The forest was getting denser as I chased Yon, the currently annoying chimpanzee. But, I continued chasing him, if a little foolishly, and Wolfgang continued following me. I felt like we were going deeper and deeper into the forest. Yon just kept on swinging away. I hope that’s actually Yon, or we left the grass mattresses and currant berries for nothing.

The chimpanzee that was probably Yon disappeared behind a wall of trees, thick vines, and vegetation. Wolfus and I followed close behind, me using my arms to brush the vines out of the way, we got through the plant wall. Only for me to trip on a tree stump.

I stood back up, brushing off some of the dirt, ready to continue the chase. But Yon wasn’t running, he was just standing there, looking at me and the cub. It wasn’t just him either, to his right there was a bear and an owl, and to his left stood a praying mantis and a snake.

I gasped in shock. “All the members of the Chromgarde!?! Alive in one place!?”

Wolter padded up to the mantis and sniffed it. The praying mantis freaked and hopped onto the bear’s head.

“We’re not really alive, we’re just spirits. Anyways, i’m Bea, the owl’s name is Opa, the snake Aku, and the thing on top of my head’s Pri! You already know Yon!” the giant bear told me.

“I brought you here cause Bea over here wanted to teach you all about painting with red affinity herself! She didn’t want your thoughts about red to be, in her words “Corrupted by other people”.” Yon explained. The owl Opa rolled her eyes, while Bea flashed me a huge grin.

Pri, looking at the Opa and Aku, said knowingly, “You know, I actually agree with giant down here. You never know what weird thoughts and motives other people may have.”

“Thank you Pri.”

"You know, I still think you guys are too paranoid. Just let the boy live you know? It's not like something terrible is gonna happen." Opa argued.

"Again, you never know!"

"I agree with Pri."

Opa rolled her eyes again.

Aku sighed, while the other spirits kept bickering in the background. “Looks like it’s up to me to teach you. Don’t mind those guys Elliot.”

“Uh… sure?”

“So, you know that tree stump you tripped on?”

I nodded. “Oh yeah, that annoying thing.”

“It’s not just any tree stump, it’s the tree stump of Tsara. Now, I know that sounds cheesy, even a bit sketchy if you ask me. But bear with me, there’s a reason it’s called that. This is the tree that Tsara carved her handle from. You see, in the beginning paintbrushes were just that - just the brushes. No handles. Tsara and Motnja carved handles for themselves to make it more convenient for the wielder. This stump is like a gateway to Tsara’s spirit. Unlock it, and you will be able to communicate with Tsara through your chroma center.” Aku enlightened me, while the others we’re still bickering about what's best for me.

“Whups. Sorry tree stump, you’re not annoying!” I apologised in my mind, just in case Tsara could hear me.

“Huh! Is that why there’s a pie graph looking thingy carved into the top of the stump?” I asked, peering over the edge of the fairly tall stump.

“Oh yeah, the symbol. You see how that pie graph has 3 equal parts? Well put your hand on it.”

“Umm… okay?” I put my right hand in the middle of the pie graph.

Suddenly, the the carved indentations began to glow. I could hear the background bickering of the other four other spirits stop, and I could feel them staring at the stump. I myself was staring in wonder too, but I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised, since I already knew that this tree stump was special.

Still. It was cool. Even Wolfgang was drawn to the light, jumping to try and see what was on top of the stump.

The parts of the pie graph started filling in with colour, first came blue, then came yellow. There was one part of the graph that was left without it’s own colour though.

Pri broke the silence. “Yeah, so since you are the wielder of Tsara, you actually have the ability to paint all the primary colours, regardless of your colour affinity. Right now you can paint blue and yellow. That’s actually why the the two parts are glowing blue and yellow, the third part would be red. Once you figure out red, you will be able to speak with Tsara in your chroma center!” Pri explained.

“Yep! And i’m going to teach you not just the theory, but how to paint red!” Bea excitedly exclaimed. “I’m assuming you’ve already painted blue and yellow?”

“Well, I’ve painted blue before, but not yellow yet.”

“Ah, no matter, you can learn red anyways dear!” Bea optimistically replied. “Now, come on, to our campfire, and I’ll teach you the art of red!”

“Coming!” I enthusiastically replied.

Lupe followed close behind.