Towering over the surrounding infrastructure, the massive shimmering body pulses against the surrounding air. Energy signature audibly groaning against reality itself, the very fabric of realities folding together for an impossible creation of arcane purpose.

Six arcane maps, connected together in a geometric pattern above a central rune. Black lettering against blue, a script written across the magic circle.

“Is that elvish?” Ryce observes, a hint of linguistic knowledge arriving in an uncharacteristic moment of clarity.

“Just because my parents were from the Northwood does not mean that I understand elvish.” Detective Tan gives a bored look, standing straighter as he puts both his hands behind his back. “But yes, that is elvish.”

“Well, do you know what it says?”

“No, it seems to be an eastern script of elvish. Or possibly old-Aiagon, I am not certain.”

“Yeah that sounds about right.”

Sketching out a quick drawing of the rune in the margins of the paper, Ryce turns towards a more visible piece of evidence. Barrels of grain spilled across the cobblestones, a cart of wood and steel sliced in half by raw arcane energy.

Casually strolling over, the pair of detectives take stock at the carnage.

“Observe the reins of the carriage.” Detective Tan notes the broken rails and seat currently facing towards their side of the gate. “It does seem that the trade goods here were destined to the Dockyard.” The elf pauses. “Is Leon Gate used as an import road or an export road?”

“Does it matter?” Ryce shrugs as he writes the note down.

“Perhaps.” Tan replies, walking towards the opposite side of the broken cart.

A logo inlaid with false gold, a corporate entity’s identification marked out in now sliced off lettering. Two thirds visible, sharp eyes attempt to circumvent the damage and strange angle.

“The shipping company starts with a C-O-L-O, break line and new portion, J-A-M.”

Detective Ryce racks his brain for a moment before answering. “Colota-Jamis Shipping Corporation. Headquartered in Landing, twelve eighty avenue west.”

“Is that your guess?”

“It's the only shipping company here that starts with those letters at least.” Ryce continues.

Detective Tan takes another bite of his sandwich, waiting as his partner finishes scribbling down his notes. “That information could be relevant.”

The human exhales, an emotion kept to himself. “I sure hope not.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Ryce turns to the scattered grain, the particles of dried seeds now mixed in the thick fecal mud of urban development. “Mixed grain shipment?”

“Certainly. Anything else within this location?”

The human gives a dull expression, an attempt at dry humor deflecting off. “We’re done here. Working theory is that it’s a couple of juviles playing some joke.”

Tan narrows his eyes. “I am under the assumption that this is a possible act of terrorism? Where would juvenile individuals gain access to high level magic such as this?”

Ryce shakes his head, biting the back of the pen as he formulates a counter argument.

“Please do not bite my pen.” Detective Tan requests.

“You’d be surprised what sort of weird arcane items end up on the streets these days.” Detective Ryce replies. “And let’s say this is Green Front, I’d put my money on another bombing or kidnapping than this misdemeanor. Communism isn’t in the business of petty crimes.”

The elf pauses as he considers the possibilities, his partner continuing. “Moving on then…”

Tan points out towards the small awning, a police carriage currently parked against a now closed eatery. Illusory light undulating blue and gold, the faces of five different witnesses currently under police scrutiny.

Two officers standing guard while one leans against the carriage, all in casual stances as they converse between one another. Two humans and one blue scaled dragonborn, standardized uniforms highlighted against gray skies. Words lost against the drone of nearby traffic and the bustle of curious onlookers, interrupted by the pair of Detectives.

“Officer Cassie.” Detective Tan immediately recognizes her from Sargeant Kauaov’s introduction, the dragonborn turning at the notice. “If we may interrupt.”

“Detective.” The Officer acknowledges, turning around to face the pair. “Can we help you?”

Detective Ryce interrupts, jamming his question before his partner’s. “Just wondering what you’ve gotten from the witnesses.”

Two humans, one half-orc, one elf, and one halfling. A mixture of housewives, off-shift dockworkers, and shopkeepers held together across three different tables and age ranges.

Officer Cassie sighs. “The initial interviews are done. Your best bet is the halfling, she’s the one who was closest and actually owns the shop. That human and elf…” She points out towards two currently seated far away from one another. “They were just passing through and aren’t exactly the question answering type. The other two were on the cart when it happened.”

“Is that all?” The elf detective asks as he takes another bite of tuna.

“I was just about to begin when you arrived.” Cassie states. “I suppose Arcane Crimes has some more experience dealing with these matters.”

Both Tan and Ryce glance at one another, a long pause echoing between them filled with the cries of distant seabirds.

“Would you like to take the lead in this process?” Detective Tan asks his partner.

A response held in rolled eyes and cracked knuckles, the human pulling himself forward as he strolls onwards to the half-orc, human pair of workers.

Male, around the same size and body mass. A brotherhood of commercial logistics, delivery drivers for a monopoly high above them. Dirty clothing from sweat and grime, the pair seemingly content with their current predicament. Relaxed stances leaning on wooden chairs, a conversation found in the discussion of fellow employees.

Detective Ryce speaks up, a casual tone as he puts away his notepad. “You guys missing lunch?”

“It beats unloading all of that sir.” The human states with a crass statement.

Ryce scoffs at the tone, a smile approaching on his face. “Well, I’m going to ask some questions, you wouldn’t mind answering them alright?”

The two shrug, the Detective taking a seat onto one of the spare chairs on the table. Hardwood against flesh, Detective Ryce scratching his unshaven chin as he takes a moment to ponder the evidence. “You did it.”