Chapter 27 — The Cliff Trek
The instructors had warned them.
But seeing it in real life…
Was different.
The cliff path was terrifying.
A thin trail carved into the side of a massive mountain, barely wide enough for one person at a time.
On one side — a towering rock wall.
On the other —
Nothing.
Just a massive drop into the deep Ladakh valley below.
Cold wind rushed upward from the valley, making the path even more unstable.
The instructor stood at the starting point.
"This is today's final test."
Everyone looked at the cliff.
MJ slowly stepped back.
"Nope."
Percy grabbed his shoulders dramatically.
"WE MUST FACE DEATH WITH HONOR!"
Keifer rolled his eyes.
"Relax, Shakespeare."
The instructor continued.
"You will move one by one. Maintain distance. No sudden movements. Loose stones are common."
Ace crossed his arms calmly.
"Basically don't die."
Ash laughed.
"Great motivation."
Care stood near the front of the group, already studying the path carefully.
Her sharp eyes scanned the rocks, slopes, and weak points.
Cole noticed.
"You're mapping the path again."
Care didn't deny it.
"Loose stones at the third turn."
Cole smirked slightly.
"You noticed that already?"
She stepped onto the path.
"Stay focused."
One by one…
The students began moving along the cliff.
Every step had to be careful.
The ground crunched under their boots.
Small stones sometimes rolled down into the endless valley.
Everyone felt the height.
The wind.
The danger.
Even Percy was unusually quiet.
Halfway through the path…
The trail became narrower.
Much narrower.
Care carefully stepped over a patch of loose stones.
Behind her, Cole followed.
Then Alex.
Then Lyra.
Lyra was usually energetic and confident.
But the height was making her nervous.
Her hand lightly touched the rock wall for balance.
"Okay…" she whispered. "This is fine… totally fine…"
Alex glanced back.
"You good?"
"Yeah," she said quickly.
But her next step landed on something unstable.
A loose rock.
It shifted instantly.
Her foot slid.
For one horrifying second—
Lyra's body tilted toward the open cliff.
The world seemed to freeze.
Her heart dropped.
The valley rushed below her.
A scream started forming in her throat—
But before she could fall—
A hand grabbed her wrist.
Strong.
Fast.
Alex.
He had reacted instantly.
His other hand grabbed the rock wall as he pulled her toward him.
Lyra slammed against him as he dragged her back onto the path.
Everyone behind them gasped.
Ash covered her mouth.
"LYRA!"
Percy looked like his soul left his body.
"OH MY GOD SHE ALMOST—"
But Alex wasn't listening.
He was staring at Lyra.
His face pale.
Then—
His fear exploded into anger.
"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!"
His voice echoed across the cliff.
Lyra blinked.
"I—"
"You could have died!"
Alex was shaking.
His grip on her shoulders tightened.
"You need to watch where you step!"
Everyone behind them watched silently.
Alex kept going.
"You can't just walk carelessly on a cliff like this! One mistake and—"
Lyra stared at him.
He didn't stop.
"You need to take things seriously! You can't just—"
Suddenly—
Lyra grabbed his jacket collar.
And pulled him down.
Then she kissed him.
Right there.
On a dangerous mountain cliff.
For a moment…
Everything stopped.
The wind.
The movement.
Even Alex's angry lecture.
His brain completely shut down.
Behind them—
The entire group froze.
Ash's jaw dropped.
Percy blinked five times.
MJ whispered slowly,
"…Did she just—"
Lyra pulled away slightly.
Her face red.
But her eyes were soft.
"I love you."
Alex stared at her.
Completely stunned.
His brain tried to reboot.
Failed.
Restarted again.
Then he sighed softly.
A helpless smile forming.
"…I love you too."
And that was it.
The group behind them exploded.
Ash was the first to lose it.
She started laughing loudly.
"FINALLY!"
Percy raised both hands dramatically toward the sky.
"THE PROPHECY IS COMPLETE!"
Kavin clapped slowly.
"Only took them six months."
Keifer smirked.
"They were in denial the whole time."
MJ yelled,
"BRO CONFESSED ON A CLIFF!"
Ace shook his head slightly but there was a faint smile.
"Idiots."
Even some instructors in the distance were staring in confusion.
Lyra suddenly realized everyone had witnessed the moment.
Her face turned bright red.
"Oh my god."
She immediately buried her face in Alex's shoulder.
"Kill me."
Alex laughed softly, still holding her.
"You started it."
Behind them Percy kept shouting.
"WE DEMAND A SECOND KISS!"
Ash pointed at them dramatically.
"YES! FOR CONFIRMATION!"
Lyra threw a small rock at them.
"SHUT UP!"
The group burst into laughter.
Even Care, standing slightly ahead on the trail, turned back.
For a brief second…
A faint smile appeared on her face.
Cole noticed.
"Romantic chaos," he said.
Care looked forward again.
"Focus on the path."
Cole chuckled quietly.
Behind them the teasing continued nonstop.
Alex finally looked back at the group.
"Move."
Percy grinned.
"Sure thing, Romeo."
Lyra groaned.
"Please stop."
But she didn't let go of Alex's hand.
Not even for a second.
And slowly…
The group continued the dangerous cliff trek.
Now louder.
More chaotic.
And with one brand new couple walking in the middle of it all.