The boys come down from the attic with diaryand papers in their hands as they walk past Rashi she gives them a suspicious look,
Rashi (teasing):
You know, if you boys spent as much time cleaning as you do scheming, this house would shine like a diamond.
Harshit (rolling his eyes):
Good morning to you, too, Rashi di.
The dining table is laden with plates of parathas, chutneys, and steaming cups of tea. The group settles in, devouring the food with gusto. Shivam, already halfway through his second plate, grins at Mom.
Shivam:
Aunty, you should open a restaurant. These parathas are amazing.
Mom (smiling):
Thank you, beta. Maybe one day.
As the meal wraps up, Rashi checks her watch and stands up.
Rashi:
Alright, I'm heading out. I need to get home and... change my undergarments.
The group collectively groans at her bluntness.
Ajay (yawning):
Yeah, and I need a nap. You kids wore me out yesterday.
Ashvin (packing some maps and files into a bag):
I'll be back in the afternoon for the group study.
Steve (confused):
Group study? What group study? I thought we were cleaning.
Shivam (shrugging):
I don't get it, but I'll come back too.
Aditya (grinning):
Great. I'm counting on all of you. And Rashi di, Ajay bhai... tutoring session. You're coming back too.
Ajay groans dramatically, running a hand through his hair.
Ajay (resigned):
What a pain. But fine, I'll be back by three.
Rashi:
Alright, Aditya. Three sharp. Don't make me regret it.
Hours later.....
The scene transitions to the balcony, where Ashvin has already laid out the maps and files on a large table. The group gathers around, with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism.
Ashvin (gesturing to the notes):
Okay, so here's what I've pieced together. These maps detail troop movements, battle strategies, and formations. They reference specific locations that match real-world terrain, but there's a twist.
He points to one of the maps, which is marked with strange symbols.
Ashvin:
The geography matches perfectly, but the names and notations are... off. They mention things like 'Ascendant Squads' and 'Sentinel Forces.'
Ajay (bored):
Ascendants? Sentinels? Sounds like someone's been reading too many comic books.
Harshit:
It's too detailed for just fantasy. These troop movements and formations—they're real. If a war broke out in this terrain, these strategies would work perfectly. But the 'Ascendants' part doesn't add up. People with powers? That's not happening in this world.
Aditya opens the leather-bound diary, flipping through the aged pages. His voice grows heavier as he reads aloud.
Aditya (reading):
June 15: Another battle today. The Europeans overwhelmed Varun's unit with sheer numbers, but the sword gave me the edge. I cut through their ranks like a storm.'
He flips to another entry, his expression growing more incredulous.
Aditya (reading):
'July 2: Visited the warrior planet of Zentauri. The civilization refused to submit to the gods. Their planet no longer exists.'
Rashi:
This is insane. Whoever wrote this... they're talking about obliterating entire planets like it's a normal day.
Steve (calmly):
If this is real, we're dealing with something way bigger than we thought.
As Aditya flips to the final pages, the entries become shorter and more disjointed.
Aditya (reading):
'September 13: The Split will be executed today. A normal life for my family... at last.'
Shivam:
The Split? What's that supposed to mean?
Ashvin (nodding):
Sounds like this person tried to leave something behind—maybe for their family?
Aditya (closing the diary):
But it just ends here. No answers, no explanations.
In frustration, Shivam grabs the diary and throws it across the balcony. It lands near the edge, where sunlight streams in through the railing. The group erupts in protest.
Rashi (angrily):
Shivam! Are you insane?
Ashvin (groaning):
You can't just throw it around like that!
Shivam (grumbling):
I can't control my anger sometimes, alright? This whole thing is just too much!
Aditya sighs, walking over to pick up the diary. As he lifts it, he notices faint writing appearing on one of the previously blank pages. The sunlight oxidizes the aged paper, revealing hidden words.
Aditya (startled):
Guys! Look at this!
The group crowds around as Aditya reads aloud, his voice filled with awe and curiosity.
Aditya (reading):
'In case the Split fails, a gate has been established in the hills of Lonavala. It will lead to the truth.'
Harshit:
A gate? In Lonavala? This is getting weirder by the second.
Ajay (leaning back):
Alright, I'll admit it. This is a lot. But if this gate is real, we have to find it.
Hearing about the gate in the hills of Lonavala, Ashvin scrambles through the pile of maps on the table, his hands trembling with excitement. He pulls out a map that looks like a detailed contour map of Lonavala's hilly terrain. The map is marked with faint symbols and a red dot in the middle of the hills.
Ashvin (pointing):
Look at this! This has to be it. There's something marked right here.
He grabs Steve's arm,
Ashvin:
Steve, pull out your phone. Open the Maps app. Let's match the terrain.
Steve quickly unlocks his phone, and the group leans over the screen as he overlays the map with the contour map in his hand. The terrain matched perfectly, down to the ridges and valleys. Steve zooms in on the red dot, converting it into coordinates.
Steve (calmly):
It's not that far. A little deep into the hills, but we can make it.
Harshit:
If we roll out now, we can get there before sundown.
Aditya (grinning):
Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!
The group gathers their essentials and heads out to the driveway, piling into a large SUV with Ajay reluctantly in the driver's seat.
Ajay (yawning):
I'd better get paid for this. You brats don't know how exhausting it is to be the responsible one.
Rashi (sitting beside him):
Stay awake, Ajay bhai. If we crash, it's on you.
Ajay (rolling his eyes):
Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence.
The SUV moves through winding roads, the city giving way to lush greenery as they head toward Lonavala. The boys in the back—Aditya, Ashvin, Shivam, Harshit, and Steve—work together to match the map's markings with the GPS directions.
Ashvin (pointing at Steve's phone):
Okay, the next turn should take us closer to the trekking path.
Shivam (stretching):
I didn't sign up for trekking. Couldn't this gate be in a mall or something?
Harshit (dryly):
Yeah, because that would make total sense for a secret gate.
In the front, Rashi keeps nudging Ajay to keep him awake.
Rashi:
Do you need another coffee? Or should I slap you every five minutes to keep you focused?
Ajay (smirking):
Tempting offer. But I'll settle for a nap after we're done chasing this mystery.
The SUV pulls into a small parking lot at the edge of the hills . The group grabs their gear and sets out on foot, following the trail. The path winds through dense trees and rocky terrain, the air filled with the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves. The group's banter keeps the mood light as they trek deeper into the hills.
Harshit (panting):
Why is it always uphill? Do gates have a thing for heights?
Ashvin (teasing):
Maybe it's a test. Don't pass out, Einstein.
After trekking for a while, the group veers off the main path, guided by Ashvin's map. The terrain becomes rougher, with uneven rocks and thick undergrowth. Steve takes the lead, his height and strength helping him navigate the tricky terrain.
Steve:
Watch your step. The ground's loose here.
Shivam:
If I twist my ankle, I'm suing whoever built this gate.
The group reaches a clearing, the setting sun bathing the area in golden light. In the middle of the clearing stands a very old-looking wooden bridge, its planks weathered and moss-covered. The bridge spans a shallow ravine, but there's nothing else in sight—no gate, no structures, just the bridge standing in eerie solitude.
Aditya (confused):
This is it? A bridge?
Ashvin (checking the map):
The coordinates match perfectly. This is it.
Harshit (examining the bridge):
This thing looks ancient. It shouldn't even be standing.
Shivam:
We came all this way for a rickety old bridge? Fantastic!
The group gathers near the bridge, their expressions a mix of confusion and disappointment. Rashi walks forward, her arms crossed as she studies the structure.
Rashi:
If this is a gate, someone has a terrible sense of design.
Ajay (yawning):
Maybe the gate's invisible. Or maybe we're just wasting our time.
Steve (calmly):
It doesn't feel random. Things like this don't just exist without a reason.
The sun sets behind them, casting long shadows over the mysterious structure. The air is heavy with disappointment as they realize there's no obvious sign of a gate or anything extraordinary. Ashvin sits on a rock, staring at the maps in frustration.
Ashvin (confused):
Why would someone go to the trouble of leaving detailed maps and all that talk about gates... for nothing? It doesn't make sense!
Shivam (dusting his hands):
Well, maybe it's all a big joke. I'm going back.
He starts to walk away past Ajay, who is crouched on the ground, shining his flashlight to look for any markings.
Rashi:
We've been here for hours. It's getting late, and this forest isn't exactly the safest place to be at night. Let's head back.
Harshit crouches near one of the wooden poles supporting the bridge. He scrapes its surface with a small tool from his pocket, revealing smooth, metallic material beneath the moss and wood. His eyes widen as he watches the exposed surface quickly re-cloak itself, the moss and wooden texture reforming in seconds.
Harshit (muttering):
This isn't wood. It's some kind of cloaking tech. Advanced cloaking tech.
The others turn to him, confused.
Ashvin:
What are you talking about?
Harshit (pointing):
These poles. They're not wooden. They're hiding something—a material that re-cloaks itself when exposed. Whoever built this bridge didn't want anyone to know what it really is.
The group exchanges uncertain glances before Steve turns to Aditya, his voice calm but firm.
Steve:
Aditya, what's the plan? Do we head back or stay?
Aditya clenches his fists, his jaw tight. His eyes flicker with determination as he pulls out the leather-bound diary and stares at it.
Aditya:
This diary was left as a guide. It's meant for me. I'm not going back without answers.
Without another word, he starts running onto the bridge. The old planks creak under his weight, but he doesn't hesitate. The others shout after him.
Rashi (alarmed):
Aditya, stop! It's too dangerous!
But Aditya doesn't listen, his pace quickening as he crosses the bridge. Steve, true to his word, immediately follows, his heavy footsteps echoing on the wood.
Steve:
If you're going, I'm coming too. Even if it leads to hell.
One by one, the rest of the group reluctantly follows. Shivam, grumbling under his breath, steps onto the bridge behind Harshit.
Shivam:
This is officially the dumbest thing I've done. And that's saying something.
As Ajay steps onto the bridge last, the camera shifts to Aditya's POV. The world around him begins to distort. The air grows thick, and each movement feels slower, as if time itself is resisting them. The wooden planks beneath their feet shimmer and twist, as if they're walking through liquid light.
For a moment, everything blurs, and Aditya sees a flash of the vast cosmos—stars, galaxies, and swirling nebulae stretching endlessly before him. The brilliance of it overwhelms his senses, but then everything shifts violently.
The camera goes black, accompanied by the sound of rushing wind. The group screams as they feel themselves falling, weightless in the void.
The screen fades in to reveal the group sprawled on the ground, groaning as they slowly regain consciousness. The air around them is cold and sharp, stinging their skin. Ashvin sits up first, rubbing his head and looking around in disbelief.
Ashvin:
Where the hell even are we?