x-x-x

"The celestial dance... draweth nigh..."

"A most portentous alignment... loometh..."

"The weak branches... shall be pruned..."

"...allowing the strong... to flourish anew..."

"In this celestial crucible... only the finest..."

"...shall inherit... the cosmic tapestry..."

"The Kryoskion demands... unyielding fortitude..."

"...and matchless cunning... from its aspirants..."

"The stars themselves... shall bear witness..."

"...to this grand design... of cosmic selection..."

"Through fire and shadow... the worthy emerge..."

"...forged anew... in celestial flames..."

"The cycle of rebirth... begins anew..."

"...stronger and mightier... than e'er before..."

x-x-x

Braving the fierce winds whipping across the rugged slopes of the Patagonian Andes, renowned survival expert and YouTube sensation, Ethan Hawke, stood tall amidst the raging tempest. With a determined grin, he turned to face the camera, his voice straining to be heard above the relentless gusts.

"Welcome back to 'Survive the Wild,' adventurers!" Ethan shouted, his words nearly drowned out by the howling wind. "As promised in our last video, we've finally reached the base of the legendary Fitz Roy massif, one of the most challenging and awe-inspiring peaks in the Americas."

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Ethan's loyal cameraman and long-time friend, Liam Ricci, struggled to keep the shot focused on the intrepid survivalist as the gale-force winds threatened to rip the camera from his hands. Even with the microphone's advanced wind-filtering technology, the deafening roar of the storm made it nearly impossible to capture clear audio.

"Now, in conditions like these, it's essential to know how to protect yourself from the elements," Ethan continued, raising his voice to a near-shout. "The key is to create a shelter that can withstand the brutal force of the wind and keep you warm and dry."

With practiced movements, Ethan began to demonstrate the process of constructing an emergency shelter using a heavy-duty tarp, paracord, and a few strategically placed boulders. As he worked, he maintained a steady stream of commentary, his words punctuated by the occasional gust of wind that threatened to tear the tarp from his hands.

"First, you'll want to locate an area that offers some natural protection from the wind," he explained, gesturing to a shallow depression in the rocky terrain. "Look for large boulders, sturdy shrubs, or even a small cliff face that can help shield you from the worst of the gale."

Liam battled to keep the camera steady as Ethan proceeded to secure the tarp to the ground, using a combination of heavy rocks and expertly tied knots. The cameraman zoomed in on Ethan's hands, capturing the intricate details of each knot and the precise placement of the anchoring points.

"Once you've got your tarp securely fastened, you'll want to create a low profile to minimize wind resistance," Ethan continued, crouching down to demonstrate the proper positioning. "Get as close to the ground as possible, and use your body heat to warm up the interior of the shelter."

As the wind continued to rage, Ethan turned to face the camera directly, his piercing blue eyes squinting against the stinging sleet that had begun to fall. "Now, this emergency shelter is a great short-term solution, but in conditions like these, it's always best to have a more substantial refuge on hand."

He gestured towards a small, high-quality mountaineering tent that Liam had set up earlier in the lee of a towering boulder. "Speaking of which, I think it's time for us to wrap up this tutorial and take shelter before this storm gets any worse. We'll hunker down for the time being and continue our journey to the summit of Fitz Roy once the weather clears."

With a final, resolute nod to the camera, Ethan signaled for Liam to follow him as he made his way towards the waiting tent. Liam, ever the diligent cameraman, kept the shot focused on Ethan's back as they trudged through the wind-whipped snow, capturing the dramatic scene of the two adventurers battling against the elements.

As they neared the tent, Ethan paused, turning back to face Liam with a mischievous grin. "You know, buddy, I was thinking about our next video. What do you say we tackle something even more extreme? Maybe a survival challenge in the heart of the Amazon rainforest or a trek across the Sahara?"

Liam laughed, shaking his head in mock disbelief. "You're insane, you know that? We're in the middle of this shoot, and you're already planning the next death-defying adventure."

Ethan's grin widened, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "That's what keeps our viewers coming back for more, Liam. They know we'll always push the boundaries and deliver the most thrilling survival content out there."

Just as Liam opened his mouth to respond, a blinding flash of light illuminated the mountainside, followed by an ear-splitting crack of thunder that seemed to shake the very earth beneath their feet. In a horrifying instant, a bolt of lightning struck Ethan directly, the raw power of nature coursing through his body in a searing, agonizing instant.

Ethan convulsed violently, his muscles seizing as the electricity ripped through his nervous system. The smell of burning flesh filled the air as the lightning seared his skin, leaving behind charred, blackened patches. His eyes, once vibrant and full of life, were now wide and glassy, staring sightlessly into the raging storm.

Liam, his face contorted in horror, instinctively jumped back to avoid the gruesome sight of his friend's lifeless body. In his panic, he forgot the precarious ledge on which they were standing. His foot slipped on the icy rock, and in a sickening moment of realization, he felt himself falling backward into the void.

Time seemed to slow as Liam plummeted towards the jagged rocks below with his camera, his scream of terror ripped away by the howling wind. He twisted in the air, his arms flailing uselessly as he tried to somehow alter his fate. But it was too late.

With a sickening crunch, Liam's head slammed against a jutting boulder, the impact shattering his skull and sending a spray of blood and brain matter across the unforgiving stone. His body crumpled like a broken doll, his lifeless eyes staring up at the swirling mists above as the last flicker of consciousness faded from his shattered form.

In the eerie silence that followed, the grim reality settled over the landscape like a suffocating veil. Here, high upon the merciless crags, nature had starkly reminded humanity of its fragility. One of the greatest survivors, men who had faced and conquered countless perils, was extinguished in an instant…