Lazarus walked forward and looked around the landscape. They were not in New Mexico or anywhere he could recognize. In front of them was a jungle peppered with ancient buildings built with stones. The architecture was neither Mayan nor Aztec, but a combination of all styles from Greek, Roman, Byzantine to Egyptian. The buildings were all styles and no styles. He recalled this from his college courses in art history, a subject he particularly liked. It came to him as if his memory was enhanced by the magic of the ancient city before them.

Everything in the landscape and structures had an air of abandonment as if eons had passed and nobody dwelt or visited here. He looked up at the sky but there was no horizon, only a light green glowing mass which stretched beyond his sight.

Grace said, "Where are we?"

He knew. "This is the lost city of Atlantis."

Cindy stood close to him and nodded. "Yes, I can feel it."

She pointed toward a large building that rose higher than the others. It was a pyramid, almost looking both Egyptian and Mayan at the same time. On the top of this structure was a shimmer of light barely noticeable from their perspective. It was like a tendril of smoke escaping upwards. But as he looked up toward the pyramid he knew that this was their destination. It just felt right, like the magic he possessed and the power of this city. He was about to step forward when a noise alerted him.

Grace said, "We have company."

The large wolf Grog walked out of the cover of the jungle from their right while other Grogs came out of the buildings from around them. He noticed the assortment of creatures, some walking and some staggering forth in odd gaits.

Lazarus said, "You shouldn't be here. You know you don't have to do this. Even though you killed my friend, you can redeem yourself and let us through."

Grace grabbed his arm and Cindy gave him a disapproving look. He didn't turn to them. Discussion time was over and the Swarm was getting closer. His magical senses felt the delegation of alien forces gathering closer and moving at a fast speed.

The tall Grog said, "You don't know the power of the Swarm. When you opened the portal, they help transport us here." The Grog grinned. Lazarus saw the rows of razor sharp teeth in the Grog's snout. "You are like those people who think they are above everything."

Lazarus shook his head. He was not sure what this creature was talking about. "We are just like you. We are both human." He said this without even thinking about it, but the large wolf Grog growled.

"I am not human anymore. You did this to us."

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"No, I didn't do this. It was the Swarm. They want to take over our world and magic. They want us all dead."

"That is not true. I have talked to them. They say you want to be better than us. You are human."

The wolf Grog spoke incomprehensible words. He snarled and flexed his large muscles.

Lazarus said turned to Cindy and Grace, "Get ready. We will fly."

Lazarus bent lower and was ready to jump to the horizon when a noise like thunder rocked the area and a lightning bolt shot at them. Lazarus held up his hands and erected a barrier, but it was not strong enough. They were propelled backwards and hit a tree. He shielded some of the blast, but he had the wind knocked out of him. They lay on the ground.

Royce smiled. “The swarm upgraded my powers.” The large Grog smiled, showing his wicked teeth. "Get them!"

The creatures rushed them. Lazarus felt his power curl around him. Focusing, he stood and held his arms up. Fire erupted, hitting the foremost Grog creatures. The smell of charred flesh and fur hit them.

"Hurry!"

Lazarus moved upwards. Grace and Cindy followed. Flying up, he saw several of the Grogs taking flight and moving toward them. Oh no, he thought. The creatures can fly.

He said, "Keep moving to the pyramid. And wait for the others."

Cindy looked at him with an uncomprehending look. Lazarus turned toward the Grogs.

"No!" she said.

He said, "Keep going."

He wanted to shake her but the Grogs were gaining speed. "We don't have enough time. You can feel it. The Swarm is getting closer."

He focused his magic and shot a lightning bolt at the enemies. The creatures looked like giant bats. Lazarus struck some of the bats but missed most of them. Some of the pack of creatures followed Cindy and Grace. He suddenly took off and aimed a blast of flames. The spell engulfed the bats and the dead bodies fell to the ground.

He turned but a sharp pain hit him on the back and then a searing burn on his side. A Grog bat was next to him clawing and beating him with its long claws. Lazarus opened his palm and acid flowed out. A sizzling sound came, followed by the stench of burnt flesh and the creature fell, flashing past him. Another creature raked its claws against his legs and Lazarus erected a magical barrier. He floated away, staring at the Grog bats with the nimbus of his field surrounding him, but one of the creatures burst through his magical field.

He flew backwards holding his arms in defense. Fire erupted and he killed the creature. He was shocked the creature could pass through his barrier, but before he could think about this new development more bats attacked. A beast struck him on the back and then on the front. He tried to fly up but he was swamped with pain. He held up his hands and lightning shot out, hitting the creatures.

Lazarus was free. He flew away. The creatures followed him instead of going after Cindy and Grace. Then he saw the spell before he moved forward. It was a fireball and it came from the ground. The heat singed his pants. When he stopped flying, the Grog bats struck him in several places. He flew in a circle trying to understand if he was upright or upside down. He was not sure. Then something hit him hard on his back of his head.

Before he knew it, he was falling. The rush of air flowed over his body, but he couldn't move or think. It was as if his mind and body were not connected. But an animal instinct told him to create a spell, a magical barrier. Instantly, the nimbus of magic surrounded him and he plunged to the ground, hitting the tall trees first and then a stone building. He was protected by his magic, but the breath was knocked out of him as he bounced from each building and foliage.