- Explanations
The group entered the dining room, chose a table with four comfortable seats, and had a browse of what was on the menus. As soon as everyone ordered and had their drinks placed on the table, the prior conversation had resumed between them.
"So Kurtis, when and how did you discover about these artefacts?" Lara inquired to him, knowing at last she will get her answer.
"A few weeks ago actually...I managed to retrieve some of the Lux Veritatis archives that my father, Konstantin had owned before they were stolen and hidden away by Eckhardt after his death. I found out about the existence of these records in an obscure place in the Strahov Fortress, where Eckhardt had kept some sort of journal which he himself wrote and detailed what he had found after he killed my father. It fundamentally revealed the location of where he had prized the archives, so I decided to take back what was my father's from one of his hideouts."
"I'm guessing there was some complications along the way?" Lara assumed, and Kurtis nodded to confirm.
"There certainly was as usual. It took about a week to pinpoint the exact location of this lair, and once I located where it was something else important arose, so I had to put the plan of infiltrating it on hold for a while. But once I had time on my hands I decided to venture out into the hideout. By chance the lair was deserted, so I took a good look around the place. If I remember right it had featured some of the similar aspects to the Strahov Fortress, for example it had a creepy laboratory where they had previously conducted unsuccessful experiments on Nephilim prototypes and substances...it was horrific to see...However I was actually surprised that Eckhardt didn't try and get these relics for himself, but I suppose he was caught up with the revitalisation of the Nephilim sleeper. It then took a good while of searching, but I eventually found the Lux Veritatis archives deep within the lair. That's when I thought to myself why not have a read through them. I must say they were an incredible read, the amount of history and knowledge that people had written was breathtaking...however there was this particular piece that caught my eye..."
"This was about the three artefacts?"
Kurtis brought out the manuscript upon the table and showed Lara the scripted detail that was put upon the page.
"Yeah, as you can see here legend tells that three artefacts were discovered many years ago by various people around the world. It's not mentioned in this text what they did or how they came by the artefacts, but they were soon retrieved by the Lux Veritatis. Not long after having the three relics in their possession, they learned that the artefacts had hidden potential in them. They found out that they were not human made objects and their origins and mineral were not of this Earth. It was then decided by a committee that the three should be split up as it became apparent they were far too dangerous together, and they were to be taken to different directions across the land. Three guardians whom were held in high regard at the time were also chosen by the committee to protect and watch over the relics throughout their lifetime. I really didn't expect them to still be alive today..."
"You mean the guardians we fought against and whom I saw in the two visions were chosen and given the artefacts by the Lux Veritatis?"
"It seems that way."
"Hmmm, now that is a strange coincidence."
"Indeed, I knew from that moment I had to look into this matter further, and find out whether they had been unearthed in recent years. I did some digging around a few days after. I then found out about someone else who wanted to get their hands on these three relics..."
"Eric Copper."
"Yes."
"Why didn't you warn or tell me about these artefacts and your discovery before Eric came to me?" Lara expressed with a hint of anger in her voice.
"I was about to come to you about the discovery, but unfortunately at that point Eric got to you first and I couldn't intervene otherwise it would have risked Eric Copper finding out about me. So I had to go an alternative way..." Kurtis explained and he then gestured in the direction of the Professor and Jane. Professor Bowmane continued the explanation to Lara.
"This was when Kurtis gave us a call and he explained everything that he found out about. Once we heard what he had to say, he'd asked for our help. We obviously agreed to help out, so Jane and I began to conduct our own research at our respective libraries, contacting the relevant people to hear if they knew anything on the subject, and we tried to find information from any other sources before the three of us met together."
"Here?"
"No, we first met in India. Jane found out from a friend who lives near the jungle in Shimla that there were some increased activity of people and vehicles coming and going from the jungle recently. We knew that Eric and his company had discovered the location of the first artefact, and from then on we started following Eric Copper's trail from India to here. Kurtis sneaked to the dig site in the jungle, while Jane and I researched and planned ahead as to what our next move would be." The professor clarified. Kurtis next spoke amongst the small group.
"I followed the breadcrumbs to the jungle site just after you left and got the first artefact. Once the coast was clear in the area, I began my investigation and gathered up any evidence that was left for our research. We next found out about the second artefact being in Egypt."
"How?"
"It was quite easy, I managed to infiltrate the hotel unnoticed and used my powers to eavesdrop partly on Eric's morning announcement. That's when I overheard that you were heading to Egypt, but then I sensed something strange. It felt like the role of my eavesdropping had reversed and instead I was the one being spied upon. He found out about my existence and he knew what my objectives were... it was...surreal and all thanks to the influence of the first artefact. From that moment I knew I had to get out of there and fast, which I did without any intervention."
"Ah, so this was the reason Eric was in a rush to get to the second artefact, and why his people knew who you were and chased us in the Sahara Desert."
"Unfortunately yes."
"Hmmm, okay. Jane, what did you and the professor discover during that time?" Lara wondered and looked over to Jane's direction.
"The information the professor and I were able to gather up was quite scarce, there is hardly any reference to these rare artefacts in any books or manuscripts we had. Furthermore our contacts had no knowledge or possessions linking or relating to the subject. It's like they shouldn't exist at all in this world..."
"Ah right, what did you manage to find out in the end?"
"Well, as Kurtis says these precious relics are not of this planet, we believe a particular meteor that had struck upon Earth thousands of years ago was carrying something...unknown. Have a look at these pictures Lara, you've probably seen them before."
Jane brought out some photos and showed them to her. Instantly Lara recognised the pictures and for that moment it took her back to how this adventure started. It seemed such a long time since she was just exercising in her gym, even though it was actually only a few days ago.
"Yeah I've seen this substance before, I remember Martin from Eric's company showing me a few days ago...in fact Ayesha and I saw a fountain underground in India which caused this liquid to be seen out in the open. Speaking of which the colour is exactly the same as on the artefacts..."
"Yes, Kurtis took these photos...I'm not sure how to tell you this Lara, but we have reason to believe that this substance could be...a living creature." Jane stated with a worried look.
"WHAT!?"Lara stated in disbelief, not wanting to believe what she was hearing.
"It's true, take for example these photos that were taken, it's impossible for any type of liquid to travel uphill unless it was forced upwards by pressure. Did you see anything underground that could of made it get to upper ground like that?" Jane asked her. Lara thought back to her exploration around the lost city of Mystiaja, but couldn't recall seeing anything that would have caused it to rise.
"No I didn't see anything that would have caused it to rise like that." Lara answered.
"Then that's the only explanation that we've come up with...we also came up with another theory which may sound a bit far-fetched, but what if this creature wanted to be discovered...With it being dormant for so long, perhaps it wanted to break free from it's solitude and be found out by the outside world."
"Hmmm you could be right, it sounds like a viable possibility, but it's still a creepy thought. So I'm guessing that this creature was split into three parts and had somehow moulded itself into the shape of these three relics." Lara summed up, with everyone to seeming to be concurring her hypothesis.
"Yeah that's what we're thinking too. If Eric isn't careful at what he is doing, he could potentially be overcome and unleash a monster to the world."
"Interesting..."
"Who knows what will happen if these artefacts are brought together, this is why we have to stop Mr Copper at all costs. Lara...please join our cause against him...We can't fathom what he would do if he obtains all that power...or what this creature would do...it could mean obliteration not only for Earth, but also for the whole universe should this uncontrollable power reach that kind of capacity. It's a race of who could reach the last artefact in time...What do you say Lara?"
"Of course, I'll be happy to help stop Eric Copper's diabolical plans and to see the smirk on his face completely wiped off." Lara wittily replied.
"Fantastic...now let's move onto the subject of the whereabouts of the third artefact. Jane and I have been translating this passage that the Lux Veritatis wrote from Kurtis's manuscript, but due to some of the text being faded due to wear and time, it has been difficult to make sense of it and filling in the gaps has been troublesome. Here's an example from it, 'Long ago there were three...Three mysterious relics, unnatural power hidden within, believed to be not of this world... They were separated... For those who have defeated the guardian...They all combine into one to...' and that's all we've managed to get so far.". The professor described. Lara smiled as she already knew most of the passage.
"I think I can help with that. In the visions I had after we defeated the two guardians, the magician and Rhamoon have told me their versions of the passage, but neither of them will tell me it in full, but here's what I know of it so far. 'Long ago there were three...Three mysterious relics, unnatural power hidden within, believed to be not of this world...They were separated from each other given to three guardians...For those who have defeated the guardian of each relic would obtain the power they hold...One in India … One in Egypt...One in France...They all combine into one to...' and this is where the passage is...still unfinished."
"Ah, so the next artefact is in France. Does Eric know about this?"
"As luck would have it he doesn't yet, but I know he will get whatever resources he can to find out where it is. Also the third artefact is not in France anymore.Rhamoon made me aware that it had been re-discovered and it's new resting place is somewhere north of France, but away from land." Lara informed the group. There was a quick moment's silence until they all came up with the answer.
"The North Sea." The three of them said together.
"Exactly my thoughts." Lara happily replied.
Just then their meals arrived and were placed upon the table. Everyone tucked into their meals, and Lara was glad to be with her friends. It was a nice atmosphere throughout that evening, catching up with what everyone was doing before this adventure had begun. With the possible knowledge of the whereabouts of the final artefact, the group were right on track.