The Silent Summit

Buried deep in the northernmost ranges, in the highest peaks of the Himalayas, lies a township lost to memory. For millennia, its inhabitants existed in isolation, their lives relegated to myth and rumour. When they finally reached out to the world, the knowledge of their secret society shocked everyone. As a renowned journalist, having won a Pulitzer prize for my article on the ice caps in Antarctica, I was selected to uncover the secrets of this unknown group.

I eagerly ventured to the Himalayas, unsure whether I would be able to make it there, let alone return.

What I found was beyond imagination. The people of this place possessed powers that defied all known laws of nature: the ability to fly, conjure ice, vanish from sight, see for miles... I needed to understand how.

The truth was horrifying. The ancient rites involved a trade: a soul, extracted and absorbed by monstrous shadows, in return for power. I thought that they were exaggerating or that there was a language barrier I didn't yet understand. It was probably better that I didn't comprehend the gravity of the situation until I had already agreed.

I watched, horrified, as my own essence was ripped from me, leaving behind an unsettling clarity.

With my soul gone, I was unburdened by morality and empathy. My mind was unclouded by the limitations that once held me back. I turned my newfound powers toward a singular purpose: to refreeze the melting ice caps, reshape the world according to my vision, and destroy any obstacle in my path.