The Lost Treasure

In Old Damascus there once lived a certain man named Jada. Far and wide he was famed for his great strength and fearlessness. He was a man who take risk more than anyone who lived before him and in his time and because of his courage, he was always task with difficult adventures. A certain friend of his younger days came to him and said "You, Jada, are more fortunate than anyone who had taken risky adventures and this had gained you respect and honor. I had brought for you an adventure that will not only make you fame but will bring you gold" Jada pondered for a while and wondered what it could be, "Fight the Babylonians?" He asked, he knew only the Babylonians had wealth if peradventure they're conquered. Arkad laughed, "Not a fight with Babylon my friend, it's much more rewarding than that"

"In the cave of Adola, Far beyond the coast are hidden treasures. Everyone who had gone to fetch of it never returned"

"What could be the cause?" Jada asked, "Is the land cursed?" He asked further before Arkad could speak.

"The only thing I know of is the warning sign boldly written on the entrance of the cave to keep off. But that alone is not enough to be considered a curse. But deep within me I know fate has singled you out to enjoy all the good things of life"

Even though Jada had been lucky, the thought that nothing was heard of the people who took up the risk feared him. Could it be that fate wanted to reward him for all the days of his tour? He thought, but soon waved the thought away

"Arkad, I don't think I can go"

Arkad stayed quiet for a while, Jada was his only hope to become rich. He must convince him , he thought within himself before turning to face his direction.

"What had honor and fame rewarded you with for all your years of toiling when you're as poor as the least in Damascus. If only I was as strong and courageous as you, I would have risked it for these treasures that could buy the whole of Damascus. Even the pearls that are heard are the least of treasures there".

Jada on hearing this had a change of mind, truly he was poor and nothing had he gained from all the fame for years. "So tell me all you know about the cave "

Arkad handed him the map and all the information he needed. "We'll split the treasure into two," he said.

"No, I'll have 60% of it," Jada retorted. After much talk Arkad agreed on the 60/40 and they made plans to go.

On the cave was written "Keep off" with a ghost symbol drawn beside it just as Arkad had informed him. Weird sounds echoed from the cave, and Jada could see the footprints of people on the muddy entrance.

"I'll sit here and wait for you my friend, I hope that fate rewards you with luck" Arkad said bidding him farewell.

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For days Arkad sat beside the Cave waiting for Jada. Arkad could tell Jada was still breathing through the pulse beat he read from the device he had placed on him. Days turned months and Arkad still sat, hopeful that Jada would make it. His hope gradually faded as his strength faint, several thoughts crossed his mind but he couldn't dare to go in. One fateful day, he picked up his mat and was about to return. He had imagined the loss having neglected his farm work for a year now and his survival staying longer beside the cave with the terror every night was not assured. He had walked a few distance when he heard screams and fast footsteps coming from the cave. Quickly he turned to see Jada running toward him, his face with several wounds and a torn cloth.

"The cave is cursed" was all Jada uttered as he fell weakly on the floor.

Arkad searched through the purse he was holding and saw several treasures. He looked at Jada and noticed he was motionless, he pulled out the purse and left him there to die.

Indinstinstive laughter brought Jada back to consciousness. "Your friend with whom you've bid with failed the test, and now you'll be held captive here forever" The gods whom Jada had bargained with in the cave told Jada, "You see, the reason why no one ever returned was because they never had a trustworthy friend in the face of greed, and the same your friend had done". Jada couldn't believe his one friend had betrayed him, now his entire life was held in captivity. It was better his poor wretched life than a life of captivity.