With his mastery of the Shadow Seeker's basic spells growing, Arlen's curiosity about his order's true legacy deepened. He returned to Rivenford's library and the guild's archives, seeking any mention of other labyrinths once used by Shadow Seekers. The more he learned, the more he realized that the labyrinth beneath Rivenford was only the first of many—each designed as a test, a vault of forgotten knowledge, or a proving ground for those who carried the order's mantle.
Through old manuscripts and cautious conversations with scholars, Arlen pieced together a clearer picture. The Shadow Seekers had hidden their greatest techniques within these labyrinths, accessible only to those who could combine sword and spell in harmony. Each labyrinth was rumored to hold unique magical trials and, at their core, lost arts of swordsmanship that blended seamlessly with shadow magic.
Stories told of legendary Shadow Seekers who could:
Enchant their blades with darkness, allowing them to cut through magical barriers and strike incorporeal foes.
Move with supernatural speed, their forms flickering between shadows to evade attacks and launch surprise assaults.
Channel magic through sword strikes, unleashing waves of energy or binding enemies with shadowy chains.
Vanish in the heat of battle and reappear behind their foes, their swordplay and magic perfectly synchronized.
These abilities—the fusion of martial prowess and shadow sorcery—were the true heritage of the order. Each labyrinth conquered would grant Arlen not just new spells, but new ways to wield his sword: techniques that could turn the tide of any battle and make him a legend in his own right.
Determined, Arlen resolved to seek out these labyrinths one by one, unlock the secrets within, and master the full spectrum of the Shadow Seeker's art.