The chain was thick enough to hold a giant in full giant form. I was not surprised to find it.

 

I knew where it would be.

 

But the burned tree was an apple, not an ash. Not the world tree.

 

The tree of immortality.
What did that imply? It implied that…no.

 

All a metaphor. The chain was a metaphor too. And I had been sent here in chains.

 

Which was why I picked up the cold links. Very cold. As cold as the starlight.

 

Fire wanted to respond.
Fire did not only destroy. I told myself that firmly before I let a little of it, just a little, out.

 

Just enough to warm myself against the cold, but the chain turned to red hot links and then melted away.

 

Okay, maybe that had been a bad idea, but where the melted metal touched the ground, it started to turn green.

 

I laughed. “Fire is water here and water is fire, is that it?”

 

But I knew I couldn’t fix it from here. I’d been told that. I followed the line of the chain and then I saw it.

 

A crack in the ground.

 

A way out. I knew it was.

 

Fire water, water fire. But too much of either could destroy.

 

Both in balance was life.

 

Maybe that was what I was supposed to learn.

 

There was one chain link remaining. I left it behind and touched the crack. It opened and I fell through it…

 

…and landed at Kanesha’s feet.

 

“Whoah.”

 

“You’re back.”

 

“Not…entirely. Got something to take care of.” I struggled up. “You’re the smart one. Maybe you can help me with it. Did he…”

 

“Odin’s ravens mobbed him and drove him off in that direction. I think for a chat.”

 

“Alright. I have to water a tree in a realm where fire is water and water is fire, but if I…”

 

“…I’m lost. Let’s get some food.”

 

Discussing it over food was suddenly very appealing.