Week 9 Story: Treasure Cavern

Week 9 Story

Treasure Mountain

Author's notes: This story is based on The Golden Apple section of the Labor's of Yamato series in the Japanese Mythology section of the Un-Textbook. He is looking for a golden apple, which is a task assigned to him by a siren who is possessing his mind. When she gives him instructions on how to get to it, she does so in the form of a song. He is looking for this golden apple on the island of eternal life to please the woman he "loves" and gain her affection. I decided to make this story about treasures similar to the cavern of wonders from the Aladdin tale but focus on the song portion. I kept the rhyming scheme the same but made different verses for the song itself. My version involves a beggar who is desperate to gain riches and is granted a visit by an undefined character who will recite to him an ode that should help him locate the riches he seeks.

There was once a man who lived a bitter, dull life. Watching from the sidelines as his townsfolk walked the streets lavished in their earned riches. He was fated the dreads of poverty and envied those who fed on rich flavors the world had to offer; having only the vermin of life satisfied his hunger. He wanted more. Much more.

Among the streets always sat the rumors of Treasure Cavern. The myths and lore backed by the merchants and travelers who sold goods as well as stories upon their return. For the beggar had no glimmer nor silver-coated lining on life. He thought, “why not muster up the courage to see if the myths are fact?” So off he went. He searched high and low for more information about this Treasure Cavern, but fell short and lost motivation quickly. He had all but given up before he was greeted in the night by an unknown woman cloaked in crimson drabs encrusted in gold and ruby accents. Face hidden from all Earth-dwellers; carrying an ominous presence amongst her.

"Who are you," cried our wretched beggar.

"Is treasure not what you seek? Welcome my words to feed your hunger," stated the mysterious woman.

The beggar nodded. If one more word had escaped her veiled lips, tasteless foam would seep from his mouth like the ravenous dogs lurking the night.

"Listen," she hummed. A strong wind began to pick up, and her feet slowly lifted from the ground while her arms spread apart.

In the abandoned times of the gods and the mother,
Across the dusty deserts near the isle of Shikoku,
Heretofore dwelt a villainous mage, cruel of heart and stone of reason,
Whom was sought by the people, brewed devilish taboo.

The sage, greed consumed, collected gems upon detection,
Protesting leeches who thirst for generosity lest they scavenge themselves,
Curse upon curse he marked upon the rapacious making him grow tired and ill,
And twisted mind paid a visit to him as doth sinister elves:

“Hide thy treasure, neath the depths open to mortal steps
To a cavern molded of magic and magma of ethereal phenomenon,
House thine gold and silver and rubies and sapphires
So only magian conquest may enter and thus relieve thy vex.”


Reveled in the advice of foul impish creatures,
The mage embarked on crafting a chasm so deep even land would not convey its location,
For days and weeks and months he built through scorching sun and blazing winds,
Till the last bit of rubble had been placed amongst this magnificent formation.

This fortress then built on insanity and corrupted magic,
Left the mage stricken by deeper exertion than just physical ability,
He all but delivered his treasures to their crypt when he felt lifeless,
Only the motherland went to catch his fallen body coated by fragility.

Death was stronger than the envy that drove his mad actions,
And life's last response let the base of the cavern consume his force;
Emitting a brilliant glow along the walls that lined the mass,
Faintly visible to travelers who may walk above its source.

Below the hue of iridescence marked our Treasure Cavern,
Vastly haunted by the insanity and greed of its late creator;
To traverse one must be cunning, brave, the strength of mind flourished
Careful to chain sanity within, so that joy may peak from thy splendor.

As the last phrase was brought to life, the masked woman began to float backward and fade into the distance. Her disappearance led the wind to cease in violence. All was quiet and now undisturbed by the recent events to take place. After his breath regulated and the last drop of cold sweat slide down the base of his neck, the beggar stepped towards the door ready to locate the Treasure Cavern.

Image 1: Treasure gems (Pixabay)
Image 2: Golden treasures (Website)
Bibliography: Labors of Yamato: The Golden Apple by E. W. Champney and F. Champney (Un-Textbook)