-11th Rest-

I'm growing increasingly concerned about the mercenaries we brought along. They've started giving me strange, unsettling looks, and I no longer feel secure in their presence. They were hired to protect us, and their payment is directly tied to my safety. But as the mind-eroding effects of this land begin to seep into us all, I fear they may be the most vulnerable. These kinds of men—hardened by violence and accustomed to power—are prone to acting out in violence. And, of course, they’re the ones carrying the most firepower. We’ve already witnessed one of them fired his weapon at nothing, a clear sign that their mental state is fraying.

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My concerns about Tom have deepened as well. I've kept an extra close eye on him, certain that if anyone is going to snap and turn violent, it will be him. His inferior blood makes him the weakest link in this group. Sam may trust him, but I know better. It’s only a matter of time before the Graylands drive him over the edge.

I find myself praying that we’re close to leaving this cursed place. I’ve made the decision that, once we’re out of here, I’ll abandon my contract with Gibber. I don’t care if I return empty-handed. No amount of money or academic interest is worth coming back here. This land has a way of twisting reality, of making you doubt your own senses, and I’ve had enough. Once we’re free of the Graylands, I will never return.