"Well, then, shall we be going?"

'Yes, let us depart.'

"The sooner, the better." mutters Dolenus.

Manteau has started to get ahead of the main group.

I'm here

Manteau notices he's getting quite far ahead, and slows down.

And it's time for a timeskip!

---

After several hours of alternating walking and riding, they gradually begin passing into drier and drier territory, until a cold desert-like landscape surrounds them. The Wall, the massive chain of mountains separating northern Alya from the rest of the world, now looms above them like a curtain to cover the eastern sky. Passing a large clumping of rocks, they enter into a maze of tumbled-down walls and roads, and Azarias holds up his hand. The horses seem skittish.

'I've shielded all of you with my Flow. Before you ask, that's why.' he says, thumbing up at the sky. In place of the sun, a dark star burns, roiling and black. 'Breakdown Phenomenon. Welcome to Tryndale... or what's left of it.'

Manteau appears sickened by the implications of what happened here, but also fascinated by the Breakdown Phenomena.

Dolenus looks up and shudders.

"This is incredibly worrying, why would anyone come here?"