- Game Over (The Ritual)
The news presenter shuffled through their papers and looked straight at the camera. There was an unexpected last minute change to the headline schedule, but they were ready to announce today's news stories.
"We are on in 5...4...3...2...1..." The camera director signalled the presenter to start the news.
"Good evening, today's main news story is a surprise press announcement from the Green Copper Industrial Corporation. We now go live to the London Olympic Stadium, where Eric Copper, chairman and founder of the company will make his speech and showcase what will apparently change the future of the world as we see it."
Eric Copper walked across the stadium pitch to the center stage with a thunderous round of applause. As he strode to the stage with the thought of the three artefacts that were encased under the platform, he breathed in the ovation he received and was prepared for the speech he was about to give. Happily smiling, Eric looked all around at his audience.
"Thank you! Thank you so much for the applause! I am entirely grateful to all you lovely people for the warm welcome. Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and what a wonderful evening we are having. If you're not sure of who I am please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Eric Copper, founder and chairman of the Green Copper Industrial Corporation, and you are all here to witness a new beginning." He began speaking into the microphone, his self-satisfied voice echoing throughout the stadium.
Lara and Kurtis were watching all this show from the right stand of the stadium. The duo had both of their hands tied to their backs and were each closely watched by Eric's hired bodyguards. They could do nothing but observe as the event slowly unfolded.
"The Green Copper Industrial Corporation has made a vital new discovery that we've recently unearthed. After much research and deliberation, we believe it will be a benefit for all of you to see what amazing things these objects can do. So without further ado I would now like to show you the three remarkable relics that will change the world."
A glass cabinet began to rise up from underneath the stage. Inside the three artefacts were shining and placed side by side to each other. Another round of roaring praise and applause came as Eric gestured at the relics.
"This is it ladies and gentleman, the moment you've all been waiting for!" Eric opened the transparent container, and got out each relic and placed it on the floor around his person. There were a few confused whispers coming from the spectators, puzzled and wondering what he was exactly doing.
"Don't worry everyone, all will become clear in a minute or two..." He confidently said, relishing his soon to be moment of glory.
Eric got out what looked to be a very ancient scroll from his inside jacket pocket. He began to read it and then started to chant in a very odd language, it almost sounded like gibberish.
'That must be the manuscript he was talking about back in the Tomb Of Rhamoon, he must be reading the passage to release this creature.' Lara summed up in her mind as she remembered Eric talking about this manuscript from his family's antique shop, and it was the main reason why all this has been happening in the first place.
Soon after the shapes of the three artefacts altered. They strangely melted at the same time, turning into a gooey liquid and then altogether the three pools of the substance slithered straight at Eric Copper's body like a snake. Instantly both of Eric's eyes went shut as he absorbed the alien liquid, and he just stood still for a couple of seconds. Nothing happened and everything was quiet...Then suddenly unexpectedly a burst of hysterical deep laughter filled the air.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Any trace of humanity that was left in Eric Copper had vanished, replaced by a more demonic presence. His whole body began to mutate and change into something grotesque. His muscle mass heavily increased as he grew in quadruple size and even then he kept on getting bigger.
Realising what was going on wasn't good news at all most of the audience screamed and shouted, fleeing away from the stadium. Even Eric's personal bodyguards abandoned their duty now seeing what had become of their boss, leaving Lara and Kurtis behind to fend for themselves.
"What do we do now!?" A very worried Kurtis queried that all important question.
"I dunno, but we have only 20 minutes to defeat this monstrosity, otherwise it will be game over for the world as we know it!" Lara stated, she too was very worried at what might occur next.