The grand hall stood as a testament to Persica's family fortune. It was a huge open space with long, running tables that created rows up and down the room. Stained glass windows embellished the walls, and were colored in a way to be a side portrait of Persica herself. Beautiful, golden chandeliers hung from the ceiling and provided all the light needed.
Princess Persica hovered near the end of one table. She wore a see-through pink shawl and a see-through tiered skirt. Underneath it all was a green and white triangle bikini. She went with no shoes and dirty feet. Papers and books were spread across the table, and she appeared to be meddling through them.
"Yo!" Gamer held up a hand. His voice reverberated in the rather empty chamber.
"Good morning, Gamer. Did the stars grant you soothing dreams?" Persica asked as he stepped next to her. The princess reeked of cannabis, and her eyes were lax, "The moon's power last night was quite refreshing."
"Refreshed and ready to go. What's this?" Gamer acknowledged her work.
"A map of Chanterelle," Persica used a finger to point at their location. Their castle sat next to a large lake with a bunch of plains and hills surrounding both. Nothing was labeled on the map, even where small huts and buildings denoted villages or towns. The land itself consisted of one central country, or continent, with many islands surrounding it. The biomes seemed very...video gamey. Ice biomes in the north, desert in the east, tropical islands with marked temples and castles. What stood out like a sore thumb was the giant ass volcanic mountain to the west. Drawn atop the mountain was a figurehead of a dragon. Lava poured from its mouth onto a massive fortress. Persica slid her pointer from their location, just a foot away, to the volcanic fortress, "This is where Lord Shellie resides."
"Of course," Gamer should've known. Lava and evil went together like butter on toast.
"Lord Shellie's fortress is surrounded by winding tunnels and pools of magma. He finds his zen in lava baths," Persica explained.
After what Minnie just said about sunbathing, it didn't surprise him that Lord Shellie would take it a step further. It spoke to his character, at least; go big or go home. Gamer respected that.
"Where is your castle?" Gamer began seeking out a mushroom-shaped abode.
"Eradicated by Lord Shellie when he took over. It used to be here..." Persica pecked the center of the country. A barren island in the center of a large lake is what she designated, "It disappeared off the map when he trampled it."
"And you still like him?"
"He looked so powerful..." Persica blushed. Gamer made a long face, but she reassured him, "The castle was a remnant of my father's. If anything, Lord Shellie broke that last chain when he assaulted our land."
"If you say so. I do find it interesting that the maps reflect changes in the land," Gamer suspected the map shifted because the game is designed to help players. It was strange to see real-time effects in first person.
Persica pointed at the areas between their castle and Lord Shellie's fortress, "We have plains that lead into a large forest. The forest is home to wild beasts and dangerous poisons. Plants there can make you hallucinate, and the ground will open up from beneath you thanks to Mollies."
"Mollies?" coming from Persica, Gamer imagined giant marijuana plants breaking through the crust at high speeds.
"They are subterranean people with large claws and a hatred for the daylight. Not very cooperative, but hard working," Persica explained. Moles, Gamer labeled.
"If they hate the sun, we can always go at night," Gamer sought to minimize the threats.
Persica shook her head and took a hit from a joint. Gamer hadn't even seen it; was she always equipped? Once she cleared her lungs, she said, "The veil of darkness hides its own threats, I'm afraid. That is when the ghosts come out from their haunted, long-abandoned mansion in the center of the forest."
"Ghosts?" Gamer's skin crawled.
"Babas, as we call them."
Gamer checked the map for alternative paths. There was only one bridge of land that connected the volcano to the mainland. However, the whole thing was nearly surrounded by the ocean, "How about we take the gummi boat? I'll show you guys why they called me the wind waker in elementary."
"Going to the fortress with such a small vessel would be silly. We need a welcoming party, room for cake, luggage for nights spent at sea, my coins, my exercise tools like my hula hoop and bicycle, drugs..." Persica kept listing things out, but Gamer put a hand up to shut her up.
"We are not taking anything unnecessary," he warned her.
"Fine," Persica became saddened. "I'll leave the exercise tools..."
Gamer rolled his eyes, but the doors of the grand hall flung open. The main shrooman trotted up to the princess. He bowed, which just looked like he smacked the floor with his big head, before saying, "Princess, we have super good news! Repairs are almost finished!"
"Almost finished? That was quick work," the shroomans impressed their princess.
"We had super help from those who have heard of your return. They remember your super kindness!" the shrooman's excitement echoed in the grand hall like shattering ceramic. It made Gamer want to become a potato and remove his ears. The grating continued, "Who really helped was Asterion. He is by far the greatest and strongest creature we've ever seen!"
"Asterion? I am not familiar with this name," Persica searched her memory.
"Great and strong, eh? Sounds like somebody we could use against Lord Shellie," Gamer saw an opportunity.
"Marco had to die for our safety, but I would like to try and dissuade Lord Shellie," Persica said. "His people come from a terrible upbringing. Years of survival in harsh lands, betrayal, and bloodshed. Lord Shellie's heart is good, even if he has a dark soul."
"Well somebody better call the Heart Kingdom and bring that bitch some light. His armies are aggressive. If he doesn't listen, we'll have to throw down. Now, if you don't mind my segue, I'm going to this Asterion guy," Gamer left the princess.
"You befriended one shellie. We could do the same with Lord Shellie," Persica countered.
Gamer imagined him cradling the absurdly large head of a fire-breathing dragon. Its expression reflected how his magic touch swooned Minnie. Gamer laughed, "Only if Lord Shellie likes playing with joysticks."
Persica didn't know what he meant, but diverted to other matters as Gamer left. She instructed the shrooman to prepare a bath. Apparently the dust from the texts made her body impure.