Chapter 40 – The Unknown Sea
The next morning, the first light of dawn spread across the horizon, painting the sky in golden and crimson tones. The gentle sound of the waves echoed through the ship's wooden cabin, blending with the rhythmic creak of the vessel as it rocked on the calm sea. Thor sat by the window, his eyes fixed on the endless expanse of water that shimmered under the newborn sunlight.
A faint smile appeared on his face as he glanced back. Astrid and Shiro were still asleep, curled up together under the blanket, their breathing soft and peaceful. For a brief moment, Thor allowed himself to simply watch them — the people he loved most — and felt warmth rise within his chest. He reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from Astrid's face, then leaned down to kiss both of their foreheads softly.
Quietly, he stood up and made his way out of the cabin. The moment he stepped onto the deck, the scent of salt filled his lungs. The sea breeze caressed his face, cool and refreshing, carrying the faint cry of distant seagulls. The world felt vast and free.
At the helm stood Moana, her hands steady on the wheel, her eyes focused on the horizon. The sunlight glinted off her hair, and she seemed almost part of the sea itself — confident and unshaken. Thor walked over to her, his boots thudding lightly against the deck.
— How's our journey going, captain? — he asked with a relaxed smile.
Moana returned the smile, though her gaze stayed on the open ocean.
— So far, everything's calm. If we stay on this course, we should reach the nearest island before the end of the day.
She hesitated, her expression darkening slightly. Thor noticed immediately.
— What is it, Moana? Did something happen?
She bit her lip, then pointed toward the east.
— I was sailing that way earlier... but every time I try to follow that route, I feel a strange pull — like something's pushing me away. It's not fear. It's... almost like the sea itself doesn't want me to go there.
Thor's eyes narrowed slightly. He didn't reply right away. The ocean was calm and quiet, yet her words made it feel heavy, almost alive.
After a pause, he asked,
— Did you feel anything similar when you were approaching Berk?
Moana thought for a moment, then nodded slowly.
— Yes... it was the same feeling.
Thor crossed his arms, staring at the horizon in silence.
— I think I know what's happening, — he murmured.
Hours passed. The four of them gathered in the dining cabin for breakfast. The room was filled with the aroma of warm bread and fresh fruit, but the air carried a quiet tension. Astrid, Shiro, and Moana watched Thor closely as he finally began to speak.
— You know, — he said, his tone calm yet firm, — I think I've figured out the reason behind that strange feeling. Each territory created by the gods might have its own natural protection — a kind of barrier that keeps outsiders away. That's why Moana felt that pressure. The place we're heading to simply doesn't want us to reach it.
Astrid frowned.
— So that's why we've never met anyone from other lands? They just can't get near us? — She paused, her brows furrowing deeper. — But if these barriers keep people from entering... why doesn't anyone ever leave, either?
She turned her gaze toward Moana.
— Did you feel something keeping you from leaving your island?
Moana's expression grew distant. She remembered it clearly — the towering wall of waves that had nearly swallowed her boat, the water crashing violently as if trying to hold her back. Her voice lowered as she spoke.
— There was something... like a wall made of water. No ship could pass through it. Only I managed to cross.
Thor listened in silence, his expression unreadable. But deep down, he understood what the others couldn't.
Moana was the protagonist of her world — chosen, guided by the will of something greater. That was why she could leave.
But if she could... then the villains could too.
A chill ran down his spine. Thor leaned back slightly, his gaze falling to the table.
He didn't need to say it aloud for the others to feel the weight of his thoughts.
If those trapped within divine barriers could break free, the world beyond was about to change — and not for the better.
The air grew heavy inside the cabin. No one spoke for several minutes. The only sound was the faint crackling of wood and the distant whisper of waves. Thor turned toward the window. The sea outside was shifting — its color deepening from clear blue to a darker, denser hue. The water seemed alive, charged with an unfamiliar energy that made the hairs on his arms rise.
Finally, he stood and looked at the others, his tone calm but resolute.
— Whatever happens, our goal remains the same. We just need to be cautious when we set foot on that new island. We don't know how its people will react. They might be... very different from us.
Astrid and Moana exchanged a serious look, then nodded in agreement. Shiro, sitting quietly at the edge of the table, watched the changing sea with bright, curious eyes that reflected both excitement and uncertainty.
A gust of wind swept across the deck, causing the ship to rock gently. The sails fluttered, catching the morning light, and Moana instinctively moved to the helm, adjusting the ropes and angle. The ship groaned softly as it cut through the rising waves.
The sea ahead was vast and untamed, its horizon endless. To any ordinary sailor, it would have seemed peaceful — but Thor could feel it.
Something ancient stirred beneath those waters.
He turned his gaze forward, his hand resting on the ship's rail, and let out a quiet breath.
The real journey, he thought, was only just beginning.