Moving Mountains

They don’t appear to be living, even when scrutinized up close, but if one looks down at them from a lofty perch and watches for many years, they will see that the mountains are actually alive.

Those that have studied the Appalachians the longest can pick out ears, eyes, horns, snouts. torsos, tails, and toes—all hidden under thick foliage and fog. Each is distinct from the other, though they share the same rocky, earthen innards; impossibly large and magical beings, the Moving Mountains travel less than 0.01 cm a year. Walking incredibly slow, they spew mist into the sky from their nostrils, ears, and mouths on a daily basis. The mountain’s breath sends breezes upon the backs of those around them; their bodies provide plants, animals, and humans with nourishment, shelter, and a sense of awe.

The beasts move so slowly that they often struggle to break from the numerous plants connecting them to the ground; an in-progress step may look like a great cliff-edge or cavern, water cascading beautifully down the limb. One never has to worry about being stepped on, though a rock may fall from its resting spot from time to time as movement occurs.

The Moving Mountains do not need, want, or notice anything—their eyes only focused on one, distant goal. The origins, lives, and purposes of these creatures are mysterious. Some believe that they are racing to the ocean; once they get there, they may turn around to race to the other side, or perhaps delve deep into its waters, where they rest or perish.

Some have devoted their lives to the study of these strange creatures; of these individuals, some believe they may be able to reveal ancient knowledge and histories by learning the beasts’ language and attempting to communicate or by performing magical rituals from soil dug out of the creatures’ bellies. Throughout history, a handful of researchers have claimed to talk to the entities, though the being’s speech was so slow that the listener perished before hearing the end of the Moving Mountain’s sentence. They are believed to be the oldest beasts in the region, some cultures implementing them into their creation stories.