The threesome yielded an air of bliss amongst the trio. They were covered in sweat and fluids by the end of it, and were in desperate need of a bath. They took a nude stroll to the bathhouse on the floor below. Doc shrooman bowed to his princess, and she told him to prepare the rest of Minnie's training schedule.
The water refreshed the weary. Gamer stared at his reflection on the gold bars that framed the bath he sunk in. He enjoyed the infusion of minerals and warmth. It helped nourish his muscles and relax his mind. They were sore from Asterion's fight and the ladies' eagerness, but he wasn't going to bed until after Minnie's training.
Minnie and Persica shared a bath on their own, and held a civil conversation. Minnie expressed her wish to help out and redeem her people for their treatment of the shroomans. It appealed to the princess, since all Minnie wanted was a place to belong. Persica expressed an idea of solidarity in the aftermath of Lord Shellie's defeat. She pondered if other shellies, not just Minnie, could become allies. She needed to broaden her hopes of saving Lord Shellie, to those he saved. They dropped the hostilities and apprehensions, and got along.
They certainly seemed more fleshed out compared to other NPCs. Samira's text popped up right in Gamer's face, "(˶˃⤙˂˶) See what I mean now?"
"Dah! Would you not jump scare me each time you have something to say?" Gamer cursed his sister's timing.
"Cope and seethe, bro (¬⤙¬ ) don't you find it interestingaru that the NPCs are changingaru right in front arayou?"
"I honestly couldn't care less. You already know tech stuff doesn't interest me," Gamer pulled some of the bath bubbles over his lap to conceal himself. "I've no doubt more strange things are going to happen the longer I'm here. As long as I can achieve a new Total High Score and stick it to our father, I don't need to worry about codes and numbers."
"Being prepared for changing dynamics is what got us this far. But, you right, this is more my field. I'll dabble in it and be a super geek. If advent arises that you can play around with, I'll set the lay up (•̀ᴗ•́ )ゞ"
"You do your thing. I'll do mine. We've been winners with that formula," Gamer winked.
"Bet!"
Gamer discarded the comfort of the bath and stepped out. He wrapped a towel around his shoulders and marched over to the ladies. They giggled at the plaps of his movement. Gamer stood proudly before them, "Are you ready for some more training, Minnie?"
"Yeah!" Minnie front flipped and landed nude next to Gamer. They slammed their hands together like two arms that belonged to weightlifters. The clap was magnificent; it was time to train!
"I will procure you some supplements," Persica daintily plucked a towel from the side of the bath, covered herself, and stepped out.
"Samira, crank that montage music!" Gamer answered the call to duty.
The montage kicked off with a 16-bit remix of Crank That. Due to copyright infringement, the entire montage was censored. Highlights from the epic montage included the cleanest cranks this side of Chanterelle, as well as hoes that would make shroomans go 'oh'.
Night came and went with little rest for Gamer. The game plan was set; all that remained was skill and luck. He spent the morning cleaning his blood-stained shirt with the help of gulp gulps. The serene environment brought ease to his mind. For all its digital construction, it was at least beautiful. Afterwards, he went to the grand hall and awaited Asterion.
Asterion formed from a collection of pixels that rained out of thin air. He appeared in the grand hall without any fanfare. He adjusted his scarf as he examined his surroundings. Gamer lounged in a chair, feet up on one of the long tables, as he chewed on a slice of mushroom pizza.
"Good morning," Asterion bowed.
"Howdy, partner," Gamer gestured, tipping the brim of his nonexistent cowboy hat.
"I hope you slept well," Asterion continued being cordial. Gamer found it annoying, but the minotaur got right to business, "Are we doing this in the same place as last time?"
"I was thinking we could do it here," Gamer vaulted to his feet and finished the pizza. "If the environment doesn't get damaged by default, it doesn't matter where we fight."
"Unless you disable that again," Asterion glared.
The doors to the grand hall opened and in walked Persica. She wore a black, sleeveless top and a long, gypsy skirt with different reds and pinks. Her earrings shimmered due to them actually being the large coins collected in Chanterelle.
"Good morning, Princess Persica," Asterion greeted with a bow.
"Gentleman bull, tis a pleasure to see you again," Persica stepped next to Gamer. "I would ask again if you could resolve this matter peacefully, if possible. Violence breeds violence."
"I prefer dialogue, but in the end, it has to be this way."
"I can't say I didn't try. Gamer informed me of your magic that protects the environment. You may have your battle here, and if anything is damaged, I will personally curse Gamer's soul."
"As you wish. I really only want one special rule enabled."
"What's that?" Gamer anticipated something tricky.
"Out of Bounds Obliteration. If you move too far away from where the fight begins, you explode in a spectacular pillar of light. Pretty fun on floating stages."
"Hell no!" Gamer denied. "It sounds horrific!"
Asterion barked a laugh, "Damn, immediate shutdown. Fine, do you have any special rules you want enabled?"
"Items on," Gamer needed his power ups.
"I'm not a fan of items, but sure," Asterion agreed. Gamer saw a notification on the side of his screen declaring so. However, the minotaur brandished a smug grin, "Since I agreed to your special rule, it means I can activate one without rejection."
Gamer audibly gasped; he completely forgot that caveat. After a moment, the notification for Out of Bounds Obliteration appeared on Gamer's screen.
Samira pitied, "Big yikes (⊙ _ ⊙ )"
"Setting rules is a tug of war," the veteran minotaur said.
"One must balance an iron fist and silver tongue," Persica agreed. She found a seat near the front of the grand hall, "Is it safe for me to watch from here?"
"You're fine, baby girl. I won't hurt a hair on your head," Asterion promised.
Persica collapsed after being hit with the nickname. It dropped her to zero hit points, and she was out for the count. Gamer leaned over her, "Really?"
"Go on...without me..." Persica heaved.
Asterion struck his fighting pose. A barrier curtain of light boxed in the grand hall. This was the boundary. They could not be knocked out of the ring without an instantaneous explosion.
"Okay, I guess we're increasing our testosterone levels now!" Gamer hated the buzzing sound the barrier made.
Asterion honed his breathing, "Get ready to rumble...fight!"