After sharing the information he had received with Renea, it was collectively decided that the ship would stop there. After all, it was along the route initially intended, and if there was indeed an incentive to be found, it would not only be the first financial success of the journey, but would greatly serve in improving the crew’s morale.

The three days leading up to arrival were stressful for Cristin. Whenever he got the chance, he would find Porter and watch his every move. However, even with keeping a close watch on him, Cristin saw nothing particularly notable. If anything, what he saw seemed to contradict the events that took place in Saltstead. Porter was very popular among the crew, and seemed to be quite altruistic, aiding others when they requested it. Regardless, Cristin continued watching Porter from afar.

As the boat began to approach the island, Cristin was able to get a good view of the terrain through his spyglass. The island appeared to be mostly occupied by a deciduous forest—at least as far as he could tell—and was surrounded by a perimeter of rocky beach. Upon getting within about half a mile of the beach, the anchor was dropped and the captain stood atop the forecastle, getting ready to address the crew.

Cristin climbed down from the crow’s nest as the crew gathered in front of the forecastle, getting ready to listen. Clearing his throat, Julien began to speak to the crew.

“Alright then, based on the information we have about this place, there’s likely some kind of danger hidden on that island. We don’t have much outside of that, but we know that it was capable of disposing of about fifteen people. After careful consideration, Renea and I have decided that we will send a group of five to land to do scouting and further assess the situation. Members of this scouting party will receive double the share of whatever is found on the island. With that in mind, do we have any volunteers for this party?”

Julien paused, giving time for potential volunteers to raise their hands. Cristin looked around, seeing that of the roughly thirty man crew, there were about three hands raised. That seemed quite reasonable to him, after all, nobody had any clue as to the danger posed on that island aside from some very unclear clues. Only someone extremely bold would be willing to put their life on the line for two shares of the coin. Looking at those that had raised their hands, Cristin saw Ray, Emery, and Porter. Seeing that final volunteer, Cristin whipped his hand towards the sky without hesitation.

This was his first chance after three days to see how Porter behaved outside the eye’s of the crew. It was a long shot, but perhaps while on this island, Porter would do something that allowed Cristin to make a better case as to his mendacious nature. It then hit Cristin that in order to see this, he would actually have to put himself in front of whatever dangers the island presented. It was too late to back out now, however, as Julien had already counted his hand as one of the four volunteers.

Satisfied, Julien continued his speech. “Great, that was honestly far more than I had anticipated. So, that leaves us with one remaining required member.” He paused, placing his hand to his chin in a pondering expression. “I suppose with those we have, someone capable of emergency first aid would be useful to have. Ives, are you willing to go?” Julien said, gesturing towards the cloaked figure of Ives.

Ives let out an audible sigh, but responded, “I suppose if it is necessary.”

Julien clapped his hands together. “Perfect! Alright, let’s get you all a dinghy set up. Make any last-minute preparations you require, land crew.” Cristin placed his head in his hands, frustrated at his impulsiveness. Keeping most of his possessions on hand, he simply grabbed a length of rope from the storage, before heading to where the dinghy had been dropped. Inside, he saw Emery and Ray, having already gotten on board. Emery was equipped with her standard attire, but was now wearing a set of leather armor and was equipped with a longbow. Ray, on the other hand, looked like a walking armory. On their back was a shield and lengthy spear, while on each side of their hips was a handaxe. For someone so well equipped however, they were not wearing any armor, something that Cristin questioned internally. Climbing into the dinghy, he took a seat across from Ray.

Soon after, they were joined by Porter and Ives, the former giving each of them a friendly nod, to which Cristin returned a suppressed glare. After the five boarded the dinghy, the rope connecting it to the ship was unhooked, allowing them to take their leave. Ray moved to the front, taking each of the oars in their hands and paddling them towards the direction of the island.

As the boat reached the island’s rocky shore, each of the five members of the land crew got out and pulled it onto land. Once the boat had been situated, Porter sat on it’s side and addressed the group.

“Alright everyone, let’s have a quick chat,” he began.

“A chat about what?” asked Ray.

“Well, considering we are, for the most part, unfamiliar with each other, how about we all give a brief explanation of what it is we can do?”

“Oh,” Ray stated, “that makes sense to me.”

Porter nodded before continuing, “I’ll start. As you can see, I have these.” He said, drawing two shortswords. “I’m quite proficient with them as well as some other bladed weapons. Aside from that, I can be quite quiet if necessary, and happen to know a few different languages.”

At this Emery, piped up. “Can’t say I see the final one being all that useful in this situation.”

Porter laughed, “No I suppose it won’t be.” With a smirk he looked back at Emery. “And you?”

Emery looked quizzically at him. “But you already… whatever.” With a sigh, she continued. “I’m pretty good at shooting things, I’m pretty good at being quiet, and I’m pretty good at reading maps.” As she listed these off she turned back to Porter. “Happy?”

“Very.” Porter responded, with a slight chuckle. He then turned towards Ives expectantly.

Ives’s cloaked figure shifted as he went to respond. “Well, I’m obviously the doctor’s assistant, that’s why I’m here. I do also have this, though.” From within the cloak emerged a gloved hand, a glove which Ives then removed to reveal that on his skin was an ashy-black swirling pattern.

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“Oh!” Porter began. “You’re a Vestige?”

At this, Ives’s cloaked head nodded.

“So, what’s your Distortion?” asked Emery.

After a brief pause, Ives responded. “That’s a secret, unfortunately… all I can say is that it’s not very practical in dangerous situations. I just came along in case anyone gets injured.”

Porter shrugged, “everyone has some things they’d rather keep to themselves, I suppose. How about you ray?”

Ray smirked. “I’m tough, that’s about it.”

At this, Porter let out a laugh unbefitting his small stature, causing most of the other’s to jolt slightly in surprise. Collecting himself, Porter carried on with the conversation. “Alright, that got me. Well, looking at all of us, I think some muscle is definitely appreciated. Ok, the only one left is Cristin.” He remarked, turning his gaze towards Cristin.

Cristin froze. He was unsure if revealing his abilities to Porter was a good idea. Understanding between the group would likely be important, but he was wary about giving Porter any meaningful information about himself. With this, Cristin elected that he would simply be as obscure as he could manage when responding.

“Well,” he began. “I’m able t—”

He was stopped mid-sentence as Emery placed her hand over his mouth and let out a brief hiss. “Something’s coming,” She whispered, looking in the direction of the forest.

Cristin hadn’t noticed anything before, but thanks to Emerys warning, he saw it. From the direction of the forest, the sound of snapping branches and rustiling foliage could be heard.

Porter’s expression grew dour as he whispered to the group. “Get ready for a fight.”

Heeding Porter’s command, the group took various positions. Porter drew his two shortswords and took cover within the boat; Emery drew her bow and nocked an arrow, moving behind the boat; Ray drew their spear and shield, moving to the boat’s head; Ives drew a dagger and moved as far from the forest as he could; Cristin took cover behind a small hill of stones on the beach and fell to his knees, swinging the large, rectangular box on his back to the ground in front of him and opening it.

As the group finished their preparations, they saw the creature that had alerted them. The trees parted to reveal a massive serpentine creature bearing white scales. It was at least 40 feet long and had a hood similar to a cobra, which flared as the creature spotted Ray. With uncanny haste, the giant snake shot towards Ray, baring its fangs. In response, Ray shifted their footing, holding their spear and shield in front of them steadfastly.

As the snake neared Ray, it quickly extended, attempting to bite past their defenses. However, as the snake’s fangs neared mere inches of Ray’s flesh, they quickly pivoted in their stance, pushing the snake's head away from them with the shield as they stabbed the spear in it’s direction.

Sparks flew as the spear struck the snake’s scales and glanced off. Ray, surprised, leaped back as the snake collected itself.

“Hey!” Ray shouted out, “This thing is tough too!” As they informed their allies, Ray readied themself, once again entering a defensive stance. Seeing what had just happened and hearing her allies' warning, Emery popped up from her hiding spot, sending an arrow flying in the direction of the snake’s eye. However, noticing this, the snake dodged the arrow, causing it to instead bounce of its tough scales.

“Shit,” hissed Emery, as the snake then began to slither in the boat’s direction. Ray sprinted after the snake, attempting to prevent it’s attack by once again stabbing at it with their spear. However, this proved fruitless as, once again, the snake’s scales effortlessly prevented the blow.

Speeding forward, the snake neared it’s quarry, preparing to lunge towards Emery. However, as it reached within fifteen feet of the boat, a sudden blast was heard, soon followed by the snake letting out a pained hiss and falling to its side. Looking towards the source of the explosion, the other four saw Cristin: resting on one knee, holding a rifle to his shoulder, the barrel still smoking.

There was no time to comment on this however, as the snake soon righted itself, ready to once again attack Emery, reinvigorated with fury. It did not get this chance however, as Porter’s small frame leaped from his hiding spot, stabbing a shortsword into the opening provided by Cristin’s bullet. Pulling out the crimson-coated blade, Porter shouted out.

“Attack the opening!”

Heeding this advice, Ray, having caught up to the snake’s head, stabbed into the now profusely bleeding wound with their spear, which sunk several inches into the snake’s flesh. The serpent let out a furious hiss and coiled upwards. With its head several feet off the ground, it scanned the terrain, before its gaze stopped on Cristin. Letting out another hiss, it began speeding it’s way in Cristin’s direction with killing intent.

Seeing this, Cristin attempted to load another bullet into his rifle’s breech. However, his panicked state caused him to drop the bullet, the metallic casing rattling on the rocks below. The snake continued forward, getting within ten feet of Cristin before attempting to strike. The snake was interrupted, however, as an arrow sank into the open wound, causing it to falter for a few seconds. This brief pause gave Cristin just the few moments he needed to dodge the snake’s attack, it’s fangs sinking into the air in which he had stood less than a second ago. No longer having the time to ready another shot, Cristin reached into his coat, retrieving a revolver that glinted in the light and fired two shots at the snake. One managed to connect, sinking into the snake's flesh, while the other went wide, piercing the blue sea.

Missing it’s target, the snake crashed onto the rocky shore, requiring a few seconds to regain its balance. Taking advantage of it’s stunned state, Cristin sprinted away from the snake, towards the rest of the group. As he was running, he saw Ives handing Emery a vial filled with a black fluid, which she proceeded to dip an arrow in.

Righting itself, the snake once again began to slither towards Cristin at an alarming pace. As Cristin fled, Ray ran past him, in the direction of the serpent. They had ditched their spear, now holding their shield with both arms. As the snake charged towards Cristin, Ray interposed between the two, slamming shield-first into its head. As they impacted, Ray slid back several feet, but managed to hold their footing while gritting their teeth. As the two came to a brief halt Ray shouted out.

“Now!”

At this, Emery loosed the arrow that had been coated in the black fluid, which whistled through the air before sinking into the open wound of the snake. The snake seemed to register the attack very little, however, as it fiercely shook its head, throwing Ray to the side, once again pursuing Cristin. It sped forward, baring its fangs which dripped with venom. However, as it made it within but a few feet of Cristin, it slowed, its eyes growing bloodshot. As it’s fangs closed in on Cristin’s position, it’s mouth slowly shut, before the entire snake fell to the ground, silent.

Watching in disbelief, Cristin fell onto his behind, breathing heavily.

“Huh,'' said Ives from Emery’s side, “who knew poison would work on a snake?”