"How are you?" - Lara asked and I looked at my bandage.

"I could be better but at least the wound received some treatment. Thanks again by the way."

"No need to thank me." - She said with a smile and then we went silent. Then I remembered.

"By the way, I want to apologize for underestimating you before. It wasn't my intention and... well... This place gets on my nerves."

"It's okay. I mean... I'll admit your words bothered but at least I showed what I'm capable of."

"And I'm glad you did it and again, I'm sorry for that." - I said feeling clearly guilty. I acted like a real asshole in that moment and I should have watched my own words...

"It's okay really." - She said with a smile and sighed. - "Roth said we should look for him..."

"I don't know if we should go now. It's getting dark and we shouldn't move during the night." - Then I heard something in the background and frowned. - "Do you hear that?"

"Yes. It sounds like.. music?"- She suggested clearly confused.

"It comes from where you went to look for food. Did you see anyone?"

"No but there was a small house though it was closed when I was there." - She said thoughtfully. - "Should we go and have a look?"

"I don't know... Maybe there could be a survivor or someone who can help us..."

"...or another mad man." - She said little nervous. - "But we won't know if we don't go there."

"Do you want to go?" - I asked to be sure.

"Yes. Let's go."

"Good." - I said getting up and picking some stuff. - "If we re fast, we'll still have some light to move."

"By the way, the bow..."

"Keep it yourself. You're the one who found it first." - I said with a smile. She smiled and put it on her shoulder with the quiver. We walked along the way, allowing Lara to guide me. As we advanced, the tune sounded louder and more clear. - "We're getting close."

"There's the house." - She said pointing the small building after reaching the end of the road. I saw that its door was open and light came from inside besides the music that sounded louder.

"It seems that someone has been here." - I said trying to see something from our position but didn't see anything or anyone. - "Hello? Anyone there?"

"It looks like there's no one."

We approached to the house with caution and walked inside. It was a very small enclosed space and the light came from a single torch that was hanging on the wall. I went to the hole on the ground and looked down. I picked up the torch and approached it to saw there were bars on the wall that served as a ladder.

"We could go through here." - Suddenly I heard a slam and both turned. I saw that the front door was closed and Lara went to try to open it.

"Damn it! I can't open it." - She said after trying to open the door without success.

"Now we have no other choice." - I said with a sigh and looked at the darkness. - "I'll go down first just to be careful. Follow me closely."

Carefully, I slowly climbed down the narrow tunnel. When I got to the ground, I saw I was in another narrow half-sunken tunnel. When Lara reached the ground, she noticed a white mark shaped like a sun that was in the tunnel's entrance.

"What are these markings?"

"No idea. But we can go through here." - I said pointing the tunnel. We walked there with slow pace due to the water and I put the torch high.

"Can you repeat why are we doing this?" – Lara asked after giving a long sigh.

"Because there was hope of finding someone." - I said grimacing and along the way we saw more strange markings. As we reached the end, I felt an intense stink. - "Ugh... Something smells very bad..."

"Smells like... something dead." - She said wrinkling her nose. When we reached the end of the tunnel, we came to a small room where there were skulls from animals to people. - "Oh god... this is insane."

"There's a door." - I went to try to open it but the handle was too hard to open it physically. - "The damn thing is too strong."

"There must be something that can help us." - Lara said looking around. Then I noticed that to one side there was a small room blocked by a barricade. I pulled out all the boxes and sticks that blocked the way and suddenly the stench became more intense.

"Uggh... oh shit... I know where the smell comes." – I said covering my nose.

"Oh, no..." - Lara muttered when she saw what was inside. Pieces of meat were hanging from hooks and there were remains of dead animals and skulls everywhere. We literally prayed that the meat wasn't human. At the end we saw a gramophone playing the music we were listening and next a table with more meat and something that looked like axes. As I approached, a disgusting wave came to me and I covered my nose again.

"Oh god... I think I'm going to throw up." - I said shaking my head. I took the axes and walked out quickly. After recovering my breath, I watched the tools. The tool itself was a handle with a blade attached with thin cords. It looked pretty strong. - "I think we can use this to open the door and also to defend ourselves.'

"Let me try." - She sais as she took one of the axes. she walked to the door and put the blade in the handle. She tried to force the handle and after a few seconds, it finally moved and suddenly the door opened. - "Okay. Let's keep going."

We passed another half-flooded tunnel and reached the end where there was no other way out except to go up with more stairs. We slowly went up and came to what seemed another small building like the first one.

"It looks like this tunnel is used as a shortcut." - Lara said as we walked out.

"And it has been used recently. That could mean that someone is near. Hopefully he or she won't be far." - Then I heard voices and I hurried to turn off the torch.

"What are you doing?"

"Someone is there. I don't want risks." - I said staying alert. We moved silently through the only possible way and I heard the voice of a man and a girl talking.

"That voice... Sam?" - Lara muttered and saw hope in her eyes but I stopped her.

"Wait. We should be careful for now." - Despite her excitement, she nodded and we moved stealthy. As we approached, the voices became clearer. Like Lara, I also recognized Sam's voice or at least it sounded like hers. When we reached a rock wall, we stayed close and I looked at Lara. She nodded and we slowly moved to take peek. Then I saw Sam and I relaxed.

"Eric! You did it!"- She said as she noticed me.

"Sam! Thank goodness..." - Lara said and she went to approach to her but then we noticed the man sitting next to her. He used a long staff to get up and he looked at us as we looked at him in suspicion.

"It's okay, he's one of us." - Sam said trying calm us.

"Sorry if I startled you. This place would make anyone a little jumpy." – The man said with a smile. I don't know what Lara thought about him but I didn't trust him. – "We just spoke to your crew… They're on their way."

"Look, he bandaged my foot." - Sam said in another attempt to calm us.

"It was the least I could do. My manners, I'm sorry... I'm Mathias… A teacher by trade…" - He said offering his hand to shake it but I didn't move. There was something about him that I didn't like at all though apparently he seems nice.

"Eric." - I simply replied and he understood that was all that he was going to get from me.

"Lara." - Although she doubted, she ended shaking his hand.

"Not really cut out for island life, I'm afraid." - He joked.

"You two should sit. You look exhausted." - Sam said with a smile. Lara went to sit next to Sam but I didn't move.

"I'll go take a look around."

"What? Now!? It's very dark and it isn't safe."

"I just want to make sure everything is fine. And maybe I'll find others." - I simply said. Lara went to protest but then she sighed. She knew it wouldn't work.

"Don't make it too long." - She said looking into my eyes. I nodded and walked away from the camp.


(Lara's POV)

I watched as Eric walked away and I gave another sigh. Sam was right. It wasn't safe to walk while it was dark but when I looked at him, I knew I wouldn't change his mind and I decided to not protest. If I know something about him is that he is very stubborn and it's almost impossible to convince him otherwise. The fact that I've had to insist him to let me go to get food was the best example. I just hope he's careful...

"So all this time you've been alone with Eric..." - I looked at Sam and saw her smile.

"Nothing happened." - I said knowing what she was thinking and her smile grew widened.

2Oh, don't be like that. At least it must have been interesting to be with him alone."

"If trying to survive can be considered interesting..." - I said giving sigh of pure exhaustion.

"You're too pessimistic." - She complained and I looked at her.

"I'm not pessimistic. We've been in serious danger several times."

"Your friend is just trying to cheer you up." - Mathias said and I sighed. He was right.

"I'm sorry. It's just I'm too tired right now." - I said hugging my knees.

"It's okay." - She said with a smile as she gave a quick hug. Always so positive even if the situation was so difficult.

"Sam here was just telling me about the Sun Queen." - Mathias said and I rolled my eyes. That story again...

"Right, Himiko!"

"Can you tell me more? I'm intrigued."

"Well, believe it or not, a couple thousand years ago, Queen Himiko pretty much ran things in Japan." - Sam explained and I couldn't help chuckling.

"She loves telling this story…" - Sam smiled and kept telling the story.

"Himiko was beautiful, enigmatic but also ruthless and powerful! Legend says..."

I knew every word she was going to say. She told that story so many times it was impossible not forget it. While she talked, I noticed my eyelids weighed and I gave a sigh. Thank God I found Sam. Now we just needed to find a Roth and the rest of the crew. Then I looked where Eric went. I hope he returns soon...


(Eric's POV)

I walked slowly and I paid attention to what was around me. Though everything was very dark, I hoped I could find anyone from the crew but after several minutes walking around, all I saw was small rodents running around and little else. I sighed and turned around. I better get back. I alsodon't want to leave Sam and Lara alone with that man, Mathias, for so long. I don't know why but I don't trust him. There's something about him that I don't like...

As I walked back, suddenly stopped when I heard something. Voices? I tried to find where they were coming from and followed the sound. Hopefully it will be the others. After everything that has happened, I needed some good news. As I approached, the voices became clearer and I noticed that there were several... and mostly men. I moved carefully through the bushes and tried to see who they were. It was a group and from their appearance they looked like survivors but something told me they've been here for a long time. Also they carried bows and guns. They were very well armed.

"The boss told me that he will come back soon. Someone should stay around to wait for him." - One of them said.

"Yeah. Meanwhile others should go to clear the way. I heard that another ship has wrecked."

"Great. Hopefully we will find any woman and start with the damn ritual." - Ritual? What the hell are they talking about?

"What if this doesn't end well as the last time?"

"Well, we'll keep waiting. That's all we can do." - After that, several men left and only two remained.

"Hey, what do we do if we find any survivors?"

"Take them and take everything they have."

"And if they try to flee?"

"Kill them. But don't hurt the women."

"Hey, at least I could have some fun if I find one. It's been a very long time since I saw woman..."

"Well, having some fun won't hurt anyone haha!"

After hearing that, I silently walked away as I felt all my body tense. Shit... Shit SHIT! I have to return back with Sam and Lara as soon as possible. If these guys find them... No! I can't allow that! Trying to make as little noise as possible, I moved quickly between the bushes and made my way back. But then I saw another group of hunters and I stopped. They had flashlights and looked through the trees and bushes, clearly searching for survivors. Shit... I took my axes and walked away, getting further and further into the bushes and hiding in the darkness. I can't allow them to discover me.


(Lara's POV)

I don't know for how long I've been sleeping. I was trying to listen to Sam but thanks to the heat from the campfire and the exhaustion, I ended falling asleep. I was so tired... Suddenly I heard a loud thunder and I opened my eyes. I looked around and...

"Sam? Mathias?" - I called them when I saw I was alone. I got up and I kept looking around me. - "Eric? Where are you?"

I left the camp and I kept looking for them. They can't be far. They just couldn't leave me alone like this! And Eric? Why he hasn't returned?

"Sam! Shit!"- I cursed and I felt more nervous as the storm roared and the rain soaked me. I went down the road to look for them and suddenly something caught my leg and felt a sharp pain. I fell down as I cried and I saw that my leg has been caught by a bear trap. Although it had no teeth, the damn thing was very strong and I couldn't get rid of it as much as tried open it.

"Sam! Eric!"- I called them hoping they'd appear and I kept fighting against the trap. Suddenly I heard howls and I stopped what I was doing. Wolves... and I have the strong feeling they're coming here. I left the trap and quickly took my bow and an arrow. Okay, focus... I looked into the bushes and watched as they moved. I watched closely and suddenly a wolf jumped directly at me. I quickly aimed at it and fired without hesitation. The animal flew after receiving the arrow and fell in the ground, apparently dead but I didn't care in that moment. I kept myself focused in the brushes that kept moving and got ready to defend myself again. Another two wolves came out and took them down quickly. I don't know how I was able to react so fast but I must keep doing like this if I want to stay alive. After looking around and see that for now there were no more wolves, I left the bow and went back to try to open the trap.

"Over here! I found Lara!" - I looked up and sighed in pure relief when I saw Reyes.

"Reyes!" - She came to me while Jonah, Alex, Whitman and Grim followed her.

"Let go." – She ordered and aimed her gun at the trap. She shot the bait and then the trap loosened its grip. Jonah then came and finished the job by opening the jaws and freeing my leg.

"It's good to see you, Little Bird." - He said with a smile as he helped me up.

"I'm so glad you're here."

"Weren't they with you?' – Whitman asked and I shook my head.

"Eric went to look around searching for you and Sam was here... with that man, Mathias." - I answered while using the bow as a support to walk. – "I've fallen asleep and when I woke up, they were both gone."

"Why the hell would that boy go alone.." - Grim muttered as he looked around.

"We must find them."

"Uh, w-wait, what about Roth?" – Whitman said and he was right. We also have to find him.

"Okay. Let's split up." - Reyes saod. - "One of us will go with Lara and meet up with Roth, the rest of us should fan out and look for Sam and Eric."

"I'm going with her." – Alex said but suddenly Whitman jumped.

"No, no… let, let me." - He said acting weird and surprising everyone. Reyes looked at him not feeling really sure.

"You know how to use one of these?" - She asked showing him the gun and he took it.

"It's… it's been a while. It-it's all coming back to me."

"Get to Roth. We'll find the others." – Alex said as he hurried to leave with Reyes and Jonah. I tried to walk but my leg hurt and I started limping badly.

"You going to be okay?"

"Yes. I probably just need to rest for a few minutes." - Whitman offered to support me to walk and helped me to get to the campfire. After arriving, I sat on the ground and gave a sigh.

"You sit, uh… you sit here. I'll, uh… I'll check up ahead."

"Okay." – I replied as I massaged my ankle and tried to ease the pain. While leaving my leg to rest, I remembered one of the things I picked up when I went to look for food. I reached into my pocket and finally found it: a small diary. I had thought it might be useful and could write all my memories about what's happening in this place. As my father did... I shook my head and opened it as I took the pen it had.

"Let's see, how do I start?" - I muttered thoughtfully. After having a clear idea, I started writing. - "This is Lara Croft, an archeologist from The Endurance…"


(Eric's POV)

After moving between the bushes, I stopped a second to look back and sighed relieved as I realized they weren't following me. The hunters have become more insistent in seeking for any survivors and avoiding them has become really difficult. But I couldn't let them to discover me. Not after seeing how they caught a man and shot him in the head despite his pleas. These guys were sick. I don't know why they were doing this but I couldn't allow get caught by them. Now I need to look for a weapon, just to be ready in case problems happened.

Then I saw one of the men walking away and saw that he was going to pee. He had a bow and a gun, just what I needed. I moved slowly through the bushes and stood right behind him. After making sure that his mates weren't paying attention, I moved to him stealthy and got ready. Quickly I caught his neck with my arm and with my other hand covered his mouth when he was going to scream. The man tried to get rid of me but I stayed strong and dragged him into the darkness. He struggled really hard and tried to call for help but my hand stopped him and with my arm I tried to choke him. After several minutes that seemed endless, my enemy stopped moving and finally fell unconscious. I rushed to hide the body in a safe place and took all his weapons besides the goods that he may have. After securing my new weapons and making sure the rest of the enemies weren't aware about what happened, I took a deep breath. Now I was ready to fight. Time to find the others.


(Lara's POV)

After writing my journal and making sure I could walk without problems, I went to look for Whitman. I found him in front of the entrance to a great temple, watching some white markings on the large door.

"These are fascinating!" - He said as he pointed the markings.

"I've seen these before..." - I said as I remembered the marks from the tunnel. - "They must be ritualistic."

"This female image is particularly interesting." – He said pointing the larger figure. I walked over and touched the mark to see it the paint was still fresh.

"Looks like it was made quite recently."

"By those islanders, no doubt. Judging by the wrecks out there, they were once like us… survivors… Remarkable!"

"Yes, well, let's hope we don't become murderers too." - I muttered after remembering the crazy man from the cave.

"See if you can move the other one.' – Whitman pointing one of the wheels that opened the door as he took the other one. Seeing that there was no handle, I took the axe and went to use it. But when I went to turn the wheel, the axe creaked.

"Shit. It won't take the force. I'll have to find something sturdier to torn it with."

"There must be something around here we can use." - Then he went to the door and ignored me to focus on the markings. I sighed and walked to watch for something useful. I tried to look for branches that could be used as handle but I also wanted to modify my axe. After looking around, I found a small box between some bushes and it surprised me to find remains of tools, duct tape and some other useful things.

"Just what I needed."

I spent some time to use everything I could to strengthen the axe and after trying it several times, I felt satisfied with the result. I went to the door and motioned Whitman to get ready. I put the reinforced axe in the wheel and this time I was able to spin the wheel. Together we turned the mechanism until the door was opened. After releasing the handles, it began to go down to close again and we rushed to go to the other side. When the door closed, I gave a sigh. There was no turning back.

"That female figure on the gate. Given the age of the symbols, it could be the Sun Queen…" – Whitman as we walked down the road and I gave a sigh. As always he only focuses in what he cares and ignores the rest, as always. I followed him as I lit a torch with one of the lamps that lit the way.

"Himiko?" - I suggested. - "Are you sure you're not channeling Sam, Dr. Whitman?"

"How about if we keep walking?" - I smiled. He'll never admit something like that. He's too proud to do so. Then he sighed. - "Okay. Well, there's no doubt, Himiko had power. Some say shamanistic. Elemental!"

"A woman wields that much power and sooner or later it gets called witchcraft."

"We shouldn't discount anything, even what may seem to us, irrational. We still have to learn about the world."

"You sound like my father..." - I said with a sigh.

"It could be one hell of a story, Lara."

"No if we don't live to tell it." - After climbing the road, we finally arrived to flat ground.

"Come on. Let's see what we can find." - Whitman said while approaching to a statue lit by candles. I also approached and noticed something strange. - "Incredible! It's Himiko!"

"But look, the bowl, the candles... Why is she still being worshiped?"

"This island, it must've once been part of Yamatai! You were right, Lara!"- Then realization came to me and my eyes widened.

"The lost kingdom!"

"It's like finding Atlantis!"

"But this is real, Whitman. We're not standing on a myth."

"No, we're standing on a gold mine!"

Why he has to think about money right now? Suddenly I heard a crack and we jumped. I turned and saw a stranger approaching to us. Whitman raised his gun and aimed at the man who raised his hands.

"Come, quickly, your friends are hurt." - He said but I wasn't convinced.

"Yes, probably by them!"

"Get back!" – Whitman warned. Then we looked up and saw another man aiming at us with his bow.

"They can't be trusted!" – I told to Whitman but I noticed he was trembling. - "You still have a gun."

"I don't want any trouble." - He suddenly said and stopped aiming.

"No! What are you..."

"We'll come, but I insist that afterwards, you take us to whoever's in charge!"

"Whitman! What are you doing?!"

"Be quiet! I'm handling this."- He said as he put his gun on the ground but by no means I was going to leave this in this way. I took my bow and an arrow but suddenly a man jumped at me and knocked me down. - "No... please!"

"Get off!" - I shouted while trying to get rid of the man who put my hands on my back and tied them.

"Just… just go along with them, Lara. Do… do whatever they say." - Whitman said trying to calm me but it was too late. My captor lifted me off the ground and took my bow. Then he spoke in Russian with his companion and then pushed me to move forward. Damn you, Whitman... How could you surrender so easily? Now we were in big trouble... Well, me at least. I didn't know where Sam and Eric were, the others were away (and hopefully safe) and now I was caught by this people. Damn you Whitman, you stupid coward...

After several minutes being forced to walk a path that I didn't know, we reached an area where there was lots of ash. Then I saw fire in the distance. What were these men doing? We came to a small group and saw another hunter in front of several men who were kneeling with their hands tied.

"Who are you? What do you want with us?" - I asked to the Russian and I received another push to point me to keep walking.

"Lara!" - One of the hostages suddenly called me and then I recognized the men as part of the crew of the Endurance. He tried to get up but the hunter rushed to knock him to the ground.

"Don't hurt them… please!" – I begged but the Russian pushed me against a tree. Suddenly he approached to me and began to touch my shoulder and talk with a suggestive tone. All my senses became alert. No, I can't go through that... I made as I stumbled and went to fell but he caught me and cornered me again against the tree. Fear came over me. I don't know what to do... I... I don't know what to do!

"Not! Let go of her! Let go of her!" - One of my cremates shouted. Suddenly I heard movement and saw the three of them running, surprising our enemies.

"Lara, run!" - One of them told me while trying to escape but suddenly the Russian raised his gun and fired.

"Oh no! No!"- I cried while the Russian gave orders to his companions and they ran after the others. Suddenly he turned and hit me hard in the face, causing me to fall to the ground. As I complained, I listened as he threatened me in his language but I didn't understand anything he said. As I laid on the floor, I saw him walk away to find the other survivors.

When he disappeared, I saw the opportunity and I hurried to get up. In the distance I saw several enemies watching around with lanterns and I hid behind a wall. I moved stealthy, trying to avoid they could see me. I heard how they talked about me and how they noticed I was gone. I have to move fast and find a safe place as soon as possible... As I kept walking, I heard shots and also the hunters reporting that they caught some survivors. I don't understand what is going on... Why are these men doing this?

As I moved and dodged the hunters, more of them appeared and it seemed like they were everywhere. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't afraid. I was terrified... But I have to stay alert. If only I could free my hands...

Suddenly I saw two hunters and hurried to hide behind a wall. I listened as they shot with their weapons and went away after several seconds. When I saw they were far from my position, I walked into a cap and leaned against the wall. I saw the lights of the lanterns moving around and stood still. Then I heard footsteps and looked at one side, seeing the Russian. I turned my head, hoping he wouldn't see me. Then he spoke and, despite I didn't understand anything, I knew he knew I was there. Looking back, I saw the Russian pointing his gun at me and telling me to get out. Okay... Do what he says and I'll think something. Calm down, Lara...

Slowly I went through the gap and made as if to move aside but suddenly he caught me and cornered me against the wall. No! Not again! He started to touch my shoulder and moved his hand down to my waist. But before he could do anything more, I hit his groin with my knee. Taking advantage that he was hurt, I tried to run but he grabbed my arm and cornered me again. This time he got closer to me and sniffed my hair. I froze when I felt him so close and I hurried to think something. Then I bit his ear as hard as I could and pulled away, tearing part of it. As he screamed in pain and touched his ear, I spit what I had bitten and jumped on him to hit him and take him down.I tried again to run away but he grabbed my leg and I fell down. Looking at him, I saw he was pointing his gun at me and this time I knew he was going to shoot. I panicked as I saw his finger was going to pull the trigger but suddenly someone came from one side and rushed at the Russian. He hit him pretty hard, making the gun fly and both fell to the ground. When he stood up, my eyes widened when I saw it was Eric.

"Eric!"

"Lara, run!" – He told me but suddenly the Russian hit him and fell. I hurried to react and crawled to the gun. As I took it, I turned to see the Russian running towards me. I aimed at him and fired, hitting him in the leg but he didn't seem to notice and fell over me. We wrestled and suddenly he grabbed the gun, trying to point it to my face. With all my strength I tried to turn it away but he was too strong. Just when the gun was going to point directly at me, I saw Eric approaching and pulled the Russian away from me, and the gun fell again to the ground. They began to fight and while I tried to catch my breath, I saw the Russian knock Eric on the ground and stood over him to hit him repeatedly. I hurried to go for the gun and just when the Russian remembered I was there and looked at me, I shot. The bullet hit his face... and he fell. I heard how he whimpered and my eyes fell on the large amount of blood that came from him and the hole in his face. My hands began to shake and felt as all my strength leaving me. What... what have I done...

"Lara..." - l heard Eric's voice but now I was in shock. I felt like I was going to throw up... Why has to happen this to me... - "Lara, are you okay?"

My legs failed and I fell to my knees. The urge to throw up intensified and started coughing. I was so tired of aeverything... The gun, the blood, the hole in the Russian's face… I couldn't take away those visions from my head. While trying to calm my breathing, I noticed Eric's hand rubbing my back and I heard his voice trying to calm me down. I suddenly I collapsed and began to cry.

"Oh, god..." - I muttered between sobs. Then I felt Eric's arms around me and pulling to hug me.

"It's okay. It's over." - He said trying to calm me. For a few minutes he stayed there, hugging me and rubbing my back while I calmed down. When I finally calmed my breath, I turned away from him and stood up. I took the gun that was on the floor and looked at it. Then I saw the bow that was near the Russian and went to pick it up.

"Lara." - I turned and looked at Eric. He had a cut on his cheek and another one on his lip besides having a swollen eye.

"Are you okay?" - I asked before he did.

"Yes but..". - He said approaching to me and I noticed his concern. - "Lara, are you okay?"

"No." – I admitted with low voice. - "I just want to get out of here."

"Okay." - He said. I walked over and when l was close to him, I looked into his eyes.

"Eric."

"Yes?"

"Don't ever dare to leave again."