Goddess Investigations

Tilia found the teleportation this time around wasn't as jarring as it normally was. If she had to make a comparison it was as if she simply stepped through a doorway. It was smooth, and if not for the sudden shift in their surroundings--and that Kan'na was the one responsible--she would've doubted teleporting in the first place.

However it seemed like Kan'na lacked tact currently, for they teleported directly in front of the castle. Immediately some standing guards drew their weapons and pointed them at the two. One immediately shouted with a gruff voice, "Hands up! You're trespassing on his Highness' territory!"

Kan'na spoke and her voice echoed with an authority, "Lower your weapons."

As if hypnotized the guards lowered their weapons. Once they were no longer threatening they came to their senses and immediately were horrified. Tilia shot a glance towards Kan'na before reaching into her bag and pulling out the token given to her by Hala. Realization spread among the guards as they sheathed their weapons and stood aside.

"We apologize for not recognizing you sooner!", one lowered their head.

"It's our fault to begin with, raise your head.", Tilia felt bad.

They walked past the guards and into the castle when Tilia made a comment, "In front of the entrance? Really?"

Sticking out her tongue Kan'na made an excuse, "When I said 'To Kayne's Castle' it seems mana altered the coordinates to fit the command better. Let's just say the experiment has some issues."

"Let's try not to startle more people."

Kan'na spread out her hands helplessly, "I'll try?"

Someone jogged across the hall, crossing several steps within one stride. Hala appeared with a disheveled appearance, a tired look on her face. Rubbing her eyes with a hand Hala greeted the two, "My apologies for not meeting you sooner, I just received information of your arrival."

"No need for apologies, we've just arrived. A teleport spell was a little inaccurate and we ended up trespassing.", Tilia comforted.

"You're our guest Tilia."

Looking towards Kan'na Hala paused for a moment before speaking, "You're. . . Kan'na right?"

"I'm glad I'm still recognizable.", Kan'na confirmed.

"I almost didn't. . .", Hala frowned.

Kan'na gave silent props to Kayne's personal guard. To be able to resist the passive influence of Godhood was not that easy for an NPC. Yet Hala wasn't flinching in front of Kan'na, and was even able to resist the authority the Goddess of Mana's voice carried.

"So, what can I help you two with?", Hala did not forget her duties.

"We're here to see Kayne's disappearance again. I brought Kan'na along since she's more of an expert in magic.", Tilia explained.

"I remember Givale was here, and she mentioned the space was stuck?", Kan'na absentmindedly asked as she seemed to be examining something else.

Hala sighed, "We brought in experts from other Kingdoms, but none have results. One who specialized in studying space made the same comment about space being stuck, but we're still unsure. We've been paying attention to any other disappearances but by the time they're reported it's too late."

"Well let's take a look.", Kan'na returned her focus to the matter at hand.

Moving to the main throne room Kan'na investigated the interesting magical device that could replay what occurred. A look of interest formed on her face as she raised a finger. Magic circles formed and surrounded the device and studied it while she watched the replay.

"I cannot do the work without a fresh scene! You mean to tell me the best investigators in all the Kingdoms are simply incapable of figuring out a pattern to the victims?!", a holler came down the hall.

Hala made an apologetic expression, "That would be Yolden, an expert regarding space matters that a neutral Kingdom sent us."

Tilia picked up on another matter, "There's no pattern? Not even slightly?"

"Our experts are unable to identify one. It's anybody from any place, with no regard to their status, well being, or history."

Kan'na made a rhythm with her finger snaps as she offered an opinion, "If there really isn't a single sign of a pattern, it's likely this isn't the result of an individual or individuals."

"What makes you say so?", Hala rose an eyebrow.

"Pure randomness doesn't really exist. Nine times out of ten there's some hidden reason for something being chosen. However the less obvious it is usually means there isn't a direct purpose."

Hala frowned, "That sounds like it is random."

"It only appears that way. If my theory is true, it's more likely what's causing the disappearances is the result of some spell or magical device. By some method or formula the spell or device is appearing to randomly select people to remove. Hence why there isn't a pattern, at least not one able to be found."

"Some of our investigators raised this theory too. Although this is the first that I hear of someone saying it isn't random."

Kan'na replayed the part of Kayne disappearing several times as she continued her theory, "It's likely the device--I shall be referring it to a device instead of a spell--operates with a specific pattern in mind. Say a list that it creates and then chooses a number to select from the list. This number is likely influenced by other things, but without seeing the device in person I won't be able to tell how exactly it works."

Crossing her arms Hala fell into thought. From what she could tell Kan'na was saying that it appeared random because they were looking at the victims individually. However from the "device's" perspective it was following an already predetermined set of orders. Selecting from a large list. Fulfilling nothing but its given instructions.

"You suggest it's an artifact gone rogue?", a somewhat haughty voice echoed through the hall.

Hala's eyebrow twitched as she withheld her anger, "Sir Yolden. . ."

"Hala.", Yolden replied coldly without any respect.

Dressed dramatically in a gorgeous robe that failed to touch the floor by a hair Yolden walked with a confident swagger. His arms behind his back and a confident expression on his face. With long pale blonde hair that was tied up and held together via hairpin. A singular earring on his right ear that dangled and sparkled. His attire screamed wealthy, and his attitude flaunted absolute certainty. 

Kan'na barely spared Yolden a glance and continued her study, "Artifact, device, spell, whatever you wish to call it. It's certainly not a person or a group of people behind it."

"What makes you so confident in this? What if the there's people utilizing this artifact?", Yolden remained confident.

"If that were the case they certainly do not have any control over it."

"I simply cannot fathom what makes you so confident."

"The mana.", Kan'na replied simply.

"The mana?!", Yolden exclaimed with an exaggerated tone, "You dare say the mana in this instance? Everyone knows such traces disappear after a week at most, and it's been far longer than a week!"

"Traces of spells yes, but certain characteristics might remain if you know what you're doing."

In ordinary circumstances Kan'na wouldn't have had this much confidence. However her ascension to Godhood has vastly increased her mana control, and thus the mana was more than willing to cooperate with her. As she studied the "replay" of the King's disappearance, the mana swirled about as if trying to tell her something.

"Not a single mage worth their salt would dare claim this. I must say Hala, are you bringing quacks to investigate this ordeal? It really shows your desperation.", Yolden placed a hand to his forehead and made a show of his exasperation.

Hala's neck tensed with fury, but she maintained her cool demeanor, "Those in Six Lights are quite capable. They aren't 'quacks' to put it in your words."

"You say this, but yet this individual claims that the mana has signs despite the several weeks since Kayne's disappearance. You've even contacted various Seers about this, nobody has answers. Much less this fraud."

Tilia silently pinched her nose. This was going to be interesting to watch.

Kan'na snapped her fingers and several magic circles vanished, "Say, since you're so confident what's your theory?"

"I'm glad you asked. Although I disagree with your theory of an artifact gone rogue, I don't entirely disagree with the theory that an artifact is the reason. I believe an artifact is freezing space at a certain time. Since at every location space seems to be 'frozen' this has become my predominant theory. The King hasn't been kidnapped, he hasn't even left this building! Instead he's stuck in a time trap, frozen and unable to continue along with the rest of us!"

This wasn't something outlandish. Rather it was entirely feasible. Since Akiol once wielded a dimensional themed Artifact, it wasn't improbable for one to freeze things in time. After all Akiol hopped into an alternate dimension previously with the Artifact. In a way the theory could be described as taking a photo, and trapping the photo's subject within that photo. It's just that nobody else had access to these photos.

"What's your reasoning behind this?", Kan'na asked.

"Like I said, the space being frozen. Very few things can freeze space like this and continue for so long. I can easily prove this theory once I find a fresh instance, but unfortunately these experts are entirely incapable of predicting the next victim.", Yolden gently brushed a hand by his earring as he confidently explained.

"Right, but then what would be the motive?", Kan'na continued.

As she held this conversation he fingers wagged about as she continued to converse with the ambient mana. Gathering more clues while listening to the arrogant expert's theories. Even if Yolden was arrogant, there was a reason for his expertise. 

"That's not my job. I am here to figure out the how, not the why.", Yolden huffed.

"Then can you explain the reason why we're still able to interact with the environment despite it being frozen?", Kan'na continued.

"This is why I need access to a fresh scene. I wondered this myself, but my current theory is that it only affects things that are alive. One key part of every scene so far is that not a single living thing remained after the disappearance. The investigators believed that this was because the perpetrator simply struck at the most convenient time, but that's simply foolish. After all Hala admits to being witness the moment Kayne disappeared. I believe the answer to no living things being evident at the crime scene is simply because the artifact affects only living things within its range. Hala was simply lucky in this regard."

This could also be the case of the device only taking individuals when the conditions are fulfilled, Kan'na looked at this from her theory's perspective. There being no other living things at the crime scene could simply mean that the device only activates if there's one single living being within its range. A simple condition like this was something even a beginner in magic runes could apply to their spells. 

"If I am understanding your theory correctly, you're saying that we can continue to interact in such a place because the magic already activated. Why is the space frozen then?"

"A side effect.", Yolden rolled his eyes as if it should have been simple to understand, "In order to keep time still it also freezes the space in the area to maintain the spell."

Kan'na clasped her hands together and made a clap. All magic circles vanished and she pointed out a final thing, "I am impressed, you're not an expert for nothing. Indeed this conclusion could be made with the evidence. There is just one flaw."

"A flaw?", Yolden spouted in disbelief.

Kan'na held up a finger, "There's not a thing in this world that can constantly supply the energy needed to maintain this effect for weeks on end. Especially not with this many victims."