Kayne's Disappearance

"I understand what you mean now. All the scenes are like this?", Tilia asked.

"Only recently have we been given permission to use such magic on the recent cases of disappearances. Asides from the ordinary cases that we've handled as a byproduct we haven't actually recreated that many scenes of the unnatural disappearances.", Hala's face flashed with exhaustion before she rapidly masked it.

"Can you replay it again?"

"Of course.", Hala motioned for the magic to be reset.

Tilia looked elsewhere as the past was replayed. Located hidden in the ceiling she spotted Hala carefully watching. Hala followed her gaze and grit her teeth, "Indeed, even as I was watching he simply vanished before my very eyes. There was no hint of magic being used."

Such an unnatural case either meant someone of incredible strength, or use of a powerful item or artifact. Considering the resources of a Kingdom wasn't able to find a lick of any trace from the mana meant it wasn't a spell or any form of magic. Even if Kan'na was here Tilia was confident that Kan'na would come to the same conclusion.

"What about the dimensions? There's a possibility someone was capable of diving into a separate dimension and kidnapped the King that way.", Tilia proposed.

She recalled the Artifact Akiol used to control, the Dimensional Compass. Although that device should be destroyed it wasn't entirely impossible for there to be another Artifact capable of diving into another dimension.

"We're bringing in an expert from a distant Kingdom to verify this, but our own efforts have born no fruit.", Hala shook her head.

"Then this is something I can't help with. I am surprised you've given such information however."

"You've shown to be of great help to this Kingdom. Your efforts across the seas are not forgotten, I had simply hoped you might have found something.", Hala pressed a palm to her heart and expressed sincerely, "I thank you for your cooperation nonetheless. Is there perhaps some other reason you've come here?"

"Originally I planned on requesting a visit to the Royal Blacksmith. My equipment is in dire need of replacement."

Hala entirely understood due to the simplistic linen clothing. It was a well known fact that the semi-immortals often worse such basic clothing sometimes. A deemed characteristic of the already strange individuals. Thus Hala didn't even blink upon seeing Tilia dressed as such.

However Tilia was still not allowed to go forth, "Unfortunately the Royal Blacksmith is distraught at Kayne's long disappearance and is likely not of mind to be of any assistance."

"Were they that close?", Tilia asked.

"It was Kayne who approached the Blacksmith personally to become the Royal Blacksmith. Their relationship is more personal than professional. Although nothing scandalous occurs between the two."

"I won't bother her if that's the case. I do express my heartfelt apologies."

"It is appreciated. If you'd like I can escort you out?"

"There's no need, you've given me the proof needed to be on these grounds. Unfortunately no one I know is specialized in a detective sort of. . ."

Tilia paused and thought for a moment. There was actually two people who might be able to help with this! First there was Givale who was simply a master at any space related abilities. Perhaps she could detect if anything happened on a space manipulation level. The other would be. . . Dot?

Her reasoning behind this was the unique properties of the disappearance. Something that couldn't be detected by normal means sounded like it could possibly be the doing of a Truth. That sort of powerful ability with no known detection or counter was a surprising fit to this issue. However she recalled that Dot not only was the first to spot the Truth from the Undead King, but may also be aware of the curse that lingered in the Undead Vault. 

It was a bit of a stretch. Yet it couldn't hurt to try. Dot was elusive by nature so tracking him down would require claiming his bounty. That sort of travel was a little outside of Tilia's comfort zone at the moment, but Givale was easily accessed!

Sending a personal message to Kan'na Tilia asked to borrow Givale for a moment. Hala was intrigued by the change of energy, yet remained silent in case it could give a hint to the location of the King.

Kan'na: One second, I can teleport her to our home real quick. What did you need her for?

Tilia: The King has disappeared, want her to see if there's any residual trace of space manipulation.

Kan'na: The King what? Do I need to take a look?

Tilia: A week has passed, but might ask for your help on a fresher disappearance.

Kan'na: Too late for me to take a look and I'll be busy for the following week. Givale should be enough help. She surpasses me with space manipulation anyway. 

Kan'na: Where are you currently?

Tilia: The castle.

Kan'na: I'll tell her to head your way.

Closing out the chat Tilia informed Hala of her intentions. Hala pinched her chin and asked, "And this helper of yours is an expert regarding space manipulation?"

"The greatest expert I know of at least. Do you have a more recent location we can check as well?"

"I do. First let me ensure this expert faces no trouble on entering castle grounds.", Hala called over a patrolling guard and ordered them to allow Givale through.

After saluting the guard ran towards the gate with Second Stage speed to ensure there was no trouble. With Givale's speed and magic it took her seconds to reach the gate. Once getting past the guards she found Tilia and jogged over with a wave, "Hello!"

Hala watched the little girl approach and frowned. The expert was a child?

Tilia smiled warmly, "Thank you for helping me out Givale. Did Mira not join?"

"He said he wanted to train more. He's gotta figure something out.", Givale didn't give more details as she eyed Hala warily.

Flinging an incredulous look towards Tilia Hala whispered, "This is the expert?"

Hala showed her doubts clearly, and Tilia understood why. Givale was incredibly unassuming on the surface if you ignored the two daggers she carried around. While tactfully ignoring Hala's doubts Givale asked, "Kan'na said you needed help with space manipulation."

"I need you to see if you can spot any sign of it."

Givale twisted her nose, "That's troubling. The thing Kan'na calls the 'World Law' restores space back to normal. I can still try though!"

Tilia looked towards Hala for permission. Despite her doubts Hala felt that the royal guards were at their wit's end. Might as well try any and all possibilities. With a nod Hala gestured about, "If you can find anything please notify me immediately."

Walking past the two Givale looked about. Upon seeing such casual actions Hala felt her heart fall. It really was a child. Usual spacial readings required very rare resources and hours of studying. Moreover the experts in this field often cooped themselves up in their books and tomes studying space. Upon seeing this child look about so casually Hala felt this was a waste of time.

Regardless she bit her tongue out of respect for Tilia. Considering their efforts in the Eastern Continent with their unknown dangers she felt it was uncouth to voice any complaints beyond her initial doubts.

Givale frowned and asked, "What's going on with all of this? The space here feels different from anywhere else. Like it's stuck or something."

Hala managed to contain her shock, "That's because of our artifact capable of replaying what happened in the past. It doesn't work on mana, I didn't think it'd work on space as well."

Givale pursed her lips, "Is that so?"

Hala once again motioned for the device to restart. With an interested look Givale watched the playback. Watching the King disappear she tilted her head, "Gone in an instant. . ."

"Space is still the same. Still stuck.", Givale extended a hand and pushed against it.

An idea came to Tilia's mind and she shared it, "Maybe it's a byproduct of the magic device you use."

"We'll have some experts look into it.", Hala replied with a frown.

Waving away with her hands Givale apologized, "Sorry, I can't help."

"It was a bit of a stretch to begin with Givale! Thanks for trying anyways.", Tilia wasn't even disappointed by the results.

Skipping to Tilia's side she asked, "Anything else?"

"If you'd like to return to what you were doing feel free to. Otherwise you can tag along!"

"Okay!", Givale was happy to stick around for a bit.

She had already deemed Mira okay enough. His regeneration left his body constantly in its peak condition. Additionally asides from his troubles he clearly kept his sanity. So Givale felt it was best to leave Mira alone to release his stress via training.

Now having tried all she could Tilia decided to mention Dot to Hala and his unique insight about Truths. Hala nodded and thanked her, mentioning she'd look into it. After settling the matters Tilia excused herself and began to leave. Just when Tilia slipped out of sight Givale stopped following, paused, and looked towards Hala.

Their eyes met for a moment and Givale narrowed her gaze, "Do not doubt my capabilities. I will not be looked down upon. I do not want to remind you of this again."

Hala felt a shiver down her spine. As a personal guard of the King she naturally was Third Stage, but this feeling made her feel inferior. For a moment the eyes of Givale held a stark difference. The sight of a predator's gaze made Hala instinctually look away.

Then this pressure vanished as Givale happily waved, "Goodbye!"

Adjusting the collar of her armor Hala felt the sweat that formed at her neck. That was a Dragon! That was the dragon that tagged along with Akiol! She offended such a creature? How lucky she was that she got off with a warning!

'Indeed, Six Lights was not simple. It was good to get them involved.', Hala rationalized to herself.

Meanwhile Tilia began to plot the trip to The Gated Arena. Now that the Royal Blacksmith was not an option she figured the next easiest choice would be The Gated Arena. As she calculated the costs for the trip Givale asked, "So what are we doing?"

"Getting some proper equipment for those who need it. The Rot gave us a good excuse to finally upgrade."

"Oh! But the Blacksmith is that way!", Givale pointed towards the Royal Blacksmith.

"Unfortunately the Royal Blacksmith isn't doing so well. So I think our next best choice is asking the Blacksmiths in The Gated Arena. Just figuring out the best way to get there."

"Want me to give you a ride?"

Tilia paused and looked towards Givale, "A ride. . . you'd do that?"

"Sure! I bring Akiol to all kinds of places.", Givale replied with a beaming smile.

Barely catching herself staring at Givale, Tilia silently scolded Akiol in her heart, 'Isn't it Jarvis' job to find mystical creatures? Akiol seriously has a Dragon who's willing to fly him from A to B!'

Yet she spoke a different opinion to Givale, "That'd be fantastic!"