She discovers these trees contain the transformed essence of missing villagers, including her mentor Eleanor. Working with local farmer Daniel Thorne, Asha uncovers a 200-year cycle where the orchard claims forty-nine victims before a harvest of its bizarre, heart-like fruits. The orchard originated when miners disturbed an ancient entity, leading Asha's ancestor Thomas Bryce to make a bargain that bound his bloodline to the cycle. With Lily Bryce, the last of her family line, they discover an altar stone with instructions for breaking the cycle using Bryce blood willingly given. Professor Wei helps decipher the ritual that could potentially reverse the transformations and save the trapped villagers, including Asha's brother, but they must act before the forty-ninth disappearance completes the cycle and the harvest begins.