Arlen left the shadowy embrace of the Forest of Old Roots behind, setting his sights on the distant, smoke-wreathed peaks of the Ashen Spire. The journey took him through rugged foothills and valleys streaked with volcanic ash, the air growing warmer and tinged with the scent of sulfur as he neared his destination.
The town at the base of Ashen Spire was a bustling hub for adventurers and blacksmiths, built from obsidian and dark stone. Its people were hardened by the ever-present threat of eruptions and fire monsters, yet their spirits burned as brightly as the forges that lined the streets. When Arlen checked in at the local Adventurer's Guild, he updated his profile—careful again to only list the skills relevant for the trials ahead: advanced nature and water magic, sword mastery, trap disarming, and more. The guild staff, familiar with the legends of the Shadow Seekers, greeted him with respect and a hint of intrigue.
Arlen spent his first days listening to stories in the smoky taverns and exploring the market, where he found relics and texts left by past Shadow Seekers who had braved the spire. He learned that many had come here to master fire magic, seeking not only destructive spells but also the rare gift of fire resistance—crucial for surviving the labyrinth's burning depths.
The Ashen Spire's academies offered intensive training in:
Fire Magic: Harnessing flames for attack, defense, and manipulation of the environment.
Fire Resistance: Rituals and techniques to endure extreme heat and protect against burns.
Advanced Sword Arts (Fire): Channeling fire through blade techniques, creating explosive strikes and defensive walls of flame.
Reflex Training: Special courses using magically controlled fire traps and moving targets, designed to push agility and reaction speed to new heights.
Arlen enrolled in these courses, determined to expand his elemental mastery and refine his combat skills. As he trained, he uncovered more about the Shadow Seekers who had come before him—warriors who blended shadow and flame, using their unique talents to protect the town from fiery threats and maintain the balance between destruction and renewal.
With each lesson, Arlen grew stronger, preparing both body and mind for the scorching trials that awaited within the labyrinth of Ashen Spire—and for the next chapter in the legacy of the Shadow Seekers.