112 Peace

The air in the Artifact was so clean and refreshing, I literally feel my exhaustion and worry drifting away by the second. Bolin was currently checking out the cottage as I look around our surroundings. I found the stream he was talking about a little way away.

The water was cool and refreshing. The water was crystal clear and made your mouth water at the sight. Even though I know I should keep looking around for a way out, I can't help but keep looking back at the stream.

The longer I look at it, the thirstier I become. I swallow hard and lick my lips as I look away and go back to searching, but nothing seems to stand out. I look back up at the sky and find myself relaxing once again.

It was so incredibly peaceful.

I wonder if someone made this Artifact as an escape. A place to come to when they want to relax and get away from the real world and its problems. It's not out of the realm of possibilities. The sound of birds chirping in the distance can be heard as a cool refreshing breeze blows.

I lift my face and close my eyes, enjoying the way the wind blows my hair back. If the answer to getting out wasn't in the surrounding area, it must be somewhere around the cottage or somewhere in it.

As I head back to the cottage, I come across the stream once more. This time I don't fight the urge. I walk over to the side and kneel down. I wash my hands in the cool water, enjoying the steady stream of water.

I then scoop up some water and bring it to my nose. I take a few sniffs, but it doesn't smell like anything but water. I eye the water for a moment before muttering, "Bottoms up..." I lift my hands up and take a small sip.

The water is cool and refreshing, beating the fanciest bottled water hands down.

I wait for a few moments, waiting for something to happen but so far nothing happens. I don't grow an extra limb or feel like poison is eating my insides.

Nothing.

I scoop up another handful of water and take a larger sip, enjoying the way it feels like it's refreshing my whole body, mind, and soul. Bolin steps up next to me and kneels down, taking a handful of water and drinking it with me.

After a few sips, I step back feeling like I just regained ten years of my life. Bolin shakes his hands out as he says, "I tried to use my shadows, but they don't seem to work here. My powers seem useless as well."

I nod as I say, "Everything here is so... natural. I think this Artifact cancels out anything that's unnatural or jeopardizes the delicate balance here." Bolin nods in thought as he looks around in silence.

When I look back up at the sky, I see that the sun has indeed moved since we've been here. That means there's day and night here. A thought suddenly occurred to me.

I look over to Bolin and say, "The sun has moved since we've been here. It will probably get dark at some point as well. Even though it's peaceful now... the same can't be said when night comes. This place might completely change once it's nighttime. We should be prepared, just in case."

Bolin looks a little surprised before slowly nodding in agreement and saying, "I didn't think of that. I checked the whole building, and it seems like more than enough room for the both of us. We can stay there at night and lock everything up so keep safe... just in case."

I nod and say, "Let's do that then. There are trees on the other side of the stream. We should gather some wood for cooking and also for weapons. It's primitive but it's better than nothing." I tap my chin and say, "We should also look for wood pieces to board up the windows and stuff... just in case."

Bolin nods and says, "Okay, then that's the plan but we also need food. Do you want to divide and conquer, or do you want to gather together?" I smirk and say, "I really don't feel like there's anything to fear here so let's split up and finish the tasks quickly. That way we have plenty of time to set up and get ready for the night. Just be careful and pay attention to where the sun is while collecting the wood."

Bolin gives me a charming smile as he says, "I kind of want to watch you farm though. I think it would be cute." I scoff at him before rolling my eyes and saying, "Let's hurry before it gets dark. I don't want to get caught with our pants down."

Bolin's smile falters before a frown takes over. He tilts his head and asks, "Why would our pants be down?" I give him a smile, full of laughter as I say, "It's a saying. Like, you don't want to be caught off guard and unprepared."

He blinks a few times before awkwardly nodding his head and saying, "Ah... I see."

I start to giggle as I turn and head back to the cottage. He watches me for a moment with a sexy smile before turning and heading for the trees. He goes around collecting a ton of sticks, some from the ground and some from snapping them off the tree.

It seems that even though his powers weren't working, his enhanced strength was still here. He was able to make short work of everything before heading back to the cottage. When the gardens come into view, he slows to a stop to watch me struggle.

Some of the veggies came up without an issue while a few put up a fight. Everything I picked was the definition of perfection. I had never seen such a beautiful garden haul. I control myself and only pick what we need.

Tonight, we'll be eating good.