Chapter 17: The Fast Way Down
"'Tears won't bring the dead back, girl.' That's what Roth told me one time. I just can't believe most of our comrades who started this journey with us are now gone. God, I almost wish they'd killed me instead. But they didn't. I'm here, I'm alive, and I'm certain that no boat or plane is going to get us off this island. At least not yet. I know the answer has something to do with Himiko and that monastery. My constant companion, Leon Kennedy, does as well. We have to do something. We have to stop this."
That was the entry Lara wrote before setting off back into Yamatai's dangerous terrains.
As they were following the path, the voices of some lingering Solarii drew their attention away from their destination.
"Find anything?"
"No, it's too damned dark. They could be anywhere."
"You sure they're here?"
"Maybe I should just climb a tree and wait this out."
"Good idea. That way, I can shoot you out of it," Leon growled. The voices brought back the raging, angry fire from earlier. He felt like snapping some necks after Mathias got away yet again. Then, the wolves of the island started howling. Looked like regrouping down on the beach would have to wait.
"Great. Fucking wolves."
"Hey! If you're hiding, come out! Show yourselves!"
Leon held in his laughter. Did they really expect him and Lara to come out of hiding just because they ordered it? They truly were idiots.
He nodded to Lara, who took the man out with her bow. Leon then lit their torch and they proceeded carefully and quietly down the path. Lara took the men they encountered out since she had the quieter weapon on hand.
Their luck fell short, however, when two enemies they somehow missed spotted them and sicked some apparently tamed wolves on them.
"Shit! Back up, Lara! Put some Distance between yourself and them!"
He drew the trench shotgun while she pulled out her machine gun, and they went at both the men and the wolves, gunning them all down with extreme ease. With the area cleared of all enemies, they returned to the cabin they'd passed. They collected salvage and Leon discovered a journal left by a Stormguard general. He read the journal aloud of the Stormguard who served the Sun Queen with utmost loyalty and brought down her wrath to her enemies who had once attempted to invade Yamatai.
"While we of Yamatai bask in the warmth of her grace, those who oppose us will burn," Leon finished. He then returned the journal where he found it. "As long as you didn't oppose Himiko, you were safe here once upon a time. Can't say too much has changed, though."
They then went into the wolf cave. Lara used the rope arrows to pull down the door blocking them. Reaching a small chamber in the tunnel, they heard more wolves coming their way. They quickly climbed up a scaffolding so they were out of reach.
"These wolves are like the ones in the forest. Are they breeding them?" Lara wondered.
"Wouldn't put anything past these wretched people at this point," Leon replied lowly.
They used a strung up deer corpse to provide them a bar to swing to the rocky wall across from them, which they then climbed up using their axes. They found themselves in a more ritualistic chamber. After collecting more salvage, Leon pointed to a tunnel.
"Must be that way."
They quickly realized as they entered that the tunnel wasn't a tunnel. It was a slope, and it nearly sent them down into a pitch black canyon. Leon managed to grab the ledge, but Lara had fallen just out of its reach and instead wrapped her arms around Leon's waist.
"Lara, use me to climb up and get on the ledge."
She did as he suggested then turned around to help him up, but he had already pulled himself up onto the ledge. He stood up carefully and relit the torch. Crouching to avoid hitting their heads, they inched along the path the ledge gave them.
The cave soon opened up to where they could stand up straight, and just ahead, they could see the light of an exit. They looked out over the cliffside.
"Another shantytown," Leon muttered under his breath.
"There's a rope over there that'll take us down there," Lara stated, pointing out said rope.
At the bottom of it, Alex radioed in.
"You there Lara, Leon?"
Lara grabbed her radio. "Alex! We've been trying to reach you all morning."
'No we haven't...' Leon thought, puzzled as to why she said that, but shrugged it off and decided to go with it.
"We just got to the beach. Boat's in pretty bad shape. Without the right tools, we might have trouble getting it up and running. We could sure use both your help down here."
"See what you can do. We're on our way."
"Watch yourselves out there."
And that was it.
The riggings down below them reminded Leon of Grim. How they had failed to reach him before the Solarii had and how he'd paid the price for it with his life. He shook his head. Now wasn't the time to dwell on the past. They had to keep moving to keep safe.
They climbed down to the makeshift cable cars and hitched a ride, allowing them a small breather. Lara stole a glance at her companion.
"How're you holding up?"
He shrugged. "I'm fine right now. Seems like the only time I feel those side effects is when I get super angry. I really hope this doesn't make Johanna think any less of me."
"Johanna?" She hadn't heard this name before. A relative, a lover even?
"Oh, sorry. I kinda brought that up outta the blue." He chuckled before explaining. "Johanna's my younger foster sister. I found her on the streets when she was 16. She had no family and no home to go to. On a whim, really, I took her in and gave her a home. I adopted her as my sister and finished bringing her up the best I could. She's 18 now, a Sergeant-in-training in the military and was just shipped down to a base in Georgia about 3 months ago. She'll be there for basic for 6 so it's just another 3 months before she comes home. I want to be there at the airport to welcome her when she steps off the plane so I really want to get out of here alive."
"I never would've guessed you had a sister."
"I'm not one to brag about people, but my sister...she's become such a wonderful person despite the hell that she went through herself. I couldn't be any prouder of her."
He fished a photo out of his pocket and handed it to her so she could see. The picture depicted Leon with a small smile, hugging a young woman from behind. She had golden brown eyes and long, shiny black hair that was left loose and appeared to reach the small of her back. She was dressed in typical army fatigues and wore an almost impish smile on her face.
"She's beautiful. She looks Latina or at least is of Latina descent," Lara commented, handing the photo back to him.
"She gets that a lot, but she swears up and down that she isn't. She's American, born and raised. You should visit after this is said and done. Get a chance to meet her in person."
"I think I just might."
They were about halfway down when Sam's voice came through Lara's radio.
"Lara, are you there? Alex said you and Leon were on your way down?"
Lara grabbed her radio.
"We should be there soon...I need to tell you something."
"What's going on?"
"I don't think we can leave this island...something is keeping us here. Leon and I have to go back to the monastery."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Sam. I need you to keep this to yourself for now. I'm going to help Reyes fix that boat, but then I'm taking it inland."
"Lara...I don't know about this."
"Just trust me - it's the only way."
"Alright...you guys be careful."
They didn't get much further when the the transport ground to a halt.
"Are you fucking serious?" Leon groaned.
Lara made a zipline that would take them over to the tower they stopped almost next to. Getting over, they found a makeshift ladder that would take them higher and possibly give them an alternate route.
"It's too quiet," Lara commented as she and Leon pulled themselves up. Leon silently agreed. It was far too quiet and he feared a possible trap as they ziplined to the next structure.
"Hey! They're here!" yelled one man as they all opened fire.
'Fucking knew it,' Leon thought as he and Lara drew their weapons and returned fire.
"Flush them out!"
"Come on! Is that your best!?" Lara screamed at them.
"Don't provoke them anymore, Lara," Leon muttered. He looked up and spotted a man on a turret.
"Shit! Lara, GET DOWN!"
He dove for her, pushing her down as the bullets started flying. The lines holding the ship up gave way and it tilted onto one side. Leon and Lara grasped the railing while the last two Solarii went plummeting into the mists below.
They shimmied along the bars exposed as the turret shot off most of the ship's external body. They safely landed on a platform not yet collapsed and ran. The man shot out the last of the lines holding the ship up, making it go vertical.
They fell to the last possible bar and held on, waiting as the shipwreck swung like a pendulum before they let go and landed on a platform just under it. The platform collapsed a little, sending them sliding almost completely off into the mists had they not attached to the zipline.
They hopped across 3 ziplines before sliding down a slope made of compiled wreckages. Leon shot out the blockade before they went sprawling down 2 more ziplines then splashing into a river. Another blockade was shot out and then a short freefall over a small waterfall before it finally stopped.
Brushing the water from their eyes, they waded over to a dock and pulled themselves out of the water.
"Something tells me the others found an easier way down," Lara stated when the dock disappeared into the sand.
Through a crevice in the wall, they reached the beach.
"Made it...now where are they?" Leon muttered.
They made their way down to the beach and made camp real quick before going to the others. Sam was perched on the side of the boat, watching Jonah and Reyes trying to start the boat. Roth was resting across the seats.
"Sam!" We're here!" Lara called as they approached.
"Lara! Leon!"
She stood and hugged Lara. When they let go, she turned to Leon and hugged him, too. Leon, though taken aback, returned her hug.
Jonah came over and hugged them as well.
"Alex will be sorry he missed out on this."
Leon raised a brow in question while Lara asked, "Where is Alex?"
"Heading over to the Endurance to grab some tools for Reyes," he replied.
"Jonah...give the hoist a try," Reyes asked him. He got out to do as asked.
"This has got to be our best chance, right?" Sam asked Lara.
"We've got to try," Lara agreed, though Leon knew she was only putting on a front and she still intended to go through with what she told Sam up on the cable car.
"I'm glad you and Leon decided to join us, Lara," Reyes said to her. Leon still hadn't gotten over the way she'd treated Lara after the chopper crash, but held his tongue for the moment.
"What can we do to help?" Lara asked.
"Help Jonah. Roth still can't do much with his leg in that condition."
They got out and took position behind Jonah. However, no matter how hard they pulled, it wouldn't budge.
"Shit," Reyes cursed.
"We'd be able to lift it more smoothly with some kind of block and tackle," Leon offered.
"You're right, Leon," Jonah said, looking up at the pulley. "I should be able to fashion one from some more pulleys."
"There might be some on that rigging we can use. Leon and I will check it out," Lara stated, pointing to the rigging.
"Be careful, Lara," Sam said to her friend.
"Don't worry, Sam. I'll keep her out of trouble," Leon promised.
They figured out how to get over to it easily enough. They swung over and climbed inside. Leon quickly realized they weren't alone.
"Who the fuck are they? Sounds like they got guns!"
"I don't know...let me think."
"Radio's been dead for hours...we're cut off, brother...what...what the hell are we gonna do?"
"Goddamn it, shut up for a second! Let me think! Something's going on...you saw the smoke coming from the mountain."
"Yeah...but that could mean anything."
"We'll go in at nightfall."
"Wait...you think that's a good idea?"
Lara shot one man at that point and Leon shot the other. They jumped over and climbed their way up and around the galleon.
"There it is," Lara pointed to it, holding up an anchor. Leon grabbed the trench shotgun and blasted the pulley off. It brought the whole mast crashing down.
Grabbing the pulley and using the fallen mast as a bridge, they eased down to the lower level, blasting through a few Solarii in the process.
They ziplined off the galleon into the shallow waves near the beach and made their way back to the boat. Jonah was near their campsite and they handed off the pulley to him.
"Thanks."
Leon sensed something was troubling him.
"What's wrong?" it was Lara who asked.
Jonah shook his head slightly. "Alex should've been back by now."
The sound of distant gunfire drew their attention, followed by a screaming plea.
"Help! Heeeeelp!" It was that bloody git, Dr. Twitman.
"It's Dr. Whitman!" Jonah cried, running toward the noise. Reyes stood up with her in hand.
"Jonah! Help!" he yelled, shooting at something (or nothing) they couldn't see. He tripped over some debris and stayed there for a moment. Leon glanced at Lara and raised a brow before they walked calmly over to the simpering archaeologist.
"How many are there?" Reyes asked, jogging over.
"I don't know..."
"Are you hurt?" Sam asked, helping him stand.
"I couldn't see anyone," Jonah stated, walking over.
"I must've scared them off," Whitman boasted. Leon rolled his eyes.
"Feel like I've run for miles," he added, hunched over and breathing heavy.
"And you've barely broken a sweat," Lara pointed out as she and Leon joined the others gathered. Leon had his arms crossed, a scowl on his face.
"Must be fitter than I thought," he said, brushing it off.
"You could've led them straight to us like you did back at the palace."
"What?" Reyes questioned.
"That's not how it was, Lara," Whitman denied, shaking his head. "Th-they...they caught me while you and Leon were getting Sam."
"What the hell's this about?" Reyes asked again.
"They said it was the only way they'd let you and the others live. I-I tried to warn you!"
"We don't have time for this! Look, I don't know what the problem is between the two of you, and to tell you the truth, I don't much care," Reyes snapped.
"I was only hoping..." Whitman started but was cut off by Reyes.
"Look, another word and I swear to God I'll start smashing that expensive dentistry of yours!"
"Stop, stop, stop! If we fight amongst ourselves, then we lose," Jonah intervened.
"You're right. Which is why this is not happening, okay?" Reyes asked, glaring around at the others. Leon, however, had had enough.
"That...is...it!" he snarled, drawing all attention to him. "I'm not holding my tongue any longer! I don't trust this idiot son of a bitch any farther than I can throw him! Why do we keep letting him come back to us? Because of his damned excuses?! Everytime he's been a part of the picture, some sort of disaster follows! He got me and Lara captured when we all split up to cover more ground and look for Sam, he blew our cover getting Sam out of that palace! What are you gonna do now, Twitman? You probably did give away our position to the Solarii and we should've cast you out while we still could! He's going to get us all killed! If anyone's cursed here, it's this miserable rat right here!"
"Leon!" Roth was there, too, a hand on Leon's shoulder. "Take it easy, son. Whitman's made some questionable decisions, but he's still one of our people."
Leon growled and vehemently shook his head.
"I'm with Lara. He can't be trusted and he shouldn't be here. Just wait, something bad will happen because once again, this is happening!" he mocked Reyes's words before storming away.
"We'll go after Alex. Where were the tools?" Lara spoke up.
"The engine room...look, he can take care of himself, Lara," Reyes remarked.
"Good. Then we'll be back soon," Lara snapped.
"You need to stop making calls as if you're the leader, Reyes," Leon spat. "Roth's in charge here, and if he suggests we do something or he doesn't object, we do it. End of story."
He and Lara then set off down the beach. The further he was away from Twitman, the better right now.
"Lara, Leon, wait!" It was Jonah. They stopped and waited for him to catch up.
He reached over to the side where they'd stopped and grabbed a compound bow they hadn't noticed. He offered it to Leon.
"Here, take this bow. I've been saving it for you two ever since I found it. It's powerful...can shoot an arrow into almost anything. Might be better suited for Leon since the draw weight is a bit heavier. If you're a sharpshooter with guns, you should handle it with no problem."
Leon nodded and shouldered the bow.
"I taught Johanna how to shoot guns and her longbow. I had some practice showing her what to do with it so time to brush up. Thanks, Jonah."
They turned toward the wreck as Jonah walked back to the boat.
'We've got to get out of here soon. I hope the hunch about the monastery is right.'
AN: New chapter! Another part, another headache. Holy hell...
So there's no confusion, I know Leon doesn't actually have a foster sister, not even a regular sister, but Johanna is my OC from another Resident Evil piece that I haven't posted yet, and she's Leon's adopted younger sister. I don't know if or when I'll post that piece, but if I do, I'll let you guys know!
Next time on Resident Tomb Raider: Leon and Lara go on close shave rescue for Alex in the wreck of the Endurance.
Stay tuned!