Legend of the Sacred River: Gateway to the Golden Goblin Kingdom Brit Pop Type Beat
The unlikely fellowship—an odd mix of spirit detectives, duelists, Pokémon masters, and magical guardians—halted abruptly before the cold, grey metal.
“Hold on,” Yusuke Urameshi grunted, shoving his hands into his pockets and scowling at the barrier. “This steel door isn't supposed to be here. I’m sure we went the right way. We did everything right, didn't we?”
Ash Ketchum adjusted his hat, looking back at the winding mountain path. “The map said the shortcut to Nehelenia’s castle was straight through this pass. Pikachu and I didn’t see any other turns.”
Prince Phobos smoothed his regal robes, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. “Magic is rarely a straight line, boy. This door smells of an enchantment meant to keep out the unworthy—or the impatient.”
Beside him, Helios in his Pegasus form let out a soft whinny, his golden horn glowing faintly. Yugi Muto stepped forward, his fingers brushing the cool surface of the steel. “It’s not just a door, Yusuke. It’s a trial. Look at the wall.”
The Inscription
Will Vandom and Taranee Cook stepped toward a jagged section of the cave wall where glowing blue veins of energy pulsed behind ancient text. Will held up the Heart of Kandrakar, illuminating the words, while Taranee adjusted her glasses to focus.
Together, they read the riddle aloud:
“In Xanadu did Kubla Khan a stately treasure-dome decree:
Where Alph, the sacred river, ran
Through caverns measureless to man
Down to a sunless sea.
So twice five miles of fertile ground
With walls and towers were girdled round.”
The Reaction
As the final words echoed, the steel door groaned. It didn't slide open; instead, it began to liquefy, turning from solid metal into a shimmering, vertical pool of dark water.
“The River Styx,” Helios whispered, his voice echoing with ancient dread. “The inscription warns us. The path to the Queen’s castle no longer leads through the mountains, but through the depths of the subconscious.”
“Great,” Yusuke sighed, a blue spark of Spirit Gun energy flickering at his fingertip. “So we’re not just hiking, we’re swimming through a poem. Just once, I’d like to just kick the door down.”
“Wait!” Taranee pointed at the door. The reflection in the water wasn't the cave they were standing in. It showed a sunlit sea and trees that smelled of burning incense, guarded by towers that spiraled like smoke.
“It’s a portal,” Yugi realized, his voice steady. “The 'treasure dome' isn't gold. It’s the castle itself. But to get there, we have to cross the water without letting the 'measureless' darkness pull us under.”
Ash stepped forward, Pikachu sparking with determination on his shoulder. “Sunlit sea or sunless sea, it doesn't matter. We’ve come too far to turn back now.”
Soundbites from Yu Yu Hakusho, Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokemon, Sailor Moon, Read Or Die, Peter Pan Witch. With Samples from RJM, Grinz Beats, AC DC, Megedeth, The Atractions,
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