Chapter 13: The Sage of the Jungle and the Old Friend

The journey through the jungle under guard continued in tense silence. The warriors with metallic skin walked firmly around the group, keeping their light spears pointed toward the ground but never lowering their guard.

—At least they don't seem cruel, —Sixsevenin whispered very quietly to Willity.— If they wanted to hurt us, they wouldn't have helped us out of the waterfall current.

Willity nodded, watching Deri walk close to his legs, his membranes folded and his ears alert to every sound coming from the vegetation. Beside him, Ramsi adjusted the weight of his huge wet backpack, while Jazzi made sure her crystal branch did not shine too brightly and disturb the guards.

After following a path surrounded by enormous glowing ferns, the jungle opened up to reveal a remarkable village. The homes were not made of stone or metal like those in the northern domes. Instead, they were oval structures built harmoniously into the trunks of the thickest trees. Dozens of inhabitants of the same species watched the arrival of the strangers with a mixture of suspicion and  curiosity.

The warriors led the group to a large raised platform in the center of the village. There, sitting on a seat carved from an ancient tree root, waited a being with the same metallic appearance, but clearly much older. His skin had a dull platinum color, changed by the passing of time, and he wore a cloak woven from the jungle's shining fibers. His deep, calm eyes carefully studied each of the newcomers.

One of the guards stepped forward and explained the situation in his soft, hissing language, making a hand gesture that imitated the strange movement of the palms that the prisoners had made at the pool.

When he heard this, the old man slowly stood up. A murmur of respect spread through the crowd.

The Sage walked a few steps toward the group. He looked closely at Iris and Sixsevenin, and then at Willity and the other Nimbis. Without saying a word, he raised his long hands with his palms facing upward and began gently moving them from side to side.

—Six Seven, —said the old man in a deep voice that seemed to echo from the very roots of the earth.

The Sage Recognizes Them
Sage Orom recognizes the travelers through the ancient Peace Greeting of S7.

​Willity and his friends let out a quiet sigh of relief. Immediately, the whole group answered by copying the greeting together. The warriors guarding them looked at one another in amazement, slowly lowering the tips of their spears as they realized that the old man recognized the newcomers not as invaders, but as bearers of an ancient memory.

—The code of the First Builders, —said the Sage in the common language of S7, nodding to the guards to leave.— It has been many cycles since an inhabitant of the domes or the highlands crossed the mountains to speak those words to my people. —I am Orom, guardian of the Waterfall Tribe.

—We came from the great pyramid, escaping from its underground traps, —explained Iris with her usual calmness.— We did not come to disturb your peace.

—I know, —replied Orom with a slight smile.— The pyramid holds secrets that not everyone is ready to understand.

However, their conversation was suddenly interrupted by a frightening sound. A deep rumble shook the wooden platform and the tops of the giant trees.

Panic spread through the village within seconds. The inhabitants ran for shelter inside the tree trunks, while the warriors quickly raised their spears again, their faces filled with fear. A deep, powerful roar shook the jungle air.

—The mountain beast! —shouted one of the guards.— It's coming toward the village!

Orom remained calm, but his eyes showed great concern.

—It passes through this valley from time to time, —the Sage explained to the explorers.— It is a giant made of rock and moss. It has never attacked the village directly, but it is so enormous that we fear for our homes whenever it crosses our territory.

From the vegetation at the edge of the village, pushing huge trees aside as if they were nothing more than blades of grass, a gigantic mass of stone, roots, and dark plates appeared, its eyes glowing blue. Beside it, jumping in small steps and trying to keep up with its heavy movements, came a much smaller figure.

Willity and Sixsevenin suddenly looked at each other, their eyes wide open.

—It's not a threat! —exclaimed Willity, stepping forward despite the guards' surprised cries.

—Wait! —added Sixsevenin, stepping between the warriors' spears and the creature.

The enormous Guardian of the Mist stopped when it saw the small group. Its little baby came out from behind its front legs and, recognizing Willity and Sixsevenin, made a soft, happy clicking sound. The colossal beast slowly lowered its heavy head of stone and moss toward them in a gesture of deep respect and gratitude, remembering how they had saved its little one in the deep cracks of the northern jungle.

Reunion with the Guardian of the Mist
The Guardian of the Mist and its baby show their gratitude to Willity and his companions.

Deri made a playful jump onto Ramsi's shoulder and gave a friendly "Miiiauu!" toward the baby.

Silence once again filled the village. The warriors watched in amazement as the feared mountain creature not only did not attack, but seemed to bow to the newcomers before calmly continuing on its way with its baby toward the lush valleys of the south.

Sage Orom watched the scene with complete fascination. He looked at Willity, Sixsevenin, and the other explorers with a new sense of respect.

—You have brought peace to our valley without needing to raise a weapon, —said the old man, opening his arms toward them in a peaceful gesture of welcome.— Anyone who can earn the affection of the Guardian of the Mist is welcome in the home of our tribe. Tell me, young travelers...What are you really looking for in these forgotten lands?

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Project created by Martín Vicente Lozano / El Arte de ser Maestro.

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