National Gallery

London

Lara Croft

Lara walked around the galleries. One of the galleries she went into, was the Amazonian room. She admired the paintings and statues and other artifacts she and Liz had found in 1999. She couldn't believe it had been four years since this amazing find.

Paintings of Lauren, the Amazonian. Her story amazed Lara more, for the writing that was below every picture had told a different story of what Lauren was up against.

Angel and Demons fought against each other to see who would win.

But the one painting still creeped Lara out because Lauren looked almost like herself. In the painting, Lauren is standing with a spear in one hand and her other hand was on a bleeding stomach. There was a warrior on his knees and on top of them was another man, smiling, but the woman, Lauren had the same features as Lara.

It's like I'm looking at myself in the mirror.

Then there was the warrior, who almost looked like William. The only thing different was the muscles and determination.

William is a lot of things, but a warrior? I don't think so.

Lara glanced at her watch as time ticked away. It was already past 1 pm and she was getting worried.

Where could he be?

She looked at the next painting with four children playing together. They looked so innocent but the writing was what made her wonder at the mystery behind it all.

They will grow apart but the war of good and evil will bring them back.

Lara had to frown at this.

What war?

Lara's thoughts were interrupted by someone behind her.

"These children remind me of our childhood," a man's voice said and Lara turned around.

"William," Lara said, happy to see him. "I do not follow."

He hasn't changed a bit. Blue eyes, hair as brown as mine hanging over his face, hiding his eyes.

He stopped inches away from her, wearing a black shirt with a demon picture upfront, jeans, and boots.

"I guess you really don't remember." He said glancing up to the painting "I've been studying it, the painting, and I came across a photo of when I was younger. Around the age of these children."

He hands Lara a photo. There in the photo were four children, playing together but what caught Lara's eye was the one girl.

"That's me."

How did I miss this? How did I forget this even?"

Lara looked up at the painting in wonder.

Are the fates trying to warn me of something?

"I had forgotten that we used to be friends before our last year in high school. It was me, you, and my brother and sister."

"I can't remember them, William. Not even back in high school. What happened to them." Lara said glancing at William.

I should go check my father's journals. What was he doing in America at that time of my life and why did I forget it.

"My sister was sent away after that day and we never heard from her again and my brother ran away at the age of nineteen."

"I'm sorry." Lara said touching his arm "But why would this photo look like the same as the painting.

The same garden is painted, same house and even our clothes look the same but how and why?

"Look Lara I know as little as you that's why I asked you to come to this gallery today." He said. "You have more experience in finding out puzzles like this one."

"You said you had something of mine," Lara said.

He smiled again, "Ah, yes." He took off his backpack, zipping it open. He then reached in and took something out. He zipped his bag and placed it on his back.

"This is yours," he said, handing her the artifact.

"I can't believe it. You had it the whole time," Lara said, taking the golden tiger. It was as small as a fist but heavy like stone.

"You left in such a hurry when you went to stop Seth that you left it behind," he said as Lara looked it over. "Lara, there's something else you should know about the tiger."

Lara stared at him. "Go on."

"There's a rumor that this tiger is the key to opening the real Amazonian's tomb and its treasure the Spear," he said.

William walked to the Amazonian's Painting. Lauren stood over the warrior who was cradling a dead woman in his arms.

"Why do you think so?" Lara said.

"What I read about the tiger, they talk about the Amazonian's will to rise again," he said and before he could continue he then saw someone at the back of Lara coming from the next room.

National Gallery

London

Kurtis Trent

Kurtis looked at the building in front of him and sighed. His brother was there somewhere. But the question was where? The place was big and he could easily get lost and then lose track of his brother again.

I need to use my Farsee, but I'll have to do it in a private place.

Kurtis walked up the stairs and went straight for the bathrooms. He looked around the floor and it looked like marble with only six public toilet doors. He walked to each one, making sure there was no one there. Then he locked himself in the last one.

Kurtis closed his eyes and raised his arms, his palms showing up. He saw red first as his soul left his body.

Making sure his body was still safe, he leaves the bathrooms and looks for his brother. Going as fast as he could through every wall. He found William busy walking to room 120. Kurtis looked at the name and headed back to his body.

"Amazonian's story," Kurtis said to himself and walked to that room as fast as he could, but also unnoticed by the tourist and the staff. Kurtis neared the room and saw a woman, her back turned, but he could see William's face.

William looked up and saw Kurtis.

Kurtis walked closer to them when William took out his gun.

Kurtis ducked down for cover, looking at who William shot at, and saw one of Gunderson's men with a gun next to him.

I could be dead if not for him.

Kurtis looked back at where the two were standing, the people screaming and running to the exits. He was gone with that woman.

National Gallery

London

Lara Croft

Lara didn't know what just happened, but she stepped back when she saw William take out his gun, shoot at someone behind her, and grab her hand, pulling her away as he started running. She had no choice but to run with him, his grip tight on her arm. She drew her gun with her free arm in case of any enemies.

I still don't know what's going on, but I'll find out soon enough.

The duo ran out with the crowd of people into the parking lot. They stopped by a red Toyota.

"Get in," he said, opening the passenger side for Lara to get in.

Lara did as she was told.

William slammed the door shut and shot at someone.

Lara looked at who it was and he looked almost the same as William. She couldn't believe it, but the guy just looked fitter, had more muscles, and had a look of war on his face.

William was shooting around him as if to warn the other man to back off.

Is this his brother?

Seeing the other man back off, William quickly climbed in the car and drove as fast as he could to getaway.

Kurtis had run out the exits trying his best to get out of everyone's way. People were panicking and the police sirens blared from afar.

Better do this quick, I'm a wanted man.

Kurtis ran into the car parking area and he could see them.

William had slammed the door shut at the passenger's side as the woman climbed in. William started shooting at Kurtis, but Kurtis noticed his brother was shooting around him.

I should maybe back off for now.

As Kurtis stepped back, he saw William climb into the car and speed off down the road.

Damn! I let him get away. But something says he's not happy to see me.

Kurtis ran to his bike and climbed on, starting the engine. He sped off in the same direction, hoping to catch them.

A gunshot behind him. He looked over his shoulder and saw Gunderson and his soldiers.

Great.

William's apartment

London

Lara Croft

They walked into his apartment.

Lara glanced at him as he closed the door behind them.

If that's his brother why was he shooting at him?

"You want something to drink?" William asked, leading her to his little living room.

Lara sat down on the single couch. The living room looked like a mess. A lot of coffee cups on the table and papers scattered all over the place like William couldn't decide what he was doing. The couch she sat on squeaked. It was probably very old, the rough fabric tarring off.

"Water and some explanations to what just had happened," Lara said

He only sighed.

"Water coming up," he said and strolled to the kitchen.

Lara kept looking at the place. It wasn't housewarming enough like it just screamed get out of my place.

He returned with the glass of water and handed it to Lara.

Lara took it as he sat down on the opposite couch.

"You saw the guy I shot at, at the car?" he asked.

She nodded.

"That's my brother, who I haven't seen since he rebelled at nineteen," William said.

"Okay, but why did you shoot him?" Lara said.

"I shot him some warning shots," he said, rubbing his forehead. "I'm in some trouble and I don't want him involved in all of it."

"What kind of trouble?" Lara said

"Please Lara, just stays out of it," he said.

Why won't he just tell me, I can help him.

"No, you're gonna tell me," Lara said. "You're gonna tell me whether you like it or not."