Lost in Graviton

Lost in Graviton - Chapter 4: Rivas, The Town in Trees

Sayrel and Chief Esteban are now heading to the city of Rivas through the Rock Forest. This forest is filled with trees growing on big chunks of rocks. Paths are carved in this forest for the people to get through the two towns and, at the same time, gather the resources they need here.

“So this is the Rock Forest, huh?” Sayrel said to Chief Esteban. “Kind of … weird …”

“What planet are you from, Sayrel?” Chief Esteban.

“I came from a planet called Earth …” Sayrel answered. “Why did you ask?”

“Ah, Earth. That lively planet. Very green, and blue. I really wish to visit there, sometime.” Chief Esteban said as he describes his admiration on the planet.

“Really?” Sayrel asked with shock. “Oh, well … I guess it’s now … less green and much … uhmm … modern …”

“Yes … If we’re not sucked here like the others …” Chief Esteban whispered.

“What did you say?” Sayrel asked.

“Nothing”, Chief Esteban answered. “Just continue walking …”

As they continued walking, they came across three fork paths with no clear distinction as to what path that leads outside the forest should they take.

“This is to stave off unknown travelers”, Chief Esteban explained. “Two of them are filled with Boulderbees. They are big, hard flying creatures that have pointy tails that can cut through flesh. They are really dangerous, so the only ones who know where the safe path is are the ones from Feristeline and Rivas.”

“So, technically, only the two cities can use this path … safely?” Sayrel asked.

“Yes, indeed. Follow me. I know the way”, Chief Esteban answered.

They took the path pointing to the east, and they safely get out of the Rock Forest and arrive at a group of tall trees.

“We’re here”, Chief Esteban said.

“Wait, what we’re here? I don’t see any Rivas here”, Sayrel asked as he looks everywhere to find a city.

“We’re really here”, Chief Esteban explained. “We just need to find the entrance.”

“What?” Sayrel asked loudly. “Where is it?”

“Up there”, Chief Esteban answered as he points his finger upwards.

People of Rivas are really problematic with the monsters roaming around their area. They are stealing food, destroying homes, and even killing people. Losing their hopes, Rivas has found a solution by using their environment. They settled on top of the trees, with each tree holding two to three houses. They also build hanging bridges from vines and carved wood to connect these houses. To still gather resources from below, they hollowed out one tree and installed an elevator-like system that is controlled by men on the top. The door below is hidden with bushes so that it could not be easily seen.

“Let’s head to that bush over there”, Chief Esteban said to Sayrel. They approached a pile of brushes near a tree in their right side.

After they shoved the bushes, they found a hole that opens a well-hidden door for the elevator. They opened the door to ride the elevator.

“Isn’t this automatic?” Sayrel asked.

“What is automatic, Mr. Sayrel?” Chief Esteban asked.

“Uhmm … “, Sayrel said as he scratches the back of his head. “Let’s say … it’s something that is operating instantly, or simply, once we stepped on this thing, it will quickly lift us up.”

“Ah, I see.” Chief Esteban said. “No, this is not automatic. We need to pull this first so that they will know someone rides the elevator.”

Chief Esteban pulls the rope beside him, and they are slowly going up. They slowly see light above them, and when they stopped, Sayrel opened the door as he sees an army of men pointing spears on them.

“Woah, woah, woah, woah! Wait!” Sayrel shouted as he tries to calm down the army. “We’re not enemies … We’re … We’re not bad … Spare us …”

“Don’t worry, Sayrel”, Chief Esteban said as he pats his shoulder from his back. “I’ll take care of this. They know me …”

Chief Esteban stood in front of the army and approached one of them. He whispered to his ears, and then the soldier ordered his men to leave. He then calls the attention of their chief from the house not far away from the entrance.

An old man wearing a headdress similar to those American-Indian natives on Earth went outside the house. Seeing his visitors, he quickly rushed to their position, feeling excited for their coming.

“Esteban! My friend!” the old man shouted. “It’s good to see you again!”

“Oh, Taranri, isn’t it bad to visit you sometime?” Chief Esteban answered, and then laughed afterwards.

“Oh, by the way. This man is Sayrel. He claims to enter here from the outside”, Chief Esteban said as he introduces Sayrel to Elder Taranri.

“I see”, Elder Taranri answered.

“Uhmm … Hi, Elder Taranri”, Sayrel said shyly. “So, you are the chief here.”

“I am”, Elder Taranri replied. “The word ‘Elder’ is just not for show, young lad.”

All people at Rivas, including Chief Esteban and Elder Taranri, laughed very hard.

“Okay, okay. I understand”, Sayrel said as he tries to quiet down the crowd. “I’m not here for some jokes or anything. I need answers.”

The crowd had some silence as Elder Taranri approached Sayrel. “What is it, Sayrel?” he asked.

“Well…” Chief Esteban interrupted and approached Elder Taranri. “You see...”

“What, my friend?” he asked. Chief Esteban slowly goes near Elder Taranri and whispered “He’s not from here.”

Elder Taranri looked at Sayrel with amusement, and said “Come. Follow me at my home.”

Sayrel and Chief Esteban followed Elder Taranri back to his house situated at the top of the Tree of Rivas, where most villagers of Rivas live. Sayrel had his mind focused only on getting back to Earth as they slowly approach Elder Taranri’s home.