Part I: Six Packages, Six Journeys, One Big Wooden Door

78 79 The Chosen: Battle with a Cerberosian Prince 1st Projection beacons along the way. It will be clearly marked. While you guys were resting the past two days, a few of us went ahead to go through the path beforehand. To ensure everything was OK for you guys. Trust me, we have set you up for success.” They all took some time to discuss and plan their climb. Everyone pitched in. Asking questions and giving suggestions, they started to sound a little confident. They would all carry their own equipment and gear, with exception to Ana. TJ and Fang would divide her stuff into two bags, which they would then each carry accordingly. (This helped ease Ana’s anxiety a little. She had been in a panic since the moment she heard the news from Dorjee.) Fang would lead the way, with TJ bringing up the rear. They agreed to go at a steady pace, one that would be comfortable for everyone. They were ready. Thanking Dorjee and his crew one last time before they left, they were on their way. It was a long climb. To say they were going at a slow pace would be an understatement. They were being overcautious in every step they took. Staying extremely close to one another, they were moving as a unit. Fang and TJ signaled to one another in frequent intervals. They were all on the same page, probably for the first time since they met. They were making steady progress, passing the demarcated beacons as promised by Dorjee. Any feelings of anxiety and fear that they had when they left were starting to fade with every step they took, with every meter they conquered. They began to see parts of the mountain’s peak. They knew they were close. Wind speeds were at their fiercest. Dorjee had mentioned that the wind and snow would become extremely worse when they got closer to the top. Referred to colloquially as the “death zone,” it was without a doubt the toughest part of the climb. As challenging as it was with the worsening conditions, they all knew it was a sign of their proximity. “Let’s go. We’re almost there,” yelled TJ. “Let’s give it everything we got.” He used every ounce of energy in him to give that last shout. They were so close together in their movement that they all heard him. Fang gave a signal of confirmation from the front, lifting his arm, and pointing to the peak. The pace had become extremely slow, painfully sluggish. They couldn’t help it. Their legs felt as though they were sinking deeper and deeper into the snow with every step, as though they were falling into a hole. The equipment they were carrying had begun to feel like bricks of gold that were being pulled towards the ground by an invisible magnet. With everything they were going through, it was almost like they really were climbing towards a treasure of gold. “STOP!” TJ called out. Everyone looked back. Ana, who was in front of TJ, had slipped on one of the rocks. They all scrambled to check on her. TJ was holding Ana’s hand, as he was the closest to her. Pippa went over to her, leaning in close to speak to her and see how she was doing. Not only was this predicament taking time, but their bodies were getting out of rhythm. The rhythm of moving. They were cold, exhausted, and drained, both physically and emotionally. Ana started crying. But unlike the