Before long, a faint light appeared up ahead.
"We're almost there."
The further they walked, the brighter the light became, growing almost blinding. Suzy instinctively narrowed her eyes.
Besides the light, they could faintly hear waves of conversation echoing from ahead.
"Looks like they haven't left yet," Jenny said with a smile. "We made it in time."
Stepping out of the tunnel, the space ahead opened up dramatically. Suzy found herself standing in a wide, sprawling valley.
She squinted her eyes to examine her surroundings. The platform they occupied was elevated; down below, a babbling stream flowed, its rushing water echoing continuously through the valley.
Jenny pointed forward. "They're right over there."
Suzy followed her finger and spotted a group of about a dozen people standing not far away, all carrying heavy packs on their backs.
Leading them was a burly, broad-shouldered man with a large blade sheathed at his waist, actively directing the group.
