Prologue

Croft Manor, 1997

"Well, what do you think…?"

"Um, what is it, if I may ask Lady Croft."

"It's an assault course! After that grueling business with Natla last year, I decided to build this course to hone my skills, and learn some new ones."

Winston shook his head, muttering things like 'improper' and 'unladylike'.

"Well, its very well put together." He finally replied, staring at the array of boxes, ropes, jumps, slides, and ladders, all atop a giant sandpit. Lara sighed, handing him a stopwatch.

"Alright. Ready…GO!"

She took off at breakneck speed, quickly disappearing around the corner of the mansion, the obstacle course that she had struggled with before now looking like child's play. After several more moments, he heard her cry out, "Time!"

He clicked stop.

"Three minutes flat!"

He watched Lara jog around the corner, a large smile on her beautiful face. She was clad in a gray tank and gray sweatpants, her long brunette hair tied tightly into a braid that trailed behind her.

"Gosh, that was my best time yet!" She wiped her forehead, Winston staring at her in amazement.

"Well its no surprise, you've been working on this blasted thing for two weeks now. I'd say you fancy some tea?" She nodded vigorously.

"Quite. And will you fetch the mail please?" She asked politely. He nodded, taking a side door into the kitchen. She sat down on one of the boxes, wiping her palms on her sweat pants. The day had proved to be very hot, and very sunny, which was perfect weather for the young adventurer to train in. She stood up, strolling into the kitchen as well.

On the counter already was a cup of ice tea, and beside it a stack of letters. She grabbed her tea and the stack, then walked over into her lounge room where she flipped on some classical music and sat down on one of her luxurious sofa's, picking one that overlooked her gardens and maze.

"Lets see…junk, junk, business offer, junk, travel brochure, request…Wait a tick, what's this…?"

There was a plain white envelope, with no stamp, return address, or even sealed for that matter. She pulled out the contents, which was only a single typewritten letter. The top half had been torn away, leaving only a single paragraph left to read.

There will be a reward if you can find any clues relating to this "Dagger of Xian". The relic has many mysterious and vast powers, not anything to be taken lightly. Please relocate to the Great Wall in China immediately.

"Winston! Come take a look at this!" She called out, re-reading the ominous note.

"Yes Ms. Croft? Is the tea okay?"

"The tea is splendid, but take a look at this. It was in my mail."

She handed him the letter, and watched as his face contorted into a look of confusion.

"I don't understand. You cant possibly trust the owner of whoever sent this, can you?"

She shook her head.

"No, but I've heard of the dagger they mentioned before. The legend is farther most intriguing, going that 'if you plunge the dagger deep into your heart, you will be bestowed with the powers of a dragon." She let out a small laugh.

"Of course that part is rubbish, but my trophy room is looking a little empty, and I haven't done a single thing since my little encounter with the Atlantean Scion last year. Besides, someone obviously wants this thing found. So maybe it is a good idea that that person be me."

"I don't know, it seems suspicious to me." He replied, handing the letter back to her.

She looked at him, this time a serious looking painting her beautiful, but strong face.

"I don't care, I have a feeling that a trip to China may be in the works here very soon."