ᴋɴɪɢʜᴛ ᴏꜰ ꜱʜᴀᴅᴏᴡꜱ

| ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪɪ: ᴀ ɴᴇᴡ ʜᴏᴘᴇ |

Somewhere around the Himalayas

The early morning sun barely pierced the dense storm clouds that loomed over the Himalayan peaks. Snow fell in relentless sheets, casting an endless white over the world.

Within the snowy and dense lands, two climbers are seen traversing the frozen wilderness, their boots crunching against the packed snow with each step. The silence between them was broken only by the howl of the wind and the occasional gust that sent flurries swirling into the air.

They have been traveling for hours, the heavy weight of their gear making each step more rugged. One climber, the taller of the two, led the way with tranquil conviction; his posture remained straight despite the unforgiving cold. His partner, struggling slightly with the pace, trudged behind him. However, despite experiencing the hardship of enduring the stoic winter that threatens to freeze his spirit, his perseverance refuses the waiver.

"मौसम बिग्रदै गएको देखिन्छ." ("It looks like the weather is getting worse.") The second climber muttered in Nepali, pulling his scarf tighter around his face to ward off the biting wind before turning to his partner with a sense of urgency. "हिमपातले हामीलाई हिर्काउनु अघि हामी छिटो आफ्नो गन्तव्यमा पुग्नै पर्छ." ("We must get to our destination fast before the blizzard hits us.")

The lead climber glances back over his shoulder, his eyes barely visible beneath the hood of his gear. "ठीक तिम्रो पछाडि." ("Right behind you.") He replies in a low and stoic voice, also speaking in Nepali.

They continue to press on, and the snowstorm intensifies around them. As they continued to move upwards, the path grew steeper, and soon, they found themselves at the base of a sheer rock wall that jutted out of the snow, towering above them like a monument to the elements. The wind howled even louder here, whipping through the rocks and sending bursts of snow into the air.

The second climber stares at the wall. "ठीक छ, हामी त्यो चढ्न जाँदैछौं जस्तो देखिन्छ।." ("Okay, looks like we are going to climb that.") He speaks calmly, though deep down, he is nervous. His eyes darted to his companion, who seemed unaffected by the mountain towering over him like a titan.

The lead climber merely nods. "यसको अर्को बाटो छैन." ("There's no other way.") He says, his voice calm and steady. He then begins to fasten his climbing harness, checking the ropes with practiced precision.

Though intimidated by the colossal wall of rock and ice, his partner sighs as he begins to prepare his climbing gear. "मैले मान्नुपर्छ साथी. म नर्भस छु." ("I have to admit, friend. I am nervous.")

The lead climber finishes adjusting his gear and looks at him. "चिन्ता नगर्नुहोस्. म निश्चित गर्नेछु कि हामी त्यहाँ उठ्छौं." ("Don't worry. I will make sure we get up there.") He hands over the ropes. "के तिमी तयार छौ?" ("Are you ready?")

The second man stays still and then nods, taking the ropes with trembling hands. "धन्यवाद.." ("Thank you.") he mutters, steeling his nerves and staring back at the lead climber with a hard look of determination. "यो गरौं." ("Let's do this.")

They began the ascent, and ice picks dug into the frozen surface as they climbed. The wind is also shown to be merciless, however, as it begins buffeting them from all sides, and the cold seeps into their bones despite the thick layers of clothing. Each movement is slow and calculated as they ascend the icy wall inch by inch.