Chapter 1
The Call of Kailash
Year 2050 — India
The scene opened inside a modern high-rise apartment illuminated by the soft glow of neon lights and multiple holographic monitor screens.
Rain drizzled quietly beyond the massive glass windows overlooking the endless cityscape. Countless skyscrapers stretched toward the dark sky while streams of glowing traffic lights moved endlessly through the futuristic streets far below.
Inside the apartment, the atmosphere felt completely different.
Bright studio lights reflected against sleek black walls covered with exploration maps, climbing gear, survival equipment, and framed photographs from dangerous expeditions across the world.
At the center of it all sat Rudra.
One of the most famous explorers on the planet.
With more than thirty-eight million subscribers across the internet, Rudra had built a massive reputation by livestreaming his journeys into places most people feared to even approach.
Dense forests.
Abandoned ruins.
Frozen mountains.
Forgotten lands.
Places filled with danger, mystery… and sometimes things impossible to explain.
A livestream continued on his YouTube channel as thousands of viewers joined every second.
The camera rested steadily in front of him while endless comments flooded the screen beside the stream.
Rudra adjusted the camera slightly before smiling casually.
"Hello, guys…"
His relaxed voice filled the room instantly.
"Welcome back to another livestream."
The chat exploded the moment he spoke.
"RUDRAAAAA!"
"HE'S LIVE!"
"BEST EXPLORER ON THE INTERNET!"
A faint smile appeared on his face as he leaned back against his chair.
"As you all know, last time you guys suggested that I explore a part of the Amazon Forest…"
He chuckled softly.
"And somehow… we actually survived."
The livestream chat immediately flooded with laughing reactions.
Rudra crossed his arms slightly before continuing.
"We only managed to explore a small area because the government refused to let us go deeper."
He shrugged lightly.
"Apparently it was 'too dangerous.'"
A playful grin appeared on his face.
"But still…"
"We made it."
The livestream numbers continued rising rapidly.
Millions of viewers from around the world were now watching him live while continuously suggesting locations for his next expedition.
Some wanted ancient ruins.
Some suggested underwater caves.
Others demanded haunted locations rumored to be cursed.
Rudra casually scrolled through the endless comments before speaking again.
"And yeah…"
His expression softened slightly.
"I gave you guys a target of ten million likes."
He laughed quietly while shaking his head.
"And you completed it in just three days."
For a brief moment, genuine gratitude appeared in his eyes.
"Seriously…"
"Thank you, guys."
The chat exploded even harder.
"YOU DESERVE IT!"
"BEST CONTENT CREATOR!"
"NEXT ADVENTURE WHEN?"
Rudra smiled faintly before leaning slightly closer toward the camera.
"So…"
A curious expression formed on his face.
"Where should we explore next?"
The livestream instantly became chaotic.
Comments flooded faster than the system could process.
"North Pole!"
"Explore the deepest ocean trench!"
"Ancient temples!"
"Haunted islands!"
Thousands of suggestions poured endlessly across the screen.
But among them—
one particular comment suddenly began appearing repeatedly.
"Visit Kailash Mountain."
Rudra's eyes paused for a brief second.
The comment appeared again.
And again.
And again.
Kailash Mountain.
A sacred mountain surrounded by countless mysteries and legends.
A place believed by millions to be the abode of Mahadev—Lord Shiva himself.
For some reason…
the atmosphere inside the livestream suddenly felt different.
Heavier.
Even the chat itself slowly began changing.
The excitement faded.
Warnings began appearing instead.
"Rudra… don't go there."
"That mountain isn't normal."
"Nobody truly conquers Kailash."
"People disappear there."
"Something about that place feels unnatural."
The comments continued flooding endlessly.
Yet Rudra remained silent.
His eyes stayed fixed on the screen while rain continued tapping softly against the apartment windows behind him.
The neon lights reflected faintly across his face as he leaned back slowly in his chair.
Thinking.
Then—
a faint smile appeared on his face.
"I see…"
The viewers instantly grew even more excited.
Rudra leaned slightly closer toward the camera, his eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation.
"I accept your suggestion."
The chat exploded immediately.
Millions of reactions flooded the livestream at once.
Some viewers celebrated.
Others desperately told him not to go.
But Rudra simply smiled calmly before speaking again.
"But if we're doing this…"
His expression slowly sharpened.
"Then let's do it properly."
A brief silence followed.
Then—
he smiled.
"Let's explore Kailash Mountain."
The entire livestream went wild.
The internet exploded with reactions within seconds.
Some viewers were excited beyond belief.
Some were terrified.
But everyone understood one thing—
this journey would be unlike anything before.
Rudra leaned back in his chair before glancing one final time at the endless comments flooding his screen.
Then he smiled faintly.
"Alright…"
"That's all for today's livestream."
The screen slowly faded to black.
Livestream Ended.
Later that night, the apartment remained illuminated beneath the dim neon glow of the city outside.
Rain continued falling softly beyond the glass windows while distant thunder echoed across the skyline.
Inside the silent room, Rudra carefully prepared for the expedition.
Climbing equipment.
Emergency supplies.
Camping gear.
Medical kits.
Portable cameras.
Everything was arranged neatly across the apartment floor one piece at a time.
The excitement in his eyes was impossible to hide.
For explorers like him—
danger itself was addictive.
He stopped briefly before looking toward the dark city outside his window.
Far beyond those endless lights…
stood Kailash Mountain.
Waiting.
A strange feeling slowly settled deep within his chest.
Excitement.
Curiosity.
And something else he couldn't explain.
But deep down…
Rudra had no idea—
that this single decision…
would completely change his life forever.
— Chapter 1 End —
— To Be Continued —