The Long Tale No. 27 - The Steps

The trek was long and arduous, the steps steep and endless. Many posts littered the path, each a testament to the failures of the previous challenger. Many had fallen and many steps had been climbed but none had yet reached the top of the hardship. This time it was the man's turn and he was determined not to fail. For failure meant a continuation of the purgatory he faced. Climb and fall, climb and fall, forever. His post was not yet placed but he was certain that its time was near. There were not many more chances. He tried again.