The trip to Naja-Naja Town proved far more arduous than their previous journeys, owing to the bumpy, uphill terrain that wound relentlessly along the rugged mountainside.
Passing beneath a massive archway framed by giant crossed metal axes—so colossal they made the carriage look like a tiny ant—the transport officially crossed into the territory of the Najian people.
The town itself was split into two distinct tiers.
The lower section rested directly at the foot of the hill, where residential homes were built from thick clay and natural black and white stones reinforced by heavy iron beams. Beside these fortified dwellings stood the quadrant's massive depositories, built to hold and safeguard their vast supply of resources.
As the carriage passed through, their arrival sparked immediate curiosity, drawing glances from the heavy-set locals who had received no prior warning of foreign visitors.
Beyond the lower settlement, the road coiled steeply upward around the highest peak in Tambora, leading to the main district where the Najian people carried out their heavy industrial work—mining, forging weapons, constructing machinery, and maintaining the elder's hall.
Unlike Sawa or Batik, the arid landscape of Naja-Naja was entirely devoid of lush flora and fauna. The barren ground was swept with dark orange soil, which served as the raw foundation for their sturdy architectural structures.
Due to the vast mineral deposits slumbering beneath the earth and the roaring heat of the endless forge fires, the ambient temperature in Naja-Naja was noticeably higher.
The Najian people themselves were distinctly broad-shouldered and towering—far larger in stature than the inhabitants of the other towns.
Ascending the spiraling route, Suria and Riang leaned against the carriage window, enjoying the sweeping, elevated panorama of the vast Tambora landscape unfolding below them.
Near the summit, a twenty-foot wall of polished black marble guarded by three half-armored sentries emerged into view.
Beside the gate stood a busy transport terminal where all horse-drawn carriages were required to park, as wheeled vehicles were strictly prohibited inside the upper district.
Azareth stepped out of the carriage, turning to his soldiers.
"Check on our transport immediately," he instructed quietly. "The wheels suffered heavy damage along that rough climb."
Turning to Suria and Riang, Azareth gestured toward a cliffside ledge.
"Join me by the edge for a moment. Watch the sunset over the crater while my men file our arrival report."
"Wow, just look at that, Suria! It's breathtaking!" Riang gasped, her eyes wide as the golden light washed over the vast caldera.
"Do the people here get to see this every single day, Azareth?" Suria asked softly.
"I certainly hope they do," Azareth replied with a warm smile. "Come, let us go meet the elder."
Approaching the black marble gate, Azareth unbuckled his fitted leather boots and set them aside.
"We must remove our footwear from this point on," he instructed gently, prompting Suria and Riang to follow suit.
Azareth presented the official scroll to the head guard, who inspected the seal and bowed deeply to grant them entry.
Directly past the threshold, Azareth guided them into a long, shallow stream of ankle-high water. The gentle current was a sacred Najian tradition—designed to symbolically cleanse the sins of the road from a traveler's feet while offering cooling relief from Naja-Naja's arid, baked stone.
In the very center of the waterway stood a towering iron monument that instantly caught Suria's attention.
"They really embrace my father here, Riang," Suria murmured, stopping before the grand sculpture. "This monument... it's his weapon. Look at the dragon head carved into the hilt, the fish scales along the shaft, and the green pearl clasped beneath the eagle's claw at the base."
Riang stared up at the iron weapon, her expression softening into deep reverence.
"It's incredible... I've never seen the real thing. Looking at all of this, Suria... I'm starting to respect him so much more. Hearing what he fought to protect... it makes me hate rumors even more. I swear I'm never joining those gossip circles back at the park again."
Past the monument, a sleek marble tunnel served as the sole passage into the heart of the main district. Azareth led the way inside, the ambient light growing steadily brighter as they reached the far exit.
Stepping out onto the pristine white marble floor, they were greeted by the bustling sight of barefoot Najian citizens hard at work.
Blacksmiths arranged specialized weaponry outside open-air forge shops, labor teams hauled heavy steel equipment across the plazas, maintenance crews reinforced iron structures, and steady lines of workers moved in and out of four colossal pathways carved into the cardinal corners of the town.
"Look at all those gems, Riang. They are magnificent," Suria remarked thoughtfully. "It's a pity these resources are strictly contained within the crater."
"Suria, most of them don't even know there's a world outside," Riang reminded her gently, recalling her conversation with Perang. "They have no idea."
"It's true," Azareth affirmed softly. "Nearly everyone in Tambora is completely unaware of the world beyond the rim. That truth is kept strictly among the elders, their trusted aides, and high-ranking soldiers."
Azareth paused, casting a meaningful look toward Suria.
"Some truths bring only harm if shared carelessly. For hundreds of years, our generations have lived in absolute peace, spared from the endless wars and greed that plague the outside world over scarce resources."
Guiding them toward a nearby jewelry stall, Azareth opened his travel pouch and produced two banana-leaf packages filled with fragrant glutinous rice. The shopkeeper's face lit up with delight, eagerly trading the rare delicacy for two brilliantly polished, color-shifting gemstones.
Azareth presented one gem to Suria and the other to Riang.
"Out there, people kill each other for basic food, while gems are hoarded strictly by the rich and powerful," Azareth said quietly as they stepped back onto the walkway. "We do not live like that here. Everything is kept in balance. The more hidden we remain, the safer our people are."
Before they could reach the grand hall, an imposing figure turned the corner, heading directly toward them accompanied by a chief lieutenant and a retinue of heavy miners.
"Good day, Elder Nazarin," Azareth greeted respectfully, delivering the traditional thumb-tucked salute before presenting the official scroll.
Elder Nazarin was a towering man, vastly taller and more muscular than any warrior they had encountered in Tambora.
His scarred, bald head was encircled by a silver forehead band, contrasting with his sharp square jaw, bright orange beard, and fierce, matching amber eyes. He wore only a fitted iron chainmail vest, heavy leather trousers, and thick iron guards wrapped around his forearms and shins.
Nazarin read the scroll, his amber eyes scanning the text for a brief moment before he suddenly dropped to his knees. Behind him, his entire retinue and the surrounding Najian villagers instantly prostrated themselves onto the cool marble floor.
Suria reacted instantly, rushing forward to catch Nazarin by his broad shoulders.
"Please, Elder, stand up! At ease!"
Rising to his full height, Nazarin's deep, booming bass voice echoed across the open plaza:
"NAJIAN! WELCOME THE DAUGHTER OF OUR BELOVED WARRIOR, LADY SURIA!"
The entire district erupted into deafening, joyful cheers.
"W-warrior...?" Riang blinked, catching the word with a look of surprise.
As the cheers settled, Nazarin offered a respectful nod.
"Forgive me, my guests, but as the sun sets, it is our solemn duty as elders to join the miners down in the deep shafts. I must fulfill my evening shift, but I shall formally host you the moment my labor is complete."
"If that is the case, please let us join you," Suria offered directly, eager to observe the inner workings of the mines.
Beside her, Riang quickly crossed her arms into an 'X', shaking her head in silent protest.
Nazarin burst into a rolling, hearty laugh.
"Yahahaha! If you wish to walk the deep mines, you will need proper attire! Karin! Fetch our guests suitable mining gear. I shall head down first; guide them to the central cage once they are ready."
"I will make my way to the main hall first, then," Azareth said, taking his leave.
While Azareth headed to the elder's hall to rest, Karin escorted Suria and an unwilling Riang—who was practically dragged along by her friend—to the guest quarters to change into heavy protective mining gear.
Dressed in fitted leather tunics, thick trousers, and reinforced boots, the two Kshatriyas were led to a massive hollow shaft plunging into the center of the town.
They stepped into a heavy steel cage lift manually operated by thick iron cables, descending into the dark subterranean depths illuminated only by scattered wall torches.
"The four corner pathways above serve strictly as exit routes," Karin explained as the lift groaned downward. "Each tunnel corresponds to a specific mineral vein, featuring continuous streams of running water to wash away the dust and heat from the workers as they depart."
Karin looked over at Suria, his voice turning reflective.
"Before your father arrived, this central crater was nothing more than a roaring pool of molten lava. But when he buried his sacred staff at the midpoint arch, the lava receded entirely, replacing the fire with rich, endless veins of precious metals."
"Then... what happens if the staff is removed?" Riang asked cautiously.
"As the ancient prophecy states," Karin replied solemnly, "I fear we would awaken something that was meant to remain asleep forever."
Riang fell silent. Even Suria, who had heard countless stories about her father's power, found herself staring into the darkness below.
For the first time, the crater no longer looked like a monument to her father's greatness. It looked like something was being held back.
The lift groaned to a halt at the lowest floor, where Karin pulled the heavy lever to lock the platform in place.
Stepping out, they entered a vast, cavernous expanse where the lava lake had once churned. Hundreds of Najian miners were actively carving out brilliant ore, sorting raw minerals into heavy wheelbarrows before pushing them up the long exit ramps.
Monitoring the operations nearby, Elder Nazarin wiped the sweat from his brow and walked over to greet them.
"My shift is complete," he announced warmly. "As elders before me have done, it is my duty to personally designate which mineral veins we harvest each day."
Nazarin walked them along the cavern walls, pointing out raw silver, iron, and rare mineral deposits while explaining their specific structural uses.
After guiding them back up to the surface district via one of the aquatic exit tunnels, Nazarin gave them a tour of the local crafting sectors.
They first visited the massive industrial loading bays, where giant counterweight crane systems smoothly transported raw materials between the upper peak and the lower residential valley.
Next, he demonstrated how Najian smiths precision-cut rare alloys, before finally bringing them to a high-ceiling warehouse.
There, a colossal thirty-meter iron statue of Bimashakti was currently under construction, adorned with radiant gemstones and designed to replace the ancient midpoint arch. After observing the statue, the duo was escorted back to the main hall, where Azareth was patiently waiting.
Entering the grand hall, they were seated at a low wooden table and served steaming local dishes alongside piping hot tea.
Nazarin retrieved the official scroll from his desk, unrolling it to examine the mark once more.
"As elders, our primary duty is the protection and survival of our people," Nazarin said calmly, pouring himself a cup of hot tea. "We must make decisions that prevent catastrophe—that respect the prophecy."
Karin stepped forward, presenting the heavy iron crest. Without hesitation, Nazarin pressed his mark firmly onto the bottom of the scroll, rolled it tightly, and handed it back to Azareth.
He took a slow sip, his gaze drifting thoughtfully toward the high windows.
"Ever since I was a boy, I wondered... what would my life have been like outside Tambora? What would have become of our people if Lord Shakti had never arrived? Would we have torn each other apart in bloody wars over dwindling resources?"
Nazarin set his cup down, looking directly into Suria's eyes.
"I realized that leadership requires making painful choices and carrying the weight of the outcome. Some in Tambora revere your father as a god, a holy deity. But here in Naja-Naja, we honor Lord Shakti as the ultimate warrior. Remember this, Suria: like your father, a true leader must make decisions that honor all parties, even when the burden is heavy."
"..."
"Are you departing for Punti Town tonight, Azareth?"
"Tonight?!" Suria and Riang blurted out in unison.
"Yes, Elder," Azareth replied apologetically. "Forgive us for our brief stay, but we must reach Punti and return to Sawa in time to prepare for the Exchange Festival."
"Hey, why must we travel at night?" Riang grumbled, holding her hot tea. "Can't we just leave tomorrow morning?"
"It seems Azareth has not yet explained the nature of Punti Town's gateway," Karin interjected gently. "The magical path to Punti only opens when the sky is completely dark."
"A magical town? Here on Earth?" Suria asked, her brow furrowing.
"Indeed," Nazarin explained, standing up from the table. "The Elder of Punti is the only living soul who knows how to channel the raw energy of your father's relic. She is the most revered figure in all of Tambora—the original elder who has ruled since the time of our founders, never once replaced."
"Wait... what does that mean?" Suria asked, growing increasingly perplexed.
"Do not worry; you will understand the moment you meet her," Nazarin smiled gently. "Come out to the balcony, my honored guests."
Stepping out onto the high viewing platform overlooking the entire volcanic caldera, Nazarin pointed across the vast expanse.
"Look there—that row of colossal green canopies is Batik Town. To the right, glowing across the valley, is Sawa." He then shifted his arm toward the misty eastern sector. "And right there lies Punti. Unlike our mountain peaks or Batik's tree canopy, Punti is built entirely underground. As Karin mentioned, its gateway manifests only after midnight and seals before the first light of dawn."
As Suria stared out across the serene, vast landscape, Nazarin suddenly winced, letting out a sharp, ragged cough—"Arghuk! Arghuk!"
A streak of dark blood spattered onto his palm.
Karin rushed forward instantly, handing the elder a clean cloth with practiced ease. Suria watched the interaction closely, her eyes narrowing in silent concern, though she refrained from speaking.
"Forgive me," Nazarin rasped, wiping his mouth and regaining his composure. "I am unable to see you off personally, but Karin shall accompany you to the gate on my behalf. May your journey bring you wisdom. We shall meet again at the midpoint arch."
With a firm nod, the towering elder retreated into his private quarters. Karin looked visibly anxious for his master, yet maintained his quiet resolve.
"Come," Karin said softly. "I will ensure you are fully provisioned for the road."
Returning to the transport station at the marble gate, Suria and Riang were stunned to find their damaged carriage replaced by a brand-new, heavily reinforced steel-and-timber transport. Azareth's soldiers stood ready beside the fresh horses.
"A parting gift from Elder Nazarin," Karin smiled warmly.
"Thank you, Karin," Azareth said, bowing gratefully. "This is a tremendous blessing; our previous transport would not have survived the descent."
"See, Suria? You really need to go on a diet," Riang teased mischievously, elbowing her friend.
"Why, you little...!" Suria growled playfully, before turning back to the aide with a warm smile. "Thank you for everything, Karin. We deeply appreciate Naja-Naja's warmth and hospitality."
"Convey Naja-Naja's respect to the remaining elders," Karin requested, standing before the black marble gate and delivering a crisp salute. "May your path be guided by wisdom."
The new carriage surged forward, rolling smoothly down the winding mountain pass. As they descended, the high panoramic view of Tambora slowly faded behind the rocky crags.
Word of their identity had spread throughout the lower district, and as they crossed through the residential sector, crowds of Najian villagers lined the streets even beneath the dark night sky, cheering and waving warmly.
Overwhelmed by the affectionate send-off, Riang leapt up, planting her right foot onto the carriage's side railing and pointing her hand proudly toward the sky.
"Thank you, everyone! We will make the best decisions for Tambora! We love you all!"
Azareth and his guards chuckled warmly at Riang's dramatic enthusiasm.
Beside her, however, Suria sat quietly in her seat, staring blankly out the window, lost in deep thought.
Passing beneath the heavy crossed-axes arch, the carriage exited Naja-Naja territory, charting a course through the dark night toward Punti—the final hidden quadrant of Tambora.
"What's on your mind, Suria?" Riang asked, stepping down and settling beside her.
Suria let out a long, heavy sigh.
"Something very heavy."