Yellow Brick Road

Kurtis soon caught up to Lara and Alice, who were covering each other as they snaked down the hallways, both using expert motions and movements as they recalled upon their days in organized squadrons.

When they established that there were no guards around, Alice spoke up, indifferent towards Kurtis who searched her face for something which would explain her actions in the previous moment.

"I understand that there is some sort of archaeological dig in the basement—there should be an excavation entrance to the complex that houses the shield." She explained. "The basement is only accessible by an elevator. That elevator should be down the hall somewhere," She peeked around the corner, noticing a handful of guards that they could easily take out.

"Hold on," said Kurtis. He braced himself and raised his hands as he let his Farsee ability glide around the corner counting 15 guards, hiding in front of a door, beyond which lay an awesome arena, with only one other exit. He tried to get through it, but he couldn't, and his vision came crashing back to him as he stumbled backwards, Alice's support the only thing that kept him from crashing to the ground.

"There are about 15 guards there, protecting an arena beyond which I couldn't get through," he told them, noticing, along with Lara, Alice's confused and bewildered gaze.

"Lux Veritatis, an ancient brotherhood which has pitted itself against the cabal. I have some special, eh, talents" Kurtis responded to her look. Alice, still slightly confused but accepting it, turned serious.

"I can take maybe one or two from here before they realize what's happening," She said, motioning to the M16, which she'd thankfully picked up off the guard she'd targeted earlier. "That leaves 13 armed guards…" Her eyes were distracted as a metal disc that had laid motionless at Kurtis's hip now shook violently, raising into the air, popping violent looking blades before circling wildly around them.

"Not a problem" Kurtis laughed at her, and was surprised when she in turn smiled at him, eyes locked between them.

"Then let's go," Lara disrupted their gazes.

Kurtis's Chirugai, ready for attack, rounded the corner and flew towards the guards, just as Alice stepped into the corridor and took out three of the guards before the Chirugai reached them, brandishing them and slicing the guards who stood awestruck at the spectacle clean across the jugular. Soon, the coast was clear, and the trio proceeded towards the door.

They had reached the end of the corridor and where about to turn down another when suddenly they froze. The sound of several clicks echoed threateningly through the halls, and they followed a dozen read dots appear on their chests. They were cornered.

The three of them had no choice but to comply with their captor's wishes. Handcuffed and weary, they entered the empty arena. The arena was large and cavernous; opposite their entrance stood a platform where their hosts sat.

"This seems to happen to us a lot, doesn't it," Kurtis attempted to brighten Lara's mood, but her scowl stayed as she shot him a violent look. "Careful there sweetheart, I'm not the enemy."

Lara's scowl suddenly increased as he saw her eyes flick up at their hosts.

"I never got to properly thank you for achieving the key for me, Lady Croft, please accept my apologies." A familiar looking pregnant woman smiled wryly at the prisoners.

"I'd sooner die," spat Lara.

"Careful, my dear, that can easily be arranged," Ulrich Kaufman interrupted from beside the woman.

"Then why haven't you killed us yet?" asked Kurtis, his eyes suddenly falling on the woman who sat in a throne like chair; her power obviously greater than that of Kaufman.

"Welcome to the Keskin Kale Compound I'm afraid I have been rather rude. My name is Natasha Petrova. But names mean so little, no? Even the great name of Lara Croft is not without an epithet. Very well. I was, and still am, a member of the Cabal, but I disagreed with the practices of Karel. One of the few who knew his ulterior motive, I disassociated myself from that project, but after Joachim's pleas I agreed to continue looking for a way to reestablish the divine race of the Nephilim. I need you two, the Tomb Raider, and the Lux Veritatis warrior, to get me my shield." Petrova managed a maniacal laugh, her hand caressing her pregnant stomach before her eyes skirted the arena before resting on the third figure, now being brought into the arena heavily flanked by guards.

"How divine of you to rescue these two adventurers, Ms. Clarke. Sadly, this is the last toleration I'll have. I'm tired of your usage of my guards for target practice." Natasha moved from her chair, one hand on her stomach, making to leave the room. "Take care of her, Gunderson," She said before disappearing.

"Ms. Clarke, you disappoint me. I would have thought better from you." Gunderson cooed, provoking Alice into frenzy

"Guess I'm a bit rusty," She spat, a fire in her eyes

"A shame, really; such talent gone to waste. Very well, I have no need of you anymore."

"Ha, Gunderson, you just can't let it go, can you?" Alice called to him, cool voiced but still in a frenzy; her words in effort to buy time before the inevitable.

Slightly surprised at the sight of Gunderson, Lara followed the line of his now cocked gun to see Alice struggling, a wild, animal instinct flashing in her eyes alongside the fear that rested in them too. Before Lara could react, she noticed a scuffle beside her.

Kurtis, without hesitation, suddenly spun around, grabbing the weapon from the guard behind him and holding him at gunpoint.

"You do have a tendency to get emotional, Gunderson." Kurtis boldly called out to his captor. "Oh, you know it's true. Don't tell me that chasing your former employee through the Louvre wasn't frustrating. And I know you loved getting us in Istanbul. But as hot-tempered as you are, I know you wouldn't like to lose Reynolds here," he gestured to the guard he was holding hostage. "Let her go, Gunderson."

Gunderson, shooting an evil- yet strangely detached- glare at Kurtis, put the gun down. Kaufman got up from his chair, assessing the whole situation.

"That was a very large risk Kurtis, but honorable. Your father would have been proud. Fortunately for you I'm feeling more tolerable than Miss Petrova. Release Ms. Clarke." The guards threw Alice to the ground at Lara and Kurtis's feet. Kurtis, having relinquished his insurance, leaned down to help her to her feet. She pushed him away as she shot him cold look.

Kaufman spoke to Gunderson before turning back to look at the prisoners.

"I'm a very generous host, it would appear. I don't want you tired for your expedition tomorrow. So you'll rest tonight. Ms. Clarke, you will be accompanying Mr. Trent and Lady Croft tomorrow, but for the time being you will remain in a separate cell." He chuckled to himself, "We have taken special precautions so you will not escape via the ventilation shaft again. Guards, take them away," Kaufman disappeared off the Platform and out of the arena, leaving the guards to escort the wary prisoners to their cells, Lara and Kurtis sharing one and Alice nearby, locking them in the dark so they could rest and contemplate their bleak futures.

A/N: Okay, so the reviews concerning Alice were a bit mixed...for now I'll just continue with my original story line...

I know this chapter is a bit more of a filler/explaining chapter, but i promise the next updates will keep this story under the action/adventure/ROMANCE (hehe) genres!

Special thanks to NFI for beta reading, and thanks also to Ellethiel, Froggie, and NFI for leaving reviews...

Thanks to all who are reading this, and don't forget to review!