Dev

(PART-1:THE CORE) CHAPTER-1

'Ah, stop acting cool. We can't risk our lives knowingly,' said Atul with a grunt.

'Argh...' Lavan wrinkled his forehead in frustration. 'Trekking is a risk! It's always been, not only for this mountain but for every other that exists. There is no so-called 'different risk' here. It's all the same. Think about the moment when we will reach the peak. We will shatter every mind that thinks this mountain is unconquerable. We will be the conquerors, the first humans to do so. We will become legends!'

'I think Lavan is right,' said Girish. 'We are here to climb it, and obviously, climbing a mountain is the risk.'

'That's what I am trying to say, dude,' said Lavan, curling his arm around Girish's neck.

Atul stared at the two for some time and then leaned forward to look at Daban. 'What should we do?' he asked.

Daban clenched his lower lip and gazed outside. A part of his mind was asking him not to go, whereas the other was convincing him to experience the thrill. Also, they can't rely on the words of anyone.

'Let's give it a try,' he said after a brief thought.

***

Yang parked the jeep behind a giant rock to prevent it from being seen. Although there was no habitation nearby, he didn't want to take any risk. The four got out of the vehicle and dragged out their backpacks along. Daban walked to the driver's side and bent forward to get a better look at Yang.

'Thank you for guiding us till here,' he said with a radiant smile.

'It's my job, kid,' Yang replied, and started the engine. 'Be safe, and if you feel like returning mid-journey, then don't hesitate and turn back immediately.'

Daban nodded and backed a few steps. The jeep sped away, leaving behind a layer of dust. He then walked to the other three and lifted his backpack from near them. 'We are on our own now.'

'He speaks a little too much,' said Lavan, looking at the way the jeep went.

'Don't say that. He is a good man. At least he cared to inform us, doesn't matter if they are true or rumors,' said Daban and rolled his eyes to the mountain towering tall above all miles away from them. They were finally here; to accomplish the task no one has ever dared to. They were finally standing in front of their greatest adventure.

It took them about an hour to reach the base of the mountain, since there was no particular road or way to it; one has to cross through rugged regions, few water currents, slippery slopes, and some terribly thin routes between hills and huge rocks to reach the destination.

***

The four looked skyward at the mountain.

'It doesn't look too tall,' said Lavan casually. 'We have climbed much higher and rougher mountains than this.'

'I hope we don't meet any ghosts there as Yang said,' said Atul.

'He didn't mention any ghosts,' snapped Girish, turning to look at him.

'What do you think strange figures are if not ghosts?' Atul asked agitatedly.

'But he told us that people saw strange figures. They saw it with their eyes. Then how could they be ghosts?'

'How can they not be?'

'They can't be. No one has seen a ghost. They are invisible and can only be felt, not seen. That's what paranormal researchers say.'

'Stop it, you two,' Daban interjected. 'And, Atul, you better stop pushing your head on all this nonsense. These are just rumors.'

'I hope they are or else we are doomed.'

Daban ignored and inspected the base of the mountain for a suitable route to begin the journey. After a few shifts of sight, his eyes settled on a signboard.

'What's that?' he said.

'What?!' exclaimed Atul. 'Did you see a ghost?'

'Oh, shut up!' said Daban rudely. 'There's a signboard there, look.' He pointed his finger towards it.

The four approached nearer to the base of the mountain towards the signboard and halted in front of it. There was something written over it in the Tibetan language, but none of them knew Tibetan. Luckily, there were few lines in English too.

The four leaned forward to get a proper view of the writing.

'Only the purest of souls will be bestowed with his blessings while the rest will experience the horror of his wrath.'

Girish glimpsed at the three. 'What does it mean?'

'Well,' uttered Lavan, wrinkling his chin. 'Roughly, it means that only the good people are allowed to climb this mountain.'

'Are we good people then?' Atul asked dumbly.

'I am, but I am not sure about you? What do you think?' asked Lavan with a wink and rose straight. 'Seems like it will be an adventurous journey. We shouldn't be wasting more time.'