The Guardian of the Garden reached out and took the Chalice of Life from the riverbank. She held it out to me, and I felt a surge of power run through me as I took it.
Thank you, I said, feeling the chalice's energy pulsing through me.
The Guardian smiled, and for a moment, I saw a glimmer of the goddess she once was, before her curse.
I will hold you to your promise, she said. You must break my curse.
I nodded, feeling a sense of determination. I will, I said. I promise.
The Guardian nodded, and with a wave of her hand, the Garden of Eden began to fade away. We found ourselves back in the mortal realm, the Chalice of Life still clutched in my hand.
Ariana turned to me, a smile on her face. We did it, she said. We got the second artifact.
I smiled back, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment. Yes, we did, I said. But we still have two more to go.
Ariana nodded. The next artifact is the Scepter of Light, she said. It is hidden in the realm of the faeries.
I raised an eyebrow. The realm of the faeries? I asked. Isn't that...?
Ariana nodded. Yes, she said. It is a realm of magic and wonder. But it is also a realm of danger and deception.
I felt a surge of excitement. Then let us go, I said.