Kangcherest: The Mountain of Death

Vikram, always had wished to climb up the mystic mountain of Kangcherest. He was extremely desperate about making his dream come true. He knew that, this venture was very dangerous despite that he was actually a professional mountain climber as the Kangcherest was also referred to, as the ‘Mountain of Death’. He always thought of going on further with his expedition many a times, but something or the other would just crop up in the last minute and spoil the temperament. When his mother was alive, she would always ask him- “Why Kangcherest, even after knowing that all who tried to conquer it went missing and never returned?” But, he would always put up all his logic to counter her and would wrap up the discussion calling it just the fear of the unknown! Honestly, many a time, Vikram himself would just halt, sit down and introspect before stepping ahead with the adventure…

“Am I doing the right thing? Why can’t I stay satisfied with the rest of my adventures? Was my dream valid even at the cost of my own life? Am I not being utterly stupid?”

Finally, came the day, where Vikram got a chance to fulfill his dream. The government had announced that anyone who would climb up the mountain and hoist their flag on its peak would be awarded with a lumpsum money and also will be felicitated for his or her bravery. Vikram wasn’t hungry of fame nor of wealth, but he was driven by his passion for mountain climbing. He thought probably this was his fate, whether he dies or not, doesn’t matter- but Kangcherest has to be hisdestiny! The announcement at this juncture was just a sign to take him closer to his destiny. While preparing for his expedition, all of his friends and acquaintances tried to dissuade him from the venture, but he was determined and unmoved! The people even said that he might lose his life if he sets out for this venture, but he paid no heed to it. He ignored everyone perceiving that all were merely jealous of him. He started to prepare for his trek with full enthusiasm and zeal.

He started his venture, wholly prepared, a week later. But it is not an easy task when your adversary is natural forces and the mighty Kangcherest! As he had climbed about 10 kms, the weather took a turn; It grew stormy. He decided to wait until the weather gets back to normal. He reluctantly climbed down out. He would try to climb up every day but all proved to be futile as every time he would do so, he was not able to climb for more than two kms. The weather was growing very harsh and dry with each passing day. Vikram could hardly see anything and it was difficult to climb up, being partially blinded. The snowflakes and dust were pushing him backwards. Vikram, however, didn’t give up and fought with the wind and moved ahead 2 kilometres. He asked himself, “Do my monumental efforts deserve only a petty reward? Should I really continue? Is it really worth it?” But then Vikram happened to remember a speech- one that had helped him overcome lot of difficult situations. A powerful voice resonated in his ears- “Whenever in doubt, no matter how slow it is, keep up with your progress; keep moving because-though slow, it still means you are moving!”

Seventeen days had passed but there was not the slightest improvement in the weather. Despite all these aversions, he had managed to travel thirty four kilometres already. This very thought had instilled in him a sense of newly brewed confidence. He was sure that he did the right thing; as a matter of fact, something is better than nothing. So, he started climbing up with an unbeatable energy again. He pushed himself and climbed ten more kilometres. It had already been 3 months, there was not a spec of change in the weather but Vikram had climbed up about 205 kilometres out of 7500 kilometres- which was the height of the mountain. He was the first man to survive 30 days in the mystic mountain. He was very happy that he survived 30 days out of the many people who strived to conquer Kangcherest. However, in his pursuit of climbing higher and higher, unfortunately there occurred a landslide all of a sudden.

Vikram was very tense and was sweating at a temperature of minus twenty five degree Celsius. He felt like he could see his death approaching. His ultimate goal now, was to survive and become an icon against all adverse conditions. He tried his level best with all his experiences and training to avoid the ruthless consequences of the slide to the best way possible. He survived the landslide but broke his leg, even standing up was difficult but he put bandages all over his leg and somehow stood up with heavy grunts. He was driven by a mad fury now! His eyes sparkled with a hard-to-miss sparkle of the fire burning in his soul. He still climbed but he walked a step forward but slipped four steps back but slowly he progressed. Vikram was screaming in pain but there was no use. After six months from beginning his expedition, he reached a valley while he was setting up the zip line. He was very happy to reach the top because it was now only a stretch of the valley and a steep 5 kilometres, that lay between him and his dream!!But the closer you are to turn your dream to reality, the more it seems to be a mirage!

He harnessed himself but halfway the zip line broke. Once again, he seemed to fall into the great abyss of unimagined darkness and in the lap of Death!! He was counting every inch that he was falling. He thought peacefully that now that his mom was no more, there would be none, to mourn for him. He had done no injustice to anyone, moreover, he could die in peace as he had almost fulfilled his dream. He smiled to himself, “I won’t be losing anything.” Slowly,he fell into the valley. For 76 hours he remained there- fainted, but as soon as he opened his eyes he was on the other side of the valley then he saw a kingdom but didn’t explore it but he should have because there would have been no harm in it but while returning he saw something he should never have. He saw his own dead body lying in the valley. No one would get to know what Vikram did.

But someone knew everything, apart from Vikram!

As he saw Vikram’s body lay motionless, he thought, “No one will get to know what he experienced, how strong he was to survive the landslide except for me! because I controlled everything that took place on the mountain. I made the weather bad to stop him and everyone but they all didn’t stop. Except for Vikram, everyone failed in my first landslide test but he didn’t. I stopped everyone to save the kingdom from every danger. The kingdom which I ruled. I will not let anyone get to know about this place. Every single human who will get to know about this place will die but Vikram had a wireless two way radio and he was sending messages using it. How in the world was that possible? But I had to fix it. I didn’t find the radio in Vikram’s bag, I was very disappointed so we were finding it everywhere and found it in the valley. My minister found out that these messages were sent to someone called Rajesh. I killed him using my powers and this was the end, the whole kingdom was safe now.

But not everything could be controlled with my super powers! One day the god of Death came to visit our Kingdom and he said he wanted to take me. I was happy at the prospect because I knew that I have never done something wrong even by some mistake. The God of Death could grant a boonof the life in heaven after death, I wanted to buy the opportunity. I requested him to allow me to stay in my Kingdom one more day and assured him that I will accompany him the very next day. But things didn’t turn out as I had expected. He got very angry at this. He hit me with his trident. I pulled out my vanisher sword. All my men went to attack him, forewarned of a gurgling trouble. I knew that this was evil but I had to avenge his attack by killing him. The god gave them the bait of going to heaven after my guards would kill me. I was furious. I ran and vanished thousands of my soldiers alone. Then I had to fight the God.

We had a great war and I broke his trident. He dragged me to the hell’s fire and I angrily asked him “WHY?” He put his finger on my head and said because he could see every sin done by me. Killing the 9,20,00,05,425 people including Rajesh. But I screamed “I did it to protect my people.” He replied “Don’t you remember when I asked to shift you and your kingdom to another world, far from the reach of humans, you did not accept my proposal. You kept on killing innocent people! “I was alarmed! I knew the inevitable and could only say “I warned then!” The God replied “No mountain climber will fall for that! Rajesh didn’t know anything. He had the recording done till the valley. YOU ARE AN EVIL!” After this there was nothing for which I need to have guilt but I focused a lot on transferring my power and responsibility to my son I could feel myself burning, my skin was turning red but this was now the most important task – this was to transfer my powers in 7 seconds I had so many thoughts.9….10..11…..12 my legs, my arms were burnt. My head was burning but the power was still not transferred. Just a second before my heart would burn, I had no powers. My son will keep our kingdom safe and the god doesn’t know anything but I left something for him before dying. His men were asked to kill the God in the exchange of Kangcherest but my son killed them all. But you must be wondering about Vikram?

He is the new king of Kangcherest. I had to kill so that I could get my son out of a curse. Yes! My son was given a curse that changed him into a human! But now he is free! He is wise and strong because of which the Kangcherest mountain will remain a mystery forever. Sometimes the Greater Good needs some Great sacrifices…