Chapter 6 - The Legend continued..

"Woah!" said Lara.

"That is amazing!"

Bryce was transfixed.

"How do you know all this?" asked Lara. 

"I was sent a message, the one I sent you.  I touched it and then, I just knew.  I researched it, and then came up with this. Interesting isn't it?"

"Interesting!.  It's bloody amazing"

"Hmm.  There's still more.  But, can I get you anything.  You must be starving!"

"Yeah.  I'm a bit hungry actually.  Bryce?"

"Food!  That would be great.  Thanks"

"I can do sandwiches, whatever really"

"We could order a pizza" said Bryce

"NO!"  screamed Alexa.   "No! I'm sorry, we can't do that"

"Why?"

"There's something I didn't mention in the letter.  It's why I had to change my address!"

"Oh!?"

"Something has been following me.  Stalking me.  Figures on the balcony of my old apartment. It's been ever since I started looking all of this stuff up."

"Don't worry.  How about, Bryce goes out and does some shopping, and I'll stay here.  You can tell me the rest of the legend"

"And me miss out on the story.  This is a good one.  I haven't liked stories since I was a kid" said Bryce.

"Bryce, you are a kid.  I'll fill you in later anyway.  Promise. And you get to choose food!"

"Oh. Ok then."

"You better choose good stuff"

"I'm going, I'm going,….. I'm gone"  And with that the door shut. 

"So, the rest of this legend?"

"Yeah!…

Well, everything was going fine, for thousands of years.  People were evolving and, life continued. They were there for 30,000 years, and during this time, there had been only 19 guardians. After the 5th one, the people realised that during the times when there was no guardian, the sword was not safe in it's home in the temple.  People from the outside world were realising that there was a city made of sapphire, which held a legendary sword. They wanted it. Many thieves, and robbers tried to enter the city and temple to steal the Miran. So the people cast a spell, and summoned the first guardian, the One to come and protect the sword when there was no guardian.  Something went wrong. It came back, not as a human, but as a spirit.  It was not dangerous, or deadly. It had merely come back to do its job.  They erected a silver pedestal, made from the same material that the sword was named after.  They made a throne from the same substance, and engraved patterns on it to match the sword.

Another 30,000 years passed from that time, and the last Guardian, the 19th (we are at the 40,000 year mark), possessed different knowledge to that of the others.  The sword had realised that men were greedy and cruel.  The last Guardian climbed to the top of the temple and outside.  He looked over the sapphire Empire, and realised how beautiful it was.  It had to be protected.  And so, he raised the sword above his head, shouted the same incantation as the first Guardian had done to harness the power, and……."

"And what?"

"The Empire vanished. Like that"   Alexa clicked her fingers.

"I supposed that's why it's called the Lost Empire?"  said Lara

"Yes.  But it won't be for long"

"And why would that be?" said Lara, knowing the answer before she had even finished the question.

"Because you and I, and Bryce, are going to find it.  We are going to find the Lost Empire, uncover it's hidden secret of the unknown universe, and find "The Miran"

Alexa paused, and looked at Lara, fearing the worst.  Maybe she should have told her more in the first place.  Lara was so unpredictable. Unpredictable! How could she know this about this person?  She had only met her a few hours ago and read about her before. 

Alexa considered the facts, because Lara was looking down, obviously thinking about something. Ever since this letter had arrived, telling her about these people, she had known things about people, known people, known details of things she had never known before. And now, she was obsessed. She had been followed…she couldn't take it anymore.

Bryce walked in the door.  He was carrying 3 bags full of food.  He walked straight to the kitchen and began to bang things around.

"Lara?"

Lara looked up.  She was smiling from ear to ear.

"When do we leave?"