Han Liue marched with his troop through the land of Odan Hane. It was a land filled with mist.
In the beginning
However, going into the depths of this land, one crossed the Gate of Worlds. One had to be a skilled navigator to cross the Sea of Mists to the other side and land safely on dry land. However, for Han Liue and the men traveling with him, such a feat was no challenge.
It began innocently enough. During one of his many visits to the Great House in Vinland.
His ship, the Dragon of the Water Kingdom, Liuan Toe, had reached the Bear Cave after a long voyage through the Western Ocean. This route from the Empire to the Bear Cave was a well-known route. Therefore, merchant ships could often be found on this route traversing these waters.
However, it was a long and exhausting voyage, so the crew of the Dragon of the Water Kingdom rested and played in the city. The demand was so great that one voyage on a ship filled to the brim with goods would provide the crew with plenty of days for the rest of their lives. All they had to do was return to the Empire and lead an easy and pleasant life.
Daarhen was also in the Bear Cave at the same time. He had come to the lands of the Bear tribe after a long journey from Óðinshöfn. And before that from Iceland. From the Gates of the Worlds. From the Gate Guardians. He was one of them…
He had made this journey alone, only to meet Han Liue. He knew perfectly well that he would find him on the West Coast. That is why he had gone on this journey to deliver a message to him. From the Gate Guardians to his own hands. For Han Liue.
The moment when Daarhen and Han Liue met was written in the stars, and yet it happened as it usually does in the human world. During a chance meeting.
They had run into each other during the same stay in the Great House. It was well after midnight. Only a few of the party people remained. The feast lasted until morning. Having a great time in each other’s company. Not knowing their own names. Due to the prevailing atmosphere that evening.
That is why Daarhen, after waking up in the morning, did not realize that this was the end of his journey.
When the rays of sunlight of the rising day finally reached the Great House, the people who had been sleeping there until then began to get up. There was a commotion. Everyone began to take care of their own business. Suddenly, words spoken in the language of the Empire reached Daarhen’s ears.
Liuan Toe was ready to return. The entire crew was ready. They were waiting for the captain’s order.
Yesterday’s party companion stood up from the bench where he had been sitting at the table. He put his hat on his head and called out – I, Han Liue, thank you for your hospitality, Bear tribe. Farewell – He turned around and started heading towards the exit.
He heard the words in the Imperial tongue behind him – I, Daarhen. I have come to you with a message from the Gatekeepers. This message is for you alone. No one but you will hear it.
Saying this, Daarhen placed a cube made of strange metal on the table. Similar in color to the fertile soil of the eastern steppes. About the size of a human hand.
– All you have to do is take it in your hands and the message will reach you. Remember that no one will see it except you. That is why at first your image of the reality around you will slowly start to blur. This is so that you have time to get used to it.
Then it will start to speed up. The image of the world around you will start to fall apart into tiny pieces. Don’t be afraid of it. You can stop at any time. All you have to do is lift your hands from the box. And the image will disappear. However, the message will be lost. It can only be received once.
– So? Are you ready Han Liue?
When if not now – thought Han Liue and took the cube in his hands.
The world before his eyes spun. Pieces of the world fell apart before his eyes. And when it seemed that he would be enveloped by darkness darker than the darkest night. Then another world began to emerge. It became brighter and clearer, and Han Liue stood there holding the box in his hands, thinking only about not leaving it.
The frosty air began to lash his back. He was standing in the middle of nowhere. On a cold, clear day. And in front of him sat a messenger with a message for him.
– You can put the box away. You won’t need it anymore. Sit comfortably and I’ll tell you why you see this.
Beyond the Sea of Mists lives a deer with magical antlers. Every morning he drinks water from a spring in a clearing in the forest. His antlers are the world tree. That’s why you can’t scare him away under any circumstances. You have to sneak up on him unnoticed. If you scare him, the deer will run away and not finish weaving the branches of the tree of life for the next day. And that means the next day won’t come. The world will end. And with it, the reality around you.
– Of course, you’ll still be alive. However, the world will not look the same to you – the messenger continued his story.
– However, if you succeed… well. The only thing that will change is that you will drink from the source of life.
I leave you a map that will lead you to the Sea of Mists. And now goodbye.
And he disappeared.
The world returned once again to the Great House in the Bear Cave. Han Liue decided to try. He told his crew about what had happened to him and after a meeting they decided to set off to the source of life to taste the water flowing there.
And so they set off.
That is why the squad marched through the land of Odan Hane. This name was given in honor of a devoured comrade. Who was eaten by a sea monster that appeared suddenly in the Sea of Mists.
The monster emerged from the depths in a flash to catch Odan Hane and submerged in the blink of an eye.
That is why this land was named Odan Hane.
The squad of brave men reached their destination. They were met by the sight of a deer drinking from a spring. Numerous vines grew from its antlers. Winding with each other. Creating an impassable labyrinth. Which rose into the heavens and disappeared somewhere far away in the clouds. It was a sight out of this world.
After a consultation, it was decided that Hiroshi would sing one of his songs. The kind he regales them all with when they are on the high seas and cannot escape from it.
It was decided that Hiroshi would hide and begin his song, and Han Liue would sneak in from the other side and fill all the water skins he had brought with him with water.
Hiroshi found a suitable hiding place and began
The deer slowly raised its head and headed towards the music. It took two steps forward and a multitude of new vines grew from its antlers, winding between each other and rising towards the clouds.
He stood there motionless. Only his ears moved from time to time.
He stood as if enchanted.
Han Liue sneaked in at this time and filled all the waterskins with water. Enough for every member of the Liuan Toe Dragon’s company. And then he had retreated unnoticed.
„A trifle,” he thought and returned to his companions. Everyone present drank. Remembering those who had stayed on the ship.
They returned in excellent spirits. Glad that it had been so easy. Praising Hiroshi’s musical abilities, they promised that they would never make fun of his work again.
Twilight was falling as they sailed away from the land of Odan Hane. The ship sailed out of the bay into the open waters. Right in front of the setting sun.
And all this could be seen in the eye of the deer watching. Who was staring at the ship disappearing on the horizon.
Until it disappeared completely.
Just like another day in the ocean of infinity…