As Nate ventured into the heart of Arcanum, the energy of the bustling streets intensified. He pressed forward, determined to reach the High District where the wealthy and influential called home. His eyes roamed the crowds, taking in the sights and sounds of the city. Despite the bright lights and noise, he felt a deep sense of unease, as though something was amiss.

He was dressed in his usual attire, a well-worn overcoat that had seen better days. It was a faded black, with frayed edges that were a testament to its age. The overcoat was his armor, a symbol of his purpose. It had seen him through many investigations, and it was a constant reminder of the dangers he faced every day.

The city was alive with energy, but there was a sinister edge to the noise. People rushed past him, their faces set in grim determination, as though they were trying to outrun their fears. The buildings loomed high above, casting deep shadows over the streets, and there was a sense of danger lurking in the shadows. He could sense the weight of the investigation bearing down on him, and he knew that this case would not be an easy one to solve. As he began to walk towards the crime scene, he took a deep breath and prepared himself for what lay ahead.

The sun was just starting to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the city's towering skyscrapers, a part of the city he was not accustomed to visiting. Nate approached the police barricade, showing his credentials to the officer on duty.

"Arcane Detective Nate," he said, his voice low and steady. "I'm here to investigate the death of the prominent member of the magical community."

The officer nodded and stepped aside, allowing Nate to pass. "But sir, the cameras don't show anyone other than apart from himself entering the apartament.” The officer said, looking up at Nate.

Nate only looked at the officer as he made his way towards the victim's apartment, he could feel the tension in the air. He knew that the police had already ruled the death a suicide, but he sensed that there was more to the case than meets the eye.

As he walked through the front door, Nate could feel the weight of the investigation settling over him like a heavy cloak. He moved slowly and methodically, taking in every detail of the room. There was a strange energy here, a sense of something otherworldly that he couldn't quite put his finger on.

Suddenly, he heard a voice behind him.

"You're here to investigate, Detective?"

Nate spun around, his hand reaching for his revolver. Standing before him was a tall, imposing figure in a black suit.

"I'm a private investigator," the man said. "I was hired to look into the death of the victim. Perhaps we can work together."

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Nate studied the man carefully. He seemed to know more than he was letting on.

"Who hired you?" Nate asked, his eyes narrowing.

"That, Detective, is for me to know and for you to find out," the man said with a smirk.

Nate knew that he would have to keep a close eye on this man. He couldn't trust anyone in this investigation, not until he knew the truth behind the victim's death. He gave the man a hard stare, trying to gauge any clues from his demeanor. The man's face was expressionless, but his eyes held a strange intensity. Nate's instincts told him to be wary of this man.

"We'll see about that," Nate said, his tone crisp. "But for now, let's concentrate on the task at hand."

The two men began to examine the room, searching for any evidence that may have been missed by the police. As they moved around the space, Nate couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

The victim, the renowned wizard Tobias, was slumped in a chair in the center of the room, his eyes closed in eternal sleep. The room was orderly and pristine, almost too much so. It seemed as if someone had gone to great lengths to make it appear untouched.

Nate's eyes roamed the room, taking in every detail. As he walked, his overcoat brushed against the furniture, making a soft rustling sound in the silence of the room. The fabric was well-worn, the product of years of hard use. The leather patches on the elbows and the hem of the coat had been mended many times, but it still kept him warm and protected from the elements.

He knelt down beside Tobias, studying his face. The wizard's skin was pale, almost translucent, and there was a small wound on his temple. Nate frowned, his eyes narrowing. Something was definitely off about this death. He stood up, his hand running through his hair as he thought.

"What do you think, Detective?" The man beside him asked, breaking the silence. "There is no doubt that this is a suicide, don't you think?"

Nate took a deep breath, his mind still racing. "I think that this was not a suicide. I don't know who or what did this, but I plan on finding out." He looked at the man beside him, his gaze steady. "I need you to keep your eyes and ears open. Something's not right here, and I don't want to be caught off guard."

The man nodded, and the two of them continued their investigation. As they worked, the unease in Nate's gut grew, and he couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.

As they continued their investigation, suddenly, the room grew darker, as if all the light had been sucked out of it. The temperature dropped dramatically and a feeling of dread settled in the air.

Nate's hand went to his holster, and he drew his gun. "Something's not right," he muttered, his voice low and steady.

The private detective, standing near the door, let out a strangled cry. Nate turned just in time to see the man's body convulse and contort into a twisted shape. His eyes bulged and his skin turned a sickly shade of green.

Nate realized too late that the man was a Changeling, a monster capable of changing its form to imitate others. The Changeling lunged at Nate, who dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding its claws.

The Changeling was fast, but Nate was faster. He aimed his gun and fired, but the bullets just bounced off the monster's skin. The Changeling let out a guttural growl, and Nate realized that he was no match for this creature in direct combat.

He retreated towards the door, trying to find an escape. The Changeling was hot on his heels, but Nate managed to make it to the hallway. There was no one in sight, the police barrier was outside the building. He raced down the stairs, the monster close behind him.

At the bottom of the staircase, began to chant an incantation that made his gun glow as he turned and fired another shot, but the Changeling was gone. The monster had escaped, leaving Nate to wonder if he would ever find it again. He took a deep breath and looked down at his shaking hands, trying to steady himself. He had just had a close encounter with one of the most dangerous creatures in the supernatural world.

"That was close." Nate muttered, as he leaned against the wall, taking a moment to catch his breath. He couldn't believe what had just happened. He had been investigating cases involving the supernatural for years, but he had never come across a Changeling before. It was a dangerous creature, one that was difficult to track and even harder to kill.