Merrow Rivenlight Arc
The Merrow Rivenlight Arc looks into Samuel Mason and John "Jason" Crypt's journey to find Merrow Rivenlight, the Guardian of Decen. The pair venture to the mountains, where Sam sees a vision of Merrow through Hunter's Eye.
Plot
Premise
Amana Cross plans on taking Sam and Jason on a grocery haul and clothing store to prepare the two for the journey. Sam visits Tob's room to tell him he hopes to see him again soon. Tob tells Sam to "get the hell out of here", smirking. Sam gives Tob a smirk back. He asks Tob how his conquest to win over Reya's affection is going, and Tob tells him there's nothing to worry about, as she would eventually give in to Tob's "good looks".
Sam visits Junon and checks up on her. Junon tells Sam she is doing fine and thanks him for the bear. Sam sees the bear sitting on her bed. Junon tells Sam to be careful, and to make sure Jason makes it back in one piece for her sake. Sam asks Junon if she plans on staying with Darkstar, which Junon responds that she does not know yet. Junon glances at Trill and tells him that she might be considering staying. Sam grins.
Sam enters Lazarus' room and sees the mage in front of a giant green runic circle. Sam asks Lazarus what he's doing, and the mage tells him that he is working on a new spell that involves weakening the attack power of anyone within the vicinity of the rune. Bridget suddenly manifests and Lazarus gives the girl a hug. Lazarus asks Sam if anything is bothering him, any side effects, which Sam tells him he's fine. Sam is still uneasy as to how he is able to soul link with multiple beings. Lazarus has two theories: the first being that Sam might be a very rare mage, with one in a trillion genetics, allowing him to soul link. The other theory, Lazarus pauses, is that Sam might be an incarnation of a Paladin. Sam's eyes go wide. Lazarus states that this is very unlikely, but is not impossible. A reincarnation happens once every millennia. Sam stares at his feet, unable to comprehend what he is hearing. Lazarus tells Sam that regardless if he is a reincarnation or not, he will be by his side to get through this. He is not alone. Sam thanks Lazarus and leaves, but not before he sees Bridget playing with the Goatman.
Sam is about to check on Reya and Wagner before he is stopped by Ferris. Ferris claps Sam on the back, telling him that he's grateful for having more vision support for the team. Sam apologizes to Ferris for leaving the group again, but Ferris stops him. Ferris assures that it's completely fine, and tells him to be safe on his journey. He tells Sam that when John, or Jason, left the gym that day, he told Ferris that he wanted friends. Ferris is proud that Jason has gained so many new allies and friends, and even leads a team that he is part of. Ferris tells Sam that since he gave Jason a gift when he left, it would only be fair if he gave Sam one too. Ferris gives Sam a pair of black goggles. Sam asks what the goggles are for, and Ferris explains that when he used to do surveillance with the stone seekers, the visions became too much for him, as a result he wore a pair of black goggles that soothed his vision, allowing him to use his stone seekers easier. Ferris figured that Sam's Hunter Eye took a huge strain on him, the use of the goggles would be beneficial. Sam puts the goggles on, and suddenly, he feels much more relaxed. His vision improves, and everything became clearer. Ferris laughs and compliments on Sam's new look. Sam thanks Ferris.
Sam leaves with Amana and Jason before he can check on Reya. Amana compliments on Sam's goggles. Amana asks Jason how long he estimates will he be gone. Jason responds that he is uncertain. Amana's face becomes disappointed, but Jason tells her that he promises to return to her. The three returns with the supplies, and Lazarus compresses them into a smaller compartment. Lazarus and Trill create a portal to the mountains, where Sam and Jason step in. The two look back at Darkstar. Sam tells Jason that they're in good hands.
Search for Rivenlight
Sam uses his Hunter's Eye and finds that the ability no longer drains his stamina with Ferris' goggles. Sam picks up a powerful signal and leads Jason on to the top of a mountain. Along the way, the duo are ambushed by soul beasts. After clearing the area of the monsters, the duo run into an old seer. The seer claims to possess the powers of prophecy. Jason tells Sam to move on, but Sam wishes to hear the seer. Jason advises that the powers of prophecy are dangerous and is usually best to not hear them, but Sam does not listen.
The seer gives Sam a cryptic message, stating that their quest to defeat Calliope Ariandal will lead to a final confrontation that they will not expect. The seer tells Sam that he will achieve greatness, but at a horrible price. Jason grabs Sam but the seer looks at the mage. The seer recognizes Jason as the remnant of Decen, and tells him to cherish his time with Darkstar. Neither Jason nor Lazarus are the heroes in this story. The duo leave the seer, and continue traversing the mountain. Sam is deeply disturbed by the prophecies, but Jason tells the boy to keep moving. They will face the future head on, in the future. Not in the present.
Along the way, the duo walks into a mountain village. The pair helps the villagers with eliminating soul beasts and restoring their main power supply. Sam's Hunter's Eye suddenly stops working. Jason asks if Sam has run out of stamina, but Sam tells him that's not possible, as he is still able to summon his flames. Sentry suddenly appears in Sam's head and explains that something is blocking his Hunter's Eyes. They will have to figure out how to locate Merrow another way. Before Jason can come up with a plan, Sam asks the villagers if they know where to find a green haired lady with a big spear. The villagers warn Sam that the woman he seeks is very dangerous, and is considered an outlaw in these lands. Sam shrugs off these warnings, saying he's probably fought stronger. Sentry tells him that this is far from the truth. Merrow was Decen's Guardian for a reason. Out of Decen, Sentry, and Merrow, Merrow probably had the best combat technique, despite Decen having absorbed thousands of skilled solders, and Sentry having been taught the samurai way. Sentry also tells Sam that if there is a way to talk with Merrow, use any means but combat, as even Jason will not be able to beat her in a fight.
