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We have finally arrived at our destination: the Irioa Grasslands. Stretching endlessly before us was a vast expanse of vibrant green, the grasslands rolling and undulating in gentle waves beneath the sky. The sheer openness of the landscape was overwhelming—a seemingly infinite sea of emerald, unmarred by even a single tree for miles in any direction.

The air here feels different—cleaner, crisper, as if untouched by the hand of man. The horizon blends seamlessly with the sky, where the land meets the heavens in a hazy, shimmering line. It's a strange contrast to the claustrophobic forests and craggy mountains we’ve passed, and the sheer emptiness has a power all its own, like an ancient, forgotten realm unbothered by the passage of time. There's a sense of quiet isolation here, as though the grasslands have been waiting, undisturbed, for centuries for someone to set foot upon them.

As I write this, I find myself utterly surrounded by nature, with not a single structure in sight—save for the imposing gray stone that looms directly in front of me. It stands as a silent sentinel.

I turn my gaze to the right and left, and I can see more of these stones scattered throughout the landscape. They form a line, marking the border of the Graylands.

In my studies of the Graywalkers, I have traveled here to examine these formidable stones many times. Known as the Gray Monoliths, these colossal structures rise majestically to a height of twenty feet (6 meters), their surfaces smooth and cold. Each one is ten feet wide (3 meters), and their dimensions are rectangular, casting long shadows across the vibrant grasslands.

On the surface of the towering monolith before me lies a script with the same phrase repeating, intricately carved, and wholly visible to the eyes. Though I cannot decipher its language, I know what it says. Every monolith has the same thing written on it, but each one is written in a different tongue from a diverse array of cultures. As if to ensure whoever came across these stones could understand what was written upon them, regardless of what nation one hails from.

The inscription upon stones reads: “There is no truth, and there is no falsehood. There are only shades of gray.”

Even now, I cannot shake the feeling that these words hold a profound significance—cryptic wisdom that transcends mere language. The phrase suggests a world of ambiguity, where absolutes crumble under the weight of perspective and perception.

I have often pondered the meaning behind these cryptic words and why they were chosen to adorn the monoliths that mark the boundary of the Graylands. Were they intended as a warning? Perhaps a final message left by the Graywalkers—some last piece of wisdom they wished to impart before retreating into their mysterious domain?

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These monoliths themselves also present an array of perplexing questions. How is it possible for the same phrase to be inscribed on them in multiple languages? What mechanism lies behind the uncanny phenomenon that occurs when one of these gray monoliths is removed from its place—only for another to seemingly materialize out of thin air when no one is looking? And who, or what, placed them here in the first place? Were they the work of the Graywalkers, or is there something else at play?

So many inquiries swirl in my mind, each one adding to the mysteries that surround me. Yet, I am keenly aware that the answers may remain out of reach during this expedition. The Graylands are a realm steeped in secrets, and as I stand before these silent sentinels, I must accept that some truths may evade my grasp, leaving me with more questions than I can possibly hope to answer.

As I gazed beyond the imposing monoliths into the depths of the Graylands, I noticed nothing overtly peculiar about the landscape. It appeared as if the vibrant grasslands simply continued their sprawling embrace, stretching endlessly into the distance. Yet, if the accounts I have read hold any truth, there is an unsettling transformation that occurs the farther one ventures from the monoliths. As you distance yourself from these ancient sentinels, the world around you gradually begins to dissolve into an eerie palette of gray, where vibrant colors fade and the very essence of reality seems to blur. The thought of traversing that ambiguous terrain sends a shiver down my spine, igniting a mixture of dread and fascination within me.

At present, the team of engineers we brought along is hard at work assembling the machine designed to deploy and reel in the silter cable. The machine itself is an imposing piece of equipment, nearly the size of one of the vehicles we drove in on, its complex array of gears and mechanical parts giving it a hulking, industrial appearance. Thick exhaust pipes protrude from its body, and when activated, it will no doubt bellow out great plumes of black smoke, choking the air with the scent of burning oil and metal. The engineers move with precision and focus, their hands deftly navigating the tangle of machinery, knowing full well that any malfunction in this contraption could spell disaster for the expedition.

Once fully assembled, the machine will be securely anchored in place, its massive frame rooted into the ground to prevent any movement. The plan is to split our caravan into two groups—one half will remain behind, tasked with operating the machine and ensuring the cable feeds smoothly as we press onward.

The silter cable will be attached to one of our heavy-duty vehicles, and from there, we will begin our journey into the heart of the Graylands—dragging the cable behind us like a lifeline tethered to the outside world. Should we locate what we’re searching for in this mysterious land, the cable will be our guide, reeling us back toward safety and out of the Graylands' disorienting grasp.

Given that time will become difficult to keep track of within the Graylands, I have instructed the team remaining behind to initiate the reeling process once five days have elapsed. This calculated strategy will provide a semblance of structure amid the chaos, ensuring that we don’t accidentally spend too much time there.

In the meantime, we will remain here for at least two days, ensuring that both the team and our equipment are fully prepared before we embark on the journey ahead.