Return to Front C.

You and your party have made it underground, though much to your frustration, you're having trouble retracing your steps in reverse. As you make your way down the old, dusty halls of the long abandoned lair, you swear this is the area where you made your way out--where the magic elevator room was. You run your hand long the strong and ponder silently to yourself, though it's difficult to do so for long with the army marching behind you. They're spread out, looking as well, though they don't stray far for obvious reasons.

Peony holds your arm as you walk. The only reason she can even be present is due to the armour you wear, so it must make her a little uncomfortable, albeit very happy to be here with you.

Vivi pushes her hand against the wall beside her. "Are you sure you're leading us the right way, Kyle? Not that I don't trust you, but it feels like nobody's been through here in ages. Though most people have kept away even after the Demon King's fall, many daring hunters have sucked this place dry of treasures. We might need to do something more than just look around."

"It's a secret entrance for sure," says Stax. "It's just a matter of finding it. If you came out this way, maybe shit was changed. You know, like moved somehow. We are dealing with mages, right?"

"That would be an issue," Okawa muses as he ponders to herself as well. She looks around--bushy tails swaying behind her like a cloud of gold. "Given time, I believe I could find this hidden door, though we must find it quickly."

"I could start taking this place apart, but that could easily cause a collapse with how old this place looks," Bulrak comments.

You remain still at where you swear you were before. Placing both hands on the wall, you push with all your might, but nothing gives. You then turn to Meladarai. She appears almost ghostly, even in her puppet body, though just as fair as an elf should be, and quite adorable as well. She's an incredibly intelligent woman, with quite the knowledgebase of bestiary facts, though that is far from her only skill. With your party, your toolkit is rather incredible.

"Mela," you say. "Can you pass through here?"

The banshee perks up. "M-Me? Are you certain?"

"You can do much that nobody else here can do. Please be careful, as we don't know what sort of defenses are awaiting us, but can you please see if my instincts are correct?"

"Of course I can." She curtsies politely. She then falls to the ground dead.

"Ah!" Lady Sulta covers her mouth to muffle a scream. She steps back, bumping into Shivra, causing her to flinch yet again from the sudden burn of her frigid body. "Pardon me."

Shivra smirks. "I wouldn't hurt you so badly if you didn't dress in such little clothing."

The sorceress eyes her up and down. "You wear less than me."

"I'm glad you noticed."

Both bodies of Sen-nu lean down to heave Mela's puppet body up onto her feet and off the ground. Meanwhile, the ghost takes flight. Those who weren't aware before quickly realize that Mela isn't just another ALICE. She's a banshee--a powerful elven spirit. Her translucent figure soars through the air and straight through the wall your hands are against, where she disappears.

"Mm. I thought something was strange about her," Okawa comments. Her eyes turn to Alice, even if she didn't address her directly.

Alice looks around awkwardly. "Indeed. But I am no ghost, if that is what you are concerned about."

"I wouldn't be concerned if you were. I know what you are. I've seen these ALICE automatons in action."

"She's not like any other," Delphi comments, fluttering down to land on the golem girl's head. "This is Alice. Beautiful. Strong. Independent. Totally into being tied up."

"S-Stop that!" Alice cries out, swatting at the pixie above.

"She's taking too long," Taiga says, glaring at the wall.

But just as she says that, the banshee emerges once more, causing Taiga to flinch in fear, as much as she tries to hide it. Mela floats down in front of you with a polite smile. "You were correct, Kyle. Through this wall is a room with some sort of arcane contraption. I believe it to be the way down that you spoke about, into the laboratory below. Though I am afraid I do not know how to get through. I saw no switches or levers."

Emerging from the shadows is the high vampiress Catherine. She taps her nails against the wall. "If a door has no knob, simply break through," she says before stepping away.

"I hate to say it, but I agree with the vampire," Bulrak replies.

"Do you have a problem with me, dwarf?"

He grunts. "Unsurprisingly, the Demon King here has controversial company, but I have no problems that will get in our way. Stand back, and allow me to carve a path forwards. Stone is my specialty." He then walks up to the wall, and stares at it intently for a lengthy moment. He then grasps the short steel rod in his hands, and thrusts it against the bricks. Beneath his breath, he grumbles deeply, until it begins to form words from deep within his throat. "Stoneshape!" As soon as he speaks the magic word, he takes a step back and swings his staff up into the air. Like paper, the wall peels away to the booming sound of grinding boulders. It looks as if he's struggling at first, like there's some sort of barrier of energy he's peeling free, but then with a snap, he throws his staff to the ground, and the passage fully opens.

There it is, just as you remember it. That's the magic elevator you came up before fleeing. The original way you took was closed, but thanks to Bulrak, you've returned. You move cautiously inside with your party behind you.