51.- Original Prototype Kurtis Trent
Once upon a time, Kurtis Trent was a human being, then he was no more. A survivalist Nephilim? What is that? For Kurtis, it has only been moments since Karel passed by him as if he were an insignificant insect. A blonde woman has been looking at the scene from the shadows. "Still want revenge on Karel?" she asks. "I can properly equip you to survive. To win." Kurtis is still kneeling in defeat. "OK," Kurtis says. "What could be worse?"
And worse happens. Natla takes the opportunity of a broken man to heighten him into a survivalist. Why? Because he still has a piece of angel soul, a blood sign, and he has fallen into some sort of slave mindset. A man who has once harnessed abilities, now sees his body changed into a biomechanical weapon. Little to no trace of what makes him human is left, except for his emotions.
NO! WHAT IS THIS?!
Kurtis tries to use his new cannon hand against Natla, but cannot shoot at her. "You may have evolved," Natla says. "But for now, you are my pet." Kurtis tries to punch her, and he can't. "Now go and kill Karel like you wanted," Natla says. "I gave you your best shot at it. You may now feel sad, but you'll learn to become proud of your heightened state in time. You have prioritized survival, and for that I commend you, Mr. Trent." Somehow, deep within, Natla makes sense. It's Kurtis' new body that's speaking. He does feel more alive than ever.
So, he goes to Karel's estate, to the gate to the Lost Dominion. And flies, for the very first time. The wings feel natural. "So this is what Natla meant," Kurtis says while smiling. Evolution matters. And then he practices landing. Only that he needn't. His subconscious has been expanded. His grasp of experience has changed. He is now a better man, who happens to come across his greatest enemy.
"So, you've fallen into slavery," Karel says. Kurtis is rushed by hatred.
YOU… WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT SLAVERY!
"I've been a slave for generations, from times immemorial, even before the Great Flood," Karel says. "Now, I'm enjoying my newfound freedom. My question to you is, who's your master?" Kurtis doesn't understand the question; he's been blinded by a mix of heightened hatred towards Karel and euphoria for his newfound physical enhancements.
KILL HIM! HE HAS KILLED YOUR FAMILY! HE IS THE ONE BEHIND IT ALL!
Karel looks at Kurtis and understands. "You are still under the blood sign," Karel says. "We share the same master now. I hope you can realize your current state before it's too late." But clarity of thought isn't in Kurtis skillset right now. He's still adjusting to his new state of being, one that prioritizes survival, one that has a heightened fight or flight system, and boy he can fight. Kurtis' hand cannon makes its maiden shot directed towards Karel, who passes away smiling, full of peace.
PEACE?
Kurtis recognizes that emotion, but finds it hard to make it compatible with Karel. Kurtis' unconscious still hasn't adjusted his parasympathetic system to his new sympathetic system, so the autonomous nervous system remains in imbalances that don't allow emotions to be processed adequately. And he now sees it, the effect of his bad choices amplified, an army of Nephilim Survivalists carrying traits of his former face walks past him like robots executing a command.
DESTROY THE GATE! SAVE THE WORLD!
Kurtis arrives at the gate he should have never opened. And tries to close it, but his blood sign doesn't connect with the gate.
WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU CAN CLOSE THAT GATE?
Kurtis doesn't recognize the voice, but it's the same one that lured him into opening the door, the same one that has prompted him to kill Karel. "Who are you?" Kurtis asks.
YOU KNOW ME BY THE NAME OF THE SLEEPER. I'M YOUR MASTER NOW! OBEY OR DIE!
It doesn't matter anymore whether it is submission or survival instincts, but Kurtis reacts to a gun shot made in his back. It's Lara Croft, his former ally has become a target now. Whatever they have shared in the past, it's all gone. It's fight or die now. And he receives the first stab of a weapon he once helped forge. Then, the second. And finally, the third one. Kurtis' life is ended by the miracle of the Periapt Shards.
Lara takes the Shards away, and watches his former ally turn into ash. A teardrop escapes from Ms. Croft, and she washes it away. I wouldn't have made a difference if he didn't pick up the Sanglyph. The door to the Lost Dominion would have been opened by someone else. And so, Lara Croft crosses the threshold to the place where she has been commended to finish the Great Work. A last descent into darkness, she hopes. The tears of time are starting to show up on her.