Summary

Thomas wakes up in the forest as the gathering starts, but he decides to go to the black forest. He sprints to the bridge by a red tree. Across the river, he sees the Shataiki swarm onto the trees. A tall, blue Shataiki limps toward him, and Thomas calls it beautiful and tall. The large Shataiki tells Thomas to cross the bridge and asks if he is thirsty. Thomas refuses both the food and water, calling the creature Teeleh before asking why he lives in the black forest. Teeleh says his forest is much better and everyone in the colored forest are Elyon’s slaves. He then reacts in horror to a carving Johan gave Thomas and forces Thomas to toss it into the river. Teeleh tells him that the Shataiki have suffered abuse and are imprisoned there by Elyon. He...