Raj Darkthrone's POV

The weight of the map pressed against his palm as Raj traced the ancient symbols with his thumb. This was it—the culmination of forty years of searching. He had been through countless tombs, caverns, and ruins, chasing fragments of forgotten history. Most had been disappointing. Some had been deadly. But none had whispered to him like this place did.

He cast a glance at the jungle. There was a hum in the air, a vibration just beneath the surface. It felt like the jungle itself was alive—watching, waiting.

Raj knew that not everyone would make it back from this expedition.

"Perhaps not even me," he thought, suppressing a grim smile.

But if the tomb held what he believed it did, it didn't matter. He had come too far to turn back now.

Elias Vaughan's POV

Elias adjusted the straps on his backpack, his eyes never leaving Raj. There was something about the man that fascinated him—an aura of unrelenting obsession, of someone who had stared into the abyss for far too long.

Elias had joined the expedition for the thrill, or so he told himself. Archaeology had always been his passion, but what thrilled him more was the hunt for power—the possibility that ancient knowledge could grant something more than just academic fame.

But this place… it was different.

The jungle seemed alive in ways Elias couldn't quite explain. It whispered to him in dreams, promising both answers and destruction.

Raj called the tomb a forgotten marvel of ancient times. But Elias had his own theory. He believed it was a prison, and they were the fools about to open the door.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Still, he had no intention of leaving. "Power comes with risk," he thought. "And I've always been a gambler."

Callum Reed's POV

Callum walked at the rear of the group, his eyes constantly scanning the jungle. Years of military experience had honed his instincts, and right now, they were screaming at him to get the hell out of there.

He had taken this job for the money. Simple enough. Escort some scientists into the jungle, keep them alive, and walk away with a fat paycheck.

But nothing about this expedition was simple.

Callum didn't trust Raj. The man was too calm, too certain about what they'd find. He had seen that kind of certainty before—usually right before things went to hell.

The jungle pressed in closer, the trees whispering secrets in a language only they could understand. Callum tightened his grip on his rifle.

"The second this goes south, I'm out," he thought.

Jenna Harlow's POV

Jenna crouched beside a cluster of strange vines, her fingers brushing the delicate leaves. This plant didn't belong here. It wasn't part of the jungle's usual flora—it was something much older.

Her pulse quickened. She had studied enough ancient ecosystems to recognize the signs. This area was special. The air itself seemed charged with energy, and the plants growing here had no modern relatives.

"Jenna," called Eva from a few feet away. "What is it?"

Jenna hesitated. Part of her wanted to tell Eva everything—that they were standing in a place untouched by time, that this tomb might contain secrets that could rewrite history.

But a deeper instinct told her to keep quiet. This discovery was hers. "I'll share when the time is right," she thought. "And not a moment before."

Noah Price's POV

The GPS in Noah's hand flickered, the signal cutting in and out. He tapped it with growing frustration, muttering a curse under his breath.

"This jungle's messing with my tech," he said aloud, earning a glance from Raj.

"Then stop relying on it," Raj said. "Use your instincts."

Instincts. Noah had plenty of those, honed from years of navigating some of the most dangerous regions in the world. But something about this place was different. His instincts weren't warning him—they were screaming at him to run.

He glanced at Callum, who gave him a knowing look. They were both thinking the same thing: "We shouldn't be here."

But they weren't in control. Raj was. And Raj wasn't turning back.

Victor Hale's POV

Victor stood near the edge of the camp, pretending to check the equipment while keeping an eye on Raj.

He knew why he was here. It wasn't for discovery, fame, or even the promise of riches. He had been hired for one purpose: to ensure that whatever Raj found didn't leave this jungle.

Victor wasn't a killer by nature, but he knew when a situation required action. He had done it before, and he would do it again if necessary.

He watched the others—their fear, their doubts. It wouldn't take much for everything to unravel.

When the time came, he would be ready.

Raj Darkthrone's POV

The campfire crackled softly, its light barely holding back the encroaching darkness. Raj sat alone, staring into the flames.

He knew what the others thought of him—obsessive, reckless, maybe even dangerous. They were right.

But they didn't understand. They couldn't. This was more than a quest for knowledge. It was his final chance to leave a legacy that would outlive him.

Raj's eyes drifted to the map once more. The tomb is close, he thought. Closer than they realize.

He closed his eyes, listening to the jungle breathe around him.

And then… everything would change.