Lazarus stared upwards. His back and sides burned with pain. Several Grog wolves ran toward him. He quickly stood and held his hands up. A wall of fire erupted, stopping the creatures. He needed to get to the top of the pyramid. Lazarus hoped Cindy and Grace had made it. Something struck him on his side, sending him sprawling forward and smacking on the ground. A bat screeched at him.

Lazarus pointed and a lightning bolt blew apart the creature. His fire wall was ebbing out. He jumped up and flew into the sky. When he moved, sharp pain lanced his ribs. He saw large claw marks ripping into his shirt and penetrating into his skin. A flock of Grog creatures that looked more like large monkeys with wings attacked him. He shot several spells in succession, destroying a dozen of the creatures.

He flew toward the pyramid and created a tornado. It engulfed the remaining creatures blocking his way, but it greatly weakened him. He almost fell to the ground, but he pushed forward, flying toward a bright light.

He heard something in his head. It was Cindy. "Be careful. We are here, but Royce is here waiting for us."

He shot upwards toward the structure. He could saw Cindy standing with the large Grog named Royce. And there was another person there. A man who was covered in blood and holding a bright object. And around them were groups of wolf Grogs. They were all looking at him. He felt cold fear moved through his body. He didn't know what to do. Then he saw Grace lying next to them, not moving. A sharp pain of sadness struck him so hard he felt it was physical and he was struck a blow to his midsection. He moved forward and landed on the top of the pyramid. The top was a broad surface of stone with tufts of grass growing along the ground.

Lazarus moved a few yards from Royce. Cindy and the other man, who was holding the glowing object in his hands, were surrounded by several beasts. He waited, watching Royce and Cindy. The stranger next to Cindy had a very wide-eyed surprised look on his face. He still held the object in his hands. It glowed with an odd rhythmic fashion like a beating heart.

Lazarus said, "What do you want?"

Royce started to cough, but Lazarus realized it wasn't coughing he heard but laughter. It sounded odd coming from a large wolf Grog.

"I want you to apologize for what you did to me for starters," Royce said.

Lazarus stared at Cindy. Her eyes were not terrified. She looked at him as if he was her savior. He didn't feel like a savior.

"I have nothing to apologize for. We didn't do anything to you."

"You did this to me. Look at me. I am not a human. I am a beast."

"We didn't make you change into this. It was the Swarm. They made you into this creature."

"No, if you hadn’t opened the Bastions then I wouldn't be like this. It was you and your friends who did this. All I want is for everything to go back to normal.“

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Lazarus said, "You don't understand. The Swarm are not your friends. They don't care about you."

"You’re wrong."

The ground started to shake. Lazarus heard a large noise like the sound of rushing water and everybody looked around. He saw sunlight coming from the top and the green sky being replaced by blue. It was like watching Moses part the Red Sea.

Cindy yelled. The man holding the strange globe moved forward and threw the glowing object upwards into the maelstrom of the churning waters. Royce looked at the shiny object floating upwards.

Lazarus yelled, "Duck."

Cindy and the stranger fell to the ground. Lazarus pointed his hand at Royce and the Grog creatures. Lightning sprouted from his fingertips, hitting the creatures around them. He missed Royce. The giant Grog jumped backwards and fell off the top of the Pyramid.

Cindy and the man stood and ran toward him. She gave him a hug.

Lazarus said, "Is Grace ok?"

"I don't know. She’s lost a lot of blood."

He turned toward the stranger. "My name is Lazarus." He shook his hand.

"I’m Professor Jacobs."

The ground shook again and he felt them rising upwards into the churning waters. A wind started to flow around them.

He said, "So, Professor Jacobs, how do we use this weapon?"

The stranger looked at them with a quizzical stare. "I thought you knew. I don't know. I only brought the catalyst."

Lazarus nodded. He focused and used his magic to bring the glowing round object closer to him.

It said, "Hello, Lazarus."

He jumped back. "Did you hear that?"

Cindy said, "Yes, but you have to hurry. They’re coming back."

She was peering down. He knew the Grogs were climbing back up the sides of the pyramid. He didn't kill all of them.

The noise and the wind got louder and stronger.

He said, "Professor, are you a magic-user or have any weapons?"

"No, I have limited magic."

Lazarus said, "You should go back from where you came."

"I’ll stay and help you with the weapon."

The glowing round object floated lower and moved next to the Professor. The ground shook and he stumbled to the ground.

"Please help us," Lazarus implored to the glowing object.

"It is simple. You have to use your magic and you will know."

Cindy held up her hands and sent a barrage of razor sharp icicles at the monsters below. Her eyes were fixed on them. The Professor joined her, picking up stones from the ground, throwing the rocks down. Lazarus shook his head.

He scanned the round glowing object. It looked like it was made of glass and the inside held a pinprick of light. He held his hand toward it and the object instantly flew to him. Around them the sea churned and flowed against a magical barrier. He recalled a time when he went to an amusement park and saw the water part before them and they drove safely through. He was barely a kid and he was amazed, but only the first time. He saw the trick for what it was. It was only an illusion. Yet, this magic was no illusion. They were standing on top of an ancient city moving up to the surface. The ocean had parted for them and it was real magic.

In the sky it was night. The stars glowed like the object in his hands. Then he saw them. He knew that what he saw in the sky was the Swarm.

"Lazarus, hurry. I can’t keep them from coming," Cindy screamed. The giant Grog, Royce, towered over her and pushed her to the ground.

Royce said, "You’re too late. They are here."

The sky was filled with large ships the size of small cities. Their hulls glowed with angry red lights. The lights detached themselves and flew straight at them.

"No!" Lazarus said.