The Sage Rat

With peace restored, The Sage Rat resumed his journey, departing from the Mountain of Peace under the gentle glow of dawn. Guided by an ancient map, he ventured south toward the mysterious Underground Forest, a land veiled in legends and said to hold ancient wisdom long forgotten.

*A Path Through Stony Hills

The lush green plains soon gave way to rugged hills dotted with jagged rocks. The air grew colder as the path twisted through steep inclines. Along the way, The Sage Rat and the glowing Encyclopedia Ball discovered peculiar stones scattered across the terrain, each inscribed with cryptic markings.

"What are these markings?" the Encyclopedia Ball hummed as it hovered near one of the larger stones.

"They could be remnants of a lost civilization" the Sage Rat mused, his curiosity piqued. "These symbols seem to tell a story."

Running a paw gently across the carved surface of a large stone, the Sage Rat suddenly felt a vision flicker in his mind:

The Myth of the "Gods of the Depths"

According to the ancient tale, this land was once home to colossal beings—the Gods of the Depths—who ruled the ecosystem of the underground. They thrived in the shadows and wielded the power of luminous crystals buried within the earth. However, a great conflict among the gods led to their downfall, leaving their domain shattered. Before vanishing, they etched stones with clues to their knowledge, a path for the brave to uncover the truths buried within the forest's depths.

"Are these parables or warnings?" the Encyclopedia Ball pondered aloud.

"Perhaps both" the Sage Rat replied, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "If these stones lead to the Underground Forest, we must follow."

First Signs of Danger

As they ventured deeper into the unknown, the carvings grew more elaborate, seemingly guiding them toward a specific destination. But the journey also became treacherous. The winds turned colder, and strange echoes resonated from the rocky crevices around them.

Stopping briefly at the entrance to a small cave, the Sage Rat noticed the last inscribed stone nearby. Its message read:

"Those who do not respect the darkness shall never see the light of truth."