There doesn't seem to be a pattern in the noises, except for how they're becoming more frequent over time.

But also, as they walk, it starts becoming clear that James's and Vetareh's noises are coming from different locations even if in the same general direction.

Vetareh pauses between vial enchantments to think about this.

"So, the sounds are coming from different locations, and we're not hearing the noises at the same time. I'm not sensing anything around us magically, but what if—I don't know. Little wisps of the anomaly thing attached itself to both of us when it died? Or something?"

"...hmm. But then why would the sounds have locations? Should they not be merely around us?"

"Tricks of the mind? Drawn to us but not precisely at us? The Fire Islands are nowhere near the bloodstone explosion epicenter, anyway. So if it's here, it's probably associated with us somehow. Maybe. Probably. I'm not sure; I'm just really just guessing. But I'm starting to think that this will be a tricky enough problem to solve that we need to make sure the islands don't explode first, then go to Taimi for backup and study and proper research equipment."

"The sounds are still mostly north from here and I can't see the start of the trail up the volcano yet, it might be worth making the detour anyway. I think we're getting close to whatever it is."

She considers this, then nods. "Fair enough, since it's not really out of our way. Just, uh, if this is the start of some magical thunderclapping anomaly hunt, I don't want to get too caught up in it and then explode."

"Let us definitely not explode," he agrees. "Anomaly hunts come after ensuring the island will remain here."

"Yes. But we'll see if we can scoop the whatever-it-is into my hack job enchanted vials on the way, because that sounds like an efficient problem solving trip if we can pull it off. Speaking of, back to enchanting, excuse me."

He grins at her and continues making his way to the sound's origin.

Eventually they're close enough to the two different sounds' locations that their paths diverge. From their strength, it's likely their origins are within sight of each other, if not quick running reach. "Should we go to mine first then yours?"

"Yeah. You're more mobile than I am and will have a better chance if it turns into some kind of chase." She transfers the rest of the enchanted vials to him; they all feel subtly different, magically speaking. Proper research equipment would cover all of these magic types (and probably a few more) with one device, but they do not have proper research equipment. They'll just have to see if any of these hack jobs can manage to catch and contain anything at all.

He accepts the vials with a raised eyebrow. "I'm more mobile than you," he says with a slight tug to the right corner of his lips.

"You do the turning into the shadow of death thing! It's very zippy! And you... roll around, and, and jump! I mostly don't jump. Or roll. Or turn into angry green death smoke and claw people or whatever it is that you do."

He starts laughing. "Yes, but mesmers teleport!"

"Yes, well, I am several hundred years behind the modern technomagical curve! We're lucky I'm able to contribute to combat in literally any way!" She huffs, crossing her arms. "It is a testament to my skill and talent that I am at all useful. Also a testament to the natural results of taking out the magical traditions of several nations. Of course the Krytans would obsessively specialize in illusions and flittering around the battlefield like nitwits, they were never very direct. Do you know what modern combat magic would be like if Orr didn't blow itself up, James?"

"I do not, and I am actually dreadfully curious to find out."

"Significantly less things would explode," she sniffs. "Because explosions can be dodged, and any firepower that hits something other than the target is a waste of magic. There would be a lot more really nasty hexes. Being countered by someone rolling around in the dirt is silly."

He laughs. "Well, how else?"

"What is it that you think I counter, darling? Now go on, see if you can catch any mysterious magical anomalies."

"Yes, my princess." Onwards to the source of his sound. He slows down to wait for more thunderclaps so he can better triangulate it...

Vetareh follows after him at a bit of a distance, obligingly staying silent so as not to get in his way.

Eventually he stops following the sounds and starts walking purposefully towards a bit of Absolutely Nothing, Right There. He starts waving his flasks in the air.

He is very fortunate that his girlfriend is assured of his sanity, because waving a bunch of badly enchanted flasks through the air would look totally crazy to someone that is not accustomed to how field research in Tyria sometimes goes. Also fortunately for him, his girlfriend is accustomed to that, too.

"Anything?" she asks, once all vials have been waved through that bit of Absolutely Nothing, Right There.

"I don't think so. It's also not attacking us, though, so it must be... different, somehow."

"Weird. In my experience, strange magical anomalies are almost always relentlessly murderous. And you don't see anything at all?"

"No, the flasks seem to be empty. Unless the essence is meant to be invisible? Can you detect anything in them?"