chapter 1: Piece of Crystal
That day, much like the others, began with the monotonous rhythm of routine. The incessant ringing of my alarm clock sliced through the tranquility of my room, demanding my immediate attention. Groggily, I extended my arm to silence the piercing sound, my mind still ensnared in the clutches of sleep. I released a weary yawn, reluctantly extricating myself from the comforting cocoon of my bed, the sheets clinging on for a few more moments before reluctantly letting go.
As I straightened the crumpled beddings, attempting to restore order to my surroundings, a distant voice resonated through the house. It was Diane, my sister, calling me from downstairs. Her urgent tone jolted my memory, reminding me of our planned mountain climbing adventure. "Hey, Noah! Come downstairs and have your breakfast. Remember, today is the day we go mountain climbing, so make sure you're prepared and pack everything you need," she exclaimed, her impatience palpable even from a distance.
"Alright, alright, I'll be quick," I responded, a tinge of annoyance seeping into my voice. Draping a towel around my waist, I emerged from the steam-filled bathroom, droplets of water adorning my skin like glistening jewels. Hastily slipping into my clothes, excitement coursing through my veins, I descended the stairs in a hurry, not wanting to keep anyone waiting.
As I settled down at the breakfast table, barely managing to get comfortable, Diane unexpectedly pinched my ear. "My goodness, we're going to be late for our flight. And you stayed up so late again. You know you shouldn't be playing all night," she chided, her grip firm and reprimanding.
"Ouch, okay, okay! It hurts. I promise I won't do it again," I pleaded, rubbing my ear as soon as her grasp loosened. Resuming my breakfast, I couldn't help but wince at the lingering soreness, a reminder of Diane's authoritative nature. "Good, don't repeat the same mistake when we're traveling," she sighed, her voice weighed down by responsibility. It's ironic how, despite being on the verge of entering college next month, I still find myself under her guardianship, with her being the undisputed authority at home.
You might find it peculiar that I live with my sister. Allow me to share our story. Diane and I were orphaned at a young age, our parents tragically taken from us in a car accident when I was merely five years old. Following that heartbreaking event. We were fortunate enough to be taken in and raised by our loving grandparents, who provided us with a stable and caring home. However, fate dealt us another cruel blow when they passed away, leaving me at thirteen and Diane at eighteen once again, bereft of parental figures.
Thankfully, our grandparents had left us with a substantial inheritance, ensuring our financial security and sparing us the need to work for a living. And so, I found myself continuing to live under Diane's care, residing in her house. I made a silent promise to myself to always be there for her, the only family we had left in this world.
"Here's the list of things you need to bring after you finish your breakfast," Diane handed me a checklist, her eyes scanning its contents.
After devouring my breakfast, I studied the list, mentally ticking off the items I needed to pack for our journey. "Climbing pack, check. Ropes, check. Helmet, check. Gloves, check. Ice axe with leash, check. Knife
, check. Lighter, check..." I methodically went through the inventory, making sure I had everything required for our mountaineering adventure. Once satisfied, I grabbed my belongings and headed outside, where Diane sat waiting for me in the car.
"Noah! Put your stuff in the car and get in. We're going to be late for our flight," she called out, a hint of urgency lacing her voice.
"Okay, okay," I responded, dutifully placing my belongings in the car before joining her inside. We embarked on our journey, reaching the airport just in time. As the minutes turned into hours, we landed at our destination and proceeded to a nearby hotel to rest and have lunch. After rejuvenating ourselves, we meticulously prepared the gear needed for our upcoming mountaineering expedition.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
Summoning a cab, we made our way to the snowy mountain, anticipation bubbling within us. As we stepped out of the cab, the awe-inspiring sight of the vast snowy expanse greeted our eyes. A sense of exhilaration washed over me, mingled with a healthy dose of trepidation. We approached the natives, seeking guidance and information on acquiring a competent mountaineering guide for our ambitious endeavor in this wintry terrain.
After a long minute of walking, we finally found a guide who would help us climb the mountain safely. He taught us the rules and regulations for mountaineering in this area, and after getting ready, we began our climb.
As we ventured further into the snowy mountain, guided by an experienced mountaineer, the weather took a turn for the worse. Dark clouds gathered ominously overhead, casting a shroud of uncertainty over our expedition. The gusts of wind grew stronger, carrying with them an icy chill that seeped into our bones. The serene white landscape transformed into a treacherous terrain, filled with hidden dangers.
With each step, the mountain seemed to challenge our determination, testing the limits of our physical and mental strength. Despite the adverse conditions, we pressed on, fueled by a shared determination to conquer the summit. Our guide, well-versed in navigating these harsh environments, offered reassurance and guidance, but even he couldn't control the whims of nature.
As we continued our ascent, the snow beneath our feet became increasingly unstable. Suddenly, without warning, disaster struck. I saw Diane, who was a few steps ahead of me, lose her footing on a particularly treacherous patch of ice. Time seemed to slow down as I watched her slide helplessly, her eyes wide with fear.
Instinct kicked in, overriding any rational thought. Without hesitating, I lunged forward, reaching out to grab her hand. In that heart-stopping moment, I made a split-second decision, accepting the consequences that would follow. As Diane's body swung back towards me, I lost my balance, unable to regain my footing on the slippery slope. The ground crumbled beneath me, and I began hurtling down the icy precipice.
The world spun in a blur of snow and sky, the sound of wind rushing past my ears drowning out any other noise. Fear coursed through my veins, mingling with a sense of resignation. But in that desperate moment, I held on to a glimmer of hope that I had done the right thing—saving my sister at the cost of my own safety.
As I tumbled down the unforgiving slope, the impact of the fall jolted my body, causing waves of pain to course through me. Yet, even in that dire situation, I couldn't bring myself to regret my decision. The love and bond I shared with Diane were worth any sacrifice.
As the world went dark around me, my last conscious thought was of Diane. I hoped that she would be safe
, that my sacrifice had not been in vain.
---
When I regained consciousness, I found myself lying on the cold ground, unable to move my leg. The pain was intense, and I realized that my situation was dire. a bright light suddenly blocked my sight, emanating from a nearby cave. "What is that? Hello, is anyone there?" I mustered the strength to speak, hoping for a response. Ignoring the pain and immobilization in my leg, I used my arms to crawl toward the cave. Each movement was agonizing, but I refused to give up.
"I'm almost there," I whispered to myself, determined to reach the source of the light. Despite the pain and cold, I persevered until I finally arrived at the cave entrance. Inside, I discovered a small, floating crystal, radiating with a captivating brightness.
"What is this? Just a piece of crystal? I guess I'm truly fated to die here," I sighed, feeling the weight of my situation. I attempted to grab the crystal, but it eluded my touch, floating just out of reach. Frustrated, I grabbed an item nearby and threw it at the crystal, causing it to descend. With quick reflexes, I caught it in my palm.
Examining the crystal, I marveled at its ethereal glow and mysterious properties. As I held it in my hand, the crystal suddenly floated up and touched my forehead. In that moment, a surge of energy coursed through me, revitalizing my body.
Overwhelmed with astonishment, I felt my consciousness slipping away once more. As darkness enveloped me, my last conscious thought was of Diane. I hoped that she was safe, that she would find her way back down the mountain and live a life filled with happiness. And in that final moment of awareness, a bittersweet sense of peace washed over me, knowing that I had given everything for the person I loved most in this world.