For days, Anubis traveled through the woods, feeling his way with the help of his refined senses and instincts. He carried a magic bag, a unique relic that, when filled was as light as a feather but had restrictions.
He had brought enough food to sustain him for a lengthy voyage and sufficient gold coins to cover any unexpected costs.
Tension permeated the air back in Valoria's magnificent palace. Anubis had vanished, and King Ra had just learned of it. Ra's voice resounded urgently in the royal apartments as he addressed his commanders.
"My son is missing! He must be found immediately. Search the city, leave no stone unturned."
The commander: "At once, my lord. We'll deploy our best men to scour the city."
Clearly concerned, the Queen said, "Could he have ventured beyond the city walls? He's never done anything like this before."
"I doubt he would dare. But extend the search to the outskirts, just in case."
Anubis had already ridden off on the golden dragon and was sailing west when they set up search parties.
They had no idea that their prince was setting out on a quest for self-discovery, motivated by a desire to learn more about the world outside the gated existence of royalty.
The commander: "We'll start with the palace grounds and then move to the city. We'll question the guards at the gates, check with the dragon keepers, and speak to the common folk in the marketplaces."
The king: "How could this have happened? He's never shown any interest in leaving the palace alone."
"Perhaps we've underestimated his curiosity or need to find his way."
King Ra: (with a sigh) "Perhaps. Keep me informed of any developments. We must find him before any harm befalls him."
Bowing, the commander hurried out to start the hunt. Ra and the Queen were left alone in the chamber, their hearts heavy with worry for their son.
In the meantime, Anubis made his way across the rugged terrain, his heart and mind receptive to the experiences and lessons ahead. He was only thinking about the path forward, which he thought would bring him to a better understanding of himself and the world around him, and he was unaware of the ruckus his departure had caused.
Anubis noticed a significant shift in the surroundings as he proceeded through the woods. Something changed around him, and he could feel a massive presence looming in the distance. The atmosphere was announcing the coming of something truly remarkable.
Anubis saw a sharp difference between the world he was leaving behind and what lay ahead as the clouds parted above him. Past the fading clouds came complete darkness, a night so dense and all-encompassing that it appeared to engulf everything in its path.
This blackness was concentrated around a massive mountain, an enormous structure so large it dwarfed all around it that Anubis could sense rather than see.
Despite the overwhelming possibility, Anubis continued to move forward with unrelenting conviction. He knew getting over this mountain, always covered in darkness, would be challenging and test his determination and skills.
Weeks went by while Anubis moved closer to the peak. With every stride he took, the darkness closed in around him, a night seemingly devoid of stars or moonlight. The sounds of the surrounding wildness also shifted, growing softer, as though the wind and its creatures were afraid of this never-ending darkness.
Nevertheless, Anubis persisted, relying on his enhanced perception and the senses he had developed throughout travel. As he approached the mountain, the landscape became more rocky and steep, and the dirt under his boots gave way to rock.
Anubis felt the immensity of the mountain as he started his ascent. Only his breathing and the occasional loose stone rolling down the slopes broke the intense, calm, colder air here.
Anubis finally reached the top of the mountain after a challenging ascent. The blackness all about him seemed almost natural, and the air was thin and frigid. Here, at this lonely summit, he came upon creatures he had only heard about in stories told to him by the royal maids: the night creatures, surviving enemies of his father.
These creatures were as terrifying as the tales had said, lurking in the shadows just outside Valoria's boundaries. Anubis felt them coming before he could hear or feel them as he stood atop the mountain.
The figures of the creatures, nightmare-like and twisted, loomed out of the shadows. Their lengthened limbs culminated in pointed, claw-like fingers, and they were gaunt and tall.
Their skin seemed to absorb the little light that was present around them. It was a dark, mottled gray that resembled the rough bark of old trees.
Their most scary aspect was their eyes, which glowed a dark, evil crimson and were driven by a basic yet sophisticated hunger.
Anubis could hear the faint rustle of their skin against the rocks, the subtle, almost imperceptible whispers of their movement. The closer they got, the colder it became, and their presence carried an air of untamed evil.
There was a noticeable strain in the air. Anubis, blinded by their craving for blood, could sense their yearning for mayhem and devastation. They circled him carefully as if relishing the instant before the blow with a terrifying grace.
Anubis remained steadfast, his heart pounding with determination to face whatever came next. The knowledge and experience he had gained, the insight Shiva had given him, and the bravery he had inherited from his family became apparent as he readied himself to face these relics of his father's previous struggles.
With their goal evident in the unsettling glow of their eyes, the creatures closed in, their breath sounding like the hiss of shadows. Anubis steeled himself, prepared to confront what was ahead as his voyage approached a critical and dangerous turning point. It was unclear what fate these terrifying creatures had in store for him.
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