I thought I’d seen everything, but what I witnessed last night in the Chilean Atacama Desert was something else entirely. The locals call it the Alicanto—a legendary bird with wings that shimmer in the dark, guiding people through the mountains. Some say it’s a sign of good fortune, leading miners to gold and silver; others warn that following it can mean losing your way forever.

I was camped out near an old mining site when I saw a faint glow on the horizon. It was a gentle, golden light, like a lantern in the distance. I thought it might be another traveler, but as it drew closer, I could make out a set of wings, glowing softly in the dark. The creature was perched on a rock, watching me, its eyes reflecting the dim light of its feathers.

It was larger than any bird I’d seen, nearly the size of an eagle, with iridescent feathers that flickered between hues of gold and silver. The glow seemed to pulse, almost like it was breathing. The Alicanto tilted its head, as if studying me, and then spread its wings, lifting off into the night sky. I couldn’t help myself—I followed it, drawn to that strange, almost hypnotic light.

For a while, it guided me up a narrow path along the cliffside. I thought I was on the trail of something remarkable, maybe even a lost treasure. But just as quickly as it appeared, the light vanished, plunging the path into darkness. I stumbled, barely catching myself before I slipped down the rocky slope. When I looked around, the Alicanto was gone, and the only sound was the whispering wind.

I made my way back to camp in one piece, but I can’t shake the feeling that the Alicanto was testing me, seeing if I’d lose myself to its glow. The locals were right—this bird is no ordinary creature. Next time, I won’t be so quick to follow a light in the dark.