Around them, the scenery had changed imperceptibly, the towering, silent black granite cliffs had disappeared, replaced by a wide canyon, shrouded in gray mist. Within the mist lay a decayed forest, gray-white branches, resembling the bark of the Short Beard walking in front—the tall Tree People taking steps several meters wide, but walking very slowly, allowing those behind to keep pace.
The Tree People gazed silently, lifelessly at this withered forest, which seemed like a cemetery of trees. This atmosphere affected the others, leaving no one speaking, silence spreading among the group. The cliffs receded several hundred meters, some huge, withered roots bridged overhead.
Entering the forest, Short Beard slowly halted, turned to look at the others. "We're safe, but once inside this forest, you must keep close to me, be careful not to get lost."
The group also stopped.
Amatoran asked, "What is this place?"
