Gorgeous art and atmosphere! I think the main mechanic is very interesting and has great potential for a longer game! You could add more secret messages for narrative purposes (similar to how Hollow Knight scatters pieces of lore around the map), but I think using it as part of the puzzles (as you did with the pipe) is just genius! Congrats to the whole team!!
I hope you develop this further, I'd love to play an extended version! :D