"Wake up! Wake up! Haruto, Wake up!"

"Sam are you there?"

"Yes Haruto it's me. Come, we need to keep moving. They found us."

"It's all my fault. Only if I.."

"Don't blame yourself. It's not your fault." "Where's Misaki?"

"We'll talk about this later, now let's keep moving. Can you stand?"

"I guess I can."

"Good ,now let's head to the cave. The villagers are waiting for us."

"How many of them made out?"

"All of them. But they burned the whole village and took shepherd as hostage."

"Shit! They're gonna pay. Is Misaki okay?" "She's still unconscious. But I think she'll be okay."

"Thank God."

"Hey Haruto we're close."

"That's the cave huh?"

"Yup".

They went inside the cave. The villagers were waiting for them. "Are you guys okay?" asked Tenjin. "Haruto needs some rest. He fell from the higher ground."

"Nah I'm fine. We got no time to loose. We've to rescue shepherd."

Tenjin said,"no need to rush. First we need to make a plan. We still don't know where they took him. I'm sending my men for patrolling. If they find anything they'll inform us. For now take rest."

Sam said "Oh yeah and don't forget to go to the village when the fire stops. We need supplies. Some supplies were kept in the basement. so I guess those are still intact."

"Good idea! Haruto, you and Bharat will go to the village and look for supplies tommorow. Okay?"

"Okay no problem" Haruto replied.

"Great. And Sam you will come with me. I've heard the military weapon truck will pass through Syrin. We've to steal that truck and get the weapons. It is time we speak to them with armory." said Tenjin.

Then Haruto said,"This job is dangerous. They have weapons. If you guys get caught they'll kill you for sure."

Tenjin said," Don't worry. No one's gonna find out. Infact I heard there'll be only two guards. We can take them out easily. What do you say Sam?"

"Sounds great. Don't worry Haruto. We'll be fine.", said Sam.

"If you say so. Just bring back my friend in one piece okay.", said Haruto.

"Roger that!"

"Okay how's Misaki doing by the way?" Haruto asked.

"Oh she's okay. Having some sleep." said Tenjin.

Haruto said," what exactly happened in the village."

Tenjin said,"they came for Shepherd only. Then they threw molotovs on the house. The good thing is no one was hurt. But all the houses burned into ashse. Misaki was in her room. Her room was also on fire. She was unconscious from then. Raju saved her. Good thing is he noticed. Or else something bad would have happened."

"Thanks to Raju." said Sam.

Tenjin said,"okay guys. It was a very bad day for all of us. Now try to get some rest. We have works to do tommorow. The temperature will fall tonight. I managed to get some blankets. Use them."

" And Tenjin. I've to apologize to everyone. Cuz I was followed. I'm the one who led them to the village." said Haruto.

"Well it's not your fault. We were just not careful. Now get some rest."

Haruto said,"I promise you that I'll bring back shepherd alive."

"We will." said Tenjin.

"Okay then goodnight."

"Goodnight"

"Haruto come with me."

Sam took Haruto to his tent.

"There gonna pay for what they did to these villagers. Sam do you think they will found the ShangriLa before us?"

"As they took Shepherd they got the lead. But for now we have to think about Shepherd. They won't kill him until they find ShangriLa."

"Then we have to act fast."

"Wi will."

Haruto was walking home alone. Suddenly someone from behind....."Haruto!". "Ahhh! Who's there!! Oh Sam! Stop scaring me from behind. You almost gave me a heart attack."

"Ha ha! Sorry. So our year final is over."

"Yeah. Finally some free time."

"Ua ha. So what's your plan?"

"Well to be honest I don't have one. What about you?"

"So you don't have one huh? Then be ready to be amazed."

Sam brings out something from his bag.

"What are these?"

"See for yourself."

"Oh my God! These are plane tickets to Nepal!! You're going to Nepal?"

"We are going to Nepal."

"Wait wait. We? You mean I can come too?"

"Well I got 3 tickets. And you don't have any plan. So why not?"

"Oh. I've to ask my mom tho. I think she will accept. But still I need her permission."

"Don't worry. If she don't give the permission I'll talk to her."

"Thanks a lot bud."

"You see, actually it was my plan from the beginning. You know my dad works in Nepal. He needed my help with his works. So I have to go there. And I know you love the mountains. So I bought 3 tickets."

"Thanks man. You're the best. So you bought 3 tickets. That means Aunty is also going with us?"

"Nope. Here's another surprise. Misaki will be joining us."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah. I already spoke with her. She said she's definitely coming."

"Man this tour will be awesome!"

"I know right. I'm very excited."

"So when is our flight?"

"9 December. At 3:00 PM"

"Wait. It's day after tommorow!"

"Yeah start packing. We'll stay there for a whole week. We'll go for hiking. So pack everything we need. Okay?"

"Sounds great. I still need the permission, remember?"

"Don't worry she will give the permission. And we three friends are going. She will understand."

"Yeah I hope so."

"Okay then I'll call you after reaching home."

"Okay bye. And thanks again for inviting me."

"You're welcome."

Haruto gets the permission.

Haruto is very excited. Cause he loves the mountains. He was born in Oshino Village in Japan. The village was near Mt. Fuji. He spend most of his childhood with mountains. He used to go hiking with his dad every Sunday. His wish was to climb the height peak of the world. And it is Mount Everest. But his dad passed away. He had to move to Tokyo with his Mom and little sister Harumi. In Tokyo he can't go for hill climbing. He missed the mountains so much. Finally he got the chance to be close to the mountains again. He's going to Nepal, the country known for it's mountains.

December 9, 2016

They all reached to the airport.

"Good afternoon Sam and Misaki. Ready to go?"

"Hell yeah!"

"Me too. Thanks for inviting me Sam."

"No worries. I would get bored by myself anyways. So thanks to you guys for accompanying me."

They board the plane.

The plane took off.

Sam was listing to music. Haruto was going through the magazines. Something interesting caught in his eyes.

"Hey Sam look."

Haruto shows Sam the magazine.

"What's this? The 'Legend of ShangriLa'."

"Yes. It says it's a hidden place in the Himalayas. Where the God used to live. That place is still not found but people believe it exists."

"Come on it's just a mith. Do you really think this place exists?'

"Don't know. But if it does it would be really great."

"It doesn't. Mark my words."

"Maybe you're right."

"The Legend of ShangriLa huh. I wish it exists. Nepal here we come!"

(Thanks guys for reading my novel. Check out the previous episode if you're new and yeah if you like it give it a thumbs up and subscribe. Thanks again 😊)

From the plane they could see the gigantic snow mountains. Haruto's eyes were glittering. Those mountains reminds him of his childhood.

"Ladies and gentlemen. This is your captain speaking. In a few minutes we will land on Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. The local time is 3:00pm and the outside temperature is 12 degrees celsius. Remain your seatbelt fastened. Before leaving the aircraft make sure to take all your personal belongings. For any assistance visit the information desk. Thanks for choosing our flight. We look forward to serving you again. Thank you and good afternoon."

After all the formalities they got out from the airport.

"Ahh finally. This 7 hours flight almost got me. So what's the plan Sam?"

"Today we'll be staying in Kathmandu. My dad told me about a hotel in Thamel. Let's take a taxi to the hotel and after taking rest we'll visit the city."

"Sounds great. What do you say Misaki?"

"Fine by me."

"Okay. Let's take a taxi then. Hey do Nepali even speak English?"

"I don't think so. Let's give it a try."

Sam managed to rent a taxi. They reached their hotel in Thamel.

"Ok we are all getting separate rooms. After getting fresh get to the reception. We're gonna go out for a city tour." ,said Sam.

"Oh God look at the time. It's almost evening. Hurry up guys."

Haruto was the first to come to the reception

Haruto was waiting at the reception. There were painting of mountains, demons and animals on the wall. The hotel manager was there. Haruto asked him about the painting of the demons. The manager had fluency in English. He said it was not the painting of demons. Those were the painting of Gods.

Haruto was amazed to see all those paintings. Haruto was very curious about the rituals in Nepal and about ShangriLa. Haruto asked the manager if he believes in ShangriLa. The manager said, "I believe ShangriLa exist. It is somewhere deep in Himalayas. It is also known as the heart of the mountains. There is still a lots of places in Himalayas where no one have ever visited. The weather is harsh there. So I do believe that ShangriLa exists. But I don't believe that Gods used to live there. I believe ShangriLa was a sacred please for Buddhas. Many expedition team went to find the ShangriLa. But reports say that many team members went missing while looking for that place. Now nobody dare to go to there."

"Wow. That's so much to take in. Thanks Mr...."

"Oh. I'm Raman."

"Thanks Mr. Raman for these information."

"You're welcome. You're the guest of Mr. Sorter right?"

"Yes."

(Sorter is Sam's Dad)

"His an old friend of mine."

"Oh. Thanks for the rooms by the way."

"You're welcome. If you need anything just ask. We're at your service."

"We're gonna stay here for the night. Tommorow we are heading for Pokhara. Sam will meet his dad there."

"Oh I see. You can take a taxi from here. No need to worry, I'll manage one for you guys."

"Thanks a lot Mr. Raman. You've been a great help."

"No problem."

Sam and Misaki came.

"What took you guys so long?"

"Haha sorry. I feel asleep." replied Sam.

"Oh God just look at the time. We have to take dinner instead of lunch." said Misaki.

"I guess so. Let's head to the town. Thanks again Mr. Raman. We will see you later."

"Have fun kids."

They got out from the hotel.

"Oh it's cold outside."

"Yeah. So you were talking to Mr. Raman?"

"Yeah."

"What we're you thinking about?"

"About our trip plan and Shangri...."

"What? ShangriLa?"

"Nevermind. Forget that."

"You still believe in ShangriLa. Haha."

"He said it might exist. It's still undiscovered."

"Okay okay. So God used to live in Himalayas?"

"He said it's not like God used to live there. It might be a sacred place for Buddhas."

"Oh I see. Then it would be great to visit there."

"Yeah."

"Okay now let's forget about ShangriLa. I'm starving."

"Yeah Me too." said Misaki.

"Okay then let's go to a restaurant."

"Food here we come!!"

(Thanks guys for reading my novel. If you're new read the previous episodes. And if you like my Novel give it a thumbs up and subscribe. Thank you again. Stay at home, stay safe😊)