A Journey Within the Realm

I woke with the sun’s rays shining on my face. I sat up and looked around. Everyone was still asleep in their sleeping bags. We had spent the night in Miwa’s house, but she had only one bed. I glanced to see if she was still asleep. Hmmm… the bed was empty. After getting up, I went downstairs. There was no sign of Miwa anywhere. I decided to take a look around her farm to try and find her. However, when I stepped outside, I noticed fields of multiple types of mushrooms. Walking over, I saw so many different kinds that I couldn’t count them all. One type of mushroom looked very yummy and might make a great breakfast. I picked the biggest one and was about to eat it when I heard Miwa yelling. I turned to my right and saw her running up to me. When she reached me, she smacked the mushroom out of my hand.

“Whew… made it just in time,” Miwa said.

“Why? What’s wrong with eating a mushroom?” I asked.

“These mushrooms aren’t your normal everyday fungi,” Miwa answered, “Every mushroom here is magical.”

“I should have guessed. What would have happened if I had eaten the one I picked?”

Miwa picked up the mushroom, “Hmmm… red top, slightly big, smells very sweet like strawberries. Ah, yes. The knock out shroom.”

“The what?”

“Knock out shroom. Eat just one and you’re out cold for 24 hours.”

“Boy… glad I didn’t eat it. What other mushrooms do you grow?”

“Let’s see… there’s the sad shroom, the anger shroom, the shrinking shroom, the growth shroom, the silent shroom, the love shroom, the age shroom, and many more.”

“I can guess what five of them do, but what does the silent and age shrooms do?”

“The silent shroom stops the ability to be able to speak for a whole day while the age shroom changes the age of the person to the same number of centimeters the mushroom is tall.”

“You mean that if the age shroom is only nine centimeters tall, the person will turn nine years old after he or she had eaten it?”

“Correct.”

“Why are you growing these?”

“One word… money. They make a great profit.”

“Makes sense.”

I looked at all the different type of mushrooms. There was at least 50 of each type growing in the large field. Just then, I noticed a short, fat mushroom with a green top.

“Umm… what’s that mushroom, Miwa?” I asked, pointing at the green shroom, “There’s only one of them.”

“I don’t really know,” Miwa replied, “I have never seen a mushroom like that before.”

I bent over and plucked the shroom. After taking a closer look, I smelled the shroom. Interesting… it had the aroma of Kiwis. Without a second thought, I plopped the mushroom into my mouth. Wow! It even tasted like Kiwis.

“What did you just do!?!” Miwa exclaimed, “We don’t even know what that mushroom would do if eaten!”

I burped a green cloud, “I feel fine. A little gas, but nothing else.”

“Let’s just hope it stays like that,” Miwa replied with a worried smile.

I gave a weak smile as I chuckled. Suddenly, a lightning bolt stuck the mushroom field in front of us.

“Holy cow,” I yelled, jumping back, “Where did that come from!?!”

“Come to think about it… when did the sky become so dark?” Miwa asked, looking up.

I looked up and saw that the sky had, in fact, grown dark, an unsettling kind of darkness. I could not see any signs of storm clouds or the moon and stars. It was like a vast emptiness, a lifeless feeling that can tear a person’s heart. As I stared at the sky, I sensed strong evil nearby. Since I couldn’t see anything, I closed my eyes and used my ears to search for the cause. As I concentrated, I started to hear movement, quick and dangerous, in the air. I opened my eyes and followed the sound as it moved.

“What’s wrong, Randy?” asked Miwa.

“Shh… I’m hearing something,” I answered, still following the sound, “It’s moving and pretty fast, too.”

“Do you know what it is?” Miwa asked.

“No. I have never sensed this type of evil before,” I replied.

Suddenly, I caught another evil. It was only for a second, but I was sure it had the same feel as Kyoko. However, it felt more evil than good. Still focused on the sound, I began to study its movement. After two minutes, I couldn’t believe what it was trying to do.

“Oh no! It’s going to crash through the bedroom window,” I exclaimed.

As soon as I said that, the upstairs window shattered.

“No! Everyone is in trouble,” I yelled.

“I will save them,” Miwa replied, running to the house.

“No! Stop! Miwa! You don’t know what you are dealing with,” I yelled.

It was too late. Miwa was already inside. Just then, I heard screams from inside. The screams told me the darkness was close, too close.

“Heh, heh, heh… you can sense me can you not?” a voice asked.

I turned around and saw a vampire. No… not a normal vampire. It was one of those annoying shadow commanders. I stepped back and glared at her.

“I see… so I was right,” I said, “I did sense the same power as Kyoko.”

“You mean your vampire friend?” the shadow vampire asked, “Her kindness makes me sick.”

I raised my hand to prepare a spell.

“Don’t even think about it, Light Mage,” the shadow vampire said, pointing to her left, “Why don’t take a look over there?”

I turned to where is was pointing. When I saw what I saw, my heart sank. There, in plain sight, stood my friends captured by some kind a shadow beings.

“Okay… sure, I’m angry that my friends are captured by you guys,” I began, pissed, “However, what kind of shadow beings are they?”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” the shadow vampire replied, pinching her nose, “Can’t you tell by their looks!?! Their bat-like wings, pointed tails, and tiny horns? Any guesses?”

I glanced at them again. After three minutes, I turned back to her and made a weak smile.

“Not really,” I answered.

“How dumb can you be!?!” the shadow vampire, “They’re demons! D-e-m-o-n-s!! How can you be the hero with that brain!?!”

“Hey! Don’t give me that! I haven’t ever met a demon before,” I exclaimed.

The shadow vampire faced my friends.

“Is this true?” she asked.

All my friends nodded in agreement.

“I see…,” the shadow vampire replied, facing me, “Well… it doesn’t matter. As you can see our army of shadow demons have your friends. If you try anything funny, they’re as good as dead.”

“I have a question,” I said.

The shadow vampire sighed, “What is it?”

“You said ‘our.’ Who’s this ‘our?’” I asked.

“Huh? Oh… right…,” the shadow vampire chuckled weakly, “I totally forgot to introduce ourselves. Hey! Cho!”

“You rang?” another voice asked.

Another shadow demon appeared next to the shadow vampire.

“My name is Dai, Shadow Vampire Commander,” the shadow vampire began, “and this is Cho, Shadow Demon Commander.”

“Well… actually… Shadow Succubi Commander,” Commander Cho corrected.

“A Succubus is a type of demon! Idiot,” Commander Dai yelled.

“Are you guys done?” I asked, “If you are, can you please tell me your terms so I can help my friends?”

“Uhhh… right,” Commander Dai replied, “Surrender to me and let me drain you of all your blood!”

“And if I don’t?” I asked.

“The shadow succubi eats your friends,” Commander Cho answered.

“Why would they eat my friends?” I asked, “I thought succubi feeds off men, not women.”

“There hasn’t been a single man in this realm for ages,” Commander Cho complained, “They were forced to eat women. However, we found out that eating women kept them young. So, it works for both sides.”

“So… either I die or they die…,” I sighed, “Same old, same old. Fine… Dai come here.”

“Huh? Why should I come to you?” Commander Dai asked.

“You want my blood, don’t you?” I asked, tilting my head to expose my neck, “Then, here. I hope you get fat from my blood.”

Commander Cho snorted, trying to keep her laughter inside her.

“How dare you,” Commander Dai yelled, “Fine… I will go to you.”

“No! Randy! Don’t,” Miki cried, “You will die! If all your blood is gone, you won’t be springing back!”

“Don’t worry, Miki,” I replied, “If you guys are in any danger, I will save you.”

Miki looked at the other girls.

“Did any of that make the slightest bit of sense to you guys?” Miki asked.

They shook their heads no.

“I figured that,” Miki said, turning to the commanders, “How about you two?”

“Do you really think we care?” Commander Dai asked.

“Just drain me already,” I said, annoyed.

Commander Dai rolled her eyes and bit into my neck. As she drained more and more blood out of my body, I could feel my IQ slipping from me.

“Weeeeeee! That tickles,” I yelled, “Is this a blood drive?”

“Are you joking?” Commander Cho.

“Actually… he’s not,” Miki answered, “When his blood level is low, he loses all logical thought in his head. One time he thought he was riding a horse named Silver, when he was really being carried by me.”

“And people call him a hero?” Commander Cho asked, “That’s nuts!”

“That may be, but it’s loads of fun,” Kyoko added.

“Are you almost done?” Commander Cho asked.

“Almost,” Commander Dai replied, still drinking.

“I feel pretty, oh so pretty…,” I started to sing.

“Is he singing a song?” Commander Cho asked.

“Can’t you tell?” Miki asked.

“Quiet you,” Commander Cho exclaimed.

As I kept singing, I could feel my life energy leaving my body. Just before the last ounce of life left me, I turned towards my friends.

“Good… bye… my… friends…,” I said, giving them a smile, “I’m… sorry…”

“Randy! Noooooooo,” I cried.

“Well… there’s no more blood in this body,” Commander Dai said, letting Randy’s body go.

I watched in horror as Randy’s body dropped to the ground. He was not moving, just a lifeless shell. Commander Dai walked over to me and grabbed my chin.

“Awww… you love him, don’t you?” Commander Dai asked.

I didn’t answered, but my tears gave it away.

“I was right,” Commander Dai laughed, “Then, let me do the honor of killing you, so you can join him.”

“No! Stop,” I cried.

“Miki,” everyone else cried.

Commander Dai pulled back her fist to get ready to punch me. I closed my eyes and prepared myself for death.

“Have fun in the afterlife,” Commander Dai exclaimed.

I clenched my jaw as I waited for death. After a minute had passed and no punch of death, I opened one of my eyes. There, I saw Randy in front of me with his left hand grasping Commander Dai’s fist.

“R-R-Randy?” I asked.

“How!?! How can you still be alive!?!” Commander Dai screamed, “You don’t have a single drop of blood left in your body!!”

I looked a little closer at Randy. His head was hanging down the same way when he stopped Kyoko and myself from killing each other. But, how? Isn’t he dead?

“Randy?” I asked again.

Randy looked up and smile. His eyes were glowing white, with no sign of his pupils. It was kind of creepy, but I could feel his kindness and love for me and the others.

“Didn’t I tell you that I will protect you guys if you are in danger?” Randy asked.

“It is you,” I cried.

Randy nodded before raising his right hand to the sky. Then, he made a fist, but leaving his pointer finger pointing at the sky.

“Hey! What are you doing, you zombie!?!” Commander Dai yelled, trying to get her fist free, “What the!?! Why can’t I free my hand!?! You aren’t even trying!!”

Randy just chuckled as he lowered his right hand and pointed his finger at the shadow succubi.

“Scatter Bolt,” Randy exclaimed.

“Scatter what?” Commander Cho asked.

I was as confused as the Demon Commander. What was Randy doing? And, what is this he’s saying? Is it a spell? If so, I never heard of it before. That’s when I noticed his finger that was pointing at us. It was sparking. Wait a minute! The sky! I looked up and saw the darkness of the storm. You can’t be serious! He was drawing the power of the storm to his finger! I watched Randy as fired a series of lightning bolts at us, killing every last shadow succubi. We all watched as the shadows turned to ash.

“All right! We’re free,” Kyoko exclaimed, “Let’s get them, Girls!”

“Right,” everyone cheered.

“Stop! Don’t get involved,” Randy yelled.

“What!?!” Kyoko exclaimed, “Why!?!”

“These two will die by my own hands,” Randy yelled.

As soon as he said that, he pointed his finger at Commander Cho.

“Lightning Cannon,” Randy yelled.

His finger glowed brightly before shooting a huge beam at Cho. The light stuck her with intense power. I could hear Commander Cho scream a high-pitched cry. After the light faded, there was no trace of Cho, except for a pile of ashes.

“Nooooo! Cho,” Commander Dai yelled, getting angry, “Let go of my hand!”

“Better idea,” Randy replied, grinning, “You let go of your arm!”

With that said, he yanked Commander Dai’s arm clean off.

“Aaaaaaaaaaaa,” Dai screamed, “Holy cow! My arm!”

“I’m not done yet! Here goes the other arm,” Randy laughed, grabbing her other arm and pulling it off.

“Eeeeeeeeyyyyaaaaaaaaaa,” Dai screamed again, “My arms! How can you just pull off my arms!”

“Stop complaining and leave,” Randy exclaimed.

“Wait! What!?!” Dai yelled.

“I did what I usually do to Kai’s Commanders,” Randy explained, “If there was one commander, I would just make her armless. But, if there were two of them, I would kill one and let the other one go back to Kai completely armless. Your demon commander is dead and I made you armless. Now, leave! Go back to your master! Show her my proof that I’m coming for her! And tell her there is nothing she can do about it!!!”

Randy stepped towards Commander Dai. I figured something was up when I saw Dai was scared. She was speechless and was starting to become paralyzed. Something just didn’t feel right.

“Kuri… check Randy’s eyes,” I said, “Something’s wrong.”

“Right,” Kuri agreed.

I watched as Kuri floated over to Randy. Once she saw his face, I saw fear appearing on her face. Kuri quickly flew back to me.

“Guys! Randy’s eyes are glowing red, not white,” Kuri exclaimed.

“I knew it,” I replied, “Randy never acts like this. He usually burns off the arms, not pulls them. We have to stop him!”

“How!?!” Kyoko asked, “He’s dead! What can we do!?!”

“We will grab hold of him and not let go,” I said.

“Are you nuts,” Kyoko exclaimed, “That person is not the same Randy we know and love! If that’s your plan, then count me out!”

“Anyone else willing to help me?” I asked.

Everyone took a step back from me.

“Fine! Shows that you care for him,” I yelled.

I ran to Randy and grabbed hold of him. It didn’t take long for him to try and break free. However, this elf is stronger than any one person, even if he is a light mage.

“You! Dai! Get out of here, now! Be sure to deliver his message,” I commanded.

Without saying anything, Commander Dai nodded before disappearing. Once I made sure she was gone, I started to go to work in calming Randy down.

“Randy! It’s me, Miki! We’re safe! You can stop now,” I said.

Randy was still trying to break free. I tried my best to keep a hold of him. However, he was able to free himself. In a blink of an eye, Randy turn towards me and slapped me on the face. I fell on my butt, rubbing my cheek. A tear rolled down my left eye. Randy took a step closer, getting ready to slap me again. Then, something strange happened. Randy saw my fear, saw was crying. Once Randy saw that he had hurt me, he started to go beserk. Suddenly, his body started to spark.

“W-W-What’s happening?” I exclaimed.

“Why!?! Why did you hurt Miki!?!” Randy yelled, “Whoever you are, get out of my body!!!”

As Randy continued to yell at himself, more sparks surrounded his body. I looked at his eyes and couldn’t believe what I saw.

“One eye is red and the other is white,” I exclaimed, “What’s happening!?!”

Randy started fighting himself more and more with electric shocks. His body was completely covered with electricity. Just then, he turned to me.

“Miki… run…,” Randy said.

“Randy…,” I replied.

“Go! Run! Now,” Randy yelled.

I was too afraid to move. I guess Randy saw that.

“Rin! Get… Miki… now,” Randy commanded.

Rin nodded, rushed over to me, and picked me up.

“Let’s go, Miki,” Rin said, running towards the group.

“Take… shelter…,” Randy said.

We got behind a huge pile of firewood. I peeked over the wood to watch Randy. His body was covered with sparks of electricity. Randy let out a scream as he released the energy. A blinding light filled the area. When the light was gone, we saw Randy out cold on the ground. I quickly got up from behind the firewood and rushed over to Randy. Then, I turned him onto his back and placed my ear to his chest. There, very faint, was Randy’s heartbeat. I started to tear up with joy.

“He’s still alive,” I exclaimed, “His life force is weak, but he’s still alive!”

“That’s impossible,” Kyoko yelled, running over, “I can’t sense any blood inside him!”

“However, he is back to his old self again,” Rin said, “There is no trace of evil inside either.”

I picked Randy up and carried him inside. Everyone followed behind me. I placed Randy on the couch. That was when Kyoko walked over.

“Randy needs blood and fast,” Kyoko said, “I will need to give him some of mine.”

“How?” I asked.

“If vampires can drink blood, they can give blood,” Kyoko replied.

“Then, why didn’t you do that the other times he needed blood!?!” I yelled.

“Because, vampire blood is unstable,” Kyoko explained, “He is part human, not a true magical being. I don’t know what effects will happen when I give him my blood.”

“What kinds of things could happen to Randy if you give him vampire blood?” I asked.

“There are so many,” Kyoko answered, “It could heal him, kill him, transform him, make him go insane, or make him blood thirsty.”

“What do you mean by ‘transform him’ and ‘blood thirsty?’” I asked, worried.

“It’s quite simple,” Kyoko explained, “the two usually happen at the same time. He will transform into a vampire and start drinking blood any chance he gets.”

“That’s… not good…,” I said, looking at Randy, “What happens if we don’t?”

“Randy will die for sure,” Kyoko replied.

“Actually, there is another way,” Rin said, “But, it’s dangerous.”

“What is it!?!” I asked.

“It’s a spirit transfer,” Rin answered, “I think people from the nagical world call it a ‘blood’ transfer. However, I think they use needles instead of magic.”

“I’ve heard of that,” I said, “The hospital in Crystalstaff uses that. But, why would that be dangerous?”

Rin gave a weak laugh, “I’ve never tried the spell before.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me…,” I replied, “What happens if it fails?”

“Both die,” Rin answered.

“But, wait a minute,” Kyoko exclaimed, “There is still the problem of a half-human receiving a magical being’s blood.”

“That’s true,” Rin agreed, “We have to find a magical being in our group who will do the least amount of damage if the blood has side-effects. Since I have to do the spell, I can’t give the blood. Nori can’t, because she doesn’t have any. Kuri can’t either, because she won’t have enough. If my guess is correct, we are not using Kyoko’s because of the many side-effects. So, it’s all up to either Miki or Miwa to give the blood. Who is going to do it?”

“I will,” I replied.

“You do know that if I fail, you two will die?” Rin asked.

I nodded.

“Very well,” Rin said, “Grab his hand.”

I took Randy’s hand. Rin started chanting. As she chanted, Randy’s body started glowing; mine began to shine as well. The more Rin chanted, the more we glowed. As the transfer went on, I started to feel weak and sleepy. Before long, I blacked out.