Back to the mana forests.
A deep hole appeared with black scorched dirt all around. In some areas a cloud of dust rose into the air blocking the view.
If our trio were still here...they would be shocked. This place is exactly the same place the weird tree and water snake existed.
Speaking of the water snake, currently the water snake is limp in the hand of a being.
A mechanical being.
Yes, the base of the mysterious scientist is actually right under the mysterious tree. And the water snake was the guardian to the entrance found above ground.
"Detestable...I...will...find...you..."
Said the mechanical beauty covering the cold horror of metal hidden inside. The poor water snake taking the brunt as the hand holding the water snake suddenly extended countless sharp neon blue blades. With a sudden thrust along the body... The water snake became no more than thousands of water snake body parts laying on the ground.
...
"What happened... How could project AI go rogue. Drova shouldn't have a gem core to work at all. What happened when I was gone?"
The mysterious scientist was utterly speechless and left desperate as his greatest creation gone rogue.
It was supposed to be the perfect artificial intelligence for combat. Using the near unlimited supply from the magical source, The robot is capable of feats that the very thought horrifies the scientist. Feats the robot well most likely do considering it's hostile programming still left inside.
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But what The mysterious elemental wants to know even more than that, who is playing tricks behind the scenes.
Someone forcefully invaded and destroyed lots of security devices left behind before he left. And did it quickly enough at the perfect timing when he set off to the rock region.
Even then, that's not as horrifying as the thought everything you've done has been under the eyes of someone else. Someone played him to a tee and preemptively obtained a Crystal necessary for Drova to run independently... And this crystal seems to be of high quality based on the performance of Drova.
Now Drova a is on the loose.
Not even the three separate failsafes to track Drova are operational. The other party must have disabled with these for Drova... Most likely they have a task for her to do.
But... What could they possibly do with a murderous rogue robot... Unless, their goals align.
Something that would make the risk worth to come all the way here.
"Gem... Who are you Gem."
Yes, it's either gem or the blessed ones. Considering the amount of hate Drova has to have to kill when you see one and not bother if it's too difficult or if they run away. Whereas it's the light mention of gem will spark unimaginable rage...
The obvious choice of who their goals align to must be gem. Even if I am wrong and it's some blessed one. This is still horrifying.
A murderous robot and powerful support behind the scenes now working together.
"What are you trying to do..."
...
Currently our murderous robot is running...uh...carving the land as it runs at nearly supersonic speed. The air around the the robot is condensed into two cones. With one in front of the robot tightly wrapping her body and one behind that is much larger than the robot.
Every step the robot takes a special mechanism is set off at the feet and back that act like thrusters. These thrusters are very destructive while also being very fast. The entire road behind the robot seemed as if it has been carved away by a meteorite skimming across the land.
The destination...the town where the trio just left.