After Niall had kicked pixelated sand on Liam and threatened him with a coconut, Liam finally got up. 

Louis and Zayn were finishing up a boat, chatting lightly with each other as they tightened the planks. 

Once a couple minutes had gone by, they called Liam and Niall over to sail to the first island. 

"Are you sure this is safe?" Niall hesitantly asked, raising a brow at the makeshift raft. 

Louis frowned, "We wouldn't be on here if it wasn't." 

Niall widened his eyes at the ground, and carefully climbed onto the wobbling wood. 

Liam followed behind, finding a place beside the edge. 

They all sat for a couple moments in silence, until Louis spoke up. "Arent you going to ask if the players want to start the game?" 

"Oh, yea. I was just waiting on them, they were probably going to the bathroom or something. They should be back in just a second." Niall lied, slipping into a false sense of confidence. 

He paused for a second, giving his lie a dramatic effect before continuing, "They're back. Players one and two would like to start the game." 

Niall sighed and reopened his eyes, enjoying the control he had over the game. He sat back by the edge with Liam and decided to rest his head on Liam's shoulder. 

Liam responded by leaning his head on Niall's and wrapping an arm around his back. Liam enjoyed this comfort, as he needed it with all the worry he bore. 

Zayn and Louis pushed the boat off the shore, making sure to avoid the water at all costs. 

"Take a nap, Ni." Liam mumbled, half asleep himself. 

Niall didn't answer, closing his eyes and snuggling into Liam. He was quite comfortable, except for the heat of eyes staring at him. 

He decided to ignore them, not wanting to bother with any remarks they may make. They eventually found disinterest with him, and turned to their own conversation. 

Niall assumed they thought he and Liam were asleep, since Louis was expressing his suspicion with Zayn. 

"...it's odd. You saw them, right? Making a big commotion in the cut scene?" Louis explained, micking Niall's freak out.

"Yea, it was unusual. But it may have been linked to what their players were feeling." Zayn hypothesized, much quieter than Louis.

"What code allows for you to do that? Especially during a cut scene, nothing is supposed to move! Even you, what were you doing with your bow raised?" Louis inquired, crossing his hands over his chest. 

"I was checking my bow inventory." Zayn explained, shrugging. 

"Oh, i see," Louis nodded, switching back to accusing Niall and Liam, "But seriously, what button on the controller allows for that? It's not normal, and i dont trust it." 

"It may have something to do with the update we received, plus they're new characters. It may be programmed in them. Im not completely positive, but perhaps its too early to be formulating suspicion." Zayn defended the newbies.

Louis nodded his head a little, turning his glance away from Zayn. "Whatever you say, but that was the first time i ever saw a piece of Charons boat break." 

Niall's eyes snapped open and his heart sank. He forgot to grab the pieces from the boat! 

"Wait, we have to turn this boat back around." Niall rushed, quickly getting to his feet, leaving Liam to almost fall into the water.

Zayn rushed to Liam, holding him up to prevent a man overboard situation. Liam woke from the shocks delivered by Zayn. 

"What? Why?" Louis question, glancing at Zayn with wide eyes. 

"I-I left something, my um," Niall was breathing heavier, trying to grasp ideas in his head but they all slipped from his fingers, "My shoe!" 

It was Zayn's turn to look a little displeased now, "Chests sometimes have armor boots, we'll find you a pair. Until then we can make you some sandals." 

"No!" Niall whined, pointing back to the island, "It, It's important. I need it." 

"He said he can make you sandals." Louis defended Zayn, placing his hands on his hips. 

"Can we just go back?" Niall burst, trying to grab the oars on the side of the boat but was stopped. 

"We cant." Zayn huffed, holding his hand out to stop Niall from freaking out. 

Niall needed to think fast, he needed that boat piece! He could use it against the villagers he may come across to gain information.

"I need it, it helps me communicate with the players!" Niall rushed, pacing around the boat with his hands on his head. 

Zayn stared at Niall with his head slightly tilted while Louis outright glared. "That doesn't make any sense, how could a shoe help you? The time clothes could help you is when they're armor and coded to protect."

Liam stood up, buying into the lie Niall was telling, "What happens when they want to talk to us again? How do we respond?"

Niall mentally sighed, feeling guilty for Liam's innocence but also taking advantage of it, "I dont know, we'll be stuck out on this boat forever and die of starvation!"

Liam's posture sank, weighted by worry once again, "Please, we haven't even gone that far! We can get the shoe."

"Oh my god, the other one's just as crazy!" Louis moaned to Zayn, rolling his eyes. 

Zayn took a deep breath, staring Niall directly in the eyes. 

"It's too late, we are not going back. Not only would it waste the limited time we have, but its also impossible once the game has started. You still have your entire outfit on in case it's your clothes letting you communicate with the players, you're going to be fine," He paused, and looked at Liam, "And you're going to be fine. We're all going to be fine." 

As Zayn looked into Niall's eyes, he felt a sense of familiarity and calmness wash over him and erase his worry. He didn't know how much of an effect Zayn really had on him till now, or maybe it was just Zayn's skill.

Just then, they crossed the border into the first island realm, signaling a notification at the top of the screen.

'Achievement unlocked: Lotus hits for Jesus'

"Players one and two dismiss the notification." Liam spoke up, smiling once the screen returned to normal. 

Louis and Zayn looked over at Niall, to which he sheepishly shrugged. 

"It must be my other shoe that is the communicator."

_____________________________________________________________

if anyone gets the achievement reference youre a G! (its two in one, also hints to the next chapter!) 

1) What do you guys think about Zayn's skill if it is one? will it be helpful?

2) No boat piece! D: does it rlly matter?

3) What do you think the island is foing to be like?

4) How are your standings with everyone rn? ;) 

BWW is the best dont @ me