Hi everybody! Sorry to update a little late, had some work to do and also some gaming to enjoy. And Fanfiction has been working a little bad for me in a few time and couldn't update qhen I wanted. Anyway here is the new chapter. Enjoy!


'Lara. Lara!'

I woke up and looked startled at Eric. He was kneeling beside to me and looked very alert, like he saw something suspicious.

'W-what?' - I asked rubbing my eyes. I didn't know how much time I slept and now I was a little sleepy. - 'Is something wrong?'

'I saw movement. I think they are hunters.' - said looking across the bridge. - 'We should move.'

I got up and both picked up our things while still watched the other side. I was still sleepy and I also felt cold despite I was wearing the jacket. Then I noticed something different.

'You touched my guns?'

'Yes. I've modified them slightly to include some improvements.'

'Oh, thank you.' - I said surprised. I wanted to ask more about what exactly he had done but we were too busy trying to see any enemies. When we finished collecting all our stuff, Eric approached to the bridge that was broken.

'It seems that this bridge is the only way to keep going and get to the tower. And in the other side I saw movement. We must be careful.'

Both approached to the bridge and despite it was pretty broken, a metal beam was still connected to the other side.

'That van from there doesn't look like it won't give too much problem.'

I said after seeing the broken van in the edge from the other side and checked the beam. After seeing it was safe, I decided to go first and Eric offered his arm to give me some help. It wasn't too difficult as the jump we had to pass was pretty short and reached the other side quickly. After reaching the van, I turned to see Eric was following me in that moment. Then, suddenly I noticed movement behind me and someone grabbed my waist.

'I got one! Come here!'- said the hunter trying to throw me off the bridge and I grabbed the van with all my strength.

'Let me go!'- I cried as I struggled with him.

'Hey! Let her go!'- shouted Eric as he rushed to help me and struggled with the hunter. He punched him in the face, leaving him stunned for a second and I took advantage to kick him and throw him to the void. As I caught his breath, I noticed Eric's hand on my shoulder. - 'Are you okay?'

'Yes...' - I nodded and then heard screams and warnings from the hunters who were guarding the place. Eric and I looked out while we covered behind the van and watched the hunters running to their posts.

'This area is very well defended.' – muttered Eric thoughtfully and pulled out his rifle. - 'Okay. Let's do this: I'll go on ahead and I'll clear the path. Focus on attacking our enemies from ahead with your bow.'

I nodded and prepared my bow while Eric watched the hunters again. Then he looked at me for a second and took the lead. While he attacked the enemies who were at our level, I covered behind a few sand sacks and watched the hunters who were on top of some crumbling buildings. I began to attack quickly and as they noticed me, they tried to counterattack but I acted fast. One tried to throw me a molotov cocktail but after being hit by one of my arrows, he fell behind with the bomb. Then there was a flash and cries of pain from that area. Seeing that they weren't going to attack more, I followed Eric who had cleared most of the path. Then a large group of enemies began to shoot us from a building and we hid behind a small wall.

'They're too many.' - he said grimacing as he noticed the bullets hitting the wall.

'I think I have an idea.' – I said suddenly as I saw something. I asked him to give me his rifle for a moment and thought he looked at me confused, he gave me the gun. After waiting the shooting to stop for a moment, I looked out and shot to a petrol can that was between the enemies. Then there was an explosion and there were cries of pain and some enemies flying around with fire and debris. Eric looked out and was surprised.

'That was...' – muttered surprised as I returned his rifle. Then I saw a hunter in the top of another building and jumped to a rope that used as zip line. I knew he wanted to reach us and quickly pulled out my bow and hit him, making him fall. Eric looked at me surprised and smiled. – 'Good shot. You're on fire, huh?'

'I guess so.' – then we heard the warnings coming from the other hunters and got ready. – 'They don't want us to reach the tower.'

'Well, I'm afraid we're going to disappoint them because we'll go to that tower like it or not.'

We moved again and shot at every hunter we met, clearing the path. Finally, when we arrived at the final building that was before the tower, we focused on killing all the enemies until we saw no more of them. Eric and I slowly moved through the large yard that was before the building.

'I think they're not done.' – warned Eric and I had the same feeling. Though I didn't see nobody outside, I felt movement inside the building. Suddenly we heard heavy footsteps coming from inside and the doors opened suddenly. Two hunters were the one who opened the doors and the one of their brothers appeared very well equipped. He wore a metal mask that protected his face along with heavy boots and was equipped with a long metal shield and a machete. He approached to us very slowly while covering behind his shield and Eric stepped in front of me.

'I fear that guns won't be useful against that shield.' - said as both stepped back.

'So we must find a way to hit his back.' - I said then and took my axe. - 'Distract him. I'll try to hit him.'

'Okay but be careful.'

Slowly I walked away from him while I watched very closely the soldier or whatever he was. He used the shield to cover completely his body and I saw he had ready his machete to attack. I must be very fast if I want to surprise him…

I saw Eric trying to attract the attention of the soldier who approached him. I moved silently behind him and after he unsuccessfully tried to attack Eric, I ran to hit him. Just as my axe was going to hit his back, he turned fast and pushed it away with his machete. Then he tried to hit me with the shield but Eric moved quickly and hit him. The soldier screamed in pain and tried to counterattack. As he forgot about me, I took advantage and hit his back. As he fell dead to the ground, the two hunters from inside came.

'Oh shit... they're still alive?!' - cursed one of them and tried to attack us with their bows and a molotov bomb. Eric and I moved fast and took them down in a few seconds.

'Yes... we're still alive.' - I muttered after giving a sigh.

'Okay, I think they were the last.' - Eric said after taking the ammunition their bodies had.

We entered to the building and while we watched the place, we discovered the hunters used this place as abasement. After collecting all the goods we found, we went up and approached to a pole where they put a rope that was connected to the tower.

'Okay. This is the tower.' - I said while testing the strength of the rope. – 'We can use this rope to get there.'

I went first and I moved slowly through the thick rope which fortunately was strong enough to let us move to the tower. When we reached the first platform, we moved to one side and saw narrow stairs.

'Seen from here, I think this won't be too much difficult.' – said Eric while looking up.

'You know you'll regret saying that, right?' - I said raising an eyebrow.

While he simply shrugged, I began to climb the stairs. Besides they were pretty narrow, as I climbed the cold and the wind became more intense, not to forget the sense of vertigo I was starting to feel. Suddenly I heard something break and a gasp and looked down. Part of the stairs had broken and saw Eric looking at metal piece that was falling to the void.

'Is everything all right?' - I asked and he nodded. Both finished climbing the stairs and as we reached the next platform, we approach the next ladder. The vertigo feeling was getting stronger and we still had to climb more stairs besides these ones... Carefully we started to climb the ladder, trying to be careful to not force the metal as it was obvious the tower was pretty old. Suddenly noticed something moving and flew around me.

'You okay?' – asked Eric very worried.

'Yes. Just were some birds.' - I said to calm down after recovering from the shock and kept climbing. When we reached the next platform, I realized it was even smaller. As I moved, fearfully I grabbed the central structure that lead the radio panel. Eric looked carefully to the void and swallowed.

'Okay. Forget what I said before… shit, this is pretty high.' - He said while stepping away from the edge and saw some fear in his eyes. Then he looked up where we could see the flickering light of the radio signal. - 'I'm afraid that only one of us can climb there. This leader doesn't look like they'll stand our weights.'

'I'll go.' - I said suddenly and walked to the stairs.

'You sure? You don't have to…'

'It's okay, Eric. I will. Besides, you're too big and heavy compared to me and the ladder should stand my weight.' - I reasoned with him. He looked unsure but finally he sighed and nodded. He knew I was right.

'Okay. But…. be careful.' - He said very worried. I couldn't blame him he was so unsure, I was scared to death.

After gathering some courage, I took a deep breath and began to climb the narrow bars. Unlike the previous steps, they were hooked only on one side and the other had no support. They were also very small and move through them was difficult... but I can do it. After climbing some distance, I saw the following bars were broken and had to push myself to get to the next part of the ladder. Carefully I put my feet on the stairs and leaned on the broken parts. Then I raised my arm and tried to get to the next bars of the ladder but couldn't do it without jumping. I took a shaky breath and mentally counted. Suddenly I jumped and I finally grabbed the next bar with both hands but this gave way. Fear overcame me completely and I was scared it would actually fall but seeing only leaned down. I calmed down a bit and with some effort I went through the rest of the ladder and finally reached the platform of the radio. After sitting on it, I have a long sigh of relief and looked down. I saw Eric looking at me and I made a sign to which he responded. After that, I took my walkie-talkie and turned it on.

'Alex?'

'Lara!'

'I'm at the panel.'

'Okay... The tower should boost the signal from the transmitter.' – said Alex. I left my walkie on top of the panel and opened it. Then picked up the transmitter and put it next to the radio controls.

'All right. Now what?'

'Find the emergency channel and try to get a clear signal on your radio before broadcast the SOS.' - I saw the small controls that controlled the radio frequencies and began to turn them. - 'Hey, we got everything crossed for you down here, L.C.'

'Thank you.' - I said a little nervous. Eric was probably like them and a very important thought came to my mind. Get up here was difficult but when I have to get down… That was a very serious problem I was going to have to really worry about... I shook my head and focused on the radio. While I was turning the controls, at first only heard noise and whispers. But while I was still trying, I heard a news channel, another about music...

'Come on...' - I muttered impatiently.

"You're tunned to the International Emergency Broadcast Response System..." - I heard suddenly in the noise. My eyes widened and I hurried to try to get a clear signal. After a few seconds finally got it and waited until the voice pointed me to talk.

'Mayday, mayday. This is Lara Corft of the Endurance. We are stranded on an island in the Dragon's Triangle. We need help and medical supplies. Please respond.' - I called out but received no answer and got nervous. I picked up the transmitter and approached it to my voice. - 'Mayday, mayday. I'm Lara Croft from the Endurance...'

'This is aircraft N177A.' - A man answered and relief came over me. I did it… I really did it... - 'Searching for you since the distress call from your vessel. Almost given up hope!'

'So had we!' - I smiled this time. That call changed everything.

'We've got your approximate position, but we could sure use a visual.'

'We'll figure something out.'

'We'll be heading your way soon. Out.' – the pilot finished speaking and suddenly I heard Alex's cry of joy from my walkie.

'Lara Croft, you are my hero.' - He said pretty excited and I couldn't help smiling. - 'Hey, you know, Reyes actually just cracked a smile!'

'Wish I could see that.' – said smiling. – 'See you soon guys. We'll try to create a signal.'

After that I kept my walkie-talkie and the transmitter and closed the radio panel. Now I have to worry about the other big problem. Carefully I started to go down and though I almost had to do the same as I was climbing, it was pretty difficult and dangerous. After passing the broken bars and reaching the other part of the ladder, I could climb down without problem. When I returned to Eric, I found him with a big smile.

'You did it.' - He said putting a hand on my shoulder and I smiled but couldn't help blushing. - 'This almost makes me forget all the fear I had when you were climbing...'

'I could say the same from me.' - I said laughing. The success of the call almost made up for all the suffering. - 'Before we talk about creating a signal, we better get down of here first.'

'Yeah. Let's go.' - both went down to the second platform of the tower and then saw a rope connecting to another tower that was in the middle of some rock walls. – 'It seems that hunters used this to go down faster.'

'Are you thinking what I'm thinking right now?' – I turned and saw him grinning.

'It's extremely dangerous but I think it will be great.'

Before I could say anything, he pulled the axe and used it as zip line to move at full speed. I couldn't help laughing to hear cries of joy. Definitely that call had changed everyone's mood. I also took my axe and jumped to the rope. In a minute that felt like second, I went down at full speed and despite the fear about something that could fail, it was extremely funny. When I finally reached the ground. As I leaned on my knees and tried to catch my breath after that adrenaline rush, I heard Eric's laughter.

'And that's a great way to get down.'

'I won't discuss it.' - I said with a smile and got up. - 'Now that we're on safe ground, we must find a way to create a visual signal.'

'Thinking the aircraft will be flying around, the signal must be pretty big to get its attention.'

'Thinking about it, then only idea I have is a huge explosion.'

'Okay. Then we must find fuel and create fire... '- then he turned and saw a fuel tank located near the rock wall. Eric hit the metal several times to hear it and shook his head. - 'This one is empty.'

'Perhaps there are more tanks like this if we follow this path.' - Both went down from the only possible way and then found two tanks in the end. - 'And there they are.'

Eric approached to the tube that was connected with the tanks and hit the valve that closed them to brake it. A fuel jet was shot to the ground and created a small puddle.

'All right. Now we need to create fire.'

'Perhaps in that warehouse we'll find something useful.' - I said pointing the small and abandoned building. Both entered inside and watched the place. While I found some ammo, Eric went to a table and picked up something.

'I think this could work.' – he gave what he found and saw it was a metal stick. He had another one and then picked up his torch. With a few quick fixes it hooked the stick to the torch's head and with his axe, scraped the metal to cause some sparks that lit the fire.

'Oh.' - I said in surprise as we watched the fire.

'Now we don't need to find a damn lamp to light our torches.' - He said and while finished watching the warehouse, I did the same fixes with my torch. After that we went outside and approached to the fuel paddle on the ground. Eric went with the torch and pointed me to stay away. - 'You've already risked enough. Now let me do the hard work.'

'Okay, but be careful.'

As I hurried to hide behind a wall, I saw Eric approaching the fire to the puddle and as this started to burn, he ran at me. As he turned off the torch to keep it and hid behind the wall, we saw how the fire went dangerously close to the tank and suddenly there was an explosion. Although it wasn't as strong as we expected, it was enough to draw the attention of the aircraft.

'They should see us now.' – said Eric looking at the sky. Then the aircraft appeared next a mountain.

'There it is!' - I pointed and started to jump while moving my arms. Eric and I cried at them to try to get their attention and watched as the plane turned toward us. But suddenly, out of nowhere thick black clouds appeared around the aircraft and a lightning hit its back. Eric and I stopped to wave and watched in shock as the aircraft began to go down while some of its parts were in fire. I got to hear a mystery and dark voice muttering around but I couldn't finish analyzing it as I saw how the aircraft descended directly toward us.

'RUN!'

Eric cried and suddenly grabbed my hand and forced me to turn and run. Both ran with all our strength as we heard as the plane hit the ground behind us. We saw pieces of metal flying dangerously around us but didn't dare to stop running. Then when we reached the end of the path and even though the next part was a ravine that descended dangerously down the mountain, we didn't hesitate a second and jumped. As we descended at full speed and dodged all the debris that was falling around, I saw one of the plane's engines burning and falling behind us. In that moment I didn't know which was worse, that maybe we were going to fall down the mountain or the engine that was going to explode at any moment.

Then the second happened and though thankfully didn't hurt me, I lost control of myself in the fall and flipped around until Eric caught my arm. He dragged me to him and hugged him with all my strength as we continued going down at full speed and kept trying to dodge the debris that was around. In the end we saw the airplane that flew to another mountain to crash and then we hit a wooden platform. The blow we received made me drop Erica and rolled until I realized too late I was going to fall into the void. But before I went down, Eric reached out his arm and took my hand in the last moment.

'Don't let go!' - He said wincing as he tried to get up and with some effort tried to help me. Then we heard blows and saw the other aircraft engine falling through the ravine directly to us. Eric realized that and pulled me onto the platform and then dragged me to one side. Both jumped in the same moment as the engine crashed into the platform and destroyed it completely, falling into the void. We fell breathless on a mountain road and tried to catch ou breath.

'You okay?' - asked whimpering a bit.

'Yes...' - I said still trying to catch my breath. All my body hurt because all the blows I received in the fall and was covered with dust and dirt, but I was still alive. About the aircraft... I still don't understand what happened. Why everything had to go so wrong? After a few minutes of rest, Eric and I got up and saw that we has touching his injury.

'Your wound... you okay?'

'Yeah. It hurts because of all the blows from before but I'm fine.' - He said trying to reassure me.

'Help, help!' – we looked up and saw the pilot of the aircraft flying around with his parachute and was having problems.

'The pilot... we have to help him!' - I said as we hurried to walk down the road. We arrived at the end and saw that the only way to keep going was to walk through some ancient Japanese houses that were in pretty bad shape.

'These houses look that as we put one foot in them, they will start to crumble.' – said Eric and noticed his worry.

'But it's the only way to keep going.'

After analyzing where we had to jump and climb, we got ready. Using an old standard as trapeze to jump, both jumped at the first house. As Eric pointed before, as we reached the platform everything started to fall and we had to hurry to move forward. Before the house collapsed, we reached the other but the situation was still chaotic.

'Don't stop!'

Both moved through the houses stumbling and almost falling, and though we were still moving, every time all became more dangerous and difficult. More than once I was afraid we weren't going to reach the end but didn't stop running. As we progressed, I saw that we were getting close to the next mountain road and prayed with all my heart that reach that path safely. I didn't know how long we had been moving in this way but it seemed as it would never end... Suddenly, after we jumped to a platform, it sank suddenly and none of us could avoid falling. In that moment panic came over me until I realized I had fallen on solid ground... and wasn't collapsing. We've reached the next road…

'Oh god...' - I muttered relieved as I tried to calm my breathing.

'For a second I really thought we weren't going to reach this path alive.' - said Eric breathlessly. Suddenly we heard shots and both rushed to get up.

'What was that?' – asked nervously as we looked around.

'What?! What the hell?! Go away!'- cried a man's voice. Both walked to follow the voice and passing a corner, saw the pilot cornered by two hunters. With his pistol he was able to get rid of one but the other had a long metal shield and the shots were useless. Then the hunter made him drop his gun with a gun and killed him with his machete. I noticed Eric's hand on mine and he pointed me to be quiet. Slowly we moved away to one side to hide, trying to get his attention but suddenly my radio came on.

'Lara! Eric! Are you there?'

I hurried to turn off my radio but it was too late. The hunter was aware of our presence and run at us with his shield. Before he arrived, Eric pushed me aside and he received the blow. The hunter knocked him down and though he tried to hit him with the machete, Eric responded to his attack fiercely. While they were fighting, I saw an old wooden stool t a corner and hurried to take it. I hit the back of the enemy with all my strength and he cried of pain. Then he tried to hit me with the machete and quickly I used the stool as a shield. The blade pierced the wood but fortunately didn't touch me and dropped the piece of wood. The hunter was now focused on me and moved menacingly towards me as I walked away. Then I saw Eric quickly getting up and before the hunter could react, he rounded his neck with his strong arms and tried to choke him. The man tried to get away from him but Eric stayed firmly and after a few long seconds, the hunter fell unconscious.

'Are you okay?'

'Yes.' - I answered and then I approached to the pilot. I sighed when I saw he was dead. - 'But I can't say the same for him.'

'What's wrong with this men?' – asked Eric looking at the hunter.

'Eric?! Lara?!'- Roth called again from the radio.

'Roth.'

'God... what the hell happened to the aircraft?'

'I don't know... The storm came out of nowhere. Those clouds, they just surrounded the plane and…'- I said very nervous. I knew nothing about what had happened and the situation had returned to be very bad. I noticed Eric's hand on my shoulder and sighed.

'Roth, where are you?' – he asked this time.

'I saw the crash from here, so you must be close to my position. Just get back here safe!'

'Alright. We'll go there.' - finished Eric and I put the radio on my belt.

'This island... I don't understand anything.' - I said looking down.

'Hey, why not look for a safe place and assemble a camp?'

I knew he was trying to cheer me and nodded, though I was too nervous and confused for everything that had happened. Eric and I went through the only path possible and then found a good place to set up camp. After a few minutes working, finally we created some fire and could sit. In that moment I really started to notice the fatigue caused by everything that had happened before: the crash, the fall, the pass through the houses, the many times I almost fell down the mountain... I was exhausted. And I still couldn't find an explanation to the storm that surrounded the plane. Everything was so weird and…

'You okay?' - Eric finally asked me, pulling me from my thoughts.

'No... I can't get it out of my head. The plane, the storm... What happened is NOT normal.' - replied resting my head on my hand.

'I know, I'm like you. I also think it not normal what happened but there must be some explanation. Though right now I can't think of anything...'

'God... why everything has to be so difficult? We finally had a real chance to get out of this island and everything ended bad…' - muttered feeling very tired.

'Hey, why you don't get some rest?' – Eric told me softly. – 'It will help you.'

'But in the last camp you...'

'Forget about that. You are exhausted and need to rest.' - I went to protest but in his eyes I saw he wasn't going to change his mind. And I was so exhausted I ended up accepting his suggestion.

'Okay. Wake me up if something happens or whatever.' - said finally and I noticed that even my voice was affected by exhaustion. I leaned on the ground and tried to get as much comfortable as I could and closed my eyes. I had too much to think in my head but that didn't stop me to fell asleep after a few minutes. But while I was sleeping, though I didn't dream anything special, again heard the dark and mysterious voice from the storm repeating the same words it said.


(Eric's POV)

After several long minutes, I saw as Lara's relaxed and knew she was sleeping. She had been so nervous and looked so confused I didn't hesitated to suggest her to rest this time. All what happened before had affected her a lot and couldn't blame her. After all we did and worked to try to get out of this island, everything ended badly. I was also nervous and confused but I was more concerned about the fact that I've seen Lara in danger so many times I really thought she was going to die.

First time was when Lara was climbing the radio tower and couldn't do anything. Hell, my heart almost stopped working when I saw she almost fell. Then I had to force myself to all my limits to avoid losing her several times... Lose her... No. No fucking way. If there was anything I was going to avoid at all costs was losing Lara. Neither this damn island nor hunters nor whatever that had caused the storm was going to beat us.


Things are getting pretty difficult for Lara and Eric... Although next week I start another year at uni, I'll do my best and I'll try to update soon. See you uys and remember to leave your thoughts and post reviews!