The open sea stretched endlessly before them, the nation of Xandria now a distant memory on the horizon. The salty breeze played with their hair, and the gentle lapping of waves provided a soothing rhythm. Water spanned as far as the eye could see, an unbroken expanse of blue.

Winston approached Niles, his tone measured but with a hint of mischief. “Should we check the cabbage box?” he asked, implying they should see how the rescued smith was faring inside.

Niles smirked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “He can afford to wait a little longer,” he replied, his grin widening. “Would be a shame to let his attitude spoil this perfect weather.” His smirk then morphed into something more devilish. “Besides, the longer we wait, the better deal I’ll get when I negotiate for a new weapon. Let him stew—it’s an investment!”

Niles hunched slightly, his hands clasped together like a scheming villain holding back a cackle. Winston raised an eyebrow at him. “I assume you have a more practical reason than spite?”

Niles straightened up, attempting to look innocent. “Of course! I mean, it’s just safer to put more distance between us and Xandria, you know, in case someone’s following us.”

Winston crossed his arms. “Didn’t you already take precautions against that? And you sent Squeaky to scout, I’d say you’ve gone above and beyond.”

Niles blinked and gestured vaguely. “Well, yeah, but… you can never be too careful. Right?”

Winston’s gaze was flat, his tone sharp. “Or is this about your end of the bargain with Vulcan?”

Niles stiffened, his voice dropping to a failed whisper. “Maybe... a little...”

Winston sighed, long and deep. “Very well. I’ll trust your judgment.”

Niles immediately threw his hands up. “No, don’t do that! That’s how we ended up in this mess! You’re supposed to be the smart one here!”

Winston smirked at the clear skies, his voice calm. “Then let’s enjoy this peace and quiet while it lasts.”

Niles burst out laughing. “That’s the spirit! That’s what I’m talking about!”

Meanwhile, Tesla leaned against the railing, sketching and scribbling notes as he observed the horizon. Niles sidled up to Winston and whispered conspiratorially, “By the way, have you told him we’re banished and headed to Monster Island?”

Winston, hearing this, folded his hands neatly into his robes. “No, I thought it would be better for the crew to focus their grievances on one person instead of two. Delegation is key.” He smiled faintly.

Niles clapped him on the back. “That’s why you’re the intellectual one! Always thinking ahead!”

Then the realization hit him. Niles frowned. “Wait a second—”

Winston cut him off with a serene tone. “I’m off to enjoy this lovely weather.”

Niles pointed at the small ship around them. “You know we’re on a tiny boat, right? There’s not exactly a lot of places to wander, I can see you basically everywhere.”

But Winston kept walking, unbothered, his robes swaying lightly with the breeze.

Niles stared after him, a smirk tugging at his lips. “I swear, I’m a terrible influence on that man.”

Niles thought to himself, "I should head back to the captain. Felix’s warning still rings in my ears.” That skill of his had hinted that the captain’s personality leans toward hostility. The phrase from Earth surfaced in his mind: “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” If Captain Veggieplank couldn’t be swayed, at least Niles could keep an eye on him and ensure his actions stayed predictable.

With that resolve, he made his way to the helm and struck up conversation with the captain once more.

As night fell, the sky darkened into an inky void, the stars barely piercing through the thick clouds. Squeaky descended from above, landing on Niles’s shoulder with a satisfied chirp. “Nothing to report?” Niles asked, scratching the bird affectionately under its beak. The bird shook it’s head. “Good job, buddy,” Niles said with a small sigh before straightening up. “All right, time to check the cabbage box.”

He motioned for Winston to join him, while Tesla remained stationed with Captain Veggieplank at the helm. Despite being an engineer and more at home with blueprints than boats, Tesla had been given an impromptu crash course in navigation. The captain, half-amused and half-serious, explained the basics of sailing and what course to hold. Tesla’s face grew increasingly pale, especially when Captain Veggieplank added, “Niles says you’re a miracle worker. Told me there’s nothing you can’t do.” The engineer swallowed hard, recognizing Niles’s trademark exaggerations that Winston mentioned earlier.

Meanwhile, Niles and Winston descended into the cargo hold. The air was damp, heavy with the smell of salt and mold. The faint creak of the wooden hull mixed with the rhythmic sound of waves slapping against it, amplifying the eerie stillness.

They approached the cabbage box. Using a metal tool Winston had purchased earlier, they pried the lid open. Inside was Vulcan, cramped and furious, his muscular arms and grizzled beard making him look more like a feral statue than a smith.

“What took you so long?” Vulcan growled, his voice sharp with irritation. “I can’t even move! My body’s been stuck in this position for hours—it’s excruciating!”

Niles grinned as he examined the scene. “You look like a sculpture,” he quipped before bursting into laughter at his own joke.

Vulcan groaned. “I never know whether to be angry or amused with you because you laugh at everything you say!”

“That’s why people love me,” Niles shot back with a smug grin.

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Winston, however, raised an eyebrow at Niles, his tone serious. “Sir Niles,” he began, “let’s recap: you’ve been in this world for just a few days, and already you’ve been in multiple fights, a duel, stabbed, shot with an arrow, punched, insulted, rejected—”

“I’m just misunderstood!” Niles cut in, his voice defensive.

Before Winston could respond, a low, warm chuckle came from another box nearby. The trio froze, exchanging wary glances.

“Wait!” Vulcan shouted from his crate. “Aren’t you supposed to let me out first?”

Niles mimicked his tone mockingly. “Aren’t you supposed to let me out first?” He turned to Winston. “Did you hear that? Not even a ‘please.’”

Winston nodded solemnly. “Shameful. Smiths these days are really leaning into old stereotypes.”

From within the box, Vulcan’s voice rose in indignation. “When I get out of here, you’ll both get a piece of my mind! Youth today—no respect, no manners! Back in my day—” He trailed into a string of muttered complaints.

Niles walked back to the cabbage box and peered inside. “We’ll be right back,” he said matter-of-factly before gently lowering the lid back down. Vulcan’s muffled protests and curses echoed from within as Niles patted the lid.

“Let’s go see who’s laughing in the other box,” he said, grinning at Winston. They left Vulcan muttering bitterly to himself, his threats swallowed by the confines of the crate.

Niles and Winston approached the source of the laughter with cautious steps. They exchanged a glance, both taking deep breaths before lifting the lid. Inside were a young woman and a boy, cramped but surprisingly composed.

Niles blinked in disbelief as he locked eyes with the woman. “Lina?” he asked, his tone unsure as if questioning his own sight.

She smiled softly, a picture of innocence. “Hi, Sir Niles.”

Niles’s brows furrowed. “What are you doing here?”

Winston remained silent, observing the exchange.

Lina folded her hands neatly and explained, “Well, we were hiding out at the adventurer’s guild and overheard your conversation with Polly. So, we asked her to smuggle us onto your ship—me and my little brother, Finn.” She gestured to the boy beside her. “We figured anywhere would be better than staying in the capital.”

Niles cut straight to the chase. “We’re going to Monster Island.” His voice was flat, no hesitation.

“MONSTER ISLAND?!” Vulcan’s booming voice echoed from his crate nearby, cutting through the moment like thunder.

Niles sighed in resignation. “And there goes the peaceful silence.”

“IS THAT WHY YOU LEFT ME IN HERE? FOR SILENCE?!” Vulcan roared again, his indignation spilling out.

Ignoring him for the moment, Niles focused on Lina and Finn, their faces drained of color as the weight of the news settled in. Together, he and Winston helped the pair climb out of the box. They were still silent, likely processing their decision to stow away on a ship headed for such a perilous destination.

With a weary sigh, Niles turned back to Vulcan’s crate. “All right, smithy, don’t bite when I let you out.”

Vulcan growled low, like a cornered beast, but Niles pried open the crate anyway, dismantling the boards to finally free the irate smith. Vulcan groaned as he stretched his stiff limbs, his expression promising payback.

Niles clapped his hands together to gather everyone’s attention. “All right, listen up. This is important: don’t tell anyone else on this ship that you’re wanted fugitives.”

He looked pointedly at Lina. “That includes you, but honestly, if the Xandrian soldiers caught you, they’d probably use you to get to your brother. So be extra cautious.”

Lina nodded solemnly.

Niles shifted his gaze to Finn, grinning. “So, still no luck using your ‘good-with-numbers’ skill, huh?”

Finn muttered something under his breath, his expression a mix of annoyance and embarrassment.

Niles let out an exaggerated sigh. “Anyway, let’s go meet the rest of the crew.” He gestured to Winston. “This is Winston, by the way. Former court assistant and all-around dependable guy.”

Winston nodded formally. “Nice to meet you all.”

Niles waved his hand toward the stairs. “Let’s go.”

The group emerged from the cargo hold, greeted by the cool, salty breeze of the open sea. The night was dark, but the fresh air and space above deck were a welcome change.

Niles cupped his hands around his mouth and called out, “Oi! Captain Veggieplank! Tesla! Come down here and meet our guests!”

The captain’s voice responded immediately, his tone incredulous. “Freeloaders?!”

Lina stepped forward, her voice gentle. “Thank you for having us aboard, Captain.” Her words carried a warmth, and her skill Gift of Joy, (Anything you give—be it food, an item, or even a kind word—instills a subtle, warm sense of happiness in the recipient) activated, sending a faint wave of happiness over the gruff sailor.

Captain Veggieplank’s cheeks reddened as he cleared his throat. “Well, uh, you know... it’s all part of my work ethic.” He puffed out his chest, grinning proudly.

Tesla descended from the helm, offering a polite nod. “Hello,” he greeted.

Niles introduced him with dramatic flair. “This man is our engineer—an absolute genius who’ll go down in history for his inventions!”

Tesla smiled humbly. “Thank you, Sir Niles, but I owe everything to the giants whose shoulders I stand on.” He saluted briefly, a gesture to his former mentors, unaware that Niles was shamelessly buttering him up.

Meanwhile, Vulcan’s sharp eyes scanned the ship, taking in every detail. After a moment, he gave a curt nod. “Plenty of room for improvements,” he remarked. Without waiting for the groups response, he left the small group and strode purposefully toward the ship’s helm. “I’m sure the captain will appreciate my expertise.”

Niles noticed but leave him be. He turned back to Lina, Niles softened his tone. “By the way, it’s a good thing you’re here. Could you look after Felix in the captain’s cabin? He’s recovering, but he still needs some care.”

Lina nodded, her expression resolute. “Of course.”

As Lina followed Niles, her heart began to pound harder with every step, a soft flush spreading across her cheeks. When Niles opened the door and gestured her inside, she stepped into the captain's quarters and saw Felix resting on the bed, his face pale but peaceful.

Quietly, Lina approached and sat down beside him. Her gaze fell on the cloth resting on Felix’s forehead, now dry. Carefully, she picked it up, dipped it into the nearby bowl of water, and wrung it out before placing it gently back onto his forehead. Her skill activated, sending a subtle warmth and a sense of happiness through Felix’s resting form.

Felix’s eyes fluttered open, unfocused at first, before settling on her face. A faint smile appeared as he murmured, “Angel, is that you?”

Lina couldn’t help but smile in return, her presence radiating the gentle warmth of sunlight. “No, it’s just me,” she said softly, tucking a strand of her short blonde hair behind her ear as their eyes met again. “Lina.”

Felix’s smile widened slightly, his voice barely above a whisper. “Lina.” He closed his eyes again, the smile lingering as he drifted back into rest.

From across the room, Finn, Lina’s younger brother, broke the moment with an incredulous tone. “Who’s the half-dead guy over there?”

Niles responded with exaggerated enthusiasm. “That, my young friend, is our security—a real guard from the castle!”

Finn tilted his head skeptically, eyeing Felix. “Yeah, he looks real great at protecting,” he said, his voice dripping with mockery.

Lina whipped around to glare at her brother, her expression sharp with disapproval. “Finn!”

Sensing the brewing tension, Niles intervened with a grin. “I’m sure he’ll be amazing once he’s recovered,” he said, clapping Finn on the shoulder. “Anyway, how about we check out the view from the helm? It’s pretty cool.”

Finn looked unimpressed, crossing his arms.

Leaning in conspiratorially, Niles added, “I also have a flying familiar I’d like to introduce you to.”

Finn’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “You do?!”

Niles nodded, then turned to Lina. “Would it be okay if we left you here for a while?”

Lina smiled warmly and nodded. “Of course. But,” she pointed a warning finger at Finn, “you behave yourself!”

Finn rolled his eyes with an exaggerated sigh.

Niles chuckled, guiding the boy out of the room and shutting the door behind them, leaving Lina alone to tend to Felix in peaceful quiet.