Hellooo! After posting the last chapter, I felt inspired and wrote the next in the same moment so I finished it pretty fast. Also, as I promised to some followers this one is longer than the others so you have more to enjoy. But forget that now, enjoy the chapter!
When we went through the tunnel, we knew instantly that we were inside the base of the hunters. In small holes in the walls there were candles and religious ornaments and drawings. In the background we could hear voices and crazy laughs that made me nervous. If there was something we had pretty clear is that in this place we could find anything. When we arrived, we fund different passages to go.
'Huh... Where we should go?'
'I think we should go there.' - said Eric pointing the passage on the right. - 'I hear voices.'
As Eric pointed, out there they could hear voices... or voice. As we approached, the male voice that was speaking became clearer and was very familiar. As we followed the passage, we entered into a large cavern and after reaching the end of the wall, we looked out carefully. As I suspected, the man who was talking was Mathias and before him there was a large group of men. Behind him there was a large opening in the rock wall and a waterfall and, what alarmed me, Sam tied on a pyre.
'My brothers, listen to me now.' - said Mathias to his men. - 'Out in the world, we were nothing. But here... here, we are the Solarii, the Sun Queen's children.'
'Let's go.' – said Eric and both moved stealthily, trying to use the wall and the darkness to hide. Mathias moved before his followers and taking advantage that the enemies were focused on him, we moved closer. We leaned on the wall and both tried to calm. Both were very nervous and restless, and had our reasons to be so. We can't fail...
'This girl...' – said Mathias voice pointing at Sam. – 'Like us, she is a prisoner. If we can free her, we can free ourselves!'
'Sam!' – said desperate as I saw her. I watched as she struggled against her bonds and her mouth was covered by a cloth. – 'We have to help her.'
'I know but there are many enemies around.' – said Eric looking at the scene. - 'Unless... we kill their leader.'
'Are you sure about this?'
'No doubt they will attack us. But if we kill their leader, he could confuse them.' - Then we saw Mathias pointed a hunter to approach and saw that he had a torch. We knew what was going to happen if we don't do something... - 'Shit, we must act fast. You have better aim than I with the bow. You think you could hit the hunter?'
'Count on it.'
'Okay, I'll shot Mathias. And do it fast, we don't have much time.'
With no time to waste, I took an arrow and got ready. I wasn't going to let those bastards harm Sam, no way. When I was ready, I came out of the cover and shot the hunter before he could put the fire on the pyre. As the arrow hit the hunter and he fell dead, everyone looked around until they found us. Eric came out and shot his arrow before the hunters came but Mathias managed to avoid it. Both tried to react but the hunters rushed over us and knocked us down. One made me a tackle that made me lose the air and the next moment they started to beat me.
'There they are! They killed our brother! Now we will kill you!'- I heard as they kept beating me. Somebody hit me in the stomach and another in the face, and did what I could to try to cover myself.
'This is for Vladimir, bitch!' - Shouted one of the hunters who beat me and he gave me a strong punch in the head and noticed my vision clouded. I tried to defend myself as I could but I couldn't do anything...
'Leave her alone, motherfuckers! I killed him! Come at me!' - shouted Eric in an attempt to to help me but they didn't stop beating me.
'Enough! Dmitri, Nikolai!' - suddenly ordered Mathias and the beating stopped, which I greatly appreciated. I think I don't have anything broke but my body was sore and I think they caused me a head injury as I felt the blood falling on the right side.
'Lara!' – Eric called me worried and saw him immobilized by two hunters. Like me, he was beaten and I think he had left eyebrow.
'Shut up!' - Ordered one of the hunters and gave him a strong punch.
'I said ENOUGH! Bring them here!'- ordered Mathias and the hunters dragged us before their leader. After took all our weapons, we were forced to kneel on the floor and immobilized us. Mathias looked coldly at us and then grabbed my hair to force me to raise my head. - 'Every creature in nature will turn and fight when its very survival is at stake. So don't think I don't understand you, girl. I've just been doing this a lot longer.'
'Leave her alone, you bastard!' – shouted Eric and as answer one of the hunters punched him again. Mathias approached to him or knelt to look at him closely.
'You are strong and have a lot of stamina, something that I specially value greatly. You would be a great soldier for the cause if wasn't because you're too stubborn. A pity...'
'I'll make you play.' - Eric hissed menacingly and Mathias gave a disturbing laugh.
'I doubt it, kid.' - Then he picked up the torch that was on the floor and addressed at his followers. - 'Prepare yourselves, brothers. Our queen is about to speak.'
'Sam!' - I called her and saw she was crying as she struggled in panic. Then she looked at me and saw in her eyes as she begged me to help her. I wish I could do something...
'Speak to us! Himiko!' - Then he threw the torch at the base of the pyre and it burned pretty fast.
'Sam! Shit...!'- Eric cursed as he used all his efforts to free himself but they stopped him easily.
'No, no, no, Sam!' – I said helplessly unable to do anything. Sam looked in panic as the flames got dangerously closer to her and started crying. - 'I'm sorry, I'm so sorry... Just look at me... look at me, okay?'
It was all I could do. I wish I could do something, anything... But I can't. I can't free myself and Eric tried with no success. All this effort and can't do anything to save her… I failed to Sam... I'm so sorry...
Suddenly there was a loud noise and a stormy wind came through the opening in the wall, causing water from the waterfall to also enter. I had to close my eyes as I was unable to cover them with my own hands and when I opened them, I was shocked. The flames from the pyre… were gone.
'She... she's the one.' – said suddenly a shocked Mathias and then he smiled in a way that I couldn't describe in words. I just know it was scary. Then he turned at his followers. - 'Soon my brothers... we will be reborn!'
'Sam...' - I called her still feeling shocked. Sam looked around and saw her confusion and fear.
'Take her to the throne room.' - Mathias said pointing at my friend and then turned to us. - 'As for you... take her with the other prisoners.'
'What we do with the boy?' - asked one of Eric's captors.
'Hmm… Carry him down and offer him as prey. If he survives, he will show that he can be useful after all. If not... those madmen will end the work.' - I felt chills as I heard that. Please, wish with all my heart nothing bad happens to him... The hunters dragged Eric out of the cave and then Mathias turned to me. - 'Your fight is over, creature. Take her out of here.'
After that, the two hunters who were holding me dragged me to one of the many corridors from the cave. I didn't know where we're going but just I know they were taking me to where the rest of the crew was... or so I thought. As the two hunters talked in whispers, although they spoke in Russian, I knew they wanted revenge for the death of the Russian who captured me the first time. I knew they wanted to hurt me, a lot... I have to free myself. The time spent while escorting me was enough to recover from the beating I suffered before and got ready.
When we were walking down a narrow path, I dropped myself to the floor. One of the hunters tried to get me up but I acted fast and elbowed him to then push him away from me. After that, I kneed the other enemy and I took my bow and my axe from in one quick motion. After that, both recovered and moved closer to me, blocking the only two ways to escape. I looked at both and stayed alert as I analyzed the situation. I can't escape from them… unless... I looked down and saw darkness in the fall underneath. There was no way to know long was the fall... But I had no choice.
Before the two hunters could catch me again, I jumped.
(Eric's POV)
'Let me go...!' - I said for the umpteenth time as they kept dragging me. I knew they weren't going to let me go, I knew that very well but I have to show some fight. That and not staying quiet. Maybe they captured me but I wasn't going to make things easier.
'We'll see if you have the same energy later.' - said one of the hunters with and evil laugh. If there is something that I also know is that wherever where I was being taken, it wasn't going to be a nice place. I actually had the feeling that I was going to be in serious danger...
I had no idea where were going but I felt a strong feeling of claustrophobia and also felt we were descending. I was dragged thorough a narrow and grimy hallway and noticed a strong smell of... gas? I saw small clouds of natural gas coming from the walls that were produced by the mountain. Then we reached the end of the hallway where there was a kind of roadblock with a narrow door made of iron bars.
'Well, boy...' - suddenly one of the hunters walked in front of me and gave me a strong punch in the head. Although I had already suffered several blows and was used to them, this one left me stunned, leaving me helpless for a few seconds. While trying to recover, I saw the same hunter opening the door and the other dragging me forward. - 'From now on you have two options: either you survive all those madmen or they'll literally eat you alive.'
'He, and if the latter happens, pray that they kill you fast.' - said another with a grim laugh. I won't deny it, I was starting to feel fear. When the door opened, both hunters grabbed me and threw me out. - 'Good luck! We will be back for you!'
'If you're still alive hahaha!'
After closing the door, both hunters went back and left me alone. The first thing I noticed was the silence. I noticed that there was someone in the same cave but for now he or she made no noise. The second thing I noticed was, besides the strong smell of gas, the nauseating smell of dirt, feces, pee, putrefaction... There were so many stinks accumulated that I felt like throwing up. Although I quickly forgot that feeling and I stayed alert.
The sense of danger I felt before now became stronger. I got up and looked around. Although near the door he was a torch that lit up a bit, the rest of the cave was dark but that didn't avoid I could see the figures. Thin and disturbing shadows moved through the darkness and slowly got closer to me. Instinctively I walked away toward the door and looked very alert to all sided. Then the figures were slightly lit by the torchlight and felt chills. They were men, they were extremely thin because of starving and were very dirty. But what disturbed me most was the madness that showed their eyes. Hunger and being stuck in this dark cave for so much time caused them to become completely mad... And now they were coming for me. By their looks I knew that I was the piece of meat that was going to fed them. But it wasn't going to happen if I avoid it.
I quickly approached at the torch and pulled it from the wall. As I was armed, I turned to the men and put myself on guard. When they saw I was armed with fire, some stopped approaching and growled. This is going to get ugly, I know it... but I won't stop fighting.
(Lara's POV)
When I jumped into the void, I was completely sure the hunters thought I was dead. The good news is I'm still alive and was free. The bad news are I'm missing some of my weapons like my rifle and pistol, and now I don't know where I am. Well, that and I also have fallen into a flooded cavern of water mixed with blood, old corpses and dirt. After leaving there, I tried thinking about my body that was completely covered with the blood from the corpses. It was beyond disgusting…
When I got out of there, I walked thorough the only possible path and found a quiver of arrows. There were a few but enough to defend myself if anything happened. Before keeping going, I quickly checked my pockets and found the lighter. Then I saw the small gas cloud close to the wall and I got an idea. If it was necessary, I could blow the gas to create new paths or even defend myself... Things got a little better. I crawled through the narrow hallways and wall holes and finally came to a zone where there were... windows? Taking advantage of some holes that were on the wall, they build windows with some woods and I could see the bottom of the cavern from there.
'Stay away! NOW!'- shouted a male's voice. Wait, that voice...
'Eric!?'
I hurried to go to the window and from there I saw Eric cornered by several men. He held a torch and used fire to try to scare those crazy men but they kept approaching slowly got more cornered. Then one of them lunged against him and Eric hurried to avoid him and then hit him with the torch. After that, the man hurried to step back but then another one did the same a knocked Eric down. I saw in horror as the man attacked Eric and the others hurried to do the same
'No, no! Eric!'
I hurried to go down as I heard him fighting against the enemies. Eric was in trouble and I have to help but I don't have many arrows to kill all those enemies... When I was at the same level as them, then I saw the new natural gas that was floating close to them and had an idea. I took an arrow and the lighter and quickly shot at the cloud. Suddenly there was an explosion, breaking some rocks that were around and scaring the madmen who ran to hide in the different hideouts of the cave. With the area cleared, I rushed to go at Eric.
'What the hell ...' - he muttered as he looked around confused.
'Eric! You're okay?' – I asked as I kneeled before him and he looked at me surprised.
'L-Lara, how… I mean… huh… Yes, but... Why are you here? How did you manage to escape?' - He asked clearly confused.
'Long story but it wasn't as I actually expected. But forget that, now we have to get out of here.'
'The hunters had taken me from there. And it seems the explosion blocked the door so we can go.'
I helped him to get and started moving while keeping an eye behind us. Maybe those men hid but could appear in any moment.
'What was wrong with those men? I mean… when I saw them I know they were more than crazy.'
'From what I saw and suffered, the hunters left them starving and living in that dark cave until they became completely mad. And they used me to literally feed them.' – I looked at him in horror as I heard that.
'God… Why are those people so insane?'
'I don't know but can't let them win.' – then he made me stop and pointed me to stay silent. Both hid behind a few big rocks as we saw two hunters coming.
'You heard the explosion from before? Has been quite strong.' - said one of the hunters.
'With the natural gas from this place it doesn't surprise me there are explosions.' - answered the other. - 'By the way, do you think the prisoner will be still alive?'
'I doubt it. Nobody has survived the attack of those crazy men. And I don't hear any screams from here.'
'I think Mathias Mathias was hopeful the boy survived though sending him down there was a death sentence.' - I looked at Eric and saw that he was furious. When they passed before us, we walked around the rocks to approach behind them and take the down.
'Fucking bastards...' - muttered Eric as he took back his weapons from one of the hunters.
'That's a gentle insult if you ask me.' - I said as I took the arrows from the other hunter.
After that we moved forward. Try to move through this place was quite difficult as there were many barricades that blocked the path and the darkness didn't help to know where were we walking. There were also some hunters patrolling the narrow tunnels so we had to be even more careful to not be discovered. After jumping back and forth between multiple platforms and advancing as we could, we climbed a rock wall and managed to get to the next part.
We heard prayers and stealthily we approached. It was another cavern, much like than the previous one where I helped Eric. The only difference is that this was being used as a sanctuary to pray their strange religion. We descended down carefully, taking down the hunters who were in the way. When we got down all the hunters who were praying while kneeling before the shrine never realized our presence.
'Look at the shrine.' - He said pointing to the disturbing shrine that had been built using a corpse as sacrifice to adore. - 'The natural gas… You know what I mean?'
'Of course.'
After that I took an arrow and the lighter. When I shot into the cloud, this caused an explosion strong enough to eliminate the entire group that was facing the shrine. Also it caused the cavern to tremble and dust and several rocks fell from the ceiling.
'Okay, I think this explosion was stronger than I thought.'
'We have to find a way out. Let's look there.' - I said as we walked across the cave. I approached to the door that closed the barricade and tried to open it but was well blocked. - 'Closed. And I doubt that we can open by kicking it.'
'Unless we use another explosion.' – said Eric pointing to a valve that had been built to control the gas. - 'If we break this valve, we can use the gas to break that gate.'
'Well, yes... but you've seen before that the last explosion made tremble the place.'
'Well, there's no other option. And if we hurry, I don't think we have trouble getting out of here.' - He said with a shrug. I sighed and took another arrow. Eric broke the valve with his axe and at the same moment the gas was flew out. Eric coughed several times and hurried to step away.
'Ugh... you better hurry or the whole cave will be filled with gas.'
After getting away, I pointed at the cloud and fired. Instantly there was a loud explosion and as we had suspected, the place began to fall apart.
'Well, time to go. NOW.' – said Eric as he took my hand and dragged me towards the exit. Although the ceiling didn't look like it was going to fall over us or anything like that, the gas was escaping through the walls and it exploded everywhere, making fall more debris.
'I'm starting to think this was a bad idea!' - I said as we ran.
'Just... run!' - He said holding my hand. Suddenly the floor collapsed and both fell to another kind of tunnel. - 'Shit, not this again!'
Both fell thorough the tunnel but soon discovered it was shorter than we thought. When we arrived to the ground, although the area wasn't falling apart, it was full of gas and I felt it was suffocating me.
'We have... to get... out of here! '- I said as we coughed and both rush to cross the passage. When we arrived, we climbed into a narrow gap and finally we could breathe fresh air as we reached the next cave. - 'Finally…'
Then I noticed Eric's hand covering my mouth and as I looked at him, he told me to stay silent. When I got up, I saw that we were in a large cave where some hunters patrolled around. While we hid behind cover, I noticed something like an old structure of a helicopter hanging from the ceiling. While analyzing the situation from our position, I suddenly saw someone moving inside the structure.
'Keep it up, you son of bitch. When I get outta here, I'm gonna shove one those arrows right up your ass.' - said suddenly a female voice and Eric and I looked surprised at each other as we recognized her.
'It's Reyes!' – I whispered as I tried to see her from here.
'Then the others are here too... but first we must take down all the hunters.'
Reyes kept arguing with the hunters, something that helped us as they were distracted will we moved. When we saw they weren't looking at our position, both moved slowly and stealthy knocked the first two hunters. When I looked up, I saw Alex, Reyes and Jonah knew we were here but pointed them to stay silent. Both kept going to eliminate the last two hunters and Eric took down the first one but when we focused on the second, he turned and saw us. Just when he went to give the alarm, I took my bow and killed him in one shot. When there were no more enemies in sight, our friends started cheering for us.
'That was badass, guys!' - said Alex with a big smile. - 'How the hell did you get in here?'
'We had some help...'- I said something crestfallen.
'Grim?' - suggested Reyes.
'Yes...' – said Eric and looked sad. - 'He didn't make it...'
'Shit!' - Cursed Reyes as she heard that and the joy disappeared.
'I didn't think anything could take that man down.' - said Jonah crestfallen.
'He never stopped fighting... and gave us the chance to reach you.' – said Eric looking down and sighed. - 'But now let's not focus on that. We have something more important to worry about.'
'Look, there's a rescue helicopter on its way. We know they're keeping Sam separately. Have you seen Whitman?'
'I guess he didn't make it to the guest rooms.' - said Reyes.
'Mr. Showbiz probably weaseled an upgrade.' – joked Alex and Jonah sighed.
'We'll find him, and Sam too but we're not gonna do anything from up here.'
'We'll find a way to get you out.' - I said looking around looking for ways to do it.
'Okay, we'll try to loosen this thing up. Ready, guys?' - said Reyes and they started to jump inside the cage. After several jumps, I saw that the ship was moving but never loosened. -'Damn it... It doesn't work.'
'I think I know why.' - said Eric as he approached at one of the structures that held the cables of the cables. - 'This thing is what blocks the wires. If we destroy it, the cage will start to move.'
'Okay. There's a gas valve. Break it and I'll shot a fire arrow.' - I said as I took my bow and an arrow. - 'Guys, be careful and grab at something. There will be a small explosion.'
'Go it. Be careful.' – said Reyes as they hurried to cover themselves.
When Eric broke the valve and stepped away, I shot the arrow to the gas and the explosion destroyed the debris. As there was nothing blocking the wires, though the cage didn't move as we wished, it wasn't as strong as before.
'Oh oh...' - suddenly said Eric.
'What...' - suddenly a huge flame came from the ground and Eric and I rushed to get away. Though the ground didn't break, large cracks began to form around. - 'Okay, this place is starting to become pretty unstable...'
'Do not worry, just get us out of here!' – said Alex and I noticed his nervousness.
'We should go up' - said Eric as he climbed a platform. - 'Let's go.'
We used different platforms to go up and carefully climbed at the ceiling of the cage.
'Okay, there's the other piece of junk blocking the wires. We could use that kind of cage or lamp to break it.'
'And again we should use the gas to do so... Okay guys, try to not move too much the cage.'
While taking another arrow, I felt I was trembling. I knew this could go very wrong and that made me feel very nervous but I tried to stay focused. I shot at the gas and the huge old lamp was shot to the right, breaking the blocking. Suddenly the ship jerked and I lost my balance, causing me to fall. Eric tried to catch me in the last second but missed I panicked but fortunately Jonah caught me later.
'I gotcha, girl!'
'Thanks, Jonah! That was close...' - Then I heard a loud cracking noise and as I looked down, I paled. The big lamp from before had fell into the ground and completely broke the unstable surface. I must admit I never expected that below the ground there would be a pool of hot nd burning lava. - 'Oh my god…'
'Oh shit, we have a problem! Grab hold of something! '- suddenly said Reyes. And from my position I saw her and Alex leaning and holding into the bars of the cage.
'What's wrong?' – asked Eric as he couldn't see anything.
'Shit! We lost the cage floor!' – said Alex very nervous.
'Eric! Try to get Lara up! '- said Jonah and I knew he was having trouble. With a last effort, he helped me to get Eric to go back up to the ceiling. When I was up, instantly there was an explosion near us but fortunately nothing bad happened.
'Oh crap! Guys, you have to get us out of here as soon as possible or we won't make it!'- warned Reyes.
'Lara! Here!'- Eric told me and both jumped to a wooden platform that was near and looked around. - 'Clearly loosen the cage wasn't a good ideas...'
'If we could push it the other side, they would have a chance to reach the platform from there.' - I said thoughtfully and then I noticed the two valves that were nearby. - 'The gas…. If we break the valves and we make explode both gas leaks at the same time, the explosion should be strong enough to push it.'
'Guys, do something fast or we're going to fall!' - said Alex. -'Whatever you do, hurry!'
'C'mon.' - Both started to work and quickly broke the valves. - 'Okay! Be ready to jump to the other platform as the explosion happens!'
'Okay!'
After getting ready our bows and put fire to our arrows to both aim. When we shot, the explosion was so strong that made us fall back but fortunately we didn't suffer any damage. When I got up, I saw that the cage was thrown to the other side and when it fell into the lava, I was relieved as I saw others on the platform.
'Thank you!' – said Alex. - 'We owe you a big one!'
'Oh fuck...' – muttered Eric.
Our platform suddenly started shake and I knew we had to move and fast. After seeing where we could go, both jumped to different cages that were hanging from the ceiling and used them to jump to the next tunnel that was on top. The cave was falling apart faster and faster so we wasted no time on climbing every platform and jump to the next part. When we were on the second and last cage, this was about to fall and jumped at the right time before it fell.
'God... finally we did it...' - I said catching my breath. Suddenly there was a loud explosion and a huge blaze came from the lava. That explosion made the ceiling tremble and small debris fell on us. - 'We have to leave soon.'
'Let's go.' - said Eric and we rushed to keep moving. It was clear that the explosions had caused the whole mountain to destabilize and the natural gas started to cause small explosions everywhere.
'We're out but this place is falling apart!'- informed Jonah thorough the radio
'I've set up a rendezvous pint back across the bridge.' - Suddenly said Roth from the radio. - 'The chopper's going to be here soon!'
'Lara and Eric are still looking for Sam and Whitman.'
'We will try to be fast.' - I replied as we kept going up. The explosions became more insistent and we moved faster. As we finally reached the end of the tunnel, we arrived to a new corridor that looked to be from the palace. Despite being inside, that didn't mean we were safe as the explosions kept happening.
'Shit, the palace is starting get on fire because of the explosions.' - said Eric as we moved. - 'We have to find Sam sooner!'
Both climbed down the halls and heard the cries of the hunters who were trying to escape from the flames. We met several of them but it wasn't necessary to fight as they were more focused on running away than realize our presence. When we went to move down a hallway, suddenly a flaming beam fell on a hunter, killing him and blocking the path. The flames began to flare up and felt my eyes begin to sting because of the smoke and the heat.
'This way!' - said Eric passing through a hole in the wall that went outside the building. I followed him and both walked carefully down the narrow roof that went around the palace. Along the way we kept hearing the hunters screaming in panic and calling for help as the explosions were becoming more insistent. When we surrounded the roof, an explosion jumped out a window.
'We can't go inside!' - I said as I looked around in search of an exit. Then I looked at the next wall. -'The wall! We must climb it!'
Both rushed to get our axes and climbed the wall. At the top, we jump to the ledges of the windows and when we got to the last one, saw a hunter in flames coming from the top and falling into the void. When we got to the floor, we circled the building and saw hunters running thorough a passage and suddenly there was an explosion that killed all of them. We ran to the next exit and re-entered into the building.
'This place is going to fall apart at any time.¡ - said Eric looking around watching for the next way to keep going.
'I know. I just hope the place where Sam is still safe...' - I said very worried. Seeing all wat was happening, I was really worried we wouldn't come in time to get her out of here. Eric noticed my concern and put a hand on my shoulder.
'We'll find her, I promise.' - He said, trying to cheer me up. Then he looked at something on the wall and pointed there. - 'Have you seen this? It's full of maps of the island, indications...'
'It's from Mathias.' - I said examining the papers on a large table. Then I found a diary and I took it. As I looked again at the maps on the wall, I read a quote written in large letters and it sounded familiar to me. – 'No one leaves... Wait... this quote… that's what I heard before the pane crashed.'
'I also remember hearing a weird voice saying something but couldn't understand anything.'
'Because it was Japanese.' - Then I began to examine the signs. – 'The ritual from Himiko's tomb... Why is Mathias so interested in it?'
'I don't know but the guy is crazy enough to start his own sect to worship Himiko.' – said Eric and then pointed a hole in the ceiling. - 'We can keep going thorough here. Let's go!'
Before leaving, I took the paper with Mathias indications and followed Eric. Both got again on the roof and carefully followed the hunters who were escaping from the fire. When we reached the other side of the building, we saw that the enemy had created a zip line to the next building. As we jumped there, we looked to move to another building and then we had to cover ourselves form the shots of the enemies.
'Shit... we can't waste more time. Jump to the other building while I'll cover you.'- said as he pulled out his rifle. He started shooting and I took the chance to jump across. Fortunately when I got to the top floor, the hunters could no longer attack me and waited for Eric to come.
'They can't reach us but surely will look for us.' - I said as we entered inside.
'Or they'll forget us and will focus on escaping from this building which I hope they do.' – as we moved down the hall, as we reached the end of the passage we meet someone unexpected.
'Whitman!' - I said surprised.
'Eric! Lara! You're alive...'
'You too...' – said Eric and I noticed his tone.
'You're okay? What happened?' - I asked this time.
'Once they stopped seeing me as a threat, they let me move almost freely!' - He said almost smiling and Eric growled.
'And never thought about trying to help others?!'
'Eric, calm down.' - I said putting myself before him and he huffed. - 'Did you know the others were captured?'
'Yes, yes... Sam's in there, but... but couldn't free her without a weapon.' - He excused himself and Eric jumped again.
'At least you could have contacted to us, help us to get here... anything!' - He said getting angrier and saw Whitman stepping back as I hurried to calm him. It was pretty clear he was afraid of Eric.
'Look, I couldn't do much... but Lara, you've seen these Solarii? They are an anthropological marvel!'
'Dr. Whitman, they're insane murderers!' - I replied incredulously as I heard his words.
'While you walked so freely inside the "Solarii's" main base, they've tried to kill us all this time. Hell, they've killed Grim! And you still dare to praise them, you son of…!'- said Eric as he menacingly approached at the doctor and I rushed to stop him.
'Eric, please, calm down.' - I said putting my hand on his chest and looked into his eyes. He looked at me and after a few seconds, he sighed.
'I know... I'm sorry.' - He said stepping back and I turned to Whitman.
'Look, we need to get our people out of here before the whole palace collapses or even the hunters find us.'
'Of course, of course.' – said quickly Whitman. - 'I'll keep a look out here... you... You call me when it's safe.'
'Ok...' - I said not feeling sure and Eric and I kept going.
'You know he'll run and leave us like a coward when we turn the corner, right?' – said Eric indifferently.
'I know or maybe not. With him who knows… but I prefer if he leaved. He's pretty useless when it comes about danger and fighting and the only thing he'd do is cry and beg to not being killed.'
'Glad we agree with that.' - He laughed but suddenly he stopped when we heard voices. As we approached to the room, we realized it was the throne room and there were people inside.
'I don't think you understand.' - Both recognized Mathias voice. Eric pointed me to follow him and both move stealthily to hide behind the big pillars. - 'You have been chosen, Samantha. This is a great honor for you, for all of us. Some were beginning to doubt we'd ever find you... but here you are.'
'Please...' – begged suddenly Sam. After seeing that no one was watching, both moved again to another pillar to get closer. When I looked out, I saw that Sam was cornered against a pillar and Mathias stood before her next to one of the Russian hunters who captured me. - 'I know you think I'm something special. But I'm not. I don't want to be chosen.'
'This is not about what you want. It's about what you are. Himiko's blood runs in your veins. I think you know this, Samantha.'
'You're insane, Mathias. Why are you doing this?' - she replied nervously.
'You're searching for logic and reason where there is none. I made the same mistake once. Back when I thought ships could reach us and planes wouldn't fall from the sky.'
'I just want to go home.' - She said almost in tears. Mathias suddenly grabbed her neck and pushed her roughly into the pillar. I felt a rage and had the urge to go after him but fortunately Eric was there to stop me as he held my hand.
'So do I, girl! I've waited years for this moment... I've given my life!'- he said angrily and pushed her to the ground. I felt my blood was boiling. - 'Don't think I've tried to get away from here? From this place! We're all trapped here. But you, Samantha, you have the power to release us! Many have given up their souls willingly for this gift!'
'The firer are getting worse.' - warned suddenly a hunter who came from another hallway. – 'The other outsiders vanished!'
'This must be ended. Dimitri, guard her with your life.' - said to the Russian and he left with the other hunter. When they left, I didn't hesitate to go out and pulled my bow to kill the Russian with one shot. When Sam saw us, her eyes filled with immense relief.
'Lara! Eric! Oh my god, you're here!' - I ran at her and hugged her tightly. I felt her tears on my shoulder and I felt terribly bad for her. - 'I was beginning to think I was going crazy.'
'It's okay, it's okay...' - when she pulled away, she looked at Eric and hugged him.
'Everything will be fine, Sam. Now we're here.' - He said trying to calm her. Then I looked at the hunter and noticed he had my weapons.
'Finally…' – I muttered as I took all them.
'How are we ever going to get out of here?' - asked Sam nervously.
'I don't know but we have to do it before he comes back.' - Then I looked where we had come. - 'Whitman! Whitman!'
'I told you he would run without us.' - said Eric with a sigh after getting no response. I the end I knew it would happen... but I had to try. - 'He'll be lucky enough if he gets out alive by his own.'
'Anyway we have to get out of here. Let's go.' - I took Sam's hand and we walked down the hall. Suddenly we stopped short. At the end, Mathias appeared with Whitman and he smiled as he planned everything.
'Shit...' - said Eric pulling out his gun.
'Run, come on, run!'- said Whitman.
'Get them!' – ordered Mathias to his men.
'Lara, take Sam back to the throne room. Now!'- said Eric and suddenly as he started to attack the hunters. Suddenly Eric shot at the ceiling and a beam fell on them. Meanwhile we two went back to the throne room and headed to the passage on the other side. Suddenly I heard a creak and after looking up, I pushed Sam to the exit before a flaming beam fell into ground.
'Lara!?' - called me as she saw that the way was blocked.
'Keep going, Sam! I'll find another way out!' – after that I saw her running out and I sighed in relief. Now to the hard part...
'Watch out!' - Eric warned me and he suddenly threw himself into me so both fell to the ground and avoid the attacks from the hunters. He dragged me to a large censer and covered ourselves there. - 'You're okay? Where's Sam?'
'Yes. Sam is alone but got to another way out.' - Both pulled out our weapons and went to attack the hunters but then we heard a clang. As we looked out, we saw two hunters protected with metal plates, forming a kind of armor. Instantly we knew this was going to be more difficult. And the entire place was starting to get burned.
'This is going to get very ugly... Are you ready?' - asked Eric.
'Let's beat them.'
And both attacked.
Things are getting more difficult and ugly. At least they saved Sam but now it's their turn to try to get out alive...
Well, I hoped I made people happy with this chapter as I tried to write more content and make it longer. As for the next chapters, I don't know when I'll post the next one but I have tons of work to do so I can't promise I'll do sooner this time. I'll really try but... no promises. Now, if you have anything to share, any opinions or suggestions to tell me, parts I can improve, etc. remember to post reviews. They're always appreaciated!
See you soon!
