed. "I don't think ghosts leave behind physical footprints."

"You don't know that," Nora said, pointing at her accusingly.

Ren glanced at her, unimpressed. "Nora."

"Fine, fine," she huffed, crossing it out. "Theory three: we all just imagined it."

Jaune gestured to the destroyed front door. "Yeah, because we just hallucinated all of this."

Nora sighed dramatically and tossed the notepad over her shoulder. "Fine! No ghost bear, no regular bear, no shared delusion. We're back to square one."

Jaune dusted off his hands and exhaled. "Look, whatever this thing is, there's a good chance it might come back. We need to be ready."

Pyrrha glanced at him. "You think so?"

"It ran off," Jaune reasoned. "But if it's territorial? If it thinks this is part of its domain? Then yeah… there's a real chance it could return."

He folded his arms, thinking. "So, we need to keep an eye out. We take turns at night, watching from the shadows. Maybe we'll get a look at it this time. Maybe even catch it."

Nora perked up. "Ooooh, traps? Are we setting up traps?!"

Jaune nodded. "Might be a good idea."

Nora grinned. "I'm on it." She immediately darted toward the supply shed near the cabin, already brainstorming.

Ren sighed but followed after her. "I should supervise."

Pyrrha watched them leave before turning back to Jaune. "Do you really think it'll come back tonight?"

Jaune adjusted his bracers, his expression thoughtful. "That's why we're doing this. We don't know if this is going to be a nightly thing or just a one-time event. Either way, we need to be prepared."

Pyrrha considered his words for a moment before nodding. "Alright. Then I'll stay close to you… just in case."

Jaune gave her a small, appreciative smile. "Thanks, Pyrrha."

She smiled back, feeling reassured despite the unknown looming over them. Whatever was out there, they'd be ready.

EVENING

The evening air was still, the sky outside fading into a deep twilight as the last light of day vanished behind the dense trees. Inside the cabin, the hallway and front door were now lined with an intricate web of traps—some makeshift, some surprisingly complex—all courtesy of Nora Valkyrie.

Jaune carefully navigated through the obstacle course, stepping over a tripwire, sidestepping a strategically placed bucket of what he assumed was flour, and hopping over an unstable pressure plate near the entrance to the kitchen. He barely made it through unscathed, all while holding a bag of chips.

Ren stood at the stove, calmly stirring a pot as the scent of cooking filled the air. Meanwhile, Nora was crouched by the entrance to the hallway, grinning as she adjusted the final trap.

Jaune exhaled as he finally set the chips down on the counter. "Alright, please tell me that's the last one."

Nora wiped her hands and stood up proudly. "Yep! And this one? This is for when we go to sleep! If anything even tries to sneak through this hallway, BAM! Immediate takedown."

Jaune sighed, rubbing his temples. "Great. Can't wait to step into it by accident."

"Then don't step into it," Nora said smugly.

Jaune shook his head, but before he could say anything else, his eyes landed on Pyrrha, sitting quietly by the front window.

Her posture was relaxed, but her gaze was distant, focused on something beyond the trees.

Jaune made his way over and sat beside her, his tone softer. "Seen anything yet?"

Pyrrha didn't look away from the window. "A few squirrels. A couple of raccoons. It's all… normal."

Jaune studied her for a moment before tilting his head. "You okay?"

Pyrrha blinked and turned toward him, brow slightly furrowed. "Why do you ask?"

Jaune's gaze flickered downward, subtle but intentional.

Pyrrha followed his eyes.

Her hand was trembling, just slightly.

Jaune didn't say anything out loud, didn't want to make it obvious for Ren or Nora to hear.

Pyrrha clenched her fist, realizing the involuntary shake had been visible. She exhaled softly. "I'm… still a little shaken from this morning." She loosened her grip and let her hand rest on her lap. "Whatever this is… I've never encountered anything like it before."

Jaune gave her a reassuring smile. "Hey. We'll be ready for it."

Pyrrha turned back to him, searching his face for any sign of doubt. She found none.

Slowly, she nodded. "I trust you, Jaune."

Before Jaune could respond, a sudden scream made them both jolt to their feet, weapons instantly drawn.

But instead of a mysterious monster, they turned to see Nora, standing in the hallway, coughing out smoke with a large blackened burn mark on her shirt. Her newest trap had just exploded in front of her.

Ren, still casually stirring the pot, did not even blink. "I told you it was unstable."

Nora opened her mouth to respond—then dramatically fell backward, limbs sprawled out, fainting for comedic effect.

Jaune and Pyrrha stood there for a moment, processing the situation, before they both burst into laughter.

Jaune sheathed his sword, still chuckling as he walked over. "Come on, Nora. Let's get you back up before you really break something."

Nora grinned up at him, completely unfazed. "Worth it."

NIGHT

The cabin was quiet as night fully settled over Forever Fall Forest. The only sounds were the faint rustling of trees outside and the distant chirping of insects, their songs filling the cool air. Inside, the glow of the fireplace cast flickering shadows along the walls, giving the cabin an eerie yet strangely comforting atmosphere.

Pyrrha had set up her seat near the darkest corner of the living area, just beyond the fire's reach. Her weapon, Miló, sat within arm's reach, already converted into its rifle form. The polished metal gleamed faintly under the dim light, a silent promise of readiness.

Nearby, Ren made his way upstairs, carefully carrying one of Nora's last remaining traps. His movements were steady, methodical—no wasted motion, no hesitation.

Nora, on the other hand, was far more enthusiastic in her approach.

She grinned mischievously as she followed Jaune, holding up a full bag of flour.

Jaune eyed it warily. "Do I even want to ask?"

"Tactical flour!" Nora declared proudly. "Perfect for detecting invisible monsters!" She dramatically sprinkled a handful onto the first step, creating a fine white layer. "If something sneaks inside, boom! Footprints."

Jaune pinched the bridge of his nose. "This is gonna be a pain to clean up."

"If we survive the night," Nora corrected, tossing a handful of flour onto another step.

Jaune sighed but didn't argue. Instead, his gaze drifted downstairs, back toward Pyrrha.

She was still at her post, adjusting the blanket around her shoulders as she settled into the chair. Her green eyes remained sharp, scanning the room like a sentinel awaiting an unseen enemy.

She had volunteered to stay on the first floor instead of retreating upstairs with the others. Just in case.

Jaune hesitated at the foot of the stairs. "Pyrrha… are you sure about this?"

Pyrrha glanced at him and gave a small, reassuring smile. "I'll be okay, Jaune."

Jaune frowned. "That's not what I asked."

Pyrrha reached for Miló, running her fingers along the cold metal before gripping it firmly. "I trust you. And I need you to trust me, too."

He hated how easily she said that—like his trust meant more than her own safety.

Still, he nodded, even if the hesitation lingered in his chest.

"…Be careful," he said quietly.

Pyrrha smiled again, softer this time. "Always."

Jaune exhaled and finally turned, making his way upstairs.

Nora followed, sprinkling more flour as she went, humming to herself.

Left alone in the dimly lit cabin, Pyrrha adjusted her grip on her rifle and sank deeper into the shadows.

The blanket draped over her shoulders kept the chill away, but she knew the true cold would come later—when the night deepened, when the unknown thing lurking in the woods decided whether or not to return.

She was ready.

Sitting motionless, her gun trained toward the front door, Pyrrha leaned back into the darkness and waited.

Later...

The fire in the hearth had long since dimmed to smoldering embers, leaving the cabin in eerie darkness. The only light came from the slivers of moonlight filtering through the windows, casting long shadows across the floor.

Pyrrha had done her best to stay awake, but exhaustion had finally won. She sat in her chair, rifle in hand, her body slumped slightly as sleep took hold.

The fixed front door creaked open.

A deep, throaty growl rumbled through the air, low and unnatural.

The fine layer of flour on the ground shifted.

Footprints.

Appearing out of nothing, slow and deliberate, heading straight for her.

Pyrrha stirred, her brow furrowing as her instincts screamed at her to wake up. Her fingers twitched around her rifle as her eyes slowly opened—

And then she saw them.

Her heart skipped a beat.

The footprints.

Her body stiffened as she slowly raised her weapon, breath caught in her throat.

Then—

The footprints turned toward her.

Pyrrha's hands trembled, her finger hovering over the trigger.

The growl deepened, closer now. The air around her shifted, thick with unseen presence.

And then—

It roared.

The sound was deafening, reverberating through the entire cabin.

Pyrrha's instincts screamed—she pulled the trigger.

Bang!

A guttural howl erupted as the bullet connected, but the force sent Pyrrha rolling out of her chair.

The wood behind her shattered, splinters raining down as something massive swiped where she had just been.

Scrambling backward, she grabbed the nearest half-empty bag of flour and hurled it forward.

The bag exploded on impact, white powder bursting into the air—

Revealing the monster.

The Grimm stood fully exposed now, its body hulking and deformed, with twisted limbs and elongated claws. Its black form, usually concealed in darkness, was now outlined in pale white flour.

Its skull-like face turned toward her, fangs bared in a visceral snarl.

The sudden pounding of footsteps echoed behind her—

Jaune, Ren, and Nora rushed down the stairs, dodging the tripwires and traps.

They froze the moment they saw it.

The Grimm—fully visible now, its dark, twisted form outlined by the flour—stood hunched, its massive claws digging into the wooden floor. Its elongated skull turned toward them, milky-white eyes empty yet filled with rage.

"What… the hell is that?" Jaune breathed, his hand tightening around Crocea Mors.

The creature roared, its bony maw opening unnaturally wide before charging.

"Scatter!" Jaune shouted.

The team dove in different directions, narrowly avoiding its massive claws as it swiped through the center of the room.

The Grimm barreled forward—straight into one of Nora's traps.

A tripwire snapped, releasing a swinging log trap from the ceiling. The heavy wood slammed into its ribs, sending it staggering back.

Ren took the opening—his blades flashed, slashing across the beast's exposed flank. The creature snarled, twisting unnaturally before retaliating.

Ren barely managed to flip backward, dodging the massive claw that tore through the wall behind him.

"Pyrrha, now!" Jaune shouted.

Pyrrha, still catching her breath, raised her rifle and fired. The shot rang out, hitting the Grimm's shoulder.

It shrieks, stumbling from the impact.

Jaune charged next, shield raised, slamming into its midsection with a full-force shield bash. The creature reeled, losing its balance.

"MY TURN!"

Nora leaped from above, Magnhild swinging downward—

The hammer struck the Grimm's skull with a loud crack, sending a shockwave through the cabin floor. The Grimm crashed to the ground, wood splintering under its weight.

For a moment, it didn't move.

Jaune panted, watching for any sign of life.

"…Is it dead?" Nora asked.

Then—

Its head snapped up.

A horrifying, unnatural screech tore through the air as it lunged.

Straight at Pyrrha.

Her eyes widened—she tried to dodge, but it was too fast.

Claws ripped across her side, tearing into her armor and sending her crashing backward.

"Pyrrha!" Jaune's voice broke with panic as he watched her hit the ground hard.

Pyrrha gasped, pressing a hand to her side—her fingers came back red.

The Grimm—injured but not defeated—turned toward them again, but instead of attacking, it let out a final snarl and bolted.

The team could only watch as it burst through the half-broken door, vanishing into the forest.

Silence filled the cabin.

Then—

Jaune ran to Pyrrha's side.

"Pyrrha, stay with me!" He knelt beside her, pressing a hand over the wound to stop the bleeding. His fingers trembled as he assessed the damage—deep, but not fatal.

Pyrrha's breathing was shallow, but she gave him a weak smile. "I'm… I'm fine, Jaune."

"You're not fine!" Jaune's voice cracked, panic clear in his expression. "Come on, we need to get you inside."

He carefully lifted her, his arms firm but gentle as he carried her toward the table. Pyrrha didn't resist, her head resting against his shoulder, exhaustion settling in.

Ren and Nora quickly followed.

As Jaune laid her down, he turned to Ren, urgency in his eyes. "We need bandages, now."

Ren nodded, already moving toward their supplies.

Nora hovered nearby, shaking off the shock. "That thing ripped right through her aura. That—that's not normal!"

Jaune clenched his jaw, his hands still firm over Pyrrha's wound. His heart pounded in his chest, but he forced himself to stay focused.

"We'll worry about that later," he muttered. "Right now, we take care of her."

Pyrrha, despite the pain, let out a weak chuckle. "Told you… I'd be okay."

Jaune looked down at her, his expression softening. He swallowed hard before managing a small, exhausted smile.

"Yeah, well… you scared the hell out of me."

Pyrrha's eyes fluttered closed.

The team, shaken and exhausted, huddled around her.

And outside, somewhere in the darkness of the forest—

The Grimm still lurked.

THE NEXT MORNING

Jaune sat beside Pyrrha, his fingers gently wrapped around hers. She lay on the couch, bandaged from the injury she'd suffered the night before. Her breathing was steady, but every now and then, she shifted slightly, a quiet wince betraying the pain she was in.

Jaune's grip on her hand tightened. I should've done more. The thought gnawed at him, replaying the moment she got hurt again and again in his mind. He should have pushed her out of the way, he should have been faster—he should have protected her.

Ren walked out of the kitchen, his usual calm demeanor intact, though there was an edge of concern in his voice. "I managed to get some help on the way," he said.

Jaune barely looked up. "How long until they get here?"

"A few hours," Ren said, kneeling beside Pyrrha to check the bandages. He pressed gently around the wound, making sure the bleeding had stopped. "She's stable, but she'll need proper medical attention. It's not severe, but it's still a risk."

Jaune exhaled through his nose, his jaw clenching. "We can't go anywhere until that thing is dead."

Ren nodded, looking thoughtful. "It had the ability to turn invisible. Not just blending in—completely unseen. Like a chameleon, but much more advanced."

Jaune ran a hand down his face. "Which means it's still out there." He glanced toward the door, half-expecting to see the monster standing there, waiting. "And as long as it is, we're not safe. Neither are the people coming to help us."

Nora walked in, carrying a small cup of water and a few pills in her hand. She stopped beside Jaune, her usual energy dimmed but still present. "Then we do something about it," she said simply.

She handed the medicine and water to Jaune, who nodded in thanks before turning back to Pyrrha. He gently shook her shoulder. "Pyrrha, wake up," he said softly.

She stirred, eyes fluttering open as she let out a quiet groan of discomfort. Jaune carefully helped her sit up, supporting her back as she adjusted. "Here," he murmured, offering the medicine and water.

Pyrrha took them gratefully, swallowing the pills before sighing. "Thank you…"

Jaune gave her hand a light squeeze, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. "Just rest for now," he said, though his voice was still heavy with guilt.

Ren stood up and turned to Nora. "We need to be prepared if we're going to take that Grimm down."

Nora grinned, rolling her shoulders. "Now that's what I like to hear."

Jaune and Pyrrha watched as the two walked upstairs, likely heading to gear up.

Jaune glanced back at Pyrrha, who was watching him just as closely.

"…We're finishing this," he promised.

Pyrrha, despite the pain, smiled softly. "I know."

Jaune lowered his head, his grip on Pyrrha's hand tightening as guilt weighed heavily on him.

Pyrrha noticed immediately. "Jaune… what's wrong?"

He hesitated before speaking, his voice quiet. "When you got hurt… I just kept thinking about all the ways I could've stopped it. I should've seen it coming. I should've done something. But I just stood there."

Pyrrha's expression softened. "Jaune, it happened so suddenly. None of us knew what was going to happen." She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "You can't blame yourself for that."

Jaune lifted his head, his blue eyes filled with doubt. "Maybe I can. I'm supposed to be your leader. I'm supposed to protect you."

Pyrrha gently cupped his face with her free hand, her thumb brushing against his cheek. "And I made a vow to myself that I would protect you, just as you would for me."

Jaune's breath hitched as he felt a single tear slip down his cheek. Pyrrha wiped it away with her thumb, offering him a warm, understanding smile. "You should never feel guilty for what happened."

Jaune closed his eyes for a moment, then placed his hand over hers, holding it against his face. He took a deep breath, his mind clearing, before a small smirk tugged at his lips. "You know, there was another rumor back at Beacon. One only Velvet told me—something no one else knew."

Pyrrha tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her emerald eyes. "Oh?"

Jaune leaned in slightly, his voice lowering. "She told me that… you'd been in love with me since our team was formed."

Pyrrha's eyes widened in surprise, her lips parting slightly as Jaune looked at her expectantly. His question hung in the air.

"…Is it true?"

Pyrrha swallowed, then slowly nodded. "It is."

Jaune didn't seem shocked at all. Instead, a soft smile grew on his face. He leaned forward, gently resting his forehead against hers. "I'm glad that was true."

Pyrrha felt her heart flutter at his words, a single tear sliding down her cheek. She smiled, closing her eyes for a brief moment, savoring the warmth between them.

Unbeknownst to them, Ren and Nora had quietly come downstairs, stopping at the bottom step as they witnessed the moment unfold.

Nora grinned, nudging Ren lightly. "Took them long enough."

Ren simply smiled, wrapping an arm around her shoulder as they silently watched their teammates, happy for them both.

Minutes later, Jaune stood on the porch, his weapon and shield ready at his side, his gaze fixed on the expansive view before him. The sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the surrounding forest. He sat on the wooden steps, his mind racing with thoughts of the night before—of Pyrrha's injury and the creature they still needed to deal with.

Soon, Ren and Nora emerged from the house, both equipped with their weapons. Jaune looked up at them, grateful for their presence but still uneasy. "Did you make sure Pyrrha's safe?" he asked, his tone laced with concern.

Nora flashed him a reassuring smile. "Of course! I made sure she's set up inside, safe and sound, just in case that Grimm decides to make a return."

Jaune turned his attention to the door, where Pyrrha lay on the couch. His eyes widened at the sight of the carefully placed traps surrounding her, making it look like an improvised fortress. He could hear her nervous voice from inside.

"Good luck!!" she called out, a touch of humor mixed with anxiety.

Jaune groaned in annoyance, though a part of him couldn't help but appreciate the effort. "Well, it's certainly a decent setup," he muttered, shaking his head with a slight smile.

Ren and Nora exchanged amused glances before Jaune turned his focus back to them. "So, how exactly are we going to track this thing down?"

Nora, ever confident, pointed to the ground with a grin. "Oh, that's easy!"

Jaune followed her finger, his eyes widening in surprise as he noticed a small trail of flour marking a path through the dirt.

He raised an eyebrow, impressed. "You've gotta be kidding me. It's really that simple?"

Nora nodded enthusiastically. "Yup! Turns out there was enough flour on that Grimm to leave a nice trail leading to its possible hiding spot. Pretty clever, huh?"

Jaune smirked, looking at Ren for confirmation. "How much flour did we put on that thing?"

Ren gave a small shrug, his voice steady as always. "Enough to track it down. The important part is that it's left a clear trail. Now, the sooner we deal with it, the safer we'll all be."

Jaune took a deep breath, steeling himself. "Alright, let's do this. Time to take care of this Grimm once and for all."

With their plan in place, the three of them started down the trail of flour, moving cautiously but purposefully toward the unknown threat lurking nearby.

An hour later...

As the three walked along the flour trail, Jaune glanced around at the quiet forest. The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting long shadows across the path. The usual sounds of birds and rustling leaves were absent, leaving an eerie stillness in the air.

"It's quiet," Jaune commented. "Peaceful, even."

Ren nodded. "It should be like this for the entire trip. That was the plan, anyway."

Nora sighed, folding her arms behind her head as she walked beside them. "Yeah, I wish. But until that Grimm is gone, we won't get anything close to peaceful."

Jaune couldn't argue with that. This trip was supposed to be a simple getaway—a break from everything. But now, it had turned into a hunt for an invisible Grimm.

Nora suddenly nudged Jaune's shoulder with a sly grin. "Sooo… Pyrrha finally admitted her feelings, huh?"

Jaune felt his face heat up, but he didn't deny it. He let out a small chuckle, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah… she did."

Nora smirked. "I knew it! I mean, come on, the way she's always looked at you? It was obvious. So? Do you feel better now that she finally said yes?"

Jaune smiled, glancing down at the ground as they walked. "Honestly? Yeah. When we first talked about those rumors at Beacon, I was kinda hoping she'd say the one about us dating was true. We did spend a lot of time together—outside of training, outside of class. It always just… felt right."

Nora grinned. "Aww, that's adorable. So, what now? You guys gonna be all lovey-dovey from now on?"

Jaune chuckled, shaking his head. "We're taking it slow. We don't want to rush into anything. It's new, but it's… nice."

Before Nora could respond, Ren suddenly came to a stop and raised a hand. His voice was quiet but firm.

"Look."

Jaune and Nora immediately followed his gaze, their hands instinctively going to their weapons. Ahead of them, the flour trail stopped abruptly in front of a dense patch of trees. The undergrowth was disturbed, branches bent and broken as if something large had forced its way through.

Jaune's grip on his sword tightened. "It's close."

Ren nodded. "Be ready."

Nora cracked her knuckles, her usual grin turning into something more determined. "Time to finish this."

With a silent agreement, the three of them pressed forward, stepping into the unknown.

The forest was unnervingly silent as Jaune, Ren, and Nora moved forward, following the faint trail of flour left behind by the Grimm. The sun hung high above them, but the towering trees cast long, jagged shadows that made the world feel darker than it should be. Every few steps, Jaune's grip tightened on his sword, Crocea Mors, as his instincts screamed that they were being watched.

"It's quiet," Jaune muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Too quiet," Ren agreed. His eyes were sharp, scanning the woods for any sign of movement.

Nora, uncharacteristically serious, walked beside them, gripping Magnhild tightly. "Won't be peaceful until that thing's gone."

As they carefully made their way through the trees, the trail of flour led them into a wide, open clearing. And there, at its center, stood the Grimm.

It was trying to vanish, its body flickering like a mirage, but the flour clinging to its form betrayed it. The creature let out a frustrated snarl, claws raking against the dirt as it realized stealth was no longer an option. Slowly, its glowing red eyes locked onto them, and a guttural growl rumbled from its chest.

Then, it roared and charged.

"Here we go!" Jaune shouted, raising his shield just as the creature lunged at them.

The Grimm slammed into his shield with bone-rattling force, sending Jaune skidding backward. He dug his heels in, barely keeping himself upright. Before he could react, the creature lashed out with its claws.

Jaune barely ducked in time as the claws sliced through the air where his head had been moments ago. He thrust his sword forward, aiming for its exposed flank, but the Grimm twisted unnaturally, dodging the strike with terrifying speed.

"Nora, Ren!" Jaune called out as the Grimm turned its attention to him.

Ren was already moving, dashing in from the side. StormFlower fired a barrage of aura-infused rounds, each one striking true. The Grimm hissed as the bullets peppered its body, forcing it to recoil.

Nora saw her opening. With a wild grin, she charged forward, flipping Magnhild into hammer mode. "My turn!"

She swung with all her strength, the hammer smashing into the Grimm's ribs. The sheer force sent the creature sprawling across the clearing, rolling several times before it dug its claws into the ground to stop itself.

It didn't stay down for long.

With a snarl, the Grimm leaped back onto its feet, and this time, it didn't just charge—it vanished.

Jaune's breath caught. "Damn it! Stay alert!"

Ren narrowed his eyes, quickly analyzing their surroundings. "It's still here."

Nora tightened her grip on Magnhild, shifting her stance. "Well, it's not gonna hide forever!"

A chilling growl echoed through the clearing.

Then, the Grimm struck.

From seemingly nowhere, its claws tore through the air toward Nora. She barely managed to block with her hammer, but the force of the impact sent her skidding back.

Ren moved swiftly, kicking off a tree to gain height and firing in the direction of the attack. His bullets hit something, causing red sparks to flicker in midair before the Grimm became momentarily visible.

"There!" Jaune yelled, rushing forward.

He slashed at the Grimm's head, but it twisted away unnaturally. Its tail lashed out like a whip, striking Jaune's leg and knocking him off balance. The Grimm took advantage of the opening, slashing downward—

Only for Ren to intercept, parrying the strike with his daggers. He twisted his body and delivered a precise kick to the Grimm's face, forcing it back.

"Keep hitting it before it vanishes again!" Ren shouted.

Nora was already on it. With a battle cry, she fired Magnhild's rocket launcher, launching herself into the air before coming down hard, hammer-first.

The Grimm barely dodged in time, but it was off balance.

Jaune saw his moment and tackled the creature with his shield, knocking it to the ground. He raised his sword for the killing blow—

And then the Grimm vanished again.

Jaune's blade struck nothing but dirt.

"Damn it!" he cursed, quickly scrambling back.

A sharp hiss echoed around them, circling them. It was toying with them now, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Nora bared her teeth. "I hate sneaky Grimms!"

Jaune forced himself to take slow, steady breaths, listening. Watching. The moment the Grimm attacked, he'd be ready.

And then—

A flicker. A blur of movement.

Jaune reacted on instinct, raising his shield just as the Grimm reappeared, swiping at him with deadly claws. The impact sent a jolt up his arm, but he held firm.

Nora was already moving.

With a roar, she flipped Magnhild back into grenade launcher mode and fired directly at the Grimm's face.

The explosion sent the creature stumbling back, snarling in pain. This time, it didn't get a chance to vanish.

Ren struck next, dashing in with a precise series of strikes, his movements quick and methodical. Every slash forced the Grimm back, every bullet weakening it further.

Jaune, recovering from the impact, saw the Grimm stagger.

"Finish it, Nora!" he yelled.

Nora grinned. "With pleasure!"

She flipped Magnhild back into hammer mode, electricity crackling along its length as she channeled all her aura into one final strike.

With an earth-shaking BOOM, she brought the hammer down on the Grimm's skull. The ground cracked from the sheer force, a shockwave rippling outward.

The Grimm let out one final, pained screech before its form began to break apart, dissolving into wisps of black smoke.

And then, it was gone.

Silence settled over the clearing.

Jaune let out a long breath, lowering his sword. "That… was way too close."

Ren sighed, sheathing his weapons. "At least it's over."

Nora stretched, flashing a wide grin. "And that's how you hammer a Grimm into the ground!"

Jaune chuckled, shaking his head. "Remind me to never piss you off."

Ren smirked. "Wise decision."

The three of them shared a brief laugh before turning back toward the path leading home.

With the Grimm finally gone, they could rest easy.

An Hour Later...

Jaune let out a long breath as the cabin finally came into view through the trees. The past hour had been exhausting, but knowing the Grimm was finally gone filled him with relief. He glanced at his team, grinning. "We made it."

Ren nodded in agreement, while Nora stretched her arms behind her head. "Yeah, yeah, but I better be getting some snacks after all that!"

As they stepped inside, Jaune turned to Ren. "Go ahead and let the rescue team know it's safe now."

But before Ren could answer, Jaune took another step—click.

His stomach dropped.

THWACK! A swinging log smacked him in the gut, sending him stumbling backward.

Nora, who had been right behind him, was hit next. "Oh, come on—" SPLAT! A bucket of flour dropped onto her head.

Ren, standing to the side, took a single step forward—click!—and a small, harmless puff of confetti burst in his face. He blinked, unfazed, while Jaune and Nora were in the midst of absolute chaos.

CRASH! Jaune tripped a tripwire, sending feathers raining down on him from above.

Nora was hit with a faceful of honey from a hidden bucket, causing her to stumble straight into Jaune—SNAP!

BANG! A rubber mallet swung down from the ceiling, bonking them both on the head.

Pyrrha, who had been resting on the couch, lifted her head groggily at the commotion. As she took in the disaster unfolding before her, she couldn't help it—she laughed.

The sight of Jaune and Nora covered in flour, feathers, and honey was too much. She clutched her side in pain but still managed to chuckle. "W-What… what happened to you two?"

Jaune wiped some honey from his face and groaned. "We forgot about the traps."

Nora burst into laughter next, flinging her arms out dramatically. "I REGRET NOTHING!"

Ren, completely unscathed, just smiled. "I set off one trap. A single one."

Jaune huffed, shaking his head as he let himself chuckle too. "Of course you barely got hit."

As the laughter died down, Jaune finally took a step forward—click.

The floor beneath him vanished.

"OH, COME ON—"

THUD.

Jaune disappeared through a hidden trapdoor, crashing down below.

Nora peered over the edge of the hole. "Oooooh… I might've forgotten about the trapdoor."

Ren sighed, shaking his head. "Of course you did."

Pyrrha giggled again, despite the ache in her side. Even in their most ridiculous moments, this was still her team.

EVENING

The steady hum of the airship's engines filled the cabin as Pyrrha lay on a medical bed, her head resting against the pillow. She was tired but comfortable, her bandages secure. Her team sat nearby, still showing the remnants of their chaotic day. Jaune still had flour clinging stubbornly to his shoulder, and Nora's hair was matted with honey, a few leaves somehow still stuck to her. Ren, ever composed, had somehow escaped with the least amount of mess, though a few stray feathers clung to his sleeve.

Jaune exhaled, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "Once we get back, we should probably report that Grimm. It wasn't normal—it could go completely invisible, and if there's more like it out there…" He frowned, rubbing the back of his neck.

Ren nodded. "We will. But first, Pyrrha needs medical attention. That comes before anything else."

Jaune sighed and gave a small smile. "Yeah, you're right. One thing at a time."

He turned to Pyrrha, his expression softening as he took her hand. "You doing okay?"

Pyrrha smiled faintly, her fingers curling around his. "I am now. Thanks to you three."

Jaune chuckled. "Yeah, well, I think I got more bruises from our own traps than from the actual fight."

Nora snorted. "Okay, to be fair, you set off every single one of them." She pointed dramatically at Ren. "He only hit one! One!"

Ren smirked slightly. "Superior awareness."

Jaune rolled his eyes. "Or I was just really unlucky."

Nora leaned back with a grin. "Both are possible!" She then stretched with a loud groan, glancing at Pyrrha. "Anyway! Since Jaune is being all sappy, I'm just gonna say it—now that the Grimm's dead and we're alive, we have to celebrate when we get back."

Pyrrha chuckled. "You have something in mind?"

Nora gasped dramatically, then turned to Jaune with an exaggerated smirk. "Oh, I know! Jaune, you should take Pyrrha on a date. Somewhere romantic!"

Jaune blinked before turning to Pyrrha, rubbing the back of his head. "Actually… I was thinking the same thing." He smiled warmly. "Pyrrha, when this is all over, how about we give this dating thing a try?"

Pyrrha squeezed his hand, her smile widening. "I'd like that." She hummed in thought. "Maybe that ice cream parlor Weiss kept recommending?"

Jaune grinned. "It's a date."

Nora suddenly gasped loudly, making everyone jump. "WAIT!" She scrambled through her pockets before pulling out a single, crushed, chocolate-chip cookie. "We need a victory snack!" She held it up dramatically. "One cookie. Four people. Who gets it?"

Ren sighed. "Nora, that's been in your pocket for hours."

"It's still good!" She took a bite, then coughed. "Okay, maybe not."

Jaune and Pyrrha burst into laughter, with Ren shaking his head, a rare amused smile on his face.

As their laughter filled the cabin, the airship gently hummed beneath them, carrying them homeward. The tension from the battle, the fear, and exhaustion, all seemed to fade away in the warmth of their shared laughter.

Jaune leaned back in his seat, a grin still on his face as he shook his head. "Nora, I don't know whether to be impressed or worried that you were carrying that thing around for so long."

Nora shrugged, still chewing. "Emergency snacks are a necessity in life, fearless leader!" She gestured at Ren. "He gets it."

Ren sighed, arms crossed. "I do not carry around days-old cookies in my pockets, Nora."

"Yeah, but you carry around tea packets everywhere. Who does that?"

Ren simply closed his eyes in exasperation. "Someone with taste."

Pyrrha let out a light laugh, shifting slightly in her medical bed. "I missed this…" she said softly.

Jaune turned back to her, his smile softening. "Missed what?"

She looked at all of them—the bickering, the smiles, the camaraderie. "Just… being together. Things got so intense back there, I wasn't sure if we'd all make it back. But now, here we are. Laughing, teasing each other, just… us."

Jaune squeezed her hand gently. "Yeah… we made it through."

Nora wiped fake tears from her eyes. "This is beautiful, guys. I love you all. Even you, Ren, despite your weird tea obsession."

Ren rolled his eyes but smirked. "Noted."

The airship gently tilted as it adjusted its course, the golden horizon stretching out before them as Vale grew closer. The sun cast long, warm rays through the windows, illuminating the four teammates as they sat together, finally able to breathe.

Jaune let out a deep breath, feeling lighter than he had in a long time.

They were going home.