Eternal Shadows: The Black Blade Chronicles

Chapter 6: Shadows and Secrets (Part 1)

Part 1: Investigation and Discovery

The morning sun cast a warm glow over the bustling streets as Enryu, Arlen, and Lyra made their way to the Adventurer's Bureau. The air was filled with a sense of purpose, the energy of a city slowly recovering from the recent battle. When they arrived, Alaric, the Head of the Adventurer's Bureau branch, greeted them with a broad smile and handed each of them a bag of elfen rations.

"These will keep you going," Alaric said, handing over the bags. "And, Enryu, considering the nature of your mission—and knowing that you've always refused rank promotions—I'm giving you this special token. It grants you the authority to mobilize any Adventurer's Bureau branch like an S-Class Adventurer. Use it wisely."

Enryu nodded, accepting the token with a respectful bow. He appreciated Alaric's gesture, knowing how rare it was to have such authority even for the 13 guild leaders on the continent, given the independent nature of the Adventurer's Bureau. Alaric then provided directions to an ancient ruin where similar forbidden magic was rumored to have been practiced. It was a clue worth investigating. Arlen checked the directions and confirmed the route to the ruins.

As they left the city gates behind, the landscape gradually changed from bustling urbanity to the vast expanse of wilderness. The first leg of their journey took them through dense forests, where the trees grew tall and thick, their branches forming a canopy that blocked much of the sunlight. The forest was alive with the sounds of birds and small animals, a stark contrast to the eerie silence of the ancient ruin they sought.

Arlen led the way, his youthful enthusiasm evident in the bounce of his step. With a small compass-like device in hand, he carefully navigated their path, occasionally stopping to consult an old map filled with cryptic runes and markings. The device, given by his master Nocturne, could detect traces of taboo magic—magic the Black Magic Tower had already investigated based on the artifact Enryu had sent them.

"This way," Arlen said, pointing to a narrow trail that veered off the main path. "The ruins should be just a few hours away, according to these old texts. It's said to be a place where forbidden magic was once practiced, so we should be prepared for anything."

As they moved deeper into the forest, the path grew more treacherous. Roots jutted out from the ground, and the underbrush became thicker, making progress slow and arduous. Arlen's face was focused, his eyes scanning the ground for any signs of danger.

Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the trees, and a pair of glowing eyes appeared in the shadows ahead. Lyra's hand immediately went to her weapon, her body tensing for a fight. Enryu, ever the seasoned warrior, held up a hand, signaling for them to stop.

A pack of shadow wolves emerged from the underbrush, their fur dark as night and eyes glowing with a sinister light. They moved with predatory grace, circling the group with a hunger that promised a brutal fight.

"Shadow wolves," Arlen whispered, his voice barely audible. "They're drawn to dark energy. We must have gotten too close to the ruin."

Without hesitation, Enryu drew his katana, the blade humming with a faint dark energy. He stepped forward, placing himself between the wolves and his companions. "Stay close," he instructed, his voice calm and commanding. "We'll have to fight our way through."

Lyra, moving with practiced agility, pulled out her short swords and positioned herself at Enryu's side, ready to counter any attack that came their way.

The wolves lunged, teeth bared and claws outstretched. Enryu moved like a shadow, his katana slicing through the air with deadly precision. Each swing of his blade was swift and calculated, cutting down the wolves one by one.