A steep, treacherous climb in an area with low visibility. A hint of uncertainty that hung about as heavy as the dense air. But they pressed on, their determination unyielding, treading carefully on the jagged terrain to give it the respect it deserves, resolved to not let the mountain beat them. They had to do this. Why? They weren’t sure. That was the problem. They weren’t sure of anything anymore.
All things considered, it was a terrible idea. The lack of signal meant they were entirely secluded from the rest of the world, and they had never climbed a mountain before. If something happened to them, nobody would know. They left no clues to their location, nor did they state their motives. Just a message to the team scrawled out on a sticky note that read “Back in a few days.” This was more than just a stroll to clear their head. This was a formidable task that threatened even experienced climbers. But they had to prove themself. They had to prove something unknown to them or anyone else. A personal achievement, a test of will, a testament to inner strength and resilience they felt the need to rediscover in themself. Doubt gnawed at the edges of their mind, but they brushed it aside, not even looking back down the mountain.
Only forward, they thought to themself.
They had packed plenty of provisions and emergency supplies, enough to last a week if they got stranded up here, but their most vital resource was this inexplicable power driving them forward. The wind picked up the higher they went, but not even the thinning, chilly air could stop the progress they were making.
Soon enough, they were there. The top of the mountain. The peak was more of a plateau, with plenty of space to wander around, but the mist in the air made them uneasy. A fall here would mean the end. They had to be careful.
Tense and exhausted from the journey, they sat down on a rock and leaned against their backpack. They took out a granola bar and slowly began to eat it. Unfortunately, the climb had ended, and there was nothing to occupy their mind. The thoughts began to creep back in, the ones they were trying to escape. The ones that made them start this treacherous climb in the first place.
Am I good enough for the team? Will I be replaced? Do I even have what it takes anymore?
A more emotional version of themself would have started crying, seeking help and comfort from whoever was around and willing. But not today. They finished their snack and set off to explore the limits of the peak. Despite the space around them, they felt claustrophobic. The thick haze that enveloped the entire region felt like it was closing in on them, all alone in the vast expanse of the wilderness.
And that’s when the visions started happening. The past memories, the disappointing recent finishes, the missed opportunities. All playing in vivid detail. Prominent among the swirl of tormenting thoughts were the words of their coach, still as cold and dense as the air around them.
“I trust the other members of our team to succeed.”
The other members. Intentionally hurtful or not, the words stung. And they played over and over and over in the intimidating, mysterious shroud of grey. They were so caught up in negative memories that they failed to notice the still marble in front of them until it was too late.
“Ow, what in the—“
The other marble turned around, having been bumped from behind. It was Hazy. They weren’t sure what they were expecting to be behind them, but they certainly didn’t expect a visitor. Hardly anyone came up here.
“Wait, what are you doing here, A—“
“Shh,” the visitor replied. “I don’t know why I’m here either. I thought I was alone.”
Hazy had so many questions that they couldn’t ask any of them. They just stood there, confused.
“I wanted to be alone, and now I’m not,” the other marble said. “I’m just going to turn around and—“
“Whoa, you’re not going anywhere,” warned Hazy. “You may have gotten up here, but there’s absolutely no way you’ll find your way back down without my help.”
And before they could protest, Hazy grabbed them by the backpack and dragged them through the mist. The visiting marble didn’t even care enough to resist. They simply asked “where are you taking me?”
“Someplace way safer.”
Hazy led them slightly down the mountain, to a makeshift home built into the side of the rock. As they entered, they found themself genuinely impressed at how Hazy had been able to construct a house like this in such a remote location. Hazy lit a lantern, then sat down on an ornate wooden bench, and motioned for the other marble to do the same. Seeing as how it was the only piece of furniture, they sat down on the opposite side of the bench, keeping their distance.
“Now,” Hazy spoke gently. “Please tell me why you’re here.”
“I don’t know,” the other marble said. They were telling the truth.
“Who knows you’re here?”
“Nobody. I told my team that I was going to be out for a few days but they don’t know where I went.”
Hazy looked stunned. “Goodness, that’s dangerous. You could’ve had any number of things happen to you.”
“I know,” snapped the visitor. “I don’t need you to tell me that. If there was any explanation for climbing up here, it was because I felt like I needed to prove myself.”
Hazy’s cold gaze fell to the floor. “You prove yourself every day, for goodness sake. You’re an athlete. You don’t have to climb one of the most dangerous mountains on Marblearth to prove anything to anyone.” They were genuinely concerned for their guest. “Talk to me, please. I’m here to help.”
The marble stared blankly at a bookshelf embedded into the wall. “You’ve seen the results. Or maybe you haven’t. Doesn’t matter. I’m a complete wreck. I don’t think it can get any worse. I’ve been a complete waste of space since the 2022 Showdown and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.”
“None of that is true. It’s nonsense and you know it,” Hazy said with a hint of sternness, only to be interrupted.
“I don’t know anything anymore!” the marble yelled. “I don’t know who I am or what my future holds.” Their voice wavered and got softer. “I don’t even know if I’ll keep my spot on the team.”
Hazy thought very carefully about what to say next.
“Do you love your team?”
The marble looked at Hazy expressionlessly.
“Do you?” Hazy continued. “Like, really, truly love them?”
“I… yes, but—“
“Of course you do. You’d do anything for them. I imagine you’ve helped the rest of them plenty of times through whatever they were going through. They would do the same for you, y’know.”
The guest marble looked down, lost in thought. Ten minutes ago they were flooded with despairing thoughts and couldn’t escape. Now they were dealing with thoughts of a different variety.
They could no longer suppress it. The emotional side won. They burst into tears in front of Hazy, who looked on empathetically.
“Oh, what am I doing here? I screwed up so bad. I’m so ashamed… I thought I was clever, getting all the way up here and figuring things out on my own, but I’m just… I’m just…” they trailed off, soon returning to uncontrolled sobbing.
Hazy wasn’t one to hug. But given that there was nobody else around, they had to make a choice. They closed the distance on the bench and wrapped their dejected visitor up in a reassuring embrace.
“You’re a broken marble,” Hazy said. The other marble nodded solemnly. “But you’re not the only one who’s ever felt this way. Before I left the League, I had the same awful experience. I felt like I was letting everyone down. But I wasn’t. Even if my results weren’t great, I still know how much I meant to them. You are the heart and soul of your team, and even if things don’t feel okay right now, I promise they will be.”
The other marble sniffled. “Thank you,” they said in a cracked voice.
The two athletes sat in silence for a few moments, Hazy patiently letting their vulnerable guest regain their composure. When they were calmer, they asked Hazy, “am I the only visitor you’ve ever had?”
“No, you’re not,” Hazy responded matter-of-factly, remembering their time with Misty after the team failed to qualify for the 2022 Marble League. “There was another marble who was in a similar situation to the two of us.”
“Who was it?”
“I’d rather not say. But I’ll tell you the same thing I told them. Are you going to weather it out by yourself like I tried to do?”
The marble took a deep breath. “No, I promise I won’t. I’ll confide in my team just like I used to.”
“That’s the right answer.”
Under the dim glow of the lantern, Hazy saw the other marble smile for the first time. Hazy decided to lighten the mood.
“So, how was the trip up here?”
“It was gorgeous. Except for the part where I couldn’t see anything,” the marble replied. Hazy chuckled.
“Do you ever leave the mountain?” the marble asked curiously.
“Occasionally, yes. I spent some time in Hailfern during the Christmas race. But I’ve learned to love it where I am. This fog can hide a lot of things, but you sure do learn a lot about yourself.”
“I’ll say,” the marble responded groggily. A couple seconds later, they were fast asleep.
Smiling warmly, Hazy held them there for a few more minutes. Then they grabbed a spare pillow and blanket they kept for cold nights, gingerly placed the pillow behind the sleeping marble’s head, and wrapped the blanket around them. Hazy then retreated to their own room and fell asleep shortly after.
The next morning, Hazy led the marble down the mountain. The fog had thinned considerably and the pair swore they could see the sun peeking through. When they reached the foot of the mountain, Hazy stood next to their hiking partner and after a few moments bid them farewell.
“Good luck out there. Please take care of yourself.”
“I will,” the marble replied softly. “Thank you for everything.”
With a renewed sense of self, they set off towards home.
“Azure! Where have you been? We’ve been worried sick!” exclaimed Cerulean.
“I’ll tell you everything in due time. But for now, just know… I went to see an old friend.”
Credits
- Writer: TheMADMAN731
- Copyeditor/Editor: Millim
- Release: 30/09/2024
Project Marblearth 