Disclaimer: I forgot to put these on the last parts so I'll put this on now. I do not own Tomb Raider or the iWin game Elements in any way shape or form. This is purely a fan based story, or possible next adventure for Lara. Enjoy.
Tomb Raider: After Life.
Chapter 2 - The plot thickens: Antonia Natla.
~~~2 days later in New York.~~~
Winston sat above the operating room, looking down as the surgeons were working on Lara. They had been working for 5 hours to repair the damage when Natalya came in with Joseph right behind her. "Winston, you must rest…she's in the best possible hands now." Said Joseph.
"My father developed this technology, he knows it works, he would've never suggested it if he thought it didn't." Said Natalya.
"But I don't understand what you've told me…it seems too surreal. What you've told me about this technology and you and Michael's lineage, it's seems too impossible to believe." Said Winston.
"You don't have to believe it if you're not ready to…but trust that my father knows what he's doing. Now stay here, have to go scrub up."
"What?"
"My father is repairing the damage the bullet caused to Lara…it's up to me to do the rest."
Natalya walked out and Joseph motioned over to the window. 15 minutes later, Natalya walked into the operating theatre in scrubs, as Michael went over to a nearby sink and re-washed his hands. Winston got a full view of the patient. "Oh my lord, her heart isn't beating." He gasped.
"That's only because of the spell…he needed to do that because of the extent of the damage. The bullet pierced her left ventricle and passed through the left lung, it lodged itself in her ribcage so this spell was the best thing for her. Lara wouldn't have lasted more than 10 minutes back in England and what Natalya is putting in now will keep her going until the damage heals." Said Joseph.
"Please pull through Lara."
In the theatre, Natalya picked up a small device from the table. A silver circle with a blue gem in the centre and a tube coming out the back. The nurses held open Lara's chest as Michael took a metal cylinder, big enough to place around the outer edge of her heart and placed it inside. Joseph turned on the intercom. "Sir, Winston wants to know what's happening." He said.
"This is to stop any infections getting through the outside of the wound, the device in Natalya's hands will prevent anything getting in through the centre. As an added precaution, we're going to place a protective covering over the device." Said Michael.
"We know how Lara likes to play and this injury will do little to stop her. This is the best we can do to protect her heart while everything heals." Said Natalya.
Michael held the tube in place as Natalya inserted the tube into her heart, and then placed the device inside the cylinder. The crystal immediately began glowing blue dimly. Then Natalya placed a metal circle with a clear window to show the crystal and she and Michael secured it in place and closed up the remaining gaps in her skin made from the surgury. Then they turned on the monitors and the flat line beep rang out through the room. "Don't worry, that's just because of the spell." Said Natalya as Winston looked very worried.
"The device is in and it's already begun working…her chances are good." Said Michael.
"Do it…she can't stay under this spell forever and we need to know if that spark of life was enough."
Michael nodded and placed the golden glove on his hand again, and after taking a deep breath placed it over Lara's head. Natalya put the nurses on stand by just in case as the glove began glowing again and the light came out of Lara and back into the glove. The flat line kept going for a few seconds before it began beeping in time to the heartbeat. "It worked." Said Natalya, breathing out a sigh of relief.
Winston let out the breath he'd been holding since the operation started, and was so happy he could sing but kept his composure. "What is that device?" Asked Winston.
"We'll tell you when Lara is awake, she should hear this as well." Said Michael.
"And when will she be up and about again?"
"Well, she should be awake in a few hours, a day at most. Recovery wise, she won't be raiding any tombs for a few weeks." Said Natalya, as she and her father walked out of the room.
Winston and Joseph watched as the nurses placed protective covering over the device as Natalya and Michael came back in. "All we can do now is wait until she wakes up and see if the damage is healing, and hope it is." Said Natalya, taking off the scrub hat and untying her hair.
"And if it isn't?" Asked Winston.
"We put her to sleep again and start looking for donor organs…that would be the only thing left if the IH isn't working to heal the damage as well as keep her going." Said Michael
"You're still not making any sense."
"I'm sorry Winston, but Lara should know everything we told you so she can have a full understanding of all this. Just be a little patient, if this doesn't work, it'll be the first time it hasn't."
Michael walked out of the room while Natalya pulled off her scrubs. "Alright, someone needs to watch over Lara until she wakes up so I recommend we take shifts. For now, the nurses are finishing up in there so we can get something to eat or take a nap, which a suggest you do Winston. Then we take 4 hour watch shifts, I'll take the first one and the 4 of us alternate every 4 hours." Said Natalya.
"Yes ma'am, I'll take the 2nd watch, so Winston, go and get some rest." Said Joseph.
Reluctantly, Winston went with them as below, the nurses continued tending to Lara.
~~~20 hours Later.~~~
Outside the Tihocan building, a black corvette pulled up. Inside, a cell phone rang and a man answered. "Yes?" He said.
"Have you arrived?"Said a female voice.
"Just pulled up…"
"I can't believe those plates belonged to Michael and Natalya Tihocan, this is too perfect. They just saved us another trip."
"My intel shows that Michael and Natalya brought Lara back here yesterday, whether they succeeded or not is still up in the air."
"OK, before you go and make the introductions, find out the status of Croft's health. If she's dead, make yourself known the Tihocans, if she's alive, wait until they're all together and then introduce yourself and me."
"Understood…you just make sure the 2nd half of the plan is in motion."
"Don't presume to think I don't know my own plan. One look at you and she'll be begging to help us. Now, we're on a schedule…deliver the message and make your way to South America, you're ticket will be at the airport waiting for you."
"Giving Lara a head start?"
"Out of the 3, I find she'll be the best one to find what I'm looking for. Natalya and your next target are more of an insurance policy."
"Very well then, I'll go make the introductions."
He clicked off the phone and got out of the car, carrying a small briefcase with him. He made his way to the side of the building and went in through the maintenance entrance.
~~~4 hours later.~~~
"What on Earth is that god awful sound?"
There was a shrieking ringing in her ears and a throbbing pain in her head that made her groan in pain. She opened her eyes slowly and the world came into focus. She was in a white room, surrounded by monitors that were making certain she was alive. "Hey, welcome back Lady Croft." Said a voice.
Lara turned her head slowly as a slightly blurry figure came towards her. "Where am I?" She asked groggily.
"New York, specifically Manhattan in my father's main headquarters."
"Natalya?"
"That's right…remember, we met in England 3 days ago."
"Yes…I was attacked by skinless creatures…and you came to help me…I remember we were getting away, and then…pain, nothing but pain."
"You were shot Lara, and you nearly died in the car. We don't know how the sniper got past us to even hit you, but if my father hadn't acted, we wouldn't be here talking right now."
Lara tried to sit up but Natalya quickly pushed her back down. She then began examining the centre of her chest. "Good, everything's working and there's no sign on infection. We'll do some blood cultures to be sure but it's looks good so far." Said Natalya.
"What are you talking about?" Asked Lara.
"…Lara, the bullet did significant damage to your heart and left lung. My father kept you alive so we could repair the damage, but the injuries would still have been fatal. We needed to perform emergency surgery and implant a device to help repair the damage."
"What do you mean? What device?"
"You can feel it…in the centre of your chest."
Lara brought her hand up to feel it, and ran her fingers around the edge of the casing. "What have you done to me?" She gasped.
"It's time to explain everything…I'll call my father." Said Natalya.
She walked over to the door and called in the nurses, who came in with a wheelchair. Natalya then pressed the button on the intercom. "Father, Lara's awake and wants answers." She started.
"Excellent, everything working alright?"Asked Michael.
"Yeah, but we need to tell her everything about the IH, including where you got the knowledge to make it. Have Joseph prepare something easy for to eat and bring Winston to your office. I'm heading up there with Lara in a few minutes."
Natalya turned to Lara and saw her fighting with the nurses. "Lara, you are not walking now matter how much you kick and threaten. Now sit down yourself or I'll sit you down." Said Natalya.
"You wouldn't dare!" Hissed Lara.
Natalya raised her hand and made a pushing motion and Lara was forced down into the wheelchair. "That will also be explained but first, we need to explain everything else. Now stop behaving like a spoiled brat and let's go." Said Natalya, walking behind the wheelchair and took hold.
"You're explanation better be a bloody good one." Said Lara.
"Oh don't worry, it'll blow your mind."
~~~Inside the security room.~~~
"I'm watching the footage as we speak, she's alive. Their heading to the president's conference room now." Said the man.
"Wonderful, watch how this all unfolds and when you think the time is right, make yourself known to them. If the shock doesn't kill her, I'll make sure she dies after she gets what I want." Said the woman.
"They're in the conference room now, and that hellcat does not look happy. But you were right, they've used that device to save her, I can see it glowing from here."
"From what I've been told, that is now her lifeline. If she get's out of hand, we now how to kill her quickly. This too easy, they're practically begging us to kill her."
"Hey remember, I thought I could kill her and she wound up killing me. Don't underestimate her, I bet this won't even phase her after all she's done over the years."
"And you remember your work isn't done yet. After your trip to South America, you're going to England. Besides, Lara will be very interested in what I'll have to offer."
"Wait, they're starting to talk."
~~~In the Penthouse.~~~
Lara sat back in the wheelchair and waited for the explanations to begin. "Alright, you have my full and undivided attention. Explain yourselves clearly." Said Lara, sitting across from them with her arms folded.
"Doesn't mess around, does she Dad." Said Natalya.
Natalya sat down next to Michael as she thought about where to begin. "For the past 4 years, I've been searching for someone…he vanished in Turkey, more specifically, a place called the Strahov." Said Natalya.
"We found out what was going on down there, a cult trying to re-breed a long dead race called the Nephilim, and the person we're looking for went to stop them. Sound familiar Lara?" Asked Michael.
"How do you…" Started Lara.
"Know? Because the person you left behind in the Strahov happens to be my brother. Kurtis Mathew Trent, my older half brother and last of the Lux Veritatis. He made his own way out and thankfully made to the nearest hospital since you didn't ask." Snapped Natalya.
"He called us to let us know what happened and asked to stay with us until he was well again. We went to collect him in Turkey but when we got there, someone had already checked him out. We haven't heard from him since." Said Michael.
"We may have been the last people to hear from him…but you were the last to see him alive. We thought you might've heard from him…even though it was a long shot."
"What about you? Tihocan, I've heard that name before." Said Lara.
"Lara, you've touched all 3 of the Scions…they showed you Natla's past, they should've showed you mine." Said Michael.
Lara thought back years ago, to when all 3 scions were connected.
"You rule over nothing! Atlantis is in ruin, nothing can change that. Everything must burn, only then can the 7th age begin!" Argued Natla, on her knees before the other 2 men.
"You choose a path to madness! I wash my hands of you!" Snapped Qualopec.
"For your treachery, for using the knowledge of the scion to unleash our armies against us…I expel you forever from the sacred order of the 3! And condemn you to shame in the frozen limbo of eternity!" Shouted…
"Tihocan…God King of Atlantis." Gasped Lara, as a vision of the Tihocan she saw in the past to the man she saw right now.
"Got it in one Lady Croft." Said Michael.
"I found your tomb in St. Francis Folly, now I understand why I didn't find you. You've been living here, for god knows how many years."
"And raised a family. Being a god king could never compare to my daughter and step-son."
"Hey look at it this way, you owe your life to royalty." Said Natalya.
"Hush Natalya. Alright Lady Croft, as you know, I was the King of Atlantis and a part of the sacred order of the 3. When I turned 18, my father arranged my marriage to Natla and to complete the triangle, her brother Qualopec was chosen to be the 2nd king. It was our duty to protect the scions and preserve the ways of our ancestors. Many would have you believe that many of histories greatest discoveries did not first stem from Atlantis, but they would be wrong." Started Tihocan.
"My father and Qualopec co-existed, made sure that the scions were under 24 hour protection as well as taking care of the kingdom. Under the rule of the 2 kings, Atlantis was set to become the greatest civilisation today. But as you know, that is not the case."
"Natla felt that the rest of the world should be the slaves to the people of Atlantis, but knew that she's have a fight on her hands. She intended to use the knowledge of the scions to bring upon the 7th age, where she would destroy the world and rebuild it in her own image. The skinless humans and animals you both encountered were her attempt to build a proto-Alantian race. She was interrupted by Qualopec and the rest I assume you know."
"I remember, the scions showed me how you and Qualopec imprisoned Natla in ice." Said Lara.
"It was not ice, it was the venom of the Midgard Serpent, Jörmungandr. It was the only thing strong enough to hold her back." Said Micheal.
"So Jörmungandr wasn't just the drill underneath Hellheim." Said Natalya.
"Well, they had to base it's design on something. And what of this new item you've given me?" Said Lara, tapping the device in her chest.
"The IH, or Interim Heart was created for the vast army of Atlantis. Qualopec designed it when he first became king, he knew that the men in our armies would give their lives to save Atlantis should the need arise…with this, he made sure they didn't have to." Said Michael.
"This crystal was created by the Atlantian Shamans in order to protect our people and Qualopec used it to create the Interim Hearts…it has unbelievable healing power, it's how they were able to save Qualopec in order to get him into that suit you saw. Father was buried with one of these so you were very lucky, with Atlantis gone, it's the only one of it's kind. It draws it's power from the very Earth itself, as long as the planet is alive, so are you." Said Natalya.
"But I don't understand, what do you 2 have to do with Kurtis Trent?" Asked Lara.
"I told you, he's my brother."
"To be more specific, he's my late wife's first child. From what Alicia told me, she and her first husband were very happy together. But he was one of the last of the Lux Veritatis, and after an occult group came after him, he sent Alicia to New York when Kurtis was just a baby. I'd already been here about 50 years and met Alicia when she came to work here in our research testing department. Kurtis was 5 years old when we got together, and the rest…" Started Micheal.
"Is me. Kurtis and I are siblings, but while he's all human, I'm half-Atlantian. And it was my father that completed his training and gave us our Glaives when our training was complete." Said Natalya.
"What she's trying to say Lara is that I'm the only father Kurtis really knew…but when his birth father showed up while he was in the French foreign legion and gave him the Periapt Shards, we sort of lost touch with him."
"When we found out his father had been murdered, we tried to find him…but we didn't find out where he was until he called us in Turkey. The we heard about your murder accusation and that you were on the run. They found you coming out of the Strahov where we knew Kurtis was when he was hurt. We thought it was worth a try to speak to you."
"It was a good thing we showed up when we did. The creatures that attacked you were creatures of the 7th age, there's only one person that could create them." Said Tihocan.
"There's no chance…I killed her in Hellheim." Snapped Lara.
"You sure?" Asked Natalya.
"If Jörmungandr's crystallised venom could hold her back, then having the full force of Thor's hammer sending her into a pool of pure venom will have done the job."
"If you didn't find Natla's body, then she's not dead."Natalya got up and walked over to the window. "I'm telling you…I killed her!" Said Lara.
"Well, that's good to know."
They spun around to see a man leaning against the wall. Natalya drew her Glaive in defence, but after a moment, Lara knew who was in front of them. "Impossible." Gasped Lara.
"You know him?" Asked Natalya.
"She certainly does, nice to see you again Lara." He said.
"It's not possible, you can't be him. James Rutland died in Bolivia." Snapped Lara.
"Hello, new to your exploits. Who's James Rutland?" Asked Natalya.
"I know who he is. He's the youngest son of Senator Rutland in Washington, disappeared 2 years ago." Said Tihocan.
"He died 2 years ago! I saw it!" Said Lara.
"What you see and what really happened is 2 different things Lara. Yes, you did kill me that day. But I was saved by the woman you're about to meet." Said Rutland.
He placed the briefcase on the table and opened it to reveal a video screen and switched it one. The image of a young blonde woman dressed in black leather came on. "It can't be? Natla?" Gasped Lara.
Natalya walked back next to her father. "Who are you?" Demanded Tihocan.
"I'm glad you're all there, it seems my messenger was successful. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Antonia Natla, daughter of Jacqueline Natla and proud new owner of Natla technologies."She said.
"Well I guess you can rest easy now Lara, you did kill Natla." Said Natalya.
"You speak as if that's something to be proud of!"
"Ridding the world of a homicidal maniac bent on worldwide destruction…yes, I am proud." Said Lara.
"Well you can wipe the smirk off your face Croft, because my mother is still alive!"Snapped Antonia.
She stepped aside and 3 of them were shocked to their very souls. Staring back at them was Natla, encased in glowing blue crystal and half her body glowing. "She was a lot worse off than this when we got to her, but thanks a little Atlantian technology she had, she's well on her way to a full recovery. Not only that, I got an extra prize in Thor's Hammer."Said Antonia, motioning to the hammer also embedded in the crystal.
"Oh brilliant…and I suppose that in this comatose state, she told you everything that happened down in Hellheim." Scoffed Lara.
"Not verbally no, but why don't you explain Natalya."
Lara turned to Natalya, who sighed in annoyance. "Atlantians have a mental connection with the children from the moment they're born…they can communicate with them mentally no matter where they are. I suppose that's how Natla managed to tell Her where she was." Said Natalya.
"That's right, and that's also how she told me how to create the creatures I sent after you. Though, they were only meant to keep you where you were until my men arrived to collect your corpse. Mother did warn me they have a certain blood lust, although good for keeping my men that were turned into Thralls at bay"Said Antonia.
"So you did mean to kill me! Why! What did you want my body for!?" Snapped Lara.
"I'll tell you when I feel like it."
"Tell me!"
"Steady girl." Hissed Natalya.
The redhead turned her attention back to Antonia. "If what Lara says is true and he died in Bolivia, how is he standing before us now." Said Natalya.
"Show them James."Ordered Antonia.
James opened his black shirt to reveal a silver orb where his heart should've been. Lara and Natalya stared at it in amazement. "Father, you told me the one we put in Lara was the only one left in existance. How could he have this?" Asked Natalya.
Tihocan came up beside his daughter for a closer look at the artefact in Rutland's chest. "It's not Atlantian, although it's based on the same design. Whereas ours uses the energy from the planet to keep someone alive, this one works in the same principle as a heart defibulator…it sends an electrical pulse so strong that even when the heart has stopped completely, this device can get it going again, and continues to do so until the normal heart is functioning properly again. Natla must have been developing these in her company after she escaped." Said Tihocan.
"Well done, you found out how he lived…can we get back to more important matters!"Snapped Antonia.
"You attacked me at my home, but you say you were there to kill me. What is you want?" Asked Lara.
"What every orphaned child wants, their mother restored to them. And I'm already well on my way to having that as well."
"Oh really, and how do you plan to accomplish that?"
"Have either of you ever heard of the Elixir of Life?"
Lara and Natalya looked at each other in concern. "A mystical cure all made from the distilled essence of the 5 basic elements, when brewed properly, gives the drinker eternal life. But in the results of serious illness or injury, it only cure or heal and the drinker will still be mortal…according to Luca Pacioli." Said Natalya.
"That is not a task to take on lightly, many people have died needlessly looking for it." Said Lara.
"But you both have some incentive to go after it. Lara, do you really want to spend the rest of your life with that eyesore in your chest?"Asked Antonia.
Lara looked annoyed which let Antonia know she was right but Natalya wasn't about to let Antonia rattle anyone. "For someone who claims to be part Atlantian, you really don't know your Atlantian tech. Your cheap knock off might take the rest of someone's life to work, but the real deal my father and I put in Lara will only take a few weeks to heal her." Snapped Natalya.
"I'm not part Atlantian, I'm full Atlantian! And I foresaw you're little outburst there and came with a little extra insurance."Started Antonia.
She switched on the light behind her and a mangled body was laying on the floor. "Say hello to your brother Natalya."Laughed Antonia.
"Oh my god! Kurtis!" Cried Natalya.
"You psychopath, what have you done to my son!" Shouted Tihocan.
Kurtis opened his eyes when he heard their voices, but was too weak to get up. All over his body were gaping open wounds, some were so deep that you could see his bones. Lara had a horrible déjà vu moment when she saw her mother in Hellheim. "Dad, Natalya."Kurtis said, his voice raspy.
"Kurtis has been in my care for the last 2 years and has graciously been helping me with my experiments. As you can see, they've taken their toll on him…he may not last much longer."Said Antonia.
"You're the one who took him from that hospital in Prague." Snapped Tihocan.
"What are complaining about, he's still alive…for now. But the elixir of life can save him, if you find it in time."
"And you want something in return I suppose." Said Lara.
"Of course I want something in return. The deal is this, you 2 find the elixir and you 2 get to use it first, for Lara and Kurtis. And I use the rest to repair the damage you caused my mother Lara Croft."Said Antonia.
Natalya turned to Lara pleadingly, and Lara turned to look at Kurtis…she couldn't let him stay like this. "Alright, we'll find this elixir…but the deal stands, Kurtis gets it first and I 2nd." Said Lara.
"Of course, you have my word."Said Antonia.
"Somehow, that doesn't make me feel any better. If you do anything else to my brother before we get to him, not only will you not get the elixir, but I'll smash that glowing bitch behind you to pieces!" Snapped Natalya.
"If I were you, I'd get moving before Kurtis gets any worse."
The screen went dead, and James closed the case. "Well, it was a pleasure doing business with you ladies. Can't wait to see you again…" Said James, but stopped when he heard the click of gun.
He turned and saw Natalya with her guns pointed directly at his head. "Get out of here now." Hissed Natalya.
James smirked at her and walked towards the elevator and left when it arrived. When he was gone, Tihocan went to his desk drawer while Lara began pacing. "Alright, we've basically been forced to help this mad rogue Atlantian find the most powerful potion in history and she's got my brother chopped to pieces in that cell and we don't even know where to begin." Said Natalya.
"I've begun journey's with less, you mentioned a Luca Pacioli…what do you know about him?" Asked Lara.
"Not much, only that he was an alchemist who lived in Italy and was could friends with Leonardo Da Vinci. Anything else I know, I learned from Father." Said Natalya.
Tihocan came over with a folder as Lara and Natalya came over to look. "I've been living up here for the last 600 years, I've seen the world change around me while I stayed the same. But this experience was something I would never forget. In 1503, I met Leonardo and discovered his love for art and the sciences, and it was infectious." Started Tihocan.
"Dad, Kurtis's life at stake, kinda low on time." Said Natalya.
"Right, sorry. Anyway, in 1506, he introduced me to Luca who was working on the elixir. We became friends, friends I trusted enough to let them know I was immortal and had powers beyond their understanding. They accepted me. The last time I saw Luca was in 1507, when he'd finished the elixir."
"Then you know where it is?" Asked Lara.
"No, you see even though he wanted to use the stone for the good of mankind, he didn't want the wrong people finding it. So, while he left his notes behind in his studio, he asked me to use my powers and separate the elements. When I'd finished, only 1 element was there encased in crystal while the other 3 were sent to different locations. Luca told me when the 4 were brought together in the pentagram again, the others could be created. Later on, Leonardo showed me the letters he sent while creating it."
He gave the letters to Lara and Natalya came to read as well.
Dear Leonardo.
For months I have been reading and examining the texts from Plato you sent me. You were right in pointing out the feeling that the answer is always right there, taunting the eye, yet elusively jumping from word to word, avoiding the mind. I had given up.
Last night, watching the sky, the answer flashed upon me like a falling star. Eureka! O Bella Fortuna!
It is not simple and much must be prepared, but I feel I am on the right track. I will most likely need your help. You will have news from me soon.
Luca.
Lara flipped to the next letter.
Dear Leonardo.
Your analysis of the pentagram was very useful indeed. After properly aligning the distilled elements, their energy immediately started oozing and combining into thin energetic threads.
Each energy line maps a new elements by combining the neighbouring elements. Unfortunately, all the distilled energy must be used to bring forth a new element.
It seems I will have to keep on distilling new energy if I want to achieve the ultimate goal.
Regards,
Luca.
"Well, that tells us how he brought it all together but it doesn't tell us how to distil the elements." Said Lara.
"Wait, there's one more." Said Natalya.
Dear Leonardo.
I achieved my goal with a mixture of joy and sorrow. Having the stone in my hands fills me with bliss, but I'm afraid this knowledge can not be immediately shared with the rest of the world.
You see, this is not something that can not be taught, only learned. The stone is none other than ourselves! This final act of discovery is the ultimate knowledge. The path, the embodiment of the elements, will change from soul to soul, adopting the shape of what is more familiar. Nonetheless, I am confident others will soon follow suit.
Some may choose the same path I took, and for them, I shall leave behind my notes and the hope that the stone can indeed be found.
Luca.
"From these, it was an experience he wanted to share with others. He just didn't want to make it easy for them." Said Natalya.
"Our most cherished moments in life are the ones that were hardest to achieve. Luca told me that before he died. He started with the elements Earth and Fire, but only the Earth Element is in Luca's studio, Fire went to another location. He left his journal in his studio for anyone undertaking the journey." Said Tihocan.
He walked over to a wall and used his hand print to open it. "The spell I cast on the stone before separating it will activate when Earth and Fire are brought together in the pentagram. Take what you need, anything else, we'll get tomorrow before you both leave." Said Tihocan.
"Wait, I work alone…she isn't coming with me." Said Lara.
"The hell I'm not…that's my brother she's got there!" Snapped Natalya.
"Plus, you've had major surgery and you're still not fully recovered…Natalya is the only one on the planet right now that could help if something went wrong. She's going with you Lara, that's final." Said Tihocan.
"Alright then…I don't like it but you're financing this journey, I'll have to agree. I'll also ask for my speedboat to be waiting at the nearest port when we get the first 2 elements, and I'll need 45. Pistols, access to other weapons, a field camera and a grappling hook gun. And a back pack for a supply of ammunition." Said Lara.
"Make that a double order Dad." Said Natalya.
"Done…next time, make it more challenging. Now rest, you'll find out where you're going when you get on the plane tomorrow. For now, rest." Said Tihocan.
"We can't, Kurtis is dying Dad, we have to get the elixir as soon as we can." Said Natalya.
"Getting these is going to take a little time, I'll get to work, you 2, especially you Lara, get some rest. I'll wake you when I have everything and then we leave. Now go."
Lara looked ready to argue some more when Natalya put her hand on her shoulder. "I know when my Father's said the last word and that was it. I don't like it either but this is going to be a little while. We may as well sleep for now. Besides, Dad's got the best people that'll get him what he wants, when he wants it. It'll only be about 2 hours." Said Natalya.
"Can he get what we need?" Asked Lara.
"He was the King of Atlantis and that knowledge has made him very rich and very powerful in the world we live in today. By the time he's finished, there'll be an entire armoury on your boat and the world's best archaeological tools and survival gear waiting for us to use."
"Well then, you'd better let me have a look at your wardrobe. I'll need some clothes for when we get to…where are we going again, he didn't say."
"He didn't want to now he knows a Natla spy was in the building. We don't know when Rutland got here, he may have bugged the entire building. He probably won't tell us until we're halfway there."
"Smart move, then we better be ready to leave as soon as he's done. Let's get a move on."
Lara and Natalya walked away from the room towards the living area, as Tihocan began making the arrangements. They had to find the Elixir of Life before Kurtis's time ran out.
I hope you all liked that, the next chapter is almost done now and will be up as soon as it's done. Read and Review please.
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