Valhalla. Many adventurers dream of finding it, unaware of what lies beyond its gates. But this story begins in the small country of Hvitt, a land where snow falls ceaselessly, day in and day out. It is here that we meet a young man leaving his home.
"I'll be back soon!" the young man called out, excitement lacing his voice.
His name was Adrian Frihet—a fourteen-year-old boy with white hair, olive-toned skin, and striking blue eyes. He rushed into the forest, following his daily routine. Every day, he ventured into the snow-laden woods to hunt and gather firewood. He was more than capable of handling the beasts that lurked within, yet one creature had recently unsettled the locals. Rumors spoke of a Snow Lion the size of a polar bear, a beast that had been devouring most of the local wildlife but had never once attacked a human. It was almost as if it were mocking them.
Determined, Adrian set out to find the creature. As he trekked through the dense forest, he stumbled upon a cavern that burrowed deep into the mountainside. Suspecting this to be the beast's lair, he drew the dagger from his boot and steeled himself for the hunt.
But why risk his life for a creature that had never harmed a single human?
The answer was simple: the Snow Lion consumed too much, leaving little behind for the other animals to repopulate. If nothing was done, the scarcity of food would soon become a dire problem.
Adrian stepped into the dark, damp cave. Most would struggle in such pitch-black surroundings, but his eyes, sharp and keen, adjusted with ease. Moving cautiously, dagger in hand, he pressed forward.
At the cave's deepest recess, he found—nothing. A wave of relief washed over him. Perhaps the beast had already moved on. He turned to leave.
A shadow loomed behind him.
Silent as falling snow, the Snow Lion stood there, its massive form blocking the exit.
Adrian tightened his grip on the dagger, fear clawing at his resolve. Yet despite his trepidation, his determination remained steadfast. The beast did not roar or charge—it simply stood there, as if waiting for something… or someone.
Clip. Clap.
Footsteps echoed through the cavern.
Adrian's heart pounded. Who else could be here?
A figure emerged from the darkness, walking past the Snow Lion without a hint of fear. The man stopped before Adrian and regarded him with curiosity.
"Who are you?" he asked.
Adrian was stunned. How could this man stand so calmly beside such a fearsome beast?
"My name is Adrian Frihet. Are you not afraid of the creature beside you?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief.
"Afraid of what, exactly?" The man scratched his head, his expression unreadable.
"The giant beast behind you!" Adrian exclaimed.
The man chuckled. "Tusk is no beast—he's my pet and a trusted companion." He spoke with pride, affectionately stroking the Snow Lion's thick fur.
Adrian questioned the man's sanity. Dogs, cats—those were pets. But a Snow Lion? How peculiar.
"My name is August Magnus," the man introduced himself with a grin.
It was clear that he was not from Hvitt. While the people of this land all bore white hair and pale skin, August had dark brown hair, warm brown eyes, and sun-kissed skin. He wore a short coat, shorts, and sandals—clothing entirely unsuited for Hvitt's harsh climate. Just looking at him made Adrian shiver.
"Where are you from? You don't look like a local," Adrian asked.
"Me? I got shipwrecked here about a month ago," August replied.
A month ago.
Adrian's mind raced. That was when the Snow Lion's feeding habits had changed, consuming far more than necessary. Could it be that the beast wasn't eating for itself—but providing food for August?
"I've been searching for a way off this island," August continued, casually tossing firewood onto a small pile and lighting a flame. "But I haven't found one yet."
"The Eagle Federation sends supply ships here at the end of each month," Adrian informed him. "You could probably catch a ride with them."
August's face lit up. "That's perfect! Hey, kid, have you ever been on an adventure?"
Adrian shook his head. "Not really. I've lived on this island my whole life. But that hasn't stopped me from exploring it."
As he spoke, his eyes sparkled with excitement, like a child receiving a long-awaited gift. He eagerly shared tales of his adventures—of hidden caves, treacherous mountain paths, and even an abandoned mineshaft too vast and deep to explore alone.
August listened intently, nodding with appreciation. Then, as he stoked the fire, he asked, "Have you ever heard of Valhalla?"
"No. What is it?" Adrian asked, intrigued.
"They say the journey to find it is the greatest adventure of all. And beyond its gates… something incredible awaits."
Adrian leaned forward. "What's behind the gate?"
August's expression grew serious. He locked eyes with Adrian.
"To be honest… I have no idea." Then, with a laugh, he added, "But isn't that the best part?"
Adrian once again questioned August's mental fortitude.
"So you're searching for something you don't even understand?" Adrian asked, puzzled.
August smirked. "Why not? As an adventurer, the answer should be obvious—the thrill of the unknown! Isn't that reason enough?"
Adrian's eyes widened. "You're right!" he exclaimed, his excitement infectious.
August grinned. "Now you understand. Would you like to come with me?"
Adrian hesitated. "I want to, but… my mother wouldn't approve." His voice carried a hint of sadness.
August sighed dramatically. "That's unfortunate. But is there no other way off this island?"
"There's a ship arriving in two days, delivering goods to the country," Adrian said.
August clapped his hands together. "Perfect! I'll give you two days to make a decision. Sound fair?"
Adrian smiled—a grin as wide as a crescent moon. "Yeah."
And so, with that fateful meeting, their journeys became intertwined. Neither knew what lay ahead, but one thing was certain—an adventure awaited.