Anubis's hair was a remarkable characteristic that made him stand out; it was a silvery waterfall with an almost ethereal quality. Each strand caught the light, making it seem dazzling, shimmering like moonlight. The shade of silver was not merely a dull, flat tone; it had depth and diversity intertwined with threads that glistened like stars and hinted at a faint, almost translucent gray.
His hair was silky and smooth, falling freely and softly with every motion, creating the appearance of a silken veil that was artfully thrown around his shoulders and face. It fell in soft, organic waves that accentuated his young features and gave him an appearance of otherworldliness and purity.
The silver became more brilliant, almost luminous in the sunlight, as though every hair was made of the tiniest threads of light. But under the moonlight, it seemed to melt into the darkness, a soft glow that reminded me of the soft glow of the early evening sky.
The boy prince, now seven years old, sat with Shiva in a private garden within the castle.
"Uncle Shiva, tell me about the world outside these walls. What does it look like," the prince said, his voice curious.
Shiva, who had always been there for the prince, gave him a soft grin.
"The world is a vast and beautiful place, young prince. Some mountains touch the sky, rivers that shine like silver under the sun, and forests so dense and green, they seem endless."
With his gaze fixed on the sky, the prince cocked his head. "And the people, Uncle Shiva, what are they like? Are they as diverse as the landscapes you describe?"
As Shiva responded, his eyes gleamed with insight. "Indeed, they are, young prince. People come in all forms, much like the lands they inhabit. Some are as steadfast as the mountains, while others are as fluid as the rivers. Their hearts and minds are as varied as the colors of the forest."
Anubis, the prince, nodded reflectively. "Do they know of me? Of my voidic soul and sightless eyes?"
"Some people do," Shiva said thoughtfully. "Your birth was a significant event. Many are curious about you, the prince with a unique aura and unseen vision."
Anubis scowled a little bit. "Do they fear me? Or think I am weak because I cannot see?"
Shiva gave the prince a comforting pat on the shoulder. "Some might fear what they do not understand, but that is their limitation, not yours. And as for strength, true strength comes from within. Your lack of sight is only a part of you, not the whole."
The prince thought about this, his impressionable mind trying to make sense of the intricacies of reality and perception. "I wish to meet them to show them I am more than my blindness or aura."
"And you will, one day," Shiva asserted. "You will venture beyond these walls and meet the people of Valoria. You will learn from them, and they will learn from you."
Anubis grinned and spoke in a determined tone. "I will be a good prince, Uncle. I will be wise and just, like father, and kind and loving, like mother. I will show them that even a prince with a voidic soul can be a beacon of light."
Shiva grinned with pride. "I have no doubt, young prince. You have a heart as vast as the world itself. And remember, even though you do not see the light, you can still be the light for others."
With a heart full of hopes and dreams, the young prince Anubis sat in that quiet garden, prepared to accept whatever fate had in store for him. His trip was just getting started; it would determine not only his destiny but also the destiny of the whole Valorian realm.
In the privacy of his quarters, Ra spoke with Shiva, his countenance a mixture of thoughtfulness and worry.
Sitting across from Ra in the somber silence of his quarters, I could sense the worry etched deeply on his face, a reflection of the turmoil I knew all too well.
"How fares Anubis, my brother?" Ra asked, his voice laden with a father's deep concern.
Looking into Ra's anxious eyes, I masked my own unease. Inside, I harbored doubts about Anubis, a sense of foreboding darkness I couldn't yet reveal. "He possesses great wisdom and understanding, far beyond his years," I lied, diverting from the truth of the disturbing undercurrents I felt within the boy.
Ra leaned forward, his brow furrowed with worry. "And his magical abilities? Any development?"
The darkness I sensed in Anubis was alarming, a lurking malevolence I dared not yet voice. I hesitated, choosing my words with care. "No, brother, there hasn't been any notable advancement in his magical prowess," I said, hiding my true perception of the boy's latent, ominous potential.
A fleeting look of disappointment crossed Ra's face, quickly replaced by a sense of relief. Outside the palace, rumors swirled about Anubis, seen as an enigmatic and potentially dangerous outlier, akin to the fearsome creatures of ancient myths.
"I had hoped he would show signs of our magical lineage. The gods seem to have other intentions," Ra sighed, his voice tinged with resignation.
I nodded, fully aware of the complex web we were entangled in. "It's a challenging path, indeed. But young Anubis has gifts beyond magic - his insight, his compassion... these are rare virtues," I said, concealing my real thoughts about the boy's unnerving disposition.
Through the glass, we watched Anubis wander the gardens, a solitary figure in his own world.
"Do the people still fear him?" Ra asked, concern evident in his tone.
"Yes," I admitted, feeling a chill as I thought of the boy's voidic aura and the
bloodlust I sensed within him. "The unknown breeds fear. His voidic aura, his blindness... they are misunderstood, and fear follows misunderstanding."
Ra's fists clenched, a visible sign of his inner struggle. "We must then prepare him for the world beyond these walls. He must be fortified, in spirit, mind, and body."
"Indeed, we must," I agreed, my mind racing with thoughts of the darkness within Anubis that could one day erupt. "Perhaps, in time, the people will see him for who he truly is, beyond their fears."
"For Anubis's sake and for Valoria's future," Ra murmured, hope and uncertainty mingling in his voice. "We must guide him, nurture his inherent strengths. His journey won't be easy, but he won't be alone."
In the quiet of the room, I remained outwardly calm, yet internally conflicted.
Despite my spoken assurances, I feared the latent darkness within Anubis, the potential for chaos he might unleash. Yet, bound by duty and loyalty, I was committed to guiding him, all the while silently dreading the uncertain path that lay ahead for him and for the realm. - Shiva
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