Chapter 10: The Hot Spring!

Pete and Claire began walking to the southern exit of the farm. Along the way, they could see how extensive the fields were. They passed by the chicken coop and windmill located near the southern exit.

"It's the coop that Zack mentioned," Claire observed the two structures. It looked a little rundown, but it was in stable condition.

"This is where we'll raise chickens, I believe." Pete nodded. I still remember when I was chased by a flock of them. They'd check out the structures later.

A river ran the perimeter of the farm. Over the river, a bridge connected the farm to the forests in the south, forming the path of the southern exit. They crossed over the bridge and entered the forests.

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Entering the forests, Pete and Claire saw a path leading to an intersection. To their left, trees with bright pink leaves were spread around the green fields. Pink petals flew in the morning breeze. It made for a wonderful view of nature.

"Wow," Claire said in awe. "Look at those trees, Pete! I've never seen pink leaves before."

"I think those are cherry trees?" Pete observed the trees as they followed the path. I think they're a prominent plant in the Spring seasons.

Through those trees, there was a large wooden house with a chimney settled in the distance. Claire wondered what it was. There's a house in the forest…?

"This way, Claire." Pete turned to the right where there was a sloped path. It led to a different area. "I think the hot springs are up here."

"I would have never figured out there was a hot spring in the town." Claire watched her step on the inclined path.

"Didn't you get a map when you arrived here?"

"… No." She answered in a low voice. "I… might have forgotten to take it."

Pete chuckled in response. She was so excited to come here, huh? After walking to the end of the path, the sounds of crashing waters filled the environment. His gaze drifted to the spring. He saw a waterfall streaming into the spring. Bamboo trees grew near the waterfall.

"Oh my…!" Claire's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Pete, is that what I think it is?"

"Hmmm…?" He followed her line of sight away from the waterfall. There was a hot spring with a little hut. Fog rose into the air. "Oh, there it is."

"Is that the hot spring?!" Claire dashed to the wooden sign planted in front of it. She inspected it closely. The sign read:

Welcome to the super relaxing hot spring!

A good soak here will help recover your stamina and relieve your fatigue!

Please wear a swimsuit when bathing.

"It is!" She jumped around in joy. I've never been in a hot spring before! Now, this would be an exciting part of her life. I didn't bring a swimsuit but that's fine!

"Well, go on in." Pete walked to the other wooden sign and read it. If you throw an egg in here, you will get a hot spring egg…? That fact made him scratch his head.

"You better not peek in while I'm changing." Claire entered the hut.

"Don't worry." Pete turned to the waterfall. He saw a dark entrance to the north. "I value my head too much."

"Is this about me hitting your head?" A low voice came from within the hut. "I'm sorry, really!"

Pete walked to the dark entrance. Is this a cave? It was too dark to see inside. If he remembered correctly, the old man would come here to mine materials. He never let me come with him, though. Now that he was far older, maybe he'd stop here every now and then.

SPLASH!

Pete reflexively turned around. He saw Claire, wearing a towel, floating around in the hot spring.

"Ooooh….!" Claire let out a sigh of relief, sinking herself to the neck. The waters were so rejuvenating as if they were absorbing the tension from her body. "It's so warm and comfy here…"

"Enjoy yourself there." Pete smiled softly and walked to the spring.

"Oh, this is the best…" Claire closed her eyes and surrendered herself to the warmth. She imagined herself floating in the skies. "It's settled. I'll be having my morning baths here!" And maybe my night baths too! This is what I've been missing out from the city?!

"Good to hear that." Pete picked up a rock from the ground. What an interesting rock.

"You should try this, Pete!" Claire ran her fingers through her wet hair. "I mean… by yourself, of course!"

"Yeah, yeah." Pete paid her no mind. Let's see how far I can throw this rock.

"… Do you mind waiting for me?"

"Take your time." Pete swung his arm and flung the rock into the spring. "I'll be here."

When the old man mined in the caves, he'd wait outside and toss rocks into the water out of boredom. Sometimes, he'd pick up flowers and put them in the spring, watching them float down the stream.

Walking near the spring, he saw a white flower in front of his feet. He gently picked it up. This… must be a Moondrop Flower. He inspected its white petals. It was a flower that bloomed in the Spring season. He stood at the edge of the spring and kneeled to set the flower afloat on the water's surface. The flower floated away and slowly spiraled around.

This is so relaxing. Having free access to a hot spring was great! I'd never have this opportunity in the city. Claire floated to the edge and peeked over the hot spring to check on Pete. What's he doing? She saw Pete kneeling, watching the waterfall in silence.

Sometimes, it's nice to enjoy Mother Nature. Pete watched the flower float away. This brought him back to his childhood days. He stood up and just as he was about to turn around, something white flashed in the corner of his eye. Huh...?

Pete saw the flower spiraling in one spot. And it was also… glowing brightly? He rubbed his eyes, wondering if he was seeing things. The flower sunk below the surface as if it was pulled inside. The entire spring glowed a bright white. W-What the…?

FLASH!

A blinding light sparkled and flashed, covering the entire area in a bright white. Pete instinctively covered his eyes and fell back, unable to see anything. I can't see!

"Pete?!" Claire shielded her eyes with her forearm. She didn't know what happened, but everything felt so bright. It flashed white a couple of times. What's going on?

Pete slowly opened his eyes. What just happened? He looked at the spring and the flower was gone.

"Oh! Why, hello, my dear Pete!"

A shiver crawled down his spine. That isn't Claire's voice. The voice was… motherly and out of this world. It came from above, prompting him to look up and his jaw dropped. A mystical woman descended upon him. She wore a bright green and blue dress that fluttered around. A golden crown fitted her wavy green hair that reached beyond her back. Two long side bangs traveled down her face. There was a wand in her hand with two golden bracelets attached to her wrists. She looked like she came straight out of a fantasy!

"W-Wha…" Pete shifted backward, more shocked by the fact she knew her name rather than her appearing out of thin air.

"Hmmm…?" She hovered above the waters. "How do I know your name?"

"E-Er…" Pete tilted his head, feeling slack-jawed. Can she read my mind?!

"Why, because I'm me!" She puffed her chest out proudly. "You know, divine being and all that."

That doesn't help at all. Pete forced himself to stand up. Who was this mystical woman? Did she just appear before him?

"Pete!" Claire rose out of the hot spring.

"Mhmm…?" The woman drew her gaze to the girl behind him. Her eyes shot open. She then appeared more shocked than Pete as if she was seeing something that couldn't be there. Impossible. "… How can you be here?"

"Huh?" Claire looked up at the woman, only realizing her presence now. W-What?! Where did she come from? Was she floating in the air?

"… You must be Claire!" Her shocked expression turned into a joyful one. "I would know since I'm a divine being and all!"

She knows my name…? Claire blinked a few times, processing the situation. Wait, so much is going on!

A divine being…? Pete would scoff at that but she appeared out of nowhere and was floating above the water. She even knew their names!

"Allow me to relieve some confusion." The woman dropped to the solid ground in front of Pete. "I am known as the Harvest Goddess who watches over the quaint little town."

"The… Harvest Goddess?" His brows arched. Have I heard that name before? It sounded familiar. He felt inclined to believe her after everything he witnessed.

"I sensed one–I mean, two kind souls had arrived in Mineral Town yesterday to take over the farmland." The Goddess gave a gentle smile. "It must be you two."

"That's… right." Pete relaxed a little and stayed close to Claire. "We're the new farmers."

"You're a Goddess…?" Claire smoothed her hair behind her ears. When she came to the farm in search of an exciting life, meeting a supernatural being wasn't in her cards. And a beautiful one at that.

"Indeed." The Goddess nodded with a wave of her wand. "I'll be watching closely over you. This experience… will be interesting with two farmers."

Pete and Claire were left dumbfounded. So many questions popped into their heads. So many questions they wanted to ask. They were still wrapping their minds around this magical situation. It was only their first morning at the farm! Though the atmosphere around this godly being was… kind. Maybe she was a good character.

"If you ever find yourself in times of crisis, you know where to find me." The Goddess placed a hand over her chest. "I'd be glad to offer my divine assistance."

"… We appreciate it?" Pete briefly raised his shoulders.

"Anyway, thanks for the lovely offering. I'm quite fond of flowers." The Goddess let out a cute giggle and blushed slightly. She stuck her tongue out at Pete as she turned around. "I'm not so fond of rocks, though."

FLASH!

The spring glowed a bright white, forcing them to close their eyes. As they opened them, the Goddess was nowhere to be seen.

"… Sorry about the rock," Pete whispered, bowing his head. He mentally apologized to the Goddess. I hope I don't get cursed.

"Pete!" Claire called out worriedly. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Pete leaned his back against the hot spring's exterior.

"… Did we just dream that up?" She asked, still in disbelief.

"No." He took a deep breath to calm himself. "No, that was quite real."

The two farmers realized that maybe… there was more to Mineral Town than meets the eye.

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10 chapters in! I'm happy with how it's going so far. I thought it'd be interesting to write the Goddess reacting this way since Pete and Claire technically don't exist in the same canon.

Anyways, the streak of daily updates will end today. Will be going on a short hiatus. I'm gonna pre-write the next several chapters and figure out what I want to do with the story.

Stay tuned for the next chapter!