111 Tricks

He tries to take advantage of me looking away and throws an Artifact at me! I already knew this was coming though, it didn't take a genius to figure it out. I have already called up my Artifact and held it in my pocket, waiting.

I throw my magic up, breaking down the Artifact and destroying it as I toss my Artifact up in the air. I quickly push my magic into it as it flies through the air, heading straight for him, but something unexpected happens! He didn't just throw an Artifact at me!

He threw one at Bolin at the same time!!

Panic and fear surge through me as I lean over, trying to block him with my magic but I had already sent it into my Artifact! Balcom's face transforms into one of terror as the Artifact sucks him in seconds before the other Artifact sucks Bolin and I in!

We both land with a grunt and before I even open my eyes, I start cursing uncontrollably. "I swear to all that is holy AND unholy, I WILL DESTROY EVERY DAMN ARTIFACT! Even if it's the last damn thing I do!"

I push myself up into a sitting position and look around.

I blink in surprise.

It was... beautiful.

There was lush green grass, flowers, and even a garden of some kind with a charming cottage sitting behind it all. I look up at the blue sky with white fluffy clouds in confusion. Where's the creepy? Where's all the death!?

This was... odd.

Oddly, peaceful.

Bolin and I glance around in confusion as we both stand up. He reaches out to me and asks, "Are you okay?" I nod and glance at him, quickly looking him over before saying, "I'm sorry, I should have thrown you in the bubble of protection as well or made you stand right behind me."

He chuckles a little before saying, "It's my fault for not paying attention. I hadn't realized the force behind the Artifacts was so strong." I give him a small smile before looking around once again. He was right though, the sucking force that comes from the Artifacts is downright scary. It's like a miniature black hole opening up and sucking everything around it inside.

I hold my breath as I wait for something to happen. Whether the ground would open up and swallow us whole or a giant troll would chase after us and eat us... anything! But the longer we stood there waiting, the more confused I became.

Were there peaceful Artifacts as well?

Bolin takes a step forward and says, "We should check the house to see if anyone is here. Are all the Artifacts like this?" I awkwardly rub the back of my neck as I say, "No, this is... odd." We both walk over to the cottage, looking around as we go.

The garden held countless vegetables and even some fruit by the looks of it. When we reach the cottage, I stop Bolin before walking up to the door and knocking. We both wait for a solid minute before I knock even harder and call out, "Hello? Is anyone home?"

When we don't get a response, I reach out and try the doorknob. It turns with a click and the door easily opens.

It wasn't locked.

The cottage looked like something straight out of a magazine. Everything looked so inviting and calming. I call out again as I take a slow step in, "Hello?" Bolin stays close behind me as we both look around.

Even though everything looked really nice and inviting, it was clear that no one actually lived here. I breathe a sigh of relief as I say, "It looks like no one lives here. This must have been set up when the Artifact was made."

Bolin nods as he walks further in, looking around at everything with curiosity. I too look around but it's short-lived. I didn't get the chance to look through the list of Artifacts. Could there be a milder Artifact? One that was made with a peaceful getaway in mind?

It certainly seemed that way.

I turn back to the door and say, "We should call Abell or Haoyu and get out of here." Bolin nods before following me out. I look up at the bright blue sky and call out, "Abell?" I wait for a few minutes before yelling, "ABELL!"

After several silent seconds, Bolin steps up and calls out, "Haoyu."

We both stand in silence as we wait but as the time ticks on, we're both left frowning. Bolin looks at me and says, "I can't feel Haoyu at all. I don't think they can hear us in here." I start rubbing my temples again as I try to control my anger.

I HATE Artifacts. No, that's not a strong enough word to express how I truly feel.

I LOATH them.

At this point, I wish I knew how to travel in time. I'd go back in time and kill every last one of those sick bastards before they had a chance to create these damn things! Bolin's large, warm hand grabs mine as he says, "Calm down. We'll find a way out of here. Time flows differently in the Artifacts, right?"

I sigh and nod my head as I say, "So far, it seems like time flows a lot faster in here than it does in the real world." He nods and says, "Then let's relax a little and find our way out." He looks over the gardens and says, "We have plenty of food and I can hear a stream nearby so we shouldn't have to worry about food and water. We even have shelter."

I look around at everything and find myself relaxing.

You know what? He's right. There's no threat here and if I had to be honest, it was beautiful. When you look in the distance, you can even see large, beautiful mountains. The air was pure and clean, refreshing to the mind and the body.

This place was beautiful and peaceful.

I take a deep breath before saying, "You're right. There's no reason to rush. Let's figure it out one step at a time. If I can't use my magic and we can't call the Dragons, we'll have to find another way out. With the two of us working together, it shouldn't take us very long."