The First Meeting with the Taku (1)

Alberto sat in the passenger cabin, his eyes fixed on the landscape below.

A vast expanse of dense greenery, dotted with towering trees, winding rivers, and jagged mountain peaks. From this height, he could see the vague outlines of Taku settlements—clusters of stone structures, set in clearings and connected by a network of well-maintained paths. The Taku civilization, though isolated, was far from primitive.

The helicopter flew over the Taku city.

The stone buildings, with sloping, thatched roofs, rose in steps, following the contours of the land. The structures were decorated with intricate carvings depicting scenes from Taku mythology—gods, spirits, and legendary heroes. Huge stone statues of the Taku ancestors stood at the entrance to the city, their impressive images carved in such detail that they seemed almost alive.