Unlike the Neutral Nexus that EA built their facilities on, the next island had a palpable aura. As the boat sailed into its sight, there was a sudden pressure. It rose like invisible boiling water, popped in one large bubble burst, and left behind the feeling of freshly laundered linens.

  Parker had been in one of the boat's cabins when it happened. Without a reference, it felt like a sudden altitude change. It left a rough fuzzy feeling in their ear drums, but after a moment it ended. The feeling became a pleasant aura that permeated everything. Even the gentlest breeze seemed to carry a shimmer like it had picked a wave of salt off the water's surface. The boat slowed as they got closer and Parker found themselves standing on deck, ready to depart.

  From a distance, through the cabin window, the island had not looked like much. A basic tuft of green that peeked out over the water was then capped by a rocky outcropping. The rocks were too tall to be a hill but not tall enough to be a mountain.

  However, as the boat grew closer, Parker could see that the rush of green was a shallow set of rolling hills with clusters of dark forest filling their valleys. What had looked like a simple rocky outcropping was a complex series of windswept cliffs that seemed to one-up each other as they led to higher grasslands and sparse woods.

  Instead of a direct approach, Parker felt the boat veer to the side as it kept a safe distance from the shore and started to circle around the island. There didn't appear to be anywhere to dock, as Parker scanned across the shore. It also seemed like, even though it was the first island, it was completely vacant.

  The rolling hills had patches of vibrant color and flowers grew around the clusters of tall grass. Something must have lived in those valleys with their dark forests. However, Parker could not see a single living, moving thing on the island from where they stood on the boat.

  Then the boat sailed around to the Northeastern side of the island. It had only seemed vacant from a distance. As the ship slowed to a lull on the water, a bay opened before them.

  Just wide enough for a boat to safely sail in, the bay looked like a crater set into the edge of the island that had then filled with seawater. That was when Parker saw what they were waiting for.

  The boat had slowed because another boat was exiting the bay. Instead of a sailing boat like the one that Parker stood on, the exiting boat was metallic and looked out of place.

  It was more like a ferry than a boat. Wide metal panels ran across the front and sides, and there were a few viewing decks on top, but most of the passengers were hidden behind the tinted glass windows.

  Another difference between the ferry and the boat that Parker stood on was that the ferry seemed to slide across the water like it was pulled by rails whereas Parker's boat was buffeted by waves or wind. While Parker was trying to notice all the differences between the two vessels and pick out their function, motion caught their eye.

  On the upper side desk of the ferry, a figure was practically hanging off the edge. Devon, the gunslinger, waved to Parker enthusiastically. Devon's party stood calmly nearby as Parker's friend looked unhinged trying to wave and capture Parker's attention.

  When Parker waved back, Devon settled down a bit. The gunslinger then pointed at Parker and gave a solid thumbs up. It was a silent message but a strong reassurance. Parker felt like Devon was saying, "If we can do this, you can do this!"

  Parker expressed their gratitude as much as they could while the vessels passed each other. Parker might not have been as skilled as Devon, or as well-equipped as his party, but Parker did belong here nonetheless. After all, they had passed the evaluations just like everyone else on their boat.

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  After checking the straps on their pack and adjusting the sword sheath on their hip, Parker was finally feeling ready to start the adventure. The boat picked up speed again and started to sail into the bay. The rest of the Gamblers joined Parker on the deck.

  As they sailed through the island's mouth and into the bay, it was breathtaking. The ambient sway of energy in the air rose as if the oxygen was suddenly purer. The wisps of energy passing on the winds were now joined by husk-like petals of a strange flower that fell from the sky. The windswept cliffs came together in spirals trailing the edges of a labyrinth. A faint glow of silver came from atop those cliffs like sunlight reflecting off water.

  Closer to the bay, tucked up against the closest rolling hill was the strangest vestige of civilization. A full bayside town stretched out before the boat. There were four large buildings spread out around the town with dozens of smaller buildings spread out between them. There was a pier large enough for the boat to dock at and spread out over the shore of the bay were several small fishing stands.

  As the boat pulled up to the dock, they looked for any sign of where to go next. Parker was not the only one to do so. The other Gamblers had assumed that someone would explain. It was starting to look like that would not be the case. The Gamblers tried to find something in the scene to guide them.

  Of the larger buildings, one was clearly an EA facility. It was built in the same dull gray modern design that the nexus facilities were. It looked the most promising out of the buildings because the others gave off the appearance of housing, storage, and laboratory, respectively.

  The smaller buildings were more varied but less immediately helpful. Parker could see signs for a smithy, a few other businesses further in, and a tavern pressed right up against the pier. There were also smaller buildings that looked like houses or offices but as far as direction went, all ten Gamblers waiting to disembark seemed to focus on the EA building.

  As if sensing their collective intent, the boat's captain left the helm to a helper and addressed them for the first time since telling the Gamblers to board.

  In a gruff voice as salty as the sea air, the boat captain said, "I wouldn't bother them. If you haven't taken the hint yet, EA has a strict policy. To keep the integrity of the challenge, those employed by EA cannot show favoritism to any Gambler.

  One of the more aggressive of the group heated at that. He said, "So they won't help us?!"

  The boat captain nodded, "Tis easier to equally help no one than it is to equally help everyone."

  The aggressive Gambler picked up again. "Where should we go then? Are you just going to abandon us on the pier?"

  The boat captain shook his head and tapped at an EA pin on his coat's lapel. Even though it was implied, he still said it. "The rules apply to support staff as well, not just the EA drones milling about."

  "You would leave us with nothing?"

  Parker caught a smile in the corner of the boat captain's eye. "I'll leave you at the pier, which is all I'm allowed to do. Where you go, what you do, and who you decide to help from there is your choice to make.

  Then the boat clanked onto the pier, signifying departure time. The boat captain led the way while avoiding any comments or remarks from the Gamblers. Then he bid the ten newest Gamblers luck as they started to walk down the pier.

  Parker hung back for a moment, close to the boat captain. The others seemed listless. It was as if the captain's words had torn the wind from their sails. Some still headed for the EA building, ignoring the warning, but the rest dispersed toward the other three large buildings.

  Parker thought of Devon, the gunslinger who had already cleared the challenge. Then they turned to the boat captain with a question in mind.

  "Excuse me, captain, I understand if you can't answer but I was curious about something."

  The boat captain nodded approval.

  Parker continued. "When you say that those employed by EA can't show favoritism, do you mean that we're on our own or that we've already gotten all of the help that we need?"

  The boat captain smiled at the question. Unfortunately, Parker was right about the captain not being able to answer. Instead, he turned back to the boat and called out to the crew.

  "Departure is scheduled for three hours from now. The quicker the goods are gone, the more shore we get!"

  That seemed to galvanize the crew. Deckhands and sailors appeared from nooks and crannies all over the ship. They started to heft barrels and boxes down the plank to the pier. Parker quickly got out of their way.