In the midst of the vast ocean, merchant ships sailed beneath the banners of the Balanda Empire. Though they were traders, they had been armed by the Empire to wage war and conquer the Eastern world.
They were sailors employed by the trading company VAC. Verenigde Arafaruse Compagnie was a trading enterprise originating from the nation of Annastassia, initially founded by private businessmen before being taken over by the Empire.
Their ships were dragged helplessly by fierce northern winds. They had no time to lower the sails; the powerful gusts struck them full force, driving the vessels toward a sea current that marked the boundary to the outer world—a current known as the Janna Current.
The current was terrifyingly strong. If someone were to extend a hand into it, that hand would vanish instantly. Many were forced to leap into the sea, while others struggled desperately to lower the sails. Some even attempted to cut down the masts and sever the ropes. But all their efforts were in vain. The violent winds hurled them into the raging waters.
Those who jumped overboard did not expect the sudden surge that propelled them toward the Janna Current. A few managed to climb onto the captain's ship, but those caught by the current were swallowed whole, leaving nothing behind.
The captain watched helplessly as his ships and crew were torn apart by the Janna Current. His men called out to him as he stood silent at the bow.
"Siff, say something—what should we do?" one of them shouted from behind. There was nothing he could do. In his despair, he lifted his eyes to the sky.
"Pray… may our sins be forgiven by Him," he said softly.
Seeing their leader surrender to fate dragged the crew deeper into despair. As hopelessness consumed them, one sailor prayed to the god of water, hoping for a miracle.
"Oh God Toyya, ruler of the seas, if life is still granted to us, guide us beyond the boundaries that may claim our lives. If not… at least allow our souls to return in peace," he murmured, his voice trembling amid the roaring waves.
That sailor rose from his helplessness. With all his strength, he fought against the wind and seized an axe. He shouted to the survivors: "O mighty warriors! Why have you surrendered to this trial? God Toyya is testing whether we are worthy to cross the boundaries He created. Take up your axes and rise, warriors!"
His words reignited their fighting spirit. At the bow, the captain smiled, seeing his younger brother had grown into a strong man. The crew rose and fought against the raging wind with renewed determination, cutting the ropes that bound the sails.
"Kalma, take the bassqa cannon and move it to the stern!" the captain ordered a tall, broad-shouldered man.
"Ublik, prepare the cannonballs! Zudan, fetch the oil and fuel from the hold!" he commanded the twin brothers—Ublik short and stout, Zudan tall and slender.
"What are you waiting for? Cut every rope still tied to the sails!" the captain roared at the frozen sailors.
So focused were they on their tasks that none noticed the Janna Current had begun to weaken. The captain gave final instructions: as they reached the heart of the current, the bassqa cannon would be fired, creating an immense thrust.
One sailor noticed the weakening current. Beneath it, he glimpsed a colossal fish swimming below. He was about to inform the captain—
Then a thunderous explosion erupted.
The ship shook violently. He was flung against the mast at the bow. Those who had not been warned about the cannon blast were thrown off balance. Some fell into the sea; others crashed into walls, masts, and wooden beams.
The force generated by the bassqa cannon propelled them across the Janna Current.
Immediately, the captain ordered the sails repaired. But the northern winds slowly faded away. Soon, there was no wind at all. They were left drifting upon the vast ocean, forced to row a ship weighing hundreds of tons.
Only twenty-one survived out of three hundred and twenty.
Seeing his exhausted crew, the captain considered using the bassqa cannon again to move the ship. But he abandoned the idea. What if they were in foreign waters? Firing that mad cannon would announce their presence to the unknown.
Eight days passed. They crossed the endless sea with nothing to show for it. No land appeared—only exhaustion, despair, and hunger. Their supplies dwindled. Dehydration drove some toward madness.
One sailor, overcome with thirst, attempted to drink seawater. The captain forbade him, but he refused to listen. The more he drank, the thirstier he became. Feeling pity, the captain gave the man his own ration of water. The sailor thanked him gratefully.
Night fell. The ship drifted to a halt. The crew rested. The captain sat alone at the bow. A faint night breeze began to blow—weak, but enough to push the vessel forward.
Realizing their water supply was nearly gone, he went to the cook.
"How is it, Ram? Are the fish poisonous?" the captain asked.
"I fed rats, cats, and birds with our catch," said the cook, Ramis Red. "They all died within hours."
"Is there not a single fish safe to eat?" the captain asked.
"There is. Wait."
He walked to a cupboard, opened it, and retrieved an iron birdcage. Inside, a rat was gnawing on a piece of fish.
"Of all the species here, this is the only one safe to consume. I tested it on animals—they're still alive. I'm certain. I've eaten it myself. It tastes good too!" the cook said proudly.
"You ate it? You're bold. And can its blood be drunk? Our water is nearly gone."
"If the flesh is safe, so is the blood. Honestly, Siff," the cook teased.
"Just making sure," the captain replied.
"Can you extract the blood from the fish my men caught earlier?" the captain asked.
"Now?" the cook hesitated.
"Tomorrow. Rest for now. I promise I'll raise your pay if we return safely."
"Now that's my captain," the cook grinned.
The captain returned to his quarters and recorded the events of the day. On the first day after crossing the Janna Current, they faced the absence of wind. Then came exhaustion. Then hunger. Then despair. The crew had lost their spirit.
Just as he was about to sleep, shouting erupted outside.
"Siff! Siff! Siff! Land! There's land! Everyone wake up—we've found land!"
"What?" "What is happening?"
The captain opened his door and found his crew gathered at the bow, their faces lit with excitement.
"Siff, come here! Look!" his younger brother called.
In the distance stood a towering landmass—perhaps a mountain rising proudly from the sea.
Joy erupted among them. They embraced one another, cheering and weeping. Gratitude filled the air as they knelt in thanks for surviving the trials they had endured.