Chapter 1: The Misplaced Mountain
After years of travel, I've finally reached the peak—the best humans could hope to achieve. I've climbed the "Misplaced Mountain." Why is it called that, you ask? Well, it's quite straightforward.
The Misplaced Mountain is named for the Siberian winter storm that engulfs it—except, curiously, the storm never passes beyond the foot of the mountain. The mountain itself is massive, but surprisingly, Mount Everest is still taller by about 43 feet. From the outside, that is. From the inside, however, it seems to stretch out, expanding by what I've calculated to be about 1 to 3 kilometers. It's odd—strangely odd—and it changes every time I've approached the base.
Today marks the 1252nd day of my climb. I've set up various outposts, small as they are, but they help me track my journey. The climb itself is challenging enough, but the real difficulty comes from losing my way—well, I think you understand the predicament I find myself in.
3rd Entry: 1251st Day
It's cold—so cold. The winds carry ice within them, so sharp, they burn.
Even through the thickest winter gear humanity could produce, I can still feel the cold seep in. Why is this mountain here? Could it be a curse? No, there has to be a scientific explanation for all this.
4th Entry: 1251st Day
I've lost my way three times now. I can't see a thing, and everything around me is just a shade of grey. It's all white—endless white.
I could've sworn I was near the summit. But somehow, I find myself back at my 60th outpost when I should be at my 167th. How did I get here?
1st Entry: 1252nd Day
I was close—so close to the summit. Or at least, I thought I was.
I didn't eat yesterday. I'm tired, and the wind is relentless. The visibility is so poor that I can barely see more than three or four feet ahead of me. I made it to outpost 167 and... then I lost my footing. But for some inexplicable reason, I ended up at outpost 177.
I took it as a sign and kept going. Thankfully, I've marked the outposts with a specific symbol. But I'm running out of marks now...
2nd Entry: 1252nd Day
This time, I'm sure. I'm sure I'm going up!
I checked the rations in my backpack. Two 2-liter bottles of nearly frozen water. Four granola bars. Two protein bars.
I ate a granola bar and a protein bar, washed down with 5 ounces of water—if it wasn't frozen.
I trudged up the paths I could, but every step is taken warily, uncertain.
3rd Entry: 1252nd Day
It feels like thousands of needles are poking my very cells.
I'm going numb. I think it's about -25 degrees out, but the wind makes it feel like -67. The wind howls, and I howl too, as I lose all feeling in my limbs.
I can't cry. No tears come. Everything's freezing. I'm terrified..... I... I think.. I have hypothermia...
4th Entry: 1252nd Day/Night?
I can see the summit.
But I'm afraid I won't make it.
I can barely write now. Hypothermia has taken hold of me.
I can feel a burning sensation all over my body, yet I'm freezing. I want to tear off my clothes, but my strength is gone.
Could this be my final entry?
If someone finds this journal... turn back. The history they've told us is a lie. Do not trust what you've been told. The lies of the so-called "superiors" are all around you.
---Change POV---Backstory---ETC..--
Hello!
Sideris Kaelwyn's the name. Quite a cool name, right? But you can just call me Kael.
You could say that I'm just a country bumpkin from the mountains. Ever since I was little, I've loved looking up at the sky and strolling through the hills. I never really bothered with the path ahead of me. I just walked, and somehow, I never got lost. It's as if the stars were guiding me.
Right now, I, the great Sideris Kaelwyn, am only 14 years old.
Not long ago, I overheard news about a strange mountain. The village chief called for a meeting, asking everyone to gather. But honestly? I didn't care much for his speech. It was boring, so I snuck out.
But I did catch a few bits of information:
The mountain appeared in a shimmer.It's freezing cold, and the snow only melts after a certain distance from the foot of the mountain.The village is about 15.3 miles from the base of the mountain.
That's all I heard before I snuck away. I wanted to stick around and learn more, especially about where the mountain is located, but I couldn't wait.
If I had to guess, I think it's near the direction of where all those strange planes are heading. They're unlike anything I've ever seen. They're huge, big enough to carry half the village inside one. They must be some kind of carrier, but why are there so many of them?