Niles and Tesla stood at the deck of the Flying Turnip, gazing down at Captain Veggieplank. The grizzled captain sat cross-legged on the wooden planks, exposed as a collaborator with pirates and responsible for putting all their lives in peril. His wooden leg creaked as he shifted uncomfortably under their scrutiny.

“Well, well, well,” Niles began, his arms crossed, his tone sharp but not without curiosity. “You’ve got some explaining to do.”

Tesla mimicked him perfectly, crossing his arms and furrowing his brows with an exaggerated frown. It would’ve been comical if the situation weren’t so tense.

Captain Veggieplank drew a heavy breath, his lips parting as though ready to explain, but Niles cut him off. “Not here. Not yet. Let’s wait until everyone’s gathered,” he said, uncrossing his arms. His voice softened slightly as he added, “I don’t know your history, Captain, but sometimes people aren’t bad—they just make bad decisions.”

Then, to everyone’s surprise, Niles did something wholly unexpected: he bowed. “Thank you,” he said earnestly, “for trying to save Lina.”

Tesla’s jaw nearly dropped. Captain Veggieplank’s eyes flicked between Niles and Tesla, utterly bewildered.

Niles continued, his voice steady. “First, you warned us to hide her. And when she was discovered, you called out to Gingerbeard, putting yourself in the line of fire. It gave us the time we needed to act. That wasn’t the act of a bad man.”

He took a step closer, his gaze unwavering. “We’ve dined together, played cards together, and shared this ship. I hope that meant something to you.”

The old captain’s weathered face crumpled as tears began to stream down his cheeks. “Aye,” he choked out, his voice trembling like the sails in a storm. “It meant the might of the storms to me.”

Niles offered a faint smile. “Do you know where Gingerbeard’s hideout is?”

Captain Veggieplank wiped his face with the back of his sleeve and shook his head. “Nay. But he’s got a lackey in the capital’s port—handles all his information.”

Niles nodded, placing a hand on the captain’s shoulder. “Thank you. Please, just get us to Monster Island safely.”

With his free hand, Niles helped the captain to his feet. Veggieplank, finding his balance on his wooden limb, straightened with a newfound sense of resolve and shuffled back to the helm.

Niles wandered to the bow of the ship, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Tesla followed, his expression a mix of shock and curiosity. “That… was unexpected,” Tesla said.

Niles turned, raising a brow. “What was unexpected?”

“YOUR KINDNESS!” Tesla hissed. “I thought you were going to nail his wooden leg to the main mast and paint him with honey for the seagulls to feast on!”

Niles laughed, the sound warm and unbothered. “We’d make great pirates, Tesla.”

Tesla didn’t laugh. Instead, he pressed further. “But seriously, why?”

Niles sighed, looking out at the restless waves. “Back on Earth, I worked with a lot of… difficult customers. And you know what I learned? The unhappy ones can be the most rewarding. If you turn things around, they can become your most loyal clients.” He shrugged. “I thought I’d try that approach here too.”

Tesla squinted, skeptical. “Isn’t that manipulation?”

“It is—if you’re dishonest about it,” Niles said, his tone measured. “Don’t get me wrong; I’m still upset. But I don’t think the captain is beyond redemption.”

Niles abruptly turned toward the main mast and shouted, “SQUEAKY!”

Tesla blinked. “Wait, you’re upset—but not with Veggieplank?”

Niles held out his hand as Squeaky swooped down, perching obediently on his palm. He scratched the bird’s beak thoughtfully. “Squeaky, when you retrieved that blade, did you touch that pirate?”

The bird chirped affirmatively.

“New mission,” Niles declared, his grin spreading. “I need you to scout Gingerbeard’s ship, find their hideout, and report back.”

Tesla tilted his head, studying Niles carefully.

Niles’s did whisper something to Squeaky. Both of their faces turned devilish grins. “They took my shoes Squeaky” His voice rose to a dramatic pitch. “They were almost brand new! Do you know how much I paid for them back on Earth?!”

Tesla stared, baffled. “Wait, you’re upset… because of your shoes?”

“THEY WERE EXPENSIVE!” Niles shouted, striking a pose like a baseball pitcher. He cocked his arm back, giving Squeaky a determined look. “MAKE THEM REGRET EVER CROSSING ME, MY LOYAL AVENGER!”

With a mighty throw, Niles launched Squeaky into the air, the bird soaring toward the sky.

As Niles cheered his familiar on with the fervor of a man seeking vengeance, Tesla silently vowed never to borrow anything from him longer than strictly agreed upon.

Inside the captain’s chamber, the muffled chaos from above echoed through the wooden walls.

“What in the world is he doing now?” Winston asked, his brow furrowed.

“Probably something outrageous,” Vulcan replied flatly, his tone as humorless as his expression. “And then giving himself way too much credit for it.”

Winston considered this, his lips twitching with faint amusement. “As absurd as that sounds... it might actually be true.”

The two sat close, Winston pressing against the slashed wound on Vulcan’s back, while Vulcan acted as an awkward big spoon to Felix, who lay shivering and pale. Felix’s eyelids fluttered, struggling to stay open.

“Don’t you dare fall asleep,” Vulcan growled, his gruff voice more bark than bite.

Felix, the unwilling little spoon in this desperate situation, was trembling uncontrollably. His teeth chattered as he forced himself to speak, though his voice was faint and broken. “Is the boy... all right?”

“Aye,” Vulcan said, his reply as steady as a hammer strike.

But Felix wasn’t done. Summoning what little strength remained in him, he pleaded, “Please... tend to him.” His voice was weak but insistent, like a man delivering his final will.

Vulcan turned to Winston, his usual hard demeanor cracking slightly. “This isn’t good. He’s still freezing. If we don’t do something soon, he won’t make it.”

Lina and Finn were huddled nearby, their small bodies tucked together for warmth. Lina had been silent, but her ears picked up every word. As Winston and Vulcan deliberated, she shifted, rolling herself over to face Felix. Her movements were deliberate, as though drawing on every reserve of her strength.

Felix’s labored breathing filled the air as Lina leaned in close. Her voice was soft, almost fragile, as she whispered, “Thank you, Sir Felix, for saving my brother.”

Before anyone could notice, she pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead, then rolled back to where Finn waited. Her arms wrapped protectively around her little brother as if shielding him from the world.

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Vulcan paused mid-conversation, his eyes narrowing. “Wait a minute...” He tilted his head, his tone shifting with realization. “He’s warming up! Finally!”

His booming laugh filled the cabin. “I told you my warm smith’s blood would heal you, son!” he declared, clapping Felix’s shoulder lightly, his laughter carrying a rare note of relief.

Nearby, Finn peeked up at his sister, his voice a hushed whisper. “Why’re you so warm?”

Lina turned pink, her shyness rendering her silent.

The door burst open with a bang, and in swept Niles like a storm, all swagger and bluster. Stripping off his coat and shirt, he declared loudly, “I’m here to defeat pirates and warm up you guys—and I’m all out of pirates! Who’s first?”

Winston turned to him, one brow raised. “Actually, they’re both warming up now. I think we’ve got this under control.”

“Wonderful!” Niles grinned, his relief palpable. But then his eyes caught the blood soaking Vulcan’s back, the wound from Zane’s war scythes still oozing through the makeshift bandage.

Without hesitation, Niles shrugged off the rest of his clean clothes. “Use these to patch him up,” he said, handing them over to Winston. “They should be clean enough—they’re fresh from the castle.”

Winston took the garments, exchanging them for the bloodied rags that had been used earlier. Niles grabbed the stained cloth and marched toward the door. “I’ll clean these in the sea,” he said, his voice light but resolute.

And with that, the storm that was Niles swept out of the room as quickly as it had come, leaving behind warmth, relief, and a faint glimmer of hope.

The day drifted by in a calm rhythm. Felix and Finn regained their warmth, their shivering subsiding as their body temperatures stabilized. Winston had successfully closed the wound on Vulcan’s back, ensuring the burly blacksmith could move without further strain. By the time night fell, the atmosphere in the cabin had softened, though exhaustion weighed heavy on the group.

Captain Veggieplank entered the room quietly, his wooden leg tapping softly against the floor. Behind him trailed Niles and Tesla, their expressions reserved. The old captain looked to each of them, then took a deep breath before speaking.

“Money’s always been my curse,” he began, his voice low but steady. “Ever since the pirates started roaming the seas, it’s been harder to make an honest living. A few years back, at the docks, I struck a deal with Gingerbeard. I paid him protection money, and in return, he gave me a cut of the loot from every shipment his crew plundered.” He paused, his gaze dropping to the floor. “I don’t expect you to forgive me. But I promise you this—I’ll see you to your destination. I owe you that much.”

The room was silent, the weight of his confession hanging in the air. Then, Felix extended a hand.

Captain Veggieplank hesitated for a moment, then grasped it firmly. A faint, almost imperceptible glow surrounded Felix as his skill activated. The tension in the room eased as Felix exhaled and spoke.

“You’re a changed man,” he said quietly. “I can feel that you mean it.”

The captain’s lips quivered into a small, grateful smile. “Aye, lad. Thank you.”

No more words were needed. The past wouldn’t be forgotten, but a new understanding had been forged.

Several days passed aboard the Flying Turnip as they sailed onward. The crew fell into a routine, tending to their wounds, sharing meals, and recovering their strength. Then, one bright morning, the captain’s voice rang out from the deck.

“Land ho!”

The call brought the party rushing to the bow. In the distance, an island emerged on the horizon, growing larger with every passing moment.

“We’ve arrived at your destination,” Captain Veggieplank announced proudly, stepping aside to give them a clear view. “Behold... MONSTER ISLAND!”

The name conjured images of terror and danger, but the reality was a stark contrast. From the ship, the island looked like paradise: pristine white beaches framed by crystal-clear waters, towering trees that seemed almost impossibly large, their canopies untouched by man’s hand.

Niles let out a loud laugh. “It’s free real estate!” he declared with a grin, causing Tesla to roll his eyes.

Turning to the group, Niles clapped his hands together. “All right, here’s the plan. We land, unload everything, and then I’ll set up my barrier skill to keep us safe!” He raised a finger dramatically and added, “Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!”

The others exchanged confused glances, clearly not understanding the last part but catching the overall meaning.

Captain Veggieplank, cautious of running the Flying Turnip aground, anchored the ship a short distance from the shore. The party loaded their meager belongings onto a small rowboat—a parting gift from the captain himself.

There wasn’t much left to bring after the pirate attack: Felix’s bedroll, a modest stash of food and water, a deck of playing cards, and the blade they’d taken from the pirates.

Together, Winston, Tesla, Vulcan, and Niles lowered the rowboat into the water. With every stroke of the oars, the sandy shores of Monster Island grew closer. Though they had little, hope lingered in the salty air as the party prepared to face whatever awaited them on this untouched land.

Once everything and everyone was unloaded, the group waved goodbye to Captain Veggieplank.

"Good luck, everyone!" he shouted from the deck of The Flying Turnip, his voice carrying over the waves.

The group echoed his farewell, then turned their attention to the task at hand.

Niles clapped his hands together, his energy buzzing. "All right, first things first!" He scanned the scenery: the towering trees, crystal-clear water, a mountain in the distance crowned with a cascading waterfall, and the warm sun bathing everything in golden light. He furrowed his brow, his face alight with purpose.

"This nice land needs a name," he declared dramatically, pacing in a circle like a commander strategizing. Finally, he stopped, inhaled deeply, and threw his arms wide.

"I declare thee... NICELAND!"

The name echoed in the salty air as if he’d just christened a new world.

The rest of the group stared at him blankly.

Winston raised a single eyebrow. Tesla pinched the bridge of his nose. Vulcan muttered something unintelligible under his breath. Lina and Finn exchanged an unimpressed glance.

Only Felix seemed mildly supportive. "A wise choice, sir!" he said with a weak smile, though his words were quickly met with a collective groan from the others.

"What?" Felix asked, confused.

Niles sighed, waving off their reactions. "Fine, fine. We can always change it later. Moving on!" He spun around and pointed dramatically at the small rowboat they’d just received as a parting gift from the captain.

"Second order of business: we’re demolishing this boat."

Silence.

The group’s wide-eyed stares turned to each other, then back to Niles.

"Why?" Tesla finally asked, breaking the tension.

Niles bent down, picking up a heavy rock. "To make a statement! There’s no going back now. If we want to succeed, we can’t have a safety net. The boat will only tempt us to retreat, and that," he declared, lifting the rock high above his head, "will be our ruin!"

Still unconvinced, the group exchanged skeptical looks. Yet, one by one, they begrudgingly accepted the rocks Niles handed them. With a shout of determination, Niles smashed his rock against the side of the rowboat, splintering the wood. Slowly, the others joined in, turning the small vessel into a pile of sticks and firewood.

Dusting off his hands, Niles stepped back, his hands on his hips like a triumphant hero.

Felix, meanwhile, flopped onto the ground, still weak from his injuries.

"All right, time for my barrier!" Niles announced with excitement. He paced around, muttering to himself, "This will be a great place."

Stopping in the sand, he raised his hands. "BARRIER!" he shouted, and a shimmering blue mist began to materialize. With careful, almost theatrical gestures, he expanded the barrier, connecting invisible walls until it formed a perfect protective dome that enclosed part of the beach, a stretch of the forest, and a small portion of the water.

A faint notification shimmered in the air: [Barrier-ish: 869 m² of 1000 m² used].

As the mist dissipated, Niles walked in and out of the barrier with a proud grin. "Perfect!"

"Winston, throw something at it," he said.

Winston picked up a rock and tossed it at the barrier. The rock bounced back with a soft thud, as though it had struck an invisible wall.

"It works!" Niles shouted, his voice ringing with joy. "It actually works! Get in, everyone!"

The party approached the barrier, stepping forward confidently—only to smack into an invisible wall.

"Uh, Niles," Winston called out, rubbing his forehead. "We can’t get in."

Niles froze, his eyes wide. "What?" He turned to the barrier, his face growing pale. "That’s... not good."

As if the universe had chosen that moment to mock him, the nearby bushes began to rustle ominously. The sound grew louder, accompanied by a guttural cackling. From the forest emerged a group of green-skinned monsters, half the height of a man, their long noses and sharp teeth giving them a menacing appearance. They wore crude leather pelts and carried clubs and stone daggers.

“Goblins!” Felix shouted, his sharp eyes narrowing.

And then, stepping out from behind the smaller creatures, came a mutated goblin, larger and more grotesque. Its arms were unnaturally long, its iron spear glinting in the sunlight. A wild red tomahawk haircut completed its intimidating appearance.

The goblins laughed menacingly, their numbers growing as they crept closer.

The group stood frozen, their weapons nonexistent, their supplies meager, their fatigue evident. Slowly, their eyes drifted to the pile of shattered wood that had once been their boat—Niles’s grand symbol of commitment.

"Thanks, Niles," Vulcan said dryly, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "This is so much better than getting hanged in the city square."

Niles’s face went from pale to ghostly white. The goblins closed in, their guttural laughter echoing through the air.

"Any more brilliant ideas?" Vulcan asked, his tone dripping with mock curiosity.

Niles stood frozen, trembling where he was, his shoeless feet digging into the sand. He tried to muster some confidence, his voice wavering despite his best efforts. "Now’s a good time to assemble the army, Felix."

Tesla let out a dramatic sigh of relief, his shoulders sagging as if a weight had been lifted. "Thank the heavens! Where’s the army that’ll save us?" He turned to Felix with a hopeful grin, only to notice the man was barely holding himself upright, still catching his breath. Felix shook his head weakly, then raised a trembling hand to point at the group—each and every one of them.

Tesla's grin faltered, and his face drained of color as realization set in. He glanced at Niles, his voice cracking. "Wait... we’re the army?"

Niles avoided his gaze, looking even paler than before. Tesla’s jaw dropped as it dawned on him that his role wasn’t limited to the grand title of "Minister of Engineering and Science," as Niles had so proudly bestowed on him. No, he was also expected to fight.