The moment Tyler and Kaeya stepped into the red sandalwood region, both of them halted at the same time.
The forest here felt wrong, heavy in a way that had nothing to do with humidity or shadow. Giant webs stretched between the towering red sandalwood trees, layered thick enough to look like translucent walls. Some hung lazily between trunks, others were woven high above, disappearing into the canopy. Caught within them were goblins, forest beasts, and other unlucky creatures, their bodies wrapped tightly, frozen mid-struggle. Some were long dead. Others were still alive, eyes wide with terror, faint sounds trapped in their throats.
Tyler's brows furrowed. For a brief moment, a familiar thought crossed his mind.
Did Gailo return?
Before he could dwell on it, something whistled through the air.
A strand of web shot toward them with violent speed.
