Chapter 26 — The Ice River Crossing
Morning in Ladakh came like a slap.
The cold here wasn't just cold.
It bit.
The wind moved across the rocky mountains like invisible knives, slipping through jackets and gloves, chilling bones instantly. Frost still clung to the ground when the students gathered near the next training site.
In front of them—
A glacial river.
Water rushing violently between massive rocks, white foam crashing everywhere. The water looked crystal blue but deadly.
Everyone immediately understood one thing.
That water was freezing.
The instructor stood beside a thick rope tied from one side of the river to the other.
"Today's challenge."
He pointed at the river.
"Ice river crossing."
MJ stared at the water.
"No."
The instructor ignored him.
"You will cross one by one using the rope. The current is strong. Your footing must be stable."
Percy slowly raised his hand.
"Question."
The instructor nodded.
Percy pointed at the raging water.
"Do people… die doing this?"
Ash smacked the back of his head.
"Shut up."
The instructor continued calmly.
"If you fall, the safety team will pull you out. But try not to."
That did not help.
The river roared louder as if mocking them.
Cold mist rose from the surface.
Kavin muttered,
"This place really wants us dead."
Ren smirked slightly.
"Stop complaining."
Care stood near the front of the group, silently studying the river.
Her sharp eyes followed the current.
Where rocks broke the flow.
Where the rope dipped lower.
Where the safest stepping points were.
Cole noticed immediately.
"You're analyzing the current."
Care didn't look at him.
"Someone has to."
Cole folded his arms.
"You planning to break a record too?"
Care finally glanced at him.
"You planning to keep up?"
Ash immediately whispered to Lyra beside her.
"Oh my god they're doing the rivalry thing again."
Lyra grinned.
"This is getting interesting."
The instructor clapped once.
"First volunteer."
Nobody moved.
Nobody breathed.
Even Percy suddenly became fascinated with the mountains.
Finally Ren stepped forward.
"Fine."
He grabbed the rope and stepped carefully into the river.
The moment his boot touched the water—
He inhaled sharply.
"Damn that's cold."
The current pushed strongly against his legs, but Ren moved steadily, gripping the rope firmly.
Step.
Step.
Step.
He reached the other side successfully.
The instructor nodded.
"Next."
Kavin sighed dramatically.
"Okay fine."
He grabbed the rope and stepped in.
The moment the water touched his boots—
"WHY IS IT THIS COLD?!"
The current pushed against him.
Kavin tried stepping forward—
But his foot slipped on a submerged rock.
"WOAH—"
His body tilted sideways.
For one terrifying second he almost went into the river.
But a hand grabbed his backpack.
Ren.
Ren had leaned forward from the other side, pulling him back upright.
Kavin gasped.
"You just saved my life."
Ren shrugged.
"Just cross."
Kavin carefully continued, now stepping like an elderly man.
Behind them Percy stepped forward next.
The moment he entered the water—
He screamed.
"IT'S FREEZING!"
Everyone laughed.
Percy clung to the rope like his life depended on it.
"WHY IS THE WATER ATTACKING ME?!"
MJ yelled from the shore.
"IT'S JUST WATER!"
Percy kept shouting the entire way across.
"THIS IS HOW HEROES DIE!"
Even the instructors looked amused.
Eventually Percy stumbled onto the other side dramatically and collapsed onto the rocks.
"I saw my ancestors."
Next Ash stepped forward confidently.
She grabbed the rope.
"Move aside amateurs."
Ash moved fast.
Careful but balanced.
Step after step she crossed smoothly.
Lyra followed right after her.
Lyra was even quicker.
She hopped across rocks lightly while holding the rope.
Ash whistled.
"Show off."
Lyra grinned.
"Skill issue."
Now Cole stepped forward.
The group watched carefully.
Cole didn't rush.
He moved strategically.
Every step calculated.
He placed his feet exactly where the rocks gave the most stability.
Even the instructors nodded in approval.
Halfway across the river, Cole glanced up—
And saw Care standing on the starting side, waiting calmly.
She met his eyes.
Neither said anything.
But the challenge between them was clear.
Cole reached the other side successfully.
He turned around and crossed his arms.
"Your turn."
Care stepped forward.
The cold wind pushed through her hair as she grabbed the rope.
Without hesitation—
She stepped into the river.
The freezing water surged around her boots.
But she didn't slow down.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Her movements were fast but controlled.
She used the current instead of fighting it, shifting her weight smoothly across the rocks.
Even the instructors noticed.
"Good technique."
Cole watched quietly.
Care was already halfway across.
The river tried pushing her sideways but she adjusted instantly.
Three more steps.
Two.
One.
She reached the other side.
Fastest time.
Cole raised one eyebrow.
"Showing off?"
Care brushed water from her gloves calmly.
"Keeping up?"
Cole smirked slightly.
The tension between them wasn't hostility anymore.
It was something else.
Something sharper.
Something like respect.
Behind them Ash whispered to Lyra again.
"This rivalry is getting dangerous."
Lyra nodded.
"They're enjoying this."
Nearby, the six HU students quietly observed everything.
Ace spoke softly.
"They adapt fast."
Zein nodded.
"They always did."
Mia smiled faintly.
"But this time…"
She looked around the group.
At Percy still complaining.
At Ash laughing.
At Kavin arguing with Ren.
At Care and Cole silently competing.
"…we're not surviving alone."
And for the first time in a long time—
That thought felt safe.
The icy river roared behind them as the group continued deeper into the dangerous mountains of Ladakh.
Together.