Astaroth wasn't unconscious for long, but while he was, the monsters' efforts to enter the cave and steal the fruit redoubled, their minds beguiled by the scent of the fruit as it had matured.
Even Astaroth's allies couldn't lie to themselves; the fruit clearly attracted their bodies. But they had a better grasp on their minds, given they were linked to each other and Astaroth.
The only one that remained unaffected was Leon. He wondered why, at first, since the same fruit was what had made him as powerful as he was right now.
But when the battle was over, and he laid his eyes on it, he understood. His body was telling him this wasn't the way to get stronger anymore.
But an argument quickly erupted in the alcove about who should get it.
