Stepping below the surface felt euphoric and strange. It was cold but there was a heat emanating from somewhere he couldn't quite pinpoint. Whatever presence that had led Petrichor here in the dead of night hadn't really left but it was clear it would offer no help the deeper he crawled. Even for him, this was impulsive and stupid, but the feeling was quickly transcended by wonder as the caves welcomed him in further.

From every story he'd heard as a child, there were treasures, unlike anything he'd ever seen before practically filling the place up. From what he could see, there was just rock... a lot of it. Then again, it would take time to get far enough for the place to perhaps recognize it had a guest.

No doubt all this was absolutely insane. Never once had he gotten proper training or even talked to the Coursers that regularly dived down for quests. He had sat on the side as younger yearlings trained with bright shines in their eyes. He watched as they came back from quests with noticeably duller looks years later. Still, they were trained by some of the best of the best and still struggled. Their struggles were worn clearly as they were rushed to medical facilities.

As far as he was aware, he was going about it all completely blind. Literally, too. The deeper he went, the darker it got. A presence grew insistent at his side before it flickered and the cave lit up like a flurry of fireflies had come to help out. Huffing out a breath, he centers himself and steels his resolve.

Only the sound of his own hooves gave him any semblance of ambiance. The occasional drip of water greeted his ears as they swiveled to meet each vibration. Something was beckoning him forward with each noise.

'Follow me,' it sounded like the whisper he kept hearing, even in his childhood.

Soon, the cave opened up and he was staring out an expanse he couldn't quite fathom. Hidden beneath miles of thick stone was a whole other world that retook the kingdom of Old. Plants spiraled up to artificial light sources. Some reached like ivy from the ceiling way above his head to the ground far beneath his hooves.

It wasn't like any of the stories he'd heard about back home. A bug, unnoticed before, lands down on a pile of rocks beside him. It was far enough off the side of the original path that it might've been missed by many, but barely buried there was something shiny and taunting. Stepping closer, the bug of some type he couldn't identify scurries away in a fitful buzz of wings.

Satin, he thought he'd heard the seamstress say while cutting her fabrics after closing time. It had satin on it.

Whatever chest was purposefully left there, it had to be a reason, but... it was the first look into treasure he was going to get. He had to make the most of it.

Digging out the chest, he takes caution and paws his hoof at the latch and watches with a focused look as it falls open. Inside, a beacon of gold blinds him and the rustling of plants falls to silence. A tug in his chest whispers, 'It's for you. You've earned a treat, surely? For what great bravery you've shown.'

It was the second siren song of the night. Compelled by its luring song, he nods. Yes, he did deserve something. For all that he waited. For all he had sacrificed.

Pulling the crown out and setting it on his brow, it felt as though it was meant to be there. His head felt as if it had been missing something his entire life. Finally, he had found it. This must've been the pull he was feeling all along. Destiny had written it in the stars!

Suddenly, the cold air seeped into his skin, the presence that followed him like his own shadow pulsing out a warning.

Blinking, blinking again, he shakes his head roughly and steps back with a fumble. The crown falls from his head with a metallic clang. His first challenge and he had been so easily swayed by the magicks here. A fool, his father was correct to say. Stepping back more, he nearly misses the edge of a rock and waits in bated breath as pebbles tumble down into the dark depths below.

No, no more obvious traps. He needed to stay focused.

Walking away without a second thought, he could only feel a sliver of dread of what the good heavens he got himself into.