Dev

(PART-1:THE CORE) CHAPTER-1

Time: 4:45 am. November. Tibet.

A maroon Jeep sped over a rough dirt road, bouncing over the craters which made up most parts of it. A vast plain surrounded the track while infinite snow-carpeted mountains surrounded the plain.

'Drive gently, man, or this road will crush our bones,' said Daban, a bachelor in his mid-twenties, from the front seat beside the driver.

'I would have, but you know what, kid?' said the local Tibetan guide (driver), Yang Bhuti, as his right leg squeezed the accelerator. 'I am doing a hell of a risky job. In a way, it is a crime, since the government doesn't allow foreigners to visit the area before ten in the morning and after five in the afternoon. Moreover, your intentions aren't noble. So I want to settle this job as quickly as possible.'

Daban gave a disappointing stare. 'We paid you for this,' he said coldly.

'Of course you did,' said Yang with a glance. A smile adhered to his lips. 'That's why I am carrying you here overlooking the risks.'

'No use talking to this man,' Daban thought. 'At least save the pits... please.'

'I am trying,' Yang smirked and glimpsed at Daban again. 'Tell me something, why for God's sake you four want to climb this strange mountain?'

'It's been long said that this mountain is unconquerable. But we want to show the world that no mountain is unconquerable. If you have the guts to climb it, you definitely can,' said Lavan from the backseat, his eyes gazing at the empty world outside except for a few temples and some monks they came across. 'And yes, for adventure too.'

'I hope this adventure doesn't turn to fractures,' commented Yang.

'Don't worry. We are experienced climbers,' said Girish, who was sitting beside Lavan.

'It won't matter much, and I pray you don't get the opportunity to realize it.'

'Ah, stop beating around the bush,' said Atul in discontentment. 'If you have anything to say then say it clearly.'

'Well,' Yang grinned. 'I brought many climbers here, much more mature and experienced than you four are,' he said, glancing at Girish. 'But none could reach the peak. You know, there is a reason they prohibit this mountain from being climbed and I'm sure you four are well concerned about it.'

'Yes, we are. It's the abode of the Lord,' said Daban.

'Yeah, we are going for a meeting with him,' said Girish jokingly.

'Yes, you are correct, but there is more to it,' Yang replied to Daban but ignoring Girish's words.

'Like?' asked Atul, leaning forward in between the two front seats to look at Yang's face.

'Well, according to people who tried to climb it, they said that after reaching a certain height the temperature drops dramatically accompanied by snowstorms and one experiences extreme cold there. Much more than a human body can endure. Many even accounted for seeing strange figures. Some even hallucinated and collapsed mid-journey.'

'What do you mean by strange figures?' asked Daban with a glare.

'I don't know. They didn't reveal much. But you are all young, and brave too. I hope you walk out alive.'

'Ah, stop worrying, folks,' Lavan cut in. 'He is misleading us. Nothing like this will happen. These are all rumors to prevent climbers from climbing the mountain.'

Atul turned to look at Lavan. 'Didn't you hear what he said? What if it's all true?' he asked worriedly.

'If you want breath-taking adventures, then you must take breath-taking risks. As simple as that.'