There is something important missing from the ending of Cradle of life, and a certain something missing from the original film, as well - and I am here to add it in!
If it worries anybody, this is a prologue and all the following chapters are much longer.
I do not own the Tomb Raider franchise. Obviously, or this ending would be in the film!
TapTap
Lara Croft was not one to cry often. She did, on occasion. As she'd given up her father in order not to warp time, that was the last time she could think of. She'd been able to save Alex, using the power of time, but she couldn't bend time enough to regain her father. Not without becoming what she had been fighting, not without stealing time.
She hadn't cried as Alex left anyway, disappearing not into time or death but by his own accord, by choice just like last time. She did cry as she shot Terry, keeping the cradle of life safe from the very man who'd come there to help her defend it. She could still taste the tears now, days afterwards.
She still had her boys with her - her faithful Hillary and Bryce - returning home to her father's mansion, but yet she felt loneliness more keenly than she had in years.
As she left her staff - they were more like family, anyway - downstairs, she noticed an odd, dim light coming from one of the rooms next to hers. Silently, she stalked up towards the door, opening it without a sound. Empty. A light was on that had no business to be, but that was all.
Returning, still with deliberate, silent steps, towards her bedroom, Lara heard a strange rustling sound. Drawing a spare gun from her side, she gently pushed the door open, greeted by darkness and a deep breath coming from the shadows.