Lost in the Multiverse - Short Story Collection

3. Treasure Hunters

Genre: adventure, fantasy

The sun beat down mercilessly as I made my way through the thick underbrush, my hiking boots crunching on the dry leaves and branches scattered across the forest floor. Sweat ran down my spine, soaking into the fabric of my T-shirt as I pushed aside low-hanging branches, clearing a path deeper into the unknown.

I paused for a moment, wiping my brow with the back of my hand, and consulted the worn map I held tightly in my other fist. According to the cryptographic inscriptions scrawled on the parchment, the entrance to the legendary cave must be somewhere nearby. But as far as I could see, there was nothing but endless trees and occasional flashes of sunlight filtering through the canopy above.

With a deep sigh, I grabbed the strong rope and began my descent, my heart pounding with anticipation. Rough stone walls blurred past me as I descended, my gloved hands expertly guiding me along the route outlined by the guide, who had carefully placed anchors and carabiners.

As I approached the base, my boots scraped against the rock, searching for secure footing. Finally, I noticed a small ledge that served as a precarious perch. I shifted my weight carefully, my palms slick with sweat as I tested the stability of the narrow shelf.

" Hold on, Maria," I muttered under my breath, taking a moment to catch my breath before continuing into the darkness of the cave.

As I stepped off the ledge onto the cave floor, the beam of my flashlight cut through the oppressive darkness, casting eerie shadows on the ancient stone walls. The air was cool and damp, heavy with the scent of centuries-old earth and the faintest hint of mineral-rich water.

I stood there for a moment, taking in my surroundings. A narrow passage stretched ahead of me, disappearing around a bend some distance ahead. At the top, the hole through which I had descended was barely visible, a small circle of pale light high above my head.

" This is definitely the second level," I thought out loud, shining a flashlight on the ground. I wonder what treasures might be hidden down here...

With renewed determination, I adjusted my backpack and moved forward, the steady thud of my boots echoing off the cold stones as I walked deeper into the depths of the cave.

My foot slipped on the uneven surface, catching on a loose tile that buckled under my weight. A terrified scream ripped from my throat as I fell forward, arms flailing wildly in a desperate attempt to break my fall.

But fate had other plans. A split second before impact, strong fingers closed around my wrist, stopping my fall. I landed hard on top of the stranger, the wind knocking me completely out as I gasped for air.

For a moment we just lay there in a tangled heap on the cold, wet ground. Then, slowly, I began to feel the solid warmth of the man's body pressed against mine, the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. And, most disconcertingly, the mocking glint in his eyes as he looked at me with a knowing grin.

" It's been a while since I had such a charming lady lying on my body," he teased, his blue eyes shining with pleasure as he looked approvingly at my flushed face and tousled hair.

My blush deepened at his bold comment and I quickly stood up, brushing dirt and debris from my pants. "Well, let's just consider this a happy coincidence for you, shall we?"

I retorted, trying to keep my voice playful despite the nervous fluttering in my stomach.

The man laughed, a warm, infectious sound that calmed me despite my initial confusion. "Luck indeed," he agreed, gracefully rising to his feet and offering me his hand. "By the way, my name is Ethan".