[treasure] Treasure Hunting - Ch 2

Karmster enjoyed every step along the shore of Carina Cove. The sand beneath her feet was soft and warm, and the fresh breeze brought the smell of the ocean mixed with the subtle scent of wet greenery. It was a bright summer day, and the water glistened in the sunlight like it was covered in tiny diamonds. She loved these moments, when she could explore the shores in peace, forgetting worries and just absorbing the energy of this majestic place.

But something soon caught her attention. A faint glint flashed at the base of the cliff where the water had just receded, exposing a passage she had not noticed before. For a moment her gaze lingered on a narrow crevice surrounded by green mosses and thin strands of vines. The tidal water had receded, and the passage in the rock seemed to call to her, beckoning to enter, promising unknown discoveries. A sense of curiosity is a trait that always drives one to new places and discoveries. She knew that caves like this, hidden from view, could hold some of nature's rarest gifts.

Taking a couple cautious steps, symprite approached the passage, ducked down, and slipped through the crevice into the dusky space. Inside, the cave was cool, the air was heavier and smelled of something ancient and unknown, as if silence had reigned here for millennia. Her eyes gradually grew accustomed to the semi-darkness and soon she could make out thin rays of light shining through the cracks in the stone vaults, illuminating this underground world.

Karmster moved cautiously, and each movement echoed lightly. The walls of the cave were covered with thickets of moss and ancient lichens, and beneath her feet were shards of minerals, small fragments that had once broken away from the rock. Karmster caught every sound, feeling the surrounding space fill with a strange, almost magical atmosphere. Each step she took had its own melody - a slight crunch, a rustle, drops of water falling into small puddles. Symprite walked deeper and deeper, carried away by this world, not knowing where this road would lead.

After walking for a while, Karmster noticed crystals hidden in the stone walls, looking like small stars embedded in the eternal stone. They sparkled and shimmered, reflecting the light from the cracks in the rock. The crystals seemed like gems given by nature to those brave enough to make it here. Fascinated by their mysterious glow, she approached one of these clusters and discovered that among the crystals lurked something larger - a mineral shimmering in all shades of blue and gold.

Holding her breath, the girl knelt down and scrutinized the find. The crystal was large and unusually shaped, with sharp edges, as if cut by someone's skillful hand. Its structure seemed perfect, and inside it were small flashes of light, shimmering and sparkling with her every movement. The mineral looked like a small piece of the night sky encased in cold stone and Karmster ran her claw over its surface, feeling the pleasant coolness. The find was so beautiful that for a moment she forgot about everything but this marvelous treasure found by chance in the midst of a deserted cave.

Symprite slowly stood up and began to ponder. Should she have taken this crystal with her or left it here as part of this ancient place? The mineral looked as if it came from the very depths of the bowels, but at the same time its extraordinary beauty made her greedily want to keep it. It was a resource that could be traded or used to create tools, but it was also a natural wonder, fragile and unique. The find was so unexpected that heart beat harder and she realized she couldn't leave the cave without this treasure.

Gently hooking her claws around the protruding part, Karmster gently pulled the stone, being careful not to damage it. The natural wonder succumbed to her efforts, and a moment later the crystal was in her hands, cold as winter ice and surprisingly smooth. For a moment she thought the mineral made a faint tinkling sound, as if nature were reminding that the treasure in hands was part of her secret world. The girl clutched the find to chest, feeling an exciting and powerful energy seem to be transmitted from it.

When she turned to leave, the same silence with which the heroine had entered met her outside. The echo of footsteps no longer seemed alien, but as if to welcome, becoming part of something whole. This day, this light and smells had become something special. Karmster realized that this moment would stay with her forever, because such finds in life are few and far between, and even fewer remain so firmly in heart as this amazing journey into the depths of the cave.

Sunlight met at the rocky archway, blinding her for a moment. She walked out, holding the crystal in paws, feeling a slight thrill and gratitude for this ancient place. The world around seemed brighter and more alive, as if with this artifact she had brought out a piece of ancient light that would never forget.