Hello everyone! :) The time for the chapter number eleven has finally come. I would like to thank everybody who's been supporting me for the patience. I really feel bad for letting you all wait for such a long time. I'm sorry about it. Having free time, energy, inspiration, concentration and the right mood for writing is scarce sometimes. :/ Well I can only hope that someone still follows this story and will have a nice read. :)
I'm happy to mention here I'm again very grateful to gyikhu for beta reading and advice.
Chapter 11: Take It Or Leave It
As if my decision to work together again depended only on your wish, Lara thought.
"You'd better start talking," she urged Kurtis.
Instead of an answer, the American suddenly squeezed his eyes shut with a painful expression and put a palm on his chest. To Lara it seemed as if he had difficulties with breathing in. Despite her displeasure over his recent attitude, she furrowed her eyebrows with worry. "Are you alright?"
"Can't we sit somewhere or somethin'? I have an only several days old injury," he announced drily.
"I thought you said it was basically healed."
"Yeah, basically. I can still feel the wound a little bit. Enough?"
Maybe that's why he's so nice to me lately, she thought sarcastically.
The British woman decided to comply with his request. She suggested they would move from the main hall to the room with a piano. There they would have privacy and comfort.
Because of the first unsure steps he took, Lara was afraid her visitor would faint on their way upstairs. But luckily Kurtis managed to get to the upper floor without her help.
She waited for him to settle on a sofa. Now sitting right opposite him, she had a chance to observe the American more closely. He was very pale in the face.
"You don't look very good," Lara told him anxiously. She partly blamed herself for the injury he had received in the Strahov fortress.
"It's not such a big surprise after what I went through just a few days ago, is it?" Kurtis replied in annoyance.
Because of his haughty tone, her sympathy disappeared in an instant. "So, what do you have? Spit it out."
"Just two words. Castle Kriegler," he stated simply and waited for her reaction.
What a comprehensive explanation, Lara noted to herself in irony.
"Where is that?" she eventually asked.
"It's on the German-Austrian border. But what's more interesting is the castle's history. And even more important is what's located beneath it."
The last part caught Lara's curiosity. "I'm listening."
"I think it'd be convenient to start with some historical background. As you know, the fight between the Lux Veritatis and the Cabal with Eckhardt as their leader was ongoing for several centuries."
"More precisely since 1300's up to the present day, am I right?" she pointed out. "It was mentioned in Von Croy's notes," she added, answering his raised eyebrows.
"Your friend was obviously really capable in finding historical information."
"History and archaeology were his life," she blurted out without thinking.
"And unfortunately also his end."
Thanks for reminding me, Lara thought in irritation as he had hit her weak spot. She still hadn't completely put up with the tragic fate of her former mentor.
"Let's get back to the topic, shall we?"
"That's why I'm here," Kurtis said, indifferent. "Anyway, the struggle between the both sides has claimed many victims during the time. And what might interest you from the historical point of view, even the Great Fire of London was caused by this war, among other similar incidents."
Lara shook her head. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised by that."
"I'm mentioning this to illustrate how intense these fights were. The Cabal and Lux Veritatis used to be very powerful and equal enemies at the beginning."
"With special abilities on both sides, right?" she stated.
"Nevertheless the Lux Veritatis eventually managed to capture Eckhardt and imprison him in Kriegler in 1445. The castle served as The Black Alchemist's prison for the following five hundred years."
"I saw some castle in the background of the painting depicting Eckhardt in chains. So I suppose that must have been the place. But how is this building so special?"
"The location itself is not. The Lux Veritatis used their abilities and knowledge to capture him in some kind of a pit underneath thanks to the Periapt Shards' power. It wasn't a very comfortable place from what I've gathered."
"Five hundred years spent in very unfavourable conditions. That explains well his aim to wipe out the Lux Veritatis order of the Earth's surface."
Kurtis carried on. "The order managed to keep him imprisoned there till 1945 when the castle was bombed by German planes. Because of this war event Eckhardt managed to escape. The power field holding him back got disrupted. Thus the only obstacle keeping him back was overcome. So he had a free way to re-create the Cabal again. And, of course, it meant an opportunity to seek the total destruction the Lux Veritatis as his revenge for the suffering he experienced in the pit. "
"I wonder why you, I mean the Lux Veritatis, didn't kill him right away back then? You had all three shards in your hands, or not?"
"I don't know the details nor who made the decision. But basically the order was trying to get some of Eckhardt's secrets. Some alchemy tricks or some crucial information. Anything that could eventually come in handy."
"Pretty reckless if you ask me. In the end this step actually gave him a future chance to escape."
He smirked. "Yeah, it was kind of arrogant of them, indeed. The irony of this world..." he shook his head. "Well. I think we both know it very well."
"Right. So what about the castle? How will that help us now?"
"The castle used to be one of the main Lux Veritatis' strongholds at one point. There are large underground areas underneath and its adjacent estates. Even more extensive than those in Prague or Paris. It was said that the Lux Veritatis got some info from Eckhardt and obtained information about a weapon able to kill a Nephilim. If we are lucky, it could still be there."
Her eyebrows furrowed. "Obviously you are well acquainted with Nephilim," she stated in biting voice. "Interesting you knew nothing about their abilities to change appearance."
Kurtis didn't seem to be thrown off balance by her tone in the least. "I found out some facts only several hours ago. My father left some leads."
Lara appeared to be satisfied with his explanation. "Fine. So Eckhardt wanted to get rid of Nephilim from the start. And Karel was just faster and played a dirty trick on him first?..."
He grimaced in disapproval. "That's not accurate. It wasn't unfounded. Eckhardt and Nephilim were collaborating at the very beginning. More specifically Eckhardt claimed to be helping them to raise their race again. His real intent was to rule them all by himself, naturally. But after some time surviving Nephilim found out about the betrayal Eckhardt planned." Kurtis shook his head. "What a fool trying to double-cross Nephilim like that and thinking he could get away with it."
"On the other hand, it's the only likeable thing about that alchemistic bastard I can think of," Lara remarked.
Despite her persisting harsh tone, he looked amused. "Either way, it was the end of their so called team work. Eckhardt definitively fell out of favour with the Nephilim race. By the same time the Lux Veritatis order was trying to hunt down The Black Alchemist. You probably know where I'm heading."
"You are trying to say the Lux Veritatis and Nephilim were cooperating in the past?" she asked in disbelief. "That doesn't make sense."
"Not exactly. Don't get it wrong. It wasn't any friendship full of sincerity," Kurtis said with a grimace. "Eckhardt was just our mutual enemy at the time. It was a beneficial and temporary alliance for both sides. The Nephilim just wished to get Eckhardt out of the way. That's all. Back then the situation was very different from now. It was a long time ago. It's not even clear if the order knew about Nephilim's actual existence or their aims. In any case, Eckhardt posed an actual threat to their race. The remaining Nephilim assumed that the Lux Veritatis would kill the Black Alchemist instantly, so that he could not endanger the surviving members of the Nephilim race. But it didn't happen, obviously."
The Tomb Raider thought about the newly gained information for a minute. "Why don't you just go and get the weapon by yourself?" she asked after a while of silence.
"Are you listening to me?" he shook his head with a sigh. "The place is huge. It would take ages for just one person to find it. As much as I don't want to admit it, I don't have the needed experience. And you've proven to be really good at this. All Cabal's specialists were helpless. Surprisingly you defeated all of them with your abilities and knowledge. And it didn't even take you much time. It was a good move from Eckhardt to let you find the last painting. I must give him that."
A frown appeared in her face. "It's weird to hear that from you."
"You've found what Eckhardt wanted to get, didn't you? And your effort allowed us to get him in the end. Without you, it would have been impossible. We likely wouldn't have managed to kill him in time. Not before he would have awakened and controlled the Sleeper."
"Who knows," she uttered and looked aside.
"Look, I'm not gonna be pleading you to join me. But just let's say it'd be convenient to have someone like an expert on my side. Someone like you. Especially since the time is pushing us as it's important to be faster than Karel if we want to be able to stop his plans." He shrugged. "The truth is that I'm used to sorting out all my matters by myself for some time now. Your expertise would just give the world a bigger chance. That's all. I'll leave this for you to decide."
Lara was weighing her options.
The American could clearly see the lasting indecision in her face. "I will lead your steps," he disturbed her considerations, "and protect you there. The Lux Veritatis guardians shouldn't attack me. Also, there's likely to be some doors only a Lux Veritatis can open, and halls to enter. And also possibly traps only I can evade. Not minding this, we've already proved to be an effective team. With positive results. We definitely stand a bigger chance together to get the weapon faster than our enemies."
"Pity you weren't that determined to take part in Paris and Prague," she muttered in irony. "It could have saved me a lot of trouble."
"Just this one trip, Lara. That's all I want. And all this world needs. I won't make you stay to finish it afterwards. I'll do it all by myself then." He grimaced. "Well, you, as well as everyone else, will get to know the outcome anyway. Help me to decide the fate of this world."
"That sounds quite like a request. Or is it a real call for help? Either way I'm missing one specific magic word."
He leaned forward. "Either way, I'm going to try to obtain it with or without you."
"This attitude of yours is not a big motivation for a mutual cooperation, you know," she pointed with a bland face.
"I thought you understand the seriousness of the situation well. My manners should be the last of your or anyone else's concern."
"I'm not bothered by your behaviour at all. No worries."
"Whatever. I'm settling out in three days. I'll come back round that time for your decision."
"Look," Lara started to protest, "I want more information—."
"I need to go now. I'll introduce you to the details later," he said and was ready to leave the room.
She also stood up. "That's not how I imagine our cooperation."
Kurtis gave her a deep look. "I believe you'll make the right decision, Lara. Don't forget what's at stake." He exited the room with Lara on his tail as he bumped into someone on his way out.
"Whoa!" the Zip exclaimed. "So, this is the infamous Mr. Trent," the black man started with a grin from ear to ear, unaware of the previous dialogue's atmosphere. "You must be the man who lent Lara a hand in Prague. Glad she got ya there, man. I'm Zip," he introduced himself as he outstretched his hand to greet him. "Somethin' like a technical support you can say."
"And you must be one of Lara's pawns."
"Whoa, man! A tough guy in every weather, eh?" Zip let his hand drop.
"Karel must be out of happiness since you were unable to trace even one of their people. Don't you think?"
"Look man, I have no idea what's bothering you, but show a little respect to your American compatriot, will ya?"
"I assure you we have nothing in common worth mentioning."
"Hey! What's your problem, man?" Zip exclaimed, offended.
"I don't have time for this chit-chatting. You'd better get back doing your job she pays you for. I bet it's not this pointless talking."
Lara engaged in their dialogue. "Enough, Trent! How dare you—"
"I gotta go. One of my informers is waiting for me. It's urgent"
"Let me finish! What the hell is wrong with you?! How dare you talk to me and my friends like that in my own house and—"
"I'm leaving right now! I'll come by later." With that he hurried to the door.
"Wait—"
"I said it clearly, didn't I?" the American snarled as he turned to Lara with a very irritated expression. The sudden change of Kurtis' track caught the British woman off guard and caused her to stop closely following his steps. "Now it's important not to lose time," the visitor muttered under his breath as he was going away.
"What's the rush?! You've obviously missed the lessons of polite behaviour already!" Lara had shouted after him and then slammed the door shut.
Zip made a step towards her. "When you were talking about the guy earlier, I was expecting someone little nicer."
"He wasn't acting like this before. But after he's got to know that Eckhardt was killed by Karel..." The adventurer sighed. "Or maybe there's something else bugging him. Hell I know what's going through his head. In fact I don't really even know him. And I have no clue why he acts like an arrogant idiot. Maybe this all is just too much for him."
"Or maybe, he was being nice earlier because he needed your help back there in Paris and Prague," Zip expressed her negative thoughts aloud, tentatively scratching the back of his head.
Lara had to soundlessly agree with her friend. "Either way, it doesn't matter. Someone must try to stop Karel. That's the main thing. He's surely up to something."
She went over to the window and watched the taxi leaving her property. After a moment of silence, she spoke again. "Zip, arrange a ticket to Germany or Austria, whatever is closer to Kriegler. For tomorrow."
"Only one?" he asked with lifted eyebrows.
Lara only looked back at him without a single word.
Zip grinned. "Good decision, girl. You don't need this jerk around ya. I'll do it right away. But... what about Trent?"
"He'll probably catch up eventually anyway. But hopefully it will give him a lesson at least. I've got to know what I needed from him for now."
"He said you would need him."
Lara frowned at him. "You were eavesdropping or what?"
"I just went by your room to the other room for... well... some equipment... and... started installing..." he stammered.
"Never mind," Lara cut him off, ignoring her primary irritation. "I've already managed to conquer two Lux Veritatis vaults without his or anyone else's help."
"So, you're really goin', huh? Again willingly stepping into the crazy war zone."
The adventurer looked back at her friend and let out a little clueless sigh. "I've told you what this is about. There's not much of a choice, is it?"
His face darkened. "Doesn't really seem like it."
"Then there's an agreement. But don't worry," she added now with a clear resolution and self-confidence in her voice. "If the weapon is there, I'll find it."
