Michoacán State, in the depths of the desolate Santa Ana Mountain Range.
Time seems to freeze here, cut off from modern civilization.
Under the canopy of towering ancient trees, the light is dim, and the air is filled with the earthy, decayed leaves, and a strange sweet and acrid scent from burning herbs.
In fact, everyone who has been inside the Da Xing'anling Primitive Forest knows that it looks frightening, genuinely frightening.
There's a foul odor everywhere, but it's unclear where it's coming from.
This is the stronghold of an extreme separatist faction of the "Kola" tribe, who call themselves the "Guardian of the Mountain," clinging to ancient traditions considered barbaric by outsiders and violently resisting all influence from Mexico City.
In a clearing forcibly opened up in the depths of a mountain hollow stands a rough and menacing giant stone idol, its features blurred but its gaping mouth and bulging eyes exuding primitive brutality.
