Squeaky flew fast—like a magic missile locked onto its target.

  Winston spotted the blur of feathers and turned sharply on his heel, rushing to intercept the avian familiar. Vulcan and Tesla followed without hesitation.

  The little bird shot through the barrier of Niceland and into the tent’s entrance, straight to where Niles lay motionless.

  Winston tore aside the tent flaps and froze. Squeaky was nestled against Niles’s chin, desperately rubbing its tiny head against him, as if trying to shake him awake. But Niles didn’t react. His breathing was shallow, uneven—his body caught somewhere between life and the void.

  Squeaky chirped, its tone heartbreakingly small, seeking, pleading.

  “SQUEAKY!” Winston called, sprinting forward. The bird looked up at him, and for a moment, Winston swore he saw tears in its eyes.

  “Niles is hurt,” he said urgently. “We need you.”

  The familiar hopped onto Winston’s outstretched hands without hesitation.

  “Fly to Xander. Tell him Niles is injured—we need the strongest healing potions he has!”

  Squeaky gave a determined nod. Winston turned and dashed outside, lifting the bird high. “I hate sending you off the second you get here, but please—this is for Niles!”

  The little bird chirped, its body practically trembling with resolve. Then, Winston threw the avian up in the air and with a powerful beat of its wings, Squeaky took off. Electricity crackled in its feathers, and with a sudden sonic burst, the familiar shot toward the sky—racing toward the capital of Xandria.

  Tesla caught up, panting. “Do you really think Prince Xander will help us?”

  Winston kept his gaze fixed on the vanishing speck in the distance. His hands clenched into fists. “I don’t know… but it’s our only hope.” His voice wavered.

  Vulcan’s voice cut through the tension. “Looks like we’ll be having guests.”

  Down by the shore, a small vessel rowed steadily toward them.

  Winston followed Vulcan’s gaze. A broad-shouldered man with a fiery orange beard rowed toward the beach, and at his side sat a smaller figure.

  Tesla exhaled sharply. “Just like Niles said… Gingerbeard. And his child.”

  Winston took a steadying breath. “Let’s go meet them.”

  The trio made their way down to the beach. Finn joined them along the way, while Lina remained in the tent, tending to Felix, Wolf, and Niles.

  The boat slid onto the shore, its hull scraping against the wet sand.

  Gingerbeard lifted his daughter carefully, setting her down on the dunes.

  “Daddy! Look—sand! Can we play?” she chirped, bouncing on her feet.

  The former pirate captain chuckled, ruffling her hair. “Later, my love.” His gaze shifted to the group waiting for them. “We should greet them first.”

  But the people on the shore didn’t look particularly welcoming.

  Ginny tugged on his sleeve, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Daddy… why do they look so angry?”

  Gingerbeard hesitated. It was probably because, not too long ago, he had looted their belongings at sea and nearly ended their lives. But now wasn’t the time to explain his former career choices.

  “Welcome,” Winston said flatly. Then, with an edge of ice in his voice, he added, “Gingerbeard.”

  The pirate nodded, forcing as much courtesy into his voice as he could manage. “Thank you.” He struggled to find the right words. “I’m surprised you’ve all made it this far!”

  A tense silence followed.

  “Yes,” Winston replied, narrowing his eyes.

  Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say.

  Gingerbeard cleared his throat and rested his hands on his daughter’s shoulders. “This is Ginny, my daughter.”

  Ginny, however, had already lost interest in the introductions. Her eyes lit up as she spotted something in the distance.

  “DADDY, LOOK!” she pointed excitedly. “Can I go play?”

  Gingerbeard followed her gaze. There, nestled in the short grass, stood a hollow play castle, complete with climbers, slides and around it swings, a seesaw, and spring riders. A paradise for any child.

  Ginny bounced eagerly, tugging at his coat. “Please?”

  Gingerbeard looked at Winston, Tesla, and Vulcan for permission.

  Vulcan sighed. “Yeah, go ahead, little one.” He turned to Finn and added dryly, “At least someone will use it.”

  Finn scowled and looked away.

  Ginny beamed and took off toward the playground, her tiny legs kicking up sand.

  “Finn,” Vulcan said, “would you mind keeping her company?”

  Finn slumped, his entire body protesting like a pre-teen asked to do chores for the first time.

  Vulcan leveled him with a hard, non-negotiable stare.

  Finn exhaled sharply, shoulders sagging in defeat. “Fine.” He trudged after Ginny.

  Gingerbeard crossed his arms and scanned the camp. “So… where’s Niles?”

  Winston cut in before he could say more. “First we fight—then we talk.”

  Gingerbeard blinked.

  Winston lifted his spear and gestured toward the wilderness. “We have more mouths to feed now. That means we need to explore the island, find fresh water, and secure food.”

  Gingerbeard nodded. “I can fish.”

  Tesla and Vulcan exchanged glances.

  “That’s actually useful,” Tesla admitted. “Glad to see he can contribute more than just being a pirate.”

  Winston exhaled, his posture relaxing slightly. “That would be great. Come on—pick a weapon.” He motioned for Gingerbeard to follow.

  They walked over to a crate of arms. Gingerbeard reached in and pulled out a war axe.

  It felt just like home.

  Winston adjusted his grip on his spear. “We have a few rules here, but we’ll go over those later. Right now, it’s time to head out.” He turned to Gingerbeard. “What’s your level?”

  “Level 11,” Gingerbeard replied.

  Winston nodded approvingly. “Good. You’ll be on the front line.”

  Gingerbeard scratched his beard. “Aye. Mind if I say goodbye to Ginny first?”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “Of course.”

  They made their way to the playground, where Ginny and Finn were seesawing. The little girl laughed wildly as she soared up and down, her vibrant orange hair bouncing with every motion.

  “Little love,” Gingerbeard called out.

  “Hi, Daddy!” Ginny giggled, barely glancing at him.

  He smiled faintly, taking in the sight of her small freckles—tiny autumn leaves scattered across her soft cheeks. “I’m heading out for a bit. Just work. I’ll be back soon.”

  “Okey, Daddy!” she chirped, too engrossed in the playground to give it much thought.

  Gingerbeard chuckled softly, then turned back to the group.

  Together, Winston, Vulcan, Gingerbeard, Tesla, and Tesla’s summoned goblin left the safety of the barrier and stepped into the woods. Sunlight filtered through the towering trees, dappling the forest floor in shifting patches of gold. Birds sang, small critters rustled through the underbrush, and the scent of damp earth filled the air.

  Winston’s sharp gaze swept their surroundings. “Nothing so far.”

  Tesla glanced at Gingerbeard. “Winston can see levels, so he’s scouting the area.”

  “Let’s try to find some high ground and stay near the coast,” Winston said, leading the way.

  They fell into formation, Gingerbeard taking the front. “By the way, what kind of enemies have you been running into?”

  Tesla’s face paled slightly. “I’d rather not talk about it.”

  Winston kept his focus ahead. “Mostly goblins. Let’s leave it at that for now.”

  Suddenly, Winston’s expression darkened. “Get down.”

  The group dropped into cover behind the trees.

  “Two enemies incoming. Level 4 and level 7,” Winston whispered.

  Moments later, two goblins strolled past their hiding spot.

  At Winston’s signal, Gingerbeard lunged. His axe swung in a wide arc, cleaving through the first goblin’s neck in a single, brutal motion.

  [You’ve defeated a Goblin – You’ve received 17 EXP.]

  Tesla’s summoned goblin struck the second down with its spear.

  [You’ve defeated a Goblin – You’ve received 14 EXP.]

  Then, another system message popped up:

  [Level increased: 4 → 5. Please select which stat to increase.]

  Without warning, another update followed.

  [Stamina increased by 1.]

  Tesla let out a frustrated sigh, eyeing his summoned goblin. “It’d be nice if it shared some of the experience points.”

  Winston raised an eyebrow. “You’re still level 2?”

  Tesla hugged his buckler to his chest like a security blanket. “Yes…” he muttered, visibly sulking at being the lowest level in the group.

  “Let’s hide the bodies and keep moving,” Winston said.

  Vulcan dragged the slain goblins to the base of a tree, covering them with sticks and moss. He stepped back, inspecting his work. “Good enough.”

  The group pressed deeper into the wilderness, moving cautiously. As they reached the foot of a hill, they climbed it carefully, their steps deliberate, avoiding unnecessary noise.

  “Level 14 on the other side. It’s alone,” Winston whispered.

  Tesla tensed. “Should we turn back?”

  Winston shook his head. They continued forward.

  At the top of the hill, they peered over. An orc lay stretched out below, sunbathing with its hands behind its head. Its mouth was stained with feathers, the remnants of a recent meal. Beside it, a war club rested in the dirt, and to its left sat a net filled with plump birds—bronze-green feathers, pale white skin. They looked surprisingly appetizing.

  The orc, completely unaware of their presence, snored peacefully.

  Then Gingerbeard stepped forward and, in a single brutal motion, ended its nap—and its life—with his axe. Even his former pirate crew would’ve considered the move cold.

  [You’ve defeated an Orc – You’ve received 158 EXP.]

  [Level increased: 11 → 12. Please select which stats to increase.]

  “Strength,” Gingerbeard said instinctively, as if his muscles had already made the decision for him.

  [Strength increased by 1.]

  Vulcan crouched beside the net of birds. “We might be able to cook these. Real, proper food.”

  Winston examined the net closely. “This is too well-made for a common orc.”

  Tesla, still staring ahead, suddenly spoke. “Guys…”

  The others followed his gaze—and felt a chill run down their spines.

  Beyond the trees, stretched along the coast, lay a graveyard of ships.

  Hundreds of warships, beached and broken. Some were ancient wrecks, their wood blackened by time. Others were little more than shattered lumber. A few still bore their banners—Zairulian colors, their tattered flags swaying softly in the sea breeze.

  “Let’s take the net and get a closer look,” Winston said.

  Tesla hesitated. “Or,” he hissed in a whisper, “we turn around and call it a day.”

  Winston wasn’t convinced. “A quick look. We might find something useful.”

  As they moved forward, Winston froze. “Level 8, up ahead,” he murmured. “Stay quiet.”

  The group crept toward the massive wreckage, their footsteps muffled by the sand.

  Then, a voice cut through the stillness.

  “Please… help me.”

  The plea came from further down the beach. The group, still hidden, turned their attention to the source.

  A lone soldier crawled across the sand, injured and struggling. His armor bore the Zairulian insignia. Behind him, one of the wrecked ships loomed, its colors faded but unmistakable.

  “Please… someone… help me,” the soldier called again, his voice cracking with desperation.

  Tesla swallowed hard. “Should we go to him?”

  Winston’s eyes stayed locked on the scene. “It could be a trap.”

  Tesla scanned the empty shore. “But… who’s he talking to? There’s no one there.”

  A heavy silence fell over them.

  “You think he’s seen us?” Tesla asked.

  Winston didn’t answer. His gaze remained fixed on the soldier.

  “…Let’s just observe.”

  The person on the beach continued to plead, his voice weak but desperate.

  “Please… I can give you gold. I saw you there—I know you’re no monster. Please…”

  Then, from the trees, shadows moved.

  Soldiers emerged—foreign to Winston and unknown to anyone in their realm. Their hair was long and golden, their ears pointed, their armor gleaming like polished silver. Green capes draped over their shoulders, and wooden bows rested in their hands.

  “We’re not alone,” Winston muttered. “We need to fall back. Slowly.”

  Tesla’s eyes widened. “Is that… ELVES?!”

  One of the elves stepped toward the injured soldier in the sand.

  “Please help me,” the man begged.

  But the elf drew his sword—its blade gleaming like a falling star, twisting as if caught mid-dance—and, in a single fluid motion, cut the soldier down.

  Tesla, who had lingered to watch, let out a startled yelp. Vulcan clamped a hand over his mouth. “BE QUIET,” he hissed.

  The elf’s long ears twitched. His head turned sharply in their direction.

  He spoke in a tongue unfamiliar to them, his voice steady and commanding. Then, he raised his sword, pointing directly at Winston, Tesla, Gingerbeard, and Vulcan.

  “They’ve spotted us!” Gingerbeard roared.

  Without hesitation, the group broke into a sprint.

  They hadn’t wandered far beyond Niceland’s protective barrier, but the elves—fast, unnervingly fast—were closing in.

  Tesla lagged behind. Then came the arrows—swift, precise, seeking their mark.

  Before they could strike, Tesla’s summoned goblin leaped into the line of fire, taking every bolt. A brief, agonized screech, and then—gone. The goblin was erased, sent back to the void.

  The group barely made it past the barrier, breathless, hearts pounding.

  Ginny’s face lit up when she saw her father. “Daddy!” she chirped, her voice as joyful as a bird splashing in its first spring bath. She ran toward him.

  “GET AWAY!” Gingerbeard’s roar cut through the air like a blade, shattering her happiness in an instant.

  She stopped in her tracks. Her smile faded.

  Her head dipped, her hands clenched at her sides. A sniff, then another—until tears welled up in her eyes.

  “Dad… don’t shout at me…”

  From the woods, the elves readied their bows.

  “GET DOWN!” Gingerbeard bellowed.

  Arrows unfurled like a deadly storm.

  Gingerbeard threw himself between the attack and his daughter—

  But the arrows never reached them.

  The moment they struck the barrier, they deflected, bouncing harmlessly away as if repelled by an invisible force.

  Gingerbeard waited for pain that never came.

  “…Huh?” he muttered, stunned.

  More arrows flew, only to be denied again and again.

  “What the fish neck?” he whispered, watching the elves' attacks fall uselessly against the unseen wall.

  Vulcan strolled up, shaking his head. “Guess we forgot to mention—the barrier keeps us safe.” He cleared his throat. “Most of the time.”

  He set the net of birds down on the ground before turning to Winston. “We probably should’ve told Gingerbeard about it before we left.”

  Winston, still catching his breath from their brush with death, managed a dry chuckle. “Yeah… let’s make a note of that for any future visitors. Seems like something they’d appreciate knowing.”

  Tesla lay flat on his back, arms sprawled out. “I can’t do this anymore. Everything outside this barrier wants to murder us the second we step out.”

  Meanwhile, Finn casually walked along the barrier, picking up the fallen elven arrows like he was gathering wildflowers at a picnic.

  Vulcan stretched, groaning as he cracked his back. “Anyway, let’s get a fire going. We’re having roast bird for lunch.”

  A few steps away, Gingerbeard knelt beside his daughter, gently rubbing her back. “I’m sorry, lass. I didn’t mean to yell.”

  Ginny sniffled, wiping her eyes. “It’s okay… The playground was really fun, Daddy! Will you play with me?”

  Gingerbeard took a slow breath, grounding himself. Then he smiled. “Aye, my little love. I’d love to.”

  Tesla propped himself up on one elbow, glaring at the group. “Am I the only one still concerned about the fact that we almost DIED—AGAIN?!”

  Winston chuckled. “Look on the bright side—we survived.”

  He turned toward the forest, eyes scanning. “Level 46… Level 32… Level 28… Level 21…” He sighed. “Looks like we’re stuck here until they leave.”

  Tesla threw his hands up. “IF they leave!”

  Winston shrugged. “Maybe they’ll clear out by nightfall.”

  Tesla frowned. “Why at night?”

  “Just a theory,” Winston said, voice calm. “That’s when monsters like Pridecula return.”

  Tesla screamed. “THAT’S EVEN WORSE! HOW ARE YOU SO CALM ABOUT THIS?!”

  Winston smirked, plopping down beside him. “If I didn’t know your skill, I’d swear it had something to do with your energy levels.”

  Tesla let out a long, exhausted sigh.

  Winston gave him a moment, then stood, brushing off his hands. He extended one toward Tesla. “Come on. Let’s help Vulcan get the fire going and then play Plump with the others.”

  Tesla hesitated. Then, with a resigned sigh, he grabbed Winston’s wrist and let himself be pulled up.

  “Not like there’s anything else to do on this cursed island.”