A monument to the kingdom's appreciation of beauty and harmony with nature, the gardens of the royal palace in Valoria were a work of landscape craftsmanship. The scene was serene but majestic, a calm haven that mumbled legends of past grandeur and regal grace.
The garden's central feature was a complex system of stone walkways, each expertly constructed with marbled, smooth stones that sparkled in the sunlight. These trails wound through the verdant vegetation, taking guests on a tour of many sculpture marvels and floral displays.
The scent of flowering flowers filled the air: exotic orchids, delicate lilies, and vividly colored roses all added to the garden's scents and colors. Little, transparent ponds with reflected, quiet surfaces, surrounded by willows that arched gently and dotted with water lilies, were scattered among the profusion of flowers.
Tall, majestic trees gave a canopy of shade, the branches of which fluttered lightly in the breeze. Beneath them, tastefully carved stone benches provided a spot for reflection and repose, beckoning people to stop and take in the tranquil beauty.
Different sculptures and ornaments decorated the garden's terrain. These included contemporary abstract pieces that tested the viewer's imagination and classical statues portraying legendary Valoran warriors. Carefully arranging each component produced a pleasing harmony between the natural world and art.
Water features enhanced the ambiance of the garden with a calming soundtrack. Mild streams meandered between boulders, combining to form tiny waterfalls that tipped into peaceful pools. The sound of the running water created a symphony of natural peace, the gentle rustling of leaves, and the distant chirping of birds.
A maze of hedges provided a contemplative haven in an isolated garden area. Its meandering trails led to a secret core home to a lone, majestic fountain. This fountain was a work of art made of stone and water that had beautiful carvings of mythological animals that let water flow from their mouths.
The garden changed as dusk approached, and the moon rose over it. The subtle lighting highlighted the sculptural elements and plant forms, which also threw lovely shadows and produced a charming, almost mystical environment.
Anubis' sure and unerring strides as he strolled across the verdant gardens said volumes about his confidence despite his blindness. From a distance, he was watched by his brothers, three kingdom princes endowed with magical, solid powers and captivating auras. They watched their brother negotiate the dark world, and their features showed a mixture of scorn and enjoyment.
"Look at Anubis, wandering like a lost puppy. Does he even know where he's going?" said the Elder Brother scornfully.
With a tone full of ridicule, the Second Brother spoke up. "He relies on his other senses, they say. But what good are those when you've got a soul as empty as the night sky?"
Their sharp and startling laughter reverberated throughout the serene gardens, strikingly contrasting the natural beauty around them.
Hearing their caustic taunts, Anubis stopped and pivoted to face them. His voice, unwavering but slightly wounded, retaliated against their jeers. "Why do you mock me, brothers? Is it my blindness that bothers you so?"
In response, the Elder Brother said cruelly, "You're a prince of Valoria, yet you walk in darkness, both in sight and soul."
Sneering, the Second Brother continued, "You're the black sheep of our family, Anubis. A prince with no light to guide him or others."
"Wouldn't it be easier for all if you just... stayed out of sight? Out of the kingdom's affairs?" the Eldest Brother asked coldly, his voice icy.
Anubis had a boiling torrent of emotions, including hurt and loneliness. He didn't show any signs of inner anguish as he stood firm. His voice steady, he answered, "I may walk in darkness, but I am no less a prince of this kingdom. My path may be different, but it is mine to walk. And I will walk it with my head held high."
In a mocking tone, the Second Brother said, "Brave words for someone who can't even see the path before him."
Anubis experienced a brief sense of hopelessness due to the taunt, which hurt him significantly. He stood there surrounded by loneliness in the middle of the gardens' splendor. The harsh sound of his brothers' laughter seemed to mock his attempts at pushing over his boundaries.
Anubis struggled with a flurry of emotions inside himself. With the weight of his blindness feeling more than ever, he questioned, "Am I truly destined to walk in perpetual darkness?" "Is my existence within this royal lineage nothing but a shadow, unseen and unvalued?"
His soul was tormented by the anguish of being ignored and misunderstood by his family. "They see only my blindness, not the vision I hold within. They do not understand the solitude of my journey, the constant grappling with a world that is forever veiled from my eyes."
He tried not to get too worked up, but the helplessness was overwhelming. Anubis thought, "Perhaps they are right," a hint of hopelessness seeping into his heart. "What place do I have among them, a prince who walks in eternal night?"
Nine-year-old Anubis moved quickly down the trails, demonstrating his increasing proficiency with his special senses. Shiva spoke up as he watched him in wonder and pride.
"You've made great progress, Anubis. You no longer rely solely on physical touch to sense your surroundings. Instead, you 'see' through sound, offering you a different mirror of perspective," Shiva said.
Anubis hesitated and turned to face Shiva, grinning a little. "It's like the world is a symphony, Uncle Shiva. Each sound tells a story and reveals a secret. It's different, but it's beautiful in its way."
Shiva nodded, admiring the resilience of the young prince with a reflection in his eyes. "Indeed, it is a unique gift. You perceive things that others overlook. Tell me, what do you 'see' right now?"
Anubis tipped his head, paying close attention. "I hear the rustling of leaves, each one a different note. I hear the footsteps of the palace guards, steady and sure. And I hear the distant laughter of children playing in the courtyard. The world is alive with sounds."
Shiva grinned. "And what about people, Anubis? How do you perceive them?"
Anubis paused to reflect. "People are complex melodies. Each voice has its tone and its rhythm. I can't see their faces, but I can 'hear' their emotions, their truths."
"Anubis, that is a rare ability," Shiva remarked thoughtfully. "It is a strength that you must nurture. But tell me, do you ever feel anger or sadness because of your blindness?"
After hesitating, Anubis nodded. "Sometimes, I do, especially when others treat me differently or underestimate me. But I've learned to accept my path. My blindness is part of me but does not define me."
Shiva supported Anubis by placing a hand on his shoulder.
"You are wise beyond your years, young prince. Remember, your journey is unique and will lead you to great things. Your sightlessness and aura are not limitations but windows to a different understanding."
Anubis felt the warmth of the light as he turned his face towards it.
"I will remember that Uncle Shiva. And one day, I hope to use my abilities to help others, to show them that there is more than one way to see the world."
In the garden's stillness, Anubis stood with Shiva, a young prince traveling a unique path molded by the unseen and the unheard, prepared to face the trials and wonders ahead.
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