Chapter 5: Swamp Island

Chapter 5: Swamp Island begins on Friday at Dawn as Kai, Tung, and Miu float through the Swamp in Tung's boat. Tung sings the Waltz and asks Kai to grow Wubjen Root, which indirectly prompts her to plant Tung's Garden. They then stop at a small, nameless island and chat before returning home.

As Kai plants the garden she learns from Yoke and Jell-A about the dangers guarding the Papu Tree's roots, most particularly including the Fung. She also checks in on the ways the Islanders are reeling from Miu's surprise revelation of Spike's feelings towards Clarie the night before, eventually seeing Spike and Miu make up. As a counterpoint, Ailin's impending revelation looms throughout the day, concluding explosively with Ailin and Graubert's private talk about it, followed by Graubert's public reveal of Ailin's infidelity.

Later that night, Kai has nightmares of Nonno flickering and vanishing, RD burning his house down, and Karoo appearing to her and delivering more warnings. In the morning Nonno dismisses her dreams as a result of nerves over their trip to the Spirit World and redirects her to preparing for their upcoming ritual, giving her two tasks.

The chapter ends on Saturday morning as Kai goes to meet the Dots as part of the first of these tasks.

< Chapter 4: Bath Day Chapter 6: Ritual >