"Kan'na.", Tilia's voice turned serious.
Kan'na looked over and immediately frowned, "No way. . ."
"Still believe it's random?"
"Originally. There's a chance the conditions changed now that we're on its trail. A preset self preservation condition that's now being fulfilled. However this is a fresh scene, and an opportunity!", Kan'na sprung into action!
With a snap that echoed through the canyon several magic circles formed and surrounded the newly frozen space. As she was investigating everything Kan'na began to speak her thoughts, "It really is like the replay, it's like her entire existence was just cut out of the World."
"I couldn't sense a thing.", as an elf Tilia naturally held more pride in her senses.
"I didn't feel a shift in mana or space either.", Kan'na fell into thought.
Looking around Hala's last known location Tilia asked, "Think we should call for backup?"
"Unfortunately for you there isn't any. Wrock's still in seclusion, Jarvis isn't a powerhouse, Yielya is attempting her Third Stage advancement, and Akiol's located on an entirely different continent."
"Different continent?"
"I sent him west by his request."
"He's on vacation during these trying times?!"
Tilia realized that Kan'na could send her back East to have her equipment forged by the dwarves. Considering the circumstances she did not bring this up.
"I know! That guy's lucky he has a sword that grows with him, and a slime body that doesn't need armor. He's been entirely skirting past anything to do with equipment. Not that he can keep anything he finds.", Kan'na rolled her eyes as she considered all the accessories Akiol lost.
"What about outside of us? Who is there?", Tilia returned the subject to obtaining backup.
"Opportunity and Ryolu, no idea what they're doing or if they'd help. Besides that. . . it's mostly Second Stages."
"What about Igneel? Or in this case Umin?"
"I'm willing to bet Umin paid a hefty price for that power against the Chimeras. Since I didn't hear nor sense his confident self during the Undead Raid, I have a theory that he's recovering. Igneel is definitely above average, but not quite reliable just yet."
"Anyone from The Gated Arena?"
"I think it'd be nice if we could swindle the Sword Saint to come and help. It's unlikely though. We don't know anybody of Third Stage, all the Aces we fought back then are Fourth Stage. I doubt they'd care about helping us with a small matter like this."
"Small huh?"
"Well I might be able to ask Nine for help. Although he might still be mastering the mana line refinement."
"So it's just us two."
"As long as there isn't a Fourth Stage power I have confidence that we can handle it."
"Let's not raise any flags."
Kan'na spread out her hands, "Much too late, it's already been said."
The several magic circles stopped spinning and Kan'na smirked, "Got it."
"Already?"
"It's left a number of traces that are already disappearing. Whatever this device is, it's very good at covering its tracks. However it made a mistake targeting somebody near us."
Kan'na pointed towards the ground, "There's no plant life here, considering the distance Hala kept from us it's likely the conditions of only one target remains true. Just because there's no proof that the device can target players it doesn't mean you or I are safe from it. So stick together."
"We're putting a lot of faith in this one target rule."
"Undoubtedly.", Kan'na did not deny this fact.
With a snap of her fingers their surroundings shifted with another teleport. Arriving to a cave entrance deep within the canyon. Just as Tilia was about to lead the expedition into the cave Kan'na tugged her back with a bit of mana, "Hold on."
"Something the matter?"
"It's a red herring. This isn't the entrance."
Clapping her hands together Kan'na formed a shockwave of mana bursting out. On the floor an illusion was dispelled, revealing a rusty hatch. Tilia raised an eyebrow, "Red herring indeed."
"After you, ladies first.", Kan'na gestured towards the hatch.
"Such a gentleman!", Tilia made a show of being flattered before reaching for the handle.
The hatch was stuck and didn't budge upon first pull. Utilizing more strength Tilia pulled harder only for it to fail to budge again. Utilizing the strength of a Third Stage Tilia pulled one last time and. . . broke the handle. Holding the pieces of the handle within her hand she sighed before tossing them aside.
Pointing to the hatch Tilia commented, "I think it'd be more gentlemanly if you were to hold it open."
Stifling her own chuckle Kan'na utilized mana to lift the hatch, "Where are my manners?"
Looking down the hatch revealed a deep dark hole, with nothing but a rusted ladder leading into its depths. Gauging the size of the entrance Tilia made some calculations and formed a kite shield with her War Sight. Stepping upon it she lowered herself down the entrance cautiously.
It took a few minutes of descending before Tilia hit solid ground. Unable to see properly in the darkness she instead listened carefully. Upon hearing nothing she called out, "Gonna need some light!"
Bwom~
An orb of light manifested next to her and illuminated the surroundings. Now able to see, Tilia was greeted with a small hallway leading to more darkness. Twisting her nose she once again shouted, "Okay! You're free to enter!"
Taking a few steps forward Tilia waited for Kan'na to descend, only to find the mage teleported to the bottom. Gesturing towards the tight tunnel Tilia asked, "Any opinions?"
"I'm grateful to not suffer from claustrophobia."
"As am I. . . Can you brighten the light?"
"Not without it blinding us, I can do you one better though."
With a wave of her hand Kan'na made the orb of light form into a cone, acting as a sort of flashlight. Pointing the cone of light down the hall revealed more at the end of the hall, but there remained only darkness.
Starting their travel Tilia began to ask, "Right so any theories on what this device may do once it selects a victim?"
"Unfortunately we only have about the middle third of the puzzle figured out. I'm far too lacking in information to make any good guesses."
"Middle third. . . the fact that we know the conditions of this device?", Tilia made an assumption before asking for Kan'na to confirm it.
"That and the device's location. The beginning third of the puzzle is why and how it's accomplishing this."
"The final third being how to stop it and what it's doing with the victims.", Tilia filled in the rest.
"Bingo. If not for my ascension to Godhood I'd likely be unable to do this much even if I were to stumble across one of the crime scenes. If by chance it is a device that's activating automatically, then who knows what happened to the countless victims."
"Let's hope we're not too late."
"What happened to no raising flags?"
"Already been said.", Tilia shook her head.
Noticeably the walls were getting tighter as they moved forward. Tilia had to maneuver sideways in order to progress, and this moment she was pleased she didn't have any bulky armor, else she might not be able to make it all the way.
"I double checked, the hallways is getting narrower is all, the walls aren't closing in on us.", Kan'na was silently relieved.
"It's good that you hold the same opinion, but if this keeps up we're going to have to turn paper thin."
"Shall I teleport us? I'll make sure the teleport fails if the hallway ends or is too tight so we don't get crushed."
"Unfortunately I think that's our only choice. I'll make sure we're not harmed in the case of a trap."
Kan'na snapped and their surroundings shifted. Immediately Tilia formed a mountain shaped defense around her and Kan'na. With a wave of her hand Kan'na formed several orbs of light in the room to brighten their surroundings. Only when they were no longer in darkness, and Tilia confirmed there was no danger, did Tilia deactivate her War Sight.
The first thing Kan'na did once she was able to properly see was look towards the hallway they teleported from, "What! Who designed this place!? How is somebody supposed to squeeze through this gap?!"
The hallway squeezed together so tightly it was no wider than the width of her palm. Additionally there wasn't any signs of the hallway being warped in size due to external means. It was certainly intentional!
"Kan'na. . .", Tilia called for her attention.
Turning towards the front Kan'na sighed, "Yes that's me. . . the door isn't trapped so you could probably open it."
"Is door even a proper descriptor of this? This looks like a vault!"
Taking up a majority of the opposite wall was a massive vault door entrance. Various parts were rusted, a wheel with handles at the center to spin it open. Tilia reached for one of the handles and pulled at it to spin the wheel, only for the handle to snap off.
"My dear Tilia, I am henceforth banishing you from touching another door in this place.", Kan'na shook her head.
Tilia was too busy staring at the rusted metal handle in her hand to respond. A strange expression slowly forming on her face. What concerned her the most was how the handle felt, it wasn't rough like she expected. No. . . it was wet?
Kan'na caused the wheel to spin and allowed the vault door to open. It was then Tilia heard the sound of rushing water and immediately lifted a hand, the mountain form of her War Sight encompassing the two.
A burst of water caused the vault door to slam open. It flooded the room in record time, slamming against Tilia's War Sight. It quickly swallowed the War Sight, surrounding the two entirely with water. Some water pushed through the small gap in the hallway and began to fill the tunnel as well.
"Alright, this explains the rust. One second, moving this much water instantly is too taxing. I'll drain it so keep us from drowning please.", Kan'na remained calm.
Utilizing the narrow tunnel and the hatch door Kan'na caused the water to flow quickly outside and into the canyon. As if being siphoned by a large hose. It took several minutes before the water level began to drop, and even more before Tilia was able to lower her War Sight.
Kan'na and Tilia looked towards each other before moving through the vault door. Due to its height they needed to jump into it, or well only Tilia leapt. Kan'na was lifted via mana through the entrance.
As several light orbs formed by Kan'na lit up the room, a sense of dread began to fall upon the two. Tilia spoke warily, "Count how many there are?"
"Thousands, reaching tens of thousands.", Kan'na provided a rough estimation.
Several individuals hung from the ceilings by their arms, held by strings and tubes. Like puppets held up by its strings.