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Merlin found a suitable room. It was an auditorium with a stage on it with a screen on at the far end. Lazarus thought this place looked like a movie theatre, but the austere hallway and rooms made him think of a school or business. They walked down the aisle to the front.
“Aha, this is perfect,” Merlin said. “I didn't want any of those Vvong creatures see what we're doing.”
Lazarus scanned around and didn’t see any creatures in the dark corners. He nodded to him. But there was another reason why they were inside here.
Merlin looked around the walls. He placed his hands upwards. “Can you feel that? There is magic all around us.”
Lazarus looked around the room and saw the primordial energy of earth and arcane energy swarming around the walls.
Merlin said, “Magic generates in certain powerful nexus power areas, along a line of power flows. You will concentrate in an area called Stonehenge.”
Lazarus nodded his head, but didn't understand. Merlin motioned for him to get closer to the stage.
Merlin said, “Stay right there.”
Lazarus couldn't see where Merlin was doing. He heard him behind him. Suddenly, Lazarus felt a sharp pain on his back. The room and stage before him exploded in a white bright light.
“Look beyond the magic flows.”
Lazarus saw power coalescing outwards outside the building. Merlin moved to the side of him. Lazarus gasped; he saw Merlin with magic flowing around him but with more concentration. The power floating around him was attracted to Merlin. The magic started to move toward him.
“This power is what magic users and wizards project and use. Now close your eyes and think of Stonehenge. You can do this. I know you have seen Stonehenge,” Merlin said.
Lazarus was not sure if Stonehenge was in this century. But he concentrated on the stone structure in his head. Then in his mind he saw Stonehenge as clear as a picture.
Merlin said, “You got it. Now create the portal.”
Lazarus opened his eyes and pointed at the screen. He saw the magic flow out of him toward the screen. Then the white light changed into a round glowing portal. His magical spheres extinguished and were fed into the portal. Lazarus saw Stonehenge inside the portal.
Merlin laughed, “I was not sure you had the talent. But wow.”
He started to move up the stairs toward the portal.
“Wait, Merlin, we are not sure this is a stable portal,” Lazarus said.
“Don’t worry. I have created safeguards and wards around me. It should be fine,” Merlin said.
Right before he went into the portal, Merlin pointed at him and magic floated around Lazarus. He felt the wards and protection Merlin created over him. He wished he had this knowledge.
Merlin nodded, laughed and ran into the portal. Lazarus shook his head. Merlin seem younger than him. He heard Merlin say through the gateway. “See you in the other side.”
Lazarus walked up the steps and hesitated right before the portal. He saw the glowing lights of the other side and for a few seconds was mesmerized at the magic and lights. He placed his hand forward and then walked through. He didn't feel any sensation when he moved through.
Lazarus couldn't see anything. It was night in England. He conjured a glowing sphere and saw the first large rock of Stonehenge. He stood next to Merlin. He was touching the stone. He moved close to the great Wizard. He seemed deep in thought.
“I didn't think this place would still be here,” Merlin said.
“Who built this?” He said.
“I don't know. It was always here. It was older than Stone of Ages. This is one of the first nexus power sources.”
Lazarus nodded. He felt the deep wellspring of magic embedded here. He also sensed sadness. He didn't want to disturb Merlin. He seemed to be wrestling with something. Lazarus waited for a few minutes.
“What is our next step?” Lazarus said. “Where is the Lady of the Lake?”
Merlin seemed to come out of his deep thoughts and he stared at him. He said, “Sorry, I feel the weight of memories crash in my head. Some many things happened in England and Atlantis.”
Merlin moved away from Stonehenge and looked up into the sky. “The Lady of the Lake is a powerful sorceress, but she died. This was before I was trapped in the magical crystal. But her spirit still exists to guard over the Excalibur and the tomb of King Arthur.”
“Ok, I'm ready,” Lazarus said.
“Well, I'm think you have to wait. We have to earn the right to get the sword,” Merlin said.
Lazarus said, “You mean I have to go through trials to get Excalibur.”
“Yes,” Merlin said.
Lazarus shook his head. “You had Excalibur before. You have earned the right to get the sword.”
“No, you don't remember your books,” Merlin said, “I didn't get the sword. King Arthur did. I just helped him along.”
Lazarus stared off into the night. “Couldn't we just ask the Lady of the Lake for the sword?”
Merlin laughed a hearty laugh. “You jest. It was never like that. We always have to go through trials.”
“What about Morgana? She might just get the sword herself,” Lazarus said.
“She might try. But I don't think she has enough magic to destroy the Lady of the Lake’s powers.”
Lazarus didn't like this waiting game and wanted to get Excalibur. “Ok, what do I do.”
“You need a little training,” Merlin said, “you may be gifted and strong in magic but you need to learn to control it.”
