Chapter 16 -The Fall Into Another World

The teacher clapped his hands and called out, "Everyone, gather here!"

The students quickly came closer, forming a loose circle around him.

"We're not at the main location yet," the teacher explained. "We'll have to walk a few more miles from here. The bus can't go any farther there's no proper road beyond this point."

He turned to face the mountain trail ahead.

"That's why we'll continue on foot from here. I'll lead the way, so stay close and do not wander off, understand? The path can be tricky."

"Yes, sir!" the students replied in unison.

The teacher began walking forward along the narrow path, and the students followed behind him in a noisy line.

But Aisha paused, her gaze drawn toward the thick forest beside them. The trees were tall and dark, their branches swaying slightly in the wind, almost as if whispering secrets.

"Aisha," Miya said, tugging on her arm, "Let's go! Everyone's already ahead. We'll be late!"

Snapping out of her daze, Aisha nodded. "Yeah, sorry."

Together, they hurried after the group. They weren't the last Rio trailed behind them, silent and uninterested as always.

After several minutes of walking, the group reached a long wooden bridge suspended over a deep ravine. The drop below was terrifying sharp rocks and darkness that seemed to go on forever.

The teacher turned to face the class. "Be careful when you cross. This bridge may look unstable, but it has a safety net just a little below. It's been used many times."

One student looked nervous. "Sir, is this really safe?"

"Don't worry," the teacher said calmly. "Look below see that faint glowing net? It's a magical safety barrier."

With that, he led the students across. Slowly, they crossed one by one.

Eventually, Aisha and Miya stepped onto the bridge, walking side by side. Rio followed a few steps behind them, hands still in his pockets, completely unfazed.

But just as they reached the middle of the bridge

CRACK!

A loud snapping sound echoed behind them. The ropes holding the far end of the bridge suddenly snapped loose. The bridge tilted sharply.

"Run!" someone shouted.

The students ahead scrambled to the other side in a panic.

Aisha, Miya, and Rio were at the worst possible spot stuck in the center.

"Hold on!" Miya screamed as the bridge swayed violently.

"Come on! Hurry!" the teacher shouted from the other side, extending his arm.

He raised his hand, casting a spell. A glowing sigil appeared in front of him, and the bridge steadied just for a moment.

"Now! Cross while it's stable!"

Aisha, Miya, and Rio began moving forward carefully, balancing themselves as the bridge trembled beneath their feet.

Just as they were almost there

BOOM!

The ground on the teacher's side gave way. A section of land crumbled and collapsed, taking the bridge with it.

"Sir!" Aisha screamed, watching as the teacher was pulled downward with the breaking earth.

The bridge snapped entirely.

The three of them Aisha, Miya, and Rio plunged downward, the safety net torn apart by the collapsing debris.

Wind roared past them as they fell.

"We're going to die!" Miya cried, flailing helplessly in the air.

Then, all at once

FLASH!

A blinding light burst around them, forcing their eyes shut. It was like staring into the sun. They couldn't see anything.

Then… silence.

Aisha's eyes widened as she looked below.

A soft, blinding light glowed beneath them.

It wasn't just light it was something else.

A portal.

They weren't falling anymore.

They were floating… slowly being pulled toward the light, as if the world itself had chosen their path.

"A portal…" Aisha whispered, her voice barely audible over the rush of air.

Miya clutched her arm tightly.

Rio's eyes narrowed, scanning the glow.

And then

they were gone.

All three of them vanished into the light, swallowed by the portal.

A few hours later...

Aisha slowly opened her eyes. Her head ached, and her body felt heavy.

She found herself lying on soft grass beneath an endless sky, surrounded by towering trees thicker and taller than any she'd ever seen.

"A forest…?" she muttered, blinking in confusion.

Turning her head, she saw Miya lying beside her, still unconscious.

"Then she looked to the other side, but no one was there. She turned around, searching for Rio but he was nowhere in sight. He was with us when we fell through the portal, she thought. Confused, she slowly stood up and walked over to Miya, trying to wake her."

"Hey… Miya." Aisha shook her lightly. "Wake up."

No response.

"Miya, wake up!" she said again, louder this time.

Finally, Miya groaned and opened her eyes. "Ugh… Where are we? Are we in heaven?"

Aisha gave a weak smile. "No. We're still alive."

Miya sat up slowly, rubbing her temples. She looked around, wide-eyed. "This… This isn't the place below the bridge. I thought we fell to the bottom."

Aisha stood, glancing around as well. "No, this place is… different. I think we're not even in the same world anymore."

"What?" Miya blinked. "Different place? How?"

"The portal. You saw it too, right? That light… it pulled us in. If it hadn't appeared, we'd be dead."

Miya frowned, thinking. "But who opened it? Was it Rio? Maybe he used a spell?"

Aisha shook her head. "I don't think so. He fell with us, and I didn't see him cast anything."

"Then where is he?" Miya asked, looking around.

"I don't know…" Aisha said quietly. "When I woke up, only you were beside me. Rio's gone."

Then Miya said, "Now what do we do? How are we supposed to get back? We don't even know where that bastard Rio is or anyone else! And we don't know how to open a portal either. I don't want to be stuck in this world forever!" Her voice cracked as tears welled up in her eyes.

Aisha placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. Let's move forward and try to find Rio first."