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Chapter 48: The Path of Souls

Anubis, the jackal demigod, walked steadily ahead of the protagonists, his imposing figure marking the path through the unsettling Realm of the Dead. The landscape surrounding them seemed suspended in an eternal silence, as if time itself had lost its meaning in this place. An absolute emptiness filled the air, and with each step, the protagonists felt the cold seeping into their bones. The ground was covered in a spectral mist, and the shadows of motionless bodies stretched out into the distance, creating an eerie and desolate scene.

Anubis paused briefly, and with his deep, solemn voice, began to speak, explaining the nature of their surroundings:

—Death is only the beginning of another journey —he said, his tone as unwavering as the very realm he ruled—. When a mortal dies, their body and soul separate. The soul, the very essence of their being, is guided beyond, to a place beyond all comprehension. Meanwhile, the physical body is transported here, to this realm, where it dissolves and becomes part of this silent land.

The protagonists watched, both fascinated and horrified, as an ethereal figure—a bright and pure soul—slowly ascended toward the sky, leaving its body behind. The body, which had once contained life, remained motionless on the ground, but not for long. Gradually, it began to disintegrate, as if the Realm of the Dead itself was reclaiming it. The soulless body faded into the mist, being absorbed by the dark, dense earth.

Anubis observed the scene in silence, as though it was a cycle he had witnessed thousands of times.

—The soul, freed from the chains of the physical body, continues its journey to places you cannot comprehend —Anubis explained, his voice echoing through the void—. But the body, without a soul, is condemned to walk here, trapped in this realm. It is an endless cycle for those who no longer belong to either the world of the living or the beyond.

The protagonists were overwhelmed as they saw other empty bodies wandering aimlessly across the landscape. Without a soul to give them purpose, these beings were nothing more than shadows, endlessly walking, their steps heavy and their fates uncertain. Moving slowly, without direction, they seemed like echoes of what they once were, distorted reflections of past lives that no longer had meaning.

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Anubis continued, his gaze fixed on the soulless bodies moving through the Realm of the Dead:

—Existence in this realm is unlike any other. Without the soul, the body is nothing more than an empty shell, condemned to wander eternally. They feel nothing, think nothing, and have no purpose. But not all who exist here are empty.

The protagonists turned to Anubis, curiosity piqued, intrigued by what the demigod had said.

—There are beings who retain their soul, even in this realm —Anubis added, with a slight reverence in his tone—. The guardians of this place, known as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, are the personification of the most powerful aspects of death. They protect this realm and ensure that these empty bodies cannot return to the world of the living to sow chaos.

The air around them seemed to grow heavier as Anubis spoke those words. The power of the Horsemen resonated in every corner of this place, and the protagonists began to realize that death was far more complex than they had ever imagined.

Anubis stopped before a vast expanse of dark earth, pointing toward the horizon where the shadows of the soulless bodies merged with the mist.

—The Horsemen of the Apocalypse are the most powerful guardians of this realm. They not only protect the balance between life and death, but also ensure that those consumed by the Realm of the Dead remain here. Without them, chaos would be unleashed upon the world of the living.

The protagonists, although they had heard of the Horsemen, had never truly understood the extent of their power until now. The Realm of the Dead was not merely a place of eternal rest; it was a place of control, of vigilance, and the Four Horsemen were the ones tasked with maintaining that balance.

Anubis, turning slowly to face the protagonists, concluded:

—Here, in the Realm of the Dead, you will learn that death is neither good nor bad. It is not a punishment nor a reward. It is simply another step in the cycle of existence. But not everyone accepts that cycle. Some try to escape... and that is when the Horsemen must intervene.

Anubis’ final words echoed in the air, leaving the protagonists with a mix of curiosity and fear. The mention of those who attempted to escape from the Realm of the Dead, and the need for the Horsemen to stop them, reminded them that not all souls were at peace. Something darker lurked in the depths of this realm.

As the shadows continued to move slowly in the distance, the protagonists understood that what they were about to face in this realm was not merely a matter of death, but of a power far greater and more terrifying.

The journey through the Realm of the Dead had only just begun, and the weight of eternity grew stronger with every step they took.