Artemis Fowl: The Unpredictable Future

Chapter 10: An Unexpected Turn Of Events

After rummaging through each bag of supplies they were given by the townspeople, Rachel discovered that the only medical equipment they had available were a few bandages and a small bottle of rubbing alcohol. She huffed, "Useless..." She got up and flew as fast as her wings could take her, which wasn't all too fast, towards her friends. At the very least, she could be by their side for emotional support.

As she approached Holly, she slowed down into a hover before sitting down on her knees beside her, realizing that she was asleep. Rachel sighed, "I guess... you couldn't save him..." She reached down and stroked Artemis' hair slightly, "I never got the chance to thank you, mud boy." Rachel jumped and let out a slight yelp as a mysterious flickering of a blue light flashed in her peripherals. She curiously turned to look at Holly, who was still asleep.

Once again, a blue light flashed from her even brighter than before. Not even a moment after, the blue sparks of healing magic that normally transferred from Holly's fingers began emitting from every inch of her body and quickly encased Artemis inside a bright blue cocoon. Rachel backed up and could only watch in amazement as she could hear bones snap back into place and watched the blood disappear from the top of his skin. The incredible sight of this tiny elf's magic lasted barely a few seconds at most.

Artemis' heart began to beat. His brain started to pump information and air raced into his lungs. He coughed as he struggled for air, his hands grabbing at the sand. His bloodshot eyes fluttered open. He attempted to sit up but felt a strange force keeping him down. Or perhaps I'm just not strong enough to get up on my own, he thought. He looked down and saw Holly sleeping on his chest along with a green hand pushing down on his shoulder. Artemis looked to whatever was connected to the green hand, "R-Rachel...?" His voice was hoarse and trembling as he rubbed his eyes, trying to refocus his vision.

Rachel smiled and wiped away the subtle tears trying to escape her eyes, "Oh thank Gods, Artemis! Welcome back."

He tried to let out a laugh, but only a series of coughs exerted from his throat, "Believe me, I didn't want to go. I would like to know the details later on if you could enlighten me. My body is in pain and my mind is absolutely exhausted." He closed his eyes, "I just need a little more rest." He reached down and placed a hand on Holly's lower back, holding her close.

Rachel smiled and nodded, "Moving right now probably wouldn't be the best idea for you. I'll be back at the cave when you have strength enough to come back." She leaned down and kissed the top of his head before fluttering away with her wings.

As the sun began to paint the sky a crimson red, Holly suddenly awoke but kept her eyes closed tight. She swallowed hard, remembering Artemis' death. She noticed her head was gently moving up and down. She sat up and looked at him, tilting her head in confusion. The blood from Artemis' head and arms were gone and he appeared to be... breathing. "Artemis..." she whispered, uncertain what to think. "Artemis?" she said louder, placing a hand on his cheek.

He opened an eye at her, squinting as he tried to adjust to the evening sunlight. "Hello... Holly dear," he said dryly.

"Oh, Artemis! You're alive!" Holly cried in happiness and began shaking his shoulders uncontrollably before lying down on top of him, holding him as tight as she could. Artemis' eyes shot open as she was shaking him then let out a grunt and a cough as she squeezed him, forgetting how strong she actually was.

"But... but how? I checked your pulse. You were clinically dead."

He sat up slowly with Holly's arms still wrapped around him. He wrapped one arm around her waist and used his other to stroke her hair, "Maybe your magic is stronger than you think."

She smiled, "Or maybe you're just a bit too stubborn."

He smiled back and kissed her forehead, "Strange enough, I'm still exhausted." To him, he had fallen back asleep for merely several minutes, unaware of the hours that had passed. "Apparently, coming back from the dead leaves your body rather weak."