The Treasure that Dominated
Continents
Diocesan Girls’ Junior School, Luk Tian Nan Gabrielle, Fiction: Group 2
T
he chanting of “Shine Utga Orrulah! Shine Utga Orrulah!” rose and resonated across the
vast sapphire sky that held a flaming, vermillion sun.
Situated in the heart of the treacherous Gobi Desert, the heftiest and greatest
tribesmen from the Burly Clan assembled. Vigor and good health seemed to radiate from
them, evident through their bulging muscles from every angle but there was little time for vanity.
All the warriors were dressed in their roughest robes made of wool, and the belts were not worn
for handsomeness. In the midst of them stood the chief warrior six-feet-tall, with a square face
and prominent chin. “Proceed! If we don’t find the Shine Utga Orrulah, I’ll blame this all on you
whimpering fools!” the chief warrior roared ferociously.
Legend told that a fierce creature guarded the Shine Utga Orrulah, which housed an ancient
treasure, a two-thousand-year old mystery that inspired many fruitless quests. It had become a
badge of honour to solve this mystery that had been left for two millennia, so all the Mongolian
tribes vowed to get to the bottom of it. The chief warrior was chosen by the tribes’ leaders for his
courageousness and intelligence. However, if he failed, he would face the worst punishment ever
bestowed: to be banished from the tribe! Nevertheless, he accepted the challenge because whatever
the outcome was, he would always know that he had tried his very best.
Steadfast and without pausing to rest or take a sip of precious water from their animal skin
flasks, the sturdy warriors marched across the arid landscape of fine gold dust and wind-worn
rock formations. “Shine Utga Orrulah!” they continued to roar with determination through their
bone-dry cracked lips. Raw, chaffed skin in their worn boots was as insignificant as a fly to
them. Flaming arrows beating on their sweaty backs, and whipping sandstorms laced with grit
that lashed mercilessly at their rough, exposed faces were also no barrier to them. Like a sinister
plague of locusts, they swarmed in the direction of the elusive Shine Utga Orrulah. According to
legend, this coveted and revered Mongol treasure held the powers to dominate the continents. It
was closely guarded by the deadly Alghoi Khorkhoi, also known as the bloody gut worm of 80
feet long, with no arms nor legs. The creature snaked and slithered across the endless sand, taking
refuge only in the deepest shadows.
The next morning, as the warriors trekked onwards, they noticed molted skin that was like jelly
surrounding the entrance to an ominous cave. The chief warrior ordered everyone to go inside and
wait for further instructions while he attempted to figure out what it meant. Suddenly, a shuffling
sound was heard nearby. All the warriors spun around quickly, their senses on full alert.
BOOM! Out of the blue, a dark red lump, the colour of molten lava, exploded from the darkest
depths! It was the Alghoi Khorkhoi! The creature filled the deep chasm and was dotted all over
with black spots. It let out a blood-curdling shriek and disappeared into the sand right beneath
their feet.
Before they could come up with a plan of attack, the monster sprang up from right beneath
them. The warriors attempted to attack it, but the monster simply sprayed the scores of warriors
with its poisonous yellow venom, which corroded the flesh of its victims instantly upon contact.
