Note from the author: Sorry updates have been slow. I've been having major writer's block. I managed to piece this chapter together, although I had to cut it short since I will be on vacation for half a week. Thanks to everyone reading, following, favoriting and reviewing!

So overalls and oversized boots were slightly unconventional ninja/spy attire, but it's not like I had much else. I approached Dunhill's door with extreme caution and hesitated for a moment before slowly turning the doorknob. A loud noise emerged from the room. My heart rate escalated until I realized that it was only Dunhill snoring. The room was dimly lit by the soft moonlight that leaked through the window. It was hard to see, but I made out a lump in the bed. I quickly tiptoed towards the center of the home, leaving the door opened just a crack. I scanned the room a few times, finding no trace of a music sheet.

If I was a tiny creature, where would I hide it? Hm…Ah Ha! Some place low to the ground! I got on my hands and knees, crawling all over the house. I kept feeling around, but nothing felt like a sheet of paper. After a few more minutes of searching, I sat down. This is useless. Why am I here? I could be in law school like my parents wanted. Wonder which choice is worse. Tons of school and studying only to end up cramped in desk job for years. Endless arguing for stuff you may not believe in. Or this? Pretending to be a dude, being a source of free labor and the potential need to check in at a mental institution for seeing sprites and believing in talking crickets. I sighed, almost giving up all hope at achieving my dreams, when at last I saw a slip of white sticking out from beneath Dunhill's bed. I silently cursed the sprites for complicating the situation by putting the sheet so close to a sleeping person.

Not getting off the floor, I army crawled towards the bottom of the bed. As I reached for the music sheet, my leg hit something, creating a small sound. I hastily tucked myself under Dunhill's bed. The snoring stopped. My breath felt louder and my heart was racing. I heard some grumbling and tossing. Holding my breath, I waited for him to say something or start walking around. Fortunately, he decided to return to sleep and soon the loud snore resumed. I crawled out from under the bed and sprinted out of the house, closing the door gently on my way out. I surveyed the white sheet.

DO - RE - MI - FA - SO - LA - TI – DO

Are you kidding me? This is the secret melody. Despite the sudden urge to just hit my head on a wall, I ran towards the stumps in the river area. The sprites were going to get an earful.


"Just pull out your hammer and smack the stumps in the order," Alice snapped.

"I'm not done complaining," I said harshly, highly irritated from my lack of sleep.

"It's not that hard. Do is the red stump. Re is the next one," Alice replied ignoring my frustration.

"I know that. The stumps are in the order of this melody. Every kid in kindergarten knows this melody. There's even a song," I retorted.

"Oh! I think I've heard it. Do a deer, a female de-" Aaron started.

"Not now!" Alice and I yelled simultaneously. Aaron looked as if he might cry. I patted him on the head and took out my hammer.

"Let's just get this over with," I sighed. I smashed each stump in order, hearing a tiny sound emanating from each hit. I made my way over to the final stump and hammered it hard. The melody rang in the air for several minutes, releasing a flash of light before it disappeared.

"Wow…." I said in wonder. Yawning, I faced the sprites. "Happy now?"

"Yep," Alice said.

"And as your reward, you now have access to a jump mushroom in the forest. It's near where the bear hangs out. Congrats!" Aaron piped.

"Okay thanks…." I said, rubbing my eyes. "Can I sleep now? Oh, hold on….Wait! Aren't you going to help me with the house problem?"

"That can wait until later. Go get some rest. We'll meet you at your house around six. Good night!" Aaron said. Before I could respond, the duo evaporated into the air leaving only sparkles that lasted a few seconds in their trace.

I headed home immediately and went to sleep.


"Wake up!" a feminine voice commanded. I groaned in protest, but Cri-Kee started chirping madly. My eyes opened slowly and I saw the two sprites standing on my bed. "Hurry up. The Goddess shouldn't be kept waiting."

"Who?" I mumbled.

"The Harvest Goddess," Aaron answered. The what?

"Just hurry!" Alice said.

"Fine, fine. Just give me a minute or two," I replied. I put on a fresh pair of overalls and fastened my cap over my wig. I splashed some water on my face to wake myself up. "Okay. Where to?"

"Follow us and take this strawberry. It's customary to present the Goddess with an offering. Fortunately for you, we provided the offering this time. She loves strawberries," Alice said as we made our way towards the river area. I followed them until we reached the pond at the top of the mountain. The blue tinted water stood still as if it was waiting.

"So where is she?" I asked.

"You have to toss the strawberry in the water," Alice answered, rolling her eyes. Skeptically, I tossed the strawberry into the pond. To my surprise a soft light appeared, followed by an emerging figure. The woman in front of me had long braided greenish hair with the Sailor Moon meatballs.

"Hello Rio," she greeted warmly.

"Hi," I replied politely.

"Thank you Alice and Aaron for bringing her here," the Goddess said. Her? I guess she knows too.

"It was no trouble at all. We are happy to serve you. I hope you enjoyed the strawberry. I made sure to select the best one I could just for you," Alice replied in a very sweet tone. What a kiss up!

"Thank you. I know I can always rely on you two. Anyway, I hear you've taken up quite the challenge, Rio. Building a house and helping out these sprites can get quite difficult, but I know you can do it. But, be warned, there are greater challenges ahead. I ask that you continue to work hard as a farmer and help out this town. In exchange, I offer you this," the woman said, moving her hands around. Another light flashed and a crystal bottle appeared with a deep blue liquid inside. "This drink will help you with your construction work. Put this in your refrigerator and when you need it drink the whole thing. The bottle will disappear but a new one will reappear in you fridge for another time. Only use this elixir when you have a massive project like this house and be sure to drink the whole thing."

"Okay. Got it," I replied, taking the bottle.

"And I have another gift for you as well. This one is from the forest," the Goddess added.

"Are you sure you want to give her that?" Alice asked.

"Yes. Have you seen the giant trees in the forest area with the big rocks?" she questioned. I nodded. "Well, one of those large rocks has been removed. Hit the tree with your hammer in the large white area of the tree that has been revealed for extra foraging goods."

"Thank you!" I replied. Finally, some good news.

"You're very welcome. Feel free to come and see me again sometime. Toodles!" she said, vanishing. I turned to the sprites only to see that they had disappeared.

A voice called out to me. "Rio, there you are. Let's get to work on that house."

I can't catch a break can I?