Arriving at the top floor of the cave, Miguel realizes, looking up, how deep and spacious that place was. Mazir noticing the admiration in the man's eyes tells him:
-Incredible isn't it? The best part of all this is knowing that this is not something natural, but the work of thousands of men who have passed through here. How could we, simple little creatures, be able to build something so grand? Whenever my father told me the stories of the ancient people, I was in disbelief, but looking at it that way, I think maybe they're not so fanciful after all.
-What are these stories that your father told? -asks Miguel hoping the giant man knows something about what happened in the past.
-Nothing very relevant... just that huge mountains where people lived inside were raised and knocked down in days.
Even wanting to talk about what the ancient world was like, Mazir is very careful with his words, since his own father said he would not give the outsider the answers.
-Leaving that aside, this is where I work with the staff, I told them to rest for today, so it will be, just the two of us. - said Mazir.
-And me. Ker replies.
Mazir's younger brother was waiting for them in the dark of one of the caves for their arrival.
-I thought I said you'd like to take our guest alone for the day?
-Don't worry, I'm just here to help you. -answers the brother with a smile on his face.
Mazir seems a bit reluctant, but he accepts his brother's offer to help him and begins his journey through the tunnels. Upon entering, Miguel notices something, those green stones that illuminated the place from outside no longer appeared inside that tunnel, which caused the three to be immersed in the deepest darkness as they walked.
-A question, how can you see here? - asks Miguel.
-To see? How could we see in the dark? This is impossible. -answers aggressively ker.
-But then how do you know where we're going?
-Don't worry, my brother and I grew up here. We know this place like the back of our hands. I confess that it wasn't easy at first, but thanks to my brother we developed a technique so that we would never lose in a group again. This technique works as follows: as we walk we leave a member of the exploration mining in the place, so when we go back we know we are on the right path when we find them along the way. - Mazir spoke with extreme pride.
-You don't understand, how do you know what's in front of you? The location is fine, but what if you have a dangerous animal or a gem? - asks Miguel euphorically.
-You talk too much to someone who just joined, we've been doing this for years and you come to tell us that our methods are wrong? -Ker asks aggressively.
-It's okay Ker, look Miguel we can distinguish the stones from the food we want by putting our hands on the wall. You know, stone is hard and rough, while food is rougher and softer. -Mazir said calmly.
-Even so it is very dangerous, it is not advisable for you to continue doing this. - suggested Michael.
-And what do you want us to do?! Let our brothers starve while we could harvest resources to save them?! -questions Ker losing the line with Miguel.
The hatred that Ker felt for Miguel was clear, even though he spoke little, every word that came out of his mouth was answered with aggression. Mazir observed the situation and thought it fit to leave for the day.
Already out of the tunnel they walked up the roads that filled the cave to the top, until a man calls for Mazir.
-I'll be right back, wait for me here. - said Mazir.
After that he runs out towards the person who called him so it wouldn't take too long. While he was talking, Miguel, enjoying the view, decided to go closer to the edge of the road, which had no protection against falling. His eyes glimpsed with the almost infinite image down to the ground enchanted him, but at the same time that made him feel like this a shiver down his spine due to fear made him retreat quickly backwards and it was at that moment that he hit his back on the body of Ker and is thrown forward.
-Huh?
With his body slowly falling off the road, Miguel in despair closes his two eyes and when he thought he was going to fall to his death he feels a strong hand grabbing his arm. The one who saved him was Ker, who stared at him coldly.
-Thank you very much. - thanked Miguel.
However the man wasn't pulling him back, he was just staring at him while his body was still bent over almost falling. That made Miguel's eyes fill with concern again.
- Hey, what happened?! - shouts Mazir seeing that situation.
After noticing that his brother was watching Ker immediately pulls Miguel.
-Be careful, you would be the first idiot who would lose his life falling like that. -Ker warned.
Shortly after saving him, Ker starts walking and follows the path alone without waiting for the two. Meanwhile, Mazir approaches Miguel and checks that everything is fine with him.
-Did something happen? - asks Mazir.
-No, I was just careless. - replies Miguel.
-I understand, despite being wide, we avoid getting close to the side of the roads for fear of falling. - said Mazir.
Miguel didn't know what to say, still with his heart beating fast he couldn't find words to explain the carelessness he had.
-I'm sorry about my brother today.
-Huh? Oh, don't worry about it. I think he was right on some points. A complete stranger like me leaving an opinion on the activities that you have been doing for years.
-It may seem strange that I tell you this, but he and you think more alike than you might think. -reports Mazir.
-Sorry, what do you mean? - asks Miguel.
-When we were little he asked our father the same thing as you while we patrolled the tunnel. Due to the lack of choices he developed that technique that I told you about, but still, until today, he thinks of a way to solve the problem of the lack of visibility. -explains Mazir.
After all the young man's adventure that day, he returns to the old man's hut to sleep. Entering inside, he notices that Vitur was sitting on the chair waiting for him.
-And then? How was your rest of the day with Mazir? - asks Vitur.
-I wouldn't say it was different from the situation with the villagers. - replied Miguel.
-Were there any miners there? I thought Mazir had ordered none of them to show up there while he took him.
-Yes, there were none. But it looks like his little brother was there waiting for him. He apparently doesn't like me very much. - explains Miguel.
-I understand, but other than that, has there been any progress?
-No, the tunnel is too dark. I can't think of anything that can be done while I don't have visibility of the place.
-I think it's very difficult to even have an idea in this situation.
-Yes, but there's something puzzling me. About those green stones that light up this whole cave, did you ever think of using them to light up the cave? - asks Miguel.
- I'm afraid that's impossible. -answers Vitur.
-And why do you say that?
-As soon as these stones are removed from the wall, they gradually go out until they no longer illuminate anything.
Vitur gets up and goes to his secret attic. However, instead of bringing a book he brings a huge black stone to the table.
-That way, it loses its shine and stays in this dark pattern. - said Vitur.
-I see, what makes them shine then? - asks Miguel.
-Our ancestors believed that it was the power coming from the heart of the planet. As long as they are connected to Earth they would stay lit forever. But I'm afraid that's not the kind of explanation you'd accept.
-And why do you think that?
-It's not that hard to say, it's just the kind of person you are. Beliefs are not your style.
-Really, I can't fit this idea of strength coming from a cheap superstition.
Vitur opens a simple smile and walks to the door of his house.
-Where are you going? - asks Miguel.
-This is going to be a long night. Try to rest well, because tomorrow your real challenge will begin. So far they don't question your methods on my account. But it's a matter of time before dissatisfaction takes hold of the people and they revolt even against me. -answers Vitur subtly leaving his house.