Chapter 13: I love you
Lara found herself frozen in shock, her heart pounding in her chest, as Karel and his men closed in on them. The weight of his words reverberated in her mind, filling her with confusion and disbelief.
"You see Lara, your father, and Konstantin had known about this but kept it from everyone else," Karel said, a wicked smile playing on his lips. "You are my sister."
The revelation hit Lara like a tidal wave, bringing back the memories of her father's journal. It contained the secrets he had hidden, the truth that Konstantin had taken on her identity as Klara. Now, face-to-face with Karel, who claimed to be her long-lost brother, Lara couldn't deny the doubts that had haunted her for so the past few days.
Lost in her thoughts, Lara failed to notice Kurtis's protective gesture. He grabbed her arm and pulled her behind him, shielding her from Karel's menacing presence. The weight of their mission to protect the Amazonian, to keep her safe from the Nephilim, pressed heavily on Kurtis.
This was what they had been trained for—to defend Klara and the chosen one. But amidst the chaos, Kurtis couldn't ignore his conflicted emotions. He loved Lara, and despite the danger they faced, he still longed to express his feelings to her.
"The Amazonian is waking up within you, Lara," Karel said, drawing closer. His men loomed behind him, a formidable force. "That's why you survived Egypt. No mortal could endure such an event."
"Karel, back off!" Elizabeth's voice rang out as she jumped in alongside Chris, positioning themselves to protect Lara. "You have no proof of this."
"Oh, I have plenty of proof, Miss Clark," Karel chuckled. Elizabeth stared defiantly at him, while Chris glanced back at Kurtis, who was also fixated on Karel. As for Lara, she stood there in stunned silence, her mind reeling, as she stared at her trembling hands.
Natla's voice echoed in her mind, a haunting reminder of her past. You're here because you belong here, Lara. That's who you are.
"Did Natla know too? Was that why she wanted me to join her, to rule in the seventh age?" Lara whispered to herself, her thoughts momentarily drifting. But she was abruptly snapped back to reality when Kurtis yanked her to take cover.
"Hey, I can fight for myself," Lara protested as they sought refuge behind a nearby jeep.
"I would rather die than let you face Karel alone," Kurtis declared, determination etched on his face, as he drew his gun.
"I've fought him before, and I can do it again," Lara retorted, her irritation seeping into her voice.
"That was before he knew who you truly were," Kurtis replied, firing shots over the hood of the jeep.
"Attack them! Bring me Lara and Kurtis alive!" Karel bellowed at his men. In response, Karel's mercenaries opened fire, forcing Lara and Kurtis to duck for cover. Bullets whizzed past them, and the air filled with tension. Meanwhile, the warriors of light conjured their mystical weapons, wielding them with deadly precision, beheading Karel's henchmen. Karel himself ascended into the air, unleashing streams of green energy toward the group. The defenders managed to evade the onslaught just in time.
"We need to get out of here!" Lara shouted, her eyes scanning the surroundings for an escape route. Elizabeth soon joined them, rushing towards their position.
"But how? Karel's men have us surrounded; we're trapped," Chris interjected, his voice laced with concern.
Their gazes met, exchanging silent communication amidst the chaos. Shots continued to ring out as Karel's men closed in. Suddenly, one of them lunged toward Lara, but she swiftly retaliated, delivering a swift kick to his stomach before landing a decisive blow to his head. As he collapsed to the ground, she swiftly dispatched him with a bullet to the head. However, their actions were interrupted by Karel's chilling voice.
"Stand down," Karel commanded, and to everyone's surprise, his mercenaries obeyed, halting their gunfire. Kurtis exchanged a puzzled glance with Elizabeth and Chris.
"What is he playing at?" Kurtis questioned, his brow furrowed.
"He's trying to deceive us," Elizabeth replied, her voice filled with suspicion.
"Listen, I have two missiles ready to launch at two locations: Alexandria and Clark Manor. Surrender now, and I won't harm anyone," Karel proclaimed, his voice carrying a twisted sense of satisfaction.
The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on their minds. The rest of their comrades, the brothers, were still in danger. If Karel were to launch the missile, they would be doomed.
I am the leader of this order. I need to protect them, Kurtis thought to himself, a surge of determination coursing through his veins. Rising to his feet, he shocked everyone with his decision.
"What are you doing, Kurtis?" Lara's voice quivered, her hand instinctively reaching out to touch his arm.
Please don't do anything reckless.
"I'm saving your ass, that's what I'm doing," Kurtis declared, his eyes locked with hers. "Elizabeth, you're in charge until I return."
"Kurtis, you're going to get yourself killed!" Lara's voice strained with fear, desperately pleading with him.
"I'd rather die than let Karel lay a hand on you," Kurtis stated firmly, receiving a nod of approval from Elizabeth. With unwavering resolve, he walked out from their hiding spot, his hands raised in surrender.
"I will accompany you, and my people will be unharmed," Kurtis proposed to Karel, who smirked as he finally obtained what he desired.
Finally, I have the person who will fulfill the prophecy—the chosen one.
"I can agree to that," Karel responded, glancing at Gunderson. "Take him and leave the others alone."
I will get Lara another time, Karel thought to himself, a malicious glimmer in his eyes. Gunderson and his men seized Kurtis, forcefully securing him in a helicopter.
"Bind him tightly and transport him. The rest of you, stand back," Gunderson ordered his subordinates.
"We mustn't waste any more time. Kurtis sacrificed himself for us," Elizabeth said urgently, turning to face Lara.
"Lara, get into the jeep immediately," Elizabeth commanded, her voice filled with authority.
"We can't just let them take him," Lara protested, her eyes locked defiantly with Elizabeth's.
He doesn't always have to be the hero.
"I promise we'll rescue him, but for now, we're outnumbered. We have a chance to escape and devise a plan. Please, get in the jeep," Elizabeth implored, her anger mounting. "Lara, that's an order."
"I don't take orders from you," Lara snapped, folding her arms defiantly as she locked eyes with Elizabeth.
"I am now in charge of this group until we retrieve Kurtis. If you want to help us, you'll follow my lead, whether you like it or not."
"Lara, please, just listen to her," Chris interjected, his voice filled with desperation. Finally, Lara sighed, reluctantly acquiesced, and jumped into the jeep as they sped away.
I hope we can rescue him. Kurtis, please stay safe.
As Kurtis was forced into his seat, Gunderson, his former boss, approached him and struck him in the stomach.
"That's for lying to me," Gunderson sneered, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes.
Kurtis gasped for air, refusing to show any sign of pain in front of Gunderson. The fight wasn't over yet.
The hours dragged on as Kurtis sat alone in his cramped cell. The helicopter ride had brought him to this desolate place, where he was now trapped behind bars. He observed his surroundings—the meager furnishings of the cell, the bed against one wall, and the toilet and sink on the other. It wasn't luxurious, but considering the circumstances, Kurtis found a sliver of gratitude that things could have been worse.
As he settled onto the bed, his mind filled with thoughts of the events that had led him here. The encounter with Karel and the revelation about Lara's true identity as Klara had shaken him to the core. And now, as he grappled with the implications of his role, a familiar voice broke through the silence from the other side of the wall.
"Kurtis," the voice called out, and he immediately recognized it as his mother's.
His heart skipped a beat. How could his mother be here?
"Mother?" he responded, his voice filled with both surprise and concern.
"Oh Kurtis, they've captured you," she sobbed, her voice laden with grief.
"Mother, I'm fine," he reassured her, his tone soothing. "How long have you been here?"
"I don't know, Kurtis. It feels like months, maybe even years," she sighed, her voice heavy with resignation. "But listen to me, my son. It's too late for me. You must find a way to escape before Karel discovers the truth about you."
Kurtis felt a chill run down his spine. The fear in his mother's voice was palpable.
"What do you mean, Mother? What truth?" he asked urgently, desperate to understand her cryptic words. "I won't leave you here."
"He believes you are the chosen one," she whispered, her voice tinged with fear. "But you're not, Kurtis. You must escape before he realizes the truth."
Before Kurtis could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed through the corridor outside the cell. Karel, accompanied by his guards, appeared at the entrance.
"Ah, Kurtis," Karel sneered, his gaze fixed on his captive. "Your mother still clings to hope, thinking you're not who I believe you to be. But I'm busy interrogating a Demon upstairs."
"Why are you telling me this, Karel?" Kurtis hissed, turning to face his nemesis.
Karel smirked, a twisted satisfaction in his eyes. "A man who sacrifices himself for his team deserves to know what fate awaits him before he dies. So, I'll tell you."
Kurtis braced himself, his eyes locked with Karel's, waiting for the words to come.
"I need the powers of the chosen one to awaken the sleeper. I want my sister to die once my scientists extract the needed DNA. And finally, I want your order to be eradicated when I bring my race back," Karel revealed, his words dripping with malice.
"My order will fight to the end," Kurtis declared defiantly, his resolve unwavering.
Karel laughed dismissively before leaving, his guards following closely behind. Kurtis was once again alone in his cell, contemplating the dire situation he found himself in. His thoughts turned to escape, to finding a way out of this prison and putting an end to Karel's plans.
He began to examine every nook and cranny of the cell, searching for any weakness or hidden passage. But his attempts were in vain. He couldn't access his powers, and he soon realized that a force field surrounded the cell, preventing anyone from utilizing their abilities.
A sense of frustration settled over Kurtis as he sank back onto the bed, his mind racing with thoughts of his comrades, his mother, and the impending danger they all faced. The weight of the situation pressed upon him, but he refused to succumb to despair.
"Mother, do you have any idea why I can't use my powers here?" he asked, his voice tinged with frustration.
"Yes, my son," she replied, her voice filled with sorrow. "Karel has erected a force field to nullify any supernatural abilities. It ensures that no one can escape."
Kurtis let out a sigh of exasperation. The odds seemed stacked against him, but he refused to give up hope. He knew that he had to find a way to overcome these obstacles and reunite with his allies.
As he sat on the bed, thoughts whirling through his mind, Kurtis knew that the path ahead would be treacherous. But he also understood that the fate of his comrades, his mother, and his order rested on his shoulders. Determination welled up within him, fueling his resolve to escape and put an end to Karel's twisted plans.
After hours of relentless pursuit, they finally reached the town, fatigue etched on their faces. They parked their jeep near an abandoned building, seeking a momentary respite from their high-stakes mission. The group huddled together, their eyes turning expectantly towards Elizabeth, who now assumed the role of leader.
With a determined expression, Elizabeth took a deep breath and faced her comrades. Chris and Lara, their arms folded, awaited her next move. The weight of the situation hung heavily in the air, and they sought guidance from their newly-appointed leader.
"So, what's the plan?" Lara inquired, her voice laced with a mix of impatience and concern.
Elizabeth, restless with a sense of urgency, paced back and forth like a caged animal. Her mind raced, contemplating the perilous task that lay ahead.
"We will break Kurtis out," Elizabeth declared, her voice filled with unwavering determination. "We have to get him back."
Chris interjected, voicing the doubts that had begun to creep into their minds. "But where? How do we even begin?"
Elizabeth halted her pacing, fixing her gaze on Chris. She raised a finger to respond, ready to outline their next move. However, just as she was about to speak, her phone interrupted the silence. She retrieved it from her pocket and glanced at the screen, revealing the name "Charle."
"Charle?" Elizabeth answered, her tone tinged with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
"Karel just brought Kurtis into their stronghold here in Turkey. What happened?" Charle's voice crackled through the line, his concern palpable.
Elizabeth's heart sank. The news confirmed their worst fears.
"Charle, wait for us nearby the stronghold," Elizabeth responded, her voice resolute.
"Will do," Charle replied before ending the call.
Elizabeth turned to her team, determination etched on her face. "Let's find David and meet up with Charle in Turkey. Time is of the essence."
Without hesitation, they climbed back into their jeep, the engine revving to life as they embarked on the journey back to Alexandria. Their mission was clear: rescue Kurtis and thwart Karel's plans. The urgency weighed heavily upon them as they traveled, their thoughts consumed by the impending confrontation.
"I hope we're not too late," Elizabeth whispered, the words a mere murmur against the backdrop of their collective determination. They pressed forward, driven by a shared resolve to reclaim their comrade and turn the tide of the unfolding crisis.
The piercing sound of alarms reverberated through the torture chamber as Kurtis and Marie knelt helplessly, forced to witness the sadistic torment inflicted upon a middle-aged man. Karel, the orchestrator of their suffering, directed his attention towards Kurtis, seeking confirmation.
"Tell me, is he the chosen one?" Karel interrogated the man, pointing accusatorily at Kurtis. Bloodied and battered, the man glanced at Kurtis before mustering a defiant response.
"I'm not saying a word. Just know that you're ice cold," the man retorted, spitting blood at Karel's feet. Enraged by the insolence, Karel struck him with a leash, eliciting agonizing screams.
Before Karel could continue his relentless pursuit of information, the blaring alarms abruptly interrupted the room, drawing his attention. "Gunderson, find out what's going on," he commanded, his focus momentarily diverted.
"Yes, sir," Gunderson replied, swiftly exiting the room to investigate the source of the disturbance.
"Keep a close watch on these prisoners. I need to attend to something," Karel instructed the guards, brandishing his gun before departing for his office.
Seizing the opportunity presented by the commotion, Kurtis noticed movement in the shadows, his smirk betraying a glimmer of hope. Sensing Kurtis's resolve, Marie leaned in, whispering inquisitively.
"Why are you smiling?" she inquired, curiosity tinged with uncertainty evident in her voice.
"Mother, just follow my lead," Kurtis whispered back, his gaze fixed on the shifting shadows. Marie, recognizing the significance of their discovery, nodded in silent agreement. Gathering his courage, Kurtis addressed the two guards standing watch over them.
"Hey, fellas. Mind telling me if I can use the bathroom?" Kurtis asked a hint of mischievousness in his tone. The guards glanced at him, their expressions stoic and unyielding.
"Or not. I'll just wet my pants, then," Kurtis taunted, his words serving as a diversion.
Suddenly, two figures emerged from the shadows, swiftly overpowering the guards and snapping their necks. Kurtis and Marie's rescuers stood before them, revealing themselves to be Chris and Elizabeth. A surge of relief washed over Marie as Chris enveloped her in a tight embrace. Kurtis, freed from his restraints by Elizabeth, observed the emotional reunion unfolding before him.
"I haven't seen you since that day," Marie whispered, her voice trembling with a mixture of surprise and joy. "Chris, is that really you?" she asked, momentarily breaking their embrace. Chris, breaking the chains that bound Marie's wrists and ankles, met her gaze with a tender smile.
"I'm here, mother. But we need to move," Chris urged urgency lacing his words. They swiftly made their way down the hallway, heading towards the exit where Lara awaited their escape.
"Come on, we need to hurry. More are coming," Lara urged them onward, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. As they rushed towards safety, gunfire erupted, mercenaries in pursuit of their fleeing prey.
"Chris, look out!" Elizabeth shouted, but her warning came too late. Chris recoiled as a bullet pierced his shoulder, a cry of pain escaping his lips. Elizabeth retaliated, unleashing an energy bolt upon the mercenaries, clearing a path for their escape. Supporting Chris, she guided him towards the waiting jeep, determination etched on her face.
In a desperate bid to elude their pursuers, they all piled into the jeeps, engines roaring to life. Tire screeches and the staccato rhythm of gunfire filled the air as they sped away, racing towards the awaiting plane concealed within the nearby forest. David, the pilot, guided them skyward, while Elizabeth tended to Chris's wounded shoulder with assistance from Charle. The intensity of their escape began to subside, replaced by a collective sense of relief mingled with concern for their injured comrade.
As the plane ascended, Kurtis and Lara found a moment of respite, distancing themselves from the rest of the group to engage in a much-needed conversation. They retreated to a secluded hallway, seeking solace amidst the chaos that surrounded them.
"We need to talk," Lara declared, her voice carrying a mixture of frustration and urgency.
Kurtis, surprised by her tone, folded his arms defensively, awaiting her revelation. Uncertainty etched across his face, he couldn't help but wonder why Lara appeared so angry.
"What conversation are we having?" Kurtis questioned, his voice laced with confusion and trepidation.
Lara, her arms crossed defiantly, fixed him with an unwavering gaze. "The one where you explain all the reckless decisions you've been making lately," she retorted, her words laden with disappointment and concern.
Caught off guard by her directness, Kurtis let her words sink in. He attempted to respond, but Lara interrupted, her frustration boiling over.
"Giving yourself up to Karel was a mistake," she declared, her voice filled with conviction.
"He was about to destroy the Brotherhood and everyone around them. What did you expect me to do?" Kurtis asked.
"I don't know, but we could've made a different plan to escape," Lara said in anger.
Kurtis began, his voice tinged with defensiveness. "I did what I thought was best, and it led us to rescue my mother and uncover more of Karel's plans."
Lara shook her head, her expression a mix of disbelief and exasperation. "But we almost lost Chris in the process," she countered, her voice laden with disbelief.
"He should have listened to Elizabeth in time," Kurtis interjected, his voice strained with regret.
"Maybe Elizabeth shouldn't have been put in that position in the first place," Lara countered, her frustration evident.
"You don't think she's capable of leading?" Kurtis challenged, his voice tinged with defensiveness.
"I didn't say that," Lara replied, her tone softening slightly. "But she's still finding her footing. She questions herself."
"I question myself every day," Kurtis interjected, his voice filled with the weight of his responsibilities, but Lara interrupted him once again.
"Let me speak," she commanded, pointing a finger at him to silence his protests. "All Elizabeth could think about was getting you back. She's not ready for leadership, Kurtis."
"But she has to be. Time is running out," Kurtis argued, his voice tinged with desperation.
If she is the Chosen One, she needs to be ready, Kurtis thought.
Lara sighed, her frustration giving way to a deeper vulnerability. "Because you're being reckless. You're acting as if you're ready to die," she confessed, her voice tinged with a mixture of fear and sadness.
"So, this is not about my supposed stupidity; it's about me dying," Kurtis surmised, his voice tinged with resignation.
"It seems like one thing is leading to the other," Lara replied, her voice filled with genuine concern.
"I fought Boaz, risking my life, to save yours, like I did back in Egypt, I made a decision to save everyone else." Kurtis retorted, his voice thick with emotion.
Lara took a step closer, her eyes brimming with sincerity. "You don't get to make that decision alone. It's a decision that should be made with the people who love you," she implored, her voice wavering with vulnerability.
"Lara," Kurtis attempted to speak, but she silenced him with a gesture, her eyes searching his for understanding.
"And that includes me," she confessed, her voice steady, yet vulnerable. "I love you."
Kurtis stood there, stunned by her admission, his mind racing to process the weight of her words. He struggled to find his own voice, grappling with a mix of emotions.
"I... I didn't expect that," Kurtis finally managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper.
Lara offered a faint smile, her eyes shimmering with a blend of hope and uncertainty. "I thought that might shut you up," she remarked playfully, a faint blush adorning her cheeks. Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving Kurtis to grapple with the magnitude of her revelation.
As he watched her retreating figure, Kurtis's thoughts swirled in a maelstrom of emotions. He knew that he, too, harbored feelings for Lara, but he had never fathomed the possibility of reciprocation from someone like her. Lost in his thoughts, he contemplated the complexities of their situation, aware that their path forward would require not only courage and determination but also a shared understanding of the love that bound them together.
