Prince Sawa sailed to Tompotikka, hoping to strengthen alliances. He did not know the sorrow awaiting him. He had been chosen to represent Luwu at a grand ceremony. "This journey will strengthen our alliance," he declared to his war commanders before departing, believing in unity.
In Tompotikka, a warm welcome greeted Sawa. Amidst the lively crowd, he found his cousin, Towau. "Where is La Galigo?" Sawa asked, hoping to see her. Towau's expression saddened. "La Galigo returned home," he replied, "but I heard terrible news... We China has passed." Sawa felt a deep shock. "What? She is truly gone?" His heart ached with sudden grief.
For a moment, Sawa sank into deep sorrow. His loyal friends, Palawagau and Lapananang, quickly offered comfort. "Do not let grief control you, Sawa," Palawagau urged. "We can fight this fate!" Lapananang added. "Yes, we can find a way!" Sawa, his eyes now burning with a fierce resolve, stood tall. "I will not accept this fate," he declared, his voice ringing with unwavering conviction. "I will journey to the underworld, to the realm of the dead, and bring We China back!" Lapananang’s face paled. "My Prince, that is madness! No mortal has ever returned from such a place!" But Sawa only shook his head. "Then I shall be the first. My love for We China knows no bounds; I will face any peril."
With his resolve set, Sawa and his loyal companions embarked on their perilous voyage. For seven days and nights, their ship sailed through unknown waters, guided by an unseen force. Then, without warning, the sea opened. Their vessel plunged into a roaring waterfall, a gateway to another realm. The world spun into chaos, water engulfing them completely. Amazingly, after an eternity, the ship resurfaced. It was battered but intact, in a serene, otherworldly river. Clinging to the mast, Sawa noticed a glowing plant. It was unlike anything he had seen, tangled in the rigging. It pulsed with a soft, vibrant light – a magical plant, he knew, capable of reviving the dead. Hope, fragile but potent, blossomed in his chest.
As they navigated the ethereal river, a radiant figure materialized on the bank. It was Sinuktoja, a goddess of the lower realms, her eyes ancient and wise. "Sawa," she spoke, her voice like a gentle breeze, "your journey is fraught with peril." The path to the underworld is guarded by formidable beings, and your quest to defy death is a grave challenge. Many have tried, and all have failed. She paused, her gaze piercing. "Are you truly prepared to face the trials that lie ahead?" Sawa met her gaze, his will unwavering. "I am