A Journey Within the Realm
Chapter 6: Rin and the Elder

I woke up by the sun’s light shining in my face. I sat up to replace Miki shirt-less and in front of the mirror. Thank goodness she was wearing a bra, because my head would have exploded if she hadn’t been. However, I could feel my head turning red hot, along with the rest of my body. I think I also stopped breathing. It was a good thing Kuri noticed that I had woken.

“Uhhh… Miki?” asked Kuri.

“Yes?” Miki asked, pressing her breasts up.

“Is that a normal color for a man?” Kuri asked.

“What do you mean?” Miki asked.

“Well, look at Randy,” Kuri answered.

Miki turned and faced me.

“Good heavens! He’s completely red,” Miki exclaimed.

Just then, Nori floated from the bathroom. She stopped as soon as she saw me.

“That’s not normal,” Nori said.

I guess I did stop breathing, because I started to feel lightheaded.

“Is it just me or is Randy’s face turning purple?” Kuri asked.

“Good god! He stopped breathing,” Miki exclaimed, “Breath, Randy, breath!”

I started to feel my eyes go to the back of my head.

“God darn it! I need to get him to breath,” Miki said, “Hang on, Randy. I’m coming.”

Miki came rushing over. She laid me down flat and took a deep breath. Then, she placed her lips on mine and blew. I got the air in me. However, Miki kept her lips on mine and just breathed in through her nose. Once she had enough air, Miki blew out her mouth. After a while, I was breathing again. To my surprise, Miki kept her lips on mine; it felt like she was kissing me instead of giving CPR. I guess Nori and Kuri noticed it too.

“Uhhh… Miki?” asked Nori, “His face is back to its normal color.”

“Nori’s right,” Kuri agreed, “Randy’s breathing again. You can stop doing CPR.”

Either Miki didn’t hear them or she choose not to. Kuri flew to Miki and kicked her in the head.

“Ow! That hurt, Kuri,” Miki said.

“I wouldn’t have to do that if you stopped kissing Randy,” Kuri replied.

Miki blushed.

“I think it would be wise if you put on your shirt,” Nori said.

Miki grumbled as she walked over to backpack and grabbed a clean shirt. After Kuri saw that Miki had a shirt on, she flew over to me.

“Are you okay?” asked Kuri.

“I’m fine now,” I answered, sitting up.

“What made you stop breathing?” asked Kuri.

“Hot, half-naked woman,” I replied, “My brain just couldn’t take it.”

I looked over at Miki. Even though I could only see part of her face, she was blushing bright red. Something’s different about her, but I don’t know what. I was never good at that sort of thing. I got up and headed for the door.

“Where are you going?” asked Nori.

“I need to get some fresh air,” I answered, “I will be back in ten minutes.”

“We’ll be ready by then,” Kuri replied, “Once you get back, we’ll go see the Elder.”

I nodded as I pulled up my hood. I walked out of the room, down the stairs, and out of the inn. As I stepped outside, I heard a young woman’s voice across the street. After replaceing where it was coming from, I walked over. Apparently, the young woman was trying to sell some potions. She wore a short, black, one piece skirt (the kind that is like a dress, but has a skirt-like bottom) and witch’s hat. The hat included a pair of goggles. It seemed that she had some trouble brewing things without them exploding. I couldn’t see her features from this far back in the crowd. I listened as she spoke.

“Welcome, mages and witches,” the young witch began, “My name is Rin. I’m here to show you my homebrewed healing potion! It’s new! It’s improved! It’s one of a kind!”

“It’s one of a kind, alright,” yelled one of the crowd people, “It’s the only healing potion that kills!”

“Now, that’s a false statement, people,” corrected Rin, “In fact, this healing potion is so good that I will ask for a volunteer to come and try some. Is there anyone here that needs to heal something?”

I thought about it for a while. I was still a bit lightheaded. Maybe that would cure it. So, I raised my hand to volunteer.

“There you have it, folks,” Rin said, happily, “Here’s someone who would like to cure something! Come on up, friend.”

I walked up onto the stage. Closer, now, I saw that Rin had black hair and purple eyes, a strange color for eyes; but, I could say the same for Miki’s green hair.

“What’s your name, friend?” Rin asked.

“Ronnie, but you can call me Ron,” I answered, lying.

“And what is your problem?” Rin asked.

“I’m a bit lightheaded,” I replied.

“Here we are, folks,” exclaimed Rin, “Ron has a problem of lightheadedness and with one drink of this healing potion, she will be cured!”

Rin handed me a bottle of the potion.

“Here, friend,” Rin said, “Drink and be cured!”

I opened the bottle and smelled it. It smelled horrible. I plugged my nose and drank. Suddenly, I felt dizzy and sick to my stomach. My legs were became weak and I began to burn up. Before long, I passed out. I don’t how long I was out, but when I opened my eyes, I saw my teammates looking down at me.

“You did it again, Ron,” Miki said.

“How are you feeling?” asked Nori.

“Can you sit up?” asked Kuri.

I nodded as I sat up.

“I’m okay, guys,” I answered, “What did I just drink?”

“One of yet another failure in my long list of potion making,” sighed Rin.

She was sitting on the stage with her feet hanging off. Rin had her chin in her hands.

“Don’t be sad, Rin,” I said, scooting next to her, “Maybe you can help us.”

“How?” asked Rin.

“We came from Kullum Forest to see the Elder,” I explained, “Do you know how we can meet with her?”

“You mean Grandmamma?” asked Rin, facing me, “Yeh. I can take you to her.”

“The Elder is your grandmother?” asked Miki.

“Yep,” Rin answered, “Did you say that you were from Kullum Forest? Isn’t that three days away?”

“Yes it is,” Miki replied, “I’m Miki, the elf. This is Kuri, the fairy, and Nori, the ghost.”

“I didn’t come from the forest,” Nori said, “I joined when they were at the ghost town.”

“What about you, Ron?” asked Rin.

“We don’t know what she is,” Miki answered, “That’s one of the reasons why we need to see the Elder.”

“Well,” Rin said, getting up, “I guess I will take you Grandmamma. Follow me.”

Miki helped me up and the four of us followed Rin to the Elder. She took us to a chapel where Rin told us is where her Grandmamma lives. Miki asked if we would be alone with her. Rin told her that nobody visits the chapel on Thursday. When we entered, we saw a woman with long, white hair, meditating under a sign that resembled a spell book. I asked about the sign and Rin explained that it was the sign for mages and witches. We slowly walked over to the Elder. When we were in front of her, the Elder open one eye and smiled.

“Welcome, Randy,” said the Elder, “I’ve been waiting.”

“Nice to meet you, Elder,” I replied, bowing.

“Please… call me Leiko,” said the Elder.

She opened the other eye. Leiko’s eyes were a beautiful aqua blue. They matched her white hair.

“Grandmamma? Why did you call Ron Randy?” Rin asked.

“Randy… if you don’t mind showing my granddaughter,” Leiko said.

I sighed as I pulled down my hood.

“Good heavens! You’re a man,” Rin exclaimed.

“Follow me to my room,” Leiko told us as she got up, “You too, Rin.”

Leiko walked towards the back of the chapel. She opened the door on the right and entered. When we followed her into the room, Leiko was walking to a statue that looked like a birdbath.

“Gather around, everyone,” Leiko said, stopping at the statue.

We walked towards the statue. After spreading around, I took a look inside the water of the statue. The water had a bluish-purple color to it.

“I know you have some questions for me,” Leiko said, “This is the right time to ask them.”

“I have a feeling that you know how I got here,” I replied.

Leiko nodded.

“Miki had told me that there are a few myths or legends that tell of a way back home to the nagical world,” I continued, “What is the real way to get me back home?”

“Wait, What!?!” Rin asked, “’Nagical world?’ Where’s that?”

“I will explain later, Rin,” Leiko replied, waving her hand above the water, “Randy. The true legend you seek is of an opposite book. The one that brought you here was the entrance book. The one you must replace is the exit book titled The History of the Nagical World.”

“Where can I replace that book?” I asked, relieved that there was a way back.

“Alas… the book you seek is in the hands of Kei, the black mage goddess,” Leiko answered.

I think I just felt my heart dropping.

“Do not fear, Randy,” Leiko said, “There might be a way.”

“Please, tell me,” I replied.

“I watched you deal with those bandits,” Leiko explained, “That glow around you when you did magic… I haven’t seen that glow for 53 years. It stirred something in my bones. I must test your skills.”

“How?” I asked.

“You must head into the Nebulous and replace your true self,” Leiko answered, “It’s the only way for us to know why you, a man, can do magic. It will also tell you the reason why you were sent that book.”

“No, Grandmamma! Not the Nebulous,” exclaimed Rin.

“Why?” asked Miki, “What’s the Nebulous?”

“The Nebulous is a place deep within the far regions of the mind,” Rin explained, “It full of nightmares, shadows, and a very powerful evil called Virote. Kei so far is the only one who has defeated him. The Nebulous is also known as the Fade and the Void. We stopped calling it the Shadow ever since Kei created those beings.”

“Sounds dangerous,” Miki said, “Do you think you’re up to it, Randy?”

“I will do anything to replace a way back home,” I answered, “And if it means going deep within my mind to replace out why I’m here, so be it.”

“I’m glad to hear your feelings towards this,” Leiko replied, grabbing a cup from her dresser and filling it up with the bluish-purple water, “Drink this. A word of warning… be prepared for anything.”

I took the cup and swallowed the water in one gulp. Suddenly, I felt sleepy. Miki and Rin carried me over to Leiko’s bed. Slowly, I fell asleep, into the abyss.