The Prince's Visit To The Sacred Cave [Fiction]

"Father, I'm ready," I said firmly, buttoning my peacoat. I dusted my side, raised my collar and pocketed my gloved hands. My father walked out of his room dressed for the cold weather as well. It was a big day for me.

He nodded in satisfaction. "Good. A prince must be neatly dressed. Come on then."

We began the long walk to a sacred cave on top of the Brick Mountain in the village. In my father's words, I would understand my responsibility as a future leader better. I scoffed in my head.

My quaint village was neither poor nor rich. My father was the king and I, prince and next in line to the throne. We had everything in moderation and I found that strange from a young age. I travelled to neighbouring villages, towns and cities and saw how prosperous those places are. It appeared no one had ambitions for more, including my father.

I was ten when I rebelled and attempted to visit the sacred cave with my friends. We were told it held many treasures. We got lost on the way and almost died until Father and some guards came to our rescue.

"That cave is out of bounds to every folk in this village, especially you," he roared at me that day. "Some day, when you are older, you'll understand why," he added calmly. The love in his expression allowed the message to sink in; he was relieved we were not hurt.

The night I turned sixteen, my father came up to my room and told me, "Tomorrow, you and I will visit the sacred cave. Therein lies the answers you've been seeking." Sleep eluded me that night.

We hiked up the mountain and stopped at the entrance of the cave. "Father?" I whispered as he was lost in thought, staring at the surroundings, his face grim and his eyes attentive.

"Come. Stay by my side no matter what you hear or see. Understood?"

"Yes, father." I trembled inside.

We stepped into the dark cave and flame torches attached to the walls lit up at once. There was an ancient tomb further inside the cave. We walked towards it and Father murmured some words like a song. Big stones piled in a criss-cross manner hissed and began to fall apart. I gasped. Father pulled me back a little.

^{Image credit: @wakeupkitty}

Once the tomb was wide open, we stepped inside and I gasped again, loudly. A mound of glittering gold, precious ornaments and dazzling jewellery glistened in the dark. A grotesque-looking skeleton with an eerie smile knelt on the gold coins, its bony fingers tightly wrapped around a replica of my father's crown. Beside it was a weathered brown shield, etched with faded sigils, and a sword.

"Woah, father. We have all these treasures yet live poorly," I said absentmindedly, my thoughts filled with the beauty on the cold stone floor of the tomb. Images of the things I could do with the treasures filled my head and the love of—

"Gregory!" My father roared, his dark, angry eyes snapping me back from wherever my thoughts had wandered. I blinked rapidly. It was like I was seeing him for the first time.

"I-I'm sorry, father. I don't know what happened."

He sighed. "What happened is these treasures." He pointed and gritted his teeth. "They are cursed and can hypnotise anyone to steal them and spread their poison. You are not anyone, you are the prince. You have the power over it."

"Is that why no one is allowed up here?"

"Exactly. Contrary to what you and your friends may think, our village is not poor. As long as this cave stands and the treasures are untouched, we'll always have peace, good harvest every year and our lands will keep flourishing. This right here is the price we paid and that skeleton is the one of your ancestors who gave his life as a token to keep our lands safe."

Everything began to make sense. "It would be a most foolhardy adventure to release the treasure for that would mean a curse on the monarchy and our people. Understood?" Father asked, his gaze fixed sternly on me. I nodded vigorously with renewed respect and love for him.

I knelt on the cold hard stone and took an oath, slicing my palm with my father's dagger and letting my blood drip on the entrance to the tomb. A slight breeze from nowhere brushed against me and my resolve hardened like a rock.

I no longer felt any attraction to the treasure.

"Now you are ready to take on some of my duties as a king," Father said with pride in his eyes. I embraced him.

What I See

A treasure trove containing gold, trinkets, and ornaments. A skeleton with an eerie smile kneels on it whilst grabbing a crown. Beside it is an old shield and sword.

What I Feel

Curiosity and excitement at the shiny things.

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