The Forgotten Ruins

The jungle was alive with sound: the screech of birds, the rustle of unseen creatures, and the faint whisper of wind through the dense canopy. Sarah wiped the sweat from her brow, her machete slicing through the thick vines that blocked the path. Behind her, Max huffed, carrying a backpack brimming with supplies.

“I told you we should’ve taken the north trail,” Max muttered, his voice muffled by exhaustion.

Sarah turned to him, her green eyes gleaming with determination. “And miss the chance to explore uncharted territory? Where’s your sense of adventure?”

Max groaned but said nothing more. They had been trekking for three days, following an ancient map that Sarah had found tucked inside her grandfather’s journal. According to the map, the forgotten ruins of Tikal’an—rumored to house untold treasures—lay somewhere deep within this jungle.

As they pushed forward, the vegetation began to thin, revealing a massive stone archway entwined with ivy. Carved into the stone were symbols unlike anything they’d seen before. Sarah ran her fingers over the carvings, her heart racing.

“This is it,” she whispered.

Max dropped his pack and stared. “It’s… incredible. But how do we get in?”

Sarah noticed a series of circular grooves on the archway. She reached into her pocket, retrieving a golden amulet they’d discovered in an earlier expedition. Carefully, she placed it into the largest groove. The ground trembled, and the archway slid open with a low rumble, revealing a dark passage.

“Ladies first?” Max offered weakly, shining his flashlight into the abyss.

Sarah smirked. “Coward.” She stepped inside, the beam of her own flashlight cutting through the gloom. The air was cool and damp, carrying the faint scent of moss. Their footsteps echoed against the stone walls as they ventured deeper.

Suddenly, a loud click echoed through the tunnel.

“Uh, Sarah?” Max’s voice trembled. “What was that?”

Before Sarah could respond, the floor beneath them shifted. Massive stone blades shot out from the walls, swinging perilously close.

“Run!” Sarah shouted.

The two darted through the corridor, narrowly dodging the traps. They stumbled into a vast chamber where a golden pedestal stood at the center, holding a glittering crystal orb.

Sarah’s breath caught. “The Heart of Tikal’an.”

Max approached cautiously. “You don’t think it’s cursed, do you?”

“Only one way to find out.” Sarah reached for the orb. The moment her fingers touched it, the room began to shake. The walls lit up with ancient runes, and a low growl filled the air.

“Uh, Sarah?” Max pointed at the far wall, where a massive stone statue was coming to life. Its glowing eyes fixed on them, and it raised a giant club.

“Time to go!” Sarah yelled, shoving the orb into her bag.

The statue roared, swinging its club as the two sprinted back through the passageway, dodging traps and falling debris. They burst out into the sunlight just as the ruins collapsed behind them.

Panting, Max looked at Sarah and grinned. “Worth it?”

Sarah held up the orb, its surface shimmering with unearthly light. “Absolutely.”

And as they disappeared into the jungle, the faint growl of the ruins warned them: adventure always comes at a price.