Climbing the Mountain

The holy land of Ji was a mystical and ancient kingdom, such kingdoms often found themselves drowned in myths and legends.

Tales of immortality, wise masters who trained on mountains above the clouds and terrifying monsters that would eat children should they be impolite.

Of all these legends, only one interested the young girl currently climbing the tallest staircase in all of Ji.

She sought Youshin, the last dragon who still spoke to the people of Ji, at least those that could find him.

“Arrghhh…” Meng cried as she nearly missed the next step, wobbling in place for a moment. She looked to her right to see the clouds were far below her now, the ground even further than that. With a sigh she sat down while placing her heavy backpack to her side.

“ARRRGHH!” Meng shouted as she looked up, the top of Mount Powzu was still far away but at least the end was in sight.

Though the young girl needed a rest, she opened her bag to find her supplies dwindling except for the offerings she’d brought for the mythical Youshin. With a sigh she drank what was left of her water and ate her last rice ball as she looked over the horizon, the mountains peaking over the clouds as twilight fell over the land of Ji.

“Aaalllight!” Meng declared, standing up assertively, even if Youshin wasn’t here as well, she wanted to at least make it to the peak before nightfall. Grabbing her heavy backpack she continued her long journey, climbing each of the large steps one at a time as she clung onto the rail attached to the mountain for dear life as the winds began to pick up.

After a grueling hour of climbing, she could see the end. A large stone archway greeted her, the two small jade lion statues glowing a pale green as night fell over Mount Powzu. With her final burst of energy, Meng ran up to the peak of the mountain, a flat plateau with a small cave jutting out near its center.

Meng collapsed onto the green grass, panting heavily as she laid flat on her stomach for a few moments, looking around to see if she could spot Youshin on this small plateau.

She could not. With a sigh she pushed off her backpack and rolled over. Opening her eyes to stare at the starry sky. Gingerly she put her hand out to the moon before her arm fell back to the ground from exhaustion.

“Might I inquire as to what you’re doing on my mountain?” An aged but deep voice asked from behind Meng.

“Oh sorry, I heard stories that Youshin lived here…” Meng sighed as she pulled herself up, expecting to find some hermit monk like the other mountains she’d climbed.

Much to her shock, it was a white and blue dragon.

It was Youshin, coming out from just behind the cave.

“I do in fact live here. Why were you looking for me?” Youshin asked gently, his long body slowly approaching Meng who had to gawk for a few seconds before she could do anything.

“I-I wanted to ask you a favour!” Meng blurted out as she sat up properly, quickly rummaging through her bag for her offering. Youshin let out an audible sigh, frosty air escaping with it.

“I might be known as friendly but I don’t tend to grant wishes.” Youshin replied boredly as he laid down on the ground a few paces away from the panicking Meng.

“I know I know but… I brought you a gift!” Meng said as she lifted the heaviest piece of cargo she’d been hauling over half of Ji out of her bag.

It was a crate of lobsters, crabs and other ocean critters. Youshin stared at the offering before letting out a chuckle, using one of his hands to stroke his long white beard as Meng brought it to him.

“Hmm, very well. Tell me, what is this so-called favour you’re looking for?” Youshin asked as he grabbed a crab and dangled it above his jaw, swallowing it whole.

Meng took a deep breath as she pointed towards Youshin.

“I need you to take me to the moon!” Meng declared, pointing directly up to the luminous night sky. Dotted in stars and the light of nebulas, all surrounding an even brighter moon.

Youshin stared for a moment as Meng held a firm posture, his silhouette framed by the intensely starry skies.

Youshin let out an uncontrollable burst of laughter, causing Meng to suddenly get self conscious.

“W-what?!” Meng asked pouting once Youshin settled down.

“I apologize, I’ve had many creatures ask many things of me. Wealth, power, love and everything in between. I’ve never had anything quite so… quant before.” Youshin explained as he casually grabbed the lobster and swallowed it whole.

“So!? I’ve searched all over Ji for you!” Meng shouted, stomping her foot on the ground determinedly, she wasn’t going to just accept her mission being called quant. Youshin scoffed as he leaned down to Meng’s eye level, his face dropping into a serious stare.

“I’m not a wish granting dragon. I simply tolerate you people. Though as thanks for the snacks, I will fly you home.” Youshin offered plainly as Meng stared in disbelief.

“What?! No! Absolutely not, I am not leaving this mountain until you take me to the moon!” Meng whined, stomping her foot on the ground angrily.

Youshin rolled his eyes, finished his snacks and picked up the angry girl with his two front most hands, using the other 6 to grab onto clouds and begin flying her away.

“NOOOO!” Meng shouted as she was lifted up from the mountain, squirming until she saw how far the drop was, suddenly relaxing as she was dragged away from Mount Powzu. She saw that she for a brief moment was entirely surrounded by stars.