"And, we're live in five. Four. Three. Two."
"Good evening, Vale, I'm Jordy Lavender, and welcome to the late night report here on the Vale News Network. Census reports are in, and we'll be looking at the most popular baby names of the decade. Also, in case you missed it, we had a chance to talk to the head of Cerulean Nights, Lisa Maroon, about their latest designs which include minor dust infusions in the next line of dresses, and what that means for the world of fashion. But, before that we move to today's headlines whi-…Hold on a moment, folks, I'm getting-…Wh-…How accurate are the reports?...You're certain?...I-…Ahuh…Alright, then…We have breaking news. We've just received reports that the village of Gardenfell has been completely overrun by the creatures of Grimm. These reports are coming in from multiple 'survivors' who fled the village in the early stages of the attack. Our live team is currently in route to the village, escorted by our network's huntsman team, to give us an eyes on of the situation. However, all attempted communication with Gardenfell has been met with silence, though we are still trying. Stay tuned for future developments."
"You're listening to 101.9 VRB-FM, Vale's top station for your commute in these late hours. I'm your host, Aldric Sky, and am joined by co-host, Steph Night. And, Steph, reading this headline just…well…"
"Breaks your heart?"
"Yes, exactly. For those who aren't tuned into the news lines, and are unaware, the Mistral colony of Gardenfell was…destroyed earlier today by what we're hearing is a massive horde of Grimm…"
"I gotta tell you, Aldric, I heard the VNN report coming in to the station for our late show, and…I still…am trying to fully…contemplate it, you know?"
"I do."
"Like, while the report was going on I saw cars in front of me begin pulling off the road, and the drivers were just staring at their radios in complete shock."
"It's awful."
"Cause, I mean, there've been Grimm attacks before."
"Yeah, we've reported on a few."
"We've reported on a few. But…this one just feels…different. Right?"
"Absolutely, I'm definitely getting…a weird vibe from this whole situation. Like, I don't know how much you were able to catch on the way here?"
"I heard up to when they were about to start interviewing some of the survivors who fled."
"Okay. And, we'll go into that later, but I wanna talk about just the situation for a bit."
"Okay?"
"Like, we've done this before, we know how these reports got, and it's always a sad thing when they happen, but doesn't this feel…rushed?"
"Rushed?"
"Yeah."
"W-…What do you mean?"
"I mean, like, according to the accounts of the survivors everything just happened ALL seemingly at once."
"Okay?"
"As one of the survivors who has been interviewed at the time of this report put it: 'I was walking to the store. In the distance I heard screaming, and a loud crash. I saw people running, and hitching their horses, so I followed suit not really knowing what was going on. We rode out the gate leading to Vale, and when we reached a large hill near the outskirts I turned back, and saw the gate we just left was shut, there were plumes of smoke filling the sky, and the sounds of Grimm echoed in the distance.' This all happened in the span of, about, five to ten minutes."
"Oh my-"
"I want to say that again for our listeners as it's important. This all happened, from peaceful afternoon start to full on Grimm invasion with fires in the sky, in five, or ten minutes."
"That's…"
"How?! How could the ENTIRE colony have fallen? Even if we give it the maximum of ten minutes that still doesn't explain how it got that bad in such a short amount of time."
"It's awful. Completely."
"This is a tragedy on an unprecedented scale!"
"Greetings, dear fellows, I am the Veiled Truth, and this I am your only real source of news here in the glorious kingdom of Vale. Now, I know I don't usually put up a recording until the weekend, but this is too important to wait for. Now, as many of you probably know by now; the Mistral invasion landing of Gardenfell was completely wiped out earlier today by a Grimm attack. As many of you know I don't hold Mistral's beach heads on our shores in high regards, but I still recognize a terrible thing when I see it. But, what I want to know, fellow enlightened ones, fellow astute viewers, fellow Vale citizens is: why were the gates shut? Huh? It's mentioned right there in the survivor's reports from multiple survivors! But, all the 'major news outlets' do is gloss over it! 'Oh, it's such a tragedy.' 'Oh, our hearts go out to those who lost family, friends, or their lives.' 'Oh, this is such a terrible GRIMM attack.' Now, dear listeners, I've done extensive research on the creatures of Grimm, I'd consider myself a bit of an expert on them; far more than these so called 'journalists' anyway. I've done the research, I've crunched the numbers, I've run the scenarios, and there is NO WAY this was a Grimm attack. That's right. I know what you're thinking, and let me clarify; there were 100% Grimm attacking Gardenfell. I am not denying that. However, what I am saying is; there were more than just Grimm attacking Gardenfell. Ah? Got your attention? I should. Because right here, right now, the proof has arrived that Atlas is trying to ignite another great war with Vale. I told you all the day the Neuanfang came to Vale that we were in trouble, and I was ignored! Tell me then, skeptic, will you still deny the truth with an entire colony dead at your feet? This is obviously a PR stunt where the Neuanfang, which is STILL in Vale I should mention, will deal with these Grimm showing the citizens of Vale that we 'need' them. They're trying to turn us into rebels that will rise up against Vale! Our home! Like many of you I've called Vale my home all my life, and to see such tactics used disgusts me. I am completely, and utterly disgusted. Wake up, Vale!"
"VNN's Keith Tangerus here live on the scene. We're here on the very hill you heard about earlier tonight from the survivor's tale, and behind me you can see what remains of Gardenfell. Even though the sun's set the smoke is still distinctly visible in the sky above, and a foul smell hangs in the air. Also behind me you can see VNN's very own huntsman team clearing out Grimm that are still lingering in the area to make this place safe enough to cast from. It looks like a few fires are still raging as bright, orange lights can still be seen on the horizon. However I can confirm that the village of Gardenfell is no more. My heart goes out to those affected by this incident as even just standing here humbles me at how much destruction, and death has occurred in the last couple of hours. As our huntsman clear out more of the Grimm we'll try to get a closer look, but right no-. What? You see something on the wall? Zoom in! Zoom in! Holy-…What is that? I don't know if you're seeing this, Jordy, but our cameraman saw something moving atop Gardenfell's walls, and we're looking at what appears to be a humanoid figure. Focus the shot! Focus! Fo-…What in the-?! I-…I don't know what to say…but…This is Keith Tangerus confirming that the mimic Grimm that sent a chill through the kingdom with its sudden existence mere days ago is here! I repeat; the mimic Grimm is here at Gardenfell!"
