"We are ready," Lazarus said into the dark gray void with the pinpricks of stars floating around. The two elves materialized before them.

Captain Romo said, "We don't have to know of your decision. We will know when you have turned the key."

"Tell me what to do," Lazarus said.

"We will transport you to the Bastions. When you get there you have to get to the Main Bastion and place the key in the lock. Now, this is important. If you turn the key toward the left the world will be without magic and the earth will die. If you turn the key toward the right, magic stays in the world and you will be transported to Atlantis."

"I understand. But we want to know why you are not here to help us."

"Ah, we are trapped somewhere. You cannot help us. It is a trap of our own doing. At another time, we will tell you of our problems, but for now, you have to leave." Captain Romo hesitated. "Are you ready?"

"Yes, we are."

"So be it."

The fuzzy grayness of the horizon and stars started to change into a dark underground chamber. Lazarus felt the key appear in his hands. It was warm to the touch. He held the key closer to him and placed it in his pocket. Before them large cylindrical objects appeared. The chamber was well lit with bright lights situated on the ground and the ceiling.

Grace said, "Where is the main Bastion?"

Lazarus didn't see it, but felt it. He pointed toward a general area. Before he could say anything a noise shot through the area. The alarm was deafening to their ears.

Lazarus said, "Hurry."

They darted forward, moving very fast as if the wings of Mercury bore them aloft, heading to the far doors marked with green lighted signs stating exit. Lazarus heard the loud sounds of gunfire and bullets striking around them.

Matthew stood still and stretched his hand outward. Nothing came forth. No fire or magic. A soldier bore down on him. He raised his rifle and aimed it at Matthew. Lazarus shot forward and barreled into the startled soldier.

"Everybody, we don't have magic here. Come with me," he said.

A soldier came after them. They ran deeper into the huge chamber that seemed to go for miles underground. Lazarus was headed toward the Main Bastion but it was still too far away.

In frustration, Matthew ran and hit several of the soldiers trying to attack them. One soldier was moving behind Matthew, and Grace kicked at the soldier, knocking him unconscious.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Cindy said, "Watch out!"

They jumped to the side and the sounds of ricocheting bullets hitting metal filled their ears.

Lazarus said, "Hurry!"

Matthew grabbed a handgun and started to shoot back at the soldiers. He missed them but it sent them scurrying away. Matthew grabbed a large rifle.

"Don't kill them," Lazarus said.

The large man stayed behind, holding onto the gun and pointing it back and forth.

"Get to the lock. I’ll hold them off."

Several soldiers attacked him. Matthew ran and cut them down. Blood and the scent of death peppered Lazarus’s nose. He was getting sick.

Cindy said, "You heard him."

She flew and attacked several of the soldiers, smashing them against the large Bastions. The sound of cracking skulls and broken bones became like musical tones. Lazarus ran and found the keyhole. This Bastion was different. It was huge and it was square shaped with a small altar like shape near the bottom. Matthew and his group of friends followed close behind. He reached the small altar and was about to place the crystal into the keyhole when he sensed something odd.

A soldier came toward them, but he was different. He seemed marked as if a light came forth from him. Two creatures appeared that were not elves but part of the swarm. Lazarus felt it in his magical senses. He felt the stirrings of magic. The soldier, before the two swarm creatures, changed into a large Grog wolf.

"Matthew! Get away!"

But he was too late. Matthew was speared by the Grog wolf's claws and disemboweled. Both of the girls screamed.

At that moment he became paralyzed. Matthew was dead and would not come back. He had to make a decision and he was not sure if it was the correct one. Cindy grabbed him.

She said, "Do it now. Or all of this was for nothing."

He grabbed the key and placed it in the hollow. The crystal slid inside with ease, but still Lazarus hesitated. The large wolf Grog stalked them, moving toward Grace. He almost called out to her, but Grace ran toward an adjacent corridor.

Lazarus took a deep breath and turned the key toward the right. A bright hot light blasted him and all the cylindrical Bastions lit up with a brilliance. He fell backwards and Cindy grabbed him. She looked at him with a questioning expression but he couldn't see her because the light was so brilliant.

He turned and saw the large Wolf Grog was gone.

"We need to go," Cindy said.

The ground of the chamber shook violently. They fell on top of each other. Suddenly, he heard the sweet twinkling of the music he heard before. Cindy heard it also and pointed. Next to the altar was a doorway toward a place with a light green horizon.

"Grace!" he said.

She was suddenly next to them. The ceiling debris started to rain over them. Grace held up her hand and created a magical barrier.

"Run!" Lazarus said.

They all pushed through the small gateway. Grace and Cindy fell on top of him and entangled themselves. Grace laughed as well as Cindy and himself. Their laughter was hysterical and was an emotional release after seeing their friend slaughtered in front of them.

"I can't believe what happened," Grace said. Her eyes studied the buildings.

Cindy said, "I know. Poor Matthew. I hope he didn't suffer much."

"Yes. If I knew by opening the Bastions we would get back our magical powers I would have done it sooner."

Grace said, "It's not your fault. We were not prepared for the attack."

Cindy brushed the dirt and grass from her clothes and looked around.

"Lazarus, you chose to have magic in the world," she said. She said this so softly he almost didn't hear her.

"Yes. It is the best choice."

Cindy turned to him with tears in her eyes. "I wish Matthew could have lived to see this."