Out of old South’s ancient infrastructure, the seven gates stand amongst the rampant urban sprawl of a new era. Although vastly superseded by the roads and apartment complexes, the adamantine pillars still cement their powers in the cold, polluted streets they once guarded.

Leon, the oceanic gateway, is alone in its district and precinct. Two pillars of impenetrable metal casted and carved by refugee dwarven clans from the ruins of Aiagion place themselves against dirt and structure.

Surrounding walls torn down for roads and warehouses, the massive throughway was completely sealed off by a layer of bright red, slightly glowing police marked tape. Underneath the gray soup of skies above, the floating line of illusory magic ignites the humid air as traffic is redirected away from the main artery of Landing District.

Flashing police lights, undulating yellow and blue, cut into the now gathering crowd. Commercial workers taking smoking breaks, house spouses, and children watching the event take place.

A massive, opaque blue wall splits right down the center of the gateway; the radiation of sickly energy concentrated at a central rune of arcane power. Cutting into brick road, all five estimated lanes were blocked off.

Only one victim caught in its activation however: a horse drawn cargo carriage severed in half.

Pushing their way through the thin crowd, the pair of uniforms arrive at the police line.

“Dispatch, S.I.D. zero-two. Responding to ten-fifty one on site. End message.” The elf detective states into his voicecaster.

“Copy S.I.D. zero-one.” The dispatcher replies.

Illusionary magic projecting legal warnings alongside declaration of the South City Guard, quickly ignored by actualized authority.

A handful of officers turn at the intruders, pausing in realization.

Detective Ryce points to the nearest uniformed person, a young human woman locking eyes with her higher ranked superior. “Get whoever is in charge, tell’em we’re here.”

A quick nod, the woman quickly jogging off towards a parked horse drawn police carriage at the edge of the scene. The clattering of scale mail stops as both Detectives watch her interrupt a conversation, her form pointing outward towards them.

Ryce turns to his partner, pointing towards the still unfinished sandwich in his grasp. “You going to finish that?”

“I always finish my food.” Tan replies as he takes another slow bite.

Two figures walking towards them, steel armored forms coming to a stop in front of the two detectives with the clattering of metal alloy. One returning to her original station, the other; a middle aged hobgoblin, waving them down in his arrival. Reddish skin beneath an armored helmet, brown eyes darting between the new arrivals in careful analysis. Voice harsh, calm words spoken though a distinct east-city accent. “Gentlemen, I’m Sergeant Kauaov.”

“Detective Ryce.” The human man crosses his arms as he steps forward, nodding towards his partner.

An awkward silence as Tan finishes his current mouthful of food, the elf replying with his usual cold greeting once the bite is swallowed. “I am Detective Third Class Tanithil Balquinal. Pleasure to meet you Sergeant.”

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“Just call him Detective Tan.” Ryce adds, pulling forth a badge from within his belt.

Worn leather casing flipped open, the golden badge of the eight pointed star, named to Detective Aiden Ryce, visibly catching the glow of police lights.

Sergeant Kauaov narrows his gaze, observing the icon before making the connection. “Arcane Crimes?”

“Special Investigations Division.” Ryce specifies, folding the thing back into his belt. “Question is why in the hells did you call the A.C.U. for a traffic blockage? You ever hear about a private practice wizard?”

The Sergeant takes a deep breath, glancing out towards the massive gate. “We did. She said she couldn’t help.”

Detective Tan interrupts him with a question. “Was she certified by the Arunean Wizarding Board?”

The Sergeant snaps a finger towards one of his squad, the tall blue-scaled dragonborn in the midst of penning paperwork atop a clipboard. “Cassie, what level was that wizard lady at?”

“Level six.” The Officer replies with the requested information quickly, not even looking up from her pad.

Detective Tan pauses, a statement made before another bite into his tuna sandwich. “If a level six ranked wizard is unable to dispel this arcane seal, then it will be an extraordinarily difficult task to dispel it. It will explain why we were called.”

“Thanks for the input.” His partner states, turning over with a bored look. “New case?”

“Certainly.” The elf blinks, pausing as he holds onto his still unfinished meal. “Would you like to fill the form?”

A quick search of his utility belt, the detective stopping as the requested item is left undiscovered.

Tan tilts his head curiously. “I believe you forgot your case papers in the Office this morning.”

Detective Ryce just stops, glaring at his partner. “You knew.”

“I assumed you would have eventually remembered.”

The human points outward to the gateway, voice even as he takes a step behind his partner. “Can you recognize that rune over there?”

Tan sighs, a perception already detecting the transgression. “I know you are in the process of stealing my case files.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” The man reappears on his opposite side, Detective Tanithil’s well bound pad of case file templates in hand as Ryce whips out a borrowed fountain pen alongside it. “Sergeant, give us a rundown if you please.”

A pause, the Officer taking a moment to process the duo before beginning. “Well, Officer Stonehide over there was the first to respond.” He points towards a dwarf, the bearded individual currently keeping perimeter on the scene. “I believe it was one hour ago. He called for backup, which was when Cassie responded as well. She was the one who contacted the Private Wizard to dispel the effect.”

Detective Tan glances towards his partner. “You are writing this down, are you not?”

“Shut up.” Ryce replies as he pens out acronyms in terrible handwriting, pointing back out to their interviewee. “Continue Sergeant.”

“When the Wizard wasn’t able to help, that’s when she called the rest of us in. We’ve begun initial questioning, got a few witnesses over there when the wall came up.”

Civilian clothing mixes with patrol uniforms, an awning covering a small restaurant converted into an improvised questioning area.

“Precinct Fourteen has an arcane caster, does it not?” Detective Tan asks. “I believe his name is Ferdinand, police Lieutenant?”

“He’s an asshole, and only got level four on his last assessment.” Detective Ryce completes the sentence. “Tan-Tan, what’s the time?”

A silver pocket watch produced, the small hands of the clock read aloud. “It is twelve fourty-six.”

“Alright, I suppose we should try and finish this before two.” The Detective takes a few seconds to scribble down the required information, a small smile on his face. “So what are we calling this case?”

Sergeant Kauaov clears his throat. “We are calling it the Gate Problem.”

“That’s a terrible case name. Detective Tan, what is the case called?”

“The Seal of Leon.” The Detective replies quickly. “Would that work?”

“Better than yours Sergeant.” Ryce finishes, taking a step towards the giant blue wall of arcane energy. “We’ll handle this.”