The HDD system flashed as Belle's eye implants began to light up in a fluorescent blue hue.
Systems Online.
Checking connection:
....
...
..
.
Done.
Connecting to the HDD-
Belle's vision shifted, her line of sight becoming far lower to the ground than she already was.
Multiple bars popped up, creating something that resembled an interface.
"Ugh."
Not being as used to piloting Eous as Wise, Belle couldn't help but feel a tiny bit disoriented by the view, but ultimately, she snuffed down her nausea and turned around to face the Cunning Hares.
"Nicole, Billy, Anby, you guys ready?"
"Yep! Let's go!"
Nicole gestured towards Anby and Billy before walking over to Eous, crouching down, and offering the little bangboo a lift.
"Uhm... Nicole? What are you doing?"
The leader of the Cunning Hares gave Belle a puzzled look.
"Huh? I thought I was supposed to carry your bangboo whenever we entered the Hollow, at least, that's what the other proxy told me."
Since Belle was linked with Eous, she couldn't see Wise break out into a cold sweat behind her.
Not lingering on her brother's odd practices, Belle thought about the positives for a brief moment.
'Well, I guess it is a bit faster... not to mention it saves Eous's battery.'
"Oops, sorry. It's been a while since I've gone in the Hollows myself, so I'm a bit rusty. A lift would be greatly appreciated!"
Nicole didn't dwell on Belle's flimsy reasoning, instead choosing to flash Belle a smile as she scooped her up into her arms.
Since most of Belle's senses were synced with Eous's, the pleasant softness in Nicole's embrace made the ride a lot more comfortable than she had originally expected.
Belle let out a tiny breath as she momentarily disconnected from the HDD so she could talk to Wise.
"Did Fairy finish the Carrot data?"
"Yeah, she finished a few seconds ago. I just started uploading it to the HDD, so you should have access to it in a few seconds."
Giving her brother an appreciative nod, Belle reconnected to Eous and took in the rather grim change of scenery as the Cunning Hares entered the Hollow.
Multiple hulking craters marred the once pristine 16th Street, large holes carved into the buildings around them.
They were perfectly circular, so symmetrically destructive that it put the Hares and Belle on edge.
Billy tentatively spoke up.
"Proxy... You're friend-"
Anby, who had been scanning the surroundings for any Ethereals, cut Billy off.
"Billy, we've only just entered the Hollow. There's no need to set up a death flag."
Letting out a chuckle, the Robot gunslinger awkwardly scratched the back of his head.
"Sorry, Sorry, you're right~ My bad guys!"
Nicole shot the other members of the Cunning Hare's a sharp glare.
"Anby, Billy, stay alert and look for any survivors. Maybe a few people survived whatever happened here..."
Although she sounded a little unsure at the end, Anby and Billy nodded without complaint, their eyes turning towards the ruins as they drew their weapons.
With everyone now on guard, Belle began to lead the way, using the Carrot Data that she had just gotten from Fairy to map out the route to the building that Illya lived in.
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As they continued to travel, the group's unease deepened.
"Hey, uh- Proxy? Are you sure this Hollow breached level four containment?"
The Cunning Hares, who prided themselves as experienced Hollow explorers, had never been in a hollow that was so... Barren.
Despite the supposedly high Ether levels, there was a glaring lack of Ethereals.
Belle, getting a bit curious, momentarily disconnected from Eous to gather some data.
"Wise, I'm reading this correctly, right?"
Her brother nodded.
"Yeah, according to these readings, the Hollow's ether levels are still the same as the ones the HIA provided 2 hours ago."
A frown tugged at the corner of Belle's mouth.
"But that doesn't make any sense... An Ether reading this high would normally mean that a hollow is crawling with Ethereals-"
"Master, if I may."
Fairy, who had been mostly silent until now, spoke up of her own accord.
"According to my analysis, almost 86% of the ambient Ether composing this Hollow is concentrated in a single area, which is the most probable cause behind the lack of ethereals in your vicinity."
Wise gave the AI a bewildered look.
"That... Shouldn't be possible."
"Considering such a scenario is playing out before you, it seems that it is actually quite possible, Master."
Ignoring Fairy's sassy reply, Wise sighed and looked at his sister.
"Be careful. We've never seen anything like this before."
Glancing at the Carrot Data, Belle furrowed her brow.
"Wait, if most of the ether is concentrated in a single area, all the danger should also be concentrated in a single area. Couldn't we just... Y'know, avoid it?"
Of course, Belle was also considering the more ominous possibilities of Fairy's revelation, but she wanted to remain somewhat hopeful.
Unfortunately, the super AI had to rain on her parade.
"Master, according to my data, the area where the Ether is concentrated happens to be the Apartment complex where Sir Illya currently lives, so I don't think avoidance is possible."
Belle deadpanned.
"Fuck."
Wise nodded sagely.
"Fuck, indeed."
Groaning Belle repeatedly slammed her head into the computer desk as she synced back with Eous.
"Could you guys come here for a sec?"
Snuggled comfortably in Nicole's... Pillows, Belle gathered the Cunning Hare's attention.
"Hm? Oh, sure. "
Nicole stopped and allowed the others to catch up.
"What's up, proxy?"
Holstering his guns, Billy found a seat on a piece of rubble sticking out of the ground.
"I've got some good news and some bad news... What do you wanna hear first?"
Two voices overlapped.
"The good news!"
"The bad news."
Billy shot a look at Anby.
"Why would you wanna hear the bad news first? Wouldn't hearing the good news first soften the blow?"
Anby shook her head.
"In movies, you only have to pay attention to the bad news. Most of the time, the good news isn't actually important. Right, Proxy?"
Belle scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"You're... not wrong."
Planting her hands triumphantly on her hips, Anby huffed.
"See, Billy?"
"Yeah, Yeah, whatever..."
"If you both keep talking, I'll dock your paychecks!"
After threatening her team members, Nicole sighed and shook her head.
"Hah~ What's up, Proxy? Didja find anything useful?"
Belle hesitated.
"Well, after running a few tests and consulting Fairy, I figured out why we haven't encountered any Ethereals so far. Apparently, most of the Ether in the Hollow has been concentrated in a single area."
Swallowing, a flicker of mock enthusiasm entered Belle's voice.
"And, uh- Would any of you like to guess where we're going...?"
Smacking her forehead, another sigh wormed its way out of Nicole's mouth.
"You'd better be paying us well for this..."
Belle laughed awkwardly.
"Don't worry, I'll talk to Wise about it."
"Hah~ Leave it for after we save your friend. Billy, Anby, get ready- It looks like we'll be seeing some action soon."
As the Cunning Hares began to ready themselves, Belle momentarily cut her connection to Eous.
"Hey, Fairy? Where's the nearest fissure that'll bring us directly to the danger zone?"
"Master, there aren't any that will bring you directly into the Danger zone. However, it looks like there is a rift 50 feet to your right that'll bring you about a block away from your destination."
"That'll work. Thanks, Fairy!"
"You are most welcome. Master."
Reconnecting to the HDD, Belle retook control over Eous, and alongside the Cunning Hares, she made her way to the fissure.
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(A/N: With both of these chapters' release, this fic will officially be entering the rankings!
I really hope this fic does better than my other one did, but honestly, I'm trying my best not to keep my expectations too high.
Mb for the sudden end to the chapter, too. I cut out a bunch of redundant dialogue and kind of lost steam towards the end, and this was the result.
The next chapter will probably be a bit longer as a result, so look forward to that, I guess.
If you're enjoying this fic, add it to your collection and leave a couple of comments!
A review and some stones would also be appreciated, but I don't feel like pushing my luck.
See you guys next time!)