Glyphic Canyon is a giant ruin set inside a massive canyon, as the name would imply. It apparently contains several temples belonging to the Black Arms, according to Doom's Eye.
Story
The Commander learns that Shadow the Hedgehog was in Westopolis with the Black Arms, and sends soldiers after him in order to kill him. Meanwhile, Black Doom confronts Shadow about his disobedience, and after hinting more about his past, teleports him to Glyphic Canyon. Shadow meets Knuckles the Echidna who, like Sonic, is trying to defeat the Black Arms in the area. Doom's Eye shows up again, telling Shadow that he needs to activate five Temple jewels in order to unleash the power of the Black Arms. Once again, the stage's neutral path is simply reaching the Chaos Emerald at the end of the level.
Weapons
The following weapons can be found in Glyphic Canyon:
The first key can be found to the right from where Knuckles appears, behind a pillar.
After the first set of Jump Panels, the second key can be found on the upper pathway to the left.
From the third checkpoint, a breakable wall can be found on the left of the stairs leading to the temple; the key is located behind it.
After the sixth checkpoint, the player must take the Spring leading to the next part of the pathway, turn around and jump to the roof of the building. The key is on top of it.
In the area just before the Goal Ring, the fifth key can be found to the left.
The door is found slightly ahead of the fifth checkpoint. A Black Volt will take the player to the sixth checkpoint via an alternate path. Along the way, the player will find Item Boxes and a Heat Barrier, and several extra Black Hawks if they are doing the Hero Mission.
The second jewel is after the air current section.
The third jewel is in the temple right after checkpoint #6.
The fourth jewel is past the platforms after checkpoint #7.
The fifth jewel is on top of a platform above the Goal Ring. To reach it, all the Black Arms in the area must be defeated to open the box containing the spring.
15 Black Arms should have been defeated by the time the player reaches checkpoint #2. There are none between checkpoint #2 and checkpoint #3. 25 should have been defeated before reaching checkpoint #4, 27 before checkpoint #5, 34 before checkpoint #6, and 44 before checkpoint #7. The remaining 16 are between checkpoint #7 and the Goal Ring.
This level has a very similar layout to Sky Troops with a few differences.
There are actually more than sixty Black Arms enemies in the stage area. If the ones behind the Secret Door are also taken into account, the number of enemies present is well over 75.