Welcome To Pandora

The Moon had a frigid day in the north. The water froze, and the snow twirled. To the Moon, winter had finally arrived. The cold was something that was inherent in this region, but the intensity was completely different from usual. Regardless, ships fought back against the harsh cold and much harsher storms.

One vigorous ship sailing from the far lands of Asuwa's to meet the likes of Jarelin. Although a ship from Asuwa, there were many different cultures aboard this ship. From the likes of Yami, Busan, and Kathay.

"We've nearly made it!" blurted a man named Udo, roasting sliced fish from the palm of hands. It was as if the sun gently kissed his palms. The aroma traveled abroad, easing the nostrils of those on the ship.

Udo's eyes were much rounder with a distinct curve though it seemed as if he was always sleepy, revealing his Khatanian descent stemmed from Asuwa. He wore a changson and had snow white skin. His hair tied in a bun as waves of mana continued to splurge from his palm to cook the fish.

There were a couple more men in similar clothes and appearance, they waited for the meals to arrive, one of the men had a katana, some had daos, but all were weapons crafted of Asuwa metals, one of the ship's principal cargo to begin with. "A long journey deserves a proper feast, not that garbage you've been calling food for the past month or so, Udo," added another.

"Don't mistake my cooking for the dirt you Jin people make, Sang-Gi" Udo clapped back, a smile on his lips as he continued to cook his fish. After a few minutes he had plates for everyone on the ship. Udo had a silly remark and comment for each person he handed a plate, whether it was making a sly remark on their clans and bannership or the way their wives looked. But it was all fun and games.

By the time Udo himself could serve himself, the ship was filled with laughter and love. They've had a lengthy journey of tidy oceans, and the approaching winter has made this expedition more hazardous than usual.

Nearly boarding the waves, they encounter various sea monsters not accustomed to by the people of Moon in general. The creatures were more aggressive in defending their prey. However, whatever hardship Udo and his troops faced, they rose to the occasion.

"You ready to go home, my friend?" Sang questioned.

Udo pondered for a second thinking about his family on the coast of Tzu village.

"More than I've ever been." Udo answered.

"Another great war is soon to take place," Sang said, a piece of Udo's supposed garbage cooking being chewed before he continued. "We'll probably be sent back here as soon as we arrive," Sang paused and stared into Udo eyes, "We'll need a firm warrior like you in the field. "

Udo looked at his friend, who appeared to be rushing into the notion of war; his second child was due in just three months, and he already had an eight-year-old son.

Udo was afraid he wouldn't make it there in time and would miss the birth of his second child. Worse, the trials of war would eventually take him.

For a second it was silence between the two as men ate and cheered, eventually Odu finally continued "It was different, young in the Yami battling for our dynasty against the blue eye demons , I was no coward and would die for my clan the Binzuru and the greatness of Asuwa" tears began to slide across the cheek of his face, as he paused to continue.

Sang smiled not seeing the tears of his friend. "Then this should be nothing to you-"

"But now I have a family and another war is coming, how many battles till I'm crippled or dead?" Udo exclaimed before he continued.

"I have a boy to raise and another child on the way. . . How much do I have to give to a dynasty or legacy that's already lost."

Sang stared at him bewildered, even though he knew it was out of love, he felt obligated to get his friend in check. "Regardless, we must fight, you're Binzuru Oda of Yami. Do not humiliate your family because of your weak feelings," Sang pleaded.

Odu sighed before wiping the dried tears from his cheeks, his gaze narrowed to his blade as he began to recall the Moon war. The extent of sorcery and brutality they wielded was terrifying. The sickness they could muster to punish their prisoners was inhumane. Even now they're prisoners to the west, forced to trade with them whether they've realized it or not.

After an hour the ship bringing Asuwa goods was only minutes away from Jarelin. Sang and about 30 other men were on the deck, whilst Odu laid in one of the rooms pondering on what's next in his life.

The men began to load up the cargo taking it from its storage room. It was loads of silver trinkets, Asuwa steel. A luxury item it was, a blade forged with Asuwa described by many of the land to cut through the bones of men like paper and even harm the likes of a Vodka Orc.

"Damn Udo, laying down as the rest of us do the heavy lifting!" One of the Asuwa warriors grunted.

As the Asuwa men continued to lift the cargo a spiraling grapple hook whistled across the air, drilling itself onto the ship's deck, a matter of minutes before the vessel could touch down onto the port. A loud crash was heard in that same instance, Sang turnt to the left, noticing a ship from the corner. It was as if they were waiting for them. Men from the invading ship begin to cautiously climb aboard the ship from the hook.

Sang lunged for his blade, bracing himself for battle. Before he could get a good grasp on his blade, a swirling spear drove into his face, driving itself into the wood with his head, followed by his torso. Gushes of blood poured from Sang's head, bloodying the ship. The Asuwa men grabbed their blades, and additional men from the other ship appeared on the deck.

"Oi! Look like I caught one of those almond eye bastards aye ?" Edwin, a man with brown eyes, screamed out before lunging towards the Asuwa ship with his combat ax in hand. As he touched down, he shook the entire ship, leaving a distinct mark of his feet as he began to stride. Edwin had an unpleasant aura that suffocated everyone around him, he was unusually strong, and his soul demanded to be heard.

One of the Asuwa warriors broke through the confines of Edwin's spirit and charged at him with his katana, aiming to slice his neck, but this swing was cut short by a clash with Edwin's ax.

CLANG

CLANG

CLANG

Their blades kissed for a moment before Edwin elevated his feet to slam into the Asuwa warrior's midsection. The impact of the hit pushed him backwards, landing the warrior on the ship's flooring. Edwin stepped over him, swinging and chopping off his head all at once.