- The Truth Comes Out

Sensing something was not right in the air, without any further delay Lara drew out her pistol with her right hand and aimed it loosely at Eric Copper. All he could do was applaud and laugh at the situation they were now in.

"Haha! Thank you Lara. You have done excellent work for me in the past few days, but now your part of this journey must come to an end."

"What?!"

"Hehe, you have already got me two of these glorious relics, I am now only one away from completing my goal. But for pursuing that last one, I do not need you anymore."

"What on earth are you talking about Eric?" Tim asked him in a state of confusion, though Eric simply kept on chuckling to himself. Obviously Tim wasn't involved in the fold of this scheme.

"I am saying that I'm casting Lady Croft aside, she has served her purpose of getting me two of the three artefacts that I desire. I no longer have further use of her."

"Just who do you think you are!" Lara shouted across to him in anger. She then made her next move by taking a proper aim at Eric. But just before she was able to pull the trigger on him, he held up his right hand and spoke to Ayesha.

"Ah, Ayesha, would you do the honours please..." Eric told her. Immediately in the unlikely turn of events Ayesha obeyed and aimed her pistol directly at Lara.

"Ayesha! What are you doing?" Lara in disbelief of what she was witnessing. It appeared that Ayesha was on Eric's side, though this wasn't the case at all.

"Make one more move like that Lara, and Ayesha will open fire on you. I must warn you she will not hesitate, now lower your weapon." Eric ordered. Although Lara lowered her pistol, she kept up her guard and was watchful of any slight movement from everyone present.

"Now Ayesha, can you get the second artefact from Lara for me."

Not even a few seconds went by, and Ayesha still aiming her gun at Lara came towards to her. Lara could do nothing but stare at the expressionless trance Ayesha gave as she took the artefact from her possession and then went back to Eric's side, giving him the relic in the process. Lara was totally speechless at what she was witnessing.

"What have you done to her!?" Lara angrily demanded an answer from Eric, but he still kept his egotistical stance and composure.

"She is under my complete control thanks to the first artefact you retrieved in India. I had never told you how much I knew about these artefacts and their existence, and let me say that I personally knew them long before we had asked you to help us."

"How?"

"Years ago my family used to own an antique shop. I used to live there in my childhood years, growing up and helping out with a many chores around the shop. It was there that I spotted this mysterious manuscript. At first it didn't take my interest of course, but as I got older I became more and more interested in what words were written on it. Though I couldn't understand it back then, I knew I had found something of great value and importance, something that would change my life forever. I saved all the pocket money that I had available to buy it. As soon as I brought it from the shop, I went on to study it's origin and started to decipher what the text had spoke on it. I can recall all those years I spent in solitude in my room with this manuscript along with the books I got that helped me decode it's secret messages and pictures.

My knowledge, perspective and beliefs on life itself began to change as time went on into my adulthood. I began to see the world for what it really was... and wanted to alter its ways, mould it into my very own image. I later found out about these three relics from the manuscript having unimaginable untapped power that could have the potential of fulfilling my ambitions for this planet. Of course I wanted to track down and obtain them, however they were heavily guarded and scattered far away in different directions across this Earth. So I waited patiently for the day that I could have the necessary funds and people to carry out this expedition of obtaining these artefacts. From that moment on, the Green Copper Industrial Corporation was born. It has taken a lot of time and effort to build up the business, but it was all worth it. I could further see what state humanity was in, what needed changing in society, what I could do once I have this power in my grasp. It was as well during that time I found out the whereabouts of the first artefact through the use of my ever-growing resources at the company. This is what eventually led us to India in the first place. Haha, all of this has been in my planning for years, and everything has gone my way so far!" Eric explained, giving off a great impression of smugness. Lara took in the information and quickly moved on to her next question.

"So how were you able use the artefact to control Ayesha's actions?"

"Well after your little venture in that buried long-forgotten city, I conducted a little short research project into how I could unlock the potential of the first artefact. We organised the kidnapping of your friend here on the night of the celebration banquet, where others and I had tested it's mysterious abilities having an influence on her. It took a good while to maintain and master it properly, but the results were magnificent, and in the end I had the ability and power of putting Ayesha against her will."

"I had an inkling that something was wrong with Ayesha..." Lara replied, but before she could finish her sentence Eric suddenly snapped out with a loud laugh.

"Ha! Yes, I was surprised that you didn't say or do something before, but it now makes sense to me. I shall tell you the reason... it's because you can't resist the temptation of any adventure, challenge or a puzzle. This adventure has distracted you and that weakness has been your downfall today. I have now complete control of your fate and the situation you are in right now. Imagine Lara, having that power over the masses of people living today and going beyond to the universe with it. Superiority is the key."

"Humph, you're wrong..." Lara muttered out. Just then Tim spoke up within the mist of the heavy conversation.

"I've heard enough of this nonsense... You can't do this Eric, the others won't be part of this diabolical plan, and I certainly disagree with it. Your plans are plainly too selfish and very unrealistic, and I stand by Lara's side should you decide to continue on this course." Tim stated, he stood next to Lara and nodded to her showing that he was indeed on her side. Lara was certainly glad that Tim too was against Eric's horrendous scheme. This move from Tim definitely triggered a slight emotional effect on Eric, though it soon went away, replaced by a more infuriated expression.

"Well...if you don't agree with me my old friend, you shall die!" Eric bitterly declared directly at Tim.

"WHAT! NOOO!"

Ruthlessly without hesitation Eric got out a hidden gun from his sleeve and shot Tim right in his chest.

BANG!

Straight after the sound of gunshot, Tim began to fall backwards from the impact. Immediately Lara went to his side, and managed to grab hold of him before he fell onto the floor. There was a moment's silence as Lara checked Tim's pulse and looked into his eyes, but it was already too late.

"A shame, but his death may become useful. I can convince the others back at the hotel that you went mad and killed him, but Ayesha and I had managed to stop you. That will explain his and your disappearance from the group for when we return to the hotel." Eric summed up.

"You power-hungry monster, you're insane!" Lara yelled at him. Eric was clearly insulted by her remark.

"Insane you say? I think of myself as a visionary Lady Croft, but you are too much of a threat to what I envision for the future of this universe. Nothing will stand in the way of my dream."

"You won't get away with this!" Lara avowed. But before Eric could respond to her sentence, his phone beeped out a tone. He glanced at the phone, and once again his haunting evil grin came back.

"Ah the reinforcements have arrived just in time, well Lara this is where we will leave you. It has been nice meeting and getting to know you. Isn't it ironic...that this will be your very own burial tomb, where no one will know where you are! Farewell!". Eric ecstatically stated, as he and Ayesha began to step back through the doorway. Lara didn't have a chance to retaliate as they left the room due to Ayesha still having her pistol trained on Lara, right up until they disappeared out of slight. The double doors soon closed behind them, no doubt either Ayesha or Eric pulled the switch that operated these ancient barricades. Lara was now trapped within the walls of the chamber.

Seeing no alternatives for a way out of where she was, Lara rushed over to the sealed door. Suddenly the ground began to rumble a similar effect to an earthquake for a short time, then abruptly stopped.

'What's going on?' Lara thought, taken by complete surprise from the sudden shudder of the place. Lara decided to find out whether she could overhear any discussions that could've been happening on the other side of door barrier. She pressed her ear on the small space between the two doors and started overhearing part of the conversation between Eric and his associates.

"...We must not delay, this place is about to become a pile of rubble. Make sure she can't escape from here."

"Yes boss."

Lara next heard a match igniting and then a fuse being lit which could only mean one thing...

'Dynamite!' Instantly Lara moved away from the doors as fast as she could, and very soon after the double doors exploded out of proportion.

KA-BOOM!

This explosion had not only blown any chance of escape from the doorway they had entered through, but it also caused a chain reaction to the whole place. Altogether the tomb began to crumble and fall apart.