Fog drifted thickly over the waters of the fjord, engulfing the silhouettes of the drakkars that clung tightly to the shore. The Vikings from the settlement of Skjoldby had already been on a distant expedition for a week, searching for new lands and legendary treasures. Among them were the siblings - fourteen-year-old Eirik, always the first to be adventurous, and his sister Solveig, a year younger, smart and brave, though often rolling her eyes at her brother's risky ideas. The harbour's silence was guarded by a cool wind that tugged at Solveig's braids and tightened her fingers on the handle of Eirik's axe. They sat on a fallen block, watching the rest of the team pitch their tents. - Do you think the berserkers will turn up at night? - whispered Eirik, glancing at the darkening tree line. - 'More likely wolves. 'Or hunger,' replied Solveig, pointing to the empty cauldron next to the fire. For three days their prey had been meagre and their supplies had dwindled to handfuls of dried fish and bread. A gull's dark cry rang out over the water. Solveig stood up. - 'Come on, let's go scouting. Maybe we'll find something before everyone falls asleep. Eirik did not have to tell her twice. They set off towards the northern part of the island, skirting the rocks shrouded in shadow. The forest was denser here, and the spruce trees were tall and black with moisture. Pushing through the scrub, they heard a quiet, metallic sound from under their feet. - 'Wait,' said Solveig and crouched down. Something glinted in the moss - a piece of metal, covered with runes. Eirik bent down, pushing away the leaves. It appeared to hold one end of an ancient chain that led deeper into the cleft. - 'Look, there's something there! - Solveig pointed to a gap between the boulders. Although her heart was beating faster, she looked her brother straight in the eye: - Shall we go? Eirik squeezed the axe tighter. For a brief moment, they both hesitated, listening to the wind carry a whisper from somewhere in the darkness - words they did not understand, but sounded like echoes of old times. Behind their backs, the forest fell silent, as if the world had held its breath. The siblings took the first step into the depths of the cleft. With each successive one, they plunged further and further into the semi-darkness, not realising that someone was already watching them.