Shenthis carries the burden of a family curse: his skin is invisible, eaten away by the sun, and he is an outcast in his village, labeled as a "Sonu." Two children along with a woman named Mirka suffer from the same affliction, and are treated just as badly. To show the children that they have hope for a future where they belong to the community of the "Seen," Shenthis decides to undergo a ritual that will permanently hide his true nature. He is granted the right to participate by merciful village leaders, as they seek to help him be truly welcome in the community.

Before Shenthis can undergo the procedure, he must first replenish special seeds that the young Sonu took to shield them from punishment and earn him the right to be "Seen." At night, Shenthis goes looking for the seeds in the forest and meets a "Shade Caller," a Sonu that has become completely invisible, who encourages Shenthis to embrace his transparent skin and defy the village elders. He also informs Shenthis that a "dreadcat," an invisible beast, has imprinted on him, and will help him when called.

At first, Shenthis does not heed the Shade Caller's advice, deciding to continue on the path leading him to the ritual. However, the words stick with Shenthis, and as he is undergoing the ritual to become "Seen," Shenthis decides that his affliction is not a curse. He calls upon the dreadcat for help and trades all hope of being "Seen" for a life free of hiding his true self. Shenthis, Mirka, and the children leave the town, no longer afraid of their own identity.