Chapter 5 – Race for (the origins of) the Iris
Von Croy tried to use his tricks to convince Lara to go there in another time, but it was all to no avail. In little time, they managed to borrow a map and Otto's car. In the car, Jeffrey drove through very narrow roads and, as unbelievable as it seems, they were two-way roads. Barely there were no sidewalks, just high grass and bushes*.
- Oh, how times flies by… If it were '84 again, you and I could be betting a race for the Iris – Von Croy smiled. – You know I was good at this. I won.
Lara raised an eyebrow in a naturally sexy way but without the intention to look sexy.
- We can do a rematch if you like – she said.
- Pff! – Von Croy mocked by making a noise on the edge of the lips – And you beating me? Now that I use a walking stick? That would be too much cheating, even for you.
There was a brief silence. Then Lara said:
- I can't understand why the Iris ended up in Angkor Wat. It doesn't make any sense.
- There's a link that is missing in the thoughts current. Greek mythology and a Buddhist country like Cambodia have nothing in common. But… It's not the first time that two completely different issues bind with each other in this archaeological world, right?
When they arrived at the place, it was about 16 hours, and Jeffrey parked the car anyway near the temple. Lara took the photo of her pocked and checked. She confirmed it was the same place.
The temple was simpler if compared to constructions destroyed by the time at the Olympic city, but this one was still all lifted completely. It seems that few stones had fallen from the walls.
Von Croy rushed striding, forcing his cane on the ground in any way. The entrance of the temple had no doors and it revealed a short hall, as if it was some kind of dead end. There was no type of inscription on the walls. There was only a type of drawing carved on the outside wall, that resembled the Iris
- Beschissen! – Von Croy grumbled while he was pointing a flashlight frenetically at any part on the wall, looking for something more – This temple can't be just this! There must be more than this!
Lara didn't want to share the room of the hall with Werner, so she chose to be on the outside for a while. However it didn't take long before she noticed a pedestal near the entrance. The top part of it was square and there was a small detail in the center of the plate. A small square with an engraving resembling the Iris was there. Lara remembered automatically the pedestal in Angkor Wat. Of course, they were not similar, because that one in Cambodia was well elaborated, but the fact that there was another pedestal there, it couldn't be mere coincidence.
- What the fuck…! – Jeffrey was scared a little, kind of pointing at Lara. (At this time, Von Croy left the temple and was searching for any clues on the outside walls) – Why your backpack is lifting by itself?
- What? – Then she turned her neck to look behind, trying to seek the reason of surprise of Jeffrey. When Lara took the backpack from her back and held against her chest, she realized that Von Croy wasn't looking to the walls anymore, but for her.
- You… You brought the Iris with you! – Von Croy said while he was approaching menacingly.
- Yes, I brought it – she said seriously.
- And why did you bring my artifact without even saying anything to me?
- I thought it would be useful. I thought that if we were close to the end of this story, it would be easier if I brought the Iris with and resolve what we have to resolve.
- How bold, miss Croft.
- And for your luck, I think we need to use the Iris here. But I will warn you right now: I will have the Iris with me all the time.
Von Croy approached striding though he was leaning heavily on his cane. When he touched the pedestal, he looked at the center and recognized the same drawing of the Iris that was in the nearby wall. Then the old man was thinking out loud.
- The Iris ignores gravity, but it is always on top of a pedestal – he said with a distant look.
Lara looked at the two men there. She was afraid of what could happen next. She opened her backpack and took the artifact. When she positioned it at 5cm of the pedestal' plate, something happened. A slight tremor could be felt on the ground and a sound of door getting opened was heard. Von Croy and Jeffrey stood at the entrance of the temple and saw that the back wall had come down and revealed a stone staircase. The path was very dark.
- That's it… - Von Croy started laughing – We are close to the truth, Lara.
- Werner – Lara was serious, apprehensive. She approached him and said looking into his eyes – I'm prepared for anything that happens there. Even if the situations gets ugly. So, I say to you: careful.
- Thanks for the heads up then.
Werner walked away from Lara, however she followed him towards Jeffrey and that new passage. But before Werner could go downstairs, he turned and said:
- We can't leave the Iris there unattended. I know we are here alone, but there's always a chance of someone coming and stealing it.
Lara, immediately, removed the Iris from the top of the pedestal and waited for some kind of reaction (for example, the secret passage closing again). Nothing happened.
- Well, I guess it's safe to say we can take it with us.
Lara approached the beginning of the stairs, then they three were looking to the dark passage.
- Lara, dear, can you go first? My heavy frame could activate traps. You will pass unnoticed.
- So predictable, Werner. So "convenient".
Lara took a flashlight from her backpack and then she kept the Iris on it again. When she started to go down, Jeffrey and Von Croy followed her.
Note: Hello! The story is close to the end, and I need your feedback about it. Please, it helps me a lot.