>>5948430Leaving Zanado behind, it takes you several days to make it to the outskirts of Garreg Mach. With the fighting over, you were in no rush, and went about at your leisure. The pilgrims that had followed you out of the valley departed of their own accord once they were a safe enough distance. You did not shake off all of them, however. More than a few wished to return to Garreg Mach, likely to seek pardon and forgiveness for having followed a charlatan. You were happy to help see them there and did not mind the extra baggage.
“For once, I’m looking forward to returning to the monastery.” Corrine says next to you. “It feels like we’ve been doing nothing but fighting and marching ever since leaving Enbarr. I could do with a warm bed and some good food.
“We’ll need to report to Seteth and the Professor first before any of that.” You remind her. “Plus, I’d like to hear from them what Shambhala was like.”
“It’s a shame we couldn’t go with them.” Corrine muses. “I wonder what kind of place Shambhala was. I mean, an entire city underground. That’s got to be a little cool, right?”
>“It’s not like we would have been there for sight-seeing…” “I know, but still. I hope they at least picked us up a souvenir. They know how much you like Agarthan knickknacks after all.”
>“I’m sure they hardly had time to find a-…what the hell is that?” You cut your thoughts off short just as the monastery enters view. You knew that Garreg Mach had seen some damage during the siege with the Orthodox Church and Dukedom forces, but fortunately it was nothing too substantial. Now though, the monastery more closely resembled a smoldering ruin than it did the seat of power in all Fodlan. Several of the walls had been destroyed, sporting massive holes that allowed you to look through them. Inside was not much better. Many of the buildings and houses within appeared to have been razed to the ground, leaving nothing but rubble.“For fuck’s sake, what now?!” Corrine groans angrily. “Was the monastery attacked? If so, by WHOM? Who the hell is even left alive looking to pick a fight?!”
The Blackwings approach the destroyed front gate, weapons drawn and expecting another battle. Suddenly, someone appears from behind a razed watchtower. He wears soldier’s armor and holds a nice-looking spear in his hand. Your first instinct is to gore the man where he stands, taking him to be an enemy. Instead, though, he puts his hands out, offering you no fight.
“Greetings, Commander!” The Gatekeeper offers, perhaps more cheerfully than appropriate given the circumstances. “Welcome back to Garreg Mach! Or what’s left of it…”
“What the hell happened here, man?!” Corrine yells.
