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Lazarus ate his meatball sandwich. He sat in the small deli shop, watching the cars driving down PCH highway. The sound of the traffic almost lulled him into a slumber but he stayed awake. None of this happening was real. He had to be finish these trials so, he can get Excalibur. He wondered why this trial was so lifelike.
Another thought came to mind. This was not one trial but two it was the Head and Heart Trial all in one. He was certain about that. Something buzzed in his pocket. It was odd like he had electricity in his pocket, then he realized it was his phone. He took it out and saw a message on the screen.
“Yes, it is two Trials.”
The message showed it was from Merlin. He and the Lady of the Lake was watching him and this was the only way Merlin could communicate with him. He was about to text Merlin back, but then realized he shouldn't and he also realized he didn't know how to. He placed the phone back in his pocket.
He was thinking about what he should do next. Scanning upwards at the clock on the wall, he saw it was nearly 5:00 pm, traffic time. And he didn't have his car with him but he didn't need his car. He finished eating. Placing his food into the trash can, he smelt the salty sea air.
Even from here, he knew he sensed the exploding water powers of the waves pounding against the shore. He wanted to see the ocean. It was calling him. Lazarus walked outside and instantly turned invisible when he turned the corner. He didn't care if anybody saw him to do this because this was not real. Flying into the sky, the wind envelop him with its power. He could feel the magic of the nature giving him encouragement and arcane energy.
Lazarus felt better. He flew upon earth’s currents. Sea gulls and smaller brown birds flew next to him. He saw the beach spread out before him. Landing on the pavement close to the sand, he walked upon the beach toward the Pacific Ocean. He reverted back to his normal state. Nobody was around. The sun was low on the horizon and a few beach dwellers already started creating large fires in the fire pits that dotted the beach.
He passed a Lifeguard station. A lifeguard stood watching the water.
The lifeguard said, “It’s a nice day.”
“That it is,” Lazarus said.
“The beach will be closing in an hour. Make sure you're out.”
“Yes, sir,” Lazarus said. He looked up, and the Lifeguard was gone. The structure was empty. He wondered if he was talking to a vision. The sand started to slope downwards as he approached the ocean. The sound of the pounding surf make him miss his old world.
Lazarus sat on the sand.
***
THE OCEAN WAVES SPRAYED closer to where Lazarus sat. He stood and brushed off the sand from his pants. Something was wrong. Dark magic was being used somewhere around here.
He felt like somebody placed a cool ice cube on the back of his neck, making him jump in the air. Lazarus nearly flew upwards with surprise. He heard a low rumbling noise. It sounded like voices murmuring and chanting in a rhythmic spell.
Lazarus couldn't tell where the voices where coming from. He looked down the beach. A few people were walking along the shore, moving close to the waves. The wind was wrapping him in cold.
Without thinking, he flew upwards letting his intuition guide him. He looked at his watch and it was nearing 6:00 pm. The magical trail led him toward the direction of the city of Long Beach. He changed into a large hawk. The dark arcane powers were throbbing in his body like his heartbeat. And in a way made him excited; he knew he shouldn't feel that way.
He flapped his wings marveling how being a giant hawk made his senses more acute. Looking downwards he could see the ground and felt the scurrying creatures in the park he flew above. He wanted to fly around and scan for some vermin. The feeling was so strong to keep flying on earths current looking for food that he forgot for a few minutes what he was doing.
He squawked loud and turned away. Sensing the dark arcane power, he soared toward its direction. Lazarus saw a place filled with cars and boats. He recalled this placed. It was called, Shoreline Village. The placed composed of touristy shops, pastry places and restaurants. He hadn't been here in his memory for several years before the breaking of the Bastions. But all this was from his memory. He didn't know how the Lady of the Lake would know this area. Yet, the dark magic was coming from the bar called the Yard House. He landed on a large tree branch, far away from the people walking into the shops.
Lazarus drop down and changed back to himself. He walked across the street and navigated the parking lot. Cars were trying to find parking amongst the many other tourist clamoring to get inside. It was a mess, and he was glad he had other means of transportation. He moved away as two cars, a van full of people and a small red hatchback, tried to enter the same parking spot. Lazarus heard the noise of people screaming and swearing and horns blasting.
He carefully walked along the parking lot, he spied a couple walking into one of the gift shops called, the Beach Hut. He noticed the girl for a split second changed into a dark cloaked creature. Lazarus shook his head. It was so subtle. He was not sure. He saw it but he knew he did.
Lazarus hesitated a second. Looking toward the bar, Yard House, where the dark arcane power was coming from, he knew he should go there first. He made a decision and walked into the shop. The gift shop was an 8 by 10 foot structure filled with gift cards, pinwheels, big and large sea shells, Southern California Post cards and other Knick knacks he had seen in other tourist shops. He looked for the couple and the woman specifically.
They were looking at seashell nightlights by the back of the shop. The young sales lady on his left smiled at him from behind her place behind the counter and cash register. Lazarus nodded to her. He walked inside the interior moving closer to the round case of greeting cards and post cards.
The lady behind the counter said, “Do you need anything, sir?”
“No,” Lazarus said, “I’m just browsing.”
The sales lady face changed for a few seconds to a hideous devil creature. Lazarus moved back a little. The sales lady smiled and changed back to herself. She noticed his distress.
She whispered, “You saw.”
Lazarus said, “No, I’m just looking.”
“You're one of the chosen. Only the blessed can see us.”
The sales lady rummaged from underneath the counter then looked at him.
She said, “Take it. My name is Beth. You’re here for the private meeting at the Yard House. Take this card if you don’t have one. This will help you, blessed one.”
Lazarus said, “Thank you.”
He snatched the card from her.
Beth said, “Hail, Viper.”
“Hail Viper,” Lazarus said stiffly. “Thank you.”
“Do you want anything?” Beth said, “It is free for blessed ones.”
“No, I need to go.”
Lazarus placed the card in his pocket and walked out of the shop.
