Summit of Lost Souls

This is truth: The rains drown the mountainside, for they cannot cross it. In their anger, they wash away the mountains, and in time, the summits begin to crumble. To be like the rain is to be patient, yet furious, unrelenting in the effort to overcome. To be as the rain is honorable

What was said about the rain was indeed the truth. It was only last night that the rumble of thunder made her shudder and the heavy thrumming of rain revitalized her, as though urging her as its vessel over the steepest parts of the craggy terrain. Such storms were much needed by the female, who feared that she, like the grey clouds, would throw herself against the mountain and be spilled upon the dead rocks.

But now it was almost evening again, and she grew weary once more. The delicate pads of her paws were torn and bloody, and she grew more discouraged each time the loose stone sent her sliding back several feet, a grueling distance to regain each time it occurred. Her eyes were red and irritated by the dust of her travels, her coat lacking in luster due to its heavy coating of grime and fine stone. Bust still, she climbed.

It is known: Water cannot rise without the burning heat of the sun. In order to become sky, it must first become steam. Water that is content to crawl across the earth does not transcend. Water is life, and to become life it must be transformed. This is well and good.

The summit, the summit. The thought repeated itself in her mind over and over. Each cruel step, whether a leap from one craggy rock to another, or a mean crawl on her belly across more uncertain ground, the thought of the summit kept her moving upward. Even where the path grew difficult, and places of sheer height seemed impossible to pass, she climbed.

Water does not turn to rain without the heat of trial. Water that does not rise mingles with the earth and becomes mud.

A pilgrim of the water, a disciple of the mystery of the Deep she was, one who sought to transcend and become something more. A search for truth, for greater understanding, for power. There are many summits that must be conquered, she mused, gritting her teeth for another push skyward. This trial was merely the most pressing at this current time. However, the summit was near, and the downward journey was more kind.

Now nothing could stop her. Hunger, pain, fear - the chill of the highest pinnacle now raked cold talons through her pelt. She could see it, she could see it, the sun's dying rays making the summit a cruel silhouette against the reddened sky. Another foot, and then another, inches, inches, inches.

She was nearly there.

Her past fell back, like the stormclouds against the sheer walls of the mountain. Her history, fears, secrets, crashed against the summit and rained down its craggy sides to form rivulets and streams, carrying her past self away with the silt and debris of this mountain, this great trial. The streams poured into rivers, and in turn ran to the sea. Who she was muddied these waters, and when they reached the oceans they would mingle with the salty waters and come to rest in the Deep. She was renewed, and nothing on this side of the mountain would matter now.

The summit. A new beginning.

She heaved her exhausted mortal coil over the last ledge, coming to rest at the pinnacle of the great obstacle that was now beneath her. Lying at full length, she panted and wept silently but for a moment. Then, she lifted herself back to her feet, bloody as they were, despite the protests of her entire being.

She howled.

It was a sound that grew, that reverberated over the stones below her on all sides, echoing into the lands below. If there really were lost souls in this mountain, let them hear. Let the ghosts answer her. Looking down below, she felt renewed. Like the river, she could flow down the mountainside better than she could climb it. Despite her exhaustion, her pain, she bound forward again. She had learned much, and had much to learn, as well as much knowledge to impart. In the valley below there was a pack for her - she merely had to find it, now.

(I just wanted to say your post is amazing. Carry on. )

(I'm going to try to bring this to more populous regions, so expect a post from me soon with the other recruits. ^_^)