Aurelius wasn’t sure if the guards were on the lookout for a thief carrying the stolen sword, but he wasn’t going to take any chances. Aware of his predicament, Aurelius recognized the need for him to cross the city gates without being detected, a task he feared would be harder than it sounded.
As the sun sank lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the bustling main street, Aurelius knew he had to seize the opportunity provided by the continuous stream of merchants coming and going from the main city gates. It was a risky move, but the guards stationed on the walls above didn't seem to be inspecting each individual. Instead, they scanned the mass of people, their gazes sweeping over the crowd.
Aurelius mingled with the merchants, his stolen sword concealed beneath his worn cloak. He adopted a confident stride, blending in with the ebb and flow of the crowd. His heart pounded in his chest as he approached the imposing gates, praying that his disguise would be enough to avoid suspicion.
As he neared the gates, Aurelius cast a glance at the guards positioned atop the walls. They stood tall and vigilant, their armor glinting in the fading sunlight. The mass of people passing through the gates seemed to blend together in their eyes, granting Aurelius a sliver of hope.
Summoning every ounce of composure, Aurelius continued forward, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. He kept his face lowered, his features obscured by the shadow of his hood. The clamor of voices and the clattering of carts enveloped him, providing a shield of noise.
The guards' gazes swept over the crowd, their attention divided among the countless individuals making their way in and out of the city. Aurelius held his breath, a bead of sweat trickling down his temple. Would his disguise be enough to deceive them?
Time seemed to slow to a crawl as the guards' gaze roamed over the mass of people. Aurelius focused on remaining inconspicuous, his heart pounding in his ears. Every second felt like an eternity as he anxiously waited for any sign of being noticed.
Seizing the opportunity, Aurelius quickened his pace, deftly maneuvering through the gates, slipping past the threshold into the vast expanse of the outside world. Unaware of his presence, the guards remained fixated on the crowd. A wave of relief washed over Aurelius, kindling a glimmer of hope within him.
He had done it. Aurelius had escaped the city's confines, venturing towards the mountain range that loomed in the distance.
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Unknown to Aurelius, a figure had silently watched his escape from the depths of shadows. Cloaked in darkness, their intentions veiled beneath a cloak, the figure observed with unwavering focus as Aurelius embarked on his journey toward the mountain range.
Earlier, the figure's senses had been abruptly awakened from deep meditation, startled by a surge of mana coursing through the city. While not particularly significant, it possessed a unique fluctuation that piqued their curiosity. Hastening to the scene, the figure witnessed Aurelius fleeing in the opposite direction. For an inexplicable reason, when the figure looked at Aurelius a peculiar connection stirred within, like an echo of a forgotten memory. Intrigued by Aurelius' distinctive aura, the figure chose to silently follow him.
During their journey, the figure was able to tell that Aurelius' was an amateur when it came to wielding a weapon. Gauging the general direction of Aurelius’ movement, the figure guessed that he was heading towards the Silver Peak Mountain Range. However, considering Aurelius’ inexperience, the figure found themself confused as to Aurelius’ motivation for venturing into the mountain range.
As Aurelius departed from the city, the figure was left with a decision. With the power to intercept Aurelius, the figure could bring him back to the safety of the city, guide him through the mountain range, or silently watch Aurelius’ journey. After a moment of contemplation, the figure discarded each possibility and instead embraced a different decision — Aurelius would embark on this venture alone. The figure believed the mountain range would provide a valuable opportunity for Aurelius to garner experience and foster personal growth, an opportunity he needed to experience alone. Furthermore, there were more pressing matters awaiting the figure's attention. Nevertheless, curiosity lingered within the figure and they would wait for Aurelius' return.
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As Aurelius moved further away from the city, the atmosphere around him changed. The vibrant energy of the city was replaced by the silence of the wilderness. The only sounds that reached his ears came from the rustling of the trees and the occasional animal call. Gone was the constant noise that came from living an urban life, instead there was silence. To Aurelius, the eerie silence was nothing like the soothing silence he had envisioned.
Despite the silence, Aurelius bravely marched along the trail leading to the mountain range. As he gazed at the distant peaks, only a little over 20 minutes away, he saw an opportune moment to put his newly acquired sword to the test. Aurelius carefully extracted the sword from the folds of his tattered garments. The weapon felt unfamiliar in his hands, which was expected as he had never wielded one before, let alone a sword. With trepidation, he held it before him, delicately, as one would handle a fragile bird, fearing that his clumsy movements might cause harm. Suddenly, he lunged forward, a bit unsteady on his feet, utilizing the weight of the sword to generate momentum for his swing. The air resonated with a whistling sound as the steel cleaved through it. Unexpectedly, the weight of the sword toppled him forward, leaving Aurelius desperately trying to readjust his footing, only to stumble and trip. Hurtling towards the ground, Aurelius flung the sword away, praying it wouldn’t impale him. With a resounding thud, Aurelius crashed face-first into the earth.
Rolling over on the ground, Aurelius groaned in frustration, gazing up at the sky and reflecting on the life choices that had brought him to this point. With a defeated sigh, he slowly lifted himself from the ground and retrieved his sword, realizing that he would have to deal with his lack of swordsmanship another time. As the sun dipped below the horizon, urgency struck Aurelius as he recognized the pressing need to secure a place to rest for the night. In the city, despite being homeless, he always managed to find a somewhat safe place to rest, whether it was on a rooftop or in an alleyway. However, now beyond the city's borders, Aurelius began to comprehend the gravity of his predicament.
As the darkness of the night grew deeper, Aurelius's weariness urged him to find a place to rest. As he continued along the path leading up to the mountain the terrain became rugged, with towering cliffs and dense vegetation. Just as he was about to lose hope, his keen eyes caught a glimpse of a hidden opening nestled within a rocky outcrop—a cave.
Aurelius's heart quickened with a glimmer of relief. With renewed determination, he approached the cave cautiously, his senses alert for any signs of danger. Once he stood at the entrance of the cave, he cursed himself for his lack of foresight. Without a torch or any source of light, venturing into the pitch-black unknown seemed like an obvious act of foolishness.
Aurelius hesitated, his heart pounding with unease. He knew he couldn't afford to be picky, though. The night was unforgiving, and he needed shelter urgently. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Aurelius cautiously stepped into the cave. The absence of light swallowed him whole, leaving him to rely on his other senses.
His hands outstretched before him, Aurelius moved forward with painstaking slowness. His fingertips brushed against rough surfaces, tracing the walls of the cave as he navigated through the darkness. Every step was a gamble, as he carefully felt for uneven terrain or obstacles that might trip him up.
The air inside the cave felt cool and damp, adding to his discomfort. He strained his ears, listening for any echoes or sounds that could guide him to a suitable resting spot. Water droplets dripped somewhere in the distance, their faint pitter-patter providing a subtle sense of direction.
As Aurelius continued deeper into the cave, the darkness seemed to intensify. It pressed in on him from all sides, making it difficult to discern his surroundings. Fear gripped his heart, but he refused to give in. He had come too far to turn back now.
After what felt like an eternity, Aurelius's foot hit something solid on the ground. He crouched down, feeling the surface with his hands. It was a flat stone, indicating the presence of a small ledge or platform. With cautious hope, he lowered himself onto it, finding a makeshift seat in the darkness.
Aurelius rested his back against the cave wall, feeling weary and sore. The darkness enveloped him like a heavy blanket, and he struggled to find comfort in the cold, damp atmosphere. Every sound seemed magnified in the absence of light, and his mind played tricks on him, conjuring up imaginary threats lurking in the shadows. It took a while, but eventually sleep claimed Aurelius.