The Waterfall of Sins

How deep would you dare to venture into the forest in search of glory and riches — if, in doing so, you condemned yourself to wander for eternity in the lands that once belonged to our ancestors?

Thus begins the story of a small group of explorers who found themselves in what we now know as Sucre — a warm, peaceful town embraced by mountains and nourished by a vast river.

The group pursued the legend of a mythical waterfall, whispered among the villagers in drunken murmurs at taverns. It was said that whoever found it and drank from its waters would gain eternal life, and that all their desires would be granted by Mother Earth herself. But the waterfall was hidden deep within the forest, and those who dared to enter would find themselves trapped by their own sins. That, of course, made the place all the more tempting.

On a cold August morning, the explorers began their journey. At first, it seemed like any other expedition — worthy of the record books, but nothing extraordinary. However, as they advanced, the mist began to rise around their feet — thick, slow, making it harder to move and forcing them to slow their pace. Nothing unusual for them… until the inevitable happened.

One of the young men — may he rest in peace — stumbled, and panic seized the group. In the confusion, they scattered, and one of them was never seen again. The unfortunate youth had fallen into an ancient indigenous trap: sharp stakes pierced his torso, shattering ribs and puncturing lungs.

From that moment on, the air in the forest grew heavy. Dawn brought with it the sounds of night — growls, howls, and footsteps snapping branches all around them. The majesty of the landscape was replaced by dread. Still, they had no choice but to continue.

Hours stretched into eternity. The mist now reached their chests, and they could barely see more than a few feet ahead. To the roars of beasts were added human screams — cries that seemed to echo from the depths of the forest. When all hope seemed lost, a ray of light pierced through the fog. The men clung to that vision, and as they approached, the sound of falling water replaced the wailing. They had found it.

The waterfall.

Astonished, they began to document their discovery — scribbling notes in haste. But temptation was stronger. One by one, they succumbed to the enchantment of the place: they stripped off their clothes and ran toward the water, convinced they would find eternal life and promised pleasure there. To them, it was sacred. To everyone else… it was cursed.

And so it was.

One by one, they began to freeze — until they were trapped in the icy water. Then, their sins materialized, taking form to torment them. They could not flee: their feet had already become part of the waterfall. All they could do was merge with the weight they had carried their entire lives.

One young man, however, managed to escape. He clutched the notes of his petrified companions tightly as he ran desperately — but his sins caught up to him faster than his legs could carry him.

He did not make it.

In the end, he received from them what he had most desired in life.

And so it was.

Months later, a crow appeared in the town square with a small leather notebook clutched in its beak. When the townspeople opened it, they recognized the faces of the explorers. And that night, when the drunkards heard the news, they instantly sobered up — only to pull from their pockets the same object: a small stone figurine.