A Journey Within the Realm
Chapter 14: Arriving in Triharvest

After the ordeal with the two shadows we walked a while, the sun setting and the moon rising to the sky. When we were finished setting up camp, we noticed a slight problem. There were six people in our group; five women and myself. The problem was that we only had three tents. Before Kyoko joined us, Miki and Kuri had the first tent, Rin and Nori had the second tent, and the last tent went to me. So, there we were… staring at the three tents, trying to solve a simple math problem, five into three. The first four women kept suggesting that Kyoko transform herself into a bat and sleep like that on a tree. Of course, Kyoko didn’t like that idea. After a hour of continuously rejected ideas, I decided on a bold move.

“Okay… we will do this and I will not take no for a answer,” I said, “Rin and Kuri. You two take the first tent. Kyoko and Nori. You two take the second tent. Miki. You’re sharing my tent.”

“What!?!” everyone yelled.

Miki blushed.

“Someone needs to share with me and I only feel comfortable enough to be in the same tent with Miki,” I explained, “Now, That’s that! Everyone, start getting ready for bed.”

When we were done, everyone went into their assigned tents. Well… everyone except me. I was sitting by the fire with Shina on my lap. As I was petting her, I thought about everything that had been happening. All those events that changed me into a whole new person. When I first entered this realm, I was completely nervous around women. As each new teammate joined my side, the less nervous I became. Most of the doing was Kuri and Nori. I was the least bit nervous around Kuri because she was a tiny flying creature. I don’t think anything would happen between us. As for Nori, she’s underage. Even though she a women and is super cute in what looks like a Japanese school girl outfit, she is only 16 years old. No way was I going to touch that and I wouldn’t let her do anything with me. Well… at least no funny business. However, when Rin joined, that was a different story. She is around my age and she is the normal size for a human. Luckily for me, her failure with potions making made me feel sorry for her more than being nervous around her. After meeting her and going through that trial inside my own head, I completely changed into what I am now. I guess that’s what happens when you finally replace out why you were sent to a strange realm and who you really are. Being the only light mage (And the only male light mage the realm ever had), I knew I had to be strong and brave in order to save this realm from forever living in the Dark Ages. That’s how I was not nervous around the lustful vampire, Kyoko. Even though she has everything about her in perfect order. Perfect body, perfect mind, perfect personality, perfect everything. The only flaws she has is that she is super pale and, of course, the fact that she wants to suck my blood with her sharp fangs. I guess the forklores, books, and movies were right. When it comes to being a vampire, you are pretty much flawless except for the main two traits of being a vampire. And, to believe, that everything started as soon as I met Miki, the elf. Miki found me and brought me to her house to heal. Within just one short day, I ended up being with a cute woman alone, talking to her alone, and being in the same bed together… alone. That first day made me a nervous wreck. Just like a few fantasies that some men have, most elves are hot and sexy. And, here I was with a female elf. A true man’s fantasy come to life. On top of that, on that very same day, I found out that this so-called realm I was in only had magical women. I was the only man in a world of women! My mind snapped a couple of times during my trip. Of course, I can laugh about that now. Here I am, going to spend another night with Miki. I chuckled. After picking up Shina and placing her on the ground, I got up and walked to my tent. As soon as I entered, I saw Miki fast asleep. I sat down next to her and placed my hand on her head. Suddenly, I saw a vision of Miki walking down the aisle, all dressed in white. Then, my vision switched to her point of view. When she finally reached the altar and looked at who she was marrying, I couldn’t believe what I saw. It was me in a tuxedo. Somehow, I was able to see Miki’s dream and it was of her marrying me. I lifted my hand from her head and the vision disappeared. Just then, I remembered something Nori told me she could do. Dream eating… the ability to jump into someones dreams and even control them. Since I was new at it, I only knew how to see what they are dreaming. I smiled as I laid down and went to sleep. The next day, I was awakened by Shina licking my face. She meowed happily when she saw me awake. After getting up and leaving the tent, I saw everyone had just finished breakfast. Miki was the first one to noticed me out of the tent.

“You got up late,” Miki said, holding a bowl of food out for me, “I saved you some food. It’s not much since everyone else had their breakfast. We’re feeding two more mouths. Hopefully, we can reach Triharvest before we run out of supplies.”

“Thanks,” I replied, grabbing the bowl and sitting down next to her.

As soon as I started eating, everyone except Miki left and went back into their tents.

“Don’t worry, Randy,” Miki said, “They aren’t angry. I explained how you were when you first got here and what happen between us. They understand that I was the first woman you saw and was around with, so you feel more comfortable doing those kinds of thing with me than anyone else. They told me that they were going to change after breakfast.”

I sighed in relief. After finishing breakfast, Miki and I took turns changing while everyone else packed up. When everything was packed, we continued onward towards Triharvest. During the whole trip, I kept thinking about Miki’s dream I saw. She loves me that much, but doesn’t let it show except for her jealousy. That made me think about my father. Somehow, he ended up in this realm. During his time inside the Magic Realm, he met my mother and managed to escape through the exit book with her. Then, they got married and had me. I’m wondering if saving the realm isn’t the only job I have to do. My parents knew that I was nervous around women. I’m thinking they used that time to kill two birds with one stone. Maybe they want me to bring someone back home to marry and start a family. I kept pondering that issue all the way to Triharvest. When we entered the town, I could see why they called it Triharvest. It was a farming town, full of farmland, markets, bazaars, ranches, and all the crops you can eat. Then, it hit me. You need three things to grow healthy crops; sunlight, water, and soil. Three, or tri, tools of nature and the fact that they must harvest a whole lot of crops, gave them the town’s name, Triharvest. I like that… makes you think and it’s practical. However, as I was seeing all that beauty, the girls saw something they liked.

“They have a hot spring,” they all cheered.

I turned and saw a huge sign, with an even bigger arrow, pointing towards the direction to the biggest hot spring I had ever seen. I glaced at each of my teammates and the looks on their faces told it all. They really wanted to go in the hot springs. The only trouble is, if they all go in, I would be by myself until they were done. You see… when it comes to a typical hot spring, you will be completely naked while you are there. Sure, you will sometimes wear a towel, but you don’t wear it when you are in the water. On top of that, there must be plenty of other women in there besides my teammates if they go in. I mean… goddesses that work on farms and ranches must go there pretty often. However, the girls faces broke through me. I sighed.

“Go ahead, have fun,” I said.

That’s when, Miki, Kyoko, and Rin, grabbed me and started pulling me with them.

“What’s going on!?!” I paniced, trying to break free, “Why are you pulling me with you!?!”

“We want you to come with us,” they all cheered, “You need as much relaxation as we do! Plus, it will be more fun with you around!”

“B-b-b-ut, you all will be naked,” I panicked.

“It was bound to happen sooner or later,” they all giggled, “Better to just get it over with!”

“B-b-b-but, I will also be naked,” I panicked even more.

“Yeh! Just think of the fun,” they all laughed, pulling me into the building to the hot springs.