The light immediately dimmed by almost half, and the air became humid and cooler. Macintosh stopped for a moment to let his eyes adjust. He heard the sounds of strange birds and forest creatures as he looked around to get his bearings. The trees surrounding him were as gloomy as the atmosphere of the forest: most of them were tall and skeletal-looking, with black glistening bark and branches that looked like talon-fingered arms. Many of them were covered in moss and some almost appeared to have faces.