Manithan Vaanam

After the tensions arise between the party, they wake up to the smell of spiced chai. Rambunayan serves them cups of chai and a sweetened dumpling for breakfast. The group gets ready in silence afterwards; Rambunayan prepares the teleportation spell meanwhile. He also gifts Aadhi a spellbook and wand, explaining that she must change her focus of manthiram to evoke Bodhi less. The party goes outside, and after well-wishing words from Rambunayan to Shwari, he casts the teleport spell, displacing them to the Kaalu Kaatu.

After the transportation, they stand dizzily, trying to keep their composures. Once they are stable, they notice an individual standing in front of the group: Karikala Nambagan. He expresses shock and assumes that they are to kill them. After the party explains their mission—to find Anjan—he relaxes and explains the circumstances of his exile. He describes his last night outside of the forest, when Venkataram and Pasupathi had drugged him at a dinner and cast a spell to keep him in the forest. Haavani realizes the type of ritual spell that must have been cast and explains that there must four pillars or monuments clarifying the boundaries of the exile. He somberly acknowledges his unawareness and asks the group to break these totems, if possible. He gifts them five healing berries, explaining the need for them. He also offers to care for their yaans and unfolds the treacherous unknowns of the forest itself, saying that the yaans do not deserve the horrors. The party obliges and leaves the yaans and Karikala, trekking through the crimson foggy forest.

The hike begins, and at first the trail is visible, Karikala having cleared the path previously. However, the path becomes more brambly, beyond which Karikala's steps are no longer seen. The group begins slashing their way through the branches and trees until a strange trail appears. The party carefully starts walking upon it and multiple branches lash out at them, cutting and slicing them as they run through. However, they make it to the end, and as they look up to the sky, they see a blacked stone horn jutting out from the treeline, adding to the list of the secrets of the forest.