Kerry followed fast, immediately matching Syd's pace while Cary lagged behind, a little taken aback by their energy and swiftness. It was a shame there was no help to be found in the time travel department, but if they could get here, they had to be able to get back somehow -- it was just a matter of being precise: using a scalpel instead of a sawblade.
"Farouk seemed more in control the less aware David was, and considering the state Oliver was in when he returned from the Astral Plane, I'd say it's a safe bet," Cary offered in agreement. So many memories hazy, whole words from his vocabulary lost, let alone recollection of his friends, his own wife. Muscle memory remained in tact, at least, old responses to his scientific drive, which had allowed him to help when they were trying to pull Farouk from David's mind.
As for finding people, Cary couldn't offer much. "With David's mind his own, I didn't--" He waved his hands vaguely. "I dove into our genetics, tried to figure out where our power came from." The X-gene. Genetics were his specialty, though tech came right after. His next invention was worn on Kerry's belt right now -- though it obviously went in the opposite direction, hiding rather than finding.
Kerry listened to it all with a vague interest, following Syd into the elevator while only Cary hesitated. He hadn't been up there in a very, very long time. "I uh..." For a moment he looked like he was going to make an excuse, shifting the small leather journal he had in his hands before Kerry reached out and took him gently by the arm, urging him into the elevator alongside them. He caved easily, but fidgeted even more.
"The Shadow King's biggest weakness is that it can't survive in this plane without a host," he offered softly, quietly as the tinny echo of the elevator made his voice sound a little strange. "Amahl Farouk was the name of its first host on record, and when it disappeared, it went somewhere no one else could follow, except someone like Oliver or David, or someone else with a knack for astral projection."
The elevator dinged as they reached the main level, Cary actively wringing his hands on the worn journal by now. "Whatever is done, it has to be done on the metaphysical level unless--" At that Kerry finished, "--we cut our losses and kill Oliver too." Because that was an option. It'd always been an option, but one no one had the guts to suggest it.
Doors opening, Kerry stepped out first, body tense and ready for anything as she took off to patrol the upper level again, heading vaguely in the direction of David. Cary lagged behind, eyes looking in very distinct places to avoid wreckage, blood stains, burn marks. "Finding Oliver sooner will help," he conceded that much. "But I don't think anyone could get close enough to use another band to isolate the two." Because of how quickly, how easily it consumed Oliver and took control.
Right where he'd been left before, David remained, eyes still closed tight, jaw clenched, and sweat beading on his brow. The humming grew, more minds, more power to hide as Kerry returned with Cary and Syd. Without even opening his eyes he knew who they were. Their presence made his teeth itch, made a heat rise inside his own head, making his face feel hot while the rest of him felt cold. All of them together, their power, their thoughts a jumbled mess of whispers running through his mind.