Colors came back to the world and everything began moving. I thought that “Tae” would also disappear but he was standing there right in front of me.

[ Eric ]

“Loki…” As I said that my mark began to burn like hell! Is saying his name really taboo for me?!

[ Tae ]

“What are you doing?”

[ Eric ]

“Nothing! Nothing! Just an arm cramp!” So this is real Tae… “So you decided to come?”

[ Tae ]

“Not like I had much of a choice.”

[ Eric ]

“I know. Take this. We’ll need to spot the enemy before they spot us.” I tossed a dark cloak to Tae but for some reason, he didn’t even bother to grab it and it landed on his face. “You were supposed to catch it and put it on like a badass…”

We left the dock in a not so epic way by just entering the boat and sailing away… Thanks for that TAE! Now that I think about it… With a ship, we took around a week to get there. How long will it take with a boat? Why did I think that going right before the night was a good idea?!

Tae was the first one to fall asleep but I couldn’t! I had to make sure we were going the right way. At least the sky was clear so I make sure that I’m going in a straight line. I remember that we passed two islands and that’s where we’re going first. I know that stars stay in place but they all began to move for some reason like they were spinning around me. Then the next thing I remember was waking up on some island with our boat on the sand a few meters away from the shore.

[ Eric ]

“Tae! TAE! Wake up!”

[ Tae ]

“What… What?”

[ Eric ]

“We’re lost… I think… Or… No! We’re lost. I don’t recognize this island.”

[ Tae ]

“How did you do that?!”

[ Eric ]

“I don’t know… Stars began to spin and the next thing was me sleeping.”

[ Tae ]

“Did you drink something before we left?”

[ Eric ]

“No… At least I don’t think so…”

[ Tae ]

“Why does it happens when I’m going somewhere with you?!”

[ Eric ]

“I hope Loki isn’t behind it…”

We didn’t know where are we and which way might be Sehus. In hope of finding something familiar on the horizon or even the shape of this island, we went exploring. The island wasn’t big it was half the size of the Dalir, our village. I didn’t recognize this island from any side and there was nothing on the horizon. I was hesitant about sailing into the sea not knowing where we are but there might be no other option.

There was only one thing left to do on this island. Find some food just in case any island would be far away from this place. There wasn’t much on this island. Few trees and one big rock under a tree with some kind of crystals on it. Those crystals had one thing spelled on them… MONEY!!!

I didn’t take a pickaxe with me but I was willing to sacrifice one of the hatchets to get at least one crystal! I’m not leaving this place empty-handed! Before I even began Tae comfortably sat under a tree and watched me. With one swing it broke into pieces. By broken I mean my hatchet. I was going to use a second hatchet but this time on stone but before I even swung it the stone began to move. Like it was alive…

This something that looked like a rock began to change shape. The stone changed into dark fur, crystals slowly changed into fangs and teeth. Whatever it was it began sniffing and it turned around toward me.

[ Creature ]

“You’re not a god… yet I smell something from you… something familiar…” With a closer look, it was a four-meter-tall wolf with big and sharp teeth pointed at me.

[ Eric ]

“Maybe… Because of this…” I showed my tattoo to the wolf.

[ Creature ]

“Grand… father? Loki…”

[ Eric ]

“You know Loki?”

[ Creature ]

“His blood runs through me. We are family after all…”

Loki… What did you f**k to have a grandson like that!? I know that you get bored easily but to go that far?!

[ Eric ]

“Those that means you’re a god?”

[ Creature ]

“No… I’m Hati. Son of Great Wolf Fenrir and giant Esma. I’m a son of a demigod and a giant and therefore, I’m not a god nor a demigod. I am a giant.”

[ Eric ]

“I’m sorry! I’m very sorry if I angered you! I can pay you with a sacrifice of a man! The one that’s hiding behind the tree!” I bowed so many times in front of a giant and later pointed at a tree where Tae hid.

[ Tae ]

“No! I’m not becoming a sacrifice for your stupidity! I’ll take my forty silver and he is all yours!”

While we both were arguing the wolf was sniffing me once again and then moved to sniff my shadow. When something barked at it he took a few steps back. He behaved like a curious dog. No matter, if it’s a wolf or a giant dog, dogs will be dogs…

[ Skyge ]

“Keep your nose away from my master!” Skyge appeared from my shadow in his true form, trying to intimidate Hati but it was clearly visible that he was scared. His tail was almost between his legs like scared dogs do but he tried to lift it up. I guess this is just animal instinct that tells him that there is something much greater than him, right in front of him.

[ Hati ]

“You smell like her… Ah… I see. You’re not her son but her creation…”

[ Eric ]

“What do you mean?” I asked as I grabbed Skyge into my arms and forced him to become smaller.

[ Hati ]

“He is a creature of God. There is another scent that I don’t recognize… it’s much colder than Mani’s scent…”

[ Eric ]

“You mean goddess of the moon?”

[ Hati ]

“Yes… This is one of her creations… I’m going to ask you one thing, creature of the moon goddess. Are you loyal to your creator?”

[ Skyge ]

“I’m loyal to only one person.” Said Skyge as he cuddled up to me.

[ Hati ]

“That mark on your head… Human, does that mean you’re a servant of my grandfather?”

[ Eric ]

“Rather his toy but there is not much difference.”

[ Hati ]

“Then what are you doing here… servant?”

[ Eric ]

“I’m hunting Mani’s servants as Loki asked me to… but I’m mainly after one of them.”

[ Hati ]

“After Mani’s servants? Hmm… I can’t interfere much with this realm but I might help you in a way… Also… This human behind the tree… Is he with you?”

[ Eric ]

“Yes. He was also given a mission to fight with Mani. My name is Eric and he is Tae.”

[ Hati ]

“Very well… I’m taking you all with me to a place where they hid something important for that goddess. And the person you’re looking for might be there… Eric…”

Hati lay down and gave us the possibility to sit on his back. Tae struggled for a bit and I was sure to make fun of it. Especially when he fell off when he was one step close to being on top of Hati.

[ Hati ]

“Grab my fur if you don’t want to fall off…”