As dawn broke over the dense canopy of the Congolese forest, the symphony of life stirred. The air was thick with the scent of earth and lush foliage. Distant calls of exotic birds could be heard in the distance as they whistled their morning melody.
Golden sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a kaleidoscopic pattern on the forest floor. The landscape, a tapestry of greens and browns, was like a masterwork made by nature itself.
Sitting next to Kasongo in the well-worn Toyota, Steve relished the wind tousling his hair as they drove on. He was mesmerized by the landscape around him. The pure, unspoiled wilderness was a sight to behold. It had been a long time since he'd seen nature so pristine, having spent most of his life amidst the towering skyscrapers of big cities.
Observing his surroundings, Steve quietly assessed his team. An older woman occupied the front seat beside the driver. Behind them, two soldiers sat, their presence a quiet reminder of this journey's dangers. The driver, skilled in handling the rough terrain, maneuvered the vehicle through the forest's muddy, uneven paths, churning up mud that could be seen from afar.
The ride was rough, jolting them in their seats. The pickup's worn suspension made the trip a real challenge for everyone's comfort.
As they bumped along, Steve turned to Kasongo, curious to learn more about the tribe they were about to meet. Kasongo looked severe, his gaze intently focused on the road ahead.
"The Elikia Mavua tribe," Kasongo began, his voice low and serious, "showed hostility towards outsiders a few weeks ago. Their isolation isn't just physical; it's a deliberate choice to stay hidden from the world. They fiercely protect their traditions and are deeply wary of outsiders."
"People have been disappearing without a trace in this area, leading us to believe that no one who encountered them has ever survived to share their experience."
"Haven't the local authorities investigated the people gone missing?" Steve asked, surprised.
"This is Africa; people are always going missing, so this is nothing new and nothing that the government follows up on."
Kasongo paused, his expression grave. "You need to stay alert, Steve. The dangers we face are unpredictable."
Steve nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. The presence of the soldiers with them was a stark reminder of the potential risks.
Kasongo's tone remained low but carried an urgency. "For some reason, they've agreed to our visit. As we discussed, there might be changes happening within their community, or perhaps they're curious about the outside world."
"What is most interesting is that despite being just two hours away from the nearest town, they've managed to stay completely off the radar."
He leaned forward, his voice dropping further. "Our satellite images and heat maps show nothing that resembles a village. We estimate a maximum of 100 people, but they must live underground or in old cave systems."
"We have also checked reports dating back to 2000 about tribes forming in this region of Congo, and there have only been two pirate groups, but they have all been eliminated according to our intel."
Kasongo sighed, "This means we're stepping into the unknown and might not be fully prepared for what we find."
Steve pondered momentarily before asking, "How do you think the rest of the team feels about this?"
Kasongo gestured towards the soldiers seated ahead. "Why don't you ask them yourself?"
Steve attempted to converse with the soldiers in French, but after a few minutes, he gave up. Kasongo chuckled heartily. "Maybe hold off on speaking French until you've improved."
There was a moment of ease in the car as everyone laughed while Steve tried to improve his French.
An hour had passed already, and after navigating challenging roads and engaging in deep conversation, the driver suddenly turned off the main track, steering them into the untamed wilderness.
Just as they had exited the road, Kasongo leaned forward, looking into Steve's eyes with a mix of curiosity and seriousness. "So, Steve, you are a family man; what brings you to a dangerous mission like this with your family to the heart of Congo?"
Steve met his gaze, the weight of his mission clear in his eyes. "This tribe, this rumor, if it is true, they might have been isolated for decades, perhaps even centuries. Imagine all the knowledge and information we could learn from them. How could they have lived unnoticed for a long time and lived prosperous lives?"
Steve paused, looking into the seemingly endless jungle: "My goal has always been to unravel the mysteries of this society, and this might be my biggest shot."
Kasongo nodded thoughtfully. "How did you come to know of this?"
Steve's expression softened as he recalled the beginning of his journey. "I met Dr. Matthew Dunn at a conference a few months ago. As you know, he's a renowned archaeologist with interests and goals similar to mine. We started working together and have already made a groundbreaking discovery. Since then, we have been working together every day."
Interest piqued, Kasongo leaned in closer. "Dr. Dunn, I don't believe I've met a smarter man than him, and that is probably the reason why I contacted him first, but I wasn't expecting you."
Steve sighed, a mix of excitement and concern in his voice. "Two weeks ago, Dr. Dunn told me about the Elikia tribe. Since then, we have put all other projects aside to focus on this."
Steve opened a small bag on his side and pulled out a worn document. "The only thing I could find on the tribe was an old document from 1890, during France's colonization of Congo. It hints at stories of tribes living underground in the forests, a folklore lost in time."
Kasongo's eyes widened slightly. "I remember my grandmother telling me about a story when I was a child. I hadn't thought about it, but there might be a connection."
"Yes, I agree," Steve acknowledged. "and so does Dr. Dunn," Steve replied.
Kasongo took the document from Steve's hand and asked how Dr. Dunn was doing.
"His" health worsened just before we left. He was supposed to be here with us, but I believe that he is undergoing surgery as we speak. He hopes to join us after he recovers, and if I know the old fellow right, he will be here within a few days."
Kasongo placed a reassuring hand on Steve's shoulder, "If there is something I am sure of, it is that that old bastard will never let a good adventure or a discovery slip away."
They remained silent during the last hour of the bone-jarring ride until the car reached a point where the forest became impassable by vehicle.
The group disembarked and got prepared to continue on foot.
The driver took out a hand-rolled cigarette; he would guard the car until they returned.
Kasongo approached Steve, smoothly lifting his shirt to reveal a Browning HP handgun. He deftly pulled out two fully loaded magazines from his pocket.
"For the worst-case scenario," he said gravely. "You have a family waiting for you."
Steve hesitated, eyeing the weapon. "Isn't this going to be seen as a threat?"
"It's a precaution insisted upon by both the army and me," Kasongo explained. "We all need to be armed, just in case. Except for the old lady, of course. Her having a gun might cause more trouble than it would solve."
Steve hadn't handled a gun in nearly ten years, not since a shooting range visit with colleagues. He remembered feeling uneasy around his inebriated friends as they fired various weapons. But he knew the basics – how to disengage the safety and pull the trigger, even if his aim was rusty.
Their journey continued with a challenging half-hour trek through the humid, heat-laden forest, accompanied by the constant buzz and bites of flies.
Eventually, they reached a clearing and were greeted by an imposing sight. Two figures, a man and a woman, emerged from the shadows of the trees.
Dressed only in pelts around the waist, marked with red on their faces and bodies, they held spears in alert and authoritative postures.
Kasongo stepped forward, speaking to them with measured respect. The tribal members exchanged confused glances, not understanding his words. The older woman from their team stepped up, her fluency in an old Congolese dialect bridging the communication gap.
The air was thick with tension, filled with unspoken questions and cautions. Steve's heart raced as the tribal members scrutinized them, mainly him, with his different skin color.
After a brief, intense discussion, the woman lowered her spear – a small yet significant sign of acceptance.
The man, however, remained watchful, his eyes fixed on Steve.
They had been granted entry into a world unknown to them. Kasongo motioned for the team to follow, leading them deeper into the forest.
With each step, the sense of delving into the unknown grew.
Steve walked on, his mind buzzing with anticipation and apprehension. He was about to immerse himself in a way of life untouched by time, a living piece of human history.
As an outsider in this unfamiliar land, he knew the importance of balancing respect with curiosity. One wrong move could mean not returning to his family.
The journey into the Elikia tribe's domain had begun, and Steve was unaware of how profoundly this experience would challenge his understanding of the world and his place in it. The secrets of the tribe, long isolated and fiercely independent, were on the verge of being unveiled.