Unknown Tomb

The persistent clicking echoed in the stillness. I grasped the ancient lock, its surface coated in dust, and applied pressure. Remarkably, it remained intact, unyielding to my touch.

A curious arch formed in my brows as I pondered, "How curious that my strength fails to shatter this lock." In that moment, I resolved to summon every ounce of power within me, veins straining against my skin. With a resounding crack, the lock surrendered, cleaving in two.

As it clattered to the ground, I repeated the act with the other two locks, each yielding to my force.

The door creaked open, a low grinding sound reverberating through the air.

Crown's expression was peculiar, a silent observer amidst the unfolding drama. His usual chatter was absent, a strange contrast that I dismissed.

A whisper of wind brushed against us, carrying a chill that seeped into our bones. A moment of uncertainty flickered in our hearts, yet we pressed onward into the enveloping gloom.

The acrid scent intensified, mingling with the relentless clicking, as if shadows themselves were drawing near.

We glanced back, searching the darkness for any sign of life, but found only the echo of that relentless sound and the bitter aroma. Suddenly, a flicker of orange light ignited, revealing candles nestled within dark green wreaths atop a rounded wooden table.

Our breaths caught in our throats as we beheld the sight before us. In the room's center lay a golden Egyptian coffin, a marvel crafted from wood, stone, metal, and pottery, adorned with intricate hieroglyphics and vivid imagery.

Gold and silver intertwined upon its surface, a striking contrast to the dust-laden surroundings. How peculiar it was that while the room lay shrouded in neglect, the coffin remained pristine.

It was then that Crown's voice broke the heavy silence, a warning laced with unease. "Dawn, we should leave. We mustn't disturb anything here. The consequences could be dire." I nodded, yet a spark of curiosity ignited within me. "Yes, but I must see what lies within the coffin."

As we approached the coffin, I gently pushed the lid aside, revealing a sight that sent shivers down our spines.

There, nestled within the shadows, was an owl—a mask, to be precise. An ancient artifact, steeped in history.

The edges glimmered with dark gold feathers, while the inner plumage around the eyes shimmered in deep blue or black.

The eyes and beak gleamed with a radiant gold, captivating yet eerie.

Beneath this enigmatic mask lay a human skeleton, draped in a tattered garment that offered scant modesty.

Surrounding the skeletal figure were amulets and jewels, their significance lost to time. Inscribed on the side of the coffin was a script, foreign and indecipherable to my eyes. Crown's voice broke the silence, filled with awe, "Incredible! How did we remain oblivious to this Egyptian tomb?"

Just then, a sound began to swell, echoing through the air, growing louder with each passing moment.