Odin made his way through the depths of the ocean, putting more and more distance between himself and Treasure Island.
His six-winged warhorse swam at tremendous speed within a spherical bubble of water created by the Ocean Crystal. The bubble surrounded Odin, his mount, and the unconscious Mermaid, protecting them as they traveled through the deep sea.
They continued onward until Odin judged that they had reached a safe distance from the island.
At that point, he activated the Ocean Crystal once more.
The watery sphere shot upward at astonishing speed, piercing through the ocean's surface and emerging into the open air.
As soon as they left the sea, the bubble gradually dissolved, while the horse spread its six wings and came to a halt in the sky.
Standing atop his warhorse, Odin closed his eyes for a few moments.
Using the ravens scattered across the world as his eyes, he began observing events unfolding in countless different places.
Dozens of scenes flashed before him within mere moments.
He saw the movements of the world's great powers.
He watched armies marching into position.
He witnessed the various races preparing for the coming war.
He also saw several important events that had taken place while he had been inside Treasure Island.
Odin frowned slightly before thinking,
"I should first deal with merging the island with Asgard."
Then, gazing toward the distant horizon, he continued,
"After that, I'll hurry to join my brothers in the coming war."
A faint smile appeared on his face as he said confidently,
"The time has come to carve our names into history... and spread the name of Asgard throughout this world."
The moment he finished speaking, he suddenly ordered his horse to stop.
The warhorse froze in midair without moving.
Odin's brows knitted tightly together.
Then he murmured words so quietly that no one could understand them.
"It seems... we have company."
He lifted his head and looked toward an unimaginably distant place.
So distant that no ordinary person could ever hope to see it.
His eyes were fixed upon...
Asgard.
But he was doing far more than merely looking.
Using his spiritual power, he began transmitting a secret message to someone waiting there.
At that very moment...
Within Asgard...
The Guardian of Asgard, Heimdall, stood atop his towering watchtower, vigilantly observing the borders of the kingdom with his piercing eyes, making certain that no danger approached.
His thoughts lingered on the rulers who had departed to participate in the war.
Then suddenly...
A strange vision appeared before him.
He saw Odin standing motionless upon his warhorse in the sky, as though waiting for something.
Heimdall's eyes widened in surprise.
Yet he quickly understood what was happening.
Odin was communicating with him through their spiritual link.
Without wasting even a second...
He grasped his bow.
Then drew a golden arrow from his quiver.
He fixed his gaze upon a specific direction.
His grip tightened around the bow.
A dense white energy began flowing into the arrow.
The power continued to build until the arrow reached the maximum amount it could withstand.
Then...
He released it.
The arrow shot forward with terrifying speed, wrapped in a raging cyclone of white aura.
It pierced the skies of Asgard in a single instant before disappearing from sight.
A faint smile appeared on Heimdall's face as he looked at the bow in his hands.
Then he bowed slightly toward the direction in which he had fired.
He knew perfectly well...
That Odin was watching him.
He smiled to himself and thought,
"I really should thank Volund."
"Without his skill as a master blacksmith, I would never have possessed this bow and these arrows that I rely on in situations like this."
Back in the sky where Odin stood...
A satisfied smile appeared on Odin's face.
He knew his message had been received.
He ordered his horse to move immediately and leave the area before anyone could reach him.
But...
Before the horse could even take a single step...
An enormous violet vortex appeared nearby.
The vortex spun violently, tearing apart the surrounding space.
In the very next moment...
A terrifying demonic creature emerged from within it.
It was so colossal that the warhorse appeared tiny by comparison.
Dozens of constantly moving arms extended from its massive body.
Hundreds of eyes covered it from head to toe, each staring in a different direction, as though they were observing the entire world at once.
The aura emanating from the creature...
Was so terrifying that anyone who even considered facing it would think a thousand times before making such a decision.
A frightening smile spread across the demon's face.
Then it opened its mouth, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth, and spoke in a voice that shook both the heavens and the ocean alike.
"I've found you..."
Its grin widened as it stared directly at Odin.
"...little mouse."
(Author's Note):
Hello everyone! Thank you for your continuous support of this novel; your comments and interactions mean the world to me.
Stepping away from our story here for a moment, I wanted to share another project I've been working on with great passion. I have started publishing a webtoon (comic) on the Webtoon platform titled "Me and the Wolf."
It is a [Comedy / Fantasy] story about a miserable young man and a cunning wolf who is constantly getting him into trouble! If you enjoy my writing style and the way I build scenarios, I promise you're going to love this comic.
I would be so grateful if you could go check it out, subscribe to the series, and let me know what you think in the comments there!
🔍 Search on the Webtoon app for: [Me and the Wolf]