Einmánuður, of 416 I.E
When the Sol rose from the west on that morning over Brisheim, Mackenzie walked along the cold sands of the coast that linked Brisheim to the Atlantica Ocean. With his friends asleep, Mackenzie walks alone with a spear in his right hand, He leaves many paw prints with each step on the wet water soaking sand from the salt water.
He continued to walk the path to see where the beach ended when he heard an "Good Morning Mackenzie." The Ka-Drun Collie twists his head to see a Blue fur Brisheim Heeler. She wore loose woven cloth. "Good morning Bluey." the young seven year old boy greets his friend.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm walking down the coast to see where it ends," Mackenzie answered Bluey's question as she asked if she could join him. "That's up to you but I won't return until I find the stopping point or if a beast gives chase."
"Alright, I'm in." Bluey says as the pair began to walk only for a crab to emerge from the wet sands. Mackenzie stabs it with his spear and tosses it aside before he and his Brisheim Heeler friend continue to walk.
Sol slowly moves across the sky as the duo decides to sit on a few stone rocks. They watch a few hesperonis dive into the water and fly out with fish between their jaws. "I'm surprised that Polly hasn't...." Bluey spoke when a blue-scale phosphorosaurus snatched an herperonis and dragged it into the deep.
"...eaten those birds." Bluey finishes her sentence as Mackenzie gets up from the rocks and asks if she is ready. "Hang on Mackenzie, I'm not ready yet," Bluey replies much to Mackenzie's dismay. "Well, I hope you're ready because I'm."
"Well alright, It's just that my feet hurt."
Mackenzie groans at the sounds of Bluey's feet hurting but he won't leave his friend behind so he looks toward East when Bluey says that she's good. "Thank the gods." Mackenzie murmurs to himself as they continue their journey.
About an hour into the day, Bluey and Mackenzie ate some fruits they picked off the bushes that lead to the Northern Forest. While eating, Bluey asked if they would encounter Laurasian or Axefang patrol. Mackenzie shrugged and told her not to worry about them and that the Elder would've spoken about them yesterday. Does your dad or mum know you're out here?"
"My mum does Mackenzie, but I don't think they'll mind if we are out here. We should continue to walk the path until we reach the end of the beach." The moment they finish eating their snacks, they continue their walk along the coast, passing the trees and examining the endless sandy hills with a few scattered turfs. Nonetheless, they walk when they come across a dead Edmontonia. Several Velociraptors pick off the flesh of the corpse with their sharp teeth.
"swift thieves Bluey." Mackenzie calls out and sneaks past the Velociraptors. They as fast as they could until they came across a herd of Tethysgadros who also walked along the coast. Bluey saw a small tethysgadros and petted it on its head when Mackenzie suggested that they continue. They move on when Bluey sees a long stick and several rocks. "Mackenzie, do you have any twine?"
"Sure Bluey, going to make a spear?" the Collie asked his friend as the Heeler shook her head. Mackenzie pulls out a string of twine from the pocket of his shirt and gives it to the girl. Bluey makes herself a spear as Mackenzie asks why didn't she bring her own spear. "Because My mom didn't want to give it to me until I was older. I like farming a lot more than hunting." Bluey talks to Mackenzie when their ears perk up at the vibration from the ground and the sound of large booms. Their spot is overcome with the shadow of a large looming figure over the hill. "What in Folkvangr is that?"
The ground shook with each step as the young ones came to a realization, It was the Sea Man. They started to run back to the corpse of the dead Edmontonia only for Mackenzie to look back to see the massive humanoid figure stand taller than the trees. His skin is as blue as the water with corals and barnacles sticking out of his skin. even if Mackenzie couldn't see either the neck or the face of the Saerjǫtunn, He knew the giant had gills around his neck that allowed the giant to breathe underwater. It carried a large Spear-like weapon made from rotting log, coral, and the bones of sea beasts. It paid no attention to the children as his goal was to return to the seas to presumably the settlement of Logrstad.
Regardless Mackenzie and Bluey continue to run back to their village to not attract the Sea Man's attention as he sinks into the depths of the sea.
------
"BLUEY! MACKENZIE!" Shouted the Ka-Drun Collie as they walked along the sands of the beach when he sees the children running. "Dad.." Mackenzie murmurs as his father gave him a scowl. "Bluey, You're parents are looking for you, I think it's best that you go check with them."
The girl nods and tells Mackenzie that she'll him later before leaving him with his dad. Fozzie looks at his son and ask "Where were you going?"
"Dad, I just..."
"Just what, You knew not to leave Brisheim, Me and your mom both said this to you but you also took Bluey out! You both could've gotten killed out there then what?" His dad proceeds to yell at his son.
"Not to mention that we got sightings of Sea Jotnars."
"Yeah Dad... Me and Bluey saw one in person which is why we..."
"You're grounded Mackenzie, Not only did you put yourself in danger but you also put someone else in danger. What would've happened if she got killed?"
Mackenzie felt bad about his action, He could barely look his father in the eyes as his ears tensed up, He lowered his head and shame clouded him.
"Dad, I'm sorry..."
"Save it, Mackenzie, get back to the house, and don't leave. You're lucky that your mother is at Marcelyne creating a truce with the people there or your ass would've been destroyed!" Fozzie screams at his son. Mackenzie runs towards his home.
By daybreak, Mackenzie sat on the wooden stool outside looking out at the ocean when his father returned. "Dad if I can talk to you for a moment, I.. thought about what you said."
"Uh-huh." His father replies when Mackenzie vows to not leave Brisheim again. "You miss the point Son, It not just that, This world is dangerous. Death comes in many forms and you put yourself and Bluey's life in danger when you leave the Brisheim. You know, I told her parents about what happened and she got punished badly."
His dad tells him as he goes into detail about how Bluey got it worse than you right now along with being grounded. "When it is time to take the hunting ritual along with others your age, You'll be forced to venture outside of Brisheim and kill a beast."
"Yeah, Just like Captian but is it true that he died?"
The boy asks his father as he nods and explains how his buddy was eaten by a Sharptooth. Mackenzie felt even more bad to the point of tears and asked why his buddy had to die. "Because this world tests us on your survival, Jörðgarðr is unforgiving to all that lives here. Living is only temporary, Surviving goes on and on until death snatches us at any moment. This world isn't known for peace, That is why this world is this way."
Fozzie tells his son as he wraps his arm around his son's shoulder. "Dad, I won't do it again, I don't want to get anyone hurt."
"Promise me and your mother that you won't leave Brisheim again."
"I promise." The boy says as the two hug each other and watch the ocean as the necks of Elasmosaurus rise from the waters.
