The party walked back towards the city center, the golden statues clutched in their hands a tangible link to the kingdom's strange, tragic history. As they reached the main square, they saw it, standing proudly even amidst the ruins: the massive, beautifully carved statue of Bombom's muscular shadow, its heroic pose a silent testament to their adventure. Bombom smiled, a genuine, wistful expression on his face. He remembered the flicker, the brief, terrifying second when the world had shifted, and he'd seen this very square in its ruined state. It wasn't just an illusion; it was a glimpse of the truth.
As they continued, they came upon a long, collapsed bridge that stretched out over a deep chasm, connecting their ruined city to nothing. A weathered sign stood at its edge, the words "The Bridge Incident" carved into the wood. There was no other explanation, leaving the party confused.
