The group stepped through the portal one after another, emerging once again inside the hollow interior of the enormous tree.
The small wooden room looked exactly as they had left it. Silent. Peaceful. Almost ridiculously normal after having caused a criminal uprising, a massive fire, and the partial collapse of a slave trafficking network.
Max was the first to step outside.
He pushed open the hidden door and was immediately greeted by the cool night air.
"…Ah," he murmured, taking a deep breath.
"Now this is quality oxygen."
Moonlight dimly illuminated the forest around them.
The treetops swayed gently with the night breeze, and the distant chirping of insects filled the air.
Very peaceful.
Far too peaceful considering how his day had ended.
Chloe stepped out behind him, staring up at the dark sky with a tired expression.
"It's already night," she murmured.
She glanced toward the road leading to the Great City.
"I guess we spent longer down there than I thought."
