Outside
Boros and Geryuganshoop clashed in the middle of the battlefield, sparring under the seemingly nice weather. There were massive attacks going around, and strategies that were constantly alternating to one up the other. Geryuganshoop was throwing massive projectiles, blocking her energy blasts, and sometimes throwing her onto the ground. Boros was bouncing from projectile to projectile, getting closer to Geryuganshoop so that she could get pretty hard tackles, punches, and close range energy beams. The ferocious speed and power was causing immense damage, so much that Geryuganshoop had to put a barrier around the battle field. It was so chaotic and so quick that it got both Boros and Geryuganshoop's blood racing. It was like a war zone inside of a bubble, but it had only two fighters that could take on more than just armies. It was a gift wrapped around a dome shaped bow. Despite that, there was still one major thing that stuck out. It was a massive and fun battle, but both of them were confused at the seemingly apparent fact. Boros was consistently on the back foot.
Four days ago Geryuganshoop was meeting the quota for a brawl, and now he was consistently besting her. Four days ago his projectiles were tricky to dodge but manageable, but now he can consistently strike and dodge her. Four days ago he was able to leave a few decent scratches, but now even when not accounting for his atomic attack, every attack didn't just hurt, it resulted in projectiles that dug into her skin and created a sense of pain that she had not felt in years. Four days ago an attack that had some effort in it did critical damage, and now it took an energy blast to create a similar effect.
Geryuganshoop was growing, and she was being outpaced.
The fight ended after an hour with Geryuganshoop bloody and tired, and Boros just a little winded. She had technically won, but it was only due to her stamina and regeneration. It felt even more cheap than showing Geryuganshoop a glimpse of her true power just the day prior, because he also used an attack that felt a little unfair. Her armor had been scattered across the battlefield, half of the blood on him was her blood, and her vision was temporarily made a little blurry from all the stuff that hit it. It felt odd, it felt so indescribably weird. She won, but she lost.
Geryuganshoop lifted up a tentacle, observing all of the blood on him. It was disgusting, a blemish on a fantastic fight. His body also ached with pain, but he simply got used to it. Looking around he saw the lake nearby, and telepathically grabbed some water before washing himself clean. There were still cuts, but those weren't too distracting. He also cleaned Boros of her blood before chucking the water away.
"Good Match. Amazing one actually. I've never felt...so defeated before," she started.
Geryuganshoop let out a nervous chuckle, laying down on the ground to avoid standing for any longer. "Yes, I can't believe it either. I've gotten so much stronger, I feel like a lord. When will I be referred as Lord Geryuganshoop?" He asked.
Boros chuckled before she sat down next to him. She started to pick at his little cuts and bruises as they relaxed. "I wouldn't be surprised if it happens naturally. You're already beating me when I'm in my armor."
Geryuganshoop couldn't help but ponder. He was beat her, but this could result in something damaging down the line. She can despise him for approaching her, maybe even worse. "I wonder, will that ever make you insecure? Do...you fear my strength?"
Boros thought for a second and later shook her head. "No, it's no. I feel weird, but it's positive. I think I actually want to to lose."
Geryuganshoop tilted his head at the answer. Want to lose? "Can you elaborate?" He asked.
She laid down next to him and placed both of her arms on her hands on her stomach. "It's an eye opening experience. It reminds me of when I used to train to get stronger. By breaking myself I gained strength and experience. I grew stronger in each battle until everything became easy. Now, I feel stronger. I'm alive and fluid. If you ever get stronger than my unleashed forms, I could care less, now I just want to live and learn. Also I highly doubt that there is a possibility of you wanting to kill me."
"That sounds splendid Boros. Anything to make these fights challenging for Lord Geryuganshoop," He whispered playfully.
Boros smirked before she jabbed him with her elbow as he laughed. They gazed at the sky, taking in the nice environment.
"In actuality I still find it bizarre," Geryuganshoop started, "I feel a little special, to give something of value you. Now of course you've done the same to me. I've gotten stronger but I feel like you've given my life a more elevated feeling, fiery aught to be the best word to describe it. In a way I used to view these activities with great hesitancy but now I've come to enjoy my time with you."
She got up and looked at Geryuganshoop. "It's an honor, Geryuganshoop. Anyway, do you want to go back to my room?" She asked nicely, "I have some games that we can play. We'll finish with a few episodes of a show of your choice. Care to come?"
Geryuganshoop smiled and sat up. "Yes Boros," he replied.
"We'll then, grab on," She said, holding out her hand.
He decided to hold on tight and before a butterfly can flap it's wings, they were gone.
In Asriel's room
Morphis wrapped a bandage around Asriel's arm as she waited for him to finish. The sparring with Groribas and casual punch from Boros had left her right arm bloody and sore. It hurt, like a constant source of heat and pressure to the arm, but there was not a single chance that she was letting anyone know of this. Luckily she had Morphis who was eager to help and medical equipment that high ranking individuals had in their rooms in case of emergencies.
He carefully wrapped the Bandage around her, cleaning up the bloody mess that was inflicted onto Asriel.
"Yeah. How's the strength training going?" Morphis asked, "I heard rumors that you beat Groribas."
Asriel leaned on in one side, immediately regretting it when Morphis accidentally touched her wound. She held it in but was screaming profanities in her mind. "Yeah. I won," she mustered.
Morphis smiled at the news as he cut the bandage and applied the final touches and a temporary anesthetic. That's nice. I wonder if you could beat Geryuganshoop. Maybe you can make Lord Boros take off her armor."
Asriel's mind cooled as the anesthetic eased the pain. It was the second one, but it really did the trick. "Yeah. Probably. If I were to guess I would be around twenty percent-ish stronger than last time. Groribas was getting humbled more by the hit, per usual."
"Woah twenty percent?" Morphis asked, "Well, that's nice."
Welp, he tried. Asriel did some math in her head before making hand gestures to get. "Yeah of course it is. Imagine doubling your net worth every four days," she boasted confidently.
"Wait hold still, I need to check if everything is solid," Morphis interrupted. He sat beside her and checked the bandages to see if they were all decently placed. They seemed to be good. He stood up and cleaned the area before yawning. "There, it seems all fine for me. Just try not to work out tomorrow, but I think that's obvious. You're welcome."
"Thanks, want me to get you something tomorrow? I know some of Lord Boros' top chefs," Asriel replied.
Morphis put a hand on his jaw and thought. Boros' top chefs? Woof, that must be amazing. To be fair Boros is never excited to eat, but she's never excited at all. It must be pretty good. "Yeah. Something aquatic preferably. I think the more you find it disgusting the better I'll find it," he joked.
Asriel laughed, before hopping onto her bed. "Alright. Have fun or whatever. I gotta kick ass later."
Morphis walked over to the entrance of her room and opened the door. "Later as in like, two days. See ya later Asriel. If you need me I'll be with a friend a few rooms," he said.
"Bye Morphis," she responded, letting her back get comfortable to her bed. Morphis walked out and left as Asriel at there and relaxed. Time passed as she then looked at her right arm.
She moved it around and came to terms with the limited range of motion. It wasn't broken, it was more like a bloody version of the sore feeling you get from working out too hard, like the tension that was within her arm bursted out and boiled on her. It would be a painful sleep, and it would be an even worse morning. She couldn't train for two days, but Geryuganshoop can fight Boros and walk it off the next day.
Fuck it, Asriel can walk it off. There were days in her home planet where she had to compete in tournaments with a few injuries, and those gods medals are still in her possession. Besides, this was just a little flesh wound. She will walk it off. After a nap.
In Boros' Room
Cultures can have really weird activities, but there was a good reason why they were popular. Boros found this game in a subsection of the ship's storage unit, and it looked cute, albeit with nothing outstanding at first. Apparently it was one where you were given a general represented by an admittedly odd piece, and you attack with plastic troops to attack and kill the the opponent's general on a battle field that more represented a map. The rules were not too lengthy, but it was pact with information and rules. To win, you either had to circle the other team with artillery, corner them, or just kill all of the soldiers.
Once they got into the game the tension became palpable, almost to a goofy extent. Geryuganshoop thought it would be easy, but in a few of the encounters she managed to gain the upper hand. She placed her pieces in such an intelligent way, he had to rely on predicting her movements, having to reposition his cavalry, and playing more defensive.
After a few minutes Geryuganshoop set up a section of his army to fight Boros alongside a river. It seems like she cut off a chunk of his army to have his general escape, but as she attacked Geryuganshoop's army ran back in and encircled Boros with artillery. HE BAITED HER! Boros's jaw dropped as he took all of her plastic pieces, giving him the victory.
She accepted defeat, congratulating Geryuganshoop, then asked for a rematch. He accepted the rematch, so they played again.
And again...
And again...
After two hours the both of them were sweating as they took turns moving their pieces and trying to predict both other and environmental factors. Occasional bits of banter were said between them, but it was a mere distraction to looking at the board. The overall score between the two were 5-2 in Geryuganshoop's favor, with Boros being a formidable foe. He had to think outside the box (or board) to get an upper hand, with Boros being familiar with his typical tricks. After a few minutes, Boros killed all of Geryuganshoop's troops, giving her the victory. She yelled in excitement as Geryuganshoop yelled profanities in a pillow.
"How did I lose? I had killed a third of your soldiers in the beginning!" Geryuganshoop yelled.
"Yes, that was not expected, though I gut feeling of the strategy you would use on the bridge. It was a wonderful game though. Can I be called Boros, the master psychic?" She asked, jokingly.
"Sure. Lord Geryuganshoop was not expecting such an upheaval intelligence. It seems like someone can finally challenge me," he teased, "Good game."
Boros laughed as she started to run her hand through her hair. She was sweating, more than any battle she could immediately remember. It was really funny, possibly even more to Geryuganshoop. They were playing children's games.
Boros started to put the pieces away as Geryuganshoop wiped the sweat off of his head. "Alright, maybe that is enough for today. I feel like another game will destroy the ship. Do you want to sleep over again?" She proposed.
Geryuganshoop shrugged and looked away. He was already tired, and the lavish sheets already smothering him. "Sure, I'll join in for today, though I'm not getting drunk."
"Great, make yourself comfortable," Boros said, "I'll put on a crime drama that you'll probably like. There are drinks you can get from the dispenser I have. It should be like yours, so just select something non-alcoholic."
He yawned with a weak smile. "Agh, I'm too tired and beaten to focus right now. I'll probably go straight to bed."
Boros shrugged before laying on a certain side of her bed. "That's fine. Goodnight, Lord Geryuganshoop."
He smiled as he draped the sheets over his shoulders. "Goodnight, the master psychic."
