A Journey Within the Realm
Chapter 13: On the Road Again

I woke up, not in my bed, but on the couch on the first floor. I was still very lightheaded. After sitting up, I started hearing people talking over in the kitchen. Carefully, I got up and wobbled into the kitchen. As soon as I entered, everyone stopped and looked at me. I was about to reach the table when my legs gave in and I dropped to the ground. Miki and Kyoko grabbed my arms and carried me to a seat at the table.

“You okay, Randy?” Kyoko asked.

“I guess I’m still weak,” I answered, “How much blood did you drain from me?”

“Not much,” Kyoko replied, “Honest!”

“I guess I didn’t fully gain back all my blood from last time,” I said, giving a weak laugh, “Anyway… what’s going on in here?”

“We were planning a way back down the mountain,” Rin answered, “No way am I climbing back down.”

“What did you come up with?” I asked, trying to keep my head up.

“I suggested that we use my bat friends, and I mean a whole lot of them, carry us down in a basket,” Kyoko replied.

“Sounds good,” I said, a bit dazed.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Miki asked, “You look very pale.”

“I’m fine. Really,” I answered, “I’m just going to take a nap right here.”

As soon as he said that, his head slammed onto the table. Kyoko lifted his head to check if he was really asleep.

“Randy has passed out,” Kyoko said, placing his head down.

“Kyoko,” I yelled, “You took too much out of him again!”

“It wasn’t me this time,” Kyoko exclaimed.

“If it wasn’t you, then who!?!” I yelled.

“Don’t yelled at me,” Kyoko exclaimed, “It wasn’t my fault!”

“There was no one else around that was a vampire,” I yelled, “You were the only vampire in the whole town!”

“Knock it off, you two,” Rin exclaimed.

“Quiet Rin! You cause trouble with your annoying potions,” I yelled.

“I’m just trying my best for the team,” Rin replied, crying.

“Now look what you did,” Kyoko exclaimed, “You made Rin cry!”

“She should not have butted in,” I yelled, “It was between you and me, you flirt!”

“Flirt!?! Why did you call me that!?!” Kyoko exclaimed.

“I’ve been watching you flirting with Randy any chance you got,” I yelled, “You should stop before you go to the next level, a ho!”

“That’s it,” Kyoko yelled, “Now you’ve gone too far! I’m going to beat you up until you say uncle!”

“Bring it, goth chick,” I yelled.

We were about to charge at each other, when someone stopped us by placing its hands on us. I looked and saw that it was Randy. He was standing and blocking us from ripping each other apart, but his head was still hanging down low.

“Is he?” I asked.

Nori floated over and looked at his face.

“Yep,” Nori replied, “Randy is still passed out.”

“How can he stop us if he is not with us?” Kyoko asked.

Suddenly, Randy’s head lifted up. When he opened his eyes, they were glowing white.

“Miki. Kyoko,” Randy said, “Knock it off! I don’t want anyone to hurt anyone else. Kei is the enemy, not our own teammates. Now, make up!”

“Sorry,” I said.

“Sorry,” Kyoko said.

“Good,” Randy said, “Now, Miki. You owe someone else the word sorry.”

“Sorry, Rin,” I said.

“For now on, I don’t care who’s fault it is, we do not blame each other,” Randy said, “On top of that, no matter what happens, we do not hurt our teammates! Understood!?!”

“Right,” we all yelled.

“That’s what I like to hear,” Randy said, “Everyone agreeing.”

Right after everything was back to friendly terms with us, Randy fell face first on the floor.

“What just happen?” Nori asked, going through Randy after he fell on her.

“Somehow, Randy can sense our danger, even if he is not conscious,” I answered, “I guess his body goes into automatic mode to stop whatever is going to hurt us.”

“Then, how did he know what the reason was and who caused it?” Rin asked.

“If he sensed the danger, I guess he could also sense what and who is causing it,” I replied.

“I guess we should put him back on the couch,” Kyoko suggested.

“I will help,” I said, picking up one of Randy’s arms.

Kyoko and I carried Randy back to the couch before returning to the kitchen.

I woke up again, but with a bit of a headache. When I sat up, I heard a voice behind me.

“How you feeling, Randy?” the voice asked.

I turned around to see Miki sitting in one of the chairs.

“My head hurts a little, but I think I got all of my blood back,” I answered.

“Do you remember what happen in the kitchen?” Miki asked.

“Kind of,” I replied, “You guys made a plan to get us down the mountain. How’s that coming along?”

“It’s all set. We were just waiting for you to wake up so we could go,” Miki answered, “Do you recall anything else?”

“Just the fact that you and Kyoko almost killed each other,” I replied.

“How!?!” Miki exclaimed, “You were unconscious!”

“I was?” I asked, “Then, why do I remember everything I did, heard, and said?”

“I don’t really know,” Miki replied, “Come on. Everyone’s waiting in town.”

“Wait a minute…,” I said, looking around, “Where’s my staff?”

“I’m afraid the shadows took it when we were captured,” Miki answered, “Do you want something else?”

“Nah. I’m beginning to think I don’t need any tools with my powers,” I replied, “Let’s go meet up with everyone.”

I got up from the couch and followed Miki out of the castle. Miki was silent as we walked down the stairs to the town square. Once we arrived, I saw over 1,000 bats tied to a large basket. Kyoko was talking to the bats, while everyone else spoke to each other. They had worried looks on their faces as they watched Kyoko doing her thing. Miki walked over to the worried group and joined the conversation. I looked at Kyoko, who was making sure the bats were safely tied to the basket, and walked over. Kyoko didn’t noticed when I reached her.

“How’s it going?” I asked.

“Huh?” Kyoko replied, looking over, “Oh! Hi, Randy. Things are going as well as planned. How are you feeling?”

“Much better,” I answered, “How are you after what happen last night with Miki?”

Kyoko stopped in her tracks and stared at me.

“How do you know?” Kyoko questioned, “Did Miki tell you?”

“Nope. However, I do know Miki started the fight,” I replied.

“If no one told you, yet you know that…,” Kyoko said.

“Yeh… Miki and I don’t understand either,” I replied, “Please, don’t mind Miki. She is a very kind and loving person. It’s just lately, Miki has become jealous of anyone who tries to come on to me.”

“Why? Is she in love with you?” Kyoko asked.

“Yes. And I can understand why, too,” I answered, “You see… when I arrived in this realm, I fell from the sky and straight into Killum Forest. Miki and Kuri found me very badly hurt and unconscious where I had landed, so Miki carried me to her place. When I awoke, the first person I saw was Miki. She was the first person I talked to, she care of me, and shared a bed with me. I have done more things with her than anyone else.”

“I guess I understand…,” Kyoko replied, “I still think it’s not fair that I might not have the smallest chance to be able to date you. However, is it still okay for me to suck you blood time to time?”

“Sure, but just a small amount. Not like to last two times you did it,” I answered.

“Agreed,” Kyoko said, laughing.

“What were you two talking about?” Miki asked, walking over.

“We were talking about what went on last night between you two,” I answered.

“I still can’t believe you know what happened,” Miki replied, “I mean, you were unconcious!”

“You don’t have to tell me that,” I laughed.

“Anyway… Is it ready, Kyoko?” Miki asked.

“All ready to fly,” Kyoko answered, “You can get everyone into the basket.”

I watched as Miki walked over to the rest of the gang.

“Kyoko?” I asked, “How are you going down the mountain?”

“Didn’t you noticed what is around my leg?” Kyoko asked back.

I looked and saw that she also had rope tied to her leg.

“It just wouldn’t be right if I didn’t help my fellow bats,” Kyoko said, smiling, “Now, in the basket you go!”

I smiled as I walked over to the basket and hopped in with the rest.

“Ready?” Kyoko asked.

“Ready,” everyone replied.

I watched as Kyoko transformed into a bat, squeaked one last time to her bat friends, and started flying. Once she took off, all the rest of the bats did the same. Slowly, the basket started lifting up from the ground. As soon as we were at a safe distance from the ground, the bats took off, carrying us down the mountain in record speed. In just a blink of an eye, we were at the bottom of Mount Dracin. One of the bats landed on the ground and transformed back into Kyoko. After she untied herself, she snapped her fingers and all the ropes that were tied to the bats feet broke, freeing the bats. Kyoko waved good-bye to the bats as they flew off, back to Transbola. Everyone in the basket, including me, jumped out and dusted ourselves off. Kyoko walked over to us, smiling.

“Great job, Kyoko,” Miki said.

“Thanks,” Kyoko replied, “Where to now?”

I reached into my backpack and pulled out the magical map. Miki and Kyoko looked over my shoulders.

“It appears that Triharvest, the town of the goddess, is closest to where we are,” Miki said, “I believe Elder Leiko said there is someone that will join us there.”

“Right,” I replied, “Let’s move on out!”