When it started to snow, his desire to make it back home vanished, just like its image when he peeked one last time behind his shoulder.

Through the large dunes of snow, he marched on. For years, without respite. Only a single frozen star illuminated his path in a dim shimmering blue.

His vision was still blurry, but once more, it found a faint sign of close civilization. Puffs of violet smoke raised to the sky like a flock of sheep.

Would he be welcomed there?

From atop of the dune, he saw them - clay houses, shaped like domes, in all of the possible colors. Little furry creatures scrambled about, carrying rods and fish, dragging sleds, or playing with leather balls.

Supported by his staff, the man climbed down to the dale. Bells on top of the wooden pole announced his visit.

Furry creatures gathered around the lone wandered, barely reaching his waist. They curiously grabbed his warm but thin cloth, enchanted by blessings of fiery spirits.

He didn't speak their weird tongue, but his gesticulation appeared to be understood by the elders, who invited him inside a bright yellow house painted in orange symbols of the sun.

In a few minutes, he could sense a sweet aroma of a hot drink parallel to cocoa. A mug was placed next to him and next to it, was a plate full of fluffy white orbs of a dish similar to cottage cheese wrapped in some sort of bread equivalent, all sprinkled with rich nectar.

He bowed his head, silently thanking the gods, and his saviors, for the meal.

Hours passed and he was brought pillows and thick blankets, but before he could rest, he had to pay his debts. The traveler joined a group of adults and helped them to saddle a few fatter and woolly cousins of goats.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

In silence, they made their way through a sinuous canyon, until a frozen ocean was reached. The immense vastness of space was enough to take man's breath away. He clutched his harpoon tighter and followed his more experienced mates.

Underneath his feet, was a slab of ice in a combination of a murky green color and crystal clear blue. Beneath it, shadows of large animals lurked, some devouring some lesser prey right in front of the man, who felt a sudden surge of adrenaline, it was like his heart had begun to beat again.

One, two, three miles. Nothing, but an empty, unwelcoming void and turbulent winds, and the gray sky above them.

Then, the ground shattered. A horn of feathery leviathan whale pierced through the ice, the shadow of its massive torso engulfed the hunters. A cacophony of ringing sounds followed thousand crystalline pieces falling to the floor.

Harpoons flew at the beast's underbelly, dozens of tribal screams drown out the creature's own howls of pain.

He still held his spear, awestruck and at the loss of words. Hesitating.

He grasped it firmly. They would feast tonight.

His spear soared like an eagle and it pierced the sea colossus.

With a huge crack, the leviathan broke through the ice on the opposite side of the group, but they were ready to steer it with the ropes and chains attached to the rings on the other ends of their weapons.

The furry creatures remained unwavering. Blood smeared the ice and stained the waters below as they dragged the beast towards the surface, forcing it to obliterate the glacial slab into large shards.

With the last few howls, the leviathan arrived at the shore, weary and ready to die.

A ritual knife was gifted to the stranger, who without second thought ended the mammal's missery.

Then, the collecting began – feathers, skin, horn and fins, guts, meat and bones. Even eyes and a brain were loaded to large jars dragged on the sleds behind the goats.

The cold, blue sun was setting down behind a snowy mist. Drenched in blood and sweat, but victorious, hunters arrived back in the village, which was gradually illuminated by primitive lampposts in form of glowing purple stones on the sticks.

The stones were hot to touch and produced purple smoke, it was how furry creatures kept the water warm, allowing the man to wash the clothes and bathe the filth away with others in a large basin just at the outskirts of the village.

Then, there was a time for the feast. Everyone gathered around a round empty area and prepared tables, cleavers and a large cauldron. The crisp air was further enchanted by scent of algae and spices.

He tasted the grilled meat, then enjoyed a stew. He drank mead and toasted with others.

It lasted until the long day was gone.