_*]:min-w-0 !gap-3.5">"What's that?" Alexander stopped abruptly, pointing to a strange structure rising above the grass about fifty yards ahead. After a night's rest at their hillside camp, the team had set out to explore their new surroundings, hiking through the seemingly endless meadow.

  From their position, it looked like a wooden ptform elevated about ten feet off the ground, supported by sturdy posts. As they approached cautiously, they could see figures moving on top of it—not people, but what appeared to be mechanical constructs.

  "Training station," Riva said, recognition dawning on her face. "I've heard about these. Floor 3's supposed to have them scattered throughout."

  They approached the ptform, finding a simple dder leading up to the wooden deck. Alexander climbed first, scanning for traps or dangers before signaling the others to follow.

  The ptform was more impressive up close—a circur wooden deck about thirty feet across with various training dummies positioned around its circumference. Unlike basic straw targets, these were sophisticated mechanical constructs with movable limbs and what appeared to be programmable behavior patterns.

  "This is awesome," Alexander said, examining the nearest dummy. It resembled a humanoid figure made of articuted wooden segments with metal joints. "Look at the craftsmanship on these."

  Elijah approached another dummy, this one configured differently with what appeared to be healing target zones marked across its frame. "They're customized for different skills," he observed. "This one's set up for practicing healing techniques."

  Valeria was already examining a third station equipped with targets at varying distances. "And this is for ranged combat."

  Alexander walked the perimeter of the ptform, counting a total of eight different training stations, each configured for specific skill development. "It's a complete training system. We can work on pretty much any ability here."

  As they explored further, they noticed a simple interface panel near each dummy. Riva pressed one experimentally, and the corresponding dummy came to life, moving into a ready stance.

  "Cool," she said, stepping back. "They're interactive."

  Alexander watched as the dummy followed Riva's movements, adjusting its stance to mirror hers. When she made a tentative jab toward it, it blocked smoothly, then counter-attacked with a slow, clearly telegraphed move.

  "It's reading your skill level," he realized. "Matching its difficulty to how you fight."

  "There are more of these," Valeria said, using her binocurs to scan the horizon. "I can see at least three more ptforms from here, spread out across the meadow."

  Alexander's eyes lit up with the tactical possibilities. After the tunnel serpent battle, their need for improved combat skills was obvious. "This is exactly what we need. Let's set up a rotation, everyone focuses on their specialties but also cross-trains."

  "I call dibs on that one," Riva said, pointing to a station equipped with what looked like simuted environmental hazards—moving parts that represented terrain challenges.

  They weren't the only ones who'd discovered the training stations. As they began organizing their approach, another group of pyers climbed onto the far side of the ptform—three people who looked roughly their age, equipped with mid-level gear.

  "Hey," called one of them, a guy with dark hair and a scout-css interface visible on his wrist. "You guys just get to Floor 3?"

  Alexander nodded, keeping his stance rexed but ready. "Yesterday. You?"

  "Been here about a week," the scout replied. "These stations are lifesavers. The meadow looks peaceful, but wait till you meet the predators that hide in the tall grass."

  This caught Alexander's attention. "What kind of predators?"

  The scout gestured to a nasty-looking scar on his leg. "Ambush hunters. They lie ft until you're practically on top of them, then spring up. Crazy fast."

  His teammate, a woman with healer markings on her gear, added, "The stations are safe zones though. Nothing attacks while you're on the ptforms."

  This was valuable information. Alexander thanked them, and the two groups settled into an unspoken agreement to share the ptform, each taking different stations.

  "Okay," Alexander said, gathering his team. "Let's make the most of this. Four-hour rotation, everyone cycles through stations relevant to their skills."

  They began with their specialties. Valeria took the ranged combat station, setting up target practice that started simple but quickly increased in difficulty as the dummy recognized her proficiency. The targets began moving in unpredictable patterns, forcing her to lead her shots and account for windage.

  Riva focused on the environmental challenges station, practicing movement techniques appropriate for the meadow terrain. The dummy presented simuted grass patterns and hidden obstacle scenarios, teaching her to spot disturbances that might indicate danger.

  Elijah worked at the healing station, which presented increasingly complex injury scenarios on its adaptive frame. Alexander noticed his brother's growing concentration as he attempted more difficult techniques.

  "I need to figure out how to heal at longer distances," Elijah expined when Alexander checked in. "In the tunnels, we were always close together. Out here, we could be spread pretty far apart."

  "Good thinking," Alexander nodded.

  For his part, Alexander focused on tactical combat suitable for open terrain. His training dummy proved surprisingly challenging, adapting quickly to his skill level and presenting combat scenarios specific to meadow fighting—attacks from concealment, managing multiple sightlines, and maximizing limited cover.

  As they trained, they occasionally exchanged information with the other pyer group, learning useful tips about Floor 3's challenges.

  "Watch out for the weather," the scout advised during a water break. "Storms come up fast here, and the lightning's no joke."

  "Any advice on the best pces to camp?" Alexander asked.

  "High ground when possible," said their third member, a guy with technician markings. "And look for the blue grass patches—predators avoid them for some reason."

  After sharing what they knew about Floor 2 in return—the other group hadn't been that way—they returned to training with renewed focus.

  By midday, the system's adaptive nature had become clear. Each dummy remembered individual pyer patterns, increasing difficulty appropriately and introducing new challenges tailored to specific weaknesses it identified.

  "This thing knows I always dodge right," Riva compined after her dummy caught her with the same counter-move three times. "It's learning my habits."

  "That's the point," Alexander said. "Forces you to mix up your approach."

  As the afternoon progressed, they rotated through different stations. Alexander insisted everyone try at least two stations outside their specialty—"Cross-training builds versatility," he expined when Valeria grumbled about taking a turn at the healing station.

  Elijah surprised himself by picking up useful defensive techniques at the tactical station. "These blocks work really well when I'm trying to maintain concentration on healing," he told Alexander.

  Riva discovered that some of her equipment modifications could be applied to ranged gear, giving Valeria's bow a significant stability improvement. "Try it now," she said after making an adjustment to the grip. "Should reduce vibration by about thirty percent."

  Valeria's shot hit dead center on a moving target. "Okay, that's definitely better."

  The other pyer group left mid-afternoon, heading toward what they described as a "resource-rich area" to the east, but not before sharing a rough map of nearby ndmarks they'd discovered.

  By te afternoon, Alexander called for a final rotation, having everyone return to their primary stations to practice what they'd learned throughout the day.

  "Focus on applying the new techniques," he instructed. "And remember we're fighting in open terrain now. Different sight lines, different cover options."

  The dummies had reached their highest difficulty settings, presenting challenges that pushed everyone to their limits. Alexander found himself genuinely struggling against his tactical dummy, which now employed sophisticated feints and combination attacks.

  When they finally finished as the sun began to set, there was a shared sense of accomplishment despite tired muscles and depleted energy bars.

  "I've never had training that good," Riva admitted, wiping sweat from her face. "These things are smart."

  "And they keep improving as we do," Elijah added. "We should definitely make these stations part of our regur routine while we're on this floor."

  Alexander was already pnning rotation schedules in his head. "We'll alternate exploration days with training days. And we should check out the other ptforms too—they might have different specializations."

  As they climbed down the dder to return to their camp before nightfall, Alexander felt more optimistic than he had after the tunnel serpent battle. Their team had solid individual skills, but cohesion had been their weakness. With training like this, they could address those gaps.

  "Did you notice the skill trees?" Valeria asked as they hiked back through the grass. "Each time we mastered something, new branches opened up."

  "Yeah," Alexander nodded. "The Game's showing us clear progression paths now. Makes sense—Floor 1 was basic survival, Floor 2 was environmental challenges, and now Floor 3 seems focused on skill development."

  "I wonder what's next," Riva said. "After we've mastered these stations."

  Alexander thought about the other pyers' mention of a resource-rich area to the east. "Tomorrow we keep exploring. Need to get a better sense of what this floor has to offer beyond training."

  "Including whatever those hedge things are that the other pyers mentioned," Elijah added. "Something about a trial?"

  "Exactly," Alexander agreed. "But for now, let's get back to camp. I've got a feeling we'll need our rest for whatever comes next."

  As they walked, he mentally reviewed the skills they'd developed during the day. Every team member had shown significant improvement, not just in their specialties but in adapting those abilities to the open terrain of Floor 3. It wasn't enough yet—not for whatever guardian awaited them on this floor—but it was a start.

  The ptforms rising from the endless grass had given them more than just combat training; they'd provided a sense of purpose and progression after the disorienting transition from the tunnel environment. Whatever challenges the Verdant Meadows held, they were better prepared to face them now.