The wind sweeps across the lively green grass, causing it to sway and dance in an enchanting ballroom. Each step taken creates a delightful crunch of leaves underfoot. As the breeze carries a soothing touch, the sun begins its ascent.

     The bluish-violet sky transforms, morphing into a canvas of delicate pinks mixed with hints of beige. Golden rays of sunlight stroke the landscape, casting a warm glow. The grassy plains stretch endlessly, seemingly infinite, reaching the horizon's edge. Soon, small wooden huts emerge amidst the grasslands, their inhabitants venturing outside. Meanwhile, on the far horizon are the remnants of cracked and broken buildings, collapsed into rubble and debris.

"Look at this vast grassland," Gregory observed, taking in the surroundings.

"It reminds me of..." Oliver's voice trailed off, a hint of nostalgia in his words. "Home."

Sarrah glanced to her left, noticing a hut where a curious family peered through a window. "People are staring," she whispered.

"Do you think they're judging us?" Edgar wondered aloud.

"Let's not jump to conclusions. We can't know what's in their minds," Oliver advised, trying to temper Edgar's concerns.

"But what if they are judging us?" Edgar scratched his head.

"No, Ed. The only one judging here is you," Sarrah interjected with a flat, monotonous voice.

"...You seem to hate me," Edgar replied to Sarrah.

Oliver diverted the conversation, pointing out the huts and houses scattered across the grassland. "The buildings around here seem intact. However..." He then stopped, causing the group to halt. "Those structures on the horizon appear to have endured..." Oliver continued with a heavy breath. "An earthquake..."

"That place looks unstable," Sophia expressed her concern. "My goodness... it seems even worse than what happened in Hannsbarnne."

"...We should move ahead," Oliver suggested, taking the lead as he marched towards the city ahead.

     After a long walk, the group finally arrives at the city. They pass through a towering arched gateway, their footsteps echoing on the worn stone roads. Deep cracks and fractures mark the streets, revealing glimpses of the soil underneath.

"Careful," Oliver advised his companions as they ventured further into the street.

"Stay away from the buildings," Gregory added, offering his advice. "Let's stick to the middle of the street, where we'll be safe from any crumbling structures that could pose a danger."

     The buildings stood, not upright and proud, but bent and marred by countless fissures along their curves. Each window was devoid of glass, leaving behind empty apertures as shattered fragments littered the streets below. Debris, a chaotic mixture of wood, stones, and rocks, showered from higher floors, overwhelming the sidewalks on every side. Witnessing lifeless bodies entwined with the rubble caused the Remaining Podeshire's heart to race as he clutched his chest.

     The anguished cries of distraught women pierced the air, their wails echoing through the devastated city. Determined men wielded shovels, tirelessly sifting through the debris, unearthing the buried corpses. The residents carefully carried the deceased, creating clusters of bodies in the streets.

"May their souls find peace," Oliver whispered solemnly, his gaze fixed on the lifeless bodies scattered along the streets.

The group continued, and their path led them to encounter more corpses strewn across the road.

Sophia covered her nose with her hands. "Oh, my..." Her voice trembled, and her eyes glistened with tears.

     Some streets had transformed into narrow passages obstructed by the wreckage of collapsed buildings. Stones, rocks, and planks formed a chaotic heap, mingling with the tragic presence of lifeless bodies. Suddenly, a horde of men hurriedly surged past the Remaining Podeshire and his companions, startling the group.

"What's happening?" Oliver gasped as the horde rushed past them.

"I suppose... they... uhm..." Gregory squinted his eyes, trying to make sense of the rushing men and women. "I don't know..."

"All I can assume is that they're in a state of panic," Sophia said.

Gregory stepped aside, glancing at Oliver. "Oli, how will you fix this city?" he asked as they continued walking.

"I cannot interfere," Oliver replied, pointing ahead. "Look."

     Oliver pointed at a group of men vigorously plunging their shovels into the rubble, forcefully dislodging stones and hurling the debris aside. Nearby, a solemn procession of women carried out the bloodied bodies, placing them in a cluster on the sidewalk. Further ahead, Oliver's finger guided their gaze to another group of men, passing stones from one person to another.

"They're fixing their city," Oliver said. "Let them carry out what needs to be done. As for me, I have come to Geveria to save trapped individuals."

"...Where do we find those trapped individuals?" Gregory asked.

"I'm not certain. However, the Emperor of Geveria mentioned something about... the Government... the House of... I'm afraid I've forgotten its exact name," Oliver admitted, crossing his arms as he tightened his lips.

"Regardless of its name, those people are in need of rescue. It's likely been a week since the disaster struck," Gregory stated.

"Then, we must hurry," said Sophia.