The song of the waterfall echoed through the quiet evening. It leaped into the pool below sending ripples through the tranquil turquoise water sprinkled with twinkling stars that end up smacking against the rocky shore. Moss crept on the soaked stones declaring the lush vegetation guarding the hidden treasure of nature. Splash! Ace Emin dashed into the pool erupting the noiseless night. He dove into the water and rushed over to the waterfall. Ace found a small cave hidden by the waterfall and crawled inside. His heart pounded inside his chest. He set the satchel swung around his shoulders down on his lap and crept further into the dark until it was impossible to the light on the other side. Voices echoed outside. Ace spun around and kept his eyes on the side the voices came from and scooted his way through the cave, wandering aimlessly with the only goal in mind to get away from his pursuers for the crown inside his satchel could not get in their hands.

His hands slipped, and he tumbled out of the cave into a world of glistening gems. Lively colors of yellow, orange, red, and pink glowed from the treasures and filled him with wonder and excitement. Ace scrambled to his feet and brushed off the loose pebbles pressed in his hands before wandering over to the jewels. He found small shattered pieces of the beautiful treasures and stuffed them into the satchel with the royal crown. An eerie glow drifted off in the distance. Ace followed the path paved through the hidden world of wonder and peered at the colors all around him as hunted after the light. At the end of the path was a minty green pool embedded with emeralds.

After lingering a few minutes at the bank of the pool, Ace set down his satchel on the rocks and placed his hand in the water that sent him shivers. The water was ice cold. Despite the icy temperatures, he slipped into the emerald pool and glanced back at his satchel. Was it safe to set down? Were his pursuers still near? Did they give up? Ace froze and listened for any signs of other humans. It was silent. Breathe! He whispered to his racing heart. He was safe. Ace forced himself to turn his attention to the emeralds below his feet and remembered to breathe for the first time all day. Goosebumps ran up his arms, and his teeth clattered together. However, he stayed in the emerald pool allowing the treasures around him to carry away his worries for the time being. Ace dove toward the emerald floor and brushed his hands on the gems until he found a loose stone. He clutched the emerald and popped back up to the surface as the glow from the pool faded away leaving him in the dark. The satchel he swore to protect came back to his mind that caused him to panic and swam toward the bank. Ace crawled on the rocks and searched the world of treasures for the satchel. It was gone! He had failed, and his kingdom was doomed.

"Oh Ace Emin, it seems they never taught you the proverb: If you carry treasure, never travel at night!" his pursuers scoffed before locking him inside the prison that deceived treasure hunters into believing it was a quarry embedded with treasure.