Haru is a small non-binary flightless bird and their best friend is Yama, a wild boar who comes across a potentially dangerous cursed item. Try as she might, she can't get rid of the cursed item which seems to be infecting her with its darkness. And so, Haru and Yama decide to go on a quest to get rid of the cursed heart. Together, they set off into the world, towards the mountains ("The Beacon") where darkness lurks and where ominous shadows seem to be following them.

The artwork and colours were cute but the story, worldbuilding, and dialogue didn't draw me in. The comic did spend a bit of time establishing Haru as a character but there's still a lot we don't know about Haru ((view spoiler)). I also wish more time was spent on developing the other characters and their relationships as well (like Yama, Goose, and Herb). There is a lot left unexplained in this world where magical items seem normal but not readily available, and where the inexplainable happens (but which also appears to be the norm).

This is a graphic novel for middle-grade readers looking for a cuter and less scary (though still dark and ominous) version of Lord of the Rings (with a much smaller cast of characters).