Hello ff readers,

another update is here. It's been a while. But our adventurous duo still has so much to do! ;) So explore and (hopefully) enjoy. :)

Chapter 29: Burdens of Bygone Sorrows

Lara instinctively swung her hands in panic, trying to get a grasp on anything that could stop the sudden descend. The thoughts of the utter horror had even no time to fully form. Luckily, and to her great relief, the abrupt fall ended almost immediately after she had lost her footing. Whilst recovering her balance to stay standing, a strong feeling of relief was dominant on the Tomb Raider's mind at first.

What the hell?!... Wasn't I just falling in? she was asking herself, disoriented.

Still confused from the unexpected startle, she registered that the surface underneath her - and only in radius about several inches around her current spot - had just lowered itself down to the still reachable height, so the level of the ground was now up to her shoulders. She managed to calm down the quick heartbeat and hasty breathing pretty quickly, enjoying the sense of safety of the firm and stable ground under her feet again.

Then she threw a glance at Kurtis who was now looking back at her. Kneeling-down with resting his arm on the knee, perfectly relaxed and at ease. And with a smirk. The vanity was blatantly emerging from his self-assured expression. And that was what got Lara over the edge. Her narrowed eyes only deepened her enraged expression. She was definitely not in the mood for any silly jokes. And it didn't even appease her that an opening had appeared right in front of her eyes. As an entrance into a cave served on a silver platter. It was still a poor compensation, though. "You could've warned me, partner," she said in a cold tone, the irritation dripping from the every single word.

"Come on, Lara," Kurtis said in a conciliatory manner, standing up and waving his hand in dismissal. At this point, he still appeared to be pretty amused and - what irritated her even more - satisfied with himself and his previous action. "I've though you like mysterious ancient surprises. Shouldn't you be used to these by now?" His attempt to lighten up the situation didn't bring the wanted effect, though.

"I hate this kind of surprises, she said through gritted teeth. "Absolutely. Never do that again. Ever. Is it clear now?" She clenched her fists to stop the slight shaking. Lara wasn't even sure if the tremor had been caused by the anger or the sudden startle. "Or we won't be working together anymore."

Kurtis seemed to be taken aback out of the sudden. He frowned in confusion. "I knew there was no danger," he defended his imprudence, baffled. "It was perfectly safe. Otherwise I wouldn't have—"

"Just don't do this," she stated firmly with leaving no space for any further discussion.

At least Kurtis obviously didn't want to dive into one right now. "Okay," he was watching her, obviously with a bunch of unasked questions on his mind. "I'm sorry. I guess I shouldn't have," he uttered at last, jumping down to her and setting out into the revealed entrance. He crouched and got inside, disappearing from Lara's view.

Lara bit her lip as a sting of blame hit her. She knew she had overreacted. But what had been done had been done. Plus giving her a fright like that definitely had not been funny at all. She followed Kurtis' lead nevertheless. As the entrance closed itself with a thud right after entering the opening, the panic raised in her once again. The duo was left in the complete darkness. Lara fumed in irritation. "I've been direct enough, haven't I? I've told you—" she started bitingly.

"That's not my doing," he protested. "That's how it works here. The secrecy used to be one of the Order's few weapons. Gimme a second..."

A moment later several torches along the wall enlightened the room. Lara blinked several times to adapt her vision affected by the prior darkness. She spotted a tunnel leading somewhere deep inside the area. The flames had also revealed Kurtis with closed eyes and his open palm placed beside the symbol of the Lux Veritatis order depicted on the wall. Lara didn't see any lever or button there, though.

"A high-tech switch," he joked, turning to her. "More reliable than an eye print."

"Is this mechanism connected to your extraordinary powers?"

"This one is," Kurtis stated somehow proudly. "Just like... the other one outside," he added carefully, as if expecting getting another roasting.

"Zip would be amazed by such a system of switching lights on," the Tomb Raider replied in a forgiving tone this time. "This is definitely a better kind of the unexpected."

"Anything's wrong, Lara?" Kurtis asked after a slight hesitation. "You don't look okay. I mean, you seem to be kind of... distracted."

She closed her eyes shut with a sight. "I just..." Then she looked into his eyes again. "The accident I told you about earlier... That accident." She tucked a part of the slightly overgrown side-sweeping fringe behind her ear and looked away, trying to evade the feeling of discomfort. "A part of the structure collapsed and fell in when I was inside. I still feel kind of uneasy in such situations. Not always, just sometimes... And the slide you've caused outside was pretty resembling to all those memories." And here it was again. Instead of his often easy-going and even a little bit mischievous face, the one full of regrets appeared. And Lara started to feel guilty because of his obvious remorse. "Look, it's okay—"

"I didn't know that." His expression and voice was full of seriousness now. "I've never really thought about what exactly happened to you back then... I shouldn't have been joking around like that. I sincerely apologize to you."

His words tugged at Lara's heartstrings, but she did her best not to show it. "It's not your fault. I'm not keen on talking about the experience." She shrugged. "I didn't tell you the details before, so you couldn't know..." She paused in thought for a moment. "I just hope reading minds is not one of your special abilities. That wouldn't really place you in a good light."

"Not the case," Kurtis said with a shook of his head. "You really need to stop overrating the powers of the Order."

"Well, I admit those I know about are already impressive enough."

"Either way, the untimely joke was stupid of me."

"It's fine. Nothing's happened." They set out walking through the long tunnel, not wider than an average one way road.

"I declare the time of jokes is over now..." Then he gave her an impish side-glance. "Or at least for now," the American added.

"Good. Even though there are many worse things bothering me at the moment."

"Such as? Apart from this 'biblical race-based' mess I mean."

"Many various," Lara answered neutrally. "I wouldn't even know where to start."

"I can relate with you on this. There's still somethin' breathing down my neck," he proclaimed with a sigh.

"There's no rest for the wicked, right?"

Kurtis only smirked for a brief moment. "Just to let you know," he hesitated before speaking again, "well, I admit that my action outside was childish. The truth is... I don't feel exactly comfortable being here either," he said, locking his sight somewhere deep into the darkened path ahead of them.

Lara glanced over him. "Why?" She was aware that Kurtis had not been eager to fulfill the Lux Veritatis'-related duties in his earlier days. But at this very moment she was taken aback by him revealing the emotional discomfort connected to his past. That was not Kurtis Trent's typical behaviour in her eyes, at least compared to the demeanour she had encountered previously.

"'Cause... Some bitter feelings you could say. Those concerning my parents and such, you know," Kurtis started, weighing his words carefully. "Bad arguments, mainly. We were moving a lot. And for some time, this used to be our hiding place as well."

"Okay," she nodded. "I understand."

They took a few more steps and then Kurtis stopped with a thoughtful frown. "You do?"

Lara turned around to him and paused as well. "Yes. You were trying to think about something else. And making me angry makes you somewhat happy for no obvious reason, so..."

He made a disagreeing grimace. "It ain't really—"

"Forget it." Lara halted him with a gesture of her hand, but smiled. "I was serious about the first part of my statement only. You were trying to clear your head and draw your attention elsewhere. I take it. Let's call this issue closed."

"Alright then." They continued through the hallway without saying anything for several seconds. "Lara?" Kurtis addressed her in a serious and kind of careful tone again.

"Yes?" she assumed he was about to ask more about the Egyptian experience which had caused her previous excessive reaction. But eventually the British woman found herself to be taken aback by his question.

"Could I ask you a favor of not sharing this archaeological exploration with the rest of the world?"

She grimaced in irony. "Kurtis, I've already almost ended up with my head unpleasantly close to a guillotine. And believe me, I have absolutely no need to get talkative with press or other archaeologists who despise me," she assured him.

"You could grow higher in their eyes," he said with a shrug. "Especially after 'The Monstrum' case. Revealing this place could be quite like hitting a jackpot."

"I don't care about other people's opinions or praise." She shook her head. The idea itself was unimaginable to her. "But..." she glanced at him in curiosity, "would you consider getting rid of me if I wanted to inform the world?" the adventurer asked, even though she had already known the answer.

For a fleeting moment, a mixture of sadness and regret was present. Among other things, Kurtis had evidently recalled his earlier threat to Lara. "Nah, got enough of all this already. Even if it ever was the Lux Veritatis' rule, I've never been a proper fan of those, as you know already."

"And was it?"

"I don't know 'bout that," he admitted. "But you'll surely agree that there're situations when some higher truths need to be protected. Even for high prices."

"Yes. I know something about these. Definitely."

They entered a wide hall decorated with embedded reliefs, depicting scenes of the clashes between the Lux Veritatis and Cabal. Despite the serious theme, it was a pleasant sight for the eye after the simple stone tunnel lined with torches. However, in this part Lara's attention was mainly drawn to the set of beveled platforms with overhanging protrusions in some places. There were also two short parallel bars low about the floor.

It's a little small for the assault course... came on the Tomb Raider's mind at first.

"What do you think?" Kurtis asked as if presenting a huge treasure chest.

"Well," she crossed her hands and took a deep breath, "that I wouldn't have guessed that you ancestors were fans of mini-golf."

He grinned. "No, my dear lady. There was no time for such posh kind of entertainment. This serves,..." he checked his speech, "well, used to serve, as one of the training rooms. For exercising hand walking."

She turned to him, unsure. "You are kidding."

He smirked. "Hold my beer." Kurtis put some of his equipment on the floor and then headed to the start of the course. He put his palms on the platform and made a handstand with ease. Then - to Lara's dismay - he actually started moving briskly forwards, up and down along the track. At some parts, he even overcame protrusions and gaps, relying on one of his hands for a few moments in those places. As if it was nothing.

Lara had to admire his coordination, balance and stamina. The sight at the currently strained body of her partner made her wondering how the whole training of the Lux Veritatis order must have been used to be in motion. And how much demanding it likely was. In all aspects.

He must have endured a lot...

However, Lara almost gasped as somewhere behind the half of the track Kurtis had lost his equilibrium, getting shaky and swaying. Unable to find and keep the needed balance, his legs met the ground. "I'm out of practice with this," he stated, standing up and brushing off his hands. An incline of around twenty-two degrees was too demanding this time.

"Really impressive," Lara complimented, approaching him. "That needs a massive strength."

Kurtis made a bow with a grin. "Well, at least the training brings some perks, finally," he joked and picked up his things set aside previously. "Glad I've entertained you. Such exercise maybe doesn't look very useful, but it is, actually."

"I believe that. A pretty tough workout, though. Especially for a youngster."

"Yeah... Wanna try out?"

She eyed the track doubtingly. "No, thank you," Lara declined politely, not sure if he had been serious or not. "I prefer my assault course at home. And I'll be rather saving my energy for later."

"That's not a bad idea I guess. 'Kay. Let's move on and—" suddenly Kurtis' eyes widened. "Get down!"

Without thinking Lara obeyed her partner's call to duck immediately, only to register the whoosh of the blade above her head, seemingly coming out of nowhere. With no hesitation Kurtis pushed off the enemy with his telekinesis, cursing himself for showing-off previously and losing the focus on the task. He reached for the Chirugai and automatically unholstered his pistol. Soon he realized that a gun would be basically useless. In every case, the now activated Chirugai was making him feel secure enough. Even though he did not want to use the sharp weapon in this case.

It emerged that the attacker was one of the Lux Veritatis' Guardians. The duo immediately registered another three Knights protecting the vault stepping out of the alcoves on the margins of the hall. Kurtis noted Lara already standing by her back close to his, covering him. And already pointing both of her guns and switching the targets between the Knights in her view.

"Did you know they were here?" Lara asked, breathless.

"I didn't know for sure. They could be laid to rest since Eckhardt is now gone... And I was also hoping they wouldn't attack me. But haven't realized..."

"That I don't have the privilege. Of course," she muttered, finishing for her partner.

"It's not just you. In Kriegler it seemed they didn't recognize me either. And I had to eliminate one of them to proceed," he said with a hint of guilt in his voice.

"I know... Maybe it happened because of Karel being in the area," Lara guessed.

All of the Knights kneeled out of the sudden, lowering their heads and leaning their hands on the swords. "Maybe..." He holstered his Boran X and turned to her. "As I can recall, this gesture stands as a pass. You may put the guns down." Lara reluctantly obeyed, eyeing their enemies all the time. "They're fine now," he assured her. "They seem to understand that I belong here and you're here with me. Hopefully." The blades retracted and he put the Chirugai back onto his belt as well.

"If you say so..." She holstered her pistols. "But I'll keep my eyes open and back covered."

"That's my task to cover my partner in field, isn't it?" he retorted. "And I don't wanna brag, but I think I've been doing a pretty good job."

She paused and then turned to him with a genuine smile this time. "I know you do that. You've always had. Even though I've never asked for it."

"I'm aware," he stated in a pretended apologetic tone. "Sorry for causing you such trouble."

She tilted her head and put up a playful smirk. "But I've thanked. And I've been grateful."

"That will do." He smiled in satisfaction.

"I'm serious here, Kurtis."

"So am I. I haven't done any of it to get your gratitude, though." Then he looked aside and cleared his throat. "By the way, how did you managed to get through the stronghold under the Louvre? The Guardians were there as well I suppose."

She shrugged. "A shotgun, wits. A deep abyss close by in some cases. Do the math."

"No wonder he doesn't like you," Trent nodded to the Knight who had attacked Lara.

"What was I supposed to do?"

He grinned. "Offering them some other dance than the dance of death, maybe? That could work."

"Now that's an idea. Feel free to go and ask Karel for a dance yourself," she mocked him. "I take back what I said earlier. We have won already then."

"Let's leave it as a plan 'the last of the plans B'," he noted with exaggeration. "Anyway I'll go first. Just as an assurance, stay close to me." He went over to the side with where the now unmoving Knight was, making sure that Lara was not getting near to the enemy who had tried to behead her. "I can't guarantee your safety here otherwise."

She smiled. "There are no guarantees in life."

XXX

After going through several rather long passageways, the duo got into another hall. "This way," Kurtis pointed at one of the doorways in the back of the room. "Then we'll see."

"You mean like you don't know where to go?"

He sighed. "Not exactly. I just don't know every inch of this place. It's been a long time. During the visit I can recall I was like... eleven or so? On top of it, here used to be some parts not everyone was allowed to enter. Including me. But now..."

Lara knew what he was about to say. That no one else was left now. No one but him. "It's okay. We'll find what Karel wants first. I'm really good at finding such objects."

"Only if the map or some other lead is here, after all," he mused in a dull tone. Then he came over to the heavy wooden door and opened it with a cracking of the old material. "Feel free to come in. So you wouldn't complain I didn't show you any of my dwellings." Kurtis stopped by the entrance, looking inside. "Not a very heart-warming home, what do you think? Yours definitely looks more welcoming."

She joined him and peeked inside. To Lara, the place appeared to be of the size of a regular flat. She could see that there were about four turns leading somewhere behind the corner. The Tomb Raider guessed that those led to where the other rooms were. She looked around the dusty furniture. "So this is the exact place you were staying at?"

He turned to her. "Yeah. Our lovely spot." The irony in his voice was impossible to overhear. "There are several of these... chambers. Used by many people through all the years. So it's very likely someone else was staying here in the meantime."

"For how long were you here?" she asked, entering after Kurtis. "With your mother and father I mean."

"After I was born, till I was three. Then some years later we returned only for several months. I spent the majority time with my mother here. And concerning my father? I dunno." He shrugged. "Several hours? Days? He used to be away almost all the time. It was always like that, no matter where."

There was something Lara didn't like about his face. "Bad memories?"

"Nope, no. Just, not the unpleasant ones only... I'm not sure what's worse, to be honest."

Lara didn't say anything but kept watching him. She knew the burdensome feeling. It was basically the same problem she had with Werner Von Croy. Bad memories overshadowing the good ones.

Kurtis sighed, as if feeling her gaze. "My parents used to like it here. You know, I was born here, their only child... On the other hand, a part of my training took the place here as well. And also, many arguments with my father and the others," he added with a bitter smile. "I hated the way we used to live."

"I'm sorry."

"It's all gone now... He's gone."

Lara placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it in a supportive gesture. "We fight in your father's name as well."

"His name was Konstantin..." Then he frowned thoughtfully. "Have I ever even told you?"

"No, there was not a proper opportunity for such a talk... It's a strong sounding name. Especially for a warrior like your father certainly was."

Kurtis exhaled. "You know, we shouldn't be dealing with this shit by now. It all was ought to end a while ago."

Lara could feel his inner turmoil and wrath. She lowered her gaze. "I'm aware."

"Just to let you know, I don't blame you." He pointed somewhere into the other end of the room. "We'll go this way."

Lara walked around him and started looking around the main room in more detail. She knew that her partner's grumpy mood was not going to pass quickly. It was clear to her that the American needed some time to put up with his burden of memories, as well as their current sombre presence. An old sheet of paper of the nearest table took her attention. The curiosity got a better of her and she automatically picked it up to read it. She blew the layer of dust away.

Eckhardt has led us into a devious trap. We've been foolish for thinking that The Black Alchemist would be defeated so easily. It was a horrendous massacre. Only six of our brave Warriors of Light has survived. The sinister forces are against us. We're still not giving up, though. The rightful punishment for the Alchemist and his minions is nearing. We only need to beware of the Cabal's treacherous tactics even more. In every case, The Light of Truth will win. It has to. It's our duty.

The rest was unreadable as another part of the page was missing, likely bitten off by the rodents. She put the writing back down with heaviness in her heart. The belief of the person who had written this was exceptional. And now, she already knew the ending of this story. Only one of them - The Warriors of Light - was here to fight now. He eyes fell on the American. She saw him struggling slightly to open the heavy metal door. "Do you want some help with it?"

"Nope," he uttered, his voice affected by the effort. He finally pushed it open. Kurtis was about to enter, but then paused and turned back to her on the doorsill with a questioning gaze. Lara strode quickly to join him. They passed several turns only to get to the dead end. But Lara didn't doubt her guide's lead. Kurtis pushed at the wall and another secret entrance opened. "Some important people of the Order are buried here," he explained, already coming down the stairs. "As far as I know, you're only the second person outside the Order seeing this."

The new information made her come to a halt. "Who was the first one?"

"My mother," the American replied and then continued in his way.

The sight at the hall's interior made Lara forget her initial thoughts and questions. There were rectangular stone coffins with beautifully decorated lids with silver plating on the both sides of the spacious hall. She walked along the created aisle in awe, admiring the atmosphere and the craftsmanship of the builders. But then her attention was caught by the striking differences on several of the stone casks. They were half-opened and empty. Also, at the end of the room there were some damaged ones. The lids were scattered, the protrusions overhanging from the broken desks. As if being left deliberately in such poor condition. She turned to Kurtis who was walking behind her in silence. He was also looking around before his sight fell on her. Lara was little bit taken aback by his empty expression. She was feeling sorry for him seeing the resting places of some of his dead Lux Veritatis fellow fighters. "Why are some of them empty?" She tried to distract his dark thoughts.

He looked aside. "Many of the Warriors couldn't afford the luxury to be brought and buried here or in another of our places. The Cabal made sure that there was simply nothing to bring back."

Lara would slap herself if she could. Of course. Why else? "And that one, for example? Why is it broken?" There was no obvious reason for the damage.

"Yeah, that's what elders used to do. It was said to represent a traitor of the Order. Or a deserter. As you can see, there were more than one exception through the history. Maybe one of these was even meant to be dedicated to me. I wouldn't be surprised. If that's the case, I've lost the privilege to be buried in such place. Not that I've ever cared or dreamed of being stuck in somewhere like here forever."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. That's how it is... Let's go to the library. There is a room which used to be forbidden to enter. More or less."

"More or less?" Lara inquired.

He grimaced. "It depends if you count sneaking in against the rules."

"I see..." She returned his impish smirk. "Are you sure that there's no other Eckhardt being kept there, right?" the British woman asked in half worry and half joke.

He gave her a hard glance. "Yes. There used to be some of the Periapts Shards stored for some time. And more artifacts and stuff."

"I just hope there won't be any of your Brothers either. The Brother Obscura gave me quite a hard time back in Paris."

"Shouldn't be." He looked around the room. "There is supposed to be some kind of a switch... somewhere. I wasn't paying attention the last time," he admitted.

"Okay. Let's search for it together." They parted and started with checking the walls, floor, as well as the coffins. "You've never told me what was your father like," Lara broke the silence after a while. "Was he tough at you?"

Kurtis Trent sighed, and Lara hoped that it was not from irritation. "Quite, yeah. But it doesn't matter. I'm the bad guy in this story Lara, not him."

"Not for me."

"Unfortunately you are wrong."

"I don't think I am," she retorted.

"Well, you shouldn't be so sure. I ain't any hero."

"It depends on how you look at the matter. You have some heroic actions on your account already."

An ironical snort let out from her American partner's mouth made Lara pause in her searching. She turned to him. "In fact, I think you are a brave man. A good guy with his heart at the right place. Sometimes quite big-headed, maybe even arrogant. Very arrogant. But it's just a facade. You are far from that bad guy you're trying to be."

"It's kind of you to say that," he uttered after a short moment of astonishment. "But why are you saying all this to me now?"

"I've felt like you've needed to hear it. And I'm just returning you a favour here. Your attempt to distract me with that hand walking performance of yours was very thoughtful."

So she saw through my initial intentions, clever girl... he thought with an inner smirk. "Regardless, you will very likely change your mind once you'll get to know more about me."

Now it was Lara who snickered. "Maybe you'll be surprised. I don't consider myself being saint either, you know."

"I doubt that there is anything that could ever stop me from—" he paused, obviously making up his mind at last, "fighting by your side."

His vacillation hadn't been missed by Lara. Before she had a chance to ask her partner about it, her mind was drawn elsewhere. By something she had found by touch at the very moment. "Wait..." she paused, "I think I've got it." She pushed a small movable block under the overhanging edge of one of the empty resting places. Their previous chatter was left completely forgotten in that moment.

The heavy stone door perfectly covered by the wall's reliefs moved forward with a mighty rumbling a then shifted aside, revealing another spacious room.

"Good work," Kurtis said simply, setting out into the opening. "Let's go for the price."

Lara also entered and immediately stopped in awe. The room with ceiling high above them was full of stacks of books, parchments and other writings. There were decorated pillars with torches. "This is beautiful."

"You think so?" He looked around himself. "Yeah, not that bad I guess."

"Here must be like hundreds of texts," the adventurer said in disbelief.

"Several thousands if I recall correctly. So I was told once."

"That's amazing. Really."

"Forget 'bout it. We're looking for Karel's new picked out toy."

Lara was watching him with a narrowed eyes. His impatience had evoked a bad memories in the Tomb Raider's mind. Karel had played with her this way already.

Could he be...?

Kurtis somehow registered her gaze. "Sorry. I don't wanna put you into any pressure. I just... wanna get outta here already," the American confessed.

His answer made her relaxed somehow. She could read the honesty in his eyes. Or at least she thought so. "I'm on it. Where exactly used to be that Shard stored here?"

"Well," he exhaled. "Somewhere here. Hidden. Connected to some mechanism."

"Of course," she muttered. "Let's have a look."

"Check this out, Lara, there are some symbols," Kurtis called out to her, pointing at the side of one of the shelves. "Can it help?"

"Maybe... Are any of these familiar to you?"

"No."

"Are any traps in here?" Lara asked to confirm her suspicion.

"Very likely. This is a Lux Veritatis vault," he added in a dull tone.

"Okay then," she started after a short consideration. "Let's push it and see what happens. Be ready to run, jump of the way, or save yourself in any other way."

"I'll rather do what I can to try to keep us both alive. Go ahead."

She pressed the depicted symbol and waited. A menacing creaking was heard. She quickly backed away from the shelve, already expecting some deadly danger. Five sharp spikes fell from the ceiling, and aimed to pierce the ground she had been standing at just a few moments before. Lara couldn't hold back a gasp.

The last of the Lux Veritatis automatically used his telekinesis to hold them above the ground, even though Lara had been in safety already. Then he let them fall with a loud rattle. "Perfect, only like... fifty more of those and we're done," Kurtis commented.

"Nice catch," she complimented her partner's quick reflexes and ignored his remark. Then Lara's sight fell on another engraved ornament. "Wait. The symbol..."

"What's up with it?" He stood next to her.

"This one." She pointed her finger at the carved traces." I've seen it before. Thanks to four of these I got into the vault under the Louvre." Lara pushed it and waited in anticipation. A second later only a small stick extended. But to Lara's disappointment, it was empty. As she had pulled it down as a lever, nothing happened. "I don't understand."

"Geez, warn me the next time before touching it, will ya?" he muttered in slight irritation and breathed out in relief that nothing bad had happened this time. "How about trying the rest of the symbols you were talking about?"

"That's right! Their combination!" Lara exclaimed, the well-known sparkle of the Tomb Raider coming back to life again. She put down her backpack and put out Von Croy's journal. She turned to the wanted page. "You see these? That's it! Try to find the rest."

"I'm on it. Over there's another," he announced, already heading across the room.

After a while, there were five of the symbols activated. "And now?"

"The order is right," she said checking the notebook and then sighed. "We're missing something."

"Such as?"

"I don't know, but..." Then she got an idea. "Are here any writings somewhere?"

"Well, there used to be one at the training room. But it fell apart from the most part. We were made to learn it by heart."

"What was there?"

"It was referring to the training somehow."

"How exactly?"

"I'm trying to recall, just wait a second..." He blew out the air after a few seconds. "In translation it was something like: "The unity touches everything. Don't always rely on your two hands only. Sometimes a Warrior needs more to embrace the universe and find every goal, answer and the light."

The British woman supported the chin by her hands, pondering. Relying on hands. The Lux Veritatis. Unity. More than your hands...

"I've always thought the blather refers to the obstacles."

After a few minutes the Tomb Raider got an idea. "Well, how about...? Let's try to pull all these at once," she nodded to the revealed pieces.

"Why?"

"All the talk about the unity... Sometimes you need more than your two hands. Literally. Not only for the track, but also for pushing more than two buttons at once... Maybe."

"That sounds reasonable enough. At least considering the other crazy games created by my ancestors."

"Could you somehow reach that one across the room as well?"

"No problem. I've got it. My telekinesis will help here. I'm a Lux Veritatis, after all. Even though a lousy one."

Lara shook her head. "Just show me what you can do, my dear Warrior of Light."

"With pleasure," he grinned. "Alright, so 3...2...1..."

Right after the click, nothing happened. The Tomb Raider frowned in discontent, already trying to think of some other possibilities they could try to proceed. Her thoughts were interrupted as a pedestal with a small chest resting in the middle raised from the ground. "Perfect." Lara's eyes lit up and she reached to the stone storage box.

Before she had a chance to touch the object, Kurtis grabbed her hand, stopping her. "Lemme do it."

She gave him a questioning glance.

"It'll be safer," he explained. "Just to be sure."

"Well, you are the Lux Veritatis, after all." She agreed and moved aside, making him space and motioning him to find out what was inside.

He stepped closer to the pedestal and carefully removed the stone lid. "Here we go..." He let out the breath he had been holding as he put out a smaller open casing from inside. "The map is ours."

Lara breathed out in satisfaction and relief. "We did it."

Kurtis smiled back at her, handing her the map fragment. "Well done, Lara. I didn't doubt we would succeed with your experience on our side."

"I admit the team work has its magic sometimes, Mr. Trent."

"It definitely does, Lady Croft," he agreed. "You have a point there."