Mythical Artifacts

Chapter 17: Liar, Liar

I needed to find my friends. After all, they were probably in a tough situation. There was also Kiqy, probably worried sick, back with PixelPig — though at least she was safe, far away from any staff members. I longed to be back home, to be able to tell Kiqy of The Bow. But before then I'd need to find my only allies in the endless maze, and then find an exit.

As I walked, I thought about the question plaguing me: could I trust the server staff members? I had had a friendly negotiation with Hypixel, giving him The Sword for information about the artifacts. But then, when I realized that "Supreme_moo" was not a real player, I felt like I had been lied to by Hypixel. Aside from staff members, surely there was nobody who could change their appearance and nickname. Or at least erase player records. Only people with administrative powers would possibly be able to do either . . .

Unless somebody hacked into Hypixel's system? I wasn't even sure if it was something people could do — and even if it was possible, it would surely be difficult. I looked around for someone to ask about it, but there were only hedges. I forgot I was alone. Sighing, I continued on, unsure who the offending side really was. Because maybe I started the conflict? I shut my eyes momentarily, hating the idea. No, I couldn't be the one to blame for all of this. Supreme_moo, whoever he was, must have been the guilty party. And if not him, Hypixel.

The rain pouring down on me, I began worrying that I'd never find my friends. They had such a head start, after all. And I was going really slowly. I began turning my walk into a jog, and soon into a run, as I began getting impatient. I needed to find my friends. Continuing in the same direction, the twisting hedges slowly straightened out, allowing me easier traveling. Then I remembered how the hedges had seemingly blocked us off, and then reopened — as if the maze could move.

Dashing quickly down the path, then slowing down to rest, then running again, then walking. On and on I went. I needed to catch up somehow, anyway. And even though my friends were being chased and needed to run relentlessly, I felt like I was catching up. As I ran, I held tight to The Bow in my right hand, not wanting to lose another artifact. Too valuable to me.

I began slowing down, feeling exhausted from the exertion on my body. I needed rest. Once I find my friends, then I can relax, I thought, forcing myself to pick up the pace. I broke into another run, and after going a fair distance, I groaned and collapsed onto the ground. I panted, my eyes closed to the rain that fell on my face. And then I heard my name.

"Flawed?!"

I sat up and looked around. I could just barely see them through the downpour, both of them coming toward me. Ferbooper and Melon. I got to my feet to meet them midway. "You two," I said. "I'm so glad you're here. Where are the others?"

"They're still being chased by staff, as far as we know," said Melon, who had a clear limp. "We got separated from them. We found a nice hiding place until all the staff passed by."

"So they're out there somewhere," I said, looking around. "In the same direction?"

"Probably," said Ferbooper. "I was just about to go back after them. To help them. But then we heard a noise, and it was you."

I looked at Melon, thinking. "Are you feeling better?" I asked. "Like, could you run with us if we tried catching up to the other two?"

"Maybe, but I really wouldn't want to," he said. "My leg still hurts a lot."

"Well . . . you should stay with Melon," I said to Ferbooper. "Keep yourselves safe. I'll go find Typo and Mine. We'll find a way to leave this world, and then we'll come back to get you. Alright?"

"But Flawed," said Ferbooper. "If there's any hope in leaving, they'll find it themselves. You don't need to go and risk your life."

"I can't just stay here and do nothing," I said. "They could be hurt or barely alive. And I can help them — with this bow." I held up The Bow for them to look at. They both stared at it in astonishment.