Here, in the city's underbelly, the scene was a stark contrast to the ordered tranquility of the upper levels. The air was thick with the disarray and distress of its people. Residents scurried up and down the stairs, their movements marked by urgency – a far cry from the calm society they had witnessed just a day before.
Kallathelu, perceiving their alarm, began to unravel the root of the day's anxiety. He spoke of the city's peril, wrought by rising water levels due to unusual weather patterns above. He recounted how the previous winter's devastating floods had ravaged their food supplies and agriculture, even claiming lives. Now, with the untimely rain, the threat of flooding loomed once more, more imminent than ever.
As Steve surveyed his surroundings, the deterioration of the lower-level structures was glaringly evident. Kallathelu's voice, heavy with despair, conveyed his years of futile appeals for divine intervention and assistance from the Nariki.
Despite his persistent efforts, the flooding had returned, now even during the traditionally dry season.
Having exhausted every avenue, Kallathelu had made a reluctant, historic decision to break the long-standing isolation from the world above, inviting outsiders into their sacred realm. The recent days had sparked a glimmer of hope for this ancient city, a beacon amidst their relentless struggles.
As they continued discussing the situation, observing the inhabitants' preparations for potential floods, a noticeable shift occurred – the rain had finally ceased. A sense of relief, however tentative, began to permeate the air.
Kallathelu, in his local tongue, expressed a newfound optimism. "We seem to have the gods' favor today, as the rain has ceased," he announced with a resonant, hopeful voice. "This calls for a celebration!" he declared, inviting Steve to join him for lunch.
Soaked from the rain and a step closer to understanding the tribe, Steve and his team were offered a gesture of hospitality and integration. Kallathelu, in his celebratory spirit, presented them with local clothing – pelts that symbolized their rank within the community. It was a meaningful act, symbolizing their acceptance and the bridging of two worlds.
---
Nia navigated them through the city's labyrinthine passageways, her footsteps echoing softly in the dimly lit corridors. Ascending to the third level, they arrived at what appeared to be a tanner's workshop, ingeniously integrated within the cave's natural structure. The scent of leather and the soft sound of crafting filled the air, adding to the workshop's rustic charm.
Inside, a young woman was deeply engrossed in sewing a fresh pelt, her hands moving with practiced precision. An older woman, surrounded by an array of pelts from various forest animals, greeted them with a warm, acknowledging nod. Her hands, weathered by time and work, were a testament to years spent perfecting her craft.
Nia engaged in a brief conversation with the elder lady, their words a delicate dance between respect and assertiveness. After a moment of mild disagreement, they seemed to reach an understanding.
The elder tanner retrieved a long strip of leather and began taking their measurements with an experienced eye.
The unspoken request to undress was communicated with a subtle gesture, an integral part of their age-old traditions. In this hidden society, clothing made from animal pelts was not just a norm but a cultural emblem, seamlessly blending with the natural world around them.
For Steve and Kasongo, disrobing in such a setting was a deviation from their own cultural norms. Yet, understanding the importance of respecting the customs of their hosts, they complied, albeit reluctantly.
Safiya, with the wisdom of her years, was the first to embrace the change. She donned a magnificent great ape pelt, the garment acknowledging her status and age within the community. Its texture and weight seemed to resonate with her own life's experiences.
Kasongo, initially hesitant, received an encouraging nudge from the tanner, a gentle reminder of the cultural exchange in which they were participating. A stern, yet affectionate word from Safiya dissolved his hesitation, and he soon stood proudly in a snakeskin pelt, a symbol of honor and bravery.
Steve's discomfort was palpable as he undressed, a deep blush coloring his cheeks. The sensation of being the only fully unclothed man among four topless women was a new and awkward experience. Kasongo had undergone the same just moments ago, but having all eyes only on you was a weird sensation, for a married man at least.
His embarrassment, however, was soon alleviated when he was draped in a sleek leopard pelt, an elegant garment that seemed to mirror his agile and alert nature.
The feeling of wearing the pelt was as if he had gotten his body back; there were no clothes blocking his skin senses, being barefoot didn´t feel uncomfortable at all, and it felt as if he was more agile. The only thing disturbing him was that his fellow downstairs was unprotected from underneath, and his dangling there would take time to get used to.
Steve couldn't shake off the feeling that Nia had a hand in choosing this pelt for him. Despite his initial discomfort, he decided to appreciate the gift and the cultural significance it carried.
Clad in their new garments, Steve felt the curious gazes of the women, their looks conveying a mix of admiration and intrigue, and not directed at him, but at his waist.
Expressing their gratitude to the tanners, they prepared to meet Chief Kallathelu.
They tried to take their old clothes and belongings with them as they were leaving. Inside were two sets of guns, phones, and other important equipment. Yet, they were strictly forbidden, what was described as a symbolic gesture of shedding their former selves to embrace the customs of this ancient city.
Refused by all three of them, they agreed that it would be handed over once dried and inspected by the chief. Now defenseless, even if they argued, they had a limited chance of refusing as they were now completely unarmed and completely dependent on the Elikians.
As they made their way to the grand hall, Steve felt a sense of relief once he saw inside. The hall, resplendent with precious metals and artifacts of immense value, was a treasure trove that could easily ignite greed.
In their new attire, the group traversed the corridors with a renewed sense of belonging, their steps leading them to an encounter with Chief Kallathelu and the continuation of their extraordinary journey.
---
Over lunch, the conversation started with congratulations on taking the first step of being an exalted member of the first city. Naturally, the discussion gravitated toward the city's flooding crisis. As they sat in the grand hall, surrounded by the opulence of ancient artifacts, Steve shared his thoughts with Chief Kallathelu.
"Chief Kallathelu, have you considered using modern technology to prevent and repair the flood damage?" Steve proposed, his tone respectful yet earnest. "We could leverage scientific methods, but it would mean bringing in more assistance and equipment from the surface."
As the language barrier, Kasongo had to translate Lingala and Safiya to the ancient tongue and the other way around. Since this was the eighth day of doing so, this had become the norm, and they were gradually getting better at this communication method.
Kallathelu, his expression contemplative, slowly nodded. "Your ideas are intriguing, Steve, but our traditions are deeply rooted. Integrating your world's methods with ours... it's a decision that weighs heavily," he admitted, his voice reflecting the gravity of such a choice.
Steve acknowledged the chief's concerns. "I understand the delicate balance you're trying to maintain. I'll discuss this further with my colleague, Dr. Dunn, to ensure we approach this with sensitivity to your culture."
The chief, still somewhat skeptical, agreed to give the matter further thought. "We will talk more on this later in the week; I also look forward to meeting Dunn," he concluded, a note of cautious optimism in his tone.
As the meal drew to a close, Chief Kallathelu granted them the long-awaited permission to visit the sacred cave of Nili, albeit with restrictions. "Only two may enter at a time, accompanied by Elikia's warriors," he decreed, a testament to the cautious trust they had started to earn.
Nia, sensing the underlying tension between Kazi and Steve, had proactively discussed this with the chief. Her initiative led to an arrangement where she would accompany Steve, and they would split joining the others. The chief's endorsement of this plan aimed to foster group harmony.
With gratitude for the meal and the opportunity, the group departed, descending towards the city's depths.
The mid-noon sun cast a dim light on their path, urging them to hasten their journey to the Nili cave.
Reaching the lowermost floor, they were met with an alley, hidden from plain sight. A few large boulders blocked a few pathways, and each boulder was boulder guarded by two sentinels. In the middle, a large tunnel, illuminated with small torches, led far into the earth, leading somewhere to the unknown.
Upon arrival, Nia exchanged words with the guards, who then revealed a hidden tunnel by moving one of the boulders aside, reveling a smaller tunnel, again fit for one or maybe two persons.
What they had been brought to was a passway to another location, and the one they were about to enter was heading to a sacred ground, the destination completely unknown to them.
Nia's hand found Steve's in a gesture of guidance and camaraderie. This was the first time they touched, but Steve could feel the firm and strong grip, the powerful hand that was leading him forward.
Her smile was broad, her excitement palpable. She gestured for him to lead the way into the tunnel. Unaware in the moment of his vulnerability beneath the pelt, Steve proceeded, followed closely by Nia. The darkness of the tunnel offered a comforting shield, easing any potential discomfort.
Crawling through the narrow passage, Steve became aware of his unusual attire—or lack thereof.
Behind him, Nia's presence was a reassuring reminder of the extraordinary circumstances they were navigating together. The experience was a stark contrast to the predictability of his usual life, a reminder of how far he had ventured into the unknown, but also how much he had sacrificed to discover the unkown.
But his excitement, once again ruled as he continued crawling forward.