Professor Jacobs was suddenly next to him. The Professor grabbed the glowing ball and broke it on the ground and as it broke the bright light inside the ball exploded upwards. Lazarus’s body jerked a few times and his hands moved up. Without his knowing his magic combined with the bright light coming from the broken globe.

Lazarus knew the light was a seed, the seed of a star and it needed his power to generate the magic. He focused his whole will onto the seed, seeing Royce rushing toward him. The Professor moved in front of the large Grog and tried to stop him but was knocked away like a leaf blown in a wind. Lazarus couldn't focus on both the large Grog and on the magical seed.

The Grog ran toward him with his claws and razor sharp teeth extended. Lazarus couldn't protect himself. He felt his body swept up in the power of the magic of the star. It pummeled him and took his power. He was being drained of his life force. Sensing he was going to die, Lazarus redoubled his efforts into the magic of the seed. His body shook. He felt he was going to break apart. He suddenly flew up before Royce reached him, toward the bright star seed now floating several feet above him. He was in the middle of the turbulent waters and then he was in the sky floating up to the enemy ships. Royce was still standing on the top of the pyramid screaming unintelligible words at him.

"I am not the catalyst," the star said in his mind. "You are the catalyst."

Red lights flew around him. It was the Swarm attacking him. Insectile creatures the size of large trucks flew around his position and tried to attack him with their giant claws. He stopped shaking. He felt more powerful than he had ever felt before. Lazarus held up his hands and killed scores of insectile creatures.

"You need to repulse the creatures."

Lazarus heard the star seed speak to him.

"What do you want me to do?"

"You know. These creatures need to be sent far away. But be warned, this power can destroy you."

Lazarus knew what he had to do. It was simple but with his new found power could he conjure such a spell.

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"I will do it. I am the catalyst. I will take the change."

The Swarm creatures flew back to their ships. He sensed they were gathering their combined power to attack him. The seed star flew and entered his body. Pain course through him. It felt like thousands of needles hit every inch of his skin.

"Summon the vortex."

Lazarus focused on the sky. A swirling black hole appeared. Its forces pulled the Swarm into its maw and all the ships were gone. It happened so suddenly that he didn't notice the earth starting to move toward the back hole. The black hole beckoned the earth away from its orbit. He had to do something, but he was exhausted and could not cast another spell.

The power of the star embedded in his body was almost gone. Lazarus had to do something. He screamed an inhuman shout into the heavens and focused all his will and strength on closing the vortex. Nothing happened.

He had an idea. Lazarus concentrated his remaining power and cast the star out of his body. The pain was unimaginable. The light shot out of him. It floated a few feet away. Lazarus added all his magic into the star seed and then propelled it toward the swirling vortex.

Once the star seed struck the black hole his magic and the star seed exploded. He screamed another inhuman cry. And he fell.

***

Cindy watched from the top of the pyramid. Her body hurt all over. The large Grog had shredded parts of her arm and shoulder. When she saw Royce attack the Professor and then attack Lazarus, she was powerless to stop him. She was being attacked by several creatures. And then Lazarus flew into the sky and created the vortex that swallowed the Swarm ships. When the Swarm was gone, Royce and his group fled.

She would have yelled in triumph but she saw Lazarus falling. She conjured a large falcon and the bird snatched Lazarus before he fell to the ground.

“Nice catch."

She forgot. The Professor was still here on the top of the pyramid. He was on the ground close to Grace.

She looked up and saw the black hole was gone from the sky. This island they all stood on was now on the surface. The morning sun shone above.

"Professor, are you ok?"

"Yes. But I’m not sure about your friend."

Her large falcon flew to her position and deposited Lazarus on the ground before her. He was breathing. She ran to him and knelt.

"Lazarus, do you hear me?"

He nodded and opened his eyes. "Did we do it?"

"Yes. You did."

Lazarus stared at the orb of the sun on the horizon and heard somebody moan. It was Grace. They moved close to her. Lazarus's body was so weak he stayed where he was and watched from afar. Grace turned to Cindy.

"What happened?" Grace said.

Cindy said, "We defeated the Grogs and the Swarm. We will tell you all later."

Lazarus smiled, feeling the warmth of the new day’s sun on his body.