Lazarus didn't know what to make of this man, Matthew. He watched him in a reverent way which made Lazarus feel a little uneasy. He was not sure why Matthew had called him the Leader several times.

"My name is Lazarus," he said again. "This dog here is called Sammy. It’s nice to meet you."

Matthew stood and nodded. "Thank you. Now, we can start our quest."

"Quest? I don't know what you’re talking about."

"We were given the task to find the way, the doorway."

Lazarus shook his head. The man was clearly delusional. He didn't understand why he had been compelled to find this man.

"Do you know what is happening?"

Sammy came closer to Matthew and sniffed him, looking at him in an uncertain way. Matthew petted Sammy's head.

Matthew said, "The world has gone through the change. I have seen the storehouses of power, now broken and laid waste. The seals have been destroyed."

"How do you know this?"

"I have seen this in my dreams. I had been seeing visions for years. I always thought I was mad, but now I know I am not. We were meant to find this the ancient city."

Lazarus noticed that Matthew, even though he had new clothes, had a rough exterior and burnt skin. His hair was all in disarray. Lazarus thought he looked like a survivor, but then on second thoughts, he realized that Matthew had the look of a man living on the streets even before the storm destroyed California.

He said, "Have you seen other people?"

"Well yes, but they are dead. I have not seen anybody alive."

Lazarus nodded, "Yes, me too. That band on your arm. Have you been in hospital?"

Matthew regarded him with surprise and glanced down at his wrist. "Yes, I was in hospital when the first wave hit."

"Did something odd happen? Like, did an invisible barrier save you?"

Matthew nodded. "It was divine providence. We were chosen."

"So, this ancient city, what do you know about it?"

Matthew shook his head. "I thought you would know. Did you have the visions?"

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"Visions? No. But I have been having odd dreams for the last several weeks."

Matthew rubbed Sammy's back. The dog panted and moved closer to him.

"We have to find the others."

"There are others?" Lazarus knew Matthew was right.

"You know what I am speaking about, Leader. We have to find the others before we set out on our quest."

"This doorway you spoke of. Where is it?"

Matthew glanced down in concentration. "It is hidden from me. We have to find the others before we find the doorway."

"Ok, we will find the others," Lazarus said. "I’m hungry. Do you want any food?"

"Yes, I have some in my backpack."

Lazarus held up his hand. "Sammy can find us some food. If you can skin the animal then we can have some meat."

"I’ll start a fire," Matthew said.

"Yes, I have seen what you have done," Lazarus replied.

Matthew said, "Do you have powers?"

"Well, yes I do, but I don't really understand it." Lazarus nodded to Sammy and he bounded away to find some food.

Matthew nodded. "What is your elemental?"

"Elemental?" he asked.

"Yes." Matthew gave him an odd look like Lazarus should understand what he was talking about. Matthew's eyes were glassy and his hands were very expressive when he spoke.

"You know what I’m talking about, man. Every Mage has their own element they can conjure and command. Mine is fire."

Matthew held up his right hand and a flame sprouted above his palm. It was the size of his fist. He smiled and Lazarus noticed that Matthew was missing some of his front teeth.

"I’m not sure."

Lazarus thought about the things he had done over the last few days, magical things. The only time he exerted power was when the Grogs or a swarm of insects were going to attack him. Sammy had been his protection since he defeated those creatures.

He thought about it and said, "I think my elemental is wind or air. I guess."

"Show me."

"I can't just do it. It doesn’t work like that with me."

"Try," Matthew implored, holding his arms out to him.

Lazarus moved a few paces away from him and glanced at a group of stones and debris on the ground. He placed his hand out like Matthew did and focused. He tried to move the stones. Nothing happened. He tried to concentrate again. A small wind came up but that was it.

Matthew stared at him with utter fascination. "You are too stiff. You need to relax. You can do it."

"I'm not sure. The only time I used magic when somebody attacked me."

Matthew smiled a crooked grin. Lazarus saw Matthew's missing teeth and had to look away from him. Without warning, Matthew jumped at him. Flames rose up from the man's hands. Lazarus pinwheeled backwards, almost falling back. Sammy was too far away to react to this sudden movement.

Lazarus held up his hand in a defensive manner and a strong and powerful feeling overcame him. It was like being cold and hot at the same time. Lazarus suddenly soared up to the sky away from the impending flames. He held up his hands away from Matthew. He tried to stop the magic, but it released from his body. Lightning shot out of him hitting a nearby decrepit building. It destroyed and demolished the remaining structure which created a cascading effect. The structure started to fold on itself.

Lazarus tried to stop the power but it poured forth from him like a waterfall. Then the magic ceased and he fell the ground. He had no energy. The sound of the collapsing building reverberated in his ears and a plume of thick dust obscured everything before him.

"Impressive," Matthew said.

Lazarus couldn't see him through the haze. But he saw Sammy padding up to him covered in dirt and almost laughed.