Karel he watched his colleagues with his palms united, studying them one by one.

Luigi Tornabuoni, the European, watched the Nephilim while adjusting his necktie and watching him with displeasure. Jing Ling, the Asian, watched him with an hard look and with her fingers she touched the hilt of her black metal katana. Mongkut, the native, looked at him with crossed arms on his bare chest and covered on his shoulders with skulls. Karel snapped his fingers and appeared three keys in front of them « The temple couldn't be opened, only Lux Veritatis can open it. » he said while Jing Ling took her key, it was a key with the form of a snake, black and the eyes of the animal where red like rubies, she watched it with superficiality « And what I have to do with this key? » she said while moving her hand to her left hip. Karel watched her with an harden look, he moved closer to her, with fast walk and took her neck in his hand, but he didn't tight up the grip. He knew that Jing Ling was impulsive and dangerous, maybe too much for a woman of her rank. She was the bastard daughter of the boss of South Korea's mafias: Hyon-Su Xué Lan, and of a Chinese civilian, raped by the boss himself, Lian-Hua Zhao. The mother had cared for Jing Ling all alone, not knowing that the child had a dark secret…

When she was only an infant of three months, it appeared Pieter Van Eckhardt in her dreams, the Black Alchemist and the leader of the Cabal, a mysterious and dark order, existing since the XV Century.

While growing up, her powers grow with her, but it was born a darker side of the girl.

At only nineteen years young, she killed her own mother in cold blood, only for fun and she even drank the blood while killing her and her mother died violently for her daughter's hands. She didn't spared even her father. That same day she infiltrated into the mafia's headquarters and killed him in cold blood too, decapitating him with the black metal katana that she has still beside her, her companion of life and killings. She took the lead of the South Korean's Mafia by showing her father's head to the members in that room where she killed him, saying that from that day she is the boss. Jing Ling and Karel didn't had a relationship like him and Eckhardt, they respected each other, but there were some disagreements sometimes « I was getting into it Xué Lan » he said while removing his hand from her neck, making the girl breathe « We will talk about this later in my tent Black Alchemist » he said and he winked his eyebrows once. Jing Ling lowered her head, not hitting at any emotion.

Mongkut took his key, it was in silver, with a skull on the upper part and it's eyes where sapphires « My slaves will make their lives impossible for taking this key assigned to me. » he said, while closing his palm, from it exited a strong blue glow and an evil grin came from his lips. Mongkut was a warlock of beyond five thousand years but he seemed that he was on his twenties, he lived in a undersea temple in Thailand, under the city of Bangkok. The citizens though that the existence of Mongkut under the waters of the Thai gulf was only a legend, he never showed himself in public, but he assumes different forms when he went to the surface. Especially when someone has to sell to him some slaves. Only the Outcasts, the traitors of the Lux Veritatis, dared to bring women to make them his slaves, or the Nephilim.

His slaves weren't only simple slaves, the have something more darker.

Karel made a smirk to Mongkut, knowing that he was loyal as his long life « I'm sure of it Mongkut, your slaves are special » he said while with his hand touched his forehead.

Luigi took his key with conviction, it was in gold and around it there were some leaves and on the emerald there was a woman that was covering her nudities with her hair.

Luigi Tornabuoni was the boss of the Mafia in a little Italian town, where the danger arrives when you less expected it.

He was not "special" as Mongkut and Jing Ling but he was strategic, Karel had promised to him that if he helped him to awake the Nephilims from their Temple, he could have all for him the little town of Enna.

« I'll do what I can Karel… » he said with a little pride on his voice. Karel looked at them, one by one and touching the board of a stone « The place on where we are now is the Nephilim's Temple. Sacred place to me and to my race, as well known as my Imperial Palace. » Jing Ling bit her lower lip, knowing what he was talking about. She could feel anger and pain in his voice, he was angry to death with the Heissturm-Trent family, these two where two powerful families and she know that it's lineage continued and maybe it's destiny that it will continue.

« About twenty-nine years ago two Lux Veritatis entered here, in my Temple… And they killed without showing mercy three Nephilim… »

Konstantin and Abigail walked with a flambeau in hand in that place who was extremely dark. The woman moved her hand to her stomach, swollen by pregnancy from eight months. She was in a fragile status, but insisted on accompany Konstantin in Cappadocia. He got closer to his wife and took her by the shoulders, looking at her in the eyes « If you are tired tell me » he said in a pretty worried voice. Abigail shocked her head, smiling sweetly «I'm fine Konstantin » her blue eyes were shining with sweetness. Konstantin got closer to the face of his wife and gave to her a soft kiss on the lips, leaving the flavor of a chaste kiss. Abigail got stiff when she saw three women with purple skin « Konstantin » she called and he turned and watched the women: they were Nephilim. They exited from the Limbo that his grandfather years ago had created for keeping them closed in there forever. The woman in the center of the group had very wavy medium black hair and her blue eyes where glowing. She was wearing in a red dress, only her breasts where covered and her legs were exposed. She put an hand to her left hip « Well Well… Konstantin and Abigail Heissturm » she said defiant while Abigail took from her bag a dagger with the white hilt and half blue blade, it glowed grey in front of the Nephilims: a Periapt Shard. «Lymn, I think that they can be a good meal » said the voice of a young girl, she had the same hair color of Lymn, but they were tied with a ponytail and dressed in a simple black dress, her yellow eyes, like Lymn's, were glowing. « Yeah Galadriel… I think the Monster is hungry » said Lymn making an half smile.

Abigail began to shout but she felt a strong grip behind her, the Periapt Shard felon the floor. Another young face was next to Abigail's, her green eyes were glowing and her short black hair were completing her face. Lymn and Galadriel started to laugh « Nice catch Jylum, a pregnant woman… what a nice offer. » said Galadriel while walking towards Konstantin. He took Abigail's Periapt Shard and stock it into Jylum's head, black blood covered her face as she shouted with agony.

She left Abigail and Galadriel left a strong scream out of her lungs at watching her younger sister dying. Her scream was echoing on the room. She ran through Abigail, while energy lights appeared on her hands. Abigail put her arms in front of her and a protective shield appeared. Galadriel as soon as she touched the shiel, was pushed back, slamming her head on the hard and grey rock, but she was still conscious. She growl while she was putting herself on her knees, her eyes were glowing immensely and her sclera became red and her canines became longer. Abigail danced her arms around themselves for creating a strong lighting tempest, she throw it to the Nephilim while she ran through the woman while throwing white energy lights. But Abigail prevailed, a lightning hit Galadriel's chest, dazing and put her again into the floor of rock and blood.

Konstantin launched the Periapt Shard to Abigail and since she had sharp and acute reflexes. She kneeled at the left of Galadriel, and when she saw her again, she showed her canines while growling. Abigail put the Periapt Shard between Galadriel's breasts and then she teared her flesh, dividing her chest and stomach. The Nephilim's body was covered in black blood and organs, so are Abigail's hands.

She took the Shard away from the body while Galadriel was agonizing dying. Lymn felt the rage growing into her chest, she approached quickly Konstantin and took him by the neck, sinking her nails into his skin. He gave her a kick in her stomach, for getting her away from him. For the pain, Lymn put an hand on the painful point , blood got her hand wet. The Nephilim girl took a chain from her side and took Konstantin, but he took the boards of the chains and got free, and he wrapped Lymn in it. She watched with an expression mixed with rage and disgust « You're a being without mercy Heissturm! » she said while spitting a bit of black liquid out of her mouth. The end it was coming too for Lymn. Jylum and Galadriel are dead and their bodies are covered in blood. « You have to know that Karim will think of your children when she will wake up, she is the Empress of the Nephilims along with Karel. The Armageddon will come, be sure of it Konstantin. And your children, along with the other Lux Veritatis will die for our hands and the Earth will be purified, away from those filthy humans! » those were her last words. Konstantin got closed to the Nephilim and took his Periapt Shard from his backpack. He didn't go in panic for Lymn's words, he raised the Shard and stabbed into her forehead, she screamed in agony and distress while Konstantin removed it from her head. Lymn's beautiful face was covered in blood and flow though her nose and lips.

Abigail ran towards the husband and put an hand on his shoulder, Konstantin turned to her and looked at her « Let's seal the Temple and the Limbo. »

Karel had the eyes full of rage at that memory. Nephilims were connected between their families, also with the families of their spouse. He saw the deaths of his sisters in law as he was them.

He swore that he would have killed all the Lux Veritatis that day, and he swore that he would not grant the prophecy to fulfill.

The Earth was going to be of the Nephilims and no one could stop the Armageddon.

«Apocalypse, Armageddon… Call it whoever you like it, but Earth will be ours and of the Cabal. We will free the world of what it is impure. » said Karel while raising a fist in the air. Jing Ling, Luigi and Mongkut followed the gesture of the Emperor.

« May the dark side of the Sun be with us » said Jing Ling, her fist became red.

Karel smirked at the gesture of the Black Alchemist.

Later, Karel was on his tent and read

some documents, more than anything they were dossiers about Lara Croft.

Marteen Gunderson had given to him some spicy and interesting information about her.

Daughter of Lord Henshengly Croft and Lady Simone Croft, a very respected aristocratic family in England. Educated and cultured, at sixteen she accompanied professor Von Croy in Cambodia for taking the Iris, the expedition didn't end well.

At twenty-one she had place crash on the Himalayas, where she mold her thirst of adventure and learned to take care of herself. This experience also molded her strong and resolute personality, sour and sharp as the blade of a sword.

Besides, there is to say that Lara Croft was beautiful, beautiful as an angel of the paradise, maybe it was this attribute of her to fascinate Karel but also to hate the woman.

While reading with calm the dossiers about her, he found out that she was disowned by her parents but she was able to finance herself her journey.

What affected him was the event of 1999, her adventure in Egypt. An almost unleashed apocalypse just because she raided the Tomb of the God Seth. The skies in Cairo were red just because of that woman, the God of Darkness almost made it to his intent but he was defeated by that woman. For punishment for her cockiness, the Great Pyramid collapsed on her, remaining for days without air and water, until Ahret and Putai found her, hearing her whispers and need for air.

Karel thought that it was the perfect card to play with her, to make her vulnerable the one who held a shield of steel for hiding her emotions and for ugly experiences.

Jing Ling entered in the tent, she had a short and black dress, with some red strips on the boards and her hair pulled into a neat ponytail. She looked at him raising an eyebrow and go towards him, touching his arm « Still dossiers about that whore I suppose. » she said while looking at them with disgust. She killed her predecessor, that she loved secretly. She knew that Eckhardt and Karel was strange and they didn't always agree.

Karel turned and looked at her, he removed her hand and took her by her waist, getting her closer to his groin. She understood that he was sexually excited and felt Karel's manhood throbbing beneath his pants. Jing Ling and Karel had a very different relationship. Adding something prohibited between humans and Nephilims: sex.

There wasn't a wire of love between them, they didn't have feelings for each other. Between them there was nothing more than two bodies, sweats and the smell of sex.

Karel took Jing Ling's leg and attached it to his groin « Jackpot, I found something really juicy that could go in our advantage for attacking that whore. » he said while moving his hand in Jing Ling's skirt and took and removed her panties without thinking twice. In exchange, she unbuttoned his shirt, making it slip in his arms and it feel like a leaf in autumn « I think it could be a great strategy to make her weak » she said and then she pushed him in the bed, putting herself above him. She kissed him passionately, penetrating her tongue into Karel's mouth, in the meanwhile Karel removed her dress, scratching her white skin with his black nails. She was now used to his scratches and his provocations, so she let her body be like a toy « Exactly » said Karel while she removed his pants, after he was suddenly above her « But not before a blackmail » Karel said then he sank his face into Jing Ling's neck and biting it, with an hand on her womanhood « And for Konstantin's children? » she said between the orgasms, trying to relax herself, but she knew that her body was now in his control. Karel broke away from her neck and looked at her in the eyes, making a winning smile « You'll see… You'll see…»

It was six o'clock in the morning, Lara with her dual guns in hands was in the back of her garden, training with the targets.

Events of yesterday were still on her skin and Kurtis's flavor was still on her lips. She decided, besides the guests on her home, to train herself in the early morning. A target rose, Lara shoot on its forehead and fell behind. After a while, there were other targets, she made a wheel with her legs in air and shoot at the targets, both in their chests.

Other three targets came out, she took a knife from her shoe and stuck in into the target's head and then she shoot in the head to the other targets. Lara was feeling calm and relaxed when she was training in the early morning, the breezes of six o'clock in the morning made her feel energized. Anyone could be dazed at training at this hour but not Lara. She listened to some steps behind her, she turned to the steps and aimed the 9mm with the right hand, the other one was on the holster.

It was Kurtis, with his arms crossed on his chest and watched her with a shocked look. He was shirtless, his pajamas trousers were black and used his shoes as slippers Well… You don't see things like this every day thought Lara while approaching to him, making an half smile. Kurtis snorted at watching her while she was approaching him « Croft, It is six in the morning, don't tell me that you do this every day. » He said in a pretty capricious tone, Lara gave him a light fist on his shoulder, just to provoke him « It's an habit Trent, and get used to it if you want that I help you at finding this Temple » Kurtis raised an eyebrow smiling and put himself in defense position, Lara looked at him with a confused look, placing an hand on her hip « What do you want to do? » she asked while biting her lower lip.

Kurtis laughed at her question, shocking his head « What I want to do for you? I'm pretty rusty from the coma, so… if you don't mind…» Lara understood what he meant.

She relaxed her finger's hands and begun to throw a fist to his face, but he blocked it, leading her fist to the right. Lara tried again for the second time but he blocked it again. She kneeled and did a three hundred sixty grades somersault and hit him.

Kurtis fall on his back but with an acrobatic jump he was again on his feet, throwing kicks to Lara, she avoided them with a backflip and with another somersault she hit him in the chin. Kurtis felt pain on all of his jaw but he didn't care that much. Lara took some solid branches from the ground and threw one to Kurtis « Some of our enemies might use white weapons, so let's spare with these. » said Lara while playing with her branch on her hand, Kurtis throw a double blow to Lara but she avoided them perfectly. Lara throw a light blow to him but he succeed on parring it, their branches were too close, so as their faces.

She couldn't let herself to be fallen on lust, she wanted to win at all cost. Taking advantage of his distraction, Lara hit him on the knee and his branch fell from his hand.

She took it and put both of the branches next to Kurtis's neck « I won » she said with a triumphant smile, but Kurtis took her wrist and turned her, twisting her arm and took both of the branches. Lara turned and gave to him a kick in the lower parts of his body, but they didn't do any effect.

They were again face to face, Kurtis had both of his arms raised, with the branches in hand. Lara, falling on the temptation, let her hands fall on his chest. He leaved the branches and put bot of his hands on her shoulders.

A sensation of deja-vu was on Kurtis's mind. They were exactly like at the Louvre, but this time it was dawn and their bodies were so close, so as their faces.

C'mon Kurtis, kiss her, don't do the coward he thought while caressing her shoulders I made my move yesterday, now it's his turn she thought while looking at him in the eyes.

At three… he thought, while moving his right hand to her cheek

One… and they both closed their eyes, their breathes were calm as summer breeze.

Two… and they faces were approaching slowly, both of their hearts were exploding on their chests

Three. Their lips met, making a perfect fit. This time it tasted like sweetness and promise, there was no provocation in it, it was only a simple and sweet kiss. Lara and Kurtis weren't engaged, they weren't neither lovers. Both hide their feelings for each other but the pride that they both feel they are restricted to ignore them, since the gravity of the situation.

But in this moment… it didn't seem to matter.

They broke the kiss and looked at each other's eyes, confused but happy of the obtained result What is this feeling? Thought Lara while she moved away from him and with a fast walk, she entered in the manor. Kurtis remained still, watching her walking into the entrance I'm an idiot… he thought while putting an hand on his eyes and entered in the manor too.

After a hearty breakfast, the three were in Lara's secret room, where she has the artifacts of her past adventures: The Fragments of the Atlantean Scion, The Dagger of Xian, The Philosopher's Stone, The Demon's Book, The Iris and the Meteorite's Artifacts.

Miranda looked at the map of the temple sighing, seeing that it needed some keys to open it and enter in that « It's more difficult than I thought… » she said while moving her hand to both sides of her mouth. Lara raised an eyebrow and looked at the map, confused « I don't understand… » she said, Miranda indicated the key symbols on the map « It seems that the Temple is sealed with three keys, that only Lux Veritatis can use, at least three of us… »Lara nodded slowly, she was a simple archeologist, not a knight affiliated for the protection of Light, she didn't had any supernatural powers like Kurtis and Miranda, she was simply Lara Croft, a woman that her parents disowned at only twenty-one just for her thirst of adventure but she managed to live on her own after all.

« What if, one like me uses one of these keys? » she asked while crossing her arms. Kurtis looked at her with a neutral look « The key would drain all of your vital energy » he said with a pretty low tone. Lara lowered her face, swallowing.

Suddenly, Miranda let out a terrible shout and arched her head behind, her eyes became purple.

Kurtis approached Miranda, putting an hand in her shoulder. Clairvoyants weren't simple Clairvoyants between the Lux Veritatis, they could find a particular object or locate some people. Kurtis prayed that she could find some Pures like him and Miranda.

She woke up from the trance after a while, Lara handed her a glass of water, Miranda drank it all, without leaving a drop « How distant is Liverpool from here Lara? » asked Miranda while stepping up from the chair and approached the dull fireplace, laying an arm upon it. « Almost 365 km from here… »

Said Lara and then she looked at Kurtis in the eyes, gulping. He approached Miranda, touching her shoulder « Miri… did you find someone? » Miranda turned to her brother, giving him a sweet smile « I found Aunt Sylvie ».