Maalu stood tall, her athletic frame casting a formidable shadow over the fallen man. Her rich, sun-kissed skin gleamed under the dim light of the crystals embedded in the cavern walls. Her piercing eyes, sharp and observant, scanned the man’s strange attire

“Ya best not move too quick, stranger. Don’t know what kinda beast ya are, but ya ain’t from around here, that’s for sure. These lands, they’re mine—every tree, every beast, every blade of grass. And ya just fell right into ‘em.”

“Speak careful, or ya might not live long enough to regret whatever brought ya here.”

Maalu narrowed her eyes at the stranger, his foreign accent and strange attire further adding to his intrigue. "So ya claim," she said, still keeping a wary distance between them. "Well, you're here now, and that changes things." Her grip tightened on her spear as she contemplated what to do with this unexpected guest.

"I am Maalu, leader of this tribe. This land is ours, our home for generations. No one comes here uninvited, no matter how it might have happened. Tell me why I shouldn't end you right now and toss your corpse back down the hole from which ya came."

"Hmm," Maalu grunted as she surveyed the contents of the stranger's backpack. The various tools and supplies inside seemed to support his claim of being an explorer, but that did little to ease her suspicion. She took a step closer, examining him further. He was thin and agile, with skin unlike any she had seen before. His clothes were made of strange, foreign materials and adorned with beads and feathers.

"What do you know about Mundan?" Maalu asked sharply. "Where are you from? What brings you here, to this hidden world?" Her grip on the spear remained steady as she awaited his answers.

Maalu raised an eyebrow at the stranger's words, surprised by his knowledge of her world. The mention of the Great Avalon Empire sparked a spark of curiosity within her. "And why is that?" she demanded, pointing her spear at him accusingly. "Why would they call you such a thing?"

She took another step closer, the flickering light from above casting strange shadows across his face. His features fascinated her, as if he were part of some ancient legend come to life. But she couldn't forget who and what he was: an outsider, someone who didn't belong in this place.

"You'd best start explaining yourself, Toji a fool," Maalu growled. "And be quick about it."

Maalu frowned, not entirely convinced by the stranger's explanation. His stories of an empire beyond the surface world sounded like little more than fairy tales to her, and she couldn't help but feel a twinge of suspicion whenever he spoke of his "explorations." Still, there was something about him that made Maalu hesitate before striking him down. Perhaps there was some use for this outsider, if handled carefully.

"Very well," she said slowly, lowering her spear but keeping it at the ready. "You may come with me to our village. I will decide then what fate awaits you." With that, she turned and began walking back towards the opening from which they had both emerged, motioning for Toji to follow.

The trek back through the tunnel was long and arduous, but Maalu's knowledge of Mundan's underground network

"I am Maalu," she replied curtly, still leading the way through the tunnel. "As for my tribe, we are the Children of the Baobab. We've lived here for generations, protecting this land and all who dwell within it." Her words were spoken with a note of pride, but there was an edge to them as well, warning Toji not to underestimate their power or importance in Mundan's complex social order.

The air grew warmer and brighter as they neared the end of the tunnel, eventually emerging into a verdant clearing surrounded by towering trees. The village was nestled among the branches like some sort of natural fortress, woven together with vines and interlaced with plant life. Maalu paused at the edge of the forest, looking out over her domain before turning back to Toji.

"Come," she said simply, gesturing once more for him to follow. "You have questions you want answered? You can ask them when we reach my home."

As you follow Maalu through her village, you can't help but be impressed by its intricate design and harmony with nature. The homes are constructed from woven vines and intertwined with plant life, blending seamlessly into the surrounding forest. The people, too, seem attuned to their environment; they move gracefully, their bodies hardened by years of living in this harsh yet beautiful landscape.

You notice that the villagers give you wary glances as you pass, their expressions a mix of curiosity and suspicion. It's clear that they are not accustomed to strangers, and Maalu's presence at your side only serves to heighten their wariness. Despite this, she continues leading you deeper into the village, towards her own personal quarters.

As you approach her home, Maalu turns to face you. "Now," she says firmly, "you have questions. Ask them." Her tone leaves no room for hesitation; she expects you to speak your mind and soon.

"We've been here since the beginning," Maalu replied, nodding towards her home. "Our ancestors followed the great river up from the surface world and discovered this hidden sanctuary long before recorded time. They made their home among these trees, carving out a life for themselves in harmony with Mundan's ancient ways." She studied Toji closely, trying to gauge his reaction to her story.

"You may find it hard to believe," she continued, "but this place has existed for millennia, untouched by time and the outside world. We are proof that life can thrive even when all hope seems lost." Her voice held a note of pride and defiance, as if daring him to challenge her claim.

"Being the strongest has nothing to do with it," Maalu said, sounding slightly offended by the suggestion. "Leadership in our tribe is earned through wisdom and respect, not merely strength." She paused for a moment before continuing, her expression softening slightly. "My father was once chief of this village, but I gained my position through many years of training and proving myself to those who came before me."

She gestured around the room, taking in the various artifacts and mementos that adorned its walls and surfaces. "This village has survived because we understand the importance of tradition and knowledge being passed down from one generation to the next," she explained. "It's what allows us to adapt and thrive in a world that changes so rapidly."

"The creatures that dwell within Mundan's borders are as much a part of our world as the plants and trees," Maalu explained. "We hunt them to survive, but we also respect their place in nature. It is this balance that allows us to live in harmony with our surroundings." She paused, considering her next words carefully before continuing. "As for what we eat... well, the jungles provide a great variety of fruits and vegetables, as do the rivers teeming with fish. We also gather nuts and berries when they are in season. But we do not waste; every part of an animal that is hunted is used in some way, whether it be for food, clothing, or tools."

"In some parts of Mundan, the weather can be quite cold," Maalu explained. "There are even areas where snow and ice cover the ground for much of the year. However, our tribe has adapted to live in a more temperate climate, relying on the abundant plant life and warm, moist air that is common in our part of the world." She gestured towards her hut, which was built to keep out both heat and cold. "We have learned to make use of the environment around us, tailoring our homes and lifestyles to suit our needs."

She smiled slightly, looking down at the ground before meeting your gaze once more. "We are not amazing; we are simply Mundan's children, living as our ancestors did countless generations before us. We have carved out a life here, beneath the surface of the world you know... but that doesn't make us any less a part of it." Her voice held a mix of pride and humility, reflecting her deep connection to both Mundan and the wider world beyond its borders.

"I'm curious as to why you ventured so far from the surface world," Maalu said thoughtfully. "And what brought you to our doorstep? Your people seem... advanced compared to anything we've encountered before." Her expression remained guarded, unsure of whether your presence in Mundan was a threat or an opportunity for her tribe.

She narrowed her eyes slightly, still unconvinced. "And what do you hope to gain by exploring Mundan?" she pressed, sensing that your answers so far had not been entirely forthcoming. "We have little of value to offer those who live above the surface world." Her voice held a note of warning; she was wary of your intentions and did not trust easily.

Despite her wariness, Maalu found herself drawn to you. There was something about you that made her feel as though there was more to your story than you were telling. She had always been good at reading people, and she could sense that there was a deeper connection between the two of you... if only you would let her reach it.

"And what makes you so sure that we would believe such a tale? We have lived here for generations, unaware of your surface world and all its wonders. To us, the existence of Mundan is not some legend or fairytale; it is our home, our reality." Maalu paused for a moment, searching your eyes for any hint of deceit. "But if you truly mean no harm... then perhaps we could find a way to trust each other." Her voice held a note of hopefulness, as if she was testing the waters, gauging whether or not it might be safe to lower her guard around you.

The choice was yours: Could you be honest with Maalu and reveal your true intentions? Or would you continue to hide them from her, risking both your friendship and the future of Mundan?

Maalu took a moment to process your words before responding. Her expression remained guarded, but there was a flicker of something else in her eyes - curiosity, perhaps? "An empire... you come from an empire?" she repeated doubtfully. "And yet you claim that you mean no harm?"

She looked at you thoughtfully for several long moments before finally speaking again. "Very well," she said slowly. "I will grant you the benefit of the doubt, for now. But if it is discovered that your intentions are not as pure as you claim... then I cannot be held responsible for what may happen." Her voice hardened slightly at the end, serving as a reminder of the power and authority she held within her tribe.

"In the meantime," she continued, "I will share with you what little we know of our world. You have proven yourself to be an honorable guest... for now. But remember: Mundan is a delicate balance, and the fate of its people rests in my hands." Her gaze was steady and unyielding as she awaited your response.

Without another word, Maalu rose to her feet and began to pace back and forth in front of you. Her movements were graceful and deliberate, conveying a sense of control and dominance over the situation. "Mundan is a place of ancient wonders," she said softly, her voice filled with reverence. "Our ancestors carved out this existence millennia ago, adapting to their environment and surviving against all odds. We have maintained that balance for generations... but now, with the outside world knocking on our door, it is more important than ever that we remain vigilant."

She turned to face you, her expression intense. "If you truly mean no harm, then I offer you my friendship and alliance," she said seriously. "But should it be discovered otherwise... I cannot guarantee your safety or the wellbeing of our people." Her words hung in the air like a warning, serving as a stark reminder of the power dynamics at play within Mundan's delicate ecosystem.

Her expression softened slightly at your words, but she remained cautious nonetheless. "I appreciate your honesty and understanding," she said slowly. "And while I cannot condone your actions in leaving your family and people without warning... I will not judge you for seeking knowledge and adventure." She paused, hesitating for a moment before continuing. "But know this: should any harm come to Mundan or its people because of your presence here, the consequences will be dire indeed. You must tread carefully, and never forget that you are a guest in our home."

Her gaze flickered to the entrance of her hut, as if she was debating whether or not to allow you access to the rest of Mundan's secrets. The choice lay with you: would you prove yourself trustworthy and deserving of her friendship... or would your actions ultimately destroy everything that Maalu had worked so hard to protect?

Despite herself, Maalu found that she was beginning to trust you. There was something about your story and the way you carried yourself that resonated with her on a deep level. "Then we shall hope for the best," she said finally, her voice gentle once more. "But know this: my offer of friendship and alliance still stands. You are welcome here, as long as you respect our ways and do not bring harm upon us." She gestured to one of the large, soft pelts that served as chairs in her hut. "Please, sit with me awhile longer. Let us discuss further what it is about Mundan that has brought you so far from home."

As you shared your experiences with Maalu, she listened intently, asking questions and offering insights into the lives of those who dwelled above the surface world. While there were many differences between Mundan and your empire, it was clear that there were also similarities: the struggle for power, the need for resources, and the quest for knowledge. As the hours passed, Maalu found herself growing more fascinated by you and your people... and more cautious.

Despite her efforts to remain objective, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about your story. Something about the way you spoke of your empire seemed... not quite right. Perhaps it was simply because she didn't have enough context to understand your customs and language fully. Or perhaps there was more to it than that.

Eventually, the conversation began to wind down as fatigue set in. Maalu thanked you for sharing your experiences and invited you to stay longer, but you politely declined, saying that it had been a long journey and that you should rest before continuing your exploration of Mundan. As you prepared to leave her hut, she offered one last piece of advice: "Be careful out there, my friend. There are many dangers lurking in the shadows, both aboveground and below." Her expression was solemn, yet full of concern for your wellbeing.

Her expression darkened at your words. "A lost stranger is still a loss," she said firmly. "And I will not allow the actions of outsiders to threaten the balance we have worked so hard to maintain." She nodded solemnly, as if making a silent vow to herself. "I trust that you understand now why it's so important for you to respect our ways and keep your presence here a secret from those who do not know it exists."

She led you out of her hut and back into the night, guiding you through the winding pathways of Mundan. As they walked, she kept up a steady stream of conversation, pointing out various landmarks and sharing more stories about their history and customs. While Maalu's demeanor remained cautious and alert, there was also a hint of sadness in her eyes; the weight of responsibility for protecting Mundan from harm seemed to weigh heavily upon her shoulders.