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Lazarus started walking down the stone stairs. He smelled dark earth and water. A cold breeze came from below with a bright light shimmering at the bottom. When he got to the bottom of the stairs, he didn’t see a round tunnel, but another world. It was not the green forest of England nor the Elven forest of Middle Earth. It was a bright place made of golden waterfalls and bright pink and blue plants. Lazarus thought he stepped into a world of candy.
Nimue stood at a long slope of blue-green grass. She waited for them.
Lazarus said to Merlin, “Why didn’t you tell me you had a past with the Lady of the Lake?”
“It never came up,” Merlin said, “it doesn’t matter. You need to concentrate on the trials.”
Lazarus didn’t even know what the trials were, much less know how to focus on them. They walked along the pathway until they stood before Nimue. The waterfall pooled closed to her and the surfaced twinkled and glowed with light.
Nimue said, “There are three trials. One for the Head, the Heart and the Hand. When you are ready, we will begin.”
Lazarus held up his hand. “Give me a minute to speak to Merlin.”
Nimue nodded. “Take your time.”
Lazarus moved away from her. When they were a few feet away, he said, “Merlin, do you know about these three trials. Did King Arthur have to do these tests?”
“No, King Arthur never told me about the trials,” Merlin said.
“As I can remember from the books and movies,” Lazarus said, “King Arthur just pulled Excalibur from a stone.”
“Yes, that part is true,” Merlin said, “Yet, this is different. We will have to take each trial one by one.”
Lazarus nodded. He didn't have a choice, and he was ready. Walking closer to the Lady of the Lake, he said, “Can you tell me anything about these trials?”
“Yes, I will tell you which trial you will start with and a little about the trial,” Nimue said. “Are you ready, champion?”
“Yes, let’s start.”
Nimue said, “This trial is for the hand. It is trial by combat.”
As she spoke, the surrounding forest changed. They stood in a dark underground chamber. At the far corner was Merlin and across from him was Nimue. She spoke several words in a low tone. A person materialized in front of him. It was an elf dressed in dark black and a navy blue shirt and clothes.
Lazarus heard Merlin say behind him, “It’s a dark Elf. Be careful.”
The dark elf smiled and lightning sprouted from her hands. The lightning moved around her palms and fingers. She instantly shot a bolt of magic at him. Lazarus instantly moved his arms in a protective gesture over his body. He created a magical force field. The lightning bolt hit his barrier. The spell was so strong that it knocked Lazarus off his feet. He looked at the dark elf from the ground.
The dark elf smiled again and shot another lightning bolt at him. Lazarus moved to the side. He felt the heat of the spell sizzle as it past his body. It struck the ground where he once stood. A loud explosion rocked the ground, and he was pushed to the side; Lazarus flew upwards and shot a fire ball at the dark elf. She transported herself away and moved closed to him. She kicked hard and hit him on his stomach.
Lazarus surprised grunted a sound, “Oomph!”
“Lazarus,” Merlin said, “hurry the dark elf is beating you.”
“I can see that.”
The dark elf flew at him and hit him in the face with her hands. Lazarus was knocked to the side. He fell and hit the ground. Seeing bright stars in his eyes, Lazarus woozily stood. He couldn’t see the dark elf. Focusing his magic, he created his magical barrier. A bright lightning bolt struck his shield. He fell to the side and struck a wall. This dark elf was very strong. He couldn’t keep up this defense. He needed to do on the offensive.
Lazarus flew upwards and looked around. He couldn't see the elf. She was cloaked. He placed his hands upwards. Creating a downpour of rain, he saw the dark elf floating close by him. He shot a thick ice ball at her. It struck her. He heard the dark elf yell in pain. Pointing his right hand at her, Lazarus unleashed a barrage of lightning strikes. He struck her several times before she transported herself behind him.
His shield still surrounded him, but her magical spell struck his barrier causing him to hit a far wall. His magical shield ceased. He hit the wall in a bone crunching thump. The dark elf was suddenly on top of him. She held up a hand. Magical lightning snaked up her fist. She struck downwards.
He couldn't erect his barrier. So, he kicked at her legs and the dark elf’s killing blow only glanced at his head. Her magic exploded, and they both were pushed further away. Rocks and debris rained down on them. Lazarus tasted blood in his mouth.
This was enough, he thought, he needed to stop this now. He stood. The dark elf woman was on the far side of him. Magic sizzled around her hands and eyes. Lazarus started walking toward her. The dark elf casted a lightning bolt at him. He pushed it aside with a swipe of his hand. It struck his arm, but he shrugged off the pain. He was angry and mad. His blood was boiling, and he kept moving toward her.
The dark elf flew upwards and shot a flame ball at him. He pushed it aside again. Both of his arms were burnt, but he didn't feel the pain but felt a higher feeling, his anger. It rose like an invisible beast and it fueled him to keep walking forward.
The dark elf was still floating above him. Lazarus calmly ignited his magical sabers from his hands. He shot forward. The dark elf created a barrier. Lazarus unleashed all his power in one huge swipe. His magical blade struck the dark elf’s barrier, but didn't penetrate it. This didn’t deter Lazarus but made him strike at the barrier in several quick secession, using more and more of his power each time he hit the magical shield.
He finally broke through the dark elf’s magical barrier. Lazarus sliced into the dark elf’s chest and then decapitated her head. But he didn't stop there. He burnt the carcass with a large flame ball.
Merlin said, “That’s enough!”
Lazarus looked up and his anger fled from him. He felt sick from how he acted.
The Lady of the Lake said, “You have passed the first test. I will let you get rest and we will speak again in the morning.”
Lazarus moved away from the burning carcass. Suddenly, everything disappeared. He was standing in a hill with Merlin standing next to him.
“You did well, Lazarus,” the great wizard said.
